The Little Prayer and Book That Could

The Jabez Prayer

And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, "Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain."

So God granted him what he requested.

1 CHRONICLES 4:10

May you be open to God's plan and have the courage to ask for his blessings as you execute upon his plan as the vehicle that brings his love to others. Grant us the courage to expand our territory and feel worthy of his love.

For more information about the Prayer of Jabez go to www.prayerofjabez.com.

2010 NYC Shelter Event

After months of planning and several several people from across the world donating handmade gifts the NYC shelter event became reality. The staff and women from Safe Horizon shelter received opened arms from Martha Stewart's Dreamers into Doers group.


The day started with treats that were made in Martha's kitchen for t...he event, inspirational speakers, raffling off gorgeous quilts to the shelter residents and a wonderful singer with a powerful message. Thank You God, Alexis Tirado from Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Dreamers into Doers, donors from all over the world and Martha Stewart for allowing the event to be held at her offices.

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Light Your Candle. Go Toward the Darkness

Hi sisters,

This is an amaing song that says it all! God wants us to be DOERS of the Word, not hearers only. St. James said that, and I say, AMEN!!!!!

Love,Sue




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiSix6Stilo

The Courage to Share Your Story

Without the map of our stories we are lost. Lost to the path that leads us forward to where we were intended to go. The goal is not to "stay" in the story. The goal is to allow it to lead us to the next. When we tell and listen to stories, we have the opportunity to learn and to teach.

For some it takes an incredible amount of courage to read from a script of unimaginable nightmarish scenes. Like, how could this be my story. Why was it dealt to me? The weight of their courage equals the weight of the lesson and inspiration.

I am honored to have an opportunity to share Meggs story. Also, go to her blog, I Tell My Truth, where she shares her daily Joy Journey, which continues to introduce peaks, valleys, and everything in between. In a world that seems to thrive on "plastic", let's be committed to thrive on the TRUTH! Thank You Meggs. We will stand together.

Women Hold Up Half the Sky

I've just started to read "Half the Sky", by Nicholas D. Kirstof and Sheryl Wudunn who happen to be winners of the Pulitzer Prize AND are a husband and wife team.

The book provides an insight on the oppression of women in developing countries and how and why, as a society, we need to lift this oppression together, men and women.

It is hard to believe the stories of sex slavery and the inhumane actions towards young women. Even more unbelievable is that some women who are products of this oppression eventually oppress other women. It is estimated that 3 million women and girls are enslaved into the sex trade, compared to 80,000 slaves shipped annually across the Atlantic from Africa in the 1780's, which declined to 50,000 between 1811 and 1850.

As I read I wonder, "What can I do about this and what about the needs of women in our own backyards?" Consider this, the countries that severely oppress women are the countries that breed terrorism and radical extremist. Now that certainly hits home.

I live where I have many freedoms, but I see remnants of the oppression described in this book, at my front door. Still many companies, organizations, communities and families do not know the value in gender diversity. Many women are not confident in the value they provide. In many ways, believing that, as a country, we are very "female" forward thinking has us stuck in mediocrity. As I learn more about domestic violence against women and childhood sexual abuse, I realize there is still so much more work that needs to be done here in the good ole USA.

Whether you are inclined to fight the oppression of women closer to home or across the oceans you will be inspired and motivated into action by reading this book. Vast bodies of water do not separate us from them. What happens there affects what happens here and vise versa , for we are all connected.

If women hold up half the sky, men hold up the other half. Its about valuing every body's contribution to the whole and allowing everybody to be themselves. When we say women should stand together, we are not saying, "Women together can stand alone". We are saying "Let's support other women in their contribution to holding up the sky. Its not a competition.

Brush, Reflect, Pray, Repeat... by Sue Koons

'Who's crazy enough to start painting cabinets in the beginning of the Christmas season? Me, that's who,' was a recent Facebook post of mine. Yes, I have started, and am nearing completion, only to start on my dining room table and chairs. Why am I nutty like this? Well, I suppose it has something to do with the approaching holidays.

I have heard lots of people say that they have their trees up, decorated, gifts bought, wrapped, and the bane of my existence (sorry), the Christmas cards, sent out. I guess I'm more of a procrastinator in those departments. One year, the hubs and I put the tree up the day after Thanksgiving, but by the time Christmas came around, all the decorations were just there, the 'magic' wore off. So that's why we wait to put up the tree about a week before Christmas.

