We did it!

We collected close to 50 pair of shoes for the Cornerstone Christian Women's Job Corps Career Boutique from 30 individual contributors! And, we had a blast doing so!
Thank You:
D'Ann
Melissa
Sarah
Caedmon
Joanna
Gayla
Karen
Caleb
Dunn-Dunn
Tina
LaMo
Meghann
Maribeth
Kimbo
Beckie
Erika
Gabi
Wanda
Allison
Dave
Dana
Suzanne
Cody
Dia
Jim
Ann
Daddy
Mama
Ashleigh

Thirty for 30!: Beautiful News in Beautiful Shoes

It's time to reveal the "project" for the actual day. We're almost to October 14. I have just five days left in my 20's. The Thirty for 30! project for October 14 is a shoe drive. Cornerstone Christian Women's Job Corps has a beautiful Career Wear Boutique that was originally set up by some wonderful volunteers from Fort Worth Presbyterian Church. All of our graduates and many other women from our community find gorgeous clothing to wear on business interviews, and when they land a job, they get to come pick out office appropriate attire for an entire week! My favorite day of Life Skills and Job Readiness Training is during the last week of class when volunteers come and meet with our ladies to offer hair cuts, styling, makeup tips, and shopping advice in the boutique. There's a transformation that comes over these women when they find an outfit that makes them feel confident and beautiful all at the same time. It's like everything they've been learning on the inside comes shining through. In collecting clothing for the boutique, we've gathered a few shoes and handbags here and there, but not really enough variety to really be sure all of our patrons take home the complete package. So, the Thirty for 30! project for October 14 is a CCWJC Shoe Drive with a goal of collecting 30 pair of women's dress shoes to put in the CCWJC Career Boutique! I've already collected 3 pair from sweet friends who can't join us during the drive, but wanted to participate.

Thirty for 30!: Record History

I was privileged to have a great-grandmother that lived to be 97 years old. We shared a close relationship right up to the end. I learned so much from listening to her talk about life. One of the best things I have ever been a part of happened a few years before her death. My other cousins and I asked Grandmother and her sister (Aunt Bea) to sit down and let us video tape an interview with them. We began by asking questions about their childhood, their family, their memoreies of dating and courtship, what it was like to be a young wife/mother during the Great Depression, what they remembered about various historical events, and what they perceived to be the greatest inventions of their lifetime. It was wonderful. We laughed so hard listening to them tell stories on each other of childhood adventures. We connected with them as we listened to them talk about their teenage years. We marveled at the things they endured and wondered over all the changed they'd seen.
I've been thinking about a Thirty for 30! post about nursing homes and visiting the elderly. Our culture is not known for valuing it's senior citizens. I thought about suggesting a sing-a-long or making time to go paint the female residents finger nails. But, if you want to plan a ministry event at a nursing home or senior citizens center that might have as much impact on you as it does on them, schedule some interviews! Google "grandparent interview" and you'll be amazed at the resources available. I really like this very comprehensive list from The Legacy Project. It generally only takes a few questions to get the ball rolling before you have more information than you could dream. Be sure you bring a video camera!

