0 Harry Potter and The Great Debate

Harry Potter is a household name these days, however some prefer to think of him as he who must not be named.  Whether it's the critically acclaimed seven part book series by author J.K. Rowling or the billion dollar blockbuster films - Harry Potter is everywhere.  I thought with Halloween upon us and the release of Part I of the final Harry Potter film this November we should kick this hornets nest and see what kind of discussion we can stir up.

For those unfamiliar with the series - Harry Potter chronicles the adventures of the adolescent wizard Harry Potter and his best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, all of whom are students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The main story arc concerns Harry's quandary involving the evil wizard Lord Voldemort, who killed Harry's parents in his quest to conquer the wizarding world and subjugate non-magical people. - wikipedia

Once the books became best sellers, many Evangelical Christians were very outspoken in their disapproval of the magical stories - some going as far as holding old fashioned book burnings and others calling it a "gateway" book that will lead uninformed children into the worship of pagan practices.  Many other Christians, myself included, are not as eager to compare the series to demonic magic as they are stories of fairy tale magic - such as Cinderella, The Chronicles of Narnia, and The Lord of the Rings - the latter two of which are beloved by the Christian community.

So how do you know if Harry Potter is a good thing or not?  The catch is that there is really no way to figure this out other than to read it.  Whether you are trying to determine this out for your child or yourself there is only one way to know.  I think if you read the first book you will find that the book is really not about magic.  Yes, it has magic in it, but that's not what it is about.  The clear theme of Harry Potter is that love conquers all; that courage and bravery in the face of evil, particularly death, are noble and virtuous moral choices.  Emphasis on the choice part.  There is evil in this world, and if you haven't picked up on it yet, I am no longer talking about Harry Potter.  True evil is out there, and while we may not come across it on a daily basis (or ever) there is such a thing as evil magic, the bible tells us this much.

Finally, let us not forget that in every choice we make in life, even reading Harry Potter - we have a responsibility.  A responsibility to question things and search our the answers through the Lords written word and prayer.  Harry Potter is what it is.  Just as wine is simply a drink, Harry Potter is a fantasy story.  In the hands of a weak man, either can corrupt; yet when mixed with a little responsibility both can be enjoyed.

This topic could probably be discussed for years and I encourage it and hope that you leave some feedback if you have read the books.  Try to keep your comments spoiler free for anyone who is on the fence still.  You don't have to agree with me - I have spoken with some people who strongly disagree with me, yet we still respect each other.  So again, please leave some feedback with your thoughts.  Thanks!

Raleigh

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0 Two by Two

The month of October has flown by!!!!  I am behind on some of my posts, but I will try and get caught up this week so y'all can see what all we have been doing.  This past Sunday, we attended our church's Fall Festival.  It was a Trunk or Treat and it was so much fun.  A little overwhelming, but also really fun at the same time!!!  We decided to dress our family up like Noah's Ark and the girls were little lambs.  They were too stinkin' cute!!!!!!!!

Adeline & Maralee's first Fall Festival

Sunday, October 24th

St. James UMC

Maralee (sleeping) & Adeline

 

Our Ark!

Raleigh, Adeline, Christen & Maralee

It was really funny because most people thought we were shepherds instead of Noah and his wife, but that still made sense so we went with it!  There were so many kids at the Fall Festival and at one point I will admit I got a little nervous.  We kept the girls away from most of the kids and it worked out for our group to get an end parking spot so we weren't in the thick of the crowd.  Our group consists of baby girls and they were all dressed up so adorable that evening!

Adeline, Maralee, & Me with our friends Olivia & KC and Mary Harris & Stephanie

We love our small group!!!!

Maralee, Adeline & Mommy

 

Shhhh.....sleepy Maralee

 

Adorable Adeline

Adeline, Maralee & Daddy

Besides going to the Fall Festival, we went to Dothan on Thursday to attend an open house for a kitchen that Raleigh had designed.  It was my first time to see his work and I was really impressed.  I am so proud of my husband and the gifts that the Lord has provided for him to be an architect.  It is really cool to see the before and after pictures and know that my husband was the one that designed it.  When we went home, we were able to test out driving our whole family in the van.  We folded down some of the back row seats so the puppies could have a pallet to lay on.  It was so nice having all of that room!!!!  

Lu Lu is loaded up and ready to go!

Our trip was short, but the twins got to visit with some of their great-grandparents.  My parents have discovered the kids consignment sales and they bought this little play yard for the girls.  It is really fun to watch them focus on a toy and try to figure out how it works.  Every day they are discovering more on how to use their hands.  It is so neat watching their brains think and learn.

Na Na & Adeline

Paw Paw and Maralee

The twins are learning & growing!!!!

Even though our family is in Dothan, we still get to see them on a regular basis.  On Saturday, Raleigh's brother and his wife (one of my best friends from college!) came to Montgomery to watch Auburn play LSU.  I am a member of the Jr. League here in Montgomery and one of our big fundraisers is called the Holiday Market.  I had been volunteering for it all week, but on Saturday Kari Beth and I went shopping at the market and we both got some great Christmas gifts!  It was really fun spending some girl time with KB while the boys watched the twins.  That afternoon we all celebrated as Auburn beat LSU!!!  We are ranked #1 in the nation right now which is great but we still have some really tough games ahead of us.  It is just fun to see Auburn doing so well with us still having such a young team.  War Eagle!!!!!!

So, as you can see, we have had a busy October.  Fun, but busy :)  

Till next time, let your light shine!

