Summer with a purpose...

I have only officially been on summer vacation for a day (weekends don't count) and already a countless number of people have asked me "so, what are you doing while on summer break?" or "Any big plans this summer?" Sometimes I (half) jokingly comment on how I'd love to plan a wedding this summer. But my usual response is to do some reading, visit my parents, sister, niece, etc, go to Nor-Cal with Luke...

Those are all great things, and I am looking forward to them. But I've been thinking- I want my summer to have purpose. I want to use this time off to not only relax and unwind from the year, but to also renew my spirit. I'm praying that this summer I will draw closer to the Lord. No excuse of having too much to do to spend extra time in the word.

In other words, I have hopes that this summer will be a renaissance of sorts. A rebirth for the spirit. Hopefully when school starts up again, I will be that much stronger in my walk with God.

"Hate Speech"

I didn't watch much of the Olympics this year. Maybe that's because I was busy with other things, or didn't really feel into it. But for whatever reason, seeing bits and pieces of it as I went downstairs for various reasons prompted my thinking. I had heard that Canada (the site of this year's Olympics) had laws prohibiting people from preaching certain parts of the Bible. This made me start to wonder, so I began looking it up online.

Now you may be thinking "online resources aren't always the most reputable." And that can often be the case. However, when you come up with several sites that say the same thing, it tends to lend credibility.

"What did I find?" you ask? Several sources mentioned that there are indeed parts of the Bible deemed "hate speech" in Canada because it talks negatively about homosexuality. There have actually been cases where people have been fined and forced to apologize because of it.

Case 1: A Christian man who owns a print shop in Canada refuses to print an ad by 2 gay men on the homosexual agenda. He is sued and forced to pay each man over 1,000 Canadian dollars to make up for distress and the damages he has caused.

Case 2: Jessica Beaumont, a Canadian citizen, is banned from posting Bible scripture having to do with homosexuality on the internet after posting verses on mostly American sites. If she violates this parole, she faces up to 5 years in prison.

Case 3. Reverend Stephen Boissoin, a Protestant youth pastor in Canada is found guilty by the Alberta Human Rights and Citizenship Commission (AHRCC) because he wrote a letter against same-sex marriage in a newspaper. He has now been banned from speaking out against homosexuality ever again.

Similarly, in 2005 a Roman Catholic Bishop was brought before the same commission for writing to his own congregation. This letter wasn't published for distribution but was a resource to equip his church members against homosexuality. He would have been charged as the others, had he not "clarified his remarks", causing the complaints to be dropped.

You may say "well that's Canada for you". But this is where it gets scarier still

Case 4: Colorado, U.S.A.- Senate Bill 200 section 8 prohibits the publication of matter "that discriminates against persons due to disability, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, or ancestry."

Case 5: On October 22, 2009 President Obama passed the "Mathew Shepard and James Byrd Jr Act". This act was chosen as the #1 anti-Christian act passed in 2009 (by the Christian Anti-Defamation League.) It is said to eradicate the idea that homosexuality is sinful by deeming acts against such as a hate crime.Though speech is not limited yet, this law leaves open the possibility that pastors could be called on to testify in hate crimes. If a person commits a hate crime, and it is found that they listen to a pastor who preaches against homosexuality, that pastor could also be found guilty.

Any of this sound familiar? If you think what happens in other countries won't happen here, it's time to wake up to reality. Our faith is under attack. It may not be where you live... yet. But it's coming.

"Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8

Links to check out for more information:

http://brianakira.wordpress.com/2008/01/14/bible-illegal-in-canada/

http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=68542

http://www.nationalpost.com/opinion/columnists/story.html?id=ceebc006-06cc-4aa8-ad1a-5e3f7f5c8229&p=1

http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2008a/csl.nsf/billcontainers/BD7A295EB6F4460E872573F5005D0148/$FILE/200_enr.pdf

http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=68542

http://barbaracscott.com/?p=54

http://www.cwfa.org/articles/6458/CFI/family/index.htm

http://www.cnsnews.com/news/print/60163

A not-so-surprising revelation brought to you by Panera

Ok so I have the day off today in honor of President's day. (yay for presidents I guess!) I am enjoying my 4-day weekend, though I wasn't too enthusiastic about having to leave the house for several hours while the cleaning lady was there. (Thankfully no more hair tangles!)

I decided to make a trip to one of my favorite hang-outs; Panera Bread. Good food, nice atmosphere, and free internet! As I neared the entrance, an older man got there just ahead of me and opened the door for me. I politely said thank you, while trying to hide my sense of surprise. Let's face it, it seems chivalry is all but dead. I guess that might be just the younger generation.

The same man ended up right behind me in line and I couldn't help noticing how much he reminded me of my grandfather who just passed away. He was jovial, kind, and wore a big tan Gilligan-type had I had seen my grandpa wear. As I finished up my order and took my change he pulled out an old black and white photo of when he was a young man. He said he looked like a lady killer, though he didn't remember being such in his younger years.

Seeing this complete stranger made me realize how much I miss my grandpa. It seems like I just saw him yesterday, though the last time I visited him was a probably a good 4 months ago. I feel like I should be able to call him up and say hello.