Thirty for 30!: Give Blood

Check out Carter BloodCare’s 56 Fascinating Blood Facts!
1. Anyone in good health, at least 17 years old, and at least 110 pounds may donate whole blood every 56 days.
2. 4.5 million American lives are saved each year by blood transfusions.
3. 32,000 pints of donated blood are used each day in the United States.
4. Someone needs blood every three seconds.
5. One out of ten hospital patients needs blood.
6. Three lives are saved by one pint of donated blood.
7. Ten pints of blood are in the body of an average adult.
8. One unit of blood is roughly the equivalent of one pint.
9. Blood makes up about 7% of your body's weight.
10. A newborn baby has about one cup of blood in his body.
11. An average red blood cell transfusion uses 3.4 pints.
12. Blood fights infection and helps heal wounds.
13. A, B, AB and O are the four main types of blood types. AB is the universal recipient, O negative is the universal donor.
14. Blood centers often run short of types O and B blood.
15. Shortages of all blood types happen during the summer and winter holidays.
16. If all blood donors gave two to four times a year, it would help prevent blood shortages.
17. You could donate 48 gallons of blood if you began at 17 years old and donate every 56 days until you reach 76 years old.
18. Three gallons of blood is used every minute in the United States.
19. There are four steps to donating blood: medical history, quick physical, donation and snacks.
20. The actual blood donation usually takes less than ten minutes. The entire process from the time you sign in to the time you
leave takes about an hour.
21. Giving blood will not decrease your strength.
22. You cannot get AIDS or any other infectious disease by donating blood.
23. 14 tests (11 for infectious diseases) are performed on each unit of donated blood.
24. Any company, community organization, place of worship or individual may contact their local community blood center
to host a blood drive.
25. People donate blood out of a sense of duty and community spirit, not to make money. They are not paid for their donation.
26. Much of today's medical care depends on a steady supply of blood from healthy donors.
27. One unit of blood can be separated into red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma, platelets and cryoprecipitate.
28. Red blood cells carry oxygen to the body's organs and tissue.
29. There are one billion red blood cells in two to three drops of blood.
30. Red blood cells live about 120 days in the circulatory system.
31. Platelets support blood clotting and give those with leukemia and other cancers a chance to live.
32. Apheresis (ay-fur-ee-sis) is a special kind of blood donation that allows a donor to give specific blood components, such as platelets.
33. The shelf life of donated red blood cells is 42 days.
34. The shelf life of donated platelets is five days.
35. The shelf life of frozen plasma is one year.
36. Plasma is a pale yellow mixture of water, proteins and salts.
37. Plasma, which is 90% water, constitutes 55% of blood volume.
38. Healthy bone marrow makes a constant supply of red cells, plasma and platelets.
39. Car accident and blood loss victims can need transfusions of 50 pints or more of red blood cells.
40. Bone marrow transplant patients need platelet donations from about 120 people and red blood cells from about 20 people.
41. Severe burn victims can need 20 units of platelets during their treatment.
42. Children being treated for cancer, premature infants and children having heart surgery need blood and platelets from donors of all types.
43. Anemic patients need blood transfusions to increase their iron levels.
44. Cancer, transplant and trauma patients, and patients undergoing open-heart surgery require platelet transfusions to survive.
45. Sickle cell disease is an inherited disease that affects more than 80,000 people in the United States, 98% of whom are of African descent.
Some patients with complications from severe sickle cell disease receive blood transfusions every month -- up to four pints at a time.
46. 500,000 Americans donated blood in the days following the September 11 attacks.
47. Females receive 53% of blood transfusions; males receive 47%.
48. 94% of blood donors are registered voters.
49. 60% of the U.S. population is eligible to donate blood — only 5% do.
50. 17% of non-donors cite "never thought about it" as the main reason for not giving, while 15% say they're too busy. The #1 reason donors
say they give is because they "want to help others."
51. After donating blood, you replace these red blood cells within four weeks. It takes eight weeks to restore the iron lost after donating.
52. Granulocytes, a type of white blood cell, roll along blood vessel walls in search of bacteria to eat.
53. White cells are the body's primary defense against infection.
54. There is no substitute for human blood.
55. Since a pint is a pound, you lose a pound every time you donate blood.
56. Blood donation. It's about an hour of your time. It's About Life.

