Controversy.

I'm not sure if many of you have heard of the recent controversy over fellow "celebrity" blogger, Perez Hilton and Miss California 2009, but apparently it's all the rage in the media circuit. In case you weren't one of the 20 million people glued to the tube Saturday evening, here's what you missed....




I'm sure many of you know my stance on this issue, so I'll spare you the soapbox rant, but beyond the content of her answer or even the question, the sad fact of this entire situation is how people, namely Perez Hilton, have responded to her opinion.

Many have said that as a public figure representing America, Miss America should be "inclusive", not dividing the people. People have said that she should have been more "politically correct". My misunderstanding here is, when did America become the land of checking our opinions at the door? We are a democracy, a land founded on the majority vote. Clearly, that means there will be an opposite, or different, minority vote. Case and Point, the President of the United States-are they supposed to be "politically correct" with controversial issues? NO! We vote on politicians based upon their opinions and views of issues, NOT how well they don't offend the public.

Regardless of how Miss California answered, and yes she could have been more eloquent in her response, her opinion should not have "allegedly" cost her the crown. It has been her poise and character throughout this entire controversy that leads me to WANT her to be Miss America. She has been called every name in the book by Perez Hilton and she has taken it in stride and not dished it back.

It is so clear that the reason he is so upset, is because she didn't answer the way he wanted her to answer. I think he was looking for another venue to condone same-sex marriage and when it was shot out of the water, he had no other defenses. Furthermore, I think because he was the one asking the question and he, himself is a self-proclaimed homosexual, he was personally offended that she didn't take that into consideration and sugar coat her answer.

Once again, regardless of who I agree with on the subject, I was so disappointed that just because someone doesn't bow to the "political correctness" of society, it cost them something so significant. I want someone representing America that has a backbone and doesn't back down from what they believe, regardless if I believe in it or not. THAT produces the respect of others, not shifting your opinions just so people will like you or name-calling when they don't. Didn't we learn that when we were little, "stand up for what you believe in"??

Something to think about!

~LaRae

All in His hands...

So, we've met both candidates, both good guys (I won't publicize my opinion of who I'm voting for), but I'm just super excited to see what God has in store for Northstar in the next few weeks!! Please keep us in your prayers and keep our search team and congregation and the two families of the candidates, as well....lots of decision making will need to be done in the next few weeks and we need God to guide us to where He wants us!!

Now, in the meantime, Cody and I are having a mini-vaca in Ohio with his family....so excited to just relax and enjoy family!!

Love ya'll and i'll keep you posted!!

Blessings,

LaRae

Day late and a dollar short....but HAPPY EASTER!!

The Lee Family Banana Pudding

Banana Pudding Recipe

Ingredients:

-1 box of 'Nilla wafers

-5 bananas

-Eagle Brand sweetened condensed milk (1 can)

-1.5 cups cold water

-1 pint (2 cups) whipping cream

-1 box Vanilla INSTANT pudding mix

In large bowl combine sweetened condensed milk and cold water, mix well... add pudding mix and beat well, then chill for 5 minutes.

In the meantime, whip 1 pint (2 cups) whipping cream until peaks

fold whipped cream into pudding mixture, softly combine

Layer bananas, cookies, then pudding in a dish until you run out.

chill until ready to serve or eat immediately.

ENJOY!!!

And then there were two...

As I'm sure you have gathered from my various posts, our church is looking for a new Senior Pastor. After the founder and Senior Pastor retired this past August the search began!



Now, after 8 arduous months of sorting through hundreds of resumes, with a few good laughs, we have finally come down to TWO!!! Our final two candidates, and so appropriately on the eve of the NCAA National Championship, will be visiting Blacksburg this week and next.



I am so excited about the next few weeks and to see which of the two, God willing ONE OF THEM, will be the Pastor of our church. Who knows what God will do in the next few weeks/months...but so much prayer for discernment and wisdom has gone into this process, that I am certain it will be God's man for the church...and no one else.



Please keep our church in your prayers the next few weeks as we decide between the final two candidates!!! YAY!!!



Love and Blessings,
LaRae & Cody Davenport

my hero.

When people ask me who my hero is, I always say my parents. This is good and well, and the God's honest truth...but I think this past weekend a new name was added to my list.

