Joy to the world!

It's only fitting that I blog before the year comes to a close. This year has indeed been a year of jubilee for us. The Jubilee (Hebrew Yovel יובל) year, is the year at the end of a seven cycles and according to Biblical regulations had a special impact on the ownership and management of land. I can only mention specific dates that make this a jubilee year:

1. February 20th 2008
2. March 5th 2008
3. July 25th 2008

We begun this year with a simple prayer list and wishes. Like many others before this one, it's been a tradition for us as a family to sit around a fire on 12/31, thank God for His faithfulness and usher in a new year with hope and open arms. No one knows for sure what a new day brings but when it does come it means you have another chance to strengthen your faith and correct yesterday's wrong.

As the year comes to a close I can only marvel at how fast it whisked by. Between the Kenyan election violence, the Olympics, the historic US elections and a Bush shoe thrower many small blessings happened. It's tempting to blow this year away because of stocks and bonds failure, the housing meltdown, the job losses, you name it, but if you are alive and well chin up and let's embrace the year of new beginnings; 2009.

Merry Christmas and a new 2009 beginning!

I know I haven't blogged in a while. For those ardent readers perhaps 'a while' is an understatement. Anyhoosers (a corrupted form of "anyhow) summer has always been my favorite time of the year since the seasons began. A recent highlight, which I will now devour, is playing golf. See, when you sit home on that lovely couch watching TW (Tiger Woods) and the golf channel you would think, surely how difficult can it be to use a stick, a ball and a hole. Like any other sport it seems easier to yell at the athletes and tell them what to do. I remember we had this teacher in Luhyia-land that loved soccer so much that he would play the game on the sideline. You can only imagine what his blood sugars and pressures were when we lost!

A week ago our men's fellowship went to the Poconos and spent a day at the Shawnee Golf Club. Men! (expression) what a challenge to tee that ball. The hold, the swing and the follow-through has to coordinate perfectly. Many of us were first-timers on the course. Can you imagine the chaos we created! Some held the golf stick like a panga (machete), others dug holes big enough to plant corn, while missing the ball entirely... Well I can go on and on. The point that I am pointedly making is that we had fun. And that was the bottom line. We can't wait to go back (hopefully before the summer is over)

How is your summer going?

It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter. Ps 74:17

Build your ring!

A recent investigation shows that 60% of young women are in favor of the engagement ceremony. The engagement rings and the roses are both “very romantic” and most important, it becomes a transitional period for the two to know each other more deeply.

In Vietnam, the engagement is a festive ceremony involving the fiance's and fiance's families, and arranged in advance by the parents. The engagement is considered very important, and in some areas, even more important than the wedding.

In the western countries this Engagement Ceremony is often accompanied with exchange of rings. The rings signify a sacred bondage that need great amount of commitment and loyalty. This Engagement Ceremony culminates into Marriage and so is considered as a sacred harbinger of conjugal relationship, marital bliss.

Congratulations to Jabi and Brian on your engagement. You deserve the best! Christ's blessings together.

So what do you do once you get ther ring; say yes, cry, call mom...

Enduring Love!

About a month ago we met an elderly man at a grocery store and as he was checking out, he told us that he has been married for 46 years to the same woman and that he loved her more now than when they got married!! Now, that is what I call enduring love. This is the love that is not dependent on physical attributes because I am sure that woman does not quite look like she did 46 years ago! This love must have endured some things together – maybe tragedies, maybe sorrows, maybe even pain! Their love has been time-tested and come out strong! I wish I could meet that old man again and ask him to tell me the story of their love – the joys and the pain and why he is even more in love now than then. The magic formula for enduring love must be in there somewhere… maybe hidden in between the good times and the bad, the challenges of life, the mundaness of life or maybe just the sharing of simple everyday things in life. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, that old man and his wife are just 4 years shy of joining the 5% of the marriages that make it to the 50th anniversary. I have no doubt that they will make it to that milestone.

That same week I saw another old couple - they must have been in their late 70’s or early 80’s. I was a little behind them on a long line waiting to buy food. They were both quite short (though you could tell that they might have been taller and stronger before – maybe osteoporosis had had its toll). The old man wanted to go straight to the counter (and nobody would have minded them going ahead as they looked too old to be standing in line) however, the wife held him back and they continued slowly in the line. The thing that hit me most was that they were talking, laughing and having a good time! I could not hear what they were saying but obviously they enjoyed each other’s company even in their old age! I wondered what their story was and what their secret was. The secret to this enduring love that defies time and statistics. Couples like these make me believe that there is hope for enduring love when all the statistics point to doom and gloom over marriages. There is such a thing as a forever marriage!

