Heart Over Heels

I'm really excited to announce a new outreach project I've recently started called Heart Over Heels. It's a beauty community made specifically for all of the ladies in the world who desire to be supermodels for Christ. The passion behind it is to encourage a healthy appreciation for beauty by placing an emphasis on the heart. Afterall, true beauty starts at the heart.

Being a woman in today's society can be tough, confusing, and overwhelming. But it can also be fun, beautiful and rewarding. I wanted to create a place where we as women can come together and have heart to heart discussions about God's word and how it applies to our lives while also enjoying all the extras that make being a woman fun! :)

What can you expect to get from Heart Over Heels? Devotionals. Style Ideas. Beauty Tips. Reviews. And more! I've already posted a few entries on the blog so you can check those out to get a better idea of what you'll find on a weekly basis.

Interested in joining the beauty community of Heart Over Heels? Click the follow button on the right hand column of the blog OR find and follow Heart Over Heels on facebook and twitter for the latest updates and to find fellow women who share your love for Christ and all things beauty.

With this new project and because I am also actively involved with the teen outreach program Epic Alliance, as well as managing my photography business, I will be blogging less here on my personal blog. I plan on cutting it down to blogging on here 2-3 times a week at most. I enjoy sharing with you through my blog, but my desire is first and foremost to serve my Savior and reach hearts for Him. I believe these projects allow me to do that, therefor I want to devote more of my time towards them. Thank you to my faithful readers for your support!

Gasoline Rainbows - Amy Kuney

Stumbled upon this music video and wanted to share it with you. I think we - myself included - can get so caught up in the moment that we fail to look ahead. What we do today effects the Earth tomorrow. Our decisions and actions have consequences that affect not only us, but everyone around us. This is true in all aspects of life. I'm personally trying to be more conscious of this fact. This video has some thought provoking lyrics and images.

Hip Hop Love

I've never been a huge fan of Rap music. Mostly because the majority of rappers say the same worn out lines about money, sex and drugs. I like music to have more of a message. It can have a good beat but if the lyrics are terrible, I can't listen to it. I have been listening to Lecrae a lot lately. He's a Christian Hip Hop artists whose lyrics are real and raw. I admire when people break the mold and love the Lord in their own way and use their talents to glorify Him. You likely will not hear his music played in church on any given Sunday, but it is worship music nonetheless. And I dig it.

Review: Torino, Italy - Home of the Holy Shroud

While my parents were here visiting we decided to make the 2 1/2 hour trip by car to Torino, Italy in order to check out the Shroud Museum and Cathedral located there. We knew we would not be seeing the original shroud that is said to be the burial cloth of Jesus Christ because the authentic shroud is only on display every 25 years as a way of keeping it well-preserved I believe. But we were mostly interested in learning a little more about the history and evidence behind the shroud and figured while we were this close we should take the opportunity to check it out.

shroud replica inside the cathedral

I went into the experience fairly skeptical. Unfortunately in this world there are lots of scams where people just want to make money off of hype. I require evidence and facts in order to trust the authenticity of something. In other words, I don't just blindly believe anything without doing extensive research.

I certainly don't need a burial cloth or a history book for that matter to believe Jesus lived and died for me and for the world. He is not bound by books, by time or by our limited ways of thinking. But after hearing and seeing all the evidence to support the authenticity of the Holy Shroud, there is little room for doubt of it's genuineness.

I encourage everyone to do your own research on the this religious relic. The historic and scientific details are fascinating and difficult to ignore. Long before the latest findings an Agnostic professor remarked "Had the image on the shroud been that of anyone other than Jesus Christ, the sheer weight of evidence that we have seen would cause it's authenticity to be widely accepted."

The evidence I found most interesting was the qualities of the shroud that are unable to be reproduced. There is overwhelming agreement that the image was not painted or hand created. There are no traces of paint or other creative materials that would suggest it was drawn or designed by man. When photographed and viewed as a photo negative it has convincing naturalistic lights and darks. Long before the age of photography the shroud contained these hidden properties leading us to believe that this is the first photograph of Jesus Christ. Not only that but through more in depth scientific investigation, the image on the shroud has special 3D properties that can be appreciated with advanced technology.

 photo negative of the shroud

 depiction of Jesus Christ based off the image on the shroud

the shroud's 3D properties

The blood stains and visible wound marks that seem to be supernaturally transferred match the Biblical account of the crucifixion to the very detail. The nail piercings in His wrists and feet, the spear-pierced side, the injuries caused by a crown of thorns. There were also body wounds determined to be caused by early Roman weapons known as a flagrum that resembled a whip and had tiny lead or iron balls or sharp bone on the end used to rip through the skin and there are also visible shoulder marks consistent with carrying the cross.

 the shroud with both the front and back images of His body head to toe

 close up of His head and face

 close up of His hands and wounded wrists

It is also worth mentioning a seemingly insignificant fact that I found interesting which is that the blood collected from the shroud was tested and found to be the blood type AB which is a universal receiver but can only donate to others with the AB blood type. When thought of in a spiritual context it is more significant because Christ accepts all of us, but only gives salvation to those who accept Him and share the Holy Spirit.

