Lassie's Christmas Story (1958)

This is the sweetest little show you'll ever want to see!



Oh how things have changed in our country.  I love for our family to watch these together. They are the BEST! God is clearly honored and oh such a sweet spirit in these shows!  This of course is part I. All parts seem to be available.

I bought a dvd set of three Lassie Christmas shows and boy am I glad I did!

This will put a smile on your face and a skip in your step!

Merry Christmas!   Amelia

P.S. Did I ever tell you about the time 60 Minutes aired a clip on our family dog, Minnie Pearl?  Yes, Minnie Pearl gave our dog catcher a Christmas card when I was a little girl.  Those were the days...

'Meet John Doe' (1941) A Christmas Must-See

This is a neat-neat movie. You won't see anything like this in theatres today...This is a Frank Capra great.  I hope you enjoy the movie as much as our family has!

The movie also confronts materialism as you will see in the following Heelots clip.  Don't be a Heelot!  : )

Don't know what a Heelot is?  See the clip below and you will see!  ...just don't be one or let one get you! Trust me...they are among us! : )



The ending of the movie is amazing where Christ is unashamedly mentioned in a beautiful way. Here is the movie in entirety.  You can also purchase the movie as well, and at times Turner Classics will air this great movie. Enjoy!



One interesting fact is that Frank Capra is from the same Italian village my grandpa was from. In fact in a biography I have of Frank Capra it mentions my Grandpa's family name as a neighbor. I think it's so interesting. : )

I hope everyone is having  a peaceful Christ-filled holy season and that you enjoy these movie suggestions and clips as much as our family does, they are so wonderful and just such a sweet way to spend some nice family down time together.  

May we lift our country up in prayer,   ~amelia

Meet Billy! Billy's Story, His Cage Had Rusted Shut. MUST SEE

This story is so touching. This story happens many times, way too many.... and this one has a happy ending.

Let's remember fur angels this Christmas and always.  They are God's creatures. May we care for them too.

We have four doglets and three were rescued. I cannot tell you the joy they bring our family, it's a wonderful way of teaching our children no matter how old compassion and care.

More Christmas Sweetness, "Tenth Avenue Angel" (1948)

My daughter and I were watching this sweet, sweet movie today, this movie is so very precious and a perfect addition for our family viewing especially for the Christmas season.  

At around 3:16 you will see little Flavia (Margaret O'Brien) in the precious, most poignant kneeling cow scene as she prays for a miracle for her mother, oh and such a sweet miracle as only the Lord can do. 

My eyes were wet with tears, they just don't make them like this anymore. These are the best folks.These movies are made in a time in our country where there was a healthy fear of God.  May we never be ashamed of sweetness or innocence. : )

I hope you enjoy this and are blessed:



Our daughter is still recovering from kidney stones, is in much less pain now thanks be to God.  Please keep her in your prayers.   ~Amelia

A Good Peaceful Friday

Having trouble keeping things in perspective as the brash, materialistic ads are being forced upon us?

This is one of the most precious scenes ever of a simple nativity play with these darling little angels.  I once knew a priest very much like Father O'Malley in this movie played by Bing Crosby.  He was Jesus with skin on to me as a little girl.  We now attend a different but same kind of church. As my husband says, Church is in our hearts.  It doesn't really matter or shouldn't matter which Christian denomination we are.  Jesus is everywhere or perhaps rather sprinkled in various people's hearts no matter what the position.  And whatever our Christian denomination is...may we be those Father O'Malley's to others.

This past week we were in the ER with my dd22.  Trust me, I would have LOVED for a Father O'Malley to come pray with us as I sat with fever myself, head on my husband's shoulder horrified as my daughter lay suffering horribly from seven kidney stones, one blocking.  Where are they, those Father O'Malley's?  I hope we will be that one to others. Sometimes it hurts, because I don't see them very often. All I can say, is I know Jesus is with us and carries us.

I think this may be just what the doctor ordered:


I hope this touches your heart as it has touched mine once more.  For our family?  We are keeping things to a small, reasonable budget for each of our daughters for Christmas.  It feels good, a nice sensible Christmas. ...Like things used to be. Like they still can be if we stay in the realm of the Lord and away from the culture.

Blessings to All! I hope you enjoy this precious, precious video, a short clip from "The Bells of St. Mary's" (1945).

Oh God give us homes that would fit in this sweet realm!

Love,   Amelia

A Message For Christians: Not Voting? To Do Nothing and Call it a Moral Victory is Cowardly, Maybe Evil

Source: swagbucks.com via Amelia on Pinterest

"Governor Romney approves of abortion only in the case of rape, incest and the life of the mother. And since, some evangelical Christians will not sort through this. They believe that abortion is murder, immoral and sinful. And some are saying that they will not vote for either Obama or Romney. And they believe that by sitting out this election, they will be protecting their holiness.

To do nothing and call it a moral victory is cowardly. It may actually be evil. But it is if nothing else, certainly this: Failing to do as much as possible to make improvement toward those things which you can make better. Failing to show that much compassion and effort is morally lazy.

In the world in which WE ACTUALLY LIVE where our country has about 1,200,000 abortions every year, one candidate is saying that we could eliminate 960,000 abortions… It is moral malpractice then seeking to reduce the number of abortions by 80% is the same as saying that 100% of all abortions are politically and morally ok. To do nothing to preserve the life of the unborn when you have the opportunity to do something toward that goal cannot be an alternative for a thinking Christian."
~~ Dr. David Jeremiah ~~

Peace Adds, Busyness Takes Away: Part III

Hi De Ho! Here is Part III of my guest series on Little Acre. I hope you have enjoyed the series. Happy autumn everyone, the picture below is of our daughters. : )

 

Years ago, some of my fondest memories were of me with my little girls at a friends home, a friend who also had little girls. Another friend of ours, Peggy, was there with her girls too. The homeschool climate then? We were pioneer homeschool moms. It was a time when men were going to jail for their family's right to homeschool. Our girls were sitting around the table cutting out pictures of mammals from National Geographic magazines and such. That was as far into outclassing as we went, our little girls were happy as little larks.

The sweetest times ever also included taking my little girls into the little old town to Mrs.. Blount's house for piano lessons. Piano lessons was their one extra lesson. Mrs.. Blount was a sweet Christian woman who would end up being like a grandmother to my girls and confidant' of mine. Oh how we loved that saint of God! Her life stories from WWII and her accounts of black-outs in the city were amazing, her remembrance of a little girl in her class from England sent here by relatives for safety. We marveled at pictures of her as a young woman, she had been a Greer Garson look alike. We marveled at the strength and faith in the Lord she had as a young widow left with three children. What a special friend! I always stressed to our girls, we can have friends of all ages, younger and older!

We lived in the country then too, and at first as a young mother I would worry that my girls were not having enough playtime with other children. Our oldest little girls, Lea and Marianna, now twenty-nine and twenty-seven were around five and seven at the time said.."Mommy, we have each other". They will still tell me, they had a precious childhood, they never even thought anything else ever. Remember too, John the Baptist was an only child and was raised in the desert!
Back then Jonathan Lindvall was a great help in his encouragements as well. His tapes helped confirm things in my heart as I was on bed rest with our fourth baby homeschooling from the couch.

Things I regret?

When we moved into the suburbs for a season we naively and unknowingly entered into some support group twaddle busy-busy activities that provided stress that really should not have ever been. It was a slight, subtle case of The Emperor's New Clothes. Thank God I realized that the Emperor was naked and we wised up to some of the unnecessary busyness and pressure. Isn't one of the beauties of homeschooling the sweet peaceful life? This is not to pick on every extra activity, although I will ask,

"What are you doing that for?"

