Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Self-esteem boost

Last night, as I was tucking Anna in, I told her I was so happy that she was my daughter. She told ME she was so happy that I was her mommy. Then I gave her a hug and a kiss. Sweet times.

That's when she said she wanted to smell my cheek. So she did. And proceeded to say,

You kinda smell like a vacuum cleaner. While it's running.

Wow. What more can I say? Kevin assured me that I did NOT smell like our vacuum, but regardless, there is someone out there who thinks I did. So I guess if the next time you see me you're suddenly inspired to clean your floors, you'll know why.

11 comments:

Jeannett said...

yikes. very creative. at least she is honest?

Brianna Heldt said...

yes true. when you have kids you can be under no illusions of how great you are! :)

Priscilla Rynning said...

she is such a crack-up girl LOL :)

joy said...

I'm just really impressed that Anna would know what a vacuum cleaner smells like. My kids probably don't even know what it is!

Anna is too funny.

Anonymous said...

erm... maybe she was around when someone was vacuuming who puts potpourri in the vacuum bag? For a lovely floral scent?

that's the best interpretation I can come up with. :) Too funny.

Kristen Borland said...

ha, ha! nice!

Danni said...

Very Nice!! Love it when they come up with stuff like that!
Do you mind if i link you to my blog?

Luke Holzmann said...

That is funny.

~Luke

Brianna Heldt said...

hi danni! i don't mind at all! it's nice to "meet" you. :)

Anonymous said...

Hi brianna, i read a comment you left on another blog, in regards to population control in africa. (I have read your blog for quite awhile as well, btw!)

While i don't think that "birth control should be put in africa's drinking water," there are a few things i've been confused about for some time. (Heck, maybe you could even do a post on this someday!)Say a family has 3 healthy (healthy by 3rd world country standards, at least)children. If they are unable to properly feed & care for the children they already have, why keep having more & more? Until we can somehow play "catch up" and help the people that already exist on this planet, why would supplying more birth control be such a bad thing? I do realize that children help out the family as they get older, but if they are sick & not properly cared for, doesn't that defeat the purpose of having them if they spend their brief life, suffering??

Btw, all these questions aren't necessarily 100% my thoughts, but also the views that i think many people in the US have. I hear many negative comments re: this subject, & am wondering if maybe you can show another p.o.v.

Thanks!
Jen

Brianna Heldt said...

Hi Jen! (Do I know you in real life?)

Those are good questions. I'll just share where I'm at, for whatever it's worth. :)

First off, I think that God created families to be the building block of society. In the Old Testament He commanded that people be fruitful and multiply. Some argue that command was just for that time period, but I humbly disagree. God works through families and has always worked through families.

Second, the Bible contains many verses about how children are a blessing and a reward. Jesus came into the world as a baby, He had siblings, etc. There is also so much scripture about community, and togetherness. That begins with family.

Third, the Bible teaches that married people are supposed to be having sex. And, incidentally, that's how children are created. :) I don't believe that's a coincidence. Our modern Western society however has essentially seperated sex from the purpose of procreation.

For me personally, my husband and I don't believe in doing anything permanent to prevent pregnancy, and we're opposed to hormonal birth control. (There is some evidence that the pill doesn't always prevent ovulation and may function to make the uterus unable to hold a fertilized egg, which we believe is wrong.)

I know a lot of these beliefs aren't very popular (among most protestant groups anyway!), but this is where we believe God has brought us.

As to the question about whether people ought to be having children if they can't properly care for them, I think the term "properly" is subjective, and our idea may be different from God's. We'll never truly "catch up" with caring for the poor, in the sense that I believe Jesus when He said that the poor will always be with us. So long as there is sin, there will be poverty and oppression. That DOESN'T mean we sit back and do nothing. (On the contrary we work harder!)

Not to mention, one of the most beautiful things about African culture is their deep love for children. Children are such a joy in their society and truly ARE seen as a blessing. And because I don't believe in the use of hormonal birth control, I don't believe we should be dispensing the pill to women in the third world. I believe in educating people in the use of condoms to prevent STDs, and in teaching women about general reproductive health so they can engage in NFP if they want, but the last thing I think they need is the US' convenience-driven, anti-child mentality.

(Interestingly the origins of the family planning movement in the United States were tied to elminating the poor and disabled.)

I really recommend reading "Too Small to Ignore: Why Kids are the Next Big Thing" by Wes Stafford, CEO of Compassion International. It's amazing and offers such a needed perspective from someone who understands poverty and children.

Finally, I believe NO life is not worth having, no matter how badly that person may come to suffer. The world is a nasty place, but I believe each and every baby and person was purposefully created by a loving God. This world may hold difficult things for them, but I wholeheartedly believe God is with the suffering and the hurting. He is there in their despair. And He will be with them into eternity. They are valuable because He made them, not because they are healthy, or free from defects, or HIV-negative, or living the American dream.

I hope that answers some of your questions about where I'm coming from. There are many who advocate widespread population control, but I don't believe it is a Biblically-defensible position. I also hope this hasn't personally offended anyone--I realize a lot of these ideas are not the norm and most people feel differently. I wouldn't normally even "go there" because I'd hate to start some sort of argument, but you asked, so I answered. :)

 

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