WAKE UP!

Counting the stitches on my beloved quilt, conviction settled into my mind.  I don't speak enough.  The previous post "Passion" is the prequel and introduction to this post- and hopefully a number of posts to follow.  

Today's soap box: America.  

Somewhere in the middle of my list, I wrote I am passionate about politics, reform, local missions, and culture/nations.  I am going to take each of those passions and mold them into one [stretched] stream of thought.

I am not going to speak about conservatism and the great republican way.  I am not going to encourage anyone in one partisan direction or another.  I am not going to encourage anyone to eat organic and switch your bulbs to energy efficient.  I am not going to speak against the current President.  I AM, however, going to encourage you to start speaking.

I keep up with the status of America as best I can from over here.  These questions have run through my mind; as I am sure you've also asked yourself.

What IS going to happen to America in the next few years?  What's going to happen as this quarter ends and the first of 2010 begins?!  What's going to change- for the better? -for the worse?  How will those changes take seat?  How does it all effect ME?

Before I can say ANYthing else, PRAY for the leaders and our nation; the issues.  COVER America with the blood of Jesus, and I assure you, we will see change (for the better).

National level politics is a big leagues field.  It seems like the coach's pitch all-star MVP trying to play with Mickey Mantel and Cal Ripkin.  Reality is, becoming involved in the happenings of the nation is not so difficult.  Glen Beck put it clearly in a summer broadcast- we are being OVERLOADED with information, and it is absolutely impossible to keep up with everything the Obama Administration is saying. 

What CAN we do?  

1. Re-familiarize yourself with the constitution.  

2. Pick an issue and follow it.  Research that issue and know that issue inside out.  

3. Pick a person (persons) and follow them.  Research that person and learn as much as you possibly can about that particular political head.  Whether it be a senator, delegate, or one of these new appointees- PICK SOME ONE!  

4. USE THAT INFORMATION.  Compare the happenings within the realm of that issue/figure to the constitution.  When something does not fit together, then begin to speak-up about it.  Instead of complaining at the dinner table, write emails to your local representative and to the media.  

That's the national level.  

What I believe is far too often overlooked is the local level of politics.  We get so into the news and rhetoric of the national politicians, that we forget that our neighborhoods are being impacted right in front of us.  GET INVOLVED IN YOUR LOCAL POLITICAL SCENE!!  Know who your Delegates are and begin to communicate with them.  Attend board and council meetings.  Again, you cannot do everything, so pick an area and invest yourself.  Seeking local reform is eventually going to impact the nation on a broader spectrum.  

So, WAKE UP America!!  I can see from here that much of America has already awoken... now become proactive in your stance.  

Passion

I am passionate.  

I am a passionate person when it comes to nearly everything I do.  When I choose to invest in something, I go all the way in without reserve.  What's reserve for, anyway?  Back-up?  I don't do "back-up" plans.  I do full throttle, all my faith, all my gumption plans.  And, if there happens to be a fail, I take all my energy into resolving the situation, or into developing a new method.  Is it a waste of resources?  Perhaps.  For me, I'd rather run over failure with all my momentum, than get stuck in the rut.  That's just me.  

So, what AM I passionate about?

I am passionate about change.  I am passionate about seeing people realize their potential.  I am passionate about prophetic destiny.  I am passionate about perfection  I am passionate about divine order.  I am passionate about coaching, encouraging, and teaching.  I am passionate about prayer and intercession.  I am passionate about creating and developing.  I am passionate about music.  I am passionate about worship as a lifestyle, but also as creative expression.  I am passionate about truth.  I am passionate about justice and mercy sharing their respective responsibilities.  I am passionate about theater and opera.  I am passionate about dance.  I am passionate about turning a stage into a fantasy world.  I am passionate about colors.  I am passionate about light.  I am passionate about life.  I am passionate about politics.  I am passionate about reform.  I am passionate about local missions.  I am passionate about culture and nations.  I am passionate about learning.  I am passionate about health services.  I am passionate about blood/organ donation.  I am passionate about friendship.  I am passionate about reading.  I am passionate about writing.  I am passionate about running and sports.  I am passionate about competition.  I am passionate about leadership, problem solving, and communication.  I am passionate.  

What are YOU passionate about?  Comment.  Email.  Facebook.  Let me know what you're passionate about.

Shabby Apple

I am absolutely stealing this post from E.  :-)  But, it's a worthy cause with a great source!

