Let them be wed!

Ten years ago homosexual marriage was legalized in Canada. And many were appalled and embarrassed at this. But life has went on and, despite our conservative government, we never took the right away. And there is something for any of you who were against this recent American change should notice. It has not changed the sanctity of your christian marriage. Not even a little bit and you know why? Because the only thing that affects your marriage is you and your partner. I know that is crazy talk but it is truth.

I've been seeing quite a few "OMG, the world is going to end, 'Merica has legalized gay marriage." posts on my Facebook newsfeed. I've read a few and agree with none so far. But before I go further I want to clarify that this post isn't about whether or not homosexual acts are sinful but rather about same sex marriages. (they are here and really I just don't get the caring about our southern neighbor to such an extent but...) I will touch on a few main arguments against being so vocal about it.

1. It is a sin.
       And you are very much free to believe that. But remember, so is gossip, gluttony, divorce (in most cases), and not forgiving someone who has wronged you. None of those things are against the law. Now I realize being homosexual or committing homosexual acts is not illegal. But I have seen this used as an argument against gay marriage.

2. Changing the definition is wrong.
      Because definitions never change and progress with society (or digress depending on your opinion)? They do and sometimes it doesn't take off and only is used by certain people and other times they are legally changed to join modern times. Marriage is not a sacred thing from a legal viewpoint. It is a legal contract between two people. How sacred marriage is to you is what you personally bring to it. Not what the secular government grants you for tax purposes. Basically, Marriage is as important as you make it and no legal change of who can get married will change that.

3. Adoption.
       It is ignorance to think gay parents raise gay kids. After all straight parents have had gay children pop up left, right and centre. You can spend your time judging those parents or you can not. Which one sounds more Christ like to you? As far as I know Christians aren't born. If we are going to stop gay people from adopting children then we probably should stop everyone who shares a different belief system too. Atheists? Don't let them near kids because they will raise their kids believing there is no God. Or, we could trust God and only step in when children are being abused and neglected.

4. 'Merica is a Christian country belonging to God.
     USA is a country that was founded on many things including slavery, abuse, and greed. It no more belongs to God than any other country. Countries cannot be Christian. People are Christians.  Somewhere along the line in classic human fashion we decided to make people behave like Christians (or how we think Christianity should be acted out) by being far too involved in the Government. A clear way to differentiate between things like murder and homosexual acts is that the first causes harm that you don't have to believe in the concept of sin to understand and the second is consensual. This is also how it is not a slippery slope to bestiality or pedophilia.  If something is your personal belief based on the Bible acknowledge that and live your life according to that and realize that other people are living their lives according  to their own beliefs. Sharing God's love is not ranting and raving about how disgusting gay marriage is. I know most everyone I know wouldn't appreciate it if head coverings and women remaining silent in church was passed as a law...

5. Being forced to perform weddings by the government
    That hasn't happened after ten years in Canada. And while there is the odd story here and there for other countries I hear, it really isn't a rampant problem. But should it become a problem are we really supposed to fight against it? Or are we supposed to turn the other cheek and give double the money we were sued or go quietly to jail and be glad it isn't to be crucified? What would be showing love? Taking the persecution and not praying harm down upon those attacking? Or kicking and screaming and fighting for our worldly "rights". Rights I can't find in the Bible.

So what should we do if we disagree with gay marriage? If we are possessive of the word? If we are appalled at the idea that the worldly government is handing out marriage license to same sex couples?

Show love and look to your own life.

I Thess 4:11

¹¹ To make it your ambition and definitely endeavor to live quietly and peacefully, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we charged you,

(AMP)

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

When I was a child if you had asked me my favourite season I would have said winter without hesitation. Winter was about snow forts, snowmen, sledding, board games, parties, Christmas, skating, skiing, sleigh rides, hot chocolate, watching movies, riding my horse through fluffy snow bareback, and Christmas, which I said but deserves to be in the list twice... or more. So many of my best memories were winter memories (that may have to do with the fact that for at least half of my childhood it was probably winter).

Somewhere along the line it is expected you stop liking winter. And that is understandable because as an adult you have so many extra things to do during the winter that aren't exactly "fun".

Like sweeping/scraping and warming up the vehicle before you go anywhere.

Or spending 30 minutes bundling your children up to play outside for 5 minutes.

And then there is the never ending shoveling...

I also have a few extra chores that include packing water to my goats.

