Jolica

I went to the Scattered Seeds craft sale a few weeks ago and stumbled upon an amazing company - Jolica. They are relatively new (about 5 years), especially in Manitoba (about 1 year). Jolica sells beautiful jewelry, handbags and scarves, but the real reason that I am excited to tell you about Jolica is that they are a Fair Trade company (like Ten Thousand Villages).

I am still uncertain of my plans for the fall, but I have decided to give Jolica a try and see how I do as a Jolica consultant for the next few months. Everything is very new, but you can go to my website and check things out: www.jolica.com/ladawn.siemens

TOMS Shoes - One for One

My brother Lee texted me about a website he thought I might be interested in: www.tomsshoes.ca and so I checked it out. TOMS shoes became LADAWNS shoes yesterday and here's why. . .

. . .did you read what's written on the inside? "With every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. One for one." No one loses - everyone wins! I get a comfy pair of shoes and as I stroll about my day, I can think about the child who will stroll about their day in their brand new TOMS shoes (or whatever their name is) - my feet have never been happier!

You've Got Mail

I don't know about you, but I LOVE getting mail! It's a little piece of heaven in the midst of bills and flyers and it always brightens my day. Sometimes, I live on its high for weeks! It's the idea that someone went through all their pretty stationary or special cards (or picked up a scrap of paper) and then found a fancy pen in a fun color (or just a regular good ol' blue Bic) and sat down for a few moments in their busy life to think about me. I guess an email is kind of the same idea, but really, it's not (though I do love getting them, don't get me wrong!). The date was noted (or not) and so it starts "Dear LaDawn. . ." Whether mundane life or exciting adventures, the topic itself is not nearly as important as the fact that someone thought of me enough to do something about that thought. The letter or card is signed, stuffed, sealed and stamped before heading out into the great unknown of our global postal systems. Will it make it? - you never really know. And it does not matter if this precious package has traveled across town or around the globe - I treasure it and reread it. . .waiting only for the next special piece of mail to arrive.

Positive Progress for Levi

Since my last blog on Levi, a number of things have changed. . .improved, much to our relief. He actually had a 2nd chest tube put in because both lungs collapsed, but yesterday the nurse said that there is only a small amount of drainage from the tubes, so they may be coming out soon. He is down to 1 antibiotic (a miracle!) and his sores seem to be healing up nicely (one of his ulcers was debrided again yesterday). The main area of focus is still his breathing.

My parents went in last night to visit. Especially over the last 2 or 3 weeks, he's had days where he is definitely not himself, and then at other times, surprisingly himself. Yesterday he said he wished he could eat (ice chips just doesn't cut it!) and my mom asked him what he would like, if he could eat. His response: "A whistle dog and a Dairy Queen banana split!"

I know I've said it before, but I want to thank you again for your thoughts and prayers for our family at this time!

It's Like Riding a Bicycle. . on the Lawn

I enjoy mowing our lawn. I mean, really enjoy it - though I'm not quite sure why. It's 3 hours of driving in circles, listening to the thunderous roar of the mower beneath me. Maybe it's the smell of freshly mowed grass - but I can't really smell, so that can't be it either. I had asked my dad to get the mower ready earlier last week. The weather has been beautiful and the grass was screaming to be mowed. My dad reluctantly got the mower tuned up, knowing that the summer will feel longer because once you start mowing the lawn, well, you just can't stop until the fall. Obviously I missed last summer's mowing fun and so I hopped aboard the tractor last Saturday, ready for the long-haul. It was just like riding a bicycle - once I started, I found my groove right away. And it was finally today that my arms, neck and shoulders felt like their normal, flabby selves again. You see, my dad bought a hydrostatic mower a few years back and it certainly works muscles in the upper body as you maneuver around the yard. Seriously, you can turn on a dime with this baby!

1000 Awesome Things

Chapters is one of my favorite stores (especially since I can order online, finding the books I actually want in a fraction of the time it takes to search the store and find out they don't have it, and they ship it to my house for FREE!). I receive random emails from them and usually skim them over before hitting delete, but the one I received last week Wednesday peaked my curiosity. I didn't have time to read it thoroughly at the moment, so I left it until Friday. It recommended a book called "The Book of Awesome" and contained the blog address 1000awesomethings.com which I proceeded to check out.

