Neglected

I'm sorry dear blog.  You have been completely neglected for over 2 months. I know there are no readers left, but hopefully some of them will come back.  I have been busy raising money for Pleasanton schools, and while it is a bit different than my normal "charities",  I have gained a lot of experience in how to hold an auction on a much grander scale.  Hopefully those skills will serve me well in the future.  

I have big plans (after I take a little breather).  I want my family to raise enough money to dig a well in Africa.  After concentrating so hard on keeping our schools up to par in an upper-middle class, rich (by the world's standards) city, I am acutely reminded of our brothers and sisters on the other side of the world who don't have clean water, and often spend the majority of their day fetching water from a disease infested water-source.  While my kids have the privilege of good schools, warm meals, new shoes, over-abundance of toys, and 2 parents, there are so many kids who are orphaned, sick, and don't even have a chance at life.  Access to clean water can literally give a person life.  A well, can give a VILLAGE life.  

My deepest desire would be to see my own town of Pleasanton, who has pulled together as a community to help save our schools, to have that same passion to save lives of children they have never met.  I would love to see our school Valley View sponsor a town about the same size of our school community, and build a relationship with them.   Fundraise to improve their living conditions,  provide food for the hungry and medicine for the sick.  I think it would be amazing for our kids to connect with someone across the globe, to help someone with basic human needs.  I'm fully aware that this doesn't solve the bigger problem of why these people are in such desperate poverty, but it doesn't mean we shouldn't help them.  

Right now this will be a family effort.  If you see my family and I on the side of the road selling lemonade you will know why.  Hopefully one day this will be a school effort.  And in my biggest dream of dreams this would be a city-wide effort.  

URGENT NEED

This is from my friend Brandi's blog....

FEED THE FORGOTTEN

Too often we hear heartbreaking stories like this (that I posted on Saturday) and do nothing. We feel helpless. . . and so we move on. Not this time. There are people DYING in Uganda right now. There are children who's bellies are hungry and aching. There are mamas who are too weak to stand and babies begging to be held. There are people trapping termites hoping for food and eating dung in helplessness. DO NOT CAVE TO DESPAIR. YOU CAN DO SOMETHING.

Join us and Children's HopeChest to FEED THE FORGOTTEN!!! (CLICK HERE TO GIVE NOW)

PLEASE PUT "FEED THE FORGOTTEN" IN THE NOTES SECTION ON THE DONATION FORM.

For $0.14, we can (and WILL) feed someone a meal of posho and beans. (posho is cornmeal, which is filling and beans are protein). Take that in for a moment. . .

$0.14 a meal

$2.86 for 20 days

$1 per FAMILY

$20 feed a family for 20 days.

How much was my Chick Fil A yesterday? How much is your Starbucks? The bigger question is how much am I willing to give up SO THAT OTHERS MIGHT EAT?

Remember Jesus story of the Good Samaritan? Remember how his very neighbors walked right by him? They probably looked at him with pity. . .probably thought "oh poor guy, that breaks my heart" but the fact is THEY DID NOTHING.

What will you do? These children are starving. . .

these actual children. . .

will you help? The money raised will feed those precious children. There are 3 - 4 villages that we are targeting (I'm hoping for more after we see how much we can raise!) to bring food relief to asap. These people are literally starving. . and waiting for you to act. Will you help? Even with paypal fees (2-3%) even $1 will feed 6 people! You CAN make a difference.

Spread the word, blog about it, facebook it, twitter it, ask your church or school or business to give, post the blog badge anything. Truly, we are begging you. . .on behalf of these children not to forget this post and move on to the next in your google reader list. Stop, pray, act.
GIVE TO FEED THE FORGOTTEN CHILDREN!!!!!

Add "feed the forgotten" in the notes section when you give!

Tender Hearted

One of the greatest joys of being a parent is when I get a glimpse of my own child showing compassion for others.  I want my children to have a heart like Jesus, and admittedly there are times when I try to force it into them.  But the truly sweet moments are when they show compassion all on their own.  

We have taken our children to Africa.  They have seen the poor, the hungry, the homeless.  They have been to "street church" where we handed out bowls of rice and beans to people wearing filthy rags for clothing.  But it has been 3.5 years and their memories are fading (Dane's are gone, but Genevieve still has some). We talk regularly about those without food, clean water, homes, or even parents to care for them.  I just want them to get it.  I don't want to raise another generation with a sense of entitlement.  With only selfish ambitions.  

So it is mornings like today that give me hope.    

Genevieve had turned the TV on before school in hopes to catch a cartoon before we had to leave.  But instead of Super Why coming right on, the channel was turned to a one of the promos for sponsoring children.  It showed little sick children, with the flies on their faces and bloated bellies.  

In a solemn voice she asked me "mom, are those the poor kids in Africa we talk about?".  I answered that they were.  Then I decided to go about my business getting her lunch made, and let her take it all in.  She sat and watched the program in the other room.  As we were packing up to leave she showed me a container full of change and told me that was the money for the people without food.  She then wanted to know if we had more money we could give them.  I suggested we try to raise some money to send them.  She asked "like a lemon-aid stand?"  She was referring to our failed attempt from last summer.  So I think we are all ready to try doing this again.  And thinking of other ways to raise money too.  

And that my friends, makes a mama's heart swell with pride.  Pride in a good way.  For just a moment I think all will be right in the world if this is what the next generation will be like.  

iphone's could help feed people.

I've had this idea brewing for awhile now.  Have you ever been in a store, put something in your cart that you really didn't need, and thought "I would rather send the $3.99 to buy a mosquito net for someone in a malaria-inflicted region, or medications for an HIV infected person", and put it back ont  the shelf?  But then you get home and you don't actually send off the $3.99 to the charity?  

How cool would it be if there was an iphone application, let's call it "icharity", where you could send any amount of money at the touch of a button (or 2) to your charity of choice?  Where you are driving through the drive through at Starbucks, and at the last minute decide "instead of this $3.85 mint mocha frapucchino, I can buy 22 meals for the hungry in Uganda through Children's Hope Chest".   And you can do it RIGHT THEN.  

I've been dreaming about it this.  So I finally decided to google what it would take to get an application designed.  

And that would be in the neighborhood of $30,000.  =(

Do I think it's worth it?  YES.  Do I think it would encourage people to give up some of our luxurious spending in turn for thoughtful giving?  YES.  Do I have $30,000 to make this happen?  No =(.

But maybe someone out there in the cybersphere will see this blogspot and also happen to be an iphone application designer =).  And they can HAVE this idea free of charge =).

Oh and by the way, do I have an iphone?  No.  I did for about 4 months until it was stolen.  Would I get one again just for this application?  You betcha.

it's heavy

My heart is heavy....

Mother's Day

Thinking about mother's today. Mother's who get to spend today with their kids, and mother's who don't. Mostly the mother's who don't. The mother's who don't get to tuck their kids into bed at night or kiss their boo boos all better. 

Because they are dead. 

14 million orphans in Africa alone. Thinking of those mothers today ♥ . Mourning with their children. And thinking about what I can do to help less mother's die.  

All the while hugging my kids and thanking God for allowing me to mother them.  

the lonely

"Father to the fatherless, defender of widows, this is God, whose dwelling is holy. God places the lonely in families; he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy." Psalm 68:5&6

The American Dream....is not God's dream

Feeling restless tonight.  Once again I am all-consumed with the purpose of my life. 

In a nutshell, I am not okay with being a Christian living the "American Dream".  The words of the Bible are becoming more real and more literal to me every day.  My compassion for God's people, especially "the least of these" is growing at a rapid rate.  

As Christians I think we often sit back and admire others that have been called to do great things in the name of Christ.  I have often thought "if He called me to do that (insert any number of radical sacrifices), would I obey?" And it has only recently occurred to me that we have already been called.  We don't have to have an "ah-ha moment", or a "divine intervention" to follow what He has already asked us to do in His Word.  

Lately, I have literally been kept up at night thinking of the millions of orphans in the world.  I have been resting in the peace that we have not yet been "called" to adopt.  I assumed that God would hit me over the head with something tangible, showing me (us) that this was something we were to pursue.  

But if I truly want to be Christ-like, then my heart needs to bleed like His.  And my actions should reflect that.  

What more does He need to do than to write...

'Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.' (James 1:27)

"But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth." (I John 3:17-18)

I am acutely aware of how blessed I am to be an American.   I realize that my life is a life of luxury to much of the world.  That my "humble" 1400 square foot house and the amenities within would be considered a vacation for millions.  And that is why I cannot shake this verse:

"To whom much is given, of him much will be required.” (Luke 12:38)

Because I have been given so much, I am expected to give much.  Sacrificially.  

My heart hurts.  I have not given much.  Not when thousands are dying daily for lack of clean water and food.  Not when millions of children are without a family to call their own.  

So where do I begin?  

"If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one." (Mother Teresa)

So I will start with just one.  

And as my passion grows I will try to remember.....

“It is not our job to convict the world, but to live as a convicted person.” (John Piper)

The SOLD Project

Last night I went to Cornerstone's viewing of The Sold Project.  A series of short documentaries highlighting the exploitation of children in Thailand.  

They explained how poverty and lack of education are key factors in this vicious cycle.  

The SOLD Project has focused their energy on PREVENTION.  They feel the best way to keep children from entering the sex industry, either by force, coercion or default, is by helping to provide an education.  While public education is free in Thailand, many families cannot afford the books and uniforms mandatory for attending school.

