... a Commune

Or is it a Bed and Breakfast? Either way, we're up to 5 adults, 1 energetic dog, and 2 turtles in this cozy little cottage. I love it. Mark's been loads of fun to have around. (That's Mark on the left.)

... A Taste of India

This weekend I got away for a little taste of India. I didn't have to travel very far but was still able to see the Bollywood Dancing as well as stuff myself with a whole slew of yummy Indian Dishes such as Tikki Chhole, Makhni Chicken & Naan, and of course Mango Lassi.

Jeff was very patient as I basked in the culture, energized by the dancing and flavors. For some reason I have this thing for Asian Indian culture. Maybe it's the fact that their men will dress like this and dance with no shame. And dang could they dance.

... Martin Luther King, Jr.

"To ignore evil is to become an accomplice to it."

... N.E.S.T.

Norfolk Emergency Shelter Team (NEST) is a collection of local churches that each take a week throughout the winter months to feed and house the homeless within their church.

Our church took Christmas week for the 18th year in a row and debuting as the coordinator of the whole shebang was moi.

What an adventure it was. Jeff declared it was good for me to, at least once in my life, feel I was in over my head. I was stretched to be certain but the rewards far outweighed it all.

We were able to shelter a total of 266 men and women through the week. (That's 800 meals!)

Praises:
*The whole thing didn't crumble down around me.
*We only had to turn away a handful of people.
*We didn't run out of food.
*Spirits were high.
*I made many friends (church friends and street friends).
*No mental health issues.
*Police didn't need to be called out.

Dare I say I'm already looking forward to next year?! :) I dare.

One of my favorite parts is that since the shelter has moved onto the next church, I've run into three of my new street friends on the, well, the street. How fun it is to know them by name and hug an ol' friend.

... Cycling without Borders

Meet my friend Markus. I stayed with him and his family for a week or two during my first visit to Germany. They were very kind and I still have the Christmas gift they gave me that year... very pleasant memories.

Anyhow, many, many years have passed and I now find Markus cycling from the Black Forest to the Yellow Sea (see the route here... it's unbelievable!), and blogging about his experience.


Initially I was just amazed by his ability to undertake such an adventure. Taking a year out of his life to bike through 18 different countries, not knowing what he's going to encounter... Wow!

Yet daily, as I read his posts and look at his pictures, I am even more moved by the encounters he has. By the acceptance, the challenges, the kindness.

No need for me to share these stories, folks, 'cause I know when you see it for yourself you'll be instantly hooked -- this is one blog you'll want to follow.

[Photography credits belong to Markus -- he's amazing, isn't he?]

... Faith Priorities for the Election

I know many of you are tuning into my blog in hopes of catching some wedding pictures and stories. And while I look forward to sharing some highlights of our special day, I feel there's something far more important on the burner right now -- the upcoming election.

Jeff and I spend much of our time discussing politics and truly desire to live our beliefs out through our political views and actions. Because of this, I feel it's all the more appropriate to post this excellent, thought-provoking article by Jim Wallis as a follow up to the wedding week posts. (Kudo's to Catherine for pointing me to this article!)

Please, if you can find a minute, read the article. It's long, yes, but it's worth it. One thing you might notice is that one of Wallis' faith priorities - consistent ethic of life - is a theme I've been touching on quite a bit here lately... very much on my mind and heart.

I'd love to hear what your "faith priorities" are too... how do you decide your vote?

My Personal ‘Faith Priorities’ for this Election
by Jim Wallis 10-23-2008

In 2004, several conservative Catholic Bishops and a few megachurch pastors like Rick Warren issued their list of “non-negotiables,” which were intended to be a voter guide for their followers. All of them were relatively the same list of issues: abortion, gay marriage, stem cell research, etc. None of them even included the word “poverty,” only one example of the missing issues which are found quite clearly in the Bible. All of them were also relatively the same as official Republican Party Web sites of “non-negotiables.” The political connections and commitments of the religious non-negotiable writers were quite clear.

I want to suggest a different approach this year and share my personal list of “faith priorities” that will guide me in making the imperfect choices that always confront us in any election year — and suggest that each of you come up with your own list of “faith” or “moral” priorities for this election year and take them into the polling place with you.

