Unplanned DVD Review and Giveaway

Unplanned DVD
Abby Johnson

Tyndale offered the opportunity to join this blog tour addressing Abby Johnson’s DVD Unplanned; I opted to review because I am very interested in the political implications of this particular topic.

Abby was a director for Planned Parenthood. As the economy changed, she found herself being required to advocate abortion more strenuously to pregnant women and in conflict with the new partial birth abortions being performed by her parent organization. However, Abby sites an ultrasound as the main reason she changed her mind about Planned Parenthood advocacy.

Planned Parenthood has been in the news as different bills have been introduced to limit or change the approach to providing abortion. I did some research. Unplanned claims abortion is a focus for PP, while the organization itself states the focus is on family health services.

I find myself conflicted. Being very poor in college and having had to use Medicaid to provide health care for my children, I recognize the value of people with limited financial ability having a place to go for birth control, female exams, etc. I certainly don’t advocate abortion, and I find the concept of partial birth abortion positively barbaric.

The DVD puts a light on Planned Parenthood that one on the outside would not be able to see. Abby, herself, had two abortions prior to becoming an advocate for pro-life. I was especially appreciative of the focus on those who protest at Planned Parenthood. A distinction was drawn between those who are there to serve their own purposes by using grotesque pictures and shouting slurs at the women and workers and those who are there in love to show there is an alternative and shine the light of Christ.

Abby Johnson notes that when she left PP, they took her to court in an effort to silence her and keep the issues she objected to out of the media. That court case was determined to be unfounded launching Abby’s new career as a spokesperson for pro-life and anti-PP. Revealing PP’s agenda was one of the most powerful messages I took away from viewing the DVD.

Unite for Life Webcast

Unite for Life is having a free webcast featuring Abby Johnson to benefit pregnancy care organizations on May 17 at 8:00pm (all timezones). If you would like to participate, sign up at http://www.uniteforlifewebcast.org/. Unplanned the book and DVD will be available for purchase as a bundle. 33% of the proceeds will go to benefit crisis pregnancy centers like CareNet, the National Institute of Family & Life Advocates, and Heartbeat International.

Giveaway

If you are interested in viewing this DVD for yourself, I have been given a copy to giveaway on this blog. Simply leave a comment to enter. This giveaway end Wednesday, May 11 at midnight EST.  Winner will be drawn using random.org.



The far reaching implications of abortion stretch way beyond PP or any DVD. Women must have rights, but where should America draw the line?

*** I was provided the Unplanned DVD free of charge by Tyndale House for my honest review.



Heart of Haiti... Nancy - A Woman Who Helped Me

I’m blessed to participate with CleverGirl in another blog post supporting Heart of Haiti. This time we are honoring women who have helped us. At the end of this post, you will find a discount code for wonderful handmade items from Macy’s Heart of Haiti and Rwanda Path to Peace products.

A Woman Who Helped Me

When I think about the women in my life that have made a difference, one immediately jumps to mind. Her name is Nancy. We worked together at a local community college. When I started there, I had no idea the impact she would have on my life.

She is a model for strong women everywhere. Nancy has filled many roles in the college/university setting – Department Chair, Professor, VP, President. Her strength is her moniker. She’s a dogged worker who really cares about her students and her employees. It was easy to rally behind her because I knew she had our backs as well. But there’s more to it…

Nancy earned her Doctorate and worked in a “man’s” job for years before educational administration was open to women. She did this all while raising her son on her own. No small task. When I met her, she was helping support her now grown son while also taking care of her mother with Alzheimer’s. She was doing this while commuting at least an hour each way to work and building a strong developmental education department and academic support lab. The proverbial – “super woman”.

When I started at the college, she hired me to work in the academic support lab while I was earning my Master’s degree. Having her as a role model made striving for excellence easy. When a position opened teaching English, she encouraged and supported me. Teaching under her was a blessing. I learned to really give my time, energy, and, most importantly, compassion to my students. I hated to see her go.

While she has moved to Arkansas to help her son and his family, she continues to be my good friend. I still look to her for a model of strength and perseverance. Hopefully, I’m able to provide a little reciprocal comfort as well.

I continue to see her face issues that would bring most women to their knees with grace and determination. She supports those she loves without reservation, sometimes to a fault. But, love does that, doesn’t it? I’m very blessed to have this woman in my life.

Is there a woman in your life that has helped you?

Mother’s day is May 8th. Now is the time to remember that special woman who has helped you in your life. If you would like to also support Heart for Haiti, CleverGirls is providing a discount of 15% on your Mother’s Day gift purchase of Heart of Haiti and Rwanda Path to Peace products using the code CLEVERGIRLS between May 3rd and May 8th. Simply visit http://bit.ly/gaalFP for gorgeous handmade items.

*** I was selected for this very special “CleverHaiti” opportunity by Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity. All opinions are my own.

Fostering Baby Birds

These are our new foster babies.  Little robins who were in a nest in a man's gutter that he cleaned out.  Instead of just moving the nest (yes, you can do that!), he dropped them off at animal control.  If you have a nest in a bad spot, just move it to a better one nearby.  Mom will find them!

