Why we need a Universal Healthcare System in America

...because the Church isn't doing it.

Posted also on facebook:

In my opinion, the only practical solution for those who are against a Universal Healthcare System in America, is to beat the government at its own game. If Christians would actually DO the Gospel, they would fill the void that the government is trying to fill.

But sadly, as a whole, we have failed to BE the Church and DO the Gospel, giving our government the perfect segue to attempt to do (expensively) what the Church should have been doing all along. I don't mean writing a check so someone else can do the work. I mean making the food, and bringing it, along with clothes, directly to the people that need it, or seeing to their care when sick. (cf. Mt. 25:41-46)

Doin' too much

I've been doing too much lately. Work has been busy, family has been busy with weddings, keeping up with weeds in the grass, new bed for Bethany, and other regular chores, and Gaelic Football, and going here and going there.

Ugg.

Going to take the weekend off. Will try to organize around the house.

Something I've been looking at is a better food organization like the kind they have at ShelfReliance.com



Pretty cool. I think we have just the spot for one of the bigger systems. Being way out in Belle Plaine, it gives us some peace of mind knowing we can have a good supply of food if we get snowed in.

Good weekend away...

spent a weekend "away" (not far) with my wife, and it was great.
Took a walk on the Stone Arch Bridge, and saw some art, found out about a place to brew beer where they take care of all the mess, saw "UP" (GO SEE IT!), stayed up late, slept in late, watched some TV

Returned home and rearranged some of the downstairs so that our daughter can move into the guest room downstairs by the time school starts.

Sssshhhhh. Don't tell her! It's going to be a surprise when she gets her own loft bed and big room upgrade!

Love my new phone!

I got my Blackberry Storm yesterday!

Much better than my old HTC Touch from Verizon. The Storm has VZ Navigator and access to work email, and just about everything else I could want, including a very nice camera.

Now I just have to get used to typing on this and figuring out how to get my tunes onto it, etc.

Oh, and I should probably get a nice case and car charger for it too. Details....

Pentecost

Holy Communion on the day of Pentecost, the Birthday of the Church.

Made it home

Home sweet home.

Lot's to catch up on.

Sorry for the short and infrequent posts from Guatemala. There was a 160 character limit for text messages, and no pix messages :-(

I think I'm going to get an iPhone when my current contract is up.

Anyway, the trip was a great success, and I plan to upload some photos here soon.

For now, I got a bunch of catching up to do!!!

the new orphanage. The view

the new orphanage. The view of Lake Amatitlan is incredible. Off to daily matins now. Hard to believe we go home tomorrow.

Been keeping very busy with

Been keeping very busy with the kids but got to go to the monastery (very beautiful) and see the progress me the construction of...

agreed to go down the

agreed to go down the water slides. We had a good time. The children sleep as we take the 2 hour bus side back to the orphanage.

His other two brother have

His other two brother have been adopted, but he had been rejected because of his feet. I was proud me him when he finally...

Went to a water park

Went to a water park today accompanied by Samuel. He is 8. His mother burned his feet to force him to walk. Sweet boy...

Yardwork around the orphanage and

Yardwork around the orphanage and a quinceanera made for a full day. Tomorrow we take them to the beach. City noise never stops.

This morning we woke to

This morning we woke to the sound me firecrackers and a mariachi band. We danced with the kids to celebrate Clara's 15th birthday.

Made it safely to Guatemala!

Made it safely to Guatemala!

Tonight we ride....

Off to Guatemala late tonight.

We'll be working at http://www.hogarafaelayau.org

Lately the news there has been rather, shall we say, exciting. This will be like being in the Philippines, but they speak Spanish instead of Tagalog.

Pray for us, 12 going to do what we can to help 80 some orphans at an old orphanage. I've heard bits and pieces of their story. It's very interesting.

Tomorrow we should arrive there around noon Guatemala time (Central time without the DST shift). Forecast is for thunderstorms and highs in the 70s. I can handle that, but hopefully the day we go to Antigua (not sure which), hopefully there will be some sun.

The family of 5 from New Jersey that is meeting us in Houston has been there quite a few times. Their daughter Kelly will be our team leader. I hear Kelly usually works in Fiji for her "day job". Must be rough!

The Goose Family of Normandale Lake are having lunch. Several goslings.

(I hope the phone I use in Guatemala has a better camera.)

I had a very nice walk around Normandale Lake in Bloomington, Minnesota today.















Can you spot the duck there swimming among the lily pads? The cloud reflections where pretty as well.

Dandy Lions...

Good for wine, but not much else.

Truckin'

Cruising down the road in the truck. Absolutely beautiful day here in the Twin Cities.

What the heck. I'm in a smiley mood!

This is a test post from my phone. I hope to be able to send blog entries from Guatemala too!

'Bout dang time I started a personal blog!

Well, it's not my very first blog, but it is my very first personal blog just to blog.

Forgive me if I don't update it daily, and if it isn't super pretty like your blog.

Gotta start somewhere.

And I'm grateful for today: for my wife and kids, my job, the sunshine, a chance to travel soon to Guatemala and hopefully make a meaningful contribution in the lives of some people who are precious in God's sight.

More later!