My thoughts on Osama's Death: WARNING- this is not politically correct

"The whole city celebrates when the godly succeed; they shout for joy when the godless die."- Proverbs 11:10

I am well aware that I will probably not make any friends with this post. In fact, I will probably greatly offend some people. But these are my own personal thoughts and I feel like some of my Christian friends have been stirring up guilt and confusion in the minds of other believers- which hurts my heart. I don't think they mean to, but I think it's something I would like to address. I could be completely wrong in my analysis of the situation. These are only my thoughts and opinions and I don't state them to be interpretted as absolute truth. Still, it's something to think about. And it's how I feel personally convicted on the issue.

When I saw that Osama had died, I was elated. Finally the man who gloatingly murdered thousands of innocents had been brought to justice. He was no longer able to inflict pain on innocent people or spew his hatred to those who would act on his words.

As I watched this unfold on television and online I was then confronted with many Christian friends making a big deal about how we should not be happy that he was dead, since he died without knowing Christ- even making it seem as if we were terrible people for rejoicing. Hm. Well, that poses an ethical dilemma I suppose. But the more I thought about it, the more irritated that made me, and I'll explain why.

There are several arguments people are making for why we should not celebrate the death of this horrible man. I'd like to respond to a few of them.

First of all: "you should not repay evil with evil." I find this one a bit mind-boggling to be honest. Do we really have such a skewed view of good vs. evil? I would argue that removing a man from the face of the earth who slaughtered innocent people with pleasure is not evil. This is the same argument that villifies our men and women who are protecting our nation overseas by saying that taking any life is evil. I disagree strongly with this argument, and I think that this argument can hold water only for believers who hold only to the New Testament as there is overwhelming evidence of God sanctioning war in the Old Testament. If God is absolutely perfect and good and always has been, how can you make that argument?

The next argument is that if we celebrate, we are no better than "them." Again, the lines between good and evil are blurred so badly in our nation that we cannot draw the line between a celebration of jubilant individuals dressed in ski masks, setting things on fire, shooting weapons into the sky with elation over the death of people whose only crime was to get up and go to work that day, or board an airplane and the rejoicing of a group of people draped in their nations flag, visiting the memorials of those who were tragically taken and celebrating the death of man who unrepentantly murdered thousands of people and called for the murder of thousands more, including the obliteration of whole nations. I don't see how you can even make a moral equivelant between the two.

When the argument is made that we should not rejoice in his death because we are believers who should not rejoice in anyone's death, I have to think of the death of Hitler. They were not so uncommon. Both called for and carried out the slaughter of innocents. Both were hunted. Both died cowardly deaths. There was no honor in these lives. And the people of America celebrated (along with the rest of the world) when he was announced dead. Am I to believe that we, as a generation are just "that much closer to God" than those of that generation. That we are too "godly" to rejoice over the death of such a man while they obviously cared nothing for the ways of God? All indications from what I can see of how our two generations have responded to God show that far more individuals from that generation were concerned with the ways of God than of our current generation. So how could they justify this celebration? My guess is that they understood the whole picture of God far better than we do. And here's what I mean.

Our nation, and frankly our entire generation, globally speaking, has put God in this pretty little box- trying to make him who we want him to be. We want him to be appealing to the masses without offending anyone. We loooove to talk about how loving, gracious, merciful our God is. And we should! He is absolutely loving, gracious and merciful. But for as much as he is those things, he is every bit as much righteous, holy and just. We just don't like to talk about those things because they might be offensive. God doesn't need our favors. He will punish the wicked and avenge the innocent, and sometimes he uses other nations or people to exact his will.

We should be just as jubilant about his willingness to bring the wicked to justice as we are his willingness to forgive the wicked who repent. That man was given nearly 10 years after the 9/11 attacks when he could have repented. When the Scripture says that he "does not delight in the death of the evil" but wants them to repent, of COURSE he does. Yes, he died for Osama bin Laden, too. Yes, he would have forgiven him if he had repented. Yes, it would have been wonderful if he had. Can you even imagine the impact of this man repenting publicly and encouraging his followers to turn from their evil ways? And yes, God showed his exceeding mercy by keeping us from finding him for nearly 10 years and giving him every opportunity to repent. But at the appropriate time, God saw fit to say, "Enough is enough. You have scorned me and inflicted pain on the people of the world long enough. Judgement has come."

