4th of July

I don't normally write posts like this but I couldn't help myself. Maybe it's because I'm pregnant and my hormones are kickin', but I'd like to think it's also the government teacher in me that cannot take this comment lightly. Here's what I'm referring to:

A friend of mine on facebook said the following:

every year i am morally conflicted on the fourth of july.

"there are two great lies that i've heard:
the day you eat of the fruit of that tree, you will not surely die
and that Jesus Christ was a white, middle-class republican
and if you wanna be saved you have to learn to be like Him

my first allegiance is not to a flag, a country, or a man
my first allegiance is not to democracy or blood
it's to a King & a Kingdom"
(derek webb)

My response to that was: Really?! You're morally conflicted?! Let me help you out, Luke 20: 20-26 says:
²⁰ Keeping a close watch on him, they (i.e., the scribes and chief priests) sent spies, who pretended to be sincere. They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said, so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor. ²¹ So the spies questioned him: “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. ²² Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
²³ He saw through their duplicity and said to them, ²⁴ “Show me a denarius. Whose image and inscription are on it?”
“Caesar’s,” they replied.
²⁵ He said to them, “Then give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”
²⁶ They were unable to trap him in what he had said there in public. And astonished by his answer, they became silent.

It's pretty clear that the Lord does not declare that any man or woman's allegiance must be to a ruler, what He says is that what you owe him is to be rendered. Jesus does not say to worship Caesar. Therefore, my allegiance is first and foremost to God and to follows his command that whatever government I live under, I must be responsible and pay the taxes required of me. And secondly, I am 100% thankful that this is the country the Lord allowed my ancestors to come and live. I am 100% thankful that I live in a democratic country which allows comments like the one this person has written and even my own ramblings on this blog to be published thanks to freedom of speech and the press. And I am, above all else, 110% thankful that I live in a country that promotes freedom of religion where I am able to worship and praise my God the way I wish. So really and truly, I am not morally conflicted and there's no reason anyone else should be either because obviously if this is the land God wants you to be to serve Him you'll remain and if it's not, then He'll lead and direct you elsewhere; and wherever you end up living, "Give to Caesar (any government authority) what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."

Happy New Years!

Well, unlike most of you, Adam and I decided to keep it rather quiet. We spent the night at my parent's place, ordered the best pizza in town, and watched "Super 8" which was interesting, then we fell asleep just after kissing at midnight. Adam's family usually has a game night and at the strike of twelve, will bang on pots and yell across the creek with a boisterous "Happy New Year!" I missed not being at the Davis household this year, but it sure was nice just taking it easy.

Unlike last year, which began with good intentions, this year, instead of using that word resolutions,  I think I'll just say I plan on being more intentional. Instead of making resolutions (there's that word, again), I'd rather have goals I'm continually working toward; some are my own and others are those of mine and my husband's. So, without further ado, here's what you've been waiting for!


2012 Personal Goals:

-be intentional (follow through with what you say and do)

-read Scripture daily; study it as well

-simplify life!
                -watch less TV
                -use the Internet purposefully, not idly
                -live frugally; spend less money, save more
-take Zumba classes at the Y; play Just Dance & Dance Central (3-4 times per week)

-spend more time outside
-write actual letters
-cook more homemade meals
-be crafty
-read


Next, I'll tell you about the goals Adam and I have as a couple! Keep reading!

Happy Holidays?!

Yesterday was October 1st and stores are already out with their Christmas decorations. I would like to say that I haven't caved and listened to any Christmas music, or looked at some of our Christmas decorations, movies. etc. but the truth is, I have listened to Christmas music and I've even had an urge to watch a Christmas movie, too. In the process of moving, packing, and unpacking, we've sorted through some of our Christmas decorations and immediately all the nostalgia of Christmas memories the holidays bring hit me.

Now, with that being said, I am still digging and very much in love with Fall! I have waited 9 long months for it to begin! Perhaps I am bit biased, after all, it is my favorite season: the one I was born in, the season Adam and I began dating and married, too. It captivates me with its luscious golds, burgundies, browns, burnt oranges, and deep reds; the aroma of pot roasts, pumpkin and apple pies, and cinnamon scented candles grab me senseless. I'm like a cat around catnip! Okay, bad metaphor, but you get the idea. Having just bought our house and living here only 2+ weeks I am still in Fall mode for decorating, and I will keep those decorations up until Black Friday--a day reserved, not for shopping, but for decorating for Christmas, and trust me those decorations will last at least a month to a month and a half. So for now, step aside Christmas, it's Fall's time to shine!

Let's go back to Thanksgiving!

