A Foothill Home Companion: Haiti

I can't watch. I just got a handle on 'my world'.
Feeling helpless, but wanting to offer hope?Go here:
A Foothill Home Companion: Haiti to read what see what she's doing & visit the Etsy Store using the cute button on the right.
She said it well, go to Craft Hope for something crafters & lovers of crafts can do.

Craft Hope: Calling all Quilters!

If you've never clicked over to Craft Hope, it's time you take a trip to a very unique site. One filled with hope for those who need it most.

The most recent project is all about quilts. Don't miss the sock-monkeys from a previous project.

Craft Hope

When you get a chance skip over to Craft Hope for a little inspiration.
It reminded me of a quote from Mother Teresa, I paraphrase, 'One at a time...' as she was asked about the overwhelming needs she saw everyday. Share love 'one at a time', as you can. Sometimes it will snowball, as it has at Craft Hope.
ps. If you're a 'button gal', be sure to add their buton to your site. You never know who might want to help out!

Craft Hope - Giving Back

Want to get involved with a wonderful project? Check this out. I have been amazed at the response and good that has been done through this group of individuals. Can you say 'sock-monkey'? ... hmmm Be sure to get the button (see my upper left hand corner) and post it into your html add-ons. Inspire someone even if you don't sew and can't contribute to this project... you never know where it might lead.

Handmade Dolls for a Wonderful Cause

I'm inspired. You will be too. Finding your spot in helping is where it's at. Go here and see all the variety and creativity. Puts my mind to sew.
I think I found the link to these dolls on this site, but even if I didn't, you have to see her oilcloth fabrics (and her beautiful new baby). These are the tough water-resistant, washable fabrics that you love. Textile designs at their finest. Visit her shop, you won't be disappointed.

Locks of Love & The Simple Wife's Inspirational New Haircut

I think I've had a bad day, and then I remember my friend, cousin, & extended family who have had breast cancer & lost their hair. Really, I know that sounds dramatic for an opener, but it's been a rough day, & I needed to see this, to be reminded of how important perspective really is.

I've colored my hair to the point that even if it's long enough, I don't think they'd take it, but if you have hair that's not colored and at least 8-9" in a ponytail, consider the big step of donating it to this organization, Locks of Love. I have the link in my side-bar... check it out. Wigs can be made for those who are trying to make it through some of the toughest days of their life, and need their over all appearance to not scream at every moment of the day "I have cancer & I've lost my hair from the treatment."

There are days I wish my hair was not something I have to 'worry' about, but I haven't had a day when it was falling out against my wishes. Just days when I'm pulling it out... that's a whole 'nuther discussion.

If you need inspiration, check out Joanna Heim's blog & see her & her 2 daughters new hair cuts. They (she and her daughters) are beautiful both inside and out, but have cut their hair after dedicating it at Christmas, and are showing off their new-doo's.

Works for me Wednesday - add yours by 8p.m. Tuesday

On Wednesday's you have to go to this site. This week the subject was ideas for parents with little children. Tomorrow's Works for me Wednesday is about Combatting Boredom in the Summer. I can't wait to see this one.

Also, if you live locally- that is to me, Bayou Birkenstocks, on Lee Drive is collecting shoes for Soles4Souls. Shoes that still have good life but sit in your closet can go to someone who needs them, not just wants them at a discount at Goodwill. Nothing against Goodwill, that's my favorite place to shop. However these are given away. Directions are simple, clean shoes, in good shape should be rubber-banded together and taken to the donation site. They take care of the rest. Checkout their site http://www.soles4souls.org/ -- That's a good thing.

Answered prayers.....

I really can't tell you a long list off the top of my head, of answered prayers. I mean, I have some historical biggies. When you see the answer, you know it's an answer... Perhaps you can rattle off a list, but I'm often at a loss. I think it's because I don't pay attention, but most likely its because I'm not praying. I'm just making the obligatory 'phone call' to my Heavenly Father, and not really having a heart-felt conversation. Can I get a witness? Any amen's out there?
So here's the answered prayer... I'll share, because it might be something you'd like to know about too.
So, I met someone at church last Sunday from out of town, who reminded me of a huge opportunity that has been literally staring me in the face for quite sometime. There is a school in Honduras, run with support, both financially & through individual efforts, of numerous christians I know, here and in other states. I am currently, in a small way, involved in a project of providing dresses for the students that attend this school, but have been recently made aware that there are still approximately 40 students still in need of sponsorship. This equates to what I understand to be about $35-40/month. It is one of the few charitable works, where every dime goes to the actual cause.
Back to the answered prayer... Jack had asked me, as we passed a man begging at an intersection on the way home from Wednesday Bible classes, if I had any change. I was alone w/ Jack and explained that I could not determine it was the best thing to do, to help this man, that my first responsibility was to our safety, and I couldn't help him even if I had change. ..... easy way out. No, I think that is always a difficult determination, and it's individual how you handle that.
However, when we prayed tonight, we thanked God for our blessings, and asked for an opportunity to help in another way someone who might be in need.
Then, I stumlbe upon this new friends blogspot, and remembered this opportunity. So I pass this on to you. If are looking for a worthwhile opportunity, I'd say this is one to consider. I am not the best person to give information on it, however this friend is. She was there last week, taking 300 students school pictures... See her blog.

Soles 4 Souls - Clean out your closet & then send them in!

I stumbled upon this link on another bloggers site. There are so many smart, industrious, Godly, brilliant people out there. This site is looking for shoes for charity. You can donate on-line through pay-pal if you are so inclined. Reading through the stories, I am touched. I can't imagine not having shoes. I love shoes, even though most shoes don't love me, unless they are expensive and narrow. See, I have 'pencil feet'. & like cheap earrings... I can't wear cheap shoes, but really, when the alternative is no shoes, I'll wear free, cheap, wide shoes any day. Read the stories, and you'll see what I'm talking about.
Along those lines, .......
Tonight Jack & I prayed and we thanked God for our food. We are able to pick what we want to eat, at least he can eat what I pick for us to eat. But we have choice, and we have fresh food available to us. So many don't. So many go without, and in the stories I read on this site, many are searching through trash to find food.
Matt 25- mentions 'the least of these' that if we've cared for, fed, clothed one, we have done it to Him. It was mentioned today from the pulpit that we can't really love God if we don't love our fellow man. Doug, you were right. Another point you made, in Proverbs class- about being wise with brain wisdom, but not reaching out or showing our love for mankind. We've really missed the point. I've been entrenched in a study lately on the Images of God from the Bible, including names of God. A book I highly recommend is by Jukes, The Names of God. It was written sometime ago, now in republication, but truly in some places it reads like a prayer. Brains/wisdom and a heart for God's will. It's an amazing book, with insights into the people of the Bible and the lesson's learned through God's revelation of Himself.
Something to pray about, having a heart full of knowledge of God, but not just stopping at wisdom.