Other interesting details include the rare herringbone cloth it is made of which points to it's distinct origin in history. This as well as small plant pollen found on the cloth trace it back to Israel where it must have been if it were authentic. Initial carbon dating has since been proven to be invalid because scientist used an end piece of the cloth which was undoubtedly contaminated by the countless times it was handled each time it was publicly displayed. It was quickly labeled a fake based on this alone. But a more critical look at the evidence and new research emphasize its validity. There is still much controversy over this, but the nature of the image and how it was fixed on the cloth remains a mysterious phenomenon which is likely why it is one of the most studied artifacts in human history.

What is also notable is how the shroud has managed to survive all this time. It narrowly survived through two major fires creating thirty-two holes in the cloth but leaving the vital image intact. It has also managed to survive floods, earthquakes, sieges, religious persecutions, vandalism all of which and more the cloth somehow survived.

But by far the most compelling details are found within the cloth itself. The hidden, and somewhat unexplainable properties of the shroud provoke deep consideration. Dead bodies do not leave imprints of themselves. And it can't be explained by direct contact of sweat and blood because science proves again and again that it only makes sense that something was flashed over a distance to create the contours that make up what we see as a photograph centuries before photography was even invented. It's as though it is a snapshot of Jesus Himself, coming back to life during the moment of His resurrection.

Perhaps the shroud gives us the same opportunity afforded to Doubting Thomas. Who declared he would not believe Christ had risen from the dead until he could put his fingers in His wounds. Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." (John 20:29) It's possible that the shroud brings us face to face with the same decision each of us must make individually. Whether or not to believe.

If you're ever in Torino, Italy I definitely recommend you check out the museum. I would go on a weekday when there are less visitors like we did. We had a personal tour with detailed explanations from a man who had been there for over 30 years. Very insightful. It is impossible for me to cover all of the facts and details in a single blog post. I encourage you to seek more information on the topic for yourself. I got the official DVD entitled Shroud - Passio Christi Passio Hominis which is directed by Academy Award winning director, David Rolfe. It delivers a visual and informative look at the history and authenticity of the shroud and is offered in 6 different languages. It can be found online for those who may not have the opportunity to visit the museum. However, the museum has several things not mentioned in the film and are best experienced in person. I'll probably share more of our trip to Italy along with photos in a separate post later in the week.

Life Over Limitations

I recently had a mutually respectful discussion with a friend about children with special needs and whether or not they would be better off aborted. This friend, like many of us, had questioned whether these children could enjoy the same quality of life as you or I. While there is a sense of compassion in that question - in that we want everyone to have the same opportunities as we do - the solution of abortion to that question is not compassionate because it denies these children a chance of ever living up to their potential. Abortion denies children of life, love and the opportunity to have a family and future of their own. Who are we to unjustifiably predict their future and then deny them a chance of a better future? It's unreasonable and unethical to do so. Offering no chance at all instead of giving everyone (regardless of circumstances) a chance at life is our failure as a society.

We really need to ask ourselves this question: "Would we kill a born child, or eliminate them from existence based on special needs, birth defects or convenience?" No, of course we wouldn't! So why then should we kill or eliminate a pre-born child based on these reasons? Science (not religion) tells us that the pre-born are human beings from the moment of conception. So if we extend protection and dignity to those human beings living outside the womb then we should extend that same protection and dignity to those human beings living inside the womb. If our personhood is based on abilities someone will always get left out, but if we base our personhood - our intrinsic value - on the one thing that binds us all together, which is our membership of the human race, then we are all protected - it is the one thing we all share in common.

When we hear the label "special needs" we automatically think of all the challenges that may come along with special needs but do we stop to think about the fact that there is a valuable child longing to be loved and cared for behind that label? These children are special not because of their disabilities but just because they are unique individuals. Some may require more care than others, but nonetheless they deserve our love and care. Have we considered that it's not that these children can't rise up to their full potential but it is that we aren't willing to help them reach it? We should be making an effort to provide these children with opportunities, not eliminating them from existence before they've even had a chance to show what they are capable of.

Here is a short video of a few of these special needs children who have blessed the lives of their families. I don't know how anyone could look at the faces of these precious children and still believe that any child, regardless of their circumstances would be better off dead. We must accept that this is exactly what abortion declares. Let's educate others and share the love and compassion of abortion alternatives - like adoption - because every child deserves a family and a chance to give and receive love.



I want to leave you with one last powerful story. Nick Vujicic was born with Tetra-amelia, a rare disorder characterized by the absence of all four limbs. He and I are the same age and it's safe to say he has accomplished more things than I have in his lifetime despite his challenges, which reinforces the concept of Life Over Limitations and the importance of not writing people off before we've even given them a chance to succeed. Nick is living proof of how God doesn't make mistakes...he motivates with miracles.

Here is a quick glimpse of Nick's inspirational life....


I hope that this gave you an opportunity to better understand your own stance on this issue. Perhaps these are things you never considered before. My hope is that you now have a greater appreciation for ALL life.

Homemade Enchiladas!

One of my favourite types of food is Mexican. I love to eat it and I love to cook it. The selection for Mexican food here in Switzerland is extremely limited and the restaurants are not only overpriced but they are not authentic and very much lacking in flavor. Thank goodness I'm a pretty good cook because I would be going through serious withdraw! One thing that I have not been able to find here is enchilada sauce. I used to just buy it canned and then add other ingredients to make one of my favourite enchilada recipes.

Since there is no enchilada sauce to be found, I started making my own so we could still enjoy this delicious dish. So I thought for those who might be interested you could try out this recipe for yourself and let me know if you like it.


