Not all who wander are lost

Just A Minute

2012-01-30T09:03:00.001-08:00

I was a little freaked out when this post suggestion was made. No positive moments came to mind. I don't know if it was because I was such an average and below average child that people simply didn't see anything they felt should be encouraged. Nothing came to mind and still doesn't. It could be I simply don't remember. Lots of things are fuzzy from my childhood. In high school and college there were people that let me know they really liked my writing style, but every time they expressed positivity, there was one certain person telling me that they didn't like anything I wrote. They felt it was their job to make sure I never thought too highly of myself.

Another reason I freaked was because I have five children. Three are grown and two are quickly on their way to adulthood. Have I done the same thing to them? Have I spoken life into them or have I squashed their dreams and desires? I think I have encouraged them more times than squashing, but I'm too scared to ask them how they feel on the subject.

Compassion's president, Dr. Wess Stafford, recently released his second book, Just a Minute. Watch the following to hear a story about his daughter, Jenny, and a moment in their lives:

Take just a minute to speak life whenever you can. Don't be freaked out like me. Make sure you pour into the children around you.

Daughters of South Africa: Thuli and Annika

2012-01-27T11:22:00.001-08:00

This piece was written for a site that got hacked and wrecked before it could be posted. So, I decided to run with it here.

While on a trip last March, I was blessed to meet two lovely daughters of South Africa. Both agreed to take time from their busy schedules to sit down with me to answer a few questions. Both spoke to my heart. And both have the most lovely accents. Wish you could hear them.

First up is Thuli Sannie, wife of Stembiso, a local pastor, and mother of Blessing, a delightful toddler that entertained me one afternoon with his laughter and silliness.

What was it like growing up as a woman in South Africa?
I think it was good. I'm happy to be a woman in Africa. I'm proud of it. I think it is very good.

Was there a hard time for you growing up?
I never had a hard time growing up. I had the support of my parents. I'm number five in my family so I had the support of my brothers. We had twelve at home. Six girls and six boys. Thuli is the third girl.

Do you think it is hard to be a man or a woman here?
It depends. It's how you grow up. Men have to work hard to get food and clothes to support the family.

What is one dream you have for your community?
To see the women be independent, having their own business that they can teach others and not have to depend on men. Not having that makes us poor.

What is one dream you have for your family?
To see my family safe. I'm praying for that. For us to love one another, to know each other deeply.

What is one dream you have for yourself?
To help people, to see people have hope, especially the women. Sometimes they don't have hope. My prayer is that God can help me about that. Thuli also desires to help the teenagers not turn to sex so easily. She wants to be courageous in teaching them a different way to live.

What are some of the lessons you think need to be passed down to younger women?
They need to be independent, go to school, not drink and not do drugs. Girls fall pregnant so easily and children grow up without fathers. We need to teach that it is okay to say no to sex.

Annika is an artist, wife of Zach and mother of Ariel, Zoe, and Charlotte. She is on staff with Ten Thousand Homes, an organization dedicated to the orphans of South Africa.

Annika feels she lived a very safe, sheltered life growing up which made for an easy childhood. Her parents were not racist, so she knew very little about apartheid and the horrors that were happening in parts of South Africa. It wasn't a subject covered in school. Because of her family's beliefs they had no qualms when the schools were desegregated.

One of her dreams for the community is to see her sewing project, SOSEW, expand for women struggling to feed their kids. It would give women a skill they enjoy. They would be able to use God's creativity while making a difference in their lives.

She dreams of her family continuing to minister together, that they will always have a heart for what God is doing and engage in that together.

One of the ways Annika connects to God is through her painting. She would love to be able to paint on a regular bases and someday have a gallery of her own. Her artwork can be found hanging in various locations on the Ten Thousand Homes base. The Ten Thousand Homes logo is based on one of her pieces.

When asked about what one lesson she thought needs to be passed down to younger women she answered: The greatest thing you can find is peace with yourself and how God has made you.

Ten Thousand Homes

2012-01-25T13:06:00.000-08:00

Some people I know live in South Africa, just outside of White River, in a special place called University Village. They are a beautiful bunch with lots of variety in background and specialties. All that variety mixes together to make up Ten Thousand Homes. This is what they say:

Ten Thousand Homes is a movement of ordinary people actively building HOPE and creating HOMES for Africa's orphans and vulnerable children.

They call themselves ordinary, but if you have spent any time with them and watched them love and minister and disciple you know really fast that they are not ordinary.

At this time Ten Thousand Homes is working on University Village Phase 1: Three year campaign to finish the purchase of the 14 acre property. As this phase ends and Phase 2 begins, TTH will begin renovating all existing buildings to suit the needs of the campus as well as upgrade the property’s security in light of the crime problem in South Africa.

Three years will be up at the end of January. If you can, please help wrap up this part of the campaign. It's a very simple and safe process.

You can learn more about the people of Ten Thousand Homes at the following:
KNOWN
Saving The Lost
Zachary + Anneke - The artwork on this site is by Anneke.
The McMillian Tribe

or find the all of them on this page.

Save The Nuba

2012-01-12T11:37:00.000-08:00

by Jessica.Dotta
Have you ever wondered what you would have done had you been alive in 1940 and was one of those who knew about the Holocaust?

Would you have been a person of action or a person of silence?

It is perhaps one of the most important issues to wrestle with. More than once in our lifetime we will find ourselves at a crossroad, one where the decision we make will reveal as much about our character as our convictions.

There is a genocide happening right now in Northern Sudan. The government is eradicating their own people. If we don’t speak up and help, no one else will. Each time North Sudan launches an attack to kill their own people, and we in the Western world remain silent, we give our permission to continue.

It is easier to overlook what is happening to our brothers and sisters in Sudan because the task feels overwhelming and thinking about it can make us feel helpless.

The truth of the matter is that one person alone cannot save the Nuba People. But a community of people acting in unison can.

One of the most extraordinary acts found in mankind is when a member of the human race deliberately goes out of his way to help another. It is love in action. It is loving your neighbor. It is doing unto others, as you would have them do unto you.

This month, The Persecution Project Foundation has launched a campaign called Save the Nuba. In order to prevent another genocide, they need the help that only a community can offer.

For those who can afford it, the need for food and medicine is desperate.

For those who have little to give, they’re asking for petitions signed, for awareness to be spread through social media (Facebook, Twitter and blogs.)

For those who are passionate about this cause, they need your help raising awareness.

Will you join us in speaking up for those who cannot speak for themselves?

Please visit www.SavetheNuba.com to learn ways you can help.

Active Compassion for the Persecuted from Watermelon Ministries on Vimeo.

Come Together Trading Company

2012-01-06T11:52:00.000-08:00

Have you ever walked into a place and immediately known you want to live there? And, I'm not talking about homes.

It happened to me the other day. I had to be in Canton for a funeral and decided to step into a store I had heard good things about. I could live there! In the store!

Come Together Trading Company is in downtown Canton, on the square. Yes, that Canton. The land of First Monday. Those of us that grew up in the area call the town Canton and the monthly event First Monday. Most people not from around those parts just call the whole thing Canton. I think they sometimes forget there is an actual town beyond the acres and acres of the largest flea market in the world.

Back to Come Together. This place is delightful. It is so warm and inviting. There are several arrangements of couches where you can curl up and read and drink coffee and knit and talk and rest. I would have all my meetings there if I could. Really, I would move in. It's that comfy.

AND they are Fair Trade! YES! Clothing, jewelry, coffee, chocolate, scarves, purses, etc...all Fair Trade. They partner with over 200 artisans from 40 different countries.

You have to check them out, either on-line or in person. If you don't want to wander off the First Monday grounds they can be found in Arbors II - Space 115-116. But, I highly suggest going to their store at 116 East Dallas, right next to the Van Zandt County Courthouse. I remember when that courthouse seemed so big. I noticed the other day that it didn't seem that big anymore. Wonder what changed.

Oh! On the weekends they have live music. I know! I told you they are great. I want to move in.

And they are huge Compassion supporters. It was on a Compassion trip to Africa that their world got rocked and they knew they needed to do something different. They've got tons of Compassion information to look at and sponsor packets if you want to start that journey.

I'm not exaggerating. Come Together Trading Company is special. I so, so wish we had a place like it here. I would move in.

Hard to imagine

2012-01-05T09:47:00.000-08:00

Some things are just hard to imagine. Living in the middle of a red-light district is one of them. The fact that there is a designated red-light district is hard to imagine. But, it is a grim reality in a lot of the world.

It makes me happy that Missions in Action called it the slavery that it is. These women are trapped and their children become trapped. My heart broke for those kids, because I know the ones that don't get help soon will be sucked into the same nightmare their mothers are in.

As you can see in the video, Compassion is reaching out to these children. You can take part. Just follow the steps at the end of the video.

Change a life.

Focus

2012-01-02T08:48:00.000-08:00

I don't do resolutions. I'm not good at them. I can't even begin to remember the last time I attempted to make a New Year's Resolution.

I have, however, been thinking about the new year and what it will look like and how I want to be in it. And then I got a email from Brianne at Compassion suggesting an approach different from a resolution. (You can find it here.) Things started meshing in my brain at that point.

Two verses jumped out at me the next morning.

1 Kings 8:58 May He keep us centered and devoted to Him, following the life path He has cleared, watching the signposts, walking at the pace and rhythms He laid down for our ancestors. (The Message)

Romans 3:31 But by shifting our focus from what we do to what God does, don't we cancel out all our careful keeping of the rules and ways God commanded? Not at all. What happens, in fact, is that by putting that entire way of life in its proper place, we confirm it. (The Message)

So, different snatches that had been floating around in my mind came kept coming back to the same word over and over again: FOCUS

Focus on Who is most important.
Focus on who He focuses on.
Focus.

10 things about ME, ME, ME that everyone needs to know

2011-12-26T14:22:00.000-08:00

1. I can't sing. I can sing, just not well. If you ever see me when music is being played and others are singing and I'm moving my lips...that's all I'm doing. Very seldom does any sound come out.

2. I can't do math. Started struggling in 4th grade and never recovered. I could do Algebra for about 5 minutes in high school, but that's it. My brain pretty much completely freezes up with anything number related.

3. I have trouble remembering how old I am. Probably has something to do with the numbers problem and age. The older I get the harder time I have keeping the numbers straight. It's been going on for awhile. I don't mind people knowing how old I am. I just can't remember!

4. I really, really, really hate cherries. Really. So much so that I once spit out cherry ice cream in front of my grandmother. You don't waste food around my grandmother. She had given me a big bowl full thinking it was strawberry.

5. I'm not fond of apples either.

6. I tend to be a tad bit sarcastic. It drives my youngest daughter and other non-sarcastic people crazy.

7. I would love to own a fair-trade shop, but I have no business sense. Probably goes back to that numbers thing.

8. I have a tendency to talk too much or not at all. No happy medium. It makes me socially awkward.

9. I annoy my children like all get out. They'll be the first to tell you.

10. I am useless with other languages. I've had people laugh out loud at my attempts at Chinese. Watched heads shake at my Spanish attempts and my French son just pats me on the head and says "you're so cute" when I butcher a French word. I speak East Texas fairly well, but I mutilate anything proper.

Ride Out The Waves

2011-12-22T08:29:00.000-08:00

I wrote the following while going through a rough patch a few months ago. At the time I wasn't sure I would be able to ride out the waves.

Gifts of Compassion

2011-12-15T11:37:00.000-08:00

Several years ago I started becoming overwhelmed with the knowledge of having more than I need and not needing things that I wanted.

And at Christmas time I still get overwhelmed with people running around like chickens with their heads cut off as they look for the perfect things to give, give, give. I want to give, give, give, but do my loved ones really need, need, need? The thought of giving a gift just to be giving a gift leaves me cold. So, at this time of year I struggle. A lot.

Thinking about money being spent for White Elephant Exchanges or just because we're suppose to spend $20 gift exchanges gives me a twitch. I know it all sounds so "humbuggy" but at this stage in my life, that's were I am.

So, I get a little giddy about stuff like this:

I've gotten these types of gifts over the years and I LOVE them! I've suggested these types of gifts to some of my family members when they ask for my Christmas list (I don't like Christmas lists - too gimme gimme gimme) and they stare at me like I have two heads. Even in my crazy family I'm known as one of the crazier ones.

I realize we are not commanded to celebrate Christmas. It's another holiday that we humans developed into the craziness we have today. But, I do know that God's gift of Jesus changed the world. And, with Gifts of Compassion we can change the life of a child.

If you're like me and get overwhelmed with having too much, research and find these types of gift ideas and put them on your Christmas list to handout to your relatives so they can stare at you like you have two heads. It's really not that bad.

Missions In Action

2011-11-22T07:32:00.000-08:00

There's a new interactive video series called Missions In Action. I've been poring over their website and I'm really impressed. It's quality work done by quality people. If you're a fan of The Amazing Race you're going to see some familiar faces.

Their mission statement:

Through our award winning storytelling, access to people and places rarely seen, and key sponsors and partners, we plan to educate, inspire, and enable people to make a difference by taking action to help others around the world.

They don't just present a problem or tell a story, they present a way for you to get involved. I like that.

Here's Episode 1: Hope and Survival in the Philippines

Check out their website. Follow them on twitter. "Like" them on Facebook. Get involved. Change a life.

Four years ago today

2011-11-16T17:48:00.001-08:00

I know exactly what I was doing on this night four years ago.

I sat in a hospital ER waiting room and pretended that I was happy as a clam and everything was hunky dory while my mind was screaming that nothing was okay. A little boy needed me to be that way.

I sat at a kitchen table and listened to a mother-in-law talk about her loved one back in that ER and how everything was going to be okay, because it had to be. And I pretended that I didn't know that it wasn't okay and the loved one wasn't coming home. She needed me to be that way.

There are times I think I see her out of the corner of my eye. Jellybeans always make me think of her. Rabbit figurines and Thomas Kincaid paintings cause the same emotions to stir. Things happen and I want to call.

