Better World Books!!

Hey friends. Just wanted to let you know of a great site to get your textbooks without paying shipping and by benefitting children across the globe.

When you shop at http://www.betterworld.com/ you receive free shipping and ALL of the proceeds are donated to 4 different partners around the world and here in the US. These partners use the money to buy books, supplies and better school facilities for children.

Also, I helped run a book drive for BWB on Eastern's campus this year and it was a great success! Let me know if you are interested in doing one on your campus and I can help you out with all of the details :)

This is a great cause so tell all of your friends!

Imaginations.

"I remember visiting one of the hospitals in Iraq. The doctors walked us by bed after bed of children who had been injured or killed in the bombings. I saw a little girl shaking in her bed, asking over and over, 'What did I do to America? What did I do to America?'"
-Shane Claiborne, The Irresistible Revolution

After reading the chapter of this book with the above quote in it, I sat back and got the clearest picture yet, at what is truly going on over seas due to this war. Of course I have heard many opposing arguments when it comes to this war, just like everyone else. What I have not really gotten a good glimpse at (thanks to the wonderful media we have in this country) is the stories like these, that remind me and others that there are INNOCENT people.. children nonetheless that are being injured and even KILLED for no other reason than the fact that they live in Iraq. Hmm, just like innocent people were killed here in America on 9/11. So wait, "we" were so outraged after 9/11 that so many civilians were killed and others were traumatized for life that we flew across the world to drop bombs on their country and kill civilians and try to force our great government system on them? Ohh right, that makes sense.

Shane goes on to say:
"I saw a father hold his child, whose body was speckled with missile fragments, and heard him say 'What kind of liberation would do this to my child? If this is librartion, then we do not want it. If this is democracy, they can keep it.'"

This had really been bothering me all day long, and rightfully so I would say. I later brought it up to someone close to me by explaining what I had read and was answered with, "Yeah that is terrible, but what were we supposed to do? Sit back and do nothing? There was no other way or they would know it was too easy to do what they did."

I was in awe. I had heard many people say that the war was inevitable, but after telling two stories of absolute imhumane things being done to innocent children and hearing the same response, I was floored, and I was angry. I explained that I wasn't angry at her but that I was so fed up with people believing that war, violence and fighting back could really be the answer to all of our problems. This person went on to say to me, "Look at the history of our country, it is full of war." And as if this was backing up what she had to say! I calmed my voice down and explained, "Yes, "our" history is full of war and where has it gotten us? Caught in a viscious cycle."

"Can we please not talk about this? I dont wan't to talk about this anymore."

Of course not. Anytime people get uncomfortable in a conversation or situation, they want it to end. I pushed on and asked a simple question, "If you were punched in the face would you punch the person back or try to work out the issue another way."

"That is one analogy that works Chel, but it is so much smaller than war."

That is what I figured.

I may have let me temper get the best of me for a moment, but I tried to stay calm and let her know that I was not angry at her, but that it was ridiculous how unimaginative people are. "Violence is for those who have lost their imagination. Has your country lost its imagination?" This is a question that the manager of the hospital Shane visited asked him. And I would answer that question with a big YES. A sad, unfortunate, discomforting YES.

Imagine if we could all open up our minds and use our imaginations to come up with different solutions. Not just to war.. let's start small if we have to. A new solution to a 3rd grader bullying a 2nd grader. A different way or handling a punch to the jaw at a ball game. Who knows what would happen if we all got our imaginations back. If we stopped blaming "history" and "the way things have always been" for the way things are.

Let's go.

They hurry down the stairs as soon as they hear me come to the door

"Chelsea is it prize day?" They care about nothing more.

Painting and singing and skipping through the hall

"Laura please be careful, you're going to run into the wall"

Splashing in the puddles with their rain boots and smiles

It is refreshing to know that their hearts will stay this way for awhile

Lunch time. "I'm starving!!" They need something to eat

"How about we mix a bunch of stuff up, our own creation, something sweet."

I sit back and watch them, and listen as they bicker

Ahh the joy of being a child, and to think I wanted to grow up quicker

Their smiles, laughs, frowns and tears surface each and everyday

And though I get frustrated at times,  I wouldn't want it any other way.

