ZAMBIA STORY

Yesterday Erin and I were give the opportunity to tell people at church about how Zambia impacted us. It is impossible to communicate that, but we did tell them some of our favorite stories. We both told two stories. I will tell you one of the stories I told yesterday.
The story comes from an interaction I had with a man while working in the optometry clinic. The man was standing in line and started saying something to me. I couldn't understand what he was saying so I asked the interpreter what he was saying and the interpreter looked at me and said, "he is speaking in English". So I listened closer and heard him say our people are so grateful you have come here to serve us. He then went in to see Judy (the eye doctor) and got his glasses prescription and brought it to me. I retrieved his glasses and brought them to him. He tried them on, had an amazing reaction proving that he had not been able to see well at all. He then said I can see Jesus in you people, Christ is dead but today he is alive in you people. Although I don't know that man's name, I will never forget him.

COMING TOGETHER 2008

PLANES, TRAINS, AND CHICAGO

The city of Chicago has given us some grief in the way of travel this summer. First, Erin had to be held over night in Chicago on her trip to Zambia (while I anxiously awaited her arrival). First it was a weight issue with the plane, then maintenance, finally they blamed it on weather, I think.
That was not the only issue we had with the Chicago airport. On our way home there were two flights back to Memphis. Part of our group on each one. The first flight was canceled. Luckily we were not on that flight, even though we tried to switch to it because it was earlier. The flight we were on was delayed several hours.
The newest and probably the worst travel experience with Chicago involved missing our train. Yes we missed our train to Chicago. As many people know Erin and I planned a trip to Chicago for our anniversary. We were going just for the day to mainly catch a Cubs game. The train is overnight, so it was going to be an overnight trip to Chicago, spend the day, overnight trip back. It didn't happen, though. Our itinerary said 10:40. The train left at 9:55. A bus that was taking passengers to a point that I was told to arrive 15 minutes early for left the station at 9:15.
We tried to catch the train at the next stop, but that didn't work out. So we missed the train ride, and the game. Quite disappointing. I guess it will make a good story to laugh about later. Much later.

I AM RACIST

You will never relate with someone you fear or do not understand.
-Dr. Everett Huffard

This quote, coupled with my Multicultural Counseling course has forced me really think about how racist I am. There is no need for me to ignore the feelings I have of other races. As much as I know I should not fear or discriminate other races, I do. I feel like Paul in Romans. I do what I don't want to, I don't do what I should. I can talk the talk with the best of them when it comes to showing respect for minorities and making a concentrated effort to helping the poor in Memphis. However, what is it that I do for them? Wait until I graduate, like I tell myself? What barrier will I allow to be built after that? I am starting to act rather than just talk. It is a process I am struggling with. It must be a concentrated effort with me because it is out of my comfort zone.
Racism is more than the KKK and Neo-Natzis. In fact, in a recent documentary we watched in class a black man said he was more affected by racism displayed by people who are ignorant to the fact they are racist. I want to challenge you to examine yourself when it comes to the treatment of other races.

THE NEWEST CREATION

I LOVE YOU AARON COOK & MIGUEL TEJADA

Nobody scored. Sorry about the hatred Dan.

I HATE YOU DAN UGGLA

The Cubs have a good chance to make the World Series this year. That is the only reason I am watching an extra inning All-Star game. It is the bottom of the 10th nobody out men on 1st and 3rd after two Dan Uggla errors. This is following grounding into a double play to end the top of the inning. I hope this hateful post was written in vain.

I LOVE MY WIFE

Erin does a lot of things for our family. I am in school and so she works to support us both. She also is much more responsible than I am so she is our bookkeeper.
Erin is an incredibly talented as well. Not only is she well educated, she is a newly certified interior designer (not decorator). She passed a test that has a high first time fail rate with flying colors. She even got 100% on one of the parts of the test. It is evidence of her discipline, intelligence, and hard work.
Speaking of hard work and discipline, Erin has run two marathons.
Anyone who knows Erin knows that she in incredibly talented in the crafts. She is an amazing knitter and our apartment, though small and painted in a non-preferable color looks great because of Erin's amazing space planning and eye for decoration.
She has taught me to appreciate color. That is quite an accomplishment for someone who colored everything in black and brown in elementary school.
We have been able to travel some together and that has provided some of the best memories of our marriage.
Today is Erin's birthday, our three year anniversary is upcoming. I am so thankful for her.

FROM THE ZAMBIA BLOG

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

BLESSINGS

I often hear, "I am reminded that I am so blessed" in reference to an experience in a developing country. That comment has started to bother me. It has been a little while now that something about that graded on my nerves as I heard it. Finally, I was able to process it out with Joe today.
"I am blessed"= air conditioner, unlimited amount of food, TV, and a nice house. When we say we are blessed we are basing our blessings on material things. That is a shame. Granted, we would be ignorant not to recognize that we have more and our more makes things easier a lot of times. However, looking only at material blessings ignores what truly enrich our lives.
As Joe mentioned, slowing down our lives like is often done here can create positive relationships. I have been able to build relationships with people here because of the slowed down lifestyle. That is hard for us to recognize as a blessing.

Also, as one of the missionaries mentioned the people are more likely to feel dependent on God because they do not have 401 (k) plans and as structured life styles. This environment provides a context to develop a trust in God we are unable to develop.

I suppose what I am trying to say is spiritual blessings are what should be placed as most important in our lives. Measuring how we are blessed because we have more material things removes us from recognizing what is truly important in life.

IT'S A BIG WORLD

I am sitting here working on some stuff for VBS. I just looked up to stretch and I see my new globe. I have examined it a number of times since acquiring it last week. Although the globe is the size of a basketball it reminds me how big the world is. I go to Memphis, TN and it is just a speck on the globe. There is so much more out there to see, to experience. My time in Africa reminded me that there are places unlike I have ever come close to seeing. I want to experience more of that. I don't want to be locked into a dot.

CARDBOARD TESTIMONIES

Dr. Oster showed this video in chapel. I liked it so I thought I would share.

NOT YET

I can't bring myself to change the name, yet. Someday...

NEW NAME (FOR NOW)

My location simply means where I am in my journey. That includes physical, spiritual, and personal development. As I continue to form as a person the blog puts a pin on the map as to what is currently going on. There will still be plenty of jokes and sports, don't worry.

TIME FOR A CHANGE

Misplaced
|misˈplāst| |ˈmɪsˈpleɪst| |mɪsˈpleɪsd|
adjective
1 incorrectly positioned : a million dollars had been lost because of a misplaced comma.
• not appropriate or correct in the circumstances : a telling sign of misplaced priorities.
• (of an emotion) directed unwisely or to an inappropriate object : he began to wonder if his sympathy were misplaced.
2 [ attrib. ] temporarily lost : her misplaced

Misplaced in Memphis is not really an accurate portrayal of my life anymore. I don't feel like my presence in Memphis is incorrect or uncomfortable. A change in name has been a long time coming. Now I just need to determine what new name fits the blog. Within the week I plan to change the name, so be on the lookout.

BACK IN THE US OF A

Erin and I arrived in Memphis about 2 AM last night (morning). Thanks to Rusty for picking us up. Issues traveling but I won't go into that. Too frustrating.
I was not looking forward to getting back to Memphis. The traveling helped that along though. I was longing for my bed, any bed after all the hours in airports/planes.
I have so much to share about the trip. Not sure where to start. For now, I will just thank everyone who supported us in any way as we were on the trip. Broadway Church of Christ in Paducah has become even more dear to my heart after their gracious display. Many good friends were made on the trip. It was an amazing experience. More to come later.