Amy Sullivan

Texas Wildfires and Being the Least of These

2012-01-27T06:15:00.001-05:00

Look down, and meet my friend, Joy. She's the dark-haired cutie.

To all the writers out there, you know how people always say you should attend writing conferences because you meet tons of people who ignite your creativity? Well, it's true. I met Joy this summer at a conference, and her heart and ideas continue to inspire.

Want to see for yourself? Of course you do. Here's Joy's Share Your Story about Gayle, Texas wildfires, and being the least of these:

I met Gayle last November and was stunned by her take on life. With tears of gratitude threatening to spill over, she whispered, “I can’t believe I get to be one of the least of these.” Gayle didn’t know that I am a follower of Jesus, and I grew up competing in Bible quizzes, so she certainly didn’t realize that I can sniff out a Scripture reference a mile away.

I was introduced to Gayle at a Heart of CAbi Foundation clothing giveaway to the survivors of the Bastrop Wildfires. Bastrop, a suburb of Austin, Texas, lost 1400 homes in early September. Along with my CAbi colleagues, I had the honor to serve about 100 of these women in the role of personal shopper, and I helped outfit ladies in brand new CAbi clothes. Although each woman I met touched me in some way, Gayle, who works as an administrative assistant during the day, and a clerk for Walgreens five nights a week, told me that the wildfire has been the biggest blessing of her life.

“I thought I knew God before this happened, but I know a totally different God now.” I listened as I buttoned up a sweater, helped with a back zip skirt, and re-hung clothes.

At one point, we put together an outfit for her day job, and Gayle turned away from the mirror to show me.

As she turned back to gaze at herself and stroke the silk ruffled top she said, “I never would have had this before the fires.” I was trying so hard to stay in listening mode and not be yet another person peppering her with questions about her tragedy, so I still don’t know what she meant by “have had this.” That beautiful top? That vision of herself? Or maybe that situation of receiving love and care? As we were gathering all of her yeses and heading to the checkout desk we hugged and decided that when she was ready to be on facebook again, she’d look me up. And that’s when she said her line…“I can’t believe I get to be one of the least of these.”

Since my return to San Francisco, I’ve hit the ground running. Loads of meetings, CAbi shows, children’s sports events and school projects have kept me busy. But all along in the background of that life-busyness have been Gayle’s words ringing in my head.

She sees this horrific tragedy as a blessing, and her life is not all put back together yet. She currently lives with one of her grown sons, who encouraged her to come stay with him for as long as she needs. If that isn’t a testament to raising him right, I don’t know what else might be. One of the biggest difficulties of re-building after a natural disaster is the time needed to register on multiple lists and deal with all the red tape and bureaucracy to get the services needed. Gayle works two full-time jobs and has had very little time to follow through on all of the “aid” that’s out there. But still, this has been the biggest blessing of her life.

Gayle has quickly learned how to receive Jesus’ love through the earthly hands of the communal church. With awe and amazement she sees herself honored enough by Him to be placed in the role of receiving love and attention meant for Him. See, the Gospel makes it clear: when we do it for Gayle, it’s as if we are doing it for Him.

If you could have seen the radiant joy on Gayle’s face, you might join me in my prayer: Lord, please grant me the humility needed to receive with grace and love from others. If they are Your hands and feet, let me honor their offerings and receive Your love through them.

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Thanks, Joy, for Sharing Your Story. You can find Joy at JoyLibby.com where she blogs, but only when she isn't working on her book. Are you interested in Sharing Your Story?

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Pssst, have you heard about mushy, gushy, make your heart race, love letters?

Penning Love

2012-01-25T20:17:00.001-05:00

The Music Box is a group of interactive musical buildings on a vacant lot in New Orleans.

Musicians and ordinary people create music at The Music Box by using creaking boards, clanging metal, humming lights, and even an amped-up rocking chair. The result of these odd sounds is an unimaginable orchestra.

Jazz musicians, rock drummers, and even rappers, come to contribute their sound to the beautiful noise.

I love the idea behind The Music Box because when people come together carrying stories, making music, and revealing bits of truth, love rings out.

I’ve gathered some friends.

And we are preparing to make a little music of our own. Oh, not the crank it up and dance around your living room kind of music, but the music that comes from passionate people pulling together.

What will we share? Love letters.

Mushy, gushy, make your heart race, love letters. Not the kind of love letters that come folded on lined paper and pass through sweaty hands before finally arriving on your secret crush’s desk.

Nope.

We penned letters to people in need of a extra love.

Who knows, some of our letters may even be written to you.

Questions for you: Do you know any of the fab faces pictured above? Can you think of a group of people in need of some extra encouragement?

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More details about Love Letters to the Underloved coming soon!

Pinecone Wars and Basketball Tournaments and Rest

2012-01-23T14:21:00.002-05:00

Six was a pretty solid age for me.

My mom quit putting pink, sponge rollers in my hair. I knew without a doubt that Santa was, in fact, real. I received a gold-plated M & M necklace as a gift, and I was no longer required to rest.

See, I hated rest. Napping was abandoned years earlier, but up until six-years-old, my mom required me to rest each afternoon. Spending any amount of time stuck in my room while life sped on seemed totally unreasonable.

I wanted to run and laugh and create hidden forts and hold pinecone wars with neighbor kids.

Fast forward thirty years and I still struggle with rest.

This week I cancelled four obligations, two of which have been planned for months. Now, maybe you think I cancelled these four things because I realized I needed rest. Um, good guess, but no. The real reason I cancelled these four obligations is because they conflict with four other obligations.

That’s hard to admit because if you told me you needed to attend eight different activities in one week, I would shake my head and tsk-tsk at you. Then, I’d remind you of the importance of leading a slow life, and that busyness can be an idol.

But sometimes, Busy sneaks up on you, and although you don’t schedule basketball tournaments, extra work meetings, and trips to another state to buy a new car because yours is crap-o-la (insert loud sigh), Busy happens. And sometimes we can’t control Busy.

The solution? Embrace rest.

Pencil it in. Scratch it out. Make it happen. It’s that important.

Secret forts, pinecone wars, and basketball tournaments can wait. Rest cannot.

Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” Mark 6:31

Question for you: How have you embraced rest today?

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Linking with Jen and Michelle.

Image credit.

34 Words On Improving Empathy in Your Family

2012-01-19T16:01:00.003-05:00

Kids and teens ages 8 to 18 spend almost four hours a day in front of the TV.

Want your family to feel more, share more, and engage more?

Me, too.

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What limits do you put on TV viewing? What shows or channels are off limits? Any recent family-friendly TV shows you've discovered?

Idea for this post came from Kat's 12 word post. Seriously good write.

10 Ways Your Family Can Serve Others

2012-01-18T13:43:00.007-05:00

The phone rings. The teacher emails. The dog needs food, and come to think of it, so do your kids. The calendar fills. The laundry piles, and that verse haunts you.

As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15b

I get what the verse means. It’s the living out the meaning that’s hard.

How does your household serve God in daily, practical, and yet, meaningful ways?

Not so long ago, my family stood paralyzed by the greatness of our inadequacies and the needs of the world.

Then, God started whispering, you know those soft whispers you hear in your head and feel in your veins. He told us that serving Him meant serving others. He told us to quit defining what service looked like and just start serving.

So, we did, and guess what? You can too. Need some ideas? I thought you might. Check out this list (and links because who has time to look for links?) of 10 practical ways your family can serve the Lord today.

Write letters of encouragement to soldiers. Soldiers’ Angels assists you in flooding our country’s heroes with mail and thanks.

Read about teens making a difference at Generation On.

Color pictures for the lonely. Color a Smile encourages even the littlest servers to send some crayon, colored love through the mail.

Find the courage to look at hard topics. What’s the fastest growing division of the porn industry? Child porn. Makes you sick, right? Good. Go see what the Sold Project is doing about it.

Lend a microloan. Kiva changes lives by lending small loans (as low as $25.00) to an entrepreneur across the world. These entrepreneurs then use your money to buy livestock, start a store, purchase a bike, or provide them the opportunity to earn money. Then, through Kiva, these same entrepreneurs pay you back.

Invest in kids that are not your own. Maybe it’s the girl at Breanna’s House or maybe it’s the kid from the single-parent family home down the street.

Love even when it’s not convenient and especially when it’s hard.

Watch a video, even if it makes you uncomfortable. Need direction? Try this one, The Girl Effect.

Read words penned by a world changer. Kisses from Katie will make your heart hurt and swell at the same time.

Pray always.

A totally unrelated to the post kind of question for you: Is it annoying when authors close the comments to a blog post? I like to close comments when I have a guest post, loads of links, or a video. Then a few days ago, I ran into a few blogs with closed comments, and I was a tad annoyed. Your thoughts?

False Motivators

2012-01-16T15:24:00.002-05:00

I completed a triathlon once. Don’t be impressed. It was a mini-triathlon, and I completed it for the following reasons:

1. It was less than a year after baby number one, and I felt guilty about how I looked.

2. We just moved, and the one potential friend I met said we could train together.

3. I wanted people to “Ohh and Ahh” and tell me (or at least think in their heads), “Wow, you are a running, biking, swimming, rock star” or in my case, mini-rock star.

I completed a triathlon because of guilt, peer pressure, and my desire to impress an imaginary audience.

I hated every second of training and despised the time it took away from my family. Instead of helping me get in shape, training shaved off too much weight, too fast, and instead of feeling strong, and healthy, I felt dizzy, and not at all rock-star-like.

In the end, I dragged my sorry butt across the finish line and didn't work out again for months.

The factors motivating me proved weak, temporary, and not strong enough to give me real results.

Superficial analysis and superficial focus always lead to superficial and temporary change. —Steve Harris, New Life Community Church

Change doesn’t come because of fake, weak reasons, and when we use false motivators such as guilt, peer pressure, or the desire to impress, change is always temporary.

Question for you: What was the last real change you made? What is motivating you to stick with that change? Can you think of a change you attempted to make that didn’t last long because you were motivated by the wrong thing?

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I’m linking with the fab, Michelle D. at Graceful where she asks readers to share part of the sermon they heard Sunday or blog about what God has been "whispering or shouting" at them. I’m also linking with my girl, Jen, who is planning a Texas retreat this fall. Want to come? Good. You are invited.

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Image credit.

Because Some People Sell Gum on the Streets for 10 Years and Still Have Passion

2012-01-14T21:17:00.003-05:00

Who doesn't love an eight minute video clip in Korean with subtitles? Eeek. Give it until 1:44, and then click away if you must.

(email subscribers, please click here)

Fine, fine. This video is from June which in blogging years means it's ancient, but I only recently discovered it at 365 Give.

Happy weekend, friends. To quote the video, I hope you are "passionately running towards what you really want".

*Comments are closed.

When You Find God in Surprising Places

2012-01-12T06:04:00.000-05:00

Sometimes I think God waits in places that smell of bleach and Hamburger Helper. Places that house women in red, fuzzy slippers and children in sleeveless pajamas.

Beyond banging doors and crackly announcements, God sits in an uncomfortable, kitchen chair that rocks, but isn’t supposed to, and He nods.

He sees dreadlocks and hears pleas.

And as prayers for new beginnings are hurled into the air, He marvels at the change, not in circumstances, but in hearts.

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Went somewhere new this week, and thought I’d share. Also, linking with Emily at Imperfect Prose.

Question for you: Tell me where you've found God this week. Anywhere surprising?

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A Little Something About Stereotypes

2012-01-11T06:00:00.008-05:00

"We heard you were coming."

A young, white female with an Illinois, license plate, and a car stuffed full of belongings. I wasn't hard to spot.

I nodded. I bet they heard about me. I heard about them too. I heard many refused their culture and dismissed their history. I heard their parents drank anything containing alcohol, even hairspray. I heard little joy resounded in such an empty place. I heard education held minimal value here.

