Babies Feel Pain Too (& What You Can Do)

You guys, this is very important so take a second, stop what you're doing and listen up. This is something SO close to my heart and I'm so passionate about it, I can't help but share ... because it's matter of life and death. My friend Jessi shared all about this on her blog and I found out about it this afternoon, which is why I'm just sharing it now. (Check out her post to learn more too.)

Tomorrow, the U.S. House n HR1797- Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection. It would ban abortions after 20 weeks based on the scientific evidence that by at least 20 weeks, babies in the womb feel pain. During surgery in-utero, babies at the same gestation receive pain medication. Laws should reflect science. I am just horrified by the fact that 300 abortion providers in this country will do abortions at and after 20 weeks and 140 providers will do them at 24 weeks. Abortion at any stage is murder and so so heartbreaking, but at this stage of life in the womb, a baby's body is formed - legs, arms, taste buds present on the tongue, kidneys making urine, the ability to swallow - and the baby can also feel pain. If a pregnant mother finds out her unborn baby needs in-utero surgery, doctors will give the baby pain medication. And yet before a horrible abortion procedure, the baby receives NO pain medication and suffers greatly. My friend shared this link on her blog, and it is helpful if you need to be informed about the abortion procedure at this late stage of a baby's development read it here - written by a former late term abortionist (no pictures or video, just graphic description) 

If you're anything like me, your heart is breaking after reading the last paragraph and you just want to help somehow. Well, you can. This is a bit late notice, but we can still help: 

• I called my Representative in California this afternoon. Their office was closed, so I left a message: Go to this website, put your zip code in, and you'll get the phone # for your representative. There are ideas on what to say exactly. Your voice makes a difference! Ask your rep to vote YES on HR1797. 

• And pray. Tomorrow is a pivotal day that can save precious human life. Pray God works in the hearts of all our Representatives and pray that abortion is stopped. It's so close to my heart. If you truly look at the facts, you cannot deny it's murder and so wrong - regardless of your religious beliefs or political stance. So please, pray that our country sees the light. 

Loves, if you are a girl who is pregnant and you are thinking about having an abortion, please reach out to someone who can help you. There are so many ways to get help. But don't kill your baby. You are so so loved by God and your baby is loved too. And if you're a precious one who regrets having an abortion in the past, know that in Jesus there is forgiveness, grace and hope. 

(via pinterest) 

a letter to you: when you're tired of being tired.

Dear Friend,

Tonight I threw a load of laundry in the washer and wearily brewed a cup of tea. I crept upstairs and sat down at my pink vintage desk with a heavy sigh. I'm weary. And a little tired. You know the feeling? Tired in many ways because of good things - events over the weekend, time with sweet friends, celebrating Dad and a sleepover with sister. But also weary of other things... like waiting, working, running, pursuing, striving, and sometimes failing. And as my little white fan blows and my french vanilla tea sends little steamy swirls up above the cup (How ironic, right? Drinking hot tea while running a fan to cut the heat? Can't help it. Love my tea hot!) Norah Jones croons in the background, singing "Come away with me in the night..." and I sigh. Jesus is calling... it's not a worship song, but I often find He speaks through simple love songs.. because, after all - this is a love story isn't it? It is for me and Him. He reminds me to breathe. To shut my eyes and just be. To not always strive to be entertained or constantly work. To not try to change, even. But just to let Him love me.

Are you tired too?

Tired of being tired. 
Tired of taking out the trash.
Tired of checking your always buzzing phone.
Tired of making coffee every morning.
Tired of waiting... for that dream. For His timing.
Tired of going and pushing and striving.
Tired of balancing and budgeting.. money and time.
Tired of remembering the things you can't forget.
Tired of fearing the things you can't control.
Tired of holding onto the things you fear.
Tired of listening to the same old songs.
Tired of hearing lies in your head that you're not good enough, smart enough, rich enough.
Tired of feeling poor.
Tired of messing up.
Tired of dropping the ball again, being late, letting them down.
Tired of being misunderstood.
Tired of fighting and tired of hurting.
Tired of hiding, tired of fake smiling.
Tired of grieving the loss of something that has never existed.
Tired of being disappointed.
Tired of loss.
Tired of the struggle.

.... Remember that Jesus said: 

"Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, 

for I am gentle and humble in heart, 

and you will find REST FOR YOUR SOULS."

Matthew 11:29 

Love and hugs, dear ones.
I pray your week ahead is full of rest for your soul and peace in His arms.
Hold onto Him and fight for that rest.
Ask Him for it.
You are loved.

