a compassionate view on abortion

This is too good to not be shared.

I'm sure you have heard about the heartbreaking videos that were released about some Planned Parenthood management trying to sell baby parts from the aborted fetus' they have. There are five altogether. If you have somehow missed this, please look into it! They are difficult to watch and hear about, but it needs to be known.

This was posted today on Ann Voskamp's blog and it is so beautifully written.

It's a compassionate view. One that I wish more people had.

"Abortion isn’t so much about a woman having a choice — but a woman feeling like she has no choice at all."

"When we say that Womb Lives Matter — it doesn’t for one iota of a moment mean that women’s lives don’t count, don’t have a voice, don’t matter. When we say that Womb Lives Matter, we aren’t saying that only pre-born people matter and women don’t —- we are saying that pre-born people matter equally too .It’s part of the DNA of true social justice: Humanity believes in mutual human flourishing — in the flourishing of all human beings. History, genocides, Nazism, racism, haven’t they all proved at the very least this to humanity: It’s when we dehumanize anyone, that we can legitimize anything."

"What does it say of our humanity when we place value on aborted human organs — but not on the human baby who had those organs? We sit with that, how we failed woman and child. Every abortion is a failure of humanity: failing a human being in crisis and a human being in utero."

A Holy Experience: An Honest Conversation about abortion that asks us not to turn away -- from anyone. The Emmaus Option.

^^please click link above to read the whole post

food bank needs

I came across this on FB and I knew that I wanted to pass it along blogland too.  It was a list of the Ten Things Food Banks Need But Don't Ask For, as compiled by Reddit.com users.


1. Spices
People who rely on the food bank eat a lot of KD, rice, canned food. Wouldn't it be nice to be able to kick those up a notch with spices?

2. Feminine Products
As a woman, I must say that these are needed items. As being in a family on a tight budget, these items sometimes can get missed in your shopping cart. If you can, add an extra box of pads or tampons or liners to your cart and to the donation bin.

3. Chocolate
Everyone eats it, right? We all want it and we all seem to be able to add one (or two or more...) to our own shopping. Why not add a bag of chocolate chips or a brownie mix or even just a small bar?

4. Toiletries
I couldn't imagine having to go without tooth paste, deodorant, shampoo or soap. I ran out of toilet paper once and it wasn't pretty in my house (I think boys eat the stuff when they are in the bathroom so long!) but I could at least run down and grab some more from the store. 

5. canned meat and jerky
We all need protein; Tuna, Salmon, heck, even spam! It's hard to get meat in some places.

6. Crackers and Tortillas
Everyone likes them and they don't go bad.

7. Baby Toiletries.
These are seriously expensive! But a new mom shouldn't have to debate on whether to feed her family or her newborn. So pick up those diapers, formula, wipes, rash cream, bottles, shampoo and soap!

8. Soup Packets
I love those Lipton soup packs and am always making homemade soup here, and I remember my Great Grandma's homemade soup after church. You can make a whole meal with just a package of soup!

9. Socks
The feeling of warm, clean socks can do amazing things to people. It is a warm hug and hope wrapped up in cozy fibres!  I read on the Reddit thread from a former homeless person that he couldn't often go into stores shoe-less, but if he went in with just socks, no one noticed he wasn't wearing shoes.  (hey, maybe shoes are an option to donate as well, in that case)

10. Canned fruit other than pineapple
I guess pineapple is a standard donation! Apparently people who use the food bank are a lot like others who appreciate variety in their diet; like peaches, mandarines, apricots, etc.



I admit that I hadn't thought much of what to donate or what would really and truly bless others in need. I will pick up those pre-packaged food bags that Safeway or Save On will have available and donate those, or I'll even add $2 to my order that gets donated to the Food Bank when asked, and I'll throw in a few cans to my kids' backpacks when they do drives at school...but sat and thought about it? Can't say I gave it much thought, sadly.  How about you?  Adding just a few small items to your cart each trip will make a big difference to those who are in need.  

