Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Score one for Compassion!

I have just written a 3 page letter to a little girl who I have never met, and have never received a letter from. But God is amazing!

I prayed before I started writing for God to guide me and my pen and in just a few minutes 3 pages were handwritten, and a card for a friend who does not receive any mail. I'm blessed to have fantastic blogging friends who post their ideas and I am grateful!  

Thanks Blogging Buds!!

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Sponsor Envelope

It has been a while since I have posted a blog. It’s hard to find the time. My little man has been sick seems like he is well for 2 weeks and when week 3 rolls around time to batten down the hatches cause here we go, again. Also being a full time bookkeeper outside the home is a little “taxing” at times, but for the most it’s the best job ever!  So about 2 weeks ago I stopped by the mailbox on the way in and found the sweetest envelope! My sponsor envelope had arrived! Thanks to a fellow blogger and her information I had already went online and sent a family gift and a Christmas gift hoping that it was not too late. So I got out the Alexandra’s information card with her picture on it and showed it to Little Man…

Little Man, “Her cute!”
Me, “I know. She’s our new friend who lives far away.”
Little Man, “Look her wink at me!”
Me, “No, I don’t think so. She has one bad eye and can’t see out of it. (Coving one eye) This is how she sees.”
Little Man, “I will pray to God that he fix her sick eye.”
Me, “That’s so nice of you. Let’s pray that God will keep her and her family health.”
Little Man, “Look, her mad!”
Me, “No, she’s not mad. I think that she is shy and forgot to smile.”
Little Man, “Well, when I see that girl I’m going to say, Smile like this!”


I am continually amazed at how a child sees things. How honest, pure, and uncomplicated.
So next, the dreaded first letter. How am I to write to a young girl? What do I say? How do I start? Thanks to this great lady who shared this link on just how to do that. And thanks to this wonderful lady who has written devotions for her compassion children and shared them I was able to get my first mailed letter underway.
Now when I’m in town my eyes are on the lookout for item that can be sent by mail to Alexandra.
I’m praying that this compassion child and her family will be blessed. So now at bedtime prayers we are praying for a young lady and her family. For enough food, good health, and enough. Just simply enough!
The opposite of poverty is not wealth.
The opposite of poverty is enough.
Wes Stafford- Compassion International


Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Leap of Faith, No A Leap of Compassion!

So on Wednesday I let go of the tree, shimmed up , and I stepped out on that limb called faith. For months now my mind has been mulling over sponsoring a child from an underprivileged county. I had went as far as to talk it over with the hubby a few times. And we women know when you talk it over with the hubby, it is important! I had a whole list of excuses. For those of you who know me - I’m a list person. I like a To-Do List, a Kroger List, and a List of Errands. Maybe I’m a list person because I’m forgetful.

Anyway - - I have an friend who sponsors two child and she’s bogging about “her children”. And she has a bogging buddy who bogs about “her children”. So I think well I’ll just cruise on over to that website and just look. I thought well I’ll look thought the boys who are round little man’s age. And then I thought “Look at the girls. To so many girls are of little value.” So I looked through the girls between the ages of 10-14. Young ladies who are out of that cute little girl stage. Then I saw her, Alexandra, a 10 year old girl who is blind in one eye. My heart melted. OH PLEASE LET ME HELP HER! Next I was signing up to sponsor Alexandra . I am so excited! I know that Jesus will bless me and her!
I call the hubby and ask what he’s doing for lunch and he is B-U-S-Y. OK, so off to collect lunch. Hubby finds time to have a quick bit in the car and this is what happens.


Me: (cue heart to stop beating) I might have done something that you might be upset about.

Hubby: OK, What?

Me: Well you know how we talked about maybe sponsoring a child?

Hubby: Yeah.

 Me: We are sponsoring a little girl. (hold breathe, no turning back)

Hubby: Does all that money REALLY go to the child?

Me: Yes, like 89% of it does.

Hubby: OK, I think that’s a good idea.


So I tell him what little bit I know about Alexandra.


It takes about 15 days for a sponsor to receive information about her “new edition”. I have learned two things so far.

1. God gently guides us through our friends. So surround yourself with Godly people.

2. 15 days is a long time to wait. It’s so sweet that God is teaching me some needed patience in this “get it now” society!



