All our stories are different, none are the same!

Take a moment to reflect, yes you the reader, think of the organization/non-profit that you support.  The one that you give money or material to, the one that you volunteer at or pray over, the one that you advocate for or recruit others to support too. We all have at least one organization that we support in some way. So, why do people give to organizations/non profits?

COMPASSION - Seeing campaigns that need support, that is going to make an impact in the lives of those around us, and personal connection. This can trigger an emotional response 

BEING ASKED -  People want to know that they are personally invited to contribute

TIME OF THE YEAR - Holidays and the end of the year before tax season are time when donors are motivated to contribute

FEELINGS OF SATISFACTION - Giving provides you with a good feeling.  Our bodies are rewarded with dopamine when we help others (yes, that's the happy chemical released by our brain's happy center)

As I reflect on the organization/non-profit that I support and want to share with you today, I will start off with sharing the reasons why I choose to give to this organization.

COMPASSION - Supporting an organization that will make an impact in the lives of people I know is not even close to why I support this one.  As a young child, I was taught about this brain condition that I would forever live with, and 1950's technology that would forever be a part of me. As a young child, my parents carefully took note of signs of possible malfunctions.  As a young child, CT scans and X-rays became something that I was familiar with.  No child should have to get used to have 6-10 X-rays for a Shunt series scan. I am not the only one that has this brain condition, there are children, young adults, adults, and seniors everywhere dealing with situations due to Hydrocephalus.  All our stories are different, none are the same.

BEING ASKED - I ask everyone!  Consider giving to an organization that is working on finding a cure!  We need a cure, we need to move past 1950's technology that was created by a machinist.  We need to lower the amount of brain surgeries that happen everyday to individuals of all ages because of hydrocephalus. I am asking anyone to take time to learn about this scary medical term hydrocephalus means.  Ask questions, don't just be frightened by a word. I encourage you to feel empowered!

TIME OF THE YEAR -  There is never a better time to give to an organization.  You can always report your contributions on your tax return, its not just those made in November and December. Brain surgeries are not selective on the time of year or time of the day.  Hydrocephalus is the number one reason for brain surgery in children.

FEELINGS OF SATISFACTION - Giving provides you with a good feeling.  Knowing that I am supporting an organization that is the largest not for profit aiming to find a cure for hydrocephalus is incredible.  Knowing that I am one of many individuals that seek to live our days without worrying about a brain condition that could malfunction at any moment, makes me want to fight harder, advocate stronger, and raise incredible amounts of money.

The HYDROCEPHALUS ASSOCIATION  serves as the primary nexus for research on hydrocephalus, a condition defined by an abnormal, excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the cavities of the brain.  Hydrocephalus affects over 1 million people in the U.S. alone.  Approximately 1-2 babies for every 1000 births are born with hydrocephalus, but anyone can get hydrocephalus at any time though a brain injury or infections, among other reasons, or as part of the aging process.  

Each fall, as I am preparing to attend a fundraiser WALK for the HYDROCEPHALUS ASSOCIATION walk - I invite friends and family through Facebook and email to support me as I walk to raise awareness and support the Hydrocephalus Association. I was diagnosed with Hydrocephalus at 4 weeks and underwent my first brain surgery at 5 weeks of age.  Since them I have had five surgeries because of malfunction and adjustment, but I am very fortunate.  I have friends may age, younger and older that have had many more surgeries than that! All money raised at the HA Walks fund hydrocephalus research as well as HA programs that provide support, education and awareness. 

Finally, I am asking YOU - Give to your passion, give to the organization that you are compassionate about and the one that makes you feel good about giving to them.  I also ask you to consider giving $10.00 to an organization that will make an impact in lives of all ages, to mothers and fathers that are hearing the frightening word that their child has been diagnosed with.  Your $10.00 will support the children that walk into their classrooms this year feeling that they are different from everyone, the students that are told they cannot play a contact sport because they have a shunt in their body.  This $10.00 will make an impact. 

