Resolutions

Happy New Year Friends and Welcome to 2014!

Around this time of year people start thinking about all the things they want to change about themselves and their lives.  They consider all of the negatives from the previous year and become optimistic about leaving them all behind starting now.  Then they make big promises to themselves, usually grand but vague, describing how they will be better people now than they were before.  Soon enough however, (I heard today the average is 3 weeks later) those sweeping promises begin to fall to the wayside and old habits are settled back into until the next January when all is repeated.

Primarily for the reasons described above, I have never been too keen on the idea of New Year's Resolutions.  I think a person should try to be his best all the time, not save it up for a few weeks at the beginning of the new year.  I also think that making such huge commitments to change all at once will only cause people to become frustrated when they inevitably slip, leading them to give up and feel angry at themselves for their inability to change overnight.

Apparently there is also a new trend of people choosing not a tangible goal, but a word to live by in the coming year.  This still seems fuzzy to me as I don't want to choose a word to live by that will end up not being applicable to my life this year.  It also seems to have a similar likelihood of being broken or forgotten about fairly quickly.  (Maybe I'm just being pessimistic though.)

With that said, for now at least, I will try to keep up the goal I set for myself in 2013 (not at New Years mind you).  Over the past several months I have worked to stop saying no.  I've spent a great deal of my life trying to protect myself with that tiny, powerful word.  No to opportunities to be social, to step out of my comfort zone, to have fun.  All because I was afraid I might say the wrong thing, make a mistake, or look foolish.  So, recently I have been working very hard to reverse that so that I start living freely and truly enjoy life.  It's something that I have to consciously work for, but so far I am loving the results and hope to continue to progress in 2014.  However, it will be just that, a progression of prior changes, not an overnight identity change.

2013 was a wonderful year for me and I only hope that 2014 will hold just as much fun, love, and growth.

My Christmas Wish

Hey friends, I've got a special holiday post today (sort of).  I'm not sure if any of you saw the movie Annabelle's Wish as a child (there's a chance I was a childhood hipster and loved things no one else knew existed), but this movie was basically my Christmas go-to growing up (and still makes me cry every time I watch it).  The movie was actually made to promote the Make-A-Wish Foundation and tells the story of a calf who gives up her Christmas wish in order to give it to the boy she loves.  This is overgeneralizing of course but if you want to know the whole story, I think the movie is on YouTube (or you can come to my house and we'll pull out the much beloved VHS).

That fun little stroll down memory lane brings me in a somewhat roundabout way to my point.  I have a very special Christmas wish this year (I'll pause as my entire family gasps since I never tell them what I want for Christmas).  As a Compassion advocate, I have volunteered to try to find a sponsor for one child this Christmas.  My wish is that one of you beautiful people would help me make that happen.  Let me introduce you to the special boy I'm speaking of:

This little dear is David.  He will turn 7 on January 12.  David lives with his grandparents in El Salvador, although he is not listed as an orphan.  His grandfather works as a laborer and his grandmother stays home to care for David.  David helps out at home by cleaning, carrying water, and running errands.  His favorite things to do are playing soccer, playing with toy cars, and running.  His information indicates that he is not yet in school but I would guess that he has begun since starting Compassion's program and, if not, will definitely begin with the new school year in January.  

David lives in a village in the north of the country where homes are typically made of dirt floors, mud walls, and tile roofs.  The average monthly income in his area is just $36.  This is extremely low in El Salvador, which uses the US dollar.  

You should all know by now the impact that sponsorship has had on my life, especially since my trip to El Salvador last summer (if you're just joining me feel free to read back or ask any questions- I'd love to talk about it more!).  Therefore, my Christmas wish this year is to find someone to love on this sweet boy and to experience the amazing gift that is child sponsorship.  I would be so blessed and thrilled to know that David got his wish this year too.

I am also applying right now to spend a year serving overseas, with my hopes on venturing back to the land that captured my heart, El Salvador.  If I do end up there, I would love to take along a gift for this cutie from his new sponsor.  

I know that this is a big commitment to ask of you and I am certainly not wanting you to take it lightly.  However, it would mean more to me than anything else this Christmas to know that my passion for this ministry has led to a child being connected with a sponsor and both of their lives being changed.  

If you have any questions about David, sponsorship, or anything else please don't hesitate to ask me!

