Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall & Denver Moore

I read this book, cover-to-cover, in less then a day. I was drawn to read it at first by the cover art (which seems rather shallow, but it was captivating). The book is the story of two men who come from vastly different worlds to join together in a true friendship.

The point of view changes from author to author in each chapter - which took me a few chapters to get use to, but I quickly realized how it gave a unique voice to this book. In the end, though, it was my point of view that was changed. I challenge anyone to read this book and not look at homelessness in a new light.

Was this book perfect in it's Theology? Not necessarily - but, it was perfect in it's ability to focus my mind in different ways to see what was right in front of me. I live in Atlanta - and area of the country where it's very common to drive home and see the poor and homeless out my car window, but this book made me feel shame (in that I hadn't really SEEN them) and also gave me hope for change within myself.

I highly recommend this book to everyone. I have already passed my copy on to a friend at the theatre and had another friend download it on his Kindle.  It's one of the few books, that I know as soon as I receive it back - it'll be headed out the door to another person.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

~Lone Butterfly  )i(

The 3/50 Project

As a member of the Board of Directors for a local community theatre, local support for local businesses is important to me.   The holidays is a great time of year to join in the 3/50 Project!  Will you take a moment to click on the link above and join me in supporting your local community?

~Lone Butterfly  )i(

To Save a Life

We only purchase Pampers for GO, for this reason alone. Sometimes it's worth it to spend money with companies that are doing the right thing, for the right reasons.

There is a Mommy Blogger who lives near me, who has actually been to the Pampers headquarters and heard from the actual employees how much they care about this cause.

I cannot bear to look at my daughter and think I could lose her over a vaccine that costs $.05! When we talked about it at the dinner table tonight, B10 immediately asked if he could send a dollar and save the lives of 20 babies.

It's really that simple. Can you spare a dollar and save 20 babies?

~Lone Butterfly )i(

Tyson Chicken

Okay, rarely do I use my blog to promote a product - however I feel very strongly about the social responsibility shown by Tyson Chicken this past week.

For those of you who watch "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" on ABC, I'm sure you know exactly what I am talking about (Episode 176 - "King Family"). For those of you who don't, I'll recap quickly.

This season, the show has been redoing homes for "heroes", that term being applied in many different ways. I've seen shows with soldiers returning from overseas, one that featured a family who lost the father and oldest son (the son died trying to save the father from drowning - after saving his youngest sister) and various other "heroes".

This week's hero was a family who runs a daycare for needy families. They live below the poverty line, because they give so much back to the families they serve. They keep the children until late at night if necessary and feed the kids lunch (and dinner and breakfast), not to mention running a clothes closet for the families.

Early in the episode Tyson Chicken announced that they were giving the family free food for a year AND giving the daycare free food for a year. That alone impressed me, especially in these economic times. At the end of the show, however, came the kicker - Ty (the host) announced that not only was Tyson doing that - but they were ALSO giving EVERY FAMILY who had children at the daycare free food FOR A YEAR.

We are talking about 15-20 families, from what I could roughly count.

Now, I know that this was a business decision - and very likely came out of a marketing budget. But I tell you what, I'm much more likely to pay $.50-$1.00 more for Tyson chicken (over the other brand), because they did this - no commercial would have ever convinced me to do that.

So, when you're standing in the frozen food aisle or in the meat section and trying to decide what to purchase, I encourage you to buy Tyson's products. I've decided to only purchase Tyson's for the months of February-July, six months of loyalty (and likely more), even if it costs me a bit.

To begin with - yes, the chicken served during Thinking Day - all Tyson's!

~Lone Butterfly )i(

It's a Movie-Filled Week and More!

Tonight I had B10, because CW was out with Mum visiting the Sheep Family to spend the night, and Hubby is studying for his FINAL CPA exam (he's going to do great!).

I've been wanting to see the new 007 movie, and after checking the rating (thanks, BooSheep) I decided to take him with me.

It was incredible.

I think it's amazing that talented writers, actors, and directors can make an excellent action movie that has NO CUSSING AT ALL. I mean, I'm almost positive Mr. Bond never even said the word "damn".