Let's start up a challenge! See how many items you can donate to the Food Bank this season from this list. It doesn't have to be all at once (but that would be wonderful too!) But maybe each week, add one thing ....spices the first week, socks the next, deoderant the next week and so forth....  Can you image how much change you can make to your community if a group of us did this? With Christmas season fast approaching, think of how you can bless another family.

because it's real

I found this on FB one day and it really struck me. It's from Live Laugh Love.

The good times and the bad times both will pass. It will pass. It will get easier. But the fact that it will get easier does not mean that it doesn’t hurt now. And when people try to minimize your pain they are doing you a disservice. And when you try to minimize your own pain you’re doing yourself a disservice.

The truth is that it hurts because it’s real. It hurts because it mattered. And that’s an important thing to acknowledge to yourself. But that doesn’t mean that it won’t end, that it won’t get better. Because it will....


So true.

she learned three things

Makes you think....

I came across these videos tonight that I KNEW I just had to share.

Pt 1: the overpopulation myth



Pt 2: 2.1 Kids: A Stable Population


Pt 3: Food: there's lots of it


I love these. They are my New Favourites! My favouritest is the one on the kids, since I get shocked looks and sometimes disdain when people hear that I have four children! Hey, I'm just doing my part. Are you? *smile*

what do I do all day?

This was posted on my friend's FB page this weekend and it made me laugh. Knew I'd have to share it here. My many mom friends will totally get this. Hopefully my DINK friends will understand-- if they didn't already! *smile*



*DINK: double income no kids

the way to live for 2010

I saw this on another blog and discovered it's full version and the author. This is something to think on. Maybe a way to to start living for 2010.

The Paradoxical Commandments
by Dr. Kent M. Keith

People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.
Love them anyway.

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Do good anyway.

If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.

The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.

Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.

The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.
Think big anyway.

People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.
Fight for a few underdogs anyway.

What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.

People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.
Help people anyway.

Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you have anyway.

Sex doesn't sell!

It's about time that someone noticed what others have been saying for years...and that 'someone' was a large study! I'm hoping that Hollywood notices this soon, too!

Check out this article here: http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Movies/12/29/sex.doesnt.sell.movies/index.html or read it below! *smile*

How sad, yet how true, that today's generation "yawns" at a lot of objectionable material out there. I thought this was interesting. What are your thoughts?

Does sex sell movies? Uh, not really

By Lisa Respers France, CNN

December 29, 2009 1:39 p.m. EST

(CNN) -- When it comes to movies, it may be that sex doesn't sell.

A recent study concluded that nudity and explicit sex scenes don't translate to success for major motion pictures.

"Sex Doesn't Sell -- nor Impress! Content, Box Office, Critics, and Awards in Mainstream Cinema" examined more than 900 films released between 2001 and 2005.

The study found that, contrary to popular belief, sex and nudity failed to positively affect a film's popularity among viewers or critics and did not guarantee big box office receipts.

One of the study's co-authors, Dean Keith Simonton, said theirs was the largest sample of its kind used for film research. The results surprised him, he said.

"Sex did not sell, whether in the domestic or international box office, and even after controlling for MPAA rating," said Simonton, who is a professor of psychology at the University of California, Davis. "In other words, even among R movies, less graphic sex is better."

The top-grossing films in the study included movies like "Shrek 2;" "Spider-Man;" "Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith" and "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King," all of which contained mostly minor to mild sex and/or nudity.

Simonton said the research went beyond others in that it also examined other forms of "objectionable" material that might earn a film an R rating including violence.

The study was prompted by an experience almost a decade ago of its co-author, Anemone Cerridwen.

Cerridwen had been taking acting classes and increasingly became uncomfortable with some of the sexualized content she was encountering. That led her to consider the work experiences of film actresses and the pursuit of data about the lucrativeness of sex in movies.

