I love American Idol. It's a clean show that Jenna and I watch together and a weekly indulgence that we look forward to. Jenna calls it "The Singing Show" and was pretty upset when Haley was kicked off.
Tonight was "Idol Gives Back" night, and I really try to not get suckered into giving money to every charity that solicits money from us. If I did, we'd be giving to the motorcycle police people, the jr. motorcycle police people, and every other law enforcement group who tries to get our money every week. As I watched the footage of the poverty in our own country and in others, I was reminded of a time a few years ago when I encountered such poverty that was in my own backyard.
When we lived in Houston, I volunteered for the crisis pregnancy center in a very poor part of town. One day, two young mothers came in asking for money for milk for their babies. Their WIC had run out and they had no place to turn and no milk for their babies. That is something that has never been in my world. We know what it's like to live below the poverty line, but I've never not had a few dollars for a gallon of milk. That experience reminded me that poverty is real and an issue that God calls us to give our attention to.
It's so easy to not think about it and worry about our own lives and problems, which seem so small next to people who struggle to pay for things that we take for granted like food and medical care. God tells us to take care of the poor and I struggle to know how to do that effectively. Giving money to charity is good, but seems too easy. I wish my schedule allowed me the time to work at the crisis pregnancy center here in San Jose, but it doesn't. I have to trust that our support of charities who are making a difference in the lives of people struggling at the lowest levels will be blessed by God.
This is not a plug for American Idol's charity program or any other one, but thoughts on a struggle to reconcile the poverty in our world and how to help get rid of it. I'm somewhat of a political junkie and follow the already crazy 2008 presidential race that has raised hundreds of millions of dollars. If the money that goes into electing a president could go to taking care of those who can't care for themselves, imagine how different our world would be.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
3 Reasons Not To Eat Dinner--According to Jenna
Tonight, I made chicken, potatoes, and peas--all things that both my girls like. Jenna decided to assert her independence tonight and fight with me about eating. Reasoning with was impossible due to the three reasons listed below.
3 Reasons Why Jenna Could Not Eat Her Dinner Tonight
1. "My teeth hurt. I just can't chew."
2. "Looking at those peas hurts my eyes, and I can't eat them."
3. (This is the best one). "Look Mommy, my fingers just fell off. Look! They're off and I just can't eat."
I have to give her creativity points for those reasons, but it still earned her a trip to the naughty step for time out and bites of a dinner she obviously didn't want to eat.
3 Reasons Why Jenna Could Not Eat Her Dinner Tonight
1. "My teeth hurt. I just can't chew."
2. "Looking at those peas hurts my eyes, and I can't eat them."
3. (This is the best one). "Look Mommy, my fingers just fell off. Look! They're off and I just can't eat."
I have to give her creativity points for those reasons, but it still earned her a trip to the naughty step for time out and bites of a dinner she obviously didn't want to eat.
Friday, April 13, 2007
Life Lessons I've Learned Lately
1. Before you throw a load in the washing machine, make sure there are no Dora Pull-Ups in there. The tiny absorbant white stuff that has been broken into pieces in the washer, is really hard to get off clothes. It sticks like glue.
2. Do not load the dishwasher while Abby is anywhere close. She will either take the sharpest kitchen utensil out of the silverware basket and swing it around like a madwoman or she will climb on the door when it's down and try her best to get as far in as possible.
3. Do not order a stuffed bear from a website that you've never heard of before. They will never deliver your bear, charge your credit card, and cause you to worry that you've been a vicim of identity theft. (The charge was taken off my card, we got new cards, and so far no signs of identity theft.)
4. Do not park your minivan near any low limbs. That low limb will somehow attach itself to your front left bumper, rip it almost completely off when you (Nate) back out of the parking spot, and cost you a lot of money.
5. Do not plan a fun family day to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and then a much needed date with your husband on the same day. It really is too good to be true. Both children will get fevers and one will throw up multiple times, hence cancelling your fun family day and much needed date only to be replaced by laundry, yardwork, and cleaning.
6. Target makes everything better.
2. Do not load the dishwasher while Abby is anywhere close. She will either take the sharpest kitchen utensil out of the silverware basket and swing it around like a madwoman or she will climb on the door when it's down and try her best to get as far in as possible.
3. Do not order a stuffed bear from a website that you've never heard of before. They will never deliver your bear, charge your credit card, and cause you to worry that you've been a vicim of identity theft. (The charge was taken off my card, we got new cards, and so far no signs of identity theft.)
4. Do not park your minivan near any low limbs. That low limb will somehow attach itself to your front left bumper, rip it almost completely off when you (Nate) back out of the parking spot, and cost you a lot of money.
5. Do not plan a fun family day to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and then a much needed date with your husband on the same day. It really is too good to be true. Both children will get fevers and one will throw up multiple times, hence cancelling your fun family day and much needed date only to be replaced by laundry, yardwork, and cleaning.
6. Target makes everything better.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)