Finish reading here.

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Oh, hey, glad you found your way here. Sorry I missed you, but today I'm sharing about stereotypes and life on the Res over at Inspired Teacher. Homeschooling moms, classroom assistants, youth leaders, teachers, tutors, principals, children's ministry helpers, moms, teachers, and basically, anyone with an interest in education, come on over! Good conversations happen there.

*Comments are turned off, but let's chat soon.

Image credit.

5 Ways to Ensure Your Husband Will Never Want to Serve Others as a Family

2012-01-08T21:00:00.009-05:00

I received an email containing this statement:

“I want our family to shift focus from us to others, but my husband has no interest.”

This wasn’t the first time a note with the same idea found its way to my inbox.

Sometimes notes to strangers are easier to send than notes to those you love.

When I hear sentiments like the one above, I wish hard that I held a secret recipe for change, and I could send you running to the store, list in hand, change attainable.

But, of course, no such list exists.

The above email made me think of my husband, and how I rarely mention him here, and that maybe you think he's not involved in our attempt to move from addicted to ourselves to devoted to others. Not true.

So, meet Shane.

He's the rational part of the Sullivan family. The one who tells me that real change happens slowly. The one who balances my wild ideas with wild prayer. The one who taught me about another kind of list, a scientifically proven, sure to make your husband uber resistant to serving others kind of list.

I've never actually acted out behaviors listed below. Ahem. You know, this is hypothetically speaking, of course. Here's my top five ways to ensure your husband will never want to serve others as a family:

1. Ask him if he ever thinks of others first. (Stress the ever part).

2. Schedule a family service day during fantasy football playoffs.

3. Talk nonstop the minute he walks in the door about the latest book you’ve discovered that will change his life.

4. Sign him up for something he totally doesn’t want to do, especially if it involves crafts.

5. Pour on the guilt.

Question for you: What can you do to ensure your spouse will do the exact opposite of what you want?

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Linking with Jen.

Because No One Likes to be Ripped Off

2012-01-05T15:11:00.005-05:00

Maybe it’s because someone broke into my car (twice).

Or maybe it’s because in college, the police showed up at my house to arrest my roommate who much to my surprise, had been involved in a variety of no good activities around campus.

Or maybe it’s because I used to live in the city, and I had to punch a code to get into my parking area and a code to get into my apartment gate and a code to get into my apartment building, and then, I had to unlock my apartment building door, and after this, I proceeded to unlock two locks on my apartment door all before entering my home.

Or maybe it’s because I spend my mornings with smooth-talking teens.

Whatever the reason, I tend to be not-so trusting, and not-so trusting and giving don’t mesh.

See, if our family gives money to an organization, I want to know the where and why behind our donation, and I want to know our dollars are being spent to help the cause and not fund a staff of two hundred. I want to be responsible givers, and that’s why Charity Navigator is such a fun discovery.

Charity Navigator uses a rating scale to evaluate charities based on a variety of factors including transparency and financial accountability, and then, Charity Navigator awards stars to communicate findings.

In addition, Charity Navigator compiles all kinds of Top 10 lists such as: 10 Charities Expanding in a Hurry, 10 Top Notch Charities, 10 Charities in Deep Financial Trouble, and 10 Inefficient Fund Raisers.

Plus, Charity Navigator lists a Tips for Donors section that gives practical information on how you can be a Savvy Donor.

Curious about some of your favorite charities? Click over and take a peek.

One last thought: I know there are quite a few Compassion and World Vision supporters out there. Both earned four star ratings. Good job, you, for being responsible givers. Good job, them, for handling our money well.

Question: Outside of tithing to your church, do you have a favorite organization or charity your family supports? What makes you decide to support or turn away from an organization?

On Brewing Ideas and Finding Inspiration in Kentucky

2012-01-03T23:42:00.005-05:00

Who purchased a camera and thought it fun to project people (like my mom) trying to catch letters and make words?

Who told city planners that chandeliers needed to hang from light posts?

Who came up with the idea to create red, plastic penguins and place them on ledges of buildings?

Someone brewed each wild idea. Someone laid out a small, but crazy vision. Someone stirred-up common creativity.

See your desires as gifts to heed rather than longings to suppress. —Max Lucado, Cure For the Common Life

*Turning comments off today so you can get back to brewing ideas in wild creativity and heeding those gifts you possess.

What to Expect from Young World Changers

2012-01-01T20:18:00.008-05:00

We’ve come to expect a few things when volunteering with our kids, and just in case your family is thinking about serving more in your community this year, consider this a heads-up:

Expect your kids to lick their fingers when baking treats for people who are sick.

Expect your daughter to tell other volunteering families long-winded stories about the kid at school who drinks Mountain Dew for breakfast, throws tiny bits of erasers, and mumbles curse words all day in class. Then, despite you giving your best evil eye, expect your daughter to toss out edited examples of the above mentioned curse words, “Well, he says the a-word, the d-word, the h-word…”.

Expect your child to give thirty cents even when you deem it inappropriate.

Expect your girl to repeatedly ask the pouty teenager who is also volunteering, “So, what exactly is required community service?”

Expect your heart to swell.

Expect your child to climb into a giant cardboard box and discuss loudly how terrible it is that people never donate fruit.

Expect your daughter and her friends to wear scarves in ninety-degree weather to sell lemonade for a cause.

Expect pajama clad kids to make you feel guilty for thinking all they care about is the Wii.

Expect your kids to change.

Expect your family to change.

Question for you: Any fun and silly things you’ve come to expect from your children lately?

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Linking with Jen and the girls.

Marked Trails

2011-12-30T09:22:00.003-05:00

The sign screamed, but I closed my ears. Warnings in all red, capital letters excited me.

“STAY ON MARKED TRAIL” isn’t what I want in life.

You want a marked trail? Go find the guidebook, and slide your hand over the glossy pages. The pictures, perfect. The views, majestic. The choices, safe.

Not me. For the first time, risk calls out, and I am open.

Open to new.

Open to choices that make my husband pull back his head, wrinkle his face, and wonder where our friend, Practical, hides.

Open to facts I used to whisper with my head turned down, but now I look you straight on and just state.

Open to big prayers that don’t make sense, but make my breath heavy and my heart quicken.

Open to leaving the marked trail because it’s too ordinary, and it’s too darn crowded, and because beautiful waits just beyond the red lettered warning.

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The idea behind this post was to write for five minutes and not worry if it is “just right”. Today a slew of others and I all wrote on the same word, open. Click here to read what open means to them, and thanks for letting me toss out my five minutes to you.

Oh, and along the same lines, I hope you are failing.

Question: When is the last time you left the marked trail? What keeps you living in safe territory?

On Climbing Without a Rope and Risk

2011-12-28T01:44:00.005-05:00

I like sure things.

That's why Alex Honnald's story baffles me. He climbs without ropes, without climbing gear, without anything more than his bare hands. Oh, and this guy isn't climbing trees. He climbs 1,600 foot rock walls. Not so much of a sure thing.

In the full segment aired on 60 Minutes, an expert says it's only a matter of time before Alex falls and when one falls from 1,600 feet, the only thing waiting at the bottom is death.

Crazy, for sure. Thoughts to ponder, you bet.

I talk about dreams quite a bit, and Alex's climbing reminds me of dreams and risks. If we climb to our dreams too quickly, we slip and fall. We are too inexperienced, not ready. If we climb too slowly, our arms give out from exhaustion. We tire of pushing forward day after day.

And then there's the idea of risk. Not climb-up-the-face-of-the-mountain-kind-of-risk (yes, yes, I agree, Alex is crazy), but risk still the same. When we are young, risk proves easy. Fewer people look to us for stability. Fewer bills came addressed in our name.

For me, risk isn't physical risk.

Risk means starting a blog and sending out stories and bits of myself. It's easier to say writing is hard, and rejection is frequent, and I don't have time.

Risk means entering in situations with people different than me. It's easier to surround myself with people like me, people who live like me and drive cars like me and laugh at my jokes because well, they are like me.

Risk means pushing ahead because God tells me to and not because I feel like it. Just like Alex, I'm "pasting my feet to the ceiling and hoping they stick".

Question for you: When is the last time you took a risk? What big or small risks are you taking now?

When a Trampoline Symbolizes Hope

2011-12-26T07:00:00.036-05:00

Image credit.

Three days ago, I signed a statement promising I wouldn't tell anyone the location of a certain house.

My friend and I used a GPS to guide us to this safe place, and I’ve spent days using my heart to guide me back.

The place we visited housed girls involved in sex trafficking. We dropped off items others donated through a party with a purpose, but we didn’t leave gifts lining the wish lists of most teens. Nope, we left deodorant, soap, shampoo, toilet paper, and metallic wishes.

During this short visit, my eyes soaked up bits of life in this secret house: a small clothing area in a garage for girls who arrived without extra clothes, a Christmas tree with sparkling ornaments, delicate presents wrapped with bows, walls filled with art.

But the one item from this home that stood out to me the most was an over-sized trampoline. It stood alone outside as a quiet reminder that the girls who lived in this home were still kids, kids who liked to jump.

The trampoline made me wonder about living in secret and at what point one would decide to let go of some of life’s horrors and go jump, free of burdens and the much-too-heavy-weight stacked on tiny shoulders.

I think people associate hope with different objects: newborn babies, an orange sunrise, and blinking stars, but from now on, when I see a trampoline, I will remember these girls, and I will think of hope.

Question for you: What picture or mental snapshot from life reminds you of hope?

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Linking with Jen.

10 Fun Things to Do After You Open Gifts

2011-12-25T10:20:00.003-05:00

Wait a minute.

What are you doing here? It’s Christmas. You should be drinking in family time and snuggling with little ones.

Me? Oh, I'm not online. No sirree (Really, mom, I write something one day, and then it goes up on a different day, poof! Yes, it is sort of magical).

This post has been hanging out in my scheduler. I put it up to tell you about my new writing gig. It’s over at Mom It Forward. In January, I’ll lead a series every Tuesday on Raising Giving Kids, but today I'm there just tossing out ways families can linger a little longer in Christmas.

Click over now for 10 Fun Things to Do After You Open Gifts, and if you happen to be in the neighborhood, come visit me there in January too.

Off you go. Click over, read up, and log off. Time make some Christmas memories.

*Comments are turned off.

A Christmas Note to You

2011-12-21T14:04:00.005-05:00

I wonder what your Christmas looks like this year.

If you hum carols as you tie sparkly ribbon on packages or if you dodge friends because you’d like to fast forward next week.

I wonder if you know how much I appreciate you.

If you know I sit in amazement at the people who show up here and read or if you understand how much you sharing pieces of your world moves me.

Thank you.

May your Christmas be filled with homemade tents that takeover the entire living room, wonder that surpasses doubt, joy that fills your dark places, and amazement over that baby boy born in a manger.

Merry Christmas, friends.

Eight Last Minute Christmas Gift Ideas That Help Others

2011-12-19T05:54:00.005-05:00

You searched every discount store and online shop for the last two weeks, and you just can’t find a special something-something for Uncle Joe or that distant cousin whose name you drew in the family Christmas exchange.

Before you cave and purchase yet another candle or gift card, check out these fab, last minute, gift ideas that help others:

1. Shoes. Tom's One for One means for every pair of shoes purchased, Tom's will donate another pair of shoes to a child in need.

2. Necklace. 31 Bits produces amazing jewelry made out of 100% recycled paper by displaced women in northern Uganda. Cute, seriously cute, will-make-your-jaw-drop-cute jewelry.

3. Birth Kit. Bloggers for Birth Kits assists moms in Papua New Guinea by providing basic supplies both mom and baby need for a healthy delivery (plastic sheet, bar soap, gloves, string, and gauze).

