Taking a break...from non-reality

In posting this I realise that I rarely update this in the first place, but lately I've just been thinking a lot about how shallow this online world is making me, so I'm really taking a break - don't know for how long.

But I wanted to post this link called "Nurturing Intimacy in a Facebook Generation"

Here is an excerpt:

"If ever the phrase “too much information” were true, it is now. We are daily slapped with way too much information. In the 1600’s a well-read individual had worked through all of the great literary works in history. Even if I sat down and did nothing but read the "best of the best" I could not hope to finish that list before I was 100. I am reminded of the disconcerting fact once heard that one daily issue of today's New York Times contains more information than a person of the seventeenth century would be exposed to in a lifetime. Too much information.Are we better off because we know so much? We can share articles, ideas, pictures, and videos--but do we purposefully, sacrificially share our lives with one another? Do we have better, deeper friendships because we can text, email, instant message, and poke our friends 24/7? Hardly. "

This article goes on to realistically talk about how shallow we can get in this instant communication society. So I'm talking a break - not because of this article, it just said what i've been thinking for a while. I want to write people letters - remember those? Pen, paper, envelope, stamp? I want to talk face-to-face with you, with others - I want to live in reality, not some cyber world where we can reamain anonymous and emotion-less. So hopefully we will chat sometime soon, or letters will cross in the mail.
Until then take a book outdoors and enjoy the simpler joys of life!

Joy of Marriage

Congratulations Zach & Lori!

It seems like just yesterday Zach was writing home about this young woman and now she is his beloved wife. Weddings are always special, but just thinking about Zach & Lori brings tears of joy to my eyes because they have sought to hononr God first in every aspect their lives individually and as a couple. I pray my children will be able to get to know their aunt and uncle and follow their Godly example. God bless you two!

Have you met my wife...I mean wives?

UGH!!!!
I am once again DISGUSTED! I have been out of the loop I guess for a while, but today I was searching a bit, wanting to find some info on the YFZ Polygamist ranch - wanting to know what it was like for women who escaped, left, what a former member would say. Alas, my search for that has not been very frutiful. BUT I found something that made me want to PUKE!!!

It's this TV Show called "Big Love" on HBO. Now HBO has been raunchy since its beginning, so it's not shocking. But it reminded me of my college days (my major was Radio/TV Broadcasting) where we heard for the first time in ethics class "The medium is the message." We debated that thought and never came to conclusions, but instead to these questions:

1. Does the media simply give a picture of life as it really is or does it create a reality that the world then reflects?

2. Does media influence reality or reality influence media?

*side note* Francis Schaffer had something to say along these lines.

Here's my query - why is being "gay" considered acceptable to most people today? 20 years ago most homesexuals were still "in the closet" but now it's no problem. How about single parents? Living together? Divorce?
Dare I say remember Murphy Brown? The nation was aghast at her pregnancy....
How about the 80s show "My 2 Dads" or "Perfect Strangers" hmm...were they or wern't they...
Then suddenly it was "Will & Grace" and everyone loved it....

So I ask is the medium the message? Or is it just a reflection of reality?
Because This Show "Big Love" is about a polygamist family - living in Utah, of course - and looking like your typical upper middle class white, anglo-saxon respectable folks - just trying to work out family issues like everyone else only with 1 man and 3 wives.

So at the moment we are all utterly shocked at this YFZ Ranch in Texas, but what about the TV show? Well, these wives are all ascenting, 20-somethings, what's the big deal? That's just it. You present something you know people can deal with...oh aren't they so happy? Then slowly things spiral downward until marrying 13 year old girls to 50 year old men doesn't seem so bad anymore. After all, it's a free country and they're free to leave at any time. Um hmmm....

I say all this as a reminder (to myself and others) to filter everything through the TRUTH of scripture. Do we just say "Oh, I just watch it because it's funny..." Is it funny? Can we truly find something funny that derives its humor from things so clearly unbiblical? Today we laugh, tomorrow we think maybe it's ok, and next year we see no problem at all because our minds become numb through the constant messages of the world that we think we can handle because it's just "funny."

"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in h=me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you."

Philippians 4:8

The antics of little "Z"

Z is beginning to do some very funny things...so here's today's funnies:

While I was in the kitchen this afternoon, the kiddos were playing in the living room. I get stuff put in the oven and come out, asking E "Where's Z?" Oh, he's in the closet...hmmm..in the closet...that would be the front room coat closet where all the hymnals from church are currently stashed. Hmm...is he ripping them to shreds?

Upon entering the closet I find Z in the midst of the hymnals, one open, he's going "la la la la" and bopping his head back and forth - Too funny! One of those moments when I really should have had a video camera!