Merry Christmas dear friends!

Heartbreak in the Philippines

As you may (or may not) know, a devastating typhoon struck the Philippines this weekend.

This category 5 storm may have been the strongest to ever make landfall with sustained winds of 145 mph and gusts over 175 mph.  (Keep in mind Katrina was a category 3 storm when it made landfall.)  

There have been an estimated 10,000 deaths in one city alone.  100,000's have been displaced.

Many compared the scene to a tsunami, and water is reported to have surged up to 30 feet in some areas.  A disaster zone has been declared and aid is beginning to pour in from within the Philippines and around the world.

However, relief efforts are being hampered by authorities' inability to reach people due to debris and destroyed roads.  There have already been reports of looting and violence due to a lack of clean water and food.  

I'm bringing this tragedy to your attention because of this little cutie (and the estimated 1.7 million children just like her who have been affected by the storm.)  You've heard me talk about my precious Filipino baby whose sweet mom writes the most loving letters on her behalf.  Now I'm worried for her safety.

Rhean lives in a rural area in the south of the province of Leyte, directly in the path of the storm.  She, along with her father, pregnant mother, 9-year-old brother, and 6-year-old sister, live in a house constructed primarily of bamboo with a thatched roof.  Their small village on the plains is about 15 miles from the nearest city. 

Somehow tragedy strikes harder when it is not unknown victims, but a child close to your heart.  I do not know for sure if Rhean was affected, and it may be some time before Compassion is able to communicate with the field office to find out.  However, I am praying that she and her family are safe.  I'm also relieved to know that Compassion's staff will check in on them and make sure that they get aid if they need it.

Please join me in praying for Rhean and her family, as well as the millions of others affected by this disastrous storm.  The situation there is truly heartbreaking.

For more information about Typhoon Haiyan and the beginnings of relief coming to the island nation, please visit http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-24887746.  

You can also donate to relief efforts here: http://www.compassion.com/typhoon-hits-philippines.htm.

Saying Goodbye ... And Hello

Hi friends, sorry for again slacking off from this place the past month.  Apparently all the rumors about senior year being crazy are true and I've had no time to blog (although I've loved the busyness!).  Anyway I just wanted to update you on some changes to my Compassion family this week.

A few days ago I got a call from Compassion letting me know that my correspondent child, 19-year-old Joan from Uganda, has left the program.  She and her family moved rather abruptly to an area where Compassion does not have a program.  Because she left so quickly, Compassion is not sure where she is, which means I will not be able to write a final letter to her.

I began writing to Joan last Christmas and have received two letters from her and sent many more her way.  Although I don't know her very well, I was excited to get to know this young woman and to encourage her during her last years with Compassion.  I know that she is in God's hands now and I will continue to pray for her safety and well-being.

After learning that Joan left the program, Compassion assigned me a new correspondent child to begin writing to.  So now please welcome 9-year-old Irene, also from Uganda, to my Compassion family.

Irene lives with her parents, who work as peasant farmers, and has two siblings.  She helps her parents at home by gardening, buying and selling in the market, and helping in the kitchen.  Irene is in 3rd grade.  She enjoys many things including playing with dolls, soccer, reading, art, and telling stories.

Although I am sad to lose Joan and will never give away her place in my heart, I am also thrilled to write to sweet little Irene as well.  I know that God has a reason for putting both of these girls in my life, for however short a time, and I have been so blessed by all of my kids.

On another note, I recently received an updated photo of my precious little Rhean in the Philippines.

This is Rhean's first picture from when she registered with Compassion just after her third birthday.

And her is my cute girl now at 4 1/2 years old.  She has grown so much (as expected) and I can't wait to continue to watch her grow in the coming years.

The Light

For blog month this week we were told to choose a picture from Compassion and tell the story.  I'm choosing to let the subject of the picture tell her own story.

My name is Diya.  I am 19 years old.  This is my story:

I was born in a Mumbai slum, the oldest of three daughters.  My mother chose my name, which means 'light', because I was born just as the sun was rising over the horizon and she hoped this would be a sign of good fortunes for my future.  Even my father, who prayed for months that I would be a boy, was hopeful that I would have good fortunes.  