Thirty for 30!: Go to Prison

Some of you who've been keeping up will remember that this whole "Thirty for 30!" began after I attended a simulcast of the Willow Creek Leadership Summit in August. One of the most challenging and inspiring speakers there was a young woman (I can say that cause she's only a couple of years my senior) named Catherine Rohr from Prison Entrepreneurship Program. PEP recruits business professionals and MBA students to visit prisons and teach business courses to inmates preparing for life after parole. "PEP constructively redirects inmates' talents by equipping them with values-based entrepreneurial training enabling them to productively re-enter society." I think what I found so exciting about this program was the passion of the founder herself. Catherine was a relatively new Christ follower when she first became aware of the problems and needs within the Texas prison system, but she didn't turn her back on them. She faced them head on, actively engaged herself with the issues, and radically changed her personal life course in order to eternally impact the lives of countless others.

Thirty for 30!: Shop Smart

Are you a smart shopper? Are you aware of what you and your family consume? Do you do what you can to spend your resources wisely? Take this quiz to find out just how much you know and learn ways to do better!

Thirty for 30!: It Only Takes a Spark

Spark Ministry is one of the most exciting projects I've heard about in recent months. This is a ministry that helps women in the church serve other women around the nation. Spark sponsors short term mission trips for women where they get to bless other women in difficult situations. I haven't been on a Spark trip yet, but I have had the privilege of praying for them and helping scholarship one of their participants. Check out their website for more information!

We Interrupt Our Regularly Scheduled Broadcast ...

To bring you tears.
I'm not an overly emotional person. I generally let reason rule. And, I like it that way. I am not frequently moved to tears. I'm just not.
Yesterday, I cried. I've been doing that a little more lately. There's a situation going on with someone very near and dear to me that makes that happen. I can't seem to help it. Trust me, I would if I could. But, I can't.
This morning, I was thinking about tears. What are they for? What's the point? What am I supposed to do with all the icky feelings and emotions that cause them? Wouldn't it be better for all involved if I didn't cry so much right now?
Lately, I've noticed that if I let someone in on my tears, let them hear or see me cry, they try to fix it. They tell me that it's all going to be okay. They remind me that God's in control, that He is good, and that He will work all things together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. And, everything inside me wants to just scream, "I KNOW! I. KNOW."
My tears are not evidence of doubt. They are not disbelief. That's why the frustrate me so often. If I know it's all going to be fine in the end, why must I cry about it today?
This morning, as I was contemplating all of these things a very simple verse came to mind. "Jesus wept." Everyone knows it's the shortest verse in the bible. It's in the midst of the story of Lazarus, the friend of Jesus who was ill and died. Jesus shows up four days "late" and Lazarus' sisters are distraught with grief and disappointment. And, Jesus wept.
Why did Jesus weep? Did he weep because He didn't know God was in control? Did He weep because He wasn't sure how it was all going to work out for their good? Did He weep because He was helpless to do anything about it? Of course not!
Maybe Jesus wept because someone very near and dear to him was suffering. Maybe he wept because he knew the suffering was completely necessary, God-ordained pain that would ultimately be for their good and the Father's glory, but it was still suffering. Maybe he wept because there was no better way to demonstrate his compassion for his beloved friends.
I can't say definitively why Jesus wept, but realizing that it wasn't because he doubted God or was weak in faith has helped me accept my own tears for now.

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. ~ Hebrews 4:15

Thirty for 30!: Be a Fairy Godmother

Bippity Boppity Boo!
All of us who grew up dreaming of Cinderella wished for a fairy godmother to come along and wave a magic wand and help us feel beautiful at one time or another. The Glass Slipper Project is doing just that for young women in the Chicago area by taking donated formal dresses and setting up a boutique where moms and daughters can shop for prom dresses they'd never be able to afford otherwise. Women with a flair for style and fashion are finding a unique way to give back to their communities. Check out The Prom Shop Project which operates in Dallas and Austin, too!

Thirty for 30!: Be a Man

In July, I attended some work training hosted by Texas Baptist Men, and I absolutely fell in love with their ministry. This is a group of men who find out about a need and figure out a way to help meet it. They travel all over the WORLD helping out in disaster relief zones and providing clean drinking water in villages that have had none. The average age on their staff is about 74 years old, and no, I'm not kidding. They are awesome. Their motto is Anytime. Anyway. Anywhere. Love it!

