This is the 2nd year I’ll use my birthday month to shower readers with gifts. It was fun last year, and this year, with quadruple the readership here, it should be even better!
And yes, it is a “custom” in the tradition of hobbits. (hobbits -give away gifts on their birthday)
I have a photo below of just a few things that will be up for grabs. I’ll be popping up every few days in February to offer you goodies, gadgets, books, surprises, and combo packs just for interacting here at this blog. (No strings, no money, I just enjoy mailing packages of gifts.)
Sometimes, word spreads fast when it comes to gifts, still, I thank you for passing this news along where you can. Watch for more informative posts, especially in February. If you enjoy giving more than receiving, and feel so moved, give your present away, and “pay it forward.”
Thanks, friends!
Just *some* of the gift items for blog readers in Feb.
In efforts to beautify the school commons area, Evangelical Theological Seminary is sponsoring an art contest due March 19th, open to students and spouses of students.
So-Today I did art: painting and drawing. It’s been such a long time. I went to the College of visual and performing arts at Kutztown University for my undergraduate studies. As I progressed I got further away from the foundational stuff, and more into computer design programs.
Today, I had to do a few awful sketches to rub some of the rust off, and I’m not back in good form, but here is what I accomplished today.
As I progress on my artbox, I’ll post photos, and give information. See if you can see themes, or guess where I’m going with this as I go. (I’m about 2/5 done with the project.)
Creating, especially art and writing, is a spiritual practice for me. What do you create that is a spiritual practice for you?
A fellow student of mine is Haitian. Though he lives in Pennsylvania, his whole family lives in Haiti. I contacted him directly to see if he had any ideas about how to help. Below is my initial email, followed by his response. His confidence in God is awing. Stay tuned for future posts on how to help Haiti, in ways that make a real difference. (Leave feedback, if you’d like.)
(from me)
Greetings Brother,
We’ve had a few classes together, and Ellis mentioned that you may be
one to ask about how some of us, or ETS could be of assistance during
this time of calamity in Haiti. Your family, and your country are in
our prayers. I hope we might be a blessing in a tangible way to those
who are suffering.
I hope to hear from you soon.
Thank you.
Lisa DeLay
(from Chezaire)
Dear Brothers and sisters,
Thank you for your emails, I truly appreciate them and they give a sense of comfort that my familiy and I are in your prayers. My brother works at the epicenter of the earthquake, was he at work that day is still unkown? The area where he lives with his family is completely crumbled, and another brother was visiting, and I don’t know if he was in town or left that day. I have over a dozen of cousins in that city with their families, only one is acounted for with a broken leg. I am still praying and hoping some sorts of good news to come my way. I was in contact with that cousin’s mother, and encouraged her to give God praise for that son with a broken leg because as bad are things in Haiti, it could have been worse.
In time like this, we need to keep our heads in place, and keep our emotions in check while we have the desires to help.
Several people have asked me how to help. For now I can’t tell, I don’t really know my people’s needs except for being rescued, having medical care, water and food. I beleive in the power of the Holy Spirit, continue to pray, I am sure He will dictate us what to do.
jails, hospitals, schools, government buildings, homes-all rubble
100,000 are feared dead in Haiti. Let us reflect on this prayer by St Francis, and seek to aid the people of this country with care and compassion.
Prayer Of St. Francis
Lord, make us instruments of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let us sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is discord, union;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
Grant that we may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.
The earthquake in Haiti, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, will cause the death of so many. Estimates are now calculated at over 100,000. All major government buildings are down, the schools, the hospitals, the jails–just rubble. It makes the Katrina disaster look like a picnic by the sea.
Even before this earthquake some Haitians kill hunger pains by eating mud cakes, or mixing dirt in with cornmeal to make in last longer.
BUT! Don’t feel too overwhelmed to help.
Efforts are mobilizing: Here is a link to what is being done.
Here are a few simple ways to start helping right away:
World Relief is responding immediately –Donate nowto help the most vulnerable – families and children – in the immediate aftermath. Emergency kits will be distributed that will include items such as ready-to-eat food, water and a blanket. Time is critical. You can respond with any amount you are able to give.
• Doctors Without Borders is asking for donations to help the emergency response teams in Haiti. Donate with a debit or credit card at https://donate.doctorswithoutborders.org.
• The Red Cross is taking donations via text messages. Text the word HAITI to the number 90999 to donate $10 to Red Cross relief efforts. It’ll show up on your phone bill. Or donate online atRedCross.org.
• Operation Helping Hands, a joint community project of The Miami Herald and United Way-Miami, will be collecting donations to support the relief effort in Haiti.