Blessings, christen

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0 Trusting The Truth: October 2010

Many, when asked about different fears, rank the fear of public speaking right up there with the fear of death. Now that I have encountered both, I would agree that they both elicit about the same level of fear. So this morning I would like to teach on and have a conversation about fear; let’s just not call it public speaking.
Fear is the emotion that arises when we feel threatened by a physical or emotional or even spiritual danger, whether real or imaginary. Since we live in a dangerous world, fear is a universal and inevitable part of the human condition. Some people experience fear relatively rarely, and for others it is very common. Some primarily experience fear acutely, while others experience it primarily as chronic, low-grade anxiety. Some typically react to fear actively with a fight response, while others react passively, with flight. Some experience fear that is rooted in past traumatic events, others concerning present shocks, while still others primarily about future threats. But regardless of these differences, we all experience fear--and we must all grapple with how to understand and respond to it. We must learn to live victoriously over fear.
To begin this conversation on fear, let us start with a story from early in Jesus’ ministry. After a full day of healing and teaching on the Kingdom of God, and planting the seeds of faith in his growing crowd of followers, Jesus was ready to move on from where he was teaching. Although Matthew and Mark both tell this same story in their Gospels, let us pick up on the story in the Gospel of Luke: Chapter 8, verse 22:
“One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.
The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”
He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples.
In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”
In hearing this story, I want you think of the storms in your own life. During the midst of your own storm, where are you in the boat with Jesus. Are you with the disciples, scared, calling out for Jesus, lacking in faith? The disciples were veteran fishermen and had spent much time on the water, but they seem to have never experienced this kind of storm. Their boat was being swamped; as they bailed out two buckets of water ten more were pouring in. They were yelling to each other, “Quick! Quick!” It was a scene of chaos and they had begun to panic and were fearful of their own death. In Mark’s version of the story, Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” While the disciples were struggling for life and death, what did Jesus do? He was sound asleep on a cushion in the back. Can you believe he could sleep in the midst of the storm and the yelling disciples?
During your own storms, are you yelling for Jesus, in a panic, wondering why he has not woken up and saved you from your strife? In the midst of the storm there is great contrast between Jesus and his disciples. Jesus was calm and in control. The disciples were panicked and fearful. When they were scared to death, they remembered Jesus, woke him, and cried out to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” They surely did not remember the Psalm that says, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.” The disciples, instead, got upset and complained to Jesus.
Life is much like sailing at sea. When there is smooth sailing under a blue sky we think life would be that way always or wish to have it that way. But we often face the storms of life unexpectedly. The storms come without warning and cause troubles and fear in our lives. We feel left alone, struggling all by ourselves, and God seems far away. However, even in the storms, I have learned that our Lord is present.
I hope, in telling my own story, my own testimony, of God’s faithfulness and His presence in a hurricane in my life, that you will believe more deeply and will see that by throwing your weight onto the Lord during your trials, even when you think that He is sleeping, that he will be faithful and will take all things, even those that may be meant for ill, and will use them for good. As Paul says in Romans, “we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him.” My hope is that through hearing my story that you will be able to cry in your trials with Job, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust Him.”
My story begins at the end of last summer. At that time I was living for myself and had finally reached the point where I saw that the path I was on was one of death and that I desperately wanted a path that moved towards life, and life to the fullest. I sought out men in Raleigh who could help guide me and instruct me on how to find this life. I began to study the scriptures and learn about this man, Jesus. I began a relationship with my savior; with no idea how desperately I would need him.
This savior, who has power over nature, as seen in the story of the calming of the sea, existed before time began. Before the creation of the world, He knew me and knew that I would, one day, need Him. And last summer He started a good work in me that would come to pay dividends. When something happens in life, all you have is just what you have right then and nothing more. By the grace of God, I had begun to build a faith that would help me get through and survive my storm.
On January 2nd of this year I awoke at 4am, ate a light breakfast, and loaded up for a day of duck hunting. Little did I know that this day would turn quickly from a day of quiet anticipation into the bloody hell of a warlike nightmare.
Two cars were filled with dogs, gear and still-sleepy hunters: my brother-in-law Will Teague, my father, my uncle Lawrence Davis, Butler Bennett, Bo Bennett and his son Butler, my cousin Linwood Davis and me. We pulled away from our cottage at Bath and drove to a friend’s farm at Pamlico Point. Pamlico Point is an isolated peninsula jutting out into the Pamlico Sound between the Neuse and Pamlico rivers. It is not near anything, but it is one of the best places in North Carolina to hunt for ducks.
When we arrived at 5am we were met at the gate of the farm by two guides. Charlie, one of the guides, led us a mile or so down the dirt farm path to a barn where we unloaded our gear and dressed for a morning of duck hunting. It was windy and cold, about 20 degrees. Here at the barn we split up into groups to be taken to the blinds. My Uncle Lawrence and Butler were in a blind together, as were my dad and Linwood, Bo and Butler, Jr., and Will and I. The others were taken to their blinds while Will and I awaited our turn. Will and I were to be hunting from the farthest blind, the best place to hunt, because this was Will’s first experience hunting. As we waited the sky began to light up as the sun began to rise. Ducks were flying overhead and I anxiously awaited the beginning of the hunt.
Charlie, a rough, tough and quiet man finally arrived in his old Chevy pickup as the clouds took on a pink light as the sun foretold its coming. Will and I put our gear in the bed of the truck and hopped up on the tool box, resting our feet on the many bags of decoys. Shortly, we arrived at the number 7 blind, considered the best at the farm.
Upon arrival, as the sun was just cresting the horizon, we loaded all of our gear and jumped into the little johnboat that Charlie polled out to the blind. Since this was Will’s first experience hunting, he had all new gear: a blind bag that I had given him for Christmas as well as a whole new hunting outfit he had just purchased for this hunt. As we left the shore of the dike along-side the impoundment it was light. The wind was quickly pushing the marsh-grass into waves. Ducks were in all directions. This was going to be a fantastic hunt. One we would remember for many years.
As Charlie was pushing us out across the impoundment towards the blind the excitement was rushing through our veins. I couldn’t wait to get to the blind. This was a “once in a decade” event that we’d tell stories about for years.
Finally! We had reached the blind! Will and I unloaded the boat and Charlie pushed off to set out a spread of decoys. The blind faced east-south-east and the wind was coming out of the west. The strong wind made the 20 degree temperature settle into your bones. I stepped into the blind and set my shotgun in the far corner of the blind and turned to get my ammunition pouch from Will’s bag.
Charlie was completing the spread of decoys and I could not see him or the decoys because of the new camouflage grasses that had been tacked to the side of the blind. Therefore, to get an idea of which direction we would be hunting I stood on the seat of the eight foot by three foot blind. From that vantage point I could see all of God’s majestic glory. The sun dancing on the wind-swept marshes of Eastern North Carolina is medicine for my soul, and I was drinking it deeply.
The spread of decoys had been set and Charlie, having finished his job, was returning to the dike and to the warm cab of his truck. I was watching the horizon for any sign of movement. I was not watching Will as he “geared-up” for the hunt. I did not know his gun was loaded and when he asked about the safety on his gun I answered him but was too busy watching for birds to take the time to check. I did not take the time to instruct Will on any aspects of duck hunting.
Will picked up his shotgun and slid his finger over the trigger, thinking the safety is on. BANG! The shotgun fires and I look down. Will, in his surprise jumped back and the gun falls towards me. I see the fire come out of the barrel as the second shot goes off. I hear the percussion of the blast. I watch as thirty steel BB’s travel at 1300 feet per second into the meat of my left leg, just above the knee. I stare for what seems to be an eternity to make sure what I see happening is actually what is happening. I am blown out of the blind and fall eight feet to the wet marshy ground. I try to stand but my leg cannot bare weight. I fall again.