It's been four years ago today.

I got a letter

2011-11-11T19:27:00.000-08:00

I got a letter this week from one of my Compassion kids. It is delightful, as always. Eury is in 2nd grade and is learning about David and Goliath. He understands that David's strength came from God.

He also sent a drawing of his family. I think someone drew it for him and he colored it. The coloring skills and the drawing skills don't quite match up. But, I could be wrong. Maybe he is talented with a pencil and not so much with a crayon.

I didn't pick Eury out of a pile of Compassion packets. He came to me. The center that my first sponsored child was involved with closed. It was very sad, because I had chosen him. He "jumped" off the table at me. I watched him grow through the pictures I received. And then he was gone.

So, Compassion paired me with Eury. We are beginning to get to know each other. He's told me that his family is very well and united. He asks for prayer that God will protect them.

It makes my heart sing to get his and Gabby's letters. If you like your heart to sing, I highly recommend sponsoring a child or two.

Embrace Me

2011-07-08T13:21:00.000-07:00

I just finished Embrace Me by Lisa Samson. I'm a BIG Lisa Samson fan. I'm such a big fan that if I ever had the chance to meet her I would be in such awe that I would be speechless. Some of you know that speechless is hard for me.

I think I started crying pretty much nonstop at Chapter Nineteen and it stayed that way until the end of the book. It's not a sad book. I don't do sad. To me sad books are a waste of time.

This sentence from Chapter Three jumped out at me.

"These days, if he approved of me, I know I'd be doing something desperately wrong."

Just as the character's priorities have changed, so have mine. I can so relate to that sentence. There are many people in my life that have a different view of Christianity and The Church than I do. If I did something they approved of I would be scared.

But, as the character, Drew Parrish, grew and changed, I felt God showing me things in my life that he was dealing with in his life. Not on the same levels and exact demons, but still demons none the less. Things that could take over and do a lot of damage to Christ's name. The Christ I am suppose to be representing.

In a lot of ways through this book Lisa was "preaching to the choir" and I thought of the people who just don't get serving Christ in this way, the people that I butt heads with way too often, those who choose to ignore the Red Letters in the Bible. It helped me not think I'm as crazy as some people think I am.

It also deals deeply with pride and forgiveness, things I sometimes feel I will never get a grip on. I could relate to Drew when he talked of things that were too tempting.

So, thanks Lisa for putting it out there. Thanks for writing about what is real.

And, please forgive me for calling you Lisa. I feel as if I know you in a small way, even though, I would be horribly tongue-tied in your presence.

One Fine Day

2011-05-19T15:34:00.000-07:00

I'm so glad no one could see the craziness going on in my closet and bathroom today.

My usual attire is whatever I happen to throw on whenever I get around to it. Today I had a meeting and I actually put some thought into what I was going to wear. Thought I had it all planned out. I don't own a lot of clothes that can be seen out in public, so I do sometimes have to think about what I'm going to cover myself in.

So, when I walked into the closet and pulled the purple blouse off the pole. It was dirty. Why did I hang up a dirty blouse? I have no idea. Who knows? I was probably asleep when I did it.

Remember I said I don't have a lot of clothes that can be seen out in public? I really don't. Panic sort of started to sink in.

I grabbed a black shirt that would work with a jacket (which is always fun to wear in high humidity), but not by itself. I grabbed my orange blazer from Salvation Army. What in the world was I thinking? I looked like I was ready for Halloween. And I remembered the shoes that go with the pants are brown, so the black shirt really wouldn't work even if I changed jackets. Now real panic started to sink in and I started to feel like Michelle Pheiffer's character in One Fine Day when she is forced to wear her son's dinosaur shirt she pulls out of her purse. I begin to wonder which child's room I could raid for a shirt.

Before I could decide which one to rob I spied a t-shirt I planned to give away and threw it on. It was beyond wrinkled. Thankfully I had wrinkle remover on hand. It works if you spray in all over the shirt while it's on your body and then you just stretch it out. I'm pretty sure that's not what they had in mind when they created it, but by golly, that's how I used it. Then I threw the orange jacket on because I didn't spray the back of the shirt.

Feeling pretty good about my ensemble I marched out the door 15 minutes ahead of schedule.

Only to find there was no car.

Fuel Diner Bread Pudding

2011-04-16T08:57:00.000-07:00

A couple of friends and I started Fuel Diner. Our goal is to feed the hungry in our neighborhood. We've got some repeat customers (they don't pay) and are looking with great anticipation to feeding more.

One of our goals is to not be a stereotypical soup kitchen. I don't even like those two words together. We have a lot of fun coming up with recipes and some of our best could not be repeated if we wanted to. Karen is absolutely amazing at taking leftovers and turning them into masterpieces.

A few weeks ago I made bread pudding not realizing that Karen had made bread pudding while I was in South Africa. Now there is a running joke about bread pudding in the Diner.

I was really thrilled with how this bread pudding turned out, so I made sure I had everything written down. The fun thing about it is just about anything will work in it.

Fuel Diner Bread Pudding (according to Nancy)

The equal to 4 or more loaves of bread. You need to have at least 2 inches worth of bread on the bottom of your 24 x 16 pan. I used Country French, Sourdough, Italian Wheat, and Sweet Italian.
1 gallon milk
5 sticks of butter, softened to room temperature
16 eggs
5 cups granulated sugar
8 Tablespoons vanilla
4 cups brown sugar

Crumble the bread into a bowl. Pour milk over it and let stand for one hour.

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Grease a 24-by-16-by-3 inch pan with 4 tablespoons of butter.

In another bowl, beat together 12 eggs, the granulated sugar and the vanilla. Stir this mixture into the bread mixture.

Pour into prepared baking pan and bake until browned and set. This could take about an hour and 30 minutes, depending on your oven.

To make the sauce, melt the remaining butter on the stove top. Add the brown sugar and stir together until the sugar has dissolved and is extremely hot. Don't let it burn. Stir it constantly.
Remove from heat. Beat the remaining 4 eggs and stir them quickly into the sugar mixture.

Pour the sauce over the pudding and serve.

Depending on how it is cut it can make at least 45 servings.

I didn't say it was healthy, but it is really good.

Maybe by the time you read this I will have stopped crying

2011-03-25T07:20:00.000-07:00

Please read Kacy's blog post from today.

I got to be part of the miracle of the overflowing food.

Now my heart is breaking about this week.

If you can make a change in these kids life, please do so.

I saw death yesterday

2011-03-15T01:10:00.000-07:00

Wasn't how we expected to start the day, but it happened anyway. On our way to Kruger National Park we drove up on a guy giving another man CPR in the middle of our lane. Some of the people in our van jumped out and ran back to the scene. An EMT had hit a man as he was walking along side of the road. At 5:30 a.m. there are many, many people walking along the highway to work or to the bus stop. Krista went to his feet and started praying and talking to him. Carla grabbed the EMT's phone to make the "911" call. I was by his head. It was so overwhelming. It was definitely a time of not having words to pray, just groanings. Someone asked for more gloves and I ran to the other van to see if anyone had some in their first aid kit. No one had any so Scott grabbed a huge plastic sheet off the side of the road and took over CPR. One of the team brought up t-shirts to use. They didn't know what was going on in that van and they wanted to help however they could. She was not prepared for what she walked up on. I'm sure her gut wrenching, heart breaking wails could be heard across the valley. Three EMTs came flying up in their personal cars, leaped out and went to work. After a few minutes they called it. It was too late, the injury way too severe. The EMTs didn't have a sheet big enough so they covered his body with the plastic and gently covered his face with the fabric they had.

Many times when a black person is hit here in South Africa the driver continues to move on. Not from fear of getting in trouble for killing someone, but because they just don't care. That is how deep the prejudice runs here. To say that makes me beyond sick is an understatement. I can't comprehend the depth of that selfishness. It makes me think of the Scrooge line in A Christmas Carol.

If (the poor) would rather die, they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population.
Just put in "blacks" for the poor.
There is so much death here. There are funeral homes everywhere and
tombstone stores everywhere.
There are so many children that are already fatherless and I can't help but
wonder if yesterday morning more children became fatherless or complete
orphans. That breaks my heart and haunts me. Will those children now have to go to a feeding station to get food twice a week?
Please lift up the family that is grieving now. Pray that in their heartbreak they will feel God's love surround them in a supernatural way.

South Africa

2011-03-08T22:45:00.000-08:00

Wish I had a lot of time to spend on this. South Africa has gotten under my skin. I figured it would, but not so fast. Yesterday was our first Discipleship Training session. I taught on True Leadership. Usually I'm a bundle of nerves before I speak. I really don't like doing it. My stomach is churning before, during, and after. The team started praying for me Monday night and continued all day on Tuesday. The peace God poured out on me was so pure. Today I'm going with 5 other women to help cook for the orphan feeding station. Pray for me. I'm hoping not to be a blubbering idiot.

Hunger

2011-02-07T18:33:00.001-08:00

I'm sitting here listening to Outside The Camp practice and, while they are excellent musicians, they are extremely loud. So, if there are any mistakes in this post it will be their fault.

The following statistics come from UNICEF, United Nations World Food Programme and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. I found them through Compassion International. My comments are in italics.

925 million people worldwide are chronically hungry - almost one in seven. Almost 73 million people in the United States of America are obese.

75% of the world's hungry live in rural areas, primarily in villages in Africa and Asia.

146 million children in developing countries are underweight, the result of chronic and acute hunger. And here in the USA we can find news stories everyday about our children being obese. One out of three are considered overweight or obese.

17 million children each year are born underweight, "inheriting" malnutrition from their undernourished mothers. Malnourished mothers have trouble breastfeeding their babies and in developing countries other feeding options aren't readily available.

7.7 million children die each year before age 5. In 53% of these deaths malnutrition is a factor. One child is too many. It is completely unacceptable.

The effects of hunger on the body:

Normal growth is compromised.
Physical activity is difficult.
Resistance to disease is lessened.
Learning ability is diminished.

The following are the numbers that really got to me.
Nutrition Comparisons: On average, the body needs at least 2,100 calories per day to allow for a normal, healthy life.

In 2007, these three countries averaged the most calories consumed per person per day:

United States - 3,770
Austria - 3,760
Greece - 3,700

These three countries where Compassion works have the least calories consumed per person per day:

Haiti - 1,850
Ethiopia - 1,950
Tanzania - 2,020

There's more than a tad bit of difference there.

Click here to find out how you can make a difference in the life of a child.

Another recipe...yes, I see your eyes rolling in the back of your head

2011-01-20T08:31:00.000-08:00

I took a recipe from this lady right here. Some people would let the words "fat free vegan" send them running, but don't be afraid.

The original recipe is here. I did a couple of things different.

Quinoa Vegetable "Paella"

1 onion, chopped
1/2 teaspoon or so of garlic powder
1 1/2 cup quinoa
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
dash of cayenne pepper
1 14 oz. can diced tomatoes
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 14 oz. can Cannellini Beans
3 14 oz. cans vegetable broth
2 medium zucchini, halved lengthwise and sliced
1 cup frozen cut green beans
1 can artichoke hearts, rinsed and cut into quarters
2 tablespoons of olive oil

I put the quinoa in a very fine mesh strainer and rinsed thoroughly. Set aside.

Saute onion and garlic in the olive oil until soft. Add the quinoa and cook, stirring for another 2 minutes. Add paprika, cumin, cayenne, tomatoes, peppers, beans and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to very low, and cook covered for 15 minutes.

Place the zucchini on top of the quinoa and re-cover. Cook for about 5 more minutes, until quinoa is done. Remove the cover, stir in the green beans, and cook uncovered until green beans are warm and all liquid is absorbed, about 5 minutes. Arrange the artichoke hearts on the top and serve.

So that's my version. I loved it and the reason I made changes was because I don't like green peas and didn't have saffron. Check out the original recipe because you might like it more.

Evangelism & nurturing vs buildings & budgets

2011-01-02T14:44:00.000-08:00

I've been reading Follow Me To Freedom - Leading and Following As An Ordinary Radical by Shane Claiborne and John M. Perkins. Been working on it for awhile. It's the kind of book that takes me a long time to get through because I have to put it down and think about it. Fluff books I can burn through in a day or so and I save those for the days I need to completely check out from reality and not think about anything. This isn't one of those books.

This is something I came across today in Conversation 3 - The Vision (Carrying A Cause).

The vision of the family of God relies on evangelism and nurturing. We lose that focus and vision when we fuss too much over buildings, budgets and institutions. Why are we building bigger churches when we have trouble nurturing the people already coming through the doors? Too often, our vision has turned into creating institutions rather than developing people. We have to keep our focus on the people of God-reconciling them to God and to each other. John M. Perkins

Evangelism and nurturing instead of building and budgets? Who would have thunk it?!

Giving when it hurts

2011-01-01T11:09:00.000-08:00

I've been reading up on Ten Thousand Homes over the last couple of days and let's just say that I've been extremely impressed and extremely moved.

For a few years now I've known about Ten Thousand Homes because I know a family on the ground with them in South Africa. Their faith family in the States strongly supports the ministry with funds and volunteers.

Over the last couple of days there has been a tug in my soul to visit there, so that's when I started doing more intense research about TTH.

I came across this in their blog.

10K Tuesday: A Sacrificial Gift

Last week, a local volunteer at our Kabokweni Care Center was seen counting her money. When asked why, the volunteer replied that she had seen that one of the orphaned children needed new school clothes and she wanted to help. This volunteer is a single mother with several children of her own and she struggles everyday to put food on her table, but despite all of her own trials she gave from her heart even though it must have hurt.
Creative Action:

This is a challenge for all of us this week. Find a way to give even when it hurts. Whether that means sacrificing your money, time, or emotions, find your own way to give sacrificially, which means ESPECIALLY when it hurts.

WOW!

TTH 2 from Ten Thousand Homes on Vimeo.

