Teaching The Hunger Games in the Classroom

This spring while I'm student teaching I may be teaching a unit on the Lord of the Flies (William Golding). I have to admit that I've never read it before, but what I have read is The Hunger Games (Suzanne Collins). Now that's something I'd really love to teach because it'd be so much fun so educational. So I decided to look up how teachers are using the Hunger Games in the classroom. Here's an interesting article I found:  Literary Smack-down: Lord of the Flies VS. The Hunger Games

 Perhaps, if there is time and I can handle it, I can work in The Hunger Games.

The Final (so far) Christmas/Birthday List

(yes, they're basically the same holiday)

1. Apple iPod Classic 120GB Black
2. Tom's Shoes - Ash Canvas - Womens 6
3. Bare Minerals Getting Started Kit - Fair (or the individual make-up items sold separately)
4. The Legend of Zela: Spirit Tracks

Books:

• Dismantled by Jennifer Mcmahon
• Hello, I Must Be Going by Christie Hodgen
• Swallows of Kabul
• Why Faith Matters by Wolpe
• The Translator by Daoud Hari
• Wicked: The Musical: A Pop-up Consortium

CDs:

• Zee Avi
• Ingrid Michaelson

DVDs:

• Bolt (DVD & Blu-Ray set)
• Animaniacs DVDs any vol. 1-3
  

Another Christmas Idea

Imagine if people started putting "Donation to..." on their Christmas list! That'd be pretty cool.

Nook or Not?

I find the Barnes and Noble Nook intriguing, as I've found ereaders intriguing in general. I haven't yet decided between becoming a Nook owner, holding out for a better product, or resisting the movement. Here is why (specifically in regards to the Nook):

What I like:

• Finally, I don't have to hold the pages open (yes, I'm that lazy)
• My books can go where I go - that's right Aaron, the multiple books I'm currently reading won't be piled on the kitchen table, coffee table, and dresser anymore!
  
• It has a seemingly very vibrant color touch screen, which displays the books by cover
  
• Newspapers and magazines that MIGHT be worth subscribing to if the nook is already in my hands:
• Los Angeles Times
• The New Yorker
• how about Christianity today or Relevant? I know thecomplete list hasn't been released, but I'd be interested to know what else will be available. It's a  pro & con: maybe some mags and newspapers will be good, but I wont be subscribing to RealSimple - it's not the same in black and white.
• You can add a Micro SD card and expand your library
• "From Treasure Island to Pride and Prejudice, download thousands of free titles."
• Nook supports PDF 
• It's more customizable than the Kindle
• Nook stores music (although this wouldn't be it's primary use, it's a nice addition)
• Nook includes a full dictionary, which I find very useful (especially when reading Anna Karenina)
  

But, what I don't like:

• It's a little small (7.7 x 4.9 x 0.50 inches)
  
• Members and EMPLOYEES do not get discounts on nook or on B&N eBooks, while right now I can borrow hard covers from B&N for free up to two weeks and I get 30% off all book purchases
  
• Nook does not have a web browser while the Kindle goes to Wikipedia
• Nook lacks text-to-speech
• Nook lets you loan eBooks to friends, free of charge, but only once and for a 14 day limited time.
  As a reviewer said, " the ownership concept is a little bit abstract." Can B&N take books back after you buy them like Kindle once did?
• Gift Cards and Gift Certificates cannot be used to purchase eBooks
  
  

Are these aspects enough to deter me from getting one?  I honestly haven't decided. The thing that is causing so much doubt in the Nook is the lack of discounted books. I own a lot of books that I haven't yet read - would it be worth it to buy a device that I would need to fill with more books? I've heard the argument that I could sell some of my books to pay for digital copies, but is everyone going to be doing that? Will my books actually sell for a competitive price or a price comparable to the digital copies?

Something else to consider: which books are available?

