Man, oh man... Six years goes fast, but people don't really change...
Lisa
Happiest Place on Earth
Monday, August 31, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Must Start School...
... Is it that time again already?
Ah... yes it is. My classes actually started on Monday, but I have avoided them like the plague, since nothing was due until today. I am taking a total of 12 credit hours (4 classes), but half of them do not begin until October (yeah). My plan is to do as much work as possible in the ones that have started now before the others begin. I think it's actually going to be pretty manageable!
On with it...
Lisa
Ah... yes it is. My classes actually started on Monday, but I have avoided them like the plague, since nothing was due until today. I am taking a total of 12 credit hours (4 classes), but half of them do not begin until October (yeah). My plan is to do as much work as possible in the ones that have started now before the others begin. I think it's actually going to be pretty manageable!
On with it...
Lisa
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Predators and Idiots...
It occurred to me, this morning, that perhaps I am just a little bit on the slow side... when it comes to certain things... In the two years that we have been here, it has become painfully obvious to me that there is a serious sexual problem in this town. It encompasses many teenagers, and it encompasses many adults. It's almost as if the rules don't apply here...
Due to the nature of my work here, I come into contact with teenagers on a fairly regular basis. It is not unusual to have to make a run to Kroger on any given night to buy a pregnancy test for one kid or another. In fact, I've asked to just have them stocked, because it's a pretty good waste of my time to always be running to the store. To this point, none of those tests have come out positive. In my opinion, this is just further proof that the kids who are having sex have absolutely no idea what they're doing.
They don't know when they had their last period. I have never met so many girls who tell me that their periods are completely irregular (but is it really any surprise). I have even had kids tell me that they don't know if they could be pregnant or not, and when asked if they've had sex they also sometimes reply, "I don't know!" Now somebody tell me... unless you are drunk off your rocker or drugged, how do you "not know" if you've had sex? Perhaps... and this is truly not outside the realm of possibility... they don't even really know what sex is!
Phil did a series at the firehouse last school year entitled "Sex 501". When asked how they learned about sex, many of the teens responded that a friend had told them... not surprising... but then the answers ranged from, "I learned about it in a magazine (porn)," to, "I learned about it by having it." If my memory serves me correctly, I think two of them (girls) said that their moms were the first to tell them about sex, and one said that his dad had provided the magazine. This was not a group of 8-10 kids... It was more like 50+!
And I just sit here wondering how in the world we expect these kids to understand what sex is, or certainly why it was created, and within what context it is appropriate!
But here's the deal. If I had to make an educated guess, I'd say that most of the girls I talk to about sex have their first intercourse experience around age 14. This makes me rather sick, but I didn't fully understand how serious this age thing is until this morning. In this state, age 14 is a golden opportunity for 18 year old men to prey on young girls. At age 14 our laws move from child molestation to sexual misconduct with a minor, dropping the crime to a class C felony (which could still land you in prison for 15 years, but probably won't). Further, the sexual offender can use as his (or her, but I'm seeing that more rarely) offense that they thought the child was over age 16, that they are less than a full four years older than the child, and that they had an ongoing "personal relationship" with the child, and hey... they're pretty much off the hook...
Now, give me a break! I'm starting to see it now. These 18 year old guys make sure they are having sex with girls who are almost 15. In our town, the average age of kids per grade is pretty high, so they can reasonably say, "Gosh, I knew she was in high school, so I figured she was at least 16". They "befriend" these girls and hang out for weeks or even months before they strike (hence, a personal relationship). And then... when these little girls are at their lowest possible point thinking that nobody likes them or they aren't pretty enough or thin enough or whatever, these guys say, "Hey... let's go for a ride in my car". And the rest is history, because the girls consent (even though they are technically too young), since they are desperate for attention and think this is the way to finally get it. This, of course, eliminates the need for the guy to worry that the girl will say that sex was forced... puts all the responsibility on her (which, some of it is her responsibility... I am not excusing this, at all)...
In the previous months, I thought these guys were pretty stupid. But I was wrong. They know the laws. They're pretty smart... at least in that sense...
So I've watched parents, siblings, and other family members and friends call these guys in. What usually happens is the offender gets picked up, and that night or the next morning someone comes up with an outrageous amount of money to post for bail (drugs, maybe?). By the time it goes to court, he has another little girl (14 or 15 years old) in which he is in a "serious" relationship, but nobody ever catches it... no matter that they are traipsing all around town in broad daylight! He gets off because of some aforementioned defense, so nothing sticks on his record, and next time he's caught, his record is still squeaky clean. And on and on it goes...
