the next step

i am so blessed.

i honestly have the best of friends and the most wonderful family. if you know me, you can't deny this.

it's hard to think about the next step.

there was an unspeakable tragedy. and there were days of uncertainty. there is still a great deal unknown. people are suffering unimaginable pain. and they seem to suffer with dignity. i've been on quite the roller coaster, as we all have, the last three weeks and two days. i soar with the triumph of ALL OUR CHILDREN COMING HOME!

and then my heart sinks as the reports come in and i read that 45 children lost their lives. again, i'm encouraged when i think of those children dancing with full bellies and no sickness in the presence of our Lord Jesus!

amen?

next i speak with nicole and learn she's lost her boyfriend and they've not been eating. i ask God, "why? why can't i do something for those who are in need?"

and

"why did it have to happen?"

and

"why can't i go?"

i read about friends who have had to make tough decisions to leave their country behind. i ache some more. i know that pain. know it all too well.

the earthquake has renewed my prayer life.

i prayed a lot before january 12, but i have not ceased since that day. i know that is what i was commanded to do all along. the Lord, it is said, works in mysterious ways.

my mother is my best friend.

(i know i call a lot of people that, but seriously, she is.)

my mom and our dear friend reg put their words and my wonderings into action. they believed in a fundraiser. they supported my hopes. they have worked tirelessly since we set about to do this thing. and that has moved me. my dad has been a constant support. he has precautions and ideas. again, blessed.

this is what we are doing:

on february 20th, there will be a (i hesitate to call it this) craft fair.

we will be selling art, photography, jewelry, quilts, children's boutique wear, really tasty baked goods, and much more. we will also have live music and a caricature artist.

at the same time we are orchestrating a community fundraiser. many local businesses will be donating to our cause from their profits of said weekend. the idea is simple: many people are strapped financially and won't make it to the (ahem) craft fair. these same people, however, will pick up their dry cleaning, get their morning mocha, and their afternoon sub. if the dry cleaners are donating some of their profits to haïti, then the customer can feel like a contributor without going over their budget.

this is a big project but it feels really good to be doing something to help. and as i said, i am so blessed. so far i have over 20 people (read "friends" or "blessings") who are busy making products which they are donating no strings attached, to the fundraiser. the print shop where i was printing some of my pictures to sell, printed them free of charge. the copy shop where i stopped to make copies of my flyers, printed them free of charge. the newspaper is going to run our flyer free of charge. and the lady from the cable company is in my weight watchers group and said she'd put my announcement on tv free of charge!

a wonderful woman in our church wrote me a check to print pictures, buy frames, make my verse books and whatever other expenses might come up. she just sent it to me in the mail because she wanted to help. seriously.

i have a friend whose son made a stuffed animal, his first sewing project. he's making stuffed cats to benefit the children of haïti. incidentally, i became involved with "new life to the children" because of his grandpa and took my first trip to haïti because of and with his dad.

some have asked me about my choice to raise funds for "new life to the children" and not "three angels." i'll answer that now. "three angels" is a solid organization. i support them. gretchen and shannon are very close to my heart. i have donated to their cause over the years and since the quake. i loved my time living at Angel House.

the reason i have chosen "new life" instead is because of need. "three angels" has made a bit of a name for itself this past month. they are on the radio and television all over the country. newspapers continue to spotlight the miraculous exodus of those remaining 26 children. they were even featured in time magazine!

i praise the Lord that those 26 children, most of whom i lived with and prayed over constantly, are now home with their forever families. but "new life" lost 45 children. most of their buildings have been destroyed. they are haitian founded and run, so their voice in america is not strong. they have received little aid so far. prior to the quake, they were building on some property outside of port au prince. reports say the construction is unharmed. don will be arriving there tomorrow to investigate and assess whether they can put up temporary, safe buildings on the site and move the remaining children and caregivers there.

i want to help in this. i worked with these pastors, caregivers, and children. i think this is a worthy cause. i know the money raised will not be squandered. i know they have great need. i want to make their voice heard.

please support them.