From another blogger about Sonia Sotomayor

I currently read a blog from a women who moved from New York to Puerto Rico a few years ago. Her posting is below and to me very interesting. Enjoy!

Locos por Sonia!

"Del barrio al Tribunal Supremo." (Translation: "From the 'hood to the Supreme Court") "¡Bravo, Sonia!" These were today's headlines from two of the major local papers here on the island. In case you haven't heard, President Obama has nominated Sonia Sotomayor, an appeals court judge in New York, to the U.S Supreme Court. Puerto Ricans are ecstatic! El Nuevo Día, the island's main paper, over five articles about Judge Sotomayor can be found in today's paper alone. Relatives on the island have been interviewed, Sotomayor's bank account balances have been published, and of course, her Horatio Alger life story.

I find it refreshing to finally have a Puertoriqueña with intellect to gain so much media attention here. Normally, beauty queens and swimsuit models are the subject of interest on the island, to my chagrin. Puerto Ricans are definitely proud of Sotomayor, whom many consider to be just a liberal replacing a liberal (Judge David Souter). However, she has ruled against an abortion-rights organization in the past, and so I wouldn't be too quick to put her in the liberal category.


“A wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasn’t lived that life," Judge Sotomayor once said. Obviously, one's life experiences, ideologies, and beliefs do naturally affect the decisions one makes, and I do hope Judge Sotomayor will provide the court with another point of view to reflect the growing diversity of the U.S.


(FYI: "Loca por Sonia!" translates to "Crazy About Sonia!")
(Images above were obtained from www.primerahora.com and www.endi.com).
Posted by adriana at 6:33 PM 0 comments

New Country, New Journeys

About a month ago, Joe and I travelled to San Juan, Puerto Rico for a very important meeting with all of the church and denominational leaders. Before we bring My Hope to a country we desire and request that the leaders offer us an invitation and their support. Without the support of the majority of the leaders My Hope can't proceed, we need them. During this meeting we explain the processes and phases of the project. That this isn't a crusade or festival, but a TV project that is produced for that specific country as a tool for evangelism, using music/artists and testimonies from people(some well known, others less so)of the country we are in. Then through training the pastors to train their congregation to invite their friends and family who do not know Jesus Christ as their Savior, to their home for one or all three of the nights we broadcast. We put the program on national TV at prime time, for anyone to see. The meeting was amazing. Often times these meetings are the first time leaders from all Christian denominations have been in the same room let alone asked to work together. But it is so amazing to see God work through these leaders and pastors as they work together. It breaks down so many walls.
At the end of the meeting after everyone who wants, signs the invitation, we ask for recommendations for our national leaders and committees.


Over the course of the past month Joe and the other team members began sending out the invitations to the leaders and pastors who were chosen to be apart of the committees.
Then on Thursday, Joe and I officially moved to San Juan! God has so lovingly provided for us a car and a temporary apartment. And we praise him for those provisions.


Next week the committee members will meet for the first time and several very important decisions have to be made. So I ask you, Friends and Family to please pray for God's hand over these meetings, for no personal agendas to intrude. I ask that you pray for guidance and wisdom for Joe, Greg, and David as they lead the meetings. Please also begin to pray that the Holy Spirit start working in the hearts of those who will see the programs.
Joe and I want to thank each of you for your love and support over the past few years and we know that without your prayers we would not survive!

