Water Changes Everything

When my kids were babies, I would remind myself that "Water Changes Everything." A foul mood or fussy kids? Throw them in the tub. A boring day? Turn on the sprinkler in the yard, bathing suits optional. Maybe it was as simple as letting them play with sudsy water in the sink.

Today is World Water Day, and I'm reminded that in most parts of the world, "Water Changes Everything," but in a different way. Water means the difference between life and death. And far too many people are dying for lack of a resource we take for granted daily.

A HUGE thank you to those of you who supported our well project last spring through Charitywater.org! Thanks to your generosity, we fully funded 2 wells that will SAVE LIVES in remote villages.

Today, on World Water Day, I want to share with you the exciting news about where both wells are being built:

ETHIOPIA!

As the wells are completed, I will share more details, including GPS images of the wells. How cool is that?

If you would like to learn more about saving lives by providing water, please check out charitywater.org. Bless you and all you do to help others.

"For everyone to whom much is given, of him shall much be required." -- Luke 12:48

What's Better Than Building a Well in a Developing Country?

Building 2 wells!

After the heart-warming, inspiring, and even miraculous response to my friends' and family's project to raise money to build a well in a developing country, I was ready to rest on my laurels for a while, or at least on my comfy chair.

But...Someone had different plans!

Last week we found out that a Generous Soul is poised and ready to MATCH what my friends and I come up with over the initial $5,000. If you visit our donation page at Charity: Water you'll see that I've "upped" the amount we hope to raise in the remaining 22 days of our campaign.

The beauty is, we only have about $1,400 left to raise before the Generous Soul chips in enough to finish funding Well #2. That would be 2 wells in the same time-frame in which we thought we couldn't possibly fund ONE!

So, Friday night we got right to it and Jake and Molly had a lemonade and brownie stand to catch people on the way home from work. They made $50 in one hour's time and would have made more, but it started to hail! Hail, yeah it did!

So, as you can see, there's something bright and wonderful happening around here to take our minds off of Possum Fever, or whatever the heck we've got in this house. If you would like to help, please visit our donation page. I have been overwhelmed by your generosity and encouragement during this whole process.

It feels so good to know that in a small way, we are making the world better. What an honor!

I can't wait to share with you the exciting things that transpire over the next 22 days!

All's Well That Ends Well

The Well-Raising Yard Sale was a smashing success! It felt miraculous! From the neighborhood kids waking up at 6:30 to help us set up, to the weather that turned around (not a drop of rain,) to the GRAND TOTAL of more than $1,400 brought in, we felt God's hands all over this one.

Now I've had a lot of yard sales in the past, but even when they've been moving sales with tons of big ticket items worth hundreds of dollars, we've never, ever brought in that kind of money. There wasn't even a rush of customers. Just little sales, here and there. How did it all add up?

Perhaps it was this little cutie asking for donations:

Or maybe it was the alluring sight of me in a neon t-shirt and fanny pack:

But I really think it was the prayer circle my small group and I had before the customers started coming.

And there were no Early Birds... Isn't that a miracle in itself?

Speaking of miracles, we loaded up 5 complete van/truckloads to donate to charity afterwards. It felt very loaves and fishes-like to me.

A regret:

When my cleaning lady's sisters showed up early in the day, I charged them full price for stuff. If I had realized we were raking in the dough, I would have given it to them for free. I'm going to feel embarrassed the next time I see them, and not just over the piles of dog hair in my house.

Not a regret:

When a mom complained about the price I was charging for paperback books, I didn't budge. Later in the day, we were giving them away-- I just didn't like the snotty 'tude, lady.

An observation:

I am so glad my kids don't have a real shopping bug in them (unless we're talking Legos). The neighborhood kids bought and bought and bought. This helped with the bottom-line, but it made me glad my kids don't bring home a lot of little junk. I want to be the only junk bringer-inner in this family.

Thank you so much for your encouragement and support throughout the whole process! After an awesome $1,000 donation that came in on Friday night, which is a story in itself, we have reached our $5,000 goal.

