Catch Phrase

While reading "Horton Hears a Who" to Dayna the other day, Dan kept repeating the well-known line "I meant what I said and I said what I meant, an elephant's faithful 100 percent"


Dayna responded, "Hey, he always says that, kind of like the angel always says, 'Don't be afraid'".



I'm so glad she's paying attention.

The Perfect Thanksgiving

The turkey (breast) is in the oven, the dough has been punched and is waiting to be shaped into fancy little rolls, and I finally have a few moments to sit and reflect.

We're having an unconventional Thanksgiving this year. After 10 years of marriage, we're spending the day alone. We didn't travel, we aren't visiting family, we're just enjoying some moments of simplicity and creating some memories that might possibly even become traditions. This may not be the way things will always be, but for today, we are truly thankful for the opportunity to create our "perfect" day.

I haven't made lists of things to cook, when to start what, or what needs to be done. I did my grocery shopping on Tuesday night in a grand total of 8 minutes. I have experienced no stress over the meal (although I did wonder for awhile if the dough would rise in the bread machine.) I'm making things that some might think are a little out of the ordinary, and I'm not making some things that some would consider to be staples of Thanksgiving (really...why make stuffing if I can't stand the stuff!?!)

This morning, everyone slept late. Dayna and I had some quiet Bible study time before Dan woke up. We set the timer for 45 minutes and picked up stuff around the house. Then, we bundled up and went on a little family "Turkey Trot." Dayna "ran" for the first 15 minutes, and we spent the next 20 briskly walking home. We excercised as a family and truly enjoyed the morning.

Dan's favorite NFL team is televised (doesn't happen often anymore with the Lions) and they've actually scored a touchdown. (Probably won't win, but a touchdown is a good start.) Now he's spending halftime putting up the Christmas lights. Dayna is on her bed for "quiet time" making a list of things for which she's thankful. When she gets up, we'll write our blessings on pretty leaves to put in a book. I've put out a jigsaw puzzle, and we're ready to start watching Christmas movies.

Dayna was thrilled this morning with the Macy's parade, and would squeal with glee every few minutes to let us know what the next balloon or float would be. And when she saw Santa....her entire world was filled with wonder and delight.

So, as I get up to shape the rolls, I'm feeling truly blessed and happy for all God has given me. Especially a chance to have an "unconventional" Thanksgiving.

Blessings to you all!

Time for a Date

I get to go on a date with my husband today. Yes, it's a Tuesday, and it sounds a little random, but I'm thankful nonetheless. So, here's to small blessings and a fun day with my husband.

http://www.theblindsidemovie.com/

http://www.bluesushisakegrill.com/

Latest Update on Dayna's Dollar

This is the latest blog entry from The Raining Season on the impact Dayna's dollar has made. God is good!

http://savetheorphan.blogspot.com/2009/11/daynas-dollar-makes-difference.html

It Just Keeps Growing

Dayna's dollar for The Raining Season continues to grow. If you could send a dollar or two, please consider clicking the link below. This is the email I received this afternoon:

Alaina,I have been out of the office most of the day today, but I received a call from an anonymous donor who read a blog about your daughter, Dayna. She was asking how to donate so I sent her some information. I have created a donation link that you can pass along to your contacts that will help us track how your daughter's $1 is growing. We are calling it "Dayna's Heart for Kids Against Hunger". The proceeds will go to the packaging event and matching gift for this Saturday. I have the link below for you to send onto family and friends. Let me know how much you sent to the TN office so I can try and keep a running tally of how much Dayna has raised! I love to help kids realize that they CAN change the world! Let's stay in touch!

Click here to donate to Dayna's Heart for Kids Against Hunger

Reaping and Sowing, Part 3

Here are some excerpts from email conversations I've had today with The Raining Season. This is the organization in Sierra Leone fighting for those precious children in a horrible orphanage situation. We've been praying for some time for Dayna to have a heart of generosity...this is what has happened:

Hello,

We've been following the situation in Sierra Leone through your blogs for over a month now. Our hearts are breaking for these children, and yet we're so excited to see how our Lord is going to rescue these precious little ones.

Our four-year-old daughter, who was herself once an orphan in China, has spent the last 48 hours "planning a trip" to Africa. She has a suitcase packed and is ready to "take food to the children in Africa." We're not quite sure why she picked Africa, as we talk a lot in our home about the children in China, but she is adamant that she is flying to Africa today :)

Her grandparents occasionally send her money to buy scones at church on Sunday mornings. She just gave me one of her scone dollars to share with the boys and girls in Africa. Her father and I would like to add to her dollar. Could you tell me if you have a program that is specifically for food? If not, please put this money to whatever program you feel most needs it. I will be printing this email and sending it with our money today. Thank you for intervening for the cause of the orphan.

