What made the difference?

This book is so compelling. I read it because it was left on my kindle by Anderson, my friend who had to read the book for school. I am OCD about having to read any book that is purchased on my kindle, so I read this one. I don't regret it.

It is not the most exciting book to read, not exactly a page-turner. But, it will make you think and emote.

The subtitle really tells the story. Two Weses grow up in the same city, almost on the same street, at the same time. But their stories quickly diverge, and one ends up in prison while the other grows up to - among other tremendous accomplishments - deliver a speech ahead of Barak Obama at the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

What made the difference?

Maybe a better question is Who made the difference?

What can you and I do to be the difference for the Weses in our lives?
-mo

The stuff nightmares are made of

Foster Updates

Lazarus and Salem were adopted this weekend. (Pictured above with their new moms)

Not counting my most recent batch, now ALL of my foster babies have forever homes. Praise God.

I always pray for them to find homes in which they both give and receive joy and that their lives will always bring glory to their Creator. I am thankful for so many answered prayers!
-mo

doggie in the window

I love this gorgeous dog. He/she is always in this window as I walk Annie and Ginny (dogs I sit) around the neighborhood. The collie gets so excited and jumps around in the window whenever we walk by.

Well done, Aunt Ruth.

My family and I went to my (great) Aunt Ruth's funeral yesterday. It was a small service with mostly family in attendance. But, a couple of things stood out and inspired me:

1- She was described as "a woman who prayed about everything." What an incredible legacy!

and

2- Of the handful of non-family members who attended the service, two introduced themselves. One was her lawyer, and the other was her investment banker. Her lawyer gave the eulogy, and her banker made remarks during the open-floor time. Aunt Ruth and Uncle Don moved around a lot in their lives, and Aunt Ruth's last home was in Florida. So, the fact that few friends were at her funeral in Norcross, GA, is not a huge shock. What is impressive is the obviously positive impact Aunt Ruth had on the people she encountered in her everyday life outside church. Amazing that a woman with such strong faith would have made the most lasting impression not in the church but in the world. What an incredible testimony!

We should love serving God in His church, and we should strive to leave a legacy there. But, if only two people are at your funeral, and if they only have one thing to say about you, I think you will have lived well if your lawyer and your banker are there to say you prayed about everything.

Well done, Aunt Ruth.
-mo

from A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of A Boy Soldier

Rice and okra soup. My favorite African dish. Thankful my meals have never been interrupted by war. Pray for peaceful dinners across the incredible continent of Africa.

Home!

Immy met me at the airport with this sign. :)