We interrupt this blogging lull...

to tell you why there's a blogging lull. It's called End-of-semester Madness. I'm sorry for all (2) of you ATB addicts out there (that's you Grandma and Launa). Things should pick up again in a week or so. Back to the books I go!

What does abortion have to do with racism?

HT: Carolyn McCulley

John Piper has a provocative post today on the Desiring God blog about abortion, racism, and slavery. Here is an excerpt from "Stigma is a Good Thing for Bad Acts:"

So let’s be wise in showing the way abortion is closer to racism and slavery than people see.
The Supreme Court in the Dred Scott case of 1857 held that black slaves were property without rights as persons, yet today we view that as unthinkable. So the Supreme Court in the case of Roe v. Wade (1973) held that the unborn did not have rights as persons, yet we should hope and work that the day may come when that too is viewed as unthinkable.
So here’s one connection for starters:
Racism might—and often did—result in the killing of innocent humans. In our history, it often did. But there is no “might” about abortion. It always results in the killing of innocent humans.
Between 1882 and 1968, 3,446 black people were lynched in America. Today, more black babies are killed by white abortionists every three days than all who were lynched in those years.

There is a lot of history to this. To understand the roots of racism and abortion, you must understand Margaret Sanger's early work in this area. A comprehensive summary can be found in "The Negro Project: Margaret Sanger's Eugenic Plan for Black Americans." Further information can be found on the LEARN site.|

My Week in Baseball, Vol. 1

Kyle is teaching me the language of baseball so I can really talk the talk. I know the basic rules, but one season of tee-ball didn't get me far. I get one new term each day. How many do you know (without Googling)?

Week 1:
1. LOOGy
2. The Golden Sombrero
3. Hot Corner
4. Infield Fly Rule
5. Hitting for the Cycle
6. Texas Leaguer
7. Walk-0ff hit

Angel Food Cake

My grandparents visited for the weekend. We did a lot of fun things, including an Angel Food cake-making lesson. The cake turned out so well, and it was so delicious. Unfortunately when we came home from church, the cake was swarming with ants! Ugh.

If only I had listened to Grandma... She didn't think it was a good idea to put leave the cake on the counter. If I had listened, I could be eating this again tonight. *Sigh*

Hello, Daffodils.

You make my window sill brighter. For that, I thank you.

Whooo wants tea?

I do! I want Jasmine #12 every day steeped in this perfect, delightful pot. I named him Hoot.

He's really quite photogenic. It's too bad I don't have a nicer camera so you could see just how adorable he really is.Whether you like tea or not, you should try Jasmine #12. Hoot would be glad to steep it in his belly for you if you like.
Hoot makes the perfect cup in the morning, afternoon, or before bed. It goes well with your favorite bedtime story.
Hoot wants you to come visit so he can make tea for you. He's quite the showoff.

Rainbow Cake

This is the product of my first cake decorating class. I'm pretty sure it was the worst cake in the class. I was late for class, forgot half my supplies at home, dropped half my icing on the floor, and had difficulty following directions. Let's hope next week's class is a little better.

Resurrection Day

Sunday we celebrated our risen Savior. It was a glorious day for multiple reasons. In our Sunday evening community group, I'm really enjoying the growth that's occurring in everyone. People are getting saved, sharing the Gospel, making disciples, memorizing scripture, and all kinds of awesome stuff! What a joy it is to be part of this Christ-centered community.

We also enjoyed dinner with family on Sunday. We had a delicious meal with Kyle's parents. Fresh tulips adorned the table.

Also adorning the table were these delicious Cake Pops that I baked with Alisha over the course of Friday and Saturday. They weren't as cute as the originals, but they were delicious.

One Fine Day

This was a jam-packed weekend. Saturday we decided to take a little day trip down to Cape Girardeau, MO. It's about an hour from here. Old town Cape is beautiful, and it was a perfect day.
Kyle, Drew, and Yvonne outside of an old theater, shortly before hearing what we thought was a person being kidnapped inside the trunk of a car.

