Feed my starving children

Jesus says "when you have done to the least of these you have done unto me"...

Friday my kids and I had the privilege of celebrating her friends birthday. What did this friend want? Was it clothes or make-up?...nope Video games or itunes gift cards?...no again. Or even an some type of electronic ______ still no.

She didn't want a gift. She wanted some of our time and labor. We were invited to celebrate her birthday by working at Feed My Starving Children. This wonderful ministry packs food to send all over the world. They have figured out how to mass pack a nutritious meal for $0.19 a piece. Their work relies solely on volunteer labor and we got to be a part of it!

When we arrived our group was just waiting to get in. After registering, donning a hair net, we watched a short video telling about the ministry and what we would be doing (and why we were doing it.) Then we washed up and got ready to learn about our assignments. Everyone had a role from labeling bags, to weighing and packaging the food, there were jobs for all! (I was the "sealer" basically worked an industrial seal a meal :)

We worked for about 2 hours and had a blast! They had system to help us work to the best of our abilities and music to keep us energized! When it was all said and done we packaged enough food to feed 64 orphans for an entire year!!!

What an awesome way to celebrate encouraging your friends and family to work on behalf of the poor! It was a day I won't forget!

If you would like more information on Feed My Starving Children check out their website! They have a schedule for volunteers, as well as other ways to help!

Things I learned today

Today I went for a bike ride and then my daughter and I went out to see what the day would hold. We were hoping to find a bunch of garage sales but instead learned some lessons today.

• 1) French Country Markets are fun to stop at but expensive. The artists at them are amazing and where else can you pick out the chicken you want for dinner?
• 2) No one should wear plaid especially on the lower half of their bodies. No matter HOW skinny you are do you really want your hips, thighs and backside looking wider from the placement of stripes!
• 3) When I am old and grey, I want a husband that still goes and refills my soft drinks at the fountain 15 feet away even if it takes him 10 minutes to get there.
• 4) I am thankful for We care! So many of the kids from my children's ministry have benefited from their organization I'm happy to give to them.
• 5) NO ONE SHOULD WEAR PLAID (See #2)
• 6) Spending the day with your teenage daughter is fun (especially when she treats to lunch:)

Crafty Gifts

Time for something crafty! I love making these. It is a calendar memo board I made as a gift for a friend. Any glass surface will act like a dry erase board! There's room for a calendar and space on the side and top for notes. The frame is just a 12 x 12 frame make sure it has glass in it vs. plastic (the plastic doesn't hold up as well to prolonged dry erase marker usage)

I've been trying to use up my stash so I only know the card stock is Prisim, (oh I'll really miss them) flowers Prima, gems (craft gems) the rest is from a MemoryWorks Express Kit from like 2 years ago. Ranger Ink (Vintage Photo) adhesive Glue Dots, Scrapbook Adhesive by 3L tape runner.

Gratitude Check!

You are always told to "check your attitude" but do you remember to check your "Gratitude?" Today I was reminded of all of my blessings. I've been a little down lately and confused and looking for direction as to what is next in life. I mean there are things that MUST go on, school for the kids, being the wife, mom, chauffeur, cook, maid. I mean with other things.

Recently a couple of open door opportunities became closed and I found myself wondering not only what was going on, but why in the world did I do this in the first place! I'm a giver by nature, I love blessing others and finding creative ways to do it. Occasionally though it seems I get "given out" and just don't have any more to give. Add to the additional stress of mom's illness, hubby changing jobs my emotions have been running amuck leaving me a total and complete mess. It's then I realize it's time to refocus take some time and figure out what going on.

Yesterday at church the verse that stuck with me the most wasn't part of the message it was read during offering. "...whoever sows generously will also reap generously." (2 Corinthians 9:6) Yeah they were talking about the offering but it hit me about life as well. God wouldn't fault me for sowing generously. In fact He encouraged it.

Fast forward to today I'm in the middle of FINALLY finishing the craft area overhaul. One of the tasks that was overdue was finding a spot for the mementos. They had been taped to my book case but it was getting to be an eyesore (and besides that they were falling off.) I needed to do something with them and decided for the time being to put them in a basket.

