Living Day by Day

I am thankful that today is a new day. I am thankful of all the unknowns that are ahead of me. I am thankful I am able to enjoy more time with friends and family. I am excited about the possibility of meeting all my friends in Asheville, NC for a white water rafting music festival!!!!!! www.frenchbroadriverfestival.com And Abby will be bringing Jack Henry into this world any day now….her due date is today! My mother's birthday is next week. Oh and I think my 10 year high school reunion is coming sometime soon. I am embracing the adventure that each day brings.

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Today I was a first grade teacher. Here are some of the things I heard.

Child: Ms. Charlye, Katie is running.
Me: Katie, please use your walking feet for safety.
Child: When I was shorter I used to run but now I am 6 and I growed up.
Me: Oh, so when you were younger you ran but now that you have grown you understand that it’s not safe to run in the halls?
Child: No, when I was shorter it didn’t hurt as bad when I fell.
--that’s first grade innocence if I have ever heard it!

Child: Ms….what’s your name?
Me: Charlye
Child: Ms Charlye
Me: Yes
Child: I love you!
--we can all take lessons on unconditional love from children

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I am now working part time at the Robertson County YMCA in the youth center. I decided that after 7 months at home without any form of income it was time to get a part time job while I wait for my visa. I need funds to help support my diving lessons in PNG!
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While on a walk with my aunt today, we saw the most beautiful black stallion. This magnificant creature galloped through the field toward us. I reached out my hand to stroke his glistening coat. He took off running with his black mane blowing in the wind. Tomorrow I will bring carrots :)

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Even better than news of a new day would be news of my visa! Has any one seen my visa??? Does anyone know anyone who knows anyone in the PNG immigration office?? Just checkin’

It’s an interesting time to be in the United States

I have spent some time thinking of the complexities of poverty today. The poor everywhere suffer. We have people who live in poverty here in the States; however, we obviously do not have extreme poverty like that which exists in countries such as India, Honduras, and Zambia.

Poverty is relative and can encompass many things. The non-profit organization I was initially matched with in PNG considered spiritual poverty an area of targeted disadvantage. The definition of poverty varies across the globe. Yes, many people in America live at or below the poverty level; however, families in Zambia live on less than a dollar a day. The lack of clean or running water, exposure to illnesses and HIV/AIDS, poor sanitation, infant mortality, poor education, and lack of jobs make life difficult in developing countries.

I can’t help but note the current situation in the US. The American people are clearly dissatisfied with the country’s direction, with 81% believing that things have gotten off the right track. Bush’s approval ratings are at an all time low of 31%. The economy is struggling with the steepest job loss in 5 years. 80,000 people lost their jobs last month. We are in the middle of a loan crisis with declining real estate prices and mounting home foreclosures. US education continues to fall in rank compared to other countries. TN loses 51% of its teachers within their first 5 years of teaching. The prices for food and fuel are soaring. And who suffers the most? As usual it’s the poor and middle class peoples. That, plus the presidential race and the serious questions of race and sex it elicits, makes it a fascinating time to be here.

So where do we need to help? How do we make change? We need people who can work and make change overseas and we need people who can work and make change here in the States.

Across the world, we need to help the poor as well as change how we view the poor. "Be the change you wish to see in the world." -Gandhi