Amy J. Bennett

Reaction to Amendment One

May 9, 2012 by Amy 17 Comments

Ah, my brain! Can I just say “I don’t know” publicly? Would that be ok with you? Because I don’t. I’ve tried to bury my head in the sand regarding Amendment One. I’m not a NC resident but I work there and I live just a few miles away so all my friends are ALL talking about Amendment One. I’ve even ignored Facebook to try to stay away from it *gasp*. I just can’t handle all the hate. So much hate. It’s what I referenced in my Broken piece this morning. And I wasn’t referencing homosexuals when I was saying “Broken people”. I was referencing mainly heterosexuals that can’t seem to be anything but hateful to someone who doesn’t agree with homosexuality. If you need to know where I stand go here and here. It will be no surprise. I’ve been called dumb (dumb, dumb, dumb), homophobic, bigoted, close-minded, backwards, blah, blah, blah. All nasty things. Can I just say I’ve NEVER called a gay person any nasty words? Ever. And yes, I have friends that are gay. We’re not all bigots, I promise but my patience is wearing thin on being bashed.

But my patience will not wear thin on standing up for what I believe. Because I know Amendment One is about a lot of other things besides legalizing same-sex marriages, but EVERYONE is talking about same-sex marriages, especially since Obama capitalized on the moment and put in his two cents.

If you’ve read the above two posts, you will see that I have taken time to search Scripture and wrestled in my heart about being gay. Can I just say I WANT it to be ok? I desperately want to look my Christian friend in the eyes and say go and do. Do whatever you want! But I cannot in good conscience agree with same-sex marriages. I just can’t. As I said in my post, if you are not Christian, go and have fun. Seriously. If you are not a professing Christian, do whatever you please. I’m not giving you permission, you don’t need it or want it, but I’m just saying I don’t hold people accountable to Christian things that aren’t Christians.

And AHHH there’s the rub. My friend said “I don’t agree that we should tell others what faith to believe, or force them to live on rules based on that faith”. However, as I said in my above posts, I WANT God in my legal system. When someone asks me to vote on gay marriages, I’m going to say I don’t agree. There is no separation of church and state. As my sister said on Facebook, I AM the church. I cannot “put my beliefs aside” when voting on an issue whose deciding factor is of a moral base.

BUT. I keep going back to that whole sticky separation of church and state. I put myself in another’s shoes. What if I lived in, say, Iraq, and I was not allowed one thing or another because of my Christian religion? Wouldn’t I want the government to allow me to do all the Christian things I want even if the main religion is not Christian? Do you see? When someone comes against Christianity, it’s different. Does that mean I should simply not live in Iraq knowing Christianity would not be well-accepted? I DON’T KNOW.

And that’s my problem. I know I argued we are “One nation under God.” but is enforcing our Christian morals on everyone, even though we allow all types of religions here, the right thing? Should everyone not Christian just leave America then? Well, no! I don’t believe that at all!

Some say we’d be losing God’s favor. Would we? Shouldn’t we already have done that with all the rest of the stuff that is allowed? Shouldn’t we then push that the only reason for divorce is adultery? Why are we not screaming about that? Let’s get real folks, we’re not being consistent. You only have to flip on CNN to see we really should have lost God’s favor a long time ago. Thank God He’s so patient, forgiving, graceful and loving.

But if truth is truth, then it’s truth FOR ALL. It’s not truth if it’s not. Shouldn’t I then be required to always do what I can so that truth is followed?

All I know is this issue is splitting the church, splitting friendships and dividing a nation. We cannot simply put our heads in the sand. As I said before, BOTH SIDES need to learn some grace. Lots of grace. I will tell you I will not treat you differently because you are gay. I will (and have) had a cup of coffee with you and talk to you for hours. I will love you because you are you. I believe God loves you because you are you. We would do well to read posts like Justin’s that cause us to just stop all the hate and have true conversations and dig deep and love well.

I’m here to say I don’t have the answers to how religion and politics go together. I’d like to tie a pretty bow on this and settle on the left or right. But all I can tell you is this:

God loves you

He didn’t make mistakes when He made you

He will always give you what you need to withstand temptation

I will love you no matter what

I have no idea how to handle state rules when it comes to same-sex marriages

Will you love me even though I don’t have the answers? Will you love me when I don’t agree with what you do or what your son does or your cousin or your brother? I hope you do because when you mess up or your brother messes up, I’ll still love you and so will God. We have to get to that point. When we all are lost, there’s grace. It’s the only way.

Broken

May 9, 2012 by Amy 12 Comments

Broken seems to be a theme these past few days.

A broken heart.

A broken marriage.

A broken body.

A broken people.

A broken society.

And on a less serious note,

A broken pool

A broken garden

Broken, broken, broken.

This. This is what I’ve been feeling this week:

Romans 8:22:23 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.

Groaning inwardly of the broken. That’s this week for me. Lord, come quickly.