XO
Erin


PS - 

I read a post by my dear friend Rae last week

 and it encouraged me so much and partly inspired me to write this one :) Read it here 

Titus 2 Minutes

Happy Weekend, beautiful girls! Fun treat for you today! Go get an iced latte to sip because I have a special friend for you to meet today and since I can't introduce her to you in person at a little coffee house, this is the next best thing! I really love this girl and her amazing heart. She loves the Lord, encouraging women, and she shares her story and recent marriage in such an inspirational way! We met briefly in college, as we were both Home Ec majors and I wish I'd had the opportunity to spend more time with her. So happy she's joined this blogging community, give her a warm hello and introduce yourself and follow her - she is a friend you want to make! 

Meet Courtney from Titus 2 Minutes 

Wife, homemaker, daughter, secretary, event planner – those are all words that can describe me. And while they are all true and all things that I blog about, what I desire to be known as is a follower of Christ. The main goal of my blog is to encourage women to exalt Christ in their daily living. Titus2Minutes was started based upon the principles of the passage Titus 2. I know that none of us have a ton of spare time, so I wanted to create a blog that would {Lord willing} inspire and challenge my readers in a matter of minutes.

“Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.” ~ Titus 2:3-5

5 Things About Courtney

     1 //   On Sunday, I will have been married for four months! They have been the best and sweetest four months of my life. My husband is my best friend, encourager, supporter, and role model. You can share in our special day here: http://titus2minutes.wordpress.com/2013/05/31/melonaslove-nick-courtney/

   2 // My passions in life are event planning, missions, adoption, teaching other women, and homemaking. I know – I have a lot of passions! :) 

  3 // I am the oldest of seven children. My youngest two siblings are adopted from Haiti. Someday my husband and I would love to have a big, multi-cultural family.

  4 // I majored in Home Economics at The Master’s College, which is actually how I met Erin. Home Economics is a major that I wish more women knew about. Beyond just “stitching and stewing,” we were taught practical things such as nutrition, principles of finance, clothing construction, and how to be godly women in our society.

 5 //  I interned at ZOE International Ministries which is an organization that fight human trafficking. Before I interned there, I thought that human trafficking was something that only happened in other countries. I was shocked to learn that it happens in the United States too. Check out their website to learn more: http://www.gozoe.org/. 

Connect with Courtney

Blog: http://titus2minutes.wordpress.com/

Instagram: http://instagram.com/cmariemelonas

Twitter: https://twitter.com/cmariemelonas

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/cmariemelonas/

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/courtney-melonas/49/8a7/990/

Why I Broke Up with the Tanning Beds (& you should too)

So, I broke up with tanning... and we are never, ever, ever getting back together.... Like, ever.

Friend, there's something I want to talk to you about today. Something really important. Something close to my heart. And I want you to stop what you're doing... and read and listen, just for a minute of your day. Because, the reason I am taking time to write about this is: I love you all - each one of ya, and I want you to think about something - especially you younger gals. So listen up for a minute, 'K?

A few years ago, in the middle of my young, carefree college days, I began to feel insecure about something I'd never, ever thought about before. I decided my skin was too pale. I looked around at the girls in my dorm and noticed many of my friends had a healthy tan glow and...I didn't. My skin is and always has been fair. I can thank my European ancestors, and especially my Swedish great grandpa for my fair complexion and strawberry blonde hair and charm and good looks  haha not ;) Yet, growing up, I was taught by my mama that fair is beautiful. I protected my skin, wore hats on all our vacations, and always used sunscreen. My skin only burned a few times, in Hawaii on a family vacation and by the pool one summer. But one rainy day in my Junior year of college, some girls in my dorm got some coupons for a free first tan at the fancy tanning salon down the street and invited me to join them. On our way there, as we stopped into Starbucks for hot chocolates, my mom's voice rang in my mind - "Never go into a tanning bed, you skin is beautiful as it is and tanning beds are so dangerous. Skin cancer runs in our family. Be careful." But, in my immaturity and desire to go along with the cool crowd, I did it anyway. And I did it way more than once. I tanned (in a tanning bed) pretty consistently for about a year and a half. I loved being tan - it made me feel confident. Made me feel like I could be as pretty as the models I saw on TV and in magazines (not thinking about how fake, Photoshopped and airbrushed so many of the images of women in our media are.) Along with loving how I looked tan, I loved the experience - it was pretty awesome, let's face it - especially in the winter. I am always cold, so being totally warm in the tanning bed was lovely, the music played in speakers on every side and the little caramel candies they put on the pillows...le sigh. It was like pampering to me, and I did it often. Blissfully, this toxic routine went on until one day, I began to notice little wrinkles appearing on my skin... it started to look a bit leathery. And since I am so fair, I noticed a few moles began to change. One day while looking in the mirror, I realized my skin was clearly beginning to change....noticeably. And I knew that if I didn't stop now, I might do irreparable damage. So I quit. I felt insecure about my fair skin, but I just knew in my heart this practice wasn't healthy. 

