Impressions

There was a thought provoking question asked over on the Urbana website this past month in the "Ask Jack" Blog section. The question touches on the types of financial asks that missionaries sometimes make through prayer letters. The author vents her frustration about missionaries who appear to be asking for items that are beyond their needs (i.e. an IPad, a vacation, new car) and/or who appear to have lifestyles more lavish than her own. It's a facinating question that's worth the time to read fully: http://urbana.org/ask-jack/jacki039m-planning-ask

Matt and I actually spent quite a bit of time talking about this post and it's been challenging to us--both as missionaries who ask for support as well as individuals who support others. These are some of our thoughts:


From a Missionary Perspective:
Whew, what a challenge. In so many ways, the author's frustration get's to the heart of our own personal financial stewardship. I know that all of us one day will face God and be accountable to how we've chosen to spend his money, but Matt and I also realize that we are accountable to every person who chooses to support us. As we were talking about this, Matt wisely asked, "could we show our personal budget to any supporter who asked?"

Ironically, we had sort of been talking about this earlier that week after a Financial Peace University class. During the class, Dave Ramsey mentioned that a budget reveals our values. So Matt and I had already been looking at our budget asking whether our budget lines up with the values that we believe in.

Luckily, both of us realized that we don't have any shame associated with our budget and would be fine showing it to anyone who asked. While most of our financial decisions are not made based on asking, "what would our donors think?", they are made on "How is God asking us to steward his resources". So if you support us, and have ever wondered how we steward our money...ask away.

The other thing that stood out to us was that a person's lifestyle can easily be determined from the impressions left from a prayer letter, facebook post, or blog entry. In some ways, we're glad for that because it keeps us more accountable. :)

From a Supporter's Perspective:
On the flip side, we both love being able to give generously as God calls. So we resonated with the author's frustration about supporting people who seem a bit more reckless with their finances. And so we really appreciated Jack's advice in how to determine whether to keep supporting someone or not. Jack says:

Which of these friends are doing the kind of work that really speaks to my heart?
Which of them are faithful in their reporting and seem to be being used by the Lord?
Which of them indicate an attitude and lifestyle with which I am comfortable?

Jack advises that if a person or organization that you support does not fit these criteria than it could be worth ending your support. As a couple who raises support and as a couple who supports others, we think this is pretty good advice.

So overall, this Ask Jack Question provided some good discussion over breakfast last weekend and has continued to fuel some personal internal dialogue this week.

Rio vs. Barbie

Babysitting this weekend I had the chance to view two movies I hadn't seen yet: "Rio" and "Barbie in a Mermaid Tail". I had been curious about Rio and had never heard of this particular Barbie movie.

Sadly, I have to admit that I think I enjoyed the Barbie movie more than Rio. All I can say is that the Barbie manufactures sure have done their homework on how best to market to a girl's heart. I mean come on...how can a blue bird that can't fly ever compete with a hip surfer teenager from Malibu who finds out that she's a mermaid princess and as a result gets the chance to save the sea kingdom from an evil aunt and spend at least 10 minutes of the movie shopping for new mermaid tail outfits while singing a catchy song? Sorry Rio...you just couldn't compete.

What's even sadder is that the kids I was watching actually sat through the whole Barbie movie enthralled. While within 5 minutes of Rio, they were distracted by their toys.

I wonder how much research does go into kids movies like Barbie. Cause, they sure do know how to keep the attention of not only a 4 year old girl but an 8 year old boy and a 30 year old woman who should know better than to get sucked into clever marketing movies.

The Social Network

The movie The Social Network finally made it to the cheap theater and we were talked into watching it the other night by a friend at work.

I didn't have super high expectations of the movie since I assumed it would highlight the non-academic side of college (which it did) and I don' t in general have a super high view of Facebook the corporation in general (they change the rules way to often and have way to much control). However, it wasn't as bad as I thought and I can see why it's been an award contender this year.

My guess is that most of the movie is a fabrication loosely based on truth...but there were a few "facts" that did take me by surprise.

FACT: Napster was co-created in 1999 by Sean Parker and operated for about three years. Shawn ends up playing a role in helping Facebook grow.
REALIZATION: Wow, I had completely forgotten about the very existence of Napster. Napster was such a big part of the college scene when I went to school. It was very common to walk into almost any dorm room and find someone browsing Napster. But once it was shut down due to lawsuits it was on to the next thing. It made me realize just how fast Internet programs change and how forgettable they are.

FACT: We caught the 7:00 p.m. showing of Facebook and out of the about 80 people in the theater, we were the youngest in the room by about 20 year.

