The masterpiece called "life" is woven together by One great artist, redeemer, conqueror and Father. This is a glimpse into the unfolding of that journey for us...
I have received so many precious words of encouragement since the article posted on Live Action and Lifesitenews.com. I have been called brave and courageous and yet, the woman in the video below is truly brave. I never feared that someone would force me to an abortion clinic. I never even thought about having to flee the town I was in or live the rest of my life looking behind my shoulder. I live in a country which allows me to make decisions about my family- whether the road that led me to those decisions was planned or unplanned. I am reminded after watching this, that although we have a lot of things messed up in this country, I am so grateful to live here.
We need to vigorously pray for the women and men in China- they are truly suffering from their lack of freedoms. Their vicious "One Child Policy" has forced MILLIONS of babies to be aborted at all stages of pregnancy....and some while being born--All while the mother's desperately cry for mercy. It's absolutely terrible what is happening there and I am almost ashamed to admit that I hadn't given this situation more thought before now.
Watch the video and pray for this woman and the millions of others just like her. HER testimony is the real one of courage and bravery. God bless her....
Pray also for the persecuted church in China and around the world. I read David Platt's book, "Radical- Taking Back Your Faith From the American Dream" over a year ago and it was really the launching pad for this blog, water project, Haiti trip and shift in thinking. He has what is called "Secret Church" where his church congregation in Birmingham, AL meets with nothing more than the Word of God- no flashy music, no preaching, no comfy pews, etc... they read and pray for the persecuted/"underground" churches around the world- China is one of them. Actually, I read today that more Christians have been persecuted and detained in China than in any other country. (http://www.persecution.net/china.htm)Below is also a video about the "Secret Church".
I know this isn't a "feel-good" post but it's necessary. We need to remember these precious people.
Romans 12:21: "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil by doing good."
I've noticed that I am getting a lot of traffic via the story that was posted on Live Action. I also noticed today that Lifesitenews.com has picked up our story as well which is amazing! I am honored and humbled to have so many people reading about our family. It's not easy to share about something so personal but knowing that others may be encouraged through it, makes it all worth it.
Our blog is somewhat a "smorgasbord" of life centered around one concept: Living and raising my kids in the most meaningful way possible. I definitely won't be perfect at this task but I will try! I wanted to put some links here to my blog posts that I think describe what we have been doing the past year. There have been some amazing things happen. To sum it up, we have raised almost $3,000 for Water Missions International through a "Radical Project" of fundraising and giving up things that we don't really need in order for people to have something they absolutely do need: clean drinking water.
Part 2 of this project is a trip I am taking to Haiti over Thanksgiving. I will be working with a local organization there called the Haitian American Friendship Foundation and working with school children and teachers there. I also hope to visit one of the Living Water Treatment Systems put in place there by Water Missions International. This has been a family project and all the way down to my smallest (he is 4 years old now)- have been deeply touched and impacted. His sweet little prayer at dinner is "God, pwease help people who have to dwink dirty water" followed by thanking Him for the nearest 10 objects around him :-) My 8 year old has a very generous heart and donated all of his Christmas money to the water project. These kids are such a blessing to me and it's such an honor to try and lead them through this life in meaningful ways.
It means a lot that you have visited our blog and I hope you enjoy reading some of the highlights of our year!
~Lindsey
Click on some of the links below to read about our past year:
This video goes along perfectly with the "Thanking God for the thorn..." post last week. My church showed this video this morning and I had to share it. Well worth your 8 minutes. I hope you are encouraged through it. This guy is living a truly Radical life!
Go to the bottom of the blog and pause the music player- you have to hear this one!
~Lindsey
"There's no point in being whole on the outside when I'm broken on the inside... I didn't need my circumstances to change- I don't need arms and legs- I need the wings of the Holy Spirit and I'm flying because I know Jesus is holding me up." - Nick Vujicic
The post on Live Action is up that I mentioned a couple weeks ago.. Just wanted to share it with my fellow blog readers. It's a pretty long story but I'm grateful it's being shared....
