This or That

Today I found this on kristiapplesauce. And you thought the decisions you have to make are hard.

How does a person make these kinds of decisions?

I Got Another Letter...

on Saturday from a very special little lady. It is my second letter from this special one. I found we have something in common. We both like la playa. Her mother bought her a "safeguard to swim in the beach." I'm so glad she has a safeguard. I hope it doesn't make her too brave in the water. She also sent me kisses and hugs. Those made me giddy!

I sent her some pictures to color for her mom. They're about Jesus loving the little children. Hope she has fun with them.

Compassion made these exchanges possible for me and my little lady in the Dominican Republic. You can look and find a little one to support financially and spiritually.

My friends, Matt and Kristen, support a boy in Africa. With the $25 they sent for his birthday he bought a mattress, a pair of stockings, a big bar of soap, and a bag of salt. He sent them a picture of him grinning as he held his birthday purchases. Also, due to their monthly sponsorship he is now in school. Yes!

Many children have been waiting longer than 6 months for sponsors. Take a look. We have so much compared to these. I encourage you to find one to sponsor.

I'm so thankful Compassion has given us the opportunity to reach out to these special kids.

Life Lesson Learned

Yesterday I noticed the flag up on our mailbox. Curious, I looked in to see a letter perfectly addressed and stamped from Callie to her camp counselor.

Yes, she did it all by herself and remembered to put on the stamp!

Don't Fear What They Fear

I've heard the word "fear" used a lot by people discussing the elections. I came across this in my study of Isaiah.

"Don't be like this people,
always afraid somebody is plotting against them.
Don't fear what they fear.
Don't take on their worries.
If you're going to worry,
worry about The Holy. Fear GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies.
The Holy can be either a Hiding Place
or a Boulder blocking your way.
The Rock standing in the willful way
of both houses of Israel,
A barbed-wire Fence preventing trespass
to the citizens of Jerusalem.
Many of them are going to run into that Rock
and get their bones broken.
Get tangled up in that barbed wire
and not get free of it."
Isaiah 8:12-15
The Message

UNRAFFLE

Brian Seay and his family are working on an adoption. They have created the UNRAFFLE. Being from a Southern Baptist background I totally understand their unique name for this fundraiser.

Click here to read the description and find out what your UNRAFFLE unticket will give you an opportunity to "unwin". Actually, your contribution does give you a "chance" (watch out for lightning) to win something.

Their adoption story is here.

I got a cool comment on one of my posts...

so, I investigated and the info got even cooler.

Some of you may remember my post, TOMS and Sanctus Real and Extreme Makeover. Well, Schooler got to be part of it, up close and personal. And, he shot some great photos of the concert and the home demolition. He got a hard hat and everything. How cool is that? He had an inside track with my BFF (please see below).

I've been a fan of TOMS ever since I heard about their amazing company. Check them out and become a fan too. Their documentary, For Tomorrow - The TOMS Shoes Story, was a Humanitarian Vision Award Winner at the 2008 Newport Beach Film Festival and was an official selection at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival.

I'd been a fan of Sanctus Real for a while before volunteering at one of their concerts a few years back. Always liked their music, but what sealed the deal for me was when Matt said I was a cool mom. He now is my BFF! I don't usually have my picture taken with rock stars, but I do have my picture taken with rock stars that think I'm a cool mom just so I can pull them up and remind my kids that I'm a cool mom.


So, if you're a rock star and want your picture taken with me you now know the rule.
Now, are there any rules for how many times you can use the word "cool" in a post?

Please Consider...

Bush and Maris need help finishing out their adoption fund account. Having paid for an adoption I know how hard that is. They are down to the wire.

Bush is an amazing photographer. He's selling prints of his work. Visit this site, pick one out and buy it. I can't figure out which is my favorite, but I'm sure you're better at making up your mind than me.

Just When I Think I Can't Be Surprised...

