May 5

May 5. I haven’t read the book Kisses from Kate. Maybe someday I will, but knowing that the jewelry made through Amazima’s vocational program benefits hard working mothers and supports the feeding of over 1600 children in Masese was enough for me to buy a necklace. To me it seems like such a small gesture to buy a necklace. How long does it take one woman to make one necklace—cutting up old magazines, rolling the pieces, letting them dry, stringing the beads? How far does the sale of one necklace go? When I see this necklace today, I pray that at least one child gets to spend a few more hours without being hungry.

May 4

May 4. Water. We can’t live without it. Most plants can’t live without it. Most animals can’t live without it. Few of us drink enough of it. We may take for granted having indoor plumbing complete with flushing toilets and faucets with running water. We may even take water filtration for granted—both the ones outside our homes and the additional ones we can install inside. The movie Erin Brockovich opened our eyes to contaminated water here in the U.S. Overseas the majority don’t have indoor plumbing and have to risk their lives walking for miles to obtain any water at all—much less clean water. Today, instead of complaining that I don’t like water; I will drink my water, cherish it, and pray for the safety of those who don’t have it. What can you do today?

Marcella

Some very interesting and insightful blogs on females in society: http://bit.ly/IYjbj4

May 3

May 3. This bracelet was handcrafted in Thailand. It is part of a project that helps protect vulnerable girls from exploitation. I have two daughters and I try to protect them—without being overprotective. Sometimes that can seem like a fine line and I’m sure I’ve crossed it and will again. I love them.
Today as I see this bracelet I hope I have helped protect someone else’s daughter.
Are you going to do something different today?

May 2

May 2. Yesterday I admitted that when I get stressed, I eat. When things get crazy, the first thing to go is my eating habits. The next to go is my fitness. Yes, I resort to that age-old excuse—not enough time. There’s too much going on. There’s too much to do. But the truth is one of the best ways to deal with stress is with exercise or some kind of physical activity. So today I will prioritize, make time for some kind of exercise, and work out some of that stress. What about you?

May 1

May 1. The first day of May. I am already facing a busy schedule and I’ll be honest—when things get crazy and stressful, I usually look for comfort in food. This is a bad habit. Not just because summer is around the corner, but also it’s just an escape, an avoidance. Food does not deal with the emotion that will return after the snack is gone. No, I didn’t get everything done on my list yesterday, but I did cross a few things off. Even though my schedule is busy, it means opportunities—opportunities not everyone has. This glass bead necklace was handmade in Thailand. I received it through World Vision as a reminder of those around the world who may not have their needs met. Today, when I go for that extra snack, I will see the glass beads on my arm, remember those who made them and focus on what I can do and not what I can’t.

May Challenge

May tends to be a crazy month for me—birthdays, end of the year parties, field day and getting ready for recitals. It’s easy to get stressed and off track under these circumstances. Fasting typically refers to abstaining from food, but what if we thought outside that box? What if each day of May we chose something to fast from, abstain, avoid? Would it be an extra snack? Cigarette? Coffee? Soda? Picking on someone? Negative thoughts? Thoughts of suicide? What can we do instead? Pray? Brainstorm solutions? Positive thoughts? Drink water? Walk? Each day in May I will post what I am “fasting” from and what I will do instead. This will keep me accountable, focused and on track. Will you join me? Will you post something you are avoiding OR something positive you still do instead OR even both?