I ask that often..."What are we doing this for?" "Why?" ...Remember the little boy who asked why? Well you can call me, the mom who asked and keeps asking why.

 His yoke is easy and His burden is light.

Take the Peace,

take the joy.

Step off the gerbil wheel. Let Christ be your everything. Let's keep our homes a place of praise to the Lord. Live, laugh, and love in Jesus our Savior. Pray, talking to the Father always. You and your children giving thanks through folding laundry, or singing hymns when washing dishes and cooking. Praise His name all ye people! Remember, His yoke is easy and His burden is light; we need only to rest comfortably under it, and keep in step with the quiet gentle pace of our Savior.

…………….

Comments are always appreciated and welcomed!  They are a gift to my heart!   ~Amelia

Peace Adds, Busyness Takes Away: Part II

Hello Friends, This is Part II of my guest post previously posted at Amanda's blog, Little Acre.  Enjoy and be blessed...

Not long ago, I picked up my old freshman high school yearbook. In it were things that grieved my spirit. There were things that were winked at in that school that, as a Christian, I do not want any part of now. There was a coldness about it all...

Idolization of high academics,

rock and roll dances and Malibu tanned girls.

Even as I type this I cringe.

Unfortunately, much of our area homeschool group looks similar now. The lure of the world,

the pride of man,

wanting to fit in.

Grown women wanting to fit in. Grown women wanting to put academics on the throne and put the Lord to the side. Grown women shunning godly sweet things in favor of fitting into a very wide, sick culture. Imagine such a thing? But it can happen if we are not careful. Oh yes, you too can grow your own Tower of Babel right in your own backyard, or even in your heart!

 

How do we avoid the Tower of Babel Syndrome? Spending time with the Lord and His Word. Knowing that many times if the Herd is doing something or going a certain way, maybe we had better take a second look. Follow the Word not the Herd!

Realizing that if things are a supposed given, it may not be exactly God's plan or given for you, and most likely it shouldn't even be a given at all.

Have you ever seen the book titled "Stop the Christmas Machine"? Well, I would like to warn, "Stop the Modern Homeschool Machine". Consider everything you do. Don't be a discontent mom; be a mature, content mom, be a sweet, cheerful mom. Laughing with our kids is a beautiful thing, joking with our kids is a beautiful thing! Making a mess can be a beautiful thing! But sometimes from what I see it's not laughing, cheerful, joyful, moms, it's immature laughing moms all too eager to enter into gossip and an addictive, empty need to run the roads, all the while displaying a make believe badge of busyness.

It's sad but true. We need to stop and take heed, and *gasp* …

be willing to stand alone.

We must be secure in Jesus alone.

We need to teach our children it's okay to stand alone.

Consider and pray, pray and consider.

Plod along peacefully.

Remember, if we are too busy to have dinner as a family, to cook healthy meals, then we are probably too busy.

The most peaceful homes I know of are of women plodding along intentionally, sweetly, making their homes a place of peace and praise. How many outside classes do we need?

Do we need any?

Whatever happened to homemaking? Whatever happened to venerating the idea of sons in a good hands on job, perhaps to be a good honorable farmer with skill? When is the last time we heard anything like that?

What does the Lord want?

Whose voice will we heed?

Will we be still enough,

long enough to spend that time with the Lord to hear His still small Voice?

Will our sons and daughters know that still small Voice?

Who is speaking louder to our hearts, the Lord or society?

………

Photos taken of Amelia and her husband and the beautiful views at their home and what she calls her Forest Cathedral.  You can find her at My Forest Cathedral where she blogs about her thoughts and perceptions on day to day life as she walks with her  Savior in her journey to simplicity where He is All.

And, If you have a vision for a Godly home; are seeking a home of Peace and Joy, where the heart of Jesus is reflected, you can find her writing over at; A Vision for a Godly Home.

Peace Adds, Busyness Takes Away: Part I

Following is a three-part guest post I had prayerfully written for Amanda at 'Little Acre' blog.  I thought I would share here since Amanda saw fit to close down Little Acre blog.  I do hope you enjoy the posts and that God is glorified as we as Children of the Father cling to Him for direction in our daily lives listening ever so carefully...       ~Amelia   

Peace Adds, Busyness Takes Away: Part I

 

Peace Adds, Busyness Takes Away: Part I

Lately as I've approached my middle aged years, at the age of 51 I realize that time really does fly as the older generation had warned me.  My "baby" who actually titled this article for me? She's eighteen now and is finishing up homeschooling this summer, as far as the traditional definition of education.

Those of us who homeschool from our hearts know that education never stops though, it's ongoing…

The quiet hours as of late have lent to much contemplation, much thinking of our sweet homeschool of over twenty-two years.
As I was making the decision over twenty-two years ago to homeschool, I remember standing in the massive library with my little girls and then newborn in her infant seat staring at the small section of homeschool books. There in that quiet most stoic place, where as my dad says, it's the kind of place that makes you want to spit your gum out, I was facing the consternation of our church for even considering homeschooling. Our good friends, who I now realize were merely acquaintances, dropped us, much as if we were building an ark in our backyard.

I knew the sweetness was pulling at my heart then though. I knew the solitude I was feeling was a sweet one, the Lord was right there holding my hand. That's not to say that there would not be doubts, but the Lord won out. One July Sunday in one of our favorite lunch spots, the pastor's wife made the comment loudly from across the room to me almost mockingly, her words were loud: "Are you still going to homeschool Amelia? We have a sweet teacher for Lea's grade this year..." The words were said in a nanny-nanny-boo-boo...sing-song way as our anti-ark acquaintances grinned like Cheshire cats at me from across our round table. After our lunch, as we were driving home, I shared with my husband my new doubts even though my new Bob Jones curriculum was shining brightly at home. I even verbalized and entertained the idea that maybe I should send the curriculum back. My husband wisely said;

"The Bible says a double minded man is unstable in all his ways"

Wow. He was right. End of story. It was as if the Lord clicked his heels and brought me back to Heavenly thinking on the subject and away from the land of doubt. I'm so ashamed now that the enemy had so easily discouraged me then! I was almost robbed of such a lifelong blessing!

Throughout life we have choices.

Every day we have choices.

Heaven or Harvard?

Busyness or Peace?

Popularity with man,

or Peace and fellowship with God?

Sweetness or worldly culture?

If we are going to have a sweet godly home then we must be intentional. Intentional about what? Intentional about keeping things sweet and peaceful in the Lord. Keeping Jesus number One. For an Audience of One. Talk to God, talk to Him a lot and keep Him on that throne.

Our will or His will?

What Character Do We Play? A Re-Post From Oct. 2009

Hello All, and a Happy Autumn to You All!

I thought I would re-post this entry from October of 2009.  Our family watched this day before yesterday eve for our sweet little fall party.  Marianna made the best baked pumpkin donuts with stevia instead of sugar.  I loved them!  You just can't beat it.  Warm hearts of family, healthy pumpkin donuts and ...To Kill a Mockingbird.

Without further ado I present...What Character do we Play? 

What Character do we Play?

"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view . . . until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."


“Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy . . . but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird." To Kill a Mockingbird

Scout and Atticus played by Mary Badham and Gregory Peck


A movie I hold very dear to my heart....To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)...This is a good time of year to watch it, the movie begins in summer...but concludes in the autumn...from the Pullitzer prize-winning classic novel, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee..


This movie does contain real-to-life subject matter, there is a false accusation of rape so please be aware of that as to what is appropriate for your children. Our daughters have grown up with this movie, and we've always explained to them in age appropriate terms the cruel and false accusation against Mr. Tom Robinson, the precious black man in the movie.




