You, give them something to eat

So Emily just read this article for prayer that talked about the story of Jesus Feeding Five Thousand and I found it very interesting. It talked about how the apostles at the end of the day just wanted to send the crowds away because they were tired and they did not have enough food. However, God challenged them to feed the crowds and by some miracle they did. They were able to pull their resources together and to turn 5 loaves of bread into enough to feed thousands. It is amazing what is possible.
Lately, I have been just simply worn out. Between grad school, some issues here at the house, family issues and work I just want to sleep and forget about the problems, leaving it for someone else. I want to send the crowd away. It is easier to just pray for a solution but it is much harder to work for that solution. This past weekend I was at Fairfield, and I ran into a former student Marco who has been working on HIV and AIDs awareness throughout the world. It was nice to talk to him even if it was only for a few minutes because it is such an inspiration. He is just an average guy who felt passionate about something and is working to make a change. He is making the change he wants to see in the world. It is so easy to get caught up in every day stresses and not look at the big picture. I came here to Syracuse to make a difference and hopefully leave a lasting impression with the kids whom I interact with on a daily basis. I have some praying and reflecting to do but I believe there is something more I can be doing at work. I am doing my job and I love the kids but I am not challenging myself and I do not know if I am really "feeding them" or instead sending them off to get the food somewhere else.
I have decided to try and get people from home to understand a little more about what I am doing. It is really important to me that the people I am close to understand what this year is really all about because it has become so important to me. So, I have decided to start a collection at home to bring back used toys, can goods, clothes etc. here to Syracuse. With the no-spending rules in affect now, more then ever these things can make a big difference. I have made a facebook invite and I am also sending letters home to my family and neighbors. Anything I get is better then nothing so we will see.
Well it is late, I am tired and have a million things going on in my little head so I am going to go. I will try and write more soon. Plenty of things to still catch everyone up on.