"I assumed sex sold, and wanted to know by how much," Cerridwen said. "I braced myself for the worst, and got quite the surprise."

Craig Detweiler, director of the Center for Entertainment, Media and Culture at Pepperdine University, said the study's findings reflect the culture's post-sexual revolution sensibilities.

"Nothing is as shocking anymore," Detweiler said. "You can see it in Britney Spears' kiss with Madonna and Janet Jackson's Super Bowl performance. Things that were a big controversy among some, the next generation kind of yawned at it."

Rather, Detweiler said, he has seen among his students that the new form of rebellion against the older generation includes "not doing drugs, not sleeping around and not getting divorced." That might explain the popularity of some of the Jane Austen films and movies like the "Twilight" series, he said.

"Those stories are really about sexual separation," he said. "They are all about wooing, not winning."

Tom Jacobs, staff writer for the academic research periodical Miller-McCune, wrote about the study and said there has long been the belief that the many young males who make up movie audiences are enthralled by female nudity.

"These researchers really put that belief to the test and crunched the numbers," Jacob said. "What I took from the study is that a hint of sex is perhaps more enticing than out-and-out nudity."

The study's authors are hopeful that their findings will have some impact on moviemaking.

Simonton said he has had one inquiry from a researcher at a major studio that he declined to name, though he has no idea if the studio plans on acting on the data.

Cerridwen said she thinks movies continue to be influential on the public and believes their study could also have an influence, especially if other academics pick up the torch and continue the research. Until then, she hopes Hollywood takes notice.

"I do believe that there are a fair number of people in the film industry who want to make better films, and this study may give them some ammunition," she said. "I know that Hollywood has been trying to make more family-friendly films for a while (since the '90s) and it seems to be helping ticket sales, so my guess is that this research would complement that."

Those Canadians and their Flashlights.

Those Canadians And Their Flashlights

Found at probably bad news

---

know the difference

Know the Difference between a Cold and H1N1 Flu Symptoms

Symptom	Cold	H1N1 Flu
Fever	Fever is rare with a cold.	Fever is usually present with the flu in up to 80% of all flu cases. A temperature of 100°F or higher for 3 to 4 days is associated with the H1N1 flu.
Coughing	A hacking, productive (mucus- producing) cough is often present with a cold.	A non-productive (non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with the H1N1 flu (sometimes referred to as dry cough).
Aches	Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold.	Severe aches and pains are common with the H1N1 flu.
Stuffy Nose	Stuffy nose is commonly present with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week.	Stuffy nose is not commonly present with the H1N1 flu.
Chills	Chills are uncommon with a cold.	60% of people who have the H1N1 flu experience chills.
Tiredness	Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold.	Tiredness is moderate to severe with the H1N1 flu.
Sneezing	Sneezing is commonly present with a cold.	Sneezing is not common with the H1N1 flu.
Sudden Symptoms	Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days.	The H1N1 flu has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains.
Headache	A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold.	A headache is very common with the H1N1 flu, present in 80% of flu cases.
Sore Throat	Sore throat is commonly present with a cold.	Sore throat is not commonly present with the H1N1 flu.
Chest Discomfort	Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold.	Chest discomfort is often severe with the H1N1 flu.

The only way to stop the spread of the epidemic is to spread the awareness.

you're like a pumpkin

Being a Christian is like being a pumpkin.

God lifts you up, takes you in, and washes all the dirt off of you.

He opens you up, touches you deep inside and scoops out all the yucky stuff-

including the seeds of doubt, hate, greed, etc.



Then He carves you a new smiling face

and puts His light inside you to shine for all the world to see.

you've got mail....

I saw this today and it made me LAAAAAUGH!!! okay, maybe to the recipient it isn't funny, but can you think of a more tacky way of telling someone that you may have given them a disease? sheesh! Albeit, it's a better solution than not telling them anything, I suppose. But wow! Read on...

