my uncle brought out some old school video tapes of our family. i've never seen them!
there was one when i was around 6 or 7 and jonathan was around 4 or 5. i apparently loved the camera. even then i was pretending to fall down and hurt myself. such courage. such talent. i should've been an actress. i thought that it was fun to go around and say HEY DUUUUDE over and over for the camera. i'm not sure where i got that idea.
it was really fun to see me and my brother as little kids. it reminded me of the fun we had as little kids. even then i liked to interrupt him. he had the cutest laugh and voice. nothing like it. it was weird watching us though. it was like time travel. my grandfather was healthy and alive.
i am very thankful for my family. this might have been one of my favorite thanksgivings in awhile. i loved sharing a meal with uncles and aunts and my immediate family. we ate well and slept well. i'm not sure the last time i slept this much. i needed it.
and now i'm enjoying the afternoon with angela. i love love love this apartment. i'm tempted to move to stl solely based on this apartment. it's perfect. i've also seen a lot of the sun. and that's glorious.
alright. back to lollygagging.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Thursday, November 27, 2008
love letters
last night kenley was going through some of his old stuff. as he started to dig through the pile, he started handing me things. he started handing me the letters i sent him 05-early 07. it was surreal seeing our relationship in writing. there were long letters, there were short letters. there was a letter from almost three years ago. there were receipts from his first visit here after i moved. it was a lot of fun reading about us.
i'm thankful for letters today.
i'm thankful for letters today.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
outside
i love outside perspectives.
i enjoyed an amazing conversation with my spiritual director this morning.
she asks really good questions and offers really sound advice.
i thought that afterwards i'd have everything figured out, but that never happens.
i left with more questions. and i guess that's a good place to be in.
i enjoyed an amazing conversation with my spiritual director this morning.
she asks really good questions and offers really sound advice.
i thought that afterwards i'd have everything figured out, but that never happens.
i left with more questions. and i guess that's a good place to be in.
Monday, November 24, 2008
church
i found a church. three and a half years later. i found a church. it's been a long process. a really long process.
in the past three years i've grown and learned so much. well i guess even longer. the different places i've stopped at along the journey have been important for me. i've received fellowship. i've found contemplation. i've reflected on icons. i've clapped. i've sat. i've met. i've passed the peace.
and then i sort of stopped looking...things got crazy in may and i never got enough speed to continue looking or attending.
after some good conversations with friends and some investigation...the internet pointed me, marcia and brittany to a quaint episcopal congregation in south omaha. okay God pointed us there. :)
i'm so happy. i'm excited to continue learning about the episcopal traditions and the church's heart for their community. we're going to have coffee with the father after thanksgiving. it will be so fun.
:)
in the past three years i've grown and learned so much. well i guess even longer. the different places i've stopped at along the journey have been important for me. i've received fellowship. i've found contemplation. i've reflected on icons. i've clapped. i've sat. i've met. i've passed the peace.
and then i sort of stopped looking...things got crazy in may and i never got enough speed to continue looking or attending.
after some good conversations with friends and some investigation...the internet pointed me, marcia and brittany to a quaint episcopal congregation in south omaha. okay God pointed us there. :)
i'm so happy. i'm excited to continue learning about the episcopal traditions and the church's heart for their community. we're going to have coffee with the father after thanksgiving. it will be so fun.
:)
Sunday, November 23, 2008
sugar
my friend jessica and i decided to break our sugar addiction.
she's gone almost three weeks. i'm working on my second week.
we're not doing it alone. we've gotten five others to join us.
so no sweets. no candy. no baked sweet goods. one slice of pumpkin pie is allowed at christmas and thanksgiving.
then we're heading to 09.
wooohoo.
she's gone almost three weeks. i'm working on my second week.
we're not doing it alone. we've gotten five others to join us.
so no sweets. no candy. no baked sweet goods. one slice of pumpkin pie is allowed at christmas and thanksgiving.
then we're heading to 09.
wooohoo.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
my FRIENDS
i love my friends. for some reason i find it necessary for me to be uber protective of them. i don't know if it's because it took me so long to make friends outside of the office or if it's because i don't like to share.