Enchilada Sauce Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon minced onion
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1/4 cup salsa
• 1 (6 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 cup water 

Directions:

1. Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and saute for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the onion, oregano, chili powder, basil, ground black pepper, salt, cumin, parsley, salsa and tomato sauce.
2. Mix together and then stir in the water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. 

 After you have made the sauce you can start making the enchiladas.

Easy Enchilada Recipe: 

Ingredients:

• 8 flour tortillas
• 1lb. ground beef
• 1 small can of diced tomatoes with green chiles
• 8oz. package of sour cream
• 1 package of shredded monterey jack cheese (or cheese of your choice)
• Enchilada sauce (equivalent of 1 can)

Directions:

1. Brown the ground beef in large skillet until thoroughly cooked.
2. Add half of the enchilada sauce and can of diced tomatoes with green chiles to the beef and heat stirring occasionally.
3. Spread a moderate amount of cream cheese onto only one side of each tortilla so that it is a fairly thin layer.
4. Spoon in beef mixture on top of the cream cheese then roll the tortilla like a burrito and place it in a baking dish. Continue with the remaining tortillas and place them side by side in the baking dish.
5. Top them with the remaining enchilada sauce and then layer with desired amount of shredded cheese.
6. Bake in the oven at 350 degrees until cheese is melted.

Serve with your favourite side dishes.

It's that simple! This is one of our favourite at-home meals. It's so easy and delicious!

Happy Cooking! :)

SPREAD THE ROAR!

I am so excited to share with you a combination of two of my favourite things. Music and Giving.

The Sounds of Daniel Bashta is offering a "pay what you like" download of his new song, "Like a Lion". Essentially you make a donation of any desired amount to download the song and the money will go to a Bethany Christian Services fund to help families pay for adoption.

It's a win-win! You get to listen to great music and at the same time help a child enjoy the love of family through the miracle of adoption! Here is a brief video where Daniel and his wife explain their passion for adoption and the inception of Project Gift.

*Project Gift  .

Be sure to be a part of this amazing opportunity and SPREAD THE ROAR by sharing with others.

Review: Jardin Botanique de Lausanne

Last week, my friend Julia and I decided to check out the Botanical Garden in Lausanne, Switzerland. We walked around and admired the beautiful landscape full of countless flowers and plants. Everywhere you look is natural beauty, winding steps and lovely paths. We stopped frequently to take pictures and spent several hours enjoying the tranquility and gorgeous views. The garden is located in the heart of the city but you will definitely forget you are in a city moments after entering the garden. It's so enchanting and has lots of sitting spots and places to just relax and enjoy the views. It's a perfect place for walks, picnics and just admiring nature at its finest. Here are a few photos from the day. Hope you enjoy!

 

*all images are watermarked and copyright protected. contact me for purchase and licensing info.

Book Review: The Case For Easter

I recently read The Case For Easter by Lee Strobel and was excited about reading it because I have read his other popular books in the series, as well as watched the corresponding videos. I did a short review on those in a previous blog post if you want to check that out.

First thing you should be aware of when reading this book is that the medical description of the crucifixion is graphic and very difficult to read. But as tough as it was to think about, it was necessary for me to fully understand what actually happened to Jesus on the cross. I'm sure most of us have heard the story told "He was beaten and killed for our sins" but have we really heard the full story about what Jesus endured?

Did you know that the pain was so intense and so brutal that they had to invent a new word just to describe it. Excruciating. Excruciating literally means 'out of the cross'. Think about that: they had to create a new word because there was nothing in the language to describe the intense anguish caused during the crucifixion.

As the medical expert describes each excruciating moment that Jesus went through - reality hit me hard. I literally fell to the floor and began to sob. I did those things to Him. My sin put Him on that cross. I am responsible for His torture and death. It was me who caused such unthinkable pain. The soldiers may have physically carried out the execution that day, but I am the reason He died. It was me, my sin, that killed Him.

He loved my imperfect, sinful, wretched self so much that He went through incomparable torment and suffering and ultimately His death so that I could escape the fate of eternal suffering in Hell. That is instant humility. Knowing the true cost of my freedom is sobering. And I will spend the rest of my life in loving fellowship with the only One who despite what I have done, is not only capable of forgiving me, but wants to forgive me and to lovingly embrace me. How could I possibly reject Him after all He has done? That would be ungratefulness in its highest form. My primary goal and passion is to live my life as a reflection of my gratitude towards Him.

My responsibility for His death does not prompt a life of sorrow and guilt. I live with joy because I have been forgiven. Christ conquered death. He rescued me. And I can live with the promise of eternal life and His endless love because of His saving grace! All of us who accept His gift of salvation can experience this joy and freedom. What a reason to celebrate!

As far as my opinion about the book, I thought it was very thought provoking and insightful. It's not a long book but it hits the key points that support the historic events surrounding the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Perhaps I'll do more blog posts with personal reflections about this book in the future. This really is the perfect time to read it as we approach the anniversary of His resurrection! I encourage others to read it as well.