I am going to blame parents now (and maybe particularly moms)... so get ready...
I can't even begin to count how many kids in this town have told me about the the numerous people that their parents are sleeping with. Hello... if your child regularly comes home to find you in bed with someone that is not your spouse... not their father or mother... not the father or mother of their siblings... is your child not going to begin to think this is normal and acceptable behavior?
I have had conversations with adults who have told me that people in churches are judgemental and have no right telling them who to sleep with. Well, you know what? They're right. It is really none of my business to say who they should or shouldn't be sleeping with. However, when they come to me and want to know why their kids are sleeping around and site that they have told them not to, it is kinda hard to look them in the face and take them seriously. Children learn by observation. It doesn't work to say, "Do as I say, not as I do!"
I have watched parents drop charges against men who assault their kids, because... well... their daughter really likes him and doesn't want him to get in trouble! Let me tell ya something... if a man ever... ever... ever lays a hand on my daughter, I don't care if she thinks he's a saint! He's going to prison for the maximum amount of time possible if I have to carry him there on my back!
Further... these parents are allowing their children to spend the night, co-ed, with no supervision! They are allowing weekend camping trips in which they don't even really know where their kids are. And these are some of the same parents who will ground their children for months if they are down the road past 9pm talking to their pastor's wife! Hello... again! The same parents who won't let their kids come to youth group if their homework isn't done or who complain that the kids at our events are too rowdy! Hello... again... again! I'm sorry, but this is just irresponsible parenting!
Look... I know that I am getting kind of old, but the world and the life of teenagers has not changed so much since I was in middle school and high school that I can't still relate. I had every opportunity imaginable when I was an early teenager. I could have drank... or done drugs... or had as much sex as I would have liked. (Or not liked, by the way, because it's not like these kids are great at having sex. They regularly tell me how it wasn't what they expected or hoped for.) But here's the thing. I chose NOT to do these things. And let me mention here that when I was in 8th grade and then 9th grade, I wasn't exactly "Super Christian Kid" or anything. In fact, I was further from a relationship with God than I had ever been, and I knew it, but I wanted to fit in, and I had a very low self image, so it didn't really matter to me. I did some stupid stuff. But something obviously did matter, because I was not willing to lose all of my integrity for a few fleeting moments that I somehow knew weren't going to satisfy the longing I had.
Further, I met Phil when I was 14 (almost 15) and he was 18. This resonates pretty well with this post, as it is EXACTLY the ages of children I am referring to. But he never, ever took advantage of me in any way. I look back on that and I think about how we could have been just like these kids if we chose to be. There was really nothing at all to stop us from doing whatever we wanted... except at this point our own faith and integrity (which many of these kids also claim to have). We dated for 3+ years before getting married and having sex for the first time ever (both of us) on our wedding night. We have shared this story with kids here, and they have honestly laughed until they took a good look at our faces and realized we were completely serious.
Somehow, the kids in this place don't understand that the possibility actually exists that you can wait for sex until marriage. Even the ones who are the most receptive will often tell me that they are waiting until they have a good job, or finish high school, or know they are in love. To even suggest waiting for marriage seems almost laughable... literally...
I think, this morning, I am tired of dealing with little girls who are afraid to become mommies and haven't even thought about the fact that they could very well have AIDS. I am tired of adult parents who are in the same situation but yell at their kids because they're following in their footsteps. I am tired of sexual sin being so pervasive that kids can't even keep their hands off one another long enough to think about what they're doing and how their lives might be better if they'd stop.
Step down from soapbox...
Lisa
Due to the nature of my work here, I come into contact with teenagers on a fairly regular basis. It is not unusual to have to make a run to Kroger on any given night to buy a pregnancy test for one kid or another. In fact, I've asked to just have them stocked, because it's a pretty good waste of my time to always be running to the store. To this point, none of those tests have come out positive. In my opinion, this is just further proof that the kids who are having sex have absolutely no idea what they're doing.
They don't know when they had their last period. I have never met so many girls who tell me that their periods are completely irregular (but is it really any surprise). I have even had kids tell me that they don't know if they could be pregnant or not, and when asked if they've had sex they also sometimes reply, "I don't know!" Now somebody tell me... unless you are drunk off your rocker or drugged, how do you "not know" if you've had sex? Perhaps... and this is truly not outside the realm of possibility... they don't even really know what sex is!