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iBH4CUUxFVL05Ljl-oTqE9DXwGzQD9A7F7M80

You've got mail — and possibly an STD
Brazil creates e-cards to inform partners of infection

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — The Brazilian Health Ministry has created a Web site to let people inform partners they’ve got a sexually transmitted disease via an e-mailed virtual postcard.

The official in charge of the ministry’s STD and AIDs programs notes that many people have a hard time telling partners they’re infected.

Mariangela Simao said in a statement this week that the e-mails may help people “to tackle these diseases directly and with minimum exposure.”

One of the cards shows a young man reclining in his underwear. It reads: “Hi! I don’t know if this is the best way to tell you, but I’ve learned that I have an STD.”

The card suggests the recipient see a doctor.

take that! you early-risers!!!!

I was sent this by my friend (and also understanding BIL!!!) this morning, much to my happiness!!! I feel vindicated! Take that, all you early-risers!!! (yes, I'm talking to you, Hunny!!!! LOL) I am a Night Owl, have always been (I take after my father in that respect) but have tried and tried to conform to the standards of society that Early Birds say are the way to live. Foolish them! But I suppose I can't be too hard on them, they don't have the mental stamina to understand just how wrong they are!!! LOL

This is a link to the actual article:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/technology/science/want-to-get-ahead-sleep-in/article1065333/

But, here it is below, for those who don't feel like clicking!!! It's a good read.

Want to get ahead? Sleep inLate risers have more mental stamina and can outperform early birds, study finds


MARINA JIMÉNEZ, KATE HAMMER
From Friday's Globe and Mail Last updated on Friday, May. 15, 2009 02:32PM EDT
Smug early birds take note: Night owls actually have more mental stamina than those who awaken at the crack of dawn, according to new research.
“It's the late risers who have the advantage, and can outperform the early birds,” said Philippe Peigneux, a professor of clinical neuropsychology at the Free University of Brussels in Belgium, who along with co-author Christina Schmidt published the counterintuitive findings in the latest issue of the journal Science .
Using magnetic resonance imaging, the pair conducted an experiment that measured alertness and ability to concentrate in 30 subjects who were naturally “extreme” early or late risers. The early risers got up between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m., and the late risers at noon.
Maintaining their natural schedules, the volunteers spent two consecutive nights in sleep labs. After 10 hours of being awake, the early birds showed reduced activity in brain areas linked to attention span, compared with the night owls. The early risers also felt sleepier and tended to perform tasks more slowly, compared with the night owls, when their level of alertness was measured.
“The results suggest that night owls generally outlast early birds in the length of time they can be awake without becoming mentally fatigued,” the study concluded.
Dan Reynish, host and producer of radio show Saskatchewan Weekend , rises most days at 3:30 a.m. The Regina radio personality never uses the snooze button on his alarm clock and enjoys getting his day started ahead of his co-workers.
But he admits that his energy dwindles some afternoons.
“There are definitely times where I find if I'm not doing something or I'm sitting down. … I find myself slowing down a bit,” he said.
Thierry Busset, pastry chef at CinCin, an upscale Italian restaurant in Vancouver, wakes up most days around noon. He said he always feels well rested and enjoys working late into the night when the restaurant is empty and his mind is clear.
“I'm lucky because I need very little sleep, and I wake up ready to go,” he said.
Yet there are no “late-riser” special discounts or idioms such as “the night owl catches the worm.” That's because of societal pressures, says Prof. Peigneux, co-author of the study. Those who hit their stride at midnight are often required to then get up early for work or school. They may appear to be lazy or unmotivated – but are really just sleep-deprived.
“If you allow them to live on their preferred schedule, then they can outperform the morning types,” he said.
The study measured the part of the brain that is home to the circadian master clock that operates according to a day-night cycle. Sleep pressure dampens the circadian signal, and activity in this area decreases the longer the person is awake. The night owls were more resistant to sleep pressure.
Genetics dictate whether someone is a morning person, Prof. Peigneux said, adding that most people are “neutral.” But 15 per cent of the population is an “extreme” early morning or late riser; and another 15 per cent are “moderately evening or morning types.”