Review: Hooked On Houses

I love home decorating, home furnishings and pretty much all home-related things. I enjoy watching tv shows like House Hunters, Design on a Dime and other similar shows. Jared and I are both house cats - we love to travel but we definitely love the idea of having a cozy home to return to even more. We often dream about buying our own house someday. I dream about it more than him though I'm sure. If I'm not watching a show about homes then I am surfing the web for interior decorating ideas from sites like HGTV, The Nest, Robeson Design, and just googling images of home designs. I also used to enjoy getting home interior magazines and looking through them for inspiration and ideas when I lived in the U.S. Perhaps the most fun is going inside home decorating stores and looking through all the treasures! :)

Recently my friend, Lora, introduced me to a website that I'm hooked on. Ironically it is called Hooked On Houses. It's actually a blog where the writer shares about houses of all different shapes, styles and sizes. You can check out celebrity houses, before and after projects, get design ideas...basically it's a great fix for all of us house junkies! :)


I've totally started a folder with photos of design inspirations I've found during my searches. I didn't even do that when planning our wedding!! Mostly because I knew that a wedding is a one day event (marriage is a lifetime)...and a home is more of a long term investment. That's why I think I am so excited about someday owning a home and making it our own by adding our personality through style and design.

Here are a few room designs I've found that I really like. Our future home may or may not look anything like this but....a girl can dream can't she?

I'd say that my style is more modern vintage. A delicate balance of both with a definite cozy feel. I like classic pieces with a vintage appeal but I also like things to look fresh, sophisticated and up-to-date. I also tend to gravitate towards neutral and earth tones. It's unhealthy how happy these images make me!

Do you dream about your "perfect" home too? If you have a blog, website or photo ideas please share them! I'd love to dream along with you!:)

Artful Message

 I stumbled upon a series of animated videos that all contain an encouraging message. This talented artist combines his artwork with inspirational music and uses this method as a tool to minister. I'm often amazed by how God sometimes reaches us. He gave us the Scriptures as our guideline for life and He often uses our own talents to share that same truth in a modern way. I love it. I definitely found encouragement in these two videos in particular. My prayer is that God uses them to encourage you also.

This first video is an interpretation of our battle with doubt. Doubt is a bitter struggle to face as a Christian, but it is one many of us have to face. Satan is a scheming enemy who wants more than anything to crush our faith, and let our faith be stripped from us. Satan's greatest weapon is doubt but we hold the shield of faith.

I hope this video might be used by God to strengthen and encourage you if you are in the middle of this battle. Hold fast to the Lord, hold onto His promises, and fight the good fight of faith....even in the darkness of despair that so often accompanies our doubts.

This video is built on the song "Something To Say" by Starfield




This next animation is based on Christ's parable of the prodigal son. It was built on 1 John 3:1, and a song by Sovereign Grace Music.

This animation is a beautiful representation of God's grace. No matter how far we run from God, no matter what we have done, we can always turn back to His grace.What a loving and forgiving God we serve! He is always there despite our great faults waiting with open arms!

Consider Him and His love for YOU as you watch this.

Review: Blood Money Film

Blood Money is a film that examines the history of abortion in America, from the inception of Planned Parenthood and the profitability of abortion clinics, to Roe v. Wade - the court ruling which made abortion legal in 1973, to the denial of when life begins, to the fight to save the lives of innocent babies, and the devastating effects it has had on the women and their families that have had them. Here is a brief trailer for the film:



I watched this documentary for the first time several months ago and noted that they did an excellent job of introducing the facts along with personal testimonies to highlight the true injustice of abortion. They interviewed post-abortive women, former abortion workers, medical experts, and many human rights leaders. One of those human rights leaders is Alveda King, niece of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who is following his lead as an abolitionist of human injustice.

The most compelling information in this documentary aside from the scientific details is the revealing truths shared by former abortion provider, Carol Everett. The horrors of what goes on inside these abortion clinics and the lies being spread by abortion proponents is almost unfathomable. Here is a video compilation of Carol's first-hand experiences working in the abortion industry. The information given is disturbing and the content may be difficult to digest so I encourage you to watch at your own discretion. (there are no graphic images in this clip)




I challenge you to watch this film in its entirety. This is the reality of abortion that very few talk about or even recognize as reality. I have to believe that if more people knew the truth of what abortion is, what it does and who it affects that abortion would not only be illegal but it would be unthinkable.

I commend the makers of this film and all those who are a voice for reason on the issue of abortion. Be a voice for reason and act now to protect the most vulnerable by sharing the truth and by sharing this film with your friends, family and acquaintances.

You can make a difference TODAY by contacting your representative and tell them to end tax payer funding of Planned Parenthood. Take action here: http://exposeplannedparenthood.net/contact-congress/

You can also be a gentle witness by joining 40 Days For Life which is currently in the middle of their spring 2011 Campaign. You can be a face of hope for vulnerable women during an unexpected pregnancy. These campaigns has saved thousands of lives over the years not only of women seeking abortions and their children but of abortion workers who because of  prayerful presence got out of the abortion business for good.

Another way to get involved is to volunteer or donate to your local life-affirming pregnancy centers so that women in need have a place of hope where they will find compassionate resources during their time of need.

Whatever you do...do something. Silence is consent. And we cannot afford to be silent on this issue.

40 Days For Life - Spring 2011 Campaign

Tomorrow, Wednesday March 9th, will be the start of the 2011 spring     40 Days For Life campaign. There have been seven coordinated 40 Days For Life campaigns since 2007.

The efforts have mobilized people of faith and conscience in 337 cities across all 50 of the United States, seven Canadian provinces, four Australian states, as well as England, Northern Ireland and Denmark.