Can't wait to let you know which country our well will be built in. I hope you will enjoy following the progress with me.

Sure Could Use A Little Good News Today

I have some exciting news to share with you!

I know I can be a little snarky and critical in my posts, and I tend to mention my bladder and feminine protection issues in excess. Today, however, I'd like to go in a different direction and share some of the great stories behind the $1827 in our Charity Water account! We have 56 days left to raise the rest of the $5,000 needed to build a well for a village in a developing nation.

Read the stories below and tell me if you think we'll make it:

My 11 year old nephew gave up all electronics during Lent. When Lent ended, he decided to give away something of great value to help others: his PlayStaytion 2 system and all his games. Which his Aunt Anna sold on Craig's list. And now that money is going to save lives on the other side of the world.

My neighbor, WIDOWED WITH TRIPLETS-- (yeah, you can read that twice,) donated furniture for me to sell for her on Craig's List. She loves antiques like I do, and she found herself scouring her house for treasures she no longer needed. Thanks, M!

My daughter, Molly, hosted a S'more's cookout on our street. She put out a cute wishing well for donations. Our neighbor's nanny put in $9.00-- fines collected from household members for leaving their shoes around the house. Inspired!

How cute is this sign she made? "Help!!! Pay atention to people! What if you were them?"

Jake and Molly each gave money out of their piggy banks which Tom agreed to triple.

A men's small group at our church committed to donating $20 each because ONE $20 DONATION provides one person with safe drinking water for $20 years.

There are so many other stories. Response has been inspiring from blog readers, neighbors, family, and friends. I am in awe of how people are DIGGING DEEP to make a huge difference in this world.

It's enough to make any lingering snark flee my life forever...

Except....

This weekend is the big Well-Raising Yard Sale my small group is having at my house. There is a profusion of crapola, er treasure, filling my carport (if you are local, feel free to add to it by Friday!)

Considering I hate waking up early on Saturdays, and despise the nickel and diming of yard sales, a wee bit of snark might come creeping back in. Which I'll be more than happy to share with you along with the amount of $ we make.

If you are interested in learning more about this project. Please visit our DONATION PAGE.

Dig It

I am so excited I could burst!

Each year we give money and time to various charities. Ok, more money than time, but we are trying to get better about that. In addition to sponsoring children through Compassion International (for the past 21 years! woohooo!), we love to give “alternative gifts” through World Vision, Community Coalition for Haiti, and Unicef. The kids select mosquito nets, clothes, pregnant goats, piggies and chicks to donate around the world. Lately, however, we’ve been thinking about WATER.

Our family has decided to donate a well that will serve up to 150 people. We have asked my friends from small group to join us. I am so excited to have a family project to focus on throughout the year, and the possibility of partnering with dear friends is even better.

At dinner last night Molly had us brainstorm ways to raise the amount needed throughout the year. I can't believe that little cutie in the picture above is now old enough to wield a clipboard and pen just like a teacher, figuring out ways to help other little ones who have not had the same opportunities she has, just because of where they were born.

(Note: Please ignore the Hillary Clinton look-alike holding Molly. I guess I was already working the turkey wattle 8 years ago).

Okay, here is our list, as recorded by Molly:

Hot chocolate stand
Lemonade stand
Bionicle Show (Jake shows people his Bionicle creations and charges money)
Sell stuff on Craig’s List (Mom)
Change Jar ( $66.10 already!)
Bake Sale
Car Wash
Yard Sale
Self Donations/Birthday donations
Ask People
Save Money by not eating out

One friend is thinking of donating her class fees when she teaches a crafting class. The possibilities go on and on.

I must admit I am basically a selfish person. I want my yard sale money. I want my Craig’s List money. I want to go out to eat. So telling you this, getting the kids involved, and joining in with friends will hopefully keep me honest and motivated. Because water? Makes all the difference.

What do you think? Do you think we can do it? Do you any have creative ideas to raise money to help others in 2010?