"This One's for the Mom's..."

With Mother's Day just around the corner (as in tomorrow for those of you who thought you had a few more days to send a card), I'm constantly seeing new profile pictures on my friend's facebook pages. Pictures of them with their mom. I have partaken in this new cultural tradition- you will find that I am not above many of the facebook fads that come along, though I have yet to find a suitable doppleganger for myself (My Mom happens to be the closest thing to a doppleganger that I have! see below)

Side note of a side note aside...It's a good day, Mother's day is. Really, one day a year is not enough to show appreciation for all that mothers do. For example, I know that my mom- depending on what is going on in my life- is either incredibly/overly excited or worried for me, always willing to drop what she is doing to talk to me on the phone (Unless American Idol is on, then I'm limited to commercials) and she also gets so excited when I plan on visiting that I'm pretty sure she loses sleep because of it like a kid on Christmas Eve. When she introduces me and my brother to people they treat us as if they have known us our whole lives because I'm pretty sure that my mom has told them our whole lives' stories.  I'm betting that my mom is not alone in these behaviors so, when you think about it, one must wonder what other human being loves you so unconditionally and so completely that they alone could be the source of all confidence and high self esteem in the world if we just listened solely to their opinions of us.

Whether you are a kid who needs mommy after you fall down, or a teenager who is embarrassed as your mom yells "LOVE YOU KRISSY!! HAVE A GOOD DAY!! LOVE YOU HONEY!!!" as she drops you off at school (wait...your mom didn't do that...hmmm), a college students who is wrapped up in your new found freedom yet still thankful your mom does your laundry when you go home, a young married woman who is thankful for your mom's listening ear, a new mom yourself who is thankful for your mom's wise advice and are just hoping to follow her example, or maybe you are remembering your mom this weekend and just wish you could still pick up the phone and call her, wherever you are in life, make sure you stop this weekend and thank your mom! (yes, I'm aware that this paragraph is all one sentence. It's fine, ask my mom)

And because I, of course, think my mom is wonderful and hilarious, let me take this opportunity to share one example why my mom is awesome...

random/rushed phone calls that go like this:

(real events)
Me: Hey Mom!
Mom: (in a rushed tone) Krissy! what's this from? "Mine, Mine, Mine, Mine, Mine, Mine, Mine, Mine...."
Me: Finding Nemo
Mom: What scene?
Me: Seagulls on the deck when they are in Sydney....
Mom: Thanks! You're the best! That was driving me crazy! Got to go!!

Another call:
Me: Hey!
Mom: (again, rushed) Krissy! what's this song? it's an old country song, about girls at different ages, like 13...
Me: This One's for the Girls (<- Mom, click here!)
Mom: Who sings it?
Me: Martina McBride
Mom: Your good! thanks! I was going nuts trying to figure that out! got to go!

You make me laugh mom.... :) HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!!

...and more thoughts on the matter....

About an hour after my last post, Ben and I are still watching the news.  We have been talking about it, watching it and reading everyone's comments online.

I know while writing my last blog I was thinking that it was strange that I was feeling proud at the death of Osama. I wanted to say that I couldn't explain the feeling since it does feel weird to celebrate the death of anyone. But I didn't. I can't deny that that was the feeling that came over me (proud/happy), especially in those first few moments of hearing the news and seeing the crowds outside of the White House. I do feel proud that America has had a decidedly clear victory in a difficult war that we have been in for nearly a decade.

As I reflect more on what happened, I also can't deny that some of my initial reactions were ignoring the fact that no matter how evil I think this man was, rejoicing in someone's death is wrong, denying the grace and forgiveness that I have been given by Christ.  I can use the very verse from my last post (Romans 12:19) to remind myself that my thoughts towards Osama and his death do not align with what I am taught by my faith.  So, for this, I apologize.

I do not know what the intentions of the soldiers were when they entered that building, to kill or to capture. I don't know who fired the first shot. While I think his death was a Just ending, it is also a tragedy. A tragedy that he somehow became so twisted that he felt he needed to terrorize and murder thousands of people. A tragedy that he was not alone in his actions, but a symbol of hatred that is revered by many.

Tonight is a historic night for the USA and the world. I am proud to be an American and of this victory in our war efforts. I love my country. As a Christian, however, I am called to "not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your (my) mind." (Romans 12: 2) The rest of Romans 12 is a good reminder right now too.

So there you have it, my initial and slightly less initial response to the breaking news of the evening. take it as you will. I will never claim to be perfect, but I will always be honest.

Breaking News! Historic day in the USA!!!!

Originally, me having a blog was going to be the "breaking news" but then I heard some real braking news:

Osama Bin Laden is dead. 


I saw this online and we immediately switched on the news. They were showing video of people outside the White House singing the National Anthem and God Bless America. The feelings of September 11, 2001 flooded back over me. I wished I could be there in DC, with these people and their American flags that appeared out of nowhere in the crowds. 10 years have gone by and yet every feeling, every fear, every moment of that day is so clear in my mind it is as if it happened yesterday. The fact that we finally got the man who orchestrated that horrific attack makes me proud to be an American.

Honestly, my thoughts are scattered right now and it's hard to order them in any manner. Here comes the President....

A proud moment. I cannot, however, give all credit to President Obama. 10 years of troops putting their lives on the line in the hunt for this terrorist and President Bush, who I can only imagine lost lots of sleep over Bin Laden's avoiding capture while Bush tried to hunt him down. This has been a long exhausting effort by many Americans.

I pray that God, a loving and just God, brings peace to the families who lost loved ones on September 11th, and holds Osama Bin Laden accountable for the horrific acts he committed.

Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. Romans 12:19  Well, God, we have delivered him into your hands.... repay away!!!!!!

God Bless the USA!!!!