On the way to school today Callie picked up a picture and asked who it was.

me: Myrna Loy and William Powell

Callie: Are they alive?

me: no

Callie: Are they dead?

It's Coming!

Compassion Bloggers Dominican Republic 2008 Promo from Compassion Bloggers on Vimeo.

An email from Hands and Feet Project

This is the scene looking at several of our children's houses in Haiti after our area was hit by 3 hurricanes in a row. The red area you see in the foreground is a full size pick up truck that is buried in about 6 feet of rock that was pushed in by the floods. Thankfully all of our children and staff are safe. Many regions in Haiti were not that fortunate.

Please consider helping us as we re-build our property and build a large retaining wall for our property, the school next to us (providing a great education for 850 children), and surrounding neighbors. We have taken this project on because if we don't, our entire community could be destroyed by a future storm. Unfortunately, we can't just call the army corps of engineers to come build us a dam and some storm drains!

Please go to our website at www.handsandfeetproject.org to see more pictures, a video of the storm, and to donate.

Thanks for reading...please pray for Haiti and help however you can.

Hands and Feet Project | PO Box 682105 | Franklin, TN 37068
www.handsandfeetproject.org

Ransomed T-Shirts

Brad Ruggles designed the winning t-shirt for the Compassion International Global Food Crisis Fund and Blood:Water Mission. It is cool and has one of my favorite words on it.

Buy one.

What I learned from Sneaky Pete last Thursday

Stay in the moment.
Focus on the task at hand.
Get there mentally.
Stay in my body.
Beating clay (not my son) is easier with my left hand than my right.

Sneaky Pete had meningitis at 13 months which left his system fried. For thirty or so years his brain hasn't recognized he has a right arm, wrist, hand. The therapist and the rest of us at Coventry are working with him to force his brain to rewire and acknowledge the right side of his body. And it is hard work.

I'm left handed. I can do almost nothing with my right hand, unless my left hand or left side of my body is engaged as well. Such as, driving a stick (something this guy can't do). My right hand has no problem with working the gears, but I think it is because my left foot is busy with the clutch. I can work a mouse with my right hand, but my left hand is busy with the keyboard.

So, Sneaky Pete got his nickname because he sneaks his left hand up to perform tasks. Now, is he truly being sneaky? No. His brain is telling him to use his left hand, but he laughs really hard when I call him Sneaky Pete after catching him pop a grape in his mouth with his left hand. I decided last Thursday to only use my right hand while working with him so that I would have a small taste of what it is like. And it was hard work. I wasn't sure I could get the spoon to my mouth without making a mess. I could do it as long as I held my bowl in my left hand, but if I put the bowl on the table and tried to bring the spoon straight up from there - it was hard. I had to focus on the task at hand, stay in the moment, get there mentally, and stay in my body. It was the same way with beating clay for pottery work.

Sneaky works so hard, but there are times he looks at me as if saying, "This would be a lot easier if you would just let me use my left hand." I know, I understand, but it isn't was is best for him. His balance is better now. His speech has improved. He is excited to learn he can do more.

Just as it is easier for him to check out of a moment and not focus on a task, it is the same for me. But, it isn't best for me.

My new friend has taught me that there is payoff from
Staying in the moment,
Focusing on the task at hand,
Getting there mentally,
Staying in my body.

I learn more and therefore, I can give more.

Speechless...

that is how this video left me.

Where Do You Start?

The following is from the Livesay's Haiti blog.

Please consider adding the entire Zachary Family to your daily prayer list. Licia reports that Lori and her husband Charles will return to Haiti next week. They have lost all of their belongings and will need to help their neighbors face loss too. THANK YOU to those of you who contacted Jamie and/or donated. At this very moment it is honestly so overwhelming for Licia that they are trying to determine WHICH needs to tackle first. The water was a big one and they have filters now so they can filter the dirty water and make it safe to drink. The water was so powerful it destroyed roads, moved vehicles and bridges and entire homes.