We should be just as adoring of THAT attribute of God as we are of his mercy. He plucked from the earth a man who was evil to his core. God knew his heart in ways no man on earth did. He knew whether he would ever turn to him. His death did not surprise God. God determines a man's days. The choice was His, not ours. And we are delighted by His wisdom and sovereignty.

As for those who believe we should be mourning over his lost soul, I can understand the sentiment. God wanted him to repent. We should have wanted him to repent. But what's done is done. A wicked man was brought to justice by the hand of God and we should not feel guilty for celebrating this fact. When the Egyptians were drowned in the Red Sea, the people of God danced and celebrated God's omnipotent hand in rescuing them from their enemies. And I don't ever remember reading that David mourned Goliath's lost soul. And David was "a man after God's own heart." Are we so much more "godly" than he?

As for the "let's don't celebrate or we'll make 'them' mad" argument- I think that's the most ridiculous. Those who aligned themselves with this evil man will be 'mad' and retaliate whether or not we celebrate his death. Those who did not, would not be offended in the least, as they would see him as appalling a figure as we do. If anything, it draws a line in the sand. Are you with him, or against him? Are you for evil or against it?

I think that we need to be able to see good and evil for what they are and stop blurring the lines. We need to stop feeling guilt for rejoicing in seeing the demise of evil. We need to be thankful for those who were willing to put their lives on the line to bring justice and closure to the families of those who've lost so much. If you believe that you should mourn Osama bin Laden's death, because of some personal conviction- so be it. Feel free. By all means, if you think the Spirit is convicting you to mourn, do so. But don't go around attempting to bring guilt to those of us who do not feel that need. Allow us to rejoice in a God who is all-powerful, just, holy, righteous and sovereign as much as he is gracious and merciful. Let us rejoice that He is good to His word when he says, "If the righteous are rewarded here on earth, how much more true that the wicked and the sinner will get what they deserve."- Proverbs 11:31

Leaving Our Legacy

I don't usually discuss politics in this blog unless it's relating to something else. I try to just stay away from it altogether on here, simply put- because it tends to alienate people. People automatically assume you are a certain kind of person based on your political affiliation. I want this blog to be helpful, encouraging, edifying. Not a sounding board for politics.

However, with the current events that have been unfolding with this shooting in Tuscon, I think it's important, and I'll explain why in a minute. First, I want to be completely upfront. That way those who are going to shut me off because of my beliefs can do so without wasting their time by continuing to read. I am a 26 year old female conservative. I am not a republican. I am not a democrat. I am an independant and always vote according to issue and candidate. Always. However, I am both a social and fiscal conservative.

I'd like to think I'm a fairly easy person to get along with. I'm a mother of three...soon to be four. I have a bachelor's degree in Communication. I grew up blue collar, married white collar and can relate to just about anybody. I love my God, my family and my country. So that pretty much sums me up.

When elections rolled around last November, I was only too happy to get out and vote for individuals that I thought would actually represent me. Last time I checked, that was the whole point of democracy. I don't care if the person who is elected is white, female, or young...I don't care if they LOOK like me...I just want them to represent my values and defend the things that are important to me.

When Gabrielle Giffords and several other individuals were shot this past weekend, I was stunned. Just like everyone else in America. Then, sadly, I turned to my husband and said, "How long do you think it will take for conservatives to start getting blamed?" As it turned out, it had already started. They didn't even wait for the dust to settle. They didn't have any idea who the guy was who had done this or what his motives were. It didn't matter. It was an opportunity to push an agenda. "It's all those crazy right wing conservative's fault...obviously since it was a democrat who was shot."

The ignorance in making statements like these while completely uninformed is profound. A wounded group of politicians with a vicious hatred for an empowered right was only too happy to begin mudslinging in an attempt to "not let a crisis go to waste."

We later find out that the man was a wacko. Just plain and simple- a wacko. He was not a right-wing conservative. In fact, quite the opposite. He was a "philosophy" junkie. He was probably further left than Gabrielle Giffords in all actuality. But regardless of his political affiliation, there is NO evidence that politics had ANY part in his motive. His friends have said he never watched TV, he never listened to talk radio. So why the accusations against these media outlets? The man had a personal issue with Ms. Giffords. And he was mentally disturbed. The end.

