we will survive.

About a week ago Starbucks announced that they were closing 600 stores and laying off 12,000 people. Howard Schultz, our CEO, has gone above and beyond to make sure that each store is informed properly and that each partner understands the reasonings behind store closures.

It was also stated that each partner who was layed off would have the opportunity to work at another store or receive a buyout, Starbucks was no just going to leave us on the street. They were determined to redistribute their partners and help them in any way the company could. I wasn't worried because I still have my parents to help me out and who I am dependent on, but the majority of the employees depend on Starbucks for insurance, tuition reimbursement, and for a salary. We were all willing to give up our jobs so moms, dads, and people who rely on their job to support others wouldn't have anything to worry about.

We officially found out yesterday that our store on Jolly and Okemos gets to stay open! This is a huge relief for everyone, but there is still a huge tug on all of our hearts for the thousands of people who are being put out of a job.

I just really can't believe all the crazy things that are happening in our economy. Along that note, when I went home to Saline a while ago I learned that a house in our neighborhood had been foreclosed. In our affluent and established neighborhood, a family had been forced out of their home because they could no longer afford to live there. It was a devastating picture and a terrible feeling in the pit of my stomach.

I just see all this tension, anxiety, and end of the rope living going on everywhere. I want to help whoever I can, I want to reach down and pull them out of their misery...I wish I had a million dollars to put straight into an account that goes to families who have lost their jobs and another million to give to every American so money would never be a problem.

Then I stop and realize I have more then millions of dollars to give to people. I have an eternal bank full of unconditional love and grace to give to people. I have God to share with the world. I have this amazing knowledge of Jesus who died for my sins and who will one day come and remove me from a world full of misery and shame. That is worth more then any amount of monetary donation I could make to the world.

That's cool.