Well guys... believe it or not, birthday month is already here! It's crazy how fast time flies. Dave's going to be well over 30 now, I'm turning 29 and will be soaking up the last of my fabulous twenties, and Dan is... well, Dan is going to be my favorite age so far: 27 (that's how old I was when I got married).
So lets talk presents for a second. I'm just going to say upfront that you don't need to get me anything for my b-day. Dave, we'll be celebrating b-days by hanging out and drinking a lot (thinking of you guys the whole time, of course) which is more than I could ask for from you and Sarah. I will say though--and this is mostly for the parentals--that Jeff and I are asking everyone who feels inclined to by us presents for birthdays AND Christmas to stick with giving us straight cash so we can put it towards our big Nicaragua/Costa Rica trip at the end of the year. As always, you don't have to stick to that suggestion, but know that any cash gift will go towards another fabulous burrito and fish while overseas.
I don't have too much of an update on life right now. Jeff is in Pittsburgh for a youth conference, so I'm keeping myself busy and even managed to talk the in-laws into taking me out for some delicious sushi tonight! In general, I've been keeping my schedule pretty open cuz I'm soaking up my last few months of freedom before I start my pre-reqs for nursing school in January. That is, IF I get into the classes I need. I will register December 1st, so I'll know then if I made it in. If I do, Christmas will be my last week at Starbucks so I have more time for school and studying. I'll still stay at the church 20hrs/week because I get paid more there, but I have to admit I'm pretty sad to leave the bucks. Mostly because of the sweet discounts I get (I'm a sucker for hook-ups), but also because of the relationships I've built while working there.
Jeff and I are doing well and super excited for this holiday season! I have to say, the brand new Thanksgiving Blend coming out at Starbucks on Tuesday (election day) has something to do with it. Not to mention our new Gingersnap Latte and Espresso Truffle we're going to offer! You guys have NO idea what you're in for. BRING ON THE WINTER LAYER!
Sooooo, who are you guys voting for? Come on... we can share. We're family, right? I'm voting for McCain mostly because I can't ethically vote for someone (obama) who supports late-term abortion. I don't really like McCain either, but what do you do? There are other reasons, but I hate political debate so I'm not saying anymore right now. Does that sound like a double standard?
I will end with sharing how crazy it is in California with the Proposition 8 debate going on. If you don't know what Prop 8 is, it's the prop that, if passed, will end the gay marriages. It is a HUGE source of tension every where right now. Those voting NO have made it into this 8 = hate and rights issue. Those voting YES are saying it's to restore traditional marriage because they don't want their children to be taught about gay marriages in schools (which is what will happen if prop 8 doesn't pass, and this will spread over the entire nation and then what happens to our religious freedom? This is currently happening in Massachusetts). I've wrestled a lot with how I'm going to vote, and I've decided to vote YES on prop 8. To restore traditional marriage. Why? Because for me, it's not a political issue. It's not about giving gay individuals their rights. It's a moral issue, and as a Believer, I profess to live by the Bible. The Bible says that God created marriage for a specific purpose, between a man and woman, and I can't vote against that. I love gay people, I have a heart for them (I hate the sin, but I love the sinner). Dad, I know you think being a homosexual is mostly genetic, but I disagree. I believe it's a temptation like any other temptation. Some are tempted by it, and some aren't. As with any temptation, you can give into it, or you can choose to fight it.
I know our country isn't even close to being as horrible as the Romans were before they fell. But, it's definitely scary to think of the direction our country is heading, whether in my lifetime or our childrens' or our great-grand childrens'. Jeff has a great historical fact that I believe is so true: Every great empire's downfall began when the family broke down (or something like that).
And there you have it! My opinions.
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