5 Practical Ways to Pray for the World

In our home, Superheroes may be pretty popular.  The handsome looks of Spiderman and Wonderpets are hard to ignore.  This is all fine and dandy to me - the fact that my kids idolize superheroes.  {I even bought them both capes to fuel their fire.}

But the REAL superheroes in my mind are the missionaries of this world.  The people who leave everything behind to show others in far away places that Jesus can be everything to them.

These are the real life superheroes that I want my kids to idolize.  The ones I want my children to be inspired by and hope to be like when they grow up.

The best way that I know how to do this is to start surrounding them with ideas and life from outside our little city. 

So, I bring you: 5 Practical Ways to Pray for the World.

1. A few years ago, I bought this book: Portraits by Steve McCurry.  It's an amazing book filled with striking images of people around the world.  I often let my kids look through it and marvel at the creativity our God had in creating people.

Prayer idea:  Pray for the people in each photo as a representation of the people in their native country.

This picture is from awhile ago when Jonah had to wear his helmet.

2. Use your natural home decor style to remind you of God's heart for people and the world.  You saw the interchangeable wreath I made last week.  Well, I found a permanent home for her.  In between a J and a Y - found at Joann Fabrics.  {I simply added a doily to each letter by spraying it with adhesive spray and pressing the doily firmly down.  Then trimmed around the edges.}

It {obviously} spells JOY.  And I purposely put it next to my map wall art because I want to be reminded that God wants "JOY to the World" all year round - not just at Christmas!

Prayer Idea:  Pick a different country on the map each day to pray that God's peace and JOY would rule over the hearts of the people.

Tutorial on how I made the map wall art here.

3. Today, I noticed the words "made in Madagascar" written on the tag of my little one's shirt.  She was snuggling me after her nap {such a sweet time} when I noticed it.  Many thoughts ran through my head.  I wondered what the conditions of the factory were.  I hoped the workers were getting a fair wage.  I almost became irate at the thought of me supporting something that might not be treating others with respect.

Then God spoke to my heart:  Pray for the countries where your clothes are made.  Check out your labels - I think you'll be surprised how many different countries are represented. 

Prayer Idea:  Look at the label of your clothing before putting it on each morning and pray for the country where you item was made throughout the day.

4.  Use the book Operation World to open your eyes to the specific needs of each country.  Their website highlights a different country and their specific prayer needs every day.  And an entire list of free prayer resources to help guide you.

Prayer Idea:  Sign up to receive their daily email that highlights a prayer point for a specific country and pray for that country over breakfast.  If you have kids, show them where the country is on the map as you pray for them.

5.  Use globes in your home decor.  The more the merrier.  Vintage, big, small, broken, dirty, new - they all are such masterpieces and reminders of how small we really are.

Prayer Idea:  Spin the globe and pray for wherever your finger lands!  You might find some "new" countries by doing this!  {Use the Operation World book to look up specific prayer needs of the country you land on!}

I'd love to hear any more ideas/resources you use to pray for God's people of the world, too!  What an honor we have to pray for those halfway across the world.  It's powerful.

Pick Your Plum Giveaway {48 hour giveaway}

Don't forget to enter your Pinterest Projects into the Challenge!  Link Party closes Sunday at midnight then voting opens for the awesome prize package.  

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Have you all heard of Pick Your Plum?  It's an incredible website that offers seriously sweet stuff at a major  discount. 

And it's something new EVERY DAY.  But the trick is to "get it before your neighbor does".  Don't hesistate because they often have a limited supply.  And once it's gone, it's gone!

Some days it's something to wear like this necklace of those leg/boot warmers.

The next day might be something crafty like baker's twine or fun tags.

Another day might be something personalized like this ribbon.

Every day is something new and something totally cute.  And guess what?  One of YOU are going to win $55 worth of Pick Your Plum awesomeness.  It's a surprise at what's actually going to be in the box, but with those images above as possibilities, you KNOW it's gonna be good!

Need to have a US shipping address to enter.  Giveaway will close Saturday morning!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

give when they can't give back

Awhile ago I posted this about my neighbor across the street.  The old, lonely woman who has no family and no visitors.

Well, since that post, I have failed to keep visiting her.  Every now and then I'd see someone come to her door and take her somewhere.  So, I assumed she was being taken care of.

I was wrong.

Last week, I was enjoying this nice Fall weather we are having in January with my kids.  She came to her door and yelled my name.  (well, she calls me "Bunny"... not sure why).  Slightly annoyed, I carried my toddler and my infant across the street (when all Jonah wanted to do was ride his bike), up her steps and into a house where they could touch nothing.

