Mourdock Monday!

Once again, it's my favorite day of the week, MOURDOCK MONDAY! Check out his ad that came out recently!

Do not be Afraid of Their Faces

To say that what I believe isn't always popular is an understatement. And the last day or two have been difficult in that people want to crush what I believe and make me believe the way they do. I don't like that. Some have called me young and naive (I call them old and dumb, just I'm polite and don't say it to their face like they do to me). Unlike them, I have a fresh perspective on life. I'm not afraid to take a risk. I'll stick my neck out to go with the unpopular vote over the popular vote any day. Besides, their generation taught me that what is popular isn't always right, yet instead of practicing what they preach, they jump on me for following orders. (Yes, I am ranting, but I promise it's not going to last too long). If you haven't guessed, it has to do with politics (something I love and hate at the same time).

So needless to say, I've been struggling. Big. Time. This morning God reminded me that my hope is in Him, not in an earthly cause or person. "Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God." (Psalm 43:5 NKJV) Ah, what sweet comfort. He saved me from a pit of despair, why do I keep going back into it willingly? Silly me. But still, frustration held on to me just a tiny bit. Fact: I am young. Fact: I don't have a lot of experience. So who am I to go against these people who supposedly know a lot more than me. But God, in His loving way once again led me to a beautiful passage in Jeremiah. The great prophet is at this time young, and like me, feels inadequate. Listen to the exchange:

God: Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.

Jeremiah (I can imaging he's trembling a little bit and says in a shaky voice): "Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth!"

There! He said it! He can't do it! Duh! He's too young! C'mon God! What are You thinking? 

But alas, God replies: Do not say, 'I am a youth,' for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of their faces, for I am with you to deliver you.

Well, who can argue with that? Not Jeremiah, and definitely not me. God's calling isn't always easy, but He gives us what we need. He is with us and will deliver us.

Moments that Take Your Breath Away

Life's not the breaths you take,

The breathing in and out

That gets you through the day.

You just might miss the point

Trying to win the race.

Life's not the breaths you take

But the moments that take your breath away.

{George Strait}

When most people think of this song they think sweet romantic thoughts of their significant other. They get this far away dreamy look and it's not hard to figure out what they're thinking. 

Not me.

When I think of this song I think of politics. Weird, I know. But really, in the past six months I've experienced many of those breath-taking moments while working on the Mourdock for U.S. Senate campaign.

For example, the time a dear, sweet old lady thanked me for being politically active because, "Most young people your age don't care about our country."

Or when I first met Richard Mourdock.

When I had the opportunity to do six parades on July 4th weekend.

At a meet and greet in Ft. Wayne Richard called me his "campaign hero" to the entire crowd. Definitely a breath taking moment.

On my 21st birthday, throwing out the honorary first pitch at a TinCaps game proudly wearing a Mourdock t-shirt and later that evening he called me to wish me a happy birthday.

Sitting through many of Mourdock's speeches, listening to him move the crowds with his passion for what he believes is right. Watching him tear up at certain parts as he talks about things that are near and dear to his heart.

Having the opportunity to tell others about a candidate I not only think is good, but a candidate I firmly believe in and actually trust. The best part is swaying them to vote for Mourdock in May.

Driving Richard's truck in parades.

Being the first "Super Volunteer."

The best one -- standing in a circle with several others on the campaign, holding hands and praying.

The list could go on and on.

Mourdock for U.S. Senate 2012

So in case any of you have been wondering why my posts have been so scarce lately it would be because I've been crazy busy volunteering for a U.S. Senate campaign.

Richard Mourdock is running in the Republican primaries in May 2012 against 6 term incumbent, Dick Lugar. Our current Senator is now 80 and has become quite the career politician, not to mention extremely liberal, and is no longer sensitive to his constituents. In fact, he doesn't even live in Indiana anymore and he rarely comes back home to visit! On the other hand, Richard Mourdock (currently our state treasurer) is a fiscal conservative (Indiana is one of the few states that has a budget surplus), a social conservative, and in general an all around good guy. He's pro-life, pro-family, pro-tax CUTS, pro-term limits (and has practiced this in previous political offices that he's held), and on the list could go. While on the flip side, Dick Lugar has been called President Obama's "favorite Republican" even appearing on a TV add for him in the 2008 Presidential election! In fact, Obama himself has referred to Lugar as a "mentor." Richard Mourdock has done a great job in previous offices and I'm sure he will do a good job as a Senator! Below are some pictures from the campaign.