After the last election, I wrote a book titled God’s Politics. I was criticized by some for presuming to speak for God, but that wasn’t the point. I was trying to explore what issues might be closest to the heart of God and how they may be quite different from what many strident religious voices were then saying. I was also saying that “God’s Politics” will often turn our partisan politics upside down, transcend our ideological categories of Left and Right, and challenge the core values and priorities of our political culture. I was also trying to say that there is certainly no easy jump from God’s politics to either the Republicans or Democrats. God is neither. In any election, we face imperfect choices, but our choices should reflect the things we believe God cares about if we are people of faith, and our own moral sensibilities if we are not people of faith. Therefore, people of faith, and all of us, should be “values voters” but vote all our values, not just a few that can be easily manipulated for the benefit of one party or another.

In 2008, the kingdom of God is not on the ballot in any of the 50 states as far as I can see. So we can’t vote for that this year. But there are important choices in this year’s election — very important choices — which will dramatically impact what many in the religious community and outside of it call “the common good,” and the outcome could be very important, perhaps even more so than in many recent electoral contests.

I am in no position to tell anyone what is “non-negotiable,” and neither is any Bishop or megachurch pastor, but let me tell you the “faith priorities” and values I will be voting on this year:

1. With more than 2,000 verses in the Bible about how we treat the poor and oppressed, I will examine the record, plans, policies, and promises made by the candidates on what they will do to overcome the scandal of extreme global poverty and the shame of such unnecessary domestic poverty in the richest nation in the world. Such a central theme of the Bible simply cannot be ignored at election time, as too many Christians have done for years. And any solution to the economic crisis that simply bails out the rich, and even the middle class, but ignores those at the bottom should simply be unacceptable to people of faith.
   
   
2. From the biblical prophets to Jesus, there is, at least, a biblical presumption against war and the hope of beating our swords into instruments of peace. So I will choose the candidates who will be least likely to lead us into more disastrous wars and find better ways to resolve the inevitable conflicts in the world and make us all safer. I will choose the candidates who seem to best understand that our security depends upon other people’s security (everyone having “their own vine and fig tree, so no one can make them afraid,” as the prophets say) more than upon how high we can build walls or a stockpile of weapons. Christians should never expect a pacifist president, but we can insist on one who views military force only as a very last resort, when all other diplomatic and economic measures have failed, and never as a preferred or habitual response to conflict.
   
   
3. “Choosing life” is a constant biblical theme, so I will choose candidates who have the most consistent ethic of life, addressing all the threats to human life and dignity that we face — not just one. 30,000 children dying globally each day of preventable hunger and disease is a life issue. The genocide in Darfur is a life issue. Health care is a life issue. War is a life issue. The death penalty is a life issue. And on abortion, I will choose candidates who have the best chance to pursue the practical and proven policies which could dramatically reduce the number of abortions in America and therefore save precious unborn lives, rather than those who simply repeat the polarized legal debates and “pro-choice” and “pro-life” mantras from either side.
   
   
4. God’s fragile creation is clearly under assault, and I will choose the candidates who will likely be most faithful in our care of the environment. In particular, I will choose the candidates who will most clearly take on the growing threat of climate change, and who have the strongest commitment to the conversion of our economy and way of life to a cleaner, safer, and more renewable energy future. And that choice could accomplish other key moral priorities like the redemption of a dangerous foreign policy built on Middle East oil dependence, and the great prospects of job creation and economic renewal from a new “green” economy built on more spiritual values of conservation, stewardship, sustainability, respect, responsibility, co-dependence, modesty, and even humility.
   
   
5. Every human being is made in the image of God, so I will choose the candidates who are most likely to protect human rights and human dignity. Sexual and economic slavery is on the rise around the world, and an end to human trafficking must become a top priority. As many religious leaders have now said, torture is completely morally unacceptable, under any circumstances, and I will choose the candidates who are most committed to reversing American policy on the treatment of prisoners. And I will choose the candidates who understand that the immigration system is totally broken and needs comprehensive reform, but must be changed in ways that are compassionate, fair, just, and consistent with the biblical command to “welcome the stranger.”
   
   
6. Healthy families are the foundation of our community and nothing is more important than how we are raising up the next generation. As the father of two young boys, I am deeply concerned about the values our leaders model in the midst of the cultural degeneracy assaulting our children. Which candidates will best exemplify and articulate strong family values, using the White House and other offices as bully pulpits to speak of sexual restraint and integrity, marital fidelity, strong parenting, and putting family values over economic values? And I will choose the candidates who promise to really deal with the enormous economic and cultural pressures that have made parenting such a “countercultural activity” in America today, rather than those who merely scapegoat gay people for the serious problems of heterosexual family breakdown.

