-
Plans have changed- (which might throw Brooke into a tizzy of a crashing storm looking for a rock to hold onto, however a certain storm already came this summer and helped me remember the better rocks to hold onto. I like the invisible rocks that are wiser than I in all ways and provide for me always. Therefore my tizzy is mild and my hopes are big as always.)
After working with our kiddos in Joplin all summer, developing goals and schedules for this fall in Joplin schools, and meeting with our board, we’ve decided to postpone my semester in Ghana until Spring. We are dedicated to our programs in Ghana- (I’m anxious to see their faces and hug their necks.) But at the moment, our Joplin programs need our attention and resources as we continue to recover physically, spiritually, and emotionally from the tornado. Three months after the storm- we are more and more aware that the healing process may be at one of the most painful points.
I’m so grateful for the donors who generously have given to my trip! Every dollar waiting for the Spring trip- excited to be converted into Ghana Cedis. Lesson plans and supplies are stored for a few months, and I’m making plans to buy warm clothing for a Missouri winter.
Thanks for tuning in. I want to keep updating. This blogging thing has been so good for me to document this time when it’s been hard to put pen to paper. I think I’ll keep up with it.
I like ya guys and girls.
-
My grandma Idy gave me a book a few years ago. It’s call “Walk in a Relaxed Manner”- about a 60 year old American woman who trades her computer for a 2 month pilgrimage along the Camino de Santiago in Northern Spain. Makes me excited for year 60 myself- praying now to have the same vitality for learning and adventuring as this woman. (Bring it on, Spain!)
Here’s a pilgrim prayer she said along the trail:
Guardian of my soul,
guide me on my way this day.
Keep me safe from harm.
Deepen my relationship with you,
your Earth, and all your family.
Strengthen your love within me
that I may be a presence of your peace
in our world.
Amen
-Tom Pfeffer & Joyce Rupp
Beautiful.
-
Remember those days of old where we still felt the chill of winter through our spring dresses and light sweaters? In those fine days, I began collecting children’s books galore for this fall in Ghana. It’s amazing what you can find at thrift stores and garage sales- real treasures for growing brains.
Sadly, my children’s book pile blew away with the rest of my belongings. Along with my favorite thrift stores and garage sale haven. So I’m back to my trusty technological thrift store: Amazon.com. I’ve made a wish list of some books I would really love to take with me and share with the kids. You can access it here: http://amzn.com/w/3NKBAXI30SSHJ. All our info is on there so you can actually decide which items you want to buy and have it shipped directly to us! Amazon, please marry me?
These aren’t the only books we need though- the kiddos love to read, need to read, and lack resources to read. When Meg went back in January, a little one ran up to tell her how one girl had been hogging The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. We’re talking- He waited 3 months for Meg to show up again so she could make the book-thirsty girl share.
SO- if you have children’s books laying around that you would like to donate, feel free to drop them off with me, ship them to me, teleport them. I took that blessed, loaded bookshelf for granted.
Thanks for sharing your brain food. :)
B
-
I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do.Helen Keller
-
As of July 27, I have $2470 left to raise. (Which I feel is totally do-able… as long as I have helpers!) Here are a few ways you can help!
1. You can send me moneys. :) My mailing address is PO Box 1060 Neosho, MO 64850. If you haven’t received a support letter, but would like to, email me at brooke@artfeeds.org with your mailing address and I’ll get one out to you!
2. You donate your junk! I’m having garage sales in Neosho. (Seems silly, but I’ve raised quite a bit so far just from selling used clothes.) If you email or call me, I’ll be happy to come pick up your donations! My email is brooke@artfeeds.org. My number is 417.592.2388.
Thanks a heap, dear friends.
-
I AM SO BLESSED. Holy Smokes! Through outrageous gifts of generosity, my faith is encouraged that I will meet my goal before I leave for my trip. So thanks to all of you who are giving to me via money, encouragement and prayer, bear hugs, meals, house-sitting gigs, donated clothes, knock-knock jokes.
In a few weeks (I’ll post a date later), I’ll be having another garage sale to raise money. If you have junk you’d really love to not be crowding up your attic anymore, Ill be happy to take it off your hands and pawn it off on someone else. If you shoot me an email or call me, I’ll even come get it! (Please no live animal donations… I live with my mother and she’d anhilate me.)
I’ll post an update with numbers when they get punched.
-
The plane tickets are purchased, the curriculum is building, my heart is beating faster. Some of you may receive support letters in the mail requesting prayers and updating you on my journey. So many thanks go to my friend Ashley Eriksen for designing those- she’s awesome (and headed to Sweden soon for a photography internship. Prayers to her as well!)
I hope all is well with you readers. Life is well here.
Love, B
-
I am nanny. Hear me roar. Watch me drive minivans, practice every funny voice I can muster, and launder, launder, launder. My summer is full-and these children challenge and bless me in ways I probably won’t understand for years. But it is a good thing to be confused by the way a 3 year old loves, how to lovingly discipline a 7 year old, how to befriend a brilliant teenager… And still get him to take out the trash. A change of pace with a change of everything else. These things are good things. My love grows and gratefulness abounds. (so do dirty diapers.)
-
Holy Smokes- I can’t describe how I have been provided for. Checks and shampoo have been flying at me to help me take a next step (with lots of notes that say “wherever your next step will be”.) I’m overwhelmed by my community’s kindness. As of this morning, I’ve raised a little over half of the funds that I will need for this journey! I did a half-way dance, calculated again, and decided that now is a good time to introduce the paypal widget on the blog. If you would like to give to this cause, you can donate on this blog! Pretty cool, huh?
I’ve been updating the amount I have left to fundraise- so that’s the amount you’ll be seeing (hopefully) change in the coming 2 months.
I’m comforted today. I hope you are comforted too in your journey.
Brooke