Phil did a series at the firehouse last school year entitled "Sex 501". When asked how they learned about sex, many of the teens responded that a friend had told them... not surprising... but then the answers ranged from, "I learned about it in a magazine (porn)," to, "I learned about it by having it." If my memory serves me correctly, I think two of them (girls) said that their moms were the first to tell them about sex, and one said that his dad had provided the magazine. This was not a group of 8-10 kids... It was more like 50+!
And I just sit here wondering how in the world we expect these kids to understand what sex is, or certainly why it was created, and within what context it is appropriate!
But here's the deal. If I had to make an educated guess, I'd say that most of the girls I talk to about sex have their first intercourse experience around age 14. This makes me rather sick, but I didn't fully understand how serious this age thing is until this morning. In this state, age 14 is a golden opportunity for 18 year old men to prey on young girls. At age 14 our laws move from child molestation to sexual misconduct with a minor, dropping the crime to a class C felony (which could still land you in prison for 15 years, but probably won't). Further, the sexual offender can use as his (or her, but I'm seeing that more rarely) offense that they thought the child was over age 16, that they are less than a full four years older than the child, and that they had an ongoing "personal relationship" with the child, and hey... they're pretty much off the hook...
Now, give me a break! I'm starting to see it now. These 18 year old guys make sure they are having sex with girls who are almost 15. In our town, the average age of kids per grade is pretty high, so they can reasonably say, "Gosh, I knew she was in high school, so I figured she was at least 16". They "befriend" these girls and hang out for weeks or even months before they strike (hence, a personal relationship). And then... when these little girls are at their lowest possible point thinking that nobody likes them or they aren't pretty enough or thin enough or whatever, these guys say, "Hey... let's go for a ride in my car". And the rest is history, because the girls consent (even though they are technically too young), since they are desperate for attention and think this is the way to finally get it. This, of course, eliminates the need for the guy to worry that the girl will say that sex was forced... puts all the responsibility on her (which, some of it is her responsibility... I am not excusing this, at all)...
In the previous months, I thought these guys were pretty stupid. But I was wrong. They know the laws. They're pretty smart... at least in that sense...
So I've watched parents, siblings, and other family members and friends call these guys in. What usually happens is the offender gets picked up, and that night or the next morning someone comes up with an outrageous amount of money to post for bail (drugs, maybe?). By the time it goes to court, he has another little girl (14 or 15 years old) in which he is in a "serious" relationship, but nobody ever catches it... no matter that they are traipsing all around town in broad daylight! He gets off because of some aforementioned defense, so nothing sticks on his record, and next time he's caught, his record is still squeaky clean. And on and on it goes...
I am going to blame parents now (and maybe particularly moms)... so get ready...
I can't even begin to count how many kids in this town have told me about the the numerous people that their parents are sleeping with. Hello... if your child regularly comes home to find you in bed with someone that is not your spouse... not their father or mother... not the father or mother of their siblings... is your child not going to begin to think this is normal and acceptable behavior?
I have had conversations with adults who have told me that people in churches are judgemental and have no right telling them who to sleep with. Well, you know what? They're right. It is really none of my business to say who they should or shouldn't be sleeping with. However, when they come to me and want to know why their kids are sleeping around and site that they have told them not to, it is kinda hard to look them in the face and take them seriously. Children learn by observation. It doesn't work to say, "Do as I say, not as I do!"
I have watched parents drop charges against men who assault their kids, because... well... their daughter really likes him and doesn't want him to get in trouble! Let me tell ya something... if a man ever... ever... ever lays a hand on my daughter, I don't care if she thinks he's a saint! He's going to prison for the maximum amount of time possible if I have to carry him there on my back!
Further... these parents are allowing their children to spend the night, co-ed, with no supervision! They are allowing weekend camping trips in which they don't even really know where their kids are. And these are some of the same parents who will ground their children for months if they are down the road past 9pm talking to their pastor's wife! Hello... again! The same parents who won't let their kids come to youth group if their homework isn't done or who complain that the kids at our events are too rowdy! Hello... again... again! I'm sorry, but this is just irresponsible parenting!
Look... I know that I am getting kind of old, but the world and the life of teenagers has not changed so much since I was in middle school and high school that I can't still relate. I had every opportunity imaginable when I was an early teenager. I could have drank... or done drugs... or had as much sex as I would have liked. (Or not liked, by the way, because it's not like these kids are great at having sex. They regularly tell me how it wasn't what they expected or hoped for.) But here's the thing. I chose NOT to do these things. And let me mention here that when I was in 8th grade and then 9th grade, I wasn't exactly "Super Christian Kid" or anything. In fact, I was further from a relationship with God than I had ever been, and I knew it, but I wanted to fit in, and I had a very low self image, so it didn't really matter to me. I did some stupid stuff. But something obviously did matter, because I was not willing to lose all of my integrity for a few fleeting moments that I somehow knew weren't going to satisfy the longing I had.
