We are flying out tomorrow to go to Chile. Because we were looking for a more economical flight, we went with Air Canada. This means, oddly enough, that we will be leaving New York, flying to Canada, and then flying from Canada to Chile. I know it doesn't make too much sense, but the important thing is that the Alarcon grandparents will finally meet Benjamin!
This trip really is all about Benjamin. We have never before flown with a baby, so this is a new experience and really very overwhelming, for me at least. Samuel, of course, says, "Everything will be fine!" Sure it will, until he stinks up the airplane with a messy diaper and wakes everyone up at 2:36 AM crying! Hollie tells me to take a deep breath and relax, which sounds nice but is something that I won't be able to do until we are touching down in Santiago on Monday afternoon.
We will write from Chile to tell you how the flight was, and more importantly to tell you how Benjamin likes his daddy's place of birth! Talk to you soon.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
I AM A MAN
Fear mingled with tears, and a statement made without a word; this was the state of things in 1968 when a 42 year old Robert Kennedy was shot. His death followed that of his brother, JFK, and Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., as well as thousands of unnamed martyrs in the quest for civil human rights.
As Robert Kennedy was being rushed away, grown men who had seen their share of pain and disappointment in life, sat on the floor and wept. They wept because any innocence that was left had just been driven away in an ambulance.
The 60’s was a decade during which young people stood up for their civil rights and for the civil rights of the masses that had been ignored for so long. College students held countless sit-ins and refused to go unheard. They were beaten, arrested, and killed all in the hopes of freedom.
It was during this time that a group of African American garbage men went on strike. They were extremely overworked, utterly underpaid, and lived life feeling as though they were less than human.
Their method was not to shout, yell, or force signs in the faces of passerby’s. Instead, they walked silently in a straight line wearing signs that stated, “I AM A MAN”. This statement spoke volumes! Far more important than money or hours was the need for someone to acknowledge that they mattered just as much as anyone else.
In the book of Luke, we become acquainted with the woman who had led a sinful life. She too sought civil rights. She too felt as though she was treated as less than human. When she took action, her statement also spoke louder than she could ever have imagined.
Fear mingled with tears as she knelt as Jesus’ feet and began to wash them with her love. With all eyes on her, she was saying, “I am a human being, just like you!” Behind her, men whispered their disapproval, but in front of her, the only man that mattered encouraged her to do what she had gone there for.
I wonder how many times we, or our congregation, have watched less-than-perfect people come into our services and said, along with the Pharisees of the Bible and the racists of the 60’s, “Who do they think they are? They don’t belong here!” Such judgment does not belong in the Church.
Everyone who reads this wants to think that they are not judgmental, but we have to be honest with ourselves or we will not change. There was a question in a study that I recently participated in that asked, “Do you think that you are more like the judgmental Pharisee or the Broken Woman?” I had to be honest and say that there were times when I felt like both. I have been on the floor, broken and unable to speak, but I have also, unfortunately, been the one to judge.
When we follow the example of Jesus Christ, we are reminded again and again that when we initially think that someone doesn’t belong; they are the ones that need Him the most. We see fear mingled with tears on a daily basis. This combination calls for a change, and we are called to be the catalysts for that transformation, not the roadblocks. It is our responsibility to live by example so that our people will learn and understand that human rights is still an issue, that it is our issue, and we can change the world.
Jesus Christ came and started a revolution. The 60’s brought along another revolution worldwide as people realized that the world was not as it should be. Now we have the opportunity to have a revolution of our own! We recognize the need for change and turn our backs on it. The woman washing Jesus’ feet went out of her comfort zone in order to make a statement. “You say you want a revolution?” Well it won’t be easy, but here’s your chance!
As Robert Kennedy was being rushed away, grown men who had seen their share of pain and disappointment in life, sat on the floor and wept. They wept because any innocence that was left had just been driven away in an ambulance.
The 60’s was a decade during which young people stood up for their civil rights and for the civil rights of the masses that had been ignored for so long. College students held countless sit-ins and refused to go unheard. They were beaten, arrested, and killed all in the hopes of freedom.
It was during this time that a group of African American garbage men went on strike. They were extremely overworked, utterly underpaid, and lived life feeling as though they were less than human.
Their method was not to shout, yell, or force signs in the faces of passerby’s. Instead, they walked silently in a straight line wearing signs that stated, “I AM A MAN”. This statement spoke volumes! Far more important than money or hours was the need for someone to acknowledge that they mattered just as much as anyone else.
In the book of Luke, we become acquainted with the woman who had led a sinful life. She too sought civil rights. She too felt as though she was treated as less than human. When she took action, her statement also spoke louder than she could ever have imagined.
Fear mingled with tears as she knelt as Jesus’ feet and began to wash them with her love. With all eyes on her, she was saying, “I am a human being, just like you!” Behind her, men whispered their disapproval, but in front of her, the only man that mattered encouraged her to do what she had gone there for.
