it's my birthday!

ok...so, looks like my last post was in feb of this year. that's crazy! but, I have been busy with other things; you know, like facebook and reading everyone's status and playing farkle and knitting and reading and... okay, so you get the picture. LOL!

anyway, sunday (the 29th) was my birthday. and it occurred to me that i have only had a handful of birthdays that were memorable in 49 years. (which sounds kind of sad, but not really...)

my parents were missionaries when i was young so needless to say we were poor. (like housing projects poor) my 13th birthday is the first birthday that i can recall with any details. i got curtains for my bedroom window. they were a green and blue plaid and i thought they were gorgeous! not only were they cool, but this meant i didn't have to sit on the floor to get dressed any more.

on my 16th birthday, my mom threw me a surprise birthday party. my best friend at the time came and my mom and that was pretty much the guest list. haha! Since i was very shy and timid during high school, I did not appeciate the social aspects of being a high school senior. looking back, i guess God was truly protecting me. shy for me also meant naive to the point of clueless to the ways of the world. but, my mom and dad gave me a pearl necklace for my birthday and it was so beautiful. i felt rich and blessed. all-in-all, it was a good birthday.

then on my 40th birthday, paul actually pulled off a surprise party at our house. there were so many people and i got more gifts that one birthday than i had gotten in the previous 39 years combined. it was amazing! i know people say it's not about the gifts, it's all about getting together with friends and family...but i say, no matter how old you get, it's still a little bit about the gifts. it's just so much fun!

so, sunday was my 49th birthday. and again, it was such a memorable day...actually it was more like a birthday weekend. my family made me feel so loved and appreciated. friends gave me gifts...some small, some not so small...lauren, you rock!...paul, the boots are perfect!...steve, cash is also a welcome gift...:) and rhonda, lunch was too fun! and i got more 'happy birthday' wishes than ever before.

so i guess, the point of this post was just to say that i feel blessed and honored to have such good friends and a family that loves me. It doesn't take that much effort to make someone feel special. so thanks to all who remembered me on my special day and for helping to add this birthday to the list of memorable birthdays. with love!

a softened heart...

not too long ago, i received an email from a friend stating that congress was about to put into law a bill allowing illegal immigrants entitlement to social security benefits and if we wanted to do something to stop this we needed to sign our name to the petition and forward along. so, just like the many americans who had already put their 'john henry' on the petition, i was eager to do so as well. after all, if they get their hands on it, what will be left for me when i need it, right? (even though i know these email petitions have little to no impact on our legislators...) i signed it and forwarded it to all my friends.

a couple of days later, i got an email response from a very good friend. her words cut straight to my spirit and as i continued to read i began to cry. i literally felt my heart softening and realized how greedy and selfish my words had been. so, i asked first for her forgiveness and then for her permission and she agreed that i send her email to all of you. i hope that you read it and let the words soften your heart as well. how can we say we are like Jesus when we have no compassion and are so unwilling to share...whatever it may be...with those who are in need?! so, following is her email to me and my response back. i hope you 'get it' and then pray against the fear and the rebellion that rears its ugly head at times like these. thanks for reading...

Hi, Lisa,

This is an issue very close to my heart, so I thought I'd take a moment to write. It's obviously very complicated, and I think any "solutions" to the issue of illegal immigrants will be just as complicated as the issue itself. Let me preface this email by saying that I don't intend to get on a soapbox or judge others' points of view, but rather share my experience with you because, as they say, "the more you know..."
Since the Lord led me to study Spanish in college, I have had the opportunity to be in contact with many Hispanics in this country and abroad. They've been my friends, acquaintances, co-workers and clients. Many of them are "documented" (or "legal"), although, I must say, not all of them. Most recently I have had the opportunity to serve as a translator for non-English speaking patients in medical settings. I consider this an honor. They may have come to this country because they were discontent with their own circumstances, or in search of the American dream, or simply (and most realistically) because they could not put food on the table for their children. Whatever the circumstances may be, I do believe that, once they are here, it is unacceptable to turn them away from medical care or other social services.