Actually, it's usually my two boys and myself that decorate, but the hubs puts the tree up.
The boys are slowly getting to the point where 'decorating' is not that big of a deal. What? Not a big deal? Of course it is! The Christmas decorations are a sign of something special that will be happening. The day we wait for, the commemoration of the Blessed Event- Christmas, the day of our Lord's birth.

What has this got to do with me painting my cabinets, and table, and chairs? Well, I guess that is my way of preparing for the holidays. I'm thinking about family and friends that will be dropping by the whole time I'm painting. Just another way to make the house more welcoming, but this will stay around long after the 'magic' of fresh paints wears off- figuratively, and quite possibly literally.

It's funny how painting can relax and frustrate at the same time, isn't it?

As you will learn about me, if you stand still, I will likely paint you! I love giving things 'new life' with a coat (or two) of paint. In a way, each project is like its own scrapbook. I can remember how I felt while painting that piece, or where I was physically or emotionally. For instance, while I was painting my bedside table, which was a table from my mother's childhood, I was outside with my kids on a warm spring day and I had met a new neighbor. 'Oh, how nice for her to come and introduce herself,' I thought. Then she proceeded to tell me how my boys were throwing stones at her car, and that's where the nice, warm, relaxing spring day came to a screeching halt! I laugh about it now, and I believe Mel Brooks said it best when he said, 'Comedy is just tragedy with time.'

Painting is my therapy. I work out problems, reflect, and pray. And in doing this, I grow.
In the next few months, I will be growing -alot! I've got lots of projects to share with you all.

Light and Peace to you all! Suse

Enchanted Makeovers Does Many Kinds of Makeovers

This year, Enchanted Makeovers incorporated a Celebration of Cooking Event leading up to the Vision Project physical bedroom makeovers. View the slideshow of photos here.

Nancy Reffle, owner of Coeur d'Alene made an especially special contribution when she spent hours into the wee morning to sew the sashes for the chairs.




When asked to tell us about her favorite childhood toy she replied,"Oh I was into all things pretty! Dress up clothes, fancy little tea parties. I would use everything I could find to represent my little vision. I loved spending time with my Mimmie, then I was able to use her fur coat and all her pretty hats." Its not wonder she made a special effort to make the "tea party" for the girls very special.

coeurdalenegifts.com
coeurdalenegifts.blogspot.com

We look forward to doing more of these special events for women and children in need. Here's more about the event, that was made possible by many donors.

A desire to share the love felt while spending time with her mother in the kitchen, cooking, Terry dreamt of a cooking celebration for the girls as well. It was a big dream that would involve wonderful food, beautiful music, a special party atmosphere, gifts and surprises. This celebration would exceed expectations. It had to be the best. This would require the right recipe, special ingredients and loving cooks. The dream had to be huge as it would feed the dreams of girls who have perhaps never dreamt of such wonderful things possible for them, given their circumstances. It would be a gift unsolicited by “good” behavior or calendar prompted holiday. It was a gift to the girls just because they are worthy of the best. The celebration was fueled by other’s gratefulness for what they have, purely wanting to share their bounty, big and small.

The afternoon of June 25th an industrial feeling living and dining room of the Vista Maria Myriam House was transformed into a party setting, fitting of Sandra Dee. Windows were framed with balloons. Polka dotted tables staged for the arrangements of flowers and fine china. The girls helped Chef Pete of Hillers make pizza with fresh ingredients. Salad started the feast and strawberry shortcake finished. All the dishes were cleared before the girls were surprised with girly gifts, donated by crafting maidens from across the country.

The event ended in the same fashion as its conception, with a hope and a dream of magical things that transport our hearts to the home with ourselves. With eyes closed and balloons pressed to foreheads, young girls and young at heart women infused the balloon ready to set their hopes and dreams a flight to the place of possibilities. On the count of three, pink and white balloons filled the sky, a perfect way to end the whole enchanting day.

Enchanted Makeovers thanks the loving cooks, whose ingredients and recipes made this day possible for the girls who reside at Vista Maria, Myriam House.