Instead of just putting the cards and programs and letters and such into the basket, I decided to sit and re-read the messages inside. I'm so glad I did. There were cards from friends, and cards from family, cards from fellow crafters and cards from fiskateers, and cards from manufacturers, cards from charities and companies and cards from my "kids" (Children's church/kid's club and youth group kids) . Cards thanking me for hosting swaps or helping with a project or charity, cards of encouragement, cards of friendship and cards of love. So many of them. All of the people that wrote them I have had contact with in some way. I realized I had been sowing generously and reaping abundantly!

By the time I was finished reading them, I was overwhelmed by all of the people that had touched my life and prayed that hopefully I had touched theirs in some small way as well. My basket was now overflowing and so was my heart! I am truly blessed and overwhelmed with gratitude for each and every person that has come into my life

I thank you Lord for the Gratitude Check this afternoon! It really helps put things into perspective!

Wisdom

The Best Advice I was Ever Given

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him James 1:5

Two weeks ago I celebrated my 17th wedding anniversary. Naturally it becomes time to reminisce. I think back to my “excited” bridal days being concerned with my dress, and the ceremony, and my bridesmaids, and such. Having that starry eyed look as someone talked about being married and having kids and living life together.

We were young and thought we could handle anything “love and the Lord would see us through.” Yet like many young married couples we had our share of “issues” and trials, job changes and moving. Four kids being born and more. Enough to shake any marriage.

Somedays I would get so….. (angry, mad, frustrated, you fill in the blank) that my husband just “didn’t get it” I would wonder where was the guy that I married? This guy that’s in his place must have been a few cards short of a full deck because some of his ideas were way out there (yes everyone super glues a phone to the top of the speaker because the cord is too short and they don’t want it to fly off the top meaning you have only one place to sit while on the phone.)

I remembered being really frustrated over one of my husbands latest what I considered stupid moves and was pouring out my frustration to a friend. My friend Dawn had been around the block a few times and she had been married 15+ years (forever in my book.) Her husband had similar crazy ideas and I knew she would understand. After I poured out my tale of woe I expected immediate sympathy and a mutual gripe-fest instead I got the best piece of advise I was ever given in my life “Betsy, someone once told me before you get all worked up about something ask yourself one simple question ‘20 years from now will this matter?’”

Talk about stopping you dead in your tracks. I thought about the latest thing I was frustrated about and realized no it wouldn’t last. If it wasn’t going to last, why in the world should I spend this much time getting worked up about it? (Thinking about it, agonizing over it.)

What she said got me out of the “this is effecting ME and therefore a big life or death deal” and it allowed me to move on past the issue seeing it for what it was. Just something that was happening today, tomorrow it would be a faded memory. Not something to cause me to be angry over, causing me to loose my temper with my husband, crabby with others that crossed my path and wasted my time dwelling over something that didn’t really matter in the grand scheme of life.

My son, pay attention to my wisdom, listen well to my words of insight-Proverbs 5:1

My friend and her husband moved out of state and I don’t see them anymore. But her advise still rings true after all these years. I still think about what she said when I get really worked up over something “20 years from now will this matter?” At times her advise has stopped me from arguing and letting my husband do what he wanted to in peace. It has even encouraged me to “take up a cause” that concerns my children knowing that YES 20 years from now it will matter.

True wisdom stands the test of time. True wisdom causes you to look at your heart, your actions, and your self and see it for what it really is. As James says “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.” James 3: 17-18. True wisdom comes from God and changes your life forever!

July’s Blessing Challenge
This month we will focus on the “Blessing of Wisdom.” I am so thankful that if we lack wisdom that is one of the things God gives us generously if we ask. (James 1:5) As you go through this month, rejoice in how wisdom has saved, changed your direction, caused you to do something you otherwise wouldn’t, or not to do something you thought you wanted to.

As you decide what to create this month think about-

What is the best piece of advise you were ever given?

Have you ever been in a situation where wisdom has changed your course of action?

What wisdom do you want passed on to your children and grandchildren?

Is there a scripture verse you have relied on again and again to offer you wisdom on life?

For more information on the "Year of Blessings" check out Faithfully Yours