Have we forgotten?

I am distraught.

What is this country in which we live? The land of the free and home of the brave? Since when do we radically change American ideology as to not offend the minority? Yes, America is about the individual. But, we also live in a free democracy. Growing up, there was a phrase used many a time in settling arguments: Majority rules. So, I propose that until the majority of Americans believe that:

...it is okay to remove "In God We Trust" from our national currency.
...we shouldn't pray before football games or in our schools.
...it is okay to kill the innocent life of an unborn baby.
...a person should only make so much $$$.
...it is okay to remove the history of our founding fathers from textbooks.
...social issues are civil rights.
...we should legalize the institution of un-natural unions.
((and the list goes on))

Until we as a unified country believe these things, I WANT MY COUNTRY BACK.

Why all of a sudden is it not okay to be a Christian? Why should we feel guilty if we are financially successful? Why are we considered racist for simply wanting every American to be legal? Why is it wrong to want our borders secure in order to protect our families?

WHY?

We are smearing the American flag and everything that it represents in the mud.

Yes, the mud. When did America become a place that was so intently focused on accepting "everyone", that we are now offending the very men and women who fought for our nation and died for the ideals it represents?

Yes, Americans have the freedom to worship as and who they please. Americans have the freedom to succeed AND to fail. We have the freedom to say and publish what we think and how we feel. We have a Constitution that beautifully depicts a free democracy in which every individual is valued and given opportunity...

Why aren't we following it?

The whole reason for this post is that I read an article today on a mosque that is to be built close to Ground Zero. NO. That is NOT okay. I definitely realize not every Muslim is responsible for the massacre on 9/11. But, at the expense of sounding cliche, I ask you: Have you forgotten?


Have You Forgotten - The best video clips are right here

I just want America to know:I am offended.

I am offended as a Christian. I am offended as a white, educated, middle-class female. I am offended as the granddaughter of two United States' servicemen. Most importantly, I am offended as an AMERICAN.

We are a nation who has men and women DIE every, single day for what America represents. Yes, DIE. They give their lives so we could live life as we do everyday. And, how do we repay them?

We sit around, staring at our TVs in disgust and watch our government take away our freedom. We send kids home from school for wearing American flags to school. We allow the killing of unborn babies. We build mosques at the foot of the site in which Islamic extremists massacred American civilians. We allow hard-working Americans to be killed because we won't push to secure our borders.

I'm sick and tired of watching politics be played. It's RIGHT and WRONG. Who are we as a people if we just succumb to those who don't have America as their top priority. So, after this rant, what is there to do? Is all hope lost?

No. The answer for me is simple. I'm getting actively involved. This is NOT the answer for everyone. I know many, like my sweet parents, have jobs. They're busy raising families, working hard, and serving their communities. They can't just put their lives on hold as I am able to do at this point. But, still... it's easy.

Get involved--in whatever capacity you see fit. It doesn't take much. It's as simple as reading your newspaper. Praying. Watching the nightly news or checking things out online. Distribute information via Facebook or Twitter. Get involved on a campaign. Give $5 to a candidate you believe in. More importantly, VOTE. It's as simple as that.

Sidenote:If you don't vote, you shouldn't live in America. Go to a country where they don't value your opinion.

Do whatever you think is appropriate to exercise your right to live in a free America!

It's not enough anymore, nor has it EVER been mind you, to just say you are an American. Being an American is more than just a national affiliation. It requires action.



Break our hearts, O God, break our hearts.
For the sin, in our lives, break our hearts.
For the sin, in our land, break our hearts.
We cry out, we need your hand. Come back to our land.
We confess, we've lived in sin. Come show your power once again.

Exceedingly abundantly....

Wow. I'm a reallllyyyy bad blogger. Really bad. This is my public announcement that I WILL start blogging at least once a week. Okay, maybe once every two weeks. :)

Seriously though, I'm going to try to be better. In the meantime, let's talk about...

Life. What a beautiful ride it is. Funny how just when you think you've got it all figured out, it changes. In a matter of seconds, days, weeks...

