Online, that is!:) Our blog has a new home and a new name! It was time to re-vamp. Please head on over to our new site, Hope Is The Anchor. This blog will still be here, with all the old pics and posts, but starting today all new posts will go on the new site. I love sharing these glimpses of our lives, the boys growth, thoughts, and our family’s journey toward purposeful living grounded in the Hope we have in Jesus with you all!!!
The images of Haiti are coming at us, reminding us that instead of a cozy, safe house, thousands upon thousands of people are living on the streets after the earthquake. Thousands more are dead and many are without adequate care and in desperate need of medical help, food, etc. Orphanages are desperately trying to scrape together meals for their children, in fear of being raided by people looking for food as well. What do to. If I could, I’d hop a plane to Haiti and help. Not sure what that would look like but that would be my first choice of ways to respond. Since money and a nursing baby prevent that right now, I’ve been looking for other ways to help and thought I’d also see if anyone else has ideas to share with the rest of us as well.
*The more I’ve read about the work of Doctors Without Borders, I feel that money donated to them will go directly towards helping people in the most extreme need, in Haiti as well as elsewhere around the world in situations that are just as awful but not always seen in the media spotlight.
*Family Challenge~ as a family, come up with one way (or more!) that you can save money and then donate it to an organization working in Haiti. Our choice was saving money on the grocery bill- eating cheaper, less frills meals (I’ve already used beans & rice for 3 meals in 3 days, 2 different ways!) and working through our pantry stash for as long as it lasts. This kind of challenge could become a regular thing that helps kids learn to be unselfish and aware of the needs in other places around the world!
*If you need to buy a gift for anyone right now, check out Craft Hope’s Etsy site- all items have been donated by other Etsy sellers and all profits go towards Doctors Without Borders work in Haiti. They have already raised $20,000 to donate!!! This site also hosts a blog where you can find out how to get involved by crafting other items to contribute to various causes.
*Here’s a crazy thought~ consider adopting a child from Haiti! Or Africa! Or any of the many, many children that are in need of a forever family around the world. But that’s impossible because it’s so expensive. But that really would be crazy.
I know. What if you did it anyway?
What about you? Do you have any ideas, big or small, to share with us on this subject? Post em’ in the comment section!
We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give. ~Winston Churchill
If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one. ~Mother Teresa
I have found the paradox that if I love until it hurts, then there is no hurt, but only more love. ~Mother Teresa
January is flying by. Really flying by. The little ones and I were so blessed to be able to take a trip over to my parents last week while Andrew was at Snow Camp with a bunch of students from our youth group. We had time with my family and friends and my parents helped me catch up on some wonderful sleep! The whole week Owen was perfecting his new skills: CLIMBING! He can get up on his knees and then stand up to anything low enough to grab and thus a whole new world opens to a baby- grabbing books off the shelf, grabbing brother’s snack, and feeling so proud of his new accomplishments! He also helped me with the laundry yesterday, after seeing my take a sock out of the dryer and put in in the basket he proceeded to take clothes out and either give them to me (must teach him to fold next, haha) or put them in the basket. Brilliant!:) He’s growing out of the baby stage a little too fast, but so fun to see him change and learn new things. He’s a total joy, his smile lights up our lives. Judo is growing too- and eating all day, every day. The most common phrase from his mouth is ‘I’m hungry’! We’ve had so much fun the last couple of days outside- digging in the dirt, playing a combination of baseball and chase, and just enjoying the warm sun on our faces. Jude is a mix of car lovin’, smarts, creativity, and 3 year old testiness all in one. We love him so dearly, even on the hardest of days! I’m so thankful for Andrew, who is not only an amazing papa, but helps me keep it all in perspective. As our pediatrician put it at our last checkup, ‘He’s very smart- you guys are in for it!’ Uh, thanks for the encouraging words, Dr.!
You can learn many things from children. How much patience you have, for instance. ~Franklin P. Jones
A three year old child is a being who gets almost as much fun out of a fifty-six dollar set of swings as it does out of finding a small green worm. ~Bill Vaughan
While we try to teach our children all about life,
Our children teach us what life is all about.
