A nice quiet drive through the nice quiet city with a nice quiet navigator and a nice quiet driver… No. Not even close.
“Turn!” screams the navigator.
*Driver screeches around the corner.*
“Stop!” she yells.
*Driver slams on the break.*
“That was our turn!” she cries.
*Driver swivels into the parking lot to turn around.*
This was how my day went. My mom, the navigator, trying to give directions to our neighbor, the driver, as me and Melissa sit in the back in a state of near panic. (Near panic isn’t quite the same as panic but something between panic and excitement. If you’ve ever gone on an amusement park ride, you know what I’m talking about. It was something like that, only a little more dangerous.)
It all started with a trip to the chiropractor and ended with a very car-sick person (namely: Me.) The trip to town wasn’t so bad because our neighbor didn’t need directions. Once we got into town was when the trouble started. The trouble really had nothing at all to do with their lack of driving and navigating skills, it had to do with their talking skills. The whole trip they talked to one another and the whole trip my mom forgot to give the directions to our neighbor until we got to our turn. The dialogue went something like this:
Mom: “The small tiller might not work so well because… Turn!”
Neighbor: “Here?”
Mom: “There! Turn, now!”
Neighbor: “Why wouldn’t the tiller work?”
Mom: “You could use it but it would till in all the grass seeds on those plants…Stop! That’s our stop!”
Neighbor: “You should tell me before hand, honey!”
Mom: “And you don’t want all those grass seeds where you plant your garden.”
Neighbor: “I hadn’t thought of that. This lane?”
Mom: “No, the next one… Wait! That was it.”
Neighbor: “What…?”
Mom: “Turn in there! Turn around and go back.”
Neighbor: “Okay.”
Mom: “No, never mind, that wasn’t it.”
And then there was the left and right issue. My mother, who can’t tell the two apart, kept saying ‘left’ for ‘right’ and ‘right’ for ‘left’ which only caused more confusion!
This might sound fun to all those like my younger siblings but by the end of the day I was wondering whether the chiropractor had done any good! Needless to say, it was interesting. I’m not sure you could call a single moment boring!
Mandy
Our Fireworks
I took this picture at a fireworks display a few years ago.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Thursday, May 24, 2012
God Knows
Why do we accuse God of not knowing or understanding what we are going through? When we are hurting we forget how much he hurt for us. How can we say he doesn’t understand when we are scared when he had to face the cross? How can we say he doesn’t understand when we are betrayed when one of his friends turned him over to be murdered? How can we claim he doesn’t get it when we feel alone when he was hung on a cross being beaten to death and his Father turned away? How can we say he doesn’t know how we feel when we are left to deal with something by ourselves when his own friends ran in fear as the soldiers took him? How can we say he doesn’t know what it is like to be hated when he faced a crowd of people screaming for his death? He had done nothing to them but kindness! How can we say he doesn’t know what it is like to go through physical pain? He was beaten, forced to carry his cross and then hung on it to be beaten some more. It is US who don’t understand what it is like to hurt! How can we say he doesn’t understand what it is like to have everything he cares about ripped away and ruined when his beautiful creation was snatched out of his hands?
And we dare to say he doesn’t know. We bend as low as to blame him for our troubles when he has given his ALL to get us back. In our pain we forget to remember just how much he gave, how much he cares, how much he understands! Anything we have gone through or are going through, he has experienced. Loss, pain, fear…
Stop forgetting. Start remembering.
Mandy
And we dare to say he doesn’t know. We bend as low as to blame him for our troubles when he has given his ALL to get us back. In our pain we forget to remember just how much he gave, how much he cares, how much he understands! Anything we have gone through or are going through, he has experienced. Loss, pain, fear…
Stop forgetting. Start remembering.
Mandy
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
My Birthday
Today is a special day. It is my Birthday. I slept in late (7:15am if you can believe it! WOW! No, I am not joking, that is late for me), ate the very last bit of cereal (which happened to be my favorite kind...Chex! I won't mention how it is one of the only kinds I can have. It is still my FAVORITE cereal, still not kidding), and came on the computer to learn my Aunts and pastor have already wished me happy Birthday! Then, my seven double cousins called to sing a rather discordenated, very sweet happy birthday via the phone. And I can't forget to mention one of the best parts of the day so far - my mom gave me a hug. I love you, Mom! So, fifteen minutes in, and my Birthday is already so good!
Yet, I still have to mention someone I could not have made it this far and been the person I am without - God. Thank you, Lord, for the lessons that helped me grow (even if some of them were painful) and for the family and friends you gave me. I could never have gotten here without You.
Mom, Dad, I love you so much. You are always there, always special. Mom, I don't care if you shake. I love you now and just the way you are. You can shake for the rest of your life and I won't mind. You are MY MOM. Nothing will ever change that. I will never stop loving you. Dad, there isn't even words. I love you so much. You are my Daddy and I want nothing more than to make you proud of me. I love you, I love you, I love you. And when an author finds herself speechless and unable to describe how much someone means to her that is a HUGE sign! Thank you for loving me.
