This Is Kristin

I attempted to go to work today, after being sent home with a headache, chills, body aches, stomach ache, and a really swollen and sore toe.  I got in bed, and I’m still here.  I really hate to be sick, and am contemplating going to the doctor soon, because I think I am having an allergic reaction to the bee I got stung by, yesterday.  

In other news, the bloggers today are really great.  

Licia~ is working “in the trenches,” so to speak, and is doing really amazing things in Haiti.  She’s got a whole lot of before and after pictures of these people they are nursing back to health, and it’s really amazing. 

Chris~ is speaking about Kiva, which is a really great organization.

I stepped on a bee, while walking through the grass, (well, actually it was clover, which has totally taken over my grass).  I had to actually pull the bee off of my toe!  

Then it just kept stinging, with the stinger left in, and so I limped to my first aide box, saying, “oww, oww, oww…” and opened the tube of benadryl cream from last year that was sealed shut. So I limped to find the scissors which were not where they were supposed to be because the boys had just used them to open their popsicles.

I finally found them outside, and I cut off the top of the tube to find clotted cream… so I just sat down in the middle of the garage, holding my stinging toe, while my boys stared at me.  

It hurt, I know, I’m a wimp….(but, I must admit that it was better stepping on a bee, then the time I sat on a bee)  

“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.  Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
      ~ Isaiah 40:29-31

Today’s bloggers are:

Lorijo, speaking about Peru and an organization that is helping people there. 

and

Fay, speaking about Charity: Water, through an interesting interview. 

Lavender is my favorite flower, for smell, appearance and usefulness. I never knew there was such a thing as huge lavender farms, can you imagine how good that would smell?

(photo from Camilla Engman) 

Today’s bloggers are speaking about two specific areas of the world.   

Scott, speaking about France, and the needs of the people there, and a church that is really reaching people.

Gene, speaking about India and the Dalit people.  

That is the theme of our bloggers today.  Blessings in Backpacks, and Hope in Chests.  

Autumn, is a cultured, traveled, experienced woman, who is taking on the mission of caring for her children, as a stay at home mom, and along with that serving her community through local organizations.  One of the great organizations  being, Blessings in a backpack.  

Kelley, also a traveled, and compassionate woman, talking about her heart for orphans, one special orphan in particular, and the organization “Hope Chest.”

I think my favorite part of the day is dusk.  I love being outside in general, I could be all day long, but I really love to drive or walk around at dusk.  The sun is such a warm, soft color, and it makes all the other colors seem warm, soft and peaceful.  There’s just this feeling that goes along with it, that makes me relax.  If I didn’t get everything I needed to get done that day, then- oh well.  At dusk, I don’t need to think about it.  The day is closing, and tommorrow is still far enough away.

 It’s as if there’s these few hours that are made for being reflective, or stilling your mind all together, and it seems that whatever kind of day I’ve had, when dusk comes, I can take a moment and look at the sky, and feel ok.

(It’s also the best time of the day to take pictures, I’ve heard)

 If I had to choose, I think I like to watch a sunset, over a sunrise.  

How about you?

Today both of the bloggers have very unique and creative ways that they or the organizations they are speaking of, are helping in Africa.  

Annie, is speaking about “Luo, which literally means to “set free”.”  You have to go see what Luo is all about, and the way that they are raising money, for these African communities.  

P.D. is talking about the Jesus>Thirst t shirts, (which I love) and Blood Water Mission.  Both simple, yet powerful organizations.  

(isn’t that picture of that little boy over there, sooo cute?)  

Todays blogger for the 40 Day Fast, is Brian, speaking about the global food crisis, and practical ways we can help.