The Bane of my last two days

As many of you know, Joe and I, during this past week have been at Joe's parents house. Many know it as "the Farm" or by some of its qualities like the tack house, or the goats, or Emma. Joe's parents went out of town on Saturday and on Monday I was going to plant some tomato plants for Jan(Joe's mom). As I am preparing the area to plant I notice Emma, the Mott's 12 year old Great Pyrenees. She looks like a giant polar bear. I get the brilliant idea that I am going to let Emma out of the 3 acre goat pasture since I was outside and that way I could love on her when I was done planting. So all is good for about 2 minutes.... I turn to turn off the hose and head to where Emma is standing to commence "love on her time" and she isn't there. Joe and I had been warned, over a period of a few weeks, that Emma had a streak of wandering and so she was placed in the goat pasture to keep her fenced in and it allows her a the fun of chasing the goats too. So I ran to the bottom of the hill, shouted for her...nothing. I go to the end of the driveway...nothing. For a dog that acts so old and feeble and arthritic and senile, she sure did move fast. I hopped in the car and headed for the neighboring community and drove around calling for her, drove home, checked for messages from maybe a neighbor, then called Davidson PD, Charlotte PD, Cornelius PD and Huntersville PD. I reported her lost, gave all my information and then headed back to the car to start looking again.(The reason I called all is b/c all of those city lines cross within a few blocks of "the Farm" ) After several hours I received a phone call from Cornelius PD saying Emma has been seen at a Baptist church down the road. Short of hanging up on the officer, I ran to the car, drove to the church...but no Emma. A maintenance man said she was there a few hours before but had moved on in the direction of the woods at the back of the church. So my search continued, and continued with Joe once he got home. I had been in every neighborhood, down every private driveway and in many neighboring pastures. Around 7pm Monday night Joe and I called it quits as the sun went down and the rain moved in. The next morning, Joe had to head to the airport, but my searching began early. With Joe out of town I had planned on heading to my parent's house and had the pet sitter already lined up. I decided I would make a loop around the suspected area where I thought Emma was (though she was probably in the woods and probably ignoring me) but it had rained all night and was still raining. Some time around noon I got a phone call. A woman down the road was able to lure Emma onto her front porch. I rush over to find not the elegant white dog that ran off the day before, but Emma who had been painted by North Carolina mud. She was caked in it, with thorns and burrs stuck in her fur and something matted on her that smelled like manure. Luckily I didn't have far to go. I suited up in a rain jacket and rubber gloves and bathed Emma, having to soap her up several times. But she was clean, fed and safe back in her goat pasture for the pet sitter to never know the difference.

I'm trying to catch up I promise

Now on to the good stuff,(Can I please preface this by saying the days are moving faster than I can write, and when I have just a few minutes to blog, I get caught up in everyone elses and then don't get any writing done myself! Sorry)
On Tuesday night(April 7th), Joe and I flew to San Antonio! We woke up to beautiful weather 85-90 degrees that continued most of the time we were there! Wednesday, with Joe's Aunt Jeanne and Uncle Evan we had wonderful breakfast tacos, headed to the beautiful and famous riverwalk,

and then off to the missions(which included the Alamo).
A Park Ranger playing a bamboo flute in one of the missions


I have an obsession with doors

One of the most interesting press conference was underway at the Alamo. Segways were being given away to Iraqi veterans whole had lost a limb fighting for our freedom! Thank you for serving us in our Military!
We enjoyed our time visiting with Joe's Aunt and Uncle and spending time with his grandparents in San Antonio! On Friday morning we flew from nice, warm, sunny San Antonio to Chicago. Where I am from, it was still nice, sunny, but not warm. I tried to warn Joe that it isn't the temperature that makes Chicago cold, it's the wind. And I threw in a few extra warm clothing items for him just in case. We gathered our bags and stepped out of the terminal just in time for the piercing wind to show Joe what it was made of. He immediately threw on his coat, hat, and gloves and decided it was better to wait inside for my Aunt and Uncle to get their. I found it funny. Joe had never been to Chicago and so much of my childhood was rooted their that I was so excited to show him around and let him experience the true taste of Chicago! Friday started with us heading immediately downtown for the lakeshore effect at the Field Museum(lakeshore effect meaning that it can be 15 degrees colder than the rest of Chicago). That night, Joe finally got to taste true Chicago style pizza, and it was good. Saturday we drove out to my Grandpa's house about an hour away from the city to have lunch and visit with him. I was able to see my uncle and cousin also, which was exciting since I didn't think I was going to be able to. Easter Sunday came quickly, and we celebrated Jesus at Messiah Baptist Church in Addison. My roots with this church go very deep. My parents met in the youth group of this church in the seventies, my mom grew up going to this church, she was a part of Pioneer Girls there(similar to girl scouts, I think) My grandfather drove the church bus, I remember when I was a kid, if we spent the night at my grandparents and had been good and were ready on time, we got to ride the bus with grandpa as he picked people up for church. I haven't been back to Messiah, since we moved, but it is funny how the faces of some people are still familiar. After church we had lunch at a friends of my Aunt and Uncle, and then played catchphrase. If you have never played Catchphrase, You need to. One day on a later blog I will have to explain my analysis of my family and the game, it's funny. Sunday night, we were able to have dinner with a really good friend of Joe's from High School, Adam! Adam moved to Chicago after college and has been working for a pharmaceutical company for the past couple of years.
Monday, Joe and I slept in!! And then went to tour my old neighborhood, show Joe where I lived, went to school, the firehouse where my dad volunteered as a firefighter and medic.
Monday night we went downtown to see the lights, we went to the top of the John Hancock building.