~~*Richard Mourdock*~~

~~*St. Joseph County Lincoln Day Dinner*~~

~~*Grant County Fair*~~

~~*Salamonie Festival Parade*~~

~~*Richard handing out pencils*~~

~~*I got to drive the truck...such fun*~~

~~*With Richard*~~

~~*Flotilla*~~

~~*Somehow I skipped some parades...but this one is from Kosciusko County*~~

~~*This is what happens when you've been on the campaign trail too long*~~

~~*Culver parade*~~

~~*Sometimes you've gotta take a break!*~~

~~*Elkhart County 4H Fair Parade*~~

~~*Elkhart County Fair Booth*~~

Cut, Cap and Balance Act

As a college student I'm asking Senators Lugar and Coats (from Indiana) as well as other members of the U.S. Senate to PLEASE vote for “Cut, Cap and Balance” because this will effect my entire life as a working adult, and my future family and children, as well as the lives of countless other young Americans. You hold the future of America in your hands…DON'T MESS THIS UP!

Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day in America was designed as a day to honor those who have served, are serving, or have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country. There are tributes, rallies, parades, cookouts, family get together's, baseball games, eating, and on the list could go. Unfortunately, many people do not take the time to remember the sacrifices that were paid so that we have the chance to live in the freest country in the world.

This weekend for me was spent in a flurry of activity. I was in Ft. Wayne (a city 45 minutes west) three times, Goshen (a city about 45 minutes north) twice, and South Bend (a city about 1 1/2 hours northwest) once! The weather included one incredibly bad storm, one tornado warning and horrible storm, and sun and heat. My car died in Ft. Wayne and is still there at the moment, I have a bad case of sun burn, and all in all, I have a weekend packed with memories and laughter that I would do all over again given the chance. Below are pictures that were snapped during this wonderful time in my life.

~In the WOWO studio with Pat Miller~

I was given the chance to be in studio with Pat on Friday afternoon during his talk show, it was great fun!

~With my friend Brandi~

We met at the mall and went out to eat at Red Lobster after the show on Friday.

~ARMAD Rally for the Troops in Ft. Wayne~

On Saturday was the rally for the troops by ARMAD, "Amature Radio Military Appreciation Day"

~Fort Wayne TinCaps Game Saturday Night~

Unfortunately we were rained out

~Sunday~

Sunday was a bit hairy because I was stuck in Wal-Mart during a tornado warning. This picture was taken in the Wal-Mart parking lot during that time.

~Monday~

I had spent the night in Goshen and went to South Bend very early on Monday morning to walk in a parade.

~TinCaps Game~

We were able to exchange our tickets for Monday's game. Unfortunately they lost after a four game winning streak. We had a lot of fun though!

If You Don't Work, You Don't Eat

I am a firm believer in the rights guaranteed by the Constitution as well as a strong supporter of capitalism. However, the other day I was chatting with a friend in the UK, we had quite the debate about free governments like the US versus socialistic governments like the UK. This discussion caused him to write a blog post about it and challenged me to write a rebuttal of sorts. (You can view his post here.)

While I agree with his point of everyone sharing for the common good of man, I also strongly disagree. Let me explain, as a Christian I agree, we should be doing our best to look out for and take care of others. Jesus Himself said that it is more blessed to give than to receive (Luke 6:38). However, I feel like I should be the one to choose how, where, and the amount that I give to others and whether that be a gift of money, time or both. I do not think that the government should be doing this for me, for many reasons, but from strictly a Christians view point, it is because my government does not always support causes and charities that I agree with. They support gay rights, abortion clinics, embryonic stem cell research and on the list could go. If I can help it, I don't want my money going to those things.