i think other people could probably admit it. it's not something i'm proud of. it's something i'm honest about.
i think that i like having someone who i can complain to about whatever i want and they won't judge me.
i don't know.
just thoughts.
i've been challenged and have learned a lot through this. when i lived in memphis i hung out with the same circle of friends. when i went to asbury i hung out with a couple of different circles and then in high school i hung out with lots of different people. but then in elementary school it was a ton of different circles. i think i wrote in my journal about the different friends i had.
i sometimes wish that all of my friends were the same group. and sometimes i think that's a stupid wish.
but for now i'm happy. i have friends who have graciously shared their friends with me and encouraged me to find my own. three years, well three and a half, of awkwardly finding my way, i have some of the best guides in the world...and best friends in the world.
i think other people could probably admit it. it's not something i'm proud of. it's something i'm honest about.
i think that i like having someone who i can complain to about whatever i want and they won't judge me.
i don't know.
just thoughts.
i've been challenged and have learned a lot through this. when i lived in memphis i hung out with the same circle of friends. when i went to asbury i hung out with a couple of different circles and then in high school i hung out with lots of different people. but then in elementary school it was a ton of different circles. i think i wrote in my journal about the different friends i had.
i sometimes wish that all of my friends were the same group. and sometimes i think that's a stupid wish.
but for now i'm happy. i have friends who have graciously shared their friends with me and encouraged me to find my own. three years, well three and a half, of awkwardly finding my way, i have some of the best guides in the world...and best friends in the world.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
crying.
i cry. a lot.
and i usually sense people's sadness.
actually i'm pretty good at it.
i'm not the best at articulating it.
here are some examples.
to mandy:
are you crying?
mandy:
nothing.
jara:
notices she is crying.
do you need to be touched?
mandy's love language is touch.
jara:
awkwardly rubs her shoulders.
hm.
to marcia:
jara: are you going to cry?
marcia:
crying.
jara:
something about...do you need to be touched.
to liz:
jara: are you not crying?
liz: tears in her eyes.
jara: oh. you are crying. i can give you a hug.
i'd like to say that my heart is breaking for my friends and therefore my response is just out of shock. but i'm not sure. i carry my friends' sadnesses with me.
you should know that.
and each time God reminds me of you. i pray for you. and sometimes i'll even cry.
and i usually sense people's sadness.
actually i'm pretty good at it.
i'm not the best at articulating it.
here are some examples.
to mandy:
are you crying?
mandy:
nothing.
jara:
notices she is crying.
do you need to be touched?
mandy's love language is touch.
jara:
awkwardly rubs her shoulders.
hm.
to marcia:
jara: are you going to cry?
marcia:
crying.
jara:
something about...do you need to be touched.
to liz:
jara: are you not crying?
liz: tears in her eyes.
jara: oh. you are crying. i can give you a hug.
i'd like to say that my heart is breaking for my friends and therefore my response is just out of shock. but i'm not sure. i carry my friends' sadnesses with me.
you should know that.
and each time God reminds me of you. i pray for you. and sometimes i'll even cry.
black coffee
i take my coffee black. i didn't used to like it that way.
i also take my tea plain. none of that sugar or milk stuff. give me the steeped stuff.
i used to also like the fake stuff. i'd throw some on oatmeal. i'd throw some on grapefruit.
i thought it tasted better.
it doesn't.
i prefer puckering my lips, gulping down coffee grounds. it's refreshing to me. it provides a stark difference to things that are artificially sweetened. i wonder who got to eat the first pineapple...what must it have tasted like. some sweet nectar of heaven.
i think my affection for unsweetened things is seen in relationships.
i can't stand fake, sugary, flowery stuff. there's a time and place for that.
on stage.
give me the bitter tasting tears.
they make relationships deep.
real.
and then when you get the sweet parts. they're so sweet. they're full of laughter. some sweet nectar of heaven.
i also take my tea plain. none of that sugar or milk stuff. give me the steeped stuff.
i used to also like the fake stuff. i'd throw some on oatmeal. i'd throw some on grapefruit.
i thought it tasted better.
it doesn't.
i prefer puckering my lips, gulping down coffee grounds. it's refreshing to me. it provides a stark difference to things that are artificially sweetened. i wonder who got to eat the first pineapple...what must it have tasted like. some sweet nectar of heaven.
