changing seasons...  We have a new Fall look at not one sparrow, based on another brilliant banner by my brother Josh DeVries.  Some other tweaks have been added as well, which I hope enhance the experience.  I'm also thrilled to introduce not one sparrow's new logo.  After months in development, and meaningful contributions from several friends, Ali Beem took over the project and came up with this beautiful embodiment of what not one sparrow is all about.  Thank you, Ali. 

survey feedback...  Thanks to everyone who took time to answer our first survey!  I very much appreciate the feedback and encouragement, and wanted to respond to a few comments.  Some wanted more blog posts, others less.  I must admit we're working towards the former, but if I can help you moderate your intake, please let me know.  A couple of requests were made for more in-depth content.  While this is always a delicate balancing act with such a diverse audience, I definitely want to take this into account.  It's something I appreciate as well. 

social connections...  I really am grateful to connect with many of you on Facebook, and appreciate those who joined our page recently.  I don't take that for granted.  An easy way you could be of additional help to us, if interested, would be to suggest not one sparrow's page to your friends, as well as to share the occasional blog post on your profile.  Several of you mentioned being interested in a discussion board.  Please know we currently have one on not one sparrow's main site and Facebook page, and would love to have you involved.  I'm looking into Twitter, and possibly MySpace down the line.  I'm also thrilled to have become involved in the creation care community at SustainLane. 

on the weblog...  Recent blog contributions include moving poetry by Francine Marie Tolf in "Her Heaven" and "The Kitten He Found," the can't-miss short film Eating Mercifully, a nonjudgmental reflection on vegetarianism from Greg Boyd, a great review of Food, Inc by Jessica Stackhouse, captivating photography from Patti Monaghen, a thought-provoking account of a pet blessing service from Anna Clark, a compelling look at vehicle and wildlife accidents by Susan Hagood, and a comical relationship in "The Trucking Duck" from Laural Hudgin.  I also hope you can catch my series on our beloved cat Bubba.

lingering need...  Without going into the gory details, the past few months have really taken it out of me and my family.  I want to continue the work I've been putting into not one sparrow, and follow up on substantial developments which continue to take place.  But it's very hard to do with the constant threat of putting my family in a bigger hole hanging over my head, and other jobs demanding an inordinate amount of energy.  If you've thought about giving at some point, these weeks approaching the new year are a critical time to help.  I'd be happy to put you in touch with our accountability contact if needed,  and am also interested in pursuing nonprofit and tax-exempt status if I can collect the necessary partners and funds to do so.  Thank you, honestly, for allowing me to be vulnerable regarding this ongoing need.

roll credits...  A sincere thanks for recent not one sparrow mentions from Bri and Milagro Roots, Glenn Allyn and Coffka the movie, Wanda Schrijvers-Embar and Vegan Peace, Rusty Pritchard and Evangelicals for Social Action, and Cris Bisch and SustainLane.

Thanks as always for reading, and a very meaningful Thanksgiving to everyone!

Ben DeVries, not one sparrow

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