This week’s Marriage Monday, we are to share about how we get rid of boredom and apathy in our marriage. I totally love her idea about making a list of things to do. I need to incorporate that in our marriage …

My hubby and I have been married for some time (29 years in May). It has not been always smooth sailing, but for the most part, it has been a very happy marriage. For me the hardest part was leaving my family in Germany 21 years ago to follow my husband to the United States.

I still do not like living here, far away from my family, but I am committed to the marriage. I was a little afraid when our son moved out in 2007, but we soon found something that we both enjoy greatly; photography.

Although we both have very different styles and what to photograph, we still make it work. We take turns on where to go to take photographs. You see, my husband loves architecture, lines, etc – I am more a nature girl …

We also like to go out to eat once in a while; trying new restaurants is a great thing. I also like to try out new recipes at home. There is nothing better for me when I can put a smile on husband’s face with some great food that is home-cooked …

I think that if we love someone (more than just the physical part), we find new and exiting ways to keep our marriages fresh.

Thank you for stopping by today. Remember: making a marriage work takes 3 (God, your spouse and you).

Love & peace,
Iris

Open your mouth for the mute,
for the rights of all who are destitute.
Open your mouth, judge righteously,
defend the rights of the poor and needy.
(Proverbs 31:8-9 ESV)

For years I wanted to approach this subject, but every year I ‘chickened out’. You know why? Because I don’t want to come of as harsh or as Miss-Know-It-All on this subject. Believe me, a lot of prayers went into this project.

My series is not political motivated; nor do I write out of patriotism (I am just as passionate about German made merchandise). Why is “Made in America” so important to a German gal living in America? Two words: Child Hunger.

You see, for me “Made in America” and eradicating child hunger go hand in hand. If people living in America do not have work, how can they supply food for their families/children? If you read the statistics (unfortunately only 2010 numbers are available that this time), it is very disheartening to see 20% of children are hungry in this rich country. And that is not counting children that live in insecure food-environments. I am thankful for local and national food banks that assist families, but I don’t think that will solve the issue at hand.

At the end of 2004, our then 19-year-old son pointed us to a documentary. I believe that the company highlighted in this documentary is highly responsible for the vanishing manufacturing jobs in the United States. I haven’t set food in their stores since I watched the documentary.

Don’t get me wrong, I understand that many have to shop there, because of the budget they have for the basic necessities like food. I am blessed that I live in a large city that has different options to shop for groceries (like our Arizona based grocery chain – Bashas and AJ’s). Actually Target started to have bigger grocery sections in our area. Like I said, I have more options in a big city than people living in rural areas.

But I digress. The biggest issue is that America imports more than it exports. The most current foreign trade data is from November of 2011. The gap between exports and imports is scary to me. Trade is good, but it needs to be more balanced.

So, what can I (personally) do to turn things around in America? Maybe it is just a drop of water in a large bucket?!? But if we all look at what we buy (one product at a time), we maybe can do this together and help Americans put food on their family’s table. I want to support American families and not necessarily American companies (not the same in all cases which I will show you).

Over the next several months, I will link to products that are made in America. Not only will I link to the products, but will also purchase them (some are already in my possession ). And you, my dear readers, will be able to ‘cash-in’ as well on some of the products that are made in America (sorry, can’t give away a Viking kitchen appliance).

Thank you so much for reading my blog today and hopefully you will join me on a journey to buy more American made products to lower the child hunger in this country.

She opens her hand to the poor
and reaches out her hands to the needy.
(Proverbs 31:20 ESV)

Love & peace,
Iris

Current Mood: Okay

For Marriage Monday, Chrysalis is inviting us to complete the below prompts to help us to get to know each other as a unique daughter of God. For detailed instruction, please visit E-Mom’s weblog.

I am… fearfully and wonderfully made.
I want… to encourage others.
I have… hunger for God’s Word.
I wish… I would be more creative.
I hate… dishonesty.
I miss… my family in Germany.
I fear… loneliness.
I feel… loved.
I hear… the birds in the backyard.
I smell… bacon that my hubby cooked this morning.
I crave… acceptance for who I am in Him.
I search… for things made the U.S.A. (and found some very cool stuff)
I wonder… if it will rain today.
I regret… my wander years without God.
I love… my family and friends (and try to love my enemies).
I ache… in my lower back.
I care… about child hunger (and it should be eradicated in first world nations)
I always… hope for a better tomorrow.
I am not… not a fan, but follower of Christ.
I believe… Jesus Christ died for my sins.
I dance… all the time.
I sing… in my head all day long.
I cry… when I am mistreated
I don’t always… speak the truth in love.
I fight… for the underprivileged.
I write… to bring hope into the dark world.
I never… say ‘never’.
I listen… to music that lifts my heart.
I need… my hair cut.
I am happy… when I can spend time with my hubby and son.

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
(Psalm 139:14 ESV)

Thank you for stopping by to get to know me a little .

