The Blackwood Family

Action

*Warning, this post may seem to liberal for some, and outlandish to others. I wish not to offend, but to work out my own thoughts about this current crisis.

Have you ever been given knowledge about a situation, but then felt like you were left with no solution or closure on the matter? I recently saw an article with very graphic images used to show how bad the famine has become in Ethiopia, Somalia, and Northern Kenya. Here is the link, but be warned that some images may stir deep within your soul to bring about change(Famine in Africa). I must admit that by the time I had finished looking at all of the photographs, by stomach was literally churning. I am not sure whether it was the photographs themselves, the implementations that each one had, or the Holy Spirit so offended by the sufferings that people endure today. The images have neither left my mind nor my heart. I feel that I am left only with my own thoughts and emotions of how to rectify this situation. As a woman who believes wholly in the power of prayer, it suddenly does not seem to be enough. I wish to have prayers that are targeted and effective. A loose fitting blanket over three nations does not seem to be enough, but then what is enough?

That question can begin to backlash as I ponder the word "enough." When is my consumerism "enough"? Or my religiosity? It seems that we who are born into wealth, stability, education have left the ones who are in the gutters to pursue our own dreams and futures. In our democratic society, we have left one another to fend for themselves. The Bible teaches us to lay down our own lives, to help carry the yoke of one another, and to sell our goods. What does that mean for us living in the United States of America? Here we, Christians, pride ourselves on quantity. The white picket fence, that contains our 2.5 children is a security blanket for us against the world. We skim over or completely refuse to look at photographs that show us that the world around us is suffering. It does not fit into our cultural DNA to be observant of others, which would lead us to be responsive through action and deed. The western Church has neglected its own ghettos and slums, much less the ones throughout the world. It seems hard for us to find a solution whenever we are not even looking for one.

I believe that God is calling us to radically look beyond self and to aid those around us. What that looks like for some may be different for others. We are all called to go out. When will children no longer die due to our own selfishness; my selfishness? Greed has caused children around the world to starve and die. There is enough food produced in this world that each person could have four pounds of food a day. There is enough water in this world that every person could have clean drinking water. Wars and famine are tearing this world apart. Will you, will I, will we allow the Church to sit and watch it crumble? Rise up Church and take back what was yours! Do not let the follies of this world distract from what is most important...people.

Sophia

My baby is a few days away from being ONE year old!! Time has flown by with Sophia. I love that baby!! I did not know what joy she would bring into my life as my heart healed from our miscarriage. She by no means replaced the child that we lost, but God's timing throughout each part of the pregnancy was so strategic that David and I could not have planned out those blessings ourselves.

Healing from the c-section with Sophia was more difficult than with the other two. Samuel was a breeze, and Emma was okay...but with Sophia, I was in so much pain. I went home a day early from the hospital just so I could be in pain alone in my own bedroom! I have learned a lot about myself after having Sophia. Some are good and some are bad. I will blog more about this soon, but back to Phee for now.

Sophia was a loving and cuddly baby from the beginning. She slept good, cried little, and curious a lot. She truly loves Samuel and Emma. Her face lights up immediately whenever she sees them. However, now she is demanding to have her own space and to be allowed to do what she wants. She smiles often, showing her recently gained four front teeth. We have seen a large improvement in her health and speech since she got tubes in late April. Sophia "talks" as much as everyone else in her family. Here are some of the words she can say: daddy, mama, emma, thank you, bye bye, uh oh, doggie, egg, up, and a few more. She is crawling around everywhere and has been for a few months now. She is cruising on anything that can hold her weight, and is appearing to attempt climbing soon. She is completely off of the bottle and formula. Sophia is a wonderful eater, and loves it! She eats table food, and still occasionally some baby food. She is learning to clasp her hands for prayers, and loves to hear Samuel and Emma sing the blessing. She is also into books right now.

Sophia's middle name is Rain. We picked it because of the spiritual implications that rain has throughout the Bible. Rain can be so powerful. It can be cleansing; it can quench draught; it can change surfaces into something completely new; it can also be fierce against structures that are weak and in need of renewal. All of these things we desire for Sophia to know of the Lord and traits for her to live out in her own life. Sophia has been a fresh rain of blessings within our family, and we are eager to see the winds of change in her life as she continues to grow in life and love.

First snow and we had over 8 inches

Uncle Harris

Grandma

First food-rice cereal

Easter with Nana

Pulling up on everything

Papa

Sweet baby girl

Emma

There are people that we meet along our walks of life that leave a lasting impression from the moment you meet them. That is what Emma has done with me. I know that it may seem that I should say that because she is my daughter, but I believe that my life it vastly different because of the passion flows out of her. She has vitality that is captivating. Every move that she makes is as if she is in an orchestrated dance. It is as if Emma feels every movement within the deepest core of who she is and who she will be. Emma inspires me to love life. She teaches me to laugh despite making a mistake, and even that it is okay to cry with real tears. Emma has a gently, but fiery spirit. One that I know can only come from the Lord. She listens intently, as though she is reaching into your soul to hear the words you are speaking. She is beautiful inwardly as much as outwardly. God's grace reaches deep into her heart, and she knows that He is her maker.

Emma turned 3 a month ago. She had a princess tea party. We had some very special guests that came to celebrate with her. Currently Emma is into all things girly. She loves to dress up, fix her hair, wear make-up, and wear high heels. She is taking dance classes, which she loves! Also, she starts preschool next week. We have so many changes going on in the Blackwood home that it is hard to keep up with it all. So...maybe these photographs will help tell some stories that I have forgotten to write about.