Sometimes I'm lucky enough to come across a book that forces me to think about things in a new way. I am even luckier when I get to share that book with my students.
Yesterday I wrote about the importance of creating and nurturing a community. In a community, you know each other, you help each other, and you understand that your actions affect those around you. In my entry I referred to my community as "my village," and it reminded me of a perspective changing book. The book, If the World Were A Village, describes the world as village of 100 people. There are shocking facts about the number of those people who live without clean water, no electricty, and no food. It describes the number of chickens, languages, and computers per 100 people. It is a fascinating read, and it really hammers home that I have a priviledged existence.
Blessing #50, June 16, 2010
I can't believe I have hit 50 already. 50 days in a row of counting blessings. I wasn't sure I could make it this far. It was scary to start to write, however informally, but 50 is a pretty great milestone. Today, I am thankful for making it this far. I am thankful that I am a villager with clean water, food, shelter, and electricity.
Showing posts with label it takes a village. Show all posts
Showing posts with label it takes a village. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Thank God for my Village
Trey and I love living in Athens. We have wonderful jobs here, a wonderful church, and wonderful friends. Our parents are just an hour away, so they are pretty close. We usually get to be with our families during holidays and birthdays. At times, we wish they were closer so they could spend more time with the kids. But, our livelihoods are in Athens and so then are our homes. There isn't really any sense in wishing we could move closer to family--it just isn't possible, so we've concentrated on nurturing and participating in our community here.
Community is a wonderful thing. We have a supper club that we've been active in for 7 years. Several of us had boys within months of each other, and they remain great friends. Yesterday, when I got the call from Vacation Bible School that Katie was sick it came from one of my closest friends from that supper club, Kathie. I ran to pick Katie up, and Kathie offered to bring Chip home when VBS wrapped up. Last week, we carpooled with another supper club family to soccer camp. I picked up their children, and they took mine. Next week, I am attending Rotary to make a presentation with several of my students, and my kids will get a play date with a family in the neighborhood while I'm gone.
The kids and I were at the pool again today (I know, do I have the life in the summer time or what?). I don't even need to schedule playdates, because there are so many families with young children in our neighborhood, playdates are built in to a pool visit. I get to laugh with and visit with the other Moms and Dads, and my children get to enjoy their children.
But community isn't just about visiting and sharing laughs. When I've had babies, or lost loved ones, my neighbors and community have blown me away with their generosity. They have brought meals, sent cards, and just listened while I cried or vented. I have heard it takes a village to raise a family. I believe it, and I am so thankful for my village!
Blessing #49, June 15, 2010
I am grateful for my community. We are blessed with a church family, friends, and neighbors who enrich our lives and our childrens' lives everyday. It does take a village, and these friends, all of us together, have built one.
Community is a wonderful thing. We have a supper club that we've been active in for 7 years. Several of us had boys within months of each other, and they remain great friends. Yesterday, when I got the call from Vacation Bible School that Katie was sick it came from one of my closest friends from that supper club, Kathie. I ran to pick Katie up, and Kathie offered to bring Chip home when VBS wrapped up. Last week, we carpooled with another supper club family to soccer camp. I picked up their children, and they took mine. Next week, I am attending Rotary to make a presentation with several of my students, and my kids will get a play date with a family in the neighborhood while I'm gone.
The kids and I were at the pool again today (I know, do I have the life in the summer time or what?). I don't even need to schedule playdates, because there are so many families with young children in our neighborhood, playdates are built in to a pool visit. I get to laugh with and visit with the other Moms and Dads, and my children get to enjoy their children.
But community isn't just about visiting and sharing laughs. When I've had babies, or lost loved ones, my neighbors and community have blown me away with their generosity. They have brought meals, sent cards, and just listened while I cried or vented. I have heard it takes a village to raise a family. I believe it, and I am so thankful for my village!
Blessing #49, June 15, 2010
I am grateful for my community. We are blessed with a church family, friends, and neighbors who enrich our lives and our childrens' lives everyday. It does take a village, and these friends, all of us together, have built one.
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