Lessons from Malawi

It's that time of year again. 

The time when my facebook timeline is overflowing with messages of thanks, and people everywhere (myself included) are carefully choosing what to wear Thursday, preferring pants with a little stretch and give in preparation for the big meal that is coming. 

And this is all great. 

It's so good to be thankful for our many blessings. 

But this year, Thanksgiving looks differently to me. 

After going to Africa twice in the past five months, the one thing I have heard over and over again is, "I'm sure you made such a difference there," or "I know they were so thankful for what you've done for them". 

The truth is, I have done very, very little in the big scheme of things. 

I'm not even sure that my two trips have made ANY lasting impact whatsoever. 

And that is OKAY. 

I am one person. 

I will not be able to make a noticeable difference in the life of every person I meet in Africa. 

That's simply not how it works. 

But, that also doesn't mean I should stop trying, stop serving, stop praying, or stop going. 

It also doesn't mean that a lasting change hasn't been made. 

Because I can say without any hesitation that Africa and the people there have made a forever change in me. 

My eyes, mind, and heart have been opened to these beautiful people and their culture. 

And if there is one thing that they do well in Africa, it's be thankful. 

I have never been surrounded by a more appreciative group of people. 

It's not that Africa has made me want less or feel guilty about what I have. 

Instead, it's made me appreciate what I do have and not long for MORE. 

Our culture seems to be all about the 'more' lately, and I'm just not buying it. 

Instead of wanting more, I am counting my blessings for what I DO have. 

I am thankful for the air conditioning in my car and the fact that it doesn't guzzle gas like this beauty we used in Malawi.

I am thankful for paved roads, even though they sometimes include potholes. But I promise, the ride is smoother than this road was....

Even though they are older and not front-loading and fancy, I am thankful for my washer and dryer...as well as indoor plumbing and electricity. 

Although our house is smaller, older, and lacking in the storage department, I am thankful that we have a place to safely keep our belongings and for a roof that doesn't leak. 

More than ever before, I am thankful for clean water, water that doesn't make my family sick. Water that won't kill my babies.  Water that helps, not hurts....

Although I have far less than most girls I know, I am so thankful for shoes. I'm thankful that my girls have shoes that keep their little piggies safe and warm. Until this year, I was completely guilty of taking shoes for granted. I didn't realize the difference they can make in your quality of life and in your health. They really are a NEED and not just a WANT. 

I am so very thankful that my girls have the chance to just be kids. They don't have to worry about major health scares, a doctor that is miles away, will there be anything to eat tomorrow, and when will my parents come from me. I am so thankful that my girls were born into a family...not all children have that luxury. 

And I am thankful for the lessons I learned in Africa. There are so many, but one of the most meaningful came from this: 

While at an orphanage in Malawi, this was THE ONLY TOY we saw. Now my kids are good kids, but if this was their only toy, I can only imagine the endless stream of 'I'm bored' and 'This ball is broken' that would echo through our home. But the kids at the orphanage played with it with a smile on their faces. They didn't complain or one time mention wanting 'more'. They helped me better understand that STUFF is not what is important. STUFF does NOT make us happier, healthier, or better. In fact, I think stuff sometimes gets in the way of the important things. And I could not be more thankful for this lesson. 

I am so very, very thankful that God opened my eyes to Africa and for the forever changed that has occurred in me when I said 'yes' to Him. 

Here's hoping your eyes have been opened, and if God is trying to call you to something or to teach you something, please say 'yes'. 

Happy Thanksgiving to you and you and you.....and Africa. 

Be These

I love when God totally blesses me with surprise friends, friends who are unexpected and yet totally get it. They want to serve. Their hearts live across the world. They daydream about loving on children who aren't their own. And I have so found this in my friend Laura. And Laura loves Haiti the way I love Africa. And she's currently planning and raising funds for her second trip.

Here's what she has to say: 

"Anse a Pitre, Haiti is a small community in the southeastern coastal region near the border of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Following the 2010 earthquake in Port au Prince, the already burdened and impoverished community experienced significant growth as refuges from the capital city fled the instability and rising violence. Hispaniola Mountain Ministries (www.goHMM.org) began working in Anse a Pitre shortly after the earthquake and has built a number of homes, brought several clean-water wells to life in the community using solar energy and most recently, built a school. "The Promise Land Project" continues to grow with the addition of a pavilion and a generous donor has committed to supporting the construction of a permanent medical facility on the Promise Land site.

