A Heavy Heart

As I layed in bed last night saying my prayers before I went to sleep, I was overcome with extreme sadness for the all people affected by the Haiti Earthquake. As I prayed that God would wrap His loving arms around them to comfort and heal all those affected by the earthquake, tears began to roll down my face.

As I cried just imagining how scared and helpless all these people must feel, I was reminded of a sweet young man that my hubby and I met at the resort while on our weddingmoon in the Dominican Republic. This young man referred to himself as "Goofy" and had the kindest, sweetest heart. Goofy explained to my hubby that he lived on the opposite end of the country in Haiti and was there to work in the Dominican Republic for the "busy season."

He explained that each year during the busy season he would travel to the Dominican Republic to work at the resort in Punta Cana only to return back to Haiti with the money that he made to live on the for remainder of the year. He shared with us that he made $500 during the busy season and that is what he and his future wife would live on during his time away from the tourists in Punta Cana. I was blown away by the fact that he lived for 6 months on $500 and quickly realized just how poverty stricken the region was.

When we left to come home we gave him our email address so that he could let us know how he was doing and gave him a little money so that he might live a little more "comfortably" while he was back in Haiti. We have never heard anything from him, but pray that he and his wife are safe. I am sure that there are other stories like mine...simply about people meeting sweet people from Haiti along the way in life that have left us all wondering tonight about their safety.

I cannot even begin to imagine what these people are going through in Haiti. I knew that it was very heavy on my heart to help, realizing all of our blessings. I know that there are numerous organizations that are raising money to aide in the crisis efforts in Haiti.

An organization close to my heart is Compassion and the money that you donate will go to help children and their families affected by this crisis. Just $35 will give a family in need there food and water for a week. If you are unable to provide monetary support at this time you can still help all those in need, PLEASE PRAY! God will hear all of our prayers!

Haiti Earthquake

Every Little Bit Helps!

We have a wonderful, selfless God that always loves us unconditionally. I believe that giving is not only an act that expresses our desire to be as loving and selfless as Jesus, but it also encourages us in our daily walk of faith to live like Him.

In Luke 6:38 it says, "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

My good friend Brooke and her husband Seth have two precious little boys. Here is one of their family pics...they are an absolutely precious little family!

Their youngest son Cash has down syndrome and is the cutest, sweetest little boy ever! Tell me that you couldn't just eat him up...too cute!!

In order to help meet the needs of the Down Syndrome Association of Tulsa, my friend Brooke and her family are doing the Buddy Walk in October.
The Down Syndrome Association of Tulsa (DSAT) is a non-profit organization that exists to enhance the lives of individuals with Down syndrome, their families and caregivers. This is accomplished by providing support, encouragement, current information, education, opportunities for socialization and by promoting community recognition of the inherent dignity of all people with developmental disabilities.

To support their effort in raising money for DSAT you can go to this website to sponsor Cash and make your donation...just remember that every little bit will help!

Natalie

Children's Miracle Network Gameroom Giveaway!

Microsoft and Xbox have teamed up with the Children's Miracle Network to put together a very special giveaway for some very deserving kids! Based on your votes, the top 3 hospitals will receive an Ultimate Gameroom Giveaway and have their current gameroom upgraded beyond their wildest dreams. This is such an awesome opportunity to help, so please take the time (it literally takes less than 1 minute) to follow my lead and vote!

You are allowed 10 votes per day, so if we all chip in and vote it will really add up! When you go to the Gameroom Giveaway page and register to vote it even gives you the option to sign up to receive daily reminders via email to vote. When you follow my link and get to the Gameroom Giveaway page you will see the following box:

You will need to click on this box to register your votes, choose the hospital (or hospitals if you are like me) and click on the box to vote! You can proceed to click that box up to 10 times per day.

There are 2 children's hospitals that are very close to my heart. I will be alternating my daily votes between Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock (you know I am partial to this one for sure) and The Children's Hospital at St. Francis here in Tulsa.

Both facilities are so wonderful and they really do such a great job at taking care of little ones in need. Anyone who has ever visited either one of these hospitals knows that the staff at either of these places is amazing. These are the most genuine, caring people that you will ever meet.

I hope that you will take the time to participate so that 3 lucky hospitals can be blessed with just one more way to brighten the little faces that cross their paths.

Natalie