"Thank you God for this thorn in my side. It makes me long for You. It makes me trust in You. Call on You. Depend on Your strength, not my own.... because I'm out of strength. I need You...."
This is so hard.
The finances that pile up. The marriage that is falling apart. The kids that always need you. The job that drains you...or the job that you need. The dream that you had, that seems to be slipping away from your grip. Losing someone you loved- by death or betrayal. The trench you are in---and can't seem to get out of. It's radical and crazy to thank God for it. No one wants to suffer. No one wants to hurt.... but what if THIS place- the trench- is exactly where God wants to meet you. Grow you. Strip you of your dependence on your own efforts and strength so He can clothe you with His righteousness....His glory....His purpose? The things we try so hard to move on from and push with aggression out of our lives, are the things and places where God is. "How could a loving God want me to hurt?" Maybe He sees something we cannot see yet. Maybe He knows that our happiness is second, third, maybe not even on the list, to the importance of developing His character in us. And His character cannot be developed without our surrender- without our neediness- without our trench moments- without the thorns.
One of the most heartbreaking, yet encouraging parts of the Bible is when Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 12:8-10:
"Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take the thorn away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
It's heartbreaking because it means we have to endure the pain. Yet encouraging, because it means God is doing something supernatural in our weakness; but if we try to take a shortcut out of the pain, we will miss it.
When did I learn the most about real love? When I was faced with the decision to love someone who was unlovable towards me.
When did I learn joy? When I realized that joy is more about contentment and gratefulness and less about happiness.
When have I learned about thankfulness and gratitude? When I have stopped complaining about the things I don't have and started thanking Him for everything that I do....
When is peace developed? When I am forced to let go of my circumstances and trust my Father-- trust that He will work things together for my good---whether I see it or not.
Self control? When the circumstance arises and I think "Ooh, I know how to fix this!" and that little voice inside my head tells me to "Back off". Sometimes I've listened, sometimes I haven't. Every time I haven't, I fail.
The thorns aren't ever over for good and we never fully "get it". I can think I have learned all the lessons I need to for my character, but I'm wrong. There will be more to come. Mainly because I think we forget where God has already taken us. We are double minded. Doubtful. And we think we have so much more control than we actually have.
Surrender is a HARD thing to learn- it is more than lyrics to a song....it's painful; But it will always produce righteousness, deeper faith and a more meaningful life....
Years ago, I found myself begging God- "Please Lord, take me around another mountain, I am so tired of this same mountain.....over and over and over and over. Lord, I can't take it anymore." Looking back now, I know God was far more concerned with what He wanted to teach me through it and less concerned with how I felt in it. I can relate to this as a parent myself...
The bible is FULL of great people who suffered. Daniel, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Paul, Job.....Jesus.
James 1:2 "Consider it pure joy when you face trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance which must finish its work (no shortcuts!) in order for you to be mature and complete, lacking nothing. ...Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that was promised to him through Christ Jesus."
Romans 5:3-5 "We also glory in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance character, character, hope, and hope does not put us to shame because God's love has been poured out into our hearts."
Romans 8:18 "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing to the glory that is to come."
Oswald Chambers- My Utmost for His Highest:
If you are going to be used by God, He will take you through a number of experiences that are not meant for you personally at all. They are designed to make you useful in His hands, and to enable you to understand what takes place in the lives of others. Because of this process, you will never be surprised by what comes your way. You say, “Oh, I can’t deal with that.” Why can’t you? God gave you sufficient opportunities to learn from Him about that problem; but you turned away, not heeding the lesson, because it seemed foolish to spend your time that way.