I have struggled lately with not only missing him but also the realization that I took him and others for granted. I never realized how much I loved him until he was gone. Of course I knew I loved him, don't get me wrong. I guess it's just so easy to go weeks or even months without talking to someone but once they are no longer in your life every day seems like a life time. I guess I'm still adjusting to the though of not having him around any more and it only takes little things like a stranger in a restaurant to remind me of how much it still hurts.

Remembering...

It's been a while since I posted here. Some of you who know me may know that my family has been going through a somewhat difficult time as of late. My Grandpa (my mom's dad) passed away suddenly, leaving my Grandma who is ailing from dementia, all alone.

It appeared he died in his sleep, although we later found out that he was also suffering from colon cancer that had metastasized in his stomach. We are unsure if he was aware of this or not, but was due to get tests done the morning he died.

This has been a trying time for everyone in the family, especially my mom. The service went well... Full military honors and a wonderful memorial service filled with laughs, tears, memories, and a clear presentation of the Gospel.

I'm so thankful for everyone's thoughts and prayers for my family. I have really seen how people you might not expect, come around in my time of need and show their love. I was equally surprised at the ones I thought would be there that weren't...

It will be a long journey before things get back to "normal" but God has been good in granting us peace. My Grandma is in an assisted living facility that will take care of her needs as she continues to become more reliant on others. We will always miss Leslie Janzen. He was a great Grandpa, loving father, and a good man.

Awesome new addiction...

So my friend Emilee showed me a website called Etsy which is a place for people who make their own products to sell them. I found some really cute stuff and even bought a few things... I may need to get a summer job if I keep this up!

Amazing faith...

I came across this video through someone else's blog and wanted to post it here because it is such a testimony to faith. Please watch the video and join hundreds of people who are praying for the healing of this little girl.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ese3zYZ-NA4


Ellen :)

surviving year 1

As I start the summer I don't think I have more to be thankful for than this summer. It is only by God's strength and mercy that I survived this truly trying year of teaching. Many may complain about tough years but those close to me know how difficult it really has been. At the beginning of the year I honestly did not think I would make it to the end. Looking back now I can't believe how much I've learned along the way. God has showed me how to be patient when children were trying to get a rise out of me, how to explain something multiple times and in many new ways to help a student who "just doesn't get it" and how to really make a difference in a kid's life. All the praise and glory really goes to the Lord because I would not have made it if it were only up to me.
I pray that He will continue to give me strength as I look forward to the next year and another class of young minds to shape.

Happy Birthday to the greatest DAD!

Dad-

Today's your special day. I hope you know how much I love and appreciate you. Here are just a few things I love about you.

1) Your committment to the Word of God

2) Your committment to Mom and your family

3) Your passion for your job

4) The way you zone out when you are watching a big game (even if we are standing there yelling to get your attention)

5) Your "Jonie" stories you used to tell us before bed when we were kids

6) The "twinkle lights" you put in our rooms at Christmas

7) Teaching me how to say my ABC's, tie my shoes, ride my "daddy's girl" bike, and so much more.

8) Teaching me to stand up for myself

9) Always being on my side

10) Loving me most :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!

Ode to a Mom...

Today I am especially thankful for my mom. I am thankful for:

1) The way she raised me

2) The way she loves my dad.
3) Staying home with us when we were little
4) Her wonderful sense of humor
5) Her sensitivity
6) Her care and concern for people
7) Putting up with me (even when I was a pill at times)
8) Lending her shoulder for me to cry on and an ear to listen to my problems
9) Her yearning to learn more and more about God each day
10) Giving me godly advice

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

Spiritual Batter Eaters...

Tonight, in the middle of what would seem like an ordinary task, I found myself turning to Spiritual thought. I suppose this is a good thing, since we are to "pray without ceasing" and "continually fix our eyes on Christ, the Author and Perfecter of our Faith". But since I'm no theologian, excuse me if this seems a little corny...
First, a little background. A friend of mine challenged me about a week ago to a "biggest loser" competition. The goal: to lose 10 lbs. in a month. Of course there was a prize for the winner(s). So, like all women on a diet, it starts out easy, but eventually (sometimes sooner rather than later) turn into an uphill battle. Every dessert becomes first a temptation, then a taste, and before you know it you've GAINED weight on your diet. That's not supposed to happen! Now this in and of itself could lend to several Spiritual analogies, but this is not where my insight came.
Today I found myself rushing home from work to get to the grocery store. Today marks 2 years that the love of my life and I have been together. I decided I would attempt to make his favorite cake, chocolate cake with cherries in the middle, topped with chocolate- coffee frosting. Remembering that I was on a diet, I told myself that on this special occasion I would have just a small piece of the dessert to celebrate.
As I was making the cake, I reminisced about baking with my mom when I was younger. One of my favorite things was when my mom would give my brother and me each a "batter beater" to lick when she was done mixing the ingredients together. As I thought about this I found myself still cleaning out the mixing bowl and taking tastes here and there. Then I remembered that evil "d" word... DIET.
We all have those big things we are waiting for: a new job, a promotion, marriage, kids, whatever. Those are the "cakes" in life. We know that when they come, it's going to be great. God promises that he will work all things for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. And God does bless us with so much. but just as I was too impatient to wait for that slice of cake, too often we are impatient with God when it comes to waiting for His blessings. Instead we would rather take the lesser tastes of goodness. In the end, those "batter beaters" never satisfy us.