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There are no words I could write that would provide any comfort for what’s happening in Los Angeles right now. Devastating and heartbreaking. Just thankful that the few people I know out there are safe.

Of all the famous and well known that I share a birthday with, I was always proudest that I shared it with President Jimmy Carter.

Much can be said about his missteps as President. More can be said of the humble Christian service he brought to the office of ex-President.

An example for us all.

Nicholas Bate encourages us to choose our word for next year.

Choose a word. Any word. One word. Make it yours for 2025. Start thinking about it now. Whiteboard it. Write it every day on your planner. Put the word on a handful of 3 by 5 cards and place them in strategic places as an ever-present reminder. Make it BIG. Write it BOLD.

My word for this year was FINISH! (and, yes, I always write it in all caps with the exclamation point). I wrote it at the beginning of every month in my Daily Log. I wrote it on top of every task list. It helped motivate and guide me. It made the year better.

Some really interesting, and infrequently discussed, data about homelessness (shared with me by my wife):

  • Within 18 months of emancipation 40-50% of foster youth become homeless.

  • Nationally, 50% of the homeless population spent time in foster care.

More here.

Related, my wife and I were struck by how few unhoused folks we saw in New Orleans.

Home for Good New Orleans is a community-wide effort to achieve low to no unsheltered homelessness in New Orleans by the end of 2025.

How? Give them a place to live.

Seems to be working.