Changes

2010-12-30T13:52:00.000-08:00

Okay, so we've come to the end of another year. I'm sure your asking yourself how and what you are going to change in the coming year. Some things are easy to know. Like, I'm getting a son-in-law and adding a Missourian to my family in one fell swoop the first week of 2011.

Some friends that I gather with on a pretty regular bases have been talking about changes we want to make in our lives. Changes that will help grow us into more of what Jesus look like. Changes that will grow us into more purposeful people. Things like diving deep into being aware of the needs of our community and world, then doing something about those needs.

One of the things our family already does is sponsor two Compassion International kids in The Dominican Republic. Our middle daughter sponsors a little girl in Guatemala. All three of them are adorable. It's been fun to watch them grow up through their pictures and letters.

There is so much information on Compassion's website. You might not be interested in sponsoring a child, but I bet if you check out the kids that need one you will be hard pressed not to, anyway, there are many other ways to reach out and make a difference.

Disaster Relief
Child Survival Program
Leadership Development Program
AIDS Orphan
Malaria Intervention Fund
MicroFinance Giving
Global Food Crisis Fund
Highly Vulnerable Children's Fund
Medical Assistance Fund

If you're looking for changes to make in your life I suggest one or more of the above. You'll stretch yourself and help someone else out. Go read Matthew 25 if you need a little extra push.

Grandmother names

2010-12-26T22:01:00.000-08:00

I found out the other day that my kids were discussing what I needed to be called once I became a grandmother. Pretty sure that isn't going to happen anytime soon, but with the oldest daughter getting married soon it must have been on their minds.

I wanted my kids to call their grandmothers: Grandmother or Grandma
That's what we had called ours: Grandma Sapp and Grandma Killian
It worked for me and my siblings and cousins.

Our oldest daughter had other ideas. She insisted that one of her grandmothers be called Eyetsee.
She also called her best friend at the time Eyetsee.
It finally morphed into Icee and Hannah got called Hannah.
I like the uniqueness of Icee now, but it has to be explained a lot.

My mother chose to be called Grammy and it stuck. Plus you don't argue with my mom.

There is actually a site for choosing your Grandmother name. I was shocked, though I know not why. There are pictures of nativity scenes made out of frogs. Why should anything after that shock me?

I took a little quiz to find out which grandmother name is right for me. Not really sure I can trust it though. It said I was a sophisticated intellectual and that I have my own style that is impossible for others to imitate. If truth be told, I don't think there is anyone out there that wants to imitate my style. And I can hear my family laughing over the sophisticated intellectual part. Loudly. Hugh guffaws.

It said a good grandmother moniker for me would be Nana or Bebe. Bebe? Really? Isn't that a clothing store?

So this is Christmas

2010-12-25T10:53:00.000-08:00

I have so many mixed feelings about this holiday. It's hard for me to just embrace it completely due to how it originated and the evolution it has gone through over the years.

Some people say that we celebrate on December 25th because we don't know the real date and I get that to a point. We have a cousin that's adopted. Her birthdate isn't known, so they celebrate her gotcha day as her birthday. But, December was chosen so the Christians would have an excuse to party like their nonbeliever friends were in their celebration of Saturnalia and Juvenalia. And the Christians did party. Raucously.

We can thank Washington Irving and Charles Dickens for many of the Christmas traditions that Americans consider holy. You can thank the Victorian Era for the idea of giving your children gifts for the holiday. If you read the story of the birth of Jesus from the actual Bible, you realize really quick that the church has woven together their own version of what happened and as usual, our version is not Biblical. What is sad is that many people who claim to be Christians would rather fight about keeping Christ in Christmas than follow what He taught.

I do know that the Son of God came to earth, shed His glory, and became human. That is a miracle, but it is a miracle that should be celebrated everyday. I'm as guilty as the next person for not doing that.

My favorite Christmas book is The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson. It does a great job at pointing out, in a humorous way, how we screw up the story. This is my favorite part of the book.

They looked like the people you see on the six o'clock news - refugees, sent to wait in some strange ugly place, with all their boxes and sacks around them.

It suddenly occurred to me that this was just the way it must have been for the real Holy Family, stuck away in a barn by people who didn't much care what happened to them. They couldn't have been very neat and tidy either, but more like this Mary and Joseph (Imogene's veil was cockeyed as usual, and Ralph's hair stuck out all around his ears). Imogene had the baby doll but she wasn't carrying it the way she was supposed to, cradled in her arms. She had it slung up over her shoulder and before she put it in the manger she thumped it twice on the back.

Brownies for a crowd, or in this case, a wedding

2010-12-21T16:05:00.000-08:00

I've been working on the reception food for the wedding. (I'm officially sick of truffles by the way and I need to make four more batches.)

I thought the bride had all the recipes picked out and I was waiting for her to get them to me. Then I found out that she wanted me to choose the recipes. So I've been researching.

(Very soon I will be officially sick of mini pies and cake balls.)

When this is all over I will have used 56 cage free eggs, 14 cups of butter, 10 1/2 cups of fair-trade cocoa, 28 cups of fair-trade sugar, 21 cups of white whole wheat flour, 14 teaspoons of salt and 21 teaspoons of vanilla. Just for the brownies.

(I'm thinking I will be officially sick of brownies in a few days.)

P.S.
I've got truffle making down to a science.

Needs and Wants

2010-11-24T12:01:00.000-08:00

This time of year many people start thinking about the things they want.
My kids start getting pushed by their grandparents for Christmas lists.
We sat around my cousin's dining table yesterday going over the ads, looking at things we wanted and joked about if they were things we needed or wanted.

There are a lot of things I want, but in the scheme of everything else, there isn't anything I need.

I want a new stovetop. A wonderful gas 5 burner would be lovely. But, do I need it? Nope. Anytime I get grumpy about the one I have all it takes is a thought of the little house up in the mountains of China where Aaron, Stephie, Cassie and I stayed one weekend. They cooked our food on an open fire in their kitchen. That was their stovetop. That was also the only thing in their kitchen except for a table.

An oven with a door that really closed properly would also be lovely. But, do I need it? Nope. I know people that use old oil drums for their ovens. The majority of people in the world don't have ovens. My oven is a luxury.

The plumbing in our house is old and creaky. Comes from being in an older home and living on the ever shifting North Texas soil. I really don't think God ever intended house to be built on this stuff. Dealing with this plumbing can get really frustrating. Our guest bathroom makes me crazy if I let it. I would love to rip it all out and start over. But, you know what? I've got indoor plumbing. I don't have to walk to the neighborhood well or go to the creek to get my water. In another country we had to climb over two fences and squat over the openings in the floor while sharing the space with a pig. My indoor plumbing with clean running water is a luxury. Wanting better plumbing is a want, but it isn't a need.

I want a new camera. I've always loved photography, but I can't really pinpoint my motives for having one, so it is definitely a want, a luxury. I would probably waste a lot of time with it. I've got lots of friends that are fabulously talented photographers. I'll just enjoy their photos.

I want a Wilton icing thingy-a-bob like Lacey has. But, I want it just because I think it is really cool and fun. Lacey uses hers all the time because baking and decorating is one of Lacey's gifts and how she blesses people. My motives aren't pure like that. So, I am trying to convince myself that I don't want one. I know I definitely don't need one. Not even sure I would use it all that often. It would be a waste of money for me to have one. Most of the people in the world can't even afford to buy one frosted cupcake.

Today more than a billion people in the world live and die in desperate poverty. They attempt to survive on less than a dollar per day. Close to two billion others live on less than two dollars per day. That's nearly half the world struggling today to find food, water, and shelter with the same amount of money I spend on french fries for lunch. David Platt in his book, Taking Back Your Faith From The American Dream - Radical

Needs and wants. They're different.
Lots of things I want. Nothing I need.

6 Can Soup with a sweet potato thrown in

2010-11-16T10:07:00.000-08:00

Man, it's been a long time since I've been here. Hope I can remember how to do this.

The following recipe was inspired by my cousin, Beverly. Or, at least I think the 7 Can Soup recipe got passed into my family by Beverly. Anyway, I'm giving Beverly the credit. I'm sure cousins will be more than happy to it out if I am wrong.

This is what I did:

1 medium sweet potato, chopped into bite size pieces
1 can pinto beans
1 can white kidney beans
1 can diced tomatoes with jalapeno peppers
1 can diced fire roasted salsa style tomatoes
1 can white hominy
1 can yellow hominy

I threw it all in my crockpot and cooked it on high for about 5 hours or so.

I also made brown rice with a healthy dose of fresh cilantro, garlic powder, black pepper, and about a teaspoon of salt.

Not being a fan of sweet potatoes, I was unsure if I would really like it, but I did.

Death is final

2010-09-27T23:02:00.000-07:00

Death is final and when I say that I mean the life here on earth is forever gone. It's permanent. As in forever more.

The only thing that keeps me from going insane is knowing that Grandmother is a beautiful soul in an earthly shell and the second the shell shuts down she will be with her Father. The one that she has loved and faithfully followed always. It will be beyond glorious, nothing our small minds can even begin to imagine. And she will be perfect and perfectly content.

Tonight, or I guess I should say this morning my tears have finally started flowing in a way that doesn't hint of a let up anytime soon. I've cried on and off since Friday morning, but quickly fended them off.

Not now.

Now I'm in pain thinking of the things that will never be again.
The really bland cookies she makes. Not sure what she does to them, but we eat them all up anyway.
Always being able to count on the ingredients for a Dr. Pepper Float to be on hand.
The best scrambled eggs in the world.
Hugs at the front door.
Her ability to talk for 30 minutes without having to stop to take a breath.
"Sit down here and talk to me" as she pats the couch cushion. And then not being able to get a word in edgewise.
Her way of pronouncing alcohol "alkeyhall" and tacos "tacas".
Her clothes hanging on the line.
Knowing that she starts her days praying for every single one of us.

In those ways death is very final. The day to day things. The things with skin on them. Those will be gone. Forever. And I don't like it one bit. That's where I am right now. Trying to come to grip with this final part. I hate it.

Jury Duty

2010-09-20T13:42:00.000-07:00

Sitting at Jury Duty waiting to hear if I will be needed today. We've been here since 8:30 and now it is 9:50. One group has been called.

I'm trying to figure out how to lie down on these folding chairs and not look totally crazy.

Watching people try to get out of duty wasn't as much fun this time. There weren't many that tried and there was no drama. Darn. I miss the judge that asked a group of people to line up vertically. Vertically? Really? Can I please be on top? Wait, I'm scared of heights. Never mind. I would prefer to be crushed on the bottom.

According to CNN NikeTown in NYC has been closed down due to a bed bug infestation. The lady sitting next to me and I both started grimacing and scratching.

We got to watch the fun little video about how happy and proud we should be to have jury duty. It's very well done, but it didn't sway me. The fact is that I do not want the pressure of deciding if someone is guilty or not. I don't like conflict. I don't like making major decisions. I'm not crazy about making minor decisions. Sometimes it takes me 15 minutes to decide which black t-shirt I'm going to wear with my jeans.

Oh...that lady is dressed WAY to young for her age!

Do I believe in the jury system? Oh yes. I just don't want to be a part of it.

So, anyway, 74 people got called for actual duty. One of the courts that asked for jurors changed their mind. A cheer went up from those left over. I didn't cheer. I remembered the fun little video that told me I should be happy and proud to serve and pretended that it did sway me.

I have a test tomorrow

2010-09-13T18:42:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm in the hospital tonight. Not crazy about being here. But, I'm hoping the fun test I get to take tomorrow will answer some questions.

Like what in the heck had a hold of me Saturday? Whatever it was was worse than any child birthing I went through and let me tell you, those were doozies.

My test is nuclear. I wonder if I will glow.

A lesson I learned this morning

2010-09-09T14:15:00.000-07:00

A lesson I learned this morning is to always double check the date on your jury summons before you write it on your calendar. That'll keep you from driving 30 minutes to a courthouse at an awful hour in the morning for no reason.

So, after learning the painful lesson the hard way I decided, due to bad traffic and a pounding headache, to drop in on my friends because I knew there would be coffee. They had kids that had to be gotten up and taken off to school. Someone would be up and coffee would be available.

Once again this morning I was wrong.

Charlie met me in the driveway and escorted me into the house. I walked into dead silence.

And then I made one step too many and Nia saw me. At least I think her name is Nia. Usually I just call her "Please Don't Eat Me". She went nuts barking and Charlie, the traitor, joined her.

I quickly sat down and played dead hoping she would take that as a sign of weakness and decide not to take a plug out of me. I looked up to see two extremely sleepy, confused people (I would say friends, but I don't know if they were thinking of me as a friend at that point) staring at me like I'm crazy. I am crazy. It was crazy. So their confusion made perfect sense to me.

Em immediately put water on to boil. She's seen me without sleep and little caffeine before. She knows how ugly it can be. Then, as the intelligent young lady she is, she went straight back to bed.

The coffee got French pressed. I inhaled it as I tried to apologize and explain my presence to the third person I woke up as he stumbled into the kitchen.

I had forgotten the kids don't physically go to school on Thursday. So, no one was up when I crashed in on their nice, calm, cozy little world. You would think that I would remember the Thursday thing, because two of my kids went to that school and I taught there once upon a time.

Then Nia, the same dog that threatened to tear me limb from limb earlier, curled up with me on the couch and we took a nap together.

Bright lights

2010-07-23T16:08:00.000-07:00

My cousin, Lezlee, is having another party over at her place. Lezlee is extremely gifted in repurposing. She blows me away. In fact, I'm just plain jealous of her talent.

Back to her party. People show how they've repurposed stuff in their blogs and link to her blog.

Not too long ago Lezlee posted a picture of her guest room with a fun birdcage she turned into a wall lamp.