(Lucy and Susan appreciate it though)

 And bringing in the wood.

 But even after all this extra work not to mention the cold and road conditions, I still love winter. It may not be my "favourite" season anymore but I just can't hate it like most. I may be done with it by March or concerned when it shows up in September but I live in the North. I choose to live here so I choose to love the snow. I love coming in from outside to a roaring fire. I enjoy seeing my children having fun and building fond memories like mine.

I love knowing that the snow is protecting the plants from winter kill and doing more for replenishing the water table than the rain we get does.

And I love stopping and simply enjoying how the bare, lifeless looking trees become beautiful again.

When it is night and the only light is from the moon are the glow from my yard light or house I enjoy entering into what can only be described as magical realm. I don't possess a camera that can capture it but it is amazing to be outside in my yard at night. The snow sparkles in the dim light and the snow covered trees create a place that seems hidden from the rest of the world. I always take a moment while outside at night and simply soak up the beauty.

That is what winter is for me.

Why a selfie challenge?

It might seem like a strange idea. And annoying. But there is a reason for me behind the selfie challenge. I don't know if I will make it a 100 days. I have already forgot one day. The number was arbitrary. The reason I chose to do this isn't to punish people with seeing my face everyday, or to weed out my friend list. It is selfie shame. The stigma that is attached to taking a selfie. The jokes and judgements that are made about people who do. That moment of hesitation I have always had before taking one. Will people think I am a narc? Will people think it is silly I take this selfie and put it on Facebook? Will they... STOP! Just stop. Why should I worry so much about taking selfies? All the articles that blame them for x,y and reasons. And I definitely should not judge others for doing so. Even if it is mostly just a shot of cleavage. It is their cleavage and if they want to put their cleavage on Facebook I need to turn of my self righteous attitude and stop judging.

I find we live in a society that spends a lot of time analyzing people and their motives. Trying to fix people and also trying to make everyone the same. I don't doubt that one can be too selfie obsessed. But that goes for anything. So that is my reasons for doing this challenge. To let go of my pride and to stop judging others, at least when it comes to selfies.

Feelings of contement

I am not a very content person. It isn't that I am unhappy all the time but rather I have this inner restless feeling. Matt teases me about it because I love to plan trips and travel. That really helps me a lot. I love my husband, children, farm and life. There is always something more I want or feel I need. But I am realizing that isn't always bad. It keeps me from being complacent. I just need to not dwell on that have not too much. Or the "someday". It is another balance thing with me. Enjoy today but still have dreams for tomorrow so to speak. And to know which dreams I need to pick and choose. Even though I currently don't have a horse I could compete on, I haven't given up the dream, I will again. And with my children. I have plans and dreams for my property to turn it into even more of a paradise than it is. I also want to travel still and see new places. At this point I have given up my dream of being a writer. I am just not as good at it as I hoped. And I have accepted that. And getting published or trying to was not something I enjoyed.

But today? Today I had a strong feeling of contentment and peace. A true "feeling" of thankfulness for what God has given me. And it came when I was holding my cup of coffee and looking out the window.

 My dad and husband working on our garage. They get along really well even though it was a rough road bringing Matt into my family. That is in the past now. And of course behind me was this.

 Two children, painting quietly with a warm fire crackling in the background. I have so much to be thankful for but I am not going to feel guilty for my dreams either. I am just going to hang on to these special moments of contentment while knowing there is more to come. This isn't the end for me, just the beginning.

I support British Columbia Teachers

If you have me on Facebook (which you probably do) then this is no surprise. And for those outside of the BC realm I apologize for my sharing of so many articles about the strike. But you see this strike is important to me. I want public education to be an option for me next year when I send my oldest off to kindergarten. I don't want to be afraid of her slipping through the cracks as the years go bt and us having mountains of homework as I try to keep her caught up with the "smart" kids aka self learners. If that is the case I will home school. And as a home schooled kid that turned out okay (my opinion of course) I am not opposed to that option. But outside of my own investment I know there are many parents who are not cut out for homeschooling. And there are many children who do not have very involved parents anyways and school is an escape for them. That is a sad reality. And while people are not very happy with their kids not being in school right now, a child missing even a year of school is not the end of the world. But we need to consider the long run. Cutbacks and schools closing should not be in our education system. Kids should be receiving the best education possible and that means happy teachers who love their job. A stressed out, broke teacher is not a happy teacher. Well, I guess some might be stressed out and broke and still happy but you know what I mean. 

