A decade of E!

Some kids just make me laugh—

E is such a kid—

He does wicked accents (I love his Italian accent)—

He is goofy—witty—and overall a really great kid.

I just love this little boy.

Today he turns 10!

Horray!

*Picture is E visiting theVirgin Islands, 2006

God Bless America

Like many conservatives, I am concerned about the future of our great country under the leadership of President Obama. However, this morning, I was reminded, once again, that OUR GOD IS IN CONTROL.

The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water; he turneth it withsoever he will.

~~Proverbs 21:1

Pray for President Obama and for the United States of America.

May God continue to bless America.

Honduras in May!

YEAH! My Compassion trip to Honduras is CONFIRMED!

I will be visiting the two children I sponsor. When deciding whom to sponsor, I choose children from single-parent families (because they will face more challenges than a child raised in a two-parent home). Then, of course, there is usually something that tugs at my heart which makes the final decision so easy. With Kimberly, it was the fact that she is a good student (being a former school teacher—I appreciate that).With little Eskarleth…it was her picture…she just looks so sad.

Of course, I would appreciate your prayers for these two children and for my trip. Further, you can check out Compassion’s website by clicking the button on the right of this page.

Kimberly is 9 and lives with her mother. In her home, Kimberly helps by making beds, running errands, and cleaning. She is in primary school where her performance is above average. Playing house, hide-and-seek and playing group games are her favorite activities.Eskarleth is 3 and lives with her grandmother. She is responsible for helping in the kitchen, running errands, and cleaning. Eskarleth is not attending school because she is too young. Singing, playing with dolls, and running are her favorite activities.

Happy Birthday, Matty!

Today is my brother’s birthday. Matty is exactly 51 weeks older than I. As a kid, I loved the week when my brother and I were the same age—and he hated it—for I would tell anyone and everyone, “My name’s Anita. I am 5 (6,7,8…) and my brother is 5, too!”

My brother is a great brother—and an amazing friend. I thank God everyday for MattyMatt!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

But not in some Muslim Countries:

(AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

In Saudi:

As Feb. 14 approaches, the police begin inspecting gift shops for items that are red or are intended as gifts to mark the holiday — a celebration of St. Valentine, a 3rd century Christian martyr — which is banned in Saudi Arabia. Such items are legal at other times of the year, but as Valentine's Day nears they become contraband.

At best, shops caught selling Valentine's gifts are ordered to get rid of them. Some salesmen have been detained for days.

The Valentine's Day prohibition is in line with the ascetic Wahhabi school of Islam that the kingdom follows. Marking Christian holidays is banned in Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam and a country where non-Muslims are banned from openly practicing their religion. Celebrating any holidays but the two most important for Muslims — Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitri—is taboo because they are considered "religious innovations" that Islam does not sanction. Even birthdays and Mother's Day are frowned on by the religious establishment.

In Egypt:

Egyptian Cleric Hazem Shuman Warns Muslim Youth Against Valentine's Day – More Dangerous than AIDS, Ebola, and Cholera

In Kuwait:

Committee head Waleed Al-Tabtabae said the ministries will take measures to prevent "indecent celebrations and practices", as well as any "immoral behaviour" that may happen on Valentine's Day. Islamist MPs believe Western traditions like Valentine’s Day encourage illicit relationships…

Thankfully—I was able to get my chocolate!!!!!

Fog in Doha 10 February

Fog

The fog comes

on little cat feet.

It sits looking

over harbor and city

on silent haunches

and then moves on.

~~Carl Sandburg

Pictures taken by A. Choong from the 26th floor of the Beverly Hills Tower in Doha, Qatar.

FUN!

This Obama site is just plain FUN.

I used a picture of my dog Jordan (who turned 14 this past January).

And he is a CONSERVATIVE (like his master) or as I like to say, a CONSERVADOG!

Birthday

Today is my birthday—and I wanted to post a “birthday picture.” However, I do not have many family photos with me overseas. This is the best I could do: a picture of my brother (the goofy-smile boy) and me (across from my brother) at my Cousin Tommy’s (at the head of the table) birthday...awwwwww...look how cute.

My 45th year was one of the more challenging years I have faced for my faith was tested in a way that I never thought possible…

And I broke my ankle. I have broken bones before—toes and ribs—but nothing serious enough to limit my mobility. Breaking my ankle was a truly humbling experience—having to rely on the kindness of others because I was unable to perform even the simplest tasks (like carrying a cup of coffee) while using crutches.

My family and friends demonstrated unprecedented kindness during the time after the break—reminding me how incredibly blessed I am. (Thank you Matt, Julie, KK, John, Kristen, Lisa, Kyle, Rachelle, and Lyn!)

Today is the first day of my 46th year—and I am excited at what this year holds—I have plans to visit new places and do new things—and I am thrilled. (I will try to blog all about the new places and experiences.)

But for now, thank you to all my friends who have sent birthday wishes and made this a truly special day.

Great Bumper Sticker

Punify

To recap—I broke my ankle trail running while on vacation in California.

One of my very best friends proved the depth of our friendship by carrying me out of the park (what a friend!!!!).
After 7 weeks, I have finally begun working out and trying to increase the range of motion in my ankle (my foot is currently like a Barbie doll foot—just sticks right out there and doesn’t move much at the ankle which has produced a very UNATTRACTIVE limp).

Additionally, this entire experience has made my right leg PUNY. (I have taken the liberty to create a new word—punify: to make or become puny; to become of less than normal size and strength; to make weak.)

My leg punified rather quickly after I broke my ankle. (Okay—so maybe it is not such a great word.)

I was extremely surprised not only by how quickly punification—HA!—occurred, but also the degree of punification (though the picture may not capture it, my bad leg is about one-half the size of my good leg).
This did make me think about the many times throughout my life that I have ignored something (whether it be a relationship, my spiritual life, etc.), and then was surprised when it “became weak.” My puny leg has taught me a valuable lesson.

Scary

ROMAIN BLANQUART/Detroit Free Press

Only in Detroit....

See Obama in yourself -- and take a photo for our gallery
FREE PRESS STAFF • January 21, 2009

Tell us what part of Obama is in you and we'll add your comments to your photo.

Gratitude

This says it all. GRATITUDE.

Our Commander-In-Chief.

Though I did not vote for him...and disagree with much all of his ideology...I pray every day that God will guide President Obama as he leads our country.

Having said that, when I saw this Mad magazine cover...it made me wonder how accurately it depicts Obama (or anyone for that matter) when the reality of being the most powerful man in the free world and all the responsibility associated with that role sets in...