The SOLD Project has started a scholarship fund for children in poor high-risk villages.  They have an on-site case manager who assesses the local children's needs, and helps them to apply for the scholarships.  

Last night at Cornerstone ALL the children they had profiles for were sponsored!  However, that does not mean their work is done.  It just means the case manager can keep finding more kids to help.

Check them out.  Also check out the film schedule.  They are on tour, so it just might be coming to a city near you.

300 voices for water

You might have noticed the new little button on the right of my sidebar.  Water For All Seasons.  It's a spinoff of Water For Christmas.  Because there are many of us that can't stop at giving the gift of water - the gift of life, just at Christmas time.  

My friend Jody (well, we've never actually met, and I only "know" her through blogland, but she feels like a friend) is leading the way for those of us who are constantly asking ourselves "what can one person do to make a difference in Africa?"  

She is gathering a team of 300, who will do 2 things.  

1.  Commit to sending $20/month to charity: water.

2.  Share with others about water.

Okay, I guess she is only asking that you commit to #1, but is pretty confident you will just be compelled to do #2.  

This is a team effort.

300 voices going strong.

Can you imagine the power and effect God will have through THREE HUNDRED people passionate about water?  

Water is life.  

300 Voices for LIFE.

Will you join us?

Leave a comment below if you will, then go to HERE  to hear what Jody has to say.  Then go HERE to sign up to be part of the team.

I'm secretly hoping to have a little branch of the 300 right here in the tri-valley.  I am yearning for like-minded friends that will come together who want to DO SOMETHING with me.  Not with their extra time, 'cause none of us have that.  I want a group of us who will sacrifice, and carve out a chunk of our already hectic lives to do something beyond ourselves.  Beyond our families.  Beyond our comfort zones.  Where are you friends?  The ones that think BIG?  

Wow I didn't really plan on calling you all out, but since I am, I might as well do it.  Leave a comment if you're on board.  If it's too uncomfortable for you to leave a comment on my blog, then you're not the Big Thinker I'm looking for.  NO OFFENSE.  

Okay, now I'm going to be nervously watching my empty comment section all week.  You can still comment even if you are not feeling like being part of the 300 voices.  You can still send me a word of encouragement, or tell me that once again I've gone off the deep end =)  That just may very well be true.  

Because I do like to swim.  

This is why

This is why I can't be complacent.
This is why I can't sleep at night.
This is why I have to DO SOMETHING.
This is why you do too.

(first turn down the music player at the bottom of my blog)

I'm here, just not HERE.

I'm posting, just over at my other blog.   Mi blog de familia.  Why am I talking en espanol? Because we're in Mexico!  My daughter and I are taking some spanish courses in San Miguel de Allende.  So I will be at the other blog for a little while.  I really need to combine them, don't I?

Asta luego!

Still here

I have been MIA a bit lately.  Just wanted you all to know that I am still alive and kicking.  I have been preoccupied with being a parent with some hard decisions to make.   I have to keep reminding myself that while this current issue/opportunity/situation is a big deal, there are so many people in the world that have much bigger decisions to make - like if they should buy food or medicine this day.  Or whether they should continue to raise their child with meager means, or turn them over to an orphanage.  I need to keep it in perspective.  That's my mantra lately - perspective.  Sometimes that's hard to do.  Especially late at night when I can't turn my brain off.

So that's where I've been.  I'll be back soon.  

$10 Friday AGAIN. And next week too!

It's that time again.

Where we all come together to make a difference.

Where there is power in numbers.

Where our own $10 won't change the world, but our $10's collectively will.

So go be part of a bigger something.

Something bigger than yourself.  

water4christmas.com

Christmas~ Like never before

Thanksgiving is over, and now the Christmas shopping has "officially" began.  

But this year is different.  

This year we will not celebrate with overindulgence and  abundance.  

At least not in the traditional paper & bow wrapped  excessive gift-giving sort of way.

But we will give.

A little something for each of our family members, and a lot of something for those in the world who don't even have the basic necessities of life, let alone a list of extravagant Christmas wants.  

I am being very deliberate with my shopping.  No last minute gift cards, no random purchases just to have something to wrap and give.

My goal is to only purchase gifts that will help others.   One way to do this is to make a donation in the name of someone on my gift list.  The list is endless of great organizations & charities we can give to, but on the top of my list are 

Water For Christmas - drilling and providing a life source in villages who don't have access to clean water.

Rohi Childrens Organization (an orphanage & school we support and have visited in Kenya).  They have a gift catalog where you can purchase specific gifts based on your desires and budget - like goats, desks, bicycles, etc.  You can contact them about getting a gift catalog.

If it were just up to me I would probably stop there.  I can be quite extreme sometimes, but my darling  husband helps to keep me a little more balanced.  I think he was picturing our kids on Christmas morning reading a little note about how we built a chicken coop in Rwanda as their Christmas gift.  And as much as they really do seem to be getting it this year, they are still kids.  And gifts are good.  Just not in the excessive, over-indulgent, above-all-else sort of way. 

I'm convinced we can have it both ways.

So we will also be buying some material gifts to give.  I'm still trying make my dollars work extra hard.  There are a lot of places out there that give all proceeds to great causes.   And when that's not an option, I will at least be purchasing fair trade items, knowing that my purchase provided a decent living  wage to someone.

I will not be going to big box stores.  Not once.  That's my goal, anyways!

At the risk of my family members potentially seeing some of their gifts ahead of time, I'm going to list some of the great places I've found for some unique gifts.  

Check out these yummy soaps from Zambia at Samba Naturals

These tiny dolls made by HIV+ women in africa at Little Travellers 

Or how about Tom's Shoes who gives a pair of brand new shoes to someone in need with every pair purchased.

The best part about this kind of shopping?

It's done from the comfort of my home.

On my couch.

In my pajamas.

Doesn't get much better than that!

Winner!

Sheri K for $100!!!

I am so excited for you!

I would love to see this hanging - do you know where you are going to put it?

Contact me so that we can figure out how to get this awesome work of art to you.

Thank you Randy Lipsey for loving the Berry's in this tangible way.  I know they are feeling blessed by so many of you that are helping to bring their kids home forever.

Auction #7 - Gaaaawgeous Painting

This painting is an original by artist Randy Lipsey (a friend of the Berry's). 

It's done with spray paint and has a graffiti style to it. It is 4ft x 4ft (yes, you read that right - 4 FEET by 4 FEET) in size and is on a smooth plywood canvas.  

I LOVE this painting, and think the winning bidder is going to be quite "blecky" (a word my friend and I made up for blessed and lucky =) )

Auction Rules/Details

The auction begins NOW, and ends NEXT Monday (Dec 1st) 9:00 pm PST. 

YES, A 1 WEEK AUCTION!  

I know a lot of people are traveling for Thanksgiving and I want to make sure everyone has a chance to see this cool piece of art.

You place your bid by posting a comment in THIS POST with your bid amount. Please bid in increments of $5 - and higher.  Whoever is the highest bid at the time the auction ends (9:00pm - NEXT Monday) is the winner.

I am not sure what the shipping costs will be, but I'm going to see if the artist has any insight to this.  Will update if/when I get any more info about shipping.

The entire amount of the winning bid will go directly to the

Berry Family Adoption Fund. 

Do I hear $25.....???

***PS*** ~ If you link to this post on your blog, Facebook or your online yahoo group or whatever, you get bonus points......in heaven =)

More Water For Christmas

Wouldn't you like one of these beautiful WFC ornaments to hang from your tree this year as a reminder that you chose compassion over consumerism...

Or maybe this is what you'd like to give as gifts.  You can give a beautiful ornament, and maybe even attach a card that says you also gave an additional $20 to WFC as the recipients gift.

I can't think of a gift I'd rather get this year than water.  

You can buy them HERE for $6.50.  All proceeds go to Water For Christmas.

You can drink the BlackBerry's home if you please....

I have just heard about an awesome organization called 963 Coffee.  They recognize the fact 

that while we are paying $4 for a cup of joe, coffee farmers around the world aren't even making a living wage.  The middle man is making ALL the money.  

The Project’s purpose is twofold: to provide a fair wage for coffee farmers in poverty-stricken communities, and to allow groups and individuals to use the coffee to raise funds for mission projects and relief initiatives. 

Which brings us back to the BlackBerry's.  963 Coffee is allowing the Berry Adoption Fund to be an affiliate.  Which means that 40% of the money you spend at 963 will go straight to bringing Becky & Billy home. 

How awesome is that? 

You can purchase as you need, or you can set up an order that is automatically delivered on a certain schedule.  

Just go HERE to place your order.

I have set up a button on the right of the blog that will take you to the wesbite anytime you want to purchase.

Now go drink your java AND FEEL GOOD ABOUT IT!

Update!

I went to place my first order with 963 and was surprised by the $7.50 shipping charge for a $10 coffee order.  I just spoke with Erin from 963 and this is what she said:

Here are a couple tips to beat the shipping cost over load… first if possible ship it to a “commercial address” such as where you work or your church. FedEx and UPS both charge a $2 residential surcharge to ship to a residential address.  Another tip is to order more at one time whether that is for you to keep on hand, or if you get together with friends or neighbors to place one larger order together instead of many small orders. We have seen shipping prices spike along with the cost of oil. Unfortunately the shipping cost has not come down with the cost of oil. The bulk of the charge is basically to ship something to somewhere and then that cost gradually goes up based on how much and where. For example it may be $8 to ship 1lb to you via Fedex but it is probably $10 to ship 10 lbs.  

