Rescuing Orphans -- A Thankful Thrusday Offering

A heart of thankfulness and gratitude is a great measure of health and wellness to the body, mind, and spirit. Grace Alone host Thankful Thursdays. I have seen others posts for this meme, but have not posted there before -- I'm not sure I have even visited. That's my loss for sure. Today a post for Thankful Thursday caught my attention and I was drawn there to the theme of thankfulness with the thoughts of rescue in mind. I'm so glad I did.

For those who have visited Alive! recently you know that my son and his wife are on an adoption journey to "rescue" two children from their very difficult circumstances in Ethiopia. We haven't met these precious children yet or even know who they are. What we do know is that there are 5 million orphans in Ethiopia because of an every growing HIV/Aids crisis, drought, & famine. While family is important to the Ethiopian people, these millions of children have no one left with the means to care for them. Two of them will soon be welcomed with love by our family. The anticipation is great and the needs to see this through are also great.

Adoption, unfortunately, is a very expensive undertaking in terms of dollars needed to actually bring the children home to their "forever families." Through my love and passion for fabrics, embroidery, and creative endeavors along with the financial need these charming bracelets and treasure pockets were born. Notice in the photos that we've added a darling little charm of Africa as a reminder to the wearer that this is benefiting the family's adoption. The treasure pockets you see in the background of the next photo were originally created as a way to fund my reflexology schooling a few years back. Two to three hundred were sold. Sixty or seventy have been waiting around for their opportunity to contribute to another great cause. God is so good...always providing opportunities.

Now combine these lovely creations with my reflexology practice. The display you see here is on my dining room table where all my clients stop to pay for their reflexology sessions and to book their next appointment. Since my practice is part-time seeing 7-8 clients in an average week, I'm very excited and THANKFUL on this THANKFUL THURSDAY to report that these earned $150 just this week toward the adoption. It's very exciting to be a part of this "rescue" journey. Praise the Lord for His goodness and faithfulness in all these lives!

Please, if you will, read more about their story at their Ethiopia's Calling blog. They are having a giant yard/garage sale at Amy's parents' home in the Chicagoland area this weekend. Thank you for praying for them for beautiful weather, motivated shoppers, and a very successful event bringing them steps closer to being united with the children God has waiting to join their family.

Now a Member - Reflexology Association of America

This is exciting! This week I've officially joined the Reflexology Association of America. Membership in a professional organization like this seemed like someone else's dream. In fact, taking the bold step out of my comfort zone and onto the path of learning and education to become a Registered Certified Reflexologist (RCR) must have been someone else's dream, as well. In fact, in all reality, I believe my personal dreams were to0 deeply buried for too many years to even know they existed. Growing up with little encouragement from the home front to consider anything else than secretary or teacher as a future, I pretty much just made good grades because that seemed like the right thing to do, and received my B.A. just because it seemed like the right thing to do. That was in Journalism. Well, I didn't wish to teach or be a secretary, and it seemed like the next most right thing to do. . . . whatever the right thing is or was. RCR, like many other endeavors in my life, ...

Migraines Helped Through Reflexology -- Study from Denmark

Please click the headline above for the complete story from Sylvia Carlson. The results from this Danish research indicate that an astounding 81% of those in the study reported being helped by this therapy. Many even believed it was their cure. Migraine sufferers, that's worth checking out!!!! Was I one of those unfortunate enough to suffer the debilitating pain of migraines and even if I didn't know much about reflexology, after reading this article I feel rather certain I would give reflexology a chance. Also, I love visitors. Stop by my reflexology site, too.

Destress With These Suggestions

”Tranquility is life to the body, and contention is rottenness to the bones.” These incredibly wise words of King Solomon (at least in part) are seen at the top of this blog every time you visit. They also ring so true. Last week was not a tranquil one in the life of our family, and my body has felt it . . . particularily in exhaustion and what appeared to me as diminished mental capabilities at times. Anyone else been there?!? The events our family faced last week – some blissful and some quite sorrowful – were all ones we are unable to avoid. While we welcomed a beautiful new granddaughter into our lives, bringing us much joy, demands on our time and energy were truly stretched. Last week we also lost a beloved uncle, and readmitted my mother-in-law to the hospital once again as we watch her life diminishing. Stress is all around us. Sometimes, as in the situations above, it takes all that we have to make it through. Then our bodies let us know they are exhausted and in need of rest...

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