Dear Friends:
I had an experience recently that really made me thankful that I know my savior and that my future is cemented in Him. How thankful I am for that hope that rests for me apart from this world, and apart from any man.
I was in a meeting for a bunch of non – profits a couple of weeks ago. I have been to many of these and have heard from organizations that I would never support but understand that they are also a non-profit and struggle with the same things that the non-profit I work for does. There are many organizations out there fighting for things I can never support, and I have grown accustomed to seeing them here and there at events/meetings I attend. I would not have categorized myself as being naïve to their existence.
Until today.
At the meeting, we did an intro and announcement time where you introduced yourself and announced anything you wanted to. A person from Planned Parenthood introduced herself and announced that their chapter received $40,000 in donations from people giving on “behalf” of Sarah Palin. She also said that their national organization received over $2 mill. It gets worse. When she said that PP sent Sarah “thank yours” for the donations, I felt sick to my stomach – and people in the room laughed.
People laughed at their clever idea to throw in Sarah’s face that they have the “choice” to kill babies. Is it a laughing matter?
I was so shocked at this display of sin in our city – and in our nation. I think for the first time in my life I popped out of Christian bubble long enough to be slapped in the face with the hardness of people’s hearts. I should not be surprised – our fight is not against flesh and blood. These people whose hearts are so calloused that they laughed at such a sad, sad thing are an indication of what our country believes in.
I am broken over this – I have cried many tears of shame that I did not speak out, and in sorrow for the hearts of these people who do not know their Creator and who put their hope in this earth and other people. I am not angry with them (anymore), I am angry that I have lost sight of the true fight – it happens on our knees.
I was in such shock at the meeting, that I didn't do what I should have done - I should have stood up and said something. I didn't stand up in that meeting, but I am going to make a donation to the Crisis Pregnancy Center in honor of Sarah Palin and the guts it took for her to stand for life in front of America. And I’m going to ask my friends to do the same!
I did some research on the donations that were given to Planned Parenthood in "honor" of Sarah Palin, and found out that the whole campaign was begun by an email. Why can't we start an email campaign and combat those donations by giving to an organization that fights for life?
John and I have struggled with whether or not we should disclose how much we are planning to give. In the end we decided to tell our friends and family that we are giving $1,000 to our local CPC, I'm telling you the amount we're giving, because it stretches our budget, and I'm asking you to stretch yours. We need 79 people to join us in Alaska at this giving level to double what the enemy raised for Planned Parenthood. I know that not everyone can do this, and that this issue is not everyone’s passion. $1,000 spread over a year is less than $20 a week. If 800 people can give $100 we can still double the amount!
I have mentioned the walk-a-thon our local CPC is having to many of you – and for me, this is above and beyond that fundraiser. For me, this is personal now, and should have been all along.
Prayerfully consider this opportunity to bless CPC and stand up for life.Please write a letter to CPC explaining what your donation is for and ask them to send a card to let Sarah Palin know that a donation was given to CPC in her honor. In Anchorage, the address to send a donation is 2902 Boniface Parkway, Suite 200, 99504. You can also donate online at http://cpcanchorage.com/donate.html there is a place to add a note to your donation in the online form.I plan to let our local CPC know that I'm sending this email out and ask them to fill us in on how much is raised. I know we can spread the word and make a positive impact.
Please forward this to friends and family so that we can be sure to pass along this information to everyone who needs to see it.
Sincerely,Stephanie
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Monday, November 17, 2008
Home Again, Home Again, Lickety Split
I made it home late in the night Saturday. The trip home wasn't so bad - I slept all the way from Seattle, and that's always wonderful.
It was so weird walking in the house and not having Pike and Harley there to greet me - but I'm certainly getting used to a cleaner house and less responsibility! :) It is so good to be home with John, I really miss him when we're apart like that, I think that old adage is so true, absense does make the heart grow fonder.
I went to a friend's birthday party on Sunday morning - we had a great time. It's so good to be with girlfriends who love Jesus and love talking about what he's doing. I feel so blessed to have the friends that I have, we need girlfriends!
We also went to a quartely meeting at church on Sunday night - those are kind of fun. I throw in my two cents here and there about things and our pastor really listens to concerns/ideas and does his best to take into consideration everything people bring up. I love it!
Happy Monday!