I checked what she said and she's right.  The shipping only goes up slightly when I order a lot more coffee.  So definitely order in bulk, whether for yourself or combine orders with friends.

I still think this is totally worth it.  Just wanted to give you a heads-up.

Oh and FYI~ the Fundraiser Starter Kit and the DVD don't count towards the 40%, but EVERYTHING ELSE does.

Monica Guzman...where are you?

UPDATE:

I've been in contact with Monica and all is well.  The bag goes to her.  Sorry Linda =)

Does anybody know Monica Guzman from Hayward?  She is the winner of the bag, and she hasn't contacted me about it since the auction ended.  

If you know her, tell her to drop me an e-mail.  If I don't hear from her in the next few days I will offer it to the next highest bidder.

Thanks!

Calling all sewers!

Oh geesh!  I am talking about sewing, not the pipes that carry our "waste" to...wherever it goes.

Anyhow, I have just learned about a sweet act of love that we can participate in.  Tracy from Junk Posse is heading up these Love Blankets that will be going to an orphanage in Africa.  Anyone who can sew a 2'x2' quilt can participate.  The truth of the matter is, I am not a "quilter".  But I can fake my way through this.  If you sew, you probably can too!

It's such a great cause.

And to be honest, it was these yummy fabrics by Joel Dewberry that really made me want to participate.  

Aren't they scrumptious?

Tracy will send you the fabric to make the top of the quilt.  You need to supply the batting and back of the quilt.  

Go here for more info and to contact Tracy.

Did I mention it's a contest too?  She's got some great prizes.  I don't know how you win though.  Best quilt?  Random drawing of participants?  I don't know!

Are you in?

$10 Friday

I can't believe I didn't post this earlier.  I've been caught up in the auction ending thursday and the drawing today, that I forgot to post this.  Although I didn't forget to do it myself.  Nor did I forget to update my status  every couple hours reminding people, thus being really annoying on FB.

I don't want to waste any more time before you see this, so I'm stealing most of the wording below from Cassie's Blog.

$10 Friday

The Water for Christmas facebook group has reached 1000 members. So we were talking that if everyone donated just $10 on Friday, we could fund the drilling of 2 wells.

2 wells in one day...wouldn't that be amazing?!?

So we are naming today $10 Friday. We are encouraging everyone who believes in this cause to go donate. Go to www.water4christmas.com, which will take you

 to the fundraising page. 

Click on the red donate button to be a part of this incredible movement. 

A movement to save lives. 

To bring hope to a community across the ocean during this holiday season.

To say no to consumerism and yes to compassion.

Let's do this!

The winner of the Give-Away.......

Okay, so I've done the drawing.  

Let's just say it didn't exactly go how I had planned.

I thought I could have my 4 year old son draw the winning name.  It would be so cute.  

Instead, this is what I got.

Warning:  this is not at all enjoyable to watch.  Or should I say listen to. 

(you may want to go to the bottom of the blog & turn off the tunes before playing the video) 

I apologize.  I wanted to re-record the drawing, but my husband insisted I post this one. Unfortunately this IS my life.  I mean I love my life.  But unfortunately there is an awful lot of crying from the baby, and an awful lot of non-cooperation from the 4 year old.  Too bad my 6 year old daughter wasn't here to throw a little attitude into the mix.  

It's fun stuff.

Anywho.

The winner is...

I should let you all know that despite Brandi being a rebel and a rule-breaker who entered like 25 times in one day, she only got her name in the basket once.  Yet somehow she still managed to win.  I hope your grandma enjoys washing dishes a little more with her sassy new gloves =)

Send me an e-mail so I can get these in the mail to you!

Thanks everyone!  This was fun.  

Not the crying drawing part.

But the commenting and seeing who's out there reading this blog part.  

Monica Monica Bo Bonica...

Fee Fi Fo Fonica...

MONICA!

(a different Monica than last time)

Is the winner!!!!!

Congrats to you!

And a bigger Congrats to Becky & Billy!

You are already so loved here in America, that people are willing to pay some ridiculous prices for a handmade bag from a Nobody, just to get you here!!  

That.

Is.

Awesome.

Thanks y'all for another EXCITING auction!  

And don't be gone long, because there is

MORE TO COME!!!!!

Monica~ You can click the "Donate" button on the right of the blog, OR you can send a check if you want the tax deduction.  Drop me an e-mail to touch base and so that I can get your address to send the bag.  My e-mail is listed in my profile.  Thanks so much for bidding!

oh, and this is totally premature for me to say this, but I'm going to anyway.  It looks like we might be having some real art to bid on in the near future from a guest artist....

a friend of a friend of the Berry's I believe.  

This would be a welcome little gift in this house....as I do believe my husband feels like he is playing second fiddle to some  little blackberrys halfway around the world =)

Hee hee hee.

But, shhhhhhhhhh, I didn't say a word.....

Auction #6

If you're looking for the "Give-Away" post, just scroll down to the next post.  

Up for auction is a custom bag/purse, hand-made by yours-truly.  I knew I wanted to make a bag, but I wasn't sure on the design.  As I was standing in line to get my fabric cut, I noticed the girl in front of me had a really cute purse.  I asked her if I could take a closer look, and I even snapped a photo with my phone.  So this is my rendition of "girl from the fabric store's purse".

It is made with a heavy decorators fabric, with contrasting prints.

Inside you get 4 pockets for phone, keys, pacifiers, pens, etc.

On the opposite side of the pockets I stitched a little Africa with a heart for Uganda, to remind you of your sweet donation that helped give 2 precious children a family.

Me holding the purse so you can see it to scale =)

Auction Rules/Details

The auction begins NOW, and ends Thursday 9:00 pm PST. 

YES! THIS IS ANOTHER A 2-DAY AUCTION!!!!

You place your bid by posting a comment in THIS POST with your bid amount. Please bid in increments of $5 - and higher. Let's start it out slow and give everyone a chance to bid. I LOVE my high-roller bidders, but I don't want people to start thinking it's not worth it to try! Whoever is the highest bid at the time the auction ends (9:00pm - thursday) is the winner.

Shipping costs are covered to anywhere in the 50 states.

The entire amount of the winning bid will go directly to the

Berry Family Adoption Fund. 

(If you're just tuning in to this blog, the Berry's have been friends of ours for many many MANY years.  I so believe in what they are doing, that I can't help myself from helping them - even though they never asked!)

The winning bidder can give the donation via the "donate" button on the right side of the blog (if you don't care about a tax deduction).  Otherwise I will give you details of where to send the check.

Let's start the bidding at $15

Let the bidding begin!

Give- Away!!!!!! Drawing!!!! Freebie!!!!

This is long over-due!  I promised a give-away quite a while ago, and have had good intentions....

but, well, I got a little side-tracked with 2 adorable Ugandan kiddos, and working on bringing them home =)

What you see here are some fancy-schmancy dish-washing gloves.  If you gotta do the dishes, might as well look pretty while you're doin them!

These are hand-made by me (although they are not an original idea by me).  They are Mr Clean Nyplex Hypo-Allergenic gloves with vin

yl covered cotton fabric on top.  The gloves are size medium.  I have pretty big hands and they fit me great with some room to spare.  

To enter the drawing all you have to do is leave a comment in THIS post.  Here's the cool part.  You can enter more than once.  You can enter once a day until Friday.  Just leave a new comment each time.  You don't need to say anything more than your name and hometown.  Preferably your first name and last initial.  If the hometown thing freaks you out too much, just leave your name.   I will put all entries in a basket, and on Friday 1:00 pm PST I will draw the winner.  If I can, I will even video the drawing and post it on here.  

Just to clarify...

these are free.  A gift.  For anyone reading this blog.  Whether  you check in daily or it's your first time here.  Everyone can enter! (And guys don't be shy.  You can always give them as a gift to your wife, mom, sister).  

Shipping is covered to anywhere in the U.S.

Any questions?

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!

WooHoo!

The Winner is Monica at $75!

So exciting.  So so exciting.

THIS was a fun auctio

n to watch.  

I am completely humbled and in awe, that so many of you GET IT.  

Thanks to all who watched and bid on this auction.   Because of you I am SO motivated to keep on going with this.  

Well you, and them =) 

You might have noticed that I have a new little "donate" button on the right.  That is just to make it easier for you to make a donation to the Berry Adoption at the end of the auctions IF, and only IF you don't care about receiving a tax deduction for your donation.  If you want your tax deduction, you need to send your donation via check to 

Calvary Life Fellowship

· Mission: Berry Adoption

· PO Box 1161,

· Brea CA 92822

DO NOT write in the memo of the check who/what the donation is for.  Just a little sticky note will suffice.

Thank You again =)

More to come, so keep checking back!  

Blog Auction #5 - The First Noel...

Here it is folks!

A handmade "Noel" banner that would be really nice hanging from a fireplace mantle. Not only is it handmade, it is hand-SEWN - my poor little raw fingers will attest!

It is made from layers of quality felt with cotton applique, embroidery & ribbons. Each of the "flags" on the banner is approximately 10" tall and the length of the banner is approximately 4.5 ft (from "N" to "L") with lot's of extra ribbon on the ends to make it longer.

I can't find my camera (lost in the Halloween madness!) so my poor iphone pictures will have to suffice until I can get some real pictures. The colors are a bit off - these photos make the green look a bit darker than it is.

Once again, the entire winning bid will go to the Berry Adoption Fund. If you are just now visiting this blog for the first time, check out this post for an explanation of the BlackBerrys =)

Auction Rules/Details

The auction begins NOW, and ends Friday 9:00 pm PST. 

