World Relief Next

Watch.

This.

Video.

Then visit the website for the recently launched World Relief Next Project, a division of World Relief.

Great Lakes Outreach

The same conversation has been surfacing for the past 8 months or so:

What do you suggest your brides do with their wedding gowns after the big day?

And up until a few days ago, I had no idea what to tell them. I can recommend where they can go to have it cleaned and preserved, but that was about the extent of it.

Until I found the website for the Great Lakes Outreach organization I talked about in the previous post. Under their "Get Involved" section, at the bottom they are asking for donated wedding gowns! I couldn't believe my eyes.

I understand that many women would like to keep their gowns for their daughters or granddaughters, this is completely acceptable! I may even do the same some day (though I wonder if my kids and grand kids would someday want a GOR-TEX gown and also get married in the snow??).

At any rate, I have a lot of women who don't know just what to do with their gowns. I think this is a fabulous opportunity! I'll definitely be spreading the word about this sweet concept. I've recently contacted GLO, and I'm waiting for them to get back to me. I can't wait to tell you what they say!

Burundi

Know where that is? That's ok. It's a pretty small place. But now I want you to learn a little bit about it and why it's important.

Burundi is ravaged by many crises. A civil unrest between tribes, genocide, HIV/AIDS, a lack of clean water, and the fact that it's one of the 10 poorest nations in the world are among the issues they face daily.

I listened to a man named Emmanuel Ndikumana speak both last night and Sunday. He told stories of his country and the history there, and the story of his life. He is a pastor, a leader, a husband, a father, and one seeking to create reconciliation for the country. Because as he sees it, reconciliation in the mind needs to happen for individuals before hope and material solutions will ever work. I wish you could have been there. (I'm trying to find out if it was recorded and will be podcasted. If so, I'll post it here.)

There was a question and answer time at the end of the evening. A woman asked, "How does the current economic crisis affect Burundi?"

His answer struck me so hard I started to cry instantly.

"Theoretically, because we are the third poorest nation in the world, we would be affected the least. Because we have nothing. In practice, because we rely so heavily on foreign aid, that aid will drop because nobody will be able to give. And if they do not give, we will die."

Can you imagine with me for a moment, a country chock full of 8 million people literally ceasing to exist because of this economic crisis? That's an equivalent to the population of New York City.

They need assistance. Never before did you think about the fact that your hardships and your decisions during those hardships could affect somebody so far away, did you? Neither did I.

We have an opportunity. Giving is hard during this time, believe me, I know. If you want to give, here is some info.

Partners Trust International is a part of the Great Lakes Outreach organization. Here is a page with ways to get involved. And they are SIMPLE ways! Click here to find out more. You can always give through The Kilns as well.

My happy corner

"There was one question which I never dreamed of raising. I never noticed that the very strength and facility of the pessimists' case at once poses us a problem. If the universe is so bad, or even half so bad, how on earth did human beings ever come to attribute it to the activity of a wise and good Creator? Men are fools, perhaps; but hardly so foolish as that."

-C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain (Chapter 1, page 3, 2nd paragraph, emphasis mine)


Oh yes, I do remember saying I would post pictures of my corner devoted to human rights. I still have articles and photos to put up. I've been adding a little bit at a time to keep these issues at the front of my mind. To continually be reminded of why I'm working so hard on my company. To allow my heart to be broken, and remind myself how blessed I am, that my gifts are to be put towards good work in this world. (Framed photo by Benjamin Images)


It's sometimes hard to think about these things, honestly. But I have to continually remind myself that God is sovereign. Helping me out a lot with that right now is reading The Problem of Pain by C.S. Lewis. He has some amazing insight into the question of, "How could a loving God and benevolent Creator allow evil in the world?"

All of the little fuchsia cards have a different issue on them with the definition:



And of course, each of those brown cards with the gold writing on them are scripture from the bible. Reminders of the call on my life, as well as God's promises:


Welcome to another little piece of my world and my heart.

Clutch

I embarked on an adventure yesterday afternoon with my hairstylist after having my hair done. The hair turned out awesome. So far, after almost two years of cuts and colors, we think this blond is the closest to my natural color. But not quite. Anyway, she added some awesome color pockets using a rich mahogany. I love it :)

All that said, we went to this little store Clutch in downtown Bend. (All of 4 blocks of downtown, as my friend Michael points out.) The store itself was fantastic. I'd spend every penny there, I think, because the purses and the fantastic array of clutches made my mouth water. You should check it out sometime, it's right on Minnesota Avenue a couple of doors down from Trivia Antiques.

If you're ever wondering where to shop for me...this is it. ;)

A. Querio Photo + Design

Check this out:

My buddy Tony has launched his new website. He's a photographer and graphic designer here in Bend and his work is AWESOME.

Take a peek. You'll be sorry if you don't :)