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Kenya Village Water Miracle

My good friend Scot Proctor–who I’ve known for 34 years sent me a letter today, asking for help. He is such a good man and I love him dearly. After reading his letter, I told him that I’d pass the news to my dear friends–my readers at Gracious Rain. Most of you are moms and we know moms are some of the most generous people on earth.

Here’s what he said:

Dear Launi,

My wife, Maurine, and our youngest daughter, Michaela, and I (and 21 others) are heading back to Kenya in just 9 days to complete another project in a little village where we built a school last year. This time we are working together with the villagers to bring them water. We are still short funds (as you will see when you click through to our final funding push). The drill is going right now and we really need these final dollars to put in the pipes to distribute this water to the community garden, to help us with clearing the land and to do all the fencing as well. There are also funds to do some more refurbishment of the school. We have already paid all of our expenses—we need money to help finish this project.

Can you come and look at our fund-raising page and consider helping with a donation? We would be so grateful.

I’ve always said that a lot of people giving a little each, can do a whole lot of good.

Blessings and love to you.

–Scot.

PS Please, please spread the word.

And so I am happy to do. Please go to the site and and if your children have clean water to drink, please consider helping if you can right HERE.

Water…we can’t live without it. Luckily, we don’t have to.

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{ Life Tips }

“You can be excellent in every way. You can be first class. There is no need for you to be a scrub. Respect yourself. Do not feel sorry for yourself. Do not dwell on unkind things others may say about you. Polish and refine whatever talents the Lord has given you. Go forward in life with a twinkle in your eye and a smile on your face, but with great and strong purpose in your heart. Love life and look for its opportunities.”

~ Gordon B. Hinckley

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What To Do

Have you ever felt like there was just too much stuff to accomplish in one lifetime and that you’ve no idea how to do it all? Now, wait–I don’t mean that like, “Wah-wah…so much to do! Wah…”

No, I’m talking about all of the incredible things that I want to learn and make, or make up…even. I actually get all giddy and weird when I look at patterns and pictures and instructions for things like that.

I’ve even made lists of everything and it turns out to be pages and pages long and I can’t seem to stop myself, or take any of it away.

I want to sew baby clothes and make peppermint soap and raise buff orphington chickens and write hat patterns and make cheddar cheese and milk a real goat and crochet bolsters and booties and purses and blankets and learn to quilt and make yogurt that tastes good and read every book on my shelves and make every single Christmas present because I want to not because I have to and grow potatoes and make compost and bake whole wheat bread every week and bottle salsa and…

hmmmm…

Maybe you get the point. Sometimes there’s just so much that I’d like to accomplish that I’m not sure, exactly what to pray for–

a really, really REALLY long life…

or a second pair of hands.

I’m thinking both.

PS~AND I’d like to pour my own lip balm and sprout wheat grass and grow seedless sweet green grapes and crochet a canopy for my bed and make real tamales and dry fruit leather and dye Easter eggs with spices and berries and learn homeopathic remedies…

too.

:}

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To Become

Believe it or not, I’m an avid list maker. Lists about everything–to do, to make, to cook, to crochet, to try, to call, to buy, and to redo. If it can be listed, I’d be happy to do it. This fact, makes facing the New Year more fun because if something doesn’t get done–I’m more than happy to scoot it ahead to the next page…or next week…or month…well, you get the picture.

I do love how the New Year gives us all that gentle nudge to go beyond the ordinary task list, and make a few real-live, honest-to-goodness resolutions. This year, rather than things I’m determined to do, I’ve decided on a few things I’d like…

to become.

Therefore, in 2012, I resolve…

~to become more grateful for the health, happiness and family-life that I’m so lucky to share with those that I love, both human–see above…

and feline.   :}

~to become more loving, kind and caring both within these walls, and outside them–more generous with my applause, a smile or a simple nod that could lift someone’s spirits or give them the strength to keep moving forward.

~to become a better friend and listen harder–to actually look people in the eye while they speak, so they know they have my complete attention…no matter how short they may be.

~to become a participant rather than a spectator, to go outside rather than watch from the window, to let a little rain fall on my face rather than dodge for cover–whether or not I’m wearing waterproof mascara. Believe me…that’s big.

~to become more healthy by cooking more and eating mostly wholesome food…and feeding it to my family as well…and to figure out what the heck my deal is with…

peppermint–it’s everywhere! More on that later.

~to become more trusting of my own abilities and have greater faith in myself and what I know deep down inside I can do…and then do it.

~to become a ferociously organized person with an incredibly low tolerance for clutter. I know, I know, big talk…I’m working on it. And no, I’m not showing you a picture of why this is sooo necessary. It needs to happen…trust me.

~to become a brave, courageous person who’s not afraid of anything…or of so many things, at least.

~to become a woman of valor and strength, someone my family, my friends and the Lord can count on–to do what is good, and kind, and right…no matter what.

This is my hope and prayer for 2012.

What about you?