Amy Writes

Whenever I feel like I am unable to do anything consistently, I need to remember BSF. If you don't know what BSF is, go here and find a class near you and sign up. It will change your life, I promise. Though life as a young married person and then a parent of babies and now a parent of elementary-age kids is anything but consistent or predictable, and though I have lamented over and over again about how hard it is to maintain friendships, keep commitments or complete tasks, I must remember that BSF has been a constant for the last ten years of my life. God has faithfully opened doors and created ways for me to be in class weekly for ten years. That's pretty consistent. Consistent, but never boring. Now that the girls are old enough for the School Program, Matt and I have the privilege of studying with them. We try to begin each day by helping them do their lessons - which are every bit as challenging as ours are. How many other 5 & 7 year olds are going word-by-word throu...

I will say it. I'm not afraid. Ready? I am a fan of Change. Every now and then I discover this about myself - that I have this unsatisfied wanderlust. I love to mix things up. I want, need, crave... change. I want to rearrange furniture. Throw everything out and start over. Move. I want to eat different foods and read different books and reinvent myself as an athlete...a writer...a crafter...a chef. I want my philosophies to shift, I want my climates to evolve. I want to meet new people, visit new places, try kitesurfing. And if I try kitesurfing, it would be okay if I were to break both legs, because then my life would change, and I would get to try all new ways of doing things. I didn't vote for Change. At least, I didn't vote for the one who claimed Change as a platform. My guy would have changed things too, but he couldn't say it as well the one who changed the course of our history today. But still, I found myself goofy with excitement for Inauguration Day, because...

On the car ride home from school today, my five-year-old asked who we're voting for tomorrow. "We're voting for John McCain." "John McCain?" came the response, followed by the inevitable, "Why are we voting for John McCain?" Pause. How do you explain to a five-year-old parrot who is spending the majority of her days in the opponent's camp why you're choosing the other guy? Vague. Be Vague is what I decided. "Well, sweetie, we believe that John McCain's principles are what's best for America." Of course: "Principals?" Should have seen that one coming. "No, not like school principals. Principles." "OH. What are principles?" Ugh. "Principles are like beliefs." I'm not kidding: "What are beliefs?" "Beliefs are ... like ... things you believe in." Parental eloquence at its best, folks. "Oh. Like what?" Lord, have mercy! Where do I start? What would she...

Say what you will about our Commander in Chief - the human who has the most difficult job on the planet, the man who is forced to make decisions that affect, yes, quite literally, the entire world . I am in no position to defend him nor can I suppose that I would do the job any better. (And: newsflash! you're probably not either, sorry that you had to hear it here.) But I always believe in giving credit where it's due, and I can do that by pointing you to this brilliant article by Bob Geldof about the President's accomplishments in and heart for Africa. (HT: Mark Lee )