Movie Review: Twilight

Warning: Contains Spoilers

I went to see this movie with Sissel and Martha the Saturday that it came out (I just haven't had time to publish my review until now). Sissel and Martha had read the book and I had not, so they were nervous about whether or not the movie would be true to the book. I was able to just enjoy the movie for its own value. I'm not much of a novel reader... I read so slowly that I feel like I need to be ever so careful in my choice of books and I often feel like my time is best spent reading self-help or doctrine or inspirational books. The only novels I've ever read for enjoyment are the Harry Potter books, which I was totally addicted to and eagerly anticipate the remaining movies. But, as soon as I got home that Saturday night from seeing Twilight, I began reading the book. I haven't gotten very far--November and December are busy months... but I am enjoying the read and can definitely see the obsession with the series.

So, my review... I will admit that it has a slow start. And here's my theory on that: We all already know this story is about a girl and a vampire. However, a LOT of time is spent on building up the mystery and anticipation of who & what Edward is. Although I see the importance in building up the characters and suspense, I wonder if it was necessary to drag on the "mystery" of Edward for quit so long. I wonder if the book would have been able to hold my husband's interest if she had moved on to the real story sooner. Because once the plot thickens, I am on the edge of my seat the entire time!!! It was GREAT!

The movie had decent special effects... I loved the baseball scene and the car accident scene is pretty good. Edward's glittery skin could maybe have been done a little better given the technology that exists in the movie industry, but it was still pretty cool.

According to my movie buddies, the casting was well done. There were occasional giggles and sighs of acknowledgement as new characters emerged in the film--they were pleased with the casting overall. I was tickled to see "Cedric Diggory" play the heroic Edward the vampire.

I think the film is appropriate for most youth. There is no bad language that I can remember. There is implied violence, although they do not show it. There is no sex, although I will admit the kissing scene was pretty intense.

I think what draws women to this love story is the fact that Edward is not just attracted to Bella, he also finds her to be the most tempting human he's ever met... see, Edward and his "family" are "vegetarian" vampires (they're the good guys)--they do not feed on human blood (imagine the shark's anonymous club in Finding Nemo... "fish are friends, not food"). But, Bella has the most enticing smell of any human Edward has met (Martha had to explain this to me at the beginning because Edward's reaction to Bella is so bizarre and I didn't get it at first). So, in order to be with Bella, Edward has to overcome himself--the ultimate sacrifice for love. Gag, I know, but it does pull you in.

So, overall, I really did enjoy the movie and am now enjoying the book. I'd like to watch the movie again. Not sure if I will purchase it or not, but definitely want to see it at least once more.

Feel free to post your thoughts on the series in the comments!

New Family Photos

We made Terry Family history... we all got together for a family photo! This was supposed to be a Mother's Day gift for my mom last May. We got her the photo frame, but it took us this long to finally get us all together to take the picture. While waiting for the non-Christmas room for a traditional photo, Aaron and I decided to get our very first professional photo together. Yep, been married for 12 years and never once had a professional photo taken of the two of us. So, anyway, here are our historical photos!

School Pictures

Bridget, Kind.

Victoria, 4th Grade

Ha, ha, ha

Pray for Obama

I've not blogged in a while.
I've got a lot on my mind and I've been really busy.

The stuff on my mind, I've not felt comfortable posting--I think it will take a while for my body to get right again chemically after being messed up from having a miscarriage, and I'm not ready to put into print how I've struggled with everything around me. I'm sure I will soon.

The stuff keeping me busy? Well, I've been working on Young Women projects like coming up with a precise budget for next year and a full calendar to submit for approval, and we have Young Women in Excellence coming up next Tuesday... and I'm on the PTA board at Rosa Parks for the first time in my life, something you can only do if you head up a committee... so, that means I'm also busy with a school committee: I am in charge of Spirit Wear. I create the brochures, get copies made and folded, distribute to the classes at school, collect and organize orders, submit orders and work with the company we've contracted, divide up orders and deliver them. It's really kinda fun... I am also now the 4th grade choir mom! Yeah, that's the kind of thing I had pictured myself doing when I thought about being a mom. I don't believe in forcing my kids to participate in the school music programs, but I sure hoped they would and that I'd have a chance to be a music mom. So, I help take attendance, get their snacks ready, pass out and collect music, help with rehearsal when we divide up into groups, and I'm even helping to teach a dance movement for one of our songs. It's totally fun.

In addition to all that, Vicki had pneumonia a couple weeks ago. She's all better now, but that was very time-consuming. I had to help her with all her schoolwork so she wouldn't get behind. That was hard work. But, it was good for us.

So, on to why I decided to blog today.
I got this forwarded email from my mother-in-law and I really liked the article and wanted to post it.

If you've ever read my blog before, you know I am not at all happy with the way the election turned out. But, I am not surprised, either. And while it's true that I think Obama is a little scary (well, his ideas anyway) and I think it's alarming how a large number of his supporters fall into either the crazed fans (reminds me of the way people acted when they saw The Beatles) or loyal followers (much like disciples follow their religion) categories, I also think that it is important to be supportive and respectful to our country's leaders. This has been hard to teach my oldest daughter because she is so upset about Obama winning, but I don't think there's anything to gain from bad-mouthing our President. I may not agree with much of anything he does or says, but I have to believe he will do his best and I wish him well.

So, when I read this article, I felt it in many ways described well how I think we should all act, despite the fact that we may be disappointed with how things turned out.

So, here it is:

Wednesday, November 5, 2008
10 Ways to Pray for Barack Obama
by J. Lee Grady, editor of Charisma

Whether you are happy about this week’s election results or not, all Christians must unite in prayer for our new president. Please don’t forsake this responsibility.

