Christmas, Ass, and books... wait what?!

Is it too early to talk Christmas... well its hot so any vision of coolness makes okay right?!  So today I was reading my daily group of blogs, and one by Jon Acuff  had cracked me up a little specifically a reader comment by the name of Jennifer:

Jennifer June 21, 2011 at 11:57 am #

I’m so glad someone finally made fun of this.
“I felt like there were two possible reasons to call your wife your bride. The first is that it’s biblical. Isn’t the church called “the bride of Christ?” It’s not called the “wife of Christ.” So using “bride” could be a throwback to the Bible. So maybe saying “bride” is like answering the question, “What Would Jesus Do?” He’d say bride. OK, I get that.”
The Bible also calls donkeys “asses,” but when I tell someone about the cute donkeys I pass every morning on the way to work (Yes, in Brentwood, TN) I don’t say, “Hey, make sure the next time you’re driving down Cloverland you check out the asses.”
It’s just not right.

 I couldn't help but to think of Christmas time, when they put up the lyrics on the Church wall and you see a line like this:  “Where ox and ass are feeding”  I still giggle thinking about it.  Luckily I am not alone, there are many children who giggle with me as well.  Any who, I wanted to share one of my favorite blogs, and  a particularly funny response to it.

John Acuff is a writer, his most recent book is Quitter.  I really enjoyed this book.  While I waited what seemed like forever (I pre-ordered it) for the release date.   Somehow I had it in my head that it was going to be a step by step mechanized book on how to start your dream and quit your job.  You know Chapter 1, Day 1  open book, close your eyes, realize dream.... 

But really it was a realistic view at not only finding your dream but also how to get there without sabotaging your life, which consequently not only ruins your dream, but also your day job.   So I recommend that you read this book, it helps shine a light on your path... kind of like a flashlight, hey maybe it should be titled the flashlight book!

Documentary: Forgiving Dr. Mengele

Forgiving Dr. Mengele is a documentary that is an interesting show about the holocaust survivors who were twins that were experimented on.  It is a mixed feeling between the groups, most don't believe they can forgive on behalf of those who have died.  They don't want to forgive, because they believe in order to forgive you have to forget.  Eva who is the main subject of this doesn't believe that you must forget what happened.  She says that to forgive them means not allowing the pain of the situation rule your life.  She opened a museum, she does tours, she also travels and does speaking engagements about the holocaust, and her personal experiences.

For me and my personal issues with forgiveness, I feel I am on this track as well.  I will not/can not forget, but I can however decide to not let it be a part of my everyday life.  It was a little by little process for me, to realize you can't change the past, you can't change people they must change themselves, and you can't forget things.   However I can take my anger and pain, turn it around. 

Community News

I found a nifty little community project to get involved in.   I like projects that I can work on a little at a time, that are not really time sensitive.  I have learned over the passed couple of years to work around this disability and do what I can.   This is specific for Visalia.... but if you are in another area, check your local newspaper.

Project Linus is in need of volunteer blanketeers that would like to make blankets for children in the local area. Blankets are given to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need. Handmade blankets can be quilted, made of fleece or knitted/crocheted. If you would like more information or would like to get involved, please call 661-589-1854 or email quilts4kidz@sbcglobal.net. Blankets can be delivered to Synchrony of Visalia, 4031 N. Demaree, Visalia.

So if it takes a day or a year to make one, this would be a great place to take it.