If you're looking for a way to contribute to disaster relief efforts following this season's devastating hurricanes, if you're passionate about getting clean drinking water to remote areas, or if you just want the next generation of boys to grow up with a heart for fulfilling God's mission around the world, spend some time learning about Texas Baptist Men and find a way to support their work!

Thirty for 30!: Make Spaghetti

Earlier this year, my friends and I were presented with an opportunity to help a friend of a friend. We'd heard that Nina had been called to go on a mission trip but was struggling to come up with funds. It didn't take us long to decide that our weekly dinner together could easily become a fundraiser. By splitting up the cost of purchasing a few ingredients and getting creative with some advertising, we pulled together a happy little opportunity to bless someone we didn't know, believing that God would multiply our efforts. Did He ever! We raised significantly more than we would have believed we could, and while on her trip, our new friend sensed the call of God on her life to further mission endeavors. And, we had a blast making it happen! Never underestimate the power of spaghetti!

Thirty for 30!: Host a Lingerie Shower

Today has been one of those truly great days. Life's been fun and relatively easy and occassionally exciting in all directions. I was just telling Ginger about it, and her response to all this awesomeness was so clever. She said, "Go buy panties!" This may not make any sense at all to you, but to me, it makes perfect sense. Somewhere along the way, my friends and I began celebrating life's little achievements by purchasing new underwear. Sometimes, for small just normal happy days, you buy your own. But, for big, life-changing achievements others buy them for you. It's super fun. The truth is I think all women like to have new things, especially when it's something that's REALLY just for you. :-)

Now, I'll let you in on a little secret about me. I hate hearing the word "panties" said in public. I don't know why. I just do. It sounds wrong and awkward, particularly if it's a man saying it. This goes a long way back with me, and you're not likely to change it. That really wasn't necessary information for this post, just something I felt like sharing today.

So, today's idea is about panties. Well, really it's about all kinds of underwear and feminine products. There, now you're just as uncomfortable as I am. You say "panties" to me the next time we meet, and I'll bust out the "feminine products" lingo on you.

I really do have a point.

Your local abuse shelters, refugee relocation offices, and homeless shelters probably have a need for these items. Why not get your friends together and host a "lingerie shower" to gather underwear, feminine products, and hygeine items? It's another excuse to party with a purpose!

Thirty for 30!: Seek Justice

Did you know?

Human trafficking is the world’s third largest criminal enterprise, after drugs and weapons. (U.S. Department of State)
• Worldwide, there are nearly two million children in the commercial sex trade. (UNICEF)
• There are an estimated 600,000 to 800,000 children, women and men trafficked across international borders annually. (U.S. Department of State)
• Approximately 80 percent of human trafficking victims are women and girls, and up to 50 percent are minors. (U.S. Department of State)
• The total market value of illicit human trafficking is estimated to be in excess of $32 billion. (U.N.)

Did you also know?

• According to the United Nations Working Group on Contemporary Forms of Slavery, an estimated 20 million people were held in bonded slavery as of 1999.
• In 2004 there are more slaves than were seized from Africa during four centuries of trans-Atlantic slave trade. (Kevin Bales, Disposable People)
• In 1850 a slave in the Southern United States cost the equivalent of $40,000 today. According to Free the Slaves, a slave today costs an average of $90.
• Approximately two-thirds of today’s slaves are in South Asia. Human Rights Watch estimates that in India alone there are as many as 15 million children in bonded slavery.

"International Justice Mission is a human rights agency that secures justice for victims of slavery, sexual exploitation and other forms of violent oppression. IJM lawyers, investigators and aftercare professionals work with local governments to ensure victim rescue, to prosecute perpetrators and to strengthen the community and civic factors that promote functioning public justice systems."

