REFOCUS

Before you read, PLEASE take a few minutes and see the story of Alex, I promise, it will be worth your while....

Alex and I have only one thing in common, like Alex, I also have the responsibility of 4 small boys. And there are many times that I find myself overwhelmed and frustrated. I am constantly cleaning the dishes and the floors and the bathrooms and then before I'm finished, there is already a sink full of more dishes, a box of cereal all over the floor, and this lingering scent of pee coming from the bathroom. Our laundry piles up so quickly. The beds rarely get made. And that same toy is still sitting in the middle of our backyard like it has been for far too long. Going to the grocery store with the boys in tow can sometimes feel like a nightmare come to life. Sometimes I wish it was a dream so that all I had to do was wake up to get out of there! The food bill grows and grows. And then when I get home I have to cook and clean ALL day, everyday. I maybe earn 30 minutes from the time I feed them until I hear someone say, "mom, I'm hungry". Bath time can turn into a pool party and bedtime turns into a slumber party where everyone is having fun... except me. There have been many nights where I have gone to tuck them in. I see their sweet faces and I fall on my knees in tears. My body racks with sobs while I ask the Lord to give me strength and wisdom, patience and creativity so that I can be the mother they deserve. Lord, let me walk in your grace so that I can accomplish so much for than I could do on my own. Lord, show me how to help them become who you have destined them to be! And I cry because I am so incredibly thankful. I can't even contain my gratefulness. Because I have been blessed with four active, healthy little boys. I have a beautiful home to clean several times a day. We are blessed with all the clothes that we need. And my kids are entertained by toys (that might not always find there way back to where they belong). I have the opportunity to go to the grocery store 5 minutes down the road. At that store, the shelves are stocked with whatever I need and every time I check out we are able to pay for our food. Each night my precious ones are clean and snuggled in their bed after a glorious day of playing with their best friends.. each other. Some of us need a tweak in our perspectives. Maybe we need to glance outside of ourselves for just a bit. Perhaps we could take a break from making that revolving list of all the things we need and want and look to see how we could help someone else cross something off their list. If only we could all band together, put aside our selfish tendencies and fill our hearts with compassion.

"By compassion we make other's misery our own, and so, by relieving them, we relieve ourselves also." ~Thomas Browne

I can't take the weight of the world on my shoulders, if I could, my name would be Jesus. But I can bare the weight of the pain of those God has placed in my path. I am equipped to take on the misery of those whom I am called to. And as I work to relieve their physical pain, or help provide for what they lack or bring comfort to their hopeless soul, I can find relief for the ever present anguish that resonates in my heart for human kind.

When Jesus traveled to the grave sight of Lazarus we read that all familiar verse, "Jesus wept". Why would he be weeping? Jesus knew he would raise him from the dead! He wept because he is compassion! He saw the misery of others and took it on as his own. He hurt because they hurt.

I can make a difference for somebody in someway everyday. At times it may not seem like I am making that big of difference when my mind starts getting swallowed up by the enormity of human suffering. But I refocus when think how blessed I feel when someone does something small for me and I am already so blessed. So how much more does my gesture, big or small, mean to someone in need? Let's start spreading love and raising up hope 1 gesture at a time!

If your looking for a place to start you can check out my website...

lifesavingshirts.com

I did a small expo show last December selling shirts to benefit Haitian orphans. I have a small selection left from the expo on this site. EVERY dollar you spend goes directly to these precious orphans.

I HIGHLY encourage you to check out angelhouse.me. They are breaking ground on orphanages in India and pulling little children from a life on the streets to a life full of hope where all their needs are met. They have so many options to give. Right now they are in need of new or gently used backpacks.

Spirulina Mustaches!

My kids get so excited when it's time to take their vitamins. They squeal with delight when they see the dark green liquid in their cups. And I squeal with delight that they are delighted! So what's inside this concoction causing all this joy? SPIRULINA! (And a little probiotic powder for good measure.) If you don't know about this little algae than you have been missing out! Spirulina is high in protein, at 60% protein it is the highest of any vegetable. It contains the eight essential amino acids, and 10 of the 12 non-essential amino acids. It is important to note that amino acids cannot be created by the body, but have to come from our diet, and they are the building blocks of protein. Spirulina is a wholefood that beats synthetic vitamins hands down. It contains 9 important vitamins and 14 minerals. It’s high in calcium and iron, magnesium and potassium and is an excellent source of B12. Spirulina is also a good source of the essential fatty acid GLA. GLA when made in a mother's milk is what helps develop healthy babies. Spirulina is the only other wholefood containing GLA. Also, the chlorophyll in spirulina cleanses and it's alkaline properties help rid the body of acid waste.
Spirulina is also high in beta-carotene, an important antioxidant that lowers the risk of cancer. It has about 14 times more beta-carotene than carrots. If you can find another affective way to fit 14 carrots into a cup, I'd sure like to know! The list of benefits of spirulina goes on and on. Spirulina is a superstar. It's the superhero of wholefoods. It's an immune system builder, cancer defender, energy creator, detoxifying machine!

But who cares how great it is if you can't get your kids (or yourself) to swallow it! Well, have no fear! Spirulina doesn't have that dirty sock taste at all! I fill their cups with half water and half apple juice. I always water down their juice, though, even for my 5 year old. I typically give them 80% water to 20% juice, so if your child is used to the full strength taste, I'd stick with that. Then I add some powdered spirulina, powdered probiotic, and a lid to prevent a green disaster on their clothes. Then the celebration begins! And, no, I'm not being dramatic, I am having a mental party at the thought of all the nutrition taking over their little bodies!

My 4 boys are a little over a year apart so I would get pregnant with my next boy while I was still nursing the previous boy. Spirulina became my friend. I would drink it myself and when my milk would fall short I would put it in a bottle for the baby. Spirulina has also become such a peace of mind to me! On the days I wasn't able to get the healthy foods in my kids I was sure to get them their green spirulina machine! This wholefood superhero saves the day again!