Hungry?

Last time I shared with you a little bit of what my ds has been involved in with his youth group. Today, I would like to share a bit more because I am so proud of these kids.

Once a year, our youth group of approximately 140 kids, does the 30 hour Famine benefiting World Vision. During this time the kids go without any food from lunchtime on Friday through 6 pm on Saturday, when they break their fast during the worship service with communion. This is actually a fund raiser for hungry kids around the globe. As a matter of fact, our church is the second highest fundraiser in the nation for this particular outreach. This is a real testimony of the love of God displayed in our children. This is the link for the project. You will find it touching to see what kids all over the country are doing:

http://www.30hourfamine.org/

The purpose of the fast is to raise money, as I previously mentioned, but also to raise awareness. During this time they are usually visited by someone from World Vision who will talk about the needs of hungry children throughout the world. They have some time of reflection and worship on Friday evening and then they will end the evening with glow bowling. At this point they head off to various homes to sleep for a while.

In the morning, the kids meet back at church to receive their service project assignments. They spend Saturday meeting needs in their local community, doing everything from cleaning and yardwork to cooking for hungry people in the area (all while they are not eating). This year, my son had a wonderful assignment where he was able to use one of his many talents. He and some friends were sent to a nursing home where their band played for the residents. They took their accoustic instruments (a bit easier for the elderly to handle) and played and sang to them. Last year his service project included cleaning at a nursing home, where he found himself climbing a ladder to dust a chandelier. But these kids do not just spend their times at nursing homes. Some were assigned to homes for unwed mothers where they cleaned and played with the children.

Saturday afternoon the kids meet back at church for some games. My son was not able to participate in these games as he had to practice with the band for the worship service that they ended the event with at 6 pm. Such a wonderful and moving experience this service was. It was a blessing to be a part of it.

This event as thus far raised a total of over $23,400.00. Now, the goal is $34,000.00, so these kids have a way to go, but they do not stop bringing in donations for another month. This is where they are able to see a big boost in giving. As testimony of this event gets around, hearts are touched and lives are blessed.

It is my prayer that these kids would meet and exceed their goal. All of our youth events are paid for by the kids so that the entirety of monies raised will go straight to World Vision to feed hungry children. World Vision has a very low administrative cost and thus is able to send 87% of all donations straight to those who need it most. BUT...in addition to this, all donations this year will be multiplied 5x by federal grants, so your donation will go a very, very long way.

If you are blessed with a full pantry and a meal on your table this evening, I would ask that you consider donating to this wonderful cause. It will bless you abundantly to know that you are helping to put food in the belly of a starving child. You can make your donation through this link:

http://www.30hourfamine.org/portal/onlinegiving/donate/46909340-009

Please know that this is a worthy cause and excellent organization, which I have personally worked with for many, many years. Know that you are blessing others through this donation. And above all, pray that we might make a difference in the lives of these children through this effort.

Do you know what today is?

OH...I ALMOST FORGOT! I AM SO SORRY...I WROTE THE POST BELOW, BUT NEGLECTED ONE VERY IMPORTANT THING. SO, I AM ADDING IT HERE AT THE TOP SO THAT NO ONE WILL MISS IT.

MY 16 YEAR OLD SON IS GOING TO BE DOING THE 30 HOUR FAMINE THIS WEEKEND ALONG WITH OUR YOUTH GROUP. 140 TEENS WILL BE GOING WITHOUT FOOD FROM NOON ON FRIDAY UNTIL SATURDAY EVENING AROUND 6 PM. DURING THIS TIME THEY WILL BE DOING VARIOUS FUN ACTIVITIES AS WELL AS SERVICE PROJECTS IN THE COMMUNITY. THIS EVENT BENEFITS WORLD VISION IN FEEDING HUNGRY CHILDREN ALL OVER THE WORLD. OUR CHURCH IS THE SECOND HIGHEST CONTRIBUTOR TO WORLD VISION THROUGH THIS EVENT IN THE COUNTRY. LAST YEAR, OUR TEENS RAISED OVER $38,000 WHICH WAS MULTIPLIED FOURFOLD BY GRANTS. THIS YEAR THEIR GOAL IS $34,000 WHICH WILL BE MULTIPLIED FIVE TIMES BY GRANTS. PLEASE HELP THEM REACH THEIR GOAL BY DONATING ON BEHALF OF MY SON AT:

http://www.30hourfamine.org/portal/onlinegiving/donate/46909340-009

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HELPING US TO HELP WORLD VISION FEED CHILDREN AROUND THE WORLD. THANK YOU FOR HELPING MY SON MEET AND EXCEED HIS FUND RAISING GOALS.

MARCH FIRST! I know....no big deal. Especially not to those of us who are expecting SNOW. BUT as are now only 3 weeks out from the official start of spring, the countdown begins. So, what better way to countdown the days til spring than with the beginning of National Craft Month? Seriously. I learned today that March is National Craft Month. During this otherwise windy month, I will be needing my craft projects to keep me entertained, if nothing else. So I emailed the lady at church and asked her to deliver some crochet patterns to my hubby's mailbox. You see, the ladies at church make prayer shawls for the sick, linus blankets for infants in need, guideposts sweaters for the needy, and little baby blankets for the babies that are baptized, among other things. Yes, I shall be a busy beaver!

Now, in case you did not know that I can and do crochet quite a bit, I have been doing so since I was a little kid. I don't remember exactly how old I was when I learned, but I do remember it being in grade school. I know this because in 4th grade I had a purple and white poncho that my mom made for me. The day that I learned how to crochet was the day that my mom went (with my grandmother) to a friend's house to learn how to make ponchos. I happened to be along for the ride and the lady gave me some yarn and a needle and started me on a practice piece. Well, I practiced and practiced and eventually I got to the point where I could crochet without even looking at my hands. I would sit outside with my dolls and my yarn and needle and crochet. Ok...so it was probably at least 39 years ago. I don't want to show my age, but you need to know...it was a loooooooooooooooooong time ago.

Well, I am still crocheting. You will see some of my favorites on my site: http://www.theoddsparrow.com/ . What am I talking about? The boa scarves, of course! They are so luxurious to wear as they are made of sueded yarn and so very soft. You will feel so feminine when you surround yourself in their curly softness!

So....what crafty projects will YOU be involved in this month?