So, without asking her permission, I am officially copying her entire post and pasting it here.  She wrote so well on the topic already, I think it's better to just give her the credit and the platform.  :-)  AND, if you're interested in a great blog (one that is REGULARLY updated), then head on over to Home With the Boys.  If you are interested in the giveaway from Shabby Apple, then reply as instructed below on E's blog.  

**I AM NOT AT ALL INVOLVED IN THIS GIVEAWAY!**

Again, if you are interested, you must follow the instructions below, and reply at Home With the Boys!

So here's E's post:

Shabby Apple captured my heart as soon as I read their story and mission...

After years of not being able to find stylish dresses that covered enough skin to make you really feel comfortable (without wearing a tank top, cardigan or long slip), owners Emily and CK decided to do something about it.

They visited trade shows, marketplaces and designer studios only to discover the problem was not that department stores weren't buying the right dresses, but that designers weren't designing them.

Shabby Apple is proud to offer you fantastic dresses that allow you to look fabulous, without having to compromise anything else.

A return to what dresses were always meant to be — a one-piece outfit. No need to add anything...no tank tops, no cardigans, nothing (except accessories, of course!).

Modest, fashionable clothing for girls and women WITHOUT HAVING TO LAYER!

For those of you who don’t know, I am a youth sponsor at our church and four years ago, we started a fashion show centered around modesty. It’s called “Unfading Beauty.” My good friend C is the creative mastermind behind it and I LOVE being involved with it.

Since that first show, I have become passionate about girls and women looking cute in clothing that doesn’t “give everything away.”

And Shabby Apple does just that. Cute dresses for little girls, teens and women. Even maternity clothes and fabulous accessories. And it’s all modest.

By the way, modest does NOT have to equal frumpy. Especially in the case of Shabby Apple.

You really must check them out.

And as if you needed more incentive to head on over to their website, here’s one more!

They are giving away a dress RIGHT HERE!

This dress – it’s called 90 WPM – isn’t it gorgeous?!



So how do you win?

All you have to do is click over to their site, browse through their beautiful dresses, and let me know which dress you love (other than 90 WPM) in the comment section! One comment per person, please!

This giveaway will close Monday, September 14th at 8:00 p.m. CDT when one winner will be chosen at random.

Have fun and a HUGE thank you to Shabby Apple!

Five Reasons to Fall in Love: 2nd Edition....

...with Nebraska.  

Nope, not a joke.  

In case you missed last year's edition, you can read here about Maryland.

Nebraska is very much an overlooked state.  It is underrated. 

1.  Nebraska is a golden, farming state.  You may 

not consider this such spledor, but I tell you, "a

mber waves of grain" takes on a whole new meaning on a typical mid-July afternoon driving across the interstate.

*1. This is actually a shot of Chimney Rock in the background.

2.  Sunsets/Sky.  Some say they prefer the sunset across the ocean or spread between the mountains, but if you've never seen a mid-west prairie or desert sunset, you don't get a vote.  Yes, at first introduction, the wide open skies can be overwhelming for those of us who are familiar with the broken horizon.  After my first NE sunset, I was in love.  As you can see, rainbows become nearly tangible in Nebraska.

2*

3*

3. With the prairie land comes prairie weather- tornado season and amazing thunderstorms.  for storm lovers like me,

 this is an ideal all-you-can-eat buffet.

*4

4.  So, before everyone begins to believe that Nebraska really is just country mile after country mile of farm-land, I'll move on to patriotism.  "There's no place like Nebraska, good ol' Nebraska U!"  

Nebraska doesn't have a professional sports team, but the athletics of UNL are a great pride and joy.  

Nebraska football is a tradition.  Game days in Lincoln are phenomenal and offer an atmosphere like none other (Penn State offers competition in game day atmospheres).  NU isn't just football, though- Volleyball, women's soccer, basketball, bowling, wrestling, etc. are consistently ranked teams, offering Olympic and professional athletes season by season.   Credit for this photo goes to Maddie from one of my last Huskers' games as a student.

5.  This is by far the most subjective explanation I offer.  Rock Solid Youth Ministries.  LOVE YOU GUYS!  This is an incredible group from Christ's Place located in South Lincoln.  Christ's Place and Rock Solid are considered a home and family to me.  All of my RS pics are on my external HD, which is currently not with me, so check out the website and see how cool they/we really are.