Can I just take a moment to tell you about something I think is very worthwhile?

A few years ago I stumbled upon this blog by Shaun Groves. Does that name sound familiar?

If not, don't fret. Until two years ago, I didn't know who he was either.

Here's the thing about Shaun. I enjoy reading his blog. I laugh at his wit, and his honesty is refreshing. But more than that, I love that his message boils down to his faith in Christ, through the funny, the unplanned, and especially the hard places of life.

He's more than a blogger though. He's also a singer/songwriter and a spokesperson for Compassion International, where he travels to impoverished countries in order to give a voice to children living within the grips of poverty.

It was during a trip to Ethiopia with Compassion International (see video below), that served as inspiration for Shaun's newest album Third World Symphony.

Shaun Groves - Third World Symphony (Ethiopia Story) from Shaun Groves on Vimeo.

This album is the antithesis to today's cookie-cutter music industry. It brings us to those hard places, causes us to take a look at our own souls, and for that reason, sheds new light on us as followers of Christ. I can't speak of it highly enough.



You can listen to the album here: Third World Symphony.

And if you like it, go on over here and buy it.

I cleaned the bathroom earlier today. Things just got weird from that point on.

A few minutes after walking out of that bathroom, a child walked in and had a case of explosive diarrhea. I cleaned the bathroom again.

As if that wasn’t enough, I decided to tempt fate and vacuum the carpet. I was nearly done when the vacuum sucked up a metal object started smoking. As I bent down to examine the damage, another child ran through the house, his hands full of confetti.

“What are you doing?” I hollered.

“An art project,” he said.

“You just made the carpet a part of your art project. Keep it at the table!”

“Mom, can I have your sticker?”

“What sticker?”

“The one on your back. I need it for my art project.”

“There’s a sticker on my back?”

“Yes. I put it there this morning before swim lessons.”

I pulled the 2 inch foam letter E off my back and asked, “You mean to tell me that I’ve been walking around all day with this on my shirt?!?”

“Sorry, Mom. I was just playing.”

“I don’t appreciate being made to look like a fool” I said.

I huffed and puffed then quickly turned to continue examining the vacuum when three pieces of confetti fell out of my hair and landed on my foot.

I’m beginning to feel like a cheap party favor.