Head to the blog for specifics, but basically he started the blog in 2008 (out of some life tragedies), counting down from #1000. As of Friday (he blogs Monday - Friday), he was at #520, so I had a lot of catching up to do. It was a 1000 Awesome Things weekend marathon! I would read until my eyes were bugged-out and the screen was blurry, take a break and then come back for more. I think my favorite part about his writing (other than, at rare moments, he sounds like my brother Lee) is that he writes simply and honestly; real and raw. There's so much truth, even in the disgusting things. Just when you thought that you could be the ONLY person on the planet that does that or thinks like that, it's there in his writing! Really, little snipets of humanity.

Almost peed my pants laughing reading #975 Airplane toilet flushes. Learned something new (and totally exciting) in #988 The Gas Arrow. Thoroughly enjoyed #850 Absolute perfect silence (be sure to scroll down and read the comment made by Joshua V - trust me, it will help!). Started to feel normal with my quirks (#641 Kicking those clumps of frozen slush off the back of your car’s mudflap) and mathematical number obsessions (#773 Watching your odometer click over a major milestone and #577 Looking at the clock and seeing that it's 12:34). Was inspired to continue teaching (in whatever capacity for the future) in #525 That Teacher - it actually brought tears to my eyes! And felt beautiful during #576 Appreciating the beauty of all your body's scars and scratches.

Can't wait to wake up tomorrow and catch my very first reading of 1000 Awesome Things on the day it comes out!

AWESOME!

More Info on the Walk to Stop Human Trafficking

If you have not decided whether you should come out to the Walk to Stop Human Trafficking yet (happening May 8), I received some more information which may help you decide (to come, that is!).

"We’ll be meeting at the Leg at noon. There will be a few short opening remarks, then we will start our walk at about 12:15pm. The walk is fairly short, it is 2.4 kilometers, which should only take about 30 minutes. From the Leg we will go north on Memorial to Portage, east on Portage to Carlton, south on Carleton to Broadway, then take Broadway back to the Leg. The route is basically just a big square. We will have a police escort so we can walk on the road, and we’re hoping the Winnipeg Police Mounted Unit riders will be in attendance to lead our walk. After the walk there will be a few more short speeches. I predict we will wrap up around 1:30ish."

Also, "Just to let you know, Mrs. Joy Smith is organizing an event at the Delta hotel following the walk. Four women who have been directly affected by human trafficking will be telling their stories. We are finalizing the invitation, if you are interested in this, please let me know [leanne@joysmithmp.ca], and I will email you the details. The charge is $20 at the door to cover the travelling expenses for the speakers."

Crazy Dog!

I took our dog Sydney out for a walk tonight. Not a walk with her on a leash or where I have to pick up her poop, but one where she walks beside me or explores the ditch or checks out gopher holes. In one direction, we have no neighbours for an entire mile and as long as it's dry (you'd get stuck in the mud if it was wet), it's a wonderful walk, especially with the beautiful temperatures we've been enjoying (and no mosquitoes. . .yet!).

Sydney is, well, she's a bit crazy (to say the least). She's a pure bred Norwegian Elkhound and you know that line between genius and insane - let's just say she's probably closer to the insane side. She doesn't run; it's more like she bounds around. The other day, she was chasing one of the cats (one of her FAVORITE activities) and wasn't watching where she was going. Sydney ran full speed into a pole and literally bounced back off of it (like in the cartoons!). She stood up, shook herself off and went on her merry way. Crazy dog!

Back to the 80's

Last year was the only year I missed going to see the musical in Dauphin (for obvious reasons!). My friend Diane starting teaching there in 2000/01, right after we graduated from university together, and I have been making the trek each year to see the musical and catch up with her and her family. The weather this year still blows my mind - I remember driving through snow and ice on many occasions during the 4 hour journey. Though the lead guy had laryngitis, the show (Back to the 80's) still went on. My favorite characters were the group of nerds - they did an outstanding job. The one guy talked and SANG in a nerdy voice for the whole show and even did his own choreography, which was too funny!

We've been FRAMED!

