Push & Pull

This morning I was longing to be back at my church in South Africa, just to experience it again. It was the first time in my life when, after just leaving church on a Sunday morning, I was already looking forward to the next Sunday at The Bay. I felt pulled back a few months (and many degrees Celsius!).

But at the same time, I felt the push to be here at home. Knowing that God has specific plans, right here. That this morning's sermon was one I was meant to hear. How, if we viewed every person as the creation that God has made them to be, our world would be different because they would no longer just be objects but the people that they are. And that way, life wouldn't be all about us - ME - because it's really not.

P.S. - And just when I think how I wish I could be in South Africa, and see how much I need to work on and change in my life, God just pours out His blessings upon my life to remind me of His unending love for me - a phone call from my South African family, Clint & Manuela!

Lee's Thoughts

As many of you may know, 2009 was a difficult year for my family (and, sorrowfully, it persists into 2010). I don't know if I've directed you to my brother Lee's blog or not, so I'm doing it now:
http://fromdecemberssnow.blogspot.com/. As I read his post today - "Thoughts" - I could hear his voice. He writes like I do - whatever is in our hearts. And so many times this last year, our hearts have been messy and retched and strained. One wonders just how much one heart can actually hold.

Heart & Stroke

Just a reminder that February (with only a few days left) is heart and stroke month (www.heartandstroke.ca). I want to remind you of this because my mom's brother (my uncle Tim) had a heart attack yesterday and he's only 46 years old. My mom's dad died at age 50 of a heart attack and many of the siblings in the family deal with blood pressure and cholesterol problems. My family and I appreciate your thoughts and prayers at this time (Tim is currently in the hospital), but more than that, I encourage you to maintain a healthy lifestyle of a nutritious diet and exercise because I want all you of in my life for a long, long time!

I Am Done

I am done with winter. It is time for it to end! I was fine up until today, but I've had enough of wearing 50 layers of clothing plus big snow boots. I can't stand the staticy hair (on myself and others) any more! My fingers are close to falling off and drying out because of the cold and dry weather. And it's not that I want to complain (since I did have a perpetual summer for most of last year), it's just that you get to a point, and I am now there! DONE.

Fair Trade Manitoba

Check out www.fairtrademanitoba.ca to find Manitoba retailers that offer fair trade options. Also consider being a part of the One Month Challenge 2010 (sorry, I just found out about it, though it actually started February 14). Basically it's a time to focus on buying and consuming fair trade products - specifically coffee, tea and chocolate.

The Obsession Continues

I think it was day 2 of the Olympics when I found myself humming the theme song from CTV's coverage of the games. Of course, I know the words and tune to "I Believe", considering that it is played on CTV with each gold medal Canada wins (and repeated a few times!). And though we won't win the largest number of medals, there is still the hope that we will win the most gold medals. But beyond the medals, I have enjoyed the TV coverage of the athletes' personal stories and the profiles of their blood, sweat and tears which have been put in over years of preparation.

Triumph & tragedy. Heartache & joy.

Schedule

Ok, I'll admit it - I love having a schedule. Routine. I'm just that kind of person. Since my schedule is all over the place, being inconsistent with substitute teaching as days are available, I just can't get into a grove. This morning I got up "early" to pick up my brother's vehicle (I use it when he's on the road), and I was treated to a Skype chat with my friend Allistair from South Africa, catching him at the end of his workday. Had I slept later, I would have totally missed out!

Addicted

Hello, my name is LaDawn and I'm an Olymp-oholic! It does not matter if it's the winter or the summer games, for 2 weeks every 2 years, I plant myself in front of the TV to watch more than great sports - I love to see the best of the human spirit as the world comes together. And I should note that I have not watched TV since returning home in December (why bother after surviving 9 months without it?), but the Olympics is an exception! I got a pedicure yesterday and asked the girl to paint a maple leaf to go with the red polish I picked out. I like to call it t-Oh Canada!