Not only does the movie address racial prejudice but prejudice of many kinds as well as rumors, gossip, false assumptions, etc. It also shines light upon a most just and courageous attorney, Atticus Finch, the widowed father of two children, Jem and Scout, a small town attorney willing to take a public stand for what is right and good in spite of public opinion. Impeccable integrity.

Atticus with his children and their young friend, Dill; facing a literal lynch mob, as he physically protects Tom Robinson as he awaits trial.





Scenes in this movie are some of the most poignant scenes ever. Atticus, the father played by Gregory Peck is a beautiful example of humility and wisdom.

There is a household down the street, the Radley home...It's the home of mysterious Boo Radley played by Robert Duvall. Watch and see how Boo's true character is exposed in time...Reminding us of how very Just God is in our lives. If we give things time, God is faithful to expose and reveal true character.

Scout, Boo and Jem



In one particular tense scene Atticus is spat upon in the face. Humility is shown in a way that most would have miserably failed.



I always enjoy the familiarity in the way in which the narrator opens the movie up as only a fellow Southern gal could do...The movie score by Elmer Bernstein is on my playlist here, it's contemplative and almost hauntingly beautiful, very deep, and evokes many emotions as to when I was a little girl and my growing up years.


The opening of the movie is a reminder, much of the way I would play and draw pictures in solitude as a little girl in a small town. Youtube at one time had all the parts of this poignant and touching movie but I'm not seeing many genuine parts lately, but I did find this trailer.

Edit. 11.05.09. I have found this clip as well with Gregory Peck himself, who plays Atticus, giving a narration of the movie...I love the way he pronounces the word, "Pulitzer"... He is such a picture of a gentleman. In the clip there are also some very interesting reviews, one being from Good Housekeeping magazine. Most interesting! See it: here.




Gregory Peck, oh he is a gem in this movie as Atticus, the just attorney and loving widowed father. Beautiful. Oh that we might have his godly character and wisdom.


.........................................................................................................................

Narrator as movie opens: Maycomb was a tired old town, even in 1932 when I first knew it. Somehow it was hotter then. Men's stiff collars wilted by nine in the morning. Ladies bathed before noon, after their three o'clock naps, and by nightfall were like soft teacakes with frosting from sweating and sweet talcum. The day was twenty-four hours long, but it seemed longer. There's no hurry, for there's nowhere to go and nothing to buy... and no money to buy it with. Although Maycomb County had recently been told that it had nothing to fear but fear itself... that summer, I was six years old.


"Atticus, he was real nice. . . . His hands were under my chin, pulling up the cover, tucking it around me."

"Most people are, Scout, when you finally see them."


Narrator as movie closes: He turned out the light and went into Jem's room. he would be there all night, and he would be there when Jem waked up in the morning.
.............................................................................................................................................



Many, if not all libraries will have a copy of this movie.

To Kill a Mockingbird (Collector's Edition) (1962) Gregory Peck, John Megna, Frank Overton, Rosemary Murphy, Ruth White

My Guest Post on The Little Acre: 'Peace Adds, Busyness Takes Away'

 EDIT: 10.01.12  The below guest posts will be reposted here soon. The blog that the guest posts were on is unavailable at this time. Thanks everyone!


 Hello Everyone! Long time no see? It's been such a busy summer of sorts. I just wanted to drop a line to sweet friends and those who I am privileged to have read and visit here to know I have a guest post series on my sweet friend, Amanda's blog, The Little Acre:

Peace Adds, Busyness Takes Away. Click here for Part I

Part II

Part III

I hope you are blessed and encouraged by the series, the Lord put it on my heart as I sat at my keyboard last week. I asked God what He would have me share? There are soooo many things on my heart these days in these perilous times we are in and the thoughts flowed.

Please be encouraged, in His Great Love, ~Amelia

Dreamy Sweetness. Shirley Temple, Come and Get Your Happiness

Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm - 1938



Why wouldn't anyone not like this sweetness?

These Shirley Temple movies are so darling. Darling for the entire family too. Timeless! You may enjoy collecting them. This is one of our favorites!

We attended an old, old church last weekend where my parents were married. The choir actually sounded exactly like the chorus in the video that comes in at around 1:22.

As we sat in the old church service, joy came to my heart but sadness too, knowing the culture is so very different. We say no to the culture and yes to sweetness!



If each of our families keep our homes sweet, then think of the inner revolution in the country!

Jesus is the sweetest name I know...

We should never be ashamed of holiness or sweetness. Never apologize for that!

Are our homes a refuge? Ones of sweetness and the Peace of Christ?

Say yes to Peace and the real deal, say no to the culture. As Christians we should be different. ...In that sweet way of course. : )

Love to All, ~Amelia

What is Our Attitude Towards Sorrows & Difficulty?

The link I'm including here at the end of this entry is excellent and timely as todayI feel as though my head is a balloon or toy punching ball (remember those?) filled to the max....as if someone were to take the securing knot or rubber band from the stem I would fly into the cosmos! The pressures of life, oh the pressures of life.

In our home we are readying for two of our daughters to leave for China. My husband is taking his test renewing his brokerage. Our old home selling maybe? Our adorable older daughter praying for a mate, knowing her biological timeclock is ticking. Me, wondering what is wrong with these guys not seeing her with open eyes? But...Also knowing it could be God's protection? A test being taken today for college plus before our daughter leaves for China, speeches to be made for China. Sickness being looked into. Parents who have been divorced for over 30 years, still visit and I believe care for each other but at the same time can be like matches and gasoline....and me. I'm thinking it's the same thing I grew up with and when will it stop, yes there are wonderful memories from these two most outstanding people but there are other memories I've always dealt with as an only child and on and on and on it goes in the theatre of my earthly mind. But...

All these things? They are a learning for me. Some of these things are a lesson in trust. Some of these things are a lesson in mercy. Some of these are practical lessons in natural health that I've been learning for some time now. Some of these things teach me in a very odd but unforgettable way, of how I want to be so very, very very,very careful, I reiterate careful of how we must keep our homes in an atmosphere of praise, Peace and sweetness of the Lord, not letting the world in. Some of these things are the COMPANIONSHIP OF BROKENESS.

So dear friends, readers who may catch this entry...If you too feel like minced meat...you are not alone.

Let's pray for one another and lift each other up, and please allow me to share the following by Oswald Chambers:

Receiving Yourself in the Fire of Sorrows

You can always recognize who has been through the fires of sorrow and received himself, and you know that you can go to him in your moment of trouble and find that he has plenty of time for you. But if a person has not been through the fires of sorrow, he is apt to be contemptuous, having no respect or time for you, only turning you away. If you will receive yourself in the fires of sorrow, God will make you nourishment for other people.

Have a great day in Jesus, I hope this ministered to you as I ministered to myself writing this as I sat at my keyboard and poured my heart.



I'm going to be quiet and just bask in the Lord today...Clothes washing etc. If I sit still before the Lord it will be like the photo above...

Love in Christ Jesus, ~Amelia

So They Call Us Extreme? Different? They Will be Right. : )

~Robert Stock

"The church's mightiest influence is felt when she is different from the world in which she lives. Her power lies in her being different, rises with the degree in which she differs and sinks as the difference diminishes.

This is so fully and clearly taught in the Scriptures and so well illustrated in Church history that it is hard to see how we can miss it. But miss it we do, for we hear constantly that the Church must try to be as much like the world as possible, excepting, of course, where the world is too, too sinful....

