Last week it was as simple as a conference I had with my daughter’s teacher. She had asked earlier for donations of $2.50 for a weekly magazine for the classroom. While at the conference, I asked if she needed some extra money so each child would have their own subscription. “Well….”, she said, and I knew that there were some gaps. I handed over some cash I had scrunched in my wallet.

Sometimes it is as simple as a winter coat. Many coat drives will be taking place in various areas, do you have an outgrown winter coat that you keep meaning to donate in the back of the closet – get to it !

Many kids don’t have someone to speak up and ask if they are in need. Keep your eyes open for the opportunities to reach a young heart. It doesn’t have to be a $10,000 gift of humanity. Every little bit helps.

We can make a difference and Inspire the Child.

It wasn’t until she went for an MRI that she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Tracy, a young healthy, active woman, was about to begin a different journey from her childhood visions. There is no cure for MS.

Today, Tracy continues to battle this disease. She will never give up. But she has decided it is time to make a difference for others who are faced with this Multiple Sclerosis. Tracy is on a mission—Tracy Alva’s Mission. The organization exists to confront MS and help people diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis manage the physical, emotional, and financial challenges they face every day.

Now Tracy has developed, with her good friend Dr. Robi Ludwig, a beautiful and inspiring way to raise funds and support for this cause. Robi designed the Believe Pendant, a beautiful silver filigree disc with a vintage look, that says “believe” on the back.

Tracy says, “My mom just adored Robi. You know, when your mom speaks about friendship and special people stay in your life from start to finish – well, Robi was one of those people. It was natural that we would ask Robi to be the one to design a piece of jewelry for my mission.”

Robi, a renowned psychotherapist who has appeared on the Today Show, CNN, and FOX, joyfully created the special pendant – the first inspirational jewelry line designed for MS.

“As a therapist I know how powerful words can be,” says Robi. “I loved the idea of a butterfly, because it represents transformation during times of transition. It’s also a hopeful symbolic reference for rising above problems during difficult times.

I wanted the word ‘Believe’ because that’s what we so often need to remind ourselves to do when life presents us with it’s multiple challenges. Reading an inspirational word, or having it near our body can sometimes give us the hope and little extra boost we need, to get us through the day.”

Click here to buy the pendant or learn more about Tracy Alva’s Mission. For more information about Multiple Sclerosis, you can go here.

Most of us are born hearing “give in order to receive” and if you really pay attention, they are both the same and one can’t occur without the other.  Whether it’s giving compliments, volunteering your time, sharing talents or going out of your way to help people around you.

There’s an ever universal equilibrium with giving and receiving and it simply translates into… the more you give, the more you will receive.   I have never been the one to struggle when it comes to choosing where to volunteer and how to give my time, but I know many out there do.  You may ask yourself “What organization do I donate money to?” “where do I volunteer?” “where will my time be better spent?”.  You are the only one that can answer those questions and my only advice is to choose something you are passionate about – you WILL make a difference.

I volunteer at a local cancer association because the disease has hit home and know in my heart that I’m making a difference.  I also choose to contribute here at Mothers Fighting For Others because I see the passion of all the writers and know that we have the power to inspire people into giving.  But just this past week, 2 people came before me that are passionate about their own projects and I wanted to share a little about them.

The first one is Suzy Newhouse.  Suzy blew my mind with a donation drive she is organizing for a needy family in Miami.  She read an article in the local paper about an unemployed widower raising 4 kids on his own after his wife passed away from cancer and whose 16 year old daughter is completely disabled.  Instead of just reading the article and feeling badly for this family, Suzy chose to do something about it and took action.  At the end of the article she writes:

I’m not asking you to give because God will reward you- because there’s no more proof of that than there is proof of Leprechauns. I’m asking you to donate because if it was you, you’d appreciate the same.

The second one is Tom Vanderwell, a mortgage broker from Grand Rapids, Michigan.  After chatting with him on Twitter he told me about his 2 adopted children and the challenge and life-awakening experience of raising a trans-racial family.  He was so passionate about the adoptions and how he felt blessed and was about to celebrate the kids’ 5-year  “coming home” anniversary.  Take a minute to read his story – Tom is now involved in helping the Haitian orphanage raise $2 million to build a new orphanage.