The auction has been extended in light of my  google/blogger disaster!!!!

You place your bid by posting a comment in THIS POST with your bid amount. Please bid in increments of $5 - and higher. Let's start it out slow and give everyone a chance to bid. I LOVE my high-roller bidders, but I don't want people to start thinking it's not worth it to try! Whoever is the highest bid at the time the auction ends (9:00pm - thursday) is the winner.

Shipping costs are covered to anywhere in the 50 states.

The entire amount of the winning bid will go directly to the Berry Family Adoption Fund. I will give you details of where to send the check.

Let's start the bidding at $15

Let the bidding begin!

Huge blog snaphoo!

Well if you're here, you obviously found me! 

Yesterday I made a fatal mistake when I accidentally deleted my Google Account.  I lost all access to my 2 blogs.  I spent literally like 10 hours online trying to fix the problem.  It's not fixable.  Not unless someone inside Google decides to undelete my account out of the goodness of their heart. They don't restore accounts.  It's possible, but they don't.  (I was so desperate persistent, that I actually contacted like 60 google employees through facebook asking for assistance.  Unfortunately, of the 4 that got back to me, none were any help).  So if you're reading this, and you know a Google employee, feel free to plead my case.  

So here we are.  New blog address.  And no one can find me!  Unless of course you are on my e-mail distribution list.  But anyone who found the blog through the web, and who had book-marked it, it has just vanished.  So here's my plea to you.  If you have a blog, would you do a little post with a link to this new blog?  Maybe some of my old readers will find me that way.  

Above is the latest auction item.  I don't know the best way to handle the auction since the blog disappeared mid-auction, and had about 5 bids.  I guess the only fair thing to do is start the auction over.  

Oh this has been a sad 24 hours.  I have a lot to do to restore this blog.  And it's going to take a loooong time.  Insert sad face.  

Anyhow, scroll down and check out the latest auction.  Again, any help on getting the word out about the auctions would be greatly appreciated.  It's hard to have a blog auction with no readers.  Thanks in advance.

Water For Christmas

The auction is coming up in the morning.

In the meantime, go check out this post over at jodyrlanders blog.  It's something to think about if you are looking to simply your Christmas, and make a big impact in LIFE for others.  

I love this gal's blog.  I love her heart.  And she does things that make a difference.  

Sneak Peak - auction 5...Project BlackBerry

  I used my iphone to take a picture so I wouldn't have to make the scary trek to the office in the dark.  So, please excuse the horrible quality!

The big reveal will be Monday morning....or maybe Sunday night, as I like to keep y'all on your toes!  

Any ideas as to what it could be?  Feel free to post your guesses.  Maybe there will be a prize if someone guesses right.  Maybe.  =)

And here's some food for thought.  

As we start thinking about the holidays, I can't help but think about all the MONEY that people  will be spending.  All the thoughtless buying (okay some of it is thoughtfull, but lets face it, there is always an awful lot of "I don't know what to get Aunt Fanny, so I guess I can get her some more smelly bath salts...." type thinking, right?  Right?) The obligatory gift giving, and the crazy, insane SPENDING just doesn't sit well with me anymore.  Not when I think about all the people who are dying of hunger and curable diseases, being enslaved, and being abused.  Not when I think about how far our money can go to save a LIFE, can I mindless buy over-priced smelly bath salts.  

So here's a couple ideas floating around this empty head of mine.

*I'm going to do my very best to make home-made gifts, or buy only from companies who give their profits to causes I believe in.  You've seen the TinyRockStar.com label on the right of the blog.  You buy a shirt and feed an orphan for a month at the same time.  Well there are lot's of other companies doing this.  I'm going to be compiling a list and will start sharing them on here periodically.

**Our extended family does a gift exchange every year.  You know the drill - you place everyones name in a hat, draw a name and buy them something off...THE LIST THEY GIVE YOU.  Ha!  Think about how ridiculous that is.  Next people are going to start registering for  Christmas presents.

Well this year another family member and I are suggesting we each make a list of 3 charities/organizations/causes that we are passionate about.  Then the person who draws your name picks from the list to donate what they would have spent on the gift to that org.  Not ONLY will we be able to give some money to some great charities, we will all be able to learn about these charities, and what each person in our family is touched by.  

Please post a comment if you and or your family have any ideas on how to boycott the usual commercial holiday season, to make it a more meaningful time, and avoid frivilous spending.

Sneak Peak coming

I'll have a speak peak of the new auction item later tonight.  The next auction should be up Monday morning, and will just be a 2 day auction this time!  

So come on back.....

Yay Suzie!!!!!!

The WINNER is Suzie for $70!!!!!!!!!

(although the true winners are Becky & Billy right?  Or maybe the true winners are the Berry's who get to bring these adorable kids into their family).

Thank you everyone!  This was such a fun auction to watch with a bunch of new bidders, some from people I'm sure I've never met.  And action right up until the last minute!  So fun.

I am almost done with the next BlackBerry auction item, so stay tuned in the next few days....

And Suzie, please introduce yourself!  How did you find the blog and do you know the Berry's?

Also, please contact me via e-mail so I can get a shipping address from you, and let you know where to send a check to for the Berry adoption fund.  My e-mail is in my profile on the blog.

Auction #4 - Project BlackBerrys Apron

Here it is!!!!

Here's the deal.

The Berry Family (of 5 currently) are adopting 5.5 year old Ugandan twins - Becky & Billy!

 They are such a wonderful family, the twins are going to be sooooo blessed. Here's the irony. It costs a lot of money to adopt orphans. Fees for the agency, fees for the government, fees for background checks, fingerprints, home studies, and travel fees to go get the kids. The good news is, God will provide. Hopefully through the generosity of the people that know and love them, and through perfect strangers who believe giving 2 orphans a home is worthy of some of their latte money.

Here's my latest project. I already mentioned in my last post how much I love this apron. Is that tacky? I don't normally toot my own horn, but I love this fabric. And I bought the last of it from the fabric store - where there wasn't much left.  The apron has long ties to wrap around to the front.  It is made with quality fabric, and is lined and top-stitched.  

I think this would make a great Christmas present for a wife, mom, aunt, niece, grandma, daughter, daughter-in-law, cousin, sister...you get my point. Or buy it for yourself!  Who doesn't need a cute new apron, that helped bring 2 orphans home to their forever family?

I'm posting my lame photo of myself in the mirror until I get a picture of my neighbor wearing it. Bear with me. Or is it bare with me?

Now the boring albeit necessary auction details....

Auction Rules/Details

The auction begins NOW, and ends Thursday 9:00 pm PST. You place your bid by posting a comment in THIS POST with your bid amount. Please bid in increments of $5 - and higher.  Let's start it out slow and give everyone a chance to bid.  I LOVE my high-roller bidders, but I don't want people to start thinking it's not worth it to try! Whoever is the highest bid at the time the auction ends (9:00pm - thursday) is the winner.

Shipping costs are covered to anywhere in the 50 states.

The entire amount of the winning bid will go directly to the Berry Family Adoption Fund.  I will give you details of where to send the check.

Let's start the bidding at $10

Let the bidding begin!

*****If anyone wants to post a link from their blog to my blog, I would be ever so grateful.

This is my kick-off project....there will be more items to come!

Auction #4 is almost here

I finished it tonight (I guess technically it's early morning) and I'm so excited to post this new item.  This could be, my most favorite item I've ever made.  And I've made a lot of things.  I love love love this fabric.  And this thing, it can appeal to anybody, or everybody.  If you're starting to think at all about Christmas, you will definitely have somebody you can buy this for.  

Where is it, you ask?  Well, I need a model.  I'm tempted to upload the cruddy pictures of myself in the mirror, but then I have to make the creepy walk out to the office in the dark to upload the pics from my camera to my computer, and well, I'd rather not.  So in the morning, I'm thinking 9-10am~ish I will get them up!  

Remember ~ This is the first of my "Project BlackBerrys" stuff I'm working on.  Let's bring those beautiful children home!!!!!

Mary, it was all you baby!

2 ADORABLE stockings for $50!

That's $50 that will help rescue a victim.

Thanks everyone for watching the auction.

Please come back, because there will be LOT'S of stuff coming in the next few days. You won't want to miss something super-dee-duper spectacular!

Auction Winner!

Mary,  it was all you baby!

2 ADORABLE stockings for $50!

That's $50 that will help rescue a victim.

Thanks everyone for watching the auction.

Please come back, because there will be LOT'S of stuff coming in the next few days.  You won't want to miss something super-dee-duper spectacular!

Auction #3 is HERE

Just in time for Christmas!  

My sister-in-law (Luke's sister) Lisa, made these darling stockings.  They are beautifully made, and lined inside.  She has such an eye for fabrics (I love the polka dot contrast!).

The auction is for both stockings - they come as a set. (They would make a great gift for newlyweds!)

Auction Rules/Details

The auction begins NOW, and ends Thursday 9:00 pm PST. You place your bid by posting a comment in THIS POST with your bid amount. Please bid in increments of $5 - and higher. Whoever is the highest bid at the time the auction ends (9:00pm - thursday) is the winner.

Shipping costs are covered to anywhere in the 50 states.

The entire amount of the winning bid will go directly to International Justice Mission (IJM) who does an awesome job at rescuing oppressed peoples - child prostitutes, slaves, widows whose land is stolen, and the list goes on.

Let's start the bidding at $10

Let the bidding begin!

