40 Day Fast...Day 40

Today is the last day of the 40 Day Fast and Toby fasts and blogs for our U.S. Armed Forces. He highlights the organization Treat Any Soldier in his post and says...

I know there seems to be so many troops in Iraq right now, but there are so many more of us. I can only imagine how great they must feel to get some sense of home in a package. We take for granted things like M&M's, Starbursts, soft toilet paper and magazines. These things are a temporary luxury that will brighten a day for our beloved troops.

This last day many (if not all) of the 40 Day Bloggers will be joining Toby, remembering what we've read and realizing how we've been changed this summer. Please take time to scoot over to Kat's post today where she has included a video set to a beautiful song called Pray by Kendall Payne...

I will pray for you now, for you have been my faithful friends
While the road we walk is difficult indeed
I couldn't not ask for more than what you've already been
Only that you would say these prayers for me
May your heart break enough that compassion enters in
May your strength all be spent upon the weak
All the castles and crowns you build and place upon your head
May they all fall, come crashing down around your feet
May you find every step to be harder than the last
So your character grows greater every stride
May your company be of human insignificance
May your weakness be your only source of pride
What you do unto others may it all be done to you
May you meet the One who made us
And see Him smile when life is through
May your blessings be many but not what you hoped they'd be
And when you look upon the broken
May mercy show you what you could not see
May you never be sure of any plans you desire
But you'd learn to trust the plan He has for you
May your passions be tried and tested in the holy fire
May you fight with all your life for what is true
I have prayed for you now all my dear and faithful friends
But what I wish is more than I could ever speak
As the way wanders on I'll long to see you once again
Until then, would you pray these prayers for me?
Oh, that you would pray for me

Thanks for following along for the past 40 days, but don't think it's over. In fact, I'm sure we've just started.

Get a Goat

Kat's back at it...challenging us once again...placing ways to help others right at our feet. No excuses.

There isn’t a person reading this who can’t afford 5 minutes and $1 dollar, writes Kat. Read more here.

At the time of this post there is $66 left to go to buy a goat for a family in need through World Vision. If you and me donate just $1, there will be only $64 left to go. It's that simple.

Instructions for making your $1 donation are on Kat's post highlighted above. She is taking donations through Tuesday at 11:59 p.m.

Let's Get a Goat.

Got American Airlines Miles?

If so, please consider donating them to a family trying to get to Orlando soon. They are friends of Shaun Groves and his family. The wife has been diagnosed with cancer and is said to have only a few months to live. She wants to travel to Disney with her husband and kids before she begins chemo...very soon. If you don't have the miles to donate and would like to make a contribution, that'd help too. Read more about it here at Shlog.

40 Day Fast...Day 39

Today Tressa writes about her family's time spent in India with the Dalits. Please read her post here.

40 Day Fast...Days 37 and 38

Charla and Rick fasted and blogged for Days 37 and 38 of the 40 Day Fast (although I don't think Rick has posted just yet...I'll check back later and let you know.)

40 Day Fast...Day 36

Today's blogger for the 40 Day Fast is Ted. Please take a few minutes to read his post. Over the past 35 days, he has been moved to action after reading many posts highlighting Compassion International...

Somewhere in this 40 Day Fast, I’ve been moved to action. I think it began with the initial shock of the picture, and then continued as I read many wonderfully written posts about people willing to stand up and say, “It sure made a difference to that one!” So, after reading about some great organizations doing some wonderful things around the world and locally, my family and I made a decision to sponsor a child through Compassion International.

Then about fasting he says...

Bill Bright once wrote that fasting is “a primary means of restoration … by humbling our souls”. So today, I’ll get to be humbled … realizing that on so many levels I’ve fallen short of my responsibility to stand up and make a difference. I wonder how God might show me more ways that I can be a part of the solution through fasting today.


You can read his whole post here. It's very honest, challenging and inspiring.