They'll be off to a bird rescue tomorrow - we're just the intermediary before transport.  Aren't they cute?  They eat every two hours or more, just like us humans.  Fortunately, unlike humans, their mom doesn't do nightly feedings.  Good for me - I'm not much of a late nighter myself.  :-)

If you're in the Charlotte area and have waterfowl that need help, you can contact the Carolina Waterfowl Rescue.  They do amazing work!

CoverGirl NatureLuxe Beauty Buzz...

I’m not a big makeup wearer. I do wear some just to smooth out my face and add a little color, but glamour is just not a focus. Reviewing CoverGirl NatureLuxe products seemed like a great opportunity to try some products that are intended to go on naturally, just like I like it.

CoverGirl sent two products: NatureLuxe Silk Foundation and NatureLuxe Gloss Balm.

I was able to select the color of foundation I wanted to try. Let’s just say, I overestimated how tan I am. However, not by too much. A few afternoons spent by the pool and I’ll be ready for the darker shade. I did try it on anyway, and I really like it. First, it feels light going on. I hate to feel like I’m spackling my face. Heavy makeup is hot and uncomfortable. I was surprised by how smooth and light feeling this foundation is. I like it so much, in fact, I’m going to go buy the correct color for my skin tone now so that I have it.

The lip gloss worried me. It was so bright red when I opened the package (just like the one in the pic), I thought – no way I’m going to like this. However, it goes on with just a hint of color. It goes on smooth with just a touch of red and gloss.  It feels silky, not sticky and not heavy.  The tint lasts quite a while, but doesn't leave your lips with that dyed look.   Love it! Worked its way right into the lineup in my purse.

Needless to say – I’m very happy with both of these products. Yay for CoverGirl!

I received these products free from CoverGirl as a BzzAgent for my honest review.

Blog Cruise - Instilling Academic Integrity

This week, the Homeschool Blog Cruise asks how we instill a moral work ethic in our children, discouraging shortcuts, and or cheating?

This issue is something that my children are very familiar with. I have taught at the college level for the last six years. Each course I have taught has had at least one plagiarism incident. I’m not just talking accidental plagiarism where the student didn’t cite quite correctly or didn’t understand. I’m talking blatant. Some worse than others.

As a result, my kids have heard me rant and rave about plagiarism and cheating regularly. I discuss with them ad nauseum why cheating is bad. Not only are there academic repercussions, but one’s integrity is also denigrated when this happens. In college, we give a zero for the assignment in which the cheating occurred and a report is generated with the administration going into the student’s personal file. A second instance means a zero for the class and additional administrative action. Depending on the school, one or more instances can result in expulsion.

Today, catching plagiarism is easy.   There are several tools at an instructor's disposal.  Submitting student papers to a plagiarism checker not only identifies where sources are improperly cited, but also provides instructors with clear illustration and proof when plagiarism has occured and links to the original source.

When I teach homeschoolers at a co-op, I will always cover the importance of academic integrity. I have had one instance of cheating in a homeschool class. That really saddens me as I tend to hold homeschoolers to a higher standard even than my college students. I’m not saddened by the impact on their grade; I’m saddened because, while I don’t hold it against them on further assignments, there is a breach of trust in their integrity that can’t easily be repaired. I want my children to really understand that as well.

I’ve always told my kids – I’d rather you get a bad grade than cheat. In the end, your integrity is more important than your GPA. One instance of poor judgment can be a part of your permanent academic or even work record.

How do you instill this understanding in your children?

To see additional interesting posts - hop on over to the Homeschool Blog Cruise...

Happy Easter

He is Risen!

Have a Blessed Easter!

Time with God for Fathers Review

Time with God for Fathers
Author:  Jack Countryman

Time with God for Fathers is a wonderful little gift book perfect for Father’s Day. I’m giving my copy to my husband. Any man with young children will appreciate this book if he’s truly dedicated to his role as father in the lives of his children as outlined by God.

Each page of the book offers both scripture and a challenge to dad to be the man God is calling him to be. Titles like “Godliness in the Family begins with You”, “A Father’s Lifestyle is Contagious”, “Courage to be a Father of Integrity” speak to the content of this small book.

Today, young fathers especially need straight talk about what it means to be a father and what God expects of them. We all say we wish parenthood came with a manual. Well, it does. The Bible. Seeing that the scripture is as relevant today as the day it was written is an important step in acknowledging the gift and responsibility of fatherhood.

Time with God doesn’t pull any punches. “Honesty and integrity in every area of a father’s life is a blueprint for the man God wishes you to be.” Acknowledging that how a father lives his life helps shape the roll his child will play in society and as a future parent is critically important. I appreciate a book that doesn’t sugar coat that responsibility and assures men that they are not only the head of the household but are empowered through prayer and time on their knees to lead their family along the path God intended for them.

What a great message to read this Easter weekend, when the greatest Father of them all sacrificed his son so that all of His children might share eternal life with Him in heaven.

***I received this book free of charge from BookSneeze for my honest review.