Highlights From Recent Blog Posts

Another year seems to have run its course. It's hard to believe that December's already here and I'm amazed by the number of Christmas gifts I've already purchased.

And tonight I spent the time going through my blog, which is something I've wanted to do for some time. I knew it needed to be updated and cleaned up and gosh, well, it's much more fun to sit here with baby puppy in my lap and dawdle away on the computer then . . . straightened other things in my home. That's what tomorrow's for, right?

I'd love to get your feedback on the new look. If it's your first time here I'd love to get your thoughts too.

And, while I'm asking for your thoughts, tell me what your favorite places are to visit on the web lately.

For me? It has to be Pinterest! I'm an addict. In fact, just this week I made two Christmas decorations from inspiration that started on Pinterest. If you're a fan and hang out there too, please add me. You can find my schmancy new Pinterest button over there on the top left column.

Time To Grow That Mo

Okay, honestly, the only Mo (mustache) that I'll be sporting around this month is one that's fake and probably propped up by a stick or something.

But for you guys out there . . . consider sporting one for this great cause!

Movember, formally known as November, is now in full swing for the 2011 season.

Thank you, Steve Jobs

Last night just before 7 pm CST I learned of the death of Steve Jobs, entrepreneur, visionary and former CEO of Apple. A man who was in the prime of his life at 56 years old whom I'd never met changed the life of just about everyone I know.

My first exposure to computers was in eighth grade (1981) in Mrs. Strain's math class on an Apple II. We did a little bit of programming and from what I can best recall we created mosaics. Big stuff for a girl from a tiny Texas town (West Columbia). In fact that computer may have been the ONLY computer in our junior high school at that time.

Thank you, Mr. Jobs for being a part of that first exposure.

So as I was driving home tonight after speaking at Social Media Club Texas State, I thought about what I'd done in my life that wouldn't have been possible without Job's innovations. Yes, I know he was the end all be all to Apple and there were many hundreds of people who helped their products, but he was the face of Apple to me. And while I have a strong sense of who my savior is and who my God is, I'd have to think that if I leaned toward believing in demi-gods then Jobs would be right up there in my top 10 list.

Engaging with the Smallest in Botswana

During our time with Love Botswana Outreach Mission (LBOM), our team was able to assist with the Lorato House of Love - The Baby House. This is one of LBOM's community outreach programs.

Normally the house is run by two women during the day and two women during the night. Our team took over the house from Sunday evening until Tuesday evening. The house at capacity houses 10 babies and over the 10 days were onsite the 10th baby arrived. Our team rallied to the challenge and fed babies, loved on babies, bathed babies and played with babies. Whew. We had a tired group of folks - six babies and four toddlers is work for sure.

Lorato House is a rescue center and orphanage for abandoned babies and children in need. The Northwest and Okavango Districts of Botswana have among the highest levels of orphaned children and children affected by HIV/AIDS in the country. This is the first rescue center of its type in Botswana.

The goal of Lorato House of Love is to place these babies into loving families in Botswana that the children will grow up to be contributing members of society. Lorato House educates and empowers the extended families, guiding them to raise healthy, well-balanced children.

Our Missionary Adventure

Charles and I just returned yesterday after spending the last two weeks in Maun, Botswana with Love Botswana Outreach Mission. It had been 10 years since I last visited LBOM and I was so excited to share the experience with Charles.

We're both attracted to adventure so I knew it would be a relatively easy trip for us both. Having been there before I had some pretty easy expectations. Charles, in typical form, arrived well prepared and with lots and lots of tools and medicines in his two bags of luggage.

One of the things he may not have realized that would prove useful was his knowledge of working on 4x4s or his Texas State Guard medic training. Read more about 3/4 down on Sarah Witt's blog post Kev's Version Of the Moremi Adventure.