It's scary. But, I serve a God who is able to do "exceedingly abundantly more than all I ask or think." (Ephesians 3:20-21). How great is that?! Though I must have a willing heart for this to work, I have been awestruck as I've watched God take my plans and form them to His. Let me explain...

So, the plan--since I was about 16 years old--was to go to college, meet my Texas cowboy of a husband, go to law school, get married and have lots of kids while running my practice out of my home. In case you haven't noticed. I'm a little behind on that timeline. :)

But, you know what: God is good. He is faithful. And, He blesses me ways that I cannot fathom.

I'm learning a lot about God's will. I've gone through life thinking everything comes with a 'yes' or 'no', right or wrong answer. In case you didn't know, that's not how God works. I believe that He provides us with opportunities and leaves the decisions up to our intellect and more importantly, our discernment through the guidance of the Holy Spirit and His word.

As long as I'm working to bring GLORY to the name of Jesus, I can't go wrong. :)

All that to say, it's been decision-making time. I've decided not to go to law school in the fall; I'm going to postpone that feat for the time being. That decision was really hard for me, I've worked so hard to get in, and since my schools won't let me defer my admission, I'll have to re-apply whenever I want to go.

As frustrating as that is, you know what--it's completely fine.

Instead, I'm moving to Kansas City in June to work to get a Bible-believing, man of integrity elected to the U.S. Congress--Jacob Turk. This is his 3rd time to run against Emanuel Cleaver, but what impresses me most about Mr. Turk is that he is not running for his own benefit or glory. He's running because he received the call from God.

Working for him (and especially with his wife, Donna!!) will be an honor, a joy, and such a blessing to me! I'm SO excited.

Another exciting factor is that my sweet friend, Kay, who is also from St. Louis will be working for the Turks as well. Kay is an incredible young woman, and one of the main reasons I haven't gone crazy living up in Yankee territory.

Meet Kay:


Also, I'll be one hour closer to Nana than I am now. Yippee!!!

So, KC is where I'm headed until the elections in November. By the way, I'll be returning to the great state of Texas at the end of May. Wooohoo! Let's hang out.

Another major life change:
I am now the National Teen Eagle Director for Eagle Forum. What an honor and a privilege to serve in this manner. Basically, I work to bring more cohesion to our already existing groups and more importanly work to raise up new groups of teens. We must work together to raise up a new generation of Christ-seeking conservatives.

Thank you, Jesus, for entrusting me with this opportunity to serve!

SOOOO, if you have a teen & would be interested in starting a group, let me know! See the website: www.eagleteens.org for more info!

Anyway, that's about it for now. Moving to KC and working part-time for Eagle Forum.

YAY. We serve such a good God.

My favorite passage right now:
Philippians 2:1-11; 14-16
So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father... Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blamless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of lie, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.

Just a few pics from this spring:

Standing on the Promises of God...

Standing on the promisese I shall not fall,
List'ning every moment to the Spirit's call
Resting in my Savior as my All in All,
Standing on the promises of God.

Beautiful words, huh? That pretty much sums up the whole of my first few weeks in St. Louis. I'm just waiting, trusting, and taking comfort in knowing He holds the ultimate plan. As long as I'm constantly seeking His face, I'll find my way.

Anyway, life in the 'Lou is great. I spend my time listening, learning, reading, writing, and sharing. In case I've skipped a step and haven't told you what I'm doing, here's a brief summary:

Because of my Meme's influence, I've always looked up to and admired the work of Phyllis Schlafly--one of the most incredible, devout, conservative activists of the last few decades. She has an organization called Eagle Forum (www.eagleforum.org), and I have the opportunity to serve as an intern. My desk is right outside her office in the "Education Center," located in downtown Clayton.

This is a super-old picture of the building. Now there are high rises all around it as Clayton is a very industrialized area.


I'm loving every minute of my internship. Half the time, I don't even feel like an intern as I've written book reviews, done some graphic design, written blog posts, and have brainstormed ways to expand the "Collegians" part of the organization. I'm really working on keeping the Collegians blog up-to-date. (www.efcollegians.org) Click on the "blog" tab at the top.