How to Give - Elizabeth's Hydrocephalus WALK donation page

More Information about Hydrocephalus - Hydrocephalus Association

Life as we know it

Life as we know it in this moment, could change in the blink of our eyes.  It could change for the worst, the better or somewhere in between. It is important for us to remember that while we most likely enjoy life as we know it, our lives are not set in stone.  So what do we do, as we walk this path of life that could change directions at any moment?  We live it!  We should live life everyday to the fullest point possible.  Do I do that?, Heavens no, but I should.  Look out the window, find a leaf on a tree around you.  Watch just that leaf, does it stand still and float in the air?  Does it fight when the wind blows to stay where it wants to in a "safe" place out of harms way?  Most likely if you are looking at a normal tree, and not one found in a Dr. Seuss book, then you will find that the leaf goes with the wind when it blows, and possibly residing in a new place.  It may get swiped off its branch by the wind, and fall to the ground, or get carried around for awhile before falling.  The leaf may be yanked down by a young child or picked by a bird to be taken to make a nest.  Just like this leaf having no choice in where it is going to land or when it will be taken away from its safe area  - we must see where life is going to take us, be willing to step out of the known land and onto the path that is being set before us.

Recently the life as I knew it, changed.  Did it change for the worst or for the better, that is an answer I will never be able to answer.  Did it throw me into a place of uncertainty and wonder, of course, but that is turning out to be okay.  It turned out to be okay that the actions of my every day routine were changed all in the blink of my eye.  Nothing harmful or life threatening happened, but my heart was definitely broken. I won't go into much depth here about the extent of what took place, because honestly it is something I have moved on from.  The door has been shut, the page has been turned, the glass is filling up again.  Life as we know it... can change... but mail slots of opportunity will open and pages will be filled again.  My life as I knew it was filled with busy days, mind blogging, paperwork, decisions to be made, being on call, worry, bad weather days, serving others, caring for the least, teaching moments, laughter, friendships, parenting, and the list goes on.  But what I am now discovering is that while the life that I knew was my life, I was missing out on some of my favorites.  Life as I knew it was grand and fulfilling, but that is not ALL my life is about. 

From a favorite movie of mine, and a song that I am sure you have heard before... I have changed the words some, because my favorite things and Maria's favorite things just didn't line up...

Splashes on kayaks and dogs on a leash
Friday night wine and mountain air walks
Large Envelopes sealed with a lick
These are a few of my favorite things

Sunshine hot touch and garden fresh okra
Parkways and cabins and rides with my fella
Ducks that swim through the lily pads with ease
These are a few of my favorite things

Boys in plaid shirts with no care in the world
Raindrops that land with a plop and piddle
Phone calls with friends with miles in between
These are a few of my favorite things

When the bear growls, when the pickles flame
When I'm feeling lost
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don't feel so bad

So my rhyming my be off.... a lot... and it may sound silly.  But we all must acknowledge our favorite things and what defines ourselves.  While my life as I knew it was grand and I am beyond blessed for the opportunity, I had lost focus and connection with so many of my favorite things. I love to write snail mail letters and sending them, I almost get more joy sending them then receiving them.  I love to listen to the raindrops go plop or Friday night wine time with my family.  Life as I knew it was grand, but as that door closed and the page turned I am getting back with my life and doing my favorite things.  Life as I knew it will someday just be a chapter in my life.

Life can change in the blink of our eye, but we are the decision makers on how we are going to deal with the change.  Shall we lay in the belly flop position for hours vegetating or stand vertical ready to take on the world and every experience and opportunity that hits us?  We shall do both! Caring for ourselves is a must in this crazy life that we live, but living is just as important.

Dear God, Life as I knew it was what I saw for my future, but you saw differently.  You are helping me learn what life as I know it is going to be, and that is okay.  Hard and extremely tough at times, but I look forward to walking down the path to figure out what my life as I know it will be.  Right now, the life that I am living is enjoyable. I am loving time with family and friend, mint choc chip ice cream, watermelon juice, kayaking and more!  The blessings that you have placed in my life are incredible, and I thank you for that!  Life as I know it may change everyday, but I know that you are standing with me through every step as life as I know it develops.  God, thank you for watching over me, I pray for all those that are not in a life that they are okay with, for those that have chosen to put their lives in front so that we all may be safe, and for all those that are completely lost without you.  Because of you I am able to know that my life as I know it will be built with your love surrounding it. In Jesus Holy Name, Amen.

R & R

Have you faced a day lately that you just didn't want to get out of bed, or you felt that there was absolutely nothing to wear except comfy clothes (but that wasn't something appropriate for work)? Even though the weekend happened and it really wasn't a busy one, I found myself Monday morning, forcing myself to get my act together and get to work.  Well even though I had thought I had tricked myself about ready to conquer the day, my aroma said otherwise....