I don't have any nifty birdcages around the place, but I do have something else that I made into a lamp. I had planned to make it a fish bowl, but realized that I would probably just kill the fish. I don't have a good reputation with fish. My family makes fun of my inability to keep fish alive. Every time I get a strong urge to get a fish I remind myself that I have a creek full of fish. It's also full of turtles and snakes, but I try not to think about the snakes. So here is a picture of my repurposed lamp.

Mine Fields

2010-07-16T09:04:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we had a training day out at Coventry.

One of our exercises was to walk our partner through a mine field with only our voice. The partner was blindfolded. I did NOT want to guide anyone. I don't think I'm a good guider. And when they called on me I begged them not to. Yeah, that worked.

So, they blindfolded my partner and I began to freak out a bit. I had chill bumps.

They added a twist. Everyone that wasn't on the mine field made noise. My partner had to concentrate on my voice and I had to stay close to her so she could hear my voice. And I had to stay calm.

I was doing okay until someone started twisting a plastic bottle. That's when I was ready to flatten someone! It was weird. They were putting my partner in danger and I was on the verge of taking them out, but I had to stay focused on her and remain steady.

The point of the exercise was to understand how many of our participants feel all the time. They are constantly bombarded with distractions because of how their brains function.

What got me was how inadequate I felt to guide and how protective I felt about my partner. I was wanting to yell at the person with the bottle that if they didn't stop making that awful noise I was going to hurt them. But, inside me I knew that probably wasn't a good idea.

One of the cool things about Coventry volunteers is that we all get that all of us are special needs in some way or the other. We all have situations or physical difficulties that make us function differently, that cloud our thinking sometimes. Now we get it a little bit more.

And, if you want to take it in a traditional spiritual direction: We have to concentrate on God's voice when we're walking through our mine fields. The great news for us is that He will always be at our elbow and He will always be calm.

Missy

2010-07-12T12:23:00.001-07:00

This is Missy. She left her family and friends last week after living a very fun and full life.

My kids, mainly Clay, were her sitters over the last few years.

Missy was a funny dog. Even after she had gone pretty blind she still knew exactly where to go and stand for her treat when she came in from doing her business outside.

And sometimes she was funny about doing her business outside. She didn't like to get her feet wet, so she would try to avoid the wet grass. Or she would pretend that she had done everything and want you to let her back inside. But, if you stood your ground, she would get to it so she could get back inside and get her treat. She liked her treats.

One of her favorite things to do was play hide and seek with Clay. Oh, she would make me laugh. She would hide under the coffee table which might have worked if it hadn't had a glass top.

There was the season she decided that she only wanted to sleep in the bathtub. Her mother had put something like a blanket in the tub and Missy jumped on it like a junebug and claimed it to be hers. She used it to scare us to death. We couldn't find her. She had completely buried herself under the blanket.

Missy was picky about her toys. Once she had a favorite, none other would do. There was the hamburger toy. Her parents tried to switch it once with an identical toy. Didn't work. She demanded her old one.

She was a sweet, sweet heart and dearly loved, but it was time for her to say good-bye. She had lived a very full and fun life.

Achile & Tetralogy of Fallot

2010-06-23T14:54:00.000-07:00

Achile is an 8-year-old boy in Burkina Faso with a congenital heart defect known as tetralogy of Fallot. Because of Achile's heart condition, he has been in pain for five years and hasn't been able to attend school regularly and receive the full of benefit of sponsorships through Compassion International.   Compassion International has provided medical care for Achile for the last two years at the National Teaching Hospital Yalgado Ouedraogo in Burkina Faso in western Africa. However, doctors there now believe his condition requires urgent heart surgery, which is not available in Burkina Faso.

Achile will be transported to a specialized hospital in India for a lifesaving operation that will cost an estimated $20,449. Please donate here: http://compassion.com/Achile

Any funds raised in excess of the cost of Achile's surgery and transport will be rolled into Compassion's Medical Assistance Fund to aid children in need of medical help in the future.

Landon School Scandal has made my head explode

2010-06-20T10:06:00.001-07:00

Okay, so I'm working on getting back in my groove. Not rut. Groove. They are different. I guess a groove can become a rut if you let it. Anyway...

My amazing friend, Lori, sent me the horrible info on the Landon School Scandal when I was up to my armpits in bands, managers, tour buses, speakers, no wi-fi, thunderstorms, ceiling leaks, and divas. And, no, the divas are not whom you think they would be.

So, the info has been bouncing around in the back of my brain and today I'm passing it on to you.

Reading about this made my head want to explode. I'm almost at a loss for words. I've typed a sentence over and over, but my mind keeps shattering.

This despicable attitude has been directed at girls that were supposedly their friends. How much worse must their attitudes be about people they have no connections with?

It makes me furious and it makes me realize how easily the idea of people being seen as property is birthed.

The fact the school tried to keep the scandal hush hush is very irritating. The Washington Post article states that just a few of the girl's families were contacted and three boys received in-school suspensions. In-school suspensions? Really? That's all? And, why weren't all the families warned that their daughters were being targeted in this way?

My heart hurts for the girls. It hurts because they didn't deserve this and the matter was swept under the rug, the boys slapped on the wrist. It hurts because there are girls in the world seeking attention and will do anything to get it. They are the perfect prey for predators like these boys.

My heart hurts for the families that believe the boys behavior is acceptable. That just look at it as "boys being boys" and don't see it for the sickness it really is. There are huge vacuums in these families. And they don't have a clue it is there.

My head has exploded and my heart hurts.

Home again

2010-06-14T21:50:00.000-07:00

These last two weeks have been insane. Colorado feels like it was a month ago. Oklahoma is a distant memory. Crossover taxed my body and my brain.

But, now I'm home. Sitting in my own bed with my husband passed out beside me.

Colorado was an exhausting delight, except for the rafting trip.
Falls Creek was an exhausting delight, except for the wi-fi being at the bottom of the hill (and not free) and the cell service being at the top of the hill. Made it hard to get business done.
Crossover was an exhausting delight, except for a few things that will not be named. I do want to say that Daphne and Kathy once again rocked hospitality and merch.

I feel completely out of the loop on so many things.
I've got to get back in my zone.
I've got to get all the weight I packed on off again.
Daphne made a spinach lasagna that was so good I almost cried.

I did get to share my convictions about slavery and Wal-Mart and Nestle and Mars with a few people and that felt good. Helped me feel I was in my real world.

Think its time to crash. I figured out that I've been driving or riding in a car for a total of 50 hours these past two weeks.

But I didn't sign up for that!

2010-05-30T20:04:00.000-07:00

So, for those that don't know, I'm in Colorado with the 2010 Seniors of LCA. They asked me to come with them. I think it's so they can make fun of me when I'm shivering to death on the side of a mountain above 10,000 feet. Maybe they just hate me. I'm not sure yet.

Tonight we found out that we have to be on the road by 6:50 AM. We were on the road this morning at 6:30 AM! I think they might just hate me.

AND we found out tonight some of the rapids we're doing tomorrow will be Level 5 with the water at 34F. Yeah, they must hate me.

Oh, we will be on the river for 6 HOURS! SIX HOURS! In 34F water. It is definite. They hate me.

The other female sponsor and I looked at each other and said we were sure we did NOT sign a waiver that said anything about Level 5 rapids and 6 hours of ice cold melted snow.

Even the guy sponsors were looking a little green around the gills. In fact, I'm pretty sure Chrasta's eyes just about popped out of his head a couple of times.

So, think about me tomorrow as I'm freezing and bouncing and holding on for dear life.

And then think about me while I'm up on a mountain at timberline freezing in my little tent due to the fact that a bunch of punk kids hate me.

Supposedly I will get to come back down the mountain to warmer weather Wednesday evening if that bunch of punk kids who hate me will shove my aching body into the van.

Sitting down and talking with Chap Stique

2010-05-22T12:39:00.000-07:00

My interview with Chap Stique is here. No, I do not call him that in real life. I think that would be just way too weird.

For those of you that aren't Chappy fans - the nickname comes from the fact that he is "addicted" to lip balm. I don't call him Chappy either.

And, once again, he is married.

This post led to the one about him being married.

Why did I feel the need to type all of the above? I have no idea.

I was very excited to find out he is involved with Blood:Water Mission and Free The Slaves.

Don't know if anyone's has noticed, but slavery and poverty really push my buttons.

So, I thank my friend for helping get the word out about two very heartbreaking issues and some ways people are trying to tackle the problems.

My cousin is having a party!

2010-05-18T16:11:00.000-07:00

My cousin, Lezlee, is having a party over at her blog. She does a great job repurposing stuff into beautiful useful stuff. And she's asked others to show their stuff.

Okay, that's enough stuff.

So, the following are a few things that we've repurposed around here.

When my oldest was moving into a dorm room, we took cork trivets and turned them into tiny bulletin boards. Then she took another set and turned them into art.

Then, there's the cat I made awhile back. I like my cat a lot. It is the only kind of cat I can have. My husband and two of my kids are allergic to cats and my dogs would probably have heart attacks if a cat entered the scene.

Can you tell it's made with all found objects? That's a pop top thingy from a can for the mouth. The whiskers might be telephone wires. The Blue Jay feather is from our yard. The Texas rabies tag came from one of the dogs. A copper pipe forms the tail that is attached to an old Mexican vanilla bottle. I found a broken beer bottle in the park which became ears for the muchly abused baseball.

Two graduations in one day

2010-05-16T09:57:00.000-07:00

Here are the two punks that caused last Friday to be crazy, crazy. Okay, so maybe it isn't their fault that their graduations fell on the same day.

I asked Haley if she could ask Baylor to let her be the first to walk across, but she didn't think that would work. So, she was in the last school and one of the last to walk. YEA! Not.

The major storm that blew through Texas didn't help traffic on I-35. And the fact that we had to drive through Dallas during rush hour didn't help.

We barely pulled into the parking lot a tiny bit before 7 for Corinn's graduation. I would have been a bawling mass of blech if we had been late. Not only was Corinn walking, but also all my babies I taught as Freshmen.

I enjoyed President Garland's speech at the Baylor Commencement. Maybe I can find a copy to post. But, my mind went numb after the 285 thousand name was read before Haley's.

Scott's talk was excellent as always. Hearing him speak is always a joy. I'm glad the Seniors chose him for their speaker. And Mrs. Rice for Teacher of the Year. Both were great choices.

By the time we made it to Micah and Corinn's party my legs were rubber and my exhaustion complete. I told Debbie if she found me curled up somewhere in her house to not wake me up.

This is what one looks like after attending two graduations in two different cities two hours apart with storms, rush hour, and emotions thrown in.

Quinoa Loaf with Tomatillos

2010-04-07T17:27:00.000-07:00

I made the following last night. It is based on a recipe from the March/April 2010 issue of The Whole Deal. I don't like mushrooms, so I changed it a bit.

1 T olive oil
4 small tomatillos, sliced
Salt and pepper to taste
1 15 oz (or so) can Garbanzo Beans, rinsed and drained
3/4 c rolled oats
2 cups cooked Quinoa
1 cup frozen Green Peas or 1 can Green Peas, drained
1 t crushed Rosemary
1 can diced Fire Roasted Tomatoes
1 onion, chopped

Preheat oven to 350F. Grease a loaf pan or casserole dish. Heat oil in skillet over medium-high heat. Add tomatillos, salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until brown around the edges. Put beans, oats, tomatillos, and 1/2 cup water in blender or food processor and blend until almost smooth. In a large bowl, combine bean mixture, quinoa, peas, rosemary, tomatoes, onion, salt and pepper to taste. Put in loaf pan/casserole dish. Bake until firm and golden brown, 1 to 1 1/4 hours. Slice and serve.

Four out of five people at my house gave it thumbs up. Clay said he wanted to spit it back onto his plate.

Don't Steal!

2010-04-05T21:00:00.000-07:00

I was reading the March/April 2010 issue of Belle Armoire and came across this paragraph. It made me very sad. And mad.

"...reps from the big retailers cruise the aisles at trade shows, buying samples that they then send overseas to be copied. And it's not just artwear. Peggy mentions a well-known upscale-home catalog that regularly features pottery and ceramic pieces that are direct copies of the work of artists she knows personally."

It comes from an article on Peggy Russell by Rice Freeman-Zachery.

It all boils down to greed.

Don't steal an artist's creativity! It is one thing to be inspired, but to make direct copies for profit?! GRRRR!

By golly that makes me mad!

And, since the retailer reps are stealing in the first place, they probably aren't using ethical means to recreate what they've stolen.

And that makes me mad!

Love Mercy - a book, a shop and a journey

2010-03-31T11:20:00.000-07:00

While in Nashville this past weekend I paid a visit to McKay's (thank you Sarah Freeman) and found the book Love Mercy - A mother & Daughter's Journey from the American Dream to the Kingdom of God. It's a brand new book, just published in this here 2010.

The title caught my eye, because that's the name of my Etsy shop and then the author's name caught my eye, because she is one of my favorite authors. And since my daughter and I were in Nashville on a social justice trip it was a buy, buy, buy situation.

Lisa Samson and her daughter, Ty, wrote the book together about their trip to Swaziland and how it rocked their world.

Lisa and I have a lot in common.

She writes great fiction.
I like to read great fiction.

She and her husband wrote a great book, Justice in the Burbs.
I read Justice in the Burbs and recommend it to people all the time.

She was born in '64.
I was born in '63.

She has a child born in '89.
I have a child born in '89.

She and her daughter have been to Africa.
I've been to Africa with one of my daughters.

See! We're almost twins!

I'm only on Chapter 3, but I'm greatly appreciating this book. The writing styles are welcoming and honest. Can't wait to finish it.

This is Fezzik

2010-03-24T15:03:00.000-07:00

As you can tell the fence isn't that much taller than him, but he hasn't figured that out yet.

He has figured out how to open one of the gates. Thankfully a lot of us were out in the backyard when he did it the first time.

There was a boy in the park and Fezzik was barking like crazy at him. He can't stand it when someone is out there.

