Helping Haiti

So not much is new in Del Rio lately--except that we've been proven very, very wrong; it actually CAN rain here, and hasn't stopped for 4 days. Ugh.
On the contrary, as we are all keenly aware, there is a lot going on in Haiti right now. I'm really encouraged by the fact that, as of this afternoon, corporate America has pledged over $40 million to the relief efforts there. Despite the accusatory political agendas that say our corporations are greedy and self-interested, it's nice to see our nation's biggest businesses stepping up, even in their own (relative) economic pain. If you haven't had time to educate yourself on what's happening there, please do. We will all go on with our lives like normal-- pick up the groceries like normal, wake up in our warm beds every morning, and eat from a pantry full of food. We are virtually unaffected, but these people will be dealing with this for years, emotionally and economically. No one is documenting the names of the estimated 140,000 deceased (in a country the size of Maryland), no one is taking pictures--entire families will just disappear, never to be seen or heard from again. Meanwhile, those looking for them are injured, homeless, and in need of very basic medical care and food.

I know money is tight for everyone right now, but read some of these families' stories on CNN.com, and look at what they have left of their world as they know it, and see if you can't part with $5 or $10. Or, if you tithe, consider giving that 10% to the relief efforts in Haiti or missionaries there. Resources=hope, and every little bit helps, especially in such an economically starving nation. You may not feel wealthy, and you may not be wealthy compared to your neighbor, but compared to these people, you ARE. Be thankful for everything you have--your health, your family, your home.  If you have shopping to do, consider shopping on www.goodshop.com, where up to 30% of your purchase at tons of different popular stores can go towards an organization of your choice (and there are THOUSANDS of them to choose from), and there are occasionally coupons and discounts. The Red Cross and Habitat for Humanity are great places to donate for Haiti relief purposes, as they have established, efficient systems for being good stewards of your money.  Most of all, pray for these people. Matthew 18:19-20 says, "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.”

In a place where the Christian faith is infantile we can be witness to miracles and resilient faith. You want to experience the power God has given you? Here is your chance. Will you take it?
Please pass this on. Thank you.

A Shameless Plug...

 I wrote the following little blurb for my parents' local newspaper, as well as for fliers to be posted around their town. (My baby sister is graduating this year and my mom is on the Project Grad committee!) I thought it might be worth posting to a wider audience, as it really is a great thing that communities are doing and it deserves any support you or your friends are willing to give. Our parents at Vicksburg High School go all-out, but a lot of schools in Southwest Michigan have a version of Project Graduation. And there's a high school in every town--so if they have a Project Grad program at a school near you, consider getting involved! If they don't, check out the statistics below--you could make a big difference by suggesting it. :)

It Takes a Village...

"Project what?" you say. Project Graduation! It's an elaborately-planned, no-holds-barred, all-night celebration put on by parents for the graduating seniors every year. Why do they love it? It's an opportunity to hang out with the ENTIRE class one last time to celebrate their accomplishment in a variety of awesome places. Why should you love it? It's positively reinforcing an alcohol-free way to party. Over the past 10 years, Michigan teens involved in drunk driving-related accidents has decreased by 34.9 percent, and fatalities resulting from such accidents have decreased by 46 percent (OHSP 2008). These statistics are in no small part due to great events like Project Grad. Instead of excited grads celebrating by drinking with their friends, a group of committed parents and seniors are tirelessly planning a healthier, safer way to have fun. But they can't do it alone. You may not have a senior, or even a school-aged child at all...but if you see an opportunity to contribute--giving your pop cans, attending an art fair, etc.--consider taking it knowing that you too can help make our community better, our streets safer, and the futures of our students brighter. Thank you!

Mother Nature: 1; Us: 0

If you're looking for adventure and some quality time with Murphy (made famous by "Murphy's Law"), I highly recommend driving from Del Rio, TX to the Great White North on or around Christmas. Murphy was a great tour guide, suggesting we drop the travel trailer a mere 3 hours after beginning our journey. Why, you ask? Well, unbeknownst to us, he invited Mother Nature on our road trip. She met up with us in Oklahoma City, and talk about a real Scrooge!

Mother Nature must have something against Santa Claus, family, or Christmas in general, because she used a massive amount of snow to jack-knife trailers, turn a freeway into a parking lot, and strand us at a Motel 6, making for a cozy little Christmas Eve. We had dinner from Waffle House (served to us by Santa's not-so-jolly, not-so-little, not-so-helpful helper), and a romantic late night walk to Love's truck stop a few hundred yards away for a cup of hot chocolate. It was memorable, to say the least. The next morning, Murphy went for a walk himself, and- lo and behold!- one, and only one freeway opened up in the entire state of Oklahoma, and it was the one we needed! Mother Nature made fast friends with Oklahoma, and decided to stay for Christmas, making our load considerably lighter with no trailer and no trouble the rest of the way. Christmas dinner was a beautiful spread of Wendy's frosties, burgers, and chicken nuggets over the course of a 16 hour, 3 state trek.

We finally made it around 3:30am EST, with plenty of stories--but no presents. (we had to leave them behind with the trailer!) The rest of the week was great--we enjoyed a lot of family time, three family Christmases, and took advantage of some after Christmas shopping :).   The trip back to home sweet Del Rio seemed much longer, though much less eventful.


Eric started back to the grind today, refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready to take on the last 12 weeks of Phase 2. We can't believe how fast this is going!! On April 1, we'll find out whether Eric will be training on the T-38, T-1, T-44, or helicopters. As he learns more about the missions and lifestyles of the planes in each track, we're getting more and more excited for all the different places and possibilities ahead. Regardless of what track or plane, we're pretty sure an overseas assignment is our first choice for the next location--but that's a long way off.

I have an interview tomorrow with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University for a position that fits me sooo well! So in faith I am telling you that my next post will be about my amazing interview and my new job as the Assistant Director of Academic Support. I'm so very excited for this opportunity--and to get away from substitute teaching!

Until next time... :)