Update in Pictures

I don't remember a time this year that I've felt as busy and overwhelmed as the past seven days have been. Craziness, friends, pure craziness!

Okay- so first...I sold my van. That was an adventure in itself. I posted an ad to a local buying/selling site with all the details and pictures and have done nothing but field calls and emails 13 hours a day. People would promise to come...I'd prepare all the documents and make sure we were home...and then they wouldn't show. Aaargh.

My life was kind of on hold every day- it's a good thing we considered this 'spring break' because we sure didn't get any school work done! Well, a really nice gentleman came last evening and purchased it for their family of seven. Whew, so glad that it is done! (**this just in... I just received a call from the buyer that when I filled the sale amount on the title I added a "dollar sign" that looked like a '1' to the agency- so they added an additional $1o00 to the sales prices and charged them double the taxes! Aaaahhh! So, now I have to go back to the title agency with the buyer and have it notarized AGAIN confirming that she was being honest. What has the world come to?***)



In the meantime we made the decision to purchase a new vehicle to replace the one for sale. It was about the easiest transaction ever! Lots of footwork, lots of calls, lots of time- but we feel so blessed! We found a wonderful family that gave us a FANTASTIC price for their Town and Country with super low miles! Truly, a blessing from the Lord. I'm not a materialistic person, but wanted to show you the picture...ain't it 'perty?



We had a 'celebration' dinner for our vehicle achievement last night and my mom helped the boys make party hats. Isn't that the cutest? They look like little popes. Ha!



The weather has been gorgeous here...in the mid 70's almost all week. I love that my GREEN grass is back! My youngest was enjoying the search for bugs with his jar.





It was so nice yesterday we pulled out the spring/summer clothing totes up from the basement! Capri's, sandals, shorts and tee's! Hoorah! I decided to wear a pair of sandals last night and ran down to the basement to grab them. I was in such a hurry that I fell up the stairs wearing them. My left ankle/shin is super bruised and slightly swollen. It hurts so bad to walk. How am I gonna run?



Speaking of that- my 1/2 marathon is just days away! How's that for changing the subject?! To be honest, I haven't given it much thought lately! I don't know how mentally prepared I am, but I suppose at this point... 'it is what it is'. Don't get me wrong- I'm looking forward to it, but training for a spring race is sooooo different then training for a fall one. The weather has been completely unpredictable and that really throws a hitch into things. I feel pretty prepared, however, and it should be fun! (Weather is calling for rain...so that could be interesting!)




I hope you all are having a wonderful week! I'm looking forward to posting more about the emergent movement later in the week. I hope it's informative! I am also going to be doing a FREE spring giveaway in May...so stay tuned! Lots to come, my dear bloggy friends!

Enjoy your week!

In Christ's faithfulness,

Angelena

Life in Christ

Today, January 22nd, is the 35th anniversary of the Roe vs Wade decision in which abortion was deemed a legal practice. My heart truly aches for all those children who will never know the sweetness of life or taking their first breath.

My friend, Christina, wrote a beautiful post regarding the body of Christ. I encourage you all to read it and be blessed as we consider our life and breath in Him, our Creator God.

For more information from a Biblical perspective regarding planned parenthood's history and philosophy, please click here.

Celebrating Life

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves;
ensure justice for those who are perishing."

Proverbs 31:8

Back when I was in high school and especially in college, I considered myself quite the pro-life advocate. I jumped at every chance I had to debate the topic and pursue the issue of celebrating life. Most of my term papers included the discussion of human rights, speeches in speech class were all about life...to say the least, my fellow classmates knew where I stood.

After graduation I continued working in the Ob/Gyn office that I had interned for during my college years. I have always loved the idea of pregnancy, even as a little girl and knew that my career would surround it. I was in the (mostly) ideal office setting- a private practice with a pro-life doctor at the helm. It wasn't, however, as easy as all that. Obstetrics and gynecology are just that: all inclusive women's health. Just because the view of the practice were a 'life-centered' one, didn't mean that our patients felt or lived that same way.

