Tornados Hit Home

Since moving here to Oklahoma, there’s never been a dull moment for weather. Whether it’s flooding, blizzards, ice storms, hail or tornados, I’ve seen it all. And this week created the most heartbreak and anxiety this city has seen in quite awhile.

Our hearts, prayers, and thoughts go to those who are picking up the pieces this week, just a few short miles away from where I call home. Some homes were completely taken away, just leaving the foundation and debris on the ground. Families lost loved ones and the community has mourned with them.  Yesterday they found the body of a 3 year old little boy who got taken with the tornado and was missing for two days – horrible stuff that we are dealing with here.

But we’re not the only ones dealing with loss. Everyone has heard about the tornado that hit Joplin, Missouri, and the images we see tear at our hearts and make us want to do SOMETHING, anything, to help.  

One organization that I’ve been hearing a lot about is Convoy of Hope. They are on the ground in Joplin currently and as of Friday, Convoy of Hope has delivered nearly 500,000 pounds of food, water and supplies to victims of the Joplin tornado.

Never seen what tornado damage looks like? I pulled this off a summary article on their website:

“The view from within the swath is surreal. Steel buildings are twisted like straws, cars and trucks resemble soda cans twisted into oblivion, power-poles and fence posts are blown over as if made of rubber. Trees have either toppled over or are stripped bare of leaves and bark. Boards stick precariously out of the sides of walls and the dank smell of wet wood hangs in the air.”

So, needless to say, the tornado victims have really held a special place in my heart this week. And because of that, I want to give my monthly donation to Convey of Hope for the month of May. If you’d like to do the same or find out more about their efforts in Joplin, check them out at http://www.convoyofhope.org

March of Dimes

I'm so bummed as I write this that we didn't take any pictures today! I've been excited to write this post for a few days leading up to this morning and was planning on taking a bunch of pictures to document what we did - but lo and behold, no pictures of us :( By the time I realized it, it was too late! But enough about regrets... let me tell you what we were able to be a part of today!

My Life Group has been wanting to volunteer more often and do things in the community, and so my friend Zack found out about this 2 mile walk called March of Dimes, that benefits babies who are born premature. We joined teams with Bank of Oklahoma and all met up at the OKC Fairgrounds this morning. Here's what the funds go to:

where your money goes 

The money you raise in March for Babies is used to fund important research and programs 

that help moms have full-term pregnancies and babies begin healthy lives. And it helps us 

provide information and support to families whose baby was born too soon, or sick. 

It was so humbling to walk alongside others who had t-shirts on that said "In memory of ...... " and you knew it was for a precious baby that they grew to love. Some shirts had weights on them. For example, "In memory of Amelia. 4 lbs, 3 ozs, 19 in" and it broke my heart to imagine the hurt and loss those people had. 

Checking out the website more, I stumbled up on "Share your story" with this description: 

Parents love to talk about the trials and tribulations of having and raising kids. Unfortunately, it often isn't easy for the parents whose children were born prematurely, with a birth defect or who have suffered infant loss to find other parents who understand. That's why the March of Dimes created Share Your Story , an online community to support the parents so closely touched by our mission. The site provides parents with a place to share invaluable information, encouragement and support. 

It also brought to mind a special baby, whose family I knew growing up. I babysat for the family's other three kids, but their 4th little baby girl was born premature and struggled to survive for months. Her's is a happy story- in that she survived and is a blessing to her family- but I know there were months, even years, that were very difficult because of her premature birth. Whether it was feeding tubes or hundreds of doctor visits, I saw with my own eyes how much of a toll it takes on families. But those babies are SO PRECIOUS and SO WORTH IT, and it was a wonderful morning this morning, marching to support this cause!

Also, I loved marching with Jake and our other friends, and look forward to the many other volunteer days we will share together! There's nothing like serving alongside friends and having a common purpose to do so!

We finished the morning with BIG TRUCK TACOs!!! (one of our favorite local stops) and as always, it didn't disappoint!

*****

Also I wanted to let you know that for my April donation, I decided to give to

 

There's just something about giving to what you participate in. Seeing those families marching for the babies they lost just made my decision all the more easier. What a blessing to have doctors studying and researching to give babies healthier lives!