All of a sudden he ran to the gate, stuck his nose to the bottom and shoved it open.

I almost had a heart attack. He took off after the kid at a full gallop, barking his head off.

Can you imagine looking up and having that charging at you whole hog?

Of course, the kid started running. I started yelling (or screeching) for him to not run.

And I couldn't believe it. The boy stood still! With THAT bearing down on him!

Fezzik didn't know what to do. He was so confused. The boy wasn't playing the game right.

I got to the kid and apologized profusely. He just smiled and said that Fezzik was a smart dog like his dog.

So glad he felt that way.

I'm still in shock he listened to me, a total stranger, and stood still. That took a lot of courage. I think I would have been looking for a big stick if something was coming at me like that.

And, he is right. Fezzik is a smart dog. And sneaky. And obnoxious. And smelly. And loving. Sometimes too loving. Obnoxiously loving. Ask Corinn's boyfriend, Micah. Fezzik loves Micah. A lot. Fezzik thinks they're bosom buddies. Micah's not so sure. Especially when Fezzik is at his smelliest.

Now, these two rotten creatures were saying, "We had nothing to do with this! See, we didn't go chasing after the boy! We're the goods ones!"

HA! None of us are fooled. We all know you just didn't move fast enough this time.

Texas - The Confused State

2010-03-23T14:28:00.000-07:00

This is what Texas weather was like last weekend.

Friday

Sunday

Monday

I kid you not.

Upcycled t-shirt becomes ruffles for a blah skirt

2010-03-23T13:22:00.000-07:00

I've been working on a little project and finished it yesterday. It's tied to my crazy shopping post.

This is what has emerged:

It began with a denim skirt that I've had a million years or so. Not sure if I got it at Goodwill or if it was a hand-me-down. It was very plain. So...
I took an Archie comic book from the 70's and scanned a couple of the pages, flipped the images and made iron-on transfers. Then I hand stitched around the images. I didn't really care if the comics were readable. I like the worn look they have. There is also no rhyme or reason in the order I put them on. If you tried to read the story you would get confused.

I placed comic panels on the down the front and three panels on the left bottom part of the skirt.
Yes, I'm wearing TOMS. I love my TOMS.

Now, the skirt has a front slit that wasn't too high, but it was awkward to sit in. It just seemed if I wasn't on constant watch it would gap in very annoying ways. Or, at least, annoying for me. Maybe the men around me really liked the slit. Anyway, this is what I did:

I upcycled a red Pine Cove Ranch t-shirt that had seen better days by cutting a panel and hand stitching six ruffles onto it. Then I hand stitched the panel into the skirt.

The dentist recognized it as the project I was working on last week when Callie had her visit and a lady in the waiting room really liked it. Callie explained to both of them that the ruffles were made out of an old t-shirt.

And that fuzzy thing below the ruffles. That's not my hairy leg, that's Dog Henry, not to be confused with Nephew Henry. Nephew Henry, not to be confused with Dog Henry, is going through a "I will NOT use the big potty!" phase. His parents are THRILLED!

It was a fun project. I only stabbed myself a few times. Twice in the lip. I know, it doesn't make any sense. It would have been faster and safer to do it all on the machine, but I like hand stitching and I can do it anywhere. On the train, in my living room, at the dentist, at a meeting, at my mom's, etc...You get the picture.

Philip Andre has been adopted

2010-03-17T10:28:00.000-07:00

This is Philip Andre. As you can tell he has lived a hard life. In the past he has been a boxer, actor, and a screenwriter.

Etched into his face are lines left by extreme living and taking punches.

Underneath is a heart of gold. Well, maybe not a heart of gold, but a heart, none the less.

Philip Andre has been adopted and now lives in Louisiana. His adoption fees are being donated to Faceless International.

To learn who inspired the birth of Philip Andre, click here.

These are so my children!

2010-03-17T09:35:00.000-07:00

This picture does a good job summing up the craziness of my kids. And this is only two of them.

Can you imagine what it's like when all five are around?

With color, without color, it shows they're pretty much nuts.

Wonder where they get it from?

Real Hope for Haiti Dress Party

2010-03-16T18:37:00.000-07:00

My cousin, Jodi, decided to host a dress making party for Real Hope for Haiti. It was a great success. People donated fabric, sewing machines, and time.

You can read about it here. My mom is in one of the pictures. She isn't the sleeping baby. That's my adorable third cousin and Jodi's adorable daughter.

I think Jodi should come to Plano so we can have a dress party here. What do you think?

Whole Wheat Blueberry Pecan Muffin Squares

2010-03-12T19:53:00.000-08:00

Whole Wheat Blueberry Pecan Muffin Squares

They're in squares because I don't like dealing with muffin tins or papers.

9 X 13 pan

Mix together the following:

2 cups organic white whole wheat flour
1/2 cup fair trade organic sucanat
1 T Ener-G egg replacer
2 t baking powder
1/4 t salt

Add:

1/4 cup canola oil
1 1/4 cups almond milk

Mix well.

Add:

1 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen)
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Mix well.

Preheat oven to 375 F. Grease 9 X 13 pan. Pour mixture into pan. Bake for 20 minutes or until center bounces back when pushed gently or a knife stuck into center comes out clean.

Variations:
Substitute your favorite oil, milk, fruit, or nuts.

Sadie Suzanne - easy going kind of girl

2010-03-10T16:32:00.000-08:00

Meet Sadie Suzanne. She's an easy going kind of girl. She likes things plain and simple, like her. Sadie Suzanne sees things a little differently than most dolls.

Maybe that's because her eyes are so unique.

They were crafted just for her at Coventry. No eyes like them anywhere else.

The folks at Coventry view things through a lens of love and I think it rubbed off on Sadie.

She tells me she was hand-stitched with a lot of love, helping the person doing the stitching work off some stress while trying to be creative.

Sadie Suzanne says when she is adopted all of the proceeds will go to Faceless International. That's a group of people with a lot of love.

So, if you are looking for a easy going kind of girl to love, Sadie Suzanne might be just the doll for you.

I'm not crazy about shopping

2010-03-10T09:21:00.000-08:00

I'm not really crazy about shopping, like at the mall. It's not something I consider fun. (Flea Markets and thrift stores, that's a whole 'nother story.) Haven't always felt this way. In the past I had no problem spending hours in a mall. I'm not really even sure when the change took place. Maybe it was around the time I starting realizing I didn't need all that much, nor did my kids. Maybe it was around the time I starting realizing where clothes were made. Maybe it was around the time I started realizing that much of the stuff I was admiring was being made by people forced to work in horrible, dangerous conditions. Not really sure. It's probably a combination of a lot of things.

My friend and I were talking the other day about her struggle to find a baby gift she knew came from an honorable company. She was going to start researching companies for her future purchases. Shaun Groves wrote a few years ago about searching for blue jeans that were fair trade and organic. That made me search. There are good companies out there who are honorable in their business practices. It costs more to buy from them sometimes, but I would rather spend more money, than wear or use something made by a slave or an abused person. Or, simply go without.

Anyone who knows me in real life can tell you I'm not a fashionista. Most of the time I really don't care. Now, I usually know how to dress appropriately for a situation or I call a friend and ask for help. A lot of times I like to be different in some little way, which gets an eyebrow raised now and then. I went through a boring time in my life where I played it safe and was constantly freaked out about what I was going to wear. Not so much anymore. Some years ago I decided to have some fun, which is where the not caring comes in.

I'm getting more and more into altering pieces of clothing to have more of a "me" style. I get a hoot out of repurposing pieces and upcycling stuff. It helps my creative side. I love to hand stitch things. It helps me with stress. And it works nicely with my dislike of shopping.

So, all that to say that I'm going on a little adventure where I'm going to try to not make any purchases without knowing if the supply chain is pure and I'm going to be getting less stressful by creating a lot of my own stuff. Don't how it will all turn out or how I will record it. Since only a couple of people read this, maybe they will throw some ideas my way.

My dad's in Haiti

2010-02-27T17:18:00.000-08:00

My dad flew to Haiti today. I'm so proud of him. He will be there for a week with the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention.

It's one of those things where I'm very happy that he is physically able to go, but I'm sad that there is such a horrible need. Haiti was in terrible condition before the earthquake. I've watched the videos and seen the pictures of the devastation and I know they really just catch a glimpse of the nightmare with which the Haitians are dealing.

In the last few years my parents have been volunteering in disaster relief. My mom spent extremely long hours in Galveston and Tyler making sure people got fed. Dad made a trip to Iowa to help out after the flood there. They've made other trips too, plus had hours and hours of training.

Some people think that what they are doing is crazy, helping people they don't even know. Some people make nasty comments about the people they are reaching out to, because they don't feel the victims deserve help. I say they are being the hands and feet of Christ. They are living out Micah 6:8 and Matthew 25.

My parents and I don't agree on a lot of things. We have different views about many things. There are some subjects that are best to be avoided. But, this is something we do agree on. If you can go and help, then go. If you have the means to go, then go. The small, little world you leave to go minister to someone else will still be there when you get back. It might be a little different when you get back. You will be a whole lot different. But, for the better.

To find out ways you can help in Haiti see any of the below:
RHFH Rescue Center
Compassion International
World Vision
Hands and Feet

These two involve family members. The sewing project is by my cousin, Jodi. Lovely, easy idea. The other one, for Red Cross, has my son in it.

Sewing Day
hitRECord & Red Cross

Switchfoot's Jon Foreman joins "Help Haiti Live"

2010-02-26T10:39:00.000-08:00

SWITCHFOOT’S JON FOREMAN JOINS ‘HELP HAITI LIVE’

from Shlog by Shaun Groves

Alison Krauss and Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, Big Kenny and More to Perform Live in Nashville to Raise Funds for Compassion International’s Continued Relief Efforts

NASHVILLE, TN…2/24/10…Switchfoot’s Jon Foreman hasannounced he will join the all-star cast of musicians gathering for “Help Haiti Live,” in Nashville on February 27th, 2010 to benefit Compassion International’s Haiti disaster relief fund. The concert is sponsored by Gaylord Entertainment Company and will be streamed live at HelpHaitiLive.com.

With extraordinary need still existing in the devastated country, Alison Krauss and Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, Big Kenny, Mat Kearney, Jars of Clay, Jon Foreman, Brandon Heath, NEEDTOBREATHE, Dave Barnes, and Matt Wertz will participate in a concert at Nashville’s famed and Gaylord-owned Ryman Auditorium. Produced to inspire live concert and on-line audiences to financially support the relief work of Compassion International in Haiti, all talent and production fees have been donated, along with streaming services (Livestream.com), allowing proceeds to go toward Compassion’s disaster relief fund (more details below). Gibson Guitars has donated a guitar to be signed by the evening’s performers and auctioned off, with bids starting today at HelpHaitiLive.com/auction. For artist and venue information please click here.

Tickets range in price from $25-75 and can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com and all Ticketmaster locations, as well as through The Ryman box office: 800-745-3000 or Ryman.com.

Event details include:

Nashville/Ryman Auditorium, 7:30pm cst:
Host: Big Kenny (plus performance)
Alison Krauss and Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas
Jars of Clay
Mat Kearney
Jon Foreman
Brandon Heath
Dave Barnes
NEEDTOBREATHE

All net proceeds from HelpHaitiLive.com will go to Compassion International’s Haiti disaster relief fund. All money raised in response to the Haiti earthquake will be used immediately to re-equip Compassion’s local support structure and to provide for the immediate needs of Compassion-assisted children and families.

Compassion has been meeting the physical and spiritual needs of Haitians for more than forty years and will continue to serve them
in this time of extreme need. Already Compassion International has supplied more than 15,000 families with clean water, food, blankets, temporary shelter, medical supplies and counseling. Donations will lay bricks, feed, educate, clothe, heal and rebuild Haiti for many months to come.

Compassion International is the world’s largest Christian child development organization that permanently releases children from
poverty. Founded in 1952, Compassion successfully tackles global poverty one child at a time, serving more than 1 million children in
26 of the world’s poorest countries. Recognizing that poverty is more than a lack of money, Compassion works holistically through
local churches to address the individual physical, economic, educational and spiritual needs of children, enabling them to thrive, not just survive. Charity Navigator, America’s largest charity evaluator, has awarded Compassion its highest rating “four stars” for eight consecutive years.

“Help Haiti Live” is owned by Compassion International and will be produced by Shaun Groves and Synergy Production Group. Synergy Production Group creates and produces live events that connect audiences with brands or causes. Offering turn-key event solutions, strategic content development, creative design, audio, video and lighting production, talent procurement and complete program management, Synergy Production Group is based in Franklin, TN (www.synergyprg.com).

Gaylord Entertainment Company has taken an active and immediate role in supporting earthquake recovery efforts in Haiti. In addition
to its involvement in the Help Haiti Live concert event, Gaylord is providing direct aid to family members of employees who live in Haiti through its STAR Assistance Program. The company also provided financial support to the American Red Cross’s relief efforts and is currently working with Harvest Time International in Florida as well as the Salvation Army to transport thousands of pounds of food, clothing, and household goods donated by its STARS (employees) to the hardest-hit areas of the island nation.

###

FOR MORE INFORMATION/PRESS CONTACT:
the media collective
velvet kelm, christina garvin, courtney hyder, errine garnett
615.591-7989
velvet@themcollective.com
christina@themcollective.com
courtney@themcollective.com
errine@themcollective.com

All star cast of musicians to gather for "Help Haiti Live" on February 27

2010-02-15T07:20:00.000-08:00

This whole post came from Shaun Groves' blog. It was easier to copy his than to dig through his long email with all the same information in it, put it into readable form and then pass it out into the world. He always does a better job anyway. I even took his headline. Now...how do I get to LA in a few days?

