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You are here: Home / 2011 / Archives for November 2011

Archives for November 2011

This is What Hope Looks Like

November 30, 2011 by Kristen

Updated to add: less than 24 hours after publishing this post, Cindy had a beautiful baby boy. 6 pounds, 2 ounces of perfection!

She had the focused look of concentration as she held the tightly rolled paper with one hand, glue in the other, applying. Squeezing. Creating.

We were in Africa, teaching our Mercy House girls their first skill: rolling paper. Recycled magazine paper that would become jewelry, home decor, art.

It’s surreal. The memory.

Their hard work is producing beautiful products now.

Volunteers pack my cold garage and we line up order after order to fill from the exported items. Shelves are stacked with creations from our girls. The scent of varnish is heavy. It’s one of my favorite places to be.

I was filling a few orders the other night: paper coaster sets. It was late and I was tired, but that’s when I noticed the colors.

The first couple of months, the coasters made by still-learning hands were a work of art, in progress. Constantly improving, all one thing in common: muted, dull colors. When rolling the paper that is to become a coaster, each girl chooses a piece of paper from a used magazine. Sheet after sheet, our girls chose the drab colors.

I didn’t realize this at first. I just assumed the oil-based varnish muted the colors of the paper and gave our coasters a dark tone.

I didn’t realize it because I didn’t know what hope could do.

Something deep within me began to stir. I began pulling the older coaster sets from the back of the shelf, the ones that hadn’t sold from our first couple of months.

I lined them up next to the new sets of coasters we are now receiving each month. The difference was unbelievable: The small, dark coaster sets are lovely. But compared to the larger, brighter newer coaster sets, there is no comparison.

My eyes pooled and I heard the soul-whisper: This is what hope looks like.

Staring at the shelves, I saw a rainbow of hope, a constellation of promise.

My oldest child opened the door to the garage. She found me in tears. She wasn’t surprised (what can I say? This is emotional business).

I showed her the difference in the colors.

She said, “Mom, I was just reading an article about how color affects us. It was saying that we choose colors based on how we feel and what’s happening on the inside.”

I picked up the bright yellow coaster set. I fingered the tag with Cindy’s name on it. I closed my eyes and pictured her wide smile and the baby she carries. I remember watching her eat. She had only been in the home a few weeks when I met her face-to-face. She was so tiny, malnourished. I watched her begin to gain weight with every healthy bite.

I know her story well. It’s a heartbreaking tale of being used and abused. She’s sixteen. She’s a new believer.

I imagine her sitting on the wood floor in the living room at the maternity home. Papers scattered. Glue in hand. I see her open the magazine, pass the brown and black pages and choose the bright yellow.

She is what hope looks like. 

——————————————-

Cindy is due this week! Please pray for a safe delivery and a healthy baby.

Buy your own coaster set and spread the hope.

34 Comments Filed Under: MercyHouse

WFMW: Family Message Board

November 29, 2011 by Kristen

WFMW: Family Message Board

I'm finding as my kids get older, our lives are getting busier. I'm the keeper of the family calendar. I'm the one who says "No, you can't miss dinner" or "Yes, you can go to that birthday party." I have a central calendar where it gets written down, but I've found I need a place to hang important papers, reminders and invitations. I give you: The Family Message Board- Mine if from Blessings Unlimited. I love how big it is! Here are a couple of magnetic DIY ones from ... Read More

79 Comments Filed Under: WFMW

Cash Back {Winner}

November 29, 2011 by Kristen

For years and years, I've kept a huge plastic container hidden in my garage. It contains gifts for friend's birthday parties, family birthday gifts, little things I've found on sale or bought off-season and collected throughout the year. Most years by November, the container contains all the gifts we give for Christmas. I sort of fell off the buying wagon with the busy year we've had. This week when I got out some Christmas decorations, I opened the container. I was happy to see some ... Read More

Leave a Comment Filed Under: Giveaways

An Advent Experience for Little Hands {Giveaway}

November 28, 2011 by Kristen

An Advent Experience for Little Hands {Giveaway}

UPDATED WITH WINNERS:  Congratulations Deborah (comment #35), Zenobia (comment #47), Amy (comment #58), Sarah H. (comment #70), and Elizabeth (comment #80) I'm anticipating Advent this year with my family! From yesterday's post, you can see we do a variety of activities to celebrate the Season and I'm super excited to try out Truth in the Tinsel, an Advent experience for little hands. My kids LOVE crafts! As I read thru the pages, I was so impressed with the tangible, practical ways to ... Read More

117 Comments Filed Under: Giveaways

30 Ways to Make Christmas Meaningful

November 27, 2011 by Kristen

30 Ways to Make Christmas Meaningful

Our world makes it challenging to keep Christ in Christmas. Anyone else notice that? Don't get me wrong: I love this season. The lights and festivities. I'm a Christmas baby and I find this time of year magical. I love experiencing it with my kids...the excuse to wear Christmas pajamas days on end, reading holiday books, sipping hot chocolate and eating cookies for lunch... But more than anything, I want to make it meaningful. I want Jesus to be the focus. I want my kids to know what ... Read More

25 Comments Filed Under: Faith

Cyber Monday Deals

November 27, 2011 by Kristen

Cyber Monday Deals

I skipped the hype of Black Friday. I enjoyed last week just hanging out with my family. Can I hit REPEAT? Please. I do want to share a couple of Cyber Monday deals with you that from a few of my favorite stores: Mercy Shop For the first time, Mercy Shop is offering FREE SHIPPING on all orders tomorrow on Cyber Monday, Nov. 28 (starts tonight 10 pm CST, ends 10 pm Nov. 29). This is the time to shop with purpose and give the gift that blesses more than one. Beautiful brand new ... Read More

5 Comments Filed Under: deals

Happy Thanksgiving

November 23, 2011 by Kristen

Source: ssbuffat.blogspot.com via Stephanie on Pinterest   I'm so thankful. ... Read More

1 Comment Filed Under: thankful

WFMW: Roll It Up {Intentional Thanksgiving}

November 22, 2011 by Kristen

I'm so excited to try this for Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow! Write down tiny notes, wrap in foil, place inside rolls, bake.... Be thankful. Source: the-girl-who-ate-everything.com via Charlotte on Pinterest     Thanksgiving Challenge: Day 23 I am thankful for my kids. They fill my life and bring me joy. They make me laugh every day. Every.Day. My tips to an intentional Thanksgiving: Prepare as much as you can beforehand. Don't get caught up in the ... Read More

35 Comments Filed Under: WFMW

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