Agnese

Wow. I am so excited beyond words tonight! About an hour or maybe an hour and a half ago, I got a call from a strange number I didn't know. I answered it to hear a foreign voice to say, "is this Sarah?"; She said "this is Aggie!"

Agnese Tilinde is my friend from Latvia, a small baltic country between Europe and Russia. She has been my long distance friend for over 7 years now. Our friendship started when I was around 12, and sent a Operation Christmas Child box to her, (not knowing to where it would go) fr the first time in 5 years, I received a response from the child who received my box. Only she was two years older than me! And to my surprise, following the speculations formed about foreign countries, she spoke English! And so began the correspndence- she, 14 years old, I-12 years old. Now at ages 18 and 20, we are still friends today and finally to meet face to face!

She informed me in a letter a week ago that she has been in North Carolina for the past 4 months or so, and will be vacationing in Myrtle Beach. To my surprise, she is making a special trip to Charleston to see me!

I just cannot contain my excitement as I think how God can bring two girls from two sides of the world, to be so different yet so similiar! The more we spoke the more I realized that despite her accent, (and the fact that I have been pronouncing her name wrong all this time) that we have a lot in common.

She is Catholic, but understands the heart of God, and I believe, genuinely loves Him as I do.

The past few weeks for me have been rough. I am going through the stage of life in which I must realize my importance in society and prioritize my time and capabilities to find where it is God would have me. Applying to college, starting a new job, and finding a car have brought blessings and strife to my mental state as of late, and produced less thinking, but the desire to do more writing than ever before.

So this is my first composition in too long, to say that through the stress, God has brought me an encouagement.

To hear a girl my age, from a different country, but in the same situation in life, to say that when she distresses, she thinks of God and the plans He has for her, and how thankful she is, has humbled me to the point of sorrow.

Sorrow for neglecting God in my decisions of late and instead of thanking Him for what I do have, blaming Him for what I don't. I cannot change overnight, and my feelings will waver, but I now think of how Agnese, with less churches in her country than we have in this state, blesses God for her life, that I, in church 8 hours a week, have so much to learn.

Thank the Lord that He has made everyone different, and as she said, though each our countries and people have their faults and bad, we will look at the good and similiarities, and see the beauty of God through each.

Cry of the Free

It seems as though we try so hard
only to be stopped
They supress what we say
only because they want what we've got

Freedom isn't free
it is said just so
but there's more to the adage
something you must know

The men and women in uniform
who fight for our rights
are not the only ones in battle
on the horizon brews a storm-it is clear in sight

Capitol Hill and courtrooms, townhall
they're part of a war that ensues
one just as brutal
where just as many fall

But a war it is, not of violence
and or blood
rather tis one of principles and of laws
a torrential moral flood

To have absolute truth
is to be absolutely right
to posess the sword of words
is to be armed for the fight

When all the lights dim and cease
all's unfair in war and peace

the enemies start their prowl
what they yell is hateful and fowl

And we cry peace, peace, peace

Drop the party lines
let the platforms fall
partisanship kills
we are all one, one in all

Our heritage stands the same
from the Root of our past
but the branchig leaves differ
and explode off with a mighty blast

You may speak of a world of hope
but hope we only dream
because the line of fire has begun
I see they're falling in the stream

We are mighty warriors
different race, color, dissent
but who comes we are from one
mighty Lord from whom we are lent

They tear away our rights
they rip away our pride
they think we must be fools
think our passion will subside

Fools we may be
passion we may roar
but for this country we would die
we love it to its core

again cry the men
peace! but there is no peace
we won't let down our guard
til we bend a mighty crease

A crease to the sheet
of radicals that lurk around
as we watch our morals fade
we watch them shatter to the ground

Silent no more!
let the majority be heard
we must stand for our rights
we must be heard!

Passionate I am
radical I am not
look into my face
see how my heart is wrought

America is my home
forever it will be
but if I stand not now
could it cease to be free?

"When pigs fly we'll get our money back"

I just realized that I never wrote a followup piece on the Tea PArty. Well now that the excitement of the moment has faded, I may be writing with less pizzaz. but writing, nonetheless.

The Tax Day Tea Party in Charleston was what I consider the epitome of patriotism. There were no riots to overthrow the government, no plots to dethrone the President (despite what CNN tells you), but there was a spirit of freedom that you just can't experience while sitting back and watching the news. Truth is, this movement is a cry from a worried but thankful people. We are so thankful for the land that God has given us in which we can practice what we believe. But we are worried that that freedom could be in harm's way in disuise as this "stimulus package". What we fear is simply that the stimulus package is not stimulating the economy. It is stimulating the wallets and digging us further into debt. Despite what Presidents and Politicians may think, spending more money is not necessarily going to produce more money. We must first take a step back and evauluate what caused this economic downfall in the first place.