Let us plant ourselves on the hill of Zion and invite the world to come over to us, but never under any circumstances will we go over to them. The cross is the symbol of Christianity, and the cross speaks of death and separation, never of compromise. No one ever compromised with a cross. The cross separated between the dead and the living. The timid and the fearful will cry "Extreme!" and they will be right. The cross is the essence of all that is extreme and final. The message of Christ is a call across a gulf from death to life, from sin to righteousness and from Satan to God."

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. ~Corinthians 6:17

A.W. Tozer ~The Set of the Sail

I read this, this morning and thought it was so good. It's true, the church has let darkness in instead of Light out.

How sad to see what has happened and what is accepted now. But do we shun others who are not exactly like us? Of course not. That would not be the character of Christ at all and sure enough the enemy loves to use this sectarian tool in churches and it does hurt families. Many times this is not the case though. It has been our experience that many churches today will shun the holy and sweet, they are so very concerned about their idea of success, numbers and programs. It's always interesting to me when I visit other blogs, those who are supposed to be so very tolerant when in reality they are very intolerant of those who claim the name of Jesus.

What are we to do when many times churches are either extreme? Pray saints pray. Show love to others, love God and hate sin. Stop the church politics and people pleasing in either camp, it's not about who wins the b-b stacking contest at camp, it's about inviting the new family to eat at your table for pity's sake. Live your life sweetly in a very real way, (it's the only way!).. use actions to love others, live it out with wisdom and discernment. Use words to love and appreciate when necessary. ; ) If we homeschool let's make sure we are teaching our children and youth godly character not just the academics. I'm afraid many a young person is going a very wrong direction spiritually with academic accolades. It's no good to go to hell with a straight A grade average.

If children or youth see you being selfish and cliquish? Respecters of persons? Thankless? Guess what, chances are they will be that way too for the most part. If they see you addicted to busyness? Guess what, chances are they will live lives of busyness too. Being under Satans yoke.

Please see the below sermon on yesterday's entry. It's such an encouraging, appropriate and challenging message for today! : )

Love in Christ, ~Amelia

Aggressive Girls, Clueless Boys! HOW TIMELY!

This has been another modern problematic even in the church and homeschool realm...Perhaps it also has to do with a lack of discernment, but this is a real problem. As you may know we have four daughters ages 18 to 29 who have kept themselves and it is so very disheartening when we see aggressive girls/women and clueless boys/men "abound".

I have not read this book, a friend of ours posted it on her facebook. Just the title made us say AMEN. : )

We have raised our daughters to be ladies and my husband and I are shocked and I mean shocked when we see the aggressive young women out there (notice I did not say the word ladies) and the passive, clueless young men (boys) and their parents may I add. We must remember though, people will always be attracted to like-minds and spirits.

Please pray for discernment. It never ceases to amaze us what is accepted and the sleepy lull parents seem to be in. How sad and discouraging for those who are seeking God with all of their hearts.

Complete Radio talks and transcripts from Family Life Today:

Warning Bad Girls Ahead


...........................................................................................................

Please pray for encouragement for godly families who have instilled godliness and purity in their daughters and sons only to be made to feel isolated and who are persecuted many times.

Have a great week, today was spent at the nursing home. What a privilege for our family to be able to minister and whisper the name of Jesus being His hands and feet. Some of these precious saints are some of the best friends ever.

May God be glorified. If you read this blog and feel you need encouragement too, if you are a daughter or son who are keeping your heart pure you are not alone. If you are a parent who has had to stand alone take heart. And that doubles back to me. I know the sun and the moon is shining on those who are seeking the Lord with all of their heart. : ) I know God is God and He is Just. He is also the Revealer. I also know that God is a Rewarder of those who diligently seek Him...

In Christ's Love, ~Amelia

THE 'HANGING OUT' PHENOMENON and Other Modern Problematics...

‘The most extraordinary thing in the world is an ordinary man

and an ordinary woman and their ordinary children.”

– G.K. Chesteron

...there’s a “hanging out” phenomenon among so many young adults. No one wants to call it a date or make any kind of commitment. The dynamic is that one of the two, usually the woman, is hoping for something more to develop. “If I just hang out with this guy indefinitely he will see how great I am. He will realize that he can’t live without me.” Meanwhile the guy is feeling, “No, we’re just friends.”

I call this a “friendlationship.” The couple’s not intentional about the relationship and it’s a recipe for disaster.

I had a friend who spent seven years in one of these waiting for the guy to come around. He never had any intention of dating her. He just loved that she was always available when he wanted to get pizza or talk on the phone. He was just using her for attention, to be a buddy when he needed someone to hang out with.

We’ve allowed this period of time between the teen years and adulthood to be a wasteland. There’s no timeframe for it. We allow kids to “find themselves,” have fun, do what they want while they’re single and we say, “Don’t worry, marriage will come along down the road.” Well, sometimes it doesn’t.

Complete Article

~Photo by Robert Stock

My husband and I have four daughters and these are our thoughts:

We have seen these exact things with young men and not so young men even in the homeschooled realm.

~photo by Robert Stock

We see two ditches:

One is making marriage a timed goal and mad rush to marry:

...Many times not checking into character or even waiting even four seasons to observe a young person's character. It's frightening what we are seeing. Parents are equally if not more at fault in these situations many times not listening, refusing to listen to the safety of wise counsel as the Bible says. Enough said on that at this time.

One is perpetual childhood and man's myth of education first:

We are seeing game-playing, perpetual boys and on the other hand, young women who are being trained that their career goal is "all". I sat at a banquet once with another homeschool couple who also had daughters. When the subject of marriage naturally came up, the dad's quick response was: "Their college education must come first!" As he held his pointer finger up smiling. Me thinking of their suppressed daughters, heaven forbid they would want to marry as God encourages before a degree! ; )

What happened to God's gift of homelife? What happened to a young couple marrying and growing together financially toughing it a bit? What happened to the value of a young woman's beautiful aspiration and call to be a stay at home mom? Homemaking skills anyone? : ) What are we really teaching our young people in what we major on in action, word and attitude as in what is important? From what we see it just does not make sense if many of these families are truly aspiring to leave a Godly heritage.

One situation we saw was with our oldest daughter when she was a much younger lady. She and a young man in his twenties in our church were on the verge of an engagement when she mentioned children and being a stay at home mom he and his parents behaved as if this was over the top in the way of convictions. The mom had always pulled herself up by the bootstraps enabling an unstable husband .

What happened? The young man was wooed away by a not-so-nice family's jealous ploys. Later within a year or so he married yet another girl from another church. Now? The father of the then-young man complains to my husband. Why? Because their son married a girl that loves to work outside the home and places their four children in daycare. I humbly rest my case.

You may say, well it's a good thing your daughter did not end up in that family. Yes! You are probably right! : )

What we do, what we emphasize will be caught by our children.

"So goes the goes the home goes the church, so goes the church goes the country."

~Photo by Robert Stock

In Christ's love, ~Amelia

Our family blog on day to day living: My Forest Cathedral

My blog with craft projects, wardrobe re-dos, old good old wholesome 40s movies and easy-breezy recipes: thats-italian, live laugh, love and pray hard....

'Try Giving Yourself Away' by David Dunn. Great Book so Far. Isn't This What it's All About? : )

I am reading a wonderful book entitled "Try Giving Yourself Away" by David Dunn written in 1947. It's is a delightful book so far! For me, the name of Jesus will definitely be included in any jewels given this week. : )

Following is an excerpt keep in mind this was written in 1947!

