Apples of Gold

"A word fitly spoken
    is like apples of gold in a setting of silver." Proverbs 25:11

This verse reminds me of one simple fact -- that every minute counts.  Just stopping to say a nice word to a stranger or encourage a friend, can change their whole day.  You know the saying about living a month off a complement?  It's true.

I never realized how vast and far reaching this principle is, until I read the book Just a Minute by Wess Stafford.  It's a really good book -- I recommend it -- because it shows dozens of true stories of how just one minute in someone's day can change their life forever.  It's something to think about, and apply, to our lives.  Because wouldn't you like your words to be like "apples of gold"?

Sponsor Bracelets

Today I want to talk about a great idea my sister, Lizzie, had.  About a month ago, she got the idea to make Compassion sponsor bracelets.  All they are, is a bracelet with a bead from each country you sponsor in.  Here's mine --

The bead is a stone from the Dominican Republic

It's turned out great!  So far, she's been making bracelets like crazy!  Each bracelet can comfortably hold about eight beads, but if you have more sponsor children than that, she can make a bracelet that wraps around twice, an anklet, keychain, necklace, or other accessory that holds more beads.  If you want to see more bracelets she's done or order your own, head on over here.

    

Then God Commanded...

..."Thou shall never cut thy hair again."  And it was so.

Have you ever wondered if there is a difference between being "lucky" and being blessed by God?  What about coincidences and Providence?  I mean, God orchestrates the events in our lives, but to what degree does He let "nature run its course," and when does He actually step in and do something specific in our lives?  I will let you hear this story and decide for yourself...

It all started almost four weeks ago.  My mom had finally scheduled hair appointments for the two of us.  I was very excited, because 1) I love getting my hair cut 2) I hadn't gotten my hair even trimmed in over seven months.  I waited, somewhat impatiently, for the day to come.

That's when both my sisters came down with the flu.  So, we decided not to go get our hair cut, because we didn't want to carry the germs to our hairdresser's house (she's got several young kids).  I was slightly disappointed, but a week setback isn't a huge deal -- right?  We rescheduled for the next Wednesday, and waited.

On Tuesday, I was elated.  My sisters were healthy again, and the next day all my split ends would be gone! Until my mother came down with the flu that night.

I couldn't believe that it had happened twice, but it wasn't a huge deal.  I felt silly having to call the hairdresser and tell her we had to reschedule.  Again.  We rescheduled for the Thursday the next week and I set out to stay as far away as possible from the sick people :)

Finally, Wednesday night came.  Everyone was feeling great... except for me.  The flu had me in its annoying grasp.  The hair appointment had to be rescheduled.  For next Wednesday.

I am praying no one will die, or get a communicable disease, or total our car on Tuesday.  Is that selfish?  Maybe.  I mean, it happened three times in a row!  Maybe I'm just asking for trouble by trying to do something that obviously doesn't want to work out for me.  Or maybe it's all just coincidence?  It isn't like I can never get my hair cut again, just because people get sick, right? 

Has anything ever happened to you, silly or otherwise, that has seemed like everything was out against you when you were trying to accomplish something?

Ahem.  Thank you for allowing me to vent :)  And no, I do not think that God does not want me to get my hair cut.  I hope...

The Wisdom of Humility

 We all know that, "Pride goes before a fall," but do we remember the opposite of the idiom?  Proverbs says, "but with humility comes wisdom."  Not only does humbleness keep us from "falling" but it brings us wisdom, too!

Maybe I'm the only one, but I hadn't thought about it that way.  When we're being humble, we're open to other's opinions.  We're ready to listen and accept advice.  We can glean knowledge from others.  If we're so caught up in being right, we'll never learn anything.  But, if we set aside our ideals, our biases and presumptions, we may learn something invaluable.  

Proverbs 11:2

Monday Mail Call

Yeah!  I got my second letter from my Compassion correspondent child, Rosa!  She is six years old, and she lives in the Dominican Republic.

So, I'm linking up with Blogging from the Boonies for Mail Call Monday!

This is what Rosa said:

Dear Aylin:
I am very happy you are my friend and for your letter.  Here we have chinola and avacado trees.  My family eats rice, beans and meat and salad.  Do you have children?  I ask you to pray for my dad who has a pain in his legs and they have inflammation.  I send you a kiss,
Rosa Maria

She also checked the boxes on the front of the page.  She said she would like to visit Italy, become a doctor, and help her parents economically.  She also said that she would like to meet me someday because "She is my friend and I love her very much."

I nearly melted when I read those words!  She is such a sweet girl.  I can't wait to write her back.

Do you have a Compassion child?  Have you gotten any exciting mail lately?

God's Not Shaken

This song has really been speaking to me lately, along with this verse.  I hope you like them...

"We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹ persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." 2 Corinthians 4:8-9