During these unified efforts, participants witnessed countless blessings from God: 

• Over 400,000 have joined together in a historic display of unity to pray and fast for an end to abortion
• More than 13,000 church congregations have participated in the 40 Days for Life campaigns
• Reports document 3,600 lives that have been spared from abortion — and those are just the ones we know about
• 43 abortion workers have quit their jobs and walked away from the abortion industry
• Nine abortion facilities completely shut down following local 40 Days for Life campaigns
• Hundreds of women and men have been spared from the tragic effects of abortion, including a lifetime of regrets
• More than 1,250 news stories have been featured in newspapers, magazines, radio shows and TV programs from coast to coast ... and overseas
• Many people with past abortion experiences have stepped forward to begin post-abortion healing and recovery

After so many years of legalized abortion, many people of faith are experiencing a renewed sense of HOPE!

The reasons for these victories are simple. God loves the babies, the women and the abortion workers. And when we witness the love of God to them through peaceful prayer, the despair that abortion survives on is crushed by restored hope in God’s love.

Ending abortion starts where YOU live!

If this is the first time you’ve participated in 40 Days for Life, you may be a little fearful and overwhelmed. That makes you normal. But as Jesus told the disciples, “Be not afraid!”

Last fall, Shawn Carney gave a talk about overcoming our fear of praying in front of an abortion facility at the national leaders conference of Students for Life of America. Listen to his real-life experiences from the field along with words of wisdom and encouragement in the following video:


  .
 


The spring 40 Days For Life campaign starts tomorrow! Will you be there? Will you be the sign of God’s love that women will see just before they enter that building?



To find the closest 40 Days for Life campaign, and to find out how you can get involved, please to go: http://40daysforlife.com/location.cfm

Let us be reminded of the words of Augustine: "Pray as though everything depended on God. Work as though everything depended on you.”

So what are we waiting for? Let’s get to work!
___________________________________________
*Excerpts from 40 Days For Life Website

Book Review: Unplanned by Abby Johnson

In one of my previous blog posts I shared that I had recently bought the book Unplanned by Abby Johnson. Well, I finished the book last week and couldn't wait to review it for you.

Many of you are aware of Abby's story. But for those who are not I'll provide a brief summary of how she became a well-known public figure. Abby was with Planned Parenthood for 8 years, the last 2 of those years as a Clinic Director. She left Planned Parenthood after viewing an ultrasound-guided abortion. Her book tells the story of her life before and after her experiences at Planned Parenthood as well as the time in between when she was involved in the abortion industry.

In this illuminating and moving book we get an inside look at the world of Planned Parenthood. We also get a personal look at the confused messages women are getting on the abortion issue.

It is primarily a conversion story: a conversion from death to life; from lies to truth; from darkness to light; from bondage to freedom; from doubt to faith. It tells the story of how God was at work in the life of one abortion worker, drawing her to Him, and to life.

I'm sure many of you had the same question I had when I heard about Abby's conversion which was: How could someone work at Planned Parenthood for 8 years and not be aware of, and horrified by, the reality of what abortion does?

Abby tells us that her ultimate desire was to help women and reduce abortions. She recounts how she initially became involved in the abortion industry as a young naive college student who started simply as a volunteer. After reading her story I believe her compassion for women was genuine. The fact that she wanted to reduce abortions is indicative that she knew abortion is wrong.  But in order to keep working at Planned Parenthood,  she chose to ignore her conscience. In the book she talks about the inner battle with her mind and her morals. She rationalized that she was saving women who were going to have an abortion whether it was legal or not so she wanted to make sure they were at least safe if they were going to be doing it. It was a gradual process, but eventually she was able to leave Planned Parenthood and realize that helping someone carry out a "safe" injustice or by ignoring the issue altogether is simply encouraging the injustice to continue and making anyone doing so equally responsible by assisting in it. And to quote Abby herself in a recent interview:  "Abortions are never safe whether they are legal or illegal - abortion always takes the life of a child - abortion is never safe for the child."

Abby describes her experience of the ultrasound guided abortion in her book and says she realized that she had “just participated in a death. A death. Not a medical procedure. Not a surgical solution to a life problem. Not the valiant step of a woman exercising her right to make medical choices about her own body. The death of a helpless baby, a baby violently ripped away from the safety of the womb, sucked away to be discarded as biohazard waste.” It was then that she first truly identified the pre-born baby as a human life. It's obvious from her words that it was like a light bulb moment - as though she had finally pieced together the full puzzle.

The part of her story that most captured my attention was the pro-lifers who prayed outside the clinic. At first, there were a couple of extremists such as someone dressed as the grim reaper and others with large graphic pictures of aborted babies. I have prayed outside of abortion clinics and know how this kind of approach by some well-intentioned people is not helpful but rather is damaging to the pro-life cause and actually hurtful to women.  It was the Coalition for Life that made the pro-life witness there more effective by making it prayerful, compassionate and sincere. They established a standard for those present outside of clinics and emphasized that destructive behaviour was not acceptable. They actually trained people to be sidewalk counselors to avoid and eliminate any negative interactions that were not conducive to their mission. They also helped Abby when she made the decision to leave Planned Parenthood. They reached out with love and concern for not just the pregnant women seeking abortions but to the clinic staff as well. It made me see the great need for this kind of prayerful presence and sincere desire to change hearts not just change minds.

I appreciated how Abby did not condemn people on either side of the fence. She identified that there are sincere hearts and good intentions on both sides and there are destructive actions and behaviours on both sides. The bottom line should be to lovingly reveal the truth, and the truth is that abortion kills a human life and wounds countless others. There are life-affirming options no matter what the situation is. The focus needs to be on sharing the truth in love, especially to the most vulnerable and uninformed. There is no room for judgment in this battle. Truth and love needs to be the primary focus. She emphasizes this throughout the book.