When I got to the door, she was crying.  Tears.  I come in to find out that she missed her appointment to get her food stamps renewed.  She handed me a letter ONE MONTH old stating her appointment was in November.  She has had no food for over a month.

She goes on to explain that she can't read and has no telephone to call the office.  And suddenly, this interesting feeling starts to come over me - a compassionate "I'll take care of you" attitude coupled with a "this is going to interfere with my life" feeling. 

The next morning, I take her down to the welfare office.  I promise to drop her off and pick her up when everything was set.  But, as I help her walk into the building, I realize that this woman needs more than a ride to the office... She needs someone to stand up for her.

So, I sit with her for two hours before we were told that the woman we need to see hasn't even arrived yet.

We leave.

And another week goes by of me calling DAILY to talk to someone at the office.  Another week with no food for my neighbor.  We brought a meager batch of groceries over to help curb her appetite until we could figure out this situation.

She finally has her benefits back and my husband and I have a new tradition of bringing coffee over to her every morning.  Those 15 minutes may be all the people interaction she gets all day.

I like helping my neighbors.  It's why we moved here - and it's nice to see some progress being made in the "loving people arena".

Which brings me to a new thought. 

I've recently been convicted that the money we (as a Better Life Bag community) give to Kiva.org isn't enough.  The money that I donate from 10% of your bag purchases eventually gets returned to me (since the process is a micro-loan).  And I think God would rather me give the money to people and things that can't repay me.

So, I'm going to start being obedient to that leading.  I'm going to start giving the money from your Better Life Bag orders to people and things that can't give back.  Are you ok with that?

I have a few ideas up my sleeve of needs in our little neighborhood, but for now, I think I'll start with my neighbor.

I told Neil that she could be our "family project."  He responded, "No.  She IS our family."

BLB of the day:

The Rachel

Save 10% with BAGOFTHEDAY {good only on this bag until midnight on date of blog post}

***linking up to Click.Pray.Love***

when a homeless man sleeps in your garage

I've been wanting to write this post for awhile.  Have started it multiple times and never finished.  We'll see how today goes.

A few months ago we had a homeless man sleeping in our garage.  Yes, you read that right.  A homeless man took up camp in our garage.

We invited him to stay.  Crazy?  Probably.  But we really felt like we had to be Jesus to this guy.  He stayed for 10 days before we took him to a rehab home, after he stole our bikes and $10.  I don't hate him for that.  My heart hurts for him and the addictions that he has.  I only wish we could've done more for him.

I did fear for my family's safety while he was resting his head on an air mattress in place of our CRV.  I made sure Neil double and triple checked the locks on the doors before going to bed.

And now, sometimes the thought of him coming back to our doorstep scares me a little.

But, thankfully, I'd handed over the safety of my family to God a long time ago.

Ever since our guest, my heart has been softer toward the people I see on the off-ramps of our highways.  Even more now that it's cold outside.

Today, an amazing opportunity dropped in our laps.  We were on our way to Bible Study (of all places) when we saw him: "Randy".  It's his normal corner on the off-ramp to Ford Road.  We drove by him and I noticed Jonah looking at him.  My mouth started to speak before my head could think twice.

"That man doesn't have anywhere to sleep, JoJo.  And no food to eat.  Should we pray for him?"

"uh huh"

Neil goes one step further - "Let's give him something to eat!"

"We don't have anything to give him," I exclaimed, but my Jesus-like husband pulled out his wallet and turned the car around.

JoJo watched the entire time as his Daddy became the hands and feet of Jesus.

Neil got back in the car and asked Jonah if he wanted to pray for Randy.

"God - thank you for Randy.  Peese help him," he said in his choppy toddler voice.

Tears welled up in my husband's eyes and we both realized the huge responsibility we have to teach our son {to model to our son} the heights and the depths that Jesus went to in order to love people.

We were a few minutes late to Bible Study, but I think Jesus was ok with that.

{comments are disabled on this post.  I don't want any praise.  If you feel the need to write a comment, you can email me.  But I'd prefer you just praise Jesus instead.  He deserves it.  Or go be Jesus' hands and feet to the next person you see on the corner.  It's not really our money anyway.)

a gift for you

I wish that I could give every one of you faithful readers a special gift this Christmas season.  To let you know how thankful I am for you.  But honestly, I just have no idea how many of you are actually out there.