i think my affection for unsweetened things is seen in relationships.
i can't stand fake, sugary, flowery stuff. there's a time and place for that.
on stage.
give me the bitter tasting tears.
they make relationships deep.
real.
and then when you get the sweet parts. they're so sweet. they're full of laughter. some sweet nectar of heaven.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
sneezes
we have some serious sneezers in our office.
i'm known for trying to muffle mine. it doesn't work. i end up awkward and spitting on myself. that's embarrassing.
daphne and mandy usually have succession sneezes...one, two, three...sometimes six, seven, eight. they seem painful.
chris sneezes once and loudly. it also sounds painful.
brent sneezes loudly. so loudly. it kind of is surprising. it usually is, i'm scared when he sneezes.
marcia's sneezes aren't particularly memorable. neither are phileena's.
now i'm going to be listening for more variations of sneezes.
bless you.
i'm known for trying to muffle mine. it doesn't work. i end up awkward and spitting on myself. that's embarrassing.
daphne and mandy usually have succession sneezes...one, two, three...sometimes six, seven, eight. they seem painful.
chris sneezes once and loudly. it also sounds painful.
brent sneezes loudly. so loudly. it kind of is surprising. it usually is, i'm scared when he sneezes.
marcia's sneezes aren't particularly memorable. neither are phileena's.
now i'm going to be listening for more variations of sneezes.
bless you.
Monday, November 17, 2008
december prayer letter
Dear friends and family,
I remember when I first began serving with Word Made Flesh. Fresh out of graduate school, I carried my idealism next to my heart. With hopeful eyes, I viewed the world with expectation. I held my breath, waiting for things to immediately change. I noticed that after my first trips to Southeast Asia, I couldn't add things up anymore. I was walking through the streets of a red-light district in India and questioning what I could do, if anything, to fix this.
That was my mind responding. But my heart knew what to do: be obedient.
In the past three and a half years I've shared with you stories about my friends overseas. I've told you about the women in the red-light district who have accepted the invitation to freedom and hope through their work at Sari Bari. I've introduced you to Noah Tullay who has devoted himself to serving his neighbors in Kroo Bay (Freetown, Sierra Leone). I've shared with you the stories of staff members whose lives, faith and actions point us to God.
Your life and story have intersected with not only my life but with the lives of my friends. In a time when we're watching the news and taking a pulse on our family's economic health, you have given consistently, generously and sacrificially. Your giving is a sign of restoring relationships in community.
Your giving has challenged my thinking and assumptions on giving and has pointed me to God. I do not take your giving for granted. Through generous one-time gifts and monthly support you all have given $23,039.97 ($26,482.74 with taxes and other deductions) on my behalf this year. You allowed me to continue serving here full-time, attend our Omaha community retreat, receive my salary and cover other expenses such as taxes and development/administrative costs.
Because my support account is almost negative, I need to ask you for help. I've decreased my salary for 2009 so my support account can catch up. Although my salary will be $1,950, I still need to raise around $2,500 each month to cover taxes and other costs and to bolster my support account.
How can you help?
If you are a monthly giver, I invite you to prayerfully consider increasing your giving by $5/month next year. That would allow me to raise about $100 more a month, which is $1,200 in a year!
If you are a one-time giver and considering giving to a non-profit this year, this is a great time to give a gift to WMF on my behalf.
If you've never given to WMF, I invite you to join me. I can't do this without your support. You'll find a response card in this letter. It is through the generous support of my supporters that I am able to serve in the capacity that I do and be obedient to the call that God has placed on my heart.
with love, js
P.S. You can double your gift towards WMF if the company you work for matches employees' charitable giving.
I remember when I first began serving with Word Made Flesh. Fresh out of graduate school, I carried my idealism next to my heart. With hopeful eyes, I viewed the world with expectation. I held my breath, waiting for things to immediately change. I noticed that after my first trips to Southeast Asia, I couldn't add things up anymore. I was walking through the streets of a red-light district in India and questioning what I could do, if anything, to fix this.
That was my mind responding. But my heart knew what to do: be obedient.