So on that profound note, I want to take this opportunity to wish Kim and your wife Mugure a Happy 10th Wedding Anniversary (coming up on Friday the 25th of July). Congratulations to both of you for getting to that milestone. You have made it to the 65% of married couples that reach their 10th anniversary (U.S. Census Bureau). Happy Diamond Anniversary to you! My prayer for you is that should Christ tarry, you will go on to celebrate your next diamond anniversary which will be your 60th anniversary! And like the old man, I pray that your love will grow deeper and better as the years go by so that you too may say that you love each other more than when you first got married! May yours be a forever marriage.
Hongera!

Olympics 2008

Flea Market

A Flea Market is: A market, usually held outdoors, where antiques, used household goods, and curios are sold so says Wikipidea.

Every Sunday in our town, May thru September, there is a flea market. It's fun to walk the bazaars in search of anything attractive. I remember last year I found a Panga (machete) not for use in Kenyan elections gone awry but for landscaping around the yard. So when it opened last week, we took a stroll after church. It got me thinking, why is it called a flea market?

I did some reading and found out that the original flea market is likely to be the Marché aux puces of Saint-Ouen, Seine-Saint-Denis, in the northern suburbs of Paris. It is a large, long-established outdoor bazaar, one of four in Paris. They earned their name from the flea-infested clothing and rags sold there. From the late 17th century, the makeshift open-air market in the town of Saint-Ouen began as temporary stalls and benches among the fields and market gardens where ragpickers exchanged their findings for a small sum.

So next time you get to go to a flea market, there is a slight chance that the flea is part of the market. How about that?

"About the third hour he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing" Matt 20:3

Happy Birthday Kim!

Happy Birthday (and a day) Kim!!! Indeed it is a blessing to see another year! May the Lord bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you and yours as you start a new year in your life. May your life always count for something and may the works of your hands release a blessing for you through the lips of those whose lives you touch!

As I think of birthdays and age and all that comes with it, I am drawn to consider some deep wisdom that came from the lips of a 5-year old last Sunday. First of all she asked me “Aunty what do you want to be when you grow up?” Now to me that question went deeper than she obviously intended. Hmmmmmm….what do I want to be when I grow up? That made me think – have I become what I wanted to be when I was her age? Have I grown up yet? (I would like to think so!) Is it obvious even to a 5year old that I am not yet what I am supposed be? And is it too late for any of us to say "I want to be a --- when I grow up?

Another nugget of wisdom from this dear wise little Miss was her comment when she heard me say “I don’t know” in response to something. Her immediate response was “Aunty how can you say that - all grown-ups know everything!” Now I know that she will grow up to discover (sadly) that grown-ups do not know that much. In fact this is such a well-known “secret” that someone had the bright idea to start a hit show called “Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?” Makes me think that if young ones have such confidence in our knowledge and depend upon it, then we ought to try learn and expand our knowledge as much as we can.

Oh, one more thought provoking question “Aunty where do birds go to church?” and the answer by the same deep thinker… “They have a nest which has not bird in it and then they all go there for church”. See, that is why I think I should be hanging out more with 5year olds. I might just think deeper and become a little smarter!

Many things to ponder about on your birthday Kim….that plus anti-wrinkle creams and hair loss prevention!!! Happy Birthday!

Where have I been?

OK Kim you have finally drawn me out from under this rock where I have been hiding ……and maybe it is a good thing that I have been in hiding…All my intended blogs would have been angry and in the form of whining and complaining! Starting from the incomprehensible, mind-boggling mess that was the Kenyan situation from early this year. All the blogs that I read and the emails that were being hurled around (some unsolicited spam at that!) were so disgusting and angering in terms of their tribal animosity and discrimination that I felt I might just have been one angry, sensible but feeble voice crying in the wilderness! I was overwhelmed! So I retreated, speechless but in prayer.

Then came school work, coupled with regular work and a million baby showers (I am still trying to figure out why April was laden with baby showers and birthdays- even calculating 9 months backwards still does not give me satisfactory answers) But I have been very fortunate to celebrate with my friends the birth of their newborns. It is a joy to see these first time parents so excited and grateful to God for the miracle and gift of a new life.

As for the school work, I am relearning to be a student and I am finding the hard way that procrastination is a very BAD thing! You always pay for it with stress, sleep-deprivation and unnecessary disquiet! But I do not think that it is going to change much for me since my best work is borne under pressure! Thankfully the Semester is over and I can breathe a while.

