Jan
28
More often than not, when I sit down to blog, for better or worse, words fly off my fingers. This isn’t one of those nights. I’ve already deleted two opening sentences for this post, so I’m just going to start blurting and pray my heart comes through.
Sometimes I feel like there’s a world of need out there and not a whole lot I can do about it.
What’s burdening my heart at the moment? Exploited children in Cambodia. Orphaned children in Kenya. Scared, hurting women facing unplanned pregnancies. Their unborn babies. And now the people of Haiti.
I feel paralyzed by my lack of resources (money, time, connections, know-how, courage). But I sense God telling me to think outside the box. “Look around at what you’ve already got. How can you use what I’ve given you to help these people who have nothing?”
He reminds me of the Expecting campaign–of willing donors (you!) and eager recipients at pregnancy centers around the country.
He reminds me of Coins 4 Cambodia. We’ve collected and sent $25 so far. Not a lot, but I’ll bet it can buy quite a few snacks.
And He’s given me a few new ideas. My sister Stephanie is a talented jewelry-crafter (jewelress?). Remember the necklace she made for Big Mama? She’s donated two beautiful necklaces for me to sell on my blog with all proceeds going to Cambodia.
And the boa? Do you know about the boa? Long story short, many of the 507 Siestas who gathered this weekend in Houston wore pink feather boas to help them identify each other in airports and restaurants around town. Staying true to my thriftiness, I made my own (and helped my girls each make their own too). We talked about how cool it would be to make custom boas and sell them to raise money for missions.
Maybe you have something unique and fun that you’d like to donate to the cause.
And remember my NaNoWriMo novel? It’s a story about two friends–one in Ohio, one in Cambodia (I know–however did I come up with that?). There’s a lot of other stuff thrown in there from my personal experience (babies, an orphanage, in-laws–remember the book I’ve always wanted to write on that topic?). Someday I might muster up the creativity to write something (fiction) outside the realm of my own life, but this is cool for now.
Anyway, Gabe is making me a new blog (in addition to this one). It’ll launch on February 26 (which is the first day in my novel). As the story unfolds, I’ll post it bit by bit on the blog. The last entry will post on February 26, 2011. You can either read it over the course of a year or you can pay a fee (with 50% of the proceeds going to missions) and download the whole thing instantly.
Fun, eh?
And then there’s something unrelated to missions but definitely related to mission. One of my missions in life is to help women be the best wives they can be, to do their part to create healthy, God-honoring marriages. One of my greatest blessings is getting an e-mail from a woman who read Blushing Bride or Is That All? and says, “God used your book to save/heal/touch/help my marriage.” I can’t even tell you.
I stood in my closet this afternoon (looking for things to get rid of) when it hit me. There are boxes and boxes of Blushing Bride books stacked up in there. When it went out of print, I bought the remainder from the publisher. Over 2,000 copies. Yes, you read that right. At 90% off, I couldn’t resist. And little by little, I sell them/give them away.
But you could help me give them away faster. Because you know people I don’t know. You have girlfriends at work and church and in your MOPS group. Valentine’s Day is coming up, and wouldn’t it be fun to have a (free) gift to give to all your friends? Something that (by God’s grace) could help make their marriage better?
Here’s what I’d love to do: send you either 4 books (in a mailer) or 14 books (in a box) for you to give to your friends. All you need to pay is shipping. ($5 for 4 books, $15 for 14 books)
So now I’d like to hear from you. And to make it worth your while, I have a beautiful green/black (5″ x 8″ spiral-bound) 2010 Weekly Planner from Living Proof Ministries to give away (we got them this weekend, and I already have a planner) to one random commenter. If you don’t need a planner, I’d still love your input.
Just tell me one of these things:
1. I would buy a necklace to help kids in Cambodia (and tell me how much you’d pay).
2. I would buy a boa (for how much).
3. I have something I’d like to donate.
4. I would pay to read your first novel (especially because/in spite of the fact that in-laws are a major theme).
5. I would like 4 or 14 Blushing books to give to friends. Just tell me how to get them.
6. I have a cool idea/thought/suggestion for you.
Have a wonderful day, friends! Love you much!
I’ll buy a box of books! : )
I’m behind (as usual) on blog reading…I would pay to read your novel. I think in-laws is a great topic. I have had my share of trials in that area.
Marla, I’d like to write a check for 14 books. Thank you much!
I would pay $30-$35 for a necklace! They are AWESOME!
Would pay for a boa and to read your novel!
hey marla! the baby’s doing great so far. we’re at 14 weeks already.
hard to believe…haven’t heard anything back about the books yet. sorry…
1. Yes I would buy a necklace $20 – $30
2. Yes, I would buy a boa. I would like to know how to make them too!
3. I am sure I could donate something
4. Of course I would!
5. I have several people I can think of right away that I can give a blushing bride book to.
6. My idea is that I can help you with all of these tasks above. Making boas, packing/shipping books, organizing whatever, just let me know.
I also wanted to let you know that we have started a coins for Cambodia jar at our house. We have been doing things for Cambodia but now we have a jar sitting right on our table. A very visible reminder for the kids.
I wish I could do it all, because you know I would!
I. Can’t. Wait. To read your book! Of course I’ll pay to read it immediately!! I’ll take 4 books for friends too, just let me know how! I’ve already given one and would love to give more!
[...] ton of Blushing Bride books, and I don’t want to stop. Let me know if you want some! Details here. I’ll talk more about all the giving opportunities next week! Have a wonderful weekend! No [...]
oh, oh, oh! This is awesome! That necklace is awesome and could pay $25-$30. And I would totally love to pay for your novel. Loving your heart for missions, Marla.
I would definately read your novel.
I would buy a necklace for $20
I have felt the same heart tug…about doing more. I just blogged on that a few days ago. I will be praying that God directs you as to what to do.
Blessings….Teresa
Marla – I would love 10 books to be able to give away to young women in my church!
Just tell me what to do.
It was so good to be a part of the SMT last weekend – wish I could have spent some time with you!
Another day – for sure.
Blessings,
GA JAN
Isaiah 58:11
Just tell me one of these things:
1. I would buy a necklace to help kids in Cambodia (and tell me how much you’d pay). – $100
2. I would buy a boa (for how much). $20
3. I have something I’d like to donate. Yes several items
4. I would pay to read your first novel (especially because/in spite of the fact that in-laws are a major theme). Absolutely
5. I would like 4 or 14 Blushing books to give to friends. Just tell me how to get them. Hmmm, all my friends are married already.
6. I have a cool idea/thought/suggestion for you. I have an idea. How much would it cost to get the Expecting books to every pregnancy center in the US with you keeping a 10% profit? I’d be willing to devote my time and money and resourses and connections to help you raise that money and help you in all the efforts…
I would pay to read your novel! I would pay for a necklace too and would be happy to pay whatever for both, really.
I would buy a necklace. $25 – 30. But, it’s also hard to put a price on it without seeing it, ya know? Is it super detailed or simple? I mean, a woman just can’t commit without seeing it!
I love your heart.
I would definitely buy 4 Blushing Brides. Especially since my maid of honor is getting married this summer – she definitely needs a copy. Please tell me how.
An idea for the necklaces (and apron–although I know those aren’t as in high of demand)–all the raffles are closed now so I’m not sure what the program was called, but at Hope for Haiti (a blogspot blog) the author had raffles set up and each entry cost $1. You paid via Paypal and could give as much as you wanted (for example–give $10 and your name will be put into the drawing 10 times). All proceeds went to a specific cause. I bet you could raise TONS of money this way!
14 books.
Looking forward to one for me and 13 for lucky friends! : )