Gowns for Grad

While getting ready to head into Winnipeg this morning, I turned on the radio (a rarity) just in time to hear the news. Colleen Houde was on and one of the feature news stories was about a program in the city that collects old grad gowns and bridesmaid dresses for girls who can't afford a dress for their prom. I have so many dresses just hanging in my closest, waiting for who knows what. And so I added one more stop to my list - "drop off dresses at CHVN". I hope that there are 4 girls who feel beautiful for grad and just can't stop smiling, because I couldn't stop smiling today!

Upside Down

I was challenged in reading a devotional from "Our Journey":

"While the early church turned their world upside down, it seems today that the world is turning the church upside down. . .It seems like our culture is affecting us more than we are affecting our culture. The world needs to see a genuine man or woman of God living the Christian life. They needs to see the real thing. In short, they need to see you. . .You can turn your world upside down."

"Lord, I have been too timid in living for You. Help me to see the opportunities You bring into my life and to have the courage to live in a way that affects my community profoundly. Amen."

Food Freedom Day

I didn't blog about Food Freedom Day in Canada (Feb. 12) due to all my Valentine gift ideas last week. In an email I received from the Canadian Foodgrains Bank they said, "Food Freedom Day is the day when the average Canadian will have earned enough money to pay for his or her own groceries for the full year. How privileged we are to live in a country where people have so much disposable income! It's a good day also for us to reflect on the many people in our world who don't share this freedom." I think this is also a great thought to "chew on" as we head into the season of lent and Easter, truly considering just how blessed we are in Canada.

Half the Sky

I mentioned the book "Half the Sky" (www.halftheskymovement.org) yesterday, which is such a great read. On March 4, in honor of International Women's Day 2010, select theaters across Canada will be showing "Half the Sky Live" (see the trailer at care.ca/main/index.php?Half_the_sky_live&PHPSESSID=281de1166457b4a247d43047526c14d2). I just want to share a few of the most important quotes I got from this book:

"Although volume upon volume is written to prove slavery a very good thing, we never hear of the man who wishes to take the good of it, by being a slave himself." Abraham Lincoln

"You educate a boy, and you're educating an individual. You educate a girl, and you're educating an entire village." African proverb

"Decades from now, people will look back and wonder how societies could have acquiesced in a sex slave trade in the twenty-first century that, as we've seen, is bigger than the transatlantic slave trade was in the nineteenth." p. 237

"Before long, we will consider sex slavery, honor killings and acid attacks as unfathomable as foot-binding. The question is how long that transformation will take and how many girls will be kidnapped into brothels before it is complete - and whether each of us will be part of that historical movement, or a bystander." p. 250

Micro-loans

I have just finished reading "Half the Sky - Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide" and one of their suggestions to make a real difference in the lives of women is to invest in micro-loans. The idea is that by providing small business loans, people living in poverty are given a chance not only to survive, but to thrive. It is not a hand-out, but rather an opportunity to give these people a place to start where otherwise there would be none. I contacted MCC and though they do a few micro-loans, they don't have many set up and so they directed me to MEDA (Mennonite Development Economic Associates).

Within MEDA Trust (www.medatrust.org), you can decide how much money you would like to loan and to what type of business. They work within Afghanistan and Nicaragua, and currently there is an extra bonus! The Afghanistan Challenge (www.afghanistanchallenge.ca) is currently partnering a number of organizations, including MEDA, and with every dollar you donate towards a micro-loan through MEDA, the Canadian government is matching dollar for dollar. But that's not even the best part! - within an 18 month time period, your donation may be loaned out numerous times. You may feel that $50 is not much, but if it's used twice then it's really $100 and if it's used three times then it's really $150! When the loan that you are sponsoring is paid off, you can then direct your money to another loan - talk about multiplication!