In the past three and a half years I've shared with you stories about my friends overseas. I've told you about the women in the red-light district who have accepted the invitation to freedom and hope through their work at Sari Bari. I've introduced you to Noah Tullay who has devoted himself to serving his neighbors in Kroo Bay (Freetown, Sierra Leone). I've shared with you the stories of staff members whose lives, faith and actions point us to God.
Your life and story have intersected with not only my life but with the lives of my friends. In a time when we're watching the news and taking a pulse on our family's economic health, you have given consistently, generously and sacrificially. Your giving is a sign of restoring relationships in community.
Your giving has challenged my thinking and assumptions on giving and has pointed me to God. I do not take your giving for granted. Through generous one-time gifts and monthly support you all have given $23,039.97 ($26,482.74 with taxes and other deductions) on my behalf this year. You allowed me to continue serving here full-time, attend our Omaha community retreat, receive my salary and cover other expenses such as taxes and development/administrative costs.
Because my support account is almost negative, I need to ask you for help. I've decreased my salary for 2009 so my support account can catch up. Although my salary will be $1,950, I still need to raise around $2,500 each month to cover taxes and other costs and to bolster my support account.
How can you help?
If you are a monthly giver, I invite you to prayerfully consider increasing your giving by $5/month next year. That would allow me to raise about $100 more a month, which is $1,200 in a year!
If you are a one-time giver and considering giving to a non-profit this year, this is a great time to give a gift to WMF on my behalf.
If you've never given to WMF, I invite you to join me. I can't do this without your support. You'll find a response card in this letter. It is through the generous support of my supporters that I am able to serve in the capacity that I do and be obedient to the call that God has placed on my heart.
with love, js
P.S. You can double your gift towards WMF if the company you work for matches employees' charitable giving.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
infinite
someone prayed for me this weekend.
i just know it.
i don't know the last time i laughed so hard.
felt so loved.
looked into the sky and felt as if i could fly.
maybe it was because i finally had some time off.
i saw my brother friday morning.
then i spent time with julie, her mama, finley and clive.
i'm disarmed around those kids.
if you know me, i'm a little anxious when it comes to kids. i feel like they know that i'm shaking on the inside...afraid that they'll know that i'm nervous around them.
there are a number of kids who disarm me. the way that elias remembers my name still blows my mind. the way elizabeth's voice sounds on the phone...the way she pronounces my name, stops me in my tracks. i could go on and on.
afterwards i spent time at the taj with brianna. we laughed a lot. i saw the guys from oxide. oh how i love them.
that evening was full of dancing and laughing. and a little bit of falling. oh liz. i think that dancing released something in me that's been missing. abandonment and pure joy. it was lovely.
then saturday. a bit of recovery. the gym. an eye appt. and spending time with julie and sarah landreth. that sarah girl makes me so happy. simple joy.
then that night...i don't know where to start. craft mafia. so fun. then juba with friends. the food took a little bit of time. but the conversation slowed things down. we enjoyed each other's company. and the people at juba took care of us. i wouldn't suggest the falafel sandwich...i think i want to try the lentil soup next time. anyway. they gave us a plate full of harrisa or falafel, not sure which one. this dessert was so sweet. it made my head hurt and my stomach swim.
and then today. i woke up with excitement. i was visiting a chuch with marcia and brittany. there aren't words to even articulate the excitement i still have. i've visited a number of churches in omaha and this is the first time that i felt at home in so many ways. the people seemed familiar, one woman does attend the Y with me, and the service seemed familiar. i sat with Jesus there. in the coffee and pastry time afterwards...the service beforehand...the conversations in the middle. the red door. i loved it. i even wore red shoes today. unintentionally.