A HUGE 'Thank You' goes out to the 50 people that came out to the FRAMED Photography Exhibit last night! We collected about 60 pounds in donations for our food bank! Of course, we took one last chance to be framed together. I can't even begin to tell you how much fun I had putting everything together for this course. So my biggest thanks goes out to the 5 lovely ladies pictured below with me - you made the class what is was and I'm excited to head out on a few more outings next month before we really call it quits!!

Levi's Progress

After last Thursday, this past weekend there was considerable improvement (though small, we'll take it). Levi's heart rate was much better and he was not under the cooling blanket continually. Doctors took a sample from his hip (that was the testing and surgery I talked about previously) and it appears as though there is bacteria in there. Levi also had some issues with one of his teeth. We're not exactly sure where those 2 problems are at because of the new progress report we received this morning. There has been some concern with the trach and so now Levi has a tube back down his mouth. As well, he has a chest tube because of a lung collapsing. As I blogged previously - ebb and flow, up and down. And again, I ask for and appreciate all your thoughts and prayers for our family at this time.

Just in Case. . .

Just in case you are humming and hawing about whether to come to the FRAMED Photography Exhibit tomorrow night (7 - 9 p.m., W. C. Miller Collegiate), I've left you with a little teaser! It will definitely be worth coming out - these students have taken some amazing pictures. It's free, but we do ask that you bring a food donation for the local food bank. Also, one of the students and I will be on CFAM talking about the exhibit tomorrow morning around 7:30 a.m. You can listen to the live web cast via goldenweststreaming.com/cfam_player/index.html

Green & Blossoming

This past week was a busy one in regard to speaking engagements. On Tuesday I spoke to an area pastor's meeting and then taught my photography/injustice class in the evening. Friday night I spoke to a 55+ group, which was a lot of fun, plus it included supper (and it was really good)! Today I spoke at a church in Winnipeg. As I was preparing for these engagements, I came across some Scripture out of Luke 3 where John is baptizing people, but somehow is seems to become a popular thing to do among the people instead of a sincere heart thing. From The Message it says: "'What counts is your life. Is it green and blossoming? Because if it's deadwood, it goes on the fire.' The crowd asked him, 'Then what are we supposed to do?'" And his response really blew me away this week. He did not talk about confessing sins, repentance, coming to Christ or anything that we might expect. John's response was this: "'If you have 2 coats, give one away,' he said. 'Do the same with your food.'" A heart change is vital, and though our faith is not judged on our works, it's so interesting to note (straight from this Scripture), that our faith will be seen in our actions - how do we treat those less fortunate than us?

Scattered Seeds

It is that time of year again - time for the Scattered Seeds Spring Craft Sale (they also have one in the fall for Christmas). I love checking out local artisans and their creations. I have a number of favorite booths that I make sure to check out every year, but I also found some new favorites this time around.

Local Students ready for "FRAMED"

Check out the newspaper article about our photography exhibit happening next week Tuesday: www.altonaecho.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2534424

Another Update on Levi

Levi has been in the ICU for a month now. His condition, his health, along with our emotions, have ebbed and flowed. I don't know about you, but I don't do well waiting, hanging in limbo. The last time that I saw Levi was just before he was admitted to the ICU. He was up in his wheelchair, we had coffee together and he was himself. All the reports from my parents and uncles have said the opposite since entering the ICU.

He has a million tubes coming from him, he is tired and, because of the constant flow of medication, he is not himself. Two of the nine siblings are from out of province, but all are coming together tomorrow (both have already seen him at different times during the last month or so) as Levi's health continues to deteriorate. In a family meeting today, doctors have decided to do some more tests tomorrow and we would all appreciate your prayers. There is possibility of surgery again, but I'm not sure what this is in regard to. Doctors have still been unable to pinpoint the exact cause of the infection in his lungs and so they are giving him a wide range of medication, hoping that one will target it effectively. As with the last update, the added pressure on the lungs is affecting other organs, specifically, his heart has been shocked and medicated to slow it down.

It's hard to let go of someone you love, but I think that it's harder to watch them suffer. And that suffering does not apply to Levi alone but also to my grandmother, my parents, and all my aunts & uncles who continue to keep vigil and pray that God's will would be accomplished. We thank you and appreciate all your prayers!