~Angela Schwindt
Happy weekend~ here’s a few more Owie bear pics from our trip- because he’s the baby and the baby grows up so fast that the Mama takes LOTS of pictures to look at when he’s not so baby anymore!:)
Owen with Great Grandpa Joe~
Owen with Nell, his darling little friend who lives in Norway,
4 days older than him~
Nell decided Owen was hug-worthy; aren’t they adorable?!
…although our hearts have been heavy with the sadness of losing a dear friend last week. Our joyful, hilarious, fun, faith-filled to the end sweet friend Jill died after a long battle against cancer. We are amazed at her faith still, missing the memories that will have to wait till we join her in eternity, and praying for her husband, son, and family in this season of grief. The beautiful thing is that her life, although lasting only 33 years on earth, was lived to the fullest and impacted hundreds of people world wide. We miss you Jill, but we can picture you, transformed into true peace and joy with the One you love most.
This has been messing me up lately…
*Every six seconds a child dies because of hunger and related causes;
(Source: State of Food Insecurity in the World, FAO, 2004)
*1.02 billion people do not have enough to eat - more than the populations of USA, Canada and the European Union; (Source: FAO news release, 19 June 2009)
*One out of four children - roughly 146 million - in developing countries are underweight (Source: The State of the World’s Children, UNICEF, 2007)
*Iron deficiency is impairing the mental development of 40-60 percent children in developing countries; (Source: Vitamin and Mineral Deficiency, A Global Progress Report, p2, UNICEF)
*Iodine deficiency is the greatest single cause of mental retardation and brain damage. Worldwide, 1.9 billion people are at risk of iodine deficiency, which can easily be prevented by adding iodine to salt; (Source: UN Standing Committee on Nutrition. World Nutrition Situation 5th report. 2005)
Do you find it as alarming as I do that in America we have problems with obesity and have to encourage children to get outside a little more and watch tv a little less when around the world children are dying because they don’t get enough food?
Did you know? There are an estimated 147 Million orphans worldwide.
*In sub-Saharan Africa alone, the AIDS epidemic has orphaned nearly 12 million children aged under 18 years. (Source: 2008 UN AIDS Global Report on the AIDS Epidemic)
*Assistance for orphans and vulnerable children is estimated at US$0.31 per day. (Source: Cost of Nutritional Support for HIV/AIDS Projects, WFP, July 2008)
My heart is aching to do something… anything. What about you? What makes your heart ache? What moves you to tears? I have been moved to tears so many times over this last week in reading about the plight of orphans and the realities of hunger in countries like Uganda, Ethiopia, The Congo… and now I’m looking for ways to turn those tears to action. These things are not new to my line of thinking, but have recently become almost all I can think about. Then I look at my sweet boys- and cuddle them just a little closer, kiss them a few hundred times more, and thank God for them and for the chance to love them with all my heart. I thank God that I can walk into my kitchen and make them food that nourishes their body and fills their tummies when they are hungry. Then I ask how I can be part of changing the problem for so many mothers and children that do not have the love, care, or food they need.
I’ve added a few new links to the side of the blog under ‘friends & inspirations’- World Food Programme, Doctors Without Borders, Mercy Corps, and World Vision- take a minute to check them out when you have time- they are informing and inspiring. I’m starting the book Hole in the Gospel as well and already love it, not having gotten past the acknowledgments yet however!:) This book is the story of World Vision’s president Richard Stearns who left a ’successful’ career in the corporate world when his life was changed by meeting an orphaned AIDS victim in Uganda.
If you’ve read this far then thanks for reading!:) It’s a New Year!
Full of possibility. Opportunity. I can’t wait to see what happens…
Almost the new year and there are so many thoughts swirling in my head. Thankful for what 2009 brought us- the sweetest most kissable baby boy, another trip to the orphanage for Andrew and others from our church, wonderful time with family on both sides and friends visiting as well.
We are amazingly blessed.
But 2010…? A fresh year with even more possibilities. There has been this small change slowly taking over me, maybe because I’m beginning a whole new decade of life, maybe because I’m learning even more than ever about letting go, trusting God, and being open to anything. I’m not even sure how to describe what it is I’m talking about, just a feeling that brings new freedom and possibility to life. All this to say, 2010 is poised to unfold with more adventure, more creativity, more purpose and possibility than ever. Andrew and I are dreaming big dreams. Trusting in the unseen.* Believing in something bigger than ourselves, or should I say Someone, to make happen what seems impossible. We think so small and expect so much less than what we were meant for. But we can overcome that too and learn to dream big- to live for what matters in eternity rather than just in this minute. That is my hope for 2010 and beyond.