Sometimes you just need a day away from the hustle and bustle of every day life, a day that when all that is going on, you can just sit and hide from it all.  In college, we referred to those kinds of days as 'mental health days', but now that I am actively working in a field that works with people dealing with mental health and illnesses, I refer to them as 'Rejuvenating ME days'.

Today, I had one of those.  While finding myself with 8+ hours of unscheduled time, I flipped through ideas of what to do.  Should I go shopping, a visit to Biltmore, maybe a random mountain adventure, or to organize my room, do laundry, oh the choices I searched through, but ultimately I wanted to just sit.  Sit and play games, lay in the beauty of the sun, simply be.  I needed to not do those things that I should do, or things that exerted energy, but rather things that were mind relaxing, body relaxing and soul relaxing.

Tonight, I feel almost like a new person.  Rejuvenated.  Fighting the temptation to plan my whole week out, cause I am trying to use the last little bit of this day to finish relaxing.  But life needs to feel like this, feeling like I can actually take on the world, instead of feeling like the world is taking me on.

As a child of God, we are lead down a trail that we do not always know where we are going or what we are going to run into in the process.  Choosing to give my life to God, and devoting all my choices to be driven by him, leaves me often questioning my daily walk, but a childhood story book that I loved many years ago and still do, helps me look at my daily walk with God in another way. While the book, Going On a Bear Hunt, has nothing to do with God, there is a section that I would like to share and reflect with.

........

Oh-oh! Grass! Long, wavy grass.  

We can't go over it.  We can't go under it. 

Oh! We've got to go through it.

Swishy swashy! Swishy swashy! Swishy swashy! 

Oh-oh! A river! A deep, cold river.

We can't go over it.  We can't go under it. 

Oh! We've got to go through it.

 Splash splosh! Splash splosh! Splash splosh!

Oh-oh! Mud! Thick, oozy mud!

We can't go over it.  We can't go under it. 

Oh! We've got to go through it.

Squelch squerch! Squelch squerch! Squelch squerch!

Oh-oh! A forest! A big, dark forest!

We can't go over it.  We can't go under it. 

Oh! We've got to go through it.

Stumble trip! Stumble trip! Stumble trip! 

Oh-oh! A snowstorm! A swirling, whirling snowstorm!

We can't go over it.  We can't go under it. 

Oh! We've got to go through it.

Hoooo wooo! Hoooo wooo! Hoooo wooo! 

Oh-oh! A cave! A narrow, gloomy cave!

We can't go over it.  We can't go under it. 

Oh! We've got to go through it.

.......

God, has a plan for each of us!  In the daily life with Christ, we face tall grass, deep rivers, thick mud, dark forests, snowstorms and gloomy caves.  These are tests of our faith or lessons that God is teaching us.  Instead of loosing faith and focus, we need to remind ourselves that God is the leader and he will lead us through these moments.  Take a day or half a day for a rejuvenating ME day.  We all need to remember to take time for ourselves, we need to care for the creation of ourselves that God granted us with.  So I encourage everyone to take a Rejuvenating ME day and push through the daily struggles to walk God's path! 

Can they be stars?

Every experience in our lives, has a story to go with it.  Somethings are happy and somethings are not.  We should never compare our stories with someone else's or claim that ours is worse, for we only should support one another about coping with those things.  Scars represent a wrinkle in time in which a person's life changed for ever.  And they serve as a permanent reminder of an incident that in one way or another has made a lasting impression on one's life. So what is a scar?  Is it  a mark that is left by a wound, sore or burn that has now healed?  Or is it a lasting effect of something that emotionally or physically happened to you? Everyone has faced a scar, and we all have different definitions of what a scar is.  Everyone is not the same, so every scar is not going to be the same, and they all have their own individual story.  Every scar represents a moment in time or a passage of time when something happened to us or through us that we will never forget. 

Growing up, I was very naive to the 'bad' of the world, but in the recent years, I have learned much.  In the more recent years, I have learned of scars that are not present by looking at someone, but rather these are things that have happened to one self that brought on additional scars.  These stories are powerful!  I have only heard of a few, but most of the time, find myself completely lost of words.  God is there, I can feel him, trying to telling me how to talk with this person, but instead I find myself completely blank.  The responses that I normally provide are so God filled, that when I go back to read or play them over in my head, I am lost with where it came from. 

