Billy and I watched the last half hour of a show on PBS this weekend called,
This episode was exploring the prison system and the vast amount of African American males who make up the inmate population. The host was talking with some of the inmates about how they virtually went from the projects to prison. One man said as a preteen, going to jail was a right of passage. This particular man that was being interviewed was so articulate with his thoughts, witty, clearly educated. But here he is in prison because as he said selling drugs would make him more money than getting a job. The interviewer asked him what got him to this place and he said his father was gone and his mother was on welfare. He just didn't have anyone at home that gave a rip what he did. Education was not seen as something to be sought after. The interviewer told him "you are so good with words, you could have been a professer." he said "I know that now." But for him it is too late. The show went on to talk about how can we stop this problem with black males ending up in prison before they get there. They went to schools and juvenile centers that are helping kids get an education (as the host said this is the key to a better life), mentor them, and give them the family support they don't get at home. One young girl who lives in government housing and was planning on graduating and going to college said, "My children won't live here. It is not that I forgot where I came from. It is that I
know what I have seen and where I have come from and I am trying to forget it." The fact is that unless these children grow up and get out of their community by either going to college or getting a good job, they stand little chance of "making it" in this world. The statistics for these kids are grim...many of the girls will have children out of wedlock and many of the boys will end up in prison. When I look at my son, I think of the hundreds of other African American children just like him who won't be given the chances in life that he has been given. We didn't rescue him from anything, we aren't his saviors. Only Jesus Christ can do that. But I do hope and believe that God has chosen this child for greatness.
I don't know what Isaac will do or who he will grow up to be, but I do know that prison is not an option for my child.
I hope to raise a leader who may one day choose to step into the life he came from and do something to better the lives of his people. Like Moses did. I don't need for him to make great amounts of money...the world may tell him that is success. But I never will. I do want him to use all that God has given him...his gender, his race, his talents and abilities, his compassionate heart, his education...to further the kingdom of God.
What a task that lies before us as his parents!
May the Lord's grace daily guide us as we raise this boy into a man.
Isaac is really looking forward to riding roller coasters. He has no fear when it comes to rides, so as long as he is the height limitation, we will let him go.
And we are BIG fans of Pixar...especially Toy Story. Isaac says "Mom, tell me the story about the ride at Disney World where we fight Zurg." All I can tell him is what the travel books say...but it sounds amazing!
Vivi of course can not wait to have our breakfast with the Disney princesses.
And funny enough she talks a lot about seeing Peter Pan. 
Vivi had a fabulous Princess tea party today to celebrate turning 3 years old.
It was held in a pretty tea room with a very girlie boutique in the front.
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