Is it devestating? Yes. Tragic? Yes. A reason for the country to get all up at arms over right vs. left? No. Not even close. At a time when the country should be uniting to support these families, instead they're trying to pass new policies, "remake" the President, show Barack Obama's "magic" as one reporter referred to it. The American people are sick to death of the game playing and name calling. You can be passionately for or against something without inciting violence or doing anyone any harm whatsoever.

Obviously those who are leading America are unable to do so without acting like a bunch of junior highers. Was it wrong for people to come out right after the incident and baselessly blame the right? Yes. Was it wrong for the right to get caught up in defending themselves (as if it matters, they already hate you, you're not going to convince them otherwise) and play the politics game? Yes. Is it absolutely ludicrous that those who are accusing the right of inciting violence with their vitriol are making death threats to those individuals? Hypocrisy that boggles the mind. 

Here's where I stand. I'm a mom. A mom lost her nine year old little girl that day. She let her go to a political rally because the little girl loved politics. She had just gotten elected to student government in her third grade class. What a precious, smart, wonderful little life that was needlessly snuffed out by a lunatic. From what I can see, families who lost loved ones in that accident did just that. Lost loved ones. They need love. They need support. They need to be able to grieve. They need someone to come alongside them, to show them that the nation mourns with them.

When I've lost loved ones, I didn't need a pep rally. I didn't need a Presidential Cabinet Member reading a piece of Scripture. I didn't need more controversy in my life. And I'm pretty sure they don't either. It's time to step away from the political fray and be human for awhile. We're all just human. We all hurt, we all bleed the same. It could have been any one of us. I hope that we can all be a little more compassionate toward one another. Especially those who have lost so much in this.

As mommas, let's try to look deeper this year. Let's try to meet people where they are, instead of talking about them as if they're a number. Because a whole crew of mommas is a lot more powerful than congress could ever hope to be. The government doesn't get to determine the kind of country our kids grow up in...we do. We are raising the next generation of leaders who can either see a need and meet it, or pass the buck in favor of personal gain. Our children are watching us. They're watching how we react to these and all other situations.

For instance, when I was a child I knew my parents were not fans of the current welfare system. They thought it inspired people to do absolutely nothing with their lives. According to some, that would make them calloused and uncaring. And perhaps, had they done things differently, someone could have convinced me that they were. But I knew better. I had seen over and over when my parents had helped someone who truely needed it. I distinctly remember sitting in a Pizza Hut on a Friday night. It was near closing time and a homeless man came into the restraunt to ask for the food they would be throwing away. They told him they didn't have anything, and he quietly left. Without saying a word, my dad packed up the rest of our pizza and followed the man out the door. That moment of watching my dad hand that pizza box to that homeless man was a make or break moment in my life. I saw compassion in action. No, it wasn't a big gesture. It didn't have to be. My father saw a need and he filled it, and I've been trying to do the same my whole life.

That's what we're supposed to be doing. Leading by example. If we start taking care of each other, meeting the needs of those in our communities and our nation- all the while pointing to the God who enables us to love extravegantly, we'll be on our way to rewriting history for our children's children. Throughout the year as I see a need arise, I'll let you know on here and we can do our best to meet that need together. I won't be equipped to meet every need. You may be better fit to do some things. But for goodness sakes, Mommas, we have a legacy to write. Let's get going.

Thankful Thursday: Support Our Military!

In honor of our heroes this Veterans Day, I thought I would give you a list of places where you can help to support our troops, veterans and military families. There are many more opportunities than are listed here, but hopefully this will show you that there's a way for everyone of every ability to help out!

Send a care package through Jacobs Light Foundation


Print a sign, take a picture and show your support at the Stand Behind Military Kids Campaign


Find lots of sevice opportunites at http://www.volunteer.va.gov/


Drive a van, volunteer at a hospital and a more through Disabled American Veterans

Make sure our troops have a piece of home this Christmas with Operation Holiday Stockings


Send the holidays overseas with Operation Christmas Tree


Send Care Packages to Troops overseas here


If your church, MOPS group, etc. would like to help out, KidsLink Downrange is a great way to do it. This project connects military kids with their deployed parents through card kits. Check it out here.

The Silver Star Families of America are collecting gently used MP3 and ipod players for their WHAM (Wounded Heroes and Music) Program. Check it out here.


Here is a list of ways you can help out with the Pillows for Soldiers campaign. You can also refer a soldier for a pillow here.


