Hope Haiti
I was waiting in line at Subway the other day and a man tapped me on the shoulder.
“What is 2578 for a Better Way?” he asked.
I was wearing the pink shirt I bought from Jarrod Murr, founder of Haiti Hope. He hopes to sell 100,000 T-shirts to build orphanages in Haiti.
Jarrod is in his twenties, a guy who came out of a very small town with big dreams to impact the world with faith.
Check out his unselfish network marketing, videos of the cause, and if you will…please buy a great-looking T-shirt that’s more than just a shirt.
Here is how it works..
1) Believe in a better way…
2) Buy a t-shirt $15 per shirt (all sizes)
3) Change the world together.
Each t-shirt is made with its own specific number on the back. With a goal to reach up to a 100,000!
This is more than a goal it’s a need that has to be reached. Help us to help Haiti.
Jarrod just worked it out with the printer that you can put your group logo/name/event on the Believing in a Better Way numbered shirts!
You can get a shirt for your group and help kids in Haiti! Depending on order size and shipping price fluctuates, so if you are interested, please email Jarrod.
He will be traveling to several summer camps and events over the next few months and would love to visit your church or organization. If you have an event, camp, or church service of which you would like Jarrod to be a part please feel free to contact him. He is working with groups several different ways:
1. Interactive Missions Service - engages attendees with interactive elements and thought provoking inspiration
2. Bringing shirts and an information booth
3. Holding a traditional service or retreat
Posted by Suzie @
7:02 am |
30 days to inspiration
I see and hear a lot of negative stuff. Don’t we all? For the next 30 days I want to shift my focus to people who are really making a difference.
This morning I watched a documentary about a woman who started an outreach called Magdalene. It is a ministry to prostitutes and addicts. In the documentary, one woman after another shared their stories. Most had lost their children. Most had lost family relationships with parents and siblings. All of them had given up hope.
They told about an ordinary woman who approached them on the street — not to condemn, but to offer hope and tangible help.
She had found a house, a charming big house that needed paint and TLC and she made it a home for ten women.
One women said when she saw the matching sheets, the flowered comforter, the kitchen stocked with food, that she started crying. “I forgot what home looked like,” she said.
Against all statistics, almost all of the women who have stayed at Magdalene have overcome their addictions, learned a trade (accounting, making bath and beauty products, etc.), and transitioned to a new life.
Why? Because one woman showed them hope.
Posted by Suzie @
6:29 am |
Another busy weekend
I’m packing and cleaning and writing and juggling!
My SIL graduates this weekend with his Masters in Social Work Counseling at the University of Arkansas. He starts a new job in June working at an organization that counsels at-risk youth with mental health needs. He’s great at it and loves it. He can’t talk about individual cases, of course, but when he talks about his job it’s evident it’s a good fit for both him and the youth.
(Pic is of Josh and my daughter, Melissa!)
From there I’ll make a break for Branson U.S.A. It’s a beautiful area and I’ll take a day to meet with our pastor and others to pray and talk about the vision for the church and community for the next several months.
I’ll be honest. This is packed right in the heart of several other projects/events and I wasn’t sure if I should add it to the calendar. But as it approaches I’m asking God to help me be an encouragement and support to my home church staff, people and pastor. They work so hard and have such a heart for ministry. I’m excited to be a part of a church that really cares about its people and community.
After that I’ll dash home in time to visit with some great women on a call-in conference call. Women ministry leaders from all over the nation will tune in and we’ll talk about Pushing Past Your Past conference weekends and topics like forgiveness, wholeness, parenting, pursuing your passion and more.
And then I’ll take off on Wednesday for Estes Park to teach at the Colorado Christian Writers Conference.
I’ve been working out again (took 9 weeks off after I broke a bone) so I can be up to the high altitude. You know they don’t have much of that here in Oklahoma, so the first day I drink tons of water and take it easy and my body adjusts. Eventually!
I can walk miles here, but there I walk like a 90+ year-old girl in traction. After the first day I start turning into my own age again!
I’ll post pics from the graduation and also share highlights from CCWC next week.
See you on Monday!
Posted by Suzie @
7:30 am |
Where’s Suzie? Upcoming conferences
Colorado Christian Writers Conference
I get lots of e-mails from people who want to write or speak, but don’t know where to start. My instant response is always, “get connected with others who love or who are doing what you are passionate about”.
One way to do that is through conferences. I’ll be teaching the beginning freelance track at Colorado Christian Writers’ Conference in Estes Park, CO next week. It’s not too late to register!
Estes Park is not only one of the most beautiful places on earth, but CCWC offers meetings with editors, workshops with some amazing writers like James Scott Bell, and the opportunity to connect with new friends in every stage of their writing career or ministry. Check out the website, register, and join us!
St. David’s CWC
I’ll also be leading the beginner’s track at St. David’s Christian Writers’ Conference in Grove City, Pennsylvania June 22 through 27. Another gorgeous place! You can register at their website.
She Speaks
And what about speaking and writing? She Speaks is almost filled up, but there are a few registration spots still available. (Just for you!)
