Halloween..

Why is death supposed to be cute and cuddly on this one day a year? Why is it that on this day, what should be reserved for horror movies is allowed, yes even encouraged to be on the street corners? Its almost like Satan himself out there shouting, "See, the people want me.. They celebrate me.!" Its a day that children enjoy.. And its scary that Satan targets children. Many people have told me that going trick or treating isn't going to make them a Satanist, or involved in the occult, and the answer is no, not necessarily, but what kinds of images do we expose our kids to? Witches and goblins, potions, magic powers, ghosts, worshipping the dead, and now days many of the decorations are disgusting. (being pregnant, some of them have made me literally sick.) But the kids think all this is just harmless fun and games. On a good note, Chris needed a relaxed day at the office, and with all the halloween stuff going on, he is feeling much more relaxed today.

Here is a link to an article I found on history.com.

It talks about the real origin of Halloween.. I thought that it would be appropriate for today. I am getting really tired of seeing jack-o-lanterns and ghosts every where, so I am really looking forward to tomorrow!!


From the study I have done, this is about as basic as the story can get without having a ridiculously long post.. I have had a few of them recently.

As Christians, we need to make sure that what we do, celebrate, and think about all reflect the glory of God. I cannot in good conscience take part in the "Halloween" activities.. But the good news, Chris and I get to go on a date tonight!!
Signing off-
Jennie

My thoughts on "Dumbo"

My grandparents sent us 2 new Disney movies, some of the older ones. Dumbo, and Robin Hood. I am going to go ahead and blog about what I think of them, since I kinda did that with Aladdin, and I still can't find a site online that critiques them. I checked pluggedinonline.com, that is where I usually go, but its hard to find older movies on there.. However, if you are looking for good critiques and reviews of more modern media, pluggedinonline.com has many good reviews on DVD's and new releases, as well as music.

One thing that I liked about the movie is that Jumbo, the mother elephant is very motherly, and quiet. She is a motherly figure.. Funny how the feminists have not jumped on her. She is also very protective which gets her in trouble. She reminds me of my mom, the things that she did right. She was very motherly, didn't feel the need to be the type of woman society dictated, was content to look motherly, she didn't dress fashionably, but practically. (in the movie there is a dramatic difference between Jumbo and the other female elephants in appearance as well as demeanour.) Mom was also very protective that we were only told things she approved of. She would get upset when we were treated in a way she saw unfit. Which is exactly what Jumbo does.
The other elephants are gossips, and it is portrayed to be a waste of time, and they are seen as the "bad guys" (though there isn't really a scary bad guy in this movie)
The first bad element that I saw is when Dumbo and Timothy get drunk and have a really weird drunken dream about pink elephants. Aside from the dream/vision being weird and odd, I thought it was silly and boring, so I fast forwarded.. The scene is unnecessary and long... And it is irritating that there is always a drunk scene in Disney movies, even when they don't fit.. Like in Dumbo. Along with that, one of the crows that they meet smokes a big cigar. The character would not lose anything without it.. so why put it in? The movie would be better without the drunk scene.. So why? Am I the only one who thinks its odd that this family friendly company, would have these things in their movie for kids? Talk about conflicting messages.
There are some redeeming things about this movie. The crows originally make fun of Dumbo, as does everyone else, and when confronted by Timothy, they show genuine remorse for their former attitude, and change.
At first when Dumbo learns to fly, they tell him its because of a magic feather, (we find out later in the movie that it was just a crutch to get him to try it) But its a magic reference either way.
In conclusion, I didn't see near the problems with this movie that I did Aladdin. Dumbo never forgets his mother, and at the end, she is back in Dumbo's trailer. Free.
As far as allowing my kids to watch it.. The drug and alcohol is something my kids don't need to see, especially when they are young, but I may consider this when they are older, and use it is a teaching tool. I want my kids to be sheltered, but I also want them to learn to discern what they are watching for biblical accuracy.
So, all things considered, I give Dumbo a 87%.. on a scale of 100.

Signing off-
Jennie

Special Verses...