Can you knit or crochet? Help make hats for our troops through the Warmth for Warriors project.

Donate a used cell phone at Cell Phones for Soldiers.


Address a card to "Marine" or "Soldier" and send it to Marine Corps Liaison Division, National Naval Medical Division.
Bethesda, MD, 20889 - 5600.  The cards will be given to the service member as they arrive at the hospital. 


If you or someone you know lives in or around Portsmouth, NH check out Pease Greeters.


If you can write and would be willing to "adopt" a soldier to write to for the length of their deployment at least once a month, go to Tell Them Thanks and sign up.


Send a customized care package through HeroBox.

For only $10 you can send a magazine subscription to a military service member through Subscriptions for Soldiers.


Adopt a soldier or a military family or help in various other ways at Military-Space


Help our soldiers help the children at Beanies for Baghdad.

Adopt a military family, send a care package and more at Operation: Care and Comfort.


Become a Battle Buddy at Troops Need You.


Monetary donations, used laptops (with webcams) or laptop parts can be donated at Laptops for the Wounded.


Want to get your kids involved in showing appreciation for our veterans? Check out Kids Thank a Vet.  


Help build a home...visit Home for Our Troops.

image from mail online

Like to bake? Become at "Crumb" and help make Treats for Troops.


Like to sew? Make a "Patriotic Pillow" for our military service members.


Help troops call home with a prepaid calling card at Military Exchange.


You can also find great volunteer opportunities through your local VA hospital, Veterans Home or USO. Find some way to help our heroes this Veterans Day!

an apparent step forward, a giant step back...

The past few years, especially during my college days, I have found that we have made great strides in becoming less racially-minded. Although there were always some people who refused to treat blacks with respect, and some who refused to treat whites with respect, in general, we had taken massive steps forward in seeing that a person's character was what we saw, not the way they looked. In the past few months, however, and especially the past few days, our nation has seen segregation the likes of which have not been seen since the civil rights movement. It feels as if everything that MLK stood for has vanished from the hearts and minds of the people.

With the election of Barack Obama to the presidency, we have seen that people are still being judged based on the color of their skin, not the content of their character. I've seen so many people who are so thrilled with his election because it has "vindicated" the African-Americans among us. That's ridiculous. It is so sad that people voted for that man because he's black. You don't hear anyone saying how proud they are to have elected a man of such great principle, or such insightful and intelligent ideas, or integrity. You hear them say they're so proud to have elected the first African-American president. That's it.

In predominately black churches across the nation today they rejoiced over the fact that a black man was elected president. No concern for whether he aligns himself with ANY of God's principles. All that matters is that there will be a black family in the White House. In fact one of the preachers actually was preaching about it and saying "there's a new family coming to the White House and they look like us! Hallelujah! They look like us!"

How terribly sad! Isn't that EXACTLY what we've tried NOT to teach our kids. That it's important for someone to look like us??? I thought we were trying to teach our kids that it didn't MATTER that someone looked like us, or looked different from us. I thought we were trying to teach kids that the inside was what mattered, that it was only the content of someone's character that was important. I feel like we have just taken a HUGE step back in eliminating the importance of race, and creating the actual EQUALITY that MLK fought for. He didn't want a black man to get a job because he was black. That wasn't a victory! He wanted him to get a job because he was qualified for it...and regardless of whether he was black or not.

And yet, we have stepped away from what Dr. King taught us. We have gone back to thinking that race is something that should set us apart. How very disappointing. And no one can say that the man was not elected based on race, because besides the overwhelming response of people to the "historic" achievement (which, in a way, it is, because at least we don't have the hatred and distrust of him based on the color of his skin, which is what the civil rights movement was about) but before the election, statistics showed that nearly all blacks were voting for him and when interviewed, they said they believed in McCain's policies when they were attached to Obama. Many many people had no idea what the man stood for. Many people had no idea what he had done, or hadn't done, or promised he would do, or what the implications of those promises would be, or whether they were even do-able. They simply voted for him because he was new, and it would be a "historical achievement"

So while I am proud that we were able to elect a black man as president, I am disappointed that we elected a president because he was black. Just as disappointed as I would be if we elected a man because he was white. Or a woman because she was a woman. It's discouraging for those of us who truely believe that race is the artful work of God, it is a beautiful thing, but does not determine the worth of a person...and we should be judged only by the content of our character.

Honestly...