AND then i went to lunch with my brother. then we saw a movie with brent. and now i'm resting before dinner with friends.
and i'm reading a really good leisure book. i need it.
could this post go on forever? probably. i should stop here though. concise later.
i just know it.
i don't know the last time i laughed so hard.
felt so loved.
looked into the sky and felt as if i could fly.
maybe it was because i finally had some time off.
i saw my brother friday morning.
then i spent time with julie, her mama, finley and clive.
i'm disarmed around those kids.
if you know me, i'm a little anxious when it comes to kids. i feel like they know that i'm shaking on the inside...afraid that they'll know that i'm nervous around them.
there are a number of kids who disarm me. the way that elias remembers my name still blows my mind. the way elizabeth's voice sounds on the phone...the way she pronounces my name, stops me in my tracks. i could go on and on.
afterwards i spent time at the taj with brianna. we laughed a lot. i saw the guys from oxide. oh how i love them.
that evening was full of dancing and laughing. and a little bit of falling. oh liz. i think that dancing released something in me that's been missing. abandonment and pure joy. it was lovely.
then saturday. a bit of recovery. the gym. an eye appt. and spending time with julie and sarah landreth. that sarah girl makes me so happy. simple joy.
then that night...i don't know where to start. craft mafia. so fun. then juba with friends. the food took a little bit of time. but the conversation slowed things down. we enjoyed each other's company. and the people at juba took care of us. i wouldn't suggest the falafel sandwich...i think i want to try the lentil soup next time. anyway. they gave us a plate full of harrisa or falafel, not sure which one. this dessert was so sweet. it made my head hurt and my stomach swim.
and then today. i woke up with excitement. i was visiting a chuch with marcia and brittany. there aren't words to even articulate the excitement i still have. i've visited a number of churches in omaha and this is the first time that i felt at home in so many ways. the people seemed familiar, one woman does attend the Y with me, and the service seemed familiar. i sat with Jesus there. in the coffee and pastry time afterwards...the service beforehand...the conversations in the middle. the red door. i loved it. i even wore red shoes today. unintentionally.
AND then i went to lunch with my brother. then we saw a movie with brent. and now i'm resting before dinner with friends.
and i'm reading a really good leisure book. i need it.
could this post go on forever? probably. i should stop here though. concise later.
Friday, November 14, 2008
old movies
this week ken and i had an impromtu date night. we had sushi and watched dr. strangelove. that's one of his favorite movies; i'd never seen it. i thought it was a really good movie.
it reminded me of the times i was SO INTO watching old movies on amc. my mom got me a bit addicted. i love black and white movies with good acting. and i love old tv shows.
like my mom, i love alfred hitchcock, i love lucy, guess who's coming to dinner. the typical ones.
mom and i loved watching the wizard of oz (which i'm watching now) and the parent trap.
i love the nostalgia that this movie brings me. the excitement i got of participating in something my mom loved watching as a child...and then sharing that experience together.
it reminded me of the times i was SO INTO watching old movies on amc. my mom got me a bit addicted. i love black and white movies with good acting. and i love old tv shows.
like my mom, i love alfred hitchcock, i love lucy, guess who's coming to dinner. the typical ones.
mom and i loved watching the wizard of oz (which i'm watching now) and the parent trap.
i love the nostalgia that this movie brings me. the excitement i got of participating in something my mom loved watching as a child...and then sharing that experience together.
hi blog
hi blog. i've missed you.
a lot.
i'm enjoying a day off. finally.
and i don't know what to say.
last week was long and taxing. i'm glad it's over. i had some moments...i left gym class early to cry in the bathroom. then i couldn't gather myself while crying while talking to kenley.
last week was a time i realized, at a new level, the fragility of so many things. i don't always acknowledge the weight of the work that wmf does. (ofcourse not just wmf but other non-profits serving the world's most vulnerable).
this lament caught me off guard. i was sensitive and exhausted with no buffer to absorb anything of emotion...happy or sad. i just wanted to cry. and i did. the tears were cleansing and surprising.
this week is a bit better. and today i'm looking forward to enjoying the weekend with friends.
hanging with julie and the neher boys. dancing with friends. working out. hanging with julie and sarah. maybe a christmas craft show. visiting a church on sunday :) yes. and resting.
a lot.
i'm enjoying a day off. finally.
and i don't know what to say.
last week was long and taxing. i'm glad it's over. i had some moments...i left gym class early to cry in the bathroom. then i couldn't gather myself while crying while talking to kenley.
last week was a time i realized, at a new level, the fragility of so many things. i don't always acknowledge the weight of the work that wmf does. (ofcourse not just wmf but other non-profits serving the world's most vulnerable).
