WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT HAITI??

.....Haiti is on my heart and mind today like it probably is for almost every other person I know. And we feel stuck.

A Haitian child carries food at a refuge camp in Port-au-Prince.

.....I'm not unique in the feeling of what can I possibly do from here? I see a few options.

A woman walks among the debris in Port-au-Prince surveying the wreckage.

About a third of Haiti's population, or 3 million people have been affected by the earthquake.

Curl up into the fetal postition and curse God and wonder how things can go to Hell in a hand basket.

Obsess with worry and fear and helplessness.

Not think about it at all because I can't see it from my house.

Do something.

I think you just might know me well enough by now to know where I land.

But what can any of us do when we are sitting over here in our warm houses in front of a computer with our beverage of choice nearby and our healthy kids playing in the next room? (Insert your life's details into that question.)

A couple of things. Really. There are a couple of things you can actually do.

First and foremost, pray. .....Pray for the parents looking for children and children looking for parents. Pray for help to make it there. Pray for all those who want to help to work well together, not making things worse by stirring up the chaos.

Haitian worshipers pray Sunday morning outside the destroyed cathedral

of Port-au-Prince.

Give. I know things are tight, but you know what? That's just an excuse. Do you realize how far our money could go if we all gave ten bucks today? I'm not kidding. Just don't have three of your fancy coffees this month...you'll be fine. And, if you're wondering who to give to, here are two trustworthy options: http://www.samaritanspurse.org/ & http://www.redcross.org/.

Young earthquake victims sleep without shelter.

(An aside: today is not the day to start the debate up of why should we help all of the way over there when people are hurting right here. If that's your opinion, then give ten bucks to the Salvation Army down the street and ten bucks to help Haiti. People are people.)

Do. Do what? What can you do from here, really?

• Spread the word. Use Twitter, Facebook, your blog, email. Just pick a solid organization that is trying to do something and then tell everyone you know to support it.
• Go on with your life. I don't mean this with a cavalier attitude. I mean cook your family good meal tonight, with gratitude. Hug your kids a bit longer. Cuddle with them on the couch and watch their favorite show. Color a picture with them. Play a game with your family. Call your mom or your kids or your sister or your best friend and tell them you love them. 

I'm serious. Let moments like this that can rock our world, no pun intended, do just that. Let them remind you that life is short and tough, but we can love and hope and pray.

Tents and other temporary shelters cover a stadium surface in Loagan, Haiti, on Sunday, January 17th.

Okay, stop reading now. Go take one little action. And say a prayer.

(c) Elisabeth IK. Corcoran, 2010

Though the above words are not mine, they could be. Elisabeth is speaking what I've been thinking and speaking these last several days, only she does it so much better than I ever could. And, she got me to post on my blog about Haiti.
Praise God and thank God for Elisabeth Corcoran.
(I subscribe to http://www.crosswalk.com/ and that is where I read Ms. Corcoran's words.)

God bless you, all of my readers.
Jan

A BLOG ABOUT BLOGGING...MAKES SENSE TO ME!

This is going to be so much fun!

What I'm talking about is this idea, all credit goes to Cupid's Charm, about posting about why I/we/you love to blog.

Oh, I'm simply thrilled at the chance to tell y'all, my wonderful readers, why it is that I love to blog.

You can join in the fun, also. Simply go to http://www.cupidscharm.blogspot.com/ for the details!

And, be sure and check my blog on May 1st for my "Why I Love Blogging" post! In fact, you can go to Cupid's Charm on May 1st and get the blogging addresses of everyone that is playing.

I hope you decide to join us! I would love to read about MY readers and why y'all enjoy blogging!

Warmly,

. . .Jan

YIKES!! God is so amazing!............As I was finishing up this post, I got a text message from my dear, dear friend, Tina, asking for prayers for her grandchild, Sage, who may have meningitis. Knowing that so many of my readers are believers I have decided to post about this since God sent me the text (through Tina. duh) while I was in the middle of a post. It's obvious that he wants as many prayers warriors as I can gather up to pray for Sage.

So, you that are pray-ers, hit your knees.

No, wait.

Don't hit your knees if you're over 45 years old.

If I hit my knees I'd be in a wheelchair............for life.

Just stop what you're doing right now (reading my post) and pray for Sage and Tina and all that love that little wee one.

If you would like to leave a message of encouragement for Tina, her blog address is:

http://www.tina-wright.blogspot.com/ . Just leave a comment on her last blog entry - I don't know what it's about, oh, dear....oh, I'm sure it's totally appropriate! Just leave your comments there on her last entry:)

I know she'd appreciate the encouragement, even if you don't know her!!

Y'all are great! I love you!!

UPDATE: Sage did NOT have meningitis! Praise the Lord!! God is faithful and is taking care of Sage - I forget what he had (no surprise there) but he's fine and Tina has been so blessed by y'all's prayers.

Thank you for caring for another blogger - no doubt in my mind that I could count on each of y'all! XOXO

WHAT DO YOU GET WHEN YOU PUT TOGETHER A BLANKET, FLARES, EXTRA WATER BOTTLES AND A CHARGED CELL PHONE???

What do you get when you put together a blanket, flares, extra water bottles and a charged cell phone?
Me.

Me and my really light weight convertible driving from south Texas *leaving today* to Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Snow storms, blizzards, really cold weather (lower than FORTY!!), black ice, truckers that really should have stopped hours ago for a nap on the interstate with me.....oh, my, that certainly doesn't sound right!

What I meant was that I'm on the interstate with truckers that should have stopped hours ago for a nap.

Not a nap with me.

Just a nap alone in their truck so that they don't fall asleep at the wheel and my car becomes their extra axle. (I think I know what an axle is so that crack should have worked...)

So, there you have it! I'm on my way to Michigan, laptop in hand so as to keep you up to date on all of the excitement on the way, while I'm there for FOUR *stinkin* weeks (another post), and the drive home.

Bringing mom back with me like I did last year. What a blast!! We do have fun!

So, until later, keep those prayers comin' for travel safety and I'll keep you abreast (still thinkin' about that trucker) of the adventures I happen upon on my way up north!

Loveyoumeanit.

You're the best!!

(oh, and not to worry, I'm takin' the giveaway with me:) It's all packaged up and ready to go out to the "winn'ah"!)

Hey, I'm taking all of my precious (leaving the stupid ones home) Valentines with me that are listed in my Lollishop.

Go order something.

I may need the money to pay the tow truck to pull my little lightweight convertible out from under than sleepy trucker!

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Blessing to you all,

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XOXO,

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