hope for dube bute

The weekend before Thanksgiving, Brian and I were privileged to attend an orthodontic conference in Dallas. We've gone to this meeting for the past three years, and our favorite part about it, hands down, is getting to spend time with the amazing Alexander family.

To boil down a long, incredible, providentially-ordained story... one year ago, Moody and Emily adopted a little boy named Eyasu from a remote village in Ethiopia called Dube Bute.

They have recently teamed up with A Glimmer of Hope to help transform this village of 4,200 HUMAN BEINGS who are currently living in extreme poverty that often results in death. They're building 18 clean water wells, a vet clinic, a medical clinic and several classrooms, among other important essentials.

On Thursday evening, we were blessed to attend an amazing fundraiser in their home.

The video below was shown there. Be inspired as you watch! It is overwhelming to realize how the Lord will work if His people are willing.

Hope For Dube Bute from Kurt Neale on Vimeo.

Can you imagine what these people thought as they saw Eyasu riding into their village? Many in the community loved him and certainly thought they were saying goodbye forever when he was adopted. Then a year later and out of the blue, they see him enter the village, bringing with him an army of help. Tears fill my eyes as I picture it! God is good.

ode to thirty

I can hardly believe that I now have a thirty year old husband.

Seriously. That sounds so weird to say. I asked my seven year old cousin yesterday if she thought 30 was old. After thinking for a second, she responded with, "well... it IS middle aged!" Ha!

You're a blessing, B. Here are 30 more reasons that I'm thankful you were born this day, three long decades ago.

1. You never complain about what I make for dinner, even if it's not good.

2. Out of love for me and my easily upset stomach, you attempt to drive a bit more sanely than you used to.

3. You let us bring home our little Annabelle and while you love her like crazy, you make a point to show special attention to Stryder.

4. You don't get mad when I hit things with my car.

5. You watch Food Network with me.

6. When I can't decipher our ridiculous AT&T bill, you always call customer service to figure it out so that I don't have to do it.

7. You pick up the dog poo in our backyard.

8. You let me buy a steam mop.

9. You pray with me and for me.

10. You are quick to ask for forgiveness.

11. You still give awesome back rubs and foot rubs.

12. You dream big dreams with me.

13. You let God change the dreams you once had.

14. You could talk technology with Steve Jobs himself.

15. You can fix any computer problem that anyone has (and you graciously help others when they have issues).

16. You make a priority of talking with me weekly about our Bible studies.

17. Even though you could kill me every time in Mario Kart, you sometimes let me win.

18. You aren't afraid to cry.

19. You're committed to seeking truth.

20. You share my excitement and passion for adoption.

21. You truly love my family.

22. You make changes in your life when the Holy Spirit convicts you.

23. You let Stryder and Annabelle snuggle with us in bed.

24. You're a phenomenal Awana leader - you always go all out to make things special for the kids, and they love you for it.

25. You make me feel pretty.

26. You do a great job of sharing your day with me when you get home.

27. You take out the trash for me every week.

28. To save money, you change the oil in our cars rather than taking them to a shop.

29. You clean up the dishes after I bake cupcakes (even when it's an overwhelming mess).

30. You love me for who I am.

LOVE YOU!!!

surprise!

For a really long time, I've been dying to throw a surprise party for Brian. My dream came true when we were able to pull one off while his parents were in town visiting last week. Oh wow, it was so fun! Although his 30th birthday isn't until Nov. 26, it worked out best for us to have it on Nov. 6, which is his dad's birthday! A double whammy celebration.

After blindfolding a very reluctant Brian at our house, we stuck him in the car and took off for our undisclosed destination.

When we walked into the restaurant, everything was just perfect! B was shocked and felt so loved by all of his friends who came to celebrate with us.

I picked Bub's Burgers as the location because of the great food and fun atmosphere. I had no idea of the entertainment that would also be provided for our party.

Entertainment in the form of a 22 ounce burger, otherwise known as "THE BIG UGLY."

If you can polish off one big ugly, Bub's takes a 4x6 picture of you holding your empty plate. They post it on the wall and you go down in the annals of burger eating history. If you eat two, you get an 8x10 image on the wall. If you eat THREE (and only a few have ever done this), you get a veritable poster on the wall in your honor.

The Travel Channel's show, Man vs Food, recently came up against this infamous burger. The guy was able to put down two before he called it quits.