I think in its purest form communism is the best economic structure (and yes, I do know that Sam said he didn't believe in communism, I'm just using this for my point), but sadly it is terribly tainted by sin. Socialism is a weaker form of communism, and capitalism is its exact opposite. Capitalism gives people the ability to move from the bottom to the top if they are willing to work. Capitalism encourages growth and work. It gives rewards for effort and punishment for laziness. It applies a very biblical principle, that of, "if you don't work you don't eat." (II Thessalonians 3:10) Pretty much, if you want something you've got to work for it, the government isn't going to give you anything. I'm not against homeless shelters, food pantries, soup kitchens, etc., but only if they are privatized and run by individuals, churches, or companies, NOT the government.

The best American example of failure that I can think of in the regard is that of the welfare system. My tax dollars go to support people, most of whom are perfectly capable, yet too lazy to get a job. So while I'm out working two jobs trying to pay my way through school, others are sitting at home watching TV while being paid by me. Yes, I understand, some people really do need the welfare, but not most, and those who do need it could get help from other organizations than the government if they needed to. Most people simply need to get out and try to work.

While I'm all for sharing, I'm also all against the spreading of wealth and most socialist ideals. Most people are wealthy for a reason -- they actually worked hard and spend years earning it. The people who are receiving government help are usually too lazy to try, and because they've been given everything all their lives they expect to get it for the rest of their life. "A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich." ~Proverbs 10:4

The Gipper's Birthday

Today marks the 100th birthday of America's 40th President, Ronald Reagan. Being a lover of history, and particularly United States history, along with being a staunch conservative, I find President Reagan to be somewhat of a fascination. From his very first days in office to the end of his two terms, Reagan was a man who was and still is a rarity in politics, he was a promise keeper, a doer, and an honest man full of integrity and love for his country. He was not afraid to speak his mind and stand for what was right. No, his presidency wasn't perfect, but he was human, all people make mistakes. The difference is that he was willing to admit his shortcomings, apologize and move on. In my opinion President Reagan was the best President we have had since Lincoln, and one of the best Presidents ever.

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"All great change in America begins at the dinner table." ~Ronald Reagan~

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"There is no limit to what a man can do or where he can go if he doesn't mind who gets the credit." ~Ronald Reagan~

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"The most terrifying words in the English language are: 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help.'" ~Ronald Reagan~

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"When I took the oath of office, I pledged loyalty to only one special interest group, we the people." ~Ronald Reagan~

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"Freedom is one of the deepest and noblest aspirations of the human spirit." ~Ronald Reagan~

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"America is too great to dream small dreams." ~Ronald Reagan~

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"I now begin that journey that will lead me to the sunset of my life. I know that for America, there will always be a bright dawn ahead." ~Ronald Reagan~

President Ronald Wilson Reagan, "The Gipper"

February 6, 1911 ~ June 5, 2004

A Tale of Two Coyotes

The Governor of California is jogging with his dog along a nature trail.  A coyote jumps out and attacks the Governor's dog and, since nothing was done, bites the Governor as well. The Governor starts to intervene, but reflects upon the movie "Bambi" and then realizes he should stop because the coyote is only doing what is natural. He calls animal control. Animal Control captures the coyote and bills the State $200 testing it for diseases and $500 for relocating it. He calls a veterinarian. The vet collects the dead dog and bills the State $200 testing it for diseases. The Governor goes to hospital and spends $3,500 getting checked for diseases from the coyote and on getting his bite wound bandaged. The running trail gets shut down for 6 months while Fish & Game conducts a $100,000 survey to make sure the area is now free of dangerous animals. The Governor spends $50,000 in state funds implementing a "coyote awareness program" for residents of the area. The State Legislature spends $2 million to study how to better treat rabies and how to permanently eradicate the disease throughout the world. The Governor's security agent is fired for not stopping the attack. The State spends $150,000 to hire and train a new agent with additional special training on the nature of coyotes. PETA protests the coyote's relocation and files a $5 million suit against the State.  