Are we partakers of Christ’s sufferings? Are we prepared for God to stamp out our personal ambitions? Are we prepared for God to destroy our individual decisions by supernaturally transforming them? It will mean not knowing why God is taking us that way, because knowing would make us spiritually proud. We never realize at the time what God is putting us through— we go through it more or less without understanding. Then suddenly we come to a place of enlightenment, and realize— “God has strengthened me and I didn’t even know it!”
And last but not least, one of the most beautiful promises in Scripture:
Revelation 21:4: "...And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain, for the former things are passed away."
One day, this will all be over. The thorns will be gone. The trenches removed. And we will live from glory to glory, forever and ever...
~Lindsey
(Pause the music player at the bottom of this page to hear the video)
Exhausted! Absolutely exhausted! I need to update this though so I will remain exhausted another 10 minutes then it's bedtime. I forget how wonderfully amazing my schedule in the summer is, when I am in it. Then, I hit these school months of juggling sports and carpool and sleepovers and errands and I appreciate and miss my summer days immensely!! They shall return again.... Until then....
Haiti! :) I got an email the other day letting me know that my passport application was approved and my book is en route. Although very disappointed in my passport photo, and will have to be for the next 10 years, I am so grateful that there haven't been any kinks in getting it. I kinda needed that to go smoothly. ;-)
I have my support letters typed up and will send them out soon. If you get one, you'll....get one, ;-) but if you don't then I will post here again soon on how you can support and pray for this trip. Too tired for now!
The "water project" has hit a stalling point on the final lap! We are almost one year into the project and have raised/donated over 80% towards our goal. I underestimated the amount of time and resources I would have (or not have) once school started. Whew! It's kinda like childbirth--somehow God let's you forget just how painful it was, so that you'll still have more one day. :) I still have faith that the radical sacrificing and giving and donating will continue and we will reach our goal. I am really hoping to see one of the Living Water Treatment Systems while I am in Haiti. Water Missions International has several systems installed there now and it would be so amazing to see one of them firsthand.
In other news....I'm exhausted! (did you know that yet??) ;-)
There is also some exciting stuff going on with my testimony. Last week, I read an article online called "How my Abortion Enabled Me to Be a Better Mother." I read it and my heart just sank. I won't go into details now but basically, this woman felt stuck- as many do in a crisis pregnancy- as I did in my own crisis pregnancy. I responded to "Live Action" (the group who shared the link) and directly to "Mommyish" (the site who published the story). I told them about my story some and expressed my desire to share more and provide an alternative view on this issue if they would be interested. Both companies/organizations wrote back with a "Yes!", so I have spent the past few days trying to find just the right words to really capture that time in my life. It is very hard to be so deeply personal on such a large "stage". I know that I'm exposing myself to criticism and likely hurtful responses..... but with great reward there must be great sacrifice and this is worth it. I'm just praying that God is glorified, women are encouraged, minds are changed and babies are saved through this. It is something that the church isn't really talking about. Families don't talk about it. And oftentimes, once a woman is on the other side of the circumstance, she doesn't talk about it either. And we know what popular culture and our society say about it. As I said months ago on a post, I want to live passionately in defense of hurting people, on land and in the womb.- there are just so many, it's overwhelming. When I told my aunt months back that I felt overwhelmed by all the pain everywhere and felt helpless to it all, she told me "Focus on what and who God has placed in front of you in the moment. And only focus on that." That was beautiful advice. Well, right now, this is an opportunity and a moment that is definitely in my face. It is here. And I will take it. I will post a link to the article when it comes out next week but I really hope it can reflect that above what our circumstances are, there is hope. Things can get better and life can be even more amazing than we ever imagined. It will be hard. There will be really, really rough days and nights; but the joy of knowing you gave a child life (whether by adoption or parenting) will make every other breath you take on this earth, worth it.