1 Timothy 4:10

The following is from let us bring the Remedy. Her stuff makes me laugh and cry, sometimes at the same time. She is talented that way. She also is a girl after God's own heart. Click here to read the rest of the story.


Speaking bluntly about Jesus wasn't really possible at this conference, so we had to point to Him with our actions. It was so cool talking about integrity and gentleness and perseverance and knowing that the only way to prove it to them was by our actions. And boy, were they watching us. A few of us wore bandannas across our foreheads on Saturday, to keep our hair out of our faces... The store sold out of bandannas that day. Around 30 girls showed up to dinner wearing bandannas the exact same way. It was such a cool reminder that we were being watched. Who were we showing them? When I was reading 1 Timothy today, I found a verse that explained exactly what we did this weekend. And it is so cool:

"We work hard and suffer much in order that people will believe this Truth, for our hope is in the Living God, who is the Savior of all people, and particularly of those who believe."
1 Timothy 4:10

Royalty

I just want everyone to know I have royalty in my ESL class. And no, I'm not naming names.

Love Your Chocolate?

Read here about Fair Trade chocolate. Don't know what fair trade means? Then definitely read here.

Hands and Feet in Haiti

As hurricanes Ike and Josephina threaten Haiti yet again, Mark Stuart also urges people to help: “Pray for Haiti, it’s a country that is often overlooked by the news channels when hurricanes happen because there are really no tourist areas. No reason to really pay attention, but it’s a place that really could use our help.”

This angers me. Not Mark and the work of his family, but the attitude of the media on what is important to broadcast.

To read more about the large damage Hands and Feet suffered go here or here to see a video. If you watch the video, and I suggest you do, watch for the red truck.

Haiti Hit Hard

and will any media here even cover it? Please read Aaron's posts about the devastation Hurricane Ike has done to Haiti. Being one of the poorest places in the world already, this leaves Haiti in beyond dire straights.

Aaron has provided link information for paypal accounts if you want to help out the Real Hope For Haiti Rescue Center. There are also pictures of a small part of the damage.

Today a bunch of people were demolishing the student ministry room in preparation of a 30 years in the making makeover. The chaos was much and the mess was much. I found it overwhelming...I cannot begin to wrap my mind around what it would be like to have to crawl out of what the RHFH staff is dealing with. There aren't any government agencies they can call. There isn't any hotel the government will put them and the rescued children in. There is no FEMA to even pretend to help them.

If you can...please help.

Mind Numbing Football

Just got back from a football game. Final score 60 - 12. BBBOOOORRRRIIIINNNGGG!!!
I don't know if these kinds of games are fun for the players, but they put me to sleep.

I started cheering for the other team, begging them to make a touchdown just to make it a little more exciting. David had the pleasure of sitting by me today, which meant he got to listen to me. I finally turned to him at one point and said I thought our team could not even be on the field and the other team still wouldn't be able to score.

My daughter's boyfriend made the winning touchdown. How could it be the winning touchdown with a score of 60 - 12? He made the touchdown that called the game and put us all out of our misery. Thank you Micah! And it was an exciting run. He broke the tackle at about the 20 and ran it all the way in. And his hair still looked amazing when he took his helmet off! It was very impressive.

TOMS and Sanctus Real and Exteme Makeover

and...and...and...oh, sorry. I'm passing this on for Sanctus Real and TOMS.

Hey everyone,

Check out this website:
http://www. tomsshoes. com/toledofamily

How sweet is this?
"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" is coming to Toledo this week and as part of the festivities, Sanctus gets the
awesome opportunity to play a concert for the show! They're going to film it and there's a good chance some of it will be aired.


Here's something even more awesome and a way for you to get involved...We've hooked up with Tom's Shoes and through the end of the day (September 6th), if you click on the link above, and order a pair of Tom's, not only will they give a pair to a person in need (like always), but they'll donate $8 to the family on the show. That's not all though, if you use the promo code "sanctusreal" you'll save $5! It doesn't get any better than that. So check it out ASAP because even though you can get the discount anytime, the $8 for the family only lasts through the end of today.

