Callie's First Steps

Using Technology Part 2

As I mentioned in my last post, we have been going through a series at church about controlling our TVs/the Internet. This past Sunday the sermon was focused on the dark side of the Internet. It is pretty scary to think of how evil and corrupt the Internet really can be. I dread to think of what it will be like when my girls are older.

One thing I did point out is the fact that we can use the Internet for our good. From paying bills online to save time and money, to connecting with old and new friends the Internet can be good. My pastor compared the Internet to fire and I really like this analogy. When fire is controlled it is extremely useful. When fire is allowed to run free without restraint, then watch out! If we will put measures in our life to control the Internet, then we can use it to enhance our lives. Take a blog like this for instance. I love reading friends' blogs to keep up with their lives. For family and friends that we cannot see on a regular basis, we can keep them updated on our family and even share recent photos. I also enjoy getting on Facebook to view photos, videos, and short posts from friends, family, and church members. On the flip side of this, of course, is the temptation to become wrapped up in blogging and social networking. I have to watch myself so that I don't waste time online when I could be doing something more productive. Again, technology is great when we use it for good and don't abuse it or let it take control of our lives.

Using Technology

With everything going on in our world today, I love when I am able to find something that makes life a little easier and more simple.  A college friend of mine recently enlightened me about Google Reader.  I had heard about the service before but never really checked into it.  I have been using it for a few weeks and just love it.  Instead of having to check the blogs I read for new content, Google Reader does the work for me.  I am all about using technology to make my life better.  Especially since this is a free service.  

Our church is in the middle of a sermon series about controlling technology, like our TVs, and making sure that we don't let them "think for us."  It has been astounding to hear some of the facts just related to TV watching in the average American home.  One of the best inventions for controlling our TV is utilizing our DVR.  As Emily gets older, I am more sensitive to what she sees and hears on TV.  More and more, commercials seem to have lost any kind of family-friendly filter and they are what hurt us the most when we watch live TV.  Our DVR allows us to fast-forward through commercials of shows we have taped and it allows us to watch TV on our time.  Plus, by the time you fast-forward through the commercials of an hour long program, you actually cut out about twenty minutes.  

I realize the for many of you, these two things are not ground breaking concepts.  However, anything that helps me filter out the bad and anything that gives me more time with my family is big for us.  So, what have you done in your life to free up some time for the family?  We all have the same amount of time each day and now is the time to spend it wisely.  With all of the talk right now about "going green," how about going "simple?"  

This week our Sunday sermon is going to be about Internet usage and the evils the WWW brings into our homes.  I am sure the number of hours the average teen and young adult spends online is staggering.  I will try and post after the sermon to see what else we can do with current technology.  

Having Faith

Alright! If you know me well, you knew this blog was coming. I have been wanting to post about the presidential election for a while, but have been trying to restrain myself. Well, no longer! I am a supporter of John McCain. (I'm sure that comes as a shock.) However, lately, I have been on edge about everything. I watch the stock market and wonder if we are going to have another depression. I watch the news and think about how much the media seeks to divide, not unite. Things that should not be focused on in the campaign are focused on and things that should be talked about are being ignored. I have taught myself that we have to have faith. There are several things we need to have faith in, however. Number one, we need to have faith in the American people. We have a history of not letting others tell us what to do and hopefully, we will make our own decision when we go to the voting booth. Second, we need to have faith in our democratic system. Whoever wins, we need to trust that this is who was voted into office. Third, we need to have faith in our country. Looking back at the times of the Great Depression, the role of government was expanded thanks to a democratic president. It probably prolonged the Depression rather than helped, but we eventually got back on track. Last, but most importantly, we need to have faith in God. Remember, He is in control and He knows exactly what will happen. We can trust Him with our country and we can trust Him with our family.

Before I go, I encourage you to know what each candidate believes on the issues. Look at their plans for our future. If you are not sure, ask me and I can help you (but I am a little biased.)

MCCAIN/PALIN ALL THE WAY!!!!

Truly Blessed

The other day I was I was talking with some people from church about young families who are having a hard time.  I know of several couples who are plagued with debt, parenting issues, job stress, and just the busyness of life these days.  The longer we talked, the more I realized just how much God has blessed my family and me.  Don't get me wrong, we have our problems and struggles, but overall life is great.  We have a great church, our girls are healthy, and financially we are slowly eliminating our debt.  Several in our church have major health issues that I cannot even imagine having to endure.  God truly has blessed me!  

Of course as I type this, I understand that all of this can change on a dime.  We are not immune to problems and I know that they will come.  If you are going through a hard time, know that there is light at the end of the tunnel.  Many of you have shown great perseverance and I pray that when the storms of life come we rely upon God to carry us through.

On a side note, I just added some more recent pictures of our family. Click here to view them.

God's Blessings

Yesterday was a really neat day for me. I say some our prayers get answered that I didn't even know we had been praying for. It just showed me again how God not only desires to take care of our needs but He wants to give us a few of our wants also. Let me just give a quick rundown of what I mean. Every time we have gone to Wal-Mart lately, they have had those wooden playhouses and playground equipment sitting out. I guess they are trying to get rid of them before putting them back in storage. Anyway, Emily always talks about wanting one. The problem is that they cost anywhere between 300-500 dollars. Needless to say, we really can not afford that. Okay, keep that in mind. Jason and I were talking the other day about when do we give Emily a bike. I think I came to the conclusion that maybe for her birthday we could get her one. Again, a good one is a little expensive so we would have to save up for it. Emily is also outgrowing all of her clothes. We can get her things a little at a time, but a lot of her stuff comes from her MiMi and PaPa. They have been a real blessing.

Anyway, yesterday we go to church and a lady starts talking to Jason about a Playscape that she has that her son has outgrown. It is a real sturdy playset for the backyard. She wants to give it to us. Emily will get it the end of this month. I know that she will be so excited. I also had another lady come up to me during our welcome time and tell me that her daughter is outgrowing all of her clothes very quickly and she doesn't have anyone to give her clothes to. The little girl is a year older than Emily and she wanted to know if I wanted the clothes. I was like, definitely. Then, she added, in the spring we will have a bike to give you also. The bike is almost brand new and was only ridden a few times. I was floored! God is so good. I didn't even know these were things that were on His priority list, but again, He desires to give us good things, so I shouldn't be all that surprised.

The best of days

Well, for the past few days I have been wanting to post an update of some sort but every time I sat down, nothing would come to mind. I guess I had writer's block. The truth is we have had some very calm days. I am so blessed. I did forget to mention the fact that Emily has written her name all by herself. We were at Chile's the other day and Jason wrote her name on her to-go box. Without any help from anyone else, she looked at what Jason had written and wrote her name all by herself. I had her write it again on a piece of paper because I couldn't keep the to-go box. She is also really funny because we can get in the car at Jason's parents and head home (which is 25 minutes away.) The whole way home, Emily talks. It is hilarious because Jason and I can not have a conversation at all. I don't know where she gets the whole talking so much (surely not from me, ha ha.)

Anyway, I can't go without talking about the election. I just want to remind everyone to vote. If you have not registered, do so!! Remember, everyones vote is on equal footing. Just because some people have a bigger platform to speak on then others, doesn't mean their vote counts more.

God is in control!! Thank goodness!