My phone is broken

Just wanted to let Adam know in case he tried to call and couldn't get through to me...


Below are some shots from a recent Swisher family reunion...










...Just kidding. My phone wasn't broken. Adam can stop worrying now.

Besides Ruth Colvin and YouTube, etc what's actually going on with the Parks?

We need more Ruth Colvin's in this world

National Womens Hall of Fame
Ruth Colvin saw a problem - pervasive adult illiteracy - and used formidable organizing skills and tenacity to help solve it through the creation of Literacy Volunteers of America. Colvin learned the scope of illiteracy in l962 when she discovered that thousands in the Finger Lakes county where she lived could not read. Her life was transformed as she undertook the necessary training needed to help correct the situation.

She determined that traditional classroom methods would not work and instead focused on the development of community networks in which a climate was created that empowered adult learners in new ways. The organization developed tutor training programs, special materials, community support components and a model that involves people from all walks of life in a community. Former dropouts become tutors, as do bank presidents, educators and many others. Thus far more than 400,000 have learned to read through the Literacy Volunteers program, in more than 460 locations operating in 40 states. Colvin travels internationally to share her unique program and knowledge - exemplifying the power of one individual to change the world for the better.

Additional Resources:
In the Beginning was the World: teaching reading & writing through the Bible. Syracuse, New York: Literacy Volunteers of America, Inc., 1994.

>Read about Ruth in today's paper. Her quote, "If you stop learning, you might as well die" hit me. She started out with no teaching degree and through research and people, she formed a National Organization. With support from her husband which is a huge boost, she created something so wonderful. Through her teachings, she is able to look outside the box to achieve her goal. Another quote from Ruth to end this blog on: "If you believe in your idea, you go from there." "If you do it with love, it will work out." By the way, Ruth is 90 and still travels internationally to help teach tudors in other countries. This women is someone very special, we need more Ruth's in this world we call home.

Another Great Message

My Sister-in law receives some really wonderful E-mails. I wanted to pass this one along. What a great message it sends.


F A M I L Y

I ran into a stranger as he passed by,
"Oh excuse me please" was my reply.


He said, "Please excuse me too;
I wasn't watching for you."


We were very polite, this stranger and I.
We went on our way and we said goodbye.


But at home a different story is told,
How we treat our loved ones, young and old.


Later that day, cooking the evening meal,
My son stood beside me very still.


When I turned, I nearly knocked him down.
"Move out of the way," I said with a frown.


He walked away, his little heart broken.
I didn't realize how harshly I'd spoken.


While I lay awake in bed,
God's still small voice came to me and said,


"While dealing with a stranger,
common courtesy you use,
but the family you love, you seem to abuse.


Go and look on the kitchen floor,
You'll find some flowers there by the door.


Those are the flowers he brought for you.
He picked them himself: pink, yellow and blue.


He stood very quietly not to spoil the surprise,
you never saw the tears that filled his little eyes."


By this time, I felt very small,
And now my tears began to fall.


I quietly went and knelt by his bed;
"Wake up, little one, wake up," I said.


"Are these the flowers you picked for me?"
He smiled, "I found 'em, out by the tree.


I picked 'em because they're pretty like you.
I knew you'd like 'em, especially the blue."


I said, "Son, I'm very sorry for the way I acted today;
I shouldn't have yelled at you that way."
He said, "Oh, Mom, that's okay.
I love you anyway."


I said, "Son, I love you too,
and I do like the flowers, especially the blue."


FAMILY
Are you aware that if we died tomorrow, the company
that we are working for could easily replace us in
a matter of days.
But the family we left behind will feel the loss
for the rest of their lives.


And come to think of it, we pour ourselves more
into work than into our own family,
an unwise investment indeed,
don't you think?
So what is behind the story?


Do you know what the word FAMILY means?
FAMILY = (F)ATHER (A)ND (M)OTHER (I) (L)OVE (Y)OU