My body is overwhelmed with all of the terror of a shattered limb. I immediately go numb, physically, mentally and emotionally. My mind is so bombarded with a sea of pain and fear that it shuts down all but the most needed functions. I lay limp with my legs in the shallow water of the impoundment. My head and upper body are cushioned by marsh grass. Will jumps to action as I resign to stillness. I feel a puddle of what can only be my blood, my life, filling my waders.
The storm is just starting, and it is building fast. The boat, from our story in Luke, is being blown about and is taking on water quickly. Where is my savior? Is he sleeping comfortably nearby, not bothering to wake and come help?
Time has slowed to a crawl as the minutes of my life empty themselves from my crushed femoral artery. I am bleeding to death and I know it.
While Will comes around the corner of the blind he shouts to Charlie, our guide, to come back to the blind to help. Charlie finally arrives back at the blind and gives his pocket knife to Will. Will then cuts open my waders and my pants. Amazingly, Will is relatively calm at this point. Next, he takes my belt off and makes a tourniquet around my leg. It takes several minutes for my blood to stop flowing out. During the time Charlie was asking what he could do to help. Since there really was nothing he could do, Will asked him to pray. My remembrance of the simple prayer that Charlie offered was that as he prayed the sun crested the horizon and the whole area was bathed in light. As the light descended on us a peace that is beyond all understanding came over me. It was at this point that I knew I was in a situation that was beyond my control. I knew that if I were to close my eyes I would open them again and be in the arms of Jesus Christ. I truly believed that I was not going to get out of this duck impoundment alive. In my heart I thought that death is easy and peaceful; life is so much messier and so much harder.
It was at this point that I got out my phone to see if I had reception. Never before had I had cell service here, so I figured we would be out of luck again. However, when I checked my phone, I had full service, and although the phone was covered in blood I began to make phone calls. My first call, at 7:30am, was to 911. When they asked where I was, I had no answer for them. There was no way for me to explain to them where I was. After a few frustrating minutes on the line with them my phone cut off due to the soaking it had had. When I cut it back on, I tried my dad’s cell phone to let him know what was happening a few hundred yards away from him. It went directly to his voicemail. I called my mom, who, after hearing me call wolf too many times, was doubtful that the event I described to her was really happening. I asked her to call and request a helicopter, which she did. Over the course of the next hour and fifteen minutes I placed many calls, trying to find someone who could help me. The 911 operator said that she had sent an ambulance, but that they could not find me. Charlie, my guide, had radioed the other guide to go out to the main road to meet the ambulance, but in the rush of things, the other guides ran his truck off the path into a ditch. It seemed that the situation was going from bad to worse, and my life was slowly slipping away.
Finally, an ambulance showed up. Paramedics were rushed out to me in the same johnboat that had brought me out. When they arrived and had assessed the situation they knew they were going to have to move me immediately. Unfortunately, they had not brought a backboard or stretcher. The paramedics, the two guides, and Will each grabbed me and lifted me into the johnboat. With each movement lightning bolts of pain shot through my body. Once we reached the bank of the impoundment I was to be moved up to the ambulance in the same way I had been moved to the boat, but this time the bank was slick and I was dropped. Finally, I was in the ambulance and in safe hands. My dad rode with us to the nearby Coast Guard Station where I was transferred to a helicopter.
While I was being rolled to the helicopter, my upbringing kicked in and I called to my dad to get the names and addresses of everyone who had helped, so that I could send them a thank-you note. While flying over Eastern North Carolina on my way to Greenville I flirted with the flight cute nurse. Once in the operating room I joked with team that had gathered to save my life before the anesthesiologist put me under. I woke up two days later, without my left leg. The storm was breaking.
But where had God been through this hurricane? I had survived, but where was He? In the months following my accident different parts of the story would come out showing that He was there all along. Will had taken an emergency medicine class at Wake Forest because he needed two extra credit hours and it was the class that fit his schedule. His quick action, and the skills he had learned in this class, had saved my life. My surgeons would later tell me that once the gunshot entered my leg and shattered my artery I had from five to seven minutes before I would be dead. Will’s tourniquet and the tenacity with which he held it for over an hour is why I am standing before you today. Also, when Will needed something to tighten this tourniquet he said he just reached out and there was a short, smooth, sturdy piece of oak laying next to me. This is not something you would expect to find out in the middle of a marsh, but it had been placed there. Through the storm of that day the Lord had been present and watching over me.
I remained in the hospital for most of the month of January and had eight surgeries, the last one on my mom’s birthday. Hundreds of friends and loved ones came from all over to wish me well. It was this strong community of Christ that would keep my fears and depression away. In the months that would follow my faith would bring me strength to face the daily fears of living. I relearned how to walk and now can get around almost as well as I could before. I have had to cope with the falls, some of which have been quite spectacular, and with the daily pain of getting out of bed in the morning. I have gotten used to people staring and my favorite part of this has been the little children who have come up to me to ask what has happened. One little girl who came up to ask what had happened, after I told her I had lost my leg, replied, “well, I hope you find it!” The most amazing parts of this journey have been the immediate forgiveness and love that everyone has given to Will. We are now blood brothers and best friends. Only through faith in a loving God is all this possible.
So the storms of life will come. We are not exempt from them because we are Christians. We may actually face more storms because we are Christian. Jesus said that in this world you will have trouble. But take heart! He has overcome the world.
Let us quickly go back to the story of Jesus calming the sea. After Jesus had rebuked the winds and the waters they immediately died down and it was completely calm. At Jesus’ command, the raging storm stopped at once and the wind and the waves obeyed him as if nothing had happened. Call was restored and fear was replaced with amazement. The disciples were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” This shows that Jesus is not a mere man. He is God himself. He is the creator God who is above all things. Though he was in the boat in the midst of the storm, he was above the nature. He was in control. In the beginning he created all things by speaking, “Let there be light; let there be sky.” With the same authority, he sustains his creation and commands the nature. He is in control over everything.
In Jesus there is no chaos. Therefore he can bring calmness to the chaos; he can bring peace and rest to our troubled souls. Jesus is called the Prince of Peace for a reason. After the resurrection Jesus came to the fearful disciples, saying “Peace be with you!” If the disciples had known who Jesus was, they did not need to panic. Their lives were safe in him, as our lives are safe in him. Jesus used the storm to train his disciples to know who he was. Jesus uses the storms of our lives to plant faith in us so that we don’t need to panic, but we can live victorious life. It is not too late to cry out to Jesus. We often cry out when we reach the end of the rope. We struggle hard with our own strengths and despair. But whenever we pray, Jesus is willing to help us. The storm training is hard, but we can grow in a closer relationship with Jesus and we can experience the love of Jesus more deeply. Many times I have fallen flat on my face and have wanted to give up. Tears have come with angry and painful prayers but every time I have grit my teeth and gotten back up. This experience has added a depth to my faith that would not be there had I faced no storms. Christian life does not guarantee smooth sailing, but with a God who is in control over all things, we can face the storms of life and be victorious.
But this requires faith. When the storm had subsided Jesus did not comfort his disciples, or offer them sympathy. It is quite normal to show fear in such a stormy sea. Even a warning of a hurricane, down here at the beach, will send everyone scrambling. But Jesus, rather, rebuked them. He asked “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” Jesus saw that the heart of the matter was a lack of faith. Fear is the opposite of faith; fear is a display of unbelief.
Then how can we overcome fear? How can you overcome the fear that comes from the daily storms of life? Fear can be overcome only by faith – faith in God. When we believe in the God who created, and is above, and in control of all things we can be free from fear. We can be bold enough to challenge the storms knowing that our security is in Jesus.