Sure, my blog statistics give me some idea of the "reach" of this blog, but honestly, sometimes it feels pretty lonely and pretty quiet around here.  {cue crickets}

And sometimes I get pretty down when I feel like I'm writing to a wall.  {cue violin}

So, to stir things up a little around here, I'm going to give away TWO sets of my handmade bibs.  I've been cleaning and purging around here lately and these bibs just aren't getting the use that they should (we have WAY TOO MANY).  They've each been used just a handful of times and have absolutely no stains or discoloration to them.

If you've been around this blog for awhile, you've seen the tutorial for these bibs.  They were also featured over at A Little Tipsy with Michelle.  They are repurposed from child sized t-shirts and lined with super soft minky.  They wash like a dream and look even cuter on.

The first set is for girls only.  It's full of pinks and teals, frills and rhinestones, and Hello Kitty.

Here's a close up of all the bibs included in this gift set.

 Then let's not forget about the boys!  Here is their set full of plaid, buttons, trouble, and fun!

And the close up.

All you have to do to win one of these sets is to comment below on this blog post telling me which set you'd like to win. 

I'll draw TWO winners on Thursday morning (12-1-11) and announce it here on the blog!  Merry Christmas!

BLB of the day:

The Lunch Bag

Save 10% with BAGOFTHEDAY {good only on this bag until midnight on date of blog post}

$1,950

Each month I LOVE updating the side bar image on the blog with how much has been loaned by Better Life Bag customers to low income entrepreneurs in developing countries through Kiva.

It warms my heart to know that the bags you're buying and the ones I'm making are not just to make US feel better.  They truly do make lives better.


Here are the latest loans given out:

Fatmata to help with her clothing sales business:

Mamadou to help get his new grocery store off the ground:

And James to help with his tailoring business:

Aren't they beautiful?  And to think that you had a part in helping them be able to provide for their families.  THIS is what Better Life Bags is all about.  Thank you for helping me do this.  $1,950 loaned to 51 people in 22 countries.  Awesome.

ps... tonight is the deadline to vote for the Pinterest Challenge winner.  Be sure to make your vote count!

42 weeks of pregnancy prayers - now available!

I've worked long and hard on these.  And even had some of YOU help me edit them.  And finally, they are done!  The 42 Weeks of Pregnancy Prayers are up for sale here.

I hope that many of you will take advantage of the incredible gift these could be for you, your baby, or your pregnant friends and family.  Don't wait until the baby shower to give it to them - they will miss too many weeks of prayer.  Print them off as soon as you find out their little bundle of joy is coming.  What a precious gift.

This pack does cost a tiny penny.  And I thought seriously about whether or not to charge for them.  The prayers for your husband pack will always be free since I used someone else's prayer guide to create those.  But these pregnancy prayers came from the heart of me as a momma. 

And even though they cost about $.26/card, it's literally the gift that can be given over and over.  Purchase the prayer pack once and print out as many copies as you want - whenever you want!  {You will be able to download the cards to your computer within 24 hours of purchase} 

All I ask is that you do not forward the download links or prayer cards in ANY digital format (they cannot be shared through email).  The only proper (and legal) way to gift these cards is in print form.  And it's so easy to print!  Just take them to a Kodak picture maker and print them off as if they were regular photographs!  Display them in a photo book, wrap them up with ribbon, make a homemade flip book - the creative options are endless!

Here is one of my favorite pages from Week 25:

Every other card alternates between the pronouns "he" and "she".

I absolutely LOVE the concept of these.  Almost enough to get pregnant again - just to be able to pray through them as baby #3 develops.  ... ok, maybe not!  I'll just have some fun gifting them for awhile!

Read some reviews, more details, and get yours here.  Thank you for supporting Better Life. 

And yes, proceeds from these cards also benefit low income entrepreneurs in developing countries... just like every Better Life Bag.

P.S. The Better Life Bag I'm working on today is:

The Emily

Craft Hope: Christmas Stocking Tutorials!

Craft Hope's new project has been out for awhile.

Have you seen it?

We're making Christmas stockings to send to tornado victims!

(click for detailed details)

Here's some info taken straight from the Craft Hope site:

"For Project 14 :: Christmas in Dixie we have partnered with Christmas in Dixie for Tornado Survivors to provide handmade stockings for the 12,000 families that lost everything to the tornadoes. Yes, 12,000 families that will not be pulling the Christmas ornaments and decorations out of their attic. 12,000 families that have to build their lives again. We know we cannot do everything, but we can do little things. And these little things make a BIG difference."

