Musings on My Journey

There is a lot of talk these days about “going green”. I know that it’s hip to be green, and it is definitely the politically correct thing to be. Our environment is in peril from us. For me, however, this journey into green-ness wasn’t an intellectual decision, but a heart decision. I felt a deep sense of conviction to live my life more consciously and deliberately. I was convicted of a lot of things that were off balance within my every-day patterns and habits, not just the environmental ones. Ultimately my view of who I truly serve in this world had to change. I got rid of some consumerist idols, like money and trusting in money for security. I realized that I wanted to bow down to God in every aspect of my life and to have the heart of Jesus. I wanted, and craved, action within my Christian walk. I needed something more to my life than being saved and being ready to go to heaven. I felt a call to do, to put God’s word into everyday life. This shift in my thinking and feeling has altered how I interact with the world.

Whether or not you believe in global warming or in any attempt to “green” the planet, the choice to live more mindful of each other and our planet is just the right thing to do. We don’t trash our houses or put waste where we live and be, so why would we trash the very thing that holds us, sustains us, and allows us to breathe? If we trash the earth, we are trashing each other, we are trashing ourselves, and we are trashing God.

Green living goes so far beyond just Reducing, Reusing, and Recycling. It reaches into our hearts and tells us to stop wasting our money on stuff while millions die each day from lack of food or medicine. It grabs our faces and allows us to look at what harm we have already done to each other and our world. Perhaps we begin to see what our choices mean a little clearer. "Does what I buy to eat impact others around the globe?" It hands us tools so that we can begin to work, and it brings forth a desire to do more and more, and to change. It’s not too late. We are God’s instruments of change. God can transform our hearts and minds, God can transform this planet with our help, and we can all be transformed by God - through our trash. Isn’t it always this way? - The paradox of healing coming through our wounds and our brokenness? Christ’s brokenness on the cross is the ultimate example of healing and life, through death. May we all continue to hunger after the heart of Christ, so that we too can provide some healing for our land and for ourselves.

Heads Up on Some Important Happenings in the Greenville Recycling Scene

Well, this has been a real roller coaster ride lately here in Greenville, IL. Emotions are high with the arrival of the long awaited second Doty bin. However, the paint is coming off already and there may be a need for it to go back to the manufacturer for repair while still under warranty. I personally requested that it could be held off until the end of winter, but we'll see. I just wanted to give you all a heads up.

Also, while we are on the subject of the Doty bins. There was a big, front page picture of the bins, and the caption said that the older bin would be used now for cardboard. It turns out that the Advocate was a bit premature on that news. Doty had planned on dragging that bin up to Ted's new location in Mulberry Grove, however, Ted's is not set up or ready for such a delivery. For now, the old bin is to be used as always, with plastics, tin and aluminum cans, magazines and newspapers. Please, I repeat, PLEASE do not take your cardboard down to the bins by the tracks. It will just get thrown away.

Lastly, and perhaps the most tragic news, is that the Green Fiber bins that are all around town that we have been enjoying for some time, are being removed. The corporation is closing the division that serves our area.

For now, my suggestion would be to take your cardboard products to Ted's Recycling in Mulberry Grove. While they don't have space right now to accommodate a big dumpster of cardboard, I believe they still do take it from average citizens. Directions are as follows:
1164 Mulberry Grove Rd., Mulberry Grove, IL
South of the interstate.
Going east on 40- turn right at 4-way stop,
go over interstate and it's on the left.
I will call Ted's tomorrow to make sure they are still taking cardboard since their move.

Hang in there everyone. Baby-steps. Whatever you do...just don't throw anything away. :') We can find places to take our stuff.

Doty's Second Bin Has Come!!!

OK. For those of you who have been hard core recycling for a while, and who have been using the current bin with the cut out holes, you know how big this is. Can I get a "Woo Hoo?"

If you haven't already spotted and used the new bin that Doty so kindly provided, then you need to get down to the tracks and test it out pronto. You'll think you are in recycling heaven when you swing open the doors and just let those plastics fly! Truly, very lovely.

I apologize for my tardiness on this late breaking event. I was trying to get the perfect picture to reflect how big a deal this is for our community. I wanted someone to be airborne. Well, things did not work out, and then that someone was going to have to be me. After several attempts at catching "airborne" with our camera, the battery went dead. See below my attempts to convey our great joy over this improvement of our recycling facilities here in Greenville. I'm still going to need an airborne shot before I can put this phase of progress to rest.

Enjoy the bin!!!!!!!!!