Give, Get, Stttttrrrrrreeeeeetch those dollars!

What I Learned Yesterday

This is what I learned at Coventry this week.

I am not in this world for myself.
Others need my smile, hug, and pat on the back.
I will look around and see how I can be a blessing.
I can make a difference in someone's life every day.

I don't know if they know it, but they bless me greatly. Their hearts are so big.

During Circle Time someone shared that a friend's 18 year old son had been in a car wreck over the weekend and was now a paraplegic. He was a freshman in college and on the soccer team. She asked for prayer for him and his parents. Our wheelchair bound Star's heart broke open and she wept as she prayed about the changes and challenges in this boy's life.

As I listened to these sweet people talk to God, I couldn't help but think that He must lean in extra close to hear their honest prayers. It must make His heart sing to listen to them.

I got to hang out with "Sneaky Pete" on Thursday. Of course, that isn't his real name, but he is supposed to be working on the muscle coordination in his right hand and arm and when I would turn my head he would sneak up his left hand and use it. He laughed at my nickname for him and gave me "head hugs" and you haven't lived til you've had a "head hug".

Jay asked me how Corinn was doing and if she was going to visit that day. I was shocked he remembered her name. When I told Corinn she laughed and said her teachers didn't even know her name. He told me he would take me on Superman at Six Flags. I said I didn't like to wait in lines and he said I wouldn't have to wait in line if I was with him because he is handicapped and can go to the front of the line. I asked him if he would hold my hand and he said "yes." I asked if he would scream like a girl and he said "no." I said that I would. That made everyone laugh.

I'm looking forward to next week. Wonder what I'll learn then.

Tired of the Parties

This is how I feel about the political party conventions:

Stop regarding man, whose breath of life is in their nostrils;
For why should he be esteemed?
Isaiah 2:22

Hurricanes and Haiti

This is from Aaron Ivey's blog. You can read the entire thing here. This is the part that jumped out at me.

so many have been kind to call/email/text us about how our kids are doing with all the storms and flooding. (it is a humbling thing to know that people around the country are thinking and praying for our kids in Haiti). They are both fine and safe. We communicated with Licia and Lori today. we definitley got the scope of how rough things are there right now. the MAJOR problem right now is lack of drinking water. the flooding has washed out all of the water pipes which brings in fresh water to the village and mission. there are no supplies to fix these pipes, so when their reserve supplies of fresh water run out, they are in trouble. they can’t drink the water from the overflowing rivers because it is filled with “dirty” water (contaminated). Licia is doing everything she can to conserve, collect rain water, and limit washing clothes and diapers. she says her food supply will be ok, but major concern is water.

How is your water supply today?

Glass Floor

The Glass Floor has been broken. Most people hit a glass ceiling, but I was having trouble going down. Now, only 30 more pounds to go. I still weigh more than I did nine months pregnant with any of my kids.

Diving In

I've decided to dive into Isaiah. Before I just splashed around here and there, but now, I'm going for a Laura Wilkinson platform dive. The kind that forces you to go deep. Jesus for President and Justice In The Burbs finally got me to climb up the tall ladder.

This is the passage that got to me this morning:

Where will you be stricken again,
As you continue to your rebellion?
The whole head is sick,
And the whole heart is faint.
From the sole of the foot even to the head
There is nothing sound in it...

My rebellion is continuous. It affects every part of me and causes pain for those around me. I need to get well.

Cooking with Clay

I mean my son, not stiff, sticky fine-grained earth. He made the chipotle rub for the chicken. We cooked it so there was a choice of pan-fried or baked thighs.

Clay liked it so much he ate two pieces of chicken. Of course, he chose the pan-fried version.

I Got A Letter

I got my first letter from four-year old Grabiela. She writes she is attending church with her brother who is learning pantomime.

I have no idea what that means, but I love it.

Go to Compassion and find a child to sponsor. Then you can get a special letter from your sponsored child.