Don't forget to tell others about the auction.  You can send out an e-mail to EVERYONE you know, post about it on Facebook, myspace, or YOUR BLOG (my favorite way to communicate!)

For those of you new to this blog and auction business, my purpose is to try to DO SOMETHING in the fight against the MILLIONS of oppressed people.  Right now in 2008, there are people being physically bound in slavery.  Some are labor slaves.  Some are sex slaves.  Some are held in chains.  Some held at gunpoint.  Some held psychologically with threats to harm them or their family members.  And others are held physiologically as their captors have gotten them addicted to drugs like meth, so even though they want to escape, the addiction keeps them bound to their owners.

All that's horrible right?  

Now picture it happening to kids.  Young kids.  7, 6, 5....as young as 3 year olds!  Yes, there is a premium price for virgins.  The younger they can find, the better guarantee of the "purity". 

 It is absolutely SICK.  

The problem is SO HUGE, it's easy to get paralyzed into INaction.  

This is my attempt to at least wiggle my pinky toe.  I refuse to sit back and do nothing.  And while this isn't much right now, it's motion, and builds momentum, and HOPEFULLY will inspire a few more to not be paralyzed too.  

So the 

goal right now is to raise money for the people who can actually go to these places and rescue these people.  These kids.  And to PUNISH the perpetrators.  And to bring JUSTICE to those who are being imprisoned in a life of shame, humility, and physical abuse.

Please keep checking back on the blog.  I am going to be giving tangible ideas on how you can DO SOMETHING too.  

Thanks for stopping by.

Auction #3

While I get my act together for Project BlackBerrys, I am going to list one more auction for IJM.  My sister-in-law saw the other auctions and heard Gary Haugen speak and felt led to make something  to auction off for the organization.  

So check back, I hope to have it (them) listed later today....

is the suspense killing you yet?

More on homeless guy encounter

I think what bothered me most about this "meeting" if you will, is that I feel like he was grouping me into this "society" he perceives.  This middle-class, wasteful, plastic-happy, SUV-driving mom, trying to feed a homeless guy to make herself feel better and check off charity work in her bucket list.  

Yes. I am bothered because I felt homeless guy judging ME.  

Dissed by the homeless guy

Luke and 2 of the 3 kids left to go 4-wheeling/camping this weekend, so I decided to get some take-out for me (I already fed Zeke an uber-nutritious meal earlier, OF COURSE).  I pulled into the parking lot of Taco Del Mar and I see a homeless man a few feet from the entrance and right in front of the parking spot I was pulling into.  He kinda looked like thisonly with a thinner face, and possibly...handsome beneath all that hair.  And he was wearing layers and layers of...what looked like large cloth bags.

I panicked, reversed, and decided on another spot where I could avoid homeless guy.  

And then it hit me.

Why?  Why am I trying to avoid him?  

In fact, I think I hear God telling me to BUY HIM DINNER.  

So Zeke and I approach him and I ask if I can buy him dinner.  

He had a gentle face.

Homeless Guy: "I'm not sure.  I'm trying to decide"  (Looking back I think he thought I asked if he was going to eat dinner, not if I could buy it for him)

Me: "trying to decide if you want to eat?  Or decide if you want to eat here?"

Homeless Guy: "both I guess".

Me:  "okay, well I'm going to buy myself some dinner.  You can let me know when I come out".

So I go get my taco salad and come back out.

Me:  "I'd really like to buy you dinner".

Homeless Guy:  "That's okay"

Me:  "Well I really think the Lord is telling me to buy you dinner, and I want to obey"

Homeless Guy:  "I think that plastic thing in your son's mouth is the problem" (referring to Zeke's pacifier)

Me: "Um, okay.  I'll take it out, now can I buy you dinner?"  

Homeless Guy: "You're focusing on appetite and that plastic is the bigger issue.  I'm okay, I had lunch".  

Me: "Okay, take care"...

So there you go.

I'm not sure what to do with all that.  I really thought God was telling me to buy him dinner.  I didn't mean to blow the guy off when he started talking about plastic and stuff, but I was so caught off guard.  

The thing is, the guy didn't seem crazy.  I know the conversation sounds kinda crazy.  But he wasn't.  He seemed normal.  He was more concerned with my son sucking on plastic than about his own belly - which may or may not have been hungry. 

This guy has a story.  Don't know if I'll ever know what it is, but there's a story.  

What's the lesson?

I'll have to get back to you on that one.  

And yes, I am thinking about Zeke sucking on plastic now....

IJM Benefit Dinner

Tuesday night was the much anticipated IJM Benefit Dinner.  Good times had by all.  I'm so bummed that I didn't take a picture of our table (thanks for coming Amy M, Bea & Liam!), or the other Cornerstone peeps there with us =(.    

Luke, Amy, Kelli & Dave

****No, Luke is not wearing a "cape" haha.  That is my jacket in my hand hanging down behind his back.  

**********And yes that is a burger king cup in his hand.  Him and Dave stopped for a little more nutrition (haha) on the way home.  Apparently the dinner didn't *quite* fill them up.

TinyRockStar.com

Here's my little tinyrockstar.com model.  Each shirt is $12 and 

proceeds help feed children in Ethiopia.  Sounds like a good place to Christmas shop....

I bought Zeke 3 shirts - ONLY because he actually needed shirts.  But it felt pretty good buying him something he needed AND feeding a child at the same time.  

Yes, it's still coming

I am still doing the drawing/freebie.  BUT, it will probably not be tomorrow.  But hey, it's my blog so I can procrastinate.  

Right now I am brainstorming my next "project" - that I am VERY excited about.  I am veering a bit from the 'save the world' category, to a 'save 2 specific kids' direction.  Giving them a family.  Not my family, sad to say, but a totally awesome family in San Diego.  In fact, the big BB himself was one of the pastor's that married my sweet hubby and I...or is it hubby and 'me'?  They have found their other 2 kids halfway around the world and are preparing to bring them home after the new year.  I could never do their story justice, so go read about it here - I promise it's not too long!  

It's going to cost some coin to bring these kids home, so I am hoping & praying to be a little help to that.  Once again, trying to turn my few bucks (and time) into some big bucks that will put a dent in the costs.

Check back to see what's going on with "Project BlackBerrys"!

Halleluja! Auction is over and......

The winner is .......

KELLI for $200

Can i just tell you again how awesome all you blog followers are!?!

I am completely humbled by the generosity of you peeps!

Oh, I can't wait until Kelli gets her painting.  I hope every time she looks at it she will remember how her faithfulness to support such a worthy ministry helped FREE someone from oppression.  I hope this painting will always be a reminder to her family of God's faithfulness to His people.  

Thank you everyone who not only bid, but who watched the auction (I know there were LOT'S of you watching, both because of my site counter, and because you told me!)

Praise God!   I am so encouraged.  

Can't wait to post my little drawing give-away.....coming soon!  

Auction #2 has started!!!!

This beautiful painting is an original by Anne Page of Penny Pickles.  It is an 8 x 8 canvas, done with acrylics, sealed and framed with a simple wooden frame.  (click on the picture to see it larger and  get a better feel for the details)

A note from the artist:  

The title of the painting is Noah's Window - the reason I chose this is because I think the sense of hope that the dove gave to Noah and his family is very much the same type of hope that the money generated from this auction will bring.  The hope that IJM brings to so many that are oppressed in our world.  I'd like to think that Noah, although faithful, looked out a window of the ark and saw the dove with the olive branch and exclaimed, "Amen, Praise the Lord, for He is good and He will care for us all!"

A few months ago I bought a custom piece from Annie for Genevieve's room.  I absolutely fell in love with it when I received it.  (The details in her work simply can't be captured with a photo).  Annie follows this blog and when she saw the Justice Giraffe auction, she volunteered to do a piece to auction off as well.  I was thrilled!  

Auction Rules/Details

The auction begins NOW, and ends Thursday 9:00 pm PST.  You place your bid by posting a comment in THIS POST with your bid amount.  Please bid in increments of $5.  Whoever is the highest bid at the time the auction ends (9:00pm - thursday) is the winner. 

Shipping costs are covered to anywhere in the lower 48 states. 

The entire amount of the winning bid will go directly to International Justice Mission (IJM) who does an awesome job at rescuing oppressed peoples - child prostitutes, slaves, widows whose land is stolen, and the list goes on.

Let's start the bidding at $20

Let the bidding begin! 

Freebies! Sort-of...

If you read my LemonAID stand fiasco post, you know I am always looking for ways my children can also do something to help make a difference. A fellow blogger started KidsLake, which has monthly projects for kids to help kids. This month they are raising money for AHope, to feed kiddos in Ethiopia. The cool thing is, AHope is giving a very cute shirt or bracelet to any family who donates $20 or more to them through the month of September (just a couple days left!). The shirts and bracelets are very cute AND you get to feed those precious hungry kids. Check it out!

***I'll post a picture of Dane on here when he receives his very cute brown 5T!

Auction #2 Super Sneak Peak

The second auction to raise money for IJM will be next week!  The item is done and ready to go, but I wanted to give plenty of heads up so nobody misses it.  The auction will begin next Tuesday and end at 9:00pm PST Thursday night.  

This is just a portion of the beautiful item, just enough to intrigue you - hopefully.

So come back next Tuesday (if not before) so you can have a looksey.

aaaannnnddd.....

I'm going to be having a give-away to all my Justice Seekers! 