I have also been dealing with migraines – real ones – no cause for alarm as I have had these for a long time… The trigger(s) are unknown and there are no permanent solutions. The Doctor’s "educated guesses" makes me conclude that it is just another curse that some women have to deal with! Then there have been new friendships and the excitement thereof, and the phone bills that follow …(you know who you are!). I am truly blessed…

So right now I am battling with the dreaded seasonal allergies – I escaped last allergy season and I thought I was done for good, spoke highly of the vitamins that I was taking (though sporadically). I still think very highly of the supplements but somehow the crazy sneezing, itchy eyes and throat are back with a vengeance and now I am going back to prescriptions etc. There must be a way to beat this thing without stuffing oneself with drugs and pills. Anyway, I am back – back to the blogger’s world – WATCH THIS SPACE!!

Someone spoke out of turn

Now that JaBi has refused to blog....

Let me ask this question: Have you ever (as a customer) been mistaken for a store employee or vice versa?

At this, the man's ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly. Mark 7:35

Meat on Bones!

This marks our 51st blog!

For the last several years I have played Volleyball as part of my exercise regimen. This year, I have decided to add some meat to my bones. Two months ago I joined PF (Planet Fitness). For $20.00 a month you get the following perks:

Free reciprocal use of all Planet Fitness® Franchise Locations
Unlimited Use of Massage Chairs
Unlimited Guest Privileges
Unlimited Tanning
1/2 Price Cooler Drinks
PF Black™ Card Key Tag
New PF Black™ Card T-shirt

* Some Restrictions May Apply

PizzaNights (the first Monday of every month)

The second Tuesday of every month serves up free bagels to club members!

This perks don't mean much if you don't get there to work out or you get there and you slack. So it behooves me when I observe people on treadmills readings magazines and books or walking so slowly that you wonder whether any calories will ever be burnt. Am also confused when someone gets on their cell phone and also tries to push and pump weights. Are we serious?! Should we go to the gym to improve ourself or to stroke our ego?

Oh! by the way before you rush to sign up at PF consider the following:

* Does the facility fit your schedule?

* Equipment

* Cleanliness

* Classes or Programs

* Do you need a babysitter?

* Locker rooms

* Staff and trainers

* Traveling

* Trial membership

Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. 1 Cor 8:9

It's your B-Day!!

Happy B-Day Jab! Many blessings to you on another milestone.

Now the third day was Pharaoh's birthday, and he gave a feast for all his officials. He lifted up the heads of the chief cupbearer and the chief baker in the presence of his officials: Genesis 40:20

Return to Sender

We do ship quite a number of boxes all over the world. Last Friday as I stood in line at our local post office a brochure entitled "Global Shipping Guide" caught my attention. As I browsed thru it, I couldn't help but notice the many referrals to custom forms, for instance, Use PS Form 2976, Customs Declaration CN 22-Sender's Declaration (green label), for printed matter or documents. And then it asterisks you to refer to the International Mail Manual (IMM**) for destination country requirements. 

I got curious. I know there are standards developed over time for efficient shipping and goods transfer; but do we ordinary customers really care about them? And what's the International Mail Manual? 

Did you know that each country has its own conditions of mailings? Each has (a) Prohibitions (b) Restrictions (c) Observations and (d) Custom forms required. So if you are shipping to Kenya here are the Prohibitions and Restrictions: Coins; banknotes; currency notes (paper money); traveler’s checks; platinum, gold, or silver (manufactured or not); precious stones; jewelry; and other valuables. Firearms and articles resembling deadly weapons. Radioactive materials. Used clothing, bedding and other similar items, textile and fabrics. Restrictions: Articles bearing Boy Scout or Girl Scout insignia must have authorization of the Kenya Boy Scout or Girl Guide Commissioner. Military or civil uniforms and clothing resembling them require permit of the Kenya government. Restrictions apply to the importation of second-hand clothes for sale. This restriction does not apply to personal effects. Traps capable of killing or capturing game must have permission of the Chief Game Warden of Kenya.

But if you are shipping to Equatorial Guinea or Macedonia there are No: Prohibitions, Restrictions or Observations. Libya doesn't accept Tea or Salt or Tobacco in any form. Lesotho doesn't accept Eau de cologne! Well that's it! If you need more reading go to the USPS Website.