4. CambelBak Water Bottle. Water.org receives $10.00 from every water bottle purchased. Dishwasher safe and BPA-free, this 20 oz bottle ships for free.

5. Tree. People Towels supplies a gift set for tree lovers which includes a tree in a box kit, gift card, and people towels (instead of paper towels, get it?).

6. A Goat, Chicken, or Pig. Have you checked out this year's Compassion Catalog? If not, you are missing out. It's full of gifts including food survival kids, a blanket and tarp set, household survival kit, and playgrounds (by the way, you can give a playground for $25.00, yes, really).

7. Cuff or for those of you who are less fashion savvy, a big, thick bracelet that will make you look super stylish. Delicate Fortress Creations sells a beauty for only $18.00, and the money you spend will help fight poverty.

8. A Piggy Bank. The WorldofGood.com is a multi-seller marketplace for socially and environmentally responsible shopping. We are talking loads of products, and you can shop by causes you wish to support or by the subjects of people/animal/environmentally positive choices.

Question for you: Do you have any gifts that give back ideas that we can add to this list? Have you ever been on the receiving end of gifts like these? What was your response? Cheers or yawns?

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Did you you see the holiday party pics from the friend that pushes me to live better?

Linking with Jen.

When Friends Push You to Live Better

2011-12-17T19:12:00.003-05:00

My dad told me, "You become who your friends are." I'm sure this statement referred to his concern about the people that clouded certain years of my life. At the time, I thought his words silly.

Years later, I see truth in my father's words. Of course, we take on habits and characteristics of our friends. They are the people who blanket our lives and fill our days.

Today, the idea of becoming a little more of who my friends are thrills me.

Why?

Well, I have a friend whose heart beats for girls involved in sex trafficking in our community and the world.

Instead of hosting a Christmas Party, my friend gathered girls in our circle and developed a plan.

She asked us to donate personal items to girls at the Hope House.

She encouraged us to share inspiring words with these girls.

She sprinkled the party with spray paint, picture frames, and metallic pens.

She tossed in wine and tasty treats.

And through this gathering, she shared her passion, helped girls who are overlooked, taught friends about a new way to become involved in our community, and encouraged us to live better.

Am I becoming more like her because of our friendship? I hope so.

Question for you: Think of your friends. Who inspires you to live better? Why?

Baby Steps Towards Giving

2011-12-16T06:01:00.018-05:00

Susan DiMickele. She's talented. She's hilarious. She's author of the book, Chasing Superwoman: A Working Mom's Adventures in Life and Faith. Susan pushes you to think harder about your life and your heart, and today, Susan is our Share Your Story guest (insert loud shouts and thunderous clapping).

In this post, Susan discusses Christmas lists with Amazon links, "Over Consumption Issues", and why baby steps matter. Here's my friend, Susan.

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My son’s Christmas list is two pages long with corresponding Amazon links. He’s made it easy for me. I don’t even have to think – I just have to point, click, and surrender my credit card. My daughters – who aren’t quite so tech-savvy -- have cut and pasted magazine pictures on their lists to Santa. I keep trying to throw the magazines away, but just when I do, a new one arrives in the mail.

Let’s just say we suffer from OCI (“Over Consumption Issues”) this Christmas.

I know what you’re thinking. I’m thinking the same thing. Things have gotten really over the top. Is it really possible to cultivate a spirit of giving this Christmas? Is there hope for an OCI family?

Don’t get me wrong. I’m inspired by the season of giving and especially by your blog Amy ( I’ve been reading it for over a year!) – but when I look at my own lifestyle in addition to the three OCI kids I’m raising, I get a bit overwhelmed. Even paralyzed. And I can only move forward by taking teeny tiny baby steps.

What do baby steps look like?

It’s Sunday morning. We’ve ~~skipped~~ missed church. The kids are acting up a little more than usual, and I could kick myself for not getting us out the door for real worship. The kids are fighting over what to watch on TV, and Nick keeps teasing Abby about her princess PJ’s and Abby is crying because Anna won’t stop touching her and Anna is screaming that no one wants to play with her. I’m starting to get a headache and it’s only 10:00 a.m. My husband leaves to “run errands.”

Before I can take some aspirin, Spiritual Mommy takes control and announces we are having church at home. After all, it’s the least I can do during Advent. I make the ultimate power move and turn the TV off. Unannounced. Next, I move the white board into the living room. My children are watching with eyes wide open, waiting for the other shoe to drop.

“Ok kids, we’re going to make a chart with two columns. Each column has a question, and you must provide your own answer. Take some time to think it over. Here are the questions:

Column #1 - “What Do I want this Christmas?”

Column #2 - “What Do I want to give this Christmas?”

Next, we talk about possible answers. “It’s ok to put down whatever you want,” I tell them. “There are no right or wrong answers. Once we’re done, we’ll look at both lists and we’ll pray together and decide what we can get and what we can give.”

My children become silent. They hang on to every word. Next, they surprise me.

They don’t ask for stuff. Nick and Anna ask for family time, health, and peace. Abby asks for a new friend. What do they want to give? Real (albeit small) tangible goods to friends, family, and those in need. Nick wants to give toys to hurting kids. Anna and Abby want to bake cookies to thank special friends. And we all decide to participate in several food drives. What interests me most – and encourages me most – is that they pick projects that are small and measurable. Unlike me, they’re not overwhelmed – and they’re not paralyzed. They want to jump in and make a difference.

It’s a start.

Even an OCI family can take baby steps.

What’s your baby step toward giving this Christmas?

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Thank you, Susan. Ok, friends, I knew you would love her, and you do. Please take a minute to check out her book and peek at her blog.

Image credit.

My Daughter Stole Baby Jesus

2011-12-14T13:32:00.009-05:00

My daughter stole Baby Jesus.

She stole Him from our manger, and He lived with her for an entire Christmas season, mostly in her pocket.

Initially, I wanted that tiny, breakable baby back in the manager. I wanted Him somewhere safe and protected by the Wise Men. I wanted Him next to that sorry-looking sheep whose ear chipped off years ago. I thought Baby Jesus should be returned to His manger because well, that’s where Baby Jesus belongs in a manger, right?

But, as time passed, and I found Baby Jesus in my daughter’s bed, aboard the caboose of the Polar Express, and on the edge of the bathtub, I saw things differently.

See, I started thinking that Jesus was probably happy He was stolen.

Instead of being thought of when someone happened to glance at the Nativity Scene, He was carried around and spoken to often. He was a constant participant in the life of someone He loves, and He felt important and special.

Isn’t it strange how much a tiny, stolen baby Jesus relates to our faith?

Sometimes we want Jesus in a safe, predictable place. We want Him at church when we have time to spend with Him, or during difficult situations, but I’m pretty sure if given the opportunity, He’d love to hang out in our pocket.

Question for you: Tell me about your Nativity Scene. Do you have any stories of missing nativity participants?

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This is a repost from last year, but I thought it relevant because Baby Jesus is missing. I think He might be hanging out in the sandbox or worse, hidden my daughter's closet. I'll keep you posted.

Image credit.

The Gift of Sincere Compliments

2011-12-12T14:30:00.007-05:00

In eighth grade, I begged my mom to put me in another school.

I was a country girl plopped down in a city school.

I wore sweatshirts, and they wore Guess. I laced-up scuffed Reeboks, and they sported sparkling Keds. I played Madonna, and they jammed out to Beastie Boys. I knew about secret crushes, and they understood full-blown sex.

And somewhere in between my lack of multiple Swatches and relentless comments from the pom squad, I decided I was done.

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Today I'm hanging out over at Inspired Teacher. Care to join me there? Also, while you are visiting, check out the December giveaway, a perfect something to give that teacher in your life.

Comments are turned off.

Linking with Jen and the crew.

Image by Jonah McClure

On This Sleepy Sunday

2011-12-11T13:26:00.005-05:00

On this sleepy Sunday, you could:

1. Watch an episode of Missions in Action. These webisodes seek to identify problems people around the world face, highlight actions individuals and companies are taking to help those in need, and provide a way for viewers to help.

2. Take a quick listen to a bit of the "A Very She and Him Christmas". Oh, I love Zooey Deschanel's voice.

3. Peek at the Top 11 Kids Who Made a Difference in 2011. Yes, sirree, kids as young as seven are stirring things up.

4. Drool over some pretties in Gifted.

Question for you: What are your plans for this sleepy Sunday? Maybe it isn't so sleepy.

Every Teen is a Library

2011-12-09T14:00:00.009-05:00

Teens. Some perceive them as hormonal and lost.

I view them as powerful, world changers.

Guess who else is a big fan of teenagers? My friend, Michele. Michele, library lover, book borrower, and our new bi-monthly guest. Michele has agreed to hang out here once every other month, and highlight others-centered books lining the shelves of our local libraries.

Her kick-off theme focuses on beautiful teens, the gifts they share, and good reads that inspire service for that rowdy bunch. Here's Michele.

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My Top 10 Reads For Inspiring Service in Teens:

01) Pilgrim's Progress "You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you."

02) It's Not About Me "The gift of pleasure, the purpose of problems - all for Him. The God-Centered life works. And it rescues us from a life that doesn't."

03) The Third Wave "I'm not helping good people or bad people. I'm just helping human beings."

04) The Bridge of San Luis Rey "There is a land of the living and a land of the dead and the bridge is love, the only survival, the only meaning."

05) The Things They Carried "They carried all they could bear, and then some, including silent awe for the terrible power of the things they carried."

06) How To Build A House "Some things you can fix, and some things you can't. And I just think it's a shame to walk away from the things you can."

07) 77 Creative Ways Kids Can Serve Inspiring ways to help and serve right now.

08) The Insiders Guide To The Peace Corps Am I qualified? Will I be lonely? Is it safe? Will I get sick? Answers to these questions and more.

09) It Happened On The Way To War "Waste is not really waste until it's wasted."

10) What Can I Do Now? Science Careers in science fields that teens can participate in now, including internships and volunteer work.

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Thank you, Amy, for highlighting and encouraging the importance of teenagers.

Photography Sources: Photographs of the gorgeous teenage girls were taken by the brilliant photographer, Megan Britt. You can find more of her inspiring talent at http://meganbrittphotography.blogspot.com/ The rockstar library volunteer is courtesy of Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.

This post would not be possible without the inspiration of Beth and her amazing insight into teenagers: she is my hero in real life every day.

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Thanks for all the great leads on books Michele. Happy weekend, friends!

If You Get Knocked Down

2011-12-08T13:51:00.001-05:00

The idea of mercy eluded me for years. In my eyes, both giving and receiving mercy were signs of weakness, and Amy Sullivan is not weak.

If you are knocked down, get up. If you collapse, get up. If you can’t muster an ounce of strength, too bad, get up.

I'm hanging out with a friend today, and we are discussing mercy.

Care to join me here?

*Comments are turned off.

Image credit.

On Directional Signs Written in Haiku

2011-12-06T22:30:00.001-05:00

Did you know New York City's Department of Transportation now posts traffic warning signs written in haiku?

You remember haiku, the good 'ol 5-7-5, Japanese poetic form taught to you eons ago.

For real. Check it out.

Yes, real signs on the real streets of New York.

I'm not sure about you, but I have trouble obeying signs, even cute signs written in haiku. Often, I think I know best.

Today, I drove through the same construction zone that caused me to birth my baby on the side of the road. Men held signs "SLOW" and "STOP", but they should have said, "Ignore me because you are going to do your own thing anyway."

And I did (Don't think less of me. It was a really long wait).

"How often as a people do we make eye contact with God as He is waving us down the narrow path, and we just decide to gun our motor and go down the wide path instead."
—Quoted from here

Sure, there are occasions when I listen to whispers, but most of the time I gun it, especially if I don't like the way God is waving me.

Question for you: What decision have you made recently? Walk me through the process in which you discovered the answer. Friends? Prayer? Dreams? Signs written in haiku?

