I was listening to a Focus on the Family program yesterday, and they were talking about the woman who got on Good Morning America and criticized stay-at-home moms. Now, this is enough to anger me, but when she is quoted saying that stay-at-home mothers are a "threat to civilization," I must hold myself back from hunting this woman down. Linda Hershman says, "I think it's a mistake for these highly educated and capable women to stay at home. An educated, competent adult's place is in the office."
Her whole argument is illogical. First, a "threat to civilization"? Please. Civilization would only improve if more children were parented and taken care of. And wouldn't the true end to civilization be the lack of mothers, not the increase? Think about it. As for her totally offensive statement about "an educated, competent adult's place is in the office"...wow. I'm almost left speechless at such brashness. Doesn't an "educated, competent" mother bring about more "educated, competent" people by using her knowledge and wisdom to raise "educated, competent" children?
Hershman says feminism has failed because too many women want to be mothers. I say, good; let feminism die and let femininity and motherhood resound. Motherhood is not a threat to civilization. Rather it is what sustains it.
3.24.2006
3.20.2006
For Good.
The first days of school always have an air about them. Students returning from summer vacation might not be completely thrilled about not being able to sleep in (or maybe they’re thrilled that they will), but there is an anticipation for what the day will bring; for this day will help dictate what the rest of the semester will be like. This day held a little more for me. This was my first day of school in 13 months, and I was thrilled to finally be at a university after my one year hiatus from college and three years of confusing contemplations and unfulfilling work. It was Wednesday, and my last class wasn’t until 4:00. I’m sure I arrived a prompt five to seven minutes early and took my seat in the second row, center section, right chair of the left table. The class began to fill, and soon our petite, lively teacher entered. My, she’s energetic. Well, at least class wouldn’t be boring (or would it…). Introduction to Mass Media. Susie Battle. HUM104. MW 4:00-5:15.
Now, as with many other classes, the time for introductions came, but we weren’t just to introduce ourselves to the class, we were to introduce one of our fellow students to the class. So, we paired up. At first I was in a group of three with the girl sitting one chair away from me and some guy with a shaved head sitting at the table in front of me. This only lasted momentarily as the girl sitting in front of me to my left was un-paired. We paired and began this mini get-to-know-you session, armed with pens and note cards. We introduced ourselves and told where we were from. She was from Potsdam, New York. Potsdam. Hmmm…that sounds so familiar. She was surprised to hear that I would have heard of Potsdam, but I contended that the name indeed had a familiar ring to my ear. We moved on, giving majors and classifications and whatnot. When it was time to introduce our new acquaintances to the class, she broke the monotonous precedent set by our peers and proclaimed with certainty the newly-learned information on her note card. My, this is one confident girl.
Facebook was what really brought us together, enlightening us of our common loves for both Lost and photography. And then one weekend, I sent this girl a message upon her unexpected return home. Funny thing is, it’s not usually my nature to do such things with people I barely know…but thankfully I did because it opened up the door for more passing comments about Lost and church and why “Potsdam” sounded familiar to me (It was the place of a conference in World War II…but it was Germany, not New York). Eventually, by the end of the semester, passing comments turned into conversations, and a strictly classroom acquaintance became a friend.
And it all started on that first day of class.
Little did I know that on this first day of class, I was meeting a woman who would come to play a huge role in my life. Little did I know that she would be one of my closest friends, a shoulder to cry on, a listening ear, a mouthpiece of wisdom, a laughing companion and an instrument for change in my life. Little did I know that the guy with the shaved head in front of me was her good friend and would become my neighbor.
Little did I know that I would spend my spring break with this New Yorker. Little did I know that I would go with her to her home and find out how she could be so unique and special…not to mention discover that she’s really not as observant as we think she is. Little did I know, on that hot and humid August day, while I was writing Potsdam, NY on a 3.5x5 inch note card that I would move there within the year.
Little did I know that I would come to love this girl not only for what she would “do” and “be” for me, but that I would love her just for who she is.
The first day of school. We just never know who we meet may turn out to be our good friends. We just never know how it could change the course of our lives.
Oh, what a difference a day makes.
Now, as with many other classes, the time for introductions came, but we weren’t just to introduce ourselves to the class, we were to introduce one of our fellow students to the class. So, we paired up. At first I was in a group of three with the girl sitting one chair away from me and some guy with a shaved head sitting at the table in front of me. This only lasted momentarily as the girl sitting in front of me to my left was un-paired. We paired and began this mini get-to-know-you session, armed with pens and note cards. We introduced ourselves and told where we were from. She was from Potsdam, New York. Potsdam. Hmmm…that sounds so familiar. She was surprised to hear that I would have heard of Potsdam, but I contended that the name indeed had a familiar ring to my ear. We moved on, giving majors and classifications and whatnot. When it was time to introduce our new acquaintances to the class, she broke the monotonous precedent set by our peers and proclaimed with certainty the newly-learned information on her note card. My, this is one confident girl.