I still remember the first time that I received 'the' call. A patients' husband called with news that they were pregnant, but due to bad timing they would like to proceed with an abortion. I immediately and kindly responded that our office did not practice elective abortions and he would need to search the yellow pages for a practitioner of his choice. And then hung up. I was stunned. A husband was calling. A husband. And I had referred them to the yellow pages. Just months earlier I would have lovingly counseled about the sanctity of life. I was disgusted, both at myself and the caller.

I worked at this practice for five years and every day inundated by immorality, preposterous ethics, and blatant disregard for the 'temple' as God created it. In time I found my boldness again to confront as the situation warranted it. The problem, however, was that I was no longer a concerned citizen or classmate, but rather an employee of the system that faces liability and lawsuits.

One patient, in particular, will always stand out to me. (I still believe this was a divine appointment from the Lord.) She was living in an abusive marriage and found out she was expecting. She was elated, always wanting a child (in her late 30's at this point), but her husband was outraged. He demanded she abort the baby immediately. She came into my office in tears and shared the details of her tragedy. She was an obedient wife and told me through her tears that she has made the appointment for the termination.

After obtaining consent (oh, where have all the good old days gone...thank you HIPPA) I began to pray with her and plead for the Lord to intervene in this situation. Mind you, this was not a Christian woman, but rather a Hindu who had rarely if never heard the name of Christ. I had the opportunity to share the Word with her that day as well. Her hearts' desire was to have this baby, no matter the cost.

She called me a few days later at the office because her husband had verbally and physically abused her when she told him that she hadn't gone through with the abortion. We prayed together again and I began searching for safe houses for her to stay at. She was able to get away for a short time, but due to the pressure of her husband, returned just a week later to him. She, however, held strong to her conviction and continued in the pregnancy.

Every other day we talked. She cried endless tears. I prayed. Day after day I reminded her why she was enduring this pain- because of the life of her child. I encouraged her to return to the safe house, but she refused. Her husband had flown her in-laws in to keep watch over her and she had to sneak away just to make the phone calls to our office.

After months of verbal and physical abuse, a precious little baby girl was born. Beautiful and innocent of everything that her mother went through for her birth. Her celebration of life.

Mama decided to name baby girl after me (middle name). We both had tears in our eyes the first time I held the baby. She hugged me and whispered that her little one was here today because I was brave enough (through Christ) to speak up that day many months ago.




Friends, have we lost our voices? Have we become so consumed with our daily lives that we are forgetting those who have no voice? I pray that this new year, we will remember to evangelize those in this lost and dying world who do not know Christ. Let us pray that their hearts would be changed and their minds would be renewed to know and celebrate the truth of a new life in Christ.


*January 22nd is the anniversary of Roe V Wade. Get out and speak up!

Blessed Be the Name of the Lord

"The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD."

I have just posted a YouTube video on my sidebar about a little baby boy named Eliot. Warning; prepare the kleenex before watching. My heart was not only touched by the story itself, but moreover by the parents who know that God is unfailing. No matter what our circumstances and pain- if it can serve to glorify the magnitude of our God- then let it be. They have discovered the ultimate truth and rest in the peace of Christ.

The following is an excerpt from Igniter Media Group who originally hosted this documentary.

"Eliot was born with an undeveloped lung, a heart with a hole in it and DNA that placed faulty information into each and every cell of his body. However, that could not stop the living God from proclaiming Himself through this boy who never uttered a word.

In the midst of heartbreaking tragedy, the Mooney family found the presence of God strengthening, comforting, and guiding them. Their story reminds us to seek God and endure our struggles rather than blame Him for our hardships."

"Eliot- isn't he a sweetheart?"

"99 balloons were released in memory of Eliot's 99 days of life- To the Glory of God"