Tribute to Shrimp

Shrimp came into my life when I turned 15. I had just moved to Jacksonville, FL 6 months before I got him after having lived in Gainesville for 14 years. My parents and I left my sister, my dog, Luckey, our house and our furniture in Gainesville. Stacey got a rottweiller around the same time I got Shrimp. Shrimp and Penut were good buds. The only problem is Penut grew to almost 100 lbs and Shrimp didn't. I think this had a lot to do with his issues throughout the years. Here's a picture of Penut and Shrimp (well and a younger version of Dan, my brother-in-law, too).....

About a year later here's Shrimp and Penut (along with my first dog, Luckey).....

For those of you that didn't know Shrimp when he was younger, here's a few baby pictures....

Shrimp wasn't the dog you would say is the best dog in the world. The boy had issues. He never and I mean never potty trained, he barked at windshield wipers and when you opened and closed doors. He growled and bit you if he didn't want you to pet him. But he was my dog. Shrimp was there for me when I went through my first breakup. He was there when I got my drivers license. He was there when I went to prom. He was there when I graduated high school and college. He was there when I bought my first house. He has been by my side for almost 16 years so I took care of him. He wasn't an easy dog and I'm convinced I am the only person the planet that actually likes him, but he was my dog. The thought never crossed my mind to get rid of him.

Shrimp's health started to deteriorate before I got Roscoe. Sure it's not a good idea to bring a male dog into the home when you have one that is already 14+ years old but I couldn't resist Roscoe. They learned over time how to co-exist and I think Shrimp secretly liked Roscoe. He wagged his tail around him quite a bit. I know Roscoe loved him. I've never lost a dog before or had to put one to sleep so as his health got worse I kept saying that I didn't want to be nieve, when it was time I wanted to do the right thing and take him out of his misery.

You can't really prepare yourself for when it's "time" though. He hasn't had a good week but I've seen him have bad days so I was going to wait it out a few days. I thought he was too active this weekend and maybe he threw his back out or something. When I put him in his crate this morning he lost his balance and stepped in his food and it didn't even register to him. I thought that was sad, but went on to work. When I came home at lunch he was lying in his food bowl instead of his bed. I knew something had to be wrong then. I took him outside and he pottied but when I took him to the sink to clean him up he just went limp. He wouldn't stand on his own. I wrapped him in a blanket after I cleaned the food off him and put him on the floor in the living room while I made my lunch and just cried while I looked at him.

I called my sweet, precious, friend and vet who is on maternity leave and as I told her what he was doing she said I needed to take him in to get blood work done and possibly put him down. She prayed with me and then she called the clinic to give the vet on duty a head's up. When I got there they rushed me in and she did a physical exam. He was dehydrated, was still limp, was turning yellowish and had a heart murmur. She didn't think the blood work was going to prove anything more than the exam was already proving. We called Edith (my vet) and all three agreed that he needed to be put out of his misery because he was seriously suffering. Dr. Wentworth was great. I held Shrimp and she got on her knees and administered the drugs while she pet his head and told him he was a good boy. She prayed with me after he stopped breathing. He died right there in my lap very peacefully. It was one of the hardest things I ever did but I knew I needed to be there with him till the end. How could I have walked away from him when he needed me the most?

God has been so good to me. I am so thankful I did not have to come home to an empty house today. Roscoe was right there waiting for me. I'm so thankful I switched vets a year ago because Edith has been such a blessing and Dr. Wentworth was wonderful today. I am almost positive I would not have gotten the kind of love and attention from my previous vet's office. I'm so thankful that I did not come home one day to find Shrimp not breathing and wonder how it happened and how I was going to find the strength to take my dead dog to the vet. As a planner, I am so thankful that I was able to make the call when and where it was time for him to go. I'm so thankful that I had two vets opinions as well as Shrimp visibly telling me it was ok to put him to sleep. And I am so thankful to have great friends and family that have been there for me.

I love you Shrimp! I know you and our favorite rottweiller, Penut are reunited in heaven!

                     Shrimp the night before he passed.