Why is it that honesty is such a hard trait to come by? Why do we constantly hide and create a facade to hide behind? What is it that we're so afraid of? Do we not live in a fallen world? Is there any one of us that is perfect? Of course not. So why are we so afraid that people may find out that we aren't perfect? Isn't that already a given?

There are so many areas of life in which I have been confronted with this lately. For one, of course we have been following the political world. It's constantly one candidate accusing the other of this or that and the other trying to refute the claims and save face. We were watching a special last night in which they were investigating Obama's ties to various radical individuals. Basically they were trying to find out if indeed he was a radical sympathizer, as his relationships seem to indicate or if it was all, as he insists, just coincidental and simply being used as smears. So they were looking into information on his college years. Or should I say, the lack thereof. He has hidden EVERYTHING about his college years. They can't find a single person who will admit that they knew him in college. And the one person who he did admit to knowing, he had used a nickname or something and he had radical ties as well. They could not even find his senior thesis and could not get access to his transcripts. Now, I'm not saying that he's a radical. I don't know that he is. What I do know is that IF he is completely innocent of these charges and has absolutely nothing to hide about his college years and associations, then he could easily alleviate all fears by simply releasing the information for the public to see. If there's nothing to hide in your senior thesis, why not show it? It helped you graduate did it not? So why wouldn't you be proud of it? Why hide it? Dishonesty is never attractive and always makes people assume the worst. What I CAN admire about Obama is his willingness to admit to at least some faults, such as drug use and poor choices in his younger years. And I believe that honesty is attractive to most all people. We know darn good and well that no person, politician or celebrity or whatever, is perfect. So any attempt to appear perfect only comes off as fake. This is why Sarah Palin has been so popular among common folks. Because she willingly admits to being one of us. She's aired her dirty laundry for the whole world to see and scrutinize because she's comfortable enough with herself to acknowledge that she isn't perfect and she doesn't have to be. THAT is attractive and appealing.

I know a person who constantly lives two lives. They are one person around some people, and completely another around other people. For some family and more religious friends they appear kind, responsible, hard-working, loyal and selfless. Around more "rowdy" or laid-back friends, they are foul-mouthed, inappropriate in their relationships, not loyal at all and completely selfish, always looking for a party or another drink. You can't have it both ways. At least not for very long. "You can fool all of the people some of the time, and some of the people all of the time, but you can't fool all of the people all the time." I'm not exactly sure why this person is so dishonest. But I do know that they are not the only one. It happens all the time. Why? What are they trying to prove? We already know that they are not the perfect, responsible, wonderful people that they are trying to be. How do we know this? Because none of us are! So why not be honest with your struggles and problems? Why hide everything from the very people who would accept you regardless of your failures and shortcomings? Are you afraid that the irresponsible, disloyal, partying you would be lessed liked or frowned upon? Well then maybe you have a conscience issue. Perhaps you KNOW what you're truely like is wrong and are ashamed of it. But you aren't truely ashamed because other people have a higher standard. You're ashamed because God has a higher standard. And you know it.

Sneaking around may get you different reactions from different people. You may be able to deceive some people for awhile or gain (or keep) a few friends. But God knows exactly who you are ALL of the time. You can't pick and choose what HE sees. You can't hide away secret friendships, relationships, webpages, pictures, etc. from Him. And He is the one that matters. What I think of you amounts to nothing in the grand scheme of things. And what other people think of you amounts to nothing. But if there is one thing God cannot stand, it is dishonesty. He already knows when you're mad at Him, when you're frustrated, when you fail, when you're sad, when you don't want to talk to Him or even believe in Him. And He's OK with all of that. What He isn't OK with is you lying about what you're feeling or doing. And unlike humans, He ALWAYS knows.

So perhaps we should all re-evaluate the way that we live our lives and who we are trying to impress. I pray my life will be an open book for all to see. Because my failures show God's grace. And my humanness shows His glory. I am a failure. I am a sinner. I am selfish, lazy and have no self-control. But through His mercy I am accepted. I am forgiven. I am compassionate, hard-working and disciplined. I am able to love extraordinarily because I have been loved extraordinarily. I cannot claim any success of my own. It is only God through me that has made me who I am, and I am a constant work in progress. However, I believe that by allowing others to see my weaknesses, I am able to show them that I am no better than them, that they too can be loved and accepted beyond any act of their own doing.