Then tonight it was the ever frightful event of the green vegetable. Lately he's been refusing to eat all vegetables that are not cleverly disguised by layers of cheese, gravy, etc. Well, I debated mixing the green beans in with the stew, but decided he would just have to eat them straight up. I began with the stew, which he ate pretty well, could tell it wasn't a favorite. So then I brought out the green beans. You would have thought I'd brought out the ice cream! He pointed and smiled and reached and chattered away - so I put a few on his tray (not wanting a whole serving to be sent to the floor...) He tested one...made a face, tested another, made a face then smiled and downed them all and wanted more! He made it through almost four helpings of green beans, giggling and laughing all the way like it was a real treat.

I tell you, it was a real treat for mommy to have one meal not turn into a battle of wills. little miss E loves her green beans, too. But tonight she passed up an extra helping of them for some jell-o salad - yes, classic potluck orange jell-o with evaporated milk, mayo and mandarin oranges. Not too bad, but I'll refrain from adding the tuna. (and the olives...)

Shallow Women

Are we American women so shallow?

This was my thought today as I purveyed the choice of women's magazines at the doctor's office. If I am to define the top 5 issues for women today according to these magazines they are:

1. Losing weight
2. Makeup
3. Body Image/clothing
4. Stylish housekeeping
5. Food

These magazines have articles such as:

"10 steps to taking off that baby weight."
"All the makeover tips you requested!"
"________ Lost 55 lbs. in 2 months - here's how she did it!"
"Get that bikini body before summer"
"You can be a mom without dressing like one!"
"Summer fashions - __________ is in!"(I can't rember what was in...not me probably)
"Top 25 entertaining recipies."

So there I sat, my unpainted toenails and lack of anti-wrinkle cream usage making me wonder if today's women are really that shallow. When we get together do we chat about weight loss, makeup, clothes and food? Hmmm...yes. To be honest, even my very un-stylish self does. Those tend to be conversation starters - but does the conversation stay there forever? Do we never get past the weight loss tips and recipe exchanges? What about Titus 2? I don't think Paul had in mind the older women giving the younger women fashion tips - unless perhaps it pertains to dressing modestly.

So I've been getting a good dose of L.A.F. lately and decided to put down the style magazines and focus my mind on being a woman of God. Perhaps I'll come up with some new conversation starters besides my post-pardom weight-loss strategy.

"In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives as they observe your chaste and respectful behaviour. Your adornment must not be merely external - braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelery or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit which is precious in the sight of God."

I Peter 3:1-4

Country Girl....

10 ways to know a "country girl" has lived in the city too long

1. At dinner she asks you who shot the chicken.

2. When pretending the broom is a horse she makes sure he has a leash.

3. She thinks Laura Ingalls' family was Amish.

4. She pretends her bike is a tractor.

5. She "makes" maple syrup from the Lilac bush.

6. Her favorite movie is "How to Cook on a Wood Cookstove."

7. She asks "Is this pork from a pig?" when eating bacon for breakfast.

8. She offers to "Hoe poppop's garden" with her sand toy hoe.

9. Boots are everyday footwear.

10. Every night she wants to cook dinner "over the fire."

Little "E" is full of fun ones this week!

Life

I got this as an email forward and I just love the miracle of life...

"A picture began circulating in November. It should be 'The Picture of the Year,' or perhaps, 'Picture of the Decade.' It won't be. In fact,unless you obtained a copy of the US paper which published it, you probably Would never have seen it.

The picture is that of a 21-week-old unborn baby named Samuel Alexander Armas, who is being operated on by surgeon named Joseph Bruner.The baby was diagnosed with spina bifida and would not survive if removed from his mother's womb. Little Samuel's mother, Julie Armas, is an obstetrics nurse in Atlanta . She knew of Dr. Bruner's remarkable Surgical procedure. Practicing at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville , he performs these special operations while the baby is still in the womb.During the procedure, the doctor removes the uterus via C-section and makes a small incision to operate on the baby.

As Dr.Bruner completed the surgery on Samuel, the little guy reached his tiny, but fully developed hand through the incision and firmly grasped the surgeon's finger. Dr.Bruner was reported as saying that when his finger was grasped, it was the most emotional moment of his life, and that for an instant during the procedure he was just frozen, totally immobile.

The photograph captures this amazing event with perfect clarity. The editors titled the picture, 'Hand of Hope.' The text explaining the picture begins, 'The tiny hand of 21-week- old fetus Samuel Alexander Armas emerges from the mother's uterus to grasp the finger of Dr. Joseph Bruner as if thanking the doctor for the gift of life.' Little Samuel's mother said they 'wept for days' when they saw the picture. She said, 'The photo reminds us pregnancy isn't about disability or an illness, it's about a little person.' Samuel was born in perfect health, the operation 100 percent successful. "