Books I'd be interested in purchasing digitally that I've been able to find: 

• Swallows of Kabul  (book:$13.95/ ebook:$10.40)
• Why Faith Matters by Wolpe (book: $14.99/ ebook: $9.59)  
• The Translator: A Tribesman's Memoir of Darfur by Daoud Hari (book: $13.00/ ebook: $10.40)
• Dimantled by Jennifer Mcmahon (book: $24.99/ ebook:$9.99)
• The Road by Cormac McCarthy (book: $14.95/ ebook:$11.96)
• Miles from Nowhere by Nami Mun (book: $21.95/ ebook:$17.56)
• Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi (book: $15.00/ ebook:$12.00)
• Cruel and Unusual Punishment by Nonie Darwish (book: $24.99/ ebook:$9.99)
• Hold Love Strong by Matthew Aaron Goodman (book: $24.99/ ebook:$19.99)
• The Unlikely Disciple by Kevin Roose (book: $24.99/ ebook:$19.99)
• The Crying Tree by Naseem Rakha  (book: $22.95/ ebook:$9.99)  

Books I want in digital format, but can't find:

• Hello, I Must Be Going by Christie Hodgen
• Hearing God by Dallas Willard
•  A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry 

 It's a better turn up than I thought it would be, but are the prices fair? Are they worth buying in digital format for that price? I'll never be able to resell them. I'll never be able to pass them on to a friend. I'll never be able to lend them to someone who does not have a nook.  

And those are my thoughts. What are yours?

Mend: Know Who Made Your Bag!

MEND: Aromorach Monica from MEND on Vimeo.

Continuation School

My new theory is this: continuation schools are a bad idea. Why are we sticking all the "reject" kids on one campus? These are the students that are in trouble enough to be send away to this "bad kids school," but we are sticking them all together where there are no positive peer influences.

Oh Happy Day

That's what today is! I just feel happy.

I officially became the Kolb Family Nanny (which is a sweet deal because I can do this and student teach next semester, it's a stable source of some income, and it's fun!)

I talked with Chris (youth pastor) today and he's gonna try to start a skate park ministry (heck yes!) and allow me to help. Which, if you didn't know (you, being whoever the heck reads this crap) I love ministering to cultures like the skate culture - the fringe people that others don't reach because they don't come to church.

And although these are really the only two super cool things... it just makes me so super excited to be involved in two things I love. And life is looking up! Thank ya Jesus!

PS:
YOU: what ever happened to the Nouwenisms?
ME: .....yeah.....

"Stephanie, take a trip to India with today's Books newsletter!"

In my e-mail a week or so ago, I received an e-mail from LivingSocial: Books. The subject line read, "Stephanie, take a trip to India with today's Books newsletter!" Hello! Duh! If anyone ever wanted my attention, that's the way to get it - India and books! I read it and thought it was pretty interesting (I own two of the books mentioned, but haven't read either... and now I'm intrigued.)

Lately, there’s been a cultural love affair with India. From Slumdog Millionaire to sari-inspired fashions on the Ports 1961 runway, India’s religion, décor, and food has become a subject of intrigue to popular culture. So there’s no doubt that fascination has extended to the literary realm. Books for years have tapped on the unique culture of one of the most populated countries in the world, one which has existed through centuries of empires, ornate architecture, trades with the Western world, Bollywood, and cutting-edge technology.

Author John Shors wrote one beloved book about India, a novel about the building of the Taj Mahal. The story, Beneath a Marble Sky, is a love story, both gruesome and endearing, that sweeps readers away into a world of war, passion, oppression, art and Hinduism. Robin said the book “made me want to travel to India and the Taj Mahal” and it “kept me turning the pages.” Sara describes it as “disturbing, painful, yet utterly beautiful” and Kaitlin was impressed with the book’s “really inventive spin on what happened during the time” a historical fiction that could define the genre with its ability to fuse plot and historical accuracy.

Set in New England rather than India, The Namesake, by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jhumpa Lahiri, follows a Bengali boy into manhood and his struggle to accept his Indian heritage and newfound Americanism. A gripping story with elegant, descriptive writing, The Namesake gives readers a peek into the strict traditions of Indian culture and the balance first-generation Indian Americans must find to succeed in both worlds. Jason says it “really brings home the immigrant experience, both good and bad, across multiple generations” and Douglas cited that there are “beautiful comments on the nature of being a foreigner.” The prose here, however, really sets the book apart. As Joseph explains, “It’s clear that [Lahiri’s] strength lies in compact and incisive observations about characters in flux. In just a few short lines, she paints fully developed figures with rich pasts and heading toward and uncertain future.”

