let love grow

it is a poverty to decide that a child must die so that you can live as you wish.

~mother teresa

this quote has moved me. not just touched my heart or made me think, but moved me. to action.

in our life of privilege, entitlement and quick fixes, this reality is hard to swallow. it is easy to write off as dramatic or irrelevant. irrelevant because it seems so far away, or even because it seems too big. dramatic? it is not.

26,000 children DIE everyday from preventable causes.

1 child DIES every 5 seconds from hunger related illness.

me?

i awakened this morning in my warm, comfy bed.

i took a long, hot shower.

i chose from clothes in my closet, on my floor, in my dresser, or draped over furniture.

i made my coffee, and later almost complained when i didn't get to it before it was cold.

i played with my girls and tripped over toys.

...my warm, nourished, fearless, flourishing girls.

i eagerly clicked on the air conditioning when it got a little warm.

i did laundry with a push of the button.

i skipped the cloth diapers for the easy disposables today...just because.

i texted my husband and fixed 3 full meals.

i threw some food away. at.each.meal.

i spent $4.26 on a iced coffee.

i wore shoes. one of my too many pairs of shoes.

couldn't my list go on forever? yes. do i think any of these things are bad? no....i know that these things are a blessing. i am thankful every day that my eyes have been opened. but, my heart has been opened to making sure that i am doing enough. that i am grateful. that i am making a difference.

because in the end, it is not going to matter about the economy. it is not going to matter what i blamed on the government. it is not going to matter how much i felt it.

what did i do about it? how did i love? how did my faith show up in my deeds?

so, that mother teresa quote? i love it with everything in me. it is a call to action. children are dying because of the the way i am living. they are dying...

may i NEVER be arrogant, overfed or unconcerned. may i ALWAYS help the poor and needy. (regarding Ezekiel 16:49)

our new adoption fund-raising shirt, Let Love Grow:

front: tree with "let love grow"

back: "it is a poverty that a child must die so that you may live as you wish"

~mother teresa

Adult shirts XXS-L: $23

Adult shirt XXL: $24

Baby 3-6 months - 4T: $17

(all prices include tax and s/h)

clockwise from bottom:

green with grey tree: 3-6m, 6-12m, 12-18m, 2T, 3T, 4T & adult M, L, XL

navy with grey tree: adult XS - XXL

oatmeal with brown square/green tree: adult XS - XXL

orange with brown square/green tree: adult XS - XXL

charcoal grey with light grey tree: 3-6m, 6-12m, 12-18m, 2T, 3T, 4T & adult XS-XXL

purple with purple square/white tree: adult M, L

brown with aqua tree: 3-6m, 6-12m, 12-18m, 2T, 3T, 4T & adult XXS - XXL

-----------------------------------------------------

i have limited quantity left of the 147 {million} baseball tee. i am so excited to know you are out there walking around shouting about the orphans of the world. they need us. if you bought one, will you PLEASE take a picture and send it to my friend, beth? (foldinglaundry AT gmail DOT com) i heard she's doing a secret project with them. please help us sell out of the remaining sizes to make room for new designs!

i leave in FOUR days for Africa!! i can feel my heart being torn between my family that is on 2 different continents. i am thankful for this process, but i can just imagine the feeling that i will have when all my family is finally together. so soon!

the pre-order for the African paper bead necklaces is still going. i cannot wait to purchase these from the women there. would you consider buying some for christmas gifts? you get a beautiful, handmade piece of jewelry....help an African woman feed her family...and help our babies home to their forever family!!

we appreciate your love and support so much. every comment, prayer, purchase, e-mail is SUCH a blessing. thank you for that and thank you for loving on our babies already!