Christmas Countdown!

It's not too late to give a donation gift in a loved one's honor for Christmas! I probably shouldn't share these sites because my loved ones might see them and it'll blow my cover, but I'll take my chances. I've been sitting here cozy in front of my computer for less than an hour while the snowstorm continues to dump feet of snow on us as I shop online for gifts that are going to help people in huge ways. Here are some great sites that I've found that enable people to distribute wealth around the world for specific causes:

Visit WorldVision to donate money for various farm animals, tools, training and basic necessities.

Doctors Without Borders is a great cause for worldwide medical relief as far as I understand.

And of course I can't neglect to mention one of my favorite humanitarian aid programs: Watoto-- the Christian orphanage villages in Uganda where I helped build a house last August.

If for any reason you're on the fence about spending money on honorary gifts this season, please check out this Advent Conspiracy video.

May not only we have a merry Christmas, but also many others who may not have expected relief! As Eric realized this past weekend, "That's what money is for [to help people in need]!"

Justice Mission

Sometimes I'd like to ask God why he allows poverty, famine and injustice in the world when He could do something about it...but I'm afraid God might ask me the question.

~Anonymous

I have thought the exact same thing in my prayers recently! It's like as soon as the thoughts escape my mind, "Lord, please don't forget the people suffering from cholera in Zimbabwe," God responses, "Don't you forget them, Heather. What are you going to do about it?"

Have I mentioned that I am fond of the youth group I work with? Today we read a Jewish story about contentment and then watched this great video clip at www.adventconspiracy.com. They are so into missions and justice and I am glad for the opportunity to encourage them to act upon the reality that we are fortunate to have access to an endless supply of resources. Within seconds of me showing them photos of St. Pius primary school in Uganda last month, they immediately started texted their friends to collect writing utensils to ship to the school in January. They make my heart smile.

No complaints

Thanksgiving was good. Eric met my family up in NH. Dad likes him a lot. Says he's handsome, bright and good at conversation. It didn't take Dad long to notice. ;-)

Strangely worth noting, both Eric and I got bloody knuckles playing billards. Weird, right? First off, Mom now owns a pool table because it came with the house she bought to retire in. So that explains why we spend hours playing pool this past week. Then we just kept smacking our right hands into the wooden edge of the table. Eric is a great help when I can't put on a Band-aid with one hand... I'm starting to get embarassed at the number of times he's had to bandage me up in the past seven months.

That's right, we will have been dating for seven months on Wednesday. No complaints here about celebrating an anniversary every month. Unfortunately, Eric and I are now buried under work so we might need to have a belated celebration.

How's seminary you might ask? At the moment, my week's to do list includes three more papers, a presentation and a song composition as well as two part time jobs... It might be a long week, but it'll be over before I know it and then I might just be bored. So again, no complaints.

Sigh

"If you've got Jesus, why would you need the Bible?" - A peer in response to the idea that heaven is a Bible-study with Jesus

:-) Thank You, God, for that encouraging thought today. It was a rough one discussing clergy responses to abused people when biblical Peter commends being abused. Yeah, we delve into some pretty deep and crucial topics here. It makes my head spin and there are few opportunities to debrief. I'm thankful for the thought above.

Drippy Eyes

Honestly, this week has been pretty stressful in an emotionally draining way.
Remembering Gramps at two intense All Saints' worship services at the beginning of the week, watching four depressing plays including a professional performance of Romeo and Juliet and struggling with the social aspects of one of my most important relationships has somehow gotten me weepy this week. Surprisingly being pulled over by a policeman to learn that I had a flat tire and then forgetting my fresh homemade coffee on the counter of the mechanics didn't get a single tear.

I've also been thinking about this time last year. Here's what I was doing a year ago today: http://cryingoniontears.blogspot.com/search?q=fly+home

So glad that I'm here instead.

Taste Buds Craving Uganda

Eric and I were laughing today at the fact that we've started to judge food by its' similarity to Ugandian food. He was noting that the Snack Bar hasn't had the Fanta pineapple soda recently and I mentioned that they did have the avocado-turkey-blue cheese sandwich again this week. ;-)

Great Men

I have some pretty great men in my life. It's alright to brag about other people, right?

As Dad gets closer to retirement from his self-made chiropractic practice, his priorities are changing and he's looking for ways to help others around the world. He did some research and learned about a chiropractor in South America who goes between orphanages to give the children chiropractic care and now he's raising money for their needs. So cool!

Eric surprises me with his willingness to not only listen to my dreams ("What if I'm called to Africa? To adopt? To be a pastor? To...") but also to consider them and their possible implications in his life and he's still here! I can't believe the conversations we've had and his sensitivity (Arnold, don't you dare give him a hard time about it!). I'm pretty impressed by Eric and it's funny to think that four years ago when we were friends getting into as much mischievous as possible, I would have never guessed we would be in this situation.

Mr. Keith and Mr. Tim still call me when they're hanging out with HOPE campers so I can keep in touch with them. I appreciate them remembering me and letting me continue to be part of the HOPE family regardless of the fact I'm a state away.

My male seminary comrades are always good for conversations about social justice from a Christian perspective and for simple helps when needed.

I'm glad to know I can call Erik to get updates about his life as a new young pastor and his seminary advice. Luis is great for a giant hug and coffee conversations about everything. Pete inspires me with his faith journey and growth over the past five years. Arnold has a similar heart for the poor in Africa and I enjoy our opportunities to encourage each other. I'm sure I'm forgetting someone but I wanted to share my thankfulness for these men. Sorry I don't have pictures.