THAT DIM GLASS

I looked in the mirror as I passed through the bathroom. I've seen the face that glanced back at me every day for 61 years, but today I didn't recognize who was watching me walk by.  The eyes were still sparkling but they were surrounded by tiny little strokes of a very sharp pencil, the smile embraced by laugh lines and there were crevices I'd never noticed before. It's not that I despise that I'm showing my age; my life is full and I enjoy every day. It's not even that I feel a need to all of the sudden settle in a bit and become my 'age'; I doubt that will ever happen. I know I'm always on the move and I'm good with that. It was just kind of a shock!

I had a friend once that I tried every wrinkle cream known to man with. We stopped short at Botox or surgery. We even went to a gal that gave us some cream that pulled our skin up and we were so happy until we ran out and plop. Down it all came. We had a ball doing it, but in the end we hadn't really changed. On the outside. Where I've found the most important change happens is in my heart. That the renewal of my mind, the love for the Trinity and the gifts they've given me to share with others is the best face lift I can ask for. Allowing myself time to lay before the Lord, dance in the Spirit and/or fall to my knees in prayer is the best rest I can take. They say water is the best thing for your skin. Drink a gob of it a day and it will stay supple. I drink the living water many times during each day to keep my mind hydrated.

I love the ME that God created. I'm not beautiful or perfect or always of good nature. But I am me. And I adore the One who loves me most. I love my husband, my home, my city and my life. Every day I can wake up and sincerely thank the Lord for the blessings He bestows on me. There are greater dreams and desires stored up in my heart. Without a vision people perish and I am not short of hope.

I encourage everyone to seek God for the MORE. Seek God for a bigger dream, a greater vision...what crazy, wonderful thing does he want you to do today? tomorrow? The thing you couldn’t possible do without His help. Then do it! 

I did read tonight that women my age should not wear eyeshadow or eyeliner but I'm not quite sure I'm ready to go that far.....yet. 

THIS IS OUR WHY - MAMA BAGS

We started making MidWife kits in 2007. We counseled with a mid-wife to ensure we had all the right medical supplies and with the hospital to receive the donations. They were a hit and in the 1^st year, with only 2 of us, we shipped out over 300.

Now we ship upward to 650 a year and have enhanced the packs greatly. Thanks to a missionary who began putting our midwife kits and women’s totes bags together for their pregnant mama’s, our ESM team pursued the idea with hearts full of love & a huge desire to bless. Now we now add baby clothes, blanket, booties, hats and a Mama’s bag.

What is a Mama’s Bag?

In our hand-sewn, vibrant-colored tote bags we add a bible, shampoo & conditioner, deodorant, toothbrush and paste, bar soap, lipstick, nail polish, sewing & manicure kits and any other wonderfully girly item that’s donated. Sometimes perfume, lotion, journals & pens and often a devotional book.

If you have those travel size items you pick up at the hotels filling your drawers with nowhere to go, we will gladly take them off your hands. If you sell Avon or Mary Kay or another makeup/skincare line and have samples left over, please consider donating them to our Mama Bags. Unused journals or those small devotionals you get in the mail cluttering your book shelf? We can use them! You get the idea! Email us at edenssong@gmail.com or respond to this facebook if you have pieces to donate!

THIS IS OUR WHY - Show Mercy International

Years ago Roy & I felt we heard from God what He wanted to do with Eden’s Song so I set out to find some missionaries that we could bless with ‘stuff’. I think we had some medical supplies, a very basic midwife kit and maybe a backpack. Roy had IPods. I googled ‘missionaries’ and Show Mercy was in among the first batch that came up. God said ‘write to them’. So I nervously sent an email sharing who we were and what we hoped to accomplish. Would they like anything? I received a response from Lori shortly explaining the Mike was out of town but they would write soon. And they did. And later we met. And then became partners in ministry and close friends in life. God knew what he was doing.

Show Mercy is an amazing ministry to orphans, widows & seniors in Uganda. They are compassionate, evangelical, apostolic and fun to work with. When we first met them they worked with an orphanage and school. Soon after they began the development of 25 acres of land they the Field of Dreams and for good reason.  Field of Dreams is the central base of operations for all of Show Mercy's outreaches in Uganda. There is accommodations for visiting teams and interns, a large multi-purpose facility called the Arc used for dining, gatherings and fellowship as well as housing for the directors of Show Mercy International Uganda. It also includes a fully functioning Medical Clinic as well as a fresh water well to both the compound and the people of the village of Nawanswa/Kaliti. Not to mention a farm and farm animals. this is more than just a project. This is a strategy; a perfect time to make a mark in history.

As their mission is to mobilize, inspire and empower others to live on purpose, their next project is a primary school and leadership academy. The 14 acres of land that was needed for this project is purchased and blueprints are in place.  Many children in Uganda do not have access to education because of poverty, lack of infrastructure and child labor. The SMI school will be a place where children are valued and shown constantly that they are loved and have a tremendous God-Given purpose in life. Top quality teachers will encourage them regularly to know with God all things truly are possible even for the orphaned or abandoned. 

You can visit their website at www.showmercy.org to find out more about them and join one of their mission teams.

Roy & I are blessed they are a part of our purpose.