On Learning the Story

2011-12-04T12:44:00.006-05:00

I like stories, life stories.

Some (my husband) call this desire to learn pieces of the lives of others nosy.

I call it genuine interest.

I want to know why you chose that job, married your mate, took a trip to Sweden, and left Indiana. I want to know why you named your daughter Siri, hold a grudge against Cassie, cry when you hear that song, and still write your fifth grade teacher.

Yesterday, I watched a parade. A few feet from me stood a teen mom and her daughter. With each passing float, the mom guided her toddler out to the street and picked up Tootsie Rolls and Whoppers. Then, she quickly ushered the girl back to the sidewalk.

Some (my husband) view my fixation with people I don’t know staring.

I call it prolonged investigative looking.

Somewhere in between shrieking sirens and unicycling tweens, stuffed animals were thrown out to parade watchers.

The young mom walked over and offered us a stuffed pig. Her daughter had caught two. I wondered why the mom made that effort, why she lingered to talk, why she was alone, and where she lived.

As I adjust the way I approach giving, I've discovered one of the biggest gifts we can give is making time to learn the stories of those around us.

Questions for you: Are you able to go beyond surface level conversations? Are you interested in the stories of others? Do you share parts of your story freely?

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If you are a bit like me (a tad nosy and a lot interested) NPR's Story Corps bubbles with goodness.

Linking with Soli Deo Gloria.

Image credit.

On Why You Should Recycle Blog Posts

2011-12-02T20:02:00.006-05:00

You spend time pounding out blog posts only to have them considered old news two days after they post.

Why not think about a little recycling?

I've had posts reprinted in other places for money, and posts reprinted for fun, but regardless of the dollars involved, recycled posts generate something very valuable, more readers.

This post on How-To Raise Selfish Kids only received 250 hits, but then I recycled and submitted it here.

And all of a sudden, I'm speaking to an audience of 16,000. Nice.

The recycling process prompted me to wonder about you. For those of you who blog, what happens to your old posts? Do you submit them other places? Use them to prompt off-line writing? Allow your words to sit in cyberspace as an online journal of life?

Tell. Tell.

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Should you click over to WNC Woman, be sure to check out my friend, Kendra's article (not recycled!) on "Apps for a New You".

On a totally unrelated note, I happen to be addicted to this. Go ahead, crank up the volume. Happy weekend, friends.

Share Your Story and Jackie Brown

2011-12-01T06:00:00.003-05:00

To meet Jackie Brown, author of today's Share Your Story, I traveled all the way here, but I could have just peeked around a bit in my own backyard. This freezer cooking mom of four is stirring up things in my community, Asheville, North Carolina.

Here's Jackie.

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Are you looking for a frugal way to bless another? This is an activity Mom on a Mission has done with several groups by purchasing the dry ingredients in bulk. This past event at my Mothers of Preschoolers meeting, we asked the ladies to bring in one cup of their favorite candy, such as chocolate chips, butterscotch, M&M’s or Reese Pieces. This event is especially easy for people to contribute the candy themselves when it’s around a holiday like Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine’s Day or Easter. We tend to have excess candy floating around for some reason. This can be customized toward any holiday through decorative scrapbook paper, ribbon and holiday gift tags.

Our jars were generously donated by an individual family. Normally a dozen jars cost around $10 or a little less through a discount store like Wal-Mart. You can always look around for free jars on Freecycle or Craigslist or advertise for a donation on facebook. Jars can also be found at thrift stores and Goodwill if you’re really on a budget and just want to make a few.

Here’s a breakdown of what we purchased at Sams or the grocery store for up to 40 women:

2 standard baking soda boxes (grocery store)

2 standard baking powder canisters (grocery store)

1 standard canister salt (grocery store)

25# bag all-purpose flour

10# bag sugar

Two 7# bags brown sugar

Donated Items:

Ribbon

Scrapbook paper

Cut fabric

Mason jars and lids (we had a combination of small and wide mouth)

This event would make a fun girls “night in”, school project, volunteer project, kid’s craft or Mothers of Preschoolers event, like we did. Enjoy making gifts for others. Give away to a neighbor, teacher, friend, co-worker or unrecognized recipient, such as grocery clerk, garbage man, postman, pharmacist, librarian.

Homemade Cookie Mix In a Jar

Layer the following ingredients in the order given into a 1-quart canning jar. Pack each layer in place by lightly tapping the jar on a hard surface or slightly pushing down with the hand (in wide-mouth jars only) before adding the next ingredient.

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

¾ c. all-purpose flour

¼ c. white sugar

¼ c. brown sugar

1 c. chocolate chips, butterscotch or M & M’s (if you forgot today, omit and add top off your jar with the ingredient at home)

½ c. brown sugar

¼ c. white sugar

1 c. all-purpose flour

Mixing Directions:

Cream 3/4 c. softened butter, 2 eggs and 1/2 t. vanilla. Add cookie mix and stir well. Drop 2 in. a part. Bake in preheated 375 oven 8 to 10 min.

Jar Prep:

Attach a piece of scrapbooking paper around the jar.
Stick on the Homemade Cookie Mix label to the scrapbooking paper. Stick the mixing directions label on the opposite side of the jar
Attach a coordinating ribbon and/or fabric if desired
Intertwine a punched gift tag within the ribbon bow, optional
Give away to a neighbor, teacher, friend, co-worker or unrecognized recipient, such as grocery clerk, garbage man, postman, pharmacist, librarian

Imagine the face of a stranger receiving a gift of love made by you or your child. Who can you bless with a homemade cookie mix in a jar?

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Jackie Brown is a mom of four, freezer cooking for her family while serving the poor and the needy. She blogs everyday at Mom On A Mission for Christ while educating the public on the FUNdamentals of freezer cooking. Her organization partners with her local church of 5000 preparing monthly freezer meals for the needy and providing a monthly meal for the homeless women and children in Asheville, NC. Visit her non-profit, Cook and Play to find ways to serve our community with your grade-school children.

Need help coordinating mission events or want to freezer cook with a group? Contact Jackie Brown at ministrymeals@gmail.com. Follow us on Facebook for monthly make and take freezer meal events and recipes.

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Thanks, Jackie. Are you interested in sharing your service related story? Click here for the details.

*Comments are closed. Please take a minute to click over to Jackie's.

When I Want to Microwave Life

2011-11-29T13:42:00.006-05:00

Sometimes I long to toss parts of my life into a microwave, punch noisy buttons, and watch goals get accomplished.

Change, growth, financial security, details from a publisher.

Beep, beep, beeeeep.

Ah, finished.

Then, Emily challenges us to notice the little, the ordinary, the special in our everyday.

The problem (or is it a blessing?), is I can’t zap the ordinary. I need to linger in the ordinary.

I resist the urge to look ahead, and instead, notice the beauty in my right here, right now, rain turning to snow, ordinary Tuesday.

The older one checked out four books from the library on how-to draw bugs. Then filled pages of lined paper with stink bugs, beetles, and centipedes. Joy.

The younger one calls her favorite bear Skunk. Then lives each day taking care of Skunk's extensive list of needs by painting his nails and feeding him chocolate chip, granola bars. Joy.

Unwrapping Tuesdays with friends here.

Photo of the bug artist and Skunk's caretaker shot by my way, talented friend, Renee. Find her here.

The Lust for Stuff

2011-11-28T06:01:00.006-05:00

How can we serve others if we are obsessed with everything we don't have?

As children start to etch out Christmas wish lists, be certain to take a quick count of what already lines your home.

A few ideas to kick-start thoughts on stuff:

Start counting. We’ve counted shoes, games, and shirts before, but Sarah Aaland from Doing Good Together suggests we take counting a step further. For every item counted, Sarah’s family places a penny in a jar. Sarah goes on to say, “I love this project because it gives young children a tangible sense of the stuff we’re surrounded by while reminding us of the needs of others.” What are some of the things Sarah is counting? Bedrooms, hats, and books. More ideas can be found here.

Check out the 2011 Simplify the Holidays Challenge.

Peek at some of the worst toys created this year. Then, consider taking action regarding the endless marketing campaigns directed towards our kids.

Look for creative ways to teach your kids about stuff. Have you seen these short PBS videos?

(Email subscribers, please click here)

Question for you: How do you put limits on all of the "must-have" stuff this holiday season?

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Linking with Jen.

Dreams Are Like Popsicles

2011-11-26T20:54:00.004-05:00

Dreams are like Popsicles.

They come in different varieties: syrupy Otter Pops, creamy Fudgsicles, and even, Cotton Candy Swirls.

Place your dream down for even a moment, and it melts into useless, sticky liquid. You no longer recognize the once treasured, icy goodness, and instead, you only see a gooey mess, another chore to complete, an unchecked item on your endless to-do-list.

And that’s why even if it feels selfish, protect your dreams.

Guard them while walking the playground of life.

If someone tries to snatch your dream away or knock it from your hand, be ready.

Hold on.

Scream out.

Put up a fight.

Dreams are too important.

Care for your dream. Eat it slowly. Let it permeate your insides and coat your soul.

After all, there’s a reason you picked that glorious dream from the ice cream truck in the first place.

Question for you: How do you treat your dreams? Are they silly ideas that only get attention when the house is quiet or do you make them a visible priority?

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Along the same lines, I hope you are failing.

Linking with the lovlies here.

Image credit.

And The Winner Is

2011-11-22T18:33:00.005-05:00

On Sunday, I told you about my friend Karyn's store, Delicate Fortress Creations.

The message of my post was to encourage you to be intentional with the gifts you buy this holiday season (good), and to highlight an online store that works to better the lives of others (really good).

Oh, and I also mentioned a little something, something about free merchandise.

Let's find out who won that giveaway, shall we?

(email subscribers, please click here to view video)

What was it that she won? A pair of these from Delicate Fortress Creations, a store that provides products created by artisans escaping forced prostitution, modern day slavery, and extreme poverty.

Happy Thanksgiving, friends. I hope the upcoming days are filled with mounds of mashed potatoes, perfect pieces of pumpkin pie, and loads of time with the ones you love.

Opting Out of Black Friday and Free Punjammies For You

2011-11-20T19:00:00.012-05:00

The busiest shopping days of the year are upon us: Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday.

Stores flood, wallets empty, and your sister receives another bottle of body lotion she hates.

This year would you consider trying something different?

This year, bring unique gifts to your holiday gathering and make a decision to shop with a purpose.

Delicate Fortress Creations is an online store with a mission to end human trafficking, poverty, and modern day slavery. I could go on for pages about all the great things DFC offers, but I understand the short attention span of bloggers, and therefore, here’s a tiny break down of some cool DFC facts:

DFC works with over twenty-five different artisan groups from all over the world.
DFC carries a variety of quality products including purses, jewelry, headbands, children's items, and clothing.
DFC offers a way for people to raise money (nonprofits and families hoping to adopt).
On Black Friday, DFC is offering 30% off and free shipping on select items. Plus, $1.00 of each purchase will be donated to a literacy program for purchases bought on Saturday.
This Tuesday, DFC is launching a brand new product- trendy, upcycled bags from Haiti.
DFC is offering you one pair of free punjammies ($35.00 value)!

What are punjammies? Glad you asked. Take a peek, and envision yourself (or someone on your gift list) in them now.

Not only are DFC's punjammies comfortable and cute, but they are made by survivors of forced prostitution. To win your free pair of punjammies (you pick the color and style), simply complete any or all of the following:

Ask the owner of DFC, Karyn, a question about DFC, the store’s products, or the artists she works with in my comment section. Don’t worry, your question won’t get lost in cyber space, Karyn is actually answering questions here.
Like Delicate Fortress Creations on Facebook.
Click over to the DFC blog and become a follower.