Love and peace,
Iris

“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.” ~ Colossians 3:12 (ESV)

I am not thankful for Starbucks for the ‘usual’ reason (although I do enjoy my morning treats of coffee). I wanted to share with you a program Starbucks is running right now. I think we can all be thankful for it; at least us who live in the United States.

If you frequent Starbucks, you may have seen their program “Create Jobs for USA“. I have done a little research to see what truly is behind the program. Starbucks started a fund that will support small businesses in the US to expend and create jobs.

I personally think this is so cool and I have purchased a little wrist-band this morning while getting my morning coffee. Will my donation make a difference? Sure it will. So, if you have someone on your Christmas list you have no idea what to get for them, why not make a donation in their name?

So, this week I am thankful that a big company is trying to make a difference in this country.

What are you thankful for this week? Please do share with us by leaving a link to your Thankful Thursday post below.

Thank you for stopping by today. Remember: we all can make a difference in someone’s life; let us be His hands and feet in this world.

Love and peace,
Iris

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Current Mood: Thankful

He is Risen Indeed!!!

Believe that He is Alive. The tomb was empty on the first Easter morning:

“But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” ~ Luke 24:1-7 (ESV)

Happy Easter!!!

Current Mood: Forgiven †

“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.””~ John 11:25-27 (ESV)

There are days when your heart is heavy; you don’t seem to find a grateful heart or thought. Your husband is less then nice to you; your child(ren) live their lives as they please; your friend’s job is eliminated; your friends abandon you; you have to spend money that you had set aside for a specific purpose…Plainly said: your are exhausted from life’s blows.

Over the last several weeks I have found myself crying more often then in previous years. I had feelings of anger and hurt; I don’t understand the whys. Is there really a purpose in all of this? Does God hear my prayers and pleas? I have to trust God that there is a purpose.

Tomorrow we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection; my favorite holiday. Why? No matter what life throws at me, no matter how hard the evil one tries to discourage me, I have hope. A hope of a brighter tomorrow; a hope that God will answer my prayers in His time; a hope for life everlasting in the presence of God. God is faithful to see us through until the end.

“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” ~ Hebrews 10:19-23 (ESV – emphasis mine)

My prayer is that tomorrow we will celebrate His resurrection with a renewed hope.

Have a blessed Easter Sunday,

Photo & Content Copyright © Iris Nelson

Current Mood: Forgiven †

Current Mood: Happy

Not only does Christianbook.com support my reader, but almost all readers (Kindle™ devices are not supported). Currently you can find over 9,000 ebooks that range from Bibles, fiction, Christian living and so much more. Can you tell that I am excited …
To top off my excitement, Terri Blackstock’s novel “Intervention” can be currently downloaded for free (yes FREE). If you like suspense novel’s Terri’s books are for you. Years ago, I enjoyed Terri’s series “Cape Refuge” in book-format.

Will I completely go to e-books? I don’t think so. I still like to read real books. Not sure why, but there is something special about turning the page of a book; sort of exiting .

What are you up to this Sunday afternoon? I am getting mentally ready for a newborn session. Butterflies have already assembled in my tummy. Even though I have had several portrait session, every session is unique and I still get nervous. I pray that I will capture some images that my client will enjoy for years to come.

Thanks for stopping in today. Remember: enjoy today and don’t think about what tomorrow may bring.

Current Mood: Happy

“Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body.” ~ Hebrews 13:1-3 (ESV)

All who have read my blog for a while know that I have a special place in my heart for persecuted Christian brothers and sisters in China. I am not sure why that is, but I believe that God has put them on my heart. I think that this all started when I was pointed by one of my friends to the book “Safely Home” by Randy Alcorn. And again, I was reminded about the hardship of our Christian brothers and sisters when I read Kathi Macias’ book “Red Ink“.

Sure, both books are novels but nonetheless the persecution of Christians in China is real. Randy Alcorn and Kathi Macias based their books on real life events in China. At any rate, tonight I came across a post on the Voice of the Martyrs‘ website about a pastor and his wife’s incarceration.

VOM made it possible (for free) to send an encouraging postcard to Yang Caizhen who currently is serving a 2 year sentence in a ‘re-education’ facility in China. Please join me sending these postcards to Yang to encourage her to stand firm. All you have to do is check out the post and sign up. Or if you do not want to send the postcard, pray for Yang and the rest of the house church members.

Thank you for stopping by today. Remember: we are blessed to freely worship our Lord Jesus Christ.

Current Mood: Blessed †

Thank you all for making my birthday month a memorable one. Not sure what my next year will bring; trusting God for His guidance.

One thing I am working on is my first gallery for Visual Peacemakers . Sure, I do not travel abroad, but I read a wonderful article by Jerod Foster that made me think of photographs that I took right here in Phoenix.

Thank you for stopping by today. Have a blessed week,

Current Mood: Blessed †