He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God. ~ Micah 6:8

Thirty for 30!: Pray

As he closes his letter to the Ephesians, Paul writes, "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should." He knew that the power of his ministry, even under persecution and imprisonment, was in the prayer of the church.

Today, prayer is still the way God chooses to empower His workers around the world. You and I can be actively involved in what He's doing worldwide by praying for His Name to be exalted and His will to be accomplished through the lives of brothers and sisters we've never met.

The International Mission Board offers a variety of email newsletters containing specific prayer requests for workers in a variety of regions. Adopt a country, pray daily for God to be made famous in that place, and enjoy seeing how He blesses your obedience.

Voice of the Martyrs is another incredible organization, helping to shed light on the plight of the persecuted church around the world as well as offering excellent suggestions for how to pray for these suffering saints.

I Thessalonians 5:16-18 ~ Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Thirty for 30!: Host a Baby Shower

This is one of my FAVORITE ideas! There are numerous crisis pregnancy centers (CPC) in our area working to give women real choices regarding an uplanned pregnancy. Volunteers and staff at these centers offer a variety of services including: free pregnancy tests, counseling, ultrasounds, support groups, prenatal supplies, maternity clothes, and newborn layettes. Contact a crisis center near you and find out how your Sunday School Class, Bible study fellowship, MOPS group, or Playgroup can help support their very important work. One really fun way to do this is to get a list of items they provide to expectant or new mothers, then throw a "baby shower" in honor of your local CPC, asking guests to bring new items to benefit these brave women. It's a wonderful way to party with a purpose!

Thirty for 30!: Eat at Chili's!

Today's post is a guest appearance by my friend and fellow blogger, Erin:

Hi Everyone,
Monday, September 29 is St. Jude Chili’s Day and Chili’s restaurants are donating ALL of their profits to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. I am incredibly blessed to work for an organization who has committed to raising $10 million in 10 years. In just TWO years, Tri Delta has already raised $7.5 million and worked in partnership with Chili’s to build the Chili’s Care Center, which includes an entire Delta Delta Delta Patient Care floor. The Tri Delta floor includes 18 new inpatient suites, parent rooms with full bathrooms, a family lounge, teen room, and child life play area. In the near future, Tri Delta is hoping to further our partnership with St. Jude, and build an entire Delta Delta Delta Building!
So, if you feel so inclined, PLEASE plan to have lunch or dinner at Chili’s on Monday and contribute to the cause!

Erin

Thirty for 30!: Eat Lunch on the Go

Don't act like it's not something you already do. You know you eat in a hurry, in your car half the time anyway. Now, you can actually have a good excuse for doing this. Meals on Wheels, Inc. of Tarrant County is an excellent way to donate an hour of your time each week and be a blessing to many! And, if you don't live in Tarrant County, I'm sure there's a meal delivery program near you that can bless! Here's my TOP 5 reasons to deliver meals:

1. This is a really simple way to make someone's day. You'll be blessed way more than you can even imagine being a blessing.
2. Show Meals on Wheels staff and case management team how much you appreciate the work they're doing every day to care for the elderly, homebound, and disabled in your community.
3. Lead by example. Demonstrate volunteerism to children, friends, coworkers, and neighbors.
4. Be part of something much bigger than yourself. You'll meet some of the most fun and interesting people through this organization.
5. Have great stories to tell. Trust me. Just trust me.

Thirty for 30!: Recycle

"The earth is the Lord's and everything in it,
the world and all who live in it." (Psalm 24:1)

I've come to believe that many American Christians don't like this verse, or maybe they just don't believe this verse because if they did like it and/or believe it, surely there would be a much broader push for the care and conservation of our natural resources. Think about it. The earth is the Lord's. He let's us live on it, enjoy all it has to offer, but we're only borrowers here.

What if I told you my friend let me borrow her car once. I drove it till it was empty, spilled a coke in the steering column, and left half of my tuna fish sandwich in an open baggie on the back dash to bake. And, last week when I asked to borrow her car again, she said, "sure!" :-\ You'd think my friend was an idiot, and I was a jerk.

