There is something else that I want to add, quickly, to my previous blog post. I'm not saying that Israel shouldn't have a right to exist. That is truly not the case at all. The Israelis claim the land as their forefather's and cling to something that they view as rightfully and generationally theirs. The Palestinians cling to hate and refuse to forgive their displacement and work towards peace. It's a 50/50 problem with a 50/50 solution... it's going to take 100% from both sides.
And I truly believe that there will be no peace in the Middle East until the Lord returns. He Is the answer.
What I'm questioning is my country's involvement in all this. Is it necessary? Or are we just adding to an ever-escalating problem?
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Yes, I Read Al Jazeera
**Author's Note: This may not be a very "PC" blog post. Brace yourself. And no mean comments please.**
I'm really quite torn by the up and coming Presidential elections. Between Obama and McCain, I'd probably vote for my neighbor downstairs. She makes really good smelling dinner every night and has impeccable decorting taste. :)
I don't utterly despise either of these men. I think I stand with loads of other Americans who are left scratching their heads wondering who to vote for since there isn't a single candidate that fits exactly into where they are.
But enough of that. Recently I read a headline on Al Jazeera that made me do just that: scratch my head and wonder.
"Obama Pledges Support For Israel"
"Obama also described the US bond with Israel as "unbreakable today, unbreakable tomorrow, unbreakable for ever" and said he spoke as a "true friend" of Israel.
"Jerusalem will remain the capital of Israel and it must remain undivided," the Illinois senator said.
So what's the problem Emily? America is known for supporting Israel (Occupied Palestine... what?) Here's the Arab rebuttle:
"Hamas, however, reacted angrily, with Saeb Erekat, the senior Palestinian negotiator, telling Al Jazeera that Obama 'was giving ammunition to extremists across the region.'"
"'He runs on the slate of change, but he closes all doors for peace by saying Jerusalem should be the united capital of Israel.'"
On Senator Obama's campaign website he is very vocal about the fact that he found the war in Iraq to be "rash," a sentiment that I agree with. However, here's a direct quote from his platform on Iraq:
"I worried about, ‘an occupation of undetermined length, with undetermined costs, and undetermined consequences.’ The full accounting of those costs and consequences will only be known to history. But the picture is beginning to come into focus.'"
"An occupation of undetermined length, with undetermined costs, and undetermined consequences?" That's funny... I'd venture to say that's also on the hearts and minds of every displaced Palestinian in a refugee camp right now.
I grew up on the Israel side of the debate. I fell in love with the Arab side of the debate. It's heart against roots right now people, and I don't know what to think.
So if I could ask Senator Obama and many Christians who believe that we should let Israel get away with anything they want for fear of lightning bolts from the sky, here's what it would be:
"What would happen if America didn't give Israel its validation?"
OK! I promise, last political blog for a while...
I'm really quite torn by the up and coming Presidential elections. Between Obama and McCain, I'd probably vote for my neighbor downstairs. She makes really good smelling dinner every night and has impeccable decorting taste. :)
I don't utterly despise either of these men. I think I stand with loads of other Americans who are left scratching their heads wondering who to vote for since there isn't a single candidate that fits exactly into where they are.
But enough of that. Recently I read a headline on Al Jazeera that made me do just that: scratch my head and wonder.
"Obama Pledges Support For Israel"
"Obama also described the US bond with Israel as "unbreakable today, unbreakable tomorrow, unbreakable for ever" and said he spoke as a "true friend" of Israel.
"Jerusalem will remain the capital of Israel and it must remain undivided," the Illinois senator said.
So what's the problem Emily? America is known for supporting Israel (Occupied Palestine... what?) Here's the Arab rebuttle:
"Hamas, however, reacted angrily, with Saeb Erekat, the senior Palestinian negotiator, telling Al Jazeera that Obama 'was giving ammunition to extremists across the region.'"
"'He runs on the slate of change, but he closes all doors for peace by saying Jerusalem should be the united capital of Israel.'"