That is my list of personal “faith priorities” for the election year of 2008, but they are not “non-negotiables” for anyone else. It’s time for each of us to make up our own list in these next 12 days. Make your list and send this on to your friends and family members, inviting them to do the same thing.

[from God's Politics Blog]

... Halima Bashier

If Halima Bashier meant to tell of her youth in a way that caused me to think her a kindred spirit, it worked.

If she desired to show the normalcy and happiness of her life, she did.

If she intended this in an effort to sharpen the contrast between the joyful life she lived and deep and the horrible loss she experienced, she succeeded.

Halmina grew up in Sudan, Darfur to be precise, and she's the first woman affected by the war there to share her tale. She calls it Tears of the Desert.

Did you know that there is a conflict going on in Darfur?

A friend, knowledgeable of this, saw that I was reading Halima's story and said "oh, how sad", yet the bulk of the story, honestly, was not sad. It was enjoyable, educating, & entertaining. It told of a lifetime of joy and love. I feel lucky to have been able to see that.

What is sad, however, did not take long to tell. What is sad is how all this was taken from Halima, for no real reason. What is sad is that in today's day and age, genocide continues to occur. That it is happening right now, as I type this.

Genocide: –noun The deliberate and systematic extermination of a national, racial, political, or cultural group.

Amazingly, it can be easy to emotionally detach when we hear stories of war, pilfering, murder, & rape. It seems a world away, so simple to ignore. Yet, Halmia's story reminds us that we are all fellow human beings and what has happened to her, her family, her village, her land -- what is STILL happening -- is an atrocity and does matter, we cannot simply choose to dismiss it.

Would we sit by knowing the Holocaust was going on today? Would we, again, ignore the news reports of the extermination of the Tutsis in Rwanda? What will we do this time... today... now?

Halmia finishes her epilogue "It has now been 6 years since the conflict in Darfur began.... Time after time, the world has been alerted to the slaughter and the rape and the horror... but what has actually been done to stop the slaughter."

To learn more visit:
www.savedarfur.org
www.eyesondarfur.org

Thank you to The Random House Publishing Group who sent me an early release of this book. Copies are now available.

... My Ponderings of Late

If it's unethical to end a child's life by aborting it...



isn't it unethical to end a child's life by denying it health care?

... the November Election

Now that the election ticket has clear candidates for both presidential and vice-presidential candidates, we can start thinking forward to this November 4th.

You've heard me speak (more than once) about working elections over the past few years. It's something I do with pride, fulfilling my civic duty while having a very real hand in the local election results.

I, along with my team members, essentially count all the absentee ballots in Chesapeake. Our team of 4 can handle a typical election but we all know this November is not going to be a typical election. Therefore, we are currently in the process of recruiting additional team members.

What does it entail? Well let's just start off by saying it'll be a long day. Very long. We're there until each and every absentee vote is opened, counted, and certified. The more of us working, the faster it will go, but it'll still be an all day, late night event.

What do we do? We simply open the envelopes, make sure the voter did what they needed to to make their vote count, and count the votes. Not too hard, but pretty tedious. Lots of checks and balances and procedure going on.

The up side:
We do get paid... not a ton, but it's a nice little check.
We get to participate in democracy.
You get to work with me. ;-)

If you're local, would you consider joining us? If you are out of state, would you consider calling your electoral office and submitting your name as a worker? I hope to see you on November 4th!

... the Story of the Rock

So many of you were eager to see pictures of "the rock", but the thing is...

Jeff and I both felt very strongly against purchasing a diamond, or other conflict gem, as a symbol of our lifelong commitment to one another. What I'm referring to is the way that diamonds are mined, bought, and sold in many countries. While not all countries have horror stories linked to their diamonds, the way the industry is set up makes it impossible to determine the actual country of origin... thus, no way of telling if a diamond is a true conflict-free diamond.

For the record, there is one company in Canada that has chosen to remain separate from the rest of the industry and sell their diamonds directly to the public. These gems alone are the only guaranteed true conflict-fee diamonds.

