a. Joyful, happy, beautiful. Three words to describe my cousin Amy's wedding to Jean-Luc. The bride was gorgeous (but we all knew she would be), the groom was handsome, and the entertainment was amazing! It was outdoors, with patio lanterns in lilac and white. It was so pretty. My favorite part was when they were brought into the reception led by Jean-Luc's family and friends in a traditional Rwandan dance...that and when his oldest sister (only the most classy, graceful human being I have ever laid eyes on) offered them a cow from Jean-Luc's family. It seemed like one of the most significant gestures of acceptance and love that a family could offer their brother and his new bride. My simple, small town, mennonite up-bringing seemed dull next to the Rwandan vibrance.

b. Concern, fear, sadness, outrage, and a steadfastness in my belief of pacifism. A co-worker was scheduled to leave for home this next week tuesday. She will not be going. In fact, home will not allow people in or out. She can't reach her family. There are no longer any lines of communication open in her home town. She can only hope that the UN or maybe a Canadian Embassy can help her find her family and assure her that they are safe. Her home...Beriut. The sadness and worry is palpable. It touches me. It makes me wonder how various governments around the world can sanction such a battle. It makes me feel stronger that fighting should be done amongst those who want to fight, in a field, with weapons that make you feel and see the blood that you are shedding. It makes me angry that innocent people are swept up into this battle. I want to cry out "Stop".