pillowcase dresses

Heavenly Father,
Thank you so much for providing someone to sew these dresses for the orphans in Africa. I know that You have a special purpose and place for each one! Scattering Christ to the Nations.

Aug 24, 2010 A few women in my Small Group are interested in making the pillow case dresses, but we need to know the deadline for having them done and details on who we get them to. Carol Brown.


Sept 2, 2010 I've gotten some response, but plan to contact more in the next week. I believe there will be at least 4 or 5 ladies working on them. I believe we are just going to fund the pillowcases as well as make them. I will check, but I don't think we will need any materials. I'll get back with you.


Sept 3, 2010 Hi Lisa, We are going to get together on Friday Sep. 24th in the morning to sew. There are 9 women who are going to work on the dresses. We will also work independently. I have no idea how many we will be making, but we are going to start collecting pillowcases now. If you have extra pillowcases or ribbon that need to have someone working on them, let me know. Thanks, Carol Brown


Sept 4, 2010 Looks like I have 8 or 9 women now who will be starting on these dresses independently and then we are getting together to sew on Fri. Sep. 24th. I hope we get a lot done between now and the 24th, but who knows how fast it will go for them. I'll be in touch. Carol Brown


Sept 18, 2010 Lisa, Some of our ladies met Thursday night to get prepared for our big sewing day. Some have already started and we have 6 finished. We have about 25 pillowcases to do and twelve pieces of fabric. My goal is about 40 - 50 dresses by Oct 10th. Then we will keep sewing for the next group going in Nov.

I'm so thankful to the Lord to find something these women are excited about doing. I know young people don't understand, but some of these ladies are older, they have also lost their husbands and have health issues. They just can't go overseas for various reasons. They so desperately feel left behind when mission trips in foreign lands are talked about. Now, don't get me wrong, the women and men in the Branches class work locally in several different types of mission endeavors. Just wanted to say, the pillowcase dresses give them a way to extend their hearts to the church in poor countries.Another idea: My granddaughter had an idea about the little boys. She said, we could have t-shirts donated and just make colorful crop pants to go with them. If we had a few small groups bring solid t-shirts, maybe various color blues, then we could buy blue fabric prints for the crops and they would blend well together. Just a thought.Also, I purchased a pattern from eBay,( which has not come yet) of children's scrubs. The pattern says it's sizes 2-8.

reckless faith

Reckless Faith by Beth Guckenberger...... A must READ!

There are two kinds of learners

[1] Part to Whole [2]Whole to Part

Question: How many have no desire to volunteer for a committee or group project until you have established the purpose and final outcome?

Part-to-Whole's…

Solve math problem meticulously leaving nothing undone & never reads the last page of a book first.
Whole-to-Part's

Wonder will I ever use this math in real life & will not read the book w/o strong recommendations and a sneak look at the last page.

Imagine a Whole-to-Part learner with these fact:

• Having 'vision' means listening to the LORD and taking the next step in faith.
  

• Vision is not knowing the end of the game ahead of time.
  

• Having 'vision' means experiencing growth. In several years we will look back and think, "if I only knew then, what I know now".
  

• Vision is listening to God and stepping out in faith on a path whose end I cannot see.
  

• Vision is primarily seeing events and people from Christ's perspective. God sees people for who they are not what they are.
  

• Vision is believing there is someone on the other side of the ceiling when we look up at night.
  

• Vision is trusting that the call had a supernatural origin and not a logical explanation.
  

• Vision is believing in the relationship we have with our Creator.

My life experiences are building within me principles that I need for God's next call.

Important Lesson:

I have learned ministry is not just your day job or mission trips. Sharing life with these guys has taught me that all my moments can be ministry; eating, cooking, washing, cleaning, and sharing every moment God provides us together.

Homeless James

This man is only known as James. You can drive around a 4 square block area in downtown Birmingham and call his name and usually from between the buildings James will appear. He always says " I am starvin like marvin, do you have any food?"

lost ball in high weeds

For weeks now, one of our students has been walking around like a lost ball in high weeds. He is so sad about the circumstances that have come to pass in the 360 house. He is learning life is about choices, good and bad ones. He is learning life has boundaries and rules. Rules are in place for a reason and cannot be broken without consequences. One student is no longer part of the program, one is without a roommate, one-half of a closet is empty, mom and dad have the household chores of the missing link, now three do the job of four, rotation comes every three weeks instead of once a month, one is very lonely, and all of this due to ONE, yes one, wrong choice. How could ONE person, make ONE choice that could effect so many people?

SIN is not a friend; it is not merely a bump in the road of spirituality! 

Sin will take you further than you ever wanted to go.., 

Sin will keep you longer than you ever wanted to stay..., 

and Sin will cost you more than you can ever pay.., 

It can cost you, even your eternal soul!