So these are the updates! Well, about 3/4's of them. I feel like there are a million things swirling around my head and I'm like one of those nasty frogs hoping to stick my tongue out at just the right time and catch something! (Terrible analogy. I know.... I could just delete that and start over.....nah) :-) ....what I meant to say is: Things are crazy around here and I have a lot going on physically, emotionally, spiritually and mentally so please, please, please PRAY for me today. I am weak, but HE is strong! And I need His strength if I'm gonna keep trying to live in this crazy (yet meaningful) state!
It's so cool to me that God has given everyone a specific passion for a specific purpose so that everything that needs to be done, is done! The only reason we have things left undone is because we have forgotten/refused/rejected/ignored/reasoned/__________fill in the blank, our purpose for the Earth---the only thing that has eternal impact.
Check out this awesome video about Mission Aviation Fellowship.
I found out about them as I was researching ways to get from Port-au-Prince to Pignon, Haiti in November. You'll see what they do in the video. It's awesome how so many of the details and needs are worked out by people willing to accept a radical way of living that only requires 1 thing: obedience
*Turn off the music player at the bottom of the blog to listen to the video. You'll want to hear the sound on this one :)
Well, summer is off to a great start. Lots of traveling with family and friends and days filled with my babies.... one perk of being a teacher :) Got my wireless router hooked up yesterday and feel a little more "connected" to the outside world again.....and this blog/project!
I have officially confirmed my visit to Haiti for the week of Thanksgiving. I am still in the early planning stages but have decided instead of "hooking onto" a group already going, that I will form my own small group of 6-12 people. If you are interested in coming with us, please email me at lins114@yahoo.com or comment here and I will contact you with more information. According to my early budgeting, the trip should not exceed $1,500 and that includes airfare, transportation, food, shelter and traveler's insurance (Possibly even less). I am still working out the details though. With that said, if you are interested in helping me financially get to Haiti, I would be immensely appreciative! It will take some effort to raise the funds, as did this water project, but if I have learned anything from this, it's that when we are open to obeying God's will, He will provide through His means and His people.
I am so excited! I cannot think of a better way to express my gratitude to the Lord at Thanksgiving, then to serve Him and His people somewhere completely out of my context.
Until then, I will enjoy these summer days with my children and rest up for the new group of kids that I will have this coming school year. Back to work in a little over a month! Bittersweet...
Please continue to pray for the people who will receive the benefit of the Living Water message and the clean water systems through Water Missions International, and especially the people still waiting for relief.
*Email address if you would like to donate financially towards my trip to Haiti. I will reply back with my home address. THANK YOU! lins114@yahoo.com
Looking at these little faces drink clean water NEVER gets old and serves as a reminder that as long as there is a need, there shouldn't be an excuse not to help! Thank you for sowing into the project through prayer and support.
Saw this on a friends page and wanted to share it...
Whew! Well, I am ashamed that it has been since February since I have posted. I took an after-school tutoring job in addition to my full time teaching job and mommy job and my oldest son also started baseball! Those are good excuses right?? :) Oh and my computer at home which I blog on, is kaput. Can I create a fundraising page for a new computer?? ;-)
We are wrapping up ball season (unless the little man makes All-Stars) and winding down the school year. My youngest turns 4 next week and with his approaching birthday is an increasing strong-willed, defiant temperment! <deeeep breath!>
I told Dylan the other day, when he was trying to talk to me and get ready for school at the same time, that he isn't a good multi-tasker like a woman, so he needed to focus on getting ready for school first, then talk to me. :) His response was "Like women?? Oh yea? Like scream and have a baby at the same time?!" Little sassy boy. ;-) Well that backfired the next day when I was washing dishes, doing laundry and cooking dinner. He came up to me and asked me to do something for him and I said "Dylan! I am ONE person! I can only do ONE thing at a time! Hold on!". To which he replied, "But I thought you said yesterday that women could multi-task!" Mmmmmhum. Had to eat my words thanks to an 8 year old. All that to say, apparently in the mix of baseball, work, motherhood and a broken computer at home, this blog was bumped down the list :-( ....However the project is not!!! I am excited about having the next 3 1/2 months to complete our families goal of $3,000 for Water Missions International! I know we will meet our goal! The boys are still adding coins to their "Water Missions Jar" next to their bed (I think they have almost $40 there!) and Brayden's little scruffy voice prays for the "people who need clean water and that they don't have to drink 'dirdy' water ever again!" :)
I am also very excited to have been invited on a trip to Haiti with HAFF (Haitian American Friendship Foundation) in October. It will be my first missions trip and I will have the opportunity to work with this wonderful group for a week. They have asked me to use some of my teaching skills to help train some of the staff at the beginning of their school year. It reminds me that there are seasons in life and as important as it is to "Go unto the nations", I would not be able to use the skills I have to offer, if it weren't for the time invested here in my own education. It's encouraging to know that our time isn't a waste. I get very motivated when I think about living radically and I want to just sell it all and get out of here sometimes. I don't want to dismiss that passion but I am also reminded that there are productive things going on now that will help me, help others later.