Paper Skin

It's the name of Kendall Payne's newest CD...Paper Skin. So far I've only heard four of the songs in their entirety(ies?). You know what I mean. Anyway, Myspace still works for me for stuff like that. Or you can go to CDBaby.com and hear clips of each song from Paper Skin. Highly worth your time...in my opinion.

I first heard Kendall Payne last November in Anaheim at a YS Conference. First day, first worship...Kendall Payne and her amazingly powerful voice. I missed her table (I was lost in sea of flip flops and backpacks wondering what the heck I was doing there anyway...another post...) so once I got back to my gigantic desktop here in Florida, I searched for her. Ordered "Grown" and wore out the lid on my mailbox waiting for it to arrive. Loved it. Loved it. Loved it.

Couldn't wait for what was next.

And now it is here. If you aren't familiar with Kendall, please check her out. She's fun, playful, powerful and deep.

Love her. Check it out.

:-)

40 Day Fast...Catching Up

I've fallen so far behind here in posting and I hope if you've come here in the last week to check on the 40 Day Fast Bloggers that you've known to click on the blogs in my sidebar.

Last week Amy posted about human trafficking. Not a day has gone by since last Saturday when I first read her post that I haven't thought about the things she wrote. Please take a minute to read her post if you have not already.

Erin wrote about Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Then it was Dray's turn.
Jessica reminded us of the grim realities of North Korea.
Child Labor was the focus for Carlos on his assigned day of the 40 Day Fast.
And today, Kat's Mom writes about Celine who lives in the Philippines while Heather writes about time away from her computer. Find both of their posts here.

In just five days, the 40 Day Fast will be complete. For the next five days I will be praying for the people and the places I have learned so much about from the 40 Day Bloggers. I'll be praying for even more strength to fight inertia and complacency. I'll be praying for my church and our youth group as we bring Blood:Water Mission to their attention and call them to action.

If you can, please join all of the 40 Day Fast Bloggers in fasting on the final day, July 31st, and pray for all of the compassion and eagerness that is resting in your heart to no longer be content "sitting and waiting" for the right time, the right chance, the right place to move you into action. The time is now. For you and for me. We can all make a difference. Just start. Now.

Changes

I'm a creature of habit. I find huge comfort in things staying the same. Change messes me up in big ways.

I know that about myself but, still, I guess I like to live on the edge. So a week or so ago I decided to switch my template here to the new Blogger. Things got kinda messed up. I got a little cranky.

I decided to change my "Cousin It" profile pic. Close friends (who...btw...never comment) told me the new picture looked plastic and that "the laughing picture was definitely more you." That, too, made me somewhat cranky.

Started to wonder if being cranky had anything at all to do with blogging and pondered the possibility that I was just in a really girlie bad mood.

Then, when I thought I could take not one more new or unexpected occurrence, I got a new job. And not just any job, but the perfect job for me...for now.

Suddenly, I'm no longer cranky. In fact I'm...ecstatic! My old pic is back up and my messed up template is no longer annoying - just another project for another day.

And I can't wait to start my new job.

:-)

40 Day Fast...Day 29

Today Brody writes about Compassion International. He and his wife sponsor two children through Compassion. He describes how far their $32 goes in the lives of the children they sponsor:

How far does my $32 dollars go in the life of a child cared for by Compassion International? I’d say about half an inch. About half an inch was the difference I saw on James’ face when the new photo came in the mail. A photo that has been taken after receiving letters, support and love from a family he has never met. That photo is solid proof that something has changed in this little boy’s world. About half an inch reduced the pain and fear in Roshie’s life enough that her mom sat down to write. Thirty-two Dollars a month will change their lives forever, reaching further than any ocean, or social class. I’ve found that about half an inch is the difference between disappointment and a smile, between sadness and hope, fear and security. Thirty-two dollars a month to make about a half inch difference in a life through Compassion International.


Thirty two dollars. That's not very much, is it?

40 Day Fast...Days 27 and 28

Yesterday, Lorijo fasted and blogged for the 40 Day Fast. Prompted by the 40 Day Fast to take action, she now sponsors a child through Bridge of Hope.