Facebook was what really brought us together, enlightening us of our common loves for both Lost and photography. And then one weekend, I sent this girl a message upon her unexpected return home. Funny thing is, it’s not usually my nature to do such things with people I barely know…but thankfully I did because it opened up the door for more passing comments about Lost and church and why “Potsdam” sounded familiar to me (It was the place of a conference in World War II…but it was Germany, not New York). Eventually, by the end of the semester, passing comments turned into conversations, and a strictly classroom acquaintance became a friend.
And it all started on that first day of class.
Little did I know that on this first day of class, I was meeting a woman who would come to play a huge role in my life. Little did I know that she would be one of my closest friends, a shoulder to cry on, a listening ear, a mouthpiece of wisdom, a laughing companion and an instrument for change in my life. Little did I know that the guy with the shaved head in front of me was her good friend and would become my neighbor.
Little did I know that I would spend my spring break with this New Yorker. Little did I know that I would go with her to her home and find out how she could be so unique and special…not to mention discover that she’s really not as observant as we think she is. Little did I know, on that hot and humid August day, while I was writing Potsdam, NY on a 3.5x5 inch note card that I would move there within the year.
Little did I know that I would come to love this girl not only for what she would “do” and “be” for me, but that I would love her just for who she is.
The first day of school. We just never know who we meet may turn out to be our good friends. We just never know how it could change the course of our lives.
Oh, what a difference a day makes.
3.16.2006
And the peace of God which surpases all understanding...
I need to go to the bank. I don't want to go. But I have to. They say I owe them $620. I really only owe them about $150. They should have told me before. I should have checked on this earlier. Oy vey. Ignorance is bliss. But ignorance, at its very root, is still...well...ignorance.
Strangely enough, I have peace. I'm not as ecstatic as I usually would be. Still nervous but calm, nonetheless. Thank you, Lord.
I want my brother.
Off I go.
Randomness...this I know. But just needed to write it out, thank you.
Strangely enough, I have peace. I'm not as ecstatic as I usually would be. Still nervous but calm, nonetheless. Thank you, Lord.
I want my brother.
Off I go.
Randomness...this I know. But just needed to write it out, thank you.
3.13.2006
Here comes the sun...and I'll say...it's alright.
Mmm...Tennessee weather. I love it. Sunshine and warmth welcomed me back from spring break. It definitely makes being back more pleasant but doing work more difficult. Motivation! Need it. Yes, well, I'm sure it will return in a few days, and I will be back at the ol' grindstone. Until then I will continue highlighting and cutting friends' hair and watching Saved by the Bell and cooking. Oh yes. Good times.
...
Only four and a half weeks to Easter. I'm so excited to go home and see my family...I need to spend some time with the nieces!! Whenever I see a picture of my Andi, I just want to squeeze her!!!
...
So, I have quite a few life-altering decisions to make...a couple that I even need to make by the end of the week. It's crazy. It's scary. It's exciting. It's risky. It's crazy. Wow. God...well...He has definitely done a work in my life in the past week. So many things this semester are...fitting together: classes, chapels, sermons, talks. The Lord has His hand upon me, and I am anxious and excited to see where He is leading. He's lead me so far even right now. I marvel as I sit back and think about the divine appointments He has made in my life...and how my life right now is a result of a chain of these appointments. Craziness. His timing is impeccable.
...
Only four and a half weeks to Easter. I'm so excited to go home and see my family...I need to spend some time with the nieces!! Whenever I see a picture of my Andi, I just want to squeeze her!!!
...
So, I have quite a few life-altering decisions to make...a couple that I even need to make by the end of the week. It's crazy. It's scary. It's exciting. It's risky. It's crazy. Wow. God...well...He has definitely done a work in my life in the past week. So many things this semester are...fitting together: classes, chapels, sermons, talks. The Lord has His hand upon me, and I am anxious and excited to see where He is leading. He's lead me so far even right now. I marvel as I sit back and think about the divine appointments He has made in my life...and how my life right now is a result of a chain of these appointments. Craziness. His timing is impeccable.
3.09.2006
How peculiar
I sit on a four-post bed fit for a queen. Out in the kitchen with the wood stove I hear my friend singing yet another Christmas song. Two home-schooled kids are receiving their assignments for the day from their enthusiastic mom. Outside the snow on the ground is melting, creating the ever-present-with-the-changing-seasons “snirt.” The land bares a greater resemblance to northern Wisconsin than Chicago, so I must consciously remind myself that I am in New York. They call it the north country.