These are troubled times. The world is full of strife and heartache. Men and women everywhere seek peace of mind and heart, and wish desperately that they as individuals could do something toward lifting the heavy blanket of gloom and fear that oppresses mankind.

Perhaps you and I can help. More than anything else, the world needs the healing influence of a great surge of simple kindheartedness, to rid humanity of jealousy, selfishness and greed. Such a surge must start with us, as individuals; it is beyond the power of the world's rulers or statesmen. In our daily living we average citizens must establish the spirit and set the pattern of a kindlier world.

I invite you to join me in my hobby. ~DAVID DUNN

That's enough for now, maybe next time I blog I'll share things my dad did for others that I keenly observed when I was a little girl and beyond...God's blessings to All.

Let me know if you tried this this week, I would love to hear your jewels of giving of yourself to others! I hope to post excerpts as well soon, if you are interested. : ) Maybe we'll get on a roll! I hope so! What's our Heart Shot? May God be glorified!


May we be praying about ways to be jewels to others (strangers, little children, compliments to managers on store windows and the window dressers, ideas for companies, notes of encouragement, unappreciated moms and dads of friends, discouraged businessmen etc.) ...Sweet surprises this week, just think how enriching this would make our own lives by blessing others daily at least once?

Love, ~Amelia

P.S. Maybe some of you would like to know what my daughters are up to these days? A sweet blogging friend suggested this, and I thought I'd get a raise of hands on it. I've homeschooled for going on 23 years, my baby is 18 and graduating this year. When I started homeschooling it was up in the air in the courts. Oh that homeschooling would come back to the beautiful, sweet Christian roots in many a support group.


NOTE:

If anyone is interested in our family's everyday-life in the country you may enjoy one of my other blogs: My Forest Cathedral

What's Your Face Shot? Heart Shot?

David Wilkerson Face Shot
Description: A gospel is being preached that is withering everything that is in sight. Everything that is green and Godly and pure is being withered. The seed is rotten - there is a famine of hearing the pure Word of the Lord.... there is no pasture. The flocks are desolate and hungry. The rivers are drying up. A strange fire is devouring the pastors. Ezekiel says that Shepherds are trampling down the good pasture and eating the best for themselves. What are the shameful disgraceful things that are happening in the Church of Jesus Christ today?


Today Dh and I heard this sermon: It's Time to Get Right With God

You can also find many, many excellent David Wilkerson sermons at the above site as well as Sermonindex.net.

Hope everyone is having a nice Sunday eve. I think sites like World Challenge and Sermonindex.net are wonderful in these last days.

< "They won't see me" ; )
Let's be kind bloggers with integrity. You can fool some of the people some of the time but you can't fool God. Some people just don't seem very kind or thoughtful, perhaps even respecters of persons in their blogging habits, who they link to or lack to link to etc.? Perhaps I'm being transparent but that's just me. An old homeschooling bud told me once....Amelia you are very honest... As far as I'm concerned it's the only way. : )

Don't mean to sound fussy, but I sure become disappointed sometimes...

Thanking God for the friends who glean from this blog who do have that integrity and fortitude to stand with who and what is right unto the Lord and not be ashamed of blogging partners and friends. : )


Love, ~Amelia

On Pharisees. HITS THE NAIL ON THE HEAD

HITS THE NAIL ON THE HEAD

"The ancient Pharisees, in spite of their zealous devotion to religion, were of the very essence of the world. The spiritual principles upon which they built their system were drawn not from above but from below. They employed against Jesus the tactics of men. They bribed men to tell lies in defense of truth. To defend God they acted like devils. To support the Bible they defied the teachings of the Bible. They scuttled religion to save religion. They gave rein to blind hate in the name of the religion of love. There we see the world in all of its grim defiance of God. So fierce was this spirit that it never rested till it had put to death the Son of God Himself. The spirit of the Pharisees was actively and maliciously hostile to the Spirit of Jesus as each was a kind of distillation of the two worlds from whence they came."

~God's Pursuit of Man by A.W. Tozer

A Word in Season. Dr. A.W. Tozer


I think I'll let Dr. Tozer tell it like it is. He's with the Lord now and was obviously much older and wiser than I. Oh that some would grasp what he has to say and put away arrogance, pride, and the thankless attitudes that often accompany this Phariseeical spirit. The blind hate is very common in the Phariseeical spirit today we have found. It's the same warped hate that put Christ on the cross. If your children are more interested in pet doctrine than a personal relationship with Jesus - beware.


But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils. ~Matthew 9:34

Have a JESUS filled week,
Love in Him, ~Amelia

A CALL TO ANGUISH

A CALL TO ANGUISH. A POWERFUL MUST-HEAR MESSAGE FROM DAVID WILKERSON. PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO LISTEN...SEVEN MINUTES WELL WORTH YOUR TIME.

(Please feel free to mute the music at the bottom of page.)

Run For Your Life!

We have got to lay our lives down for the purposes of God.

This is a war for the souls of man! Come out from among them!

Run for your life! Because this is about your life! It's not just about an imposing theology or conflicting viewpoint...This is about your life!

Run from churches where men are glorified and not Christ!

If you come into the House of God and you have sin in your life and you are not convicted of it you're at a table of devils.

~Carter Conlon


To hear more sermons by Carter Conlon, the late David Wilkerson and others see: http://www.sermonindex.net/

This is a partial re-post from 2009. The Lord quickened me to post this again. This is a message from Carter Conlon assistant pastor to the late David Wilkerson from Time Square Church in New York.

May we hang together and hold on tight in prayers encouraging one another. I'm shocked by the deception I've seen lately. The Bible says be careful brethren lest you be deceived.

Love in Christ, ~Amelia

19 Facts About Abortion in America That Should Make you Very Sick

"Yes, this article is going to make a lot of people uncomfortable, but it is the truth."

"’Isn't it time that someone started telling the truth in America?"

19 Facts About Abortion in America That Should Make You Very Sick




My daughter just put this up on her facebook. The least I can do is put it on my blogspot here...Time's a wasting. So much I could write here, but I think the article says plenty.

Goodnight to All, Love, Amelia

First We Have Coffee and I Will Share With You?

This blog is all about Jesus Christ and you! Sometimes a little bit of me too as I share my heart but basically Jesus and our Godly Homes. I started this blog several years ago when our family was doing a little class at our local homeschool workshop on A Godly Home. I thought it would be nice to have a place with a reading list etc. for folks to refer back to. It's evolved and gone round and round but ultimately it's about Jesus. It's about His hand in our lives and how we can open our homes and make Him Lord, not succumbing to society's distractions. Staying clear with the plumb line of the Lord! : )

I thought I'd share with you a few little things that ministered to me this morning and things I found to be just plain helpful. *big smile*

I've been reading this book:


I can honestly say this is one of the most precious books I've read in a long, long time...I've read excerpts outloud to my family and almost go into tears each time as the goodness of the Lord is shared by the author as she tells true to life stories of her home and especially... Mama.

If you've ever seen the wonderful old movie, "I Remember Mama" (1948) you know what I mean...but this book is all about the Lord and His faithfulness and goodness.

This excerpt was an especially touching one, the full story gets even better:

I needed shoes! I always needed shoes! Our bank account consisted of 'My God shall supply all your need." He did, but not my way!"

The coming of the missionary barrel was an annual event. Every outdated relic from the gay nineties seemed to find its way into that barrel: moth-eaten furs, threadbare silks and satins, and shoes of all sizes.

I ran! I had lived through enough missionary-barrel debuts! How Mama made dresses out of those costumes I never understood. She cut apart old coats and suits and sewed beautiful coats, lined with silk. She cut off buttons and salvaged trim, and saved them for the right project. Much of the cloth she saved for quilts. We had no shortage of quilts!