Appetizers

It felt crisp outside today, a little cooler than usual. It reminded me of the feeling of fall and how much I missed it! Because I am such an awesome horrible blogger, and didn't blog much up until this point, I never shared the photos I took during the holidays. Ergo I am correcting my ways! Oh and by the way, sometime in the next few days I'll share with you the uhhhhmazing homemade apple pie I made, but for tonight I'll simply recap my favorite holiday, Thanksgiving! Now don't get me wrong, I love Love LOVE Christmas, but there's just something in the simplicity in the gathering of families and food together whilst remembering what we're thankful for that is special to me.

Mom & Adam making Chex Mix

In my family, we always sleep in then start the day with turning on the tube and listening to as well as watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. Next, dad will usually get the appetizers ready and we munch on those all day long. Mom and Adam have come to love making their own version of the beloved Chex Mix. Then throughout the day, Mom and I will prepare and make all the traditional Thanksgiving fixings with the addition of a new recipe or two.

Anywho, all of this is to say how wonderful it is to remember what we're thankful for throughout the year, not just at Thanksgiving. Normally these "I'm thankful for" lists go on and on and there's only three things that I wanted to mention today:  (1) how great it is to know the I Am (it is extraordinary to serve the God in whose image we are made of, and in who's power we were created. There is no better realization that without Him my life would be meaningless). (2) I also want to thank my brother for standing up and not looking back after taking the plunge of faith. You're an inspiration to me and I'm proud of you. I am thankful for all the memories we share growing up, even the times we fought and couldn't stand to be around one another. We may be miles apart but you're no more than a thought (or phone call) away! And lastly (3) I'm thankful the Lord has placed me where he has at Charles City. I seem to have forgotten the opportunity I have to share who the Lord is and to be a positive light to my students. So I'm thankful for being pushed out of my comfort zone and strengthening me through the experiences I have had there! I'm not quite where I should be, but I'm much farther and better off than where I once was!

So in return what are you thankful for? What have you forgotten to remember and praise the Lord about since Thanksgiving? (Please feel free to share!)

Love: Family

I apologize that this is a day late, and that tomorrow's post will be two day's late. It seems that Sunday got away from me, what with the Lord saying to rest on the seventh day and all. This week has been fairly busy as well, what with yesterday being Valentine's Day and today involving the end of a professional development class, a vet appointment, and running errands with Adam this evening.

However, despite my busyness, today, or rather this evening, I'd like to reflect on the blessing and love of a family. I cannot say that all have been blessed to have the amazing families that Adam and I have, but I can say that God has a purpose for each. For whatever reason, He allowed us to share the closest connection possible with these people that according to Webster's dictionary are (a) a group of individuals living under one roof and usually under one head and/or (b) a group of persons of common ancestry. I feel my own definition would read family--a group of people whose lives have been so woven as to share love, heartache, pain, joy, and fellowship. Yeah, that sounds about right.

None know us better than our families do. Families seem to make or break us. After all, they know the good and the bad. Families work through the good and bad. They remember to pick one another up and dust the dirt off our feet and clothes. Our families are usually the only group of people lucky enough to stand back and say yes, I'll walk through this life with you and am willing to share in the memories we'll make along the way. What better time than Valentine's Day (or the day after) to tell your loved ones what they mean to you?! So to my immediate, extended, and church family, I love you all dearly and I am grateful that God has orchestrated my life that I am blessed to know each of you.

Love: Friendship

When February rolls around we all think about Valentine's Day and love. Over the next few days I'd like to look at love from different angles. The first being that of friendship.  I have been truly blessed to have some of the best friends anyone could ask for. I hope to blog about each and every one of them as the year goes on. I simply decided to choose my friend Kelly whom I just got off the phone with about an hour ago.

I first met Kelly in the fall of 2005 when I started my freshman year at Bluefield College. She was the RHD of my dorm. I remember my father (being too friendly) and sharing the story of how he hurt his back (as well as proceeding to show her his scar--sorry Kel) and would she help us with whatever it was we were doing or putting together. And being Kelly, she jumped right in and offered to help. Kelly is the kind of friend that when you really need someone to be there for you, there she'll be. She's quick to offer advice and especially a listening ear.  She'll watch endless hours of a TV show on DVD just to catch you up, she'll let you wear her apron and run around shooting water guns at each other, she'll help you pull pranks on guys,she'll pray for you at a moment's notice, she'll forgive you for being late, she'll endure a bike ride session with a Jewish boy pushing you to your last ounce of patience, but she'll keep you encouraged and will live room for you if you're in the neighborhood. Kelly has truly been a light in my life and I am so thankful that God allowed her to be in mine.

So this Valentine's Day, remember to be thankful for the love of friendship and remember: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." -John 15:13