Post #323 (In Which I Rush Outside to See the Sun)

It's weird that I've rushed out of doors to greet the sun (since I live in Africa and all) but we've not had much of the beloved presence in the last couple of months.

(My apologies to those who live in places like Seattle and the UK where this run of clouds and rain would not warrant whining.)

The sun is here today and I hope it will last or at least make frequent appearances between showers. The rainy season usually sprinkles out by the end of May and I'm just politely encouraging it to move along now. "Get along, little dawgie."

Trevor has jumped on a shuttle for Nairobi so that he can meet Darrelle's plane at 6:30am tomorrow and escort her over the bumpy roads and through the (some times bewildering) border crossing.

Jesse should be on a shuttle from Nairobi this very minute. Their shuttles will pass on the way somewhere. I wish they would both be at the same rest stop at the same time. Wouldn't that be crazy? Hugging brothers at a tourist stop, destined to be pulled apart again quickly as they continue their journeys in opposite directions. It would be tragic except that will meet up at our place by Thursday afternoon.

Byron and Tammy are doing a day seminar with the Artisan ladies. They have some issues to work out with the new line of products our fair trade project is working on. There were some funny boo boos in the first batch of the new designs. Last year we introduced angels with cone shaped dresses. This year, we're using a similar cone shape but making Christmas trees. We had some trees come in, topped with stars as they should be, but with angel arms attached. Ha! I guess it's hard to imagine an angel or a Christmas tree if you have not grown up with many, many images of these things firmly planted in your mind.

Colin is trying his best to understand how to diagram sentences and I've just spent 20 minutes watching the lesson with him. I don't understand it ONE bit. I think diagraming sentences is a foolish waste of time. (Dana, I hope you can tell me I'm right about this.)

Heather is laid up on the sofa with a fever and sore throat. The Russell twins are doing home school with Val the Valiant Visitor at our dining room table.

And me? I am avoiding the grocery shopping and the general clean up, the emails I haven't answered and the deadlines I have for a couple of little writing things as I linger in the warmth of this good sunshine.

Enough pleasuring. Back to work now...

(PS I posted today on my Conversant Life blog about my response to the news from China.)

Intelligent, Fairly Traded, Eco Sensitive Beauty

Just a big shout out to my friends at Anti-Body. Check out their new site and order away!

How to Avoid Meltdown

Ok, so here's my list of things to do to avert future meltdowns:

1. Go walking even when I don't think I have time

2. Eat some fair trade chocolate

3. Take a tray of tea out into the morning sun with Byron

4. While enjoying the morning sun, speak to God about the things we're stressed about

5. Have lunch with Lori (someone who knows about every boy I've ever kissed and every other secret from age 11-21)

6. Put on Brian Houton's 35 Summers album and take a nap to it

7. Prepare a gift for someone I love

8. Call Tanya

9. Dance with Heather

10. Ask Jesus to hold my hand and walk me through this move to Africa

Why I Love the Mennonites (or When Did Fair Trade Become Sexy?)

I was in Ten Thousand Villages yesterday. I've been in there quite a lot in the last few months because it's a place where I feel good about where the money goes for the gifts I buy for other people. And the things are lovely.

The lady behind the counter said Ten Thousand Villages is associated with the Mennonites. "Yes, I know," I said. "I love the Mennonites. They've been involved in fair trade and justice issues since WAY before it was hip."

I really am glad that people are getting into this stuff, but sometimes I get a little tired of the talk.

My friends Tamara, Shelby and Steve don't just talk. They do. Check them out at Anti-Body (anti-poverty, beautiful body.) Find out who they are and watch the little clip under "About Us." It's good stuff.

Wish I could put my finger on it...

I don't want to put on fair trade and justice issues like a change of clothes. I don't want to care for Creation just because it's hot to do so.

I so admire my Mennonite friends and my Anti-Body friends. They just do it.