Miz Woody's Place

The United States faces a shortage of doctors in rural areas. FOCA is about to Make it worse. This legislation threatens pro-Life doctors with jail if they refuse to perform an abortion.

Below is a copy of my letter to my senators and congressman concerning the Freedom of Choice Act.

Feel free to share it with your own representatives in congress and to pass it along to your friends.

Dear Senator,

Please vote against the so-called Freedom of Choice Act.

This act is blatantly anti-Life, anti-freedom, and inhumane.

I understand it contains a provision to deny parents the right to know that their child will have, or has had, an abortion.  Aside from any personal convictions about the sanctity of life, this provision assumes that the state – NOT a parent – has primary responsibility for the care of minor children.

Further, I understand that it denies doctors the right to refuse to perform abortions.  Since when does the Constitution of the United States allow the government to deny human beings the freedom to follow their own conscience?

If you plan to vote for this, you need to publicly explain why you think the above abrogations of God-given rights are good for the people of Indiana.

Denying God-given rights is the business of fascists, not the Congress of the United States.

Sincerely,

Marilyn Woodard

Barack Obama Promises to Sign FOCA

The Freedom of Choice Act is not about freedom.

It takes away your right to know that your minor daughter has chosen to get an abortion. How can you be free to parent your daughter if the federal government takes away your right to know?

President Obama has sworn to sign this bill as soon as it gets to his desk.

This is about:

• your freedom
• your family
• your rights
• your child’s health
• life and death

Do as you see fit.

http://www.fightfoca.com

I found some really beautiful vintage Christmas pictures.  They were created back in the early days of the 20th century – probably when your great-grandmother was a child.

A most unusual artist created these. Her name was Jesse Willcox Smith. Today no one would think it odd, but in her day a single woman making her living as an illustrator was pretty radical. She was much sought after as an illustrator of magazines and children’s books.

I’m so glad these pictures – from a book of “Twas the Night Before Christmas” – have survived.

I have shown them on my site, Creating Great Homes, AND have created a downloadable PDF that you can access through the CGH Store (listed on the left  under Resources.) The actual size of the images is much larger in the PDF.

Downloads are free for site members.  You can get a one-month trial subscription for $1.

Or, you can just go to the store and buy the download.  In any case, I hope you enjoy seeing these charming works by a pioneering American female artist. Blessings on you!

Marilyn

A response to a Myspace bulletin from a young friend who is a Senior in high school, doesn’t know what the future holds, doesn’t know what she wants it to hold, and is a little stressed over it.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

That part, “Prepared in advance”, says in the King James, “God hath before ordained“. It’s not like he baked a cake and hopes you’ll eat it. He’s laid some serious groundwork for you.
I think God made you to do something very special. If you are seeking his plan, there is no way he’s gonna’ let you miss it.

Ah, but how to find it?

Your first clue is the gifts, passions and interests God put in you. You love what you love for a reason. It doesn’t have to be something “approved” by the church, or your family, or the educational system. Every interest can – should – must! – be given to God. He uses the craziest things! For instance, you have an interest in fashion. That doesn’t sound very holy. For sure, many people use it for unholy ends. But that is true of carpentry, writing, medicine and the law. Every gift can be used to honor God and bless people, or to increase darkness, pain and misery.

You don’t have to figure out the whole puzzle, just be the piece you were meant to be.

The other thing I know is that “A man plans his way, but the LORD determines his steps.” (That’s in Proverbs – I don’t know where and I’m way too busy to look it up!) Part of what that means is that God has your future, so don’t sweat it. I think another part is that we can only take life one step at a time. I really hate that! I’d love to know that the step I’m taking is the right one and it will lead to a lovely time for all. God’s plan is, “The just shall live by faith.” (That’s in the Bible, like, 4 times!)

As for the whole “Significant Other” thing…there again, one step at a time. You never know what (or whom) is around the corner – and there are corners everywhere!

My plan was to go through college and not get married until I was at least 24. Then there was this 3-week window where I could meet my Darling Husband. I was 17! Poof! There went my plan.

Blessings on you, Friend. You don’t have to know what to do. You know the One who knows.

There’s a story news story out today saying there is a big rise in the suicide rate among middle-aged white women. No one knows why this is so.

One of the things I think I know is that people do desperate things – like end a marriage, or end a life – when they have lost hope. They’ve tried everything they can think of to make it better, so they figure there are no options left to them.
When they think, “This will never get better,” they look for a way out.

One thing I’m pretty darn sure I know is: There Are Always Options!

Just because you can’t see them at the moment, doesn’t mean they don’t exist. If you are desperate, or nearly so, please wait.

Wait for a change. Change is the only constant. This terrible time will pass.

Wait for an answer. Of course, to get an answer you have to (1) ask a question and (2) listen. I recommend you ask God your burning question and expect Him to answer. One of the things I know I know is that He cares for you.* Another one is that He is found by those who look for Him. **

Wait for a friend, someone who will hang in there with you. This may take a while. It may not be the person you think it is. It may not be the person you want it to be. Again, ask God to give you one, then wait and keep your eyes open.

If you don’t believe any of this, please talk to someone who will listen to you. If you don’t have a friend, call a counselor. If you can’t afford a counselor, call a Pastor. If you don’t trust pastors, call a suicide hotline. They will believe you, and they will help you find someone you can talk to.