"Margaret," Papa called. "We have shoes!"

That was the last thing I wanted to hear. "I'm sure they don't fit." I kept running.

"Margaret!"

I stopped. And returned - to stare in horror at two pair of high button shoes. One pair was brown, and the other black...


...Mama sensed my distress. Tenderly she placed her arms around me and quietly, but firmly reminded me that we had prayed for shoes. God answered, not the way we think is best, but God heard and answered. Mama never allowed sympathy to obscure a deeper lesson.

Mama continued, "Pride is a terrible thing, Margaret. It is not so important what we put on our feet, but it is important where your feet go. Sometimes we have to put on hard things - like the shoes - so God can keep our feet on the right path. If you worry more about how you look than about what you are, you will have many lessons to learn. Someday you will look back and say that this was an important lesson to learn. Remember this, God always answers prayer, but not always your way. Wear your shoes with a thankful, humble heart. Shall I tell you the secret to happiness?

"Oh yes Mama."

As she gathered me in her arms and stroked my hair, she whispered softly, "A thankful heart, Margaret. A thankful heart."



Oh and the story even gets better....A little girl shows up at Sunday school with no shoes at all...just red wool socks....Perhaps I will write more excerpts next time. But trust me, as a self employed Realtor Broker's wife, (my husband receives only commission when a home sells), our bank account is the same as Mama's family. Many times I've had to make-do, adding this, or dying that... or perhaps literally counting coins to buy ballet shoes for my little ones.


There are many other excerpts that are so touching. This one is especially on my mind as well... The little brother falls on a fork and it plunges through his lip....

Mama held him in her lap, holding his lip in place with a cold cloth. We girls gathered around the rocking chair as she prayed, "This child belongs to God and Jesus never fails. Touch this mouth with Your healing power, Lord." Softly she crooned, "Savior like a Shepherd lead us, much we need Thy tender care," .....For hours she sat, with the lip clamped shut. She continued singing softly and praying, meeting another test. I followed instructions and cared for the children - and made the coffee for Mama.

By the time dawn came peeking through the windows, Gordon's lip was perfectly healed.


I haven't finished the book yet but so felt led to share these excerpts with you all, perhaps it is something special from the Lord for someone?


Well that's my little "Share and Tell" I hope it glorifies the Lord and gives you encouragement. I want to be just like Mama don't you?

Here are some other links that were very helpful to me this morning:

What to Clean if You Only Have 15 Minutes
This would be good for someone like me. : )

Fancy Inexpensive Dinner Breads
This is great, I haven't tried it but like the versatility and the fact you could have the groceries on hand when you need to round out a meal! Yay! : )

Set Apart Girl "Unhealthy Blogging"

This article on blogging was so helpful to me! I don't know about you but I've noticed so many blogs are becoming less and less Christ centered, blogs that used to be more Christ centered. It was glaring last Christmas especially. Some called Christmas present tags:" Holiday tags". Some ignored Christmas altogether. One blogger wrote they found it distasteful for Christians to talk of Christ and their beliefs at Christmas time? And the person claims to be a Christian? I don't understand what is going on or worse yet I think I do, but it does seem to be a temptation for some to turn blogging into just another rat race and popularity contest or maybe just a wee politically correct? I thought Christians stood for what they believed and cared for others, and I think we do if we are abiding in Christ. : ) I sometimes sense serious, seasoned, sweet Christians being dismissed at times and I think that is so sad. The article covers a full range of blog problems and pitfalls. Very good warnings.

I hope we can all be considerate bloggers not ashamed of Christ. : )

May we keep close eye on that plumb line of the Lord,

Love and blessings, ~Amelia

Purity and Dating

"Don't date anyone who doesn't love Jesus as much as you do." ~Josh and Anna Duggar

Josh and Anna Duggar on Purity and Dating. I hope you will find this helpful and encouraging. It's so great to see the Duggar family hold on to their convictions. My husband and I have four single daughters, ages 18 to 29 and sometimes we are a little disappointed when we see so many who have let go of godly convictions.

The Duggar Family has also endorsed Rick Santorum.

Hope you enjoy the video:

Josh and Anna Duggar from FBC Bentonville on Vimeo.

Have a sweet week, love, ~Amelia

So You Say You Aren't a Sensitive Person? 'Boys Town' (1938)

I've been under the weather and didn't take my meds yesterday thinking I was okay. Well, perhaps you know the outcome on that. Everyone say... Relapse. A doctor's visit may be forthcoming? We shall see but it's getting a bit depressing.

I lay on the couch talking to the Lord and then decided I would treat myself to a good ol' movie. I think the Lord enjoyed it too. : )

Boys Town (1938) A really nice site for the movie and the real Boys Town. Interesting quotes will be found here as well.

This is one of those movies you could take the good Lord to! And that's the only kind in our book. : )

The brief scene described below gets to me everytime as the movie opens, this synopsis is from tcm.com. To me? Words can't adequately describe this scene and it makes me emotional everytime I see it. You see...It seems there are always those who are ignored or shunned for various reasons no matter what the age; perceived class or status, liberal or conservative, specific religious doctrine, insecurities or shallowness of the shunners, blah, blah, blah etc. and so many times by cliquish groups or factions of people. I'm sure it breaks Christ's heart. I know it bothers my heart many times.

Some may say...Well I'm just not a sensitive person.

So you say you aren't a sensitive person? Maybe you should pray about that. Pray you would be a sensitive person.



As Dan Farrow prepares to go to the electric chair, he indicts society for its part in his crimes. As he tells Father Edward Flanagan, "If I had only had one friend at twelve, I wouldn't be here." Dan's words haunt Flanagan and when he returns to Omaha he decides that he will open a home for boys in trouble. With a small stake from kindhearted pawnbroker Dave Morris, Flanagan starts the home but constantly must sway people who think that his philosophy "there's no such thing as a bad boy" is naive.

Boys Town won 2 Oscars and another 3 nominations.

Watch it: 'Boys Town' (1938)

Boys Town is still in Operation today.


“Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” ~Galations 6:2


Article: Bearing One Another's Burdens Institute of Creation Research


That's all for now... Love to All, ~Amelia

Christianity Or Culture?

Source: lifenews.com via Amelia on Pinterest

Rick Santorum with Bella

“This child…can do nothing but love me.” Santorum observed, “That’s me with the (Heavenly) Father—I am so profoundly disabled in His eyes.”

~Rick Santorum

Source: swagbucks.com via Amelia on Pinterest

Albert Schweitzer:

"Ethics is nothing other than Reverence for Life. Reverence for Life affords me my fundamental principle of morality, namely, that good consists in maintaining, assisting and enhancing life, and to destroy, to harm or to hinder life is evil."

Albert Schweitzer was consistent in his beliefs and I appreciate that.

This sermon by Paris Reidhead is considered a classic and mentions Albert Schweitzer's consistency...The sermon is found at the top of the list of recommendations on Sermonindex.net:

Ten Shekels and a Shirt by Paris Reidhead


Praying for our nation, may we return back to the Lord as a Church and nation. Will we take our marching orders from the culture or the Lord? Has anyone else out there noticed and been troubled by the trend to worship the culture?

¹⁴If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

Take care now, Love, ~Amelia

Sweet Little Baby Born at 24 Weeks

Source: ow.ly via Amelia on Pinterest

Are You Driving Yourself and Your Family Whacko?

Photo by Robert Stock

I read this article this morning and I wanted to stand and applaud!
Are You Choosing a Dirty House?

This article is from the Living on a Dime newsletter and it's not what you think...

