Blessings Blog

Today I want to focus on amazement.

I'm amazed at my energy throughout today given the fact that I went to bed just before the sun arose. I guess quality time is an energizer!

I'm amazed by how a red-winged blackbird, decidedly one of my favorite creatures, decided to race me for a spell while I was on my bike heading in the same direction.

I'm amazed by the good press the programs I have had the good fortune to work with are getting - I in no way expected or need to be featured so much (especially since I'm not the brains behind this operation - I'm just on the forefront as the site coordinator!), but here's a local article about the brand-new summer lunch program run through the Community Action Center: New Northfield program offering free lunches to kids throughout summer months The reporter had apparently seen a poster and come over to my site to check it out - hopefully more families hear about this program through this healthy publicity too! Even if it has been somewhat of a struggle sometimes to communicate to a few of my volunteers the necessity of this program (especially when they say "Well, I don't believe in government handouts" as one elderly woman did...), I firmly do believe in the importance of providing fresh nutrition to kids who may not get it at home. It is not a child's fault if their family cannot afford nutritious food for them, even if they work all the time. This is an investment in our youth so they can play better, run around better, focus better, think better, and transition back to school in the fall better so they can direct their energies constructively and dream rather than worrying about the empty feeling in their stomach or where their next meal is going to come from.

And speaking of dreaming, I'm still amazed immigration reform is actually looking like it's going to happen! And that a DREAM Act will be a part of it! The Senate has recently passed their version, and I'm thankful I had the time in the afternoons this week to make calls to my senators about certain provisions (see http://www.interfaithimmigration.org/ if you'd like to get more clued in on the action and learn more about what people of faith and conscience are advocating for in teh fight for just immigration reform). They heard from me about including the DREAM Act and extending it to the youngest DREAMers, and they heard from me to not pass the "border surge" amendment, which will further militarize the border, force immigrants to take on even riskier journeys, and cause even more turmoil in the borderlands. I'm disheartened that the "border surge" did pass, but I'm grateful the Senate does want to prioritize immigrant children's value in society and invest in their educational path for their dreams, as well as work towards supporting the "American Dream" for all undocumented who make this society richer and call this land their home.


And I'm amazed by the shout-out to the TORCH program by Senator Franken on the Senate floor! How cool is that! Senator Franken's Statement on Immigration Reform. Keep your eyes peeled for immigration reform updates with the House - could get interesting!