Six of the nine males present at the party were up for the challenge (in case you're wondering, zero females even considered it). Five finished it. Two attempted a second burger. The infamous iron-stomached Mike Fanning (Brian's dear friend and classmate) was the only one who could pull the double off.

Brian eating his last bite...

Ryan's empty plate

Mike's empty plate -

Mike starting #2 -

Mike and his proud wife, Rachel

So, everyone who cleaned their plate got their picture on the wall. They are all terribly proud of these pictures, but especially Mike. They even let him autograph his.

We had such an awesome night - it was a celebration we'll never, ever forget! A huge thanks to Mom and Dad Smith for helping me pull it off - I couldn't have done it without them!

Happy birthday B! :)

election day perspective

I wanted to share with you some wise words from a dear friend, Michael Bruce. He wrote the following before election day 2008. I think today, it's as poignant as ever.

Where does our hope come from?

Tomorrow is a big day. Tomorrow, the American voters will head to the ballot box and make a choice. America will pick between two flawed human beings to lead our great country for the next four years. Irrespective of the result, Wednesday morning roughly half of America will awake hopeful in the future whereas the other half will hang their heads in disdain hoping not too much damage can be done in four years. This stark contrast got me thinking. Where does our hope come from?

Is our hope in the world system of state governance? Can selfish, fallen, limited humans deliver on their promised vision of tomorrow? Can the state fix the brokenness we see all around us? Can eloquent, well-intentioned politicians transform greed into generosity? Can checks and balances eliminate corrupt hearts? Can the rule of law instill righteousness? Can more jobs bring satisfaction? Can prosperity deliver happiness? How about joy? Can expanded health care conquer death? Will the perfect foreign policy guarantee world peace? Can freedom ensure love?

I believe the answer to all of the above is "no." And yet, our hearts yearn for kept promises, healing, generosity, integrity, righteousness, satisfaction, happiness, joy, life, peace and love.

History teaches us that humans and human systems are limited to exerting influence over external behaviors. The law can encourage a husband to stay with his wife, but the law can't force a husband to love his wife. The law can harness greed through capitalism, but it can't instill a generous spirit. The law can punish injustice, but it can't guarantee justice.

Our hearts all yearn for a better tomorrow, but hope is not simply wishful thinking. Hope is "confident expectation." The beauty of the vision does not instill confidence. Confidence is rooted in the power and virtue of the benefactor. Only one person has over possessed the power to transform our wishes into confident expectation. Only one person perfectly walked his talk. Only one person offers fundamental renewal of the broken and bruised human heart. Only one person conquered death. Only Jesus can deliver the "life more abundantly."

eight years old

I know, I know. Stryder's a dog.

But he's an amazing dog. And I don't have any kids. Therefore, I will write a post about his birthday.

You don't have to read it if you think it's silly.

Two puppies from his litter arrived on October 30 and the rest came on the 31st. We don't really know which debuted when. So Stryder gets a two-day celebration every year!

He was born in Wichita in 2002. I was at the Focus on the Family Institute in Colorado Springs, miles away. To say that I was excited would be an understatement. My parents e-mailed me a video of the entire newborn litter, which at the time was very high-tech - my roommates couldn't believe my parents had taken a video that I could actually watch on my computer. (Isn't it crazy how far technology has come in just eight years - now we're all skyping?!?!)

When I was finally able to spend time with the puppies a month later, choosing one was difficult. My parents were also keeping a male, so we narrowed it down to the darkest two, hoping that they would have the same handsome coat as Mannley (their dad and our family dog).

I ended up picking Stryder because he didn't whine in the car like his brother did. I needed a dog who would be a good travel companion. I brought him home on Christmas Eve. He was the best Christmas gift I'll ever get!

Loyal companion he has been, living with me in:

- two apartments in Waco

- my parents house in Wichita

- Steamboat Springs, CO

- Overland Park, KS

- with my parents, apart from Brian and me, for three months while we lived in Lancaster, PA

- our townhouse in Wichita

- now, our home in Indianapolis

What a trooper! A faithful constant in my life during a decade of change. I love him like crazy (like you couldn't already tell). And now Brian loves him too. :) Happy birthday buddy. I wish you many, many, MANY more.

Happy guy at the Three Dog Bakery down the street.

Birthday treats (he even shared with Annabelle). He got a s'more, in my honor.