In Which I Out Myself, Politically Speaking

I was hanging out on Facebook tonight, as I do a lot these days, when I saw a Facebook post from my next door neighbor. She told a story about her daughter asking a political question on the difference between Democrats and Republicans. I appreciated her answer; even though she identifies with one party in particular, she tried very hard to be objective in her explanation. She compared Democrats to Robin Hood and Republicans to Willy Wonka. Although obviously she had to simplify the finer points of politics for her young daughter, I thought it was an interesting analogy, especially considering how much I love both literary characters. Then there was a comment from one of my neighbor's Facebook friends, whom I have never met:

The problem with the analogy is that Robin Hood thought he was helping the poor. Democrats know their policies keep people poor and dependent on government.
I taught my five year old that Democrats are Communists that are trying to steal our house, and they want to destroy America. More simply, I said Democrats are bad guys and Republicans are good guys.

 I choked. As I said before, this man does not know me. Yet here he is, painting me and every person who disagrees with him politically in a negative light to his young daughter. Yes, that's right. I vote Democrat, pretty much every time. For some reason, during the time that I worked in a church setting I was afraid to talk about politics, afraid that someone was going to argue with me or stop liking me. It was juvenile, but obviously it's a valid concern, judging by the above comment.

Let's assume that this man is a Christian. I think it's a pretty good assumption considering that he is a Republican in Alabama. If that man's little girl ever happens to come to a church where I am teaching Sunday School, or takes a mission trip to some organization that I will hopefully be working for some day, she will probably like me. I like to laugh and have fun, I am encouraging, and I care about people. I also love Jesus with my whole heart. Say we start talking. I mention something like the fact that I visited Washington DC for President Obama's inauguration and had an amazing time, or that my husband is a minister. She will probably start to feel uncomfortable and confused. After all, hasn't her daddy always told her that Democrats are bad guys? Does this lady who cares so much about the mission of Jesus Christ really want to steal her house from her? Hopefully, she will have enough common sense and compassion to realize that I do not want to destroy America, I just want to help Americans in any way that I can. If that means voting Democrat, well then, I'll just do that.

I really wanted to post a scathing response to this man's comment. Something about punching his face. But when the red haze in my eyes subsided, I decided to do something else.
I prayed for him.
I prayed that someone he meets will show him that not all Democrats are bad and out to destroy America.
I prayed that he would have a better day than he apparently had today.
I prayed blessings on his family.

I may post this as a response on Facebook, or I may not. Whatever I do, I hope that anyone who reads this thinks about the effect their words have, and about how to build respect and community in our lives instead of tearing it down.

Now I'm off to cheer for President Obama. May God bless you today and always.

Fun Vacay Pics!

Here is a photo book from our vacation in North Carolina. We had a great time, and there was a VERY HUGE surprise at the end!

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Turn your favorite photos into a photo book at Shutterfly.com.

Beautiful boy face

via Instagram http://instagr.am/p/KlR6k4DWsB/

Top Eleven of 2011!

My friends and I are sitting in our apartment watching the AU-VA Chick-fil-A bowl, and we decided to make a "Top 11 for 2011" list to commemorate our year. Despite my difficulties remembering what happened this year, and even what year it is, I managed to think of 11+ events that made 2011 one of the best years ever. I don't think I've had such an eventful year since... probably 2008. Here's my list, complete with honorable mentions.

11. Auburn wins National Championship in the middle of a snowstorm in Alabama.

10. Meeting new friends when I started leading the College and Career (CClife) group at Aldersgate.

9. Preached my first sermons at Hartselle FUMC and Aldersgate

8. Washington, DC trip with Bridget, which is a symbol for an entire several-month period at the beginning of the year in which I applied for, was accepted to, and decided not to attend several seminaries. I have yet to regret that choice.

7. Summer job at Trinity UMC's Intersect Huntsville program. I discovered a love of local missions.

6. I got a new car! I have had so many good times with my old Mitsubishi, Mitzi. I've had her since 2004, but she was getting old. In the last week of this year I bought a 2008 Nissan Versa, named Vera. She is my first major purchase as an adult, and I'm proud of her!

5. My wonderful friends threw me a surprise party for my 26th birthday! We wore togas and said "opa!"

4. A whole Summer of Adventures that I'll never forget!

3. Moved to a new apartment, Vintage 310, with two of my best friends, Bridget and Katelyn. We have lots of fun, including baking, parties, and pillow fights.

2. My career has taken a turn for the awesome. I am finally in full-time ministry, and I got to participate in the start of a new outreach ministry, Aldersgate on the Parkway. It takes up tons of my time, but the opportunity to have a new adventure for God is so exciting!