You can hardly talk of the Indian love affair without including Salman Rushdie and his novel, The Enchantress of Florence. Following a European traveler to the Mughal emperor’s court, the plot involves power, desire, treachery, and self-discovery, the type of story you can’t put down, especially with Rushdie’s writing. Jessica was delighted by “Rushdie’s clever, humorous style” and Cristoforo appreciated his “seamless incorporation of real world historical figures with an elaborate fiction of epic proportions.” Kailash rediscovered her love of Rushdie, calling him a “magician of words” and it made her “marvel at the heights to which human imagination can reach when at its inspired best.”

PS - the bold names of those quoted are just names of LivingSocial: Books members.

Lindemans Pêche

If you haven't tastes Lindemans Belgian Pêche Beer, you must. Serious!
I'm not a big drinker, and I really don't enjoy very many beers. This beer, however, is beautiful. It's sweet enough to convince you that you're not drinking beer at all, and it's pretty too! I can't find the alcohol content listed anywhere, but I can tell you that it's not a high alcohol level at all. It's perfect for an after dinner drink. Yum Yummy!

 

I buy it from Trader Joe's but wherever you can find it, buy it!

Now for some Nouwen

Today I discovered a Henry Nouwen book called "The Inner Voice of Love: A Journey Through Anguish to Freedom." With an understanding that I have been experiencing an emotional lostness and loneliness recently, providing the description from the back of the book should explains why I am so intrigued:

This is Henri Nouwen's "secret journal." It was written during the most difficult period of his life, when he suddenly lost his self-esteem, his energy to live and work, his sense of being loved, even his hope in God. Although he experienced excruciating anguish and despair, he was still able to keep a journal in which he wrote a spiritual imperative to himself each day that emerged from his conversations with friends and supporters.

For more than eight years, Henri Nouwen felt that what he wrote was too raw and private to share with others. Instead, he published The Return of the Prodigal Son, in which he expressed some of the insights gained during his mental and spiritual crisis. But then friends asked him, "Why keep your anguish hidden from the many people who have been nurtured by your writing? Wouldn't it be of consolation for many to know about the fierce inner battle that lies underneath so many of your spiritual insights?"

And in response, I've decided to reflect on these "spiritual imperatives" and record my reflections. Let's call them Nouwenism.

Nouwenism #1
"Do not tell everyone your story. You will only end up feeling more rejected. People cannot give you what you long for in your heart. The more you expect from people's response to your experience of abandonment, the more you will feel exposed to ridicule."

Wow, what a way to start this process of reflection. Did he write that directly to me? Recently I've been mourning the fact that I don't have many people to talk to about the grief I feel for my family situation. I feel lonely because I only have myself (and that God guy) to sit with in my sorrow and self-pity. But I think Nouwen offers a truth that I've never faced: "People cannot give you what you long for in your heart." Later in the note, he writes, "God will send to you the people with whom you can share your anguish, who can lead you closer to the true source of love." The important part, and most missed by me, is the hope that God will send someone who can lead you closer to the true source of love. Someone who can show me God is still there, He still cares, and He's still worth hanging onto. For that - I'll wait! Till then, maybe it is best to "close [myself] off to the world so [I] can enter [my] own heart and the heart of God through [my] pain."

Just a Thought

Chenoweth... Adoption... and Other Thoughts

It's true. For those who didn't know: my mother is my biological mother and my father, the only man whom I've ever called Dad, is not my biological father. My biological father left my mother when I was not yet born or just out-of-the-womb (I actually don't know which... but I know I can't remember a thing about him). I've always called Mike "dad," though. And yes, he did take me to court and he adopted me - changing my name to Stephanie Marie Stafford at the age of two. I've never really had any desire to seek out and contact my biological father - whom I believe is named Tim. I've been comfortable (all things considered) in the family that I was given.

Today I started reading "A Little Bit Wicked: Life, Love, and Faith in Stages." It's Kristin Chenoweth's autobiography. I may have known before I began, but did not remember knowing, that Kristin Chenoweth is adopted. She tells her story about being adopted in glorious words of praise for her adoptive parents and her biological mother that bravely decided to give her child a better chance at life with a complete family. She describes her feeling about being adopted in a way that somehow makes me feel connected to her:

"However, since the question always gets asked, no, I have no interest in contacting or being contacted by my biological mother. I've never felt the slightest frisson of something missing in my life, and the whole medical-record thing doesn't concern me much. I'm vigilant about my health. (In my profession, you're either vigilant about your health or you're Janis Joplin.) I do vaguely wonder if my biological mother suffers from Meniere's disease like I do.
... The light haze of curiocity isn't enough for me to risk disrupting my life or the life of the woman who gave me up for adoption. She made a difficult choice, and I have profound respect for that. In 1968, abotion was still illegal in the United States, but she apparently had the money (and the flight bennies) to go wherever she needed to go to get it done. She chose to have me instead, and thank you does not begin to cover how I feel. But that's all I'ver ever really wanted to say to her."

