I cried...Again

We were driving on the way home from church tonight and my daughter said, "You really need to do Lovepacs in my school."  I started in on making my excuses for why that's just not feasible...Yeah, but I still need to find someone to head up our Aubrey community...And I really don't know anyone in your district yet (my kids just moved there this year)...And while I know there is probably a need, I just don't have time to take it on right now.

You get the drift--I was saying all the things I've said before so that I could pretend that it just isn't possible.

And then, she made me cry.

"Mom, there was this kid talking about his fast food job and how they let him take home the excess food at night.  Then this other kid asked him if it would be possible for him to get some of that tomorrow because his family ran out of money this week and he was trying to figure out how to help feed his younger brother and sister because they didn't have any food."

Y'ALL!!!  This kid is a freshman!  Instead of worrying about zits and girls and parties, he's worrying about food--and not only for himself, but for his siblings.

So, what do we do?  We can't save the world, right?  We can't feed every kid, right?  It's really not my responsibility--it's his parents job, right?

I just can't live with that anymore.  I can't take Lovepacs to this school district...YET...but I can do something.  I went to my pantry and pulled out some of the items we typically put in a Lovepacs box.  And guess what?  I had over half of what I needed.  JUST IN EXCESS IN MY OWN PANTRY!

So, tomorrow, I will be making a phone call to the school counselor and explaining what Lovepacs is and does and asking her if she can make sure this kid gets this bag of food to help tide them over.

And I'll pray.

Because I know the need is bigger than these 3 kids.  And now that I've been hit in the face with it, I can't go on my merry way and pretend I don't know about it.  There's no more burying my head in the sand.

THIS is why your newsfeed is full of me talking about Lovepacs.  I know we can't save the world, but what if we each did a little?  What if we made sure that the kids that lived in our community weren't hungry.  What if the statistic that 1 in 5 kids in the US doesn't have enough food changed to all kids in America went to bed with full tummies tonight?

And here's what I know...it CAN happen.  We had a little dream of feeding 6 kids...and other people starting dreaming and doing with us...and 7 years later,over 4500 kids got fed over spring break.

What in the World is She Doing Now???

 I've been pinching myself all week to make sure I'm awake.  Have you ever done that?  Something so stinkin good has happened that I've feel like I'm dreaming.

I began a new job this week.  I know, I know, you are probably thinking, "Again? How many different jobs has she had in the last 18 months?"  And you should.  I know I've probably seemed a little flaky--okay, a lot flaky.  And I've really enjoyed every job I've had.    I've had the opportunity to travel, to serve and to create.  AND, I've gotten to meet and work with some absolutely amazing people.

But THIS job, this new job I started is one that is so much a part of me that its just naturally something I should be doing.  Something that just "fits."

As of this past Monday, I work part-time for Lovepacs.  Can you believe it?  This little dream of mine I had over 6 years ago--that maybe one day we would be big enough to hire someone has come true!!! And I GET TO BE THE ONE TO DO IT!!!

I was scared to tell very many people until it actually happened--just in case they found someone better, but now, I want to yell it at the top of my lungs!  Not only do I get to work for Lovepacs, I GET to coach and serve  and encourage leaders.  I GET to put processes in place to equip them to serve more kids in their community.  I GET to work with people I love dearly.  I GET to make a difference--one kid and one community leader at a time.

I will still keep my other part-time job at The Container Store, answering phones and designing closets--something else I've found that I really like. I'm not as good at it as I wish, but I'm making progress every day and I truly enjoy serving the person I'm talking to in the moment.  Selfishly, I love that I have a tangible finish every day I'm there--that's not typically something I've experienced in most of the jobs I've chosen. A closet may not seem world-changing, but really listening to the customer and designing something that makes their life a little easier means they have more time to focus on other things.  And I can pray that those things they choose to focus on will be world-changing. 

As you may know, this year did not start out great for me.  My dad was always proud of my work with Lovepacs and I've caught myself starting to call him a couple times in the last week to tell him about my new job.  But, he already knows.  And I like to to think that his smile is as big as mine has been this week. 

So, please excuse all the giddy posts that will fill your facebook newsfeed.  And if you're not familiar with Lovepacs, let me know and I'll be happy, happy, happy to fill you in on all that God has done and continues to do through amazing people in the communities all around us. 

P.S.  If you realize I really am dreaming, DON'T WAKE ME UP!!!

P.P.S.  Just a few of the hundreds of pics I have from packing and delivery