"Mordecai wrote in the name of King Xerxes, sealed the dispatches with the king's signet ring, and sent them by mounted couriers, who rode fast horses especially bred for the king". Ester 8:10

Rewards

Everyone gets goosebumps for reward cards. EVERYONE. Even pets! says Gerri Willis Last year over 6 billion credit card solicitations were sent out. You alone probably received about 72 offers. According to Gerri, When it comes to reward cards, there are generally three types of programs: point-based programs, like the one from American Express, cash-back programs, and, of course, frequent flier reward cards.

I have often wondered about this reward cards, yet I have a few of them. So I did some reading.

(a) Point-based programs, let you accumulate points with your purchases and then you get to choose your reward.

(b) With cash-back cards, you may have to spend a certain amount annually before you get the advertised rebate.

(c) As for frequent flier reward cards, to get a free airline ticket - in most cases, you'll have to spend $25,000 a year to earn a domestic flight.

All these entices sound good but are they worth it? Yes, it's all in the details. With today's high gas prices, gas-rebate credit cards are becoming increasingly popular. And chances are, you've been tempted just as I was. Right before Thanksgiving last year, I signed up for a Best Buy rewards zone Mastercard. With this card I would earn 4% on Best Buy purchases and up to 3% elsewhere. Between then and last week I had earned some 3500 points which are equivalent to $65.00. And because my 4 year 2.4Ghz phone was kinda outdated, I decided to upgrade. So off I went to Best Buy and found this Uniden - DECT 6.0 Expandable Cordless Phone. With the $65.00 coupons and an additional 10% I ended up paying $7.00.

With the price of gas hitting the roof, it makes sense to enroll in a gas-rebate credit card. After all, whether you like it or not you'll pay for gas (unless you ride a bicycle). I found one in early February (Chase Perfectcard). With the Chase PerfectCard, you earn a 3% rebate on all eligible gas purchases at any gas station and a 1% rebate on all other purchases. Your rebate is automatically credited to your monthly statement - no forms to fill out, no keeping track of points. I am curious to find out how much money I'll have earned by the end of the year. Keep in mind though that you have to be very disciplined in paying off (in full) your purchases when you get your statement.

I hope to revisit this post at the end of the year and share my rebates!!!

Parallel of great principle: "The LORD rewards every man for his righteousness and faithfulness." 1 Sam 26:23

Football & Finances

I feel compelled to re-post this advice courtesy of SavingAdvice.com.

What Football Can Teach Us About Finances
March 5, 2008
By Cortni Marrazzo

The football season is over now, and while that makes my husband very sad, it actually makes me pretty happy since I don’t particularly enjoy football. While I can’t get too interested in watching the game itself, I know there are some things to learn from the game. For instance, it’s better to be on offense and trying to score a touchdown than being on the defense and only trying to keep the other team from scoring a touchdown. For the most part, a team is at a better advantage when they are on offense since they are actually (hopefully) executing plays that will bring them closer to the end zone. They are more likely to score a touchdown when on offense than we they are on defense.

The same goes for our finances. When we are on offense, we are in essence executing decisions that will bring us closer to financial success in life. When we are on defense, we are simply trying to stay ahead and not let things fall behind. By taking control of your finances and doing things that will bring you closer to financial success, you are not having to react to circumstances and take drastic measures to keep you out of the red. Here are some ways you can be on offense instead of defense in your finances. It may seem like you’re only gaining 1 or 2 yards per play, but eventually you’ll get to the end zone and make a touchdown.

Offense: Cutting back on spending in some areas so you can stock your emergency savings

Defense: Cutting back on spending in all areas so you can pay all your bills and minimum payments

If you take the lead on cutting certain expenses in order to stock your savings, you’ll be more equipped to handle unexpected expenses that come up and you won’t be forced to eat Top Ramen and abstain from all extra spending (or worse, end up in credit card debt)

Offense: Funding your retirement plan and saving for the future when you are young

Defense: Having to continue working at age 75 to be able to pay all your bills

You will end up paying for your later years at one time or another — either when you’re young or when you’re old. It’s best to stock up for it now so that you can relax and enjoy life in your old age and not have to worry about working full time.

Offense: Setting up automatic payments on your bills

Defense: Trying to scrounge up money to pay for late fees

A few simple moves to set up automatic payments for your bills will keep you from unnecessary late fees that can incur if you forget to make a payment on time. This can also help your credit score.

Offense: Waiting to make a purchase until the item goes on sale

Defense: Regretting that you bought an item a few weeks ago that now costs considerably less

Pretty much all things go on sale at one time or another. You can either buy it the second you want it and pay a lot more, or you can be patient and wait until it goes on sale. That way you are paying a lot less for the same exact item.

