The Fire Escape

Last weekend we were able to go visit the Hellars in SLO. Even though it was a short trip, it was so awesome to be able to spend time with my friend. Being with her is like breathing…so natural and necessary. While there, Rico and I did a family photo shoot for them so they could document month 6 of Aubrey’s life. We had a great time walking around SLO and taking pictures of them….what beautiful subjects!!!! Natural models I must say, and those cheeks on Aubrey, I could just snack on them they’re so delicious! The pics below are some of my favorites that I shot.  Rico will be posting his on his blog soon.  Thank you Erin for letting us stay with you and for allowing us the opportunity to take photos of your beautiful family. I miss you so much and I can’t wait until we can live closer and decorate our compound together. Give my niece a kiss for me.  Te mando muchos besos conejita!!!

I wanted to post something about what’s going on in Haiti right now with Floresta’s program. The devastation is horrible and we are launching a relief effort right away. Please read the letter from Guy (pronounced: Gee) below. He is the director our program in Haiti and had emailed us an update on the aftermath of the hurricane (obviously English isn’t his first language, so please cut him some slack on the english in his email). After reading, please pray/think about giving to help these people in Haiti. Floresta’s staff is preparing to respond by providing emergency aid. Someone has offered to match all donations up to $56,000, so your donation would have a double impact.  This is an exceptionally urgent opportunity for us to be able to demonstrate our care for people in the midst of their suffering. You can go to our website at:

http://www.floresta.org/donate.htm

Just click on the general donation link and write Hurricane Haiti in the comments section of your donation. I will actually receive the donation, so I’ll be sure to make the donation go directly to Haiti.  All funds given will be used solely for the relief effort, I promise. This is extremely urgent, so if you do feel led, please act as soon as possible. Thank you all for your concern and for your prayers! 

“Floresta Ayiti is very worried about the future of the Haitian people, in particular the farmers with we are working with.  People are hopeless, looking any sign of the authorities. Everyone is focused in Gonaives and Cabaret. People assimulate Floresta to the government because every day we receive letters from farmers who ask direct assistance from Floresta to fix their houses. Unfortunately we cannot afford to do anything. This is for the first time that consecutive storms touch all the area in the country. A lot of structures in the protected watersheds [areas where coordinated reforestation and soil conservation was applied] are severely damaged. I think the proposal submitted could be a relievement for the farmers. Now, I am preparing data about the lost estimated by Floresta members. When it will be ready I will send to you a report by category.”
 
Guy Paraison

yoga and wine steals…enough said.

Sorry, I know, I don’t want my blog to just be about politics, but we’re going through some interesting times right now with this election so I can’t help myself. Politics aren’t bad when discussed in a respectful manner, without involving hate. Anyways, I wanted to post the link to a speech by Obama that I found quite interesting. It’s kinda long, but worth reading.

http://obama.senate.gov/podcast/060628-call_to_renewal_1/

Let me know your thoughts (unless you can’t do that in a respectful, non hateful way. If that’s the case, go leave hateful comments on your own blog. Thanks!)

The question shouldn’t be “where can we get more?” (DRILL BABY DRILL….barf) it should be “how can we use less?” Perspective shift people and please can we TRY and look at things through new lenses, other than our current ones tainted with the shade of entitlement? Those of you who are Christians, I urge you to remember that this earth is NOT ours and that we have a RESPONSIBILITY to make SACRIFICES to exist in it the way the Lord intends….sustainably and humbly and with love for our neighbors. Neighbors who are waiting for us to stop needing that cup of oil with breakfast in the morning (in the words of Dooce )

(ps. I’m guilty too and am in the process of trying to decrease the selfishness that can so easily take over in my life. Lord God I pray that you will help us to take our eyes off our ourselves and that we may break away from our chains of entitlement and selfishness… and I praise you for those who are making steps do just that.)