I was working with a girl from Awana tonight on John 1:1. A simple verse, I thought, but she was having a hard time learning it. I finally asked her if she even understood what it meant. After I explained it to her she got it word perfect after just a little bit more work!! It made me realize that it isn't just saying the words that matter, but the meaning behind them.. When I got home I read that chapter to myself slowly, and thought I would share the first part. The verses are so special, as John tells about how Jesus came into this world, and his reception, and his purpose, all in just a few verses.

"In the beginning, was the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. And the Light shined in the darkness, and the darkness comprehended It not.
There was a man, sent from God, whose name was John. The same came as a witness to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might be saved. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the True Light that Lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not. He came unto his own, and His own received Him not. But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name. Which were born, not of blood, nor by the will of the flesh, nor by the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

Disney Link

Just a question, does anyone know where I could go to find information on disney movies, from a biblical perspective? As a result of the impression I got from Aladdin, I have been scouring the internet trying to find a website that breaks down other Disney movies, (or popular kids movies in general) without going out and watching them all to see what I think of them. I can not find anything online by a google search that says anything negative about Disney, but I know from the movie I watched, and the way I was raised, that there has to be someone out there who cares enough to have a website with this kind of information on it.

If you know of anything that would help me out, I would really appreciate it!!

-Jennie

Contemplation...

(Sorry in advance for the huge lettering at the end of this blog, I tried to change it and it didn't work.. I don't know what I did wrong.)

Well, I have been doing a lot of thinking.. In the last month, I have found it so easy to complain. Complain about being sick, about not seeing anyone, about being in bed all day long. Just complaining. This morning it struck me. Why am I am so discontent, when God is giving us this huge blessing? When Chris and I got married, we knew we wanted to have a large family. To have lots of kids running around. True, we thought it would happen when we were felt old enough, but God saw the desire of our hearts, and is fulfilling it. So, why complain?

It makes me wonder though, how many times do I act this same way, God blesses my life, and all I can think of is how it has inconvenienced me. The Bible teaches me to be content in all things. So, today I have decided to spend the rest of this time that I am sick, thanking God for the miracle that He is creating inside of me, and to be content with the upset stomach, and the change of plans. Sometimes the things that God teaches me are so elementary, and I feel like I should have mastered this long ago, but He is patient.

On a different note, I have been doing a lot of thinking about what media is going to be appropriate for our child to be exposed to. Most people have the idea that kids movies are just that, for kids. I have been watching lots of kids movies lately, and I don't know that I consider them good for our baby to watch... (first of all, the baby wont be watching TV.. I mean, why does a baby need to watch TV?) But when they get older.

I watched the classic Disney movie Aladdin the other day. And I can't say that I was real impressed. We meet Aladdin as he is running away from the authorities, because he has stolen from the marketplace. The whole time he is running away, he sings about how the world is his.. (find that one in the Bible) And the authorities are big and mean, and the idea is that they are the bad guys. So right off, in the first scene of this "wholesome" movie, we are taught that the thief is the good guy, and the authority is bad, or evil. Speaking of authority, Jasmine, the Sultan's daughter is disobedient to her father. He wants her to choose a prince and settle down. She has a very heated, "you are not going to decide my life for me" conversation with him, and sneaks out of the palace, which is how she meets our "hero" Complete disrespect for parental authority. It seems to tell kids, if you think your parents are wrong, do it your way and soon they will see you are right and come apologize to you. Jasmine also lies to Aladdin about being a princess. Not exactly what I want my kids to see. Throughout the movie we are confronted with Aladdin lying, and stealing more and more, and he does not get reprimanded for his behaviour. So that is what I don't like about the "good" guys.. The bad guys on the other hand are just that.. Bad. It is very important to teach a child the difference between good and bad. In this particular movie, the line is so blurry. The main bad guy, name Japhar, is a sorcerer. He uses magic potions, and a very obvious evil will do get what he wants. There was to much magic used for my liking, but at least it was all portrayed as bad.. Or was it? Because Aladdin also has magic, and its good. Aladdin meets a genie in a lamp that grants him 3 wishes. The genie is funny, and so is portrayed as good. Aladdin wishes that he is a prince, so the genie turns him into Prince Alli, and he heads back to go see Jasmine, where he again lies to her about who he really is. Also, the genie tells Aladdin that his biggest wish is to be free so he answers to no one. Let me ask you, does this kind of freedom exist? No, so there is this misconception that if only you didn't have authority, life would be wonderful. So, in this movie for kids we have stealing and lying is okay, if you feel like you really need to, authority is bad, there is good magic and bad magic, and, your parents probably don't know what is good for you, so you should show them. And that is just the major things. Jasmine wears a dress that if my daughter came home in, I would have her hide, and the evil parrot utters a few almost swear words. (What the hel- I mean heck) is the one that I remember Is this really what I want to teach my kids? So, if we can not even trust good ol' disney, what can we trust to teach our children godly morals? Its really frustrating.

