Update from Jonesboro

I'm having a slow time making friends, but I AM starting to feel a bit connected with my church here, thanx to the Thrive youth group!

I have a job, I have some co-workers that I've come to think of as friends but the  Job is not my fav place to go, and I'll tell you why. Because of the neighborhood I live in/work in. I see the kind of things that make me cringe everyday.

I do have some great customers, that I see regularly that make me smile. But then there are those other ones
 Moms who choose to buy the cigarettes and put back the load of bread because they can't afford both (at the end of the month when they're out of food stamps),
the kids who come in by themselves (6, 7, 8) and try to hassle our customers out of some change so they can buy some candy.
the babies who are eating candy as they exit the store (WAY TO YOUNG for that much sugar)
and the obese couple who buys 12, two liters of soda a week.

I know that poverty exists everywhere, even Oregon, but I never saw it up close and personal like I do here. To see people who have absolutely no desire to get up and do better for themselves, or their kids.

I am ready to come home for a few weeks (July 10th) and get married :) (Aug 2nd) - and then come back here and find another job, one where I will see the best in people again, and not the worst.

I have strong feelings about this country (and it's leaders) creating a society of people who are dependent or entitled on the government for their basic needs, people who take advantage of the system and do all they can to milk it!