You know how you can just get so completely caught up in your own self, you forget that maybe, just maybe, there are other people who are actually worse off?
So here's what actually happened. I was watching Idol Gives Back last night. There's no way you can watch that show and not realize how unfortunate some children in this world really are.
Rob and I have been struggling for a few months to make our own ends meet around here, and honestly, it never occurred to me that I could possibly be in a position to help someone else.
How very selfish is that?
I didn't feel inclined to use my phone last night to call into the show and make a cash donation. But then it hit me.
Like all of you, I was deeply moved when Shannon and Sophie went to Africa recently with the Compassion group and did such a wonderful job showing us what's really happening to children there.
Still, it didn't occur to me that I could help. How could I help someone else when I could barely make my own monthly obligations?
I realized, recently, that I had to do something, anything, to help our situation here at Chelseaville. So I did something my whole family has been trying to talk me into for years and years. I decided maybe I could open a little shop and sell some of the things I make.
In order to get it started, I decided to go ahead and offer baby burp cloths on this site, before the shop opens.
The response was and still is completely shocking to me. I've been shipping burp cloths out of this house like a crazy person, for a week, and I woke up this morning to, get this - almost $300 in new orders. I swear, who on earth knew there were so many burpy babies out there!
Last night it just smacked me - I CAN sponsor a Compassion child, for the meager cost of what I make for selling just two sets of burp cloths a month. Good grief.
For a mere $32 a month, I can make a huge impact on that little girl's life.
And about my own problems? You know, I have a clean house to live in and a nice soft bed that's not swarming in mosquitos to sleep in every night. One way or another, I always have food in this house. And I have clean water to drink.
I'm in pretty darn good shape, don't you think? And I can tell you, it's been a long long time since anything made me feel as good as sponsoring this child makes me feel.
I'll bet if you think about it, you can sponsor a Compassion child too.
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35 comments:
Oh Barb, I admire you so much! Bless you for sponsoring this beautiful little girl!
Congrats on the success of your burp cloth orders. I have to pay you for my order! :)
Perfect perspective, Barb. And your heart is overflowing with love, and that little one is so fortunate to have you there for her too.
Congratulations on your sales! I never doubted your success for a second. And it will keep growing, just wait and see!
I was also moved by Sophie's posts and chose a little girl, Brenga, to sponsor.
Congrats on the burp cloth success. I can't wait until you get your little shop open!
We sponsored, too. A little girl with the exact same birthdate as E. It's changed our home, our prayer life and our hearts.
I pray things get better for you, Barb. Your giving heart will be rewarded.
It is so easy to get caught up in what is going on in your own little world that you forget there is a world of people in far greater need out there.
Congratulations on your sucess! In the midst of all that was going on God was clearly carrying you through.
What amazed me was how easily we waste, completely waste, the money it cost to sponsor a child, so we did, and I quit drinking diet coke for the most part, and that alone was enough money to sponsor her. Makes drinking diet coke seem pretty expensive when it's that or sponsor a child. Good for you, you must feel very empowered to be able to not only help your own budget but to help a child too. xoxo
You know, even in our day to day struggles to make ends meet we are so rich in comparison to the rest of the world. We have a bed to sleep in and a table with food on it.
It is amazing what we take for granted.
Our child's picture is on our refrigerator. She even wrote us a note at Christmas that we have on the fridge too.
Of course, my Butler has been giving and sponsoring and all for a hundred years. He's the missions pastor after all. But the joy for us has been to teach our kids to do the same. To create a generation that is more aware of the needs past their own noses.
Thanks for this Barb. You are good Nana and now, a savvy businesswoman :)
Oh, I needed this reminder. I'm going to head on over to the compassion website now.
And congratulations on your burb clothes! When will we be able to order other items?
You have such a huge heart. You really do. I'm glad the burp cloths are going off with out a hitch. Right now I dont have any friends pregnant or little ones that need them...I'm waiting for your shop to open though,
and I cant wait.
Thanks Barb for the perspective and view into your life. We sponsor an 18 year old through Compassion and it truly is wonderful to help even when you're in need of help yourself. Again, thank you for sharing the love, always teary-eyed, laughing or hungry when I step away from A Chelsea Morning, and one more thing... my suggestion: bake some cookies *smile*
We can never outgive God, Barb, and as we step outside ourselves it allows for Him to move in our own lives. I'm so excited for you and Rob in this sponsorship, it will change you. Our family has sponsored 2 children through World Vision and watching the kids grow and thrive is a beautiful thing. And even when we went through rough times God always provided, maybe not in any way we imagined but we were always taken care of and we never missed a month of sponsorship. God is good.