Today's blogger is Euphrony. He writes,

Do not dwell in inaction, break the inertia and step into action when God calls you. Both in global and local needs, simple actions or grand, organized or spontaneous, find the place where God has prepared for you to act. Open your hearts in love to the whole of humanity.

Read his post here.

Fiction Frenzy

For me reading fiction comes and goes. I can go for a couple of years and not read any. But then, that one really special book comes along...the book I just can't put down, not to make dinner, not to run carpool, not to pay bills (kidding)...and I'm on another fiction frenzy.

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini started this one. And, in my typical fashion, as soon as I finished it I bolted to the bookstore (the very same day) in search of his second book. A Thousand Splendid Suns was just as consuming.

Both stories are set in Afghanistan of which I barely paid attention to before 9/11 and, honestly, not even so much since. But that's about to change.

And so is my short-lived fiction frenzy.

When I picked up A Thousand Splendid Suns I also grabbed the The Middle East for Dummies. The very last copy on the shelf. Now, you may be embarrassed for me that I so openly admit to owning and to reading this quick fix history book on the Middle East...but, it was the LAST copy. You know what that means, right? Yeah, I'm not the only one who threw their hands up and said, "Okay, you got me...I have no idea what has or is going on. Pleassssssse someone explain it to me." Because I really want to understand.

So there you go. Really great fiction leads right back to the reality of non-fiction. And in more than one way.

The author of those remarkable stories (that have had my kids eating Easy Mac for the last four days) saves a special section in the back of the book to tell of his involvement with UNHCR, the UN refugee agency. You can read more about Khaled Hosseini here.

And if you are looking for a really great summer read, I've just suggested two.

:-)

40 Day Fast...Days 25 and 26

Yesterday's blogger for the 40 Day Fast was Andrew Osenga who wrote about the Dalit Freedom Network and how they are "fanning the flames of Dalit independence." Please take the time to read his post here. He has spent time with the Dalits and tells very specific ways we can help.

Today's blogger is Shawn. He reminds us that needs are all around - right here at home. It'll be hard to drive down the street today and not notice someone who could use a gesture of thanks or extra care after reading this.

40 Day Fast...Day 24

Tim Harm posted yesterday (sorry I'm late again) about "The Trendy Poverty" saying:

But if poverty and suffering are so ancient themes, then why is it now, just now, that they are getting so much attention? Why has the picture of Africa become so... so trendy lately?

Interesting question and great post you can read here. Make sure to watch the video about TOMS Shoes and "Shoe Drop '06" while you are there.

40 Day Fast...Day 23

Today Lucas Parry writes about Kiva...

How can we be involved in eliminating extreme poverty?? By fostering the entrepreneurial spirit and empowering people to earn an income. Offering people a leg up, while also giving them a sense of self-worth and satisfaction as they grow a small business. By giving in this way we avoid corrupt bureaucracies and deliver the help where its needed, to the people.

Read his post here.

All-Nighter

For me, the best all-nighters are those spent curled up with a great book. And that's exactly what I did last night...into the wee hours of the morning. The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini, is magical in that once you grab onto and open the cover, you are unable to let go of it for (almost) any reason. It's been out for several years and so probably you've read it already. But if not...read it now!

:-)

40 Day Fast...Day 22

Michelle blogs today for the 40 Day Fast...

Me Too...

I took this silly test, also. More than half of the fun was taking the test...especially the buckets part.




Considerate I totally get. Inventor...I'm not as sure about.

:-)

40 Day Fast...my turn

Up until last month I was pretty sure nothing I could do would make a real difference to anyone in Africa. Or in any other impoverished country for that matter. The needs are too numerous and the places too far away. In fact, I distinctly remember a panty-hosed church lady once telling me that my kids were my mission field for now. Forget about the far away places.

I never forgot but, then again, I also never did anything about it. Until last year, when I almost got involved with Blood:Water Mission. Yeah, almost.