When I was little, I was put in a lot of really hard situations, because my dad didn't allow Disney movies, for a lot of the same reasons my children won't be watching Aladdin. When I went over to friends houses, their parents always suggested a Disney movie, because they knew how sensitive my dad was to movies, and they always assumed you can't go wrong with Disney. When I would tell them I wasn't allowed to watch Disney, I always got stupid looks, and sometimes the parents even telling me that that was crazy and that I really was.. Or that I was wrong. I hated feeling like I had to defend my dad, and if I did that I would look like an idiot. I swore I would not put my kids in those uncomfortable situations. Now, I still have some of that feeling.. But on the other hand, if you can learn to stand up for what is right at that age, over something like that, its just training for when you have to do it when you are older. I don't know where we are going to draw the line. Both Chris and I decided as far as Aladdin goes, he is going to have to stay permanently banned from the Hall household.

Anyways, this got way to long,
Signing off,
Jennie

Chinese Food....

Pregnancy is a tricky thing.. Tonight.. I was really craving Chinese food.. So, Chris took me out for Chinese. I ate a small plate, and that was all I could manage.. Now.. I am super hungry for Chinese.. I am kinda frustrated.. because I am hungry.. for Chinese, and when I was there to eat Chinese.. I could not eat hardly any of my 10 dollars worth. And now I think I could eat 20 dollars. So, I have a solution, next time that I want Chinese, we are going to buy it from the Restaurant by the pound.. Then I can eat it when I get home.. And not feel like I wasted all my money...

I should have thought about that earlier..

Oh well.. Live and learn..

Prayer Request

Today was kinda scary.. I thought I might have miscarried the baby. It was scary.. But I realized that my eating right.. or sleeping enough.. or even taking folic acid, isnt what is keeping this baby alive and growing.. Its God. And I need to rely on God.. Really when it comes down to it, I have to realize that there is nothing I can do to make sure this baby is born healthy. And that scares me.. I dont have the control..

So I guess when the end of the day hits.. which is right now.. I feel very insufficient.. Very fradgile.. Very.. helpless. And I know that its a good thing for me spiritually. I know that this is when God is going to teach me.. But I'm scared.. So just pray for me.. All I want is to take care of this baby, and help it get to its birthday alive.. But I can't really do that.. And its really hard to trust with the things that matter so much to you.. But those are the things God demands that we turn over to him..

So, now that I have totally shattered the "Jennie has it all together picture.. " I guess I will sign off now..

Jennie

Update on baby hall

Well, Mommy was wrong.. Baby Hall is about 5 weeks old now. And that means that s/he has been alive since between the 18th and 24th of September. So right now that would make Baby Hall about 18-22 days old. So, my before calculations were off. The reason that they say I am 5 weeks along, is because my last menstrual cycle was about 5 weeks ago.


Right now Baby Hall is in the middle of transforming from a fertilized egg, into a more human looking baby. s/he has already made the long trip from my fallopian tube to my uterus and implanted itself there. Now she is starting to be surrounded by the amniotic fluid that will be his/her home for about 8 more months, until s/he arrives to mommy and daddy around May 30.

So, In case it isnt apparent, I have spent the last week reading up on being pregnant. When I am not puking that is.

Well, I will continue to keep you updated.. My first OB/GYN apointment is on Oct. 29.. So pray for me..