The Governor of Wyoming is jogging with his dog along a nature trail. A coyote jumps out and attacks his dog. The Governor shoots the coyote with his State-issued pistol and keeps jogging. The Governor has spent $0.50 on a .45 ACP hollow-point cartridge. The buzzards eat the dead coyote.  And that, my friends, is why California is broke and Wyoming is not. 

VOTE!

Death Knell of Liberty

"In every stage of these oppressions we have petitioned for redress in the most humble terms: our repeated petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people."

~The Declaration of Independence~

When a patriotic citizen or an adoring foreigner thinks of the United States of America he generally associates her with "liberty and justice for all." Sadly, however, this nation is fast becoming a nation of "suppression and complete government control for her unsuspecting citizens." In the past one and a half years since the Obama administration took over this country has gone downhill faster than anyone ever thought possible. This administration hasn’t tried to hide the evidence of a government takeover; rather, it has blatantly thrown their control in the face of its constituents.

This utter disregard for liberty and all that the founding fathers stood for was brought out in a huge way in March with the passing of the Health Care Reform Bill in Congress. This new law will require that everyone have government health care or else pay a hefty fine. That doesn't sound like much of a choice. It sounds more or less like tyranny - the very thing the founders of this great country wanted to throw off. George Washington once said, "Government is not reason; it is not eloquence. It is force. And force, like fire, is a dangerous servant and a fearful master." The men who started this country understood that if the government got too big it would eventually crush America.

Last week the people of Missouri went to the polls and overwhelmingly voted against health care reform. Good for them! They realize how important freedom is, no matter the cost. However, those on the left keep trying to downplay this vote. The associated press boldly stated in an article dated August 5, "There's little chance that Missouri can wall itself off from the insurance requirement, since federal law usually supersedes state law. But sponsors of the measure were looking to send another kind of message."* Since when does the federal government become more powerful than the state? I thought America was "of the people, by the people, and for the people." What became of that? And how is it that there is such a glaring disregard for the public good by Washington?

America is in dire straits right now, and I think the American people are finally seeing that as is evident by such movements as the Tea Party, and Silent No More, and leaders like Sarah Palin, Sean Hannity, Ann Coulter, Glenn Beck, Mark Levin, and so many more. It is time for the American people to wake up and see what their government is trying to do to them, and demand that the freedoms we have been guaranteed by the founding documents. The November elections are not far off, and it is our right and duty to go to the polls and vote for men and women who want to uphold the values of the Constitution and protect the freedom held so dearly by our forefathers.

*http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iMLrmlnxO4QRUYVZwQOUyMeXetSwD9HCVA8G0

Waiting on Change

Today at work a song was playing on the radio that was called, "Waiting On the World to Change." It was talking about how it's too hard to rise above the problems in the world, so they were just going to sit back and wait for the world to change for them. I made the comment to my manager that that was pretty sad to think about, and he agreed with me.

Well, that song made me start thinking about the way that many Christians, and sadly myself included often act and think. We think that we can just sit back and wait for our world to change. We don't do anything about the mess that it is. Oh yes, one could say that there is too much damage already done and there is nothing that any one person can do to change it. First of all, no one is so insignificant in this world as to not be able to influence SOMEONE somewhere and at least change that one person, and if many people are willing to influence that SOMEONE in their life, then there will be many SOMEONES in this world who are changed and slowly the world will begin to change.

Maybe you are thinking, "I'm too afraid to try to change someone. I'm not a leader, and I'm not outgoing enough to do something like that!" Ok, fine, so you're afraid, no offense people, but you have to get over that fear. If all you are willing to do is sit back and just wait for change what is it going to cost you, and future generations to come?

I automatically think about what happen in Nazi Germany while "Europe slept," or the events that have gone on and are still going on in many Muslim and Communist countries all over the world while the rest of the world closes its eyes. Our world and even more specifically our country is not getting any better, it is only getting worse and worse, are you going to wait for someone else to start changing, or are you going to be the one to take up the challenge and start changing the world for good? You life and the lives and future of your children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren depend on YOU!