ALL STAR CAST OF MUSICIANS TO GATHER

FOR ‘HELP HAITI LIVE’ ON FEBRUARY 27^TH

Alison Krauss & Union Station (featuring Jerry Douglas), Amy Grant, Big Kenny and More to Perform Live in Los Angeles and Nashville to Raise Funds for Compassion International’s Continued Relief Efforts

NASHVILLE, TN…2/15/10…One month following the 7.1 earthquake that struck Haiti, an all-star cast of musicians is gathering for “Help Haiti Live,” a two-city ticketed concert event taking place on February 27th, 2010 to benefit Compassion International’s Haiti disaster relief fund. The concerts are sponsored by Gaylord Entertainment Company and will be streamed live at HelpHaitiLive.com.

With extraordinary need still existing in the devastated country, Alison Krauss & Union Station (featuring Jerry Douglas), Amy Grant, Big Kenny, Mat Kearney, Jars of Clay, Rebecca St. James, NEEDTOBREATHE, Brandon Heath, and a to-be-announced special headliner will participate in two concert events, live from Los Angeles at the historic Wiltern Theater and at Nashville’s famed and Gaylord-owned Ryman Auditorium. Produced to inspire live concert and on-line audiences to financially support the relief work of Compassion International in Haiti, all talent and production fees have been donated, along with streaming services (Livestream.com), allowing proceeds to go toward Compassion’s disaster relief fund (more details below).

“This cause has been something our employees have taken very close to heart in recent weeks, and they’re thrilled for Gaylord to be involved in such an inspiring event. We’re also proud to support the generous efforts of all the artists who are donating their time and talent to make this concert a success,” said Colin Reed, Chairman and CEO of Gaylord Entertainment Company.

Tickets for each event will range in price from $25-75 and can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com and all Ticketmaster locations beginning Monday, February 15^th, as well as through The Ryman box office: 800-745-3000 or ryman.com, and through Live Nation for The Wiltern at http://www.livenation.com/venue/the-wiltern-tickets

Nashville/Ryman Auditorium, 7:30pm cst:
Host: Big Kenny (plus performance)
Alison Krauss and Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas
Jars of Clay
Mat Kearney
Dave Barnes
Matt Wertz
Brandon Heath

Los Angeles/Wiltern Theater, 7:30pm pst:
Francis Chan
Special Guest headliner
Amy Grant
Leann Rimes
Rebecca St. James
NEEDTOBREATHE

Compassion has been meeting the physical and spiritual needs of Haitians for more than forty years and will continue to serve them in this time of extreme need. Already Compassion International has supplied more than 15,000 families with clean water, food, blankets, temporary shelter, medical supplies and counseling. Donations will lay bricks, feed, educate, clothe, heal and rebuild Haiti for many months to come.

Compassion International is the world’s largest Christian child development organization that permanently releases children from poverty. Founded in 1952, Compassion successfully tackles global poverty one child at a time, serving more than 1 million children in 26 of the world’s poorest countries. Recognizing that poverty is more than a lack of money, Compassion works holistically through local churches to address the individual physical, economic, educational and spiritual needs of children, enabling them to thrive, not just survive. Charity Navigator, America’s largest charity evaluator, has awarded Compassion its highest rating “four stars” for eight consecutive years.

“Help Haiti Live” is owned by Compassion International and will be produced by Shaun Groves and Synergy Production Group.

Synergy Production Group creates and produces live events that connect audiences with brands or causes. Offering turn-key event solutions, strategic content development, creative design, audio, video and lighting production, talent procurement and complete program management, Synergy Production Group is based in Franklin, TN (www.synergyprg.com).

Gaylord Entertainment Company has taken an active and immediate role in supporting earthquake recovery efforts in Haiti. In addition to its involvement in the Help Haiti Live concert event, Gaylord is providing direct aid to family members of employees who live in Haiti through its STAR Assistance Program. The company also provided financial support to the American Red Cross’s relief efforts and is currently working with Harvest Time International in Florida as well as the Salvation Army to transport thousands of pounds of food, clothing, and household goods donated by its STARS (employees) to the hardest-hit areas of the island nation

ARTIST & VENUE information:

About Alison Krauss and Union Station: Multiple Grammy winning artist Alison Krauss and Union Station are excited to a couple of years, and are currently in the studio working on a new album–their first band album since 2004’s “Lonely Runs Both Ways.” This is one of only a few appearances that the band will make this year. (www.alisonkrauss.com/site.php)

About Amy Grant: Amy Grant’s career spans over 25 years and stretches from her roots in gospel into an iconic pop star, songwriter, television personality, and philanthropist. Grant has sold more than 30 million albums and won six GRAMMY® Awards in multiple categories, beginning with the platinum selling Age to Age in 1982. She also has six #1 hits, including “Baby, Baby,” and “Every Heartbeat” and is one of only two Christian artists to be awarded a star on the legendary Walk of Fame in Hollywood.(www.amygrant.com)

About BIG KENNY: As one half of the super duo Big & Rich, “Big Kenny” Alphin sold in excess of five million albums, opened sold-out stadium tours for Kenny Chesney, hit the amphitheaters with Tim McGraw, graced the covers of Entertainment Weekly, Billboard, Country Weekly and was featured in such magazines as Rolling Stone, People and many others. Also an accomplished songwriter, Big Kenny was named the BMI Songwriter of the Year in 2005, and has written several top 10 hits for artists such as Tim McGraw, Gretchen Wilson, and Jason Aldean. Now, the Culpeper, Virginia, native is celebrating the release of his latest solo effort, The Quiet Times of a Rock and Roll Farm Boy, (November 2009). (www.bigkennytv.com)

About Jars of Clay: Jars of Clay launched its breakout career with the multi-format hit “Flood” in 1995. Since then, it’s amassed more than six million in career sales (5 Gold, 2 Platinum and 1 double Platinum certification), 3 GRAMMY Awards (from 8 nominations), an American Music Award nod, 17 No. 1 radio hits, and numerous film credits and BMI honors for songwriting and performing. Compelled to make a difference with needs to around the world, the band founded Blood:Water Mission in early 2002. Blood:water mission empowers communities to work together against the Water & HIV/AIDS crises in Africa. (www.jarsofclay.com and www.bloodwatermission.com).

About Mat Kearney: After spending five years traveling the country establishing himself as a new artist supporting his first release, Nothing Left To Lose, Mat Kearney dug his roots into his new hometown of Nashville, TN, and cultivated the tracks for City of Black & White, released in May 2009 on Aware/Columbia Records. He opened up the writing process to friends and to the community of musicians in Nashville, and crafted hit songs such as “Closer To Love,” “Here We Go,” and “Lifeline.” Kearney was a VH1 You Oughta Know Artist, headlined the first VH1 You Oughta Know Tour, and his video for the single “Nothing Left To Lose” tied the record for the most weeks in rotation (45) on VH1. His songs have received prominent television licensing on popular shows such as Grey’s Anatomy, Bones, Friday Night Lights, Army Wives and more. (www.matkearney.com)

About Rebecca St. James: Australian born Rebecca St. James is both a Grammy Award winner and multiple Dove Award recipient, who can count her lead acting role in the November ‘09 film release Sarah’s Choice, among her most recent career highlights. She has received RIAA certified gold album awards—for her ground-breaking album God and her Grammy Award winning project Pray, certified gold in 2006 and has had seventeen Top 10 singles–nine of which have reached the #1 spot on the charts to date. In addition to music, Rebecca is a best selling author, with more than a half dozen books to her credit—including Wait For Me (Thomas Nelson) which has sold more than 100,000 units, Pure(Hachette/Faithwords)which reached Top 10 on the CBA Bestseller List in February 2009 and her latest book, Loved (Hachette/Faithwords)(www.rebeccastjames.com).

About Brandon Heath: Emmy-Award winning, GRAMMY and American Music Award nominated, Brandon Heath holds multiple Dove Awards including the Male Vocalist and Song of the Year (2009) categories. Heath released his sophomore album, What If We (8/2008), yielding two No.1 singles, “Wait and See”, and the blockbuster “Give Me Your Eyes” which was selected by NASA this week as the wake-up song for the orbiting Endeavour shuttle crew on Feb. 8. The album’s third single “Love Never Fails” moves into Top 20 at Billboard’s AC Monitored radio chart this week. Heath’s 2006 debut, Don’t Get Comfortable, produced the radio No.1 hit, “I’m Not Who I Was,” which contributed to his New Artist of the Year Dove Award win. Heath has been covered by The New York Times and “CBS Evening News with Katie Couric.” (www.brandonheath.net)

About NEEDTOBREATHE: Formed in 1999, South Carolina based rock band NEEDTOBREATHE made a name for themselves with constant touring. Upon signing to Atlantic, the band released its debut album, “DAYLIGHT” and toured harder than ever following the album’s 2006 release. The band returned the following year with “THE HEAT,” which reached #2 on Billboard’s “Top Heatseekers” chart thanks in part to their top 10 Triple A hit single “More Time” and its inclusion in the movie “P.S. I Love You.” NEEDTOBREATHE recently announced their “Won’t Turn Back Tour” beginning Mar. 3 which celebrates their third album, “THE OUTSIDERS,” released last summer to universal critical acclaim and a top 20 debut on the Billboard Top 200. The “Won’t Turn Back Tour” follows last year’s successful headline tour which included sold-out shows in virtually every market visited. NEEDTOBREATHE has also been invited to play Bonnaroo 2010 this coming summer. (www.needtobreathe.net)

About Dave Barnes: Mississippi-bred, Nashville Based Dave Barnes is not only known for his soulful pop tunes, but also for his comedic story-telling abilities, as can be seen in numerous, frequently-viewed posts on YouTube. Armed with an acoustic guitar, clean-cut good looks and a knack for catchy hooks, Dave Barnes can do it all. (www.davebarnes.com

About Matt Wertz: Over the past 9 years, Nashville resident Matt Wertz has built an incredible story as an independent musician. With four records to his credit and sales of over 75,000, Matt has seen his career grow tremendously through constant touring, commercial radio airplay and having his songs featured in numerous television shows and films. In addition to music, Matt is also passionate about community needs around the world. In 2005, Matt helped launch an organization called the Mocha Club, who’s vision is to provide funding for releif and development projects in Africa. Mocha Club’s five main project areas are: Clean water, Education, Child Mothers, Orphan Care, Healthcare. (www.mattwertz.com)

About the Ryman Auditorium: A National Historic Landmark, the Ryman Auditorium was built as a church in 1892, served as the home of the Grand Ole Opry from 1943-74, and was completely renovated in 1994. The Ryman is open as a museum during the day and at night continues its more-than-100-year music tradition by offering the best in live entertainment. The Ryman Auditorium is owned by Gaylord Entertainment (NYSE: GET), a Nashville-based hospitality and entertainment company that owns and operates Gaylord Hotels and the Grand Ole Opry. (www.ryman.com)

About the Wiltern Theater: The Wiltern Theatre first opened its doors to the action picture crowds on October 7th, 1931. Recognized by the City of Los Angeles as a Historic Cultural Monument, this Art Deco Landmark was refurbished and restored to its creative brilliance in 1985, under the bearing of Bill Graham Presents. Following a famous history of performances and actions, a $1.5 million facelift led to the Grand Re-Opening on October 15, 2002.

My quirky little store

2010-02-12T13:39:00.000-08:00

I would love to have a quirky little store. I think I really would. There's a few things that keep me from opening a quirky little store. I have no business skills or knowledge and I have no money with which to open a store. And, I really think those are valid reasons not to have one.

But, if I had one I would want it to have French flea market finds, because I love France and I love flea markets. Put the two together = extra special.

Also, I would want it to have lots of handmade, re-purposed items like the ones my cousins make. Gorgeous stuff! Quirky, chippy, usable, well-worn = LOVE IT!

And folk art. I'm crazy about folk art. Stick me some place full of folk art and I start drooling. Like Yard Dog or House of Blues.

I wouldn't want to have a store just to have a store. The drive behind my store would be to fight slavery and to support the organizations that have homes for the people rescued from the horrors of slavery. Those rescued need huge amounts of support to get on their feet and be safe from getting drug back into slavery. The brave souls providing this physical and emotional support need support.

The store's purpose would be to support organizations that have real, practical, smart programs to end extreme poverty and slavery. So it would be stocked with fair trade items like coffee, chocolate, clothing, jewelry, art, etc...

But, like I said, I don't have the skills or money to make my quirky little store a reality. So, what I can do is tell you about some of the organizations my quirky little store would support.

Love146
Faceless International
Polaris Project
International Justice Mission
Free The Slaves
Trade As One
Not For Sale
Abolish Slavery Coalition

Kay Warren said in a piece for start> that she used to be a nice person, but she didn't feel nice now that she knew of the horrors of AIDS sufferers. She became "seriously disturbed" by their pain. She couldn't be quiet. And I knew exactly what she was talking about.

That's how I feel about slavery. I come across as fanatical at times. I can't stop talking about it. It hangs on me. It hurts my heart. Sometimes people think I'm joking about my passion for fair trade coffee, chocolate, sugar and clothing. Nope, I'm not. I'm serious as a heart attack. I don't want to knowingly participate in the slave industry or abuse those in extreme poverty. When I ask where those t-shirts are manufactured and if they are legit, I'm dead serious.

So, if it seems I spend a lot of time talking about slavery or it seems like I'm staring at you extra hard when I'm discussing it with you, that's because I am.

Wow, that got serious.

What are your purchases supporting?

2010-02-11T17:00:00.000-08:00

This question and answer is from a post by Becky Garrison as part of the God's Politics blog. It is in two parts and contains interviews with Shannon Hopkins and Alissa Moore.

How do you encourage people to move from being consumers of fair trade and organic products to becoming advocates for social justice change?

SHANNON: Addressing consumption is the place to start. Slowing down and thinking about what you are buying. Do you really need it? Where did it come from? Realize that every dollar you spend supports someone, somewhere. What are your purchases supporting? Justice? Equality? Fairness? Peace? Or is it creating a bigger divide between rich and poor?