In Matthew 5, we are called to be the salt of the earth and the light to the world. In May 2013, a group of 16 from First United Methodist Church in Louisville (MS) will try to live out this command as they travel to Haiti for a week-long mission in Anse a Pitre. The team will have a medical and construction component. As part of our fundraising efforts, we are selling these shirts to support our mission trip.

They are $20 and the design is on the front/center of the t-shirt. We have three colors (red, blue and dark grey in Comfort Colors) have sizes S, L, XL, and a few XXL left (Sorry, all the Ms are gone!). I'll be happy to ship! Email me at LR_Walton@bellsouth.net to order or message me on Facebook or Twitter (@laurarwalton). Thank you in advance for your support of this mission!

13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:13-16"

Can I just say that I LOVE THIS SHIRT???

As a girl who owns over a dozen fundraising shirts, this one is easily my favorite. 

Mine came in yesterday, and I seriously can't wait to wear it!

I'm thinking this shirt would make a fantastic stocking stuffer......agree? 

Gah, I'm a Slacker, BUT....

So the blogging break was unplanned. Sometimes those are the best kind because they mean that I was busy. And busy can be good, especially when it involves visiting some of my favorite people and working for Noonday. 

Here are some of the things I have been meaning to blog about though... 

Last week was my girl's third reading fair. Second grade reading fair brought her a second place ribbon. 

She was super excited, and I think her project is her cutest one yet. LOVE her love for reading and her desire to work hard. 

Know what else I love? 

Old friends, specifically visiting with my oldest friend and her newest addition. 

Heather and I had the best time catching up while her little miracles played under foot. I so wish we lived closer and could visit more often; there is just something so comfortable about being with someone who has known since before you could hold a pencil.

And last but not least, this little one.... oh, I could just squeeze her. 

I seriously think this shirt was made with her in mind. Candy is the end-all be-all for Hollyn. 

In other news, please keep sending up prayers for my grandmother, as she still has a very long way to go. 

And THIS week I'll be back on the road with Noonday. 

This time I'm headed to the great state of Alabama to catch up with a high school friend I haven't seen in forever and to visit with the girl who knows me better than any other, the infamous Kara Leigh. 

So excited to giggle 'til I cry and stay up way past my bedtime. 

I promise to be back later this week with a big post about Malawi. 

Until then, happy happy happy to you and you and you. 

30 in my 30's: #18 Stepping Out of My Comfort Zone

First of all, HAPPY HALLOWEEN! 

It's my favorite holiday (don't judge), and I thought it was the perfect day to talk about how I recently marked another item off of my 30 in my 30's list. 

This time I tackled a big one: 

#18: Do something that's completely out of my comfort zone (in a good way, of course).

And thanks to my recent trip to Malawi and our hike through Kasungu National Park, #18 is now recent history. 

I knew this would be quite the adventure when our guide showed up sporting an M16. 

And while we saw several not-so-scary creatures along the way......

.... I was holding my breath as these beauties walked by. 

They were easily one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. 

Completely free; completely in their element. 

They were so graceful and stoic. 

This picture makes them look farther away than they really were. 

They were as close as I care to ever be to an elephant without a big, very strong fence between us. 

But the elephants were small potatoes for my fear factor compared to these guys. 

For some people it's spiders. 

Others fear snakes....or dogs...or bears with big teeth. 

For me, it's hippos. 

I am insanely afraid of hippos. 

We're talking shaking in my sneakers kind of afraid. 

And yet, I faced my fear and stood there, snapping their pictures while they stared me down and made frightening noises. 

My #1 driving force? 

Libby. 

She told me to be brave and to bring her back a picture of a hippo. 

And I 'mom-ed up' to the occasion  pretty sure I earned twenty cool points when I showed up not ONLY with a ton of pictures, but with this as well: 

I faced my fear. 

And facing my fear felt surprisingly good. 

Adios, #18; catch ya next time.

Never did I dream that my list would include hippos. 

Do YOU have a list of things you're hoping to accomplish? 

Do tell. 

I'd also love to hear what fear you would dread facing...... 

I bet whatever it is it smells better than the hippos....

For now, there's a little genie and a precious kitty cat sleeping off their sugar comas in the next room.