I am God's Original Masterpiece

I was sent this a while ago from a dear friend and it still hits me hard. It is a good reminder for me...and for everyone. God doesn't make JUNK...even though we buy into the lie that we are less than what He made.




I want to be chiseled (no, not like THAT....although I would be happy with a fit body!) but I am afraid. Afraid that I can't change. Afraid of letting go of what I'm so used to. Afraid that it will hurt. So I hold back, when I need to just let Him do it. I just need the strength and the courage.

the duck and the devil

The Duck and the devil ~


There was a little boy visiting his grandparents on
their farm. He was given a slingshot to play with out
in the woods. He practiced in the woods; but he could
never hit the target. Getting a little discouraged, he
headed back for dinner. As he was walking back he saw
Grandma's pet duck. Just out of impulse, he let the
slingsho t fly, hit the duck square in the head and
killed it. He was shocked and grieved!

In a panic, he hid the dead duck in the wood pile;
only to see his sister watching! Sally had seen it
all, but she said nothing.

After lunch the next day Grandma said, "Sally, let's
wash the dishes" But Sally said, "Grandma , Johnny told
me he wanted to help in the kitchen." Then she
whispered to him, "Remember the duck?" So Johnny did
the dishes.

Later that day, Grandpa asked if the children wanted
to go fish ing and Grandma said, "I'm sorry but I need
Sally to help make supper." Sally just smiled and
said, "Well that's all right because Johnny told me he
wanted to help" She whispered again, "Remember the
duck?" So Sally went fishing and Johnny stayed to help


After several days of Johnny doing both his chores and
Sally's; he finally couldn't stand it any longer. He came
to Grandma and confessed that he had killed the duck.

Grandma knelt down, gave him a hug and said,
"Sweetheart, I know. You see, I was standing at the
window and I saw the whole thing, but because I love
you, I forgave you. I was just wondering how long you
would let Sally make a slave of you."

Thought for the day and every day thereafter:

Whatever is in your past, whatever you have done…
and the devil keeps throwing it up in your face
(lying, cheating, debt, fear, bad habits, hatred,
anger, bitterness, etc.)…whatever it is …You need
to know that God was standing at the window and He saw
the whole thing. He has seen your whole life. He wants you to
know that He loves you and that you are forgiven.

He's just wondering how long you will let the devil
make a slave of you. The great thing about God is
that when you ask for forgiveness; He not only
forgives you, but He forgets. It is by God's grace and
mercy that we are saved

When Jesus died on the cross; he was thinking of you!

Mommy ~ Mom ~ Mother

MOTHERS

Real Mothers don't eat quiche,
They don't have time to make it.

Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils
Are probably in the sandbox.

Real Mothers often have sticky floors,
Filthy ovens and happy kids.

Real Mothers know that dried play dough
Doesn't come out of carpets.

Real Mothers don't want to know what
The vacuum just sucked up.

Real Mothers sometimes ask 'Why me?'
And get their answer when a little
Voice says, 'Because I love you best.'

Real Mothers know that a child's growth
Is not measured by height or years or grade…
It is marked by the progression of Mommy to Mom to Mother….

The Images of Mother

4 YEARS OF AGE - My Mommy can do anything!

8 YEARS OF AGE - My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot!

12 YEARS OF AGE - My Mother doesn't really know quite everything.

14 YEARS OF AGE - Naturally, Mother doesn't know that, either.

16 YEARS OF AGE - Mother? She's hopelessly old-fashioned.

18 YEARS OF AGE - That old woman? She's way out of date!

25 YEARS OF AGE - Well, she might know a little bit about it!

35 YEARS OF AGE - Before we decide, let's get Mom's opinion.

45 YEARS OF AGE - Wonder what Mom would have thought about it?

65 YEARS OF AGE - Wish I could talk it over with Mom.

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure she carries, or the way she combs her hair.