She also provides hope through her story. Hope that with love and prayer anything is possible. Change doesn't happen overnight. It took years of love and prayer before Abby embraced the truth and she is now inspiring others to not give up, to stay prayerful and continue to love others to the truth. EVERY life saved is worth celebrating. Everyone, no matter what side of the fence they are on, is valuable and should be loved. I think that is the heart of the message in her book.

I definitely recommend it to everyone. If you have already read this book let me know your thoughts!

Review: The King Of Limbs

The King Of Limbs, the latest album from Radiohead, was released last week. My initial reaction....loved it, but I think Kid A is still my favourite album they have produced...it probably always will be. This album seemed to have a balanced blend of some of their past album sounds with a newly evolved sound of their own. I thought the track, Give Up The Ghost, had a slightly more folk feel to it, something we haven't really heard from Radiohead before - it's actually one of my favourite tracks on the album.

I can't sit still when listening to Lotus Flower. I love that the music video is of Thom York doing what he does best - bouncing around with his stellar dance moves. Anyone who has been to several of their live shows knows this is classic Thom York style.  

Feral has a definite dubstep sound with bold bass lines and reverberant drum patterns. I can envision Johnny using the loop on this one. I definitely dig it.

I also enjoyed the steady bass and backward loops in Little by Little.  This track has a more vintage Radiohead sound and it's another favourite for me from the album.

Morning Mr Magpie reminds me of some of my brother's earlier solo stuff. The looping guitar specifically. Good stuff.

Codex has a piano intro that reminded me much of Pyramid Song off their Amnesiac album. Very ethereal. Thom York's voice is absolutely phenomenal in this song. So smooth.

Separator has that soothing, mellow feel that is highlighted by Thom York's amazing voice. It's one of those songs that you can just get lost in. Love it!

There is rumor of  more songs to be released later for those who ordered the newspaper album. Of course I can never get enough Radiohead so I'll be thrilled if that is true, but if not, I think this album is more than satisfying as is! I pre-ordered and am looking forward to getting the newspaper album when it is finally released in May. It is to include 2 vinyl records, a CD and over 600 pieces of artwork. I enjoy their artwork almost as much as I love their music.

Overall, I thought the album was fantastic. Radiohead has done it again. I reeealllly hope they do a European tour this year...preferably somewhere close to us! :) If you haven't given this album a listen you definitely should. If you have given it a listen....let me know what you think!

‘The King of Limbs’ track listing:
1. Bloom
2. Morning Mr Magpie
3. Little By Little
4. Feral
5. Lotus Flower
6. Codex
7. Give Up The Ghost
8. Separator

I am Second

I am Second is a movement meant to inspire people of all kinds to live for God and for others. Actors. Athletes. Musicians. Business leaders. Drug addicts. Your next-door neighbor. People like you. The authentic stories on iamsecond.com provide insight into dealing with typical struggles of everyday living. These are stories that give hope to the lonely and the hurting, help from destructive lifestyles, and inspiration to the unfulfilled.

Below are just a few of the inspiring personal stories. Some of them are from people who are well-known and that you may recognize. Some of the difficulties they faced include eating disorders, drug addictions, loss, unfaithfulness and unfulfillment. Every story is unique but they all share the same message of hope through Jesus Christ. To watch the others in this video testimony series check out the I am Second website.

Wayne Huizenga


Anne Rice


Blake Mankin


Ashley Rawls


Michelle Aguilar


The Parks


Chris Plekenpol


Tony Dungy


Brian Welch


Mike Huckabee


I hope these real life experiences from real people find you encouraged.

Get Uncomfortable

"To diminish the value of one category of human life is to diminish us all." - Ronald Reagan

We are definitely seeing the full meaning behind these words in recent weeks. Society has placed little to no value on the Life of the pre-born and now it is being revealed just how little value some have for the other most vulnerable among us. I'm speaking specifically about the complete disregard for the value and protection of  the countless young girls (and boys) who are victims of child sex trafficking in the United States. 
For Planned Parenthood human value has been replaced by dollar signs.

The footage of the most recent undercover video released today shows a clinic supervisor and medical practitioner of a New York Planned Parenthood aiding and abetting sexual exploitation of minors, even telling the undercover "pimp" he could pose as the legal guardian for his underage sex workers, some as young as 13 years old! Apparently a guardian to Planned Parenthood can be a slave owner.


This was the fourth video released this week by LiveAction all of which reveal the same shocking reality of what goes on inside Planned Parenthood's across the country. Each of these "sting" operations confirm that these are not isolated incidents. All of these clinics have one thing in common - they break the law. The overwhelming and what appears to be "trained" response from Planned Parenthood staff to those who are posing as sex workers seeking abortions, STD testing and birth control for minors as young as 13 and 14 is to ignore and completely disregard the value and safety of these young  victims. 

Watch carefully all of the undercover investigation videos taken from inside Planned Parenthood clinics across the country HERE. It is disturbing that not a single one of the employees were bothered in the slightest  to discover these individuals were involved in child prostitution. Instead of showing any concern or compassion for these young girls they ALL supplied ways to get around the law. They willingly and without question gave the sex traffickers information on how to obtain secret abortions, how to lie on the paperwork and "tweak" information and ultimately put these young girls back into the arms of their abusers. 