Further, I met Phil when I was 14 (almost 15) and he was 18. This resonates pretty well with this post, as it is EXACTLY the ages of children I am referring to. But he never, ever took advantage of me in any way. I look back on that and I think about how we could have been just like these kids if we chose to be. There was really nothing at all to stop us from doing whatever we wanted... except at this point our own faith and integrity (which many of these kids also claim to have). We dated for 3+ years before getting married and having sex for the first time ever (both of us) on our wedding night. We have shared this story with kids here, and they have honestly laughed until they took a good look at our faces and realized we were completely serious.
Somehow, the kids in this place don't understand that the possibility actually exists that you can wait for sex until marriage. Even the ones who are the most receptive will often tell me that they are waiting until they have a good job, or finish high school, or know they are in love. To even suggest waiting for marriage seems almost laughable... literally...
I think, this morning, I am tired of dealing with little girls who are afraid to become mommies and haven't even thought about the fact that they could very well have AIDS. I am tired of adult parents who are in the same situation but yell at their kids because they're following in their footsteps. I am tired of sexual sin being so pervasive that kids can't even keep their hands off one another long enough to think about what they're doing and how their lives might be better if they'd stop.
Step down from soapbox...
Lisa
Monday, August 24, 2009
Welcome Home...
... Who knew, but this week was simply necessary. What began as an unplanned, purely fun, spontaneous road trip of sorts ended, for me, as... well... to be honest I can't explain how it ended... but it is very, very good... and I wasn't even looking for it.
Old memories are good. Old friends are better. When you can go years without talking to someone and feel as if there was no lapse in time when you pick up the phone, that's a real friend. I love the reminder that life goes on... and God provides...
New memories are good. New friends are better. Especially the ones that take care of your fish and trash cans and hang rubber bats in your kitchen window while you are on vacation! Yet another reminder that life goes on... and God provides...
Old ministry is good. May we never, ever forget it. May we never, ever forget the people God placed in our paths for a time, and may we always be just a phone call or a chat message away (but forget the texting, I am hopeless)...
New ministry is good. May we never, ever forget it. May we embrace the people that God has placed in our paths now, and may we open the door when they knock (even at midnight)...
Faith My Eyes
by: Caedmon's Call
As I survey the ground for ants
Looking for a place to sit and read
I'm reminded of the streets of my hometown
And how they're much like this concrete
That's warm beneath my feet
And how I'm all wrapped up in my mother's face
With a touch of my father just up around the eyes
And the sound of my brother's laugh
But more wrapped up in what binds our ever distant lives
But if I must go
Things I trust will be better off without me
But I don't want to know
Life is better off a mystery
So keep'em coming these lines on the road
And keep me responsible be it a light or heavy load
And keep me guessing with these blessings in disguise
And I'll walk with grace my feet and faith my eyes
Hometown weather is on TV
I imagine the lives of the people living there
And I'm curious if they imagine me
They just wanna leave
I wish that I could stay
And to visit places from my past
But only for an hour or so
Which is long enough to smell the air
To tell the tale and find the door
*I am completely confused about the above verse. I don't ever remember seeing it before
tonight, and I certainly can't find anywhere on-line to hear it. There is no way to possibly
explain how bizarre this is, but I am not surprised... just amazed*
But I get turned around
I mistake my happiness for blessing
But I'm blessed as the poor
Still I judge success by how I'm dressing
So keep'em coming these lines on the road
And keep me responsible be it a light or heavy load
And keep me guessing with these blessings in disguise
And I'll walk with grace my feet and faith my eyes
So I'll sing a song of my hometown
I'll breathe the air and walk the streets
Maybe find a place to sit and read
With these ants as welcome company
So keep'em coming these lines on the road
And keep me responsible be it a light or heavy load
And keep me guessing with these blessings in disguise
And I'll walk with grace my feet and faith my eyes
And I'll walk with grace my feet and faith my eyes
And I'll walk with grace my feet and faith my eyes
For the very first time, this is home to me...
Lisa
Old memories are good. Old friends are better. When you can go years without talking to someone and feel as if there was no lapse in time when you pick up the phone, that's a real friend. I love the reminder that life goes on... and God provides...
