HEART'S CRY

A friend dropped by her pillowcases for the girls coming to camp next week.  "They are so imperfect," she said. "I suppose it is just like our lives," she continued.   Isn't it o.k. to be, "good enough!?" Who has it all together?  Who has within themselves all it takes to make a difference in the life of a child?  Do you?   I know that I am a far cry from perfect.  So how can I make a difference in the life of a child?  I can be impulsive, pushy, bossy, impatient and driven.  I don't have all the answers and sometimes I don't have any answers. What I do have to offer is a passion and strong belief that every single person on this planet is created with equal value and worth and that they have great potential.   I live this belief and know that everyone wants to grow, learn and impact their world. The pillow cases are a comfort...to me!  Here I go to camp, with all the imperfections and hang ups of ...

  The opposable mind is the ability to hold two opposing ideas and create a new one.   It is the people who, "have the predisposition and the capacity to hold two diametrically opposing ideas in their heads.  And then, without panicking or simply settling for one alternative or the other, they're able to produce a synthesis that is superior to either opposing idea."  (Martin) Kind of like...our thumbs.  Check yours out!  Have you ever considered what an amazing thing a thumb is?  Throughout your day today, be thoughtfully aware of all of the ways our thumb helps us create and produce.  I have to admit, I had not paid much attention to Mr. Thumb-man, other then when I've hit it with a hammer! According to Roger Martin, human beings are distinguished from nearly every other creature by a physical feature known as the opposable thumb.  "Thanks to the tension we can create by opposing the thumb and fingers, we can do marvelous ...

Excitement is in the air!  Camp count down continues. Yesterday, I had the opportunity to spend the day with the Kids Count folks in our state.  The material paints a picture through data of what is happening with our kids statewide.  Thankfully, Voices for Children wanted to see and hear about the real kids behind the real data. Today, I spent the morning with a young lady, her husband and her kids.  She was raised in foster care.   Within the context of the individual, the data is even more powerful.  I am so proud of this Mother and the very hard work she has done and road she has walked to try to take her daughters to a different "place" with her. My thoughts go to the girls who will be coming to camp.  What good can one week make in the life of a child?   It can make all the difference in the world.   One week can be the experience that will reset the expectations, hopes and dreams to an entirely new n...

It has been my goal to create a sustainable retreat!  Not one that takes tons of money, resources, energy and time. I am seriously limited in energy and time. However, I need my garden time.  Surrounded in the ebb, flow, energy and peace feeds my soul and my dreams! My retreat began with where it was.  I had to accept where it was and where we were.   So the fence needs replaced, but what could I do with what I have? Water is expensive and scarce so I'm working on storing in within the ground.     Robins love to hunt for bugs and worms throughout these perennials!  Small birds hide in the grass and winter in the vines! The favorite hang out if every bee and bug imaginable.   My swale above. Annuals, perennials, herbs and vines supporting each others health and growth.

I really need a 24/7 week at my local church to get things in order, but a day will have to work for now!!  Outdated curriculum and broken toys were thrown away, while the other toys organized, boxed and put away for another day!  I laughed as I found blocks in the stove and dress up clothes with the blocks.  Kids have an amazing way of integrating their lives into one big play area!  Our Children's Church room is a dream come true for me.  A huge open room with plenty of space for centers and free play!  I love these kids! The waffle blocks, legos, duplo, wooden and various other assortments of blocks are some of the favorite toys.  They were my boys' toys first. As I sort and throw and reflect, I become more thoughtful.   What if someone wouldn't of reached out to my Mom and I?  Where would I be today without the influence of engaged and invested people?   Insignificant experiences it seemed at the time, but rolle...

Our Theme for camp is:  Construction. As I work today filling totes with blocks, toys and activities for the girls coming to camp, I'm reminded of the "construction" God does in each of our lives. God has actively worked in reconstruction, destruction and construction throughout my life.  He has restored my heart and mind to see the truth of who I am in Him.   I still struggle with doubt, second guessing and failure, making me human.  However, I've learned through this construction process that if I keep my mind on the One who has the blue prints, everything will be o.k. This is my hope for the girls this week of camp.   

Next Sunday, I (and many others) will be unloading our treasures at the campground and decorating posters, rooms, making beds and praying over the area. Tonight I met with two ladies from two different churches to work together to tie up the loose ends.  To "Oh and Ah" over decorated flip flops and beautiful tied blankets that each girl will receive.    Pack up goody bags for the counselors to have on hand and to make more list.  Do we have enough tempera paint and markers?  Do we have enough band-aids and stickers and post it notes and pens?  Who picks up who and when?! Are our prayer partners praying? The excited conversation turned to exhortation and reminders.  "We have to be so intentional in pointing out strengths."  "Nurturing and taking care of their plants throughout the week will be a great life lesson!"  "How do we ensure that they experience a vision for their future?" Notes were started for next year'...

"Ha," I say, loudly enough for my husband to hear, hoping he will ask. "What is it," he asks.  "Making things more difficult then they are, is not a fault or character flaw!" "Really..."  "Who says," he asked. "Roger Martin," I say with a sense of validation!  As if he is a partner or friend. "So you are not just being difficult?" "No," I quip.  My head lifts and my eyes light up.  "I'm an integrative thinker." Have you had an experience like mine?   Where you feel validated and vindicated?   You might not be as crazy as you or everyone else might think you are? Do you find yourself sharing it with those nearby....who just might need to hear how amazing your thinking is?  Do you want to buy them all the book? This is one you might want to buy! "The Opposable Mind: Winning Through Integrative Thinking" by Roger Martin. My book is underlined and...

Our area Royal Family Kids camp begins in 8 days!   Royal Family Kids Camps are camps for children who have been abused and neglected or have spent some time in the foster system for one reason or another.  This program has camps in all areas of the United States as well as international camps.  The very wise founders created a franchise for the camp with specific processes and systems in place to ensure great environments and memories for kids.  If you want to learn more, please check it out... http://royalfamilykids.org/ . The camp we are hosting, is a small rural camp with its own set of challenges such as; distance, collaboration of churches separated by hundreds of miles and smaller camping facilities.  Unfortunately, we have plenty of children who qualify for the opportunity to come to camp.  One vision we have is supporting the foster parents and the biological parents of these kids.  Sometimes parents just find themselves in real...

My focus is on mindfulness and "Being With."  Being present.  Being present with God, myself, spouse, children and everyone I come in to contact with. I'm stinking it up!  Too much or not enough Me in the Be. 1.  Too much Me.  I find my mind racing to justifications and ideas to fix and my own self centered agenda.  If my focus is on me and my expectations and needs and grasp for control then I cannot simply be. 2.  Not enough focus on me.  It is so much simpler to look outwardly and "do" something then to look at the me in the mirror and deal with her.  My hang ups and my fears and my vulnerabilities.  To Be with someone takes great courage and vulnerability.  In order to succeed in the Be, I have to deal with the Me! Just for today, I'll deal with the Me and I'll focus on The Be!!!