One of my first out-of-the-office experiences came with a trip to Missouri's capital, Jefferson City. The Executive Director at the Education Center allowed me to accompany her and the Collegians Director, Blake, to a "State Sovereignty" rally that was to promote a healthcare bill proposed in the Missouri legislature. It was an INCREDIBLE experience. There were about 5 or 600 Missourians there in support of their state's rights.

Some of the attendees:


My living situation is PHENOMENAL. For those of you in Snyder, you know the Cox family. If you don't, they're a sweet family from my hometown. Anyway, Elliot's sister lives up here, and she is an absolute gem! Not only has she offered me her home, but she is a constant encouragement and spiritual leader in the midst of a very challenging and confusing time in my life. She is definitely a God-send, and I'm so thankful the Lord is blessing me through getting to know her.

Emily's cute house that she's sharing with me:


I've been attending church with her at First Evangelical Free Church. It's HUGE, but I never leave the doors of the church without having experienced true worship in the midst of a very intentional congregation.

One of the GREATEST parts of being in the STL is how much time I'm getting to spend with my Kanakuk families. They bless me so much. The past couple of weeks, I've been meeting one of my faves, Julie, at the athletic club her family belongs to so that we could practice her free throws. Her work paid off as she got THIRD in a free throw shooting contest at her brother's JV basketball game. This is Jules stepping up to the free throw line during the contest.



I've also been able to spend time with some of my kampers that I counseled two years in a row--the Moore and Stipanovich families. GREAT kids and SUCH sweet families!!

That's about all I've got for now, besides the fact that I'm CRAVING Texas. Literally--craving. It's SO cold here. And,I just can't get past the random snows. Ugh. Oh well, this too shall pass. :)

But, the moral of the story is: The Lord is blessing me in more ways than I could ever imagine.

Blessings on each of you!!

Oh--and, no word on law school yet. Been rejected from Baylor and Univeristy of Houston, so at least we know I won't be either of those places. ;)

Continue to pray for Craig, Maggie, Brynne, and Koda--still no answers for Brynne. On that note, I'd like to take a minute and share what an incredible cousin I have. In the midst of such hurt and confusion, Maggie's been such an inspiration and a genuine testimony of the strength and faith only found in Jesus. She handles everything with such grace and brings such glory to the Lord's name. So many lives have been touched and blessed by this sweet woman, when in reality, we should be the ones blessing her. All that to say--pray for this sweet family: for strength, patience, endurance, and that the Lord would, in His time, provide answers!

Look at these two beautiful faces. Brynne's 1st birthday:


Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21

Glyn lately...:)

So, since I haven't posted in a month, and considering I just made a major life-change, I decided a little blogging was in order. However, I have a ton to do, so we'll make this fast. :)

1. I graduated from Baylor on the 19th of December! EEEK! It wasn't without a little drama, though...checked my grades on Wednesday before Saturday of graduation to find I had "failed" my Spanish class (in which passing was pertinent to me graduating). Come to find out, I made an A--my professor didn't know my name was "Leslie" Glyn Wright. Who'da thunk it??
2. Left early for Nana's in Missouri with Dad and Averey and was stuck there all week without Mom, Syd, or Jordan. :( Very different Christmas. Syd calls it the great Christmas disaster.
3. I just moved to St. Louis. Remember all that uncertainty I had a month ago?? --the Lord reveals His plans, in His perfect time. :) I'll be interning with an incredible organization, Eagle Forum, this spring. Check 'em out... www.eagleforum.org
4. I've learned (or been reminded of) several valuable lessons over the past month, some more important than others:
--Christmas just isn't Christmas without family.
--Things aren't always what they seem.
--Patience is a virtue.
--Energy drinks are never good on an empty stomach.
--Cuddle duds are a necessity in Missouri.
--Sometimes the hardest things to do are the most worthwhile.
And, the most important...
GOD'S PLAN IS PERFECT, AND HIS TIMING INDISPUTABLE.


More to come...
Blessings on your week!!! :)

Just a few pics...