Monday, November 1, 2010

Finding Answers in Kroger

The month of October has been challenging to say the least. Little man has either been recovering from surgery or sick. Sleepless nights. Changing medicine. Fevers. Vomit. Continually coughing. So Sunday I missed church to go get caught up on some paperwork at work and to go to Kroger. Both were necessary. When I was checking out I was behind a mom and a toddler and bless her heart the toddler was past ready to go. I thought boy I know how that mom and toddler feel. Glancing away I noticed a magazine “Southern Living, One Dish Meals” that would be great “easy prep, quick cleanup”. You had me at “easy and quick”. OK, you’re going home with me. But wait what’s that “Cooking Light” just look at that southwestern-style taco salad “Fast Healthy Meals in 30 Minutes of Less” in my buggy it went.
What’s This?  
How Did This Get Here?
Is This A Joke?
“Ready to Win Over Worry and Anxiety” by Thelma Wells. Thelma Wells. Thelma Wells as in earlier I read a devotion by her in the Women of Faith Bible? I think “Donna, this is, NO this could not be the same one”. So I think I’ll just glance at the back and see what it says. And these are the bullets in the middle of the back cover:
·         Remove worry’s mask of normalcy
·         Evaluate the impact of big and little worries in your life
·         Explore how faith in Christ will help you conquer anxiety
·         Discover how to stop anxiety as soon as it appears
·         Find ways to add upbeat, life-building thought to each day

WOW! The middle bullet is what stuck out. My clingy little man! I’ve passed my anxiety on to him. I had learned this a few days earlier, but was not sure how to address the issue. OK! I hear you, Jesus, it stops here! In Kroger I find myself telling Jesus, “Hey let’s work on this thing together!” I don’t want to pass on my insecurity down to my child. The child you have blessed me and my family with. I know that if I can work on my anxiety and worry then little man will see that in me. I understand that children learn by example. So I’m going to work. Work gloves on. Work boots on. Bible open. Tissue on hand. Bring it on!
Then I begin to wonder in the car. . . why was it so easy to pick up a cooking magazine and see one behind that one that I picked up and then of all thing a book?
The covers looked yummy! 
I want my cover to reflect my insides! So tonight my journey begins. To quote the back cover:
“WORYY AND ANXIETY HAVE TO GO!”

Friday, October 29, 2010

Skittles

Today little man had some Skittles from preschool and this is the short conversation that took place between him and his dad.
Dad:  What do you have?
Little Man: ‘kittles
Dad:  Can I have one?
Little Man: NO
Dad: Why not?
Little Man: Cause they good! Even the yucky ones are good!
Oh Sweet Jesus, the things you teach me through a 3 year old. You love all of us even when we think we are “yucky”!

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Confession of a Wife

So today is my husband’s birthday. Imagine my surprise when little man and I picked him up from work (we are a one car family) and he tells me that we need to stop by his parents house to get his cards and gifts. His parents live about a biscuits throw from our house. CARDS AND GIFTS?! Oh my goodness, I forgot! How could I forget? We have been together going on 12 years and married for almost 11 years.
In my defense little man had his tonsils and adenoids removed the first part of the month, and is now sick again! AND I did make homemade brownies and frosting on Tuesday. From scratch!
Hubby got a little upset when I started crying in the car. He said “Well it’s not like you have been at home soaking in a bubble bath, chilled out on the coach eating bon-bons and watching tv.”
Hubby just came and got little man to ride with him to go see my dad. NOW WHO’S BIRTHDAY IS TODAY? Father and Son in their words “hanging together” and mom at home in a quite house. Well with the exception of the tv in the living room playing Sanford & Son.



Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Resources

We have countless books in our reach and at our disposal. Resource Books, Novels, Christian Living Books, Devotions, Bibles: Different Translations, Study Bibles, Life Applied.But more often than not these books collect duct, get missed placed, thrown about, and in general beg to be read, used, and shared.

Our Spiritual Knowledge is poor. My soul is starved. And I long to be better. I want my husband and son to see You through me. To see the Light devour the darkness. The need to feed my materials wants is now on the back burner. “Make me, mold me, use me... I give my life to the Potter’s hand.” “I want to be different Jesus, just like you.” Words from songs I know, but God is piecing them together for me. Verses I need to hear, soak in, and get the goodie out of.
Please God don’t let me over look a resource that you have placed before me!

Monday, October 25, 2010

Sweet Little Pu'dan Face Boy

So yesterday was a fever day for little man. The “fun” part for me was trying to keep said boy from acting like a boy. One of the few times I was allowed to take a breath was when little man’s tummy started talking. And this is the conversation that took place over the pu’dan cup (translation: pudding cup).
“Mom, God in this house?”

“Yes, son, God is in this house.”
“Where? Right there? Right there?” (pointing around the kitchen)
“Yes, son, He’s everywhere”
“OK”

. . . And A Few Minutes Later . . .

 
Little Man has his both arms stretched up to the heavens with his head leaned back and incomes part two of the conversation.
 “What are you doing?”
“I praise the Lord, momma!”
“I praise him too, little man, I praise him too!”

Dear Fellow Bag Ladies…

Dear Fellow Bag Ladies,
 It is with deep wretchedness that I must resign my post as President. I have more than enough bags. I am guilty of coveting my neighbor’s bag.