If you have a testimony you feel led to share, please contact christen@theuncontainabletruth.com

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0 Do Gooder: October

This month we are proud to feature Dolka Pots as our business that is doing good in this world.  Dolka Pots is a fast growing business that is helping families bring home their adopted children.  Dolka Pots is helping our friends, The Godwins, bring home Zoe Grace by selling their t-shirt to go towards their adoption fund.  Read this article and find out how YOU can win a free Godwin t-shirt!
     
Tell us about your business and why you have chosen adoption causes as your charity project.

We are three moms who make and sell our handmade children’s clothing and baby gifts as a way to help families offset their adoption costs.  Our business was inspired by a special little boy named Caleb, who is the adopted son of one of our partners.  We began our company as a way to raise the funds needed to bring him home and we had so much fun in the process that we decided to keep going and help other families bring home children through adoption!  We really want to see the number of orphans in this world go down and are honored to get to be a part of bringing children home to their forever families.

 Why do you feel adoption is important?

There are 147 million orphans in the world.  That number is so huge and so very sad!  If we all work together to either bring a child into our family or help other families afford the cost to adopt their children, this number can get smaller.  All three of us are mothers and the thought of a child going to bed at night without a mother or a father to kiss them goodnight and tell them that they are loved is heartbreaking to us.  Adoption is a beautiful picture of the way God invites us into His family—we do nothing to deserve His love yet He adores us and lets us be His children because of Jesus’ death on the cross for us.  We are called to care for orphans and one very important way to do this is through adoption.