We hold these stories so close to our hearts.  Our own stories, are something that shape us to be who we are today and in the future.  When we surrender our lives to God, he uses these stories and experiences to help us see the outstanding blessings in the world. Accepting our scars is something that is not easy, but when we do, we are able to completely learn about ourselves!  Sometimes after surrendering our lives to God and accepting our scars, it is those of us that can really understand the exceptional wonder and awe of God and his incredible works! 

Turn your scars into stars.  This is so true.  They do not have to be stars that are shared, but they should be the stars in your own life. If unwilling to share your scar stories with others, share them with God... and be an advocate for someone that is facing a similar situation or scar.  Anyone can be an advocate, but advocating for something that you know true to the heart, is so much more powerful! 

Dear Heavenly Father, 
I sure do love you, your awe and wonder often leaves me speechless, and that is an incredible feeling. While sometimes we look at our scars as something bad, help us to remember that the scars make us who we are, and should be our stars.  Lord you are amazing, and I pray for all those that are unwilling to grasp and accept their scars.  For I know that everyone's scars are different in depth, but I pray that you help them work through them and feel called to surrendering to you.  Jesus, you are exceptional, I want to continue living for you, only you, 'cause there is no better way! In your heavenly name, I pray. Amen. 

Words can change the world

Have you ever posted something online that could be degrading to someone?  Something that could be seen as funny to one person, but to someone else hurtful?  Words are a powerful thing, they can be used to build someone up, or bring someone down. During work today, I received the following video from a agency in Canada that works with those that are experiencing homelessness. While I work for an agency that provides to those that are lacking connections to resources, I also have the heart to help people see that the homeless are people just like you and I.  They want the same things that we want.  

They want a place to lay the head at night.  A warm place to shower.  When sick or in pain, a place to safely rest.  They want friendship.  They want a place to make a meal and sit at a table.  They have simple needs, like being among others.  Instead of seeing someone that is experiencing homelessness instantly as someone that is a danger, or do not care about themselves, take a moment to realize that they might be just like you.  While there are some that are dangerous or do not want to better their eyes in your way, they most likely have dreams and goals just like you.  Instead of looking down upon them, lift them up.  Lift them up through prayer, volunteering at a local homeless shelter or food pantry.  Lift them up by simply saying "hi".  

"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me", have you heard that before?  It is something that we often teach young children, so that they overcome what people speak about them.  But in reverse, are we teaching young people that speaking bad about someone is okay because it will not hurt them?  Our words should be uplifting and speaking positive about someone!  Especially when posting online, please watch this video: Words are powerful!

Next time, before posting online, stop and THINK!

T - is it True?

H - is it Helpful?

I - is it Inspiring?

N - is it Necessary?

K - is it Kind?

Dear Heavenly Father, Holy week is upon us and you are coming again soon.  You have set an example for us to serve the least of these, because by that we are serving and caring for you.  Serving the least of these is something that is very challenging.  Be with all agencies that work with those that are lacking resources and struggle to know where to turn when in trouble.  All your children have simple needs, help us all to see just that!  In Jesus name, Amen.

A different kind of King

Everyone has traditions for the different holidays! 

Today may not be a holiday that is marked on the calendar or noted in the general society, but today is Palm Sunday/Passion Sunday. We commemorate today has being the day that our Savior came into Jerusalem by donkey. While he may be a king, he was also simply a human.  Riding in not on a fancy horse or in a chariot, but instead on a stupid 'ole donkey. Today we begin the start of Holy Week.  The week that our Savior Jesus Christ died an excruciating death at the hands of those who neither understood his message nor understood the true meaning of justice.  

O Christ, what can it mean for us to claim you as our king?

What royal face have you revealed whose praise the church would sing?

Aspiring not to glory's height, to power, wealth and fame, 

you walked a different lowly way, another's will your aim.

You came, the image of our God, to heal and to forgive, 

to shed your blood for sinners'  sake that we might rise and live.

To break the law of death you came, the law of love to bring:

a different rule of righteousness, a different kind of king. 

Though some would make their greatness felt and lord it over all, 

you said the first must be last and service to our call.

O Christ, in workplace, church, and home, let none to power cling;

for still, through us, you come to serve, a different kind of king. 

You chose a humble human form and shunned the world's renown;

you died for us upon a cross with thorns your only crown.