Also, while I'm in Haiti, I will get to see one of the Living Water Treatment Systems! Water Missions International has given me contact information for people working with these treatment systems and I am so excited to see this first hand. I am also thrilled that I may have the chance to visit a hosptial in Haiti that my grandfather established there many years ago. I know this will be a special trip for many reasons. I will post more about that in the coming weeks and months :)
So with all that said, I am sitting here at work, on my only break for the day, needing to grade papers, put them into the computer system, work on PMP's, schedule Brayden's birthday for this weekend and make lesson plans for my sub tomorrow. I have a lot to do here! Thanks for tracking this blog and even more so for being part of the project! Help us reach our goal and head on over to our donation site Firstgiving.com to make a donation of any amount. Remember, $10.00 will provide someone with clean water for LIFE! Just this morning while washing my hair, I thought about all of the gallons of clean water used to just keep my hair clean. What people would give to have that water for their survival..... it's humbling and I never want to forget that what I take for granted is what someone else would give anything to have and as long as there is a need, there shouldn't be an excuse not to help!
Have a great, radical, productive and multi-tasking filled ;-) day!
Our goal was $3,000 in one year. I have a $100 donation pending which brings us to almost $2,300 in 3 months! We need only $700 more to reach our goal and we have 7 months of the project left! I just may get really bold and expand the goal. :-)You can check out the donation site at http://www.firstgiving.co/radicallife and see every single donation. Remember, it takes only $10 to provide someone with clean water FOR LIFE. Think about what we spend $10 on.... some music, a snack at the movies, a new shirt ("but it's only $10!"), a new toy for our kids (that they don't need), a couple cups of coffee at Starbucks...the list goes on.
This has been such an exciting journey. The next vision I have is to meet the people receiving this water. I look at these faces and I want to jump through my computer screen and hug them! God is placing a longing in my heart to "Go!" and I can't wait for that opportunity. The "American Dream" just isn't good enough anymore. I can no longer desire to have more for myself at the price of less for someone else. I want to sow into the eternal and store up treasures in heaven because the treasures on earth will one day mean nothing.
Matthew 6:19-21
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
19:21 "...Jesus said to him, 'If you want to be perfect, go and sell what you own and give the money to the destitute, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come back and follow me.'"
Enjoy the video above and think about what you are able to give...what you are able to sacrifice and experience the joy in making a difference in these lives...
This project has really been amazing. When I look at some of the faces of these people we are trying to help, I just want to find a way to get to them. It doesn't even seem enough to just send money to them. But as important as it is to help the living and breathing lives walking on this earth, it is an even greater call to help and defend the lives that are hidden from our sight. The lives that are tucked away in the most secret and sacred place on this earth: the pre-born lives and the women carrying them.
