he's speaking my language

No I’m not talking about my husband Matt (although he does speak my language and does quite an incredible job of it!). I’m talking about Dr. Wess Stafford, the President & CEO of Compassion International.

I’ve just finished reading ‘Too Small to Ignore: Why Children Are the Next Big Thing’.
“The leader of Compassion International shares his inspiring boyhood adventures growing up in an African village and challenges us all to change the world – ONE CHILD AT A TIME. Why are children easy to ignore in the busy mainstream of human life? They rarely cry out if overlooked-or worse, traumatized or abused. Yet it is vial for the future of humanity that we make children a priority in every area of life. That’s the battle cry of Dr. Wess Stafford who heads up Compassion Internationl, the highly regarded international ministry to children. In this moving manifesto, he speaks for those who cannot speak for themselves. With inspiring true stories, Stafford delivers compelling argument for championing children worldwide. Children are victimized by war, pornography, and prostitution, as well as by lack of funding, feeding, education, and protecting. Yet in a few short years, the world’s challenges will be theirs to manage. Now is the time to act on their behalf and invest in children because they are Too Small to Ignore.”

If you don’t have a heart or concern for children, reading this book will surely change your point of view. It’s not really a secret that I’m passionate about kids worldwide. Reading this book totally reiterated my heart for children and re-fueled my passion for the children of the world.

This book definitely come highly recommended by moi, although I’d like to slightly alter the title to ready ‘Why Children Are a Big Thing.’ We keep talking about how children are the future church…I’d like to challenge that thinking by saying that children play a crucial role in the church TODAY! But if your mind is in fact in the place where you are thinking that children are the future, please put some actions behind your thoughts (or possibly words as well) and treat them with dignity, respect, nurture and love, for if they are indeed our future we better better be taking incredibly good care of them...and not just OUR children, but the children of the world. The destiny of this planet rests in their hands...

They Get It

I was at an elementary school this morning. I'm part of something called Character Connex.

"Character Connex is a school assembly program developed specifically to teach good character traits to your students. This high-energy program captures all the senses, featuring video, skits, puppets, games, illusions, and audience participation. Character Connex helps students leave with a better understanding of why honesty, kindness, respect, responsibility, as well as other good character traits are important to exercise and cherish."

Even though our assembly went great (we presented Preseveance today), and the children were very receptive the greatest part for me was something that had absolutely nothing to do with me, or with our team. It had to do with kids...

Before we were even given the stage the school presented some awards and such. One of the awards was presented to a man from a charitable organization, although it was so much an award but a gift. This man received a thank you card from the grade 1 & 2 students for the presentation he shared with them. He was also presented with a check for over $2000 to send to children in developing country. $2000 was collected from the grade 1 & 2 students in two weeks!!!
I was moved to tears by this presentation (partly because I'm just a big sissy). These kids showed the whole school that they care about social justice, that they see what's going on in their world and they're not going to stand for it.

I've heard it said that this younger generation is selfish, spoiled, and have not been taught manners. You cannot look at these grade 1 & 2 children and tell me that they are selfish, spoiled, and have poor manners...

Interestingly enough, my husband & I have joined a company of people who care about the starving Haiti and Africa. We've made a stand that today we will fast in honor of those who have no choice but to not eat, and all the money that we would be spending on food we are instead sending to an organization that will feed children who are starving.

Just so you know, there is a generation that cares for the needs of others.

every day a celebration.

The past few weeks have been eventful and full of celebration.

Two Saturday's ago I celebrated my 22nd year with my family. We were also informed of the death of one my great uncle's that day...

This past Friday was a celebration of my mum's 50 years of life. She tells everyone she's got another 40 to go.

Today I will be celebrating my great uncle's life that was very well lived.

Tomorrow, will be a celebration of my parents 30 years in marriage.

I'm learning more and more that everyday is precious. Every second of my life is to be cherished and used wisely.

When I was in high school one of my favorite quotes was "a minute spent angry is 60 seconds of wasted happiness." How true...

Today as I said good-bye to my husband he held me in his arms and told me that loved me. I'm glad we said good-bye like that because (God forbid) it be the last time we see each other.

I'm realizing its not worth it to hold grudges, to be easily offended, to get the last cut in, to want to get revenge...

Today I'm choosing to celebrate and cherish the moments I have. I resolve to use the time I have wisely...to TAKE TIME to give
a smile,
a hug,
a word of encouragement...
to slow down and just celebrate the people I love and the moments I have.

If I were in Australia

I'd be 22 right now.

It's my birthday tomorrow. 22 years old. Wow.

It's weird to think that I'm at the age that I once dreamed of, doing things that just a few years ago I was wishing would become a reality, or in some cases doing things that I thought were impossible!!!

I remember being in high school and day dreaming of the day that I'd be in Australia. Who knew that my first two years out of high school would be spent doing exacting what I was dreaming of all the way through high school?

When I returned from Northern Ireland the summer of 2003 I remember thinking I wanted to be in fulltime children's ministry. There was no way that I thought it would happen within 3 1/2 years.

When I was in grade 10 I had a dream of my wedding. As always with dreams like that I couldn't see the face of my husband, all I knew is that he was my best friend. Three weeks ago that dream also became a reality.

Unreal how the things that were secrets of my heart have become a reality in my life.

Yet not so unreal...

God has an interesting way of making things come together. And all I can say at this point is I can hardly wait for the next 22 years (and more!) of my life. Who knows what's to come next...all I know is that the best is yet to come :)