I will have a drawing in 2 weeks - on October 8th.  Item will be revealed as soon as I finish it - hopefully in a couple days.  I was just too excited to wait to post about it.  To enter, all you have to do is click on the "Follow this Blog" link to the right, and sign up as a follower.  I will be drawing a name from one of the Calling For Justice (CFJ) followers.  I may even video-tape the drawing so you know it ain't rigged =)  

How are we making ourselves available

 This weekend we hung out with our friends who served in Kenya for 5 years.  I can't believe none of us had a camera!  It was "good times" (and yes, I think that term is entirely overused, but appropriate this weekend).   So anyway, it was more than your usual just hanging out at the lake kind of day.  It was good conversation, that challenged both Luke and I, and the conversations between us haven't stopped.  Our friend Dave asked us - if we could design God's plan or call in our lives, what would it look like.  At first I gave some lame answer.  Then after more thought I realized that my desire is to be on the front-lines providing food to the hungriest, and medicine to the sickest.  I would like to be the hands giving relief.  Now I have no idea if God will ever call me to fill that role, but Dave brought up some good questions.  Could we go, if we heard Him ask us to?  Or are we so tied down with commitments, obligations, and things, that it would seem impossible to make happen?  Are we setting up our lives to be more secure, and stable here, or in a way that frees us up to be whatever, go wherever God calls us to?  Who knows if God will ever call us to go overseas, but even if he doesn't (which Luke is hoping), we want to be in a place where we can receive His call on our lives, and be obedient.  We realized that our lives are complicated with self-employment, business loans, mortgages, amongst various other ties and commitments.  At any given point we could list off a dozen reasons why we are 'stuck" where we are, and unable to be used in a radical way.  This makes me sad.  I'm not sure how we go about changing that.  We have spent years setting ourselves up with the future in mind, financial security being a main priority.  Not a life of great wealth, but the necessity to plan for a retirement (things you have to think about when you are self-employed).  It's very hard to reconcile the two different schools of thought.  Something we are both processing.....

Call + Response movie in theatres in just a few weeks

Check out the Call + Response website to see where the documentary is playing.  THEN, invite EVERYONE you know to go see it with you.  

Heads up!

Just wanted to let you know I have another auction in the works!  A beautiful piece by a very talented artist......

and no, it's not me!  I would never describe myself that way!  

Stay posted my faithful reader (ha ha), details will follow soon!

Not sure what to do now.

In searching for the answer of where to send my "stuff" (see previous post: Uncomfortable in my own house), I found this article.   It explains what happens to the clothes we *think* we are donating to charities.  VERY eye opening.  And once again I got to see how western culture, (i.e. America) is ruining the African economy & culture.   My sending my stuff there only feeds into the problem, yet there are people who NEED it.  Read the article and you'll know what I'm talking about.  It's rather long, but interesting.

Two blogs, too many?

I'm trying to keep 2 blogs going - this one and my "family" one.  I originally thought they were too separate to combine, and would have two different audiences (or readers).  But now I'm feeling like it's getting harder and harder to keep them separate, because they are both me.  And my life and thoughts really aren't separate.  

So what to do!?

I want your opinions!

Do I keep separate?  Or do I combine?

If I combine, anyone know the best way to do that?

Why I keep keeping on

"Sometimes I'd like to ask God why He allows poverty, famine, and injustice in the world when He could do something about it..., but I'm afraid God might ask me the same question." ~ Anonymous

My Lesson

Yesterday I was pretty heartbroken.  Over a lemon-aid stand gone awry no less.  Really, it was about making the effort to "do something", and have it fail miserably.  But my sweet husband prayed with me, and reminded me that not all our efforts will be successful.  Not everything I do is going to be a giraffe.  But that doesn't mean I should give up.  It was a speed-bump in the road, not a stop-sign.  

Off to figure out what I'm going to do next!

Worship Night at the Church

Cornerstone held a Worship Night tonight.  It was a time of praise, and also a time for some organizations to give 2-3 minute snippets of what they are doing in terms of Justice, and what we could do in turn.  

Representatives from World Vision ,

Trade As One, &  The Sold Project were all there.

It was inspiring to see so many people from the church all sharing the same vision.  God's vision.

***And it helped me feel a little less horrible about the lemon-AID stand =)

Lemon-Aid Stand Today = Huge Failure =(

I spent the whole morning loading the truck with all the necessary supplies: tablecloth, chairs ice chest, cups, ice, lemons, wet wipes, paper towels, hand sanitizer, umbrella, umbrella stand, huge glass lemonade container, camera, sunglasses, jar for donations, sharpie, & tape. I made about 5 gallons (I was ambitious) of Country Time with fresh lemons for aesthetics. I made the big Lemon-AID sign. I sliced a dozen lemons to put on the side of the cups. I was well-prepared. Loaded up my 3 helpers, and down to First Street we went. We didn't do the stand at our house because we are probably one of the least travelled roads in our town. So we went to our downtown green area near Main Street to set-up (oh yes, I did), BUT found out that there was a little fair going on put on the Old Firehouse. Unfortunately we could not set-up because there were concession stands there that we would be competing with. So we had to go with Plan B - which was driving all over town looking for another prime location. Or any location that would get a decent amount of traffic, AND have a place cars could safely pull over. And we struck out. I wasn't willing to put for the set-up effort and spend a couple hours sitting there for just a few patrons. So we came home. I told the kids I would take them to the little carnival air that we saw - but by the time we got back there it was being torn down. I didn't have the heart to go back and get the lemonade stuff at this point.

The point of the Lemon-Aid stand was to raise money for clean water in African villages. We have been talking with the kids a lot about this, and they were ready to take some action. I thought this was a tangible thing THEY could do. I'm sure I was more disappointed than they were in the failure of the day. However Genevieve did say she was 'sad about not raising money for the people without water, especially the kids, because they weren't ready to die.' That was touching. She really is getting it in her little 6 year old mind.

Weeding

A weeding or pruning has been happening in my life lately. One by one certain people and circumstances have been plucked out of my life. Some of these plucks have been more painful than others. They are all things that have "anchored" me here, to some degree. Certain schools, programs, friendships, and ideals of what I thought my life here would be like....gone. This pruning is necessary though. They are all things that hindered me from letting God REALLY use me. They were my comfortable and predictable. And letting God work in me entails being open to the uncomfortable and unpredictable. Easier said than done. But that's where I'm at. Again, an answer to prayer.

Uncomfortable in my own house

A woman's home is supposed to be her pride.  But the truth of the matter is I am a horrible homemaker/housekeeper.  What's that saying about 'a home for everything' or 'each thing has it's place'?  Well my home is the complete opposite of that.  Nothing has a home, so I can't find anything, and there is way too much of everything.  I was not blessed with the "organizational gene", and to naturally organized people, they don't understand how it is not "common sense".  But let me tell you, people - it's not.  There are some of us, who it just does not come naturally.  I'm guessing it comes with the territory of being highly distractible, so tasks often get interrupted for long periods of time.  Some people are creative, some people are organized, and some people are blessed with both.  It's the latter that I am jealous of.  I've tried FlyLady, I've tried systems, and much to my husbands dismay, nothing works long term.  I fall back into my chaotic, barely keeping my-head-above-water ways.  

I realize that part of the problem with "order" in my house is having too much stuff.  But I have been stuck with what to do.  Sending it off to goodwill is frustrating, it's like a feel-good garbage bin. Our whole country has too much.  The poor in America still have "stuff". ' There seems to be no shortage of stuff.  I want to give my stuff to someone who NEEDS it.  Who will appreciate it.  Who it will bless.  It is very hard to find that in this country.  The poor here just want "new" stuff.  The Giving Trees here at church and schools who ask that we buy things for the less fortunate in our communities, ask for nicer items than my own kids have.

So I have been struggling with this.   I am tired of living in my house full of stuff, when there are so many people in the world who don't have enough.  Not only do they not have shelter or food, but no luxuries, nothing extra.  So I'm going to send them my stuff.  I know that in a lot of ways it doesn't make sense from a financial standpoint.  The money I will spend on shipping could have bought waaaay more things purchased in country.  But this makes sense to me.  I have stuff and others don't.  I will give them mine.  And it's the first time in a long time that I feel truly motivated to go through our stuff and get some order in our house.

Now my next challenge is finding a place where I can send myself.  

More on that journey later.

Off to pick up a preschooler!

****I just went back and reread my post and caught this error~ "Now my next challenge is finding a place where I can send myself"......an error, or is it a Freudian slip?

********Oh, and not exactly sure what this has to do with "justice", but still wanted to share =)

*************And...I was going to post a picture of my chaotic house (in humility of course), but then I thought - "I better clean up first" - and that would defeat the purpose.  So I guess I'm not ready to be completely transparent =)

Losing Momentum....

and complacency setting in.   My heart isn't complacent, but my will to 'keep doing' is struggling.  The daily rigors of life with 3 kids makes thinking globally a real challenge.  

How do I keep my heart soft for the oppressed, and my will on fire to make change?  Not sure yet. Trying to figure it out. Right now my plan of action is to keep praying and keep educating myself.  And sometimes I go back and look at my pictures from our trips to Kenya.  I look at pictures of the kids living on the streets, and of those that are now in the Rohi Children's Home we support.  That is a reminder to me of how we can be used to change lives if we are willing.  I love those kids.

These are our Kenyan sons that we support.  We feel so blessed that we have gotten to meet them and spend time with them TWICE!  Dane was 19 months and Genevieve was 3.5 years.  She still remembers the trip, and the boys, but I want to take them back before they forget (Dane has no memories of the trip). Oh how I wish I could bring these boys home to live with us.  But they are taken well care of at the home.  And I pray that they will grow up to be great leaders in their own country.  