New memories are good. New friends are better. Especially the ones that take care of your fish and trash cans and hang rubber bats in your kitchen window while you are on vacation! Yet another reminder that life goes on... and God provides...
Old ministry is good. May we never, ever forget it. May we never, ever forget the people God placed in our paths for a time, and may we always be just a phone call or a chat message away (but forget the texting, I am hopeless)...
New ministry is good. May we never, ever forget it. May we embrace the people that God has placed in our paths now, and may we open the door when they knock (even at midnight)...
Faith My Eyes
by: Caedmon's Call
As I survey the ground for ants
Looking for a place to sit and read
I'm reminded of the streets of my hometown
And how they're much like this concrete
That's warm beneath my feet
And how I'm all wrapped up in my mother's face
With a touch of my father just up around the eyes
And the sound of my brother's laugh
But more wrapped up in what binds our ever distant lives
But if I must go
Things I trust will be better off without me
But I don't want to know
Life is better off a mystery
So keep'em coming these lines on the road
And keep me responsible be it a light or heavy load
And keep me guessing with these blessings in disguise
And I'll walk with grace my feet and faith my eyes
Hometown weather is on TV
I imagine the lives of the people living there
And I'm curious if they imagine me
They just wanna leave
I wish that I could stay
And to visit places from my past
But only for an hour or so
Which is long enough to smell the air
To tell the tale and find the door
*I am completely confused about the above verse. I don't ever remember seeing it before
tonight, and I certainly can't find anywhere on-line to hear it. There is no way to possibly
explain how bizarre this is, but I am not surprised... just amazed*
But I get turned around
I mistake my happiness for blessing
But I'm blessed as the poor
Still I judge success by how I'm dressing
So keep'em coming these lines on the road
And keep me responsible be it a light or heavy load
And keep me guessing with these blessings in disguise
And I'll walk with grace my feet and faith my eyes
So I'll sing a song of my hometown
I'll breathe the air and walk the streets
Maybe find a place to sit and read
With these ants as welcome company
So keep'em coming these lines on the road
And keep me responsible be it a light or heavy load
And keep me guessing with these blessings in disguise
And I'll walk with grace my feet and faith my eyes
And I'll walk with grace my feet and faith my eyes
And I'll walk with grace my feet and faith my eyes
For the very first time, this is home to me...
Lisa
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Mystery Trip, Day 4...
Happy 12th anniversary to us!
... Started the day with a fine breakfast at Holiday Inn Express. Met a nice old guy who commented on our nice family and asked if we had all girls... Uh... time for haircuts, maybe?
Went swimming... Underwater pics are fun:
Headed to Iowa City where we ate lunch at the Pizza Ranch, which was not as good as the one in Pella, but yummy, nonetheless. Then went over to the Iowa Children's Museum and played for several hours:
Grocery Shoppin' (Ian bought almost all of the fruit!)
Those are some scary teeth!
Caleb could have raced for hours... Go yellow striped car!
Thomas!!!
Driving the Tractor...
Gone Fishin'
Worn out at the end of the day!
Drove to Peru, Illinois (how ironic) and stopped for dinner at Culvers (for me) and Wendy's for everybody else).
Kids are sleepin'... I am tired and ready to make the trek home tomorrow!
Lisa
... Started the day with a fine breakfast at Holiday Inn Express. Met a nice old guy who commented on our nice family and asked if we had all girls... Uh... time for haircuts, maybe?
Went swimming... Underwater pics are fun:
Headed to Iowa City where we ate lunch at the Pizza Ranch, which was not as good as the one in Pella, but yummy, nonetheless. Then went over to the Iowa Children's Museum and played for several hours:
Grocery Shoppin' (Ian bought almost all of the fruit!)
Those are some scary teeth!
Caleb could have raced for hours... Go yellow striped car!
Thomas!!!Driving the Tractor...
Gone Fishin'Worn out at the end of the day!Kids are sleepin'... I am tired and ready to make the trek home tomorrow!
Lisa
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Mystery Trip, Day 3...
... We drove a lot. I cried a lot. But it's all good...
I love Casey's chicken and potato wedges... dilapidated church buildings that are restored... shiny BNSF engines... small, old houses that used to look like mansions... more softball diamonds than you can count... Little Debbie brownies and cherry 7-up... new bridges... scoopin' the loop... fields of dreams... old memories... and hope for the future... a place I call home...