Do you make the clothes sold on your website?  How did you get started and why did you decide to focus on selling on the Internet?

Yes, we make everything sold on our website.  One of our partners was in the process of adopting her son, Caleb, and began sewing and selling her wares as a way to offset the adoption fees.  To help raise the remainder of the costs for this adoption, the three of us got together and made lots of children’s clothing and sold it at a craft show.  Once Caleb came home, we realized that this was something that we could do for other families. Our hope is that we can help families pursue adoption and not let money stand in the way of bringing a child home to their family.  There are so many children in this world who need families, and we want to help any way we can.  James 1:27 in the Bible says to “care for orphans and widows in their distress.”  We want to be faithful to care for orphans by helping them come into loving families and be orphaned no more.

 Tell us about any successes/hardships you have had with owning your own business.

We started our business in January of 2010 and it has grown faster than we imagined it would!  It has been exciting to expand the way that we have and to be able to help more families with adoption costs.  We are all busy moms so it takes a lot of teamwork and multitasking to get everything done.  One of the hardest things is not being able to help every family that we want to help.  We are thrilled that we have grown to the point of being able to help 2 adopting families per quarter and our hope is that we will grow in a way that can serve as many families as possible.  We have entered more craft shows than we originally had planned so our name is getting “out there” and we are beginning to have many return customers, which is very exciting!

What is your purpose for creating Dolka Pots?

Our purpose for creating Dolka Pots is to be faithful to help with the orphan crisis in this world.  We hope to make a difference in our community, to share the love of Jesus with people in need, particularly children in need of a family, and to help bear the burden of adoption costs.  Our hope is to raise awareness at just how serious the orphan crisis in the world is—it is just that, a CRISIS.  We pray that our business will grow and prosper in a way that more people will get involved in helping to decrease the number of orphans in our world.  It is a gift for us to get a front row seat in watching some children come home to their families!

If you would like the opportunity to win a FREE Godwin t-shirt just follow the steps below (U.S. only)


1. Click on the Linky Tools to enter the free Godwin t-shirt contest.
2. In the Contest Entry blank, please enter the size t-shirt you would like to purchase (click here to see sizes offered).
3. In the Link blank, leave a link to your blog if you have one.
4. Submit your e-mail address and click Submit Contest Entry

The contest ends on October 26th so submit your entry today!

Till next time, let your light shine!

Blessings, christen

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3 Check Out My New Ride

 So, we finally decided that we wanted to seriously consider becoming the next Swagger Wagon family.  While we were on our car search, I drove the newest model here in Montgomery and loved it.  It had DVD players, reclining bucket seats, seat warmers, sun roof, both sliding doors and the trunk opened automatically....it had everything that you could want.  After driving that van, I told Raleigh that I was okay driving a van but I wanted the coolest one he could find.  Two Fridays ago, Raleigh left work a little early and we drove to a city outside of Birmingham to look at two different vans.  I knew we would be looking at some older models but in my mind they still had the same features as the one I had driven.  When we pulled up and started to look at these vans, all excitement vanished.  The seats were not leather.  There was no sun roof.  No cool DVD player.  Only one door automatically slide open......I looked at Raleigh in astonishment and asked, "Where's all the cool stuff?????"   He reminded me that this was an older version and even though it doesn't have the cool stuff it was still in excellent condition.  The salesman gave us the keys so we could drive it around the block.  As I was driving, I started to fume.  I was driving and pointing out everything that it didn't have.  After the fuming, I began to cry.  I was so sad and I could NOT believe that THIS was the VAN that I would be driving for the next ten years of my life.  I felt old.  I so did not feel cool driving that thing.

After a couple of loops around the block, we pulled back in the dealership and I just sat in the back seat glaring at my husband.  How could he make me drive this thing?????  He promised me a cool van and this was all he could come up with?  I was laying it on thick.  Raleigh stared back at me and said that he was sorry that I was misled into thinking that this van would be like the newest model.  He told me that we didn't have to buy it today and we could keep looking.  After that, we both sat in the van for a long period of silence.  During that time, I just stared at the inside of the vehicle.  To myself, I thought, "It does have bucket seats.  The trunk space is nice.  At least one door slides open."  Finally, I looked at the two little faces that were sitting in those bucket seats.  Their car seats fit perfect.  I was actually sitting in the way back seat and had plenty of room.  I looked at my husband and realized how hard he always tries to please me.  I knew that he wouldn't want this van if it wasn't a good fit for our family.  Our eyes met and we both knew the decision that was best for our family.   After an hour of paper signing, we were officially inducted into the Swagger Wagon family.

So, it has been two weeks and I am starting to come around to the fact that I am 26 and drive a van.  I just had to stop looking at the negatives and focus on the positive because we really do have a great new vehicle.  Only the newest models have all the cool features but ours is really a great car for the year that it was made in.  We have driven it to church and it was so easy to load and unload the girls.  Our stroller fits in the trunk like a glove.  I can actually sit in the passenger seat and recline my chair without it hitting a car seat! We are going to get a DVD player installed and since the seats aren't leather there really isn't a need for seat warmers.  Also, both side windows are huge and roll fully down and that is kinda neat. To seal the deal, I have even changed a very poopy diaper in the back seat and I would have never been able to do that in my old car.

What do you mean vans aren't cool.....