Benefit Dinner and stuff

Next month is the IJM Benefit Dinner.  One thing I am NOT going to do (which I might have done in the past) is buy something new to wear to the event.  It would be counter-productive.  I want to live a more responsible life, being less of a consumer so that I have more to give.  I want to encourage anyone going to the IJM Benefit to not buy anything new.  Wear what you have or borrow from a friend.  

***By the way, I am also NOT wearing a red-carpet gown.  The picture is just meant to be fun. :) 

More tangibles....

Another tangible thing (that is underestimated) is educating ourselves.  I finished Shane Claiborne's Irresistible Revolution.  

The book really made me think.  I ended up agreeing with him much more than I thought I would.  And while I don't agree with EVERYTHING he says (but heck, who agrees with anyone 100% of the time right?), I definitely recommend the book because it's a thinker.  It makes you self-examine and want to let go of things that you didn't realize you even needed to (but you do).   It also really brought out my compassionate side, and helped me to see "the least of these" in a different way.  The way Jesus sees them.  Now, I have no plans to live in the inner-city and join a "community", there is still a lot of applicable stuff that I took away from the book.  So go read it!  (If you want to borrow it, just let me know)

Now I am moving on to Gary Haugen's 'Just Courage'.  

Again, I'm only just starting the book, so it's too early too review, but so far so good!  Will add more when I get further.  In fact, if anybody else wants to read it with me....we can get together and talk about it!   And if you don't live near me, we can chat via blogs and e-mails.  So what are you waiting for?  Go get the book!

The winner is...

Drumroll please.....

Michelle for $500!!!!!!!

I am completely in awe, and so thankful for everyone who watched the auction.  Of course the winning bid completely exceeded my expectations.  

Yeah for IJM!  I'm so excited they will receive this money.  

Michelle, once you donate the $ to IJM (I'm guessing you will do this through their website), send me a copy of the receipt and I will deliver the giraffe!

I am planning to hold more auctions in the future (although not likely another giraffe).  I have had a couple offers from people to donate some of their items for an auction, and I'm really excited about that.  So check back in so you don't miss out.  I'm going to continue my usual postings in the meantime.  Still love to here your comments.... =)

Blown Away

Let's just say I am completely blown away by how generous all of you are!  I know that the auction price is unattainable to many of you at this point, but I am thankful to all who have bid so far, and those who wanted to.

One more time God has shown me that He can take our small steps of obedience and do GREAT things with them.  Imagine what He could do if we trusted him COMPLETELY, and gave our whole selves to do His will.  

Auction #1 - Justice Giraffe

Well here is my "very cute something" that I have been working on.    I'm calling it Justice Giraffe (double click on the picture to see it bigger and view the details). Perfect for the little girl in your life ~ daughter, grand-daughter, niece, or friend.  Sorry it it is gender specific, but I fell in love with this fabric.  The giraffe is hand-made by me, and stands approximately 18" tall.  

Auction Rules/Details

The auction begins NOW, and ends Thursday 9:00 pm  PST.  You place your bid by posting a comment in THIS POST with your bid amount.  Please bid in increments of $5.  Whoever is the highest bid at the time the auction ends (9:00pm - thursday) is the winner.  

I am covering the shipping costs to anywhere in the lower 48 states.  

The entire amount of the winning bid will go directly to International Justice Mission (IJM) who does an awesome job at rescuing oppressed peoples - child prostitutes, slaves, widows whose land is stolen, and the list goes on.

I will keep this post at the top of the blog, although I plan to keep blogging while the auction is on.  Just scroll down a bit to see new blog entries.

Let's start the bidding at $5

Let the bidding begin!  

Super Sneak Peak

Here's a super sneak peak at the auction item.  It is actually almost done, but I thought this picture would be more fun and keep you guessing.  I know there's a handful of you that can guess what it is...but don't ruin the surprise!

Feeling the Pressure

Okay, after this post I'm not going to talk about "readership" and such anymore (at least for like a week, haha).  That's because I got a new site tracker, and it said I had 86 hits on the blog, just TODAY!  And you know what that means.....

It's auction time!  

Only now I'm worried about disappointing people with my "super cute something".  What if I've built it up to be more spectacular than it really is and I just can't deliver???

Just remember that I'm a stay-at-home mom to 3 little 'uns.  How much time do I really have to be hand-making stuff?  LOL.

Well I hope this is the first of many auctions, depending on it's success.  And hopefully my things will be spectacular to at least one person :) 

I have a new goal for the auction to go up.  I'm aiming for Tuesday after Labor Day.  So PLEASE don't forget to check back in after the holiday weekend!

Again, I hope to be able to post when I am gone, but won't know until I get there.

Call + Response

Call + Response

A documentary featuring the world's most hidden secret - slave trafficking -  is coming to theatre's  near you this fall.  First tangible act YOU can do - go see this film - and drag everyone you know to see it.  The first thing society can do to help this problem, is not ignore it anymore.  To really see the face of it.  The ugly, dirty, secret face of it.

Feeling Restless

I told Luke tonight that I am feeling anxious.  He asked about what, and I couldn't explain it.  Just "without peace".  My mind has no peace.  Even when I think I am not thinking, I have this restlessness.  I have this sense of urgency, but can't put my finger on exactly what it is.  It's almost anxiety-attackiness (like my made up words?), but I think it is spiritual.  I think God is making me uncomfortable.  Because when we are too comfortable we get complacent.  And I begged Him to never let me be that way again.  So I guess this is an answer to prayer?

Shout out to my readers

So I've had a handful of people e-mail me to tell me they are following my blog. And I'm going to "out" them :)

Thank You blog readers

Brian King of Napa
Tracy Jurasek of Apple Valley
Kate Kalsbeek of Castro Valley (she commented about this blog on my family blog)
Debbie Texeira of San Leandro (she commented about this blog on my family blog)

Matt Moore

Readers that have posted a comment on this blog:
Cami Terpstra
Mary Nathan
Heather Lettus
Amy Moxley
The Brunk
Brian Berry
Bonnie Monk
Lyn from IJM HQ
Brenda Madsen
Elaine Mendenhall

This is kind of fun. I may periodically make a roll call of my readers.

Woo-Hoo! 14 readers!!! Now I just need to make sure I keep it interesting enough so that you all come back!

Your readership means the world to me, especially your COMMENTS!  It's the comments that keep me going on this blog journey.  :)

checking in

I think I'm up to 5 or 6 readers.  At this rate, I might have 10 by  Christmas :)

Anywho, I'm not getting much sleep lately.  And I am constantly in a state of deep thought.  

My poor kids.  "Mom.   Mooooooommmm - did you hear me?"  

This justice thing is all-consuming.  How was I so asleep before?  How did I just enjoy my American Dream life without being concerned about others in the world who don't have basic needs?  How could I be so shallow?  I vow to never go back.

Okay, so I guess I need to get my very cute something done and get it up for auction so one of my 5 readers can bid on it.  Off to go work on it now :)

2 Readers.

I have 2 readers.  Count them.  2.  Two.  

I definitely don't think I can hold my online auction with 2 readers, especially since one of them is from the IJM headquarters!  (I wonder how she found my blog?)

Tonight I am going to a meeting  at Cornerstone (our church) with a representative from IJM.  I will post more when I get back. 

2 Readers.

Two.

????

First tangible action

So it's time to put my money where my mouth is, so to speak.  I've been doing a lot of talk about DOING SOMETHING, yet am still trying to figure out what I CAN do.  I'm still in that process, but am tired of waiting, so I'm going to make my first move.  

Right now I'm not sure how I can tangibly do something besides send money to a well-respected established organization like IJM.  So that's what I'm going to do.  But I want to do more than just send in what I can afford.  I want to multiply my money.  I want to use my money (and dare I say skills) to bring in even MORE money.  Your money :)

So I'm going to hold an ONLINE AUCTION for a very cute something that I'm going to make. The winning bid will receive this very cute something, and I will donate the ENTIRE amount to IJM.  In fact, I don't even want the money to touch my hands.  I will have the winning bidder send the money directly to IJM, and when they send me the receipt for their donation, I will send them the very cute something.  I will cover shipping too!  

Are you intrigued?  

The key to this online auction is to have a lot of people watching the auction, and hopefully bidding!  The hard part is, I have NO IDEA how many people are reading this blog.  I signed up with some site tracker thing, but it's not working.  It says there has been zero views - which is impossible because I have like 8 comments and a handful of e-mails from people who have been on the blog.  So I'm asking that everyone please post a comment to let me know you were here, so I can see what kind of readership I have.  I'm also asking that once I get the auction item listed, you will help me by telling everyone you know (via e-mail, facebook, myspace, forums, etc) to check out the blog and the auction.  I'm *hoping* that people will bid higher than usual knowing that their money is going to a GREAT organization to help rescue oppressed people.  

So what do you think?  

Please post a comment to let me know you were here!!!!!

***PS -I'm going to be gone on vacay next week, I *might* be able to blog via my iphone, not sure yet.  I hope to have the very cute something listed sometime the following week.  I'm hoping Monday the 25th.  But no promises!

