• I want to move more into purchasing 'green' products.  -- The goal being to either move 1 new 'green' product into our usage (ie. shampoo, soap, clothing) or to move 1 new 'green' activity into our lives (ie. bussing, reusing something, whatever, not using something that is not green).
• I also want to begin purchasing Fair Trade Products -- The goal being to move 1 new Fair Trade Product into our usage (ie. coffee, soap, make up, whatever).

These are both easy to track with a sidebar and fairly self explanatory.

• Complete the Leadership Development Module this spring/summer and register for an appropriate number of MDIV courses for the fall/winter -- Self Explanatory and something that I am eager to start!
• Read the New Testament in 2011 - Definitely going to do this again.  Self explanatory and easily trackable with a side bar.

All that's left to talk about is the Money Matters stuff.  & I'm not sure what all I want to say about that stuff yet.  More thinking to do.

It's feeling nice to be reflecting and musing about stuff and things again.  Hah.  Stuff and Things.  I'm so descriptive.

I am so excited about Kiva. I made another investment. I have loaned money to a group of 11 women from Bolivia.

Here's a little about them...

“Talita Kurmi” is a group of 11 women who attend meetings in the “Alto Lima” Center. They meet to secure access to the loan that they all need to increase their working capital for various enterprises including the sale of vegetables, cookies, spun wool, operating neighborhood stores and creating jewelry crafts."

Invest with me! I'm so excited about helping real people in developing nations.

Today I joined KIVA.ORG and I made my first loan today! I loaned $25 to Estelbina in Nicaragua to help her with her family's farm.

What an incredibly awesome idea! I'm trying to figure out how to work this into one of my Sundays....I could have the bulk of the bag done (ie. the 2 seven foot squares and have all the batting) and then we could put together?

It's also a wonderful way to upcycle and reuse and recycle and reduce what would otherwise be thrown away. Saving the Earth and helping the homeless--what a good combination!

that's right. you read that correctly. i'm already starting to think about christmas. but it's not just christmas that i'm thinking about, it's the presents i'm thinking about. it's excitement and worry at the same time. how will we afford it? will people like what we give them? who should we buy for? who should we not buy for? what can i make this year? what can i make that people will actually like, enjoy, and use?

while, i enjoy christmas and all the extras i do confess it is very easy to be swept up in the consumerism of plstic. i've been reading about something started by a group of mennonites called Buy Nothing Christmas. it's a very powerful idea summed up in their FAQs as:


What is Buy Nothing Christmas?

Buy Nothing Christmas is a national initiative started by Canadian Mennonites who offer a prophetic "no" to the patterns of over-consumption of middle-class North Americans. They are inviting Christians (and others) all over Canada to join a movement to de-commercialize Christmas and re-design a Christian lifestyle that is richer in meaning, smaller in impact upon the earth, and greater in giving to people less-privileged.
Can I be a part of Buy Nothing Christmas even if I buy a few things?

Definitely. We are all going to have to buy some things. When you do buy things, we encourage you to remember principles like buying locally, fairly-traded, environmentally friendly packaging, recycling or re-using, buying things that last, and so on. The main aim of this campaign is not to save money (although that can be a side benefit), it's not to slow down the pace of Christmas (although that can be a side benefit), it is to challenge our over-consumptive lifestyle and how it affects global disparities and the earth. So, even though you might buy a few things at Christmas, it's important to think in these global economic terms.

religion aside, it's an interesting concept. i've been seriously considering particpating in this event. i know that i will buy some things (ie. housekeeping services for my parents) but my fantasy is to either make something that the receiver will love and cherish for years or that the receiver will use in real life for years. in short, i don't want my gifts to end up in a closet, in the basement, or in a landfill. also, andrew is young enough that he doesn't really understand christmas and 1 present is as good as 12 to him. in the end he always ends up playing in the box anyways.

some simple and easy things that i can do in support of the buy nothing christmas ideal

1. make handmade christmas gifts (& all year round gifts too!)
2. stop using wrapping paper. this year i will not buy wrapping paper! newspaper works wonders or i will make all my own reusable bags to put the gifts in.
3. buy handmade or free trade when neccesary to purchase a gift
4. buy local as well when purchasing a gift (ie. housekeeping services for my mother)
5. agree to not exchange gifts with a) co-workers b) adult friends & c) adult cousins (really, it would be much more fun to all go see a movie or go for supper anyways...)