Being conscientious caretakers of the Father's world is simply practicing good stewardship. Most of our cities have made recycling a breeze by providing seperate bins for us. If not, it's a minimal investment to purchase one yourself. Reducing excess water use, turning off lights, even purchasing rechargeable batteries are all simple ways to start. For more information visit this site or google "easy recyling."

Thirty for 30!: Clean Out Your Closets

You know you've been needing to do it for some time now. Today's the day! Clean. Out. Your. Closet. You've got clothes and shoes you haven't actually seen much less worn in YEARS. You've got coats -- more coats than we'll actually have cold spells this Texas winter. Clean. Them. Out. Why? Because there are people in your community who NEED them, not to decorate or clutter their closets, but to keep them and their families warm. If you want to know where to take your treasures, start here. Cornerstone Assistance Network in Fort Worth has a ministry that can put almost any of your items to good use. If we don't, I bet we know someone who does! Other agencies with whom you should check include Catholic Charities and World Relief.

Thirty for 30!: It's Peanut Butter Jelly Time

My boss is the director of the Cornerstone Community Center in Fort Worth, and he is absolutely full of wonderful ideas for community ministry. If you live nearby and need a community ministry consultant, I highly recommend him! Today's idea is one of his, and I think it's great! Jesse recommends involving children, as young as preschoolers, in a food drive for your local food pantry by hosting a peanut butter and jelly drive! Easier still is to tie a peanut butter and jelly drive/collection into your next children's ministry event. Make a jar of peanut butter or jelly the price of admission!

Thirty for 30!: Go Shopping

Today only, Coldwater Creek will donate $1 to Susan G. Komen for every person who comes into a store and tries on clothing. They'll also donate 10% of your total in-store purchase today to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. And, if I do say so myself, shopping is way more fun than eating yogurt!

Thirty for 30!: Care for Orphans

So far, Thirty for 30! has offered you fairly simple challenges you can incorporate into your regular living. Today, I'm stepping it up a notch or two ... or fifty! You see, last Saturday at a church event, I was visiting with some women, and our conversation led to a discussion of the horror stories we'd heard about child welfare/foster care agencies. About the time one of my sweet friends exclaimed, "I just can't believe who they let be foster parents sometimes!" we were all struck with a sobering reality. If none of us was willing to take children into our home, what right did we have to complain about those who are willing?

Before my mom and dad have a heart attack, I need to pause right here and say that at this time, as a nearly-30 year old single woman, living on a very modest salary, I am not currently making plans to take in foster children -- not yet. So, Big Dave and Little Steph can return to their regularly scheduled breathing habits.

Now, some of you are in a more stable position and may just need to take a few minutes to read thoughtfully over the information provided here. I don't whether or not the Lord's calling you to become a foster parent, or just to get actively invovled in supporting the foster care system, but I think it's a valid question to ask yourself before you dismiss it entirely. I do know He's incredibly clear in his Word that true religion involves caring for orphans and widows . I'm just sayin ...

Thirty for 30!: Stay Up Late

What else are you gonna do on a Friday night? If you're within driving distance of Keller, Texas tonight, I highly recommend you make it out to Old Town Keller for a wonderful community event, the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. From 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., you'll have the opportunity to celebrate the extraordinary lives of cancer survivors, remember those who fought bravely against the disease, and fight back with those who are currently doing battle. Join my friend Erika and the rest of the ACS team in Keller for this worthwhile event.

Thirty for 30!: Respond

Our church put out a plea via email today. It seems that the local shelters housing evacuees from the recent hurricane disasters are in need of men's socks and t-shirts in XL, XXL, and XXXL. The church will be collecting these items between now and Sunday.

If you live nearby and want to drop off some of these items, feel free, but that's not the point of this post. The point I want to make today is exactly what the title says, RESPOND.

