Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Our planet and the things that happen...

Carrie and I watched The Constant Gardner last night. As I was browsing the Netflix list of movies that you can watch instantly my interest was not drawn to the movie by the title... I thought it was a love story. Carrie picked it out. Having now watched the movie it was a gripping image of the plight of so many people in our world. People that don't have anything. While the story told in the movie may be fiction it is, in my opinion, an accurate representation of 3rd world living and the trials people face. I certainly look within myself and wonder if I am doing anything to effect change and help people. We sponsor a child... let me think... ok... so in an effort to help people that don't have anything my wife and I sponsor a child. For the longest time that seemed like enough. Naturally, "enough" is relative. For me it is not enough to sponsor 1,000 kids because when it is enough that means that I have made up in my mind that I have done my part and I can stop trying or try enough to sustain the kids that I sponsor. There will never be enough for me. By the grace of God I am going to find sustainable ways to provide food, clean water, and a place to live for many people. Each generation there are people that step forward and do something outstanding. I will be one of those people stepping forward in faith asking God to use me and those that partner with me to effect change in our environment and the people that inhabit it. If not me than who? If not now then when? If not you... why not? I can't sit idle and hope that someone takes up the cause of those that have no voice.


Our little girl Alma Patricia.

Sponsor a child. Take up a cause. Effect change in our world.

I choose to fight AIDS and the destruction of our natural environment.

Friday, December 19, 2008

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Christmas and Bob Marley.

Carrie and I were invited to a Christmas party this past weekend. It was a good time spending time with old friends and having a chance to meet some new people. I am glad that Christmas parties only happen once a year... a lot of small talk and telling my story over and over again. I prefer to ask people their deepest fears and then make rude comments when I see them later... it is good for throwing them off their game. Below is what Carrie looked like... very nice!I came home from work one day and all Carrie was saying was, "ho, ho, ho"... I am not a ho. She wears this goofy hat and jacket because she thinks they look regal. I think they look elderly. The belt is nice.
This is Carrie working on our Christmas "tree". It is hard to call it a tree when it is really a bunch of wire and plastic... there is nothing tree about it. It does not grow, filter air, or produce fruit. Frankly, to call it a tree is a lie. Carrie did a good job decorated our metal wire / plastic fixture.

I am not feeling very festive lately. I love the Christmas holiday but I am not feeling the gifts and stuff in general. My mom and stepdad did get me a great backpack which I really like. Other than that I don't really want much. In fact, lately it is just the opposite, I have been getting rid of stuff on eBay and Goodwill. When I say that I need something it is almost always and exaggeration. I fell into a trap a long time ago that told me I need more stuff... sometimes I feel like my house is full of stuff that has little or no value and really just ties me down. It would be interesting to put together a list of 10 or 15 things that I NEED and then get rid of everything else. Obvisouly, furniture and things like that would not be included. I am referring to personal effects like a computer, watch, and such.

Rummy.