Strawberry Picking

May 4, 2012 by Amy 9 Comments

For years, our town’s spring festival was called Fest-i-Fun. Vendors lined our little Main Street with the usual festival fare. Teenagers roamed the streets, boys attempting a swagger and girls whispering and giggling about them. Kids turned sticky from cotton candy and begged their parents for sand art. When we were in high school, our (at that time, one) high school marching band had been state champions for years. We had a sign on one of our main roads touting our wins and each year a plaque would be added with the year. In May of 1994 when there were probably 20 plaques, Scott and I had just begun our courtship. And by courtship, I mean many late night phone calls. By the 7th day, he was my real boyfriend. Fest-i-Fun was the following weekend and Scott was one of the drummers. I was smitten. We stood at the end of Main Street where the marching band was standing in a semi-circle and listened. I can’t even recall which friend I was whispering to beside me. All I know is it turns out his mom was standing right next to us. That’s the first time she saw me.

Since the mid-90s our little town has outgrown a Main street festival. They renamed it to the Strawberry Festival a few years back and moved it to a nearby park. The festival kicked off Monday, with the festivities arching over the whole week now. Tuesday they offered half-price pick your own strawberries and a movie for the kids. Since I drink a smoothie every day for lunch, the strawberry picking was a must but for some reason I just needed Scott and the kids to go. The kids wanted to go swim with a neighbor and Scott really didn’t want to go but I just kept pushing. Usually, I’m fine to do my own thing but something just made me want to go with them.

I was thinking on it last night and finally put it together that this Strawberry Festival we were participating in was the same Fest-i-Fun festival I’d stood at 18 years ago. Something down deep stirred when I realized that. The circle of life or some kind of jazz. All I know is, it’s good. Very good I fell in love with a drummer boy and now get to go pick strawberries with our babies.

American Idol Top 5

May 2, 2012 by Amy Leave a Comment

Round 1

Hollie – I really, really liked that. Strong voice and a commanding performance. Perfect? No. But great for Hollie. I’ll half whisper this: she reminded me of Celine Dion. I know, right? That’s huge. Definitely what Hollie needs to stay around.

Is it just me or did Phillip look really sick in rehearsals? Stay well, P2!

Phillip – Did I love that vocal? No. But I do appreciate the effort and like Jennifer said, he makes me pay attention.

Skylar – I loved her energy level and she sounded great but gosh that song was repetitive.

Joshua and Phillip – Phillip is just not good in groups. He’s fabulous on his own. So charming. And Joshua was trying to knock it out of the park. Just can’t love that as a duet.

Jessica – First off she looks amazing. Maybe too much for a 16 year old. And wow, she sounded amazing too. Performance was there. That was great.

Joshua – Sometimes I just don’t like the songs he picks but really he is an amazing singer. I’m just trying to figure out where he belongs in today’s music. I’m not sure I agree with Randy that he could make a record like that right now.

Round 2

Hollie – Love her dress so much. The song not as much. It’s pretty enough but for me the emotional aspect wasn’t there and her timing was weird in the beginning. Didn’t agree with the judges as much. It wasn’t bad, just didn’t blow me away.

Phillip – I loved the song until the chorus. It looked like he was really having to dig deep for those notes and it didn’t always work. Made me feel a little uncomfortable watching and when I closed my eyes to listen it didn’t sound up to par 🙁

Skylar – Woo Hoo! Shout out to Rizzo on Grease! I loved that. Skylar has totally come around this season. She’s harnessed all that energy for good.

Steven is so pointless as a judge. What a waste of money. I can’t understand half of what he says.

Jessica – Seriously? I mean seriously? I heard this song spoiler before the show and just assumed that a guy would sing it. I mean, why would a girl sing this song?? I was so excited to hear Phillip or Joshua sing this and then Jessica picks this? Who was she singing that to? For someone that is really needing to connect with a song emotionally, I think that was a complete fail. Sure she sounded great but it was just so unemotional for me and completely ruined the meaning and power behind that song. Go back and listen to Danny Gokey to see how it’s done.

Joshua – Joshua Ledet can SANG. I loved that. Loved how he held back and then it let it wail.

Favorites: This is hard because everyone had one strong song. Favorite first round Jessica and second round Joshua.

In trouble: Weakest tonight was Phillip 🙁 but if anyone goes I’m picking Jessica just for the YASB performance.

A Playhouse Flower Box

May 2, 2012 by Amy 6 Comments

Romance is spoken through power drills and handmade flower boxes on playhouses.

Pride, watching the eldest at her best, painting her chosen pink.

And better yet, watching her sister allow that with encouragement.

Contentment and satisfaction is found in the planting.

A simple, almost silly, family project but it is true…

Source

Front Yard Makeover

May 1, 2012 by Amy 4 Comments

Alrighty, the front yard is finally done. As I mentioned, it had started to look a little sad and sparse and was ready for its yearly mulching. I’d really like my entire yard to look like the Secret Garden but the truth is we’re pretty horrible to plants. I feel like this is a nice, simple, clean look we can maintain.

Before straight on:

After straight on:

Before from left side:

After from left side:

I love that we reused the plants from the front on the side of the house. I’m sure our neighbors appreciate that all of that A/C stuff is covered up now too.