I could cover all the points made in favour of teachers but I won't. The fact they won two court cases but our government is dragging this out, costing us tax dollars and looking pathetic to a lot of  people is one. The amount of cutbacks that have happened is another. There is a logical and acceptable answer to most complaints the pro-government peeps squeal out. The people who mock teachers and tell them to get a real job or act like the don't do anything of course should all have to spend a month in the current conditions and see how well they fair. Just because you break a sweat at your job doesn't mean you work harder. Anybody who actually wants to see things from the teacher's side will find it easy to do so. And I am not saying the BCTF is all right. But I will say from where I am sitting and what I have heard and read from both sides, I am on the side of the teacher's.

I wish I could be more eloquent on the subject and convey how passionately I feel about this. Me, someone who feels the way we educate children needs an overhaul, is siding with the teachers. I side with the teachers because I side with children. And if anyone deserves our taxes it is our children. So to my teacher friends and family. Hold the Line. I only wish I could do more to help you.

My love hate relationship with Facebook

I love Facebook. And I hate it. I have completely deleted my account and I occasionally deactivate it. It really is quite silly actually

So why do I hate Facebook?

The biggest reason is at times Facebook feels like being on the outside looking in to me. It is like standing outside in the pitch black looking in on a group of friends all cozy inside a warm, well lit home. You can see them laugh and joke and from the outside it looks so inviting and fun. But you are on the outside. They can't see you and you are alone. And the sadness is suffocating at times. I realize I can't be apart of everything. But when I go through  a stage of being apart of nothing that is when I feel this way about Facebook.

Another is regrets. If there is someone who has hurt me or I have hurt them it is hard to see reminders on Facebook through mutual friends. Some situations can't be fixed and Facebook is great for reminding me of that. And even though it shouldn't, being blocked bothers me. It has me questioning how I should behave when my path inevitably crosses the blockee.

Trying to not offend or be offended. This one is hard and apart of my struggle to be the person I want to be. I don't want to attack people for believing differently than I but I also hate being afraid of sharing my beliefs in causes or faith. I know in my head you can't make everyone happy and I shouldn't worry but I also don't want to be an offensive person. I have had to ignore sharp barbs when people post what feels like hate speech towards things I believe in. And I don't want to do that to other people. So for the most part I try to keep my opinions off Facebook. But I can't lie, I am so very opinionated and it is sometimes so hard to do that. I find myself before posting asking myself how this would come across and does it really need to be said. And I also don't want to be wrong on Facebook. Seriously, way to let everyone know how wrong you are. Along with this is the feeling that I can't quite be myself. But, since I don't really know what that is yet, c'est la vie.

Why I love Facebook?

Candy Crush...

I'm kidding. Sorta.

I love seeing updates on my friends lives. Pictures and comments. I like the funnies and the serious discussions. I like being included in events and knowing about them beforehand! I like sharing photos of my children with people who otherwise would never get to see them because they are too far. I like staying in touch with the people I care about and I know care about me. Some of these things can get into why I hate Facebook but for the most part I enjoy it. And I realize my mood and attitude have the most to do with when Facebook brings me down not actually Facebook itself.

So I have decided today not to deactivate my Facebook despite the desire to do so at the moment. I might change my mind again one day but for now I think I will stay around. And the awesome weekend I had camping is just one reason why!

The Party Girl in Me

I love a good party. I do not love hosting one. Not because of the work involved but because I care too much of other people's opinions. I am the insecure party hostess. Will people have fun? Will people want to come back again? 

It really is quite silly. When I go to someone's party I hardly am judging their party hosting skills. And yesterday was MY HUSBAND'S BIRTHDAY PARTY. It had nothing to do with me. But of course I try to make it about me by worrying about what people are thinking about my party skills.

Sigh* Cleo Cat says let it go.

So I did. I decided not to care about the interesting mix of friends. Or the amount of food. Or the quality of the food I made. Or how happy the guests were. Because, frankly, having a good time is a personal choice and not up to how awesome I am anyways. But I am awesome. Just to clarify. And I had a great time. And more importantly, the Birthday Boy had a good time. 

I don't know if anyone else has this party insecurity. But if you do I will tell you that as someone who loves going to get togethers, don't worry about your hosting abilities. People will have a good time and if most are like me are not going to be judging your abilities as a host/hostess. Your biggest critic is probably you and if they are that is on them.