Squeaky Stairs

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

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

New Visitor

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?

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

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

BEAR HUG!

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!

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.

Joy is...

finding that you have coffee when you thought you were out.