Bye for now,
Baby's Mommy

A great blessing....

Hello all,

I am really excited to write on here today.. I have an anouncement.. There is going to be another Baby Hall in the family. Baby Hall is about 14 days old now. His/Her mommy and daddy are really excited to meet them as well as Grandma and Grandpa Hall, and Grandma and Grandpa Needham. All the aunts and uncles are excited too. As soon as I get my first ultrasound, I am going to post Baby Hall's first baby picture on here. We are super oober excited to welcome this life into our family.

Please pray for Baby Hall, as s/he is growing very fast. Pray for mommy and daddy as they are slightly stunned and have no clue where to learn how to be a parent. We will be sitting at the feet of our Saviour for quite some time now I thinks.

YAY!!

Signing off,
Baby Hall's Mommy

Weekend at mom and dad's

Hello all..

You may be wondering why I have not posted in a few days.. Right now we are in Pembina with my mom and dad and grandparents. It has been a really refreshing weekend. I have been sick since about Wednesday... And that has continued this weekend. It sucks. I have still been able to have fun though. Last night Chris Johnson, Sara, Beau and Cheri, Chris and I all went to Grand Forks for a triple date. We went to Paradiso and a worthless movie. Anyways.. I wont go into that part. I got some leftovers that I will eat when I am no longer full. (that may be awhile!!) It was great. Chris Johnson, Sara, Chris and I all really like spending time together. Today, Grandma K. and Grandpa Williams came up here. It was great. I got to show off all the wedding pictures. I did not bring the camera, so I have no pictures. :( But we have still had a lot of fun. Jennie Johnson and I got to hang out for a while yesterday and the day before too.

Chris took the LSAT (Law School Admissions Test) on Saturday. He is a little nervous about the outcome. It is much easier for me, because I think is he the smartest person taking the test, but he doesnt share my confidence.

So, we have had a busy weekend. If I could share a prayer request, with Chris taking this test, and me trying for the Aetna job, we are looking at some changes. Please pray that God will help us sort through it all and make wise, godly decisions.

Thats all for now..
Chris and Jennie

Idea to help mothers facing the thought of abortion...

Hello All,

I don't know what it has been recently but the sickness of abortion has been thrown in my face the last couple months.. Starting with Lexi's note on facebook about the things she was watching/reading online.

Anyway, today Chris took a call about someone wanting medical coverage for a voluntary abortion.. There it was again, the sickness of the whole thing in my face again.. So the evening ended the same way it has several times so far, me bawling my eyes out, wishing I could save that baby. I prayed for it too.

So, here is the hair brained idea that is very very very huge, but if blessed by God, may be used to make a difference..

What if there was a place, where mothers could go, for help, support, and love.. and encouraged to give the baby up... now here is the kicker.. what if that same place also was able to help families who didn't make a million dollars adopt the babies that the birth mothers gave up for adoption. What if, there were sponsors to cover the cost.. Adoption agencies I looked at on-line quoted up to 50,000 dollars to adopt. No wonder it isn't popular. But maybe, a Christian foundation can find God pleasing family, who wants to give that baby a home, and help place them in those parents arms, with the bare minimum costs. Say 2000? I don't know where the rest of the money would come from.. I don't know where we would get doctors, a clinic, legal workers, the authority to do background checks on perspective families.. but say we were able to save 20 babies a year. Over 5 years, that is 100 children that would be placed in loving godly homes, who were at risk for abortion.. Not only would they live, but they would have families who would raise them to love Christ.

Obviously this is a HUGE undertaking. I am not even asking for help at this point, as I am not in a place to start the actual foundation, more laying the groundwork for it.. I just want feedback, ideas, and thoughts. This whole issue has become a huge burden to me.. It moves me to tears whenever I think of it, which has been often recently. Maybe this is God's plan for me.

Please tell me what you think.. I think it would be worthwhile. We serve an awesome God.. who can make something like this work... Please pray with me as I consider what steps to take to make this dream a reality with the help of Christ.

Thanks for taking the time to read this...

With love,
Jennie