Aunt Miriam, you have been one of my biggest heroes my whole life! You have encouraged me, loved me, cared for me. I love the silly books you always read us and I don't ever want that to stop. I love the laughter your presence always brings. You mean more to me than words can describe. Thank you for always saying 'it just hasn't clicked yet' when I had trouble reading. That meant so much. I love you.
Aunt Vonda, thank you for just being you. I miss you so much. You have always meant fun, laughter and excitment. And not ust because of the gifts! I love you.
Aunt Cindy, our silly conversations via Messanger mean so much. Every time I'm around you, I keep thinking, "I want to be as patient and kind as her." I have never met someone as patient as you are. You are special, funny, and kind unlike anyone I've ever know. I love you, so very much. I always look forward to seeing you.
Aunt Chari, thank you for inviting me into your boat. Literally (three days ago) and metaporically (my entire life). I couldn't have been blessed with a more wonderful family. I love you, Aunt Chari.
Missy, Rose, Peter, Jules, I love you guys. Maybe I don't say it a lot, but I think it all the time. I know I don't say much besides books scenes and ideas, but that is my way of talking. Every time you help me, it means the world to me. My life would be dull and boring without you. I love you. You are my family and therefore my most special friends.
Pastor Nick, maybe you only count as family through Christ, but you have inspired me. Thank you for always being there and praying. It means so much. Thank you for everything!
My friends, I have too many of you to count, but I love you all so much it hurts! Thank you for everything!
And thank You, God, for them all.
God bless you on my special day!
Mandy
P.S. Guess what type of cake I get? PINEAPPLE CAKE! YAY!
Yet, I still have to mention someone I could not have made it this far and been the person I am without - God. Thank you, Lord, for the lessons that helped me grow (even if some of them were painful) and for the family and friends you gave me. I could never have gotten here without You.
Mom, Dad, I love you so much. You are always there, always special. Mom, I don't care if you shake. I love you now and just the way you are. You can shake for the rest of your life and I won't mind. You are MY MOM. Nothing will ever change that. I will never stop loving you. Dad, there isn't even words. I love you so much. You are my Daddy and I want nothing more than to make you proud of me. I love you, I love you, I love you. And when an author finds herself speechless and unable to describe how much someone means to her that is a HUGE sign! Thank you for loving me.
Aunt Miriam, you have been one of my biggest heroes my whole life! You have encouraged me, loved me, cared for me. I love the silly books you always read us and I don't ever want that to stop. I love the laughter your presence always brings. You mean more to me than words can describe. Thank you for always saying 'it just hasn't clicked yet' when I had trouble reading. That meant so much. I love you.
Aunt Vonda, thank you for just being you. I miss you so much. You have always meant fun, laughter and excitment. And not ust because of the gifts! I love you.
Aunt Cindy, our silly conversations via Messanger mean so much. Every time I'm around you, I keep thinking, "I want to be as patient and kind as her." I have never met someone as patient as you are. You are special, funny, and kind unlike anyone I've ever know. I love you, so very much. I always look forward to seeing you.
Aunt Chari, thank you for inviting me into your boat. Literally (three days ago) and metaporically (my entire life). I couldn't have been blessed with a more wonderful family. I love you, Aunt Chari.
Missy, Rose, Peter, Jules, I love you guys. Maybe I don't say it a lot, but I think it all the time. I know I don't say much besides books scenes and ideas, but that is my way of talking. Every time you help me, it means the world to me. My life would be dull and boring without you. I love you. You are my family and therefore my most special friends.
Pastor Nick, maybe you only count as family through Christ, but you have inspired me. Thank you for always being there and praying. It means so much. Thank you for everything!
My friends, I have too many of you to count, but I love you all so much it hurts! Thank you for everything!
And thank You, God, for them all.
God bless you on my special day!
Mandy
P.S. Guess what type of cake I get? PINEAPPLE CAKE! YAY!
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Kids Against Hunger
This is something I've done and really enjoyed. I'm going to try to get my church to do it, too. Thought some of you might like to help, too. : )
Founder: Richard Proudfit founded the Kids Against Hunger Organization in 1999 to feed starving children.
Goal: To significantly reduce hungry children in the U.S. and feed starving children around the world.
How big is the need? Over 1.02 billion people do not have enough to eat and are starving. That is more then the populations of the U.S.A., Canada and the European Union! (Source: FAO news release, 19 June 2009.) Every six seconds a child dies of hunger and related causes! (Source: FAO, 2004.) 10.9 million Children under the age of five die per year and 60 percent of those are from malnutrition.
How do they know their food has everything it needs in it? The Kids Against Hunger organization have worked with scientist to learn what the starving children around the world need in their diets, not only to fill them with little, but to actually start reversing the effects of long term hunger.