Today is "Sanctity of Life" Sunday. I am reflecting today on the fear that entered my life almost 9 years ago. In 2002, only 2 weeks after high school graduation, I found out that I was pregnant. This completely rocked my world. I was devastated. I had 2 vastly different options bombarding me. Fear would either drive me towards one (abortion) or courage would drive me towards the other (parenting/adoption). If it were not for the people in my life who saw value in me still and believed that I had the strength to walk through that time, then I know what the outcome would have been. I am so thankful I don't have to live with that today and my heart floods with compassion for those who do.
In 2 weeks, my son will turn 8 years old. He has brought me so much joy and purpose but I also tasted what it would be like to be without him. I walked through the process of adoption until the very last minute. I know how heart breaking it is to imagine being separated from your child but I also know how absolutely beautiful and sacrificial that choice is. I looked through stacks of family profiles full of people desperately wanting a child. There is someone out there who can love and provide for a child, even if it isn't the one carrying him and that is part of the hope we can offer.
I don't see how we can separate living our lives in service to others, without talking about these lives. The tiniest. The most vulnerable. The foundation for our lives is that we are created with a purpose in the image and likeness of our God! How can we not more boldly relay that message to the women who are scared and facing this decision. If the children of God can't give some meaning and purpose to a woman in this situation, then who in the world can?? I am telling you from experience, that the voices of justification for abortion are far louder than the voices of hope, unless someone is willing to intentionally pour into that person before, during, and after she has this child. So as I keep walking this life with my children, I want them to value all hurting people. Not just the visible ones with their bruises and malnourished bodies, but the "invisible" ones too. The ones that are tucked away. I hope and pray we can all value these lives more... How in the world can we raise our hands in worship to God who came in human form for the least of these and then walk right past those same people?
So what can we do? Just be ready for the opportunity. Be ready to love. Open our hearts and ears and maybe even our homes... Volunteer at a crisis pregnancy center near you. Donate items. Time. Yourself. And wrap it all in God's perfect love which drives out fear. (1 John 4:18)
"Does our worship have hands? Does it have feet? Does it stand up in the face of injustice?.....or does it fade with our voices?"
115, 000 lives world-wide are taken from the womb each day. 5,000 lives are ending each day because of a lack in clean water and proper sanitation. I want to live just as passionately about each one of those...
I want to end with saying "Thank you" to my entire family and friends who loved me during my brokenness, to my Savior who redeemed me through it and to the Women's Resource Center in Mobile who held my hand every step of the way and helped me see the value in my son's life.
Christmas this year was a whirlwind! If it tells you anything about my "break", I had to change my oil at the start of the break and after about 3 weeks I am due for an oil change again! It was full of travel and family and it was wonderful!
My kids were able to ask for one gift each. My oldest asked for a bike and my youngest asked for "a dumptruck with eyeballs". I thought I was gonna have to get crafty with a Tonka truck but a friend sent me a picture message of "Chuck the Dumptruck" and saved the day! The boys were thrilled with their gifts. We also gathered a lot of Christmas cash and donations that have gone towards this project. My 7 year old held onto his money at one point (which we already agreed to give our money to the water project this year) and he said, while clinging to the cash, "Umm.....can I just keep $20 and give $30 to the project??" It was a great opportunity to relate to his desire to keep "just a little" of the money but I kind of let that question sit on him for a few hours. While rubbing his back to sleep that night, he said, "You know Mommy, I want to put all the money in the water project. I have enough" :-)
So here we are, unpacking the gifts, cleaning the house, folding the gift bags to resuse later, and blogging to avoid all of the above. ;-) ...At the end of this wonderful season, I am so thankful to have a Savior. I am so thankful for my family and my friends. I look forward to a new year, new inspiration, new vision and new adventures with my boys.... After putting in the Christmas money and donation gifts, we are now at two thousand dollars for the project! We are 2/3's the way to our goal in only 8 weeks. 200 people will have the chance to drink clean water and hear the living water message. Physically and spiritually life-giving and saving. Thank you to all that have donated. Those who I know and those who I don't. Your generosity will have such an impact...