Visited Buckingham Fountain. And ate REAL hot dogs in Wrigleyville. Before we all headed to bed, Joe and I got to have one of the most meaningful prayer times with my Aunt and Uncle, It was so amazing to have that connection with them. Tuesday was an early morning trip to the airport(4am early) to head back to Charlotte. Wednesday was spent doing laundry and repacking for another early morning airport adventure(I will continue soon, but not today).

Wait, where are you?

As my friend Tracey asked me on the phone this afternoon, Joe and I have been a little bit of everywhere! Our month of chaos really began in March, Joe's sister Jenn got married the weekend of March 20-22. They were married in the mountains of North Carolina so it was kind of like a destination wedding in that, it was hosted at an Episcipalian conference center and everyone invited to the wedding was also invited for the entire weekend. The morning of the wedding, several of us decided to take a hike before needing to get ready. It was very chilly but beautiful. We hiked to the top of Eagle Rock and back.


Congratulations Paul and Jennifer Redd!

A few days after the wedding, Joe headed back to Puerto Rico for his 3rd or 4th trip(I've stopped counting, it a little depressing). And I headed to my parents to spend a few days with them. Joe flew home on April 2, I drove home the same day to pick him up, I did laundry all day friday and then on Saturday we were back on the road headed to Richmond for Nancy and Paul's wedding(different Paul this time) Joe and Paul were close friends when Joe was working at NBC 29 in Staunton, Virginia. Staunton is so pretty and all the people are wonderful! We were able to spend the night and spend some time with my sister Meagan and her fiance Eddie. On Sunday we attended their church (which was amazing) and then headed back in Charlotte.



On Monday, I was so blessed to spend the day with my friend Amy and her wonderful little munchkin, Caroline, who is now 8 months old! (Joe had to go to work, sorry honey)


What a Cutey Batutty!


More to come soon on Tuesday through now!

Wii had fun

This past week I spent at my parents house in High Point with my sister and her fiance, Eddie. Meagan and Eddie had registered for the Nintendo Wii, and had already received it from a friend. The console really was a family affair. I think for Eddie's enjoyment, the first game I played on it was boxing, and then tennis. The next morning my arms were sore ( I know, go ahead and laugh). The next night, we got mom in on it, and bowled, played tennis and had her ride a cow. We were all laughing so hard including mom we though we might need to call the ambulance to give her oxygen. But she kicked the pants off all of us in bowling, GO Mom! The third night we made dad play, and had dad and mom compete in riding cows. It was so much fun, and beat just watching TV! Way to go Wii!

From Summer sun to SNOW!!

Joe and I have now been in the states for about a week! We arrived last Sunday morning into Atlanta around 6am, and learned that just about every flight was cancelled do to a snow storm that was headed right through the southern states. And anyone who has every lived in the south knows that the whisper of snow throws everyone into a panic. So our original flight to Charlotte was cancelled, but they did have one more flight leaving that morning for Greensboro, so we hopped on it knowing our bags (all 7 of them) probably would not join us. Though we were excited to get to go to Melissa's parents first, they never get the first period of time with us since we always fly into Charlotte. Exciting enough, Melissa has wanted to see snow for two years now, and she got it! Along with the rest of North Carolina, High Point received almost 6 inches of snow Sunday night!




After a fun filled day with the snow Monday, Melissa's grandmother let us borrow her car to drive to Charlotte. Anyone who makes fun of the boats that more elderly drive, need to test drive one, it drives smoother than any other car we have been in lately. Upon arriving to Joe's parents in Davidson (just North of Charlotte) this is what we found (they live at 19000).



As we begin to settle in and finish the 20 loads of laundry we have, we are missing our routine and friends from Sao Paulo (here are a few pictures from our last few days there) but we are super excited for what God has planned for us in the next few weeks and months!