Really, I'm thinking aloud and you're reading it, so I go on to say: Aaron and I recently talked (very briefly) about adoption as an option for our path to parenthood. Before, we had spoken (again, very briefly) about it and he wasn't so sold on the idea. He really liked the idea of combining a little bit of me and a little bit of him to create the thing(s) we'll love most for the rest of our lives. Who doesn't think that's such a cool idea!? But all my life (ask my grandma) I thought I'd like to adopt. I told my grandma, back when I was in early high school years, that I will adopt. She said, "I'm sure your plans will change." She was adamant about my ideas changing when I got married and thought about the-little-bit-of-me-little-bit-of-him thing. And... yes... I do like the idea more now... but I can't say I've lost the love for adoption. Anyway, back to "Aaron and I recently talked (very briefly) about adoption as an option for our path to parenthood." We did. And Aaron said to me something very similar to, "we could adopt if you really want to." He doesn't know it (till now, I guess) that his comment broke me open and pulled out all sorts of dreams and images, overwhelming excitement and nervousness, like a clown pulling a colorful, unending scarf from his pocket... except mine came from my heart. I had always wanted to hear that! I always wanted to know we could look into that.

And when I think of my own feelings, and when I read Kristin's (lets go by her first name only, because, without her know, I feel that connected to and inspired by her) memories and feelings about her childhood, I think, I want to be a woman who gives a young mother (who may be too young to care for a child, or too poor, starving in a third world country) a chance to do good by her child. I want to be a mother that my child adores despite the difference in our skin tone or medical-record. I want to be a wife that is brave enough to embark on this journey, carrying the title 'a partner in passions.' I want to be a daughter that honors her father (despite the mistakes) by replicating the choice to be a parent to a fatherless child. I don't know if that's really what will happen. I don't know if we'll adopt and I don't know if we'll even be parents at all. But I do really like the idea of it being an option. I like knowing that, maybe, we could adopt.

Stuff White People Like

Have you seen this website? I'm not sure I'm supposed to like it... but I do think it's quite funny. The following is a funny (and horribly true, in my book) account of why white people DON'T like books turned into movies.


#127 Where the Wild Things Are

July 13, 2009 by clander

It is a guarantee that whenever it is announced that a popular book is being turned into a movie, white people will get upset. This is partly due to their fear that something they love will be made accessible to more people and thus enjoyed by more people which immediately decreases the amount of joy a white person can feel towards the original property. Yes, it’s complicated.

The other problem is that these announcements create a ticking time bomb where by a white person must read the book in ADVANCE of the release of the movie. This is done partly so that they can engage in the popular activity of complaining about how the movie failed to capture the essence of the book. But more importantly, once a book has been made into a movie, a white person can no longer read that book. To have read the book after the movie is one of the great crimes in white culture, and under no circumstances should you ever admit to doing this. Literally dozens of white friendships have imploded when it was revealed that someone read Fight Club after 1999.

The Philanthropist

I can't express my delight with the NBC show, the Philanthropist. It makes me cry and tears at my heart. I am so glad, however, that NBC has dared to air this TV series, knowing that common television viewer seek action, adventure, and romance - not images of starving children, bombings of innocent people, poverty that is taking lives at a faster pace than comprehended. Praise to them for their daring, bold move to show America what is really happening in OUR world.

The producers keep up on a wonderful blog - it's very informative and adds to the experience of the show. On this week's post, Aimee Christensen says "My colleague, David Spielfogel, and I have the great opportunity to work with The Philanthropist to connect the community to organizations who are doing important, effective work in these countries and on the issues that are raised in each episode. Given each show is based on actual issues in these places, supporting these organizations is critically important, and we're grateful to the show for raising the visibility of the topics. And it's a wonderful chance to introduce viewers to small organizations that you may not come across, but who are incredibly effective and need our support greatly.