It was so weird walking in the house and not having Pike and Harley there to greet me - but I'm certainly getting used to a cleaner house and less responsibility! :) It is so good to be home with John, I really miss him when we're apart like that, I think that old adage is so true, absense does make the heart grow fonder.
I went to a friend's birthday party on Sunday morning - we had a great time. It's so good to be with girlfriends who love Jesus and love talking about what he's doing. I feel so blessed to have the friends that I have, we need girlfriends!
We also went to a quartely meeting at church on Sunday night - those are kind of fun. I throw in my two cents here and there about things and our pastor really listens to concerns/ideas and does his best to take into consideration everything people bring up. I love it!
Happy Monday!
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Waiting for Baby
I'm at my sisters house in Virginia. It's a beautiful place to visit and I've had a great time picking apples, seeing homes of our nation's founders and hanging out with family. When I got here the it was over 70 degrees, but quickly returned to more fall-ish weather...bummer. After our less than desirable summer, I thought I'd get a quick one while I was here.
We are, however, still waiting for baby #3 to arrive for my sister and brother-in-law. My poor sister is still very pregnant and now three days overdue - she's ready and so are the rest of us! I have a sneaky feeling I'll miss the birth entirely since I leave in two days...bummer.
P&H are adjusting to life with kids again. There have been a few tears and a lot of stern conversations regarding "personal space" for the dogs. It's hard to understand when you're four that growling is a really good indicator that maybe the dog doesn't want your hands in his blanket that he's borrowed completely under. I'm sure all will adjust just fine and the girls and boys will soon grow used to each other and the fascination will wear off.
I better get going and try to help out doing something around here.
We are, however, still waiting for baby #3 to arrive for my sister and brother-in-law. My poor sister is still very pregnant and now three days overdue - she's ready and so are the rest of us! I have a sneaky feeling I'll miss the birth entirely since I leave in two days...bummer.
P&H are adjusting to life with kids again. There have been a few tears and a lot of stern conversations regarding "personal space" for the dogs. It's hard to understand when you're four that growling is a really good indicator that maybe the dog doesn't want your hands in his blanket that he's borrowed completely under. I'm sure all will adjust just fine and the girls and boys will soon grow used to each other and the fascination will wear off.
I better get going and try to help out doing something around here.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Traveling soon...and other stuff
Tomorrow I'm heading to my sister's house in Virginia to help her with her girls and the arrival of her new baby, and to bring her her long lost dogs.
The boys are all certified and ready to fly. I have to give them baths and pack up all their items tonight when I get home from work. I'll wash all their gear so hopefully they're not too stinky when we arrive. I'm feeling a little nervous about the whole process of getting them checked in and picking them up on the other side, but I'm sure everything will be smooth. John will have to say his goodbyes to them tonight - and I'll have another week with them before I come back home to an empty house. Void of dogs I guess but not really empty.
In the mean time, I've got a lot of packing, cleaning, preparing meals (for my sweet husband to fend for himself) and general stuff to do tonight. Fun.
In other news - I actually made it another quarter with Creative Memories. I struggle to get those orders in because I don't do any shows/parties or anything because I just don't remember to do them...but I like the discount I get, and being a "consultant" has caught me up in scrapping - I'm now in last summer...not too shabby. I rely on girls at work to keep me floating and so far they are doing a decent job - thanks! :) At some point I should try and sell something...what a concept!
The boys are all certified and ready to fly. I have to give them baths and pack up all their items tonight when I get home from work. I'll wash all their gear so hopefully they're not too stinky when we arrive. I'm feeling a little nervous about the whole process of getting them checked in and picking them up on the other side, but I'm sure everything will be smooth. John will have to say his goodbyes to them tonight - and I'll have another week with them before I come back home to an empty house. Void of dogs I guess but not really empty.
In the mean time, I've got a lot of packing, cleaning, preparing meals (for my sweet husband to fend for himself) and general stuff to do tonight. Fun.
In other news - I actually made it another quarter with Creative Memories. I struggle to get those orders in because I don't do any shows/parties or anything because I just don't remember to do them...but I like the discount I get, and being a "consultant" has caught me up in scrapping - I'm now in last summer...not too shabby. I rely on girls at work to keep me floating and so far they are doing a decent job - thanks! :) At some point I should try and sell something...what a concept!
