So, I know it’s been a while since I’ve posted anything. Classes started back up about a month ago for me (Grad school for my Psychology degree) and we’re homeschooling one of our children this year. So, I’ve been playing catch-up for the last month! URG! I hate being behind because so much of what I want to do has to be put on hold. Case-in-point: I spent all day last Saturday, with the exception of a 2-hour dinner break with some friends, in my room doing homework. I got back at it at bedtime and worked until 3 a.m. I got up, got ready for church, worked on more homework, went to church, came home, cooked, and worked on more homework until time to pick up my husband from the airport, came back home and did more homework. I finally got it all done and, then, I had to get up on Monday morning to start the process all over again. I vowed that this week I was not going to let the same thing happen. And VOILA!!!! Here is it Wednesday and I am as done for the week as I can possibly be. I will have 2 more things to do on Friday for homework (maybe a half-hour’s worth of work) and then, I will wrap this week up FOR GOOD!!!
That being said, this time has not been all about the homework. I’ve had plenty of time to ruminate about various thoughts/ideas/plans floating around inside my brain and, to be quite plain about it, I am super-excited!
We are going to buy a house, so we are house-hunting! YAY!!! I love looking at houses for sale and walking around in them b/c even if I don’t like the one we’re in or want to buy it, I get ideas for decorating that I can use since people who are serious about selling a house have their places “staged” nicely. So that’s fun!
I’ve had plenty of time to hang out with my daughter, since she’s the one we’re homeschooling. We are studying all kinds of things this year and so far, it’s proving to be quite exciting! Joyce Meyer’s The Love Revolution. Hebrew. Geography + World History rolled into one. Literature – we are reading literature from each of the regions we are studying, specifically folk tales, legends, etc. that help define/describe the culture. Math. Chemistry! And the best part of all: Friday is lab/art/music/food days (after the tests, of course). The Art and Music we learn about will be determined by the country we are studying, as will the recipe we make for the day – and subsequently force upon our family! (insert evil laughter here!!!)
Now, while those things are great and I have enjoyed getting the lessons together and house-shopping online, that is not even what has my blood pumping right now.
As my initial posts showed, I spent the summer reading books about fighting poverty – which were wonderful – and they really got me to thinking about plans that I’ve had in mind and would like to come to fruition. But, I’ve been reminded that the thoughts that I’ve been having lately actually started several years ago when my husband was stationed in San Angelo, and I found Baker Street Coffee Shop on Knickerbocker! Oh my what a place!!!
I have been saying for years that I do not want to be just another person on the face of the earth who just takes up space. I want my faith to mean something and I want people to be able to see that it does based on my actions, not based on my having to tell them. Seems to me, if I’m doing things right, I shouldn’t have to announce that I’m a Christian. Anyone with me?
What keeps coming back to me is:
“Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to poverty will be cursed..” -Proverbs 28:27
John replied, "If you have two shirts, give one to the poor. If you have food, share it with those who are hungry." -Luke 3:11
And the verse that got me started:
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. -James 2:15-17
This is how I started “Hoodies for the Homeless.” I can make scarves, but I’m not so good in the hats department. AND I’ve tried wrapping the scarf around my head to keep my ears warm and then around my neck for added warmth, but then there’s always the gap at the back of my head that lets out all the warmth I’m trying to keep in. So, how about hooded scarves?! Make the scarf, make the hood, attach! VOILA! And now the back of my neck won’t get cold.
Now, I can make them, but really, how many do we need. 3 kids and I don’t really need a whole truckload of hooded scarves and I like to crochet while I’m watching TV. So, what do I do with everything that I crochet? It’s not likely that I’m going to stop crocheting. That’s about as likely as my mom not embroidering anymore quilt blocks because she’s made a quilt for everyone in the family already… NOT LIKELY IT’S GONNA HAPPEN!
Now, I can make them, but really, how many do we need. 3 kids and I don’t really need a whole truckload of hooded scarves and I like to crochet while I’m watching TV. So, what do I do with everything that I crochet? It’s not likely that I’m going to stop crocheting. That’s about as likely as my mom not embroidering anymore quilt blocks because she’s made a quilt for everyone in the family already… NOT LIKELY IT’S GONNA HAPPEN!
Well, here in MD it can get pretty cold. And sandwiched right between DC and Baltimore, there are plenty of homeless people. So, that gave me an idea. Besides that, there’s a charity called Sarah’s House that always has a mitten tree in the local grade schools. There is no end to the places that could use help. And that’s just in this area!
To go out a little further, there are Sioux reservations in the Dakotas and the surrounding states that freeze every winter! Warmth would be a blessing, I would think. And those are just a few of the examples. Check this out: http://friendsofpineridgereservation.org/
But..that’s not the point behind this post. The point is: I was beginning to feel like this idea might be a little lame, or like “who would wear a hooded scarf in the first place?” I was still thinking that up until last week.
ENTER KROCHET KIDS intl.
This company was started by GUYS! Hello! I know, I know. I am definitely sounding sexist here, I admit it. But I did not grow up seeing males knit or crochet or sew (though I did have a cousin who made a quilt for his mom). But one brother taught his younger brother. Then he taught some of his friends and they started crocheting hats to wear themselves. Well, that got people talking and they started taking orders. Then a few mission trips later and they started thinking that they could teach Ugandan women how to crochet in order to support themselves. Of course, that’s my paraphrased version.
And you can check out their story at http://www.krochetkids.org/who-we-are/our-story/
However, they aren’t the only ones doing good things with a hook and some yarn. If you crochet or knit and would like to be a part of something bigger than just your own house/family, go check out some of these places:
Red Scarf Project (sponsored by Foster Care to Success) - http://fc2success.org/what-we-do/programs/red-scarf-project/
Crochet Cabana - http://www.crochetcabana.com/ This website has a Charity Links link that you can click on that will take you to many other charities that you can participate in using your talents.
Newborns in Need - http://www.newbornsinneed.org/ - This website is for an organization that accepts crocheted and knitted items for newborns. There is a link to patterns as well.
Bev’s Country Cottage Charity Links - http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/charity-links.html - This page has links to charities in the US, Canada, Australia, UK, and South Africa. There is a statement/warning, however, stating that it’s possible not all the places update Bev to let them know if they are still accepting donations.
So…that’s all I’ve got for now. The bottom line is: we can all continue to live lives that focus solely on ourselves and wonder why we are miserable all the time. Or, we can reach out, do something for someone else and find that maybe, just maybe, our lives are not as bad as we thought they were.
Personally, I’m all for making a difference. What’s your stand?
Again, thanks for your indulgence,
Rabbit’s Bunny
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