One entry in the contest will be given for each task completed (If you like DFC on Facebook or subscribe to the DFC blog, just let me know in the comments as well). Then, on Tuesday night, I will announce a winner, and Karyn will send out your punjammies.

Complete your holiday shopping, give unique gifts, and help in the fight against human trafficking. Now that gives us all something to really “Fa, la, la” about.

Let’s begin: What question do you have for Karyn?

***Contest is now closed. Thanks for the support you showered on Karyn!***

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Linking with Jen and crew.

2 Little Tidbits Worth Mentioning This Saturday

2011-11-19T17:30:00.005-05:00

1. Today my friend, Kim, invited me to share over at her place. Kim is a talented girl. She wrote a book called Beauty in the Darkness, and all the proceeds from her book are being donated to Gospel For Asia. Pouring your heart into a book only to give away all the proceeds? You'll like her. Click here to read my post and learn about three things I've decided to quit.

2. About a month ago, a company approached me about doing a giveaway. They offered to let me giveaway thirty pieces of cardstock, as in paper. After hosting this fantastic giveaway, they would then send me five additional sheets of cardstock to keep for my very own. Seriously. The whole idea of giving away thirty pieces of paper really made me laugh.

But do you know what won't make you laugh? (Although it may make you scream in delight). The real giveaway I'm announcing tomorrow. Come back to win something fun, and learn about a way to shop with a purpose.

*Comments are closed.

Because This Is Not Beauty

2011-11-18T06:00:00.004-05:00

Oh, those Dove self-esteem videos. I could eat them up like a spoonful of crunchy peanut butter.

Pssst, what can you do to remind your kids, your friends, and yourself this is not true beauty?

(email subscribers please click here to view video)

Question: For all of you parents of girls, how do you play down appearance and point out real beauty?

The Gift of Prayer and Share Your Story

2011-11-16T21:05:00.014-05:00

Are you ready for today's Share Your Story? Written by Stacy, author of Heartprints of God, this piece encourages us to do more with those fleeting thoughts that scamper across our minds.

Through her writing, Stacy weaves stories of life and faith, and she always leaves me thinking about things in a new way.

Here's Stacy.

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Today, I’m wearing one of my favorite pairs of shoes, my Miranda shoes. No, Miranda is not a famous designer of footwear, although she might grow up to be one someday. Miranda is a former student of mine, and the shoes, a constant reminder for me to pray for her.

Miranda was an excellent student and learning came easy for this energetic, independent 3rd grader. Easy in every subject except Math, that is. So, at the first parent-teacher conference of the school year, I offered to tutor Miranda each day after school, at no cost to the family. Her mother willingly accepted my invitation, and the tutoring began.

The school year flew by quickly and I was proud of the progress Miranda had made. At an Educational Fair held the final week of school, I was approached by Miranda's grandmother. She gently squeezed my arm, smiled, and handed me an envelope. Then, she slipped into the crowd gathered in the gym to view the exhibits on display. That evening, I opened the envelope to find a beautiful, handwritten note thanking me for tutoring her precious granddaughter. To further show her appreciation, she had enclosed a check.

A few months later, while shopping at a local mall, I came across a pair of black shoes.

They were just what I’d been looking for. There was only one problem. Our budget was tight. Then, I remembered Miranda and the generosity of her grandmother. Months earlier, when I had cashed her check, my husband had told me to tuck the money into a "hidden" place in my wallet so it would be there when I wanted to buy something special. Money in hand, I headed to the checkout.

Waiting in line, I thanked God for this gift. Then, I smiled and prayed a special prayer for Miranda. These shoes, in a roundabout way, had brought her to my mind and a prayer for her to my lips! At that moment, I purposed in my heart to say a prayer for Miranda each time I put on my "Miranda shoes".

How many times has something in your day made you think of someone? While driving to work you see a car identical to the one your friend drives. While eating at a restaurant, a waitress has the same name as your Aunt. While watching the evening news, you hear a story from a city where a friend lives. Are these simply coincidences? I don't think so. God has given us the unique privilege and the awesome responsibility to pray for others.
So, this morning as I put on my Miranda shoes, I prayed for her. A few days ago, a song reminded me of a college roommate, so I took a moment and prayed for her. Yesterday, a boy crossing the street reminded me of my nephew, so I prayed for him.

How humbling and exciting to remember God can use ordinary things in our lives to do extraordinary things in the lives of others when we allow these “reminders” to lead us into the throne room of prayer.

Today, when God graces your life with a gift of remembrance, why not turn this gift into a gift of prayer?

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Thanks, Stacy. As for me? Who are the people that have popped into my head today? My neighbor, my sister, my mom, my forever friend's nephew.

Question for you: Who have you been thinking of today? A relative? Friend? Stranger?

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Interested in Sharing Your Story? I'm interested in hearing it. Click here.

Image credit.

On What Happens When You Get Off the R in the Wrong Place and Dreams

2011-11-13T22:19:00.005-05:00

While in New York, the R train delivered my friend and I to the wrong stop. All right, fine. We delivered ourselves to the wrong stop.

Twenty-five minutes late, dressed in jeans, and sucking air, we raced down city blocks and trekked up three sets of white, stone steps to the mezzanine level of the Brooklyn Tabernacle.

We arrived to find church members genuinely happy to see us and four thousand people belting out "Amazing Grace".

Perfection.

The pastor preached on Proverbs 5:14. I have come to the brink of utter ruin in the midst of the whole assembly.

And the gist of the sermon was this:

Utter ruin.
People walk the ledge, and we don't know.
People cry behind closed doors, and we don't know.
People grasp tightly to hidden pain, and we don't know.

And why don't we know? We don't pay attention.

Apparently, God thought I needed an illustration of this sermon seared into my brain, and so after church, he allowed me to walk passed the "Before I Die Project". This project creates constructive spaces out of neglected places. Think of a giant, city block-sized chalkboard that invites passersby to scrawl out dreams they wish to achieve.

Detailed sentences with perfect manuscript. Short misspelled words and phrases. Some dreams silly, some serious, but all the work of people hoping to be heard.

Other messages included: "Be saved. Find my dad. Love someone. Graduate from college."

Now, tucked back into my life at home, I think about the authors of the above chalk dreams, and I wonder if anyone is listening to them tonight.

Questions for you: Do you consider yourself a good listener? Who needs you to hear them today?

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Linking with Michelle and Jen.

Bub Bi

2011-11-10T06:38:00.003-05:00

A friend splurged on airline tickets. So today in just a few short hours, I will be hopping a plane and heading to NYC where I will suck in every possible sight, chow down on delicious food, and relive the glory days by attending this. Big hair. Think very big hair.

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But before my adventure begins, I wanted to pass along some good reads.

Flower Patch Farmgirl. I met Shannan at a conference, and she really is as sweet and funny as she seems in her posts. Plus, she uses the word "swoony" a lot. Who doesn't love the word "swoony"? Plus, (yes, another plus) she's using her blog to help rally people to build a well. Yep, I admire that. Yes, I do.

THC. So much goodness. When I started blogging, this was the first community I joined. The people are sincere. The writing inspires.

What in the World R U doing for Christ's Sake? A new place in the blogosphere that hosts a variety of guests in hopes of "celebrating those going about His business". Kim, the author behind the blog, is looking for guests.

Christy is wearing a key for a reason. Click here to see why.

Have a wonderful (and hopefully long) weekend, friends.

On Loving Your Neighbor With Thirteen Cats

2011-11-07T06:05:00.018-05:00

So here’s the question: Are you required to love your neighbor even if they happen to talk constantly, let junk pile up in their front yard, and own thirteen cats?

When we lived on the western slope of Colorado, our neighbors were less than easy to love.

Every time I ventured onto my back deck, two little heads popped over our wooden fence, and attempted to hold extremely long and inappropriate conversations with me.

Then, envision a yard covered with a variety of plastic crap-o-la. Broken playhouses, bikes, balls, mini-trampolines, and the shell of an above ground pool.

Shall we address the cats?

Because these people had so many cats, they just left the house window that faced my back deck open. That way, the cats jumped in and out of the house as they pleased. Brilliant. Now, when I say these neighbors owned thirteen cats, I am exaggerating, but I will say, one day as I was trying to ignore the two, jabbering children peeking over the fence, I counted nine cats jumping out of the window.

Ickity, ick.

I know the unlovable need friendship and compassion, but I thought a lot about the glorious day when Animal Control would show up.

My unlovable neighbors remind me of what Rachel said about sleeping on grates and frozen flowers, "Interesting how our eyes catch physical beauty and miss spiritual poverty."

And it's true.

Those chatty kids were alone, a lot. The random plastic toys filling the yard also filled the time they spent alone, and those nasty cats blocked the way for me to peek at the spiritual poverty that took place at a house I could touch from my yard.

Questions for you (Oh, yeah, there are multiple): Any bad neighbor stories out there? What are tangible ways you show your neighbors love?

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Linking with Jen and the crew.

Oh, my, did you read this post on Plastic Smiles and Predictable Popularity? Yep, it's over at Inspired Teacher, and it's a fave.

Image credit.

Get Kids Invested in Serving Others in Five Easy Steps

2011-11-05T13:32:00.003-04:00

Step 1: Find a cause that interests them. For this group of girls, the cause was a local center that houses people traveling to Asheville, North Carolina to seek medical treatment.

Step 2: Brainstorm a tangible way in which kids can see the results of their giving actions. The girls loved the paintings they created (with a little help from a local artist!) for the new children's wing.

Step 3: Get out of the house and go see the where and why behind actions. It's easy to forget conversations. Experiences linger longer in little heads.

Step 4: Enlist the help of someone who knows more than you to explain why kid-sized help is important and needed.

Step 5: Celebrate small. Four paintings and a bin full of children's books and board games will not change the world, but I'm pretty sure it impacted little hearts.

Click here to view the video behind our involvement in this cause. Happy Saturday, friends. Hope you find ways to impact little hearts this weekend.

No More Plastic Smiles and Predictable Popularity

2011-11-04T06:00:00.006-04:00

I know teens who tired of the usual prom court royalty. Who longed for someone more real. Who wanted a queen to proudly stand behind. Who became weary of plastic smiles and predictable popularity. Who thought a good heart was better than a good tan.

Today I am writing about teens over at Inspired Teacher. Yes, those hormone raging, overly emotional creatures are self-obsessed, but sometimes, just sometimes, they get it right.

Join me here.

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Also, while visiting Inspired Teacher, nominate a November Teacher of the Month. One teacher will click away with some fun loot.

You don't have to be a teacher to nominate. You just have to appreciate a teacher, and come on, there has to be a teacher you appreciate. Get clicking!

*Comments are closed.

Sleeping on Grates and Frozen Flowers

2011-11-02T18:57:00.002-04:00

My sister tells a story of traipsing away from a DC Metro station on a frigid winter morning. Walking the frozen block, her breath clouded the air.

As my sister and her co-worker, a botanist, traveled the icy sidewalk, the botanist noticed fresh cut flowers sitting in a bucket of water on the sidewalk.

“Brrr, those flowers must be freezing.”

My sister agreed.

Yes, delicate, fresh cut, flowers propped in a bucket of water must feel the sting of winter, but my sister wondered about the homeless man sleeping on a grate directly in front of the flowers.

Had the homeless become such a part of the cityscape that people noticed flowers before they noticed people?

In this case, yes.

Question for you: Do you have problems in your community that go seemingly unnoticed because they are so common? Drugs? Alcohol? The homeless? Do you find yourself desensitized to these issues because you see them so often?

Image credit.

7 Billion

2011-10-30T18:38:00.001-04:00

On October 31, 2011, our world will total seven billion people.

National Geographic uses this theme of seven billion and touches on a variety of topics including food security, global population, the return of cities, and then attempts to answer big questions such as "Can we feed seven billion of us?" and "Is there enough for everyone?"

