not to go all "black-eyed peas" on you or anything, but in times of change and anxiety i've gotta wonder, "where is the love?" we have got to start taking care of each other and loving each other and extending grace and kindness to each other. i know that is not very deep or particularly profound, but it's on my mind.

as for my life... it is so stinkin' busy! i knew things would be a little crazy at the beginning of this transition, but it has surpassed every idea of what i thought it would be like in the depth of its craziness. don't worry - i'm surviving. i have some great people around me to help me out. i'm just still figuring out how to tell them how they can help me. they are incredibly patient and they are graciously waiting for me to learn and grow in this.

i'm still going to kickboxing classes and it is still a lot of fun. we are kind of developing a little community in that class and it is nice to know that i am missed when i'm not there.

i've been thinking a lot about the fact that i was in spain this time last year. it is wild to think about that. i have to admit, i wouldn't mind being there now. no offense to tulsa, i just really love travelling. that trip made and is still making such a huge impact on my life. it shifted my perspective in a totally different direction. peace.

so many times when i listen to what is going on in different parts of the world, i get overwhelmed by the poverty, sickness, and horrible condition of people. usually, i end up feeling very frustrated because it seems like there is nothing i can do to make a difference. but, i have to believe that even small choices i make can make a difference. i got this email recently from oxfam america about the situation with coffee farmers around the world. i don't know how many of you are coffee drinkers, but please consider how you can be a part of changing things for these families:

"...you have probably heard about the "coffee crisis." What exactly is it? Extremely low coffee bean prices ó often below the actual cost of growing and picking them ó are taking a terrible toll on the 25 million coffee producers and their families who rely on coffee farming for their survival.

With current coffee prices, many growers are losing hope. Luz Marina Zuluaga, whose family has for generations grown coffee on a few acres of land in Fresno, Colombia, remarks: "Though we have tried to do our best, we have very little support. There is nothing from our own government or from those responsible for the coffee businesses in my own country. How am I going to respond to my children?"

You may have also heard that Oxfam and the eCommunity have made strides in alleviating the coffee crisis. The US has recently rejoined the International Coffee Organization. Coffee giant Procter & Gamble now offers a brand of Fair Trade CertifiedTM coffee. (Initially available only online, it should soon be available in supermarkets.) In fact, over 300 companies now offer Fair Trade CertifiedTM coffee ñ that is, coffee sold by companies that give growers a fair price for their beans.

What can you do to help? First, if you're not already purchasing Fair Trade CertifiedTM coffee, please do so.

Second, please help us move Fair Trade CertifiedTM products from the organic and specialty shelves of your local supermarket to the main coffee aisle, alongside the major brands. Just scroll to the bottom of this email and click on your local grocery store to send their parent company an email. Ask them to carry more Fair Trade CertifiedTM products and also to make the products more visible.

Getting Fair Trade CertifiedTM products into major supermarkets, where most of us shop for our groceries, will help consumers vote with their dollars every day. It will allow you and other consumers to help those 25 million coffee producers and their families, like Luz Marina's, receive a sustainable, living wage. Help us increase the pressure by spreading the word to your friends and asking them to contact their supermarket.
Thanks again for your support.

Sincerely,
David Moore, Internet Campaign OrganizerShayna Harris, Fair Trade Coffee Organizer
Oxfam America "

Click on your local grocery store to send an email their parent company!

Albertson's

Kroger

Visit Oxfam America's website.

why oh why did God choose to only put 24 hours in a day. i need at least 2 more hours per day!

by the way, if you haven't checked out u2's new single, "vertigo", you should. it rocks. literally. can't wait for the album! peace.