Lisa
I love Casey's chicken and potato wedges... dilapidated church buildings that are restored... shiny BNSF engines... small, old houses that used to look like mansions... more softball diamonds than you can count... Little Debbie brownies and cherry 7-up... new bridges... scoopin' the loop... fields of dreams... old memories... and hope for the future... a place I call home...
Lisa
Friday, August 21, 2009
Mystery Trip, Day 2...
... Deep River Waterpark
Since we are a family who loves waterparks, we thought, "Hey... why not go to one today in the freezin' temperatures?" Not the first time we've done such a thing, and probably won't be the last! This takes the kids' waterpark count to 12, I think, and it was a nice perk to pretty much have the whole park to ourselves!
Here's a pic. of the kids sporting their new towels (since, duh, we forgot ours at home)! They were very useful as blankets, as well:
Some Slide Pics:
Caleb and Me on the Funnel Slide
Seth and Grace Exiting the Funnel Slide
Phil and Grace on a Tube Slide
Seth and Grace on a Tube Slide
Caleb and Me (or at least my feet) on a Tube Slide
Overall, it was a very fun time, although I did just realize we are sunburned, because I never can understand why sunscreen is important when it is cloudy...
Lisa
Since we are a family who loves waterparks, we thought, "Hey... why not go to one today in the freezin' temperatures?" Not the first time we've done such a thing, and probably won't be the last! This takes the kids' waterpark count to 12, I think, and it was a nice perk to pretty much have the whole park to ourselves!
Here's a pic. of the kids sporting their new towels (since, duh, we forgot ours at home)! They were very useful as blankets, as well:
Some Slide Pics:
Caleb and Me on the Funnel Slide
Seth and Grace Exiting the Funnel Slide
Phil and Grace on a Tube Slide
Seth and Grace on a Tube Slide
Caleb and Me (or at least my feet) on a Tube SlideAnd what would a day at the waterpark be without some funny faces from Ian, who enjoyed the lazy river very much (once he knew there were no snakes in it), and who also enjoyed sitting in a chair by the wave pool and pretending he was in a boat:
Overall, it was a very fun time, although I did just realize we are sunburned, because I never can understand why sunscreen is important when it is cloudy...Lisa
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Mystery Trip, Day 1...
... Because every vacation does not necessarily have to revolve around rodents!
The quote of the day, from Grace, pretty much sums it up: "This is crazy! We're going on vacation, and we don't even know where we're going!"
I used to think that spontaneity was fun. Unfortunately, I have kinda lost that sentiment as we have added more little people to our family. In fact, I have become somewhat obsessive about vacation planning, and I'm very good at it if I do say so myself. However, today is a good reminder of the fun that can be had when you have no idea where you're going... Sort of makes me think about a road trip out west, some 9 1/2 years ago... a lot...
That said, I think a trip to a waterpark and some mini golf are in the works for tomorrow. Stay tuned...
For now, it's sleepy time!
Lisa
The quote of the day, from Grace, pretty much sums it up: "This is crazy! We're going on vacation, and we don't even know where we're going!"
I used to think that spontaneity was fun. Unfortunately, I have kinda lost that sentiment as we have added more little people to our family. In fact, I have become somewhat obsessive about vacation planning, and I'm very good at it if I do say so myself. However, today is a good reminder of the fun that can be had when you have no idea where you're going... Sort of makes me think about a road trip out west, some 9 1/2 years ago... a lot...
That said, I think a trip to a waterpark and some mini golf are in the works for tomorrow. Stay tuned...
For now, it's sleepy time!
Lisa
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
When Spankings Become Obsolete...
So Ian definitely qualifies for the quote of the day on this fine, hot, August evening. He was spilling water all over the wood laminate floor when I gently swatted his rear. He responded by looking directly at me with a scowl and saying, "You're not bein' nice to my butt!" It took everything in me to turn and walk away before I burst out laughing...
Lisa
Lisa
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Stockholm Syndrome Review...
... This is hard.
Before I even begin, let me remind you all that I love Derek Webb... so much so that it has become an ongoing joke in our home, although it has gotten kind of old in recent years... Particularly, I love his music. And here I will be as bold as to say that as much as I believe that Caedmon's Call is the greatest band that has ever lived or played, Derek Webb ranks right up there as a songwriter. Of course, much of Caedmon's early music was written by him. It is the kind of music that has followed our family through life. It endures. It's just phenomenal stuff.