So there you have 2 examples of extraordinary human beings that don’t just sit idly by and watch others make a difference.  What’s important for us to understand is that we all take action in different ways and there is nothing wrong with that.  But I personally feel inspired when I hear great stories like that of Suzy’s and Tom’s.

I will leave you with some words by Kahlil Gibran in “The Prophet”:

There are those who give little of the much which they have – and they give it for recognition and their hidden desire makes their gifts unwholesome.
And there are those who have little and give it all.
These are the believers in life and the bounty of life, and their coffer is never empty.
There are those who give with joy, and that joy is their reward.
And there are those who give with pain, and that pain is their baptism.
And there are those who give and know not pain in giving, nor do they seek joy, nor give with mindfulness of virtue;
They give as in yonder valley the myrtle breathes its fragrance into space.
Through the hands of such as these God speaks, and from behind their eyes He smiles the earth.

A few years ago I joined a local cancer group in my area because my dad was fighting cancer and I felt I had to give back.  Since then I have become very active in the group, became president and thank God every day because my dad is in remission.

This past Wednesday we had our monthly meeting and prior to the meeting I received several calls from members excusing themselves because of sickness, being busy, having too much on their plate or just feeling down about the times.  If anyone understands, it would be me….(SIGH)….I feel like I’m so overextended at times and can’t find time to take a breath.

But here’s the thing – you are not alone – we all have problems and feel stressed and grasp for air as if we’re suffocating.  It’s important for us to take look around and see the brighter picture.

During the meetings we share “sunshines” and it’s not just about cancer – it’s about the good news around us that make us smile.  A member shared about their new grand daughter, someone else about a negative biopsy, and I decided to give thanks for everyone that was present.

It’s not easy to volunteer, and give your time for a cause when your life is so full and so busy.  In this time where everyone is struggling and the negative news are flowing, it is crucial and even more important to give back.  You have the power to make a difference and this is the time you are needed the most.

I looked at the small group present – a diverse group of moms, grandmothers, dads, students, teachers, professionals, cancer survivors…..and said…..THANK YOU for making a difference, THANK YOU for recognizing that although life can be tough, organizations like this one depend on unselfish individuals that believe in the power of intention.

So if you are sitting at home right now feeling sorry for yourself and trying to get a breath in between all the craziness – take a look at how you can help – MFFO will give you some amazing ideas that won’t take much time away from you, but truly will make a difference.

FIGHT ON DEANA!!!!!!!!!

Back in October I posted about the randomness and proximity of girlfriends being diagnosed with cancer.  Today I am especially heavy.  My girlfriend who was diagnosed with Burkitts Lymphoma in  October, was told that she has weeks to live, that though she has suffered through chemo, and radiation, the cancer is back and has spread.   She has 2 young children under the age of 5.  She has never waivered in her hope, and her determination to beat this cancer, yet this cancer is stealing Deana away from her family and friends.

In a Caringbridge blog,   Written in a by her husband he states,

“Deana wanted me to let everyone know that while we are hopeful, and are trying to remain positive, that the doctor did tell us that given the aggressive nature of Deana’s cancer, we are dealing with just a matter of weeks for Deana if not addressed. He has encouraged us to contact Hospice.”

Where do you start?  How to embrace each moment when everything in your body hurts?  How to capture memories and or make them for your children when you can’t get to the bathroom alone?  How to make time to say goodbye to your husband, and close up a life together.  To your parents, sisters, brothers?

Clearly, Deana’s story has me thinking, is it best to know when death is coming or not.  I have decided that yes, I would want to know so that I can complete my lists, have closure, have goodbyes, make memories for my children to open at sweet 16 and 21, marriage and birthdays.  In fact I am starting now, because what guarantee is there that I will know, this is something that can not wait.

The death of a mother is the hardest to bear for she is the one who is there for us the most.

International Women’s Day is a chance to stand with the women of southern Sudan, Rwanda, Afghanistan or any other country where we work and proclaim that women have rights and value. They are worthy of celebration and honor.  They are worthy of the economic and social change.