And this 007 movie didn't even have all the sex that most have. There was only one part where I had to send B10 out to refill our drinks. After seeing it, he very well could have stayed in.

I will warn that there was a lot of talking about sexual things, but it was either overt (as in a normal Bond manner - B10 didn't get that) or it was about something I was able to talk to B10 about (one of the bad guys was "hurting" - ie: attempting to rape - a random woman). I'm not against B10 seeing and understanding that some things are totally wrong.

When we left the movie I had a message on my phone from my contact at a local non-profit. They had matched us up with a family to "adopt" for the holidays! I was so excited I called her back and asked her for all the info by phone, so that B10 and I could start our Christmas shopping immediately.

She is a single mum, with two boys (6 & 10). The 6 year old is medically fragile, and she spends most of her time taking care of him. The contact said that the 10 year old helps a lot with his brother, also.

It really hit B10 hard that the 6 year old boy didn't ask for any toys (nor did his mum ask for any for him). It was all things he needed medically/personally, that are expensive, like diapers and wipes and such. B10 specifically wanted to get him a stuffed animal, so he would have something fun to open on Christmas morning.

The older boy asked for a lot of expensive things, which I don't think was as much greed - as most of the "toys" (and I use that term lightly) marketed to B10's age group are NOT CHEAP! We already purchased him one of the movies he wanted, and B10 picked out a really cool Lego-like toy for him. I think we are going to get him one of the "big" items, likely the little iPod shuffle and a couple of iTunes gift cards. More than the other "toys", that one can serve him well into his teenage years!

The Mum asked for nothing, other than detergent, but my contact was excellent and made sure to get her sizes so we could get her something. B10 helped me pick out a very nice outfit, something she could wear to church or a serious job meeting (like an interview or presentation - I'm not sure what she does, but it's always good to have something!). Plus, it's pretty, and I think it's important for a woman to have something pretty to wear. Especially a Mum who doesn't take (because she can't) a lot of time for herself.

I told Hubby I wanted to get her a nice necklace. Not very expensive, but one that comes in a real jewelry box.

B10 loved helping me shop. And CW can't wait for his turn to go with me.

This is the best part of the holidays! :D

~Lone Butterfly )i(

Compassion

Some of you may remember the last time that Compassion took a group of bloggers overseas.

It was during that trip that Hubby, the Caterpillars, and I chose to sponsor two boys. One lives in Uganda and one in Brazil.

It amazes me how hard we had to look at the budget to make room for the $32 per month/per boy that the sponsorship is. Now, with me no longer working, and our income being reduced, we never once even considered dropping our sponsorship. It's not an option, it isn't any less of a necessity in our lives than water, shelter, or electricity. The impact it has made on my Caterpillars is amazing, they cannot wait for the day they get to travel to meet the younger of our sponsored boys.

This week, Compassion is taking another trip with bloggers, this time to the Dominican Republic.

I know some of my readers already sponsor children - either through Compassion or another faith-based program. If you don't, I challenge you to take a look at the children waiting.

As of this morning, there are 475 Children waiting in the Dominican Republic alone.

I feel very strongly about this program, so strongly that I'm afraid if I let the words flow - they would come out much harsher than I intend. Not because I think Compassion is the only right way to fulfill this calling, but that every single person has a responsibility to help others.

So, in whatever way you fulfill that human responsibility, I congratulate you.

And if you don't, yet - it only takes a click of the mouse to change a life forever.

To read the experiences of the Compassion Bloggers on this trip:

Melanie (or Big Mama) at BigMama
Marlboro Man and the 2 Girl Punks (Mum is Ree from The Pioneer Woman)
Mary at Owlhaven
Jennifer at 5 Minutes for Mom
Tim at Challies

~Lone Butterfly )i(

P.S. - In the time it took me to write this post, 2 children were sponsored from the Dominican Republic - there are now 473 children waiting for sponsors in this country.

A Click A Day -

Saves lives:

http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/

You can visit this site daily and click on the link ("donate for free" pink button in the middle). Corporate sponsors/advertisers use the number of clicks to donate mammograms in exchange for advertisements.

It literally could not be easier to potentially help save a woman's life.

~Lone Butterfly )i(