It’s over. We’ve reached the end of the longest, angriest and most nerve-wracking presidential campaign in American history. Finally the “I approved this message” ads have ceased. The endless robot phone calls have stopped ringing. The debates, and the annoying post-debate comments from “experts,” are history—until the next election cycle.


More than half the nation is celebrating today while others are mourning. We are a divided nation, split into unhappy fragments by abortion, gay marriage, global warming, a failed economy and an unpopular war. Those who voted for Barack Obama have claimed a historic victory; some on McCain’s side are already looking for scapegoats. Politics is politics.

But when I got up this morning, I turned all my attention to the fact that Jesus Christ is still on the throne. His government is what is most important. Regardless of who sits in the Oval Office, the Bible says “the nations are like a drop from a bucket” to God (Is. 40:15, NASB). That includes the United States. We may boast about being “the greatest nation on earth,” but He who sits in heaven has a different perspective. Let’s take a big sigh of relief now and remember that God is sovereign.

I’ll admit this election did not turn out as I had hoped. I supported McCain primarily because I am pro-life and I prefer his small-government mindset. But now that the election is over, I’m not going to harbor bitterness toward Obama supporters or go into attack mode. Obama has been elected president of this country, and that means I have a biblical responsibility to support him in prayer—even if I challenge his policies.

Whether you voted for Obama or not, you need to pray for him. Here are 10 ways I plan to intercede for him regularly:

1. Pray for Obama’s protection. We already know that some weird, neo-Nazi fanatics in Tennessee plotted to kill Sen. Obama during his campaign. Let’s pray that racist hatred is not allowed to spread. Let’s cancel every assassin’s bullet in the name of Jesus. May civility triumph over bigotry.

2. Cover his wife and daughters in prayer. It is not easy to live under constant media scrutiny. Pray for Obama’s wife, Michelle, and their two daughters, Malia and Natasha, as they face invasive cameras, nosy reporters, maniacal fans and dangerous enemies. Obama is not only a politician but also a husband and a father.

3. Pray that Obama will govern with God’s wisdom. God rewarded Solomon because he asked for wisdom instead of wealth, long life or vengeance on his enemies (see 1 Kings 3:11-12). Pray that Obama will order his priorities like that. Despite Solomon’s tragic character flaws, his legacy was wisdom. We can ask God to give our president the same grace.

4. Ask God to keep our president humble. Many great American leaders became corrupt after they moved to Washington. The fatal attraction of fame, wealth and power proved irresistible. The only thing that will guard a man or woman from this pitfall is humility. May God deliver President Obama from the curse of pride.

5. Pray for wise and righteous advisers to surround him. Godly leaders cannot do their job alone. Even the best leaders have failed because they trusted the wrong people. Pray that Obama will not select his counselors based on party, race, pedigree or political cronyism but on godly character and proven wisdom. Pray also that he will not allow secret traitors into his inner circle.

6. Ask for the spirit of reconciliation. Some segments of our deeply divided society want nothing to do with Obama now that he has won the presidency. Even some Christians will be tempted to harbor resentment and nurse political grudges throughout his term in office. Pray that God will grant forgiveness and healing so that leaders on all political levels can have constructive dialogue.

7. Pray that Obama will adopt pro-life convictions. Many politicians have changed their views on key issues while in office. In the 1800s some leaders who favored slavery later denounced it. In the 1950s some who opposed racial integration later became champions of it. Even though Obama won approval from many voters because he sanctions abortion, God could soften and change his heart.

8. Bind all evil forces assigned to manipulate our president. The specter of Islamic terrorism looms over the United States, and dark forces are ready to infiltrate. Our only hope lies in prayer to the God who is able to expose and outwit the schemes of the wicked. This is truly a time for spiritual warfare, and intercessors must not come off the wall in this hour! Pray that no foreign government, terrorist organization or demonic principality will use Obama as a tool. We must stand strong against the spirit of antichrist that promotes dictatorship, persecution of Christians and hostility toward Israel.

9. Pray that Obama’s door will remain open to the church. The loudest voices of secular culture—from Bill Maher in Hollywood to atheists in academia—would be happy if religion were removed from public life. Pray that Obama, who claims to have a personal faith in Jesus Christ, will unapologetically welcome Christian leaders into his company and seek their counsel. And pray that false religious leaders (who claim to know Christ but deny His power) will not have his ear.

10. Pray that our nation will enjoy God’s peace and blessing during the Obama administration. The apostle Paul instructed early believers to pray for all in authority “so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity” (1 Tim. 2:2, NASB). God’s will is for America to experience peace and prosperity so that we can continue to export the gospel to the nations. This must happen whether a Democrat or a Republican is in the White House. As we cry out for God’s mercy on our wayward nation, pray that He will allow us to be a light to the world as we finance global missions, feed and heal the world’s poor and share Christ’s love at home and abroad.

Anyone want a Vintage Upright Grand Piano???

I have in my possession a vintage upright grand piano that I'd like to offer to anyone who would give it a good home. I don't play enough to justify keeping it and taking up the space in our small home. It is in pretty good playing condition, but hasn't been tuned since 2001.

It is a Hallet, Davis & Co. piano, est. in 1839 in Boston. The first tuning signature is dated July 1940, so I know it is at least that old.
It has need of some work--it's been in many homes before my own. But, it is beautiful and probably has many more years of music to offer if someone is willing to get it tuned up and tickle its keys more than I've found time to do.

It's free--we just need the new owner to arrange for pick up here on the South Side of Indianapolis. It's large and heavy, so you'd need a crew, but if you've been wanting a unique piano and have room for it, it will be worth the effort.

Send me a note if you're interested.