PENSIEVE

Joy, in words and pictures

This post will be most complete if you add your own favorites ~ Inspiring quotes or favorite scriptures that esteem joy.  Please share your voice in comments.

 

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children
are walking in the truth. ~ 3 John 1:4

 

Hope fills the afflicted soul with such inward joy and consolation, that it can laugh while tears are in the eye, sigh and sing all in a breath; it is called "The rejoicing of hope."
~ William Gurnall

 

I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles
my joy knows no bounds. ~ 2 Corinthians 7:4b

 

When large numbers of people share their joy in common,
the happiness of each is greater because each adds fuel
to the other's flame. ~ Augustine

 

You have shown me the way of life, and you will fill me
with the joy of your presence. ~ Acts 2:28

You will find a joy in overcoming obstacles. ~ Helen Keller

 

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4

 

But my joy has truly come from Him finding His joy in me rather than me finding my joy in what I desire. It doesn't mean I don't long for different, it just means I find peace in fulfilling rather than understanding.  ~ Sara Frankl, @gitzengirl

 

 

Photo credits:  Photo around the laptop & of Sara with Elias, lifted from Jessica's blog; photo of (in)courage team jumping on the beach, courtesy of Dawn Camp from our Flickr pool.

The accidental vlogger

I was shocked one night to discover this on YouTube when I was searching for something else--

Meeting Pinki for the first time, the little girl from India I sponsor through Compassion International.  

It's was a beautiful, awkward, painful, heart-spinning moment, and I think all of that shows on my face.

I hadn't realized the video existed; maybe I was aware of it at the time, but it didn't register.  When I found it...and then played it...I was transported back to Kolkata with my Compassion Blogger team, and my spirit ached for a place that will forever hold slivers of my heart.  

There's so much I could say, but I'd rather you spend time ~

• reading accounts by others affected by Compassion's work (and feel free to link your own thoughts at (in)courage)
• looking around Compassion's site and finding a child to sponsor yourself
• and maybe watching my video.  

(It's probably helpful to know part of the awkwardness was due to pre-maturely meeting Pinki; the blogging team was "hiding" until the children were settled and she had to use the restroom.  But it was kinda magical--when our eyes met as she walked by, we "knew" each other and it was impossible not to meet apart from the other children and their sponsors.)

 

Pretty snails

Sometimes my daughter asks loaded questions...

"What are you doing tonight...?"  

There's a swollen pause at the end of her question, and dancing eyes tell me she Has Ideas and they're probably better than anything I have in mind.  

 

“Let’s write our Compassion children.”

* 

*

*

Though not her intention, the suggestion mounds heaps of guilt on my shoulders.   As much as I believe in Compassion International...as often as I pray for my girls...and in spite of traveling to Calcutta to meet one of my Compassion babies, I was a horrible corresponder last year. 

During every home visit we made in India, children would unbury treasure, stacks of papers and pictures from their sponsors.  Proudly, they’d announce their sponsor’s name and country, from their respective countenances, a proclamation of royalty.  Their sponsors have changed their lives.

Without another word, I pull out my stack of treasures from my children, words and masterpieces crayoned on flimsy paper.  I look at their faces, pictures pinned to my refrigerator with Mary Engelbreit and Clemson Tiger paw magnets, and settle down to write.  In 14 minutes I’ve finished both.

Fourteen minutes.

Rachel has ignited something in me though, and I keep writing.  A sympathy card to a friend who lost her father days ago; a relative celebrating a birthday; and nine more thank you letters, lingering from Christmas, added to my original two notes for Compassion.

It’s after mid-night.

Thirteen letters, 13 handwritten cards and letters, and I affix postage and return labels and shuffle the stack of mis-matched envelopes. 

This feels good. 

I feel accomplished (and sleepy).

I’m sad to have to wait

    two...

        whole...

            days...

to mail them because of no mail on Sundays and holidays. 

But I’m happy for my daughter’s gentle kick in the behind, and for not listening to the clammor of the urgent and inconsequential over the whisper of the important.