1. Joshua David Allison convinced me that we are perfect for each other. I will alway be grateful for his persistence.

Honorable Mentions:
My little brother Daniel graduated from Auburn! I'm so proud.
I went red with my hair, and I love it!
Nail polish became an obsession
Pinterest took over my free time
Game Nights with great friends
Beach Trips with friends and family
Meeting the Allison family and falling in love with every one of them
Riding in a hot air balloon!
Civil War reenactment, State fair, Mooresville, historic Huntsville, all in one day
New Year and Auburn celebrations with great friends
Watching the state of Alabama band together for tornado relief
Seeing Gungor twice!
Loving HIMYM and TBBT
Cooking at our apartment
Living with my good friends the Sneads
Getting a Macbook for work. I will never be the same.
Spending lots of time at Bridge Street with various awesome friends
Trips to Sumatanga to see Chrysalis and camp friends
Spending Spring Break serving at Urban Ministry
WC Handy fest in Florence
Iron Bowl 2011 with Joshua and Paul
Homecoming in Auburn
Visiting family, especially the little ones!
Being liturgist at the Christmas Eve service at Hartselle
Losing my best friend for a summer as she served Jesus at an orphanage in Romania. But I got her back.
Spending time with Jesus in new ways

Here's to an even more awesome 2012! Happy New Year!

Borrowed Bibles

I don't always understand people, even (especially) Christians. My collar is not as hot as it was earlier tonight, but the questions persist. Sometimes I want to borrow other people's Bibles, just to see if they're reading the same book as I am.


I mean, I know that we all get stuck in our ways but-
How can I hear Jesus say "go and make disciples of all the nations," but then I hear some people say "We don't need any more people in this church?"


I know that there are different ways to interpret scripture, but-
How do I read "love your neighbor as yourself" and some people read "let's make it impossible for an entire group of people to succeed so they'll go back to where they came from?"


I know that there is a separation between church and state, but-
How do I read Matthew 5, the part where Jesus tears down the "eye for an eye" rule in favor of peace, forgiveness and generosity, and some people read "how about we let our government kill people as punishment?"

I know that there's more to life than money, but-

How do I quote "whatever you do to the least of these, you do to Me," and others quote "God helps those who help themselves" (which is not even in the Bible, btw)?

I know that the mob mentality is a powerful force, but- 

How do I read about God perfectly forming each of us in the womb, and some people hate anyone who is different from their perception of what is right, accepted, and normal?

Usually empathy is one of my strengths, and I can at least get a glimpse of another point of view. Tonight I'm just not feeling it. Come talk to me tomorrow, and we'll take a look at that wonderful book together.

scripture references: Matthew 28:16-20, Matthew 22:36-40, Matthew 5:38-42, Matthew 25:31-46, Psalm 139:13-17. Can you tell I love Matthew's gospel?

WOW, What a Summer!

I don't know if this is really going to work, but it's worth a shot.

Click here to view this photo book larger

30 Before 30 List - #1 Ride in a Hot Air Balloon

The #1 item on my "30 Things to do before I turn 30" list is ride in a hot air balloon. 

Well, guess what? 

CHECK!! 

When I saw two of my Facebook friends post pictures of hot air balloons last night, I knew that this was my chance! I gathered a group of friends, and today we set off for an adventure! It was the Alabama Jubilee and Hot Air Balloon Festival in Decatur, and we got there mid-afternoon. We bought giant snow-cones and walked around for a little bit. It was so hot I thought my feet were getting sunburned just from the reflection off of the asphalt!

The balloons were taking forever to show up, so some of our friends had to leave without even seeing them. Alisha and I said goodbye to Leah Kathryn, Jonathan and Brittny and continued to enjoy the people-watching paradise that is an Alabama festival. Finally the balloons were inflated and we walked around marveling at the bright colors. 

As we strolled, we ran into someone that I knew, if only from old reruns I have watched at my grandparents' house. It was Guy Penrod, my Granny Rachel's favorite singer from the Gaither Gospel Hour! He was playing on the Jubilee stage that night, and, after some prodding from Alisha, I finally asked if I could get a picture made with him. He was very nice, and when I called Granny to tell her, she actually squealed!

We got in line to go up for a ride in one of the balloons and met our balloon-mates, a little boy who was afraid of heights and his grandfather. They were very nice, and the boy did great once we got up in the air. It was a very long line, but we finally got to go up in the balloon right before dusk! I was so busy taking a picture of the inside of the balloon that I didn't even realize we had started rising! The balloons were beautiful as it got darker; the fire from the... mechanism... lit up the inside like a lantern. It was very peaceful, for the 60 seconds that we were in the air, then it was back to solid ground for us. What a fun adventure with my friend, and I get to check off one more thing on my list! 

Ok, maybe that kid wasn't doing so great with his fear of heights...