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Even with Obama as President...
No matter who our president is, all of these will come true!
1. The Bible will still have all the answers.
2. Prayer will still work.
3. The Holy Spirit will still move.
4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.
5. There will still be God anointed preaching.
6. There will still be singing of praise to God.
7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.
8. There will still be room at the Cross.
9. Jesus will still love you.
10. Jesus will still save the lost when they come to Him.
1. The Bible will still have all the answers.
2. Prayer will still work.
3. The Holy Spirit will still move.
4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.
5. There will still be God anointed preaching.
6. There will still be singing of praise to God.
7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.
8. There will still be room at the Cross.
9. Jesus will still love you.
10. Jesus will still save the lost when they come to Him.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Politics
Dear Friend at work:
I hear you right now discussing your opinion about tomorrow's election.
Guess what - I don't agree with you. Could you take your opinion somewhere else? It's very possible that one or two people might agree with me - but rather than start a fight about something we obviously both feel passionate about...why don't you just shup up and we'll call it good?
And I'll keep my opinions to myself as part of the deal.
Love,
Stephanie
I hear you right now discussing your opinion about tomorrow's election.
Guess what - I don't agree with you. Could you take your opinion somewhere else? It's very possible that one or two people might agree with me - but rather than start a fight about something we obviously both feel passionate about...why don't you just shup up and we'll call it good?
And I'll keep my opinions to myself as part of the deal.
Love,
Stephanie
The Boys
This morning in between snoozes...I was feeling sad about Pike and Harley moving on. I thought...wow this is the last Monday that I'll let have to pull Pike out of his ball of blanket and make him go outside....how sad. Pike really wads up in his blanket when he goes to bed for the night. most mornings, Harley runs out of his kennel ready to face the world, and Pike has to be coaxed out of his kennel and loved on a little before he's ready to go outside. I'm sure that once Pike got outside his thought was "wow...this is the last Monday that I'll have to freeze while I try and use this giant snow-covered bathroom."
John and I have gotten a laugh out of how much like Pike and Harley we are. I jump out of bed ready to go in the mornings, I'm truly a morning person. John has to push snooze a bunch of times and eventually makes his way out of the bed - after some coaxing. At night...if we're watching a movie or something, I'm asleep if I blink too long. John is a night person and could stay up until 2 if something interests him.
The boys move to Virginia to live with their "real" family on Friday. We're leaving on a jet plane ... me in the cabin and them underneath. I can just hear Pike crying about it now. We have a vet appointment tomorrow where they'll get their health certificates so that they can fly, and then everything should be in place for us to go. Our plan leaves at 7:30 - so poor John has to get up ultra early on his day off...at least he can go home and take a nap without having to tell the dogs 1000 times to get off the bed.
When I left for work this morning, I could see Pike on the couch under his favorite blanket, sound asleep again. I couldn't find Harley...so I knew exactly where to look...in our room. And I noticed a certain section of our blanket on the bed was breathing. Uh Huh. I touched the breathing section and found Harley, but just didn't have the heart to make him get up and go to the living room...after all - it's his last Monday to sneak into our room and get under the covers.
John and I have gotten a laugh out of how much like Pike and Harley we are. I jump out of bed ready to go in the mornings, I'm truly a morning person. John has to push snooze a bunch of times and eventually makes his way out of the bed - after some coaxing. At night...if we're watching a movie or something, I'm asleep if I blink too long. John is a night person and could stay up until 2 if something interests him.
The boys move to Virginia to live with their "real" family on Friday. We're leaving on a jet plane ... me in the cabin and them underneath. I can just hear Pike crying about it now. We have a vet appointment tomorrow where they'll get their health certificates so that they can fly, and then everything should be in place for us to go. Our plan leaves at 7:30 - so poor John has to get up ultra early on his day off...at least he can go home and take a nap without having to tell the dogs 1000 times to get off the bed.
When I left for work this morning, I could see Pike on the couch under his favorite blanket, sound asleep again. I couldn't find Harley...so I knew exactly where to look...in our room. And I noticed a certain section of our blanket on the bed was breathing. Uh Huh. I touched the breathing section and found Harley, but just didn't have the heart to make him get up and go to the living room...after all - it's his last Monday to sneak into our room and get under the covers.
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