Speaking of burp cloths, I emailing you because I need to you know, order some. :v)
We've sponsored a child through CFCA for about 10 years now. I thought it would be a good thing to do "for the kids," but I have learned more through this than I think they have. I think it's still hard for them to learn to appreciate how much they have, living in a world where they want for nothing. Congratulations on your success in your new business, Barb!
May God continue to bless you as you give back. He loves all even those who are in need and those who can help.
~Amy
Barb, I think that is just wonderful! And I am so happy to hear that your business is going so well. You are being blessed and you are a blessing.
AMEN!!!!!
Oh, this brought me to tears. First I chuckled at the "who knew there were so many burpy babies out there? (I did, for one!)
We are truly blessed beyond what we ever need. Thanks for this post.
I'm so glad you have a child in Kenya!
Oh, this brought me to tears. First I chuckled at the "who knew there were so many burpy babies out there? (I did, for one!)
We are truly blessed beyond what we ever need. Thanks for this post.
I'm so glad you have a child in Kenya!
bless you Barb
I sponsor a little girl called Aria
shes a New Zealander and has a major health problem
you can read more about her on my blog
shes in my side bar
jen
We adopted a little World Vision child this year! H-Bear often prays - of her own volition for our precious little one who lives in Albania. And as for the country - well there is more talk about Albania in this house than you would ever believe! So you just might be able to throw a little geography lesson for your sweet little grandkids one day - based upon this dear little one - ENJOY!
Sweet blessings!
Renee
We sponsored a child in Thailand until the Tsunami hit and we can't bring ourselves to think what might have happened to her. :( We will sponsor a child as soon as we can .I think that is a wonderful thing to do in the family and for mckenna to grow up knowing that other children are not as fortunate..
We sponsored a child from kindergarten to college--it was one of the best memories of my entire teen/college experience! I still have all of his letters, and there's nothing better than knowing that I helped him out a little. Now we sponsor a little girl from Thailand who's Caiden's age, and I can't wait to watch her grow up from afar!
Way to go, Aunt Barb!! Nothing will make you feel your plenty like giving to somebody else!
So many times I only think of children in need at Christmas time but forget the rest of year is just as hard for them! Thanks for reminding me of what I could be doing and how blessed I really am.
I'm so glad the burp clothes going great. I just heard that my friend is going to be a Grandma. Every Grandma needs burp clothes! I'll wait until we know what the baby is and order some clothes. I can't wait for the sock monkeys.
Barb:
This is an example of why you inspired me in the first place. I have adopted a soldier in Iraq through Soldier's Angels and I know what it means to give a little but yet so much. I would love to sponsor a child as well and will be looking into that now. Thanks for your continued inspiration!
Oh Barb! She's as beautiful as the rest of your family! Good for you and your loving heart.
I had the exact same thought as I was watching Idol Gives Back. My mind went right back to those Compassion bloggers and their trip. We plan to sponsor a little one this month. I just can't believe so little can help so much!
AND I got my burp cloths!! They are SO precious. You are so gifted - I cannot sew a straight line to save my life! I'm looking forward to your shop opening. Glad you decided to do this, Barb. I know you'll be a huge success. (I mean your success will be huge, not you. lol)
Have you ever heard that song... (or scripture for that matter)
"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." - Jesus, Luke 6:38
It is so true, isn't it?
I just received my into packet from Compassion and you have inspired me to post about the experience...we already have a little girl we sponsor through World Vision. And...well, I'll wait and post it over at my blog.
I don't want to monopolize the comments.
That's soooo very cool, Barb. Our child is in Indonesia and we sponsor through World Vision.
Blessings,
~Toni~
That is so very sweet of you, Barb. The Lord is blessing you, so you can be a blessing to others. :)
It's so true...we can get so self-absorbed in our little worlds, especially here in the U.S where most of us are so blessed. Such a beautiful thing you are doing, Barb!
Our family doesn't have a lot, but we were able to go to Disneyland- and just got back! (Of course, we couldn't afford to fly this time, so it was a road trip...and we survived!)
Come on over and read the first two parts when you get time! :)
We sponsor a little boy in South America and it's so rewarding to know we're helping him. We love receiving correspondence from him and sending him special items he can use in his schooling.
Congratulations on the success of the burp cloths AND your new child. We can all make a difference in another human's life if we have our heart in the right place.
Maria is beautiful, Barb. And so is your heart, because it's full of Jesus. Keep us posted on her doings as you can. xxxooogretchen
You must be very busy burp-clothing, since there's no Sunday Meanderings!
We sponsored a child in February. It is a wonderful feeling, and so excited when you get your packet with the pictures and information about your child.
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