Swap your chocolate

2010-02-09T09:36:00.001-08:00

Amos Ivey makes it to his forever home

2010-02-06T09:17:00.000-08:00

Seems like we've been praying for this homecoming forever. It finally happened. You can learn the complete story at Aaron's blog and Jamie's blog.

I get twitchy about slavery

2010-02-05T14:28:00.000-08:00

Some people know I get a little twitchy about modern-day slavery. I get twitchy when people talk about pre-Civil War slavery and try to justify it. Slavery, all around makes me twitchy. It makes me grit my teeth and squint my eyes and twitch.

I never really thought much about modern-day slavery until I saw it with my own eyes. It made me want to throw up. I will never get those images out of my head.

Sometimes I get overcome by urges to make something with my hands. Usually it happens when I'm stressed. There is something about pouring myself into creating that calms me. Most of the time whatever it is that is asking me to make it gets completely hand sewn. I like the folk artsy look of hand sewn items and I feel more connected with the item. And, some of the time, I've screwed up a knob here or there on the machine and can't use it.

What in the heck does that have to do with slavery? Well, I decided to put some of the quirky dolls on Etsy. Since I make them with mostly recycled, found objects all of the adoption fees go to Faceless International.

Faceless International aims to defend the plight of exploited people worldwide who have gone faceless and unknown for far too long. We exist to raise awareness about social issues happening throughout the global community. We provide first hand experience and education through trips around the world and solution-based opportunities through regional resources.

Each doll has a story that they tell me as I'm making them. Sometimes a picture or person inspires their beginning or helps it develop as we move along.

Each are very simple and unique. I'm pretty sure I couldn't make two alike if I wanted to.

Some are safe for young children. Some are not.

All are perfect for people with weird tastes and/or personalities. That is why I love them.

My shop is called lovemercy.

Fast Soup

2010-02-01T17:23:00.000-08:00

1 poblano pepper, roasted, peeled, chopped
1 can black beans
1 can hominy
1 can vegetable broth
1 can fire roasted tomatoes
teaspoon salt
1/4 t or so pepper
couple of shakes garlic powder
fresh cilantro

Heat through. Put over brown rice seasoned with garlic, cumin, salt, and pepper.
Top with your favorite cheese.

Easy peesy!

Find The Sun

2010-01-31T18:03:00.000-08:00

I'm pretty fond of one of the guys in this video.

Kathy Griffin

2010-01-30T13:37:00.000-08:00

There's an email list that I'm on. Recently someone sent out a chain email about all the horrible things Kathy had said and how they would never again watch anything she is on. And, of course, people started responding. They called Kathy a female dog. They made fun of her looks. They trashed her completely and totally. This was done by people who claim very loudly to be Christians.

All I could think was that God loves her equally as much as He loves them.

Kathy isn't a Christian. She doesn't claim to be. So, why should anyone be surprised when she doesn't speak as they think a Christian should speak?

The bashing has bothered me for days. And, in the past, I would have responded to the hateful emails, but I learned the hard way that pointing out a different response or suggesting a different view is not tolerated. So, I'm venting on here.

John 13:34-35

Why stay on the list? Every now and then beauty does come through.

If we could...

2010-01-24T15:54:00.000-08:00

"If we could muster a portion of the patriotism we feel toward our earthly nations into a patriotism and bravery in concert with the kingdom of God, the enemy would take fewer casualties to be sure."
Donald Miller, Searching For God Knows What

Loved this when I read it and still do, and with the Olympics and Super Bowl coming on us fast and furiously I think we could probably also say "If we could muster a portion of the devotion we feel toward our team..."

Prior to this I didn't know...

2010-01-17T20:00:00.000-08:00

I stumbled across this amazing blog called Prior. It is soooo cool. And what really freaked me out was it is my cousin's blog. I didn't even know she had a blog! I love it! Her work is beautiful. I knew I was out of the loop on a lot of stuff, but apparently I didn't even know there was a loop. So, if you love really creative, fun, unique, one of a kind type of decorating, you will really like Lezlee's site.

All I Can Pray for Over and Over is Wisdom

2010-01-14T20:51:00.000-08:00

I can't sleep, which is a little weird because I take medicine to sleep. Haiti is very heavy on my mind. It's funny how you can feel numb and burdened at the same time. The last few years Haiti has been on my radar. Somehow I found blogs of people either ministering there or involved with organizations on the ground and have been following the progress of whatever they're working on. Sometimes I feel like I actually know them and I've been blessed to actually meet some of them. I was part of a music festival last summer that raised funds for a Haiti project.

So, back to being numb and burdened. I haven't let all my walls down and completely grieved. That probably would have happened if the word had not come that the people I "know" are okay, for now. Then I got an email from Shaun for the Compassion Bloggers. It was a bit overwhelming.

Sadly, we anticipate there will be many deaths.
We anticipate thousands of children and families will have lost everything.
We anticipate many of our church-based child development centers will have been destroyed.

But, I guess when you're feeling numb things can push you to the edge easier. That email did push me. Then, he put it in his blog and did a very good job. So, I would highly encourage you to go there to read it.

I've been reading and watching about how the airport is tied up, fuel is running out, and the seaport is demolished. And all I can pray, over and over, is "God give them wisdom. Give everyone involved wisdom. Wisdom of creativity to move debris quickly without much machinery. Wisdom in medicine to move correctly and precisely. Wisdom in engineering to get supplies where they need to be in an efficient manner. Wisdom of organization for all efforts to run smoothly. Wisdom to act in a way that is helpful both physically and spiritually."

If you want to learn more about the people I have followed for a few years click below.
Aaron Ivey
Compassion
Dreaming Big Dreams
The Livesay Haiti Weblog
Real Hope For Haiti Rescue Center
Hands and Feet Project

I think I can go to sleep now. God, give them wisdom.

Delish Soup with Eggplant, Chickpeas, & Fire Roasted Tomatoes

2010-01-11T19:36:00.000-08:00

2 T olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1 eggplant, chopped
8 garlic cloves, minced or 2 t garlic powder
4 cups vegetable broth
1/4 t dried rosemary
3/4 t salt
1/4 t black pepper
1 can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1 can diced fire roasted tomatoes

Heat olive oil in heavy pot over medium heat. Add onion, eggplant, and garlic. Cook 10 minutes, stir often. Add remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for at least 20 minutes.

Top with your choice of cheese. I like Pepper Jack.

Not Surprised, But Ticked Off Anyway

2010-01-11T16:20:00.000-08:00

I wasn't surprised to see the outcome of the survey Anne talks about here and yet, I'm still majorly ticked off. And I wonder if there is any hope that people will change or adapt their views.

Maybe reading these might help:
Leviticus 19:9-10
Deuteronomy 15:7
Deuteronomy 26:6-9, 12
Nehemiah 5
Job 5:8-16
Job 34:17-19
Psalm 10:14
Psalm 12:5
Psalm 140:12
Proverbs 31:8
Isaiah 1:16-17
Isaiah 25:4
Isaiah 41:17
Isaiah 58:6
Jeremiah 9:23-24
Jeremiah 22:3, 13-17
Amos 5:24
Matthew 5:42
Luke 1:52-53
Luke 3:11
Luke 4:16-21
Luke 6:20-21
Luke 7:22
Luke 12:33
2 Corinthians 9:6-9
1 Timothy 6:18
James 1:27
James 2:5

I mean, really, Conservative Religious Activists surveyed showed more concern about immigration than poverty! If this is true then please refer to me as a progressive activist.

I need to stop gritting my teeth now.

15 in 14 for 8

2010-01-06T18:43:00.000-08:00

Today I was glancing through USA Weekend. Yeah, I know, it's Wednesday. Anyway, the headline about the Mayo Clinic diet book caught my eye. Apparently, if you follow the plan you will lose 8 pounds in the first two weeks.

What you need to do in the two weeks is:

1. Add five healthy habits.
2. Break five unhealthy habits.
3. Adopt five bonus habits.

I'm not great at math. I'm not even good at math, but I'm pretty sure that comes to 15 things I would need to remember to lose 8 pounds. Wow! I have trouble remembering one thing, like don't eat fat stuff that tastes wonderful. I'm pretty sure I would have a lot of trouble keeping up with 15 things in 14 days.

It's all good stuff. It just made me laugh.

Books Being Read

2010-01-05T18:44:00.000-08:00

Books being read in our home at this time:

A Midsummers Night's Dream (Play) - Shakespeare
Life Together - Dietrich Bonhoeffer
The Cost of Discipleship - Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Spiritual Leadership - J. Oswald Sanders
The Voyage of The Dawn Treader - C.S. Lewis
Pagan Christianity: Exploring the Roots of Our Church Practices - Frank Viola & George Barna
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde - Robert Louis Stevenson
Searching For God Knows What - Donald Miller
My First Summer In The Sierra - John Muir
Original Intent - David Barton

Just thought I'd share.

Suicide Is Not Painless

2010-01-02T19:42:00.000-08:00

Let me just say up front that this is a brain dump. Nothing I say here is meant to hurt anyone, judge anyone, change anyone or mess with anyone anyway or anyhow. It is just me letting out junk that is bouncing around in my head screaming to be let out.

Of the last five funerals I've been to, three have been suicides. One might have been accidental, but the other two were obviously not. One was not spur of the moment. It was very much premeditated. I don't know about the other. All three losses left, and continue to leave, huge holes in the lives around them. They physically ripped themselves away leaving behind bewildered, heartbroken, devastated people.

One still makes me cry almost every time it crosses my mind. I look at the family left behind and I feel a mass of messy emotions pour through me. The one that usually surfaces first is dismay, but anger follows a close second. Anger at what has been done to this beautiful group. Anger about what he turned his back on. And then the permanence of loss whirls it all together creating deep sadness.

Today, along with hundreds of people, I said good-bye to a classmate. Jimmy impacted so, so many individuals during his lifetime. His brother and father conducted the service. I can't imagine doing that. It wasn't a bit easy for them. They were very honest about that, but they were also open about Who was getting them through it. And, they acknowledged that the future would not be easy without their son and brother around. Neither tried to paint Jimmy as a superhero or perfect person. I didn't raise him, grow up in the same house, or live with him for 26 years like his father, brother, and wife did, but the Jimmy I have always known had a mega-watt smile and a kind or fun word. It looks like the last time we tangled on Facebook it was over him cheering on ut. I had to explain to him which university was the oldest in Texas and therefore the best. He suggested the dorms must smell pretty bad if they were that old.

His brother expressed his wish that he knew what Jimmy had been feeling, that he could have felt his pain and talked to him about it. Apparently, he had played it close to the vest. I understand that. I did it for a long time. Kept a smile going on the outside for those on the outside. I have no idea how it was for Jimmy, if it was something that had been eating away for a long time or if it hit overwhelmingly hard and fast. I just know he's gone and a lot of people are grieving.

His dad talked about I Corinthians 4:9 and being made a spectacle to the world. This choice has made them a spectacle and now the world will watch how they respond. He shared a quote from another pastor. "I want the kind of faith that when I'm chained and thrown into the deepest, darkest, most inner cell for something I didn't do I will still sing praises at midnight." This family has been flung into that cell. They know it will not be easy to sing praises, but they want to.

During my trip to Nashville I sat in my hotel room and watched a screener for a film coming out this month. One of the topics is suicide. I cried, some because of things I expressed earlier. I never dreamed I would be sitting in a funeral so soon and dealing with the same subject again. "Could I have done more?" is asked a lot by different characters throughout the movie. And here's my thoughts: Sometimes, maybe many times, the answer is "yes." Sometimes every possible thing that can be humanly done is done and the tragedy still takes place.

I think Jimmy's dad said it best with "If God doesn't intervene He has a reason."

Conversations with Clay

2009-11-27T10:18:00.000-08:00

"Happy Holidays" from the old movie, Holiday Inn, came on when we were in Subway.

Clay starts grumbling about having to listen to it, because it reminds him of when I used to force him to listen to John Travolta.

I stare at him like he's grown another head.

Me: What are you talking about?!
Clay: You used to play John Travolta over and over.
Me: WHAT? I can't even tell you the name of one single John Travolta song.
Clay: We're listening to one right now!
Me: That's Bing Crosby.
Clay: No it's not. It's John Travolta!
Me: The guy who played the mom in Hair Spray?
Clay: Oh...no, not him.

He meant Frank Sinatra. We then had an argument about if it was Bing Crosby or Frank Sinatra singing "Happy Holidays."

How Rumors Get Started

2009-11-24T08:08:00.000-08:00

Corinn: I think we should get rid of the dogs.
Me: We can give them to Micah. He likes dogs.
Clay: Micah eats dogs?!
Corinn: Yeah, they're his favorite.

Reject Apathy

2009-11-20T13:50:00.000-08:00

From Switchfoot, Reject Apathy, Relevant Magazine, and ONE

Bizarre Day at Coventry

2009-11-20T12:29:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was just bizarre at Coventry, or at least, the morning was. It was still good, and I was greatly blessed, but it was bizarre. I kept wondering if it was a full moon.

It was announced that it was Melissa's last day and we would have cake after lunch to celebrate. Melissa is excited about her new adventure, so we were celebrating. But, Melissa has been such a wonderful light in my life that the tears were flowing first thing. So glad I didn't wear makeup.

Then, during the first session I looked up from my spot in glazing to see Sneaky Pete go stiff in his chair at the clay table. Thankfully he went down slowly and three people were there immediately to keep him from hurting himself. That made me cry and pray. It stressed me to see him like that and it stressed me to see the other Stars alarmed. Nick wanted someone to pray and I suggested he pray to himself (like in his head). He said he didn't know how to do that, so I said there was nothing wrong with praying out loud, so he did. It isn't something he does easily and it was beautiful. He also got to turn the ceiling fans on to help cool down SP, which thrilled him to no end. He LOVES ceiling fans. Sneaky Pete rested for a bit and was covered in prayers. Before long he was going strong again.