this lament caught me off guard. i was sensitive and exhausted with no buffer to absorb anything of emotion...happy or sad. i just wanted to cry. and i did. the tears were cleansing and surprising.
this week is a bit better. and today i'm looking forward to enjoying the weekend with friends.
hanging with julie and the neher boys. dancing with friends. working out. hanging with julie and sarah. maybe a christmas craft show. visiting a church on sunday :) yes. and resting.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
election day 2008
i tossed and turned last night. i fell asleep wondering if it really had happened. i woke up and thought that it must have been a dream. had i really sat in a room with some of my closest friends and watch one of the most historical elections in our lifetime?
yes, i turned on the tv to assure myself.
i pinched myself and i was awake.
yesterday morning i decided to walk to my voting poll. i thought about driving but i thought that i wanted to savor the moment and reflect. i wanted to get away from npr, facebook, cnn and every other website that seemed to infiltrate my thoughts. i wanted to think for myself. i was sure of who i was voting for. i just wanted to think.
i thought back to jack and dolores brooks, my mom's parents. and i thought back to jesse sturdivant, my dad's dad. i thought back to my dad's mom, whom i've never met. and i thought about the fact that my parents were born in a time when they weren't treated equally because of the color of their skin.
so i walked and pondered the sacrifices of my family. i looked at my skin. my voting decision wasn't based simply on emotion, but it was complemented by the fact that this is historic and personal for all of us.
i stood in line and got nervous. i had the chills. and i couldn't believe that this was actually happening. i voted. and i left. and i walked home.
later that evening i watched the results with some of my closest friends. it didn't matter who we had voted for, we were simply enjoying the evening. again. within our parents' lifetimes, there were some who couldn't vote because of the color of their skin. that struck me. i sat, with my biracial boyfriend, my egyptian sister, my black brother, my mexican sister...friends who represent different faith traditions and we watched in unity as the votes came in.
we held our breath and then saw mccain concede. and then let it loose when obama spoke.
i don't really care what your political affiliation is. i really don't. this election has brought out the dirtiest and ugliest parts of my friends and your friends. i see it on facebook, i see it in blogs. it leaves a disgusting taste in my mouth. we've become a bitter, elitist, holier-than-thou group of people who can't seem to consider that we may not always be right.
this isn't an 'i told you so' blog. this is it's going to be okay blog.
we have a bi-racial, multi-national president in office. he represents so many aspects of our society on a basic level. he is black and he is white. united.
and we woke up and we are okay. like obama said...it is not about who we elected. it is what we do now.
good morning america. good morning.
yes, i turned on the tv to assure myself.
i pinched myself and i was awake.
yesterday morning i decided to walk to my voting poll. i thought about driving but i thought that i wanted to savor the moment and reflect. i wanted to get away from npr, facebook, cnn and every other website that seemed to infiltrate my thoughts. i wanted to think for myself. i was sure of who i was voting for. i just wanted to think.
i thought back to jack and dolores brooks, my mom's parents. and i thought back to jesse sturdivant, my dad's dad. i thought back to my dad's mom, whom i've never met. and i thought about the fact that my parents were born in a time when they weren't treated equally because of the color of their skin.
so i walked and pondered the sacrifices of my family. i looked at my skin. my voting decision wasn't based simply on emotion, but it was complemented by the fact that this is historic and personal for all of us.
i stood in line and got nervous. i had the chills. and i couldn't believe that this was actually happening. i voted. and i left. and i walked home.
later that evening i watched the results with some of my closest friends. it didn't matter who we had voted for, we were simply enjoying the evening. again. within our parents' lifetimes, there were some who couldn't vote because of the color of their skin. that struck me. i sat, with my biracial boyfriend, my egyptian sister, my black brother, my mexican sister...friends who represent different faith traditions and we watched in unity as the votes came in.
we held our breath and then saw mccain concede. and then let it loose when obama spoke.
i don't really care what your political affiliation is. i really don't. this election has brought out the dirtiest and ugliest parts of my friends and your friends. i see it on facebook, i see it in blogs. it leaves a disgusting taste in my mouth. we've become a bitter, elitist, holier-than-thou group of people who can't seem to consider that we may not always be right.
this isn't an 'i told you so' blog. this is it's going to be okay blog.
we have a bi-racial, multi-national president in office. he represents so many aspects of our society on a basic level. he is black and he is white. united.
and we woke up and we are okay. like obama said...it is not about who we elected. it is what we do now.
good morning america. good morning.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
this girl has my heart
my bff crocker wrote this and i love her.