The Haiti episode is especially near and dear to my heart..."

Praise God that even non-Christ-followers have compassion like this! I am so pleased to see a TV series move beyond self-centered, passive entertainment! Now, you Christ-followers, outdo each other in kindness and honor! (Romans 12:10) ...and enjoy the TV show too :)

"We're here to make it easy"

That's what the Staples Office Supply Store said to me when I was on hold. You know, that semi-creepy, only cuz she's everywhere, feminine recorded voice.

And then the man got on the phone and said.... "oh yeah yeah, I know what you're talking about... we don't carry that in the store, you'd have to order it online."

"On your (Staples') website?" I said.

"Yeah!" he replied, sounding confident and reassuring.

I left the phone conversation feeling jazzed because I can't find this item (11 x 8 1/2 landscape ruled paper) anywhere.

When I arrived at home and looked on their website... you know what, let's just say: STAPLES IS NOT MAKING IT EASY! (I still cannot find it... ANYWHERE!)

Today, as a reminder to myself, I wrote on a sticky-note: "cat litter and melon balls." This was, by the way, a reminder to do two very different tasks.

Stephanie, Are You OK, Are You OK, Stephanie?

It's been far too long since I've last written, but sometimes I don't have many important things to say... and that's okay.

Since I've last written (back in April!) I've celebrated Aaron and my second wedding anniversary, bought San Diego Zoo Annual Passes, finished the spring semester of school, applied and interviewed for several jobs (none of which I got), went to Jr. High summer camp with NewSong, watched So You Think You Can Dance (and liked it a lot!), read Another Man's Way, organized NewSong's Worship Music Library, finally finished To Kill A Mockingbird, passed the final CSET test, canceled student teaching because I can't afford to not get paid for 18 weeks, went to yoga consistently, made new friends, sold a video game on ebay for $120.00, picked up PikMin on the gamecube again, cleaned my sheets, started the Monsters of Templeton (and only 130 pages left), hung pictures in the guest bathroom, took engagement pictures for some friends, started working at Barnes and Noble again, read Peals Before Swine and Mutts comics one per day, bought a point and shoot Canon digital camera *with which I am very satisfied), cooked Thai and India food for friends (once for a man visiting from India), drove a friend to the airport for his three week vacation in Europe (with jealousy in my heart), signed up for mobile-blogging, changed my address on my credit card (finally)...

Sometimes I think my life is boring. And more often, I think my life is tragic. I think about the tragedy that I've experienced with my family (having not spoken to my mother in 2 years after she did not show up to my wedding, dealing with my sister's attempt at suicide, watching my father struggle to find work and support my siblings while living in my grandparents garage, and seeing my brother, now 19, struggling to get high school finished). Most of the time I feel alone and unknown, and very rarely do I truly understand "God is with you." But what I've realized is, since I've last written, I've done some very enjoyable tasks, spent time with very loving people, and learned new and exciting talents and information.

I suppose, I'm doing okay!

(PS - the title: the only tribute I'll give to Michael Jackson... promise)

I am...

When I was in middle school I loved to take personality tests in magazines and online. I think it's interesting how we desire to know more about ourselves based on other peoples' inventories. My teaching program required us to take the StrengthsQuest test... and I found my results fairly accurate compared to what I know about myself. My professor asked us to ask other if they agreed....

I am...
Strategic

enables you to sort through the clutter and find the best route. It is not a skill that can be taught. It is a distinct way of thinking, a special perspective on the world at large. This perspective allows you to see patterns where others simply see complexity. Mindful of these patterns, you play out alternative scenarios, always asking, “What if this happened? Okay, well what if this happened?” This recurring question helps you see around the next corner. There you can evaluate accurately the potential obstacles. Guided by where you see each path leading, you start to make selections. You discard the paths that lead nowhere. You discard the paths that lead straight into resistance. You discard the paths that lead into a fog of confusion. You cull and make selections until you arrive at the chosen path—your strategy. Armed with your strategy, you strike forward. This is your Strategic theme at work: “What if?” Select. Strike.