Here's wishing a very happy Halloween to YOU and YOU and YOU! 

True Beauty: The Women of Malawi

I am still in a jet-lagged state of mind, but I am DYING to share with you about Malawi. 

To say that I had a wonderful time simply doesn't do it justice.

 In fact,  I had one of the grandest adventures I have ever had. 

And one of the things that stuck out to me the most was the beauty found in the women of Malawi. 

Perhaps it's because I can most closely relate to them that gives them such a special place in my heart. 

Whatever the reason, I so enjoyed these little moments, such as......

...seeing a woman's reaction after seeing a picture of herself for the very first time. 

......talking to a woman about how she gathers the water she will need to provide for her family and the families of those in her village. 

....sharing stories of marriage and motherhood with this beautiful lady, 

....and bonding over laughter. 

....being blessed with a peek at what daily life looks like for a woman in Malawi.

.....giggling over babies and how cute the tiny humans are. 

....recognizing the look on another woman's face and knowing that you've had that same look on more than one occasion. 

While I enjoyed the beautiful landscapes and the roadside adventures and waking up with the elephants, I think it was spending time with the woman of Malawi that I most enjoyed. 

There is something so universal about being a wife and a mother

 that even a language barrier can't compete with.

Leaving on a Jet Plane

Tomorrow I'm headed to Malawi. 

I still can't believe it. 

I am so excited but also anxious. 

Missing my girls will be hard. 

Very, very hard. 

Not being there with my husband will also be hard. 

But I am confident that God has BIG things in store, if for no other reason than this has been an insane week filled with road blocks. 

However, thankfully, I did squeeze in some time to pack. 

Some of the things I'm bringing: 

-good books

-enough Germ-X for an army

-all that I'll need to make PB and J sammiches

-my red blanket that I always sleep with as my source of comfort

-lots of Silly Bands to give those sweet, smiling kiddo faces that I can't wait to see

-my I-pod, fully charged and ready to go

-baby wipes to help get the red dirt off of my feet before I slip into bed

-Lysol wipes

-and earplugs in case the person next to me on any of the eight plane rides I'll take there and back happens to be of the snoring variety

The route: 

Jackson, MS to 

Atlanta to 

Amsterdam to

Kenya to 

Malawi. 

I know. It's a little overwhelming. 

But I am excited all the way down to the tips of my toes. 

And my favorite thing I packed? 

That would be my notebook. 

This summer while I was in Africa, Libby and I wrote notes to each other everyday and then traded notebooks when I got home. 

And we're doing it again this time. 

So excited to write to her and tell her about all that God is doing. 

Even more excited to read her messages to me. 

I'll be updating my facebook page, instagram, and twitter as often as possible. There are links to all of those on the right side of my blog if you'd like to keep up.

And to everyone who is praying for us, thank you. 

My precious Bible study group prayed over me this me and reminded me how thankful I am for a God who calls me to step out of my comfort zone and go. 

Please pray for the Clean Water for Malawi group that we will be the hands and feet of Christ and that we'll work to provide the people of Malawi with the Living Water as well as the water they need to live. 

And CONGRATS to Casey Andrews on winning my Noonday giveaway! :) 

Here's hoping for clear skies and good movies on the plane. 

Be back October 26th. 

Perfect Timing

I leave for Africa in three days. 

And my girl is sick. 

I haven't finished packing. 

I am missing church today, which totally stinks. 

My house is a wreck.

Libby's reading fair project is still in pieces.

I'm totally sleep deprived. 

Please pray for my kiddo. 

I'm a tough girl, but it will be really hard for me to fly halfway around the world while her cough still makes my stomach turn. 

I know God is good. 

I know His timing is perfect. 

I know He has big things in store. 

But, I'm not made of steel. 

Isn't it funny how things seem to always go South at the most inconvenient times? 

Two quick things before I go snuggle my girl: 

1. Have you entered my Noonday giveaway? It ends Tuesday. 

2. It's not too late to purchase something from my Noonday site and have it help get me to Malawi. Think Christmas shopping, birthday shopping, treating someone special shopping..... 

Here's hoping my bags will pack themselves and the animals from Snow White will come and clean my house.... 

Btw, this awesome picture of my girl was taken by the very talented Erin Norman. Check her out and tell her I said hi.