Papaw's 95th Birthday

Please meet, Grady Montgomery Holland.  He is my paternal grandfather, I call him Papaw.

Papaw is probably one of the coolest men I've ever had the pleasure of knowing.

On June 28, 2010 we celebrated Papaw's 95th Birthday.   Throughout the day, Papaw & Mamaw were visited by children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and friends.  Papaw loves for people to come and visit and to be surrounded by family.

When I stop to think about it, I can only imagine the things, events, significant happenings and slight changes that Papaw has experienced over the last 95 years.  There has been a lot happen in the past century, and to think that we have Papaw to tell us about it.

I know that Matt and I love for Papaw to tell us different stories when we visit.  He is always ready and willing to tell you about something that happened.  Sometimes he's not always proud of his actions and experiences, but I can't help but believe that its probably something that has made him who he is today. 

I can only hope and pray that I can live to be as seasoned as Papaw.  I want to be a testament to my family and friends, regardless of age.  This is just one of the many things that Papaw has taught me.

If you would like to read more about my Papaw, please go over to my sister's blog The Life & Times of Brandon and Nancy for a great post that she wrote.

"Have Mercy"

This morning while catching up on the blogs I read daily, I had a heartwrenching moment as I read a post from Beki at The Rusted Chain.   I wanted to share it with all of you as well.  Please read and be touched.

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Thursday, September 16, 2010

Have Mercy.

A while back I introduced you to Kristen.

She probably doesn't need introducing to many of you.

But in case you're not familiar with her, she went on a life changing missions trip to Africa.

Her own life was changed, as well as many many others.

She didn't just "go".

She did, she learned, she was broken. And now after months of prayer she and her family have decided to open a maternity home.

Here are Kristen's words:

"Imagine you are 13 years old, the oldest of 5 children. You live in a slum without electricty, clean water and most days, food.

You watch your siblings starve. Your mother drinks to forget.

Maybe she asks you to give your body to a man in exchange for food or maybe you choose to do so because you cannot bare to hear the hunger cries of your baby sister for another night.

Or maybe you catch the eye of the man in the next shanty over. He rapes you in the dark alley and no one cares. *A woman is raped every 30 minutes in Kenya.

Either way, you get pregnant.

Your problem just got worse. You cannot continue to "work" and you cannot feed another mouth.

Abortion is illegal, but you think it's your only choice. You have a backstreet abortion in the slums of Africa with a bottle of alcohol and a knitting needle. 

Ten days later, you die of an infection, just like *26,000 other women do every year.

Why a maternity home?

A loving home will offer a second chance, another option for these girls. It will be a loving, safe place for them to get prenatal care, counseling, and to have their baby. It will give their baby a chance at life, to be raised by a mother who is learning skills and self-sufficency or by a local Christian orphanage, whichever she chooses.

Why a maternity home? Because it's what Jesus would do.

He would simply love them."

At The Rusted Chain, we've been looking for an organization to work with.

And crazy as it sounds, several have said no for various reasons. Their logo is trademarked, they don't want us to use their words, etc.

I understand, but we genuinely want to help!

And when I asked Kristen if we could help, she immediately said yes.

No hesitation, no questions asked, no fuss.

Just yes!!

So we are now selling this Love Mercy necklace, with $10 from every one sold going directly to TheMercyHouse.

"He has shown you, O man, what is good: To act justly, love mercy, walk humbly." Micah 6:8

I understand that not everyone will want, or be able, to buy a necklace.

But even if you don't, will you pray? Pray for Kristen's family, The Mercy House, and the needs in Kenya?

Thank you!!

Beki

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I will be ordering my Love Mercy necklace this week. 
Just like Beki stated in her post, if you are unable to buy a necklace or do not want a necklace, please be in prayer for this mission. 

XoXo