The Forgotten Man - Jon McNaughton

You HAVE to watch this!! I've always wondered what the Presidents of the past would say to Obama...

You Make My Heart Happy

(My amazing friend Abby took this picture of Ben my other dear friend's husband. If you have a Facebook check out Abby's photography http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Abigail-Polley-Photography/181264455220276 and like it.. You know you want too!)

Lately I have been reading Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge. It is becoming one of my favorite books very fast =). In chapter seven there was a paragraph that I completely fell in LOVE with. It says "Every song you love, every memory you cherish, every moment that has moved you to holy tears has been given to you from the One who has been pursuing you from your first breath in order to win your heart. God's version of flowers and chocolates and candlelight dinners comes in the form of sunsets and falling stars, moonlight on lakes and cricket symphonies; warm wind, swaying trees, lush gardens, and fierce devotion." I have never thought about this before, but it is sooooo true. They go on to say "He knows what takes your breath away, knows what makes your heart beat faster." Can you believe it the God of the universe wants to romance you??? HOW COOL IS THAT!?!?!?! This makes my heart happy. I'm going to approach each day with "Jesus, how can I fall in love with you more today? How will you romance me today? Whatever it is I can't wait. For it is you who makes my heart happy!"

Nightmare Turned Praise

I had the scariest nightmare Saturday night/Sunday morning. Stephen (my awesome brother) and I were kidnapped and he was being tortured (for some unknown reason.. dreams never give u a reason). Anyways, I wanted to just get out of there but he wouldn't let me, he wanted us to stick together through this. Then I woke up in a hot heated sweat and realized how blessed I am that God protects my family even when Stephen is all the way up in the Arctic tundra aka Wisconsin. Thank you Lord for protecting my family no matter where they are! =)

Leslie Ludy - Three Questions

If everything was stripped away. Would God be enough?

Just One of Those Things =)

You know when you discover a new artist and you can stop listening to her/him?? Well it has happened to me and her name is Kari Jobe.. Check her out=)

A Blessing In Disguise

If ever there was a friend, it is you.
If ever there was a dear, it is you.
If ever there was a Sister in Christ, it is you.
If ever there was a blood sister, it is you.
I love you!

Kim and I actually didn't start out being friends.. actually we didn't like each other at all. God however had quite different plans and now today we are the best of friends. She has been there for me, uplifted my in Christ, and always points me back to our Savior. Thanks Kim for being such a wonderful dear friend and thank you Lord for making us become friends even if we didn't like it at first ;)

Check out her blog http://kenkrauseco.blogspot.com/

"Shall We Dance?" Civil War Ball 2011

Lizzie, Me, Kim, Mrs Schilling, Taylor, and Kristen

Our group of people we invited ^
Dancing the night away

Mr Krause and I dancing ^
I'm in love with my dress =)

I can't remember the name of this dance but it was alot of fun

Daniel needing help =)

Jeremiah saying something important ;)

Jeremiah and I

Jeremiah, Daniel, Seth, Me, Lizzie, and Kate

Kim and Me. It was so wonderful to stay at her family's house while I was down in North Carolina. They are sooo sweet. Lizzie and me

Kim, Me, and Taylor

Yes, we went to Walmart in our dresses and tuxes.. Yes, we got funny looks.. Yes, it was Awesome!!

Eli and Taylor

Some people's kids ;)

Sanctity of Human Life

Images. Some grip our attention and inspire warm feelings. Others stir negative emotions. "Immoral." "Pro-Choice." "Liberal." opponent? An enemy? Or a person whose life is sacred? What response is evoked? Annoyance? Disgust? Hatred? Or concern?

Labels. The Sanctity of human life ethic begins with the understanding that all people are made in the image of God. We are commanded to protect and respect them because they bear His image, not because they're innocent or conform to standards. Labels never really apply.

Actions. As we know, the Bible prohibits violence and murder because each human being is a special creation in His image. (1) Old and New Testaments use the same rationale for prohibiting hateful speech: mockery, slander, curses, abuse, etc.(2) Indeed the mouth of one like Christ-who bears His image- is devoid of such offenses. (3) When any human being is harmed physically or verbally, God feels it! (4)

Thought! Proverbs 24 goes further, applying the pro-life principle to our thoughts and feelings. Verses 10-12 are very familiar to pro-life people -Deliver those being led away to death!- but how do we know verses 17-20? They tell us not to celebrate when the enemy falls, or rejoice when he stumbles. Why? The Lord is watching He is displeased. (5)

Heart. Calling myself pro-life neither the kingdom of God nor me anything if regard for the sanctity of human life is not written deeply on my heart. (6) It must be reflected in my relationships with those who love me, and in my responses to those who do not.

Jesus says we should love our enemies and pray for them. (7) How can I pray for the person I hate? Without love, how can I ever expect to persuade anyone to my point of view, or win him/her to Christ?

I want to be pro-life in my thoughts, deeds, and words. What does that look like?

I will not show contempt for fellow image-bearers, but treat them with love, honor, and respect.

I will not seek to resolve conflicts with a "win", but with relationships intact or improved.

I won’t dehumanize (or "demonize") people who advocate abortion, but love them, pray for them, do good to them... without expecting or demanding kindness in return.

1) Genesis 9:5-6; Exodus 20:13; Proverbs 3:29-31, 4:14-17, 6:16-19, 22:2. 2) James 3:8-10; Matthew 5:21-22; Proverbs 12:6, 17:4-5. 3) Colossians 3:8-10. 4) Proverbs 14:31. 5) Proverbs 14:20-21. 6) Matthew 15:18-20; Galatians 5:19-24. 7) Luke 6:27-36; Romans 13:8-10.