First Post

Well,

This is my first blog (I wonder how many blogs start with that sentence). I remember hearing about blogs for the first time a few years ago and thinking to myself, "What's the point? Why would anyone want to start a blog? Why would anyone want to READ a blog?"

Most importantly, I'm usually against anything in writting. It seems to only get us into trouble. Nevertheless, here I am.... typing a blog..... at work.

Here's the point of this whole thing. Katie and I are adopting 2 children from Russia. For those that want to, we want a place where people can check in on our journey. I suppose additionally, we would like to provide hope, support and education for those who also choose the adventure of adoption. Last, we want to be a voice to the voiceless. I have learned that there are 143 million orphans worldwide. 143,000,000 !!!!! Omaha is 600,000. Nebraska is about 1.7 million. Nebraska, Iowa, and Missouri are 10.2 million. But worldwide there are 143 million orphans.

When I heard this number, I had to stop and think about that. First of all, when it comes to population numbers, I'm always amazed at how different the world really is from what I think it is. Most people live in Asia. Most poor people live in Africa. These are 2 continents that I have yet to step foot into. For the most part, I'm clueless. It's not that we Americans are being greedy as we clutch onto our money. It's just that we don't really realize that there is a such a huge problem out there.

And one of the major reasons for this state of unawareness, is that these people (and especially the children) have no voice. They don't have money to buy an advertisement slot. They don't have an educated plan to organize their thoughts and efforts. They don't have "friends in high places" to help them with their cause. They are voiceless.

And thus, I am calling myself the Voice of the Voiceless. (Although, I understand that this phrase has been used a few times. It's a song by Rage Against the Machine... whatever. It's a website about Animal Rights... whatever.)

I may not be a loud voice. I may not be a smart voice. I may not be a smooth voice. But I'm a voice. A voice of the voiceless.