Stop Hunger Now

More than 25,000 people outside of the United States die each day from hunger and hunger-related causes.

A child dies every 15 seconds because they are severely underweight or lack essential nutrients.

China Doll and I became a part of Stop Hunger Now. This vision is part of our church. CFC in Ashburn used both services as a part of this process. CFC is like a lot of contemporary churches today, we see plenty of casual wear. But today was completely different. We arrived in jeans, shorts, t-shirts, sneakers.... the most comfortable attire to prepare meals to be sent to Nicaragua. Our outreach team is already in Nicaragua working. As the congregation gathered in two separate parts of church today- some were guided into the Gathering Place coffee cafe others were guided into the school gym. There were stations. Each station held 30 pound bags of rice, soy meal and a vitamin packet. Each bag was filled in layers by a team of 4, the bags were placed in shoe box style bins and a "runner" would bring the bins over to another table where there were teams of "weighers" weighed out the bags and handed them off to the "sealer" team. Which this was where China Doll and myself worked using a sealer timing it for about 3 seconds making sure the food packet was secured and ready to be packed into large boxes by yet another team of strong teens and men. Tomorrow the food will head out to be flown to orphanages in Nicaragua. We were told today that 700+ children will eat for one full year!! The goal for today was 285,120 meals.

I've never been a part of something this huge. China Doll and I participated together last Christmas with LW church in wrapping gifts for children of families who were in need. Most of these families were in the city. Since I was no longer a part of the services of displaced families and abused children within the city I felt a calling to help and I recruited my oldest daughter to help. We enjoyed our job and I knew by having my daughter there by my side, she was able to see with her own eyes what type of families/people I was talking about when I worked at the shelter as a caseworker.

And now this year she is older..... more in tune with what is surrounding us not just here in the states but world wide. China Doll even suggested we stay longer to get more meal bags sealed and packed before we headed out for our own food at a local grocery store. We talked about feeling guilty..... complaining about what we don't have in the frig...... or not being able to afford the fresh catch of the day this week. Perhaps she felt a guilty twinge because I did not give her an extra $5 for Starbucks before the "free" concert at Youthfest last evening. MMmmmmm.

No matter what went through her young mind..... I couldn't help but feel good about our work.

Not about me.... not about us.... not about her. But the work we all put into making our goal..... working as a very large team......laughing, shouting at the drum roll......giggles from the kids and cheers at the end of our service. What an awesome service it was!

Pastor P. said as we finished up..... God is looking down with one very large smile.

**Just had to mention that the "runners" were children ages 5 yrs. to 10 yrs. of age. it was pretty awesome to watch them work with such emotion and passion.

Have an awesome week.

Love&Peace

Lis

www.stophungernow.org

www.orphanetwork.org

Back In The Saddle

Hello from Lazy Town VA! I've been unmotivated to do much-loved-motivated stuff recently.

I should try to put into alphabetical order the events that have been taking place in our little world right now...... but those events do not seem so eventful now that I sit here thinking about them. They've only been keeping us busy enough to feel the wonders of falling into Lazy Town.

And now that I think about Lazy Town..... that visit only came and went way too quickly....like most vacations. No we didn't go on vacation...Lazy Town happened right here in VA!

Football Superstar has been busy at work. The DC metro real estate market is keeping him on his toes- yet his career no longer rules him. smile. My summer camp days are fun....but wow am I ready to grab Apple Cheeks and drive home by 4:00! China Doll and Freckle Boy are using their summer days one at a time.

Sam the dog and September the cat are unaware that it is summer .... every moment for them is vacation. I would love to just lay around on the back of the couch all day and wait for someone to meow at because they did not scoop out my Fancy Feast quick enough. Or if I were Sam I would probably...... be in the same position when my family took off for work or the pool when they arrive home at the end of their day. I can't imagine that!

I want to cram so much in this summer. A gal pal weekend with my Gracie. A drive to NJ with my Eva to visit our sister-in-law Dori. Lazy pool days with my girls.

The zoo for Apple Cheeks birthday. Visits to family and friends. A diet. no...scratch that one.

Yoga. yeah...I will commit to getting back into yoga. Finish decorating our cozy pad.

Learning the art of baking delicious and decorating amazing cupcakes. Community outreach.

Finishing my Language Art class. ugh. Taking an art class.

And that's not all..... perhaps I should put my list in alphabetical order. ??

I'm hoping my readers and favorite bloggers are having an awesome summer!

I promise to reconnect soon...... with something worth reading. Until then...I love knowing you are still here. : )

Peace&Love,

Lis

Tapped Out

It's 6:15 AM. On this Sunday morning there is a fine mist in the air with a breeze. I'm tempted to just grab my coffee and sit on the balcony while everyone else sleeps. Oh, Football Superstar is up, but he is preparing another pot of coffee for our guest.

I haven't posted anything for quite some time. I feel "tapped out". My life journal sits in my bedroom with pages full.....but for some reason I just haven't added any words to this blog.

Last evening before I fell asleep I thought about this...... and yesterday as I sat on the balcony soaking up the early morning sun I thought about this...... and here again I think about this.

THIS.

I'm thinking about my friends who are going through some very rough times.

My co-workers who struggle to find themselves.

Those family members who struggle to find a sense of peace or those who set out to conquer success- what success is it that they look for?

Those who try to find a place where they belong.

Football Superstar tells me what they need....what's important.....what matters.

of course I know this. My husband who was not tapped on the shoulder by God but was tackled to the ground as only God could do with a strong ex-football player.

But how do you watch and wait? I'm not a very patient person at times....especially when I feel there are important matters to be dealt with.

The "see-saw approach" to life must be hard. The "waiting the storm out" can not be healthy.

This is why I feel tapped. Yet, I don't want to just stand in the rain waiting with those who are in the storm. I can handle some rain, I have cute wellies to wear.... but I'm not so sure standing in the center of thunder and lightening is something I feel comfortable doing.

Last sip of coffee....I'm heading to the balcony. I think I just answered my own question.

Sometimes it takes the perfect storm to be healed. keeping my wellies by the door.

Thank you Father!

Peace&Love,

Lis