So I will always strive to be honest and open in all that I do, knowing that I will fall flat on my face for the whole world to see more times than I would like to acknowledge...but trusting that in my struggles, God will be glorified.

Well...it's September 11th...

This day is very important to me for two reasons, so I thought I'd attempt to write about them both for a bit. First of all, we all remember that horrific day 6 years ago. It was quite possibly the worst day in American history...but I would have to say that in my humble opinion, it was also quite possibly, one of the best days in American history. The loss and devestation that we witnessed was beyond what we ever could have imagined. The heartache and fear and extreme anger that most of us felt will always be a part of who we are. But sadly, what hasn't remained for some of us, was that amazing bonding together of complete strangers. Of people who cried for people they didn't even know. Of people who donated blood, or packed up everything to help with rescue efforts. Or even people gathered to pray, and for once the ACLU didn't dare to object. Our leadership, Republicans and Democrats gathered to sing together "God Bless America", for all the world to see...where any other time there would have been debate over whether God was even allowed to be mentioned on the steps of a government building. And people hugged their children, called their spouses, mended bridges with their estranged loved ones, tending to relationships that were long overdue for healing. Americans did everything we could to tie ourselves together...it was so clear then who the good guys were and who the enemy was. And unfortunately, now it seems to be just distant memory...a blur. People are accusing our military of being the enemy, our president of being in on the plan of 9/11, our leaders gather together to lash out at one another, to fight against God, and to argue with our military leadership, some even going so far as to compare our military to Nazis. Madness. Sheer madness. And so I hope that just for a moment, you will remember how you felt that day. You will remember the glorious beauty of a country bonded together through suffering and sadness...and perhaps most importantly, you'll see the proof that trials, severe as they may be, often cause the greatest beauty to rise to the surface.

On to a bit lighter note now...September 11th also happens to be my daddy's birthday. It's been a good year, and a tough year at the same time. My mom is my best friend, but it's no secret to anyone that I've always been daddy's little girl. When I was in the hospital with the preterm labor, and became delerious from the medication, I got scared and all I wanted, all I kept asking for was my daddy. And he called me, then he drove down and brought me a beautiful rose and kept me company.

He was so excited when Kai was born in December. With the exception of my husband and my mom, he was the first to hold him. He's definately Papa's boy. Kai will always crawl over to a picture of him in his nursery and point to him. It's so cute. He already has an adorable little log cabin playhouse and handmade swing for him at Papa and Mamaw's house. And Dad can hardly wait until he's old enough to go fishing.

We had a rough time last month when he was in the hospital, but now he's back home and onry as ever. I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have him to call to talk about whatever sporting event is on TV and debate over what the next play will be. I don't know what I would have done without our "dates" when I was growing up, or baking cookies and doughnuts, or stories about Tower Hill that would make you laugh til your drink came out your nose.

I am so blessed to have such an amazing man of God as a father. Yes, he always made us go to church, and he had a lot of rules...but, although I never thought I'd say this, I couldn't be more thankful for them. He kept me safe and on the straight and narrow as best he could. He gave us an excellent example, serving in just about every area in church, teaching high school sunday school, and making family is upmost priority. He never missed a game...or an event...even ones as painful as band or choir. I loves us kids unconditionally and never missed out on an opportunity to show us. But perhaps most importantly, he modeled what a good marriage should be like. He and my mom are quite possibly the most perfect couple on earth. High school sweethearts who were crazy in love with each other...emphasis on the crazy sometimes. =)

I'm so thankful for another year with him. I'm so thankful that he's been such a wonderful husband to my mom, father to me and Jake, father-in-law to Ward, and grandpa to Kai. I can't wait to see you at the football game this weekend daddy! I love you!

The most wonderful nation on earth

If there's one thing that I am that I've always been immensley proud of, it's the fact that I am an American. In fact, few things define me better than to say I am an American. I was raised around veterans, walking in parades when I was four or five with the Gold Star Mothers and other veterans. I've won awards in American history. I've worked for political campaigns and absolutely cannot hear the national anthem without crying. If anyone ever asked my heritage, they almost certainly got the answer that I am American. I never understood people who wanted to be referred to by the nationality that they used to be, or that their ancestors used to be. I mean, sure, that's nice to know...I have a lot of German, and Irish and American Indian in my family...but I'm not German, I'm not Irish, I'm not American Indian...I'm an American. I was born an American and by the grace of God I will die an American. I don't want to be referred to by any other name. In the words of Toby Keith, "I ain't sayin that it's wrong for you, it just don't make sense to me."