Feb 2011 Donation

After checking out the votes, I decided to donate $100 to Compassion for the month of February! What a blessing it is to give to organizations that will turn that money around and change lives. Compassion has such a great track record and history that I know my money will be well spent and will make a difference in a child’s life somewhere around the world. By logging onto Compassion’s website I found this list of programs to give to:

   AIDS Initiative 

   Unsponsored Children

   Where Most Needed

   Leadership Development Program

   Partners of Compassion

   Malaria Intervention Fund

   Disaster Relief

   Water Filter

   Child Survival Program

   Medical Assistance Fund

   Help Highly Vulnerable Children 

The Child Survival Program caught my eye and after reading the below story, I was excited to fill out the form and send my donation. You’ll see why after reading this story about twin baby boys:

Babies born prematurely in the United States have cutting-edge medical technology on their side. And even with highly educated doctors and pristine hospitals, these tiny babies still die.

But thousands of miles away from those safe hospitals, Cyrus and Cyril were born in a tiny shack in the Philippines. Their mother, Maida, felt helpless as she held her sons, weighing a combined 4 pounds. They desperately needed medical attention, but Maida, unemployed and abandoned by her husband, couldn't afford it. Her babies didn't even have a crib — they slept on a cold piece of cardboard on the floor.

But when Cyrus and Cyril were just a few weeks old, Compassion's Child Survival Program intervened. The twins received crucial medical attention, and Cyrus was treated for a heart condition. Maida also learned how to create a healthy and safe home for her fragile little boys. The Child Survival Program was the difference between life and death for Cyrus and Cyril.

"I needed help," says Maida. "I didn't know where my husband was. I had very sick twins. I needed training to become a good mother." You can save the lives of vulnerable children like Cyrus and Cyril and desperate mothers like Maida by giving to the Child Survival Program today.

Today, Child Survival Program projects in a variety of countries are giving young children like Cyrus and Cyril a good start in life and hope for a brighter future.

This program exists to save the lives of the youngest, most vulnerable children, including those yet to be born. They are provided what they need to develop into healthy, thriving boys and girls -- nutritious food supplements, immunizations, ongoing health care and age-appropriate early childhood education and development opportunities. In addition, these children's mothers (or primary caregivers) are provided prenatal care, health care, parenting skills training and spiritual nurturing.

Most important, these mothers and children see God's great love in action every day through the care and love unconditionally shared by the Child Survival Program staff. 

And many of these mothers are making decisions to follow Christ.

Currently more than 11,000 caregivers, children and pregnant women are receiving lifesaving assistance through the Child Survival Program. Your contribution of $35 will provide the basic life needs for one child and mother for at least one month; a gift of $100 will help them for at least three months. And a gift of any size will help us extend this program of health and hope to even more of the world's children in desperate need, like little Cyrus and Cyril. 

Help a child and mother for 3 months? YES PLEASE! Sign me up!

All I had to do was fill out their electronic form and then submit my payment online. If you would like to learn more or donate yourself, please check out the website.

Another Segment: Companies that are making a difference!

Another regular segment I want to share here on this blog will emphasize influential organizations around the world that are making a difference. There are so many people all over the planet that have amazing dreams and ambitions who are actively making a difference for those with many types of needs. And while these organizations have the heart to make an impact for others, they often need a voice/platform to share what they are doing and also the funds to make their ambitions possible. I hope to meet both of those needs on this blog: both highlighting their work and also funding their dreams.

While I’m just an average girl with a small voice and a little money, I’ve dreamed about how I can make a difference and partner with these organizations. I love reading and researching companies that are reaching out to those in need and I often find myself sharing my findings with those around me: “Did you know company ABC is providing this mother a new opportunity to provide for her kids?” or “Have you heard about that precious little boy that had his wish to go to Disney World granted the other day?” And before I realize it, this researching and reading not only changes my outlook on this world and the great people in it, but it also informs those around me and they want to jump in and contribute. Therefore this blog and public platform has become a perfect way for me to not only enjoy my hobby and feed my enthusiasm, but to also inform those who are interested in hearing great stories about average people making extraordinary contributions.

So each month I’ll share what organizations all over the world are achieving. By highlighting their services and sharing their stories, I hope that this blog will serve as a voice for their accomplishments. And as far as the funding goes, I want to do my part. Each month, I’m going to give $100 to an organization that I highlight here on the blog. I’ll bring a few different people/orgs to the table and each month, I want you as readers to help me decide who to give to. Hopefully this will give you a chance to get involved vocally –but it’ll also provide a way for you to get involved financially too. Maybe one of these companies will just really touch your heart and giving financially will be a way for you to partner with them. It also provides a way for me personally to get behind the companies and support them not only vocally but financially too!

I can’t wait to start! Looks like we may have a snow day again here tomorrow so I’ll have some time to post and share about some great companies that have already touched my heart with their accomplishments. And as always, please send me an email by clicking on CONTACT ME or leave a comment with organizations/people in your community that are making a difference.

I'd love to hear from you! Thanks again for coming along for the journey!