Short history: as Sarah sees it, (I like speaking in third person, it adds more oomph, don't you think?) our Nation as a whole has relied on credit for too long. The Deomcratic party in cahouts with financial loan and mortgage broker companies lent more money than was plausible. Not pointing fingers or blame, but it kind of all started when President Nixon took us off of the gold standard. The gold standard states that for howver much money is printed, it is backed by an equivalent of gold in Fort Knox. By neglecting this smart rule of accountability, we "opened a Pandora's Box" if you will, and started handling money like a 13 yr. old girl with a credit card.

"Stuff" we simply didn't need we started financing, and loaning, and borrowing, and all that technical jargon I will avoid. And in the 90's when President Clinton progressed our already semi-open trade with China (started also by Nixon), we stopped buying all of our good ole American products and started paying cheaper prices for cheaper made products from China, Thailand, Indonesia, etc.
Both of these principles were broken that the respectable Ronald Reagan had kept in place.

But back to the party: I heard people, young and old, from a Citadel knob cadet to a retired Veteran, speak of erecting morals and responsibilites to hold ourselves accountable, as a nation, as a people, instead of pointing fingers and shoving our problems off onto government and etc. We don't need more taxes by government, by golly thats why we left England!

The most instructive speech I feel was made by our own Governor Sanford. The poor man has been doused in blame and destructive words for rejecting governments handout for our schools.
Gov. Sanford realizes that if we dont fix this problem now, and take the consequences for our own problems, that these children we are worried about indoctrinating, I mean teaching now, then they will have to pay for our mistakes later. Its a shame that we should be as selfiish as to take money claiming its for the benefit of the child, when one day they will have to pay double for their education. They will be taxed for the handouts we recieve.

I hope you understand where the issue lies. It's not about parties, platforms , and pigs. It's about families, fundamentals, and faith. If we dont stick to our guns now, they're going to backfire and kill this way of life we call the "American Dream".

Charleston Tea Party

I don't have time to write at the moment but here are some pictures of the Charleston Tax Day Tea Party! Check back later to read about it.

-Sarah

Spot o' tea anyone?

Many Americans have been surprised and appalled at the amount of wasteful spending put forth in the new "stimulus package". WIth the belief of the impossibility for any of the senators and congressmen to have fully read and approved of everything provided for in this bill, we are standing together to find out more information about and make strides to make the voice of the people heard concerning these and other issues. I am not quite sure what is all entailed in this one hour meeting, but I do know that it is beneficial to any conservative Aerican to make be a part if this day in history. And if you don't know anyting about the situation going on in our country, or in the news, all the more reason for you to join! I am sure you will obtain all the informaton needed to understand the problem and inform those around you.
If you live in Charleston, SC, here is your opportunity: Charleston, S.C. – Wednesday, April 15, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Old Customs House building, East Bay St. and Market St.

If you live somewhere else, chances are there is one happening in your area too! Simply go to scroll down and find your state and city.

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=91398



Girls! For those of you ladies who are interested in finding out more about politics and issues in our nation today, but have a hard time keeing up, check out Smart Girl Politics. An easy way to keep up and furnished in a blog-type firmat. Create your own page and engage in online chat and wall posts, personalize your page, and upload photos and videos. My page is: http://smartgirlpolitics.ning.com/profile/Sarah9
Make your own!

It isn't just giving up, it's letting go

I am so glad that Phillip has challenged us to recognize Lent with him and the NSM staff. The forty days of fasting, prayer, and giving up of self are a difficult, but important way of remembering Jesus' struggle against temptation in the desert.

We are tempted so much in our daily life that we don't even feel the pain, because we have lost our conviction and ability to say "no", leaving no struggle at all, but atleast for me, and unpleasing way of life. I have tried this month already to give up distractions and stumbling blocks with my Biblestudy group, but failed miserably.
I should know how as a Christ follower to give up my idols before the Lord, but if I've failed once, I've failed a million times. I could just beat my head against the wall continuously and feel better than I do when I try to overcome my desires. I realize the reason I fail is because I have the wrong intentions, and I haven't asked God for help. I cannot do it on my own and am foolish to try.

Though private in how I worship during these forty days, I think I would like to publicly express (like AJ and Phillip) what I am giving up. Food has to be the greatest burden I bear and the hardest thing to limit. While the body needs food to survive, it can at the same time destroy you. I am constantly reminded that my body is the temple of the Lord and through Jesus living in me I need to respect it just as I would the building of the church. So these forty days, though I've already messed up today, tomorrow I surrender sweets (desserts, candy, snacks)and generally unhealthy food (fries, pizza). Accountability is crucial in this process so I encourage many to join this fast so we can relate our struggles without giving in. I feel so much better, look so much healthier, and function more properly when I respect the life God has given me, and I now, for the 4th time this year, commit to try, this time without fail, to honor God by setting aside my desires for Him.


http://www.tenthavenuenorth.com/media/music "Let it Go" (read these lyrics)

Preposterous Pork or Stimulating Success?