This is a mentoring conference to help you take your writing and/or speaking or blogging to the next level.
It’s in beautiful North Carolina and you can find out more at the She Speaks website.
Why don’t you take a step toward your dreams? I’ll see you there.
Posted by Suzie @
1:40 pm |
Another resource for women
Have you ever felt alone as a mom? Lost in your chosen field of mothering?
There is an organization that was created to encourage, educate and equip women in the profession of motherhood. Hearts at Home helps thousands of moms love their lives through their many resources including conferences, website, and books.
I’ve had the privilege of speaking at Hearts at Home several times. I’ve even traveled to Europe twice to speak to moms in Hungary, Austria, and Germany with Hearts at Home Intl. They are the real deal!
Recently I partnered up with this organization as a blogger. I know. I blog here, at Christian Momlogic, at Real Teen Faith, for Christianity Today’s Gifted for Leadership.
One more blog, Suzie? Are you kidding?
I’m just passionate about connecting with great organizations that really do care about women of faith.
From time to time I will share with you the many resources this ministry has to offer (old ones and new). To learn more about the Hearts at Home Blogging team go here. In the meantime I would like to encourage you to explore their website and blog for an immediate dose of mothering encouragement.
Posted by Suzie @
7:02 am |
a powerful quote
When asked by a fellow pastor how he could be in a Nazi concentration camp, Dietrich Bonhoeffer responded, “How can you be out there?”
He willingly placed himself in harm’s way to fight injustice.
There is a movement spreading across our nation. Teens are working on Habitat homes. Twentysomethings are using blogs to raise money to provide shoes for children in third world countries. I’m not so sure it’s people my age, but the next generation(s) are stepping up to do hard things. In my own church, the youth have dedicated this month as an “Others First” month. They are stopping to ask the question, “how can I serve someone else today?”.
Today I ask that question of myself. What can I do to serve another person? Who do I know that needs something from me that might require time, or prayer, or empathy, or celebration?
Just as I keyed that last question, a person came to mind.
God’s like that, isn’t He?
Thanks, Father. I’ll call her right now. Your girl, Suz
Posted by Suzie @
7:00 am |
good friends
Baby showers. Wedding showers. Wedding for my nephew, Mitch. Speaking at a retreat. Speaking at a university. Attending my son’s 1st full marathon in another city. Speaking at two writer’s conferences in Colorado and Pennsylvania. A church board member retreat in Missouri. Graduation commencement for my SIL, Josh, in Arkansas. These are events that fill my weekend calendar from now until mid-June.
All amazing things, but somewhere in that busy calendar something is missing.
Friendship.
When Richard and I moved last year to be closer to the university, we left a community we’d lived in for two decades.
Though our calendar is filled with events and special family functions, we’ve struggled to figure out how to connect with people in our new community, and to keep the bonds strong in our old one.
That’s something we didn’t have to do in our old community, but we are slowly realizing that connecting with new friends is intentional.
So we took two steps this week, long overdue.
We met a cool couple who are pastors of the college campus ministry at the university two miles from us. He’s working full-time as a campus pastor. She’s working full time in a local church as a secretary, and due to have a baby any second tomorrow.
I asked Amanda if she’d like us to host an enchilada and ping pong ministry. (No, you don’t do them at the same time. ♥) I explained that when we lived in Muskogee, some of the most fun times were when people came over and I cooked for them and we ate and played cards and ping pong and games and just hung out. It was relational. It was the best way to talk about faith and life.
Just talking about it makes me realize how much I miss that all over again.
Amanda and Jeff were excited and said yes! So, on May 1st I’m cooking a ton of enchiladas for Amanda and Jeff and 40 to 50 in their campus ministry. We’ll set up the ping pong table. (I love, love to play!) We’ll create a fire pit in the back for S’mores, and I’ll even dust a little around the place to make it homey. The back deck is ready for music and worship and good conversation.
And as busy as my calendar is, I think this is the brightest spot on it.
And this Friday we are having friends over. Old friends from Muskogee that I haven’t seen in at least three years and who I miss. Busy life and distance have kept us apart physically, though the strong bond hasn’t went anywhere.
More cooking. More dusting. I’ll throw a roast, potatoes, carrots in the crockpot and make a fruit pizza for desert. A game of Wii bowling will top off the night!
Can you tell I’m excited?
Yes, my calendar is full. I don’t think that’s going to change any time soon, but the Eller house is going to be full again and that just makes me happy.
Posted by Suzie @
7:09 am |
Critical thinking
“If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and He shall give him Life for them that sin not unto death.” 1 John 5:16
From Utmost for His Highest: If we are not heedful of the way the Spirit of God works in us, we will become spiritual hypocrites. We see where other folks are failing, and we turn our discernment into the gibe of criticism instead of into intercession on their behalf. The revelation is made to us not through the acuteness of our minds, but by the direct penetration of the Spirit of God, and if we are not heedful of the source of the revelation, we will become criticizing centres and forget that God says - “. . . he shall ask, and He shall give him life for them that sin not unto death.”