Hmmm.....lots to write about....where should I start??
Maybe I should start at the beginning...our new President. President Barack Obama became our President around 12:00 today. I'll be honest, I'm not a huge fan of the man, I didn't vote for him, and I don't ever plan to vote for him. But he is our President now, and I'm tired of hearing people make fun of him. I can tell you right from the start that I will probably at times criticize the President, I would do it for any President, I don't care who he is, I don't agree with everything that anybody does, goodness, I don't agree with myself half the time!
Today I had several blessings. First of all I was asked to work an extra 2 hours a week. I know that doesn't seem like much, but it is quite a bit. I was cut by three hours, so now I'm almost back up to what I was originally working.
The other blessing is that I was cleaning out a drawer this evening and I found a check that I'd never cashed for almost $100!!! WOW!! God is good!!!
Classes start tomorrow. I am taking 20 credit hours! I will be busy, but for the most part they are all classes that I think I will enjoy. I am taking 2 English classes, YUCK!!!! I'll survive...I hope.
I am going to hit the hay. I've gotta start getting back into the swing of school and getting up at 5:00 every morning! YAY!!! :(

I have lots to write about today...prepare for a loooong post!
To begin with I have to tell you a story from last night. After Adreonna and I did nails I tried to jokingly convince her to come to New York with me. I told her that she'd be the pet of the dorms, with 27 big sisters to mother her. Then I told her that it would be 270 fingernails to paint!! She told me no, so I thought that was the end of it. A few minutes later her mom found her sitting in the corner crying...she was trying to decided whether she wanted to stay in Indiana, or come with me to NY...she was really struggling! :( I told her that I had been joking. She wouldn't speak to me for a long time after that. I finally had to bribe her...I'm such a bad cousin!
I woke up this morning to COLD!!!!! I don't think the high got into the double digits today! BRRRR!!!! I went to take a shower, only to have mom tell me that there was something wrong with the sewer and I wouldn't be able to take a shower...I ran to a friends and took one there. Mom and I then went to the doctor for a post-op visit. The doctor was shocked at how well I was doing! He was very, very pleased. :)
The roads were atrocious! We got 4 or 5 inches of snow yesterday, and another 4 inches of snow today! It is beautiful outside...it's great to look at, but you don't want to be in it, believe me!
Tonight we went into the jail. Mom, Samuel, and 2 other kids from our church, as well as me, did music. Dad went too, but he didn't really do much. :) It went well, PTL!!! I had fun, as usual.
I have tried very hard to not get into politics on this blog, and so far I've managed, but I've got to say a couple of things.
I am a big lover of talk radio. I like the big names, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck, Michael Reagan, and so on. This morning I was listening to Glenn Beck, he was talking about having faith in government. He listed quite a few of the governmental offices, such as the treasury, dept. of education, dept. of labor, the CIA, Congress, even the office of the President, and asked which of those do you still believe in. I thought about it, and really, I don't believe in any of those anymore. I don't care which party controls that White House, or Congress, the government is no longer "By the People, and for the People." It is now "By the politicians, and for the politicians and the special interest groups." The ONLY thing in government that I still believe in and am proud of is our military. They are the ONLY part of government that is still by and for the people. THANK YOU to the men and woman in the armed forces who still give me, as an American, hope for our country.
Another thing that has been bugging me, all of these bailouts of companies. For goodness sake, if a private company goes under, then they go under. We don't need government rescuing these companies, I don't need my tax dollars going towards that, why don't we instead try to eliminate our national debt instead?? That might help the economy! DUH!! But then again, we've got POLITICIANS in office who are approving all of these bailouts for their own personal gain...more votes! I got an email from somebody the other day listing the sorts of facts about Wal-Mart. It told how much money people spent a day there, and all of the profits that they are making. Then the end of the email said, "Why don't we let Wal-Mart bail out all of these companies?" I lost it! Why is it that if one company is failing, then we have to make the companies that are succeeding look bad? I know some people don't like Wal-Mart for various reasons, and that is fine, but to me that is the WORST reason to hate them, just because they are making a profit in a bad economy. It's called CAPITALISM, and principle that our country was founded on! DUH!