But still, beyond the span of years, our glad hosannas ring, 

for now at God's right hand you reign, a different kind of king!

-ELW hymn 431

Why did Jesus have to die?  Because he came to the earth in human form.  Born unto Mary, raised in a family, went to church, taught in church and interacted with people of the community.  He took care of the sick and lonely, those in prison or those hurting, the thirsty and the hungry.  He set an example for each of us.  Today we are given the opportunity to be the face of Jesus Christ and to be reminded that Jesus died for us!

Palm Sunday is a holiday with a tradition for me and for my church family.  As long as I can remember we have joined together on the afternoon of Palm Sunday and hiked Hibriten mountain.  To some the mountain may just be another mountain of creation, but this mountain is a special part of Lenoir.  During Advent, there is a star up on Hibriten Mountain.  During Lent, there is a cross up on Hibriten Mountain. 

Our Savior Jesus Christ, set the example for us, to give to those in need, to care for our creation and to be a child of God.  His creation is an absolute beauty that we can compare nothing to.  There is nothing more beautiful than the creation that God has provided for us and how much God loves us!  It is simply breathtaking! 

Take a moment from your crazy life (and I know it is!) to do something that is breathtaking, that requires you to stop and observe your surroundings and to remember the beauties that God provides to us! Take time to be outside, to see the creation that we live in!  

Hey God, it is because of you and you dying on the cross that I am able to be here today to serve you!  Without you, I am nothing.  Your creation of land, water, and air is absolutely beautiful, and I am sorry when I do not care for it like I should. I love you Lord Jesus!  Thank you for loving me like I am and helping me see that I am loved by you.  Prayers for those that do not know you, and those that do!  In Jesus holy name, Amen. 

More time...

Christmas in 5 days...what???

It feels nothing like Christmas time, and it really doesn't even feel like December.  A few days ago, I realized why preparing for this Christmas was more challenging for me than the past.  This is my first Christmas, that I will not have a month off from school.   This is the first time that I am not preparing to come home from college to be with family and see friends.  I have been here the whole time.  This past week, was just another week.  Nothing spectacular about it.

Some may call me Scrooge or Bah Humbug, but maybe its only because Christmas is not the season we are really in.  Never in my life, have I understood the season of Advent so clear.  Taking all this time to prepare, prepare for what, something that we do every year?  But no, this is a time of preparation for Christ Jesus to be born, in a stable, to a woman who was single! This is a time of preparation to see how incredible our Holy Father really is!!

There are some days in my life that believing in God, is just like wearing shoes.  We all do it. But then they are some days, that I struggle to understand the concept of not believing in him. How can live be livable without knowing that he is there to take your hand, or catch you by the shoulders when you are about to fall flat on your face??  And then there are days that he is standing there watching the complete awe of the happiness and joy in our world.  He is there when we are running around like a washer machine, working to be in all places at once when magnificent things are happening.  These are the days, that I must remind myself to praise him, to glorify him, because he is the reason that magnificent days happen! 

Every notice how the shipping and handling prices can sometimes be a ridiculous percent of what you are ordering?  I recently ordered 16 trunks for LEOS (Lenoir Emergency Outreach Shelter), soon to be opening, from CN&N Everything SummerCamp.  When talking to the sales rep about ordering this many at once, I was curious if I could recieve a discount.  They decided to offer me free shipping and handling, that was a whole $300.00+.  Wow! And then my next order was to American Bedding, where I was ordering 10 sets of bunk beds, 20 xl-twin bed bug proof mattresses, 20 xl-twin bed bug proof mattress covers, and 20 safety rails.  When talking to the sales rep, I asked him the same question, and he responded with not sure.  Turned out he could get me at 15% discount, but I still had the shipping and handling fee of almost $500.  With a little talk, a lot of connections, an amazing company, and God's hand in play...BERNHARDT furniture picked up our shipment and delivered to us, with no shipping cost. 

God really is good! It is days like these when I need to remember to get down on my knees, talk to the LORD and say Thank you!  

Dear heavenly Father, without you precious guidance, I would be no where close to where I am now.  Who knows what I would be doing.  You helped me to see my calling and to be lead to where I can do what I am called to do.  We only have 5 days left to Advent, and wow I need more time.  I feel I need more time.  Blessed Father, everything is only possible with you.  I want you to lead me, I want to follow you.  In Jesus holy name, amen.