It's a common belief that offering this kind of care to undocumented immigrants puts a burden on our country's budget and resources. The truth is, what these people offer to our country, especially in the work force, is absolutely invaluable. (I've heard the movie "A Day Without Mexicans" says it all. It shows just how dependent we are on immigrant labor in our own country.) I've spoken first-hand with employers who hire immigrants to do jobs that Americans will not do, even for $10/hour or more. These employers try to hire Americans; they want to hire Americans, but when none show up, they resort to immigrants. Besides the fact that immigrants tend to be dependable, hard workers, etc. Since these folks are on payroll, they do pay taxes and most likely contribute to Social Security and Medicare as well (I think it is required for employers to do this). In fact, many of them are entitled to tax returns they never see nor claim simply because they are "illegal". My understanding is that although that money rightfully belongs to them, it ends up in the hands of the government.

As believers, I know we are called to submit to our government. But we're also called to seek justice and mercy. I've come to the conclusion that, when I come into contact with undocumented immigrants, my role is to help them understand why it's important to adhere to the legal system in this country (although it is NOT always just) and how they can do that. This has sometimes meant encouraging them to return to their homelands to be with the families they left behind, or finding a way to get all their documents in order to remain in the U.S. But it also means showing them Christ's love which, practically speaking, means helping provide for their basic needs. I do hope our leaders in Washinton can find some solutions, but cutting off all benefits to undocumented immirgrants over-simplifies both the issue and the solution, and it completely ignores the undeniable value these people bring to our country. We should also consider that, although many adults arrive to this country without documents, the children born to them here are still citizens. Taking away benefits from undocumented adults means putting undue hardship on their children, who do have legal rights in this country.

Finally, in this country we all know our ancestors were immigrants. Perhaps legal, perhaps illegal, but immigrants just the same. My own grandfather came to the U.S. from Cuba on a boat. I can see now how it was all a part of God's plan for his descendants to live and grow in this country. So I'm the grand-daughter of Cuban immigrants. But, as I read scripture, I'm reminded that I myself will continue to be an immigrant until I reach my heavenly home.

Below are a couple of verses that help me understand how God views aliens:

Deut. 10:18-19 "He [God] defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing. And you are to love those who are aliens, for you yourselves were aliens in Egypt."

Deut. 24:17 "Do not deprive the alien or the fatherless of justice..."

Lev. 19:33 "When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him. The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I am the Lord your God."

Lev. 25:23 "...the land is mine [says the Lord] and you are but aliens and my tenants."

We are all aliens...just like Abraham...looking toward the city whose architect and builder is God! We are all aliens in this land if we truly consider ourselves citizens of heaven.

For what it's worth :)

In His love,
Courtney

Courtney:
Please let me say first that i am sincerely sorry if i have offended you in any way. and what you have said has indeed softened my heart concerning this issue. i think sometimes we are too quick to jump 'on the band wagon' when it comes to issues such as this. like you said this issue is complicated and it would be better if we had all the facts concerning the proposed legislation. i'm sure that i do not have all the info necessary to make a wise and godly decision on where i stand. i truly do apologize.

your points are extremely thought-provoking and i will continue to think about this matter. i guess your heritage and the unique position you find yourself in has given you insight that most of us take for granted. i've tried to convince myself that i am not fearful when it comes to the days ahead of us...but truthfully, i believe that perhaps this kind of 'knee-jerk' reaction stems from nothing else but fear. this is a matter i will take to Father God. isn't is awesome how perfect his timing is and how he uses us to help each other to see things more clearly?! i am so thankful that you took the time to share your heart with me and i really will be praying about this. i would like to forward your email to the people that i sent the 'petition' to and ask them to prayerfully consider their stand on this issue. do you mind? i won't send it until i hear back from you and if you prefer me not to forward it, then i will certainly comply with you wishes. thanks again for not holding back. i admire your compassion.
with love, lisa