Friday, November 21, 2008

simplify the holidays




Just learned of this little pdf booklet from a friend of ours via the New American Dream website.

Caught our attention from the opening line...

No matter what you celebrate, this guide provides many meaningful ways to have more fun with less stuff this season!


Lots of great gift ideas in here and reminders of the truly important things in life. Along with a couple staggering statistics like...

  • Shoppers spent a total of $460 billion during the 2007 holiday season. -National Retail Federation
  • The average credit debt per household is $7,430. Consumer Federation of America

Click on the cover image above to view the booklet and sign up for New American Dream's email newsletter while you're at it. Have a super weekend!

Thursday, November 20, 2008

#8: Top Ten Gifts That Give



Since #9 was a bit on the expensive side, let's drop it down low for this one. Like $12 low. Even you college folk can ride that train.

Who likes mosquitos?
Exactly. Nobody. They aren't too much of an issue for us Americans in that we can lock them out of our homes. Well, what if you have no house? No windows. And, no bed for that matter.

In the poorest parts of the world, where effective window screens are lacking, insecticide-treated bed nets are arguably the most cost-effective way to prevent malaria transmission. One bed net can safely last a family for about four years, thanks to a long-lasting insecticide woven into the net fabric. Studies show that use of nets can reduce malaria transmission as much as 90% in areas with high coverage rates. (NothingButNets.net)

Might you remember the good folks over at Horizon International. We've talked about them before and they've been over in our Make A Difference dropdown for a while. Our brother/sis-in-law ("Uncle O" & "Aunt Eesha" as LA calls them) just did a trip with them in August.

Since 2002, the work of Horizon has impacted thousands of AIDS/HIV orphans. From clean water to children’s villages to educational opportunities, projects in Zimbabwe, Uganda and South Africa provide tangible, long-lasting help to people in need while showing them Love in practical ways.

That practical love continues through Horizon's Christmas catalog featuring our highlighted mosquito net and several other gift ideas. Check it out here.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

My girls!



I was so blessed by Katelin, Abigail and Elizabeth this past weekend. Abigail, Boatboy and I headed up to Ball State to visit Katelin... and it so happened Elizabeth was there visiting from Purdue. I was able to attend Katelin's church gathering and it was great. I am overwhelmed with joy every time I am around these girls. As most of you know I have had the privilege of being a part of their lives since they were in 7th grade! Wow! They are turning into such beautiful young woman and they are walking with the Lord every step of the way. They have shown me and taught me so much over the years. When I pray for LA and Boatboy's future wives, I can only dream that God would bless them with a girl like these three. I love you girls and miss you like crazy! Wednesday nights are just not the same!

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

What "Sweet" Sixteen?

Sadly, we aren't shocked over here at BPM over this. In fact, other research we've heard indicates the average age for a girl to give herself away is approaching FOURTEEN, not 15 as reported here by NBC.

Nonetheless...watch the video.

Be informed.

Don't be ignorant parents. It's lackluster apathetic parenting causing these horrifying numbers, not uncontrolable teenage hormones.