Developer

You see the potential in others. Very often, in fact, potential is all you see. In your view no individual is fully formed. On the contrary, each individual is a work in progress, alive with possibilities. And you are drawn toward people for this very reason. When you interact with others, your goal is to help them experience success. You look for ways to challenge them. You devise interesting experiences that can stretch them and help them grow. And all the while you are on the lookout for the signs of growth—a new behavior learned or modified, a slight improvement in a skill, a glimpse of excellence or of “flow” where previously there were only halting steps. For you these small increments—invisible to some—are clear signs of potential being realized. These signs of growth in others are your fuel. They bring you strength and satisfaction. Over time many will seek you out for help and encouragement because on some level they know that your helpfulness is both genuine and fulfilling to you.

Connectedness

Things happen for a reason. You are sure of it. You are sure of it because in your soul you know that we are all connected. Yes, we are individuals, responsible for our own judgments and in possession of our own free will, but nonetheless we are part of something larger. Some may call it the collective unconscious. Others may label it spirit or life force. But whatever your word of choice, you gain confidence from knowing that we are not isolated from one another or from the earth and the life on it. This feeling of Connectedness implies certain responsibilities. If we are all part of a larger picture, then we must not harm others because we will be harming ourselves. We must not exploit because we will be exploiting ourselves. Your awareness of these responsibilities creates your value system. You are considerate, caring, and accepting. Certain of the unity of humankind, you are a bridge builder for people of different cultures. Sensitive to the invisible hand, you can give others comfort that there is a purpose beyond our humdrum lives. The exact articles of your faith will depend on your upbringing and your culture, but your faith is strong. It sustains you and your close friends in the face of life’s mysteries.

Activator

“When can we start?” This is a recurring question in your life. You are impatient for action. You may concede that analysis has its uses or that debate and discussion can occasionally yield some valuable insights, but deep down you know that only action is real. Only action can make things happen. Only action leads to performance. Once a decision is made, you cannot not act. Others may worry that “there are still some things we don’t know,” but this doesn’t seem to slow you. If the decision has been made to go across town, you know that the fastest way to get there is to go stoplight to stoplight. You are not going to sit around waiting until all the lights have turned green. Besides, in your view, action and thinking are not opposites. In fact, guided by your Activator theme, you believe that action is the best device for learning. You make a decision, you take action, you look at the result, and you learn. This learning informs your next action and your next. How can you grow if you have nothing to react to? Well, you believe you can’t. You must put yourself out there. You must take the next step. It is the only way to keep your thinking fresh and informed. The bottom line is this: You know you will be judged not by what you say, not by what you think, but by what you get done. This does not frighten you. It pleases you.

Maximizer

Excellence, not average, is your measure. Taking something from below average to slightly above average takes a great deal of effort and in your opinion is not very rewarding. Transforming something strong into something superb takes just as much effort but is much more thrilling. Strengths, whether yours or someone else’s, fascinate you. Like a diver after pearls, you search them out, watching for the telltale signs of a strength. A glimpse of untutored excellence, rapid learning, a skill mastered without recourse to steps—all these are clues that a strength may be in play. And having found a strength, you feel compelled to nurture it, refine it, and stretch it toward excellence. You polish the pearl until it shines. This natural sorting of strengths means that others see you as discriminating. You choose to spend time with people who appreciate your particular strengths. Likewise, you are attracted to others who seem to have found and cultivated their own strengths. You tend to avoid those who want to fix you and make you well rounded. You don’t want to spend your life bemoaning what you lack. Rather, you want to capitalize on the gifts with which you are blessed. It’s more fun. It’s more productive. And, counterintuitively, it is more demanding.

A Reflection on the Cross

I remember when I was young, those useless plastic toys that proclaimed "Jesus loves you!" We got them at church as rewards for good behavior. We got them at the VBS carnivals when we scored high points on any one game. We got them in our Easter eggs from my grandparents. Whistles, yoyos, plastic jewlery, erasers, and pencils that said "Jesus loves you!" right next to that always-plastic, big, yellow, who-is-ever-really-that-happy smiley face. That smiley face that we all know. Those black beady little eyes and overly arched black smile-for-a-mouth.

But today, as I reflected on the cross - the death of one man who sought to save humanity from it's disgustingness - I realized what a mockary that always-plastic, big, yellow, who-is-ever-really-that-happy smiley face might be when plastered next the proclimation "Jesus loves you!" I know it's true, oh don't I know. But that's the point exactly.