THE [ACTIVATE] SERIES

My pastor gave me a pamphlet a while ago, but I realized that I had not blogged about it and felt I should. It is called "Not So Ancient: Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery" and is put together by the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada. This is the first of THE [ACTIVATE] SERIES which "is a resource for youth and young adults seeking to live out their faith in a tangible and impacting way. By 'activating' God's mission and call in our lives we can affect change and bring glory to God through our actions and lifestyle. [ACTIVATE] is for those who are tired of the status quo, and are ready to live the life that is truly life - found in God's call for justice." - which is exactly what I'm looking for. They do not shy away from the tough issues, but instead, deal with them head on. I am waiting for my copy of the second in the series, focusing on euthanasia.

Our Last Class

Tonight was the unofficial last class for photography/injustice. We will meet next week, but it will be the exhibit (7 - 9 p.m. at Miller, come one, come all!). It was the last chance to see each other's pictures and we talked about the movies & documentaries we're watched over the last few weeks (since there was not enough time to do so yet). We also ventured up onto the roof of the school to take some shots from a different viewpoint!

if. . .

if she could read. . .if she was healthy. . .
if she had opportunities. . .if she was safe. . .

Literacy & Education - Maternal Health
Livelihood & Life Skills - Trafficking & Prostitution

Please see www.samaritanspurse.ca/ourwork/women/default.aspx for the women's projects Samaritan's Purse is currently focusing on.

Birds

This week I was reminded of my early morning starts from last summer while in Gamboa, Panama. Spring seems to have established itself around here and with it, the songs of a few birds have hit my ear. Last summer, I usually got up around 6-ish to avoid the line for the 1 indoor shower at the church where we were living (there were 3 outdoor spouts as well, but no thanks!). This was not about getting a hot shower - there was no such thing, since the church only had cold water. I just like to have enough time to get ready in the morning and I also like the quiet of the morning. Little did I know that there was no such thing as a quiet morning in Gamboa. As part of the tropical rain forest, it is known for its diversity of bird species. People from all over the world come here in search of the birds - birds that enjoy getting up early and singing their hearts out!! As I said, it REMINDED me and also made me thankful for the FEW chirps I heard, sounding that spring is really on its way!

Update on Levi

My family thanks you for your prayers for my uncle Levi and we ask that you continue to pray. He had a trach put in last Sunday so at least he does not have the tube down his mouth. It's been a difficult week as doctors cannot seem to pinpoint the exact causes and places of infection. With his lungs under so much pressure, other organs are starting to be affected. Sleep has been hard to come by for him as well. The staff at the hospital have been good, willing to meet with the family as requested to be sure that everyone has the correct information and also have a chance to ask questions.

You Are There

"You are there, and I am here,
so one of us is obviously in the wrong place."
~Ashleigh Brilliant

To all my friends, those close in distance, those farther and those yet farther than that:

Know that it is my sincere wish to drop for 'coffee' today and just talk. To catch up on lives that are too busy, where time cannot be controlled. To encourage one another - to laugh and to cry together because life is full of humor and tears. But, because you are there, and I am here, know that I am thinking of you, thankful for your friendship. Know that I would not be the person that I am without your influence in my life.

“We are all travelers in the wilderness of this world,
and the best that we can find in our travels is an honest friend.”
~Robert Louis Stevenson

Angels

Sometimes, in the regular busyness of life, we forget that we are surrounded by extraordinary people - angels - who don't blow their own horn about their lives and what they do each day, but instead they just are. Maybe they are nurses or teachers or moms who go about their lives and their work, doing things they consider to be normal and regular. And until we step in to walk a few steps of life together with them, we don't realize just how amazing they are. Look around - I have no doubt that there are angels all around you!

"I've seen & met angels wearing the disguise
of ordinary people living ordinary lives."
~Tracy Chapman

Because You Never Know. . .

This post goes out to some of my teammates from last summer - Joanna, Alaina and Marilee - this one's for you! As we spent more time together, we figured out one another's quirks and the lines that we regularly liked to use. I became known for the following line: "You better eat up, because you never know when you'll eat again" (or what you'll eat again, for that matter!). That may be the reason why I gained weight over the summer (plus I was told it was rude not to finish what was served, so I ate it all, even if it was 2 cups of rice for lunch and then again for supper. . .).

