At the beginning of this month (April), we have decided to post one or two things each we want to do, to get, or to see happen in the upcoming month. This is going to be habitual. Enjoy our goals, desires and lighthearted banter, maybe even come up with your own goals.


Lydia: Well the week of April 5th-12th elections are going to be taking place in Sudan (Africa) that will determine whether or not Southern Sudan is going to become it's own nation. The Comprehensive Peace Agreement that was established between North and South Sudan is going to expire next July and peace really must be reached before then.

This beautiful country is balancing between more civil war (death, carnage) and peace, however fragile it may be. I want so much for peace to be established so that Sudanese babies may grow strong and Sudanese adults may rest, embrace their heritage, and raise their children.

On a lighter note and because I'm not that self-less, I want to soak up three days' worth of spring sunshine!


Brianna: Gao Zhisheng, he is a human rights lawyer in China. He has been missing for over a year. Until now, when he has contacted his family...he is alive. Someone's dad is alive. Someone's husband, someone's child...he is alive. This month my goal is to pray for the people like him who are missing and pray for the families who have lost their husband, father, child, etc. to this kind of thing.

Also, I'm going to blow bubbles at least once a week.


Brianna and Lydia

Funny how the sun in Jamaica
looks a whole lot like the sun in the U.S.

Hey Jude, don't make it bad
Take a sad song and make it better.
Remember to let her into your heart
Then you can start to make it better.

Hey Jude, don't be afraid.
You were made to go out and get her.
The minute you let her under your skin,
Then you begin to make it better.

And anytime you feel the pain, hey Jude, refrain
Don't carry the world upon your shoulders
For, well you know, that it's a fool who plays it cool
By making his world a little colder.

Hey Jude, don't let me down.
You have found her, now go and get her!
Remember to let her into your heart,
Then you can start to make it better.

So let it out and let it in
Hey Jude, begin
You're waiting for someone to perform with
And don't you know that it's just you
Hey Jude, you'll do-

Hey Jude, don't make it bad.
Take a sad song and make it better.
Remember to let her under your skin
Then you'll begin to make it better.....


Thank you, Mccartney and Lennon.



Lydia

I have come to the conclusion that sunshine is good for the soul. It is beautiful and brings warmth and joy to all right about now. Now, when the weather is wonderful.

Yesterday I was outside. I was outside for hours, and just sat. I sat with a friend, talk, drank sonic, and soaked up the sunshine (and Vitamin D). When I got home I felt refreshed--not just from the great fellowship--but also from being outside in the glory of God's creation, in the sun. I feel that meeting with God in His creation brings Him incredible joy!

I am thankful I can go outside, without any problems, and bask in the creation God has given to us. I am thankful I can meet with Him out in His creation...really that I can just meet Him anywhere. I am thankful I can go out and look as the creation and see my Creator in it.

Brianna

Lydia has noticed in her life that the stingy people are the ones who lack while the generous rarely want. It could be that the stingy people are stingy because they lack and the generous are generous because they have plenty but she doubts it. Giving has much more to do with percentages than big numbers.

Brianna truly believes that everyone is able to give. From the smallest child giving their twenty-five cent allowance to the Salvation Army to the oldest person giving whatever they can to the lady who cleans their house. She claims that we are all able to give in some manner because it is something God has instilled in us. Whether we give a little or give a lot, either physically or emotionally, we can all give. The question is, will we choose to follow this part of ourselves?

Lydia and Brianna are sure that giving has to do with not only donating money but also sacrificing one's time and abilities. They want to be sure never to blow past someone who needs help; help at the grocery store, help at the park, or help at the coffeeshop. Stopping to hug a friend when you are running late is giving. Picking up a can of creamed corn that is rolling down the aisle instead of chuckling at the employee or customer chase it is giving. Adopting a child is giving. Paying for someone else's something instead of buying a new tote bag or CD is giving.

Brianna and Lydia have learned that buying each other gifts is much more fun than buying the same thing for themselves. These two have discovered that starting to give is the hardest part. Once one starts, though, it won't be so hard to stay in the habit of generosity for the rest of your life.

After you have practiced and practiced, you won't be able to let that can of creamed corn roll past, you won't want to bypass that friend in need of a hug. Once giving has become a normalcy in your life you won't get the same satisfaction from the CD or tote bag as you will from buying a stranger their coffee.