However, NatGeo doesn't stop there. Instead, they developed 7 Billion Actions, a place for people to share their stories of action and inspire others.

Oh, yeah. You know I'm interested now.

I love the idea behind 7 Billion Actions because it goes along with what I've discovered about giving and serving. Small actions count, and they count in big ways.

Have a minute? Click over to meet some everyday world changers.

(email subscribers may have to click here to view video)

Question for you: How do you feel about our population reaching seven billion people? Any worries that go along with this number? Is seven billion number you can comprehend? Let's discuss, shall we?

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Linking with Jen.

Carving for a Cause

2011-10-28T17:05:00.004-04:00

Most of our family's pumpkins turn out the same: diamond eyes, triangle nose, and snaggle-toothed, but not this year. This year we plan to Carve for a Cause.

Better Homes and Gardens is using online, pumpkin stencils to help others. In addition, to promoting awareness for seven charities, BHG will also donate $2.00 for every stencil downloaded (Downloading stencils is free!). Plus, BHG worked with the charities involved to create a stencil that reflects each charity's mission.

Here's how it works:

1. Go here.
2. Fill out two, short info boxes.
3. Download.
4. Carve.

Happy weekend, friends.
*Comments are closed.

The Island of Me

2011-10-24T22:04:00.003-04:00

Community.

I’m a community girl. People seeker, party planner, secret carrier, event attender, friend supporter, me.

Except lately.

Lately, I’m more of a let-me-live-alone-on-an-island-in-peace-kind-of-girl.

Relationships prove difficult. Community hard, and island living calls out to me. See, on the Island of Me, I get to do what I want and not be troubled by well, life.

I hear about 2:00 a.m. friends, the kind of people you can pick up the phone and call in the middle of the night. I wonder who my 2:00 a.m. friends are, and if I still have what it takes to be a 2:00 a.m. friend, and I start to question, do I even want that kind of investment?

Then, I get the call. It’s not 2:00 a.m., it’s 9:03 p.m., and it’s from one of my forever friends. Her teenage nephew endured a terrible car wreck. He may never walk again.

My friend called because she needs hope, and she needs prayer, and you know what? She needs community, community that rallies in unthinkable situations.

For now, I brush away barriers, forget about island life, and join her right where she is.

Question for you: Do you have a 2:00 a.m. friend? Are you a 2:00 a.m. friend? Tell. Tell.

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Joining Michelle and Jen.

Pictures From Our Almost Sleepover and Gratitude

2011-10-23T21:05:00.008-04:00

Author, Ann Voskamp, encourages people to notice the teeny moments that fill our days and in turn, create our lives. In addition, she asks us to write down the blessings we see. Sometimes I write my blessings in a worn-out journal. Today, I share them on a computer screen with you.

This weekend we held a celebration (along with girls from thirty-five other states) for a local cause. Take a peek at our moments filled with love and intention, and get a glimpse at the pieces of life topping my gratitude list.

234. Carmel apples that drip with goo.
235. Grown-up artists sharing their talents and encouraging aspiring artists.
236. Cards written in marker and addressed to sick kids.
237. Tiny hands.
238. Cool dance moves led by an even cooler teenager.
239. Friends that show up to help.
240. Friends that photograph your life.

Postcards of Encouragement and Share Your Story

2011-10-21T05:57:00.000-04:00

Today I'd like you to meet Carolyn, author of Just Another Ragamuffin. In today's Share Your Story, Carolyn writes about anonymous service and comfort brought by postcards.

Here's Carolyn.

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When tragedy or hardships strike our loved ones, we all want to help in whatever way we can.

When my precious Mama passed away in March of this year, I heard constant offers of assistance. “What can I do to help?” “Let us know how we can support you.” “Do you need anything?” Augh! The only thing I needed was my Mama back! That’s what was going through my mind. And the whole how-can-I-help thing was as tiresome as it was well-meaning.

There were actually about five things that I asked for from close friends, but for the most part, I just always answered with, “just pray for us.” I meant that. We desperately needed the prayers. I wish I had something more I could have given our friends and family to do so that they would feel like they were helping more. I’ve surely been in their shoes – wanting to help but not able to do anything tangible.

There was one person – whose identity I still do not know – who took it upon herself (I have it on pretty good authority that it is a “her”) to encourage me in the way she knew how. She started sending me postcards. There were actual pre-printed postcards and others were handmade from card stock with lovely patterns printed on it. Some even had a little glitter on them. They were addressed to me and sent locally, but they never had a return address or signature.

Each of these postcards had a handwritten Bible verse on it. There were verses from the Old Testament and from the New Testament. All were meant to comfort me and give me some direction at a time when I had lost one of the brightest stars in my universe. This went on for about a month. There were eighteen postcards in all. I still have every one of them.

This woman served anonymously, without thought for thanks from me. I’m sure it also worked for her in some way – maybe she is a single mom who doesn’t have much time to invest more than just a short message. Regardless of her circumstances, what she gave was a precious gift.

In the quiet of our house – after family and friends had gone back to their routines – I would take out these postcards and read through them again and again. There is not a price that could be put on the fact that somebody was thinking of me and reminding me of God’s promises.

Remember that just like the widow’s two mites, no gift is too small. Small, anonymous acts of service can be as meaningful as bringing food, sending flowers, sitting up with a friend, or sending handwritten postcards.

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Thank you so much for sharing with us, Carolyn.

*Comments closed today. Please take a minute to pop over and check out Carolyn's blog.

Interested in Sharing Your Story? Click here for details.

Image credit.

Writing Your Heart Out

2011-10-19T19:29:00.003-04:00

I admire those taking the 31 Day Challenge.

Thirty-one days of anything can be overwhelming, but these people are blogging for thirty-one consecutive days, and you know what? The voices and topics I've discovered are too good to keep to myself.

Here's a little mid-week treat for you, a few of my favorites:

If you're a parent of a girl:
31 Days to Nurture Her Self-Esteem. Patty Christopher inspires with amazing photos and powerful words of truth. Plus, I like anyone who thinks it's important to share things like this:

If you like storytellers who tug at your heart and make you choke out those hard, ba-ha-ha-ha laughs:
31 Days to Letting Go. Flower Patch Farmgirl, Shannan, has a gazillion followers for a reason. Go see why.

If you like books:
31 Days of Library Living, Michelle from The Great Read highlights fantastic finds from the library. Fun read- Look What I Did With a Leaf.

If you like wine:
31 Days of Wine. Need I say more? Jill gives you the scoop on you guessed it, wine.

Question for you: What fun, new blogs and voices have you discovered lately?

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Linking with my friend, Rachel, for Working Mom Wednesday where the prompt focused on sharing good blog discoveries:

Neuroendrocrine Cell Hyperplasia and An Almost Sleepover

2011-10-17T19:30:00.005-04:00

Neuroendrocrine Cell Hyperplasia used to be a mouthful of words that dominated our life.

Five years later, the burn from that time still dances in my head and reminds me of the gift of good health.

Our family’s three and a half year struggle with the health of our oldest daughter led us to connect with other families who struggle in the same way.

This is why we chose The Rathbun Center as the non-profit we are honoring through our Almost-Sleepover. The Rathbun Center provides free lodging for those traveling to Asheville, North Carolina to seek medical attention, and the Rathburn Center happens to be adding a children’s wing.

Here’s the part where we come in.

It’s time to party it up, (in a pajama clad, tween sort-of way!).

This coming Saturday my eight-year-old, Amelia, and her friends will gather to raise awareness and goodies for the new children’s wing at the Rathbun Center.

Here's a peek at the video we made to show the girls on Saturday:

We aren’t the only family you may know in blogland participating in this national event. My friends, Jen and Alicia are also hosting Almost Sleepovers in Texas and Iowa.

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Linking with the crew at Finding Heaven.

Question for you: Do you have any funny or favorite childhood sleepover memories?

A Little Something About Your Cheerleaders

2011-10-15T07:09:00.004-04:00

Do you have a cheerleader in your life?

Someone who believes in your ideas even when you forget why they are important?

Does your cheerleader scream praise from a megaphone, or quietly pass you handwritten notes on important days?

Sometimes cheerleaders applaud from your living room (or a nearby forest).

Other cheerleaders are strangers who grow into friends.

We long to impact others with our actions, but too often become overwhelmed at the daunting task.

“There’s so much and so many who need help, and I have a heart for that, but find myself with gears jammed because I don’t know where to turn first. . . ” –Patty Christopher, Finding Serendipity.

Our gears jam.

My challenge for you this weekend is to unjam your gears by using your voice to impact.

Think about your cheerleaders, appreciate them, and then, remember to look and discover the people around you in need of a little cheering on.

Question for you: Who can you always count on for encouragement?

This and That

2011-10-12T06:10:00.011-04:00

Sometimes we have This and That for dinner. This and That is a combination of good things that don’t really go together. The same concept applies to today's post, but I promise this post is better than waffles and green beans (A real example of a This and That dinner at our house).

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I know you long for simple.

I feel it in your posts, see it in your comments, and read it in your email, but with fall already showing it’s fabulous colors, the season of stuff is upon us. Struggling with this fight of accumulating more of things?

Me too.

Thankfully, Megan’s article over at Simple Mom laid out some practical ways to focus on the fun and not gifts. Sure, Megan talks about birthdays, but the same ideas apply to all kinds of holiday fun.

Want a peek? Go here.

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People continue to scream about being a social media expert and all of the things you must do to promote your message and yourself (eek, I hate that).

Jon Acuff said this earlier in the week, “The best social media campaign for a movement that has no soul will die a quick, loud, public death. But a movement that has soul will always grow, even if you’re not an expert in social media.”

I knew I liked that guy.

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I’m reading Death by Suburb, (reccommended by her). It talks about finding God when we look beyond perfectly cut lawns, SUV’s, and soccer awards.

One of the author's, David L. Goetz’s, first bits of advice is to forget about that peaceful, log cabin in the woods when you think about connecting with God. You need to search out God right here in your life right now.

That's hard for me. I always think I will make time for God when I get home or when my girls are quiet or when I'm not busy preparing green beans and waffles, but I need to make time in the now.

Even if the now happens to be a smidge crazy.

Question for you: The idea of simple fun, social media, and Death by Suburb. These good but random topics are a perfect combination of This and That. Tell me a little This and That from your life, or tell me I'm not the only person who serves my family waffles and green beans.

Happy Wednesday, friends.

On Sneaking Away to Mass

2011-10-09T14:28:00.005-04:00

Yesterday I snuck away to mass. Yes, mass, as in the Catholic variety.

Baptized, raised, and confirmed Catholic, rote prayers meant little during my plaid skirt and knee sock wearing days.

My trouble-making, best friend and I spent most required school masses thinking up inappropriate, alternative lyrics to responsorial psalms. “Hosanna, Hosanna, I’m high.”

And as for preparation for the Eucharist, I never viewed communion as a union with God or each other, but I do remember exactly what happened to that missing wine. Sorry, Sister Rita (and I think I just felt myself losing ten followers).

But through the years, the religion and God I scrambled to get away from has taken on a different meaning. Catholic prayers, hymns, and reverence no longer seem boring and out of touch. The stained glass figures no longer haunt, but comfort, and although the kneelers are still hard, now, I want to use them.

I guess that’s why sometimes when life screams for deeper meaning and structure, this non-Catholic girl finds God through a missal at a crowded mass.

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 New King James Version

Question for you: Are there any practices from the faith of your childhood that you once disliked and now appreciate? Do tell.

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Linking with Michelle and Jen. Why don't you clickity click and join us there?

Image credit.

The Clock Is Ticking

2011-10-06T13:42:00.004-04:00

For many girls who live in poverty, being twelve means they are considered women.

Yep, twelve. Bam, woman.

Think of a twelve-year-old girl you know.