Around that time, I also started blogging (my former fashion blog that I deleted when God put on my heart to create this blog!) and I found Sun Savvy Bloggers. It woke me up. I read all about the dangers of unprotected, careless sun exposure, and especially the danger of messing around with tanning beds. I watched a video that stopped me in my tracks, gave me chills, and made me think. I decided that day to never lay in a tanning bed again. And I took the pledge on their website. I encourage you to check it out, girls, and to watch this video (it's emotional and a bit heavy, but important to hear): 

So, friend - you may not wanna hear this. I didn't. Sorry to say, I would kind roll my eyes when my mom reminded me of the dangers of tanning beds... so I've been there. But, take it from me - they're not a good idea. I know this is turning out to be a kinda-super-serious post, but maybe it needs to be - this is a serious topic, ladies. Did you know that just one tanning session in a tanning bed or unprotected tanning session in the direct sun increases your lifetime risk of developing skin cancer by 20 percent?? Indoor tanning is a Class 1 carcinogenic - up there with arsenic and cigarettes! (stats via Glamour magazine.) Ladies, it's time we wake up about tanning beds and excessive tanning. If you're currently in a tanning habit like I was, please stop, friend. It is so not worth risking your health.... and your life.

I have really come to realized that fair really is beautiful! We are all created by God and He purposefully gave us the skin we were born with - embrace it, don't try to change it! I think women don't realize we are most beautiful when we embrace who we are with confidence! If you're naturally pale, then rock it. (hey, my friend who's been a missionary to Ireland & Germany says y'all there are pale and totally don't care about tans!) If you have dark skin, love it! Be you - you are one of a kind and you are beautiful and more importantly, LOVED by God. Don't let style trends, lies from our media, or insecurities rip you off and steal your health. 

Rocking a tan can definitely be fun and you might want a bronzed look sometime... I'm not hating on pretty tan skin - just want us to be careful how we get it. Thankfully, there are lots of ways to achieve a pretty bronzed look without baking our skin in the sun or in a nasty tanning bed. For special events, I've gotten a fake spray-down tan and you know what?? It was WAY better looking than a real tan! And affordable too! If you in So Cal, check out my girls at Faking It Flawless - they do an amazing job and are so sweet too! When I wanna go for a more bronzed look, I love using powder bronzers. My favorite is "Dallas" by Benefit. And Bare Minerals brand has lots of pretty, natural-looking ones too. Remember to always wear plenty of sunblock under your makeup, too - don't risk it friends. (My sweet friend Lauricia shared a great post about what to do if you accidentally get a sunburn - here) 

Alright, ladies. Practice safe sun. Be careful with your skin. DON'T make the mistake I did and go to a tanning bed. Remember fair skin is beautiful. And if you're naturally dark, rock it out. Be YOU. You are precious, beautiful, and so loved. By God and ... me! 

End of rant. :) 

Check out this Pinterest board I just made to encourage us to embrace a safe sun way of living, including fashion and beauty products I love for safe sun!

Remember, you are beautiful without a tan or makeup or anything else. 

"For You created my inmost being;

You knit me together in my mother's womb.

I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made." 

Psalm 139:13-14 

_________

 - Outfit Stats -

Top: Old Navy

Necklaces: Forever 21

Belt: Gift from a friend

Skirt: an old dress I upcycled & sewed into a skirt!

Shoes: Target 

Bracelet: J.Crew

Watch: Michael Kors

Vlog: Do Not Be Anxious

Darling friends! I am starting the week off with a little coffee date vlog, 'cause I wish we could meet up to chat and share our hearts, and this is the closest to a real coffee date. Sharing a bit of an update on life lately, including the crazy fire that threatened my family's land (thank you for praying!) and a few things the Lord taught me through the experience. I hope you're inspired and encouraged to live for Him this week and to give all your cares and anxieties to Him, whatever they are - really big or smaller. 

Share any prayer requests and anxieties you may have this week in the comments below, 
and we can pray for one another. 

Be blessed, dear ones! 
Know you are so loved.
And the Lord has a plan for your life.
No worries :)

XO
Erin

Proverbs Living

Working on my book today & praying that readers are reminded of this truth when they read it. 