Thank you Father, that you teach us lessons everyday. Help us all to walk in righteousness and turn from our flesh and this world. Thank you for Your creation in JJBG. Thank you Jesus for Your love and Your truth. We long to by like You and Gloify Your Name.

calling all believers in SS

Samaritan's Purse and church leaders in Sudan are calling on believers across the nation and around the world to participate in prayer as the nation of Sudan prepares for historic presidential and parliamentary elections. After two decades of brutal civil war during which more than 2 million people died, the CPA (Comprehensive Peace Agreement) was signed five years ago. The 2005 agreement was an uneasy truce, tied to a promise that the people of Southern Sudan would be allowed to participate in the national elections in 2010 and vote for independence in 2011. If successful, this balloting process could help lay the foundation for lasting peace across the nation. However, if violence erupts, it could start a chain reaction that draws the nations back into civil war.

public eavesdropping

You never know who is listening to you talk in public. Today we were shocked as we got up from our table to leave Niki's West after having vegetables for lupper (lunch and supper combined). An older gentlemen, with his wide brim straw hat still on his bald head, sitting alone at the table behind ours began to call out "wait a minute, I have something". Bullen politely stooped to hear his small voice, "I'm sorry?". "I have something" the sweet little man repeated. Bullen responded to him "No, this is my leftovers that I am taking with me". The little man repeated again as he was reaching into his pocket, "I have something for you that might help just a little." He pulled out a $20 bill and held it out for Bullen. This little "baba" had heard our conversation and the Sudanese accent as we talked during our meal.

Bullen, Andrew and myself had been talking about Sudan. We talked about a truck business, school books, supplies, crops, vegetables, rain, buses, roads, water wells, tukuls, raising money, bank accounts and so many other necessities they will need when they return to their home country. Our conversation led him to want to give to these young men (Bullen and Andrew) from South Sudan. Thank you Jesus for everything You do for us and help us to Glorify YOU every minute, everyday!

bbolden

This morning I called "BBolden" to say hello. She had gallbladder surgery last Friday and has been in a good bit of pain. Four of her seven children were in Birmingham for the weekend and were out of school today for a teacher's workday. As she answered the phone, I knew something was wrong. She was bathing the baby and picking up the house last night and ripped open her incision from surgery. It took her hours to stop the bleeding and her pain has intensified. I recommended she return to the hospital or at the very least call them for some advise.

As I sat down for supper tonight, my phone rang with the MS area code. Oh know, what in the world. I called "BB" back and she could barely talk. She asked for a favor. I agreed. She wanted to know if I would please take care of her children if something happened to her. I became mute. I didn't really know how to respond. She was sobbing so hard that I could not understand a single word coming from her mouth after the first sentence. She calmed a little and began to thank me for loving her and her children. She told me that no one ever loved her and Ranolpho would wait until the middle of the night and then begin to degrade and mistreat her.

I reminded "BB" that God knew her before she was born and loved her unconditionally. We prayed for strength and peace. I asked Josh to get her a cold wet cloth for her face. I asked Jacob to please feed the baby. During this conversation, I realized that she has not eaten in days, she is in so much pain, seven children needed a bath and to be put to bed, and that she was tired, weary, bleeding and scared. OK, Josh (12) has to take control. I talked to Josh again and told him to please (1) make mom a peanut butter sandwich (2) put the little guys to bed for school and (3) love on your mom and tell her it's going to be OK.

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for my sons and husband! Thank You for my family and friends. Thank You for loving me. Be with "BB" and her children and draw them close to You. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, Oh Lord my strength and my Redeemer.

b bolden family

more please

Rick and I picked up the oldest four "J's" about 4pm on Thursday, April 1st. Yes, It was April fools days and they played many pranks. Josh (12), Jacob (Jake) (10), JaShawn (Shawn)(7) and Jaylon (JayJay)(5) were so excited to be coming to Birmingham for the weekend. Muscacholi was being prepared at the house by Josh and Staci and almost ready when we arrived. The children ate and ate and ate until their little bellies were extended. The children are all very polite and very sweet to each other. Josh the oldest just turned twelve in March and he is a great big brother and takes care of all 6 of his little brothers. Josh carries so much responsibility for such a young age. After everyone had finished eating on Thursday night, he politely came and ask if he could have "More please". He ate four bowls of food, but not until everyone else had eaten. As bedtime rolled around, Jake and Shawn both wanted to sleep with Josh. JayJay went to spend the night with Josh and Staci and he slept between them. Friday morning I went into their room to check on them and the 7 year old was ironing his clothes. Wow! Friday and Saturday were filled with three boys going to work with me, to Etheridge Barber Shop for haircuts which revealed ringworm and dandruff, fishing at Spain Park, one lost fishing pole that sailed into the lake upon casting, playing with crickets and earthworms, walking across a concrete bridge with great fear, a snake on the rocks, warm showers and coconut lotion, clipped fingernails and toenails, Target and Walmart shopping, Easter egg hunt, swinging and sliding at the park, back yard wiffle ball, roasting marshmallows by the fire, riding in the big black truck, signing songs and talking about Jesus and praying together. It was a great way to celebrate our risen Savior! It was so much fun showing, sharing and serving these children from the black belt of Alabama.

Kisses from Katie

I just finished ready Katie Davis’ book and here this is her blog - kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com

This is Katie Davis. She is a 20 yr old from Brentwood, TN who lives in Uganda with her 14 adopted children. In addition to her 14, Katie cares for 400 impoverished children in the area. If you can take a few minutes to read some of her blog, I know you will be glad you did.

I have been following this blog for over 6 months and I look forward to each new post. Some members of The Church at Brookhills visited Katie last month and described their amazing time in Uganda. Uganda is also the home of Murchison Falls (Murchison is my maiden name). I plan to go to Uganda in the next few months with a couple who is adopting from Uganda - I can't wait to visit Katie!

To God be the Glory!