Another Planned Parenthood Exposed

Live Action is at it again. They have just released a video from their new project "The Rosa Acuna Project" in which they expose further unethical practices behind the closed doors of Planned Parenthood.

This time the investigation takes place an an abortion clinic in Appleton, Wisconsin. In this investigation, Live Action exposes the Planned Parenthood staff *actually* lying to the young woman 'considering abortion' and also hiding the truth from her.

Check it out HERE.

The Sanctity of Marriage

In yet another attempt at procrastination from my course work over here in Dublin, I am posting.

In Ireland there is a bill that is quickly being pushed through Parliament and the Seanad (Senate) legalizing gay marriage here. I have entered into many debates with fellow classmates, friends, and other random acquaintances. I have been thinking alot about what the ultimate point behind these debates are and what the outcome will be here, which is something I also deliberated over in the States.

I just watched this CLIP Senator Diane Savino speaking in New York. While I disagree with her greatly on many of her points, she did bring up something that got me thinking.

What is love? What is marriage? And what have we made marriage about?

If you know me, you probably already know that I LOVE weddings. I have probably been to more weddings than your average 25 year old and I love every aspect of weddings. I'm always excited to see what dress the bride chose, what color the bridesmaids are wearing, what kind of reception the couple decided to have, etc. But, above all, I am excited to see my friends exchange their love and profess their undying love for one another in front of God and in front of the world. And with that, I think the reason that I enjoy all of the material parts of the wedding (dresses, cake, etc.), is because I see the couple evident throughout every single moment of the whole affair.

On top of all of the weddings I have been to, I also love all of the bridal channel shows in the States. I find marriage such a beautiful expression of love and thus I love to see that evidenced throughout the whole ceremony. I like "Whose wedding is it anyway?", where other people plan the wedding for the bride and she has to be submissive and go along with everything that they chose. I love "A Wedding Story" on TLC, that show that tracks the couples love story, through the planning of their wedding, and then finishes on the actual day. I also love when "A Wedding Story" revisits the couple a few years later and show in an excerpt how their first few years have gone.

On the other hand, I do not like the shows like "bridezillas" or "Brides behaving badly", etc. I find those shows disgusting, as these woman (and men for that matter) are completely missing the point of marriage. The above clip of Senator Savino speaking about these shows and the way that weddings have been treated lately, really made me think. Although I completely disagree with her thinking that gay marriage should be legalized and become "equal" with traditional marriage, she did make me ponder what the status of traditional marriage is.

Traditional marriage is in trouble and not just because of the possibility of legalized gay marriage or civil partnership. Marriage is in trouble because so many people have forgotten what true marriage is about. Maybe these people were never taught or maybe they never had good examples of marriage in their lives. Whatever it is, we need to change the mindset and we need to challenge the world to recognize the beautiful sanctity of traditional marriage in more ways than just speaking against gay marriage.

A wise woman once said to me, "I learn best by example." I have been blessed to have countless beautiful of exampls of true and beautiful marriages in my life. I have been truly blessed by their example and treasure and pray for these marriages on a daily basis. These couples constantly renew my faith in traditional marriage, when the world so desperately tries to tear my hope apart. If you are married, I challenge you to lead the world by example. Strive to be Christ to the world. It is by this true example alone that we are going to keep marriage sacred!

I have been blessed to have amazing examples of the sanctity of marriage in my life, but most of the world has not. Be that example to the world!

November already.... Now, December...

Again, apologies that I haven't written sooner. I have been sick with every possible cold/flu symptom over the past two weeks, except for the Swine flu (praise the Lord)! I spent most of the first half of the month of November in bed and the other half in class/internship. I seemed to have a new illness each week and by the time I was cured, I had contracted some new disease/virus. Gahh!!! Story of my life. For those of you who know me, know that I catch absolutely everything!!! Thankfully though, then I was able to get better before my "guest of november" arrived!!!

Eeek! American Thanksgiving week was a week of madness and blessing for me!!! My sister came for a visit and so did loads of my friends! Eeek! It was amazing! Amazing times were had with little sleep, but the week was filled with blessings!!! God is sooo good! I took a trip up to the North and got to see Belfast and the Giant's Causeway in Antrim (which I had hoped for years to see).

In the top picture: While my friends were here, we went to Glendalough, Wicklow. I have been loads of times, but it is a beautiful place that I am always up for a visit to. It was a cloudy day (in true Irish spirit) but, thankfully it didn't rain until we got back to Dublin.
The middle pics: Those are from the Giant's Causeway, up on Antrim. It was so amazing and magical the fact that I FINALLY got to see the Giant's Causeway. My first Maid of Erin question ever was about the Giant's Causeway so, I have been a little obsessed with actually seeing it ever since. It was amazing and one of the most beautiful sights ever!!! God's miracles are amazing!!!
The last pic above: We toured the house where C.S. Lewis used to play as a child. The doorknob had a 'lion' on it and we saw the attic where the wardrobe was. The house is let out to renters, but the young man who is renting the attic was so kind and let us up to see the attic. He said no one had ever asked to see where C.S. Lewis played, but they usually just take a pic with the doorknob and leave. That was classic.

We also celebrated thanksgiving while everyone was here and had an amazing time. I will write more details about that in a later post, with pics included of course.

November has passed too quick and now December is already a good few days in. My life is a bit of madness at the moment with loads of papers and assignments due. Thankfully one major project and all of my exams are after Christmas. But, please keep me and my studies in your prayers because this is going to be a really stressful few weeks. I am also getting sick with a cold/flu, yet again. I have been in good health for the past few weeks, so it was only a matter of time. Please pray that I stay healthy and that I get all of my assignments completed. God is good.

You are all in my prayers.