Then, we had a senior citizen group of about 19 come to visit. They watched a short video, broke into smaller groups and took tours. We often have people visiting, just not so many at a time. Before they left all the septic lines decided to clog! The icemaker drain backed up and started flooding the kitchen at lunch time. And not just a little water. The toilets couldn't be flushed. Someone announced it was time to practice bladder control. But our male visitors were thrilled to have a problem to try to solve. They seemed pleased at punch while trying to help. We told them we didn't usually put our visitors to work when they came. They just grinned.

At circle time, Melissa was our focus. The Stars took turns telling her what she meant to them. It was beautiful. They wanted to hug her and pray for her. Lots of tears were shed. Once again, I was glad I didn't have makeup on. It helps to know that Melissa is making a move she feels God is leading her to make and she is very calm and excited. I must say I would be excited about moving to a beach town myself. Melissa is a wonderful teacher. She is patient and moves with determined purpose. I love that about her. And, man, am I going to miss her.

The Roto-Rooter guy came. He was new and had never worked on a septic system before. Someone talked him through it and a cheer went up at the announcement that toilets could once again be flushed.

So, we made it through the different day. Laughter and love prevailed.

TOMS Holiday Catalog Makes Me Happy

2009-11-18T11:35:00.000-08:00

Some of you know that I get plum giddy over TOMS Shoes. Really, I smile just thinking about them. And it isn't just the shoes that make me that way. Yes, they are amazingly comfortable and cute, but it is the mission and concept of the company that make me happy. Wasn't there a real corny cheer once that had H-A-P-P-Y in it somewhere? Sorry, I digress.

Back to the company. If I were young, single, and intelligent I would do everything in my power to work for them. Maybe if I were just young and intelligent I would do everything in my power to work for them. Being none of those things, I will do everything in my power to get the word out about the company.

So, back to being giddy. My TOMS Holiday catalog came yesterday and, as usual, it is just delightful. And my favorite thing, besides the black glitter shoes on page 6 and the Cordones on page 12 and the poem on page 22, is on the back cover.

There you will find TOMS Gift Pack for $50. It is COOL BEANS!
Included is a TOMS $50 gift card, a For Tomorrow DVD (it is wonderful) and a Limited Edition Poster. Plus, of course, you will be giving someone in need a pair of shoes.

If you have someone in your life that prefers their gifts to give a little more this would be perfect for them. And you would be helping get the word out. And that makes me H-A-P-P-Y!

Conversations with My Children

2009-11-13T15:45:00.000-08:00

Me: Stop harassing me!
Clay: Be thankful I'm harassing you. At least I'm paying attention to you!
--------------------

Me: How's Matt?
Aaron: Good

Me: How's Brad?
Aaron: Good

Me: How's Crystal
Aaron: Good
--------------------

Callie: OH MY GOSH! Clay has those glasses! (Looking at the cover of Rolling Stone)
Me: Don't you know who that is?
Callie: It's Bono.
Me: And he gave the glasses to Clay.
Callie: I know!
Me: Then why are you surprised to see them on Bono?
(And yes, I know he has many pairs of those glasses.)
Callie: I don't know.

Callie: Are we going to the Smith's tonight?
Me: No, we're going Saturday night.
Callie: Are we going to the wedding?
Me: No, we're going to the Smith's!
Callie: Are we going to the Smith's tonight?
Me: NO!

Wandering In The Wide Blue Yonder

2009-10-06T10:59:00.000-07:00

So I find myself in the Atlanta airport waiting for a flight to Philadelphia. It is extremely dreary. When the planes take off they immediately disappear in the clouds. Just sucks them up. There were over twenty planes lined up waiting to take off. I'm glad The City of Brotherly Love is my last stop as long as flying goes. I don't have to worry about catching a connecting flight, just a shuttle to my hotel and I'm not too worried about that.

The flight here was wonderful. Smooth all the way. I had the row all to myself and I took full advantage of it. I even slept. That's something I rarely do on planes. I can never get comfortable enough. I doubt this next leg will be as empty. Oh well, one out of two isn't bad. I'm hoping there is room for my carry-on. I'm in the last boarding zone. We do have free wi-fi on the flight. YEA!

The flight isn't full! I have a row all to myself! Once again I am spread across all the seats. I'm usually on rides that have so many people we are sitting on top of each other.

It has been nice to have free wi-fi on the plane. I've been about to get some work done. And, this has nothing to do with wi-fi, but Delta also has Coke Zero! I did a little happy dance in my head.

People watching is my favorite thing to do in airports, but Atlanta was a little boring in that area. The strangest thing I saw was a really tall guy dressed in black western clothes, boots, hat and pulling a case painted to look like a holstein hide. Oh, and he had long brown hair. See, pretty tame on the weirdness scale. Maybe Philly will be different.

We've moved away from the clouds and the ground is getting closer. I'll pack it up for now.

P.S. Spell Check doesn't like the word "holstein".

Quote from "Cause Celeb"

2009-09-26T21:43:00.000-07:00

"When I looked at the body of the boy lying in front of her, useless and dead, I can remember thinking that it was stupid that he had died of starvation. It seemed stupid that all that grief happened, not because of some sudden accident or unavoidable illness but because that boy had no food, when there was so much food in the world."

Character of Rosie Richardson in Cause Celeb by Helen Fielding.

Encourage your leaders to put your government's commitments to foreign aid into SMART Aid. A way to do this is by joining ONE.

Loved This!

2009-09-06T10:02:00.000-07:00

Kristin, from This is Kristin had this on her blog. It made me smile! Thanks Kristin!

Feed My Starving Children

2009-09-06T09:56:00.000-07:00

Loved this from the ONE blog:

http://www.one.org/blog/2009/09/04/feed-my-starving-children/

Check Them Out!

2009-08-19T17:12:00.000-07:00

Reject Apathy

This Blog

The Broken, The Verb, The Reverb

Prayer & Fasting for Victims of Sexual Trafficking

2009-08-03T08:28:00.000-07:00

Please check out the Salvation Army's Prayer and Fasting for Victims of Sexual Trafficking.

http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/trafficking

Slave Tainted Goods

2009-07-28T08:23:00.000-07:00

or, Create a Petition

Read, Act, Pass On

2009-07-20T15:54:00.000-07:00

http://love146.blogspot.com/2009/07/urgent-action-needed.html

Oh God, I feel so selfish in my pain

2009-07-18T21:49:00.000-07:00

How do I feel great excitement on one hand and also feel great loss?

How does my mind and spirit untangle these emotions of healing and moving forward, which brings great joy, from the tears and heartache of saying goodbye to something that brought great joy?

How can I be exuberantly happy about love blooming and growing, because I am, and yet experience waves of sorrow washing over me from the loss of what was.

I feel selfish in my pain, as if my pain overrides the joy for the progress of moving forward. A moving forward that is soothing, beautiful, and needed.

I know in my mind that this is good, yet I long so greatly for the past which can never return. And would not want to return if given the option.

Oh God, give me the eyes to see the beauty of now. Give me the heart to embrace it with no reserves. Help me remember the joy of the past and not weep.

Take away the selfishness of my pain.

ONE Sabbath

2009-07-18T16:56:00.000-07:00

Revelation Song Hits #1

2009-07-16T10:44:00.000-07:00

I'm so happy for Jennie!

Child Sex Slaves Arrested

2009-07-16T08:23:00.000-07:00

Anger can't touch what I'm feeling:

http://www.examiner.com/p-375470~American_Child_Sex_Slaves_Are_Being_Arrested__Not_Rescued.html

Radiohead - All I Need

2009-07-13T09:13:00.000-07:00

One of Those Conversations...

2009-07-07T11:05:00.000-07:00

You ever have one of those conversations that just leaves you scratching your head, wondering if you have lost your sanity or are losing it?

Someone asked me recently when my French friends were coming in. I said Guy and his niece, Celine, would be in on Monday and Etienne would be in on Thursday.

"They're not coming together?"

"They don't know each other."

"Yes they do." Now, that statement would have made sense if the person making the statement knew Guy, Celine, or Etienne, but that is not the case.

"No, they don't."

"Yes, they DO." Again, this person does not know any of my French friends. The person knows about them to a certain degree, but it is a very little degree.

At this point, I'm just staring in disbelief. I think, or maybe I was yelling. I don't think I was yelling out loud. It could have just been in my head. I hope it was just in my head. I like to think I was just staring.

"Etienne is Mathilde and Pauline's brother."

"Yes, I know!" Mathilde and Pauline are our French Chicks from last summer.

"And their dad is Guy's doctor."

"I know that, but Guy and Etienne don't know each other and Celine doesn't know Etienne."

"They live in the same town!" They live in Marseille, which really can't be considered a town. It's more like a city of 1,605,000 people.

"That doesn't mean they know each other!"

"Well, in Texas they'd be considered related!"

I don't know about you, but I don't know any of my doctor's children and I'm pretty doggone sure none of my doctors know any of my nieces or nephews. I'm just saying.

Now, after the next few weeks, Guy, Celine, and Etienne will know each other. They are making the trip to Texas just to meet. I'm kidding. They're coming to get related so they can be true Texans, where, apparently, one is automatically kin to their doctor and his/her family.

Even though I've grown up in Texas I didn't know this rule. I will have to fill in my doctors the next time I go in. Do I have to be related to my kid's doctors too? Can anyone clue me in about this rule?

Squeaky Stairs

2009-06-23T07:44:00.000-07:00

Our house was built in the early '70s, and in this city that makes it old, but I love it. We have gigantic trees and we have gigantic squeaks going on upstairs. Most people, including my husband, find these types of squeaks annoying. But, for some reason, I find them comforting. They make me feel connected to my kids before I even see them in the morning. I know they're awake and moving around. I can tell which kid is which. They're not sneakers, but they couldn't be if they tried. The stairs and hallway would give them up. Believe me, Phil and I have tried to sneak upstairs to deliver birthday morning gifts to their bedrooms and the stairs and hallway snitch on us every time.

I find squeaks in cars a real pain, but I'm very positive about the squeaks in my house. Unless it's a mouse squeaking and if that happened, believe me, I would not be positive. I would be positively screaming. Those nasty little creatures...oh wait, I'm suppose to be being positive.

The Punk at Pine Cove

2009-06-19T08:24:00.001-07:00

It looks like the punk is having a good time at Pine Cove. We get him back on Saturday.

New Visitor

2009-06-05T07:36:00.001-07:00

We have a new visitor to our creek. I'm calling it a "he". Don't know why, just am. He is a beautiful Great Blue Heron and for some reason he has taken a liking to our neck of the woods. We actually live in the middle of a city, but...anyway. Something tells me it is the quiet park and a creek full of snakes, turtles, and fish.

He just finished sunning his wings. They were all spread all out while he faced the rising sun. It was almost like he was meditating. He just stood there looking completely relaxed soaking up the warmth.

When he gets agitated the long black feathers on the top of his head stick straight up and he puffs out all the rest of his feathers. That happened right after the Mallard drake almost took his head off while coming in for a landing.

The other day he was talking like crazy. I don't know what he was saying. I don't speak heron, but he was telling some kind of story or letting off steam. He was on a roll.

I would love it if another one came along and we had baby herons. Wouldn't that be a hoot to watch? I love watching baby anythings.

I need to read up on them.

Are You a Good Christ?

2009-05-20T11:13:00.000-07:00

Read Francis Chan's Catalyst article. It is good stuff.

http://www.catalystspace.com/content/read/francis_chan/

BEAR HUG!

2009-05-12T07:47:00.000-07:00

BEAR HUG

1 Shirt + 2 Bears = 3 lives changed

The Movement:

Bear Hug is about getting involved in service. Each shirt comes with two stuffed bears. You get involved by taking your bear to someone who is hurting. That someone can be in a children’s hospital, homeless shelter, orphanage…wherever you see a need. When you share the bear you share yourself as you listen and bring encouragement. Each bear comes with a tag where you can write a note that will serve as a reminder of your care. The other bear will be delivered by Two-Five to an organization that meets the needs of hurting people.

When you wear your shirt you become a voice. You can share the stories of the people that you have encountered and how others can be involved. “Bear Hug” will give you a new perspective. Our goal is for this generation to become less focused on self and more focused on the needs around us.

Get Involved Now:

Go online to www.25cloth.com and purchase a Bear Hug Shirt. Discount orders for groups can be made by email at Brittney@25cloth.com or by calling 469-282-2525.

-Wear the shirt every Wednesday during May, June, July and August

-Give people “bear hugs”. Talk about the movement and how to be involved.

-Give away your bear. If possible, don’t let it be a one time event. Be a consistent presence in that person’s life.

-Share your “bear hug” story with your family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers.

-Share your “bear hug” story with Two-Five. You can send “bear hug” pictures and stories to 25’s Myspace, Facebook, and Community page on the website.

-Make a “bear hug” commercial and post it on YouTube. We need your help to spread the word!

This is about more than just a bear. This is about spreading love, joy, and hope to people in need. Children who are in the middle of a long battle with illness, teenagers who have been abandoned and feel they have no place to turn, parents who have lost everything and wish they could provide something to bring a smile to their child’s face…these stories and more like it represent our mission.

We can choose to ignore it or we can choose to get involved. “Bear Hug” seeks to unite people who are in need with people who can help. Use the bear as bridge to be involved in a hurting person’s life.

Will You…  

Choose to see the need?

Choose to become involved?

Choose to listen?

Choose to be a voice?

Choose to change a life?

Be Two-Five?

Give A Bear Hug!

My Day is Made!

2009-04-18T09:22:00.000-07:00

I am SO excited. As you can see from my last post, I was running low on coffee, so while at my local grocery store (Kroger) I decided to look for some fair trade coffee. I didn't think I would have any luck, but guess what?

Celestial Seasonings now has fair trade coffee! In Kroger! Right next to the other coffees! YES!

Oh Happy Day!

I don't know if y'all can tell, but this has made me giddy!

To find out more about fair trade, click here.