Give. Love. Share. Care. Sacrifice. Shmile*.

The Colors of Faith (the end)

Wednesday 4:12 p.m.

Lowell gets home from school as quick as he can and races to the woods. He slows as he approaches the fence.

"Hey!" he calls happily. He leans against the fence but there is no reply to his call. "Hello?" He says louder. He looks around and, seeing no one, starts to panic. Disappointed thoughts bounce around his insides.

You should have known, Lowell. You should have known that she wasn't real. Just like before. You imagined again. Just like before!

These thoughts torment him and before too long he can't help but do what she told him to. The one thing she demanded of him in their long hours together:

"You aren't supposed to come over the fence. So please don't, okay?"

He jumped over in one fluid motion and ran straight into the woods. After several minutes of calling and searching, he finds her. She's leaning against a tree, dressed the same as the day before, but soaking wet. She starts violently when she hears him.

"Lowell?"

"Yeah, hey, what happened? Why are you wet?" He runs over to her and puts his hand on her shoulders. He feels her forehead. She feels feverish but doesn't show any other signs.

"You jumped over the fence." Her face is pale.

"Yes. I mean I had to find you," Lowell explains. She doesn't say anything, only grabs his arm and pulls him along. They reach the clearing that is split in two by the fence. She extends her arms in search of the wire. When she grasps it she pushes him in front of her.

"Go. Get over the fence again!" Her teeth chatter at the last word and he shakes his head.

"It's too late. Whatever is going to happen has happened, because I am over the fence." With that he pulls her to him, willing the warmth in his skin to transfer to her pale form. They sit down against a tree.

"You shouldn't have come today," she says finally.

"Nothing could have stopped me."

"Why is that?"

"Because I wanted to see you. I want to learn from you, you know. There is so much I can learn from you simply because you see everything so differently than me. And you...are beautiful." She looks at him incredulously.

"I'm beautiful?"

"Heck yeah." He smiles. She is quiet for a minute or two before declaring:

"This isn't my world?"

"Of course it is. You're here, aren't you?"

"I'm here but I don't understand it. I've been here but I haven't known. I haven't known that I am beautiful. I never knew that my hair is not dark. I never knew you. I have to go, Lowell. It's time for me to go back." She looks straight ahead and her words denote utter resolve.

"Well where will you be going?" Lowell manages to day.

"Back to where I came from. That is how I got wet, that is why my head is buzzing. I've been told that it's time for me to go. So go I must. A girl like me can't argue with something this big."

"You can't argue with what? What is it that came to you?"

"I don't know. I only know my feelings, and they haven't told me everything. I am a girl of faith and people of faith are always called upon to exhibit their faith. Now is my time, Lowell. this is my exhibition of faith."

"I'm going to wait with you then. So I can see what these feelings are all about," he says. She sighs. They sit and are silent for a while, then speak, then are silent again. All the while the sun does not change its position in the sky. Lowell pretends not to notice.

"I think you have to leave," she says eventually. "The sun hasn't moved at all. The night must be to stubborn to come while you remain here."

"How can I leave? You don't even know what is going to happen!" Lowell argues.

"We have to have faith. Did I not just tell you? That is what it takes."

"You have to understand that I want you here! That I want to help you."

"You can't help me, Lowell. It's going to happen. You can only decide how long I will have to wait."

"If it can't be changed then I suppose I must." They both stand. She puts a gentle hand on his chest and her eyes focus just over his shoulder.

"Thank you for teaching me about you. I think you are the reason I came here."

Lowell chews his bottom lip.

"You're welcome," he says.

They remain standing face to face. She leaves her hand on his chest, allowing him to be the one to sever the touch, to walk away. Finally he gathers the courgae to take a step back and his feet take over from there. They pick themselves up, one in front of the other. He begins moving faster without looking back. She's in his mind's eye: standing behind, watching him go. He shakes the image from his head and sprints across the golden field that borders her wood.

There is a silent outburst of white light. It comes up behind and sweeps over and beyond Lowell. He stops in his tracks and closes his eyes tightly. When he opens them they brim with tears. He continues through the high grass, letting his fingers brush lightly over the soft tops.

He breathes in, he breathes out.


Lydia

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

This is the story of St. Patrick:
http://www.theresurgence.com/Vintage_Saints_St_Patrick