Here are some pictures of our Christmas season...full of homemade treats, family, laughter and some tears . I pray that as you read this you will be blessed and strengthened. Not so you may keep, but so you may give! I pray that your hearts are woven closer to the heart of God and that you enjoy the journey God has placed you on. Savor the moment and look around with God-eyes...there is a hurting world out there- in our homes, in our neighborhoods, in our churches, our streets, our schools, our cities, our country and the world.
Baking treats for gift bags
This was Dylan's idea: "Mommy, we can give people water bottles with their gifts this year so they can remember the water project!"
Our water bottles and picture magnets that we made online
Of course, we had to make the gingerbread house!
Christmas with my dad and family
Christmas at my mom's
"Ahh!! It has eyeballs!!!!!"
Dylan's new bike
Our visit to Tallahassee to see the boys great-grandparents and other Watt family members! Great visit.
We got a new cousin/nephew for Christmas! Such a yummy gift!
"Live a life worthy of the calling you have received"
This project started as a way to bless others but I cannot tell you the blessing it is for me. Dylan and I check the blog stats, donation pages and read the emails and responses I have gotten in the past 6 weeks. He is so excited! Watching my 7 year old's eyes get huge, along with that precious smile (with 2 front teeth missing!), is incredible. Don't tell me a kid needs a DSi and new XBox at Christmas to get stoked. This kid is stoked! And in 15 years, thiswill impact his heart and walk far greater than any toy (ok, off the soapbox now) ;-)
I almost did not start this project. The book lit a fire under me and I jotted down these ideas on the back of an envelope but I put that envelope to the side. Over the next few weeks, I would hear all the ways this would never work, ringing in my head. "This is too bold." "People won't respond." "You can't really cut Christmas back for your kids- they're too young." On and on...and I started to think, "I will just do something else". But I couldn't shake this. I am starting to ask myself one question when I face decisions: "Will I look back and say 'Wow! I am so glad I did that?' or will I say 'I really wish I would have...."? When I thought about not starting this project, I thought about that moment. And it would fit into that second statement...."Why didn't I just run with it? Even if it failed, why didn't I try? I really wish I would have...."
So here we are. Project started. Letters mailed. Blog begun. Donation site up. In 6 weeks, we are almost 1/5th of the way to our one year goal. I have received emails from complete strangers in Texas, Oklahoma, Birmingham, Panama City, North Carolina... People who have been inspired to start their own projects or donate to this one. In the past 2 days, the First Giving donation site has received $200 in donations and gifts!
That brings the project total to $660.00 right now. Considering it takes only $10.00 to give someone clean water for life, that's 66 people who will be saved. This is such a preventable death and something we can do in such a little way.
I look forward to the new friendships I am starting and the gathering over a central cause and call on all of our lives: In John, Chapter 21 the Lord is talking to Simon Peter and asked "Simon Peter, do you love me?" The bible says Simon Peter was hurt by this question, "Of course I love you!" To which the Lord responded, "Then feed my sheep." That's the call. To make His name known and to feed his sheep. In Matthew, the Lord says that whatever we do for the least of these, we are actually doing for Christ himself. It makes you start to look at the beggers, friendless, hungry, thirsty, jobless, widows, struggling families, hurting children and outcasts, a whole lot differently.
Finally, I want to share about the picture below. My prayer the past year or so, has been "Lord, let me see what You see." and "Bless me so that I can bless others". He is slowly peeling away the layers of selfishness that blind my sight to His world and the hurting people in it. I believe this picture is a testament that if we are faithful with the little, he will bless us with more. Not so that we can have more but so that we can give more! I am thankful for this anonymous letter and check beyond words! "This seed I've received, I will sow"
So be bold. Don't dismiss radical love and ideas. Run with them!
"Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think." ~ Ephesians 3:20
As you're thinking about your Christmas shopping list, consider giving a gift in someone's name to Water Missions International. I have created Christmas gift cards and at your request, I will mail out as many as you would like. No charge. All you have to do is fill in your gift amount on the card, make the donation online and present the gift card to someone at Christmas. Very simple and it means much more than a new sweater, bag, scarf, candle, etc...this gift will literally last a lifetime.
Every card you give will have information about the Water Missions project on the back so that whoever you give your gift of water to, can continue the giving as well and share the project with others!
Contact me with your mailing address and number of gift cards you would like @ lins114@yahoo.com
Okay! Here it goes. I went "public" with the blog and fundraising page 2 days ago. We are now $355 into reaching the goal.....excuse me, exceeding the goal; which I believe we will!
I also received an email from the Media Director at the Church at Brookhill's where David Platt is the pastor. They saw our radical experiment and are "encourage by it!" ...and I am encouraged by their encouragement!
Did you know that just a $10.00 donation will provide clean water for life for one person???? That means, as of now, help is on it's way to 35 people for life! How exciting!
I am speaking to myself as well as whoever may come across this... but let's think about the things we spend our money on. I will confess right now that last weekend I went to Shoe Station and bought some really pretty boots. I will also confess that this week I went into Starbucks and bought a nice, warm, sweet and comforting White Chocolate Mocha. (it was delicious by the way) .....I don't do either of those things often but it made me think this week. What if every time I was about to make an unnecessary purchase, I, instead, put that same amount of money into this project? It would certainly add up.
I am blessed beyond measure. It's time to share the blessings with a grateful, cheerful and sacrificial heart.Someone has to help alleviate the suffering in this world. It's time we stop putting that task off on "missionaries" and it's time we start being the missionaries.
Our family will take a one year journey. I have no idea how this will all pan out but I have the big picture in mind and that's where I am starting.
It isn't enough to simply see a need and not do whatever we can to fill it. Jesus never walked by someone who was in need of His touch, and simply passed right by. I don't think we should either. I am trying to show my children that there is more to life than things, occasions and activities. I can't just tell them though, I have to show them, and I have to do it myself.
At the end of David Platt's book, Radical, he gives each reader 5 challenges:
1. Pray for the entire world. Yes, the entire world. Wow... 2. Read through the entire Word. Yes, the entire Word. Double wow... 3. Spend time in another context/culture 4. Sacrifice money for a specific purpose 5. Commit to being part of a local community of believers
This specific post will introduce how we will implement #4.
Several years ago I was watching PBS (those who know me well, know that I tend to prefer documentaries over dramas) ;-) ...I was watching a special on something called a "Play Pump". It's a water pump system installed in extremely poor villages to provide clean water to communities. I never forgot that show. It touched me forever. So several years later, as I am thinking about what our sacrifice will be, I started doing research into different organizations that help with the specific need for clean water around the world. There are so many wonderful ways to spend money to help people. Trying to choose one, without feeling guilty for not choosing another, can be hard in and of itself. But, through some research and prayer, I feel led to go with a group called "Water Missions International".
I will post a link to their website if you would like to learn more but here is what our "Radical Experiment" will be: For one year, we will sacrifice gifts and "extras" and the money that would usually go toward these things, will go into a fundraising account for this organization. We have set a goal of $3,000 by the end of September 2011. If we reach our goal before that time, we will extend the goal! I am really excited about this and have explained to my children what we're doing and what it means at Christmastime, birthdays and throughout the year. It won't feel great all the time, as our flesh is so against the feeling of sacrifice, but what another great lesson as well!
I'll be keeping this blog updated and connected to the online giving page for Water Missions International and you can journey with me and watch us meet (and surpass!) our goal. You can also give secured donations throughout this time, on that website as well. I am nervous and excited all in one! Please pray for our family and more importantly, the ministry we will be supporting and the people they will be serving as a result of having this money.