The thing that has bothered me most about this particular election is the hate-filled fire of evangelical Christians towards Barack [they would take the time to say "Hussein"] Obama. Someone at church ACTUALLY told me that Obama is a Muslim terrorist ["i have the videos to prove it."] and that this election was not about issues but spiritual warfare.
Everytime someone says that they are "afraid of Barack Hussein Obama," I cringe. Maybe it's because many of those I count as friends are African-American or of mixed race. Maybe it's because my best friend is African-American. Maybe it's because my boyfriend [my heart] is African-American. [sorry for calling you guys out] But to me, to say that Obama "scares" them smacks more of racism than genuine concern for policy and politics.
The fact that so-called Christians would perpetuate such beliefs, innuendo and rumor is one of the reasons so many people despise Christianity [holier-than-thou attitudes aside].
Vote however you want.
Vote on issues [not just ONE ---- there are more than one].
But realize that the things you say do reflect on the Christian community as a whole.
****I'm done with debating the issues in this election as I have already cast my ballot, so please don't make this a forum for further debate.*****
The thing that has bothered me most about this particular election is the hate-filled fire of evangelical Christians towards Barack [they would take the time to say "Hussein"] Obama. Someone at church ACTUALLY told me that Obama is a Muslim terrorist ["i have the videos to prove it."] and that this election was not about issues but spiritual warfare.
Everytime someone says that they are "afraid of Barack Hussein Obama," I cringe. Maybe it's because many of those I count as friends are African-American or of mixed race. Maybe it's because my best friend is African-American. Maybe it's because my boyfriend [my heart] is African-American. [sorry for calling you guys out] But to me, to say that Obama "scares" them smacks more of racism than genuine concern for policy and politics.
The fact that so-called Christians would perpetuate such beliefs, innuendo and rumor is one of the reasons so many people despise Christianity [holier-than-thou attitudes aside].
Vote however you want.
Vote on issues [not just ONE ---- there are more than one].
But realize that the things you say do reflect on the Christian community as a whole.
****I'm done with debating the issues in this election as I have already cast my ballot, so please don't make this a forum for further debate.*****
things that make me happy
mandy makes me happy. she humors me.
today she taped a box for me. i cannot stand the sound of tape.
at all.
i don't like touching it. i don't like hearing it RIP RIP RIP apart.
i hate when it gets stuck on my fingers and then decides to tape itself to itself.
i hate it.
and mandy helped me.
thank goodness.
today she taped a box for me. i cannot stand the sound of tape.
at all.
i don't like touching it. i don't like hearing it RIP RIP RIP apart.
i hate when it gets stuck on my fingers and then decides to tape itself to itself.
i hate it.
and mandy helped me.
thank goodness.
election day
this morning i heard the funniest quote ever. as i was getting ready for a pilates class, a regular, john, began talking about a coworker.
this coworker listens to a particularly conservative talkshow host. his name rhymes with dush bimbaugh. his coworker told john that he was upset with his wife because she decided to vote for obama.
and john laughed. and couldn't believe it. he then said.
he shouldn't take it personally. it's not like his name and barack's names were both on the ballot and she picked him over her husband. no, she can choose however she wants to choose.
i loved it. it's going to be okay everyone. read this interesting article on a friend's facebook.
happy voting.
this coworker listens to a particularly conservative talkshow host. his name rhymes with dush bimbaugh. his coworker told john that he was upset with his wife because she decided to vote for obama.
and john laughed. and couldn't believe it. he then said.
he shouldn't take it personally. it's not like his name and barack's names were both on the ballot and she picked him over her husband. no, she can choose however she wants to choose.
i loved it. it's going to be okay everyone. read this interesting article on a friend's facebook.
happy voting.