I love everything about this nation, everything that it stands for. No, it's not perfect, no nation is. And I often get furious with it's people and its leadership, but that doesn't change my love and undying devotion for the country. I would die for her in a heartbeat. I personally have never been in battle, but I've seen the wounds. I've heard the stories. I've seen the soldiers coming home and trying to adjust back into a normal life. I've talked with the mothers whose babies didn't come home. And the strength, determination, and honor that I find there is unfathomable and inspiring. Our military is the most amazing on earth. Without a doubt. They are the finest in the world. I must say that it makes my blood boil when people mistreat or second-guess them. Who am I to say what decision they should make over there, I'm not there. I've not lived it. I haven't put my life on the line.

Senator Biden this weekend made the most ridiculous and arrogant comment. He said that General Petraeus was "dead wrong" on his assesment and views on how to proceed in Iraq. I'm not trying to make a case for or against the war here, that's another post and another time. However, I was furious that this arrogant, pompous man would dare to sit in his comfy seat in the airconditioning in Washington, D.C. and spout off that our General doesn't know what he's doing in war. How dare he tell a general how to run a war??? The General didn't get to be General by sitting on his butt in the Senate. Those troops over there are one of his own. He has immense training and experience and I just cannot imagine the arrogance that would cause someone to blantantly disregard his assesment of the situation. The people who elected that man should be extremely ashamed of themselves.

Sadly, they probably aren't. It seems there are a lot of arrogant people trying to coach the game from the sidelines. I don't know that our military is doing every right, in fact they probably aren't...they're only human. But I do know that I trust them. I do know that they keep me safe. I do know that I can still board an airplane and feel safe or go to a mall. I do know that they're doing the best they can with the limitations they've been given. And I do know, that unlike most of the rest of the world, the vast majority of them do try to do the right thing.

Our military is the example of how our nation should work. Of people willing to sacrifice everything for the sake of their neighbor. Of people who have a good work ethic, instead of sitting on their butts and letting other people's taxes pay for them. Of people who jump in to help in time of national disaster. Of people who band together and become family with people they don't even know. Of people who would bypass on their own Christmas gifts to give to children in need.

America is the most generous and compassionate country on the globe- never getting the credit it deserves, but continuing to give anyway. Of course there are problems, and there will continue to be, mostly by those who have no respect for this great land and her people, and those who protect them. But I know that myself and my family, we are proud to be Americans. We're proud to call this great nation home. And we will continue to defend her, and contribute our part in making her all that she should be. You may not be in the military, that doesn't make you any less an American. But you probably know someone who is. Thank them. Because you're only able to live the life you do because of their sacrifices. Then get out there and do your part, volunteer, make a difference, keep her great. God bless America.

A good dose of pride

"We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm." - Orwell

I took my husband to work today. Just because we wanted the extra few hours together. As often happens, the F-15s were taking off as we approached the airport. Very few things captivate me with such awe as watching the F-15s play. They are amazing machines.

Again, as often happens, we heard them before we saw them. As I was scanning the sky looking for the planes I said "I wonder how nervous that must make you if you're in an enemy country...to hear them and not be able to find them." And my husband said "If you hear it, you're probably safe. By the time you hear it or see it, if you were going to be hit you would have been already."

So amazing. When we were watching an airshow last summer we were discussing how awe-inspiring it is for us to watch it without the "wet down your leg" effect it must have on our enemies. Such an awesome display of power.

We watched as three jets took off. I dropped my husband off at work and started back home just in time to see the chaser take off a few minutes later. And I started to think about the plane...and about the pilot. It has to be a serious rush to fly that thing. Besides it's awesome power, just the fact that you're responsible for a multi-million dollar aircraft in battle. It's all you.

Watching the F-15s makes me feel such an overwhelming sense of pride in my country. Then I think of the pilot and I feel an overwhelming sense of pride for our military. They are incredible. Then I think of my husband, how every hour that he's gone from me and our son, he's working to protect the lives of those pilots...and I have that same overwhelming sense of pride in him. I serve an amazing God, live in an amazing country, protected by the best military on earth and love the most amazing man I've ever known and am the mother of his child. As the song says..."that's something to be proud of."