Irresistible Revolution

I'm reading Shane Claiborne's Irresistible Revolution.  It's a little early to review it as I'm only a quarter of the way through.  But so far the one thing that the book has taught me (or reminded me) is to see Jesus in everyone.  Matthew 25:40  "And the King shall answer and say to them, Truly I say to you, Inasmuch as you have done it to one of the least of these my brothers, you have done it to me."
That 5 year old being raped in Cambodia is Jesus. Would I really turn my back on Him? So why would I not rescue that child as I would rescue Jesus?
It's understandable to be overwhelmed by the enormity of the world's problems, but it can't be an excuse to not do something.
I think everyone has heard the story of the boy with the starfish, but if you have somehow missed it, here it is....

There was once a boy at the beach, picking up starfishes and throwing them back into the sea.
A man came along and told the boy: "Boy, there are thousands of starfishes all along the beach. You are not possibly going to be able to save every one of them."
The boy continued, picking up another starfish and throwing it back into the sea and said "It matters, to that starfish." And picking up another "and to that starfish", and another "and to that one"....

No individual is going to be able to stop world hunger. But we can each help a starfish. Maybe that will be one child, one family, one village.

The Family-less

I read an article that Steven Curtis Chapman wrote, shortly after one of his adopted daughters was tragically run over by a car and killed.  He said that if just 7% of Christians adopted one child, the world would have no more orphans.  I don't know where he found his data, but if it's accurate, those facts are amazing, and convicting.  

Limitations

I've realized that while I've claimed to be "following Jesus" these last 16 years, I have been following Him with limitations...that I set.  I was willing to serve Him in the capacity of my comfortable home in Pleasanton, where it was really important that my kids were established in a neighborhood and could have the same friends from kindergarten through graduation.  Yep, that really was a top priority to me.  

I was willing to "sacrifice" some money; you know, 10% tithing and various other ministries that we chose to support.  We were even sooooo missions-minded that we were "willing" to take our young children to Africa with us for 3 weeks.  Ha!

While I never told God "I will serve you from Pleasanton, and with this much $", that is exactly what I was doing.  And I'm ashamed.

I can now honestly say that I will serve Him in His capacity, wherever, and sacrificially.   Maybe that will be here in Pleasanton, and if it is, I know that I will be called to do much more than I ever dreamed.  And maybe we will be called to physically go feed the hungry in Sudan, or to the inner city of Bankok to rescue children from brothels, or maybe to China where we will be led to adopt one of the thousands of little girls who are family-less.   All are terrifying to me.  But more terrifying, is not being in His will, and not taking care of the oppressed, the hungry, the abused, the forgotten.  

Luke was afraid that we would not be led in the same direction, and that would cause conflict between us.  But I have faith that God will lead us together, and if we are not together, we are not listening to Him.  

So now my prayer is "Bring it on God, bring it on".   (Stolen from Catherine Rohr the founder of PEP - Prison Entrenpeneur Program).  

my heart is heavy

It's been a long day and  a long night.   All good stuff (Leadership Summit conference during the day, and our friends visiting from Kenya over tonight).  There was so much to process from the conference today, I'm pretty drained.  

So I'll just leave you with this article to read.  It's not an easy read, but these people's stories have to be told.  And we owe it to them to hear their stories.  (Thanks Cami for sending this to me).

What's next?

Sooooo, I'm wondering what's next? I don't want to lose my momentum while I wait around for the Benefit Dinner to inspire me again.  Cornerstone Fellowship will be having some sort of meeting/event later this month, that I believe is supposed to give us (the church) some direction.  Still, I don't even want to wait for that.  I'm thinking about asking some friends who have expressed a similar interest/passion, if they want to get together and brainstorm.  Share what they have been thinking about, and how they are feeling led to DO SOMETHING.  Maybe a - Mom's with a Mission  - night, or something.  Anyone interested?

It's official - I'm a table host!

Are you wondering what YOU can do to help the oppressed, the abused, the lost and forgotten?  The problems are so huge, so overwhelming.  Come to the International Justice Mission (IJM) Benefit Dinner held at the Fairmont in San Francisco,and sit at MY table.   Gary Haugen - President and CEO will be the featured speaker.  This guy is truly amazing.  The dinner is on Tuesday October 14th at 6:30pm. Tickets are $100/person.  I can't think of a better way to spend a chunk of change.  I really can't. 

Leave a comment if you are thinking about coming.  I'm prepared to twist as many arms as I have to!

Thought for the day....

There are really young girls forced into the sex industry.  REALLY young.  Like 5-10 year olds. The thought of girls MY DAUGHTER'S age being forced into brothels, this is what makes me want to DO SOMETHING.  

Disclaimer

I just wanted to say that I know I'm not really qualified to write a blog that is interesting and entertaining.  Hopefully you will see my passion about social injustices, and that will make you want to keep reading, and maybe even DO something.  If you are looking for some great witty humor, you would have to go to my friend Wendy's blog.  Or if you are looking for talented writing, you would have to go to my friend Cami's blog.  Unfortunately I am not witty, funny, or a  great writer.  But I do have passion!  So if you can manage to read my somewhat boring, grammatically incorrect, bloggings, stay with me!  Who knows, maybe I'll get better with time =)

Changes

I know these are small changes, but they are something, and I want to move with my momentum.
I am going to resist the fashion frenzy. It's such a waste of resources. Time, energy and money. Those of you that know me are probably getting a little worried right about now. There really isn't much fat to cut in that area of my life. Sometimes I am barely above the long braids and homemade smocks our sisters on the compounds wear. Even so, I find myself thumbing through magazines and checking out what Hollywood has deemed worthy for this season, and sometimes even make a lame attempt to "be in style". So the first thing I am going to do, is not buy the magazines (which I don't very often anyways). The funny thing is I randomly started receiving Glamour magazine about 3 months ago. I didn't subscribe to it. I mean really, I'm 32 with 3 kids, and I don't think I have even looked at that magazine in like a decade. After the 2nd one came I started to get paranoid that someone in my life thought that I looked THAT bad, and thought if they sent me this magazine I would get some fashion tips out of it. I don't think that anymore (although here's your chance to fess up whoever you are!), but I still don't know where it came from. So I'm just going to recycle it. And instead of trying to keep up with the trends of high-waist vs.low-rise, wedges vs. heels, (and well, that's all I can think of because I am not fashion savvy), I'm going to find my own style and stick with it. So if you see me rockin my cowboy boots that are oh-so passe from like 3 years ago, I'm wearing them because I like them. And heck, maybe I'll drag out that off-the-shoulder poncho that's still hanging in my closet...  (okay, I never actually had one of those, because they were on their way "out" before I got up the nerve to buy one).
I don't think I'm going to just let myself completely go (although it is tempting, and what better excuse than to do it in the name of fighting social injustices!), but I'm going to spend a lot less time worrying about it. I'm going to try to be healthy, but not be so focused on the 10 lbs I would like to lose. Because in the big picture - it really doesn't matter.  That's the point of this change.  I'm going to do a better job at spending my resources (time, energy, money) on what matters
Okay, that's it for now! 1 change a day is good. 

Inspired, to say the least

God has been preparing me for tonight's message. I've been moved. For quite some time I have had this all-consuming feeling of "not enough". I simply wasn't doing enough in the face of world hunger, the AIDS epidemic, child trafficking, modern day slavery, child soldiers, etc. There is so much corruption in this world that has forced people into unthinkable circumstances, horrific abuse and unimaginable deaths. I've laid awake many nights wondering how I, a nobody stay-at-home-mom could make a difference. It's overwhelming. It's daunting. It's scary to think that I am making a choice to take it on. Because with this choice, comes a whole new perspective. It's been something I've been processing for a while now. It's letting go of the "me & mine". My world, and all the details that I have put so much energy into, truly are insignificant when compared to the world's injustices. How can I worry about the huge stain on our new rug, when children this very minute are being sold into the sex slave trade? How can I spend one more ounce of energy thinking about my outgrown highlights or outdated wardrobe, when there are child soldiers forced by rebel groups to perform heinous crimes against one another? When I know that 25,000 children are dying EACH day from malnutrition? This is a dangerous road to go down. It is going to be a tricky process to find balance between my life as it is now, and the actions I am being called to. I don't know what all this means right now. But I'm putting it out there in writing. I am being called, and I will obey.

Tonight at Cornerstone we had a guest speaker - Gary Haugen from International Justice Mission.
He was a Washington DC lawyer who was sent to Rwanda after the genocide. 800,000 people were killed in the course of 8 weeks. Gary was there to prosecute the perpetrators. Part of this process was going through the thousands of corpses, and interviewing the survivors. It was during these interviews that he understood God's call for us to stand against injustice.

International Justice Mission is rescuing people. They are taking legal actions through the courts to free them from their oppressors. They have rescued children from brothels, widows who have been forced off their land, child slaves, and many many more. Please check out their website to see all that they are doing.

On Tuesday October 14th there will be a BENEFIT DINNER at the Fairmont in San Francisco (there will be others nationwide too, check the website). We will be going - and I'm planning on being a table host as well. If you would like to go and be at my table, leave a comment in this post. (Leave a comment even if you aren't going - just to say hi if nothing else!). The cost is $100/person. I believe this will be an eye-opening if not a life-changing event.

I'm tired of sending checks. For every worth-while cause out there, the answer always seems to be to send a check. This is one of the first times I am EXCITED about sending a check. And also finding out what I can do beyond sending money. I think this is one of those times where we NEED to inform society about what is happening in the rest of the world (and here too), and take a united stand that we will not let this go on anymore. We can no longer burry our heads in the sand. If we won't stand up for these people, these children, who will?

So there it is. For everyone to see. Now I HAVE to do something :)

Please come back to see where God leads me. And please pray about how He can use you. Because now you know too.