My mailbox will be full on Tuesday morning, until 13 snailmails inch their way across the country and beyond. 

I’m sure they’ll arrive right on time.  

 

* * * * * * * *

Your turn:  Who would love to receive a good old-fashionsed letter from you?   An aunt?  The child(ren) your family sponsors through Compassion International??  Your long, lost best friend?  I dare ya--close your laptop, pick up a pen and paper, and write for 14 minutes.  Someone at the other end of your mailbox will be very happy :).

 

 

I Heart Faces: Smile!

When I saw the theme for this week's I Heart Faces photo challenge--smile--I instantly thought of this little lamb.  She exuded joie de vivre like few people I've encountered before or since.  She's one of the children I met in a Compassion project in Calcutta, and though living in extreme poverty, she found reason to celebrate life.  I'm so glad to have reason to remember (and honor) her now, and a Country that continues to shape who I am.   

Be sure to visit I Heart Faces for more great smiles!

Picture it outside of the box: {Focus on the eyes}

One of the unforgettable faces from my trip to India, masked for performance but with a vulnerable beauty hidden beneath the surface.  On one hand I'm slightly unnerved by such a young girl playing adult dress up; on the other, I saw her pride as she danced.  

Regardless, her eyes are gorgeous and haunting, mysterious and expressive...perfect for Mishelle's challenge for this week's "Picture it Outside of the Box." 

"More questions than a five year-old in the backseat riding cross-country."**

"Never have I felt less worthy and more privileged
to be a part of a group of people."
~ Lindsey Nobles

"I’d been looking forward to this past weekend for as long as I can remember and I came home feeling humbled, amazed, grateful, inspired, and exhausted.... To be among people who took time out of their daily lives to write words that have ultimately led to impacting 5,000 lives. It’s humbling and it makes me want to do more and to live a life with purpose."
~ Melanie aka Big Mama

 

I still have his message saved from January 26, 2009, Shaun's initial call to me about traveling with Compassion International as a Compassion Blogger.  I couldn't believe it then, and I think I can't bring myself to erase it now because that keeps it real. And maybe that's creepy, but really, is it any creepier than sleeping with people I met on the internet?!?!

The thing is, this is my normal.  This is a lot of people's normal. And it makes me oh-so-happy that Al Gore invented the internet bless his self-delusional little heart. 

My initial reason for traveling to Birmingham was a Compassion Blogger's reunion planned for Saturday night.  But then Amanda put on her thinking-and-doing cap and arranged for all of us to attend Deeper Still, a conference led by her mom, Beth Moore, and Kay Arthur and Priscilla Shirer.  Oh, my...I'll try to put that into words soon but many thanks are in order to Amanda, Lifeway and DaySpring for treating us so well.

After dinner, Steve Jones (the guy who used to be Shaun's boss with Compassion) let us know 5,000 children had been sponsored through the six blogging trips that began in Uganda and continued to the Dominican Republic, India, El Salvador, Kenya and most recently Guatemala.  Joining the 37 bloggers who've traveled are 1,100 others who lend their words for the benefit of children, to release them from poverty in Jesus' name.  Feel free to add to those numbers.

A few other highlights in addition to seeing and/or meeting every stinkin' person in the picture above--truly, really, they ALL have inspired me, even if I'm not callin' 'em out here~