The only time I realize I am driving a van is when I pull out my keys to get in the front seat.  I have gotten over the fact that it is a van and have come to terms with it being a great purchase for our family.  I'm glad my husband found this van for us and that we should be able to drive it for many more years.  This whole van experience has really taught me to not be so vain.  Again I have learned not to care what other people think and just do what is best for me and my family.  I am proud to be a mom that drives a VAN!!!!!! Thanks to everyone that gave us suggestions on what car to purchase for our  family!  We truly appreciate it!



Till next time, let your light shine!

Blessings, christen

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2 For Me Mommy

So, I have a confession to make.  We did not run in the Montgomery Half-Marathon.  I know, I know, I had this whole great motivating post about how we would run in it for the girls but.....it just didn't happen.  There is really no need for excuses but I do have one :)  It just got hard to find time to run.  And, we couldn't run with the girls and we would rather spend our time with them instead of running.  There.  I said it!  I would still LOVE to run in a half-marathon and I do believe that thinking of their NICU journey will motivate me to actually complete 13.1 miles but it just didn't happen this year.

Instead, we decided to walk in the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.  As a former employee of ACS, I really wanted to support this event by being present and walking.  It was the first time it was held in Montgomery and was a huge success!  But, more importantly, we decided to walk in memory of Raleigh's Me Mommy.  Breast cancer took her from her loved ones but her memory is not forgotten!  I never had the opportunity to meet Me Mommy but I have heard so many wonderful stories about her.  One of my favorites is the fact that she would still water ski even in her later years of life.  How remarkable!  Also, I always hear what a great cook she was.  Mr. Price didn't have pizza until he was in high school because his momma would cook good ole' Southern food for her family. 

Maralee and Adeline strolled in honor of Me Mommy

October 9, 2010

5 1/2 months

Raleigh and I did manage to walk 3 miles...next year we just need to do 10.1 more!!! (ha ha)

 

Adeline in her little hoodie

Me Mommy is smiling down from heaven at her grandson and two great-grandbabies

 

Beside attending this walk, last week was pretty busy.  On Wednesday, my sweet friend Abby came to town to see the girls.  Abby and I met in college when we were both Camp War Eagle Counselors.   I truly treasure our friendship and am so excited because she and her husband are expecting a baby girl in December!  She is so cute pregnant and we had the best time catching up.  Abby couldn't get over how much the girls stretched.  I hadn't ever really thought about it but I guess they do stretch a lot...must be growing girls!

Abby, Adeline, Maralee & I had such a nice afternoon!

On Thursday we were invited to dinner at some friends that had recently remodeled their kitchen.  Raleigh was out of town but I decided to take the girls anyway.  It was my first time taking care of the girls by myself in public.  They were a little fussy in the beginning and I had to feed them while trying to eat my dinner but all in all it was manageable.  My friends' husbands helped me take the girls out to the car and everyone was so willing to hold one girl if I needed any assistance so that was great.  I am so happy to be in Montgomery with this group of friends right now.  We all have little girls and I just can't wait until they can really play with one another.  Below are some pictures that we tried to take that night of all of the girls....

This cracks me up!  

Adeline, Mary Harris, Olivia, and Maralee

Adeline and Mary Harris

 

The girls + baby in the belly

We can't wait for Lily Broox to join us!!!!!

Friends, fellowship is so important in our day to day living.  It was so nice to just enjoy the company of others last week.  I hope each of you take time to spend with friends this weekend.

Till next time, let your light shine!


Blessings, christen

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0 Meet the Godwins

JW and KC Godwin are your typical little Southern family.  They got married, moved to a new city, bought a house, and have an adorable baby girl named Olivia.  When first meeting this couple, one will crack up at JW's love for Reba and will get helpful parenting tips from KC.  This family looks complete on the outside, but on the inside they have a deep desire to follow God's will for their lives.  Recently, JW and KC made a life-changing decision for their family.  They have answered God's calling on their hearts to adopt a child.  Read below about why they decided to do this and how their journey is going.  For more information about the Godwin family and their adoption process, visit their blog at ourzoegrace.blogspot.com.

So, you're adopting....why did you decide to adopt?

            Adoption is something that has been placed on our hearts for a long time. Ever since we started dating we both mentioned how we had a passion for helping children and how we planned on adopting one day. After Olivia was born we thought that the urge and pull we were feeling towards adoption would, not go away completely, but at least settle down some. Well it did the exact opposite. God started moving in our lives SO MUCH stronger. We both felt moved and called by God to do this. So we finally decided one day that we just had to let go and do it. So we did. And we are SO glad we did. It has been the most amazing journey of our lives.

What made you choose Ethiopia?

            We have been asked that question so many times we have to laugh now every time it's asked. We always get put in the situation where we are talking about the adoption, how much God has moved in our lives and then when that question gets asked - all of the excitement leaves. "Why did we choose Ethiopia?" We have no idea. That's it. That's the answer that everyone seems to lose the interest over. I know it may seem a little weird but really we don't know. We both felt called first to doing an international adoption, then to Africa. Then I guess Ethiopia chose us.

Tell us about the adoption process...tips, things you have learned, steps/time frame that it takes.

            God always tests us and gives us things that we think we can't handle and puts us in situations to help us learn. Man oh man did he do that when he put us on the path of adoption. Neither of us have the longest patience in the world and when it comes to adoptions - nothing moves quickly. It is a slow process with a ton of paperwork. But looking back over these past few months I think it has been a good thing that it has taken and is taking so long. It has given us time to evaluate ourselves and really focus on what God has in store for us. What his plans are for us. What this adoption will do for him.

