Invisible Children

So, we took the college group from Berean to this college gathering in New Orleans called HimNI. Anyway, they had people connected with Invisible Children come and show a documentary about the children in Uganda. In case you have not heard about the Invisible Children in Uganda, there is this war going on in Uganda. There are rebels who are stealing children 6-13 years old and forcing them to see horrific things all with the purpose to desensitize them to be soldiers in their "army." There are thousands of children who cannot spend the night with their families because they fear being kidnapped. So, they have to travel into the city to spend the night in hospitals and parks where it is safer.
This documentary was filmed by 3 guys who went on a trip to Africa and stumbled upon this story during their trip. They decided to make a documentary out of the footage from their trip.
I can recall a friend of mine from college talking about his friends' trip to Uganda and what they had found out about the children there, speaking with him only months after his friends' trip. Now, 3 years later, they have come up with this documentary and an incredible ministry to the children of Uganda. They have started schools and mentoring programs. It is incredible to see all that God has gone in this country over the past 3 years and how God has used 3 college aged students with a video camera to shed light on this crisis.
Here is the website, please read about what is happening. Rob and I ordered a copy of the documentary, so if any of you would like to borrow it (well, those of you who live close to us), we would love to lend it to you.
http://www.invisiblechildren.com/

Next Year...

Well, better luck next year. Those Saints are a young team, next year will be even better. I got so into this Saints stuff (mostly at the end of the season), but I think I'll watch quite a few games next year (my husband will love that!) I guess I'll have to go for the Colts. I know, I know, I lived in Chicago for a while and I love the city, but I'm not so sure about those Bears. They beat our Saints. And the Colts have Payton. A least we have one New Orleans boy in the Superbowl.

Saints Fever

Ok, so a part of my job is to go to city halls to pull permits for jobs we are getting ready to start. Can I tell you that this city is going crazy over the Saints, especially today! I went to Jefferson Parish and everyone was wearing Saints clothing. There were people who had even painted fluer de lis on their faces. They had the building and all the offices decorated with black and gold streamers and Saints decorations. While I was there talking to a plan reviewer about a permit, this lady who worked there started yelling "Saints go all the way." It is really crazy down here. I have never seen a city so excited about something.
Well, I got back to my office and we started talking about this Saints fever going around and decided to join the crowd. There was only one problem, none of us have any Saints stuff. So, a co-worker and I left and bought Saints shirts for everyone in the office. We had to go to 4 places looking for shirts and finally ended up at Academy Sports. As we walked in the front door, we saw this huge crowd around racks of black and gold jerseys and tshirts, and we knew we had come to the right place. So, now we are all proud owners of Saints shirts and jerseys, that we will be modeling on Sunday! (Go Saints!) And Monday at our office is going to be black and gold day where we will either be mourning or celebrating.

Life Lessons

I had to take a little road trip the other day for work. Getting a little tired of the radio I popped in a CD that Rob had made a while back of some of the songs we really like. The song "Praise You in this Storm" came on by Casting Crowns. It's a song I know well, and have really liked for a while. As I began really thinking about the words, I could not help but think about people in my life who have been really going through "storms" recently. I have been so encouraged by these people in how they have reacted in the midst of their challenging time. They have been such women of faith, strongly professing that God is in control and they are going to trust Him no matter what the circumstance. You know, you never really know how a you are going to respond to life's challenges until you have to face them.
I feel like Rob and I have really had it easy. There really has not been anything in our lives in the past few years that we would classify as a "storm" in our lives. So, I can't help but wonder what my response would be if I lost someone I loved, or someone I love was diagnosed with cancer, etc. Will I really praise God no matter what? Will I have the faith like a child and know with all my heart that God is in control? Will I really believe that God has a greater plan for everything? That He is sovereign over all things? These are all things that I know and believe now, and I hope that faith will continue no matter what happens in my life.

Praise You in This Storm
words by Mark Hall/music by Mark Hall and Bernie Herms

I was sure by now, God You would have reached down
and wiped our tears away, stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say amen and it's still raining
as the thunder rolls I barely hear You whisper through the rain,
"I'm with you"and as Your mercy falls I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away.

Chorus: And I'll praise you in this storm and I will lift my hands
for You are who You are no matter where I am
and every tear I've cried You hold in your hand
You never left my side and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to You and raised me up again
my strength is almost gone how can I carry on
if I can't find You
and as the thunder rolls I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"and as Your mercy falls I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away

Chorus

I lift my eyes unto the hills where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth
I lift my eyes unto the hills where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth

Chorus

Who Dat?

"Who dat... who dat... who dat say dey gonna beat de'm Saints?" It's a line from a song I can remember hearing as a child (and thinking, yeah right! Every team in the NFL, that's who). BUT... It's the first year we can actually sing that song with pride. I must admit, I'm not the biggest football fan, but there is just something about this year, the excitement in the city, I have never cared so much about football in my life. I even find myself excited to see the game on Sunday. Who would have thought? Me, excited about a football game! Of all years for the Saints to win the Superbowl, this is the year (Hopefully)! The year when the city is in the misdt of rebuilding from complete devastation. Amazing! And even if they don't win, it's been an exciting football season for so many Saints fans! So, I ask with pride "Who dat say dey gonna beat dem Saints?!!!!" ( And I know deep down inside, you are all pulling for them, no matter where you're from!)

Spontaneous New Years

Well, Rob and I decided to be a little spontaneous, so we packed our bags and drove 3 hours to Penscaola, FL. We stayed there from Saturday to Monday. It was a blast. Although the weather wasn't perfect, we still got to enjoy the beach. I have been to Florida many times, but I have never gone in the winter. Although the water was too cold to swim in, it was so much fun to just walk along the beach. The waves were huge! And there were a lot of people surfing (another thing you don't really see during the summer. I guess winter is the best time to go surfing in Florida, who knew?!)
My favorite part was on New Year's Eve, we went and bought fireworks. We found a part of the beach where there was hardly anyone and we got to shoot fireworks right there on the shore! It was so much fun. Rob put on a good fireworks show for me, although most of them were the same exact thing (Yeah, don't buy fireworks at Walmart, they might all look different, but they are really the same exact firework, just in different packaging.) The rest of our time was filled with putt-putt, fishing, bowling, walking on the longest pier into the gulf, and just enjoying to beach! I think we are seeing the benefits of being DINKS right now (Double Income No Kids)!