The release of Stockholm Syndrome is certainly not the first controversial thing that Derek Webb has done, and my guess is that it won't be the last. I remember when he released his first solo album, "She Must and Shall Go Free," and much of the "Christian" world just about died over the song, "Wedding Dress," because it used the words "bastard" and "whore". I love that song.
Over the years I have collected each of Derek Webb's solo albums as well as his recent work with his wife, Sandra McCracken, and his continued work (though sporadic) with Caedmon's. And in fact, some of the latest offerings he has made on the album, "Overdressed" were just as great as the early stuff. He hasn't "lost it" as a songwriter. That said, while my Caedmon's albums are frequently played in the house... and in the car... with the kids, the Derek Webb solo collection does remain unheard by them. There is no way I could ever explain Grace skipping through the halls of the building church singing, "I am a whore..." Well, anyhow...
But Stockholm Syndrome... last week I bought the digital download in a package that included both the clean and explicit CDs. I don't think I have ever, before, purchased something "explicit"... in my whole life... which is a pretty good testament to the degree to which I appreciate Derek Webb. It took me a couple of days to get everything downloaded to my walkman and to make it to the Y, but I finally settled in on the exercise bike and hit the play button last Monday. And here's what I thought...
First let me make mention of the fact that, "What Matters More" is the track that caused so much controversy that the record label would not even release it on the album. I guess the problem was the language... I guess... I hope... Of all of the songs on the album, "What Matters More" probably had the best theology. I was offended by the language. Webb drops a "d***" and a "s***" into this one, and for that reason alone I am going to send my "explicit" CD copy off to someone else who wants it (if you're that someone, claim it now), primarily because I ask teenagers not to listen to music that isn't "clean", and if my kids ever get their hands on this one, I'm going to have some real issues. So, yeah... the language bothered me, too. But I sincerely hope that the record label had the same problem with the song that I had. The song was, at it's core, about homosexuality and the fact that people who call themselves Christians are sitting in judgment in regard to homosexuals, without giving a crap (my edit) about the hurt in their lives. And I have to agree, Jesus wouldn't like that. I am so sick to death of people who want me to join groups on facebook like, "God hates f***). There's a dirty F word for you. God doesn't hate people... any of them... period. Is "What Matters More" going to get that point across? Sadly, probably not. You have to step back and realize that most of the hateful people who are set on hurting others are also the same people who could never wade through the layers of theology in this song to understand it's meaning. They are never going to get past the surface language. And although I believe in transparency to a degree that is somewhat disturbing to most people, I also recognize that there are... indeed... some things that are best left unsaid...
With that in mind, "What Matters More" did not make or break "Stockholm Syndrome" for me. Just let me throw it out there that there were also a couple of references to Hell that some people may have trouble putting into context, but those didn't really make or break the album for me, either. Here's what did...
Political Propaganda...
Now to be fair, as I was listening to the album I would hear a song and think, "Wow... Derek Webb really hates Republicans!" And then the next track would begin and I would think, "Hey... who knew? He hates democrats, too!" And considering my current take on politics, it seems like I should have agreed with him on most everything, but here's the thing... I am just so sick of political propaganda infiltrating everything in life. Derek Webb has often thrown something from the political realm of life into his albums, so I can't say that I wasn't expecting a little bit here and there, but an entire third of the album seemed committed to this cause. And I'm just not there. Now maybe, just maybe, I do not understand the depths of where Derek Webb was going with this one. I am not going to sit here and condemn the whole thing, though I don't think I can really recommend it, either, but it is possible that I just didn't "get it". I hate to think that, because I kinda pride myself in understanding the depth of lyrics in really great music that reaches much further than scratching the surface. But I'm lost on this one, and it's either because I did get it (and I didn't like it) or because I didn't get it at all.
As a final note, there were a few songs that are worth at least another listen. I think there was some good life stuff in there... some stuff that should make you stop and wonder, if nothing else. But nothing in this album struck me as inspiring, and that was a severe disappointment.
When I finished the album, I immediately switched over to "Overdressed" and worked my way through, "Trouble" (I am not certain that I wasn't singing loudly... ear buds are kind of deceiving). And I thought to myself, "Yeah... I love Derek Webb... he writes some of the greatest music ever... Sure hope he releases more someday..." But "Stockholm Syndrome"... that's not it...
Lisa
Before I even begin, let me remind you all that I love Derek Webb... so much so that it has become an ongoing joke in our home, although it has gotten kind of old in recent years... Particularly, I love his music. And here I will be as bold as to say that as much as I believe that Caedmon's Call is the greatest band that has ever lived or played, Derek Webb ranks right up there as a songwriter. Of course, much of Caedmon's early music was written by him. It is the kind of music that has followed our family through life. It endures. It's just phenomenal stuff.