Offense:: Buying an older used car until you can afford to buy a new (or newer) one

Defense: Having to buy an older used car and having to sell you new car because you can’t afford the payments

I personally like to move up and not down. It’s nicer to start with an older car and move up to nicer cars knowing that you will be able to keep them. It’s not as bad going without the extra features when you’ve never had them before, but it’s not fun getting used to having them and then having to downsize.

Offense: Buying a smaller house and fixing it up in order to sell it for a profit to put that money towards a bigger house later

Defense: Having to move into an apartment or move in with family members because you bought too expensive of a house and can no longer afford it

Same with the car one above — you don’t know what you’re missing if you start without it and only upgrade when you can truly afford to do so.

Offense: Going on a vacation and being able to relax knowing that it has already been paid for by money you’ve been saving up

Defense: Going on a vacation and stressing the whole time about the fact that you still have to pay for it once you get home

How relaxing can a vacation be if you know you’ll still be paying for it in a year — or worse, that you don’t know how you’ll be paying for. Peace of mind is just as important on a vacation as where you go.

Offense: Working through college and taking classes as you can afford to pay for them so you can actually keep the money you make in that career field

Defense: Taking out student loans and spending the majority of your career paying back those loans with a large portion of your salary

If you take on a large amount of debt to get a degree, what difference does a bigger salary make if you’re putting most of that money towards paying off your huge student loan debt?

If you choose to take proactive steps in your finances, you can keep yourself from a lot of trouble spots in life. You choose whether you take the steps toward your financial success or if you simply try to fight off things as they come to you. Choose the offensive and head down the field towards your financial end zone.

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize - 1 Cor 9:24

Asante

We know, we know (you really don't have to tell us) that it's been quite a while since we blogged. First things first:

Thank you so much for all your help and support for families affected in the Kenyan Crisis. Now I hear they are called IDPs; my brother refused being labeled and is exploring new frontiers in Central. I am sure he shares this sentiment with thousands of others. Asanteni Sana.

I don't have to tell you anything new about what you already know regarding skirmishes aka clashes aka post-election violence. In fact I got an email from Otis about New Born's in Nyanza (Looting Apiyo, Skirmishes Achieng, Anti riot Police Auma, Rubber Bullet Oloo, Shoot Me Onyango) - That tells us much.

So looks like the Obusuma is cooked and everyone has sat down to enjoy the dish.
We'll now get back to blogging.

"When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, "I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me." - Matthew 26:20,21

Why? why? why?

Jabi,
Please pass this message around to all brethren and Kenya Christian Fellowship in America.

The aftermath of elections in Kenya has brought suffering and anguish. No matter what political affiliations one had, its time to stand up as Christians and do what is right.

1. Pray fervently that peace may prevail. Urge Bishops, pastors and people of faith to uphold our country.
   
2. Call, email, fax the Kenyan Embassy in Washington D.C.Tel: (202) 387-6101 Fax: (202) 462-3829 and ask that security be provided to thousands of helpless people in skirmish and clash torn areas. My brother and thousands of others (Approx 50k) are held up at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Burnt Forest. They are helpless and I can only ask that we spread word around to get security in that area.There is no running water, food and electricity has been cut. THIS MEANS THAT PEOPLE CANNOT RECHARGE THEIR CELL PHONES and soon we’ll not be able to contact them. Also, due to the chaos/anarchy in these compounds, people, especially women are not any safer than if they were out in the chaos. There has been reports of rapes and molestations. Eldoret highway has been closed by thugs and there is no transportation, hence people CANNOT leave this area. You can read more of the same at this blog and that blog.
   
3. Contact humanitarian crisis organizations such as Kenya Red Cross and insist that they bring basic needs for survival. Earlier today (around 10 am) I spoke with Nick a receptionist with KRC at this mobile # 722-206958 and 733-333040. He later transferred me to a PR Manager (Anthony Mwangi Cell #733-551342) who promised to send food and water. As of this writing (9:00 pm) KRC had not reached Burnt Forest. You can also find all of Kenya Red Cross contact page here.
4. Most people cannot call for help for lack of minutes. If you would like to top up minutes of cell phones currently working in clash torn areas, go to Mama Mikes website.
   
5. If you are not convinced that there is anarchy in Kenya, Click on and scroll down…here

I will also post this info on my blog.
In prayer,
Kim Njoroge

Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds - Habakkuk 1:3