For whom the bell tolls

Something incredible is happening in our country. A group of 3 young men uncovered a tragic story while traveling in Uganda and are creating a documentary to tell the tale. This, however, is not the amazing part. These guys and their friends have organized a huge network of people to help the children who are literally running for their lives-- every night. Please check out Invisible Children and get involved. I could tell you about beautiful 8-14 year olds who leave their home and family every night to walk 1-10 miles to flee the rebel army there in Uganda. I could try to relay descriptions of the LRA (Lord's Resistance Army) that has been terrorizing northern Uganda for 17 years and has killed thousands of people and abducted thousands of children to be soldiers in their unholy war. I could describe the ways these children are forced to perform heinous acts of torture and murder under the threat that the same will happen to them. I could try, but my words would fail. As I sit comfortably in my home with my every need met excessively, my heart is pulled from my chest by the pain and suffering of God's children all over the world and right here in the US. Can we truly live our lives as insular and as seperate and as blind as we try?

No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend’s or of thine own were: any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bells tolls; it tolls for thee. -John Donne

Easter in the garden

We had such a lovely time with my family this Easter. It was so great to spend time with my aunts, uncles, cousins, parents, sister, and grandparents. I often take for granted what a wonderful extended family I have. My cousin Haley sang "Why?" by Nicole Nordeman in church on Sunday morning and she sang beautifully! I really am so blessed by my family becuase they are so talented...and funny, too! My mom and her siblings have gotten into bicycle riding (30, 50 and 100 miles). My cousin Jennifer will be graduating this May and going to Mercer on a full ride. My grandparents are going to Italy next weekend (which is smart in that they get a break from their crazy family!). I think it is good to stay connected to your roots-- where you come from, so to speak. I don't have to live right up under their noses to stay in touch and keep up with how they are growing and learning. Family is such a gift-- be it by birth or association. God has given us a dynamic, vital family of faith to depend on and to learn from. We should continually seek find His reflection in our own family as well as our Christian brothers and sisters.

A fun surprise

So, Josh came home from work with a bag from Ann Taylor Loft yesterday and yes, he definitely purchased an Easter dress for me! What a sweetie! I was floored. He even remembered which dress I liked from the catalog. The dress fit and was super cute...except that my hips looked gargantuan (spelling?). He said I could pick out another one. I'll take Ann Taylor over flowers any day.