What is in their food packages? The packages include four dry ingredients that are specially prepared and researched to help heal. They include rice, vitamin-fortified, crushed soy (for protein), a dehydrated blend of six vegetables, and chicken flavored, vegetarian, vitamin and mineral powder. They are simple to prepare: just boil the amount of water the package calls for, for twenty minutes (which is important to get rid of anything bad in the water) and add the package. Each package can feed six people.
How much does it cost? Each package (six servings) costs $0.23. Each 32lb. box of food holds 36 bags of food (216 meals) and costs $50.00. Each 40 foot container load of food includes 285, 120 meals at a program cost of approximately $65,000.
Where do they get the money? The money comes from donations from individuals, corporations, churches, and other organizations.
How is it distributed? They work closely with their distribution partners – churches, missionaries and other nonprofit organizations, and U.S. government agencies operating in foreign countries - to manage the distribution of Kids Against Hunger’s meals. Accountability is essential. They seek out organizations that have a proven track record of successfully getting the food to the children, distributing it properly, and being able to handle the responsibilities of a feeding program. We require our feeding partners to document how they distribute the food and to provide us with testimonials and pictures of the children who receive the meals whenever possible.
Also, since it is just rice, vitamins, minerals and vegetables almost every country will allow it across their borders.
What happens after they get the food? Kids Against Hunger has realized it isn’t enough to simply feed people. They work with programs that are working to teach stability to the recipients. They are building schools, showing them farming, teaching them proper hygiene, basic first aid and helping them learn other necessary tools for life. Their food is often used to ‘jumpstart’ a community that is then taught to help themselves.
How do they package their food? One of the Kids Against Hunger organization’s problems is that they don’t have the people to package their food. They struggled with this for quite awhile before someone came up with the suggestion. Why not use volunteers? They now have almost 100, non-profit ‘satellites’ throughout the U.S. and Canada.
How much food do they send out? Last year alone they packaged forty million meals for the children and their families. Since its launch it has sent our over 200 million meals.
How can we help? They need people to package their food. If one person packages food for two hours it is enough to feed one child for a year. They also ask that we make a small donation because of the cost of the food.
Website: www.kidsagainsthunger.org
Founder: Richard Proudfit founded the Kids Against Hunger Organization in 1999 to feed starving children.
Goal: To significantly reduce hungry children in the U.S. and feed starving children around the world.
How big is the need? Over 1.02 billion people do not have enough to eat and are starving. That is more then the populations of the U.S.A., Canada and the European Union! (Source: FAO news release, 19 June 2009.) Every six seconds a child dies of hunger and related causes! (Source: FAO, 2004.) 10.9 million Children under the age of five die per year and 60 percent of those are from malnutrition.
How do they know their food has everything it needs in it? The Kids Against Hunger organization have worked with scientist to learn what the starving children around the world need in their diets, not only to fill them with little, but to actually start reversing the effects of long term hunger.
What is in their food packages? The packages include four dry ingredients that are specially prepared and researched to help heal. They include rice, vitamin-fortified, crushed soy (for protein), a dehydrated blend of six vegetables, and chicken flavored, vegetarian, vitamin and mineral powder. They are simple to prepare: just boil the amount of water the package calls for, for twenty minutes (which is important to get rid of anything bad in the water) and add the package. Each package can feed six people.
How much does it cost? Each package (six servings) costs $0.23. Each 32lb. box of food holds 36 bags of food (216 meals) and costs $50.00. Each 40 foot container load of food includes 285, 120 meals at a program cost of approximately $65,000.
Where do they get the money? The money comes from donations from individuals, corporations, churches, and other organizations.
How is it distributed? They work closely with their distribution partners – churches, missionaries and other nonprofit organizations, and U.S. government agencies operating in foreign countries - to manage the distribution of Kids Against Hunger’s meals. Accountability is essential. They seek out organizations that have a proven track record of successfully getting the food to the children, distributing it properly, and being able to handle the responsibilities of a feeding program. We require our feeding partners to document how they distribute the food and to provide us with testimonials and pictures of the children who receive the meals whenever possible.
Also, since it is just rice, vitamins, minerals and vegetables almost every country will allow it across their borders.
What happens after they get the food? Kids Against Hunger has realized it isn’t enough to simply feed people. They work with programs that are working to teach stability to the recipients. They are building schools, showing them farming, teaching them proper hygiene, basic first aid and helping them learn other necessary tools for life. Their food is often used to ‘jumpstart’ a community that is then taught to help themselves.
How do they package their food? One of the Kids Against Hunger organization’s problems is that they don’t have the people to package their food. They struggled with this for quite awhile before someone came up with the suggestion. Why not use volunteers? They now have almost 100, non-profit ‘satellites’ throughout the U.S. and Canada.
How much food do they send out? Last year alone they packaged forty million meals for the children and their families. Since its launch it has sent our over 200 million meals.
How can we help? They need people to package their food. If one person packages food for two hours it is enough to feed one child for a year. They also ask that we make a small donation because of the cost of the food.
Website: www.kidsagainsthunger.org
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