            You start off by applying with an agency. They then do a few reference checks and as long as everyone says good things about you, and you pay the application fee and you meet the requirements (ie age, years of marriage, age of youngest child, etc.) you are accepted into the program. Yep. That's it. It's that simple.

            After that step then it becomes more detailed and tedious. You have to go through a "home study" and if your agency, like ours, is out of the state you live in then you have to find someone in state to do it and coordinate with your agency. During the home study you are asked a number of questions about your lifestyle, your marriage, your parenting skills, your childhood, your parents, etc. They spend about two months getting to know everything that they can about you. You and your spouse will do interviews together and separate.

            You will fill out a ton of paperwork, get your fingers prints done and sent off to the FBI and the ABI, in Alabama, or where ever you may live. In that same time you are working on your financial statement. Most agencies like for there to be an excess of $100.00 per individual in the household, including the new addition, by the time all expenses are paid. So it can be a very stressful time if you are trying to make it all work. When you start canceling gym memberships, cutting back on satellite packages and other "extra's" that everyone enjoys, you realize about that thing called sacrifice. But then you realize what you are gaining out of this and how it would be worth living in the dark for 10 years if that would help you get your baby home.

            After all of that is complete and you have been working and waiting for about three or four months you start your dossier paperwork. Now this is where it becomes country specific. Friends of our that are adopting from Uganda didn't have to do a "dossier" it was called something else and required different things. But as far as Ethiopia goes, you have to have everything as an original and notarized. You need three copies total, two can be photo copies - one is for the courts in Ethiopia and that is all of the originals, then one goes to your agency, which can be a copy and then you keep one.

            You turn that in once it's done and then you wait. I honestly can't say what happens next because we are stuck at that point right now. We are waiting for our referral. It could happen as soon as three weeks or as long as nine months, we just don't know. This is another one of those trying times when you just have to hand it over to God and let him take control.

What advice do you have for other couples that are interested in adopting?

            Pray about it and if you THINK you can do it - DO IT! Don't let worldly things slow you down from doing it. While it is an expensive adventure it is an amazing one and God will bless you for it. Trust me. Turn it all over to God. He may have gotten you to pick out a car, but you need to let him drive it. Trust in him and stay focused. It can be very discouraging and you may think things aren't moving fast enough or that you wouldn't make a difference, but that just isn't true. There is one baby out there tonight who is destined to be your baby - he or she may not be born yet, or may already be in an orphanage somewhere, but God knows who they are and all they are waiting on is for you to take the steps to bring them home. Take the leap of faith - it is well worth it!

What struggles have you had along the process?

            The main struggle we have had was us trying to figure out a way that we were going to tell everyone about the adoption. We felt that when we told someone what we were doing, we needed to follow it up with an explanation. It took us a few weeks to realize that we didn't owe an explanation to anyone and that everyone was more open, encouraging and excited about it than we thought they may have been.

            The second struggle has been one of the biggest ones that almost every adopting family faces - money. It is an expensive thing to do and not many people have an extra 20 or 30 thousand dollars they can use, but God opens doors during the process. If you let go and have faith in God, everything will work out like he has planned.

Are you concerned how accepting your community will be of you having a black child?

            We were at first. It is only a natural thing. We are the blonde haired, blue eyed family in deep south Alabama. Anyone who has been born and raised here realizes, even though many don't talk about it, people aren't always accepting of those circumstances and families. So naturally we thought about how people were going to react about us having a black child - but we then stopped and focused again and realized that it didn't care what others thought. We realize that it is going to be at times difficult to explain things to our girls and others, but we know that God will let us know what to say and when.

How has God used this experience to grow your faith?

            We have grown in our marriage and our faith together since this has started. We have grown so much closer and have learned how to not only rely on each other for things, but instead how to work together and stay focused on the main goal - bringing Zoe Grace home.

            It has also been an excellent way for us both to be able to open up and talk about our relationship and walk with God.

Do you have any fears about raising an adopted child?

            The fear of not knowing much, if any, family history is a fear that naturally runs through your mind, but it isn't something that would ever make us stop the process.

            We also wonder what our biological children will say and one day when they are old enough to realize how our family is made up, what they might think of that it and how they feel about it.

How can others help you during this adoption process?

            Well, the time to fundraise has come and the biggest challenge for us is not opening our hearts and home to another child, but it is in finding the finances to make this happen. We estimate our total costs for adoption fees, document preparation, home study, airfare, travel, attorney fees, etc. to be close to $27,000 - and that's certainly money we don't have just lying around, but we know God is faithful and is leading us to trust Him. By God's grace we've been able to pay the initial fees by practically draining most of our savings and by some private donations.

            Honestly, it's a little difficult, mainly because of our pride, to make our needs known to everyone around us, but we also know it's very Biblical to do so. We appreciate your friendship very much and would like you to pray and consider helping us in our adoption. There are three ways you can help:

1.) Prayer - Please pray God will tenderly care for Zoe Grace in Ethiopia until we are able to bring her home, that God would prepare Olivia for the upcoming changes to our family, and that God will give us wisdom, discernment, and insight as we raise Olivia and Zoe to know Jesus Christ.

2.) Financial Support - Will you please consider making a tax-deductible donation to help us pay the remaining $10,000 in adoption expenses, to bring Zoe home?

Lifesong has graciously set up a fundraising account for us to raise funds to help pay the "ransom" to bring Zoe home. If you would like to be a part of God bringing Zoe to Himself through our family, you can send your tax-deductible gift starting today October 1st! Lifesong is a trusted organization administering the funds on Zoe's behalf, and will pay the adoption expenses out of fund received. They truly are amazing people and a God send!

