We had a rocking good time in 2012, thanks for all the good memories Annie & Boys!
Friday, December 28, 2012
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Hawaii Vacation Lodging
Nice way to vacation in Hawaii. I found this flyer on the wall in the DFW crew room earlier in the month.
Saturday, December 22, 2012
A Christmas Story
I received an email this morning from the executive director of Safe Families that included a nice Christmas Story.
Date: 12-22-2012
Subject: No Room at the Inn
From: Dr. David Anderson, Executive Director, Safe Families
I have to admit that I have never thought often about the Inn Keeper in the story of Jesus' birth. I've probably read the story hundreds of times. But this year I am intrigued. He could have responded like everyone else did to Joseph and Mary, No Room. His first response I'm sure was that the Inn was full. No one would have criticized him for sending them away. However, something caused him to stop and more deeply considered what he had to offer. I bet he somewhat sheepishly said, "There's no room in the Inn. However, I'm sure you don't want it but I do have a barn and a manager you could use. We could try and make sure you feel as comfortable as you can."
I often feel like our home is "full." Its not actually full. We have space but for some reason I am feeling full. Maybe because we are busy. Maybe because its hard to say goodbye to a child. Maybe because its inconvenient helping a child adjust to our routines. Maybe the child needing a home is too different than me and my family. However, like the Inn Keeper, sometimes we do have to reconsider our first reaction, No Room.
A family recently did just that. We received a surprise check for $10,000 from a hospital (North Shore University Health System) a couple weeks ago. We never get checks from hospitals. Obviously, it got my attention. A social worker, Nancy, said that she submitted a story to the employees of the hospital to vote on to bless a family or agency with a Christmas gift. Safe Families was chosen.
Here's the story. A young (19 and 20 years old - not much older than Mary and Joseph) couple had a new born baby that was born with complications. The parents had multiple jobs, were attending college, and lived on friends' couches. They had a beautiful baby but she had a life limiting illness. She had hydranencephally, a condition where the brain fails to develop and is primarily fluid. They were devastated and knew they couldn't care for her. The social worker called numerous institutions, agencies, adoption centers, etc., and no one would take her. No room. The last agency she called ask her to call back in 2-3 years. Then she thought of Safe Families. Although she knew of Safe Families, she never considered that we took children who had a limited life. Within an hour a family was found who cared for the baby only 6 more days until she passed away in their home.
Who does that? Who makes room for such a situation, knowing that her life was so short? Who says yes when everyone in Chicago says no. They were a Safe Family. They represent over 800 host families in Chicago doing that same thing. This family represents all of us, taking children whose parents can't care for them and no one else wants.
Subject: No Room at the Inn
From: Dr. David Anderson, Executive Director, Safe Families
I have to admit that I have never thought often about the Inn Keeper in the story of Jesus' birth. I've probably read the story hundreds of times. But this year I am intrigued. He could have responded like everyone else did to Joseph and Mary, No Room. His first response I'm sure was that the Inn was full. No one would have criticized him for sending them away. However, something caused him to stop and more deeply considered what he had to offer. I bet he somewhat sheepishly said, "There's no room in the Inn. However, I'm sure you don't want it but I do have a barn and a manager you could use. We could try and make sure you feel as comfortable as you can."
I often feel like our home is "full." Its not actually full. We have space but for some reason I am feeling full. Maybe because we are busy. Maybe because its hard to say goodbye to a child. Maybe because its inconvenient helping a child adjust to our routines. Maybe the child needing a home is too different than me and my family. However, like the Inn Keeper, sometimes we do have to reconsider our first reaction, No Room.
A family recently did just that. We received a surprise check for $10,000 from a hospital (North Shore University Health System) a couple weeks ago. We never get checks from hospitals. Obviously, it got my attention. A social worker, Nancy, said that she submitted a story to the employees of the hospital to vote on to bless a family or agency with a Christmas gift. Safe Families was chosen.
Here's the story. A young (19 and 20 years old - not much older than Mary and Joseph) couple had a new born baby that was born with complications. The parents had multiple jobs, were attending college, and lived on friends' couches. They had a beautiful baby but she had a life limiting illness. She had hydranencephally, a condition where the brain fails to develop and is primarily fluid. They were devastated and knew they couldn't care for her. The social worker called numerous institutions, agencies, adoption centers, etc., and no one would take her. No room. The last agency she called ask her to call back in 2-3 years. Then she thought of Safe Families. Although she knew of Safe Families, she never considered that we took children who had a limited life. Within an hour a family was found who cared for the baby only 6 more days until she passed away in their home.
Who does that? Who makes room for such a situation, knowing that her life was so short? Who says yes when everyone in Chicago says no. They were a Safe Family. They represent over 800 host families in Chicago doing that same thing. This family represents all of us, taking children whose parents can't care for them and no one else wants.
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