Just a little something silly to try and express just how much I love my job as a babysitter.  When I was young, about 13 I started to babysit and back then it was all about making some money and feeling important because I had a "job".  Over the years it has grown to mean so much more.  At the end of the semester I thought long and hard about getting a job that was more professional and would be more in line with my career exploration, but I just couldn't say no to those beautiful little ones.  While most people in this world are off trying to hurry along the growing up process, I finger paint and make messes, mix crazy ingredients together that taste disgusting (but delight my girls).  I wake up each day sleepy and wondering how I will make it 10 hours with 2 stubborn girls, but the hugs, kisses and "I love you's" wake me up and keep me going.  While some people wish they could just grow up already, I am embracing the chance I get each and everyday to share a smile with a child and act just as silly as they do.

The sun will set soon, give its last ray of warmth before surrendering to the moon
The wind moves the leaves ever so slightly as I push the branches back to unveil true beauty
Just a few more steps across the moist rocks

I can hear the water running over the falls
My heart beats in anticipation
I’ve been here before, but each time is like a brand new scene
Silence. Everything stops. My heart is racing. It is beautiful.
Back to reality
The water is rushing over the rocks
The birds are singing and the fisherman are wading hoping to come out with a catch
With my camera in one hand and a tree branch in the other
I feel on top of the world
I climb up a tree a bit to sit on a large flat rock
It is cold on my skin, but refreshing to my soul
Writing covers the surface. Dark gray letters huddled together.
Looks like a love letter but I can’t make it all out
“Something calling to me” and “Something so perfect” catch my eye.
A soft mist falls upon my face. The water is rushing faster now
My heart is beating out of control
I am surrounded by beauty. Utter beauty.

I sit like this for awhile, in awe of this place

Grateful for a chance to just be
Then the sun peaks through the trees that are waving at me
“Goodbye my love and we will see you soon”
I jump down from the rock, climb back out into the known
Stare up at the sky and say “thank you, I really really thank you.”

She gets it.

A fifteen your old girl, truly in love with her boyfriend of over a year, gives up something that should have been saved but she did not know better-- she had not been following Christ at this time and other than "mom probably wouldn't be happy" she found no reason to say no.

A seventeen year old young woman finds herself with a different boyfriend, this time of over three years. They were voted class couple, had taken vacations together, rarely ever fought and were making plans to get married after college. It only seemed obvious that they would give themselves to each other.

A nineteen year old just starting her second year of college finds herself struggling with the freedom of being single. She is running wild and doing what she wants when she wants because she wants.

A twenty year old, enlightened, saved, thankful woman finds herself struggling with doing what she knows is right. She has been touched by God's grace and become devoted to Him and His son Jesus. His word clearly tells her that she should not be giving her body away until marriage. She just can't seem to comprehend and wants to know "Why?" and "What if it feels right?" and "But how far can I go?"

She sits here after an extremely powerful message at SPCC and she gets it. She understands why not only it is right, but it is wise to save herself. She can't take back her past, but she can move forward. She may have been struggling with repeated sin in this area, but it is not an unforgivable one. God created this woman to be something so much more than she even imagines. Not to become distracted by sex and by men who just lust after her. Not to give into temptation from the evil one and lose her faith momentarily after doing so.

She gets it. There is a man out there who she will someday meet, and they will delight in each other. He will be fine with her telling him, "Hugging, kissing and holding hands, long walks and deep talks.. that is just right for us right now."

She gets it.

High Heels for Kids and Big Birthday Cakes.

This story is simply one of the cutest things I have ever heard. I think it belongs in one of those "Kids Say the Darndest Things" books. I have been working with kids for years-- babysitting for 7 years and I worked as a teacher for Pre-K for 3 years. I thought I had heard it all.

Until... Alexa said something that I thought was just too cute today.

Her 4 year old sister was in her car seat looking out the window at the clouds and said "Chelsea? Is Heaven just a big cloud?" I answered her by telling her that I think Heaven is up above the clouds and where we get to meet God and Jesus. I then asked her sister Alexa, "Lex- what do you think Heaven is like?"

Alexa: (7 years 0ld): I think it is everything you have ever dreamed of. Like high heels for kids and big birthday cakes on your birthday.

Too cute.

Shouting silence.

Today I was lucky enough to spend some time outside at Mansfield Hollow; just me, my camera and the beautiful surroundings that God has created. Here are just a few of my favorite pictures from the day. Let me know what you think!