Eat. Pray. Love

I reluctantly just finished reading, "Eat, Pray, Love" because my co-worker loaned it to me and wanted me to read it so we could go to see the movie together. The book bothered and bored me with all the yoga, karma, little g gods, selfish pursuits, etc but tonight I read something and took it entirely out of context and made it fit into my life.

It said, "...something else inside me has put in a serious request that I donated the entirety of this year of traveling all to myself. That some vital transformation is happening in my life, and this transformation needs time and room in order to finish its process undisturbed. That basically, I'm the cake that just came out of the oven, and it still needs some more time to cool before it can be frosted. I don't want to cheat myself out of this precious time. I don't want to lose control of my life again."

I had to read that a second time. That is exactly the way I feel about this year of my life. I have completely given this year to God and there has been some major transforming going on that I don't want to disrupt. I don't think its over. I don't want to go back to MY ways and don't want to cheat myself of this precious time alone with God. I may not see it now but I, too, am a cake in the oven that needs some time to cool before I can be frosted! I truly believe He is drawing me closer to Him and has some great big things (frosting) in store for me if I'm obedient.

I asked Him for two things over the past year that I am thankful He delivered on:

1. No distractions (ie, men)
2. To give me His eyes

So, thankfully I got something out of that weird book that I could take away. I know its only August but already I am so thankful for this year and giving my time, energy, money, thoughts, eyes, heart, just about everything to Him. It has been a good year thus far.
~Manda

Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

Weeping For the Poor

It's been about three weeks since I got back from Guatemala. I anticipated that as time went on I would become more "comfortable" with my life in Birmigham, AL and will think about the people in Guatemala a little less. Out of sight, out of mind. I guess that is why I am so anxious to go back. I really don't want to lose that passion for loving and helping them. Yesterday Katie Davis posted on her blog Just In Case You Were Getting Too Comfortable. Reading the story about this 23 year old who weighed only 37 lbs. that was barely alive reminded me that there is real poverty everywhere, not just in Guatemala City. Therefore I must not get too comfortable in America.

I've heard David say in his messages things like, "When's the last time you wept for the poor and lost?" I'd wonder if I was the only person listening that had never done this and wondered if something might be wrong with me. I really have to have a connection to someone or something to weep over it so it's hard to phathom weeping over people I've never met. Well, that has changed, my friend. I know the lost and I know the poor. I can't get their faces out of my mind.

By the grace of God I was able to keep my emotions in check while in Guatemala but since my return, well, not so much. Last night I cried like I cry when I watch Marley and Me (yes, that is the only thing I can think of to compare it to). I mean SOBBED uncontrollably. I don't know what it was about last night in particular, maybe having Katie Davis reminding me not to get too comfortable did it, who knows. All I know is I grabbed the few pictures of the kids I had printed and I prayed for each of them and just wept for them.

I was laying in my big comfy bed with the fan on with my two dogs while they were sleeping directly on the dirt or on filthy mattresses, some with no roofs over their heads, some with stomach tumors, some without parents, some maybe being sexually abused, and some fighting off rats and other creatures that also reside in the dump. These are my babies. I have an emotional connection to them now. Some of their mothers are my sisters in Christ. The worst part is that this is going on EVERYWHERE. God has given me a heart for this particular people group but it's really going on all over the world.

 

So if you've never wept for the poor and lost maybe you should ask God which people group He wants you to reach out to. Remember the great commission isn't an option. It's a command.

The Dump

Words really can’t describe the dump. I don't even think pictures do the job. But just think about the word before you look at the pictures. Dump; A place where unwanted things end up. Toxic waste. Paper. Plastic Cardboard. Snotty Kleenex. Dirty diapers. Broken glass. Dust. Dirt.

Hardly a place any of us could ever imagine LIVING and WORKING yet thousands of people do. Why did God have mercy on you and me and allow us to live in middle class America while thousands live in a dump earning $7 a week going through trash? I think some might look at these pictures and think to themselves, “well, I’m glad that’s not me” Or “they aren’t my problem” or “well you can’t feel guilty just because you have money and they don’t. That's just the way it is” But all over the Bible God tell us to care for those in need. Seriously ALL OVER THE BIBLE. How can we claim to be believers of the Word and not also be doers?