So why not buy a Canadian diamond? Well, we thought about it, but we couldn't bring ourselves to spend the money on a stone so common it frequently washes up on beaches. True fact- diamonds are not rare. They are only considered so because the main diamond mining company (De Beers) holds the majority of the gems in vaults to create a false demand.

De Beers also created the 'Diamond is Forever' add in an attempt to squelch sales of pre-owned diamonds, hoping to give a tainted feel to buying or receiving a one.

In addition, they marketed the idea of even using a diamond in engagement rings by working with Hollywood in the early 1900's -- inserting the rings into movies when people got engaged. Prior to this, diamonds were not commonly used in engagement/wedding rings.

And you know how the benchmark for the price of an engagement ring is 2 months salary (or is it 3?!)... any guesses on where that came from? Yep. De Beers.

While I was impressed with their marketing genius when I studied them in college, I just didn't want to partake in the industry as a whole, which left Jeff and I starting from scratch.

So start from scratch we did... we researched and designed our own ring.

The stone I really wanted, and finally found, is called a Star Sapphire. It's a polished stone that in non-direct light looks cornflower blue. When it hits direct light, however, a white 6-pointed star appears and moves within the stone depending on where the light source is hitting.

I love it.

What to see it? OK, I'll take pictures... check back in a few days. :)

... Yunus

I just finished another book by Yunus, Nobel Peace Prize winner of 2006, called Banker to the Poor; Microlending and the Battle Against World Poverty.

This is a man who lives what he believes. Who has taken amazing strides to create paths for his fellow Bangladesh countrymen and women to work their way out of poverty and care for themselves.


In the final chapter of his book he spoke freely of what he would like the future to look like:

"So the real question is not so much where we will be in the year 2050, but where we would like the world to be.

By that time, I want to see a world free from poverty. This means there will not be a single human being on this plant who may be described as a poor person or who is unable to meet his or her basic needs. By then, the word "poverty'" will no longer have relevance. It will be understood only with reference to the past.

Poverty does not belong in civilized human society. Its proper place is in a museum. That's where it will be. When schoolchildren go with their teachers and tour the poverty museums, they will be horrified to see the misery and indignity of human beings. They will blame their forefathers for tolerating this inhuman condition and for allowing it to continue in such a large segment of the population until the early part of the twenty-first century.

I have always believed that the elimination of poverty from the world is a matter of will. Even today we don't pay serious attention to the issue of poverty because the powerful remain relatively untouched by it. Most people distance themselves from the issue by saying that if the poor worked harder they wouldn't be poor.

When we want to help the poor, we usually offer them charity. Most often we use charity to avoid recognizing the problem and fining a solution for it. Charity becomes a way to shrug off our responsibility.

Charity is no solution to poverty. Charity only perpetuates poverty by taking the initiative away from the poor. Charity allows us to go ahead with our own lives without worrying about those of the poor. It appeases our consciences.

But the real issue is creating a level playing field for everybody, giving every human being a fair chance."

Muhammad Yunus
Banker to the Poor; Micro-Lending and the Battle Against World Poverty

.... The Lost Boys of Sudan

watch this movie

... Idealistic Heirs

In todays New York Times I read an article about young philanthropists who have, in their late teens or twenties, inherited millions of dollars but then decided to give away a large portion of it to charity. Interesting enough in itself, but one part of the article in particular stood out to me.

Tyrone Boucher, 25, donated his six-figure trust fund to charity. Part of his motivation stemmed from concern about the growing gap between the rich and the poor. When he explained this to his father, the response he received was "Tyrone, we're not really rich. There are people who have multiple homes and private jets." Tyrone's response was "You're talking about your friends who are in the top 1%, and we're in the the top 5%."

Tyrone seemed to have a more accurate perspective than his father. Their exchange once again reminded me of how easy it is to compare ourselves to those who are doing better than us. Perhaps it's the American way -- part of the American dream or something -- but it's so deceiving. Of course there are people that are doing better than us financially. But we are doing better than so many more.

I want my heart to be opened to those who are more needy than I. I want my eyes to be opened to ways I can be part of a solution. I'm very provoked by those who have chosen to give away their millions. I too want to be someone who gives away her wealth... God willing, right down to her last mite... not someone who feigns poverty as an excuse to live selfishly.