Bless you all.
Dan, Alaina & Dayna Wilson
P.S. I'll be taking her to the zoo this morning so we can "visit" Africa :)

Alaina,

Your email made me cry while reading it...it came at the perfect moment...we have spent the last 48 hours in constant negotiations over these kids and I was feeling as though it was time to give up...(just being real)...then I received your email...it reminded me that so many are watching...so many are praying...even the littlest ones...and we cannot stop fighting till justice prevails for all of these children. Your daughter is a precious soul...how amazing to feel such a tug of the heart at only 4 years old...my hope is that she will one day be in Africa!! Hopefully with The Raining Season!!

I will make sure that her donation makes it to our center and goes towards the food for the kids. I'm sure God will take her donation and multiply it many times over because of her giving!

Thank you so much for your support! It means the world to us...I know together we can "Save the Orphan"..even those in countries as dark as Sierra Leone...

By the way....Would you mind if I posted your email on our blog? I think it would really minister to those part of this rescue...

Have a great time at the zoo!

Erica

Dan shared this story with a co-worker who added $10 to the pot. How amazing to see Dayna's dollar multiply in such a huge way. God is good.

Reaping and Sowing, Part 2

While trick-or-treating on Halloween, we visited some friends we don't often see. As we started talking, my friend shared that her unmarried son and his girlfriend had a baby just a few weeks prior. My friend has apparently struggled all summer with a myriad of feelings, and I had the opportunity to share with her a little of my family's story.

My sister was a teenage mother. Her daughter has become an incredible Godly woman. My niece's wedding last summer was so special, as it was such a momentous event in the life of a young woman who was not initially "planned."

As the conversation with my friend progressed, she shared that shortly after the pregnancy was discovered, her son and his girlfriend were on the way to an agency that counsels and provides abortions for unplanned pregnancies. In the car, my friend's son "felt wrong" about where they were going and remembered "a place somewhere on O Street" that also offered counseling. My friend had taken her daughter there 8 years ago on a tour. Her son was not part of that outing, but 8 years later, remembered that there was an alternative. He and his girlfriend went to the Crisis Pregnancy Center in Lincoln, where they received Biblical counseling and decided to continue the pregnancy.

My friend was sharing this story with me, because apparently, I was the volunteer who gave that tour 8 years ago. Honestly, I don't remember the day at all. I simply showed up for work and did my job.

I shared this story with my sister yesterday. She responded that sometimes we're so busy trying to harvest that we forget to take the time to plant. I'm so glad God was able to use an "insignificant" act (in my mind, anyway) so long ago to play a part in the healthy arrival of a precious baby boy.

Reaping and Sowing, Part 1

Monday was a long day at work, with many factors going against my state of mind. 1. First day back after Halloween with sugared-up kids. 2. Full moon. 3. Time change and body clocks that were out of sorts. Throw a late staff meeting on top at the end of the day, and I was drained.

Walking out of the staff meeting, I saw two teenage girls sitting by the office. One excitedly called out "Mrs. Wilson!" I greeted her, but for the life of me couldn't tell you who she was. It's not uncommon for students to come back and say hello. I've had over 2000 students in ten years...names fail me after a few. She then asked if I still taught at another school. It was at this point it dawned on me that she didn't go to the school where I currently teach, and she had several music teachers at the one to which she was referring. We started talking...I hadn't been at that school since I went to China. That was her last year as well. She's now a Sophomore in high school. She's in choir, and is trying out for show choir. (She has an amazing director there, by the way.)

Before we parted paths, she looked up at me and told me, "Mrs. Wilson, you're the reason that I sing."

Somehow, five to seven years ago, I did something right and made an impact. It more than made up for the crummy day I had.

That night at Bible Study, we talked about sowing, reaping and the harvest. Timely.

By the way, once we started talking, it came to me. Her name is Stacy.

Beading to China

I know an amazing woman in North Carolina. I've never actually met her, but it doesn't stop us from sharing a sister bond. She's the wife of a deployed soldier, and the homeschooling mother of three. Her youngest, sweet Josiah, hails from Inner Mongolia. This dear boy has been praying in faith daily for several months now for a little girl named "Ewaina" (Elaina)...they have never met, but he's confident that she lives in China and is destined to be his little sister. He saves his pennies, nickels and quarters to help bring her home.

My friend developed a new website and venture to add to her son's nickels and pennies. Please check it out:

http://beadingtochina.blogspot.com/

Orphan Sunday

November is Adoption Awareness Month. We will be promoting Hope for Children next Sunday at church...this is a ministry bringing awareness to the needs of orphans, foster kids, and adoptive families here in America and around the world. Together with churches across the country, we will be presenting Orphan Sunday, a live concert experience. Please check out the following link and look for Orphan Sunday activities near you.

www.orphansunday.org