Saturday morning I stepped off an airplane into Albany, New York. I was so relieved and thankful to be on the ground for the final time, as underneath the skin of my forehead, cheeks, ears and nose, popping and pounding was undergo like I had never felt before. I knew, though, from our first flight that day that I would experience some relief within my face with my body planted on the earth instead of in the air. And I had plenty of time to recover as I and my lovely friend waited on a concrete windowsill with the heater blowing beneath us for three and half hours.
Time passed as I rested, read, blew my nose a lot, talked to my mom and looked out the window at this state I had never before set foot in. Hundreds of miles away from my “other home” in Tennessee and my home in Rockford, the first car I saw pull up was a blue Saturn with Illinois license plates. I guess I’m never that far from home.
Later on snow flurries swirled around as I watched for a red PT Cruiser. Car after car passed with disappointment. But finally, off in the distance, we squinted to see the glint of red and the Chrysler symbol. Yes, there she was. We quickly gathered our things and rushed out to meet the woman who my friend calls her “non-mom.” The moment I meet her I can see why. She welcomed us with excitement and open arms. We loaded ourselves in the car, and before even leaving the airport road, she excitedly talked about having “her girls” here.
I knew I was in for a unique experience.
As my week has slowly passed, I have met myriads of people. Lore has always called them all her family. I think I disregarded the validity and strength of that word until I met them. Never before have I met a people who so completely embody love, hospitality and family. I have been welcomed with open arms and hearts by those whom I had never before been acquainted. They accept me openly because Lore counts me a friend…but their acceptance steams from more than that. There is a love so deeply ingrained in the hearts of these people. There is a deep sense and revelation of the church as it was created to be--a body of believers living together as family in community. It’s beautiful. And not only this, but talent overflows here. It’s almost ridiculous. Yet, in it all, none are cocky or stuck on it. Humility, genuineness and grace abide.
In it all, whereas I would normally play the comparison game and wish myself to be them, I have taken their example as that…an example of the fruits of discipleship…an example to glean and grow from. They have exemplified attributes I desire to possess, and as I leave this place in two days, I pray that I will not forget what has been illustrated to me this week, that I may apply myself to cultivating the same spirit within myself. These are fantastic people. After spending thirty minutes with my friend’s best friends, I wished that they were mine too. They are refreshing, peculiar people to find, and I thank God for the time I’ve spent with them. I know it won’t be my last.
Saturday morning I stepped off an airplane into Albany, New York. I was so relieved and thankful to be on the ground for the final time, as underneath the skin of my forehead, cheeks, ears and nose, popping and pounding was undergo like I had never felt before. I knew, though, from our first flight that day that I would experience some relief within my face with my body planted on the earth instead of in the air. And I had plenty of time to recover as I and my lovely friend waited on a concrete windowsill with the heater blowing beneath us for three and half hours.
Time passed as I rested, read, blew my nose a lot, talked to my mom and looked out the window at this state I had never before set foot in. Hundreds of miles away from my “other home” in Tennessee and my home in Rockford, the first car I saw pull up was a blue Saturn with Illinois license plates. I guess I’m never that far from home.
Later on snow flurries swirled around as I watched for a red PT Cruiser. Car after car passed with disappointment. But finally, off in the distance, we squinted to see the glint of red and the Chrysler symbol. Yes, there she was. We quickly gathered our things and rushed out to meet the woman who my friend calls her “non-mom.” The moment I meet her I can see why. She welcomed us with excitement and open arms. We loaded ourselves in the car, and before even leaving the airport road, she excitedly talked about having “her girls” here.
I knew I was in for a unique experience.
As my week has slowly passed, I have met myriads of people. Lore has always called them all her family. I think I disregarded the validity and strength of that word until I met them. Never before have I met a people who so completely embody love, hospitality and family. I have been welcomed with open arms and hearts by those whom I had never before been acquainted. They accept me openly because Lore counts me a friend…but their acceptance steams from more than that. There is a love so deeply ingrained in the hearts of these people. There is a deep sense and revelation of the church as it was created to be--a body of believers living together as family in community. It’s beautiful. And not only this, but talent overflows here. It’s almost ridiculous. Yet, in it all, none are cocky or stuck on it. Humility, genuineness and grace abide.
In it all, whereas I would normally play the comparison game and wish myself to be them, I have taken their example as that…an example of the fruits of discipleship…an example to glean and grow from. They have exemplified attributes I desire to possess, and as I leave this place in two days, I pray that I will not forget what has been illustrated to me this week, that I may apply myself to cultivating the same spirit within myself. These are fantastic people. After spending thirty minutes with my friend’s best friends, I wished that they were mine too. They are refreshing, peculiar people to find, and I thank God for the time I’ve spent with them. I know it won’t be my last.
3.08.2006
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