• Shaun Groves' hair--it's a conversation piece.  Don't miss his recap post--he took the time to identify everyone in the picture above and introduce readers to 'em...and it's where I stole what inspired my post title.
• A gift from Compassion, a calendar masterpiece featuring the artful photography of the amazingly talented Keely Scott.  I wish I could give one to every person I know.  It's gorgeous.  
• Meeting Dan Woolley, a stranger and Compassion staffer I prayed for following Haiti's devastating earthquake.  How odd it must be for him to hear over and over "I prayed for you!" by people he didn't know existed.  A few minutes' conversation made me realize God trusted him with this story for a reason.
• Getting to know Molly Piper.  Most of the women I hung out with I already knew--extended time with Molly was unexpected.  Over late night conversation and breakfast before departure, I got to know her well enough to miss her, daggum it!
• Meeting the DaySpring staff.  Everyone had encouraging words to share about (in)courage and it's obvious they read and support the site.  I was impressed with their kindness, generosity, attention to detail, professionalism and joyful countenance from their president James Barnett to sweet Katie I-don't-know-her-last-name, a wonderful navigator!
• Seeing Patricia (my India roomie) and Steve Jones again and especially meeting their daughter Isabel.  Her sweet spirit floated all around her :)
• Seeing Shannon-who-used-to-blog, one of my oldest stalkees, and one of my wisest online friends.  I just didn't get enough of her!
• Café Dupont.  Good gracious, our dinner was fabulous!  I hear rumors their cornbread--served only at lunch--is to die for.  
• And I sat across the table from Beth Moore while she noshed on Pumpkin Pie cheesecake.  But I don't wanna say too much about that because a) gratuitous name dropping much? and b) that whole puttin' people on a pedestal thing. But people--BETH!  MOORE!!  I met her unexpectedly when she and her daughter Amanda walked off their plane, and I'm pretty sure between then and dessert Saturday I tangled my words and said things like, "I know you don't know me, but you've been my BFF for years..." and other such things I'd much rather forget...!

Compassion Bloggers Reunion/Deeper Still conference, Part two of three, to be continued...

Part One, "It was like a high school sleepover, only we’re our mother’s age, plus there was some snoring going on."

Her face tells a story...

She is one of the nameless faces who pierced heart and pricked conscience during my unforgettable, life-affecting trip to India.  Her shoes matched her sari, a detail intriguing to me; I am certain it was unintentional, but if Life was Fair, her clothing would always match her shoes.

I'm submitting this for my first-ever entry to I Heart Faces, this week's theme photojournalism.  I see a thousand stories in her weary face; oh, how I wish I knew even one!

Passion, people and patsy-flavored icing

Over a five-hour dinner at Franklin, Tennessee's scrumptious Saffire, time flew so fast I never noticed it ticking.  Compassion International's Creative Relationship Director Steve Jones was in town on business and pleasure, and he thought it would be fun to invite Compassion Bloggers--past and future--to dinner.

Smart man, he is--delight marked beginning, middle and end.

Though I quietly wished my husband could meet the people with whom I had traveled to Kolkata, I never really thought it a possibility.  Understandably, I was thrilled when Shaun contacted us about dinner!  Little did I realize, I would leave inspired and encouraged, and more grateful than ever to have been a part of this amazing, life-changing, poverty-releasing ministry.  Here's why: 

Every one of these people exudes joie de vivre
and their passion & love for others is contagious.

• Randy Elrod (Compassion-Uganda) & his wife, Chris.  From my first impression, I viewed Randy as a Renaissance Man (funny, when I found the link to his "About" page, that's what the first line says).  If you take time to read his bio, you'd have reason to find him intimidating.  The truth is he's one of the most accessible, engaging people I've met, and I'm glad his "credentials" were long forgotten or I might have hidden from him.  Chris is a wonderful conversationalist and the common ground we found was delightful surprise.  I've followed her on Twitter forever, but meeting and getting to know her was a treat.  They co-host the annual re:create conference, now in its tenth year...and in a word, it's amazing.  Conference goals are refreshment, encouragement and diffusion of ideas, and re:create is characterized as an "Arts/Worship Thinktank".  Oh, and his new book, "Sex, Lies & Religion" releases just in time for Valentine's Day.... Interesting title, and I'm p r e t t y sure the content will be as well.

• Ryan Detzel (Compassion-Kenya), author of this is reverb.  There was something tattooishly familiar about Ryan, and then it hit me--I KNEW HIM!  a) I had made his famous zucchini cakes after b) Ree introduced us!  Ryan is reserved and unassuming but lights up when he talks about missions and his family.  Thrilled his wife will be joining him when he travels to Kenya in March, he shared how difficult it is to experience the things you see on a mission trip without the one with whom you share life.  That resonated with me because as much as I shared about my trip in words and pictures to Tad, I desperately wanted him to understand from the inside out. 