Oh and just for fun, here is this angle from last year before the addition. Wow! That blue sky and white tree are awfully pretty but the house looks so different without the addition!:

2011-03-07 020

Before from right side:

After right side:

We put sod down where most of the natural area was in the front.

Before down sidewalk:

After down sidewalk:

Before from kitchen window:

After from kitchen window:

I love natural areas but I have to say I really love looking out and seeing the green for a long stretch, especially from our kitchen window.

This fall we’re planning on planting some bulbs for around the sidewalk to get even more color during the spring. So that’s that for now. Thanks for letting me share these little slices of life 🙂

Potato Candy

April 30, 2012 by Amy 11 Comments

Potato candy. I found out tonight that at least two of my friends do not know about potato candy and I am very scared there are more of you. My mom made it time and again growing up and it was just one of those things that I assumed everyone knew about. Apparently not and I’m here to fix that!

First, hang on to your seats folks because this candy is made from MASHED POTATOES! OK before you check out, I promise it’s so yummy. I wish I could just stuff a piece in your mouth and let it do the talking instead of trying to convince you but alas, it will have to do with a tutorial.

I’ll warn you, the recipe is kind of sketchy. Anal bakers are going to hate this post. But hang with me because the good part is it’s pretty hard to mess this one up.

This is the recipe you go to when you have that last 1/2-2/3 cup of leftover mashed potatoes and it’s not enough to go around for another meal. It works best with real mashed potatoes. If you’re not making The Pioneer Woman’s mashed potatoes you’re seriously missing out on life. It’s not hard. Really.

So if you have about 1/2 cup or so of potatoes left, put them in a mixing bowl with a teaspoon of vanilla. Then grab a whole bunch of powdered sugar. You’ll probably need about 5 cups for every 1/2 cup of potatoes. Stir the powdered sugar in about a cup at a time. It makes it really runny somehow, even if your potatoes were super thick. So, add in a cup at a time, working it in until it turns into dough. You’ll need to be able roll the dough out but you don’t want it crumbly. Think about something slightly less stiff as fondant.

Once you get it to the right consistency, sprinkle your work area with powdered sugar and roll it out until it’s about 1/4” thick. Parts of mine were a little too thick this time.

Now get your peanut butter out and spread a thin layer across the top.

You don’t want the peanut butter very thick because it will be messy when you roll it up. I think I could have done this layer of peanut butter just a tad thicker. But I can never get enough peanut butter so there’s that. Ok. Now carefully roll up the dough like a cinnamon roll.

At this point, you can cut the roll in half and put it in a gallon plastic bag or wrap it in wax paper and then put it in the fridge to harden. Once it’s set about an hour or two later, take it out and cut it in 1/2” thick slices. And bam! Potato candy. Clearly I couldn’t wait to taste it.

This basically tastes like creamy powdered sugar dipped in peanut butter. Maybe like a peanut butter fudge. I don’t know. All I know is it’s good.

My mom always kept it sliced up in a Tupperware container, separating the layers with wax paper. Potato candy has a TON of sugar in it and it’s not good for you but definitely something you gotta try.

On (in)RL Friendships

April 30, 2012 by Amy 4 Comments

“Amy, would you quit pouting?” Scott said in frustration on the way home from church yesterday.

“I’m not pouting, I’m thinking,” I explained. And that’s always when I know that my brain has had enough. I’ve over thought every single scenario, I’m staring off into space into some twilight over thinking zone and it’s time for some serious girl time. I stalked my friend Dani yesterday until she agreed for a coffee date last night. And she knew, after two weeks of Scott being away, that I needed to decompress. She dropped everything and we talked for hours, both of us trying to figure out all the God rumblings and kid frustrations. It’s what friends do and after this weekend I am ever more grateful.

With Scott being gone the last two weeks, I didn’t want to commit to the (in)RL conference. The concept sounded wonderful—the online conference would be enjoyed from your home this past Friday and then instead of all the attendees converging in one location, you’d find a local meet up on Saturday to watch the simulcast together. Once the tweets started coming in Friday, I just knew I needed to hear. I registered 20 minutes into the first session and I’m so glad I did.

The conference was put on by (in)courage where many of my favorite bloggers converge to blog. It was exciting and interesting and fun to have all these ladies that I know solely from the written word on screen talking about just what I needed…friendships. Irony abounded as I watched all by my lonesome but I knew my friends were out there, always available at the drop of a text or an invitation to coffee. So many nuggets gleaned beyond friendship. Even simply hearing how God put (in)courage together made me want to jump in because it’s clear God is in the midst. I walked away more thankful than ever for my friends and encouraged once again to follow God’s leading.

I find it fascinating that jumping into these real life friendships sounds a lot like what I just read from Bob Goff’s Love Does and even more ironically, I was picked to speak about friendships in the workplace this week at work. The loving and the doing and the friending thing definitely all came to a head this weekend. I’m listening, Lord, I’m listening.

If you missed it, I’d highly encourage you to pick up the online pass and booklet that’s just $14.99. I don’t get a penny for saying that, I just really think you’ll be encouraged and blessed.