My early years were happy and innocent.  My father worked in a factory.  He did not make much money and labored long hours but he was young and strong so he did not mind.  To make some extra money, my mother worked as a servant in a wealthy family's home.  While my parents were working, I stayed with my aunt and her kids.  We played as all children play, running through the streets and making toys out of anything we could find.  

When I was three my first sister was born.  Everyone predicted that my mother would have a son this time, and my father was upset when the baby was another girl.  After baby Avani was born, my father disappeared for a week.  When he came back, he smelled of sweet smoke and alcohol.  My mother knew he had been using drugs and prayed to the gods to protect him and our family.  After that, he remained faithful to us and life went back to normal.  I was young and innocent and did not understand the stress my parents were under.

Six months later my mother became pregnant again.  However, she fell down a flight of stairs while carrying water up to the apartment of her employer and the baby did not make it.  My mother mourned the baby's loss and my father was irate at her for losing it as he was sure this had been the son he was awaiting.  Again he left us for awhile and came back with a smokey aroma surrounding him.  But, this time he did not stop using.  

After a few months, my father was spending most of his pay to buy opium.  He would disappear for days with no word.  But, many times this was preferable as when he was home he would get angry over any little thing.  A few times he even hit my mother.  She never let him touch me and my sister though.  

We lived like this for three years until my youngest sister was born.  My mother prayed everyday to our family's protectorate gods that they would make the child a boy, hoping that would bring back my father to his old self.  When she saw that the baby was a girl, my mother weeped.  She named the child Shreya, 'auspicious', because she knew that bad fortune had overtaken our household.  When my father heard the news, he stormed out of the house.  We never saw him again.

My mother tried to stay strong for my sisters and I but I saw how she cried at night.  She could not afford for us to stay in our humble home on her income alone; she did well to find food for us every day.  Thankfully, her brother allowed us to move in with he and his family.  He and his wife had five children of their own so altogether there were eleven of us living in a two room shack.  My mother did everything she could to make sure we were not a burden, but even so my aunt was often cruel to us when my uncle was not around.  

When I was nine, I began to work with my mother.  The mistress of the house had just had a baby and it was my job to care for him.  I was used to caring for my little sisters so this was second nature to me.  I enjoyed this job very much.  I got to see my mother more than ever and working in such a beautiful place was an adventure for me.  As the child grew up, I became his caretaker.  His mother was kind to me and appreciated how much I doted on her son.

When I turned fourteen, upon the insistence of my aunt, my uncle began to search for a suitable husband for me.  Soon he found a distant cousin who was willing to marry me.  My cousin, Darsh, was thirty at the time.  He lived in another section of town and I had never met him before.  We married just before my 15th birthday.  I was very apprehensive about leaving my home, especially leaving my sisters there alone with my aunt.  

I was lucky though, my husband is kind to me.  He works in a factory nearby.  I found a new job working as a servant in an old widow's house.  She was very harsh with me and never liked what I did, but we needed the income.  A few months after we were married, I became pregnant.  My husband rejoiced and immediately began to pray for a son.  This made me worry about my future; I could only pray that my fate would be better than my mother's and that I would give birth to a son.  

I was not so lucky.  In the spring my daughter, Muskhan, was born.  I was so worried about my husband's reaction that I tried to keep the child from him.  He was very kind to her though; he is a good man.  Although I know that he would like a son, Darsh genuinely adores his daughter and is a good father to her.  

Several months ago, our neighbor, whom I have become close friends with, told me about a program in our community for poor kids.  She was taking her son the following week to be registered and invited me to bring Muskhan as well.  I told Darsh what she said and he agreed we could use the help but worried that the project was located at a Christian church.  We are a good Hindu family.  We decided to see what the program was anyway.  

I walked with Muskhan and our neighbors to the project on Saturday.  There were many children there playing outside and studying in classrooms.  I never got to go to school as a child and could only dream of such a thing for my daughter.  As I talked with the project workers, I knew that this would be a good place for my daughter and for my family.  We would not be asked to change our religion, although Muskhan would be taught about the Christian God.  I was happy to enroll my daughter in this place where she could have a better future than me.

Although my daily life still has struggles, I have been thrilled with the new community of friends that both I and my daughter have made at the Compassion center.  She is learning new things every day and my husband and I are also learning new ways to be good parents.  Best of all, Muskhan has started school; she will have a future worlds better than I could have dreamed of as a child.  She is receiving the good fortune that my mother predicted when I was born.  This is thanks to Compassion International.