Monday, November 3, 2008
today
i picked up a red leaf because it was beautiful. i'm a lover of colors. they evoke emotion in me. just like good music. i'll look at this leaf when it's cold outside. and when i don't see any color. and it will remind me of this day. nov. 3 when it was warm outside.
i also had a random dance party with mandy. music makes me want to move my feet.
i also had a random dance off with kenley. he won. i lost because i broke a rule. whoops.
i also had a random dance party with mandy. music makes me want to move my feet.
i also had a random dance off with kenley. he won. i lost because i broke a rule. whoops.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
crock pot sundays
i want to eat more natural food. it's easy for me to fall back on my faithful companions of processed, frozen food. it's a discipline for me to plan out my week to include more fresh vegetables, fruits, grains and other products. so this is my second sunday of cranking up my crock pot for my week's worth of meals (at least for lunch).
last week i made that lovely swiss chard, black bean and butternut squash chili. it was a hit. i loved it. this week i'm venturing out and doing a little weight watcher's recipe - slow cooker lasagna. i'll have some sauteed spinach and feta on the side. it will be so great!
right now i'm watching MR. T on an informercial for the flavorwave. times are tough apparently. i wonder if you could determine how the economy is doing by watching informercials and who they have as their special guests.
last week i made that lovely swiss chard, black bean and butternut squash chili. it was a hit. i loved it. this week i'm venturing out and doing a little weight watcher's recipe - slow cooker lasagna. i'll have some sauteed spinach and feta on the side. it will be so great!
right now i'm watching MR. T on an informercial for the flavorwave. times are tough apparently. i wonder if you could determine how the economy is doing by watching informercials and who they have as their special guests.
sweaty palms
my anxiousness usually finds me in my dreams. sometimes i dream about the cry. sometimes i dream about money. but last night i dreamt about the elections.
so this morning when i woke up, i turned the television on and saw three political ads back to back. then meet the press.
my stomach literally dropped. it could be because i need to poop. but i'd like to think that i'm a little anxious about the election.
but what i'm realizing is that i'm not anxious at all about the candidates. really. i'm not. i prefer one to the other. i feel confident in my decision. i don't feel like i need to defend it. and i really don't feel like i need to badger someone else to change their decision. (i did do that two a couple of close friends). but i think that they know it's out of love :). but really though. they weren't heated conversations.
what i'm anxious about is how this election has brought out the worst of both parties. i am a bit biased and tend to feel that there's a particular party who has taken their fight a little too far. but i admit, i'm biased. it saddens me that people have gotten so caught up in their side. that's the problem...their side. there's no talk about our side, our country or our problems...or solutions. it's our party's side, country, solutions, numbers, electoral votes. if you're not THEIR side, you're on the wrong side and it becomes political, spiritual and personal. i look at my friends in a different light when they send me THOSE emails...my palms are sweaty when i see a particularly obnoxious blog comment. and i ask...who are you? who are these people? i had no idea that it would come down to this.
anyway. i'm happy because the time changed. im happy because it is beautiful outside.
so this morning when i woke up, i turned the television on and saw three political ads back to back. then meet the press.
my stomach literally dropped. it could be because i need to poop. but i'd like to think that i'm a little anxious about the election.
but what i'm realizing is that i'm not anxious at all about the candidates. really. i'm not. i prefer one to the other. i feel confident in my decision. i don't feel like i need to defend it. and i really don't feel like i need to badger someone else to change their decision. (i did do that two a couple of close friends). but i think that they know it's out of love :). but really though. they weren't heated conversations.
what i'm anxious about is how this election has brought out the worst of both parties. i am a bit biased and tend to feel that there's a particular party who has taken their fight a little too far. but i admit, i'm biased. it saddens me that people have gotten so caught up in their side. that's the problem...their side. there's no talk about our side, our country or our problems...or solutions. it's our party's side, country, solutions, numbers, electoral votes. if you're not THEIR side, you're on the wrong side and it becomes political, spiritual and personal. i look at my friends in a different light when they send me THOSE emails...my palms are sweaty when i see a particularly obnoxious blog comment. and i ask...who are you? who are these people? i had no idea that it would come down to this.
anyway. i'm happy because the time changed. im happy because it is beautiful outside.
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