... A Little Perspective

I've been reading a book about the microcredit industry & social businesses by Nobel Prize Winner Muhammad Yunus, called Creating A World Without Poverty. Something I read in it the other day has been mulling around in my head.

Grameen Bank, a social business that Yunus founded, needed a way to measure its success in helping people rise out of poverty through microcredit. Rather than use a income benchmark (typically $2/day), they decided to go with a more practical ten-point system that described specific living conditions. Once a family had succeeded in clearing all 10 of these hurdles, then Grameen Bank considered them to have escaped from poverty. The ten points are:

1. The member and her family live in a tin-roofed house or in a house worth at least $370. The family members sleep on cots or a bedstead rather than the floor.
2. The member and her family drink pure water from tube-wells, boiled water, or arsenic-free water purified by the use of alum, purifying tablets, or pitcher filters.
3. All of the member's children who are physically and mentally fit and above the age of six either attend of have finished primary school.
4. The member's minimum weekly loan repayment installation is $3.
5. All family members use a hygienic and sanitary latrine.
6. All family members have sufficient clothing to meet daily needs, including winter clothes, blankets, and mosquito netting.
   
7. The family has additional sources of income, such as a vegetable garden or fruit-bearing trees, to fall back on in times of need.
8. The member maintains an average annual balance of $75 in her savings account.
9. The member has the ability to feed her family three square meals a day throughout the year.
10. All family members are conscious about their health, can take immediate action for proper treatment, and can pay medical expenses in the event of illness.

We live in a country where event the poorest often have TV. In Bangladesh the poor don't even have electricity. There is so much perspective to be gained by opening our eyes to the rest of the world.

Another interesting thing I've read over and over.... microloan industries have found that women are the key to raising families and communities out of poverty. They've found that when men earn extra money they spend it on themselves. When women earn the money, they spend it on their families -- housing, health of children, educating their children, etc. It is the women they loan the money too and the woman that are founding businesses and the women that are creating avenues to ending generational poverty.

Some microcredit organizations that I've been giving to over the years are Opportunity International and Kiva, though there are many more. (Thanks to Amy who gave me a gift certificate to Kiva as my Christmas Gift.) The idea of microcredit is something I get very excited about.... maybe I'll post on it another time. For now, I want to be grateful that I have poison-free water, heat, a dr. available to me, and a grocery store down the road.

... History

"Civilizations proceed from bondage to spiritual faith
from spiritual faith to courage
from courage to liberty
from liberty to abundance
from abundance to selfishness
from selfishness to apathy
from apathy to dependency
and from dependency back to bondage.

Apathy is also anti-democratic as democracy requires the informed consent of the governed, and will not last if voters can't be bothered."

~Arnold Toynbee
Historian

Avoid apathy.
Be informed.
Vote.
Tomorrow is Virginia's Presidential Primary.

... Christmas Alternatives

How a celebration of Jesus' birthday has morphed into a holiday where we buy each other gifts, I'll never understand. I mean, shouldn't we celebrate His life in a way that, well, that he spent His entire life teaching us to live? Shouldn't we honor Him by giving our gifts and love to those less fortunate than ourselves? Those He told us to take care of?

There are countless organizations out there that serve to provide funds to just these types of people. I thought I'd highlight a few I've come across recently. They are all different types - some faith based, others not, some you give money, some you support by making purchases. Check 'em out.

Bead For Life

"BeadforLife eradicates extreme poverty by creating bridges of understanding between impoverished Africans and concerned world citizens. Ugandan women turn colorful recycled paper into beautiful beads, and people who care open their hearts, homes and communities to buy and sell the beads.

The beads thus become income, food, medicine, school fees -- and hope. It is a small miracle that enriches us all.

All profits from BeadforLife are invested in community development projects that generate income and help people work their way out of poverty."

International Justice Mission

Investigations
"Highly skilled IJM investigators go to the frontlines of the fight for justice. They conduct professional undercover investigations and collect the evidence necessary to bring rescue and freedom to victims of trafficking, slavery and other forms of violent oppression. Help bring freedom to the oppressed by funding IJM’s investigations."

Give a half-day of Investigative Work $25
Give a day of Investigative Work $50

Advocacy
"IJM lawyers build compelling legal cases to aid victims of oppression and prosecute their perpetrators. IJM casework areas include slavery, police brutality, sexual violence, illegal property seizure and sex trafficking. You can empower our lawyers to represent those in need of an advocate and ensure that perpetrators of abuses are held accountable for their crimes by funding IJM’s casework efforts today."

