RED envelopes

Thanks Morgan!

The Story...

Below is a letter that has been circulating with a great idea. The message began in silent prayer from a faithful follower who was spending quiet time with God.

Dear Friends and Intercessors:

This afternoon I was praying about a number of things, and my mind began to wander. I was deeply distressed at the symbolic actions that President Obama took as he began his presidency. Namely, that he signed executive orders releasing funds to pay for abortions, permission to fund human stem cell research, and federal funding for contraception. I have been involved in the pro-life movement for nearly 20 years, and it pained my heart to see a man and a political party committed to the shedding of innocent blood. This man, and this party lead our country, but they do not represent me or the 54% of Americans who believe that abortion is wrong and should no longer be legal.

As I was praying, I believe that God gave me an interesting idea. Out in the garage I have a box of red envelopes. Like the powerful image of the red LIFE tape, an empty red envelope will send a message to Barack Obama that there is moral outrage in this country over this issue. It will be quiet, but clear.

Here is what I would like you to do:

Get a red envelope. You can buy them at Kinkos, or at party supply stores. On the front, address it to:

President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W.
Washington , D.C. 20500

On the back, write the following message.

This envelope represents one child who died in abortion. It is empty because that life was unable to offer anything to the world. Responsibility begins with conception.

Put it in the mail, and send it. Then send this website to every one of your friends who you think would send one too. I wish we could send 50 million red envelopes, one for every child who died before having a a chance to live. Maybe it will change the heart of the president!!

Lost Vegas

Mary Kate: Miss Dobie?

me: Yes, Mary Kate?

Mary Kate: Do they call Las Vegas "Las Vegas" because people get lost there?

Pink Slips

So our state is in a financial crisis, which means our schools are in a financial crisis. Every teacher in my district that has taught 1,2,3,4,5 or 6 years will be getting a pink slip. If you have at least 7 years...you are safe.

My school is a very difficult one to work at, and the majority of teachers often move to other schools once they have been in the district long enough, because in all reality, other schools are easier to be a teacher at.

In April there is going to be a hearing for all the teachers that will get pink slips with a lawyer from the union representing us.

Here's where it makes me laugh a bit. The hearing will be during the day, which means teachers must leave their classrooms and get a sub. We NEVER have enough subs in our district and there have been numerous times I have had to take another class because of not enough subs.

I was just at my staff meeting and looking around the room, out of about 40 staff members (or so) there are about 7 that are safe.

King is a rough school and can be not the safest place if administration and teachers are not in charge.

Teachers are REQUIRED to go to this hearing in April.

This means that on a K-8 campus there is going to be about 30 subs? Probably not, because this is probably the case, or similiar, at many other schools in my district.

Movie day district wide?

Rufus

Tonight Pastor Nate mentioned the name Rufus and referred it to the Rufus from the Bible for about 30 seconds, but any Rufus talk is always great. Rufus is the son of Simon, the man who carried the cross for Jesus. Some people say Rufus went onto become a missionary.

When I was in the UK I went to a church called Calvary Chapel Twickenham, and I was there for the second sunday in a row and asked God to really show me if that was where I was suppose to be. Low and Behold, Pastor Matt who was teaching talked a tiny bit about Rufus--but enough to know God has a sense of humor and was confirming me to be at the Twick--and man! I am so pleased that I was able to call that my place of worship.

Did you know Rufus means red? Pastor Tonye from Shoreline actually looked it up for me.

Did you know there is a little tiny no good no nothing town in Oregon called Rufus, where my love first began as I would make long treks back and forth from Walla Walla to CA and back.

Rufus is the name of my car and actually dream about getting __RUFUS__ on the license plate.

I also will consider Rufus as a name for my first male child.

(I am reading this and realize I do sound quite nutty. I probably am for loving Rufus that much.)

Go Rufus!

Happy Valentine's Day!

YesterdayI got a card from one of my students that says: To the woman in my life xoxo. It did give me a few laughs.

Valentine's Day is great if you have a significant other, but for those who are single like me, here are a few great reasons to celebrate Valentine's Day by yourself!

We can make spur of the moment plans, and when we do, we don't have to call home and check with anyone to make sure its okay.

We can read in bed as late as we want without the light bothering anyone.

We can talk aloud to God while we do the dishes and no one looks at us funny.

We can hog the covers, closet, ice cream and the remote.

We can buy floral sheets and no one will complain.

We're free to invest all kinds of time and money and energy in missions trips, church stuff, us stuff without having to ask someone else first.

We can go weeks in the winter months without shaving our legs.

We can go where we want on Vacationi.

All the hairs in tub drain are ours.

The toilet seat is always down.

We don't have to justify any purchases big or small to anyone but God.

We're free to have undivided devotion to the Lord. (1 Cor. 7:33)

Any others?

Ultrasound Bill

Found this online---its worth a read!

____________________________________

Lawmakers in 11 states are considering bills that would offer or require ultrasounds before a woman gets an abortion. The most stringent are proposed laws in Nebraska, Indiana and Texas, which would require a doctor show the ultrasound image of the fetus to the woman, despite legal challenges to a similar measure in Oklahoma.

A similar bill was proposed in Wyoming but it was defeated in a state House committee before reaching the floor.

"Many times, these are young mothers who are in vulnerable situations. And they are about to make a very grave choice." said Nebraska Sen. Tony Fulton of Lincoln, who introduced the ultrasound bill (LB675) there. "This is about informed consent."