Anyway, I sold my car before I left for YWAM and can't afford one right now, so we shuffle vehicles between my parents and brothers, which I am extremely grateful for. I was emailing my cousin, letting her know that I had a car that day and all of a sudden the line came out, reminding me of the summer: "I did every last thing I could think of doing while I was out because you never know when the next time will be."

Old habits die hard, eh girls?!

Pain & Joy

Last week we did not have photography/injustice class because of Spring Break (though we did head to the food bank for our project), but we were back at it this week. Added excitement was that 1/2 of the students (plus myself, earlier today) sat down for an interview with a reporter from the local newspaper. As regular though, their pictures once again blew me away. I am getting more and more excited about the exhibit - 2 weeks from today!

I love the classroom and have certainly enjoyed teaching this class. Even just in the organizing and running around. I think the most surprising detail, though, has been just how much everything has come together. I planned the class in 2 separate portions - photography and injustice - but in so many aspects they have intertwined to simply be 1. Even tonight, we watched "Amazing Grace" and witnessed William Wilberforce's pain and joy as he persevered to abolish the slave trade in Britain 200 years ago, while tonight's photography assignment topic is Pain & Joy.

Born Again

Today I found myself
After searching all these years
And the man that I saw, he wasn't at all who I thought he'd be
I was lost when you found me here
And I was broken beyond repair
Then you came along and you sang your song over me

It feels like I'm born again
It feels like I'm living
For the very first time
For the very first time
In my life

Make a promise to me now
Reassure my heart somehow
That the love that I feel is so much more real than anything
I've a feeling in my soul
And I pray that I'm not wrong
That the life I have now, it is only the beginning

It feels like I'm born again
It feels like I'm living
For the very first time
For the very first time
It feels like I'm breathing
It feels like I'm moving
For the very first time
For the very first time

I wasn't looking for something that was more
Than what I had yesterday
Then you came to me and you gave to me
Life and a love that I've never known
That I've never felt before

It feels like I'm born again
It feels like I'm living
For the very first time
I'm living for the first time
It feels like I'm breathing
It feels like I'm moving
For the very first time
I'm living for the first time
In my life

Third Day

Happy Easter!

I want to wish you all a Happy Easter! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!

Stones into Schools

I reserved "Stones into Schools" online through my library, not having read Greg Mortenson's bestseller "Three Cups of Tea" yet, and when I went in to pick it up, I was a bit nervous. "Half the Sky" was a thick book, but this one was even thicker. I was worried that I might get lost in the language, not knowing Mortenson's style of writing, and having middle Eastern locations and names to wade through. BUT, I got right into the book and I highly recommend that you snag yourself a copy from a friend or library and get ready for a great read.

"Mountains can never reach each other, despite their bigness.

But humans can." ~Afghan Proverb

A Long Awaited Word

It's difficult, having one's friends in countries scattered over the globe. Thank goodness for email and Skype and, surprisingly, a fairly trusting-worthy postal system that has delivered everything I've sent off! And I appreciate EVERY contact that my far-off friends make, but I have been especially waiting to hear from Ngoie, the teen I introduced you to last November from South Africa. It was only a 1 line email, but I finally received word from her this week! So I can breathe a little easier, knowing that she's ok. Now if only I would hear from Liza and Sara. . .

Walk to Stop Human Trafficking

I want to again direct your attention to Joy Smith's website (www.joysmith.ca) for information regarding the Walk to Stop Human Trafficking. PLEASE join me on Saturday, May 8, 12 noon at the Manitoba Legislature to stand up and speak up against human trafficking.

Human trafficking, at its very basic form, is the movement of people against their will. It is a concern in and of itself, but more so because it is the root to issues of child labor, pornography and prostitution. It is simple economics of supply and demand. As the demand for cheap labor, pornography, and prostitution go up, the supply for people needed also goes up. That's why super-events like the Olympics and World Cup are under the microscope when it comes to human trafficking. Many people, mostly men, will come to these events, anonymous and willing to take risks that they normally might not. Because there are so many more people at these large events, it pushes up the demand, which in turn pushes the supply - hence, trafficking goes up. Even within Canada, prostitutes were moved from cities such as Toronto out to Vancouver for the Olympics because their pimps knew that that there would be a lot of business, which means a lot of money. Please consider walking to stop human trafficking.