Blessings

Ever since Murad and I started dating, we've been surprised by how many blessings we receive each day. We constantly say, "we're so blessed." We have the opportunity for both of us to go back to school. We have two beautiful dogs. Yesterday was Murad's daughter's birthday ( oh yeah, for those of you who don't know, I'll be a step-mom when we get married) and he got to talk to her. This was wonderful because he hasn't been able to for a while due to circumstances that aren't his fault. Abby was so happy to talk to her daddy and it made his day too. We're hoping to see her again this Christmas when we go to Wichita.

Yesterday we started talking about things and we decided to look into buying a house this spring. We just feel we're wasting our money renting and if we do it right, we could find something we could afford. Originally we wanted to buy a nice, big home and stay in it forever, but I think we're going to try a starter home. I've already started looking and I found "the home." Of course, we'll have to see it in person, but it's great. Great location, high fences, three bedrooms and two baths and lots of great features. The master has double vanity sinks with a shower and jacuzzi tub. The kitchen has all stainless steel appliances. Of course we'll see if this home is still on the market when we are ready to buy. I sure do hope so! I really hope we are blessed enough to buy a home. However, I do love our apartment and if it's not God's will to have a home of our own, I'll be happy here too!!!!!

Hatred

So last night the documentary Fall From Grace aired on Showtime. I admit that I don't usually watch Showtime, but one of my good friends wrote, directed and edited it. He's a Southeast and KU grad like myself and now he's working for Showtime and living it up in NYC!

Watching the documentary made me realize how much hatred there really is in the world. I know Fred Phelps is extreme, but it just made me realize how much people hate. Even today, I hear my students say, "I hate you," or "I hate that," and it makes me sick. Someone has to put a lot of energy into hating something. We all know that Fred Phelps puts a lot of energy into hating homosexuals. Whatever one's position is on the issue, no one should hate gays or anyone for that matter.

I guess I'm just very intolerant of intolerance. So many things have happened in the past few months, but intolerance is one theme that I keep seeing, even in my own family. One of my uncles expressed not only his concern, but his hatred of Muslims. This was very disheartening to me, because not only is my fiance a Muslim, but it just shows me how far we have to go in America. I'm still not sure how I'm going to be able to see one side of my family at Christmas because of the intolerance I've witnessed him display. I really wish people would just make an effort to get to know someone before judging them. I think people need to take a moment and think of what Jesus would do. Jesus accepts us despite our sins. Jesus loves us and wants us to be in His Kingdom. He wants us to share his word, not abuse it.