That proclimation, when considering that it rings true to us because we know the events of the cross, is weighty. It weighs heavily on my heart and rips at my flesh. It shouts in the silence where wispers would be powerful enough, "and what will you do!?" "How will you honor the holy One who died on the cross reserved for punishing your sins?" This is not a child's game of yoyo. This was not written will that tie-dyed happy face pencil, but will the blood of a man. And how has it provoked me to honor my God? Do I love like this... NEVER.

That proclimation, when considering that it is true not only for me but for Joseph Koni as well, is haunting. "Joseph Koni, Jesus loves you!" [insert that always-plastic, big, yellow, who-is-ever-really-that-happy smiley face here] "Although you've ruined the lives of thousands of young children and blantently stolen the lives of still more..." [insert that always-plastic, big, yellow, who-is-ever-really-that-happy smiley face]. Foolish mockary! Mockary in the face of the child of God who strives to bring life to others by speaking the name of this Jesus. Mockary to those who seek justice.

That proclimation, when considering that woman are being sold as sex slaves and children are being mutilated for higher profits in begging, is heartbreaking. "O, Woman in that dark room, lying next to that stranger, Jesus loves you!" [insert that always-plastic, big, yellow, who-is-ever-really-that-happy smiley face here] "Children begging in the streets for no return, Jesus loves you!" [insert that always-plastic, big, yellow, who-is-ever-really-that-happy smiley face here] Tragic mockary! Mockary to those children who will never know childhood! Moackary to those women who might never understand the love of a man!

I know it's true, oh don't I know. But Jesus' love does not always have an always-plastic, big, yellow, who-is-ever-really-that-happy smiley face attached. Jesus' love cried "Father! Why must it be this way!?" It poured blood and scrapped flesh across planks of wood. It murdered a man so that others might be alive. It sometimes calls for a deep reflection. It sometimes calls for a gentle touch to the broken skin of one who has been marred by evil. It often inspired a face not so plastic, bright, and smiley.

Jesus, O Precious Jesus, thank you for your love. All honor and glory be to you who humbled yourself to the point of death on behalf of others. Thanks sweet Lord for your love. Thank you that you love Joseph Koni even when I cannot fathom the reason. Thank you Jesus that you have intercedes for the woman and children who might never be freed from oppression. You alone are God. You alone are GOOD.

Do it!

On April 25th, the international community will unite to deliver the innocent from Kony's reign and ensure he is brought to justice. Thousands of participants will gather in 100 cities across the world to abduct themselves and raise the banner of the child soldiers taken by Joseph Kony.

Those abducted will leave their homes and walk to an event location while carrying their supplies on their backs. At the site, they will then wait to be "rescued" - this requires a certain amount of media coverage as well as the attendance of pre-determined cultural and political leaders. Depending on the size, scope and fervor of the specific event locale, those leaders invited to The Rescue may be a Congressional Representative, State Official, local mayor or local business/media figure.

At the event, participants will write letters, create art/photo projects and seek out media attention in an effort to petition the US, European, Canadian, Mexican and Australian government to develop a strategy and support existing efforts to rescue Kony's child soldiers.

Sign up at http://therescue.invisiblechildren.com/en/#/los-angeles/

God is Good

All praise be to God. He's just GOOD! I know life is usually crazy and right now, while I'm trying to get this silly credential and be a wife and be a friend, it's really crazy.... but God is still good.
He's good because he provides hope. He's good because he PROVIDES! He's provided enough for me and enough for Aaron, and that's more than we deserve.

God, you're good! Kudos to you!

Today is Thursday February 26, 2009

In order to be green, I will stop wearing shoes.

The thought of killing an elephant with a laser gun really makes me laugh.

Why does "10 reasons to buy a Kindle 2… and 10 reasons not to" only have 6 reasons - 3 for yes and 3 for no?

Overwhelmed... Part 564

I feel overwhelmed. And I'm sad that I say that so often.

It would be one thing if I went to school and worked. Instead I work two very awkward and slightly-unstable jobs, I'm going to school to get a better job, I am leader of this hardly-existent non-committed mission catalyst team, I'm part of the NewSong missions board, I go to a weekly bible study, and I have the whole "start an orphanage" thing hanging over my head. By the way, I'm supposed to still be a wife, friend, sister, and PERSON during all of this too.