This article is much about perfectionism and grandiose identity and may I say pure-dee selfishness many women have, and I'm sure many men folk may have the same. Let's just call it for what it is: Pride. Yuck. Gross. Pride.

The poor kids in these families, and may I add the poor grandkids too?

One book that helped me years ago is: Don't Be a Slave to Housework.

It goes down to carpet color etc. There are things we can do or not do to make our load easier.

"There is a verse in the Bible that says 'Every wise woman builds her house, but the foolish one tears it down with her own hands.' (Proverbs 14:1) Measure everything you say and do by asking yourself this question: “Is it going to be for the good of my family and build it up or is it just the way I want things done even if it tears down my family?”

And I ask: Will this matter for Eternity???

For me in homeschooling, many days, most days I had to put my blinders on as I taught my little blessings. If my baby was sick that day or I was sick or one of my little girls started crying or I started crying?????? Close the books for the day! : )

I learned that if the very basic things were done, and I mean the basics which for our family meant needed clothes or towels washed, dried and in a basket and a hot supper for all we were in good shape!

To heck with the rest.

That's my take on things. I'm 51 years young - old ...Whichever way you would like to look at it, my baby is 18 and a senior this year and trust me, you won't regret a cobweb or two or not having matchie-matchie-poo-poo everything.

You WILL regret not spending enough time with your children or spending too much time being an idiot perfectionist. Yes, that's what I said...An IDIOT perfectionist.

Say NO to Idiot PERFECTIONSIM. Say NO to PRIDE! And that goes for perfectionism in homeschool curriculum too. Do what works for YOU and your precious CHILDREN. Do the core (stop comparing with others) and venture out on what you want, those talents, stop detailing your family to death! And let's not forget the beginning of wisdom, a healthy fear of the Lord. : )

His yoke is easy and His burden is light.

Amen.

For an Audience of One.... That's me, Amelia... Love to All! And that's the truth. I love the Lord and people enough to tell the truth on things.

Roe Vs. Wade, What Has Become of Us?

Once again, I am re-posting this article I wrote for a dear friend's magazine in 2010. I once again present to you:
Roe Vs. Wade, What Has Become of Us?
Photo by Robert Stock
(This article I have written here was recently published in an online publication, I was going to post in increments but decided to post it in entirety and simplify a bit.)



The year? 1967.


There she was, my first grade teacher, Mrs. Fischer. The typical 60s flip hair-do, orange dress with white polka-dots, matching shoes, a sunshine face was Mrs. Fischer. It was spelling test day and we first graders were attentively listening to each word as the sun streamed into the bright classroom, you could hear a pin drop.



The spelling word at that moment? "Baby".


She said the word, baby with a smile so radiant as she placed her hands upon her stomach, discreetly yes, but yet to me? A most sensitive and perceptive little first grade girl? I knew exactly what was up. Mrs. Fischer was going to have a baby. Yes! I just bet she's having a baby! Sure enough, the end of our first grade school year was ended rather tumultuously with one substitute teacher after another and I was never to see Mrs. Fischer again...she was home with her baby. She chose the best thing, to stay home with her baby. Even though it was hard for me as a little girl and I missed Mrs. Fischer greatly, I knew she was doing the right thing, enjoying motherhood and saying phooey with the rest.



The moral climate of those years were changing; just the year before, we Kindergartners all said our prayers with little bowed heads over saltine crackers and orange juice for snack time.



"God is great, God is good, thank you for our daily food. Amen."


I remember the children, us little girls in our sweet cotton dresses, I remember the little boys in their cotton button up shirts tucked in trousers with leather lace up shoes, hair parted on the side neatly. No matter what economic class we were from, we were neatly, modestly and sweetly dressed.



As that first grade year progressed, it was noticeable to me that the prayers over our food had mysteriously vanished. Time was changing and things seemed to be darkening to this little girl, I could feel it in my bones and most sadly in my innocent heart.



I remember sitting in front of my grandparents' home they ran their fishing business from, sitting upon the steps on a large, vast pier as the sailboats and shrimpboats would come in on the sparkling bay for the evening, In my little girl solitude, I would hear clanging at the shipyard not far away. My Italian grandma enjoyed reading and she usually had some Life and McCall's magazine around....Finding those Betsy McCall paper dolls in the McCall's magazine was a huge treat, kind of like finding a really good treasure in the bottom of a Cracker Jacks box....Every now and then I'd look over her Life magazines as I'd sip on my soda and quietly munch chips as my bare feet felt the texture of those wooden steps...There in those magazines I would see in living color the culture changing for the worst, the waif-look model, Twiggy, presented as the norm for body types, the brash fashions with go-go boots and fishnet stockings, me thinking my legs didn't look much like Twiggy's and where was Shirley Temple? Stories about members of that band called the Beatles...and I knew. I knew. I knew in my little girl's heart that things were going down fast and a darkness was coming over our country, and what was worse, this great country, America the Beautiful was letting the darkness pour in. This country of ours who had lent it's hand to my Italian and German immigrant grandparents who were now proud American citizens, my father and my uncle and great uncles who proudly served this country and made something of themselves. But Joltin' Joe had left and gone away, it was most apparent to me back then.


Years would go by and in the liturgical church our family attended I was surprised to see the new priest walking down the hall with a Hawaiian shirt on one Wednesday afternoon as I attended a catechism class...He was so different than the sweet priest who braided my long hair just the year before in his white collar whose resemblance and mannerisms were something of a Bing Crosby to me. Sadly, The Bing Crosby priest had left and gone away too. Now we had the mod guy with the long hair and the Hawaiian shirt. The same mod guy who had our church sing "Imagine" by John Lennon in a Sunday service. The song that starts with... Imagine there is no Heaven.


The years were eking by, man's knowledge was ignorantly being placed over any knowledge of the Lord in this new modern era this country seemed so proud of. The tower of Babel was once again being built it seemed.



The year. 1973.


Man had been on the moon, and I was sitting in classes with those very astronaut's kids, some of them later becoming friends of mine. Nixon was becoming president and our junior high looked like the gates of hell had been turned loose in it. Long gone were the sweet dresses and little boys with lace up shoes and neat hair. In place of it all were mostly hip-hugging jeans, guys with brushes stuffed in their back pockets to brush their long hair with and some dating at the age of 12 and all that went with that. I had found a small group of sweet girls to be friends with, we would spend our time drawing people, horses, animals and the like in our quiet world away from the hellish life we were surrounded by.



That year, 1973. There was no teacher saying the word, baby with such sunshine smiles. No. That was the year the country decided it would start seeing the babies as "choices". It was the year of Roe verses Wade. It was the year they turned the baby, the innocent child into a choice.


But where was the baby's choice in the matter?


Life went on and the hellish atmosphere didn't stop much, in fact, it intensified into high school, heavy kissing in the halls, smoking was fine and allowed as long as it was outdoors, you could smell an occasional whiff of marijuana in the breeze as you walked outdoors to class. And now it wasn't just the students who were in the mire but many of the teachers too as they tried to impose liberal beliefs on us in what most would think was a model high school. For many, those who had no Christian training at home, the liberal agenda quickly stuck and entrapped. For few of us, we fought it like mad trying our best to hold on to what was right and good. We tried so hard to hang on to the beliefs we were brought up with as contraception was brazenly taught to us in mixed coed classes adding to the confusion. Joltin' Joe had left and gone away. Where was the real choice? Where was my choice to live a Godly moral life free and with honor as these liberal ideas were being forced? How many little unborn babies were murdered at the core of this new "freedom" - on the altar of "choice"?



