Living without in Order to Give

This summer a group of students joined us in Russia. I am nothing but thrilled at having them here. They bring a freshness and a momentum that have added some spice into life and ministry. The women have also filled a relationship void.

Tonight some of the women paid me a visit. I was especially excited to spend time with one in particular.

The time was well spent. After they left, though, I immediately felt lonely again. I will be living alone for only two more weeks, but after spending five months alone I am ready for this aspect of my life to change.

"Why another day feeling alone in the quiet of this giant apartment you have blessed me with?" I was tempted to complain, knowing that my team mates have guests over, as well as one another. My eyes welled with tears.

Instead of venturing down the path of lonliness and self-pity, I felt inclined to make a list of the abundant blessings in my life to combat my temptation to see only my lackings. One thing led to another, and I soon found myself burning with desire to bless others. What can I do at 11:00 PM? Why pray of course.

While I still am eager for my time of room matelessness to come to end, I am grateful for the way it is stretching my faith.

Nintendo Wii Popular With Unexpected Demographic

Retirees are playing Nintendo Wii. I'm sure this is true many places - but I'm talking specifically about a certain group of retirees in a small midwest community.

My grandmother died in June 2007. This fall, my relatives decided to put the money received in memory of my grandma to good use:  bring some life to the nursing home where my grandmother resided for many years. How? By buying the nursing home a Nintendo Wii. Yes, it's true. These folks are using the gaming system for physical therapy.

I'm overwhelmingly proud. Grandma would be too.

What do you mean it has to be 50 pounds or less?

By some miracle my suitcase no longer weights 100 pounds. And I didn't even have to rely on my sister to zip it while I lay on it!

Starbucks opens first coffee shop in Russia

Starbucks opens first coffee shop in Russia

9/6/2007 6:03:04 AM

A woman drinks coffee in a newly opened Starbucks in a mall in Khimki outside Moscow, September 6, 2007. REUTERS/Alexander Natruskin

KHIMKI, Russia (Reuters) - Starbucks (SBUX.O) opened its first coffee shop in Russia on Thursday, two years after it won a legal battle to protect the right to its brand in the fast-growing Russian market.

"This is an important step for the company, and we are looking forward to being a part of every day life for Russians," said Cliff Burrows, president of Starbucks Europe, Middle East and Africa, as he opened the cafe.

The newest Starbucks in the worldwide chain of around 10,000 outlets is in the Mega shopping mall in Khimki, just north of Moscow.

In 2005 the company won a trademark fight over the Starbucks name. A "squatter" had registered to himself the right to use the name in Russia, and was asking $600,000 from Starbucks to relinquish it.

The company successfully proved in Russia courts that it was the rightful owner of the name.

Alyona Mikhailova, 34, placed Russia's first official Starbucks order, for a venti, or medium, cappuccino.

"In all of the countries I've been to I always definitely go to Starbucks, so I was really waiting for this opening," she said.

Burrows told Reuters this week the company plans to open a second store on Moscow's historic Stary Arbat street before the end of the year, but on Thursday would not answer questions on further expansion plans in Russia.

http://www.wallst.net/news/news.asp?Source=REUTERSNEWS&id=12776&title=Starbucks%20opens%20first%20coffee%20shop%20in%20Russia

Red light and the officer

10 PM. After a long day, I finally arrived in York. I followed my dad's car and without thinking, ran a red light. You have to understand that York is not large and also not particularly busy at that time. Sure enough, only moments later I saw sirens flashing in my rearview mirror. Since I was exhausted I had no emotional response. "Okay. What can I do? No big deal. I'll pay the ticket," I thought.

"License and registration, please. Are you moving to college?" the officer asked, noticing that my car was filled to the brim with stuff.

"One moment. I'm trying to move this chair that is blocking my glove box," the chair wouldn't budge, "No, I'm moving to Russia."

"Russia?"

"Yes. With Campus Crusade for Christ."

"Just tell me what year your car is. I'll let you go with a warning."

He comes back. "Here's my card. Send my family your updates and specific prayer requests. We will be praying."

There is purpose even in getting pulled over. I'm amazed.