I spend a lot of my time feeling guilty that I can't spend more time on these things I committed to. I feel like people look at me and think I'm lazy and slack off all the time. I feel like I do too many things and not enough things well. I feel guilty studying when Aaron's around because he wants to spent time with me. I feel guilty studying when I could be working. I feel bad working so much that I can't see friends. I feel bad hanging out with anyone when I haven't e-mail the mission catalyst team. I feel bad that I haven't e-mail Janaman because I feel I can't make decisions he wants me to make. I feel bad that I don't work enough to contribute much money to our budget.

But I'm not even sure what to leave behind. What do I drop? What do I DITCH?
Really, I mean seriously, being real for a minute here.... I want to quit it all just because I'm so tired and so torn. I haven't even found a counselor yet! I haven't made time to deal with things that are eating me from the inside out.

I'm just overwhelmed... and I can't really sleep.

Human Trafficking

Last Sunday (Jan. 11th) was National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. I went, with my good friend Christine, to a rally in Whittier. It was different than anything I had ever done, but I really enjoyed it. I learned a bit more about what Human Trafficking is and got a very small glimpse of how to get involved in curing the disease. I've been interested in learning about Human Trafficking and Fair Trade causes for a while now, but I've kinda had a hard time knowing what I, personally, should be doing about it - other than read a lot of information about either. I'm still not completely sure how to get INVOLVED in curing this world wide epidemic, so for now, I will tell others about it and hope that someone will think of great things to do to help (and everyone else will pray for those victimized by it).

Accidentally, while doing research for a school culture report, I stumbled across the CIA World Factbook. Very interesting stuff, by the way. I thought I'd share with my ever so faithful friends and long-time blog fans (heehee... you do exist, right?) something I found.

From the CIA World Factbook (2008)

Regarding Trafficking of Persons - World Report
current situation:

• approximately 800,000 people, mostly women and children, are trafficked annually across national borders, not including millions trafficked within their own countries;
  
• at least 80% of the victims are female
  
• and up to 50% are minors;
  
• 75% of all victims are trafficked into commercial sexual exploitation;
  
• almost two-thirds of the global victims are trafficked intra-regionally within East Asia and the Pacific (260,000 to 280,000 people) and Europe and Eurasia (170,000 to 210,000 people)

Tier 2 Watch List: Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Cyprus, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, The Gambia, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, India, Jordan, Libya, Malaysia, Montenegro, Mozambique, Niger, Panama, Republic of the Congo, Russia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Tier 3: Algeria, Burma, Cuba, Fiji, Iran, Kuwait, Moldova, North Korea, Oman, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria


By the way, it happens here too! This is not simply the issue of people we'll never meet. (read the story of a Guatemalan girl duped into coming to the U.S., forced sell herself and kept captive.)

The Shack: An Incomplete Review

I'm reading the Shack. It's a pretty popular book, shelved in the Religious Fiction section at Barnes & Noble. I hesitated to read it because I typically avoid that section as a whole. I'm not very much excited by romance books that include Jesus as a side character. The Shack, however, is quite different. It's definitely deeper than I thought it was going to be. Also a surprise to me: the theology isn't horrifying. I actually agree with most of the author's theology. Granted, it's a fiction book so the theology needs to be taken with a grain of (fictional)salt, but the allusions the author gives seem to be quite biblical. I'm enjoying the comfort that the God characters grant the main character (Mack) and my thoughts are being provoked by the way the God characters challenge Mack's ideals of Christianity.

Without having completed the entire book (2/3rds the way through it now), I recommend it to Christians looking for a fiction book that will provoke thought while still providing a new world to step into (as fiction ought to!).

Google: start a 501(c)(3)

I'm having such a hard time with this whole "starting an orphanage" thing. I'm not even sure where to start. I assume I need to start by creating a 501(c)(3) to collect money for building and funding the children. But I also need to create an organization that can be "501(c)(3)-ed".... hmmm... Not only is it confusing me in that area, but also, Indians and Americans have very different ideas of "organization" or "starting a project." I said I'd like to start a website so that we can reach a larger group of people (because the church is not responding as well as I had hoped) and my dear Indian friend refuses to let me do that. In our online conversation he says, "NO no for ...website.......we will od through personal contact at the begining...inch by inch." So what do I do!?!?!? When no one at the church will fund this project, what do I do? No thats not even the question... the question is: if people from other places want to fund this project where would they send the money?

I'm just confused. I think I need to talk with someone who has seen a 501(c)(3) come into existence from the start.