Ahhhhhh.

I LOVE Craft Hope.

They embody my heart.
Crafting

and

Hope.

If only I had thought of the concept first.

BUT, I LOVE that they invite us to join with them in their ventures.

Remember when we all made bracelets for orphans last time?

Here is a picture of a BLB reader who got some girls together to make bracelets!
They made 74 that night!

Stocking deadline for this project is September 23rd.

So get sewing!
And send me pictures of what you make!

And just so you can find lots of free stocking tutorials in one place,

I've done the hard work for you.

Check out my Pinterest Board FULL of stocking tutorials.

You're welcome.

Bags shipping today...

Here are the Better Life Bags shipping today.

Enjoy some eye candy.

The Carla in fabric #48

 The Lydia in fabrics #17 and #18

Plus two adorable changing pads that I somehow missed taking a picture of.

Sad.

Do you see your bag here?!

Want to?

I show off your designs at the beginning of each week.

So, get your order in!

It's also the start of a new month {can you believe it is September?!}, 

which means...

NEW KIVA LOANS!

These are the two incredible men that the money from your bags went to help last month.

Nelson from Kenya

and Majeda from Jordan.

Click here to see what they are planning on using the money for.

By the way...

have you seen the new blog design, yet?

If not, click over...

It's coming along!

My favorite new feature is this button seen on the left hand side of the blog.

At any time, you can come click on this to see all the people you have helped by purchasing from Better Life Bags.

Pretty amazing, right?

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to GIVE THIS MUCH.

Kiva Team Update and a Giveaway Winner!

Remember the challenge?

Well, we got CLOSE to 50.

27 members to be exact.

And I'm SO happy that each of you have joined!

So happy that I decided to do the giveaway anyway.

Just to say thanks.

I used random.org and had it pick a number between 1 and 27.

It chose #20, so I counted to the 20th person to join and the winner is....

CAITLIN!!!

I sent you a message through our Kiva Team page.

Caitlin wins a $25 KIVA gift certificate to make her first loan!

AND she gets to design her own Tracey clutch!

Congrats Caitlin!

Email me at betterlifebags@gmail.com to claim your prize!

If you forgot, or just didn't get a chance to sign up under our Better Life Bags Kiva Team,

please consider?

We were ranked #3 this month under the category "new members"!

I promise it's free to sign up and only takes a few minutes.

Plus, you never know when I might just randomly pick another winner from our Kiva Team!

New Kiva Loans and a chance for a GIVEAWAY!!!

Your incredible boost in sales allowed me to make 

FOUR MORE KIVA LOANS!!!

Every time I go to make a loan to someone who is trying to make it in their own corner of the world, my heart gets excited.

Hearing {or reading} their story and how they will use the money loaned to them from Better Life Bags encourages my heart and makes me feel like I am making a difference

for

at least

one

person.

Here are the recent recipients of Better Life Bag loans THANKS to your purchases!

Alvaro from Costa Rica - using the loan to increase his crop yield of coffee.

Amale from Iraq - using the loan to buy a new sewing machine for her tailoring business.

Aralkul from Kyrgystan - will use the loan to purchase two cows for breeding.

Eddy from Peru - will use the loan to modernize her weaving tools for her business.

 Now, I have a favor to ask.

Our Better Life Bag KIVA Team only has 14 members.

that makes me sad.

I KNOW I have more than 14 people reading this blog and following along on Facebook!

Please consider signing up under our team.

You don't HAVE to make a loan to sign up.

There is just power in numbers!

Here are some stats on our little team so far.

{who, may I add, are made up of some incredibly generous and amazing people!}
We've given 34 loans for a total of $1,350!!!

All with JUST 14 PEOPLE.

Remember, you don't HAVE to loan any money to sign up under our team.

Just get in with the BLB KIVA team and do some looking around the KIVA site.

I won't judge you if you decide to loan after that! :)

I've made a goal for our team to reach 50 members by June 4th.

Help us get there!

On June 4th, if we reach 50 members, I'm going to have a giveaway.

But  only the people who joined our KIVA team are allowed to enter.

{or are already a part of it}

Is that enough convincing?!

Need that link one more time?

Here it is!

Thanks so much for joining me in making lives better around the world.

Anything we do is being used by God to share His love.

I'm confident of that.

{ps... if anyone is already a part of the BLB Team and can attest to how great KIVA is, please comment below!!}