Sixteen states already have laws related to abortion ultrasounds, some requiring they be performed and others requiring a woman be told where she can get a free ultrasound.

But Oklahoma's law, which is being challenged in court, is the only one that requires the image to be presented to the woman, even if she refuses to look at it. It also requires the doctor to describe the picture.

Indiana's proposal requires the mother to listen to the fetal heartbeat.

Oklahoma's law was supposed to go into effect Nov. 1, but a judge put it on hold after the Center for Reproductive Rights filed a lawsuit saying it intrudes on privacy, endangers health and assaults dignity.

"They really do not even veil their goal, which is to make a woman feel badly and to make her change her mind," said Celine Mizrahi, a lawyer for the New York-based center. "It really is a ridiculous position to put the doctor and patient in."

Most women who have decided to terminate a pregnancy have made the decision after considering facts and options, Mizrahi said. And the medical procedure, she said, is between a doctor and a patient.

Fulton, who said he opposes abortion, also introduced a less restrictive bill (LB676) in Nebraska. It requires the physician performing the abortion to tell a woman an ultrasound is available, but it doesn't require the ultrasound to be performed.

Sen. Heath Mello, a Democrat who said he opposes abortion, signed on as a co-sponsor, calling the measure a "positive first step to reducing the number of abortions in Nebraska."

"It seemed like a good compromise, without bringing in the constitutional issues seen in other states," he said.

A similar compromise was reached last year in South Carolina, after more than a year of debate over whether to require a woman to view the ultrasound.

The bill's sponsor settled for a law requiring that women be given the option of viewing an ultrasound at least one hour before getting an abortion.

This year, there's legislation in South Carolina to make the waiting period 24 hours.

But even these less restrictive ultrasound laws — which can "seem less scary to folks who are pro-choice" — are troublesome, Mizrahi said.

For instance, they may require a referral to a place that offers ultrasounds for free.

Most of those, Mizrahi said, are so-called "crisis pregnancy centers," run by anti-abortion groups and "set up specifically to discourage women from having abortions."

Fulton's not sure yet which of his two bills is the best option, but he said they have the same goal.

"We all want to see the number of abortions decrease," he said. "Let's give this information to a mother who's about to make a huge decision."

Lately

This week was a long one, and I am so very thankful that it's Saturday on a 3-day weekend! Thanks to a dead president, some can have an extra day to reflect and rest. woo!

So I did the Denny's thing this week where I met a new friend. Tuesday Evening I went to Monterey Live where Erika Soto was playing. She was sick and still put on a great concert. There was another band that sounded great when they were doing sound check, but unfortunately it was way to late to be up on a school night. I told them that they sounded great but I had to work in the morning.

Then one guy came over to where I was and told him that I would feel less guilty for leaving if I bought something from his merchandise table. Nope. No Guilt.

This picture is kind of blurry...oops.


On Wednesday at school I had some difficulties with some of my students. One tried to bite me. This time he was not as successful as last time. I'm getting quicker. =) The student first threw a chair and climbed under some desks. I had to take a picture, because that's what good photographers do, take photos of things people wouldn't believe, but also to show the parent later on that their child really isn't as good as they think their little angel is.

He was yelling, "YOU can't see my face" as if to say, I've really outsmarted my teacher now...my mom will never be able to recognize me now.

So anyway, it doesn't have his face, so its legal to post it online I guess?



There's another little girl who just drives me nuts, but also has become very dear to my heart. She is a big trouble maker but full of laughs everyday.

On Wednesday afternoon after dealing with almost getting bit, I walked into my classroom where a few students were in for detention and this little girl was leading the kids in trouble in a little made-up prayer about ghosts and stuff and then taught the kids the sign of the cross from the Catholic church.

She is a clever one...actually getting the other students to buy into it, even though she was making it up on the spot. I wish you could have seen her smirk of pride.

Last night my mom came over for some Wii and dinner and then I went out to Alvarado in downtown Monterey for some street witnessing. I had three awesome conversations with random people and Jesus.

We use to the good person test (Take it Here-Are you a Good Person?) I stumbled over the words, but still had meaningful conversations. And even though it rained, it still was a great night!

David

Yesterday morning Denny's was giving away free Grand Slams, so Sara and I woke up at the buttcrack of dawn to hang out with eachother and get some grub before work. I looked it up after I got to work and it was a whopping 800 calories with 50 grams of fat. Sick.

Sara and I drove in our own cars so we could leave straightaway to work after. I parked, walked quickly to put our name down because thousands of people were also taking advantage of FREE.

As I was waiting to put our name down there was this cute old man in front of me, and he wrote his name on the sheet but then asked what to put in the column with a number. I told him to write how many people were with him. He wrote "1" so I feel a little sad for him. Was he homeless? Was he without money? My first thought wast to invite him to eat with us.

So I signed in for two, and then sat down next to the old man. He was cute. I guess I have a thing for older men. ha. He had a British accent and was full of stories that kept me laughing the entire time. He knew where Walla Walla is as he has family in Pasco. He has a british/texas girlfriend he met at the senior center.

Someone once told me that I never have met a stranger. I kinda like that idea.

Friends

Last night I went out with a friend I've known for some time, but haven't seen in ages. But despite the fact that I hadn't seen her in awhile, we were able to pick up exactly where we left off!

I went to college with Julie. (I feel like I am too young to say, "I went to college with her.") She is now married with a cute 14 month old baby. She was back into town for a baby shower without her husband, so we went to a cute place for dinner and then just went to the house where she was crashing and enjoyed each other's company until late.

It was sweet.