The release of Stockholm Syndrome is certainly not the first controversial thing that Derek Webb has done, and my guess is that it won't be the last. I remember when he released his first solo album, "She Must and Shall Go Free," and much of the "Christian" world just about died over the song, "Wedding Dress," because it used the words "bastard" and "whore". I love that song.
Over the years I have collected each of Derek Webb's solo albums as well as his recent work with his wife, Sandra McCracken, and his continued work (though sporadic) with Caedmon's. And in fact, some of the latest offerings he has made on the album, "Overdressed" were just as great as the early stuff. He hasn't "lost it" as a songwriter. That said, while my Caedmon's albums are frequently played in the house... and in the car... with the kids, the Derek Webb solo collection does remain unheard by them. There is no way I could ever explain Grace skipping through the halls of the building church singing, "I am a whore..." Well, anyhow...
But Stockholm Syndrome... last week I bought the digital download in a package that included both the clean and explicit CDs. I don't think I have ever, before, purchased something "explicit"... in my whole life... which is a pretty good testament to the degree to which I appreciate Derek Webb. It took me a couple of days to get everything downloaded to my walkman and to make it to the Y, but I finally settled in on the exercise bike and hit the play button last Monday. And here's what I thought...
First let me make mention of the fact that, "What Matters More" is the track that caused so much controversy that the record label would not even release it on the album. I guess the problem was the language... I guess... I hope... Of all of the songs on the album, "What Matters More" probably had the best theology. I was offended by the language. Webb drops a "d***" and a "s***" into this one, and for that reason alone I am going to send my "explicit" CD copy off to someone else who wants it (if you're that someone, claim it now), primarily because I ask teenagers not to listen to music that isn't "clean", and if my kids ever get their hands on this one, I'm going to have some real issues. So, yeah... the language bothered me, too. But I sincerely hope that the record label had the same problem with the song that I had. The song was, at it's core, about homosexuality and the fact that people who call themselves Christians are sitting in judgment in regard to homosexuals, without giving a crap (my edit) about the hurt in their lives. And I have to agree, Jesus wouldn't like that. I am so sick to death of people who want me to join groups on facebook like, "God hates f***). There's a dirty F word for you. God doesn't hate people... any of them... period. Is "What Matters More" going to get that point across? Sadly, probably not. You have to step back and realize that most of the hateful people who are set on hurting others are also the same people who could never wade through the layers of theology in this song to understand it's meaning. They are never going to get past the surface language. And although I believe in transparency to a degree that is somewhat disturbing to most people, I also recognize that there are... indeed... some things that are best left unsaid...
With that in mind, "What Matters More" did not make or break "Stockholm Syndrome" for me. Just let me throw it out there that there were also a couple of references to Hell that some people may have trouble putting into context, but those didn't really make or break the album for me, either. Here's what did...
Political Propaganda...
Now to be fair, as I was listening to the album I would hear a song and think, "Wow... Derek Webb really hates Republicans!" And then the next track would begin and I would think, "Hey... who knew? He hates democrats, too!" And considering my current take on politics, it seems like I should have agreed with him on most everything, but here's the thing... I am just so sick of political propaganda infiltrating everything in life. Derek Webb has often thrown something from the political realm of life into his albums, so I can't say that I wasn't expecting a little bit here and there, but an entire third of the album seemed committed to this cause. And I'm just not there. Now maybe, just maybe, I do not understand the depths of where Derek Webb was going with this one. I am not going to sit here and condemn the whole thing, though I don't think I can really recommend it, either, but it is possible that I just didn't "get it". I hate to think that, because I kinda pride myself in understanding the depth of lyrics in really great music that reaches much further than scratching the surface. But I'm lost on this one, and it's either because I did get it (and I didn't like it) or because I didn't get it at all.
As a final note, there were a few songs that are worth at least another listen. I think there was some good life stuff in there... some stuff that should make you stop and wonder, if nothing else. But nothing in this album struck me as inspiring, and that was a severe disappointment.
When I finished the album, I immediately switched over to "Overdressed" and worked my way through, "Trouble" (I am not certain that I wasn't singing loudly... ear buds are kind of deceiving). And I thought to myself, "Yeah... I love Derek Webb... he writes some of the greatest music ever... Sure hope he releases more someday..." But "Stockholm Syndrome"... that's not it...
Lisa
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