Oh so safe

After watching the movie "Bordertown" with Jennifer Lopez and Antonio Banderas, I am just overwhelmed by the conditions that MILLIONS of people in our world live in, while I sit, sleep, play, work and worship so safely day in and day out. The movie was based on true events in Juarez, Mexico--which is also currently the murder capital of the world.  The plot was about these factories built on the American/Mexican border that Mexican women work in for long hours and barely any money. These women were/are not being safely transported to and from these factories and hundreds have ended up raped and murdered, and the police and other authorities have done everything they could to cover it up so the Americans would not cut off the "free trade" agreement they had going on..along with many other corrupt reasons I'd assume.

It just made me ill, the helplessness of these women and girls. They had no rights, no respect and no safety.  I rarely stop to think of my safety unless I'm driving on an icy road or walking on a city street late at night (which my parents repeatedly begged me never to do). I take it for granted that the men I interact with everyday are trustworthy and respectful to me and other women. I take for granted that I can attend church any day of the week and freely praise my Saviour without fear of persecution (at least not legal or physical). I take for granted that I have job opportunities and education, and I do not have to be herded into a factory for at least 12 hours a day, with no money to show for it.  The story of these women of Juarez just breaks my heart.

I thank God for my safety, and I pray that I will not take it for granted anymore, but appreciate it and remember to pray for those who are never safe in this world. I doubt I will ever fully understand the trials faced by so many of these women of Juarez, but I do want to faithfully pray for this city that is so desperately in need of God.

New Life

If you have a pulse, it's likely you're part of this group too. The group, called human kind, that is enthralled and excited and moved to tears by new life. My dear friend Jenna (whom I have known since the basketball court as a kid, to my opponent on the court during middle school, to a nice friend in high school, to a best friend in University, to my first apartment roomate, to my bridesmaid, and then 2 weeks later I was her bridesmaid!) gave birth to her first bundle of love, Layla Marie, late last night. She was 9lb. 7 oz. ! Which was no surprise since her (layla's) momma and all of her uncles on the Dunn side were BIG babies, and are all now very tall people. 

Seeing her picture on her Daddy's FB this morning just blew me away! Aside from my nephews, I have never looked so intently at a baby with such awe and adoration. To think that a friend I have known since childhood is now a mother to her own child...it really just leaves me speechless. Sometimes I stop to think about how this little bean grows into a human inside of another human until it's "ready" and then it leaves the bigger human and becomes it's own individual. It's something we know in our minds..but to *really* pause and think about this miracle--it is awesome.

I did not realize how much this birth would impact me. I am so thrilled for Jenna and Lamar.

Another wonderful, miraculous baby story I heard today was from a classmate I had during my undergrad in University. In less than 2 months, she will be bringing home a brand new baby boy from the hospital via adoption. After enduring fertility problems and a miscarriage, this beautiful, faithful couple will become parents.  It just fills my heart. Praise God.

Dear Daddy

Though I'm 24 and married, living across the country from you, with 3 jobs, a dog, hobbies and my own home...I'm still your little girl.

I still think about some of our tender moments from my childhood (and adulthood) with tears in my eyes. I think about some of the senseless, hilarious moments we had at the breakfast table. I think about countless hours of watching basketball and baseball on tv with you, and countless conversations about money, cars and other "Dad topics" on the telephone. I think about how I have never once in my life been afraid that I would not have a man to love and support me, because I knew that when the boyfriends broke my heart, my Dad would still be there. I think about the fact that I may not know or love my Heavenly Father today if you had not shown me how a good, earthly, father can love me, so my Heavenly Father, in all His perfection, must love me that much and more! I love to think about those moments during my childhood when sleep didn't come easy for me, but you would talk me back to sleep, and make jokes that my teeth were so white they glowed in the dark. I think, with thanksgiving, of the example you set for me, that life *does* have absolutes, right and wrong, and we are to very intentionally live righteously. It does not mean we're even *close* to perfect, but I thank you for showing me that me must try every day to put others first, to choose the narrow path, and to live by high standards.

So, on your birthday tomorrow, may you have joy in knowing that you are SO loved.

Happy Birthday.

Love,  Your baby girl

Random Thoughts at 12:46am

It's late and my hubby is working until 3 am. I'm sitting here with my rawhide-knawing dog and thinking of all sorts of neat things. Writing, reading, traveling, parenting, blogging, cleaning, exercising...you name it.

My parents informed me tonight that they will be flying me home to see them in July. How awesome! I thought I wouldn't see my beloved province and my wonderful family until next Christmas, but I am thrilled to say that I will be there in 6 months! I haven't visited NS for the past 2 summers, so I am looking forward to beaches and lighthouses, sand and sun, friends and family.

Devin turned 26 on Tuesday. 26! He still has the sweet face of a 19 year old, does that make me creepy to be married to such a young looking guy?? ;) Either way, he's gorgeous--this I know for sure. I met him when he was 20. In 20 years I'm going to be in shock that I'm married to a 46 year old..I can't even believe sometimes I'm old enough to be married to a 26 year old. He's such a blessing, I'm so glad to be there to celebrate all of his many years to come.

2011

It's a new year..2011. I'm not really the type to see it as a "fresh beginning" or a "new start" and I don't usually make any type of serious resolution, but not because I'm pessimistic, but moreso because I just think that it is better to work on improving yourself and your life everyday, not just a promise you make yourself on December 31st. I have made a lot of resolutions in my life, and there are few I've kept. I've been resolved to be a runner, and I ran for a couple of months and then quit when I went on vacation to Nova Scotia. I have resolved to lose weight and be in tip top shape, and sometimes I have lost a fair bit and got into good shape..but 6 months later the chocolate and potlucks took their toll on me.

I have made some "resolutions" in my life that I have kept. While I don't remember the pinnacle moment I decided these things; they were still intentional. I am resolved to make decisions in my life based on God's will, not my own. While I obviously have not done this in every situation in my life, it's become more intentional, and much easier over the past few years. I was also resolved to remiain a virgin until marriage--check. :)  I also am resolved to be a loyal wife who upholds her marriage relationship above all others (aside from my relationship with God). I want to be gentle, kind, compassionate and submissive to Devin.  I am also resolved to draw nearer to God, learn more about Him, and use opportunities He gives me to love others and share His love with them.

 There are more, but these are some big ones that I am committed to, not just on December 31st, but for the rest of my life.

Happy 2011!