Racquel, hundreds of supporters have added their name to the list joining our call on March 5 or hosting an event of their own. They are standing with the women for grassroots solutions to end the food crisis and empower socially excluded women everywhere.

Join us for our celebration of the women we serve and supporters like you who are causing social change.

With food prices skyrocketing, women are wondering where they’ll find the next meal for their children and themselves. Women in the field are seeking the tools and skills that will allow them to end the food crisis forever. Thanks to your support, our commercial farming initiatives in Rwanda and Sudan go beyond traditional means of aid and actually teach the women the techniques and sustainable practices of organic farming.

Add your name to the list of supporters that are celebrating women on International Women’s Day.

Forward to a Friend

“2008 is almost over, which means your time to make a year-end tax-deductible donation to Habitat is running out – and there’s no better time to give than right now.That’s because all gifts made by 11:59pm EST on December 31 will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $500,000, thanks to a generous Habitat friend. So don’t delay! Donate today and DOUBLE your money’s power to fight poverty housing – here at home and around the world.”

I love Habitat for Humanity. I hope to build a home with them one day. I want my family to share that experience with me! So don’t waste another moment. Give one dollar and let them double that donation!

MAKE YOUR DONATION BEFORE 11:59 EST DECEMBER 31st!!

The high school and college group from Kennesaw First Baptist Church, in Kennesaw, Georgia will be traveling to San Pedro Sula, Honduras in July 2009, from the 11th -18th.  We will be led by Dan Moran with his international ministries, which is based in Birmingham, Alabama.  Dan leads several trips to Honduras a year.  He works with a ministry director located in the country of Honduras, who handles the logistics at that end, and matching the team with the need.  Some of the things we will be doing are:

Working with local feeding centers
Ministering in daycare centers
Working with our partnering church, Jerusalem Baptist
Crusades in local schools and at the new church site
VBS at day care centers and churches (possible)
Construction project with Jerusalem Baptist and their daughter church (possible)

My passion for missions is coupled with my passion for teens.  Especially for seeing teens involved in missions.  Involving teens in missions is a life changing experience.

This opens their eyes to the difficulties some people face, and the obstacles before them.  It opens their hearts to a life of service to other people.  Being involved in

mission projects help the teens and adults be more aware and grateful of the advantages we have, and thankful for our freedoms.

A website and blog has been created to support the mission trip to San Pedro Sula, Honduras.  It is called My Heart For Honduras.  We have a special way for you to help us accomplish this trip.  It has to do with CHRISTMAS SHOPPING!  Before you do any internet shopping for Christmas, please check out our site to see how you can give your heart for Honduras.

 Kathleen Couch

*Kathleen was asked to be a guest writer today on MFFO. We applaud and are inspired by her work and her passion. Kathleen was a volunteer youth director for a total of 20 years for several churches, depending on where her husband’s employment took her, Kathleen realized the best activities were ones that led teens to serve others.  At the present time she works with the teens in her church to serve others in mission projects.  Some of these are local, some in other places in the U.S., and some overseas.  One of the side benefits of this is the teens who participate have a life changing experience, and it develops them into a person who cares about his fellow man.

Specifically, 508,406.29% of them will be there three years or more. And at 18, they’re out of the system.

You don’t have to raise them to help them. You just have to raise your hand and say you’ll help.

Raise Me Up is a new initiative to show people the real difference they can make in the life of one of these foster children, simply by getting involved in a number of different ways.

Sponsored by Casey Family Programs, the nation’s largest operating foundation dedicated to improving foster care, the “Raise Me Up” campaign is aimed at sparking community involvement and raising awareness to help children in foster care. The more people know about the facts of foster care, the more we can do to improve the lives of children who experience it.

Research shows that young people in foster care are more likely than their peers in the general population to experience homelessness, poverty, poor health, unemployment, prison and other adversities after they leave the foster care system.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. When communities get involved, a world of better possibilities opens for children. Raise Me Up aims to strengthen families and motivate caring adults to guide vulnerable children to a brighter future.

Click here to learn more or help Raise Them Up.