I want to challenge you to make a lasting difference, especially in the lives of women living in poverty in Afghanistan and Nicaragua - each dollar, now multiplied, can go so very far in truly changing their lives and the circumstances they live in. I urge you - take a risk - step out and do it. . .do it now!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Did you know that Valentine's Day did not start out as a romantic celebration? It's origins are actually based on a friendship of letter-writing with one of the people having the name Valentine and signing his letters "Your Valentine". I hope my week of gift ideas has inspired you as you celebrate today, whether it's with your sweetheart or just a friend in your life that you appreciate.

And I want you to know, as is the case with everything on my blog, I don't talk about stuff or endorse products because I just think that they're nice or great causes. If I talk about something here, it means that I've stepped out first. Every item that was featured is something that I've purchased. When I talk about things like sponsoring a child (or donating to a micro-loan - see tomorrow's blog!), it means that I participate in those things myself. I challenge you because I first challenge myself. . .and I really hope that it inspires you to do likewise within your circle of people.

TassaTags

TassaTags (www.tassatag.org) are a part of ECPAT USA's efforts to raise funds and awareness about human trafficking, directed specifically to travelers. The tags, measuring 4" x 6", sell for $12 US, plus shipping. In purchasing a TassaTag, you support women in Thailand, enabling them to stay in their villages and keep their children in school, while also providing the women with an education and income which generates skills and opportunities. I have 3 of the different colors of tags, but there are 2 more colors that I hope to get in the near future (maybe a great gift idea for those of you looking for a nice way to treat me!).

Sparkle of Hope

The Sparkle of Hope campaign is through the Salvation Army in British Columbia (www.thetruthisntsexy.ca/asparkleofhope). I highlight this as today's gift because today is also the opening of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in BC. I know that there are many churches and individuals that have been and will continue to work tirelessly throughout the games to combat human trafficking. The Sparkle of Hope pin (for $10) was designed to raise awareness and funds to address the human trafficking epidemic in BC, heightened with the Olympics coming to town.

“In the eyes of heaven, every daughter is royalty.
Wear this pin to remember the victims of human trafficking.
The crown represents their priceless value;
And the jewel is the hope that one day,
The sparkle in their eyes will be restored.”

Shield of Hope

The Shield of Hope pin is sold through Metalsmiths (www.metalsmiths.ca) for $32 and is in support of women's shelters across Canada. As with the Variety Gold Heart pins, money raised in Manitoba stays in Manitoba, specifically supporting Osborne House Inc. in Winnipeg. Manitoba stores are located at Polo Park, St. Vital and Kildonan Place shopping centers.

"Mother and daughter stand in front of a bright and hopeful sun. Protected by the arc that symbolizes the shield of shelters. . .they regain a sense of self worth, that they too are as precious as gemstones."

Stop Sex Trafficking of Children & Young People

The Body Shop (www.thebodyshop.ca/landing-stop-trafficking.html) has teamed up with Beyond Borders (www.beyondborders.org/wp which is ECPAT in Canada) and the Somaly Mam Foundation (www.somaly.org) to campaign against sex trafficking. Purchasing the $10 Soft Hands Heart Hand Cream puts $6 towards Beyond Borders' efforts. Proceeds from a $5 Bag for Life go to the Somaly Mam Foundation. Their future is in our hands.

For the Love of Children

Today's featured gift is a Variety Gold Heart Collector Pin for $3. Unbelievably these gold hearts are celebrating their 20th anniversary this year. All funds raised in each province, stay in that province and help children in a variety of ways. In Manitoba you can find them at Cambrian Credit Union locations, Co-op Stores, Sobeys, Canad Inns, and Sears Canada. See www.varietymanitoba.com for more information.

Have I got Gift Ideas for You!

Seeing that Valentine's Day is this weekend, I thought I would give you some unique gift ideas this week that your special someone will appreciate, but you'll also know that these gifts reach a little farther than most. Some of them do require shipping, so it may have to be a belated gift OR turn it into a great birthday or anniversary gift for someone. I'm going to start with the cheapest (at only $1), though the most expensive item is only $32. I'm sure that something will catch your eye and, more importantly, your heart!