This bill, the "Stimulus Bill", is chock full of pork. For those who may not know, "pork" is the unofficial term for the useless reasons that democrats spend the governments, and taxpayers money for. And my dear, this bill is a pigpickin' for the democrats. $$.900 million. Dollars. $$. Almost a trillion dollars! This bill is said to help stimulate the economy, prevventing those "500 million from losing their jobs". Nancy Pelosi (Speaker of the House) says that if we don't do something about the economy, right now, that 500 million Americans will lose their jobs. The problem? There are 300 million Americans in America, and probably less than half of those are working age. So Nancy Pelosi exxagerated a little. So we're already starting to see that this bill is not quite as "urgent" as the democrats and CNN say it is. I cannot remember everything included in this bill, but the few I remember are where the word "preposterous" comes in. Speaking of the Speaker of the House, Ms. Pelosi has managed to stick a 300 million dollar clause in this bill for condoms. She says tha if we do not "plan our families" that the nation will become over populated and will make the economy worse. Really? $300 million for condoms? Oh it gets better. 600 billion for global warming efforts. 150 billion to provide hybrids for CIA officials.
I was watching Glenn Beck this evening, as he was printing off the stimulus bill on his show, and as I watched the some 200 pages come of the press I thought how ironic it was that with how much paper it took to put this bill on paper, he was killing trees and moving one step further to global warming! That's going to take 1 billion more in the bill. I hope you catch the sarcasm.
So these jobs the Americans are losing, if government wants to create more jobs, instead of forking out the money on eco-issues, why don't we cut off the 1.5 million foreign imports that are continuingly being imported to take our jobs? Talk about stimulating the economy, would it really help Americans to stop outsourcing and produce our own products? No that would require too much work. Oh, you mean the work that Americans need? What a ridiculous notion. Point is, socialism. We need to be a small government economy to thrive. Anytime Federal Government starts taking our money to "plan families" ie:private issues, and regulates every aspect of our lives, we are halfway to socialism, which is halfway to communism. No one is standing up for this in the Senate. Because we are in the midst of an all-democratic overtake of the house, senate, and white house. Subjective liberals are overthrowing these principles that it has taken centuries to establish. And it is all one bill at a time.
This recession business is a slow gradual process that should'nt be rushed. Not an issue to be taken lightly, they're (government officals) are trying to shove this under us in disguise of a bill before we can open our eyes to the many flaws encased in it!.Many people warned you about Barack Obama, and all set aside what they told you, this is not a blog to bash our new President. No, I do not believe in told-you-so's and plots against the man in the most important position in the nation, But it is a blog to let you know that we are one step closer to socialism. Enough said.

I have been made aware of that step tonight. Yesterday, undoubtedly without even a hint of suspicion, President Obama signed a bill saying: If you accepted money from the government in December to bail out your private business, you are not allowed to make more than $500,000 a year. You may think, wow, that's alot of money that I doubt will be earned, no big deal. And you may also think, well it's their fault for accepting the money with "no strings attached". Problem is, the governments handout money is always attached to strings, and the government holds the upper end. By capping the pay of a small business owner, the government is infringing upon the rights of the private person. Punishing the wealthy because "they make too much" is wrong. And in a free-enterprise nation the biblical principle "No Work, No Food" presides. But many government dependees elected Obama as their President because he promised money for the welfare-wealthy. To take money from the rich and disperse it among the poor aka lazy. Big step in the wrong direction he did last night, and the senate voted for it without any ado.

If you have been watching the news, you have heard the problems our President is having with appointing seats in the cabinet. He has chosen over 3 different people who have butchered their taxes. Ie: The Secretary of Tresury just voted in cheated twice on his taxes. Sen. Tom Daschle resigned the appointment, but nonetheless was appointed, and he owed 15,000$ on his past taxes! Lastly, the man he has appointed to be the Secretary Attorney General has been the prosecuting defender of the porn industry for the past 3 years. In his new position it is his duty to prosecute against "businesses" like this. So frustrating it is to know that scoundrels like this are occupying these hotseats while we go day to day and know nothing og their tactics. This is not to sound like our government is a conspiracy, but with all of these recent issues of "missing tax papers" (Chris Dodd for example)makess me wonder. Heck, the fact that I have used negative "quotation" marks more than three times in this article is a bad sign.

Tonight or tomorrow the Senate is voting on this "stimulus bill", and if we can let our senators know that the people need them to vote against it, it could be ovethrown. But it requires you getting involved. All it takes is one phone call to Senator Lindsey Graham. Simply call the switchboard, ask to spak with someone that will talk with Graham, and tell them why this bill is preposterous. The number is:Sen. Graham 202-224-5972