I wonder how many times we, or our congregation, have watched less-than-perfect people come into our services and said, along with the Pharisees of the Bible and the racists of the 60’s, “Who do they think they are? They don’t belong here!” Such judgment does not belong in the Church.
Everyone who reads this wants to think that they are not judgmental, but we have to be honest with ourselves or we will not change. There was a question in a study that I recently participated in that asked, “Do you think that you are more like the judgmental Pharisee or the Broken Woman?” I had to be honest and say that there were times when I felt like both. I have been on the floor, broken and unable to speak, but I have also, unfortunately, been the one to judge.
When we follow the example of Jesus Christ, we are reminded again and again that when we initially think that someone doesn’t belong; they are the ones that need Him the most. We see fear mingled with tears on a daily basis. This combination calls for a change, and we are called to be the catalysts for that transformation, not the roadblocks. It is our responsibility to live by example so that our people will learn and understand that human rights is still an issue, that it is our issue, and we can change the world.
Jesus Christ came and started a revolution. The 60’s brought along another revolution worldwide as people realized that the world was not as it should be. Now we have the opportunity to have a revolution of our own! We recognize the need for change and turn our backs on it. The woman washing Jesus’ feet went out of her comfort zone in order to make a statement. “You say you want a revolution?” Well it won’t be easy, but here’s your chance!
Monday, February 18, 2008
Un regalo de Dios
Que alegria pronto estaremos viajando a Chile con Jenny y Benjamin. No lo puedo creer pronto mis padres conoceran a Benjamin. Para mi es muy importante que mi hijo conozca a sus abuelos, ya que seria la primera vez que ellos pueden disfrutar a su nieto, mas que eso, ver las cosas que Benjamin puede hacer y conocer lo precioso que es. No puedo creer lo grande que esta Benjamin, si pareciera que fue ayer que llego al mundo, no hay forma de agradecer a Dios por este regalo precioso.
Cada vez que miro a mi hijo o hablo con el, pienso en aquellas criaturas que viven sin sus padres, sin tener a nadie que los ame y los proteja. Cada vez que mi hijo se golpea a mi me duele, al verlo llorar conmueve mi corazon, al verlo reirse me trae alegria, no puedo explicar lo que siento dentro de mi. Espero que los que lean este pensamiento entiendan que nuestros hijos son unos regalos de Dios. No juguetes que pueden ser maltratados como si no fueran importantes. Yo le pido a mi Dios que me ayude a ser el mejor papa del mundo, para amar y criar a Benjamin y estar presente en los momentos importantes de su vida.
If I were Queen of the Foreeeeest!
When I was a young girl, my mother would tell me how much she loved me. I think that she thought that I didn't understand quite how much, so she would often follow it with, "When you have your own child, you'll understand." This was often said with tears in her eyes, and I must admit that I wondered why she was so emotional!
Here I am, with a child of my own, and I cry when I tell him how much I love him. Motherhood certainly causes one to step back and see what is really important in life. Worry also comes with the territory, as well as extreme defensiveness. I am a defensive person anyway, but now I am like a proud lioness protecting her cub from any and all threats. Of course many of them are created or intensified in my own mind, but it doesn't change the fact that it really hurts, something that I didn't realize would be so powerful.
However, seeing so many young women who don't take their roles as "mother" at all seriously, I would rather be a protective mommy than one who doesn't care. Notice, I didn't say 'overportective'! I'd say that the biggest surprise to me is that I am a much more laid back mother than I ever thought I would be. Thank God for that!
Saturday, February 16, 2008
World Traveling Baby
It has been said that all mothers honestly believe that their babies are the most beautiful in the world. However, I would like to introduce you to Benjamin who really is the most beautiful!
We went for his passport last month because we are traveling to Chile on February 24th to visit Samuel's family. I have never seen such a cute passport photo! I think that if everyone's passport photo were as cute as his, there would be no problems getting in and out of countries!
Benjamin has begun to make new friends at Church. He is fascinated by children and they are enamored with him, so it works out for both sides! Since he doesn't have to share at home, however, he's still trying to understand why he has to at church. He'll catch on soon enough!
My second first blog!
A year and a half ago, I decided to start a blog. I started it up and exactly one posting later, stopped. Granted there were a lot of things happening in my life at the time; my husband and I moved from New Brunswick to Hackensack, soon after we got pregnant, etc. and so forth. Regardless, I have decided to blog once again. So here is my second first blog, my second first posting!
Since the first posting, we have had an addition to our small family. Benjamin Joel is now nearly 11 months old, which is very hard to believe! He is crawling very fast, walking when holding someone's hand, and he has 8 teeth. Once I figure out how to post pictures, he will surely be all over this blog.
Well, this is it for now, and soon you will be able to read my first second posting ever!
God Bless!
Since the first posting, we have had an addition to our small family. Benjamin Joel is now nearly 11 months old, which is very hard to believe! He is crawling very fast, walking when holding someone's hand, and he has 8 teeth. Once I figure out how to post pictures, he will surely be all over this blog.
Well, this is it for now, and soon you will be able to read my first second posting ever!
God Bless!
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