I know what shame. So it is well a weighty heart that I say “NO MORE BAGS!” Yes, I am aware that no sooner than I had declared that statement guess what happened! You guessed it! I had to urge to “buy that bag”! But I resisted. Yeah me! The little cartoon character on my shoulder dressed in red with horns and a pitch fork was not so please. So bag ladies lets come together. Instead of getting the new purse, the new backpack, or the new reusable shopping bag lets use what we’ve got! Wait NO new reusable shopping bags! But the environment. Ladies, Ladies, Ladies from one confessed bag lady to another ~ We don’t need any more bags! Let’s wear out the ones we have.
Moving In A New Direction,
DG

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Facing The Giants, The Movie

While my little man was napping Facing The Giants was on the Insp. Channel. Of course the tears were flowing! If you have seen the movie then you know the desire of wife to have a child. I can relate to this movie. Part of this movie is my life.
In 2001 Timmy and I found out that we were going to be blessed with a baby. Well for reasons unknown to us it was not to be. So for years we tried. I was tired. Hurting had become a way of life for me. Several surgeries later and no change. I would be physical sick every month. Month after month and I could not handle it anymore. So the doctor I was seeing at the time suggested that I get an IUD. Well I was for it, but the cost! I could not afford it even with my insurance. So my mom said let’s make an appointment with my doctor. What did I have to lose, so I agreed.  Mom and I headed to Brunswick. I meet Dr. Dohn and I told him my story. I was very open with him and told him I wanted it all out! I was in tears and he was so kind. He handed me a box of tissues and said I really want you think about this. Think about this I have been going through this every month since I was 16. Believe me I have done plenty of thinking. You see from a young age I was aware that there was two things that I would do without question.
1. Be A Wife
2. Be A Mom
I had been practicing for this my whole life. So Timmy and I were talking and he said if it’s not meant to be then it’s not meant to be. And I tried to explain to him how it was that I felt like there was a piece missing. Now you ask me how can you grieve for something that you never had? I’ve had it the whole, just not physical had it. So the following Sunday at church I went to the altar. And I gave it all to GOD. I placed my heartache at the feet of JESUS. I had done this several times before, but this time when I got up I left it. I did not pick up my troubled wounded heart. Mean while we were in the process of getting life insurance and got a call from the nurse who took our blood work and she said that I need to go see my doctor for further blood work because something came back, but she could not say what. This was on Wednesday. So on the way to church I thought could I? Am I? Is it possible? Then I heard FAITH. So Thursday morning I woke early, 5 a.m. early. Looked under the sink and found a pregnancy test. ONE test from years ago.
So you see I know what it feels like to miss something that you never had.
I also know the peace that comes over us when we honestly place our troubles at the feet of Jesus. You see my son is part of my testimony.

Saturday, October 23, 2010

The Walton's

This week I rediscover and Hayden discovered The Walton’s. So the episode was about a cow who was fixin’ to give birth and how the dad said that they needed a heifer for her milk.  Seven children and four adults I would think that several milk cows would be necessary. Well the cow went off to have the calf and the kids were worried about her. So Grandpa went to find mom and calf. Meanwhile dad was on his way up the mountain to go work, and the axle broke on the truck. $9 to fix a broken axle. How sad we waste $9 everyday on unnecessary “stuff”.  Grandpa came back with the cow and a bull. A BULL and $9 in the hole! So dad decided that he would sell the bull in order to pay for the truck to be fixed. The children were upset. Their dad was sell a “member of the family” in order to get to work, in order to earn money, in order to…well we all know how that is. So when dad took the baby bull from the barn to deliver several farms over the momma cow cried, and cried. My dear sweet little man lying in the bed with hands behind his head said, “Augh, that momma cow sad.” I started tearing up. I had been granted a glimpse into my son’s heart.
Oh, you want to know how the episode ended. Well Grandma had a few dollars saved and Momma she sold her quilt. Her Memory Quilt! The quilt that toke a whole summer to make! The quilt that had scrapes of clothing from all her children.  After everyone had said their goodnights, John Boy said, “We were poor, but we were richer than we ever kown.”

I know that The Walton’s is “just” a TV show, but I want a simpler life. A more faith driven life. An example my son can look up to. I’m sick of TV that has no values!

"Lose My Soul"

I have heard the song “Lose My Soul” numerous times, but after dropping off little man at preschool and heading to work I was allowed a new “God Moment”. God Moments for me are when I am listening to God. Not hearing, but listening. So at the red light I was so getting into the song.
Hands raised.
Voice raised.
Tears flowing.
I am sure that the car next me was somewhat a little afraid.
Why now?
Why would a song I’ve heard a hundred times before suddenly mean so much to me? Because for the first time in a long I was soaking up the words!  So if you see me in the car hands raised, voice raised, and tears flowing I hope you are not following too close, because I will be pulling over to bask in my God Moment.

I have attached a link for the song. I had no idea that there was a video.

http://youtu.be/coHKdhAZ9hU