facebook has wrinkles?

Yo Facebookers:

It seems that you are becoming offended by some "older" people signing up for a Facebook account. My guess is that they do not want to embarrass you or stalk you...they simply want to network with their friends. So freaking out on your part won't be necessary.

I am also considering crossing the generational gap and creating my own Facebook page. I don't care how old you are, if you want to be my 'friend', please feel free to limit my access to your page. No big deal. Just don't 'poke' me, because I'm not sure what that means.

HOWEVER, if MY parents' generation starts signing up for Facebook, it might look like this:

Peace out,
Laura

summertime

Summertime = Watermelon + Knife + Salt shaker

consumption

Did you know that 2 million plastic beverage bottles are consumed every five minutes in the US?

It is easy to comprehend the number, but not what it actually LOOKS like. The picture below is a representation of 2 million bottles by multiplying the picture above.

Every five minutes. Unbelievable, isn't it?

For more visual representations of the over-consumption of Americans, check out the blog site of artist Chris Jordan.

not gonna do it

First there was Eight is Enough in the 70s/80s:
Now, there is Jon and Kate Plus Eight:
I will not get addicted to another show with eight kids.
I will not get addicted to another show with eight kids.
I will not get addicted to another show with eight kids.
I will not get addicted to another show with eight kids.
I will not get addicted to another show with eight kids.
I will not get addicted to another show with eight kids.
I will not get addicted to another show with eight kids.
I will not get addicted to another show with eight kids.
I won't do it.

rain, rain...

...don't go away!

Thank you God for the rain you have sent this summer. We have missed it! Not so much the thunder and lightning, but we'll take it!

second saturday on thursday

So God called my bluff this week after I wrote this post about the homeless. The timing of this opportunity could not be a coincidence. Was I ready to roll up my sleeves?

Our student ministry, Element, just returned from a mission trip to Columbia, SC (Go Camp). Their service did not end there. They came home with the idea of making bag lunches for the homeless and distributing them through downtown Augusta. The kids wanted to make an impact in our community and have a personal encounter with those less fortunate. After reading my blog post, student pastor Walt Tanner asked me if I wanted to help. How could I say no?

We had a total of 22 people, including my eleven and seven year olds, making lunches and walking the streets of Augusta. Since this project was student-lead, they made all the decisions. I didn't have to tell them what to do, they told ME what to do.

I am so proud of our Element youth! We are growing an awesome group of leaders who definitely have hearts for serving.

how NOT to invest and invite

Conversation between Matthew and some swim buddies from an opposing team, while waiting for their event at a recent swim meet:

Matthew: What church do y'all go to?

The boys: We don't go to church.

Matthew: WHAT???? Y'ALL DON'T GO TO CHURCH!!!???

Oh boy....

more mamarazzi

My son definitely inherited his dad's swim gene. It looks like swimming will be the sport he is best at and loves doing. He just finished his first year on our local swim team which is part of the CSRA Swim League. And last night he was acknowledged as Most Valuable Swimmer in his age group. It has been so much fun watching him tear up those swimming pools this summer!

Moms have bragging rights, don't they?

under the overpass

Just finished another book while on vacation this week. Under the Overpass by Mike Yankoski is a true story about two Christian middle-class college students who felt called to purposely live on the streets as homeless men and put their faith to the test. The author and his companion Sam traveled to five major cities during a five month period with nothing but two guitars and two backpacks. The details of their journey are heartbreaking...and disgusting.

In their desperate search for food or a place to sleep, Mike and Sam were treated badly or ignored. Many times they were told to "move along". And for the majority of the time, guess who treated them worse?

Christians. Churches. Those who should be sharing Jesus' invitation of "come you who are weary". Rescue missions and a few individuals did the best they could to help, but many churches offered nothing but a closed door.

I have traveled to a few major cities (San Francisco, New Orleans, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C.) where it was hard to ignore the homeless. They were screaming and dirty and I had to literally step over them. My heart broke for them, but I was scared and looked away, pretending they weren't there. I was ashamed of myself.

It makes me wonder who can be more disgusting...street people or church people?

"We hear a Christian assure someone that he will 'pray over' his problem, knowing full well that he intends to use prayer as a substitute for service. It is much easier to pray that a poor friend's needs may be supplied than to supply them". A.W. Tozer, Of God and Men.