Wow I haven't written in here in ages. (partly for forgetting my password and than suddenly having it dawn on me - today) I miaswell use the space here for something. I will talk about a research paper I am trying to develop but am not sure what exactly it is that I want to say. I am not suppose to have any religious content and for the most part am to keep it secular. Maybe I will try to sneak God in somehow. Some ideas: Consummerism/ affluenza / materialism. What are the causes and consequences? Why is our culture (and the world becoming) so absorbed in the accumulation of things? This phenomenon is partly due to insecurity and cultural influences or models. Buying things provides compensation when, for example, self-worth, coping ability, safety, and approval are low. Studies have revealed that people who persue materialistic values have less empathy, "use" there friends for their own selfish desires, and compete rather than cooperate. This degrades the vital need for interpersonal trusting and warm relationships. Other speculations of this insecurity are divorce, parental styles and institutional structures. Materialistic values and models endorse materialism in our culture through parental values, lifestyle of family and peers, messages in popular culture (TV shows: price is right or who wants to be a millionare?) A bit on happiness Why does there seem to be a negative correlation between wealth and happiness? Happiness is probably something that cannot be attained by hard work or good luck. Studies have shown that traits such as extroversion, friendliness, trust, and conscientiousness tend to contribute to a persons happiness and an overall feel of control over ones life. A study found that the more income disparity there is between a community is linked to a greater dissatisfaction with life. Upward comparison = less satisfied. Downward comparison = more satisfied. Happiness causes success rather than success causing happiness. Linking happiness to achievment of goals could cause one to become anxious and stressed especially when these goals are unmet. Focusing on the present diverts attention away from the past or future. Eg: painting or playing an instrument. Happiness is found in the process not the product; the venture not the final destination. Some God talk Jesus says "I am the way the truth and the life" The word "way" makes me think of the venture or journey. Paul has said (I think in philipians) that he has learned to be satisfied with what ever he has or lack thereof. If he has a lot or a little he is not altered. This shows that happiness (or joy) is not found in what we have but in something else. Jesus says that whoever looses their life for Him will find it and whoever saves their life will loose it. When we are constantly striving to make our life better with things that we buy we only become less satisfied because we realize we've wasted our time in something that doesn't give true (or permanent) happiness. Think of all the stress and disappointment we can save from ourselves if we just give up persuing empty goals and hollow ambitions. I know that when I release the pressure that is chained with achieving and bettering myself I feel a freedom in my spirit, because all that matters is God. If we abide by His will we can ask him anything and he will give it to us. When we are in his will, our prayers will reflect that and we can have complete faith that he is faithful. | 
oh well) The orphanage was originally bought as a senors home but is being turned into an orphanage and is estimated to take about 5 more years. It is a beautiful peice of land with about 5 different buildings and a little soccer field and many fruit trees and patios. Its like a little communitiy. Two buildings will be for the girl and boy orphans and another will be for the baby orphans. The other buildings are reserved for the workers, guests, any conference speakers, a library and church. It was bought by an elderly couple from the states. Its really neat to see all the plans that are going into this and what a nice place it will be for kids to stay. While we were there, there was one kid Lee who's mother was a drug addict. He is so cute and I thought he was 2 because of his size but they say he is probably closer to 3. He doesn't say much around people but we did get to see him eat....he would pile his fork up with the slices of banana and shove them in his mouth. It was so cute. 
well be only playing 2 songs: I can sing of your love forever, and I'm trading my sorrows. These will be sung in spanish of course. In the evening we went to Daniels grad (it was a grade 9 grad which is celebrated more than a grade 12 grad) it was fun and we attempted to dance a little. 
