You can't take it with you

Last night I picked up a copy of FD Luxe, a free fashion magazine. They often have interesting articles and sometimes a friend has photography featured, so I always grab a copy when I run across one. The story catching my eye this time was about the renowned opera singer, Lily Pons.

It's made up of bits and pieces from news stories written across the years about Pons. She apparently knew everyone in the entertainment world and beyond. Her Dallas home was filled with great works of art and cultured friends.

This is the bit that jumped out at me:

SEPTEMBER 1985“In her day, Pons had been a major international celebrity. She ate barbecue with Dwight Eisenhower in the White House. She was presented the French Legion of Honor by Charles de Gaulle. When she died, mementos of her glamorous life were disposed of in a giant estate sale that was open to the public. A picture of her partying with actor Humphrey Bogart went for 50 cents. Chatty letters from Princess Grace and Prince Rainier went for $5, as did a personal note from Princess Elizabeth thanking Pons for a wedding present.” — The Dallas Morning News

I don't know if she died surround by loved ones and friends. But, it does look as if no one claimed her stuff. Was her stuff important to her? She held onto it until the end. Maybe she had it tucked away and never thought about it. She did keep it though. It was, in some sort of fashion, still in her possession.

And, she didn't take it with her.

No matter how much you have of anything (insert what you wish here), when you die, it doesn't go with you.

And, collecting and keeping doesn't hold you here.

You still go.

I've been thinking a lot lately about not wanting to burden my children with stuff they have to get rid of when I die. I want to pare down what I have to be only things I absolutely love and/or use. If I can combine them be things I love and use, then great!

Lily Pons might have done all that before she died and the stuff in the little blurb might have been all that was left. If so, bully for her.

Or, whatever the French equivalent is for "bully for her."

So, I carry this disease

I carry this disease called Malaria. 

I didn't ask to have it or have the ability to pass it on to others. 

But, the fact is I do. 

You see, I'm a female mosquito with protists running through my tiny little body. 

A bite from me could be deadly.

 I start getting hungry around dusk and hunt for food until I'm all full with somebody's blood. 

 It's getting a little trickier to find a meal in my neck of the woods. 

People are starting to get these net thingies to hang over their beds. Makes it harder for me to eat.

I've heard the nets are provided by a special fund at Compassion.

I have no I idea what Compassion is, that's just what I've heard.

I do know that because of these nets fewer people are getting sick.

And, I've heard there are a lot of homes without nets, a lot of kids unprotected from me feeding on them.

I'm headed there now.

These Children Are A Most Wonderful Thing

I have this thing for people with special needs. I like them. I've always found myself drawn to them.

Not sure why.

When I was growing up, long, long ago...people with special needs were tucked away and not seen out in public very much. They were never in any of my classes. Now, I did grow up in very small towns, so my public was always very limited. I might have been exposed to more if I had been in a large city or large school system. I don't know.

Maybe, when I was younger, it was the novelty of being in their presence.

What I do know is I never felt fear or disgust. I always felt drawn by love.

All these years later, I have a special needs daughter (by way of China) and a special needs nephew and special needs cousins and special needs friends.

So, when the latest Compassion Magazine arrived I was excited to see the cover story Highly Vulnerable Highly Valued.

Watch Erick's story:

 One in 10 children worldwide has special needs, while one in 5 of the world's poorest has special needs.  

Interested in sponsoring a child with special needs? Click here.

Change a life today

Some people think changing a life for the good is a very hard process. Sometimes it is and if you have the capacity to go through the very hard process then you should. Sometimes, though, it is very easy to change a life.

I've (and Compassion) made it very easy for you.

Change the life of a little girl.
Change the life of someone in poverty.
Change the life, because you can.

You might find this interesting, especially if questions are bouncing around in your head.

Research on the outcome of child sponsorship will be published in the April 2013 issue of the Journal of Political Economy. Research that was conducted by Dr. Bruce Wydick, professor for the Department of Economics at the University of San Francisco.

This independent research shows that children who participated in Compassion's holistic child development through the sponsorship program stayed in school longer, were more likely to have salaried or white-collar employment and were more likely to be leaders in their communities and churches than their peers who did not participate in our program.

So, go ahead.
Take a peek.
Change a life.

I'm leaving on a jet plane

Today is the day the 2013 South Africa journey begins.

On Sunday evening we'll arrive at the Ten Thousand Homes property. I'm looking forward to hugging some necks!


Here are some blogs that have ties with Ten Thousand Homes.

KNOWN
Hearts For South Africa
i believe in love
A Journey of Hope

I suggest you check them out to learn more about what's happening in their neck of the woods.

What will I be doing there? I'll be working with the team at the feeding programs and teaching at the Compassion Discipleship School and whatever else comes up.

And, now, I'm trying to get excited about a really LOOOOOOONG flight or two.

What Prompts and Guides You To Serve Others?

I can't tell you exactly when Matthew 25 jumped out and grabbed me by the throat. I just know it did. It's a group of verses that, if you grew up in church, you've heard your entire life. But, for me, at some point it came alive. It stopped being just a group of verses found in the book of Matthew.


And, now that it has me by the throat, I'm not sure how anyone can casually read it, which is judgmental of me, I know.

If you want to see it in something besides the King's English:
"...I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, I was homeless and you gave me a room, I was shivering and you gave me clothes, I was sick and you stopped to visit, I was in prison and you came to me." The Message.

There are so many different ways to do the above. Even if you live in a remote place with only the internet to keep you company you can participate in doing some of the above. Compassion International is only a click away. Look at all of those faces needing someone to "feed" them. Compassion does a lot more beyond providing physical food.

If you are looking for something to do in the DFW area let me know. There are plenty of places and ways to help.

Another verse that is almost constantly on my mind is Micah 6:8. I love it so much I made my daughter marry a guy named Micah. Not really. She did that all on her own.

He's already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It's quite simple:  Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, and don't take yourself too seriously - take God seriously.

Do justice, love mercy, walk humbly. I repeat that in my head...often. Especially the walk humbly part. Especially when those judgmental thoughts start pushing in.

Check out what prompts and guides others:

Makes my heart smile

I don't sponsor Gabriela so she will write me, but it does make my heart sing when she does.