This is my daughter, Muskhan.  You can sponsor her today and help make a difference in her life.

. . . Silence . . .

Well friends Compassion's blog month has come again.  (Technically it started last week but the week got away from me before I could post anything.)  Anyway this week we were asked to write about one word.  I chose one that has meant a lot in my life and personality: Silence.

Silence is quiet.

Now the above statement may sound like common sense, but there is more to it than you may realize at first glance.  As many of you know, I am rather introverted by nature (some might say shy).  I spend more time listening than I do talking, and I genuinely enjoy spending quiet time alone.

Silence's quietude can bring great peace and comfort in times of trial.  It can lead us closer to God, if we're willing to allow it to.

 Jael is 4.  She lives in Burkino Faso.  You can help her grow up knowing the comfort of silence in God's presence.

Silence is Loud

This may be somewhat more difficult to imagine.  Silence in and of itself more closely resembles my first description.  However, when left alone in silence, our thoughts will soon begin to scream at us.

These thoughts may be easily dismissed when we are otherwise occupied, but when we are silent, they hold our attention and whisper lies into our ears.  As the silence permeates deeper, so too do the inaccuracies grow louder and stronger.  As we hear them repeated over and over again, we begin to believe them as truth.

Silence thrives on yelling lies: You're not good enough.  You'll never amount to anything.  You are nothing.

Kevin is 15.  He lives in Nicaragua.  Through sponsorship you can help disperse the lies that silence is telling him during adolescence.

Silence is crushing.

In addition to the attributes above, silence can act as a muting force.  It constrains ideas and chokes back words that need to be said as much as they need to be heard.

After years of silent observation, I became uncomfortable expressing myself.  And, since no one expected me to break the silence, I was able to continue to live in pseudo comfort within it.  Silence kept me from experiencing life, especially social aspects of the world around me.  Silence attempted to smother me.

 Vishakha is 9 years old.  She lives in India.  She shares my birthday.  Help her to escape the crushing silence that I struggled with.

In the developing world the effects of silence can be even more pronounced.  As much as silence may bring comfort, it also lies and strangles futures.  For kids living in poverty, these lies become truth easily without a strong voice to contradict the effects of silence.  Compassion acts as that voice of truth to over a million children in developing countries every day.

Sponsoring a Child can help break the silence in the next generation.

The Letter I've Waited For!

Hey guys!  So school has just started back and I am beginning my senior year of college.  That fact feels both natural and very strange to say.  School is busy already though so I was not expecting to be slowed down when I ran home last weekend.  However, waiting for me upon my arrival was a letter that I have waited over 2 years to read and one that still makes me beam each time I read it.

If you've read my letter posts before, you may know that my 13-year-old correspondent child, Predilien, from Haiti has never written a letter himself.  In my 2 1/2 years of writing to him I have received mostly short uninformative letters written by his dad.  Before I was assigned to write to him, Predilien had received very few letters (I want to say 2) in over 7 years of sponsorship.  Therefore, although I longed to connect with him, I understood that he may be reluctant.  In the past few months I have seen an increase in the personality of the letters as well as the content, but I had yet to read the words directly from this young man's pen.

I am thrilled to say that my wait finally ended with this most recent letter!

In hurried scrawl Predilien writes:  "Dear Emily, Today it is a pleasure for me to greet you.  How are you doing?  I am glad to tell you that my family and I are well.  I must tell you, I had a good school year.  I will be in grade 4 now.  Thank you for your prayers.  I am in vacation now.  Before vacation my father didn't want me to go watch the soccer game, but now he lets me go.  I am happy for that.  I thank you for the letter.  Here are the answers to your questions (This thrilled me as most prior letters never answered questions.)  My favorite subject is geography.  I have trouble with science.  Help me pray for this subject.  What do you want me to pray for you?  Thank you so much, may the grace of God come on you."

I am again unable to stop smiling after reading his sweet words!  Also exciting is that the letter was just written on July 28, which means it only took about a month to get here.  Predilien also seems to be on a reciprocal writing schedule now.  

I am so excited to feel like I am finally getting to know this boy whom I have prayed over for so long!