REALIZATION: I did not expect this movie to be of interested to an older generation. I forgot that Facebook really was only created 7 years ago and really was only available to non-college age groups after 2004. For some reason it feels like Facebook has been a part of life forever. I do wonder how many older people are still scratching their heads trying to figure facebook in general out. It made me wonder if the film was largely watched that night by people just trying to figure out why Facebook is so popular and what exactly it is.

FACT: Facebook is addictive.
REALIZATION: Ok, I could have told you that from my personal experience. :)  Ironically earlier that day before we had decided to go and see The Social Network, a link about being obsessed with Facebook was circulated around the office. It's a fun infographic and the most interesting fact to me is that "48% of young Americans said they find out about news through facebook". You can see the full infographic here: http://mashable.com/2011/01/12/obsessed-with-facebook-infographic

FACT: The Social Network portrays heavily the college party scene.
REALIZATION: While, I don't think the majority of college students experience the party scene quite to the extent as depicted in the movie, the party scene is a part of most colleges and the desire for belonging among students is quite huge. I left the movie again reminded of why I work for InterVarsity: InterVarsity and our staff offer a different voice and different solutions in the search for belonging than what most of their peers will tell them. I think if anyone ever asks me again why I work for InterVarsity, I'll just tell them to watch this movie.

And the darkness decends

Ok, who's brave enough to confess they've watched the Harry Potter Order of the Phoenix preview more than 20 times by now??? Anyone, anyone? Are we the only dorks out there? Sooooo excited...but man, definitely not a kiddie movie anymore!!! And can you believe how old these kids are looking? Wow.

Hmmmm...may need to get the book out and read it again.

Toto, we ain’t in Cali no more!!

So while Sarah is off to enjoy the California sun this week, I observed a rarity for me here in the mid-west.

You know those weird radio things that come on at the most random times? The ones that are preceded with this weird electronically generated noise that sounds like “eee-rrr” “eee-rrr”, and then are followed by this guy saying, “this is a test of the Emergency Broadcast System, this is only a test.”

Well I heard that today but it was not followed by the “test” guy, but with an actually emergency! Several counties to the west are having tornado sightings and everyone is strongly advised to drop what they are doing and seek shelter, if no shelter is available they are to lie flat in a ditch while covering there head. WOW, never heard that in Cali! Now do not fret, for those that are likely to… If the sirens sound, I have a great underground basement, I know where all our important documents are and my camera has a fresh battery and an empty memory card in it. I am well prepared for any emergency.

(The image at the top was taken during this storm, several hours after the "tornado watch" had passed)

Lotion… how girly can you be?

It is kinda funny to peer around my cube to Becky’s cube (a female co-worker) and ask if she has any lotion. It is funny because I am a macho guy who, because of the pressures of society, needs to keep alive the “strong, manly, and brave” image of a Man. So in whispering that I need “girly” lotion I am in danger of ruining all my hard work at creating that persona in myself. It is just hard you know! Back here in the dry cold weather of Wisconsin you either risk looking like a girl with lotion or the walking dead because of your chapped and pealing hands. And another thing, how am I supposed to be cool when every other conversation I have with someone I am putting on chap stick? Same dilemma here! How do I keep up this “I can do anything” identity when I am dependent on the liberal application of a little stick of moisturizing balm... to my LIPS of all things!! I mean come on!


(pure satire, if you take this seriously shame be upon you… but don’t tell anyone that this small bottom line is on here or I will loose all that I have worked for in “Machoness”)

Caught in headlights

So we woke up this morning as usual to the traffic report on our local radio station. "We've got some heavier traffic this morning on highway 51, " spouted the radio announcer who apparently heard there must have been about 5 cars on the only freeway in town! And how does one conclude a 15 second traffic report in Madison? "And just to remind everyone, it's deer mating season! So watch out for those frisky deer as you drive to work!"

Apology to Mom

Over the past weeks it's become apparent that I owe an apology to my Mother. For years I have balked at her kindly suggestions to wear stockings of any form. Any that I owned remained hidden in the back of my dresser in hopes that they might someday decide they are board sitting around and get up and walk away while I'm not looking. However, since moving to Wisconsin I have discovered that stockings are wonderful things. And despite how I feel about their fashionability, are essential. So Mom...you were right all along about wearing stockings and I now faithfully wear them in an effort not to freeze!

Cheese Curds

So for those of you who have asked what a cheese curd is, this is what they look like. And they are pretty good if you've never had one. :) They have the consitancy of string cheese usually but with a much stronger saltier taste. I could get used to them.