Take away her TV remote and ipod. Now, take away her cell phone. Stop sending her to school. Give her a husband or HIV (or both), and then, hand her a baby. Perfect. Now you have the life of millions of twelve-year-old girls who live in poverty.

Have you heard about The Girl Effect? The Girl Effect believes the world needs a kick in the pants, and they believe real change happens with girls and with education.

This week a blogging campaign exploded to help spread the word about The Girl Effect, and guess what? (A big opportunity is coming. Can you feel it?) You can be involved.

How? Easy. Do one (or all) of the following:

Watch the video below.

Visit The Girl Effect.

Bounce around a couple of the sites from the hundreds of bloggers involved in the 2011 The Girl Effect Blogging Campain.

Love your twelve-year-old daughter, your almost twelve-year-old daughter, your nowhere near twelve-year-old daughter, your niece, goddaughter, granddaughter, or best friend’s kid. In summary, love your girls.

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I first heard about The Girl Effect here and here.

I Hate Fasting

2011-10-04T06:12:00.006-04:00

Years ago, Loraine and I shared a wall. She and her newlywed-hubby lived on one side of the wall, and me and my newlywed-hubby lived on the other side of the wall.

That thin, apartment wall wasn’t the only thing Loraine and I shared; clothes, coffee, popsicles, tears, and pieces of life were exchanged daily.

Loraine’s the kind of friend that calls my cell in the middle of the day, and with two short words she prompts me to cheer aloud and dole out imaginary high-fives. That’s friendship: comfort, laughter, and imaginary high-fives.

We’ve talked about many ways to take the focus off ourselves and serve others, but we’ve never talked about fasting. It’s just like Loraine to bring up a new topic like that.

Today I share with you a girl who has shared much with me.

Here’s Loraine:

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Fasting. I hate fasting. As soon as I hear the word I feel guilty and hungry at the same time.

I know it's Biblical, but it's hard, and I like food a lot. I participated in the obligatory youth group 30 hour famine to raise money for the starving in Africa, but I just don't like it.

Today, however, I am fasting. Why? Because a young friend of ours is in a lot of trouble. He did something stupid, really stupid and right now he is in court. He deserves to be punished but it will impact his life for years to come, if not forever. So today I am fasting and asking God to show His grace and mercy; not because this guy deserves either (who of us does, really?), but because I don't want this to wreck his life.

I am not fasting because I think God is a genie in a bottle or that my fasting will make Him work in my favor. I wouldn't want to serve a God like that anyway. I am fasting to show Him that I am just plain serious about this request. Whether He honors it or not is irrelevant. I think for the first time in my life, fasting might be starting to make sense to me.

My son just offered me the rest of his mac and cheese and the hungry part of me really wants to eat it. But I won't, the stakes are too high.

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Questions for you: What are your thoughts on fasting? Describe your fasting experiences good or bad.

Good stuff, yes? Thanks Loraine for Sharing Your Story. Watch for this girl, her new blog will be up in a month.

Do you have a serving related experience that left you changed? Click here for details on sharing.

I Hope You Are Failing

2011-10-02T14:50:00.006-04:00

Have you failed lately? Good.

Do friends and family question what you create? Great.

Have you tried to schedule more exercise time, but find yourself working out two days a week instead of three? Bravo.

Do you write something, read it a week later, and decide it is suck-ish at best? Fabulous.

Have you reached out to friends only to have them not "get" it and worse, not "get" you? Well done.

Do you commit to save money, but instead buy that killer skirt at TJ Maxx (um, hypothetically speaking, of course)? Stellar.

Why am I so happy about failure? Failing means you care enough to try.

Here's to being brave enough to try.

Question for you. How are you pushing yourself? Are you failing at anything lately or just playing it safe?

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Linking with friends at Soli Deo Gloria.

No Kissing on the Bus

2011-09-29T05:47:00.001-04:00

Any idea which faded out kindergartener is me?

I learned much more than Michigan history and multiplication facts from my grade school teachers. I learned important life lessons, and yes, those lessons include a little something about kissing on the bus.

Today I'm writing at Inspired Teacher. Care to join me there? Oh, and while you visit, make sure to enter yourself in this contest.

Perfect Detours

2011-09-26T20:07:00.007-04:00

I raced down I70, late for another doctor’s appointment.

Over mountain passes and three hours along the twisty highway, and I’d arrive at Denver Children’s Hospital.

I despised the long, car trip and the too-busy doctors, and I detested waiting rooms filled with tired, empty-eyed parents.

I followed a slow-moving semi, and tried to pass, but he hugged the centerline. I had trailed the same truck through the entire canyon, and it cost me at least twenty minutes.

Then, I felt words, heavy and demanding.

Slow down. Slow down. Slow down.

Not a chance, the only thing worse then traveling to a doctor’s appointment three hours away was the look from the check-in staff when we showed up late.

Pull over. Get off the road.

Irrational. There wasn’t even a gas station on the next exit, but for some reason, I pulled off.

Stay. Wait.

I sat in my car. How silly. Sitting alone in the middle of nowhere in the middle of winter.

I checked my daughter’s nasal cannula and oxygen. Fine. I got out of the car and checked the tires. Fine. What I needed to check was my head.

Wait.

And so I did. I waited, and watched five slow minutes tick by. Then, I pulled away, and discovered the on ramp closed.

Frustrated, I turned onto a frontage road that ran along the highway. Surely, it would connect me back to I70.

I rounded the corner and the semi, my slow-moving semi, stood engulfed in flames. Cars were tipped and scattered around the bent guardrail.

My just-missed fate, our just-missed fate.

That day I was hauling more than my sweet daughter to her doctor's appointment. I was also carrying three, flamable, E-sized cylindars of oxygen.

And this is the part where I’d like to say that I dropped to my knees in thanks, but really, I dropped to my knees and puked.

Amazing, God's voice and perfect detours.

Question: What about you, friends? Ever experienced anything similar? Ever listened to God’s irrational whispers?

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Linking with Soli Deo Gloria.

Thanks, Brandee, for encouraging me to share my story on God’s Faithfulness, and also linking here.

Image credit.

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Pssst, have you check out Inspired Teacher, yet? Worth the clickity, click.

A Toaster and A Clock and Me

2011-09-25T14:41:00.015-04:00

This is a toaster.

Toss in a slice of bread, pull the lever, and wait for toasted goodness. One would never stick ice tea in a toaster to cool it, or put a DVD in a toaster to watch it. It wouldn’t be using a toaster for what it was created to do—toast.

This is a clock.

Set the alarm, go to sleep, and wake to the sound of beeping. One would never iron clothes with a clock, or make popcorn with a clock. This wouldn’t be using a clock for what it was created to do—tell time.

The same principle applies to us.

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10

God created me, non-crafty, sometimes silly, story drafting, me. I will never win a math competition, shop for Christmas in September, or run an in-home daycare, and you know what? That's fine because if I forced myself to do those things, I wouldn't be used for who I was created to be—me.

Question: Have you ever forced yourself to do or be something that you aren't? Tell, tell, tell.

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Linking with Michelle D. for Hear It on Sunday. Use It on Monday. For those of you who don't know, this link-up encourages you to take something you hear on Sunday and share it with readers on Monday. Way fun and loads of good messages.

Toaster image and clock image.

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Remember when I said my friend Laura was working on a little something-something? Well, it's up.

So, if you teach at home or at school, in a Sunday School class or on a college campus, this place is for you! Laura also happens to be giving away some bling. So even if you aren't any of the above, click over and enter your name in the contest because who doesn't love bling?

Just Give Me This One Thing

2011-09-22T14:35:00.005-04:00

I wanted a townhome once.

This townhome had it all: wood floors, high ceilings, a rounded, violet mantle, dangly, modern light fixtures.

See, we lived in a tiny, one bedroom apartment for three years. I used to joke that you could sit on the toilet and cook dinner at the same time. Fine, our apartment wasn’t that small, but it was small.

That’s why I wanted this townhome. This townhome boasted two bedrooms and an upstairs. This townhome felt modern and hip and trendy, and really, I thought I deserved this townhome.

So, it happened, we bought the townhome.

And as we sat on the floor of our dream townhome, do you know what we thought?

Dang, we need new curtains.

Question: Do find yourself fixated on one thing after another? Can you think of a time when you pined away for something only to receive it, and instantly long for something else?

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Linking for the first time with Michelle at SomeGirl's Website.

Photo credit.

When You Plan Something Awesome and It Turns Out Sucky

2011-09-20T19:38:00.005-04:00

Sometimes our family's adventures in serving turn out amazing; Not this time.

I developed a plan, and it was brilliant, in my head.

My family and a group of friends would hold a Shoe Cutting Party for Sole Hope, a local agency seeking to provide shoes for children in Africa.

I watched the demo video, and although I am not a crafter, the project looked simple.

Trace, trace, trace. Cut, cut, cut. Safety pin together, and voila, a pair of shoes.

I emailed friends, created patterns, cued the video, and sat back.

I bet we could create shoes for a whole village.

The only problem was the jean cutting scissors weren’t really fabric scissors, and the pinking shears were non-existent, and the little, plastic, heel pieces were difficult to cut out, and oh, the whole idea of creating an entire shoe out of matching fabric was completely lost.

So, after an hour and a half of trace, trace, trace and cut, cut, cut, outfitting a whole village in shoes, turned out to be something closer to creating two pairs of shoes.

Two pairs, people. Did I mention sixteen people worked on this?

Sigh.

What about you? What brilliant plan of yours turned out a tad suck-ish?

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Sole Hope is the cool cause of the week (see sidebar). Don't let our lack of the right supplies deter you from creating shoes with your friends. Click over to check them out. Although this is an organization out of Asheville, NC, shoe cutting parties can be held anywhere.

Oh, and what became of all the mismatched shoe pieces? Some of my sassy, high school students have been enlisted to repair our handiwork.

If you have a cool cause you’d like me to highlight, drop me an email.

*Thanks to Lori for the Sole Hope lead.

Napping and Refocus

2011-09-19T20:24:00.000-04:00

Whew. I am back, and I feel refreshed. Thanks for your sweet comments, encouragement, and emails.

My time away from blogland proved productive in a totally non-productive kind of way.

My unplugged highlight: Pretending to nap with a certain two-year-old just so I could hear her breathe. Fine, I fell asleep too, but the deep, heavy breaths of my tiny one proved to be the exact remedy I needed to put my world into perspective.

Things I race to complete: not important.

Lives of those around me: very important.

Yes, the sweet sounds of napping helped me refocus.

What about you? What's the one thing you can always count on to help you regain focus?

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Linking with the crew at Jen's.

When I Think in Blog Posts

2011-09-11T17:22:00.007-04:00

Today I saw a little, old woman dressed head to toe in eggplant purple. Purple Easter hat with a purple flower, purple-rimmed glasses, purple dress, purple accessories, and purple shoes. I smiled and silently drafted a blog post on embracing your inner, old lady.

Then, I could only find one shoe out of three different pairs of shoes, and that made me think if I only owned one pair of shoes, I’d always know where my shoes were located. This situation prompted an idea for a post on excess.

Soon after, I snapped at my daughter about something silly, and you know what I thought? Yepper, great blog material for a post on frustration.

So, in an attempt to stop thinking in blog posts and just start thinking, I am taking a tiny break from blogging.

However, blog-like thinking isn’t my only reason for taking a break. Other reasons abound.

Reason #1 I am behind on my off-line writing. We are talking stuck-in-construction-traffic-during-rush-hour-with-my-fists-clenched-and-horns-honking-behind. So, I must write.

Reason #2 I am planning an Almost Sleepover for a great cause and some amazing tweens. The par-ta is a little over a month away, and I need to spend time focused on the fun. It's not too late for you to join in partying it up for a cause in your community. Details here.

Reason #3 A new and exciting writing adventure with some names and faces you may know begins soon.

