Got to have faith-a-faith-a-faith

Driving down I-95 this weekend, I saw a bright yellow billboard that said "Faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen" I guess because it was bright yellow it stuck out and made me realize how much I take my faith for granted.

Then, on the radio came this song by Kutless:

Everybody falls sometimes
Gotta find the strength to rise
From the ashes and make a new beginning
Anyone can feel the ache
You think it’s more than you can take
But you are stronger, stronger than you know
Don’t you give up now
The sun will soon be shining
You gotta face the clouds
To find the silver lining

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn't ever end
Even when the sky is falling
And I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do

It doesn't matter what you’ve heard
Impossible is not a word
It’s just a reason for someone not to try
Everybody’s scared to death
When they decide to take that step
Out on the water
It’ll be alright
Life is so much more
Than what your eyes are seeing
You will find your way
If you keep believing

Overcome the odds
You don't have a chance
That’s what faith can do
When the world says you can’t
It’ll tell you that you can!


I have seen people that have dreams that move mountains.... people who continue to have hope even when the sun hasn't been shining for years, I've even witnessed a few miracles. I've certainly seen the effects of faith and I know 100% who is behind those moving mountains, endless hope and miracles happening.

But, am I being faithful enough for others to see God in my life? There are times that I've questioned if something is possible... but deep down, I know that with faith in my God, it is possible! So I've vowed to stop using the word impossible... and just be faithful and believe because my faith will speak volumes to the world.

James 2:14-What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone?

Breaking the Cycle

I happened to pick up a book the other day that was talking about how over 600,000 NEW juveniles are processed through the detention system every YEAR. Most of those will make a return visit through either juvenile or adult detention. My question is WHY? Sure, I get that human nature is sinful... we aren't perfect and we are going to mess up. But why don't we learn from our mistakes the first time?

600,000 new juveniles... only a small percentage of them go on to get help and get out of their situation. Do the rest not think they deserve a second chance? Do they not know there is anything better out there?

These are our futures leaders... we've got to help them understand that they can do better. They are valuable. They could turn their life around and be the next President, the next NFL superstar, the next business executive... or just the next proud involved father or mother. But instead, they continue in the same cycle of illegal activity.

Maybe it is because the illegal activity is easy...profitable... makes them feel better about themselves. But there has to be an easier way... a way that makes your life of more value... a way that makes you feel better about yourself that is beneficial to society.

We've got to break the cycle... or we are going to get nowhere.

Make my life easier

Have you ever had a load of laundry that you started and forgot about and when you remembered, they had mildewed??

Why has no one ever created an upright washing machine/dryer combo where the washing machine is on top... and has the option of automatically dropping the clothes down into the dryer when they are done washing?

Seriously......

And yes, I am that lazy.

What is eating Gilbert Grape?

The past few weeks for me have been really hard emotionally for me to get through. Not because of anything personal, but because of the things that my job and my community have exposed me to. I never realized just how lucky I was until these past few weeks.

Working with parents and families in the community, I have a new definition of poverty. There is not having money and then there is flat out being poor in every sense of the word. No money, no food, no transportation, no spiritual beliefs, no support system, no education. There have been times that we’ve been down to pennies in our checking account with just enough gas to make it through the next paycheck… but we have always had some type of food in our cupboards, two cars to get us to work, a God who loves us no matter what and watches out for us and two amazing families who love us dearly and would help as soon as we ask. We have far more than a majority of the families in our communities do. And that is a hard pill for me to swallow. I’m trying to make a difference, but we have so many factors to go up against. There are those parents who work two jobs who don’t have time to be involved. There are the parents who don’t have the transportation to be involved. There are the parents who don’t care enough to be involved. And there are the parents who aren’t educated enough to feel that they are capable of being involved. And because the parents aren’t involved, the students get the message that school really isn’t all that important. ARGH. Our ninth grade class starts out 400 deep and by the time they get to their senior year, they are lucky to graduate with 200. WE LOSE THAT MANY KIDS! There has got to be something that we can do… if we don’t start working on a solution in the community, it is just going to keep going in a downward spiral.

Last night, the mister and I went to bed. Of course as soon as my head hits the pillow, I am dead to the world. But the loving and protective hubby heard sirens and made me aware of them. For about twenty minutes, we heard police and fire trucks going by our house. I knew something was up, but there really isn’t a way to find out since we don’t have a daily newspaper. Well this morning at work, a fellow tells me what happens and it ripped my heart into 100 pieces. Three blocks from our house, there was a drive by shooting that killed three people and injured five others. A family just sitting in their yard playing cards and visiting with each other was shot because someone felt the need to “represent”. A 20 month old girl died. A 21 year old boy… dead. A 45 year old man… dead. Absolutely senseless. It is being reported as gang activity, but I really hope that is not the case. I at least hope there was a motive in this... but I doubt it.

Its not that I am not familiar with gangs – they were in my old community and they are surely in this one. I just don't undersatnd them. People demand respect… and they think they can get it from carrying a gun around and taking other’s lives. They THINK people respect them, but in reality, people are fearful of them because of the gun. Well maybe I’m just way off the rocker, but I’m pretty sure that is where I lose respect for someone. If they have no respect for another person’s life, why would someone respect their life? Ralph Waldo Emerson said that "Men are only respectable as they respect"

Gangs don't appear very often in thriving communities. They usually take root in disadvantaged neighborhoods... communities that are failing. The whole community. Not just the parents who aren't supervising their kids. The community that offers no center for students to spend their free time in. The community that has no appealing jobs for those old enough to work. The churches who look the other way. The school that isn't effectively getting through to these kids. Gang members are usually not students who excel. They aren't successful in school, so they are looking for another outlet that they can fit into. We've got to figure out a better way... help them "fit in".

Okay, so obviously this all bothers me. I am saddened, fearful, and really at a loss. I want to make an impact, but I really don’t even know where to start… It is time to address it. We can't sweep it under the rug. This community is made out to be a sweet little southern community. Let's face our problems... admit that there is a gang problem and do something about it before another tragedy occurs!

Guess I just have to take one day at a time and ask God for the strength and wisdom to make a difference!

Dee Oh for the Bee Oh

Last night at 9:00, the husband informs me that he is completely out of deodorant and won't have any to use... on the day of a football game. Not good. Although, those boys don't smell like they use it if you get a good whiff of them after the game. Anyway, today I decided I better take a trip to Wally World and drop off some deodorant at his school before practice. So off I go.

I walk into the aisle with deodorant and go to his brand... only to realize that I don't know his particular scent. I never really took notice.... he always takes care of grabbing it when we are in the store and we use different bathrooms, so I never see it. So, I started grabbing, uncapping and sniffing. Hmmm, Fresh...that one smells like him, I think that is it. No wait, maybe it is Pure Sport.. I mean, he is a sporty guy..... well, that one smells like him too. Why do two different scents smell so much alike?? Then I realized there are the deodorants and the clear deodorants. Pretty sure I've never seen deodorant stains on his shirts, so it had to be the clear.. Suddenly, I realize that this is probably close to the feeling men get buying feminine products... or shampoo...or probably just about anything for women. Poor fellows. I finally picked Fresh... I liked it better........ which of course meant... it was the wrong one. Oh well, at least he won't smell of body odor tonight :)