Give a day of Advocacy $70

Aftercare
"Victims that IJM has rescued from physical and sexual exploitation need the support and expertise of highly skilled social workers in order to heal physically, emotionally and spiritually from the abuses they have suffered. By giving a day of aftercare, you can help to provide vital care for victims who are beginning their new lives of freedom."

Give a day of Aftercare $40

Give a day of Aftercare and a day of Investigative Work $90

Just Give

"JustGive is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to connect people with the charities and causes they care about and to increase overall giving."

This is what I got Jeff last year. A gift certificate to JustGive. With over 1,000,000 charities to choose from, I know he was able to donate the money to the exact cause he wanted.

Nest

"Nest is a nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the lives of women in developing countries through the provision of small loans used to create sustainable, art- or craft-based, entrepreneurial businesses. The funds for these loans are generated through the sale of a unique line of clothing, accessories and merchandise for the home produced exclusively for Nest by a group of artists and designers."


Bethany listed a few on her blog and I know you all have some favorites too. I'd love to hear about them!

... Thanksgiving

When the children at the homeless shelter I volunteer with were asked what they wanted to cook us for dinner, they came up with a menu that included oreo salad and mac & cheese topped with chocolate syrup. I suppose that's how they would want to be thanked if they were in our shoes.

I spend a few hours a day, a few days a week, tutoring children at a homeless shelter. PG Wodehouse once said "As we grow older and realize more clearly the limitations of human happiness, we come to see that they only real and abiding pleasure in life is to give pleasure to other people." It certainly proves true in my life. I receive much pleasure from these children. In spite of the rough lives they live, they are full of kindness and joy. They are appreciative and grateful. I am blessed by the perspective they give me. Blessed to be able to spend time with them.

Yet tonight, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, instead of us providing a meal for them, they provided a meal for a number of the volunteers. During our meal, one of the 8 year-olds presented me with a special award -- a copy of a painting she did for the annual art auction. It's titled "Pom Poms Gone Wild" and when she was asked about it she responded "That's what happens when you let them loose!"

I wish I could share some of my experiences with you in more detail, maybe show you a picture or two of some of the cuties, however, because some of them are under court-ordered protection, I can't. But if you are local and at all interested in spending some time with them, let me know. There are many ways to help out at the shelter and many blessings to be had because of it.

... the General Assembly Election

For me, November 6th will begin at 5:15am when I raise my right hand and repeat an oath swearing me in. I have been nominated as an Election Officer and assigned the task of counting absentee ballots for the General Election again this year.

It is a long day full of tedious formality and procedure. We are barred from contact with the outside world until after the polls are closed and we have certified and sealed our counts. It is a process I am very proud to participate in.


I hope that your day will include a trip to the polls to take advantage of your right to vote. If you haven't already, please research the candidates and issues for your district. Take pride in your vote, be informed, and vote with confidence.

... Sirius Black

"If you want to know what a man's like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals."

Sirius Black
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
JK Rowling

... Giving Life

19 years ago I was in a car accident. Within minutes of the impact, I'd lost 1/4th of the blood my small body contained. I can say that a number of things saved my life -- the man who stopped to help us and called the ambulance, the ambulance workers, the ER staff, the machine that kept my lungs breathing, the answered prayers of countless friends, family, and strangers... but one of the components that aided my recovery, that gave me life, were the two pints of blood I received. Somebody, or two somebodies, sometime the month before signed up to donate blood, and I am typing this post today.

I'm guessing this is why I feel so strongly that we should do what we can to help others that are facing similar needs as I was that Christmas years ago. It's always been important to me to give blood, starting with the day I finally hit the 110 lb min weight in High School, through today where I show up at the local Red Cross to donate whole blood every 8 weeks.


It's a simple, painless, procedure. I know not everyone can handle it. Some get woozy and pass out and some are not allowed to give because they've traveled to certain countries or have health issues. Most of us, however, are healthy enough to give... and our bodies were gloriously made to replace this donation within a relatively short period of time.

So next time you see a blood drive, or next time you have a free minute, consider stopping in. I guarantee it'll mean alot to someone, even if you never hear the thanks.