A Humble Bumble

Friday, May 24, 2013

Should There Be Less Regulation on Abortion?

By now, many Americans have heard of the abortionist Kermit Gosnell. If you don't know who he is, just search "Kermit Gosnell" on Fox News. He was an abortionist who killed many infants who were born alive, practiced in horribly unsanitary conditions, and was just recently sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty of murder, including that of a pregnant woman who died in his facilities.

Abortion does not need less regulation, as I've heard Planned Parenthood argue in regards to this case. Abortion needs more regulation, until it becomes illegal altogether. The less regulation, the more cases like this there will continue to be.

This case has made me think of how women need to know the truth. They need to know that choosing death for their baby is always the wrong choice. They need to know there is help and support out there for them. They need to be told the truth before they decide to take that step that will fill them with regret for the rest of their lives.

As for women being coerced into abortion, they need support. They need to know there is somewhere they can turn. Someone they can turn to.

That's why my heart is fully in the work of crisis pregnancy centers. The centers offer women facing crisis pregnancies the hope they need. They offer the support a woman needs in order to choose life for her baby.

If you would like to be involved at your local center, you can find a listing here, or feel free to contact me (trulywaiting at gmail dot com).

The other thing this case has made me think about is the fact that no matter the stage of development, abortion always kills an innocent child. People are outraged at an abortion doctor killing babies who were born alive, and rightly so, but we must also take it a step further and be outraged at the killing of babies who are unborn and alive.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again:

Abortion is murder.

Abortion is the taking of an innocent life.

Abortion hurts the mother, the father, and the family involved.

Abortion is not going to become illegal in a day. But we must do what we can each day to stand up and defend helpless, innocent babies. We can fight for stricter regulation on abortion. And when we hear of things like the horrible cases of babies being born alive and then killed, we must remember that thousands babies in the womb are being killed each day in the U.S. That partial-birth abortion is legal in this country. And then we must do what we can to stand up and defend the babies.

The babies deserve our voice.

We must be a voice for them.

I also want to say again, if you or anyone you know is considering an abortion, please, don't. The choice will negatively affect the rest of your life. You will regret it. There is help and support for you. For anyone who has, or knows someone who has, gone through an abortion, there is also help for you. There is support and healing available.

Thursday, May 23, 2013

DIY Facial Wash

For this facial wash, I actually took the shampoo recipe I found here (minus the essential oils). It has been working really well as a facial wash. The only ingredients are castile soap, water, and olive oil. The consistency will be very liquid, but it still works well.

Simple, easy to make, and so much better than facial wash that is filled with chemicals. I was happy to discover it, as I would like to gradually start making products instead of purchasing products with so many chemicals in them.

All you need for this facial wash are the ingredients listed above and a bottle to hold it. This pump bottle from a facial wash I had purchased worked well.

Do be careful of your eyes, as it will burn if you get the wash in them.

Do you know of any other "non-chemical" facial wash recipes?

Monday, May 20, 2013

Healthy Tuesday Hop #43

Thanks, everyone, for linking-up each week! Look forward to you joining in this week again. :)

P.S. Be sure to enter the $20 glasses credit giveaway I have going on. Six win!

3 Things I Want to Do to Live Healthier... Revisited

A couple months ago I posted 3 Things I Want to Do to Live Healthier.

Here were my 3 things:

1. Make homemade shampoo.

2. Start eliminating the "dirty dozen" from my diet, unless buying organic or growing myself.

Source: fitness-health-wellness.com via Becca on Pinterest

3. Try new exercises.

So how am I doing on these?

1. I tried the homemade shampoo. I didn't have essential oils to add to the recipe, so it made my hair rather brittle and I stopped using it. However, the creator of it does have tips on it for anyone who wants to try it. I think I'll try to find another recipe or eventually just purchase some shampoo that isn't filled with chemicals.

2. The only thing I have purchased off the dirty dozen list since I posted this was potatoes. I have been going with other options instead of the things on the list. That way I still get the vitamins, but with safer varieties when I am unable to purchase organic or grow the veggies and fruit myself.

3. I have been doing a variety of strength training exercises that I have found on Pinterest. I don't go all-out and it's nothing huge, but I do a little. My main source of exercise comes from my daily walks. Which, I have been trying to do two walks per day instead of one.

So, happy to say, I haven't done horribly on these goals. And because I feel I, at least somewhat, conquered these, I may be posting some more soon.

What goals do you have to live healthier?

Friday, May 17, 2013

A Noble Groom Book Review

I was so excited when I received a copy of A Noble Groom by Bethany House Publishers to review. The author, Jody Hedlund, has become my favorite author. I enjoy historical Christian fiction and she captures glimpses of history in her stories very well.

A Noble Groom tells of a poor German immigrant, Annalisa, who is widowed, left with her young daughter, and about to lose her land. Forced to go to America, Carl is brought into her life- a type of living he didn't know existed. He was raised a nobleman and must learn the hard work of a poor farmer.

Both Annalisa and Carl have much to learn about each other, about love, and about God. I like this quote about prayer from pages 125-126:

"He'd learned that God might not always answer his prayers the way he wanted. But the telling of his concerns usually brought a peace and a perspective that were better than a direct answer and perhaps part of the real reason for praying."

As with each of Jody Hedlund's books, the historical era in A Noble Groom was brought to life. Jody Hedlund uses historical facts. I enjoy the info, which is found at the end of the book, explaining the history she put into the book. She uses descriptions that help the reader feel as if they are actually in the story. A Noble Groom is filled with sights, sounds, and smells. It's easy to be drawn into the lives of the characters, feeling as if you actually know them.

A Noble Groom has several intense scenes and some "if you didn't think things could get any worse..." scenes. The story is realistic, covering life, death, sickness, happiness, love, and difficulties.

I highly recommend any of Jody Hedlund's books to you, especially if you're a fan of historical fiction. I think you'll enjoy them just as much as I did. :)

Disclosure: I was given A Noble Groom from Bethany House Publishers to review, however, all opinions and reviews are my own.

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Our Words

I feel like I'm learning yet again how much our words can either build others up, or tear them down. If you're like me, you struggle holding your tongue at times. But wouldn't the world be a different place if we remembered to only speak what is beneficial?

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Eph. 4:29 (NIV)

Isn't it fun to see the reward of building others up? Take young children for example. I love being able to say nice things to my nieces and nephews (who range in ages from under 1 to about 3 years) and see them glow. They love it! Hearing things about how wonderful, beautiful, talented, or cute they are brings smiles to their faces.

I remember one time when my 1-year-old niece started to zip her own jacket. I told my brother to look at how good she was doing it, and she looked up at him with a huge smile on her face, so proud. Kids thrive under words of affirmation!

But don't we adults, too? Ever notice how, when you're complimented for something, you tend to continue doing it, especially for the person who complimented you? And the opposite is true as well. When we're torn down for something, we lose motivation for doing it. We quit trying. We're discouraged.

Sometimes I think it's just a matter of perspective. Are we looking for the negative traits in our loved ones, or are we seeking to notice their positive traits? That perspective can really change the way we treat others, including the things we say to them.

How important our words are! If only we would practice this verse every day of our lives:

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.
James 1:19 (NIV)

Seem impossible? Then it's time we remembered that with God all things are possible. And He doesn't give us any command that He won't give us the power to fulfill. He'll help us do anything He asks us to do!

Let's speak kindly and cut out the criticism. It will make a difference in our lives and in the lives of those around us.