On Senator Obama's campaign website he is very vocal about the fact that he found the war in Iraq to be "rash," a sentiment that I agree with. However, here's a direct quote from his platform on Iraq:
"I worried about, ‘an occupation of undetermined length, with undetermined costs, and undetermined consequences.’ The full accounting of those costs and consequences will only be known to history. But the picture is beginning to come into focus.'"
"An occupation of undetermined length, with undetermined costs, and undetermined consequences?" That's funny... I'd venture to say that's also on the hearts and minds of every displaced Palestinian in a refugee camp right now.
I grew up on the Israel side of the debate. I fell in love with the Arab side of the debate. It's heart against roots right now people, and I don't know what to think.
So if I could ask Senator Obama and many Christians who believe that we should let Israel get away with anything they want for fear of lightning bolts from the sky, here's what it would be:
"What would happen if America didn't give Israel its validation?"
OK! I promise, last political blog for a while...
The C Word
Today I was called the dreaded "C" word.
Conservative.
Note this: I'm not claiming that I am on the other hand "liberal." Quite frankly, I despise both labels, but for the sake of the story, and because these two labels are household expressions, I am reduced to using them.
I was recently in a conversation with some friends, one a believer and one not. The believer was asking me questions about my newlywed sex life. (Which, may I just interject here a resounding, "None ya business!") Apparently my answers were disappointing to this friend. That's when my non-believing friend piped in: "Well ___________ (insert name here), you have to remember Emily is a lot more conservative than you!"
I make the distinction between "believer" and "non-believer" only to point out that my defintion of conservative and my non-believing friends' definition of conservative are two very, very different things.
Needless to say I took this to heart. By "conservative" my friend was implying that I am a square (even as a married woman, set free to be able to sex up my husband any time that I'd like!) :)
Uncomfortable yet?
However, I find myself to be quite the opposite. The following are some reasons why people within the Christian community may find me (and my husband and my entire church for that matter) more on the liberal side:
Conservative.
Note this: I'm not claiming that I am on the other hand "liberal." Quite frankly, I despise both labels, but for the sake of the story, and because these two labels are household expressions, I am reduced to using them.
I was recently in a conversation with some friends, one a believer and one not. The believer was asking me questions about my newlywed sex life. (Which, may I just interject here a resounding, "None ya business!") Apparently my answers were disappointing to this friend. That's when my non-believing friend piped in: "Well ___________ (insert name here), you have to remember Emily is a lot more conservative than you!"
I make the distinction between "believer" and "non-believer" only to point out that my defintion of conservative and my non-believing friends' definition of conservative are two very, very different things.
Needless to say I took this to heart. By "conservative" my friend was implying that I am a square (even as a married woman, set free to be able to sex up my husband any time that I'd like!) :)
Uncomfortable yet?
However, I find myself to be quite the opposite. The following are some reasons why people within the Christian community may find me (and my husband and my entire church for that matter) more on the liberal side:
- I take seriously the Gospels. When I see Jesus doing miracles and then commissioning his friends to go out and heal the sick, cast out demons, and raise the dead (Matthew 10:1-42 is one of my favorite stories ever) I really and truly believe that this applies to me. In this day. 2008.
- Two words: liberty and moderation (Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial.)
- Sometimes, sleeping in on a Sunday and spending some solid alone time in the Word is ok.
- I have worship moves... dance moves... and they're good too. :) (OK, that one is just a little on the silly side... but I've been told I do!)
- I believe that not all Republicans are Christians and not all Democrats are inherently evil.
- It's ok to never attain a two story house, three kids, and an SUV. In fact...
- It's ok to want your children to grow up in another country, being surrounded by new experiences and learning to love people with skin color that looks different from theirs.
- Electric drum sets never, ever sound good in a "contemporary" worship service. Never.
Call me a rebel. Call me conservative. Call me a believer in the man of Jesus Christ and the revolution that he brought with his dwelling on earth. Not a revolution of power and arms, but of a mindset that is always counter to the culture in which you find yourself.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
It's Getting Closer...
Remeber all those posts and comments that I've made about how awesome my wedding photographer is? Well, here's a little sneak peak:
The entire shoot is finished being edited and is ready to be sent... so there should be more popping up soon!