This random Easter Bunny was sitting on the corner. It was a little weird. All the most handsome men have cleft chins. It's a fact.

Drew and Kyle skippin' rocks in the Mighty Mississippi. The water was fast and cold, and the rocks were hoppin'.
Yvonne isn't really that much taller than me. I just thought you should know.
I think this photo speaks for itself.
I like to call this photo, "Friends, Sun, and Fun." Cheesey? Yes. True? Yes.

Some trends should stay dead.

I'm not sure what makes me more sad, the fact that acid-wash jeans are back in style, or the fact that I owned some (and loved them) in the early 90's. I hope this trend doesn't continue. Please, oh, please let it die quickly. No one really looks good in these things, right?

DIY Anthropologie

Please consider Exhibit A: I want it all. The fluffy white quilt, the incredible afghan, even the stained glass bookcases, which aren't really for sale. Since I will never pay that much for any of it, my only option is to make it myself. I need some serious help, though.

Problem 1- I can't quilt. I don't even own a sewing machine, but I would like one. If you're getting rid of one, please let me know. Also, if you would like to teach me how to use it, I would be obliged.

Problem 2- I can crochet and knit, but I'm mostly self-taught, so I can't do anything fancy. Any experts out there who feel like giving some lessons? Any idea how they made that incredible thing? I'm a quick learner.

Problem 3- I do not own a table saw, or any other power tools (save one), nor do I have ANY woodworking skills. Uh, Daddy? Feel like building me some bookcases? Better yet, teach me how!

If by some chance I ever learn how to do all these things, I would crown myself a Domestic Queen. Please stay tuned. I'll get it all done in about 10 years.

Conversations with kids: Why?

I'm learning a lot taking care of two kids once a week. The chil'ins (as I like to call them) are age 2 and 4. Most of our conversations go something like this...
Chil'ins- "Why?"
Chelsea- I give them brilliant answers.
Chil'ins- "Why?"
Chelsea- Oh, an opportunity to show them how smart I am!
Chil'ins- "But, why?"
Chelsea- Wow, they are very curious.
8 rounds later
Chelsea- "I don't know."

Really, I think they just want to hear me say, "I don't know." As soon as I do, they change the topic, and the process begins again. Why is it that "I don't know" satisfies them, but other answers do not?

Old Music Tuesday: The Verve Pipe

Old Music Tuesday is a day to reflect on the music that shaped my childhood and early adolescence. As always, if you have a shared memory with a song or artist featured on OMT, please share it!

The Verve Pipe is another one of those lesser-known 90's bands. I cannot recall them having more than 1 or 2 hit songs. However, their hit song, "The Freshmen," seemed to move me. Looking back, I can't really imagine why it did. The lyrics (based on my interpretation) are about a girl who has an abortion and then kills herself.

I think at the time, I just felt the pain and the angst in the song. I had no clue what "stop a baby's breath" meant. It would have come out when I was in 6th grade, which was a rough year for me in many ways. It's still hard for me to think about that time. If there is such a thing as being "scarred for life," I suppose that's the closest I've come.

Perhaps that's why I liked the song so much. I could relate to having a bad experience, and being deeply affected by it. Even now that I know what the song is really about, it always takes me back to those bittersweet days. My scars were nothing like the girl in the song, but we significant to me.

Fortunately, I believe that Jesus heals all wounds, and makes hearts new. I praise God for that.

How could you?

Spring, you played a bad, bad trick on me. You made me think you were here for good. I should have known better, but now you've caused much sorrow.

And Can It Be

by Charles Wesley

an excerpt...

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature's mournful night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray;
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

Now, Acts 12:6-7

The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. "Quick, get up!" he said, and the chains fell off Peter's wrists.

What a glorious Gospel picture! While we were still asleep, enslaved and chained to our sins, Christ did what we could not. He conquered the grave, and called us out. He broke the chains and brought us to life. Hallelujah!

I'm just a woman who can't say no...

to this man. I don't mind, though. I don't even want to say no. Why would I? Just look at him. He's 25 today, and he keeps getting better.

Happy birthday, Kyle!