My best friend Emily is now my hero. Emily and I have been friends since the fateful day we met the summer before our Sophomore year at Fort Myers High School at Volleyball Camp with Salome and Danielle Chadha (wow, GOOD TIMES). Em was the quiet, good girl who would laugh at my obnoxiously loud ways. Emily was a friend from the start. My relationship with Em kinda reminds me, in a small way, of my relationship with Christ. The ebb and flows, of good times and bad, always comes back to feeling like we'd never been apart and picking up where we left off.

My favorite part of our friendship was during our freshman years in college when she was attending Liberty University and I was attending the University of Miami in FL. Em would tell you this wasn't the best time in her life, but it's funny how God can even use us when were at our lowest. To me, Em was being used by God to draw me back to Him. I stopped going out and doing stupid stuff, so we could chat and to be honest, make fun of how her curfew at Liberty was when all my friends would just be going out! We had so many great, incredible conversations on the phone and via AIM (yes, we were that cool!) But, even as much as I made fun of Liberty, God used Em to eventually get me to transfer there.

It's so funny how we essentially swapped places; I took a semester off and then eventually transferred to Liberty, then Em came back to FL after her year at Liberty. Even so, Em was such an encouragement while I was there, constantly praying for me and telling me to hang in there!

I feel, it's my turn to return the favor. Two days ago, Emily left for Korea. Em is going to Pusan, South Korea to teach English for a year. A YEAR. Even now, those two words haunt me. I know her and I have gone quite lengthy periods without even as much as a phone call, but just like most boys, I want what I can't have. :)

This past weekend, I flew to FL because I couldn't fathom to say goodbye to her for a year, without a good night full of laughter and sarcasm. I know I went to FL for emily, but the weekend was such honey to my soul. I just needed friendship so badly, and I got it in so many ways. Especially when Ashley picked me up and we spent the evening hanging out (miss my other besty, ash!!)

But, now Emily has been in Korea for about a day and a half....we just got to talk on Skype (God's blessing to missionaries) and I can tell it's my turn to be an encouragement to Emily. She has been so obedient to Christ and His call on her life, no doubt there will be spiritual warfare and anxiety about being half a world away from her friends and family....but of all people, I know Emily is the best person to be there. I have not one doubt in my mind that God will do amazing things with Emily and THROUGH Emily for the advancement of His Kingdom and His Glory in Korea. So, whenever you think about it, say a prayer for Emily...for strength, guidance and comfort from God. Pray that she can be honest and open about her relationship to Christ with her co-workers and with those living in Korea. Pray that not only will she help others grow in their faith, but pray that this will grow HER in her own faith. Pray for her to find a church, a good Godly friend to have and for her to develop meaningful relationships...also pray that she doesn't find a Korean man and get swept away and live in Korea for the rest of our lives. (jk, but seriously).

I pray that each and everyone has the blessing of having a best friend like Emily. I am so blessed to have two....both of whom, sadly, live thousands of miles from me right now. But, I don't think I ever realized the need for friendship more than right now. It truly is like honey to a weary soul.

Praying,
LaRae

Surprises and Sushi

For Cody's birthday, I wanted him to have a great time! So, a few weeks ago, Matt and I started scheming of how to surprise Cody on his birthday. The big day finally came and Cody was so incredibly surprised!!

This was right after Cody answered the door and was so excited to see Matt at the door!

Matt brought presents from Cody's parents and grandparents--he was so giddy!

That night we headed to Red Lobster for his Birthday dinner....our waiter brought him a little treat.

his first birthday as a hubs.

so grateful that matt came to visit!

Saturday morning, since Cody had no clue Matt was coming, he signed us up to meet newcomers to Blacksburg--this is Shane and his family meeting a newbie to the area!

Afterwards, The Carter's took us out to lunch for Cody's Birthday---group shot!

After lunch, I convinced the boys to head to the mall across the street...we ended up at Dick's Sporting Goods....at least I got to work on my putt. :)

And matty got to work on his pimp stance.

After a lazy afternoon, we went to Sushi for dinner--it was DELICIOUS!!!!!

We will be brining all subsequent guests to this hot spot! :)

Happy.

They were so happy about dinner.

A little too happy....maybe even gay.

Then matt remembered he had a lady waiting at home...

We went next door to hand pick some amazing chocolates for her...Matt was excited to earn brownie points. :)

We had a great time, but were missing matty already!!!

Thanks so much for coming to visit matt, we had a great time...as always. :)