I first heard about BWM through an article written by Chris Rice where he explained what BWM was up to and why. 1000 wells in 1000 African villages. Clean water leading to clean blood. Made sense to me. But I was still wondering how anything I could do would be big enough. I kept reading and got to the part where he writes:

“It’s a simple idea. But it is something. Will it change Africa? It will change a small part of Africa for a handful of people. Maybe it will change 1000 small handfuls of Africans. Every small thing is part of a process...I just wonder what I can do. It doesn't have to be big. I remember Somebody saying, 'If you give a cup of cold water in my name, you've done it for me.' He didn't even say 'a well' of cold water. Just a cup. I guess the little things matter to Him. Maybe there is something I can do afterall."

So I could do something. I checked out their website, discovered the Two Weeks of Sacrifice and got totally excited. I could do this, my kids could do this and, even better, the kids at church could do this. I sent an email to Student Ministries right away. They loved the idea, only…they wanted me to head it up.

And I didn’t do it. I can’t explain it...but I didn’t think I could do it. So I didn’t.

Now a year has passed and I have a second chance. They still love the idea and this time I’ve done the Two Weeks, done a little more reading and I’m ready to help get it going in whatever way they ask. And this 40 Day Fast has tons to do with that. Each day I learn more. Each day I move farther away from the me who worried that anything I could do would never be big enough.

So if you've read through BWM's website already and think you've soaked up enough info, take another minute to check out their blog. Here you will find all the stats and facts that I am leaving out here (I think we're familiar now) along with News, Musings and Ground Reports.

The blog is where I read about a group of women in Miami raising money for wells through selling beaded earrings they make as they sit poolside sipping wine. It's also where I read about a 16 year old girl saving 16 lives on her Sweet Sixteen Birthday instead of receiving gifts. People who get that "every small thing is part of a process" and are doing something about it.

Maybe that lady in the pantyhose was partially right afterall. But even if my own kids are my mission field, it still doesn't mean I have to forget about far away places and their people. Quite the contrary...I just have to tie the two together.

40 Day Fast...Day 19

Transition Pete includes a Podcast in his blog for today...an interview with the HIV/AIDS Program Coordinator for Food for the Hungry. (Sorry I put this up so late!)

40 Day Fast...Day 18 (again)

Still in vacation mode this morning I got the 40 Day bloggers confused. Today was Scott's day to fast (Todd was yesterday) and he writes about the colonias of South Texas. Read his post here.

40 Day Fast...Day 18??

I hope to catch up on last week's 40 Day posts today and tomorrow. I missed being online for those. Today, I believe, is Day 18 of the 40 Day Fast and Todd writes about Darfur. Check it out.

Back at Home

Back from the beach already. Time flies when you are busy sleeping in, slathering sunscreen, playing cards and...oh, sorry, you probably wish you had been at the beach, too.

Actually, I am making it sound far more relaxing than it really was...for me at least. My kids, yeah, they had it made! But that's what family vacations are all about - kids having a blast until they pass out at night and grown ups working just as hard as any day back at home only with moments of vacation fabulousness.

Like the sunsets. Like sitting in the sand watching kids run in and out of the surf in the dark with sparklers. Like listening to their squeals and laughter as a wave is splashier than expected. Like floating on a tube in the Gulf of Mexico, even if it's just for 30 minutes. Like finding a totally intact sand dollar on the beach at dusk.

That's fabulous stuff. Or fabulousness.

But it's always good to be back home. Appointments, activities, errands, "problems"...are all right here where we left them. And maybe tomorrow we will take care of some of them.

:-)

Vacation and 40 Day Fast

We're off to the beach for one whole week. Wow...it's sooooooo much work packing everyone up but CAN'T WAIT to be there later today!

So for the next week just follow along on the 40 Day Fast by clicking the links each day from my sidebar. I hope to find a library or somewhere mid-week where I can catch up on the new posts.

Have a great week.

:-)