Goodbye, Facebook!

Recently, as Facebook has been introducing changes and as they have had their big F8 meeting to introduce the upcoming makeover, I have read various articles that speak of the users' connection to the social network in "relationship" terms. One article even states that "more and more people visit Facebook out of necessity rather than desire." Necessity? Really? The claims are that the attraction has "gone stale" but that people do not leave because "all their friends are there." Okay, but "necessity?" Isn't that overreaching a little? If Facebook has become a necessity for me, then it is time to step back, evaluate, and properly realign my priorities. Sure, it is great to have a place where friends and family can connect from afar. We can share little tidbits from our day and peruse each other's photos. Nice, but not necessary. There are other means to connect (perhaps we have just forgotten?) and on a more intimate level than just a 20-word post or status update.

I have also been considering (or perhaps convicted of) Facebook's encouragement of self-elevation and focus. I find that I think of cute or clever thoughts, quotes, or happenings and phrase it in the wittiest way I can. Or, I talk about something absolutely adorable that my son has done or said. Then, I wait to see who'll "like" or comment on it. Am I the only one so easily self-focused? Please tell me I'm not! At any rate, I realize that I need no encouragement to put myself first, and Facebook does a pretty good job of feeding my love of self. Since everything that is said is seen by all, it is only human to want to display a stellar image. But, I am realizing that it is because of these things that I need to "take a break" from the social network arena for awhile. I need to evaluate whether the bad aspects of it outweigh the benefit it brings to my life. While I am thankful that Facebook easily connects me with loved ones who are not nearby, I am lying to myself if I say that is the only reason I am using it. I could call them, email them, send them a note, and share pictures through an alternate (and more private) source.

Christmas bells are ringing!

'Twas the Night B
Me and my little boy have started our Christmas time- music listening. A little early, perhaps? I think not! It is hot chocolate season, sweater season, and most certainly Christmas music season! We have been dancing to "jingle bell rock" and I have been singing him, "Hark the Herald Angels sing".   I got my early Christmas  bug from my Mother "A Visit from St. Nicholas" (aka "Twas the Night before Christmas") is her all time favorite poem; no matter what time of year.  "It has such great descriptions and brings such wonder, taking you straight back to Christmas as a child." We started early our Christmas celebrations growing up and I have every intention of doing that now! Bring on the Jingle bells!


                       'Twas the Night Before Christmas  
       (or A Visit from St. Nicholas) by Clement Clarke Moore (1823)
(or A Visit from St. Nicholas) by Clement Clarke Moore (1823)

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

Sisters chat (crazy kids)

 Esther:  Well, I thought we would talk about our kids since we all have them First question: what is the most embarrassing thing your child (or children) have done in public?
My little man is still fairly young but we have managed to have our share of embarrassing moments
  Lizzi: I can't think of anything embarrassing right now! I know I am probably jinxing myself, but my oldest is pretty reserved in public. Maybe with my second when he's a little older! 
 Maude:  We went to Chick-fil-A one day and Milton was really tired (we'd been swimming and shopping hard all morning!) - we should have just headed home.  Anyway, he wanted to walk across the parking lot holding my hand not his father's hand and he wouldn't stop crying!   He was so upset and every time we tried to shush him he only got more upset an consequently louder.  Poor little guy he wasn't throwing a fit about wanting a Happy Meal or anything just about wanting to hold his mom's hand.  It was sweet (in a way) but we ended up leaving and putting him down for a nap.  That'll teach us to EVER go out to eat with such tired kids!!

The Responsibilities of Womanhood

I've been thinking a lot about the expectations of Womanhood lately, of all the different things that women are expected to be good at and to take care of.  The list is overwhelming:

baby grin

When my son started smiling it was the sweetest thing; that little gummy smile I didn't think my heart could take it. 

Standing with a Sister

I am sure that some of you are familiar with The Voice of the Martyrs organization. They work with Christians who live in nations that are hostile to the gospel, or Christians who are persecuted for their faith.

In June of 2009, Asia Bibi was arrested for speaking the truth of Jesus to Muslim co-workers as she worked picking berries in the Punjab province of Pakistan. She was charged with blasphemy and sentenced to death. She is in jail awaiting her execution as I type this. The Voice of the Martyrs have started a petition, that I now encourage you to sign, which calls for Asia Bibi's release from prison and will be delivered to the Pakistani Embassy in Washington D.C.

“Rejoice in the Lord always;” in context

I love Paul’s exhortation for us to rejoice in the Lord always in Philippians 4:4, but I am afraid that too often we forget what was going on in Paul’s life when he wrote this, let alone the proceeding verses. If we put this verse on plaques, and even in our heads, and forget the context of this verse it will lose much of its weight. We must remember that Paul wrote from prison (1:7b; 13b).

Sisters Chat About September 11th

Maude: Well, let's get started. This week I thought we should talk about September 11th since we just remembered it on Sunday

Esther: I think that is a very good idea Maude!

Maude: My first question is:

Where were you On September 11th when the airplanes hit?

Lizzi: Well, I remember we were sitting around the dining room table for homeshooling

and got a call from our sister at work

She let us know that the first airplane had hit and so we turned on the tv

Maude: I am glad we had tv at that point in time.

Lizzi: I remember thinking it seemed like a joke... not real, you know?

Maude: very surreal

Lizzi: Especially when we saw the 2nd plane hit...

It took a few minutes for it to sink in

and then it was like a sick feeling in my stomach

Maude: Before the second plane everyone thought it was just a mistake

Esther: It is funny. I was just 12 years old and I cannot remember all the details of how we were told to "turn on the t.v."

I just remember all of us were glued to the the t.v.

I was thinking "what does this mean?"

Lizzi: Yeah, it was after the 2nd plane hit that everyone started realizing what it was

And by then the whole nation was watching

Esther: You're right Maude, it seemed like a freak accident then the other building was hit

Hohenzollern Castle in Germany

I leave for Germany in a few days so you can tell from last weeks blog and this one that I am gearing up and getting excited for my trip!!

My favourite castle in Germany (usually - when I separate it like that I think of all the other castles we visited and think, Maybe that one's my favourite instead!) was Hohenzollern Castle. 

This is the tower at Hohenzollern Castle outside of Stuttgart.  We visited this castle many times because it was so close.  My favourite thing about this castle was the road that wound around and around through several tunnels and along several walls - you knew it was planned for defense.

11 months old!

My baby would not fit in his Daddy's arms like that today,