Planned Parenthood and other abortion supporters are trying to make this merely an abortion debate. Claiming that "anti-abortion groups are simply trying to take down the organization and take away a woman's choice." I'm here to set the record straight...this is no longer simply about abortion...this is about criminal activity, this is about breaking the law, this is about aiding and abetting in the sexual exploitation of children. 

300,000 children are trafficked  in our country alone each year. That is a staggering number and Planned Parenthood has made it clear that they are active participants in this crime against children.  Instead of reporting these cases of rape, abuse and violation of minors - which they are REQUIRED to by law - they are covering them up and sending these young people back into the arms of their abusers. They are actually PROFITING from the abuse because, as the videos reveal, they are willing to provide health services to the victims such as abortions, STD testing, and birth control - and they make a substantial profit from these services. It's disgusting when you think about it.


Any and all "pro-choice" advocates should be just as outraged by this. Coercion, forced abortions and child exploitation should not be tolerated or endorsed by anyone regardless on their stance on abortion. Sex slaves, like the young girls portrayed in these videos, are in no position to make their own choice on the matter - they take orders from their pimp - and therefor are being coerced and forced.  This is clearly what is going on and Planned Parenthood is very unapologetic about their involvement.

We must hold them accountable for their crimes against humanity. These are daughters, sisters, future wives and mothers that are being repeatedly victimized and Planned Parenthood, in and of themselves, are acting as a pimp to the the pimps themselves. Plain and simple, they are breaking the law and it needs to end. Any other organization involved in this kind of criminal activity would be immediately prosecuted but because the issue of abortion is a "sensitive" subject, they are trying to overshadow the illicit crimes being committed here. Abortion debate aside...what is going on at Planned Parenthood's across the nation is wrong and we must bring accountability.


We must end ALL current government funding to Planned Parenthood. They have proven time and time again that they do not deserve the support of the American people. Currently they receive over $300,000 in tax payer funds (that is money from you and I) and regardless of their claims, the evidence speaks for itself, they are not obeying the laws that were put in place to protect women, so our financial support of their organization MUST come to an end. We as Americans refuse to be enablers to this kind of criminal behaviour anymore.

Here's what YOU can do:


1. Sign this petition to defund Planned Parenthood: SIGN THE PETITION HERE
2. Call or contact your congressmen and voice your concern and outrage and tell them you don't want your tax dollars going to Planned Parenthood - this is SO important! SEND AN EMAIL RIGHT NOW!
3. Tell your friends, family co-workers, everyone you know about the truth and encourage others to follow these steps in order to EXPOSE PLANNED PARENTHOOD. Share what you know on Facebook, Twitter and other social outlets like email and personal websites or blogs.
4. Donate your time, treasure and talent to life-affirming centers and organizations whose goal is to help women and families in need. Give those in vulnerable situations a place of hope where they can go as an alternative to places like Planned Parenthood. FIND A LOCAL LIFE CENTER IN YOUR AREA AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT.


This is an uncomfortable subject but we NEED to get uncomfortable about it. Afterall, it is because of the support of you and I from our tax dollars that these kinds of crimes are able to continue. That should make us all uncomfortable enough to do something about it. I'm here to assure you that WE CAN do something about it. It requires your voice and your action. Please speak now. Act now.



To see all of the undercover video investigations follow this link: Live Action Projects

Child Sex Trafficking "Safe Haven" EXPOSED

LiveAction.org released a new undercover video today that exposes Planned Parenthood, yet again, breaking the law. A Planned Parenthood manager in New Jersey coaches a man and a woman posing as sex traffickers on how to ensure secret abortions, STD testing, and contraception for their female underage sex slaves.

Sex trafficking is punishable under federal law and carries a potential life sentence. Failing to report instances of child abuse and sex trafficking crimes is a serious violation and Planned Parenthood should be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. By offering counseling and other services as a means to cover up sex crimes is not only inexcusable but aids and abets in the continued victimizing of underage girls. Watch the video for yourself here:



“This proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that Planned Parenthood intentionally breaks state and federal laws and covers up the abuse of the young girls it claims to serve,” said Lila Rose, President of Live Action. “Time and time again, Planned Parenthood has sent young girls back into the arms of their abusers. They don’t deserve a dime of the hundreds of millions they receive in federal funding from taxpayers. Congress must cease funding and the Department of Justice should investigate this corrupt organization immediately.”

Share this video with everyone you know and help expose Planned Parenthood's continued disregard for the law. To ensure that this kind of abuse ends we need to call our congressmen and government officials to DEMAND that Planned Parenthood be defunded. They receive over 300 million dollars in tax payer funds (that's money from you and me) every year and  THIS   MUST    END!

We can no longer afford to sit back and simply say "that's awful" or go about our day as if nothing happened...we need to stand up for these young girls who are victims of the corruption as well as the millions of pre-born children who are slaughtered everyday from abortion behind Planned Parenthood's doors. Help ensure that this kind of neglect, abuse and disregard does not continue. Call, write and/or meet with your state and federal representatives - be a voice for justice. 

Check out other Live Action projects containing substantial evidence exposing Planned Parenthood repeatedly violating state laws by covering up child abuse, giving medical misinformation and unveiling their racist agenda with which the industry was founded upon.