I was hanging out with a friend. It was late at night. She was messed up. Enough said. She sat next to me and the night’s events played out as she snored softly. It was a bad night. It was supposed to be good, and yet she had completely fallen apart, taking a few people down with her in her anger.
I was frustrated. Disappointed. And I wanted to walk away.
She reached over in her sleep and wrapped an arm around me, and that’s when I felt it. Overwhelming grace and mercy and love.
Not mine. But God’s. For her.
In her brokenness. In her rage. In her messed-up state.
And I cried. Because for the first time I was able to see past my version of things to feel the immeasurable love that Jesus had for her. He was reaching and she didn’t know it.
So I prayed. For the rest of the night.
While she snored next to me.
While God loved.
That was a pivotal moment. I feel like I am a compassionate person, but I have limits and I had reached them. But God’s compassion was so much greater and deeper than mine.
I was reminded of that moment this morning when I read Oswald Chamber’s Utmost for His Highest devo.
It made me ask all over again: When I see someone who is hurting, or hurting others, or wrapped up in brokenness, what is my response?
I hope it will be prayer. No. I know it will be prayer.
Thanks, God, for reminding me of the way you view humanity. Thank you for your vast love.
Posted by Suzie @
10:24 am |
Resist the urge
I’ve heard it twice this week and I’m listening, God.
Resist the urge.
A pastor at Watermark church in Dallas shared how friends and strangers were the hands and feet of Christ to him when they discovered that their 4-year-old had cancer. But there were also those who had profound messages to share. Messages like, “God will never lead you to what he cannot lead you through”.
Cliches, really. Phrases that sound profound, but really fail to understand the suffering you might go through when your child’s life is threatened. Is it true? Most likely, yes. From life experience, absolutely. But in the midst of diagnosis, chaos, darkness — they may not have the effect you want them to.
It’s something I needed to hear. I hope that I’ve not done this, but something tells me (Is that you, Holy Spirit) that I have.
Resist the urge to say something profound.
I heard it again as I read a book called Angry Conversations With God by Susan E. Isaacs. I just started it, so I’ll share my thoughts later, but one passage stuck out:
Be careful to whom you bear your grief, especially if it’s someone churchy, like Martha. Because the Marthas of the world can’t leave a question unanswered, a problem unsolved, or a sorrow unhealed: they have to fix it. And no matter how long you’ve been a Christian (I’ve been one all my life), Martha will know a Bible verse you haven’t heard (or haven’t heard the right way) or she’ll have a book or a sermon tape or a worship CD designed to answer your questions, silence your doubts, muzzle your grief, and make Martha feel better.
Ouch.
And yet, thank you.
Funny, but while I’m typing this a friend facebook chats me. “Everything is going wrong,” she shares.
So I will listen. And I’ll be there. And I will pray.
And I’ll resist the urge to say something profound.
Posted by Suzie @
9:41 am |
Smashing Success {{Giveaway}}
If you’ve come over today from Proverbs 31 devotion, welcome!
My smashing success might not look like success in anyone else’s eyes. It isn’t my speaking. It’s not my ministry. It’s simply seeing myself and my part in God’s plan through His eyes.
Being a good mom when I wasn’t sure how. He saw that when I didn’t.
Speaking to crowds of people and lovin’ it when I was the shy girl. He knew that.
Learning about the depths of God’s love and accepting it for myself. He offered that.
What have I learned along the way?
- Connect with others who love what you do - join w/other strong women, get involved in a great church or Bible study, go to a conference
- Watch those dream poppers – It’s wise to look at all the challenges and to weigh them, and to seek wise counsel. But understand there will always be negative people who won’t or can’t believe in the direction God is leading you.
- Stretch - Read great resources, have those deep conversations where you ask the pressing questions, trust, trust, and trust God some more, make a new friend who is doing what you desire to do.Take one baby step toward your dream.
- Live your calling every day - Many times the greatest opportunities look very small to others, and yet have lasting significance. What has been placed in your path today? The touch of a child. An encouraging word to a friend. Don’t miss those great moments.
One of the main areas that I needed encouragement was as a young mom. If that’s you, here are a few great groups where you can connect with other moms.
- Hearts at Home (conferences, blog, recipes, friendships, forums, resources)
- Christian Momlogic (I’m facilitator of this group - Join, then click on groups and choose Christian Momlogic and join that group) - lots of helpful interviews, discussions, giveaways, encouragement, and tons of community.
- MOPS International - small groups all over the nation, national conference, resources
{{GIVEAWAY}}
One of you will win an autographed copy of The Woman I am Becoming: Embrace the Chase for Identity, Faith, and Destiny.
Simply leave a comment below. What is God speaking to you? What is God breaking so that you can emerge whole and free? What can you share with others from your experience?
I’ll choose one person through a random number generator on Monday (I’m in Dallas at Christian Book Expo today, but I’ll peek in from time to time!)
Posted by Suzie @
6:53 am |
