Friday, May 12, 2017

46 Ways to Change the World



If I could, I would absolutely change this world. I'd place every kid in foster care into a loving home. I'd make sure every kid gets the opportunity to go to school. I'd wrap my arms around every orphan and tell them how they are incredibly loved and created by God and his people are here to be the arms of God wrapped around their battered hearts. I'd stop the horrors of child abuse and human trafficking. Lock those perpetrators away forever. I'd give every struggling parent living in poverty just trying to feed their children a dignified job. If I had absolute power, I'd change this world in a hot minute. I bet you would too...

I can't change the entire world on my own. Together, we can. Below are some organizations tackling what seems like the impossible task. They are slaying dragons every single day, rescuing kids from the horrible claws of poverty and hopelessness. Have you partnered with them? Is there an organization I missed that I should add to my list? 


www.hicm.us
www.ijm.org
www.thepearlhouse.org
www.tinyhands.org

Friday, December 12, 2014

Sunday, November 16, 2014

WHAT IF?

What if you were lost?
What if you were broken?
What if doubt consumed you?
What if depression ruled over you?
What if you sinned?

What if you wept at the feet of Jesus?
What if you were forgiven?
What if you were healed?
What if you were understood?
What if you believed?

What if you fell in love with Jesus?
What if you were secure?
What if you were whole?
What if you weren't afraid?
What if you loved unconditionally?
What if others opinions of you didn’t matter?

What if the things you owned didn’t control you?
What if you saw suffering?
What if your heart broke?
What if you believed?
What if you prayed?
What if you saw the hand of God at work?

What if you followed Him?
What if you listened to His voice?
What if your geographical location didn’t matter?
What if your safety didn’t matter?
What if you weren't afraid of dying?

What if you were strong?
What if you were courageous?
What if you knew God?
What if you had joy?
What if you saw people through the eyes of Jesus?

What if you had the power of Christ in you?
What would you do?




Wednesday, October 15, 2014

The Query Letter

Tonight I wrote my first-ever query letter. I am starting to feel like a real writer! Here it is for your reading enjoyment! I welcome and appreciate comments, corrections, or feedback. This one went to the Writers House in New York, New York. Why start small right? :) 

Dear Children's Book Agent: 

I am presently looking for a literary agency to represent my children’s book, The Marvelous Mud House. This book addresses similar issues as Beatrice’s Goat, which Writer’s House represented, and so I believe my book may fit with your interests.

Last year, I took my husband and five children to visit my brother who is a medical missionary doctor in Kenya. There we met a single mother and her children. This woman’s story dramatically impacted my perspective on poverty and the needs around the world. My book is not just another book about meeting the needs of poor. It is about what we can learn from them.

In The Marvelous Mud House, Matu is studying to take his eighth grade exams, which will determine where he might go to high school. But money is scarce, and though Matu and his mother work diligently, time is running out for them to earn the money for Matu's schooling. Then, some unexpected visitors arrive. Five, privileged, almost-spoiled children meet Matu and his mother and are invited to their home for dinner and an adventure. Far from their Oklahoma horse ranch, these children witness the hard work, generosity, and faith in Matu's family and realize for the first time that having little is enough. While they return home eager to work and share, they receive the greatest gift: the gift of contentment. But will Matu be able to attend high school? 

Parents would enjoy reading this whimsical telling based on a true story to their children, and at the same time teach their children about the values of hard work, contentment, generosity, and faith. Facts about Kenyan traditions, education, recipes, language, and culture could be included in the back for educational use.

I have a Bachelor’s Degree in English and a Master’s Degree in Biblical Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary. I would enjoy speaking and writing more on the topic of this book.


Thank you for your time and consideration. The 1, 150 word manuscript is available upon your request. 

Sincerely, 

And VOILA! My first query letter! :) 


My brother serving in Kenya

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Working the Mud

I thought it would be nice for my first post here to explain the meaning of this blog title. The phrase, marvelous mud house, originated with a children's story that I wrote about an amazing woman in Kenya that I met. Despite the hardship and difficulties in her life which I don't feel at liberty to share here, this woman radiated JOY! As I titled my children's book after this amazing woman and her "marvelous mud house," I began to let that phrase simmer in my mind.

Last weekend, we took our children to see the Great Passion Play in Arkansas. Before the show, a man called the Potter, gives a demonstration of creating a beautiful, useful piece of pottery out of a lump of clay and mud that is delicately, and purposefully formed by the potter. Then it is perfected in intense heat. He expanded the analogy given in Scriptures of the Lord being our potter.

Isaiah 64:8 reveals, "Yet, Oh Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand." As I look back over my life thus far, I see the blessing, molding and shaping. But I also see the firing. Struggles with doubt, anxiety, and depression that I walked through, but that drove me to the Savior. Looking back now, I see the Lord guiding and forming me and drawing me deeper into relationship with him. Struggle seems to accomplish that. I've seen Him molding and shaping me, and for that I am thankful.

The Lord takes our failures, our struggles, and the mud in our lives and can create something marvelous: a marvelous mud house where He resides and is glorified.