Thanks for reading, friends. Love to all.

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Linking with the crew at Finding Heaven.
*Image credit.

Her View and Hospice

2011-09-10T22:18:00.004-04:00

As a way to remember those who died on September 11th and also intentionally honor those who serve us today, our family wanted to find a way to serve others this weekend.

And so we did.

Some of you know Amelia, my eight-year-old daughter who shares her view on the good and bad of serving as a family. Today my sassy, little, sweet girl writes about our experience cooking and creating at a local facility for hospice patients.

Here's what Amelia had to say (unedited, of course!)

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Guess what I did? I went to Care Partners Hospice.

Hospice means there very, very, very sick so sick they might die. There were other kids with their parents today too.

Me and my mom went together and made cards and snacks like cupcake, ants on a log, preztls with caremel and choclate and prezel rods with wihte choclate and reagler choclate and spirkles. Spirinkles make every thing better. We also made card with markers, glue, ribbon, cupcake holders and pipe cleaners. Me and my mom both made two cards.

Finally we got to delver are cards and snacks. First was Edna. She was legly blind. She loved the cards and the snacks. She had the ants on a log. Next was Mary Joe. She liked are card too! But she did’nt want a snack. Then it was Richard. He had a oxagen tube like me when I was little. Finally came Emily. She had downsindum. She sniffed the card too. It was great day. Love Amelia

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Comments are closed today. Enjoy your Sunday, and consider finding a way to be intentional with your remembering. Need ideas? Check here.

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Real Life Friends

2011-09-09T16:52:00.010-04:00

Today Lisa-Jo asked us to just write for five minutes and not worry if everything is just right. This week's Five Minute Friday topic? In real life.

Would we be friends if we met in real life?

Before you decide, read on.

- Sometimes I lock my husband out of the house and refuse to let him in until he dances on the front porch. He doesn't love this game, but I find it wildly amusing, and I am certain this is an activity my neighbors appreciate too.

-I refuse to eat at restaurants that use cartoon animals to advertise. This is not because of my like or dislike of animals or cartoons, but just because I find the combined idea of cartoon animals and food weird. Chuck E. Cheese, nope. Panda Express, nah. Red Robin. No siree.

- I prefer beer over wine, but both taste wonderful on my deck, especially on Friday nights when I turn on my little, white, deck lights.

-I devour books. Usually, three or four at a time.

-I cry every time I hear this song. Every time.

-I like a good fight.

-I love the kind of laugh that makes my eyes water.

-If I don't make time to pray, words get locked in my head, and I cannot write.

-Loyalty tops my list of admirable qualities.

-"What-if" scenarios take up too much of my head space.

What about you? Anything silly or serious you want to share about yourself now that we are friends? Who are online friends that you would like to meet in real life? Who are real life friends who happen to be online?

Not So Gentle Reminders

2011-09-07T06:03:00.003-04:00

Sometimes I keep score. I tally invisible, way-to-go-Amy marks in my head.

Good job me. Plus one.

Oh, good job me again. Plus one.

What? Me again? I'm really too much. Plus one.

Now, him. Tsk, tsk. Minus two.

What happens when the who-does-more-in-the-Sullivan-house scale tilts in my favor?

Today my friend, Laura Lee Groves, fab author, and mom of a whole slew of boys is kicking off a new series on Family Life Lessons. Please join me there where I discuss not so gentle reminders and the whole scale thing.

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September 11th: Have you read about ways to be more intentional with your remembering? Consider honoring others by serving. Click here.

Because I Already Am Who I Am Going To Be and a Retreat

2011-09-06T05:53:00.003-04:00

In What I Wish For You, Amy D. McCraken tells the story of her young son’s struggle to come up with a career. After much worry and deliberation, he decides he will work as a dunk tank clown in the summer and the innocent guy in police line-ups in the winter.

Brilliant.

His mom, Amy, rests in the knowledge that her young boy already embraces the person he is going to be, smart, creative, and wildly funny.

This story reminds me to stop striving and start embracing.

I work, struggle, hone my skills, and tweak my talents all in attempt to become who I was made to be.

Meanwhile, the girl in the mirror stares hard and wonders when I will stop spinning and just embrace the terrible car singer, loud belly laugher, endless word miner I already am.

The High Calling crew plans to meet up in Texas in a few weeks, and guess what? They have an open spot for a certain someone. Someone who doesn’t need to earn a trip there, but someone who wants to learn and be and embrace who they already are. Maybe that someone is me.

PS: Maybe that someone is you. It’s not too late to submit an entry to this contest. No pressure in being the best or brightest. THC plans to judge all entries by a very sophisticated evaluation process: one name drawn from one hat equals one winner.

*Comments are turned off today. Please consider taking a quick clickity click over to The High Calling.

10 Years Later

2011-09-04T22:43:00.004-04:00

I sat frozen when news of the World Trade Center blared through my car’s speakers. I remember pulling over and holding my breath while the radio announcer talked on. I remember wearing a blue sweater, and I remember I spent my planning period at school picking tiny pieces of a cracked shell off a hard boiled egg. I remember thinking when I finish picking this shell off, I have no idea what to do next.

One week from today marks the tenth anniversary of September 11^th. In past years, I've offered up a small prayer or tiny moment of silence. However, this year I want to be intentional with my remembering, and I thought if I gathered a few, good ideas, you might want to be a little more intentional too.

So, regardless of whether you spend your days with kids or with numbers, with computers or with customers, fixing cars or fixing arms, this list is for you:

-I Will, The 911 Tribute Movement. Click over and enter what your tribute will be. Then, upload a picture, video, or message on the tribute card. Be sure to click around the tribute quilt, and read about the ways in which others are acting.

-Lesson Plans and Links. For all you teacher-ish types.

-Operation Honor Cards. Honor their service by offering your service. Ideas for a letter writing party.

-Read about the youngest victims of 911. Worth the longest line in the grocery store.

-Run. You know I'm not a runner, but I know many of you are. Is there a race near you?

-Walk. Physical activity more my speed. This one is only for those near Asheville, NC.

-Dicover organizations focused on bettering the lives of veterans.

-View art such as Faces of Ground Zero.

What about you? What details from this day stand out to you? How will you remember September 11th?

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Linking with Jen and friends.

Amping Up the Creativity

2011-09-02T17:29:00.001-04:00

For when great ideas forget to show up:

29 WAYS TO STAY CREATIVE from TO-FU on Vimeo.

Discovered over at Jon Acuff’s place. Off to practice #4.

Adventure Seekers and The Garden of Eden

2011-09-01T21:29:00.006-04:00

My friend said she knew the way to the Garden of Eden.

With twenty-pound packs and adventure seeking husbands, we journeyed passed mail-carrying horses (Yes, some mail still makes its way to recipients by horse in the US!) and down ten, rocky miles to the village of Supai.

One fading headlamp guided us away from a pack of stray dogs and through miles of cactus, laden fields, all while turquoise waterfalls pounded on.

And although ten mile, Grand Canyon adventures prove unforgetable, it's the conversation with forever friends drenched in dreams and laughter that lingers in my head.

In one sentence, tell about your favorite adventure. Somewhere far and exotic? Somewhere local and stunning?

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Happy holiday weekend, friends. Hope the next few days bring conversation drenched in dreams and laughter.

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Check out the sidebar for the Cool Cause of the Week. This week's cause? The Care Bags Foundation, a nonprofit founded by an eleven-year-old to help kids in need. Thanks, Jen for the lead.

Abandoned Blogs

2011-08-30T21:29:00.007-04:00

Recently, I read that ninety-five percent of all blogs become abandoned.

Now, I’m not a math whiz, but if this fact is true, 225 out of the 237 smiling faces on your right will conclude that the idea of pounding out post after post isn’t for them.

I understand the reasoning behind the abandonment: time, work, new content, new content, and new content. Plus, the idea of pouring myself into a post on Monday only to have it classified as old news on Tuesday night seems pointless.

However, the abandoned blog statistic doesn't make me wonder about the time I’ve already spent in the blogosphere or ponder the question of my own longevity here. Instead, it makes me want to write meaningful posts.

Last week, I stumbled on “20 Ways To Be A Generous Blogger”, and I silently cheered because one short post, helped me regain my gnat-like focus regarding the hows and whys of blogging. Here are a few favorite tidbits from the post.

A generous blogger:

1. Sees her blog as a way to serve.

2. Uses her blog stats to figure out how she can create more posts of value to her reader.

3. Writes posts that are of service to her reader.

4. Is grateful for her readers no matter how many or how few they are.

Number four reminds me that I don't say I'm grateful for you often enough. Thank you, friends. Interested in reading more? Click over to Britt's for the full list.

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Another great post on blogging is here by Ann V. Yes, the post is from 2010 and in blog years that is about a decade ago. It's still good.

What about you? For those of you who blog, have you ever thought about shutting the whole thing down? What stopped you? For those of you who read blogs, but don't have your own, would you ever consider starting one? What keeps you a blog reader and not a blog writer?

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Dear Eighteen Year Old Me

2011-08-28T14:54:00.002-04:00

Dear Eighteen-Year-Old Me,

I know dreams of college and those two, insanely, glorious words, “no curfew” are clouding your head, but I want to share a bit of advice. I promise to be short because I know your attention span is well, short. So, please turn down Alanis Morissette, and listen.

Hop on planes to far away places. Travel opportunities will come your way. Take advantage of them. The adventures you experience and the people you meet will be worth every minute of serving greasy meals to the bar crowd and cleaning nasty hotel rooms. Promise.

Treasure your family, and savor their stories. Sure, your family seems a tad crazy, and believe me, time will not change this fact, but they are you and you them, and there is nothing like the love of family. Plus, eventually your little sisters will grow up, and then the three of you can share stories, and it will be wildly amusing.

Let go of being the best. Someone will always be smarter, prettier, and more talented than you. Get over it. Don't waste your time playing the comparison game. Be you because you are perfect.

Share your time wisely. You may think yourself different than those who surround you, but their ways will become yours. Be intentional with your relationships. You never regain missed minutes.

Learn to learn and love to learn. When choosing college classes, take things that interest you like Astronomy, the History of Rock and Roll, and City at Night. Forget about course credit and GPAs.

Give God a chance. Yes, the church is full of hypocrites, but don’t let people and religion taint your view of God. God is more than TV evangelists and bumper stickers.

Go easy on the kid in the tux. I know your prom date, that Sullivan kid, works your nerves, but something tells me your paths may cross again. So, during your senior year of college, maybe you could accept his phone call.

*The idea for this letter to my eighteen-year-old self came from here.

What about you, friends? What advice would you give eighteen-year-old you?

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Linking with friends through the Soli Deo Gloria Sisterhood.

Get Up and Serve The World Ideas

2011-08-27T14:12:00.009-04:00

Are you overwhelmed by the needs of the world? Read on, and discover practical ways to get involved.

1. Buy a map. Find Cameroon, Andorra, or maybe even Clipperton Island.

2. Attend a talk on an issue facing the world, and walk away a little smarter.

3. Investigate Kiva. Loaning $25.00 can change someone's life.

4. Sponsor a child through Compassion, World Vision, or Feed the Hungry. Then, don't just send a monthly check, write to your new friend.

5. Read a book that encourages deep thought and fast action. Have you read Enough by Roger Thurow? Big ideas on world hunger.

6. Love a missionary. Need one to chose from? Follow her story or maybe even hers.

7. Learn facts about water, and then decide to have your family act, even in a small way.

8. Watch a documentary about life in another part of the world. My friend says this is a must.

9. Start a change jar, and let your child pick a global cause.

10. Support bloggers for birth kits and help give moms the supplies they need to deliver babies.

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How do you teach your kids about the world around them? Books? Movies? Talks? Travel? News? Tell me. Tell me.

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