It is entirely too often that we hear of a need, even a simple need like this one, but we do nothing. And, I'd guess that most often it's not because we don't care. We honestly just can't fathom being stranded in an unfamiliar city, unable to go home, in need of something as basic as socks and t-shirts, and if we were to really think about that happening to us or someone we know and love, the grief would be paralyzing. So, we do nothing.

Today's Thirty for 30! challenge is simply to respond. Commit to yourself that the next time you hear of a need that's within your reach, you'll respond.

Thirty for 30!: Meet Your Neighbors

Do you know who lives next door? How about across the street? If someone on your block needed a cup of sugar, would they knock on your door? More importantly, if they had a need for prayer or a question about spiritual matters, would they know to come to you? I googled a bit and discovered that most "neighborhood ministries" are geared toward looking out of for the impoverished and disenfranchised. I absolutely support that, but not to the exclusion of our literal neighbors.

Acts 1:8 is our church's theme for ministry this year. It says, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." The idea of this passages seems to be that our witness begins with those closest to us and expands from there.

This one always gets me. You see, I don't know my neighbors. I've met the guy next door once. I've waved at the family across the street a couple of times. I received a mean note on my car once about parking on the wrong side of the street from one of them, but it was typed and unsigned. I'm not sure who did that. :-\

So, my goal this next year is to meet my neighbors, to pray for them, to pray with them, to let it be known that my home is a place of prayer and their needs and concerns and questions about faith are welcome here in hopes that it just might make a difference.

If you're wondering about what to do once you've introduced yourself, www.meettheneighbors.org offers some good suggestions.

Thirty for 30!: Ride Your Bike

Last week I got schooled by a 79 year old man on a bicycle! I was finishing up my ride for the day, struggling in my last mile coming up to the house when a white bearded man on a gorgeous performance bike pulled up next to me and my wal-mart speed racer. After a gentle lecture about always traveling with water, he proceeded to ride alongside me, visiting about bike riding, his 9 years' experience riding for Team in Training, and how this year's ride in Tucson will likely be his last. "Why?" I wondered allowed -- that whole nosy thing, you know. I seriously about wrecked my bike when he answered, "Well, at 79, I figure I'll have to stop sometime, and this year, I'm actually starting to feel the strain of training." Wow!
It'll be a while before me and my Walmart special are ready for 109 miles around Tucson, but on October 18, there's a more local opportunity to support a great cause. Tour de Cure is a bike ride around Texas Motor Speedway benefitting the American Diabetes Association. And, they've got events going on around the country! Check them out!

Thirty for 30!: Increase Your Vocabulary

I love words. I can't help it. I just do. There are few things in life more satisfying than finding the right word to accurately communicate an idea. That's why I love www.freerice.com. It's an online vocabulary quiz, and the prize for each correct answer is a donation of 20 grains of rice made through the UN World Food Program. And, if you miss a word, you're provided with the correct answer and an opportunity to keep playing!

Thirty for 30!: Eat Yogurt

While cleaning the kitchen Saturday morning, my roommate produced a plastic sandwich baggie that held a spoon and several foil tops from the yogurt she takes to work for lunch most days. I thought it odd that the foil tops were coming back to the house, so I asked what she was doing with them. "I'm washing them," she replied matter of factly, as though that should be obvious. Indeed, she was running them under the faucet, so I guess I could have figured that one out, but the bigger question in my mind was WHY? So, being the nosy roommate that I am, I continued my probing into her strange behavior. That's when I discovered she was planning to mail them back to Yoplait because they'll donate 10 cents to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, a breast cancer research foundation, for each one she sends them. Frankly, I'm a lot more likely to just get online and make an online donation than to save and wash and mail yogurt lids, but I admire her dedication to doing what she can to make her breakfast/lunch treat count. And, we do consume a lot of yogurt in this house. I wonder how many labels we can come up with in the next few weeks!