****

Thank you all oh so much for the continued prayers and so much support over the last week - I'm grateful to share that the fire is pretty much contained (thank you firefighters!) and we're out danger. I've been a bit exhausted this week and thankful for your prayers and understanding as I've not shared regular posts this funk-week. But I am so thankful for the sweet gals here to guest post, including my precious friend Jessica. I'll be back later this week but as I unpack and focus on writing my book today, I'm thrilled you'll get know this amazing friend of mine. She's a fabulous blogger, fashionista, and fellow Quite Magazine writer! Her blog is really so inspiring to me and a favorite read. She has a huge heart for the Lord and is an example of a godly wife and mama. 

Get to know her and visit her links below, you will love her. 

Meet Jessica of Proverbs Living 

Hey you guys! My name is Jessica and I blog over at Proverbs Living. I'm so blessed to call Erin a friend and to be here at Sweetness Itself! I am a working wife and mother as well as a Christian life+style blogger. Proverbs Living started out as a way to for me to keep accountable for a Proverbs 31 bible study and it has just blossomed into something I never imagined. My mission is to reach out to not only the God fearing, but also the unchurched. Through marriage, motherhood, and especially modest fashion, I hope to be a light in our cultural darkness.

Random Facts about Jessica 

1. I sing in my church's praise and worship team.

2. In college I played volleyball and had lead roles in musicals.

3. I have a love/hate relationship with chocolate and golf.

4. Summer is my favorite time of year…maybe it has something to do with me being a teacher. ha!

5. I am a contributor to Quite Magazine (www.quitemagazine.com) and Unveiled Wife (www.unveiledwife.com). I also am part of the St. Louis fashion blogger circle.

Connect with Jessica 

www.facebook.com/ProverbsLiving.org

www.twitter.com/_proverbsliving

www.youtube.com/jessicalynnmclain

www.pinterest.com/proverbsliving

www.proverbsliving.tumblr.com

www.instagram.com/jessicamclain

www.keek.com/jessicalynnmclain

Liv Life

Thank you, friends, for your prayers these past days... I am so thankful to share that our hero firefighters have contained the fire significantly and though we're all still in some danger, it's much less. It's been an exhausting, scary, upsetting weekend but thankful for God's peace in the midst of it. 

Today, I have someone special for you to meet! I'm so thankful she's taking over the blog today because I need a couple days to unpack things and settle after all the craziness. I'm pretty exhausted and overwhelmed, honestly. So I'm thankful for sweet Olivia sharing here today! Olivia is such an amazing gal and I really hope you get to know her and become her friend on social media (links below!) She's truly a precious friend and one of my favorite bloggers in this awesome blogging community!

Meet Olivia!

Hey there! After great deliberation, I decided to write this blurb as closely to how I am in real life..and 'Hey-there' is a currently used term of mine. I'm Olivia or Liv...you pick. I started Liv Life in 2008 at the ripe old age of 16 in order to keep up with my sister, who updated both a family blog and her own personal blog. It was on a whim late one night and has survived 5 years! I think my original purpose for the blog was to record my life for my own entertainment, but as the years have gone on, and I have grown, I realize now that my blog can glorify Christ if I am willing to let Him use it. This past year has been crazy--with both pros and cons, and the Lord has taught me so many things and I love being able to share my heart and encourage other ladies.  Other fun facts: I still live at home with my parents and younger brother. I work full time as a live out nanny for a 4 year old and a 2 year old. I adore ferris wheels, porch swings, thunderstorms, the sounds of summer nights, and camping. 

5 Fun Facts about Liv

1. I love shopping at thrift stores. One of my best deals so far was an adorable pair of J.Crew shorts for $0.29. 

2. Annie Oakley & Laura Ingalls Wilder are my heroines. I actually live in the county where Annie Oakley was born and raised. Every summer the county has a festival in her honor, complete with a shooting contest for young females to become Miss Annie Oakley. I tried for the title when I was 16. 

3. I showed pigs in 4-H for my last three years of highschool and absolutely loved every moment of it. I should have been the 4-H spokesperson, I loved it so much. 

4. I love lists and being organized and planning ahead. People laugh at me until they have an emergency and need a safety pin or floss.

5. If I come up with an idea [craft, baking, or otherwise], I have a hard time not acting on it and starting immediately, even if I don't have all the necessary pieces.

Blog: http://oliviacoy.blogspot.com/
Instagram: http://instagram.com/oliviacoy#
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/oc92/
Email: livielulabelle92@aim.com

Check out a fun, inspiring post on Olivia's blog about finishing her bedroom!