Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Bless and Be Blessed

I am so excited this week I can hardly wipe the silly grin off my face.  I know....it's crazy!

On Sunday afternoon, seven ladies met at my house and in short order had a lasagna benefit dinner all planned out.  They made of list of who would make lasagna, desserts, bring french bread all buttered and ready to heat.  It will be March 4th at the 4-H building.  We will be serving from 11:30 to 2:00.  It will be in the newspaper, announced at local churches and posters are already up around town.  It just amazed me.  I've lived in this small town for 16 years now.  I know first hand how giving and generous these people can  be and how they pull together for each other, but this is for me.  They are donating pans of lasagna, desserts, bread and their time for me, and ultimately for the children of Uganda.  I was so blessed.  So blessed, in fact, that I had to go out and find someone else to be a blessing to. 

There is a group here in town that has purchased a house for a widow who needs a home.  They have two weeks to get it ready and it needs major work.  I was off work on Monday and watched as they all arrived at the house to begin work.  The house is just down the street.  I had an agenda for Monday, work here at home that needed to be done.  Although I didn't have time to go help them paint, I was sure I could feed them.  I know from experience when you are working like that figuring out how to feed everyone is a real challenge.  There is no time to cook and eating out gets so expensive.  On my way to the store, I stopped by the house to see if they would like me to bring them supper that evening.  It was cold and windy and a pot of chili seemed like a good idea.  It was a good idea.  They were able to take a break that evening and have chili, tortillas, cheese, orange slices and oatmeal, chocolate chip brownies. 

On Tuesday, my passport came!  That was fast!  My beaded necklaces also came.  How fun!  I got out about six different bright colors out and wore them the rest of the day.  I am selling these necklaces for a $20 donation to help support Ugandan mothers and orphans.  They are made out of recycled paper.  I'd sure like to see how they make them.  Maybe I'll get the chance while I'm there.

On Wednesday, Gavin came to see me.  For those of you who don't know who Gavin is, I had the wonderful privilege of being his momma from the time he was 3 months old until he was 16 months old.  He is 11 now.  His grandmother is raising him and she is so good to keep in touch with us.  Gavin is still so special to us and we are pretty important to him also.  They don't live too far away so we get to see him from time to time.  She didn't tell him where they were going until he walked into my office and saw me.  We were both so excited to see each other we were teary-eyed.  I hugged and kissed on him and he was more than happy to let me.  Oh how I love that little boy!

Our trip coordinator set up a facebook group for our team.  We have started introducing ourselves and getting to know a little bit about each other.  I am so excited to meet these people. 

Two of them are in the process of adopting from Africa.  Another two of us have adopted domestically.  Ha! And I'm not the only one whose husband is afraid his wife will come home with a little African baby in tow.... Several of us have never been on a missions trip like this before.  One of them is married to someone who grew up in Kansas and went to KU!  Rock chalk Jayhawk!

 It was just so interesting to hear their stories and see that we share the same passion for orphans...oh, and how the Lord led each of us to be going on this trip!  You can just see the hand of God working in their lives so similar to what I am experiencing.  And we are going to come together and experience God together in Uganda.  May His will and His purpose be fulfilled in all of us!

Speaking of "His will," please pray with me for Sixty Feet ministries.  Our team is supposed to be spending two days with these dear people and loving on these children.  A situation has come up that needs prayer.   Let's just pray that God's will be done "on earth as it is in heaven."  That should cover it!

Well, it has been a busy night of trying to get some computer work caught up, making three pans of  lasagna for the benefit dinner and another meal for the construction crew.   We are planning to go to Denver this weekend to spend some time with my family.  I have missed them so much.  We will be celebrating my Dad's birthday while we are there.  Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Thank you....all you dear friends, for sharing this with me.

We are blessed.  Let's go out and find someone to bless!

Trusting in Him,

Shelli

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