I've talked about Threads of Hope (threadsofhope.com.ph) before, but I want to highlight their organization again. It is a missions organization in the US, but the bracelets that they sell are hand-crafted in the Philippines. It basically boils down to this: Threads of Hope buys the bracelets made by families so that they have the money to put food on the table because the only other real alternative for these families to provide for their basic needs is to sell their children into prostitution. Can you think of any other example where your $1 goes so far, because I can't? I have about 500 of them currently and I would love to sell them all and get more soon! In gifts, especially in our material-based/obsessed society, it really should be the thought that counts and the thoughts associated with these bracelets are priceless!

Speaking from Afar

I was hoping to blog about speaking in another church today, but the snow that started falling yesterday continues today, plus the winds have picked up. So, yet another storm day! And, as with the last one, I'm sure that there are a few prayers going up (by both students and a few teachers alike!) that it will continue into tomorrow and that school will be canceled.

I had planned to talk about the Olympics and specific ways to pray (as it was a morning of prayer for this church). Instead, I will pass along my ideas to you: I ask that you pray for the churches and individuals who have been working tirelessly and will continue to work throughout the Olympic games. I do not think that there is anyone is this country who wants the games to be remembered for the humans trafficked or the increase of prostitution. Also pray for the ordinary citizen who may encounter people who are being trafficked or forced into prostitution and that they will use their voice to speak up for these victims, and that our law enforcement and governments will also be willing to stand in that gap.

Missionfest

I headed out to Missionfest for the first time today. It was great to stop by the different display tables and hear what different organizations have to offer. Certainly my 'ear is attached to the ground', waiting to hear from God and trying to discern the next step for my life. The highlight of the afternoon was listening to John Bergen speak about "Forgiveness in the Face of Terror" (www.bergensmission.com). It is the account of his and his wife, Eloise's, experiences of being brutally attacked in Kenya while serving as missionaries in 2008.

Life Through the Lens

On to some much better news today - my interview with our local newspaper (mentioned a few weeks ago) is in print this week on the Arts page - yep, a full page! It's a really cool article and you can check it out online at www.altonaecho.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2435446, aptly titled "Seeing life differently through the lens". Thanks so much Greg!

The Long Wait

The longer you wait, the more likely you will hear a "no", which was the case this morning. I did not get the job I interviewed for on Wednesday. As disappointing as it is now, I'm guessing that God has other plans in store for me.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

For a completely different perspective on the Holocaust, "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" is a must see. I don't really know what else to blog about it, other than that my stomach is still in knots. We already know the ending, as history dictates it. The movie demonstrates the extent of what it can mean to hate our brother, but it also shows what it can mean to truly love our brother. To encounter a common humanity and really see a person, not just the labels that we've created.

Say (and Spell) my Name

You may or may not know that as a kid, I really hated my name. Nobody could say it or spell it (it's a capital D and there are no spaces). But as I grew older, I began to realize that there were some advantages to having an unusual name. In university, once professors could actually say and spell my name, they usually did not forget it. . .or me! In a sea of people, it's hard to stand out and I know that it's not just my name, but it also has to do with the impression I leave (though the name helps)! As was the case again today as I went in for my interview. I had interviewed in this division a number of years ago (before the current superintendent) and I applied for a job in 2008 (with the current superintendent). Though I did not interview in 2008, my name must of stuck because he was convinced that I had interviewed with him before.

Reminder

Just a reminder that I've got my interview tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. Will let you know the results just as soon as I do.

D-Oh(nut) Canada!

Is it seriously February already? How can that be? January just flew right on by! February brings us one step closer to the Olympics and Canada is getting on board, including our favorite doughnut/coffee shop, Tim Hortons. I give you the Canada Doughnut, complete with little red maple leafs!