Steps to do this:

-Please make checks payable to: "Lifesong"

-You should write "Godwin/#1549" in the memo section.

-You can then mail your check to:

       Lifesong for Orphans

       Att: Godwin/#1549

       Post Office Box 40

       Gridley, Illinois 61744

3.) BUY A T-SHIRT – 

We have been selected as the family of the quarter by a wonderful website called Dolka Pots. It was started to help families raise money for adoptions. There are two families chosen each quarter and whatever is bought on the website, you have an option to decide which family you would like to receive the credit and then that family gets a certain percentage of the proceeds from the sales during their quarter. They are also selling and making our t-shirts and we get 50% of all proceeds from our t-shirt sales and that will go 100% directly to travel expenses. So I hope you will take a moment and at least look at our shirt and around on their website. If there is anything that you would like to buy, make sure you chose “Godwin family” when you go to check out. We would really appreciate it.  

http://www.dolkapots.com/ – our shirts are on the page we are the “Godwin’s.”

I don’t think we could ever say thank you enough to everyone and how supportive you have all been. Thank you for investing in the Kingdom through prayer and finances - it will be an investment with an eternal return! (Matt 6:20). We'll give you an update with a picture of Zoe as soon as we receive it and any other details as we receive them. Please pray this entire process will glorify God and fulfill His purposes! Check out and follow our blog at - http://ourzoegrace.blogspot.com

JW, KC and Olivia

Till next time, let your light shine!

Blessings, christen

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1 Twins' Birth Announcement

Good Monday Morning Friends!

Just wanted to share the twins' birth announcement with all of you! We want to thank Mark Broadway Photography for taking such sweet pictures of our girls.  Hope everyone is having a nice Monday :)

Till next time, let your light shine!

Blessings, christen

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0 Chris10's Monthly Must-Haves: October

Sarah's House

Sarah's House is a new show that I L-O-V-E on HGTV.  Words can't describe how I feel about the farm house that she renovated.  Her style is superb and I would kill to have a house that looked like that one day!!!!  The episode that I first watched was about her re-doing a farm house bathroom.  She chose this really pretty yellow fabric for the drapes and she scored an old claw foot tub for $200.  This show is really fun to watch if you are into remodeling homes and I like how she sets a budget yet every room looks so elegant.  This is a must-watch (Saturdays at 8:30 pm/7:30 central) on HGTV!

Awesome Leggings

Last year, one of my friends had a CAbi party at her house.  I went and scored these great black leggings.  Now, I know these days everybody has a pair of black leggings, but these are really great.  They are thicker so they don't feel like I am wearing tights under a dress and they have this great rouching right above the ankle that gives the leg a very slim look.  I have several pairs of leggings and these are by far my favorite.  Now is the perfect time to sport the leggings/flats look!

Taco Soup

Taco Soup is a really great tailgating food to serve this time of year.  It is so easy to make plus it is very warm and hearty.  There are so many recipes out there on how to make it, but here is one that is super easy from my friend Celeste.  Here's a tip that I learned the hard way: Make sure you brown your meat BEFORE it goes in the crock pot!!!!! 

Mums

These flowers are a must-have for any doorstep!  Mums are so beautiful and perfect fall flowers.  When I think of fall, I think of pumpkins and mums.  Southern Living has some great ideas on how to decorate with mums for the fall!

Ramen Noodles

Okay, this one might sound really weird, but anybody that was friends with me in elementary school can relate to this must-have. Dry Ramen Noodles + Chicken Seasoning = Yummy Snack.  I know it is probably not good to eat the Ramen Noodles dry but they are so crunchy and taste so good with the seasoning sprinkled on top!!!!  We use to eat this all the time at school and our parents would get so mad at us for eating it dry!!!!!  The only time Raleigh went to Sam's with me was months ago and he had to have the industrial size of Ramen Noodles.  I have run out of ways to eat them so I have resorted back to my childhood with this snack!

Autumn Scented Candles

I really must-have candles that smell like fall.  Changing your candles with the season is such an easy way to transform the smells of your home.  When guests walk in the door and they smell hints of cinnamon or whiffs of golden apple, it makes them feel all warm and cozy inside.  Pier One has some really great candles that are slow-burning so they last through the season!

Baby Uggs

I found some super cute baby Uggs at Target!!!  The ones that I found were less than $10 and are perfect to for the girls to wear with their little leggings as the weather gets cooler.  They are just too darn cute!!!

Fitted Leather Jacket

While you are getting baby Uggs at Target, swing over to the Ladies section and score this awesome leather jacket from Xhilaration.  It is only $35 and is a great jacket to throw over a little tank with some jeans.  Raleigh calls me Grease Lightening but I don't care because I love this jacket that much!!!!!

Chocolate-Orange Cupcakes

If you have never had the combination of chocolate and orange you are missing out!  I made this delicious cupcake recipe from Giada and it tastes as good as it looks.  Instead of topping it with orange slices, I put one candy corn in the center for my garnish to make it festive.  This is a delicious yet sophisticated cupcake!

New Do

This month I really want a new hair style when I get my hair cut.   I love Heidi's new bangs that she is sporting on this season of Project Runway.  Only problem is A. I don't look like Heidi Klum and B.  Again, I don't look like Heidi Klum! Over the years I have had really short hair and have worn it both curly and straight, dark and light.  My hair really won't grow much past my shoulders so I think I want to stay close to my same length but just change up the style.  Any suggestions????

Till next time, let your light shine!

Blessings, christen

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