Those who were supposed to be open minded, were they really open to the choice of the baby? Are they now really open to Christian principles and moral absolutes? Perhaps the lack of absolutes is really an absolute they say they don't believe in?
Let's think...

At the very least, if prostitution is illegal, and that involves a person's body shouldn't that help us to see abortion for what it is, that there is another body involved? A most innocent body? If a pregnant woman is murdered and it's considered double homicide, shouldn't that help us to see what is transpiring here and the wickedness and cruel torture involved in these barbaric acts? As suspecting tests are administered as to the unborn baby's health, do we to play God and say who is worthy to live and who is not? Heaven forbid!

Where was the outcry then and now? Perhaps part of it was the fact some of us then were so embarrassed by what was going on we didn't tell our parents what was transpiring in the schools. Perhaps we noticed our parents on the passive side when Roe vs. Wade transpired and people seemed more interested in Watergate than living babies. Perhaps we were becoming some pretty mixed up kids. Who wouldn't be? Some of us were desperately trying to hold that rope while double standards were at play. Our relatives coming back from college never the same with lost convictions. Our teachers who we were taught to respect, shoving liberal ideas contrary to the Bible down at us.





What happened to me? By the time I graduated high school, of course I had been marred in various ways by it all, we can't place our kids in Alaska and expect to grow a palm tree. Please don't be deceived on that, be careful where you place your children and under whose authority whether it be the school or the church, be careful of the companionship that surrounds your children no matter what the age. I don't think the Bible is kidding when it reads, He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. Proverbs 13:20. Homeschooling is a wonderful option by the way, we've homeschooled for over 20 years and it has been a huge blessing to us.

A year or so after high school I was to meet my husband to-be at an Italian wedding, he had recently dedicated his life to the Lord. We've been married for almost 32 years now, serving the Lord together. We've been blessed with four lovely daughters.




The year. 2011.

What happened to "Jane Roe"? Her real name, Norma McCorvey; a Christian now, she is a vocal anti-abortion advocate. She never had the abortion fought for in Roe vs. Wade giving birth to a baby girl, giving the baby life choosing adoption.
She said:
"I think abortion is wrong. I think what I did with Roe vs. Wade was wrong, and I just have to take a pro-life position on [abortion]" ("World News Tonight," 8/10/95).

McCorvey was . . . haunted by simple things like empty swings in a playground. "They were swinging back and forth but they were all empty. And I just totally lost it, and I thought 'Oh my God. The swings are empty because there's no children, because they've all been aborted'" ("World News Tonight," 8/10/95).

~ "Jane Roe" Norma McCorvey





One thing I knew when I turned my life completely to Christ and started understanding scripture more; and that is that I wanted to be serious about my walk with Christ. God forbid that my children would see passivity or compromise in me, when it came to a loving Christian walk or when it came to our stand for the babies. The babies who have no choice.

Our kids know, I hope they know and see what is important by our actions by what we do. Do we stand for what is right? Or do we play it safe and not rock the boat forgetting that what we do for the least of these we have done it unto Him? Do we put them in the same environment some of us were placed in? ...God forbid.



What can we do? Be educated on the facts. When allowing a doctor or any medical professional whether it be a midwife, surgeon or nutritionist to attend to your needs ask them where they stand on abortion. This will reflect on their ethics in how they will treat you. It amazes me, the people who say they believe in what they call choice (the prodeath agenda), but fail to think about the end result of it when carried through. What they may perceive as inconvenience will affect them in old age. Just look at the people who were passive about the healthcare bill, ignoring the abortion portion of it but then suddenly when they noticed euthanasia in the bill, they became most concerned.


Prayerfully participate in the life marches. Vote prolife! Support prolife candidates! That is the very least we can do. Take that stand. There are simple things you can do such as display a life bandor wear a precious feet pin, committing to pray over the lives of these little unborn babies. If you are a stay at home mom, be the best stay at home mom and wife you can be. Put your all into your home and make that home a peaceful place where the Lord dwells, make your home a peaceful sanctuary and refuge. Give your children the real deal, not synthetic Christianity...If you give them the real deal they will recognize the counterfeit easily. As a stay at home mom you can also write letters, and have your children write letters on behalf of the unborn to the proper officials. Pray together daily as a family for the unborn that the scourge of abortion would end.

There are many prolife pregnancy centers that would greatly value your time depending on your season of life, there are many in need of counselors, people to organize their maternity and baby clothes rooms, just do simple cleaning. Most clinics will appreciate gently used maternity clothes or baby items. Perhaps monetary gifts to keep those clinics running with supplies etc. And remember, many lobbyists are fighting the fight, many organizations fund these lobbyists working hard for the rights of our unborn.



Commit to living a godly life. Shine light to others, don't marginalize the Christian walk with compromise allowing darkness in. Let's be found blameless as we stand for the unborn.
That way you will be able to determine what is best and be pure and blameless until the day of Christ. ~Philippians 1:10



As I trod this highway of life, our entire family has participated in prayerful pickets, counseling and general support of our unborn babies. Our daughters are active in prolife activities as well. My oldest daughter at 29 (age updated) is a counselor at a prolife clinic as she also shares a message on abstinence and the gospel of Christ to those who come into the clinic. She is well qualified to do so, a living testimony at 29, she's single, saving her first kiss for the altar. Parents, expect much! Pray hard, do hard things for Christ! He is Faithful!



Please remember. It is a Child not a Choice. I believe little unborn babies should also have the choice of what to do with their bodies. One day as you grow older there may be others who take your choice away. Remember, your thinking now, your stand now for the unborn and all innocent life, may affect you when you grow older. It may affect you in less than ideal situations.... Just ask Terri Schiavo's family. See her timeline here.

If only wombs had windows and we could hear the silent screams of the babies. Some are worried about torture when abortion is the ultimate torture, and to an innocent baby! Oh please don't be as the church once was in Nazi Germany as the schools changed and indoctrinated the students and most said nothing. Please don't be like the churches then as the boxcars with innocent Jewish grandparents, parents and children were on the way to the death camps screaming desperately for help, and the churches sang their hymns all the louder to cover what they perceived as uncomfortable noise. Please hear the screams of the unborn with your heart!



If you have been deceived and have been affected by this atrocity and holocaust this country calls choice, please know God will forgive a repentant heart and He is there arms open wide. He can make beauty out of ashes.


One day your little grandchildren or great grandchildren may ask:



"Where were you when they were killing the babies? Did you try to stop it?"


What will we say about the year 2012?


What will you say on judgement day as the Lord asks you what did you do to the least of these?


Hear are some facts and helpful links about the unborn:

Partial Birth Abortion

Diary of an Unborn Baby starting at Day 1.

National Right to Life (a wealth of information)

Who is Funding Abortion? Let's be aware of who we are giving God's money to.

Precious Feet

Do Precious Feet Save Lives? (very interesting testimonies)

Get the pin

Get a life band



Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say, "But we knew nothing about this," does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay each person according to what he has done?
~Proverbs 24:11-12



Truly I say to you, In as much as you have done it to one of the least of these my brothers, you have done it to me. ~Matthew 25:40b

You knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully
made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. ~Psalm 139

...................

This week of 1.2012. may we also remember the words of President Ronald Reagan:

"I've noticed that everybody that is for abortion has already been born."

Pray for our nation, please in the name of Jesus, vote prolife! Isn't that what should be of the utmost importance in showing true Christian character? The proof will be in voting records. ( How could anyone be trusted to run our country and be blessed by God if they do not even stand behind these little ones!

Black and White. How can we not be black and white on this issue?

Love to All, ~Amelia