The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes,
Because that is the doorway to her heart,
The place where love resides.
The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole,
But true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul.
It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she
Shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!

Easter Chicks

Here is an Easter story that suits the season!

They live on a ranch in Durango,CO. and have 900 baby chicks. Every
year, for Easter, they inject the eggs with food coloring, and when they
hatch, they are brilliant with color. She uses, pink, purple, orange,
green, pink, red, turquoise etc? They aren't hurt by the process, and
as they grow, they return to their normal colors. I've never seen
anything so darn cute in my life. Wouldn't you just love to grab a
handful of these little puff balls?

something to think about

One day, the father of a very wealthy family took his son
on a trip to the country with the express purpose of showing
him how poor people live.

They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what
would be considered a very poor family.

On their return from their trip, the father asked his son,
"How was the trip?"

It was great, Dad."
Did you see how poor people live?" the father asked.
Oh yeah," said the son.

So, tell me, what did you learn from the trip?" asked
the father.

The son answered:

"I saw that we have one dog and they had four.
We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and
they have a creek that has no end.

We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the
stars at night.

Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole
horizon.

We have a small piece of land to live on and they have
fields that go beyond our sight.

We have servants who serve us, but they serve others.

We buy our food, but they grow theirs.

We have walls around our property to protect us, they have
friends to protect them."

The boy's father was speechless.

Then his son added, "Thanks Dad for showing me how
poor we are."

Isn't perspective a wonderful thing? Makes you
wonder what would happen if we all gave thanks for
everything we have, instead of worrying about
what we don't have.

hilarious phone call

I got this email from my parents and I laughed SO HARD!!! It makes me think of my Dad. :) I'm just passing along the smiles…

Guy witnesses an accident…hilarious!

This is very funny. The guy's laugh is contagious!
Turn up your sound and click on the website below.

This accident happened in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area and
you must listen to it.

It is a phone call from a man who witnesses a car
accident involving four elderly women. It was so popular
when they played it on CHUM FM that they had to put it on their website.

The guy's laugh is contagious. If you close your eyes and
picture what he is watching, it is even better than a video clip! (it
is clean)


http://www.chumfm.com/MorningShow/bits/march24.swf

why Jesus is better than Santa

WHY JESUS IS BETTER THAN
SANTA CLAUS!



Santa lives at the North Pole.
JESUS is everywhere.


Santa rides in a sleigh.
JESUS rides on the wind and
walks on the water.

Santa comes but once a year.
JESUS is our ever-present help.

Santa fills your stockings with goodies.
JESUS supplies all your needs.


Santa comes down your chimney uninvited.
JESUS stands at your door and knocks,
and then enters your heart when invited.


You have to wait in line to see Santa.
JESUS is as close as the mention
of His name.


Santa lets you sit on his lap.
JESUS lets you rest in His arms.


Santa doesn't know your name,
all he can say is "Hi little boy or girl,
what's your name?"

JESUS knew our name
even before we were born.
Not only does He know our name,
He knows our address too.
He knows our history and future.
He even knows how many hairs
are on our heads.


Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly.
JESUS has a heart full of love.


All Santa can offer is
"HO HO HO"

JESUS offers health,
help and "hope."



Santa says
"You better not cry".

JESUS says
"Cast all your cares on me
for I care for you."


Santa may make you chuckle.
JESUS gives you joy
that is your strength.


While Santa puts gifts
under your tree.
JESUS became our gift and
He died on a tree.. The cross!


We need to put Christ back in CHRISTmas!
Jesus is still the Reason for the Season.

May you have a
Blessed
Celebration of Jesus'
Birth!!

For God so loved the world,
that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in Him
should not perish,
but have everlasting life.
John 3:16

~~Merry Christmas!!~~