In “Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger” Ronald J. Sider says “Instead of fostering more compassion toward the poor, riches often harden the hearts of the wealthy.” Luther said, “Religion that gives nothing, costs nothing and suffers nothing is ultimately worth nothing.” James confirms this in James 2:17 when he says, “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accomplished by action, is dead.” Then my favorite verse in James (1:27) says, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this; to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself pure from being polluted by the world.”

Read that last verse again. Are we really keeping ourselves pure from being polluted by the world when we are consumed with Hollywood, TV and the internet? Do we genuinely care about orphans and widows?

Why are some Christians wealthy and some aren't? Why do you think God gave us money? So we can hoard it, buy more "stuff," or maybe, just maybe the whole "tis better to give than to receive is actually true? Maybe God blesses some of us with more wealth than others so that we can be a blessing to others and therefore be blessed. Sounds crazy, I know. Personally, ministering to the people in the dump brought me so much more joy than "shopping" has EVER brought me.

The dump is said to be about 40 acres in size and houses 1/3 of the country’s trash. People have been living and working there for 20 to 40 years reducing the country’s waste by 1 million pounds a day.

“For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” Luke 18:25

Expensive

This past weekend I went to Jacksonville to celebrate my mom's birthday. As usual, we spent most of my vist at the mall and Target. I hardly ever go to the mall in Birmingham but for some reason when my mom, sister and I get together that is where we always go. Funny thing was, though, I couldn't bring myself to spend any money.

One of my favorite things to do while in Florida (especially right before football season) has always been to buy a new Gator shirt at Football Fanatics. We went there and I saw a really cool Denver Broncos shirt with "15" on it that was nearly $30. Normally I could easily justify spending $30 on a Tebow shirt because, "I will wear it all the time." Seriously. I wear Gator and Tebow stuff year round. But spending $30 for a tee shirt, even if it's a Tebow one, is excessive to me now. It became a joke because every price tag I looked at I said, "expensive." I'm not saying I won't ever buy something nice and expensive for myself again, but I'm having a much more difficult time justfiying it now. 

The problem is, how do you buy this?......

When all you can think about is this?......

God didn't bless me with money so I could buy $30 tee shirts. He blessed me with money to take care of  His people, the poor, orphans and widows.

James 1:27 Tees

Quick break from Guatemala trip updates for this....

As you may know, I recently went on my first mission trip to Guatemala and it was amazing. I'm so anxious to go back. Our primary ministry was with families and their precious children who live and work in the dump in Guatemala City. Amidst all the murder, prostitution, child molestation, abuse, drug and alcohol abuse going on, God is truly at work in the dump community. Now that I’ve been and have met some sweet women and children, I want to continue building a relationship with them. Doing missions is not onetime event. I’m planning to go back December 26th – January 2nd. Getting to spend the holidays with them will be such a blessing--better than any material gift received for Christmas! I can't describe how great it feels to have God love His people through you!
I have attached a picture of a tee shirt design my sister and I created (front "James 1:27, back "picture"). Last fall my church studied the book of James and James 1:27 is what prompted me to go to Guatemala to love on the children in the dump community so it only made sense for me to include that great verse on a shirt!

I hope you will consider purchasing one (or more) of my shirts to help support my trip expenses, the purchase of Christmas gifts for the children and food for the families. I am taking pre-orders now (you don't have to pay now) so I will have an idea what sizes and quantities to order. The price of each shirt will be between $13 to $17 (add approx. $3 if I need to ship to you). If you would like to go ahead and pay, you can mail a check for $13 for youth, $15 for adult and $17 for women's fitted shirts. If you will, please email me what size, quantity, and if you would prefer white, ash (light gray) or light blue shirts (manda2839@aol.com). This will help me determine what to order and will ensure that I have the size you want!
 

Where's My Mommy?

These two kiddos definitely deserve a post of their own. Wednesday morning at Tabitha House I was in the baby room and I noticed this little boy that was laying on the floor while all the other kids were playing and running around. I figured he was tired because maybe he didn't sleep well the night before or something. Someone told me he was sick and that he probably had worms. Poor little guy's stomach was so bloated and he looked to be in some serious pain.

