Adam

He's changing right in front of my eyes.

This past weekend he gave away all his trading cards to a neighbor's son.  A sure sign that he is growing up.  Last summer, during our annual clean and purge session, he insisted on keeping them.  This summer he could care less about the cards. 

I suspect that next week during the next clean and purge session, he won't even bat an eye as I pack up the Legos, cars, games, etc.  to either donate or store in the attic.

After almost 18 years of toys in the house, we will be officially toy free this summer.  There was a time when I looked forward to that day.  Usually those moments followed stepping barefoot on a Lego piece or entering a room that looked like a toy bomb had gone off.  

Now that the moment has arrived, I'm a little sad....

Compassion International

Bob's Christmas present this past year was a sponsorship through Compassion International.  We "adopted"  a little 5 year old boy in Ecuador.  

Last year, I read the blogs of several bloggers who were visiting the Dominican Republic.  They were sent by Compassion International to visit different projects and to blog about their visits in hopes of encouraging fellow bloggers to sponsor a child.  

That's where I got the idea for Bob's Christmas present.  

This past week Compassion International has sent a group of bloggers to India.  

This trip reminds me of one of my favorite birthdays....

About ten years ago Bob and the boys sponsored a girl from India for my birthday present.  

I remember the excitement over my gift.  Bob had sworn the boys to secrecy and they were so excited about my present.

Everyday when the mail would arrive,  the guys would want to know if my present was in the mail.  I kept trying to pry the secret out of them but there was no prying this secret out of the boys.... which is really admirable when you consider they were only 2, 5 and 7.   

However,  after several days I finally got a little information out of Zach.  He said that my present was from Indiana.  What?  Indiana?  I was completely confused....until the package finally arrived.  They had sponsored a little girl from India.  I was so touched.  

To this day that has been my favorite gift.  

Here are a few links to give you an idea of the impact Compassion International makes on the lives of children.  

I Have Been Ridiculed and Lied to 

Revelation

A Tale of Two Houses - Faith

Living With Less So You Can Do More

We live in a country where a pair of shoes or a meal costs more than a monthly sponsorship. 

We live in a country where we fret and worry about the silliest things.

Reading stories like the ones above snap me out of my complacency and force me out of my comfort zone.  

It is really easy to ignore poverty and/or cast blame.  

It isn't so easy to do something about it. 

Maybe that's why we don't try.  The problem is just too big or it's too complex.  

Somehow I don't think God buys those excuses. 

And just in case you missed this in the Revelation link, here it is again....

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,

for the rights of all who are destitute.

Speak up and judge fairly;

defend the rights of the poor and needy."

Proverbs 31:8,9