• Anne Jackson (Compassion-Uganda & India) and her husband, Chris.  Anne doesn't write with her fingers.  She doesn't even write with her head.  Anne writes with her heart.  I love her because she says things like "I had lost one-freaking-cuss-cuss-cuss-freaking pound."  She's written a book.  And then another.  Not too long from now, she's going on a bike tour where she'll pedal 3,100 miles across the country to raise money for water in Africa.  Because she's CRAZY IN LOVE WITH PEOPLE IN NEED!  Anne's a rare breed who isn't just talkin'...she's walkin' plus. 

• Shaun Groves (Compassion Blogger Coordinator or something...) and his wife Becky.  I think I've articulated my regard for Shaun q.u.i.t.e. enough at Chez Pensieve (& we currently aren't on speaking terms since he would NOT spill the beans!), but I'm not sure if I've mentioned Becky.  She attended the India trip and is the perfect balance to Shaun.  I can tell she's a great mom; this I know without ever seeing her with her kids--just by listening.  I was reminded last night how much I enjoy her company...and would love for her to be my neighbor to share a cup of coffee on occasion.

This is getting long, so to stand a better chance you actually read it I think I'll make this a two-parter; hope you'll come back to hear what I really think about Spence Smith, Angie & Todd Smith, Brad & Lisa Ruggles, Pete & Brandi Wilson and our dinner hosts, Steve & Patricia Jones.

Oh yeah...and that icing ;).

~~~~~~~~~~~

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Our best selves squirt out when life squeezes hard

In the days since I last spoke in this space, it hasn't been quiet.  Inside, my body was attacked by an ugly Creature wreaking intestinal mischief and l was left by the proverbial roadside tired and "less than"......but not near as less than as it felt in the process of spewing and retching. 

 I'm of the opinion if you have to endure the pain and indignity of a stomach virus, you should at least benefit with Rapid Weight Loss thank-yew-very-much, and I'm indignant my scale begs to differ.

On the outside, the weather has been creative, bouncing from Winter to Spring and back again, teasing bulbs into budding and throwing hailish rocks at my window.  My son wanted to go outside in the midst of the storm to touch icy golfballs but my husband assured him he could open the refrigerator and reach into the ice bin for the same result (and stay dry in the process).

I've found it difficult to complain about most things since my trip to India last Spring, and impossible to complain about, well...anything...since the earth shook Haiti to pieces 10 days ago.

Shaun Groves and a team of Super Heroes are doing something about Haiti relief.  Something BIG.  And he's going to tell us soon exactly what it is, and all I can do is sneak away from work every so often to refresh his page to see if he's spilled the goods and dropped any names yet.  I suggest you do the same...and let's celebrate HOPE and HELP together.  Soon.

Cause as my friend Shaun suggests, our best selves squirt out when life squeezes hard.

Forever treasures

Sometimes priceless treasure arrives sealed in an envelope.

Yesterday I received a letter from Pinki, the little girl we sponsor in India but have yet to write about here.  Meeting her, holding her hand, hugging her neck...and then having to let her return to her impoverished village has proved too challenging to write.  Yet.

Translation can be entertaining at times, and she began with "At first take my love," a peculiar phrase but one that gave me reason to smile and receive the love she sent.  I was reminded of our very different cultures as I continued:  "Here, the weather is rainy season.  I like to bathe in the rain.  Do you like to bathe in the rain?"

I smiled at the image of her dancing in the rain, face upward and joyful while the filth of of the day washed off her skin, and it hit me I probably would like bathing in the rain if I tried it.

Then I remembered my (incourage) post is published today and its content is all about the hope Compassion International extends to program children (I hope you'll click through to read!), and then I received a comment from Holley reminding me sponsorship can make a difference that lasts f o r e v e r.

Are you willing to make a forever difference?

:)