Later I started heading upstairs to see how the older kids were doing and I noticed this little girl that had the sweetest face but looked worried and nervous. All the older kids were already seated for meal time and she was just standing in a hallway by herself so I picked her up and took her into the room with the tables and just held her for a few minutes. She did not cling to me, but she also didn't fight to be put down either. Finally the food was brought in so I found an extra chair for her and scooted her to the table so she could eat too.

                                                                                        

                

Later that day her mother never picked her up. The workers were worried because she had been getting death threats (I assume from someone in the dump). No wonder she looked so worried all day. It's like she knew she wasn't coming back for her. I found out her brother had a stomach tumor, not worms or just an upset stomach. Her mother ended up calling Carol and asked her if she could take care of her kids for a few MONTHS because she found work in another area. Just like that she abandoned her sick son and sweet little daughter. This was so heartbreaking. I pray their mother comes back from and that the little boy is able to get medical attention.

                                                                                                            

Hairstlying Ministry

Three people from the Indiana team headed up a ministry at Tabitha House for some of the ladies that work at Tabitha House and some of the kid's parents teaching them to cut hair. Fernando owns a salon in Fort Wayne, Indiana and also speaks fluent Spanish. His girlfriend, Michelle, works with him and another lady Kim cuts hair, too. They worked with these ladies for a few hours a day. I think they were supposed to have a few different groups of ladies coming in each day but most of the women from the first day were so eager to learn more techniques that they ended up spending most of their time working with them. Some of the members of our team, including myself, volunteered to let them cut our hair so they could teach while they cut our hair. When I posted on Facebook that I got my hair cut people were shocked for some reason. I, however, was thrilled to be able to help them by doing something something so simple. Sure I'm growing out my hair, but it will grow back. Michelle did a great job anyway.

It was neat to see the ladies cut each other's hair while Michelle led them and Fernando interpreted. They also brought in the children and cut their hair, too. They had really bonded with these ladies by week end. One lady's mother told her she could use a room in her house as a "salon." When Michelle shared that with our team JT said, "Why are we surprised? Isn't that what you came here to do? Why are we always shocked when God provides when He is the one that led us to do something in the first place?" That has stuck with me. It's so true.

Fernando, Michelle and Kim gave her a set of sheers and a set to keep at Tabitha House and then also went out to purchase a chair to use at Tabitha. I can't wait to go back to Tabitha to see what has developed with this. I pray that these ladies are able to earn some money cutting hair!

VBS

Over the course of two days our team ministered to 500 school children at New Jerusalem Baptist Church Children were bused in, arriving in four different groups (Monday morning, Monday afternoon, Tuesday morning and Tuesday afternoon) from various schools in Guatemala City. I was a little blown away by the fact that public schools allowed children to go to church for a field trip while in the U.S. you can’t even pray in school!

I was on the VBS team on Tuesday. We started in the main room of the church for a time of worship in song and dancing. The kids loved it! Then as the Spanish version of Agnus Dei we all walked throughout the room placing our hands on the children and prayed for them. It was such a special time of prayer. Then we did a David & Goliath skit. Yes, I was reluctantly in the skit. Then the kids were divided into groups. Crafts & music. Story. Game/Recreation. I was in the crafts and music group. It was so much fun interacting with the kids helping them put their craft together and then learning the Spanish songs as Tyler led the music. For one song, we hugged each other during the chorus and it was so much fun picking out an unsuspecting child to run over and hug during that time. I think they liked the songs as much as we did.

After they finished their craft, we let them throw it (basically a tennis ball in a bag supposed to be the stone that David used to throw at Goliath) against the wall and the kids were going crazy. As the kids were going wild in one of the groups this sweet little boy maybe 7 years old came up and hugged me out of nowhere. Then he ran off to play but kept his eye on me as he was playing. It was so precious. I wasn’t thrilled about doing VBS because I really wanted to love on the kids at Tabitha House but it was truly a blessing to share Christ with so many kids.