charity – The (Not-So) Newlywed Lefebvres

Good Morning Friends!

I don’t know how the weather is where you are, but here in Atlanta, we have almost 70* temperatures!! Raining or shining outside, it makes me smile when the weather warms up! There’s just something about not having to have either the heat or the air conditioning on!

Today, on Thank You Jesus Tuesday, I wanted to share an amazing organization with you – and an opportunity to help children. Craig and I have made it no secret that we have been ready (since September 15, 2012) to be parents for a while now, but in the waiting for Jonah…in the waiting for an adoptive child…there is so much we can do to help.

‘Dream Weavers of Georgia is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of foster children.[Their] goal is to create opportunities and provide resources that promote educational, emotional and social well being of Georgia’s foster children.’

No matter where you reside or how many children you have, you can help Dream Weavers of Georgia’s children, too! Click here to see an array of opportunities to donate money towards new shoes, school supplies, a haircut or even dance lessons for a precious foster child.

In 2014, in the State of Georgia alone, there were almost 9,000 children in the foster care system. For the same year, the U.S. Department of Children & Family Services reported over 415,000 in foster care in the country! Programs like Dream Weavers provide a little light and love for these kids, and you can so easily be a part of making a difference in a precious child’s life!

If you live in Georgia, there are tons of volunteer opportunities and numerous events throughout the year to participate in! DWOG does an annual Tubing Trip, Pool Party, Fall Festival & Christmas Parade each year for the kids and I’m sure they can never have too many hand on-deck! 🙂

Check out Dream Weavers of Georgia or do a little research and find out how you can help foster children in your area. Let this be your Valentine. ❤

Good Morning and Happy First Friday of 2014!!

On this Food For Thought Friday, I was sort of stumped about what to write…and that isn’t typical for me. I usually have plenty to say – as most who know me might agree. 😉 After this morning’s Pure Barre class, Craig and I chatted on the phone and tried to come up with something…But neither one of us had any ideas or anything weighing on our minds that seemed worthy of a “FFTF” post…

And then I checked my e-mail when I got to the office this morning, and saw my YouTube update, and one of the videos was this one:

And I knew that this was what we were meant to share today.

Just take a gander at the lyrics:

“10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord)”

[Chorus]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I’ll worship Your holy nameThe sun comes up, it’s a new day dawning
It’s time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes[Chorus]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I’ll worship Your holy name

You’re rich in love, and You’re slow to anger
Your name is great, and Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find

[Chorus]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I’ll worship Your holy name

And on that day when my strength is failing
The end draws near and my time has come
Still my soul will sing Your praise unending
Ten thousand years and then forevermore

[Chorus x2]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I’ll worship Your holy name

Jesus, I’ll worship Your holy name
Lord, I’ll worship Your holy name

Sing like never before
O my soul
I’ll worship Your holy name
Jesus, I’ll worship Your holy name
I’ll worship Your holy name

How apropos for a new year: “The sun comes up, there’s a new day dawning; It’s time to sing your song again. Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me, let me be singing when the evening comes.”

We are actually working on this song with our choir at church, but I almost like it better as a ‘solo’ piece…So maybe stay tuned? 🙂

So the take-away for this Food For Thought Friday should be to allow God to work in your 2014 like you have never allowed Him before. No matter what happened before or what is going to happen down the road, walk right by His side. Let Him be your strength.

That’s a hard pill to swallow for us strong-willed folk…But the Jesus Calling devotional for January 1st says, “Come to me with a teachable spirit to be changed. A close walk with Me is a life of continual newness. Do not cling to old ways as you step into a new year. Instead, seek My face with an open mind, knowing that your journey with me involves being transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

Today’s Jesus Callling devotional reads, “Learn to hide in the secret of My Presence, even as you carry out your duties in the world. I am both with you and within you. I go before you to open up the way, and I also walk alongside you. There could never be another companion as devoted as I am.” (Reference: Psalm 31:19-20; John 16:33; Romans 12:2; & Jeremiah 29:11)

Let the verses above and this beautiful and heartwrenching song melt over you this morning. Really take a moment to think about letting GO and letting God this year…

One more piece of “Food For Thought” today… With Thanksgiving and Christmas now over, many people forget that charities are still in need of donations beyond “the holidays”. Consider this today, and search out an organization like the one below in your own community. (Or you can certainly use this one!)

Click on the logo for more information! Food is something we all can certainly “afford” to give! (And if not, let me know, and Craig & I will send you some food!)

Happy Friday Everyone! Stay WARM wherever you might be!!!

Lots Of Love,