I'm going private

If you are reading this, you've successfully taken extra steps to become an "approved" viewer. I am very sorry for the inconvenience for those of you who have shown me support and told me you thought what I was doing was a good idea. If you don't want to read this any longer, however, then please don't. No hard feelings...I won't even know who you are.

Why am I going private?

Let's just say that there have been some people who have been rather non-supportive of this little Africa "thing" (people who I never thought would say the things they've said). But even this Chicago girl who lived smack dab in the middle of the "bloods" and the "crypts" and knew how to fend for herself, doesn't know how much more discouragement she can take. (not the bright and cheery post you were expecting, is it?) Just being honest.

On the bright side, I KNOW that what I'm doing is the right thing because obviously someone "down there" isn't happy about it. Well, "to hell with him"(literally). He's not invited!

I promise to be much more cheerful, uplifting and inspiring in my next post!

And, I almost have a date worked out for the fund-raiser mentioned below. (I think having the wind knocked out of me a few times lately affected me more than I realized.)

Not just Cardboard...but Coffee too.

Apparently I'm in a fund-raising mood and groove today. Look to the right and you'll see the other fundraiser I set up just now. Just Love Coffee. Kyle & I have purchased this coffee when friends of ours were raising $ for their adoptions, and it was wonderful. It can't be compared to store brands...it's so much better and it supports orphans!
(Check out the Africa coffee's; specifically Uganda & Ethiopia. How appropriate, eh?)

Not a coffee drinker? Check out the t-shirts, mugs or hats. I have it on excellent authority that the new travel mugs are AWESOME! FYI...I earn $5 from each bag or t-shirt and, $3 for each tote, travel mug or hat sold from my "storefront."

If you see this image you're on the right fund raising page!
Or, just click on it and you'll be directed there. Doesn't get any easier than that!

Cardboard Gala

Date & Location: TBD

Theme: Cardboard

No kidding...all of these things are made of cardboard.
Can you guess where I'm going with this?
(scroll down to see if you're right)

Millions of people all over the world have no place to call home. Some use cardboard to make their "home". In honor of DOING ..."for the least of these", I thought my friends and family could use every-day cardboard to make things of beauty! All creations will be auctioned at the Cardboard Gala & Dinner to be held sometime in April. (Location, time and date to be determined shortly)

How it works:

1. Make a comment to this post OR e-mail me letting me know that you want to submit an entry for the Cardboard Gala (you don't have to tell me what it is).
2. Call around to local stores and ask for large pieces of cardboard and/or large boxes. If you tell them you are raising $ for a orphans, they may give you even more.
3. Start brainstorming ideas with your friends and family and see how many creations you might want to submit. Big or small...doesn't matter. Just have fun with it!
4. Start creating. And, while you are creating, talk about what you are doing and WHY with those around you.
   

How in the world did I come up with this idea? Her name is Chelsea and she is 7 years old. She made the most touching, beautiful Christmas gift for MJ this year. She talks about orphans all the time (I wonder where she gets it?), prays for them, wants to adopt two more of them (sorry, Kyle - her words, not mine), and wishes she were older and could go with me to Africa. I promised her we would figure out a way for her to help the orphans in Africa...and the idea was born!

Chels's inspirational hand-made gift to MJ
(she came up with the idea and how to do it all by herself)

"Merry Christmas Miranda. I hope you like your computer that I made for you."
To: Miranda From: Chelsea

From the heart of one child to another.

What can you and the child/children in your life come up with? The possibilities are endless!
If you have a teenager, you have an advantage because they know everything!

I am praying not only that money will be raised, but that an awareness and a sense of urgency will be raised in all of us.

I can't do everything, but I can do something.
What can you do?

Here is the verse that "started it all" for me (so to speak).
"Once our eyes are opened, we can't pretend we don't know what to do. God who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls knows that we know, and holds us responsible to act."

Proverbs 24:12

Minor Date Change

Just talked to Visiting Orphans and learned that the dates and our team leader has changed. Apparently when you are Carolyn Tweitmeyer and People Magazine does a story on you, your family and your ministry, people WANT you. Thus...she's not able to do everything for everyone (I wonder if she too suffers from "mother guilt"?). Our team leader is now set to be a VO staff member. Our date has been pushed back by only a couple of weeks.

Still on for Ethiopia and Uganda. But instead of traveling in April, we will be traveling May 7 - 18. This means I'll head out Saturday before Mother's Day and arrive on the other side of the world on Mother's Day. How appropriate for this mom to be spending Mother's Day visiting children who don't have one any more.

Details: "Join us over Mother's Day as we love on orphans in Africa! The Ethiopian portion of this trip will be spent working with Kid's Care orphanage, Mother Teresa HIV orphanage, AHope HIV orphanage, children living and working in partnership with Project 61 in the dump in Addis and a ministry for street children. We will be packing and delivering formula for many different orphanages."

Wisdom

"Pray, but when you pray, move your feet."

Click here and here

If you think the problem is too big, you're right.
If you think you can't do anything about it, you're wrong.

Most people watched the Superbowl today. I didn't. I ended up here - on the Internet - reading more about orphans and Africa. And when that happens, I have to blog and post something interesting and hopefully inspiring. Thus the two short videos above.

I've read some wonderful books in the last three years that have helped shape, educate and grow me in ways I never thought possible - in ways I never even considered. Here would be my "Top 6" book list at the moment.

Warning: Reading while praying about what God wants you to do with your life can cause some very awe-inspiring behavior.

• The Lost Daughters of China (Karin Evans)
  
• Holy Discontent (Bill Hybels)
  
• Dangerous Surrender (Kay Warren)
  
• The Hole in Our Gospel (Richard Stearns)
  
• Not on Our Watch (John Prendergast and Don Cheadle)
  
• The Enough Movement (John Prendergast and Don Cheadle)

Oh, and as I sit here and publish this post, my two little girls are on my bed, in their PJ's, reading their Bibles. No kidding! Madam C is reading to MJ about David and Goliath. What an appropriate story to sum up this particular post, don't you think?