[YOOJ]

Two years ago this week, I embarked on a journey that has been my most joyful yet. There were three of us in my den the first night that "Refuge" met, and Erin led us through a study of Psalm 1. I remember praying with those girls, committing to God that we would be faithful to meet and grow together even if He didn't choose to add to our number. And, I believe we would have felt blessed if that's how He'd seen fit to do things, but none of us could have imagined the greater blessing He had in store for us as He added to our numbers over the next two years.

We call ourselves [YOOJ] from the phonetic spelling of the word refuge: 1. shelter or protection from danger, trouble 2. a place of shelter, protection, or safety 3. anything to which one has recourse for aid, relief, or escape.

It's because of these women that the description of the church in Acts 2 makes sense to me. Thinking about [YOOJ] and the way they love one another is the only time I can even begin to get my mind around it! Acts 2:42-47 says, "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."

A Costume Party, October 2006


Amber's Wedding, March 2007


Serving lunch at CCWJC, May 2007


Erin's Birthday, May 2007


Steph's Engagement Party, May 2007


Black and White Night Out, August 2007


Costume Party, October 2007


At and EFC Concert, November 2007


Roadtrip!, August 2008


All Dressed Up, August 2008


Breakfast at IHOP, September 2008


Stephanie's Wedding, September 2008

What's God Been Teaching You Lately?

Today I received an email asking me to be prepared to share "What God's Been Teaching Me Lately" at staff devotion time tomorrow morning. It's a simple request without a simple answer. I think I'll narrow it down to just one before tomorrow morning (for the sake of ALL involved), but for now, I have compiled a TOP 10 list, and I'd ask you to contribute your own lessons, too.

1. God is making Himself known in my life as the Great Redeemer, one who does not waste a thing but is willing to use all things for His glory and our good.
2. An unexpected theme in my life over the last eight months has been God as Rescuer, mighty to save. He comes quickly when we call to Him!
3. The Law of the Harvest. I will spend more time on this one soon, I promise. "Those who sow in tears shall DOUBTLESS come again rejoicing, carrying their sheaves with them!"
4. Boiling Frogs continues to be a theme, particularly as I am reading through I Kings right now. We must not allow the culture around us to determine the standard for personal holiness.
5. Rescue and Redemption are worth the wait. Those who wait on the Lord will not be disappointed.
6. God is good ALL the time. In every circumstance. Despite any "evidence" to the contrary. Right now. Today. Where I am. In all that I've been given and in every thing I've been denied. He is good.
7. God's love is perfect; it does not fail. I don't ever have to wonder if He's made a mistake this time.
8. Jesus is better. No matter what competes for my attention, the good things and the bad things, Jesus is better.
9. Don't just stand there; make a difference! Regret isn't just for the things we shouldn't have done. It's also for the things we should have done but didn't.
10. Tear down the "high places." God desires our undivided devotion, and He does not settle for anything less.

Labor Day Weekend = Family Fun

Friday night we had a family dinner at Jaclyn and Danny's house. Jaclyn's got mad enchilada makin' skills!

Then, Big Dave set up the Wii. Here's Gina in the process of sending Danny down for the count!

Gina, Travis, and I enjoyed a nice lazy visit on the couch before dinner. It's always fun to laugh together!

Grant is such a sweet boy. We got a kick out of his pointing game with Nana.

Donna and Travis went head to head on Wii Ski!

No Horton Family Gathering is complete without a little posing. Here are "The Three D's and Nana".

And, of course, the Mothers and Daughters. Aren't we colorful?

Mom and Me

Daddy LOVED posing for this one! ;-)

We just needed Jill and Daisy to make this one complete!

Nana and all 8 of her siblings were together on Saturday!

Jax and Lester getting acquainted :-)

Sweet Grant was easily entertained anytime there was a ball to chase.

Daddy enjoying some of John's YUMMY ribs!

Is it any wonder Jax was all tuckered out???