'Beauty lies in poverty.'-Bibi Russel

Good God, when does it end?

We are the richest, most narcissistic generation in the history of America (can't speak for other countries). We complain about having to go to work, and our jobs for the most part are far easier than what people in other countries do. I've been reading this book called "Where am I wearing?" and it's about the people who make our clothes here in America.

Most make around $7.50 a week. Not an hour. A week.
They are not supporting only themselves, but oftentimes their parents, grandparents, and siblings. And yet, they are grateful for the small things in life. Whilst we sit here in our huge houses, with our 1 or 2 child families for the sake of "giving them a better life." Not that there's anything wrong with smaller families, but don't have one for the sake of giving them whatever the heck they want.

I live in a pretty nice house. Yes, most of the things are from Goodwill, dumpster diving, the Really Really Free Market, overstock places, and people I know. But you can fix things, you can repaint them, you can sharpen knives instead of buying a new set, you can remake clothes, etc.

My point is, most people don't want to do that. There is a stigma placed on used items, like 'sloppy seconds.' Honestly, most of the time people throw things out because they get something brand new. And there it goes. We would rather get a brand new car, and force ourselves to work extra hours, than buy a used one that may be just fine.

I have nothing against buying brand new, but many times, we could just make do with what we already have. We are SOOO disconnected from the poor, the beggar, the broken.

And yes, I have things I want to buy, I have tattoos I'd like to get. Will I get them eventually? I don't know, because it seems like I either have to use the money for something else, or I don't have it. Maybe my heart needs to change. Sadly most of the time I think of myself rather than someone else.

Last night I went to Rossman house of prayer, and one of my friends was saying how most of the time, the homeless, or even just the average joes were far more open to prayer, or even just to talk than the businessman, or the soccermom in her SUV when going downtown. He said most of the time, the businessman would say something like "Oh, he needs it more than I do." and yeah, I'm not going to disagree that someone with 'nothing' (no house, food, they may need medical care, etc.) probably needs it for their basic needs, but most of the time, the business man may be sooo far away from God, he doesn't see his need. He thinks because he is comfortable, and has many things, that he is safe somehow.

Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also-Matthew 6:21

Future house

So for now, I am living in an apartment. It's fine for now, but there are times when I feel stir-crazy (like in the dead of winter), and I want to have a house of my own. Plus, I can't have a cat here, and my parents are taking care of her. Plus, I don't want to feel stressed out like if we did have a baby, we wouldn't have any space really. Someday, I want to live in a house with these features:

1. At least 2 bedrooms (even if we didn't have kids at the time, it'd be nice in case someone needed a place to stay)

2. A yard (that's somewhat private) so I can hang out laundry, actually sit outside without feeling like I'm a bug under a glass

3. Space to have people over...so more than 2 people can sit down at once

4. I want to have a sink, and a chair so I can do haircuts *comfortably* in my house.

5. I LOVE old farmhouses, it would be so sweet to live in one.