Review: Walk For Life 2011

This weekend marked the 38th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion.  A record-breaking number of about 50,000 pro-life activists filled San Francisco’s downtown this weekend, as they walked 2.5 miles along the waterfront for the 7th Annual Walk for Life West Coast. With numbers like that it should have been all over the news right? But year after year, the mainstream media fails to acknowledge the pro-life movement. If this had been a pro-choice rally I can guarantee you it would have made headlines. The lack of coverage and clear bias could only mean one of two things....the opposition feels threatened and/or there is money at stake if the truth were to get out.

But the truth IS getting out despite the lack of news coverage and pro-aborts are starting to get nervous. Polls show that the majority of Americans are pro-life for the first time in decades. Young adults ages 30 and under are the next generation for Life and their numbers are growing by the day. The lies about abortion are starting to crumble. Science doesn't back up abortion. Technology has made it possible to expose the myths. People are starting to speak out louder and bolder than ever before. Victory is on the horizon for Life!

The 2011 Walk for Life West Coast was attended by a variety of pro-life groups spanning all cultures and faiths, including Silent No More, Priests for Life, Students for Life and others. The 33rd annual March For Life also took place this weekend in Washington DC., another record turnout. There were rallies in support of Life all over the country this weekend - in Colorado, Chicago, Florida and perhaps even in your own hometown. These voices are equally inspiring and encouraging as they add to the ever-growing number of pro-life advocates.

On the other side of the world in Paris, France about 40,000 people joined the Paris March for Life on Sunday afternoon. Several foreign delegations joined the Paris march, including representatives from Romania, the Czech Republic, Italy, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands and Belgium. This world-wide involvement is more evidence that abortion is not merely a political or religious issue, but a global issue and it's encouraging and exciting to see that people all over the world are coming together for Life. I pray that soon abortion is not simply made illegal but that abortion becomes unthinkable.

Here are a few videos and photos that pro-life attenders captured of the events over the weekend. May you be encouraged and inspired.

Walk For Life West Coast 2011


Marche Por La Vie - Paris, France 2011

MARCHE POUR LA VIE 2011 - REPORTAGE CEC
envoyé par catholiques-en-campagne. - L'info video en direct.

March For Life Washington 2011

 

Our [EXCITING] Anniversary Celebration Plans!

This year our wedding anniversary is on 11/11/11 and for those who may not know...we were married a year exactly from the day I realized he was the one. That night I was sitting across from him at dinner and I remember vividly looking up at him and he was looking at me in a way that no one had ever looked at me before. I can only describe it as "the look of love" because in that moment, I felt his love for me and it was in that moment that I felt love for the first time. The date was 11/11/06. And on 11/11/07 we were married. Even before this monumental moment, I have had a special love for the number eleven that dates back to my elementary years. It has always been my favourite number and throughout my life has had special significance.

So the fact that our anniversary this year will be on 11/11/11 we wanted to do something extra special! Jared and I both agreed we wanted to go somewhere that neither of us have been before so we could experience somewhere new together. He mentioned the idea of Greece, so that is where our searching started. Because we met in the middle of the ocean - on a cruise ship - and with me being sentimental, I started looking for cruises to Greece close to our anniversary date. I found one that I instantly obsessed over - it was a cruise to Italy, Greece, Egypt, Turkey and Israel. I couldn't believe that one cruise would take me to all of my dream destinations!

Since 6th grade I have had a huge fascination with Egyptian culture...I've seen just about every documentary there is, and traveling to Egypt has been a lifelong dream of mine. I have also had a strong interest in Greek Mythology and would love to indulge in their culture. And where do I begin on the countless photo opportunities?! But what excited me most about this cruise was the chance to visit the Holy Land! To be able to walk where my Lord and Saviour walked would be the ultimate lifetime treasure! I weep at the thought of it.

So of course, I tell Jared about the details of the cruise with excitement only to have him tell me "I'm sorry, but we just can't budget this cruise." My heart sunk. Of course I was disappointed. This was my dream trip. I had already lived it out in my head! But my disappointment was quickly replaced with respect. Respect for my husband who as difficult as it must have been to tell his eager and excited wife "no", he did it out of love because he was thinking of our best interest, not just what sounded good at the time. This cruise was financially irresponsible. Deep down I knew that, but I wanted it anyway. And hearing him say "no" re-affirmed one of the many reasons why I married him. He takes care of me...and taking care of me doesn't mean giving me everything I want. Even though "no" was NOT what I wanted to hear...I love and respect him even more for telling me "no" because it was a sign of his love and protection. This was not the first time he has responded with a "no" to my requests, but this will probably stand out as the most memorable because of what happened next....

We soon began searching for an alternative plan together and as sure as God is good, we stumbled upon another cruise line with identical destinations as the previous one except this one was literally HALF the price of the other one, including land excursions (tours) - so it was well within our budget and the port to board the cruise is only a train ride in distance so we won't have to pay extra for airfare! It was a God send! This cruise was even better than the other one and this time I got a "YES!" :) I threw my arms around my husband and just wept with joy! I am overwhelmed by God's unbelievable blessings! He coordinated every detail to perfection and I couldn't be more excited and thankful!

So we will be celebrating our 11/11/11 anniversary on an 11 day cruise to Italy, Greece, Turkey, Egypt and Israel! A dream come true shared with the man of my dreams! The cruise leaves on November 6th so on our actual anniversary we will be exactly where we first met....in the middle of the ocean. :)

God is in the details. God is good.