Brenda: you rock! Dusty and I had such a fun time taking pictures with you and getting to chat and run around Campbellsville. Thanks for being so patient with my dress + mud paranoia and for sharing parts of your amazing life with us. The Lord has given you such an incredible talent. Thanks for being so willing to let him use it! I'm so blessed to know you on a personal level, and not just professionally!
Cheers!
Monday, June 2, 2008
New 'Do
Here's my new haircut. Becaus I live in Campbellsville, this endeavor took me three hours. But nonetheless, I emerged with seven inches cut off! There's much more playing with it ahead of me, you know, to work out all the kinks, but I'm more than happy with the results! SO LONG my long 'do! You served my purposes well... but I'm so glad that you're gone!
Dear Studio 434
Dear Studio 434,
Today my friend and I had appointments with a certain one of your stylists. Our appointments were for 5:00 and 5:30. We were so excited, not only for a new 'do, but because we had heard from several sources that this particular stylist was "the best" in Campbellsville.
We arrived on time and the stylist was not there. No biggie, we're laid back. We proceeded to wait 15 more minutes, until we heard the only stylist in the shop tell another customer that the particular stylist with whom our appointments were made was not going to be there. Notice this: we were never told about this before the appointment, and we were never directly told when we got there.
So I spoke up. "Um, excuse me, but we had appointments with ____________ (insert name here) for 5 and 5:30. Are we going to be able to get our hair done?"
And how did you respond Studio 434? "Well, __________ isn't going to be here, so she told me that I should handle you two."
Excuse me? If I had wanted to make an appointment with you, ma'am, I would have requested you. As it is, I wanted __________. Not you. ___________.
If this is how you plan to run your business that's your prerogative. (For all you Campbellsville educated people, that means you can run your silly shop however you'd like.) I, however, am tired of being treated like dirt whenever I try to get some service around here.
Today my friend and I had appointments with a certain one of your stylists. Our appointments were for 5:00 and 5:30. We were so excited, not only for a new 'do, but because we had heard from several sources that this particular stylist was "the best" in Campbellsville.
We arrived on time and the stylist was not there. No biggie, we're laid back. We proceeded to wait 15 more minutes, until we heard the only stylist in the shop tell another customer that the particular stylist with whom our appointments were made was not going to be there. Notice this: we were never told about this before the appointment, and we were never directly told when we got there.
So I spoke up. "Um, excuse me, but we had appointments with ____________ (insert name here) for 5 and 5:30. Are we going to be able to get our hair done?"
And how did you respond Studio 434? "Well, __________ isn't going to be here, so she told me that I should handle you two."
Excuse me? If I had wanted to make an appointment with you, ma'am, I would have requested you. As it is, I wanted __________. Not you. ___________.
If this is how you plan to run your business that's your prerogative. (For all you Campbellsville educated people, that means you can run your silly shop however you'd like.) I, however, am tired of being treated like dirt whenever I try to get some service around here.
- To Fantastic Sam's: "Do not tell me that my wait will only be 30 minutes when there are five people in front of me. If I've reduced myself to going to Fantastic Sam's, I'm not going to back out. You should have just told me that I would have to wait for an hour and a half!"
- To Baskin Robins: "Would it be so hard for you to take out the trash, give some direction to the lines, and clean the tables? I know you're new, but I was disgusted by how I was treated."
- To Forcht Bank: "Would it kill you to be nice when I come through the drive-through? Did I do something wrong by asking to open a savings account today? I know, I know... the customer is such an inconvenience."
To Studio 434: Two words: Not Impressed. (And trust me, I'm being nice.)
With that said, yes, I did get my haircut today. And guess what Studio 434: I got a haircut that I'm more than pleased with for $13. I will never, ever be tempted to go to your shop again. Thank you for making this decision for me with your unprofessional, unbusinesslike, small town mentality. It is much appreciated.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
It's Coming! Are You Ready?
Just got an email from my rockin' wedding photographer and she says that we should have our wedding pictures by the end of the week! Whoop!
Until then, here's one of my personal faves, taken by my good friend Andrea Burnett.
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