How about you?
*”So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18
Citrus Spice Potpourri~ Oranges, grapefruit, lemons, and other citrus fruits are coming into season and as I peeled an orange the other day I thought I’d cut it up and dry it to use for simmering stove potpourri. I dried it on a plate since the weather is so dry, but you could use a dehydrator as well, especially if making a large batch. Then I mixed in some lavender and cloves and put it in a jar to keep in the kitchen. To use, I’ll throw in a handful with some water in a small pan and simmer on low to scent the house.
Sugar Scrub~ makes hands, feet, or body so soft in the midst of cold winter days. Jude loved mixing this up and scooping it into jars with me and there are many different scents you could choose to mix it up. My friend Erika and I made peppermint together and I also made a batch of lavender & orange.
The basic recipe is:
*1 cup white cane sugar or raw sugar-
depending on how course you want your scrub
*1 cup epsom salts
*About 3/4 cup oil- saffola, coconut, or other plant based oil
*A small amount of Vitamin E oil- from a capsule or jar
*Essential oil &/or Dr. Bronner’s scented liquid soap
*Glass jars with lid
I doubled and tripled my recipe to make gifts, but you could
just use those amount for one or two jars full. Attach instructions:
Gently rub a spoonful of scrub onto hands, feet, or body
and leave for about 3 minutes. Rinse off with warm water and
apply your favorite lotion for smooth and glowing skin!
Reusable Hand Warmers~ These are a fun alternative to the throw away kind and can be brought out each winter and stashed by the door for winter walks. They would also make great little gifts or stocking stuffers! To make, cut soft fabric into small rectangles- my adult size are about 2 1/2 by 1 1/2 inches, my kid size (perfect for warming little hands coming in from the cold) are a little smaller. I sewed around the edges and turned right side out, then filled with rice and sewed up tight. Simply microwave for 25 seconds or so and they’ll stay warm for a nice walk outside!
Juice Lid Ornaments~ We have a small stash of metal juice lids that I’ve been saving for projects. Jude and I turned them into glittery ornaments by cutting paper to fit then gluing down sparkles. I added a little scrap decoration and twine around the edge to hang them by. They would also make cute gift tags!
And because these pictures are too precious not to share:)…
My mustache-d hubby all decked out for our Fuel (youth group)
party last week and the boys playing some guitar.
Merry Christmas week everyone! May you enjoy the warmth of family, friendship, and know that a Savior was born long ago so that we could have Life!
What does jewelry making have to do with women in Asia escaping a life of abuse and exploitation? For this group of women who have created The Starfish Project, it provides the means for reaching these women and helping change their lives forever. Instead of rushing to the mall for last minute gifts you feel obligated to buy when the end of December draws near, consider giving a beautiful piece of unique, handmade jewelry, and helping free these women from sexual slavery. We can make a difference in the lives of women across the globe.
My sweet friend Erika and her family came to visit this week! They have a girl a little younger than Jude and a new baby boy who is just a doll. So fun to have them here. Now we are waiting for the snow to fall, getting cards addressed and last gifts wrapped. I think I’ll make a big batch of old fashioned chex mix and some cookies too. There is a peaceful, thankful feeling settling over our holidays this year as we do things a bit simpler and just enjoy our boys and think about the One we celebrate. We are truly thankful for our friends & family near & far that are so important to us!
Before Jude’s naps we love sitting on the couch with a stack of books and a blanket and snuggling in for a reading session. Some of our recent favorites are:
*Christmas in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder
*Winter Story (Brambly Hedge) by Jill Barklem (I’d recommend any of the Brambly Hedge books- they are not in print any more but you can find some online.)
*This Is the Stable by Cynthia Cotten (The pictures are wonderful & the illustrator veers away from the classic ‘caucasian nativity’ in favor of a more true to life depiction of what Mary, Joseph, and others would have looked like way back when.)
Coming up next: simple home made gift or winter craft ideas!
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Here are the Fouche lads… wearing the same outfit, different years. One is almost 8 months and one is about 12 months. Can you guess which boys is which?!
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