FINALLY! Sister Donna's Heartland Orphanage in Ethiopia

 I am pleased and honored to be able to tell you about 

Sister Donna's wonderful work in Ethiopia.

No Sister Mary Elephant jokes please :/

- or Sister Donna and her All Girl Orchestra either -

THIS Sister Donna is the real deal and she is...

* simply amazing *

Pop some popcorn and settle in for some inspiration... 

~ This is beautiful Sister Donna ~

Look at her lovely smile - she's just radiant :) 

Her entire countenance shines of love and charity,

courage and generosity, selflessness and warmth.

She is smart, determined, and resourceful.

She educates her girls, gives medical care to locals,

and works harder and longer than anyone I know! 

She moves mountains - literally and figuratively.

 Sister Donna runs an orphanage for girls.

This is what it looks like now...

 This is what it used to look like...

with the run-off water from the nearby mountains

first flooding Sister Donna's Heartland compound,

then becoming stagnant and causing deadly malaria.

Finally, after the U.S. army stepped in to fill the water,

local workers labored endlessly to build a barrier wall.

Over 1,000 donkey carts of dirt (20 per day, per donkey)

built this barrier wall to keep Heartland safe and dry. 

After the barrier was built, cactus plants were added

to further anything from getting into the compound.

Local men worked hard to plant the cactus -

children worked picking up stray cactus needles.

Not much is going to get through this!

One BIG concern marked off for Sister Donna!

I wanted to show you some of her precious girls.

Look how hop-scotch is a universal game

no matter where you are in the entire world :)

Here the girls are dancing and playing for joy -

they have new tee shirts and are so happy :)

How sweet is that!

Playing a jumping frog game together -

even the little ones... so cute :)

One of the main sources of Heartland's income

is the beautiful rosaries the girls make by hand.

The income they generate is the backbone of Heartland.

I want to show you some pics of these dear girls... 

Even the youngest ones can make rosaries :) 

All the girls make their own type of rosary -

each with pretty beads and lovely sterling crosses.

 Here is one of the older girls making a rosary.

They are all beautiful - the rosaries and the girls :)

~

Here are some photos I took of the rosaries

when I was fortunate enough to have them with me:

So here's where *YOU* come in if you'd like to help!

To purchase some of these hand-made rosaries,

please go to THIS SITE --------> RIGHT HERE!

On ayindisa.com you'll see Diana and Sister Donna -

Click "view all items"... POW! You'll see rosaries!

Some other important activities at Heartland

include drying hot peppers for "barbari" powder -

Measuring and bagging the barbari powder,

made from the dried hot peppers -

Barbari is a national flavor.

The girls also help in pounding salt,

as salt first comes to them in rock form.

This year's bumper crop was pumpkins.

Above, they are drying the pumpkin meat

and the pumpkin seeds for year-long consumption.

Corn (maze) is an important crop for Heartland,

as maze is the staple of their every day diet.

My friend Diana's organization, Engage Now Africa,

made this maze crop delivery possible.

(Engage Now Africa is in a previous blog post HERE)

Sister Donna teaches these girls EVERYTHING, 

from cooking skills to jewelry making,

and certainly the value of hard work!

And that only touches the surface of their education! 

But of course little girls love to play too!

The nearby lake, above, is a favorite place.

Sister Donna is trying to make sure every girl

can get one of these dollies to be their friend.

After all, everyone needs a special friend :)

And then there are bittersweet times as well...

This lovely girl was adopted by a nice family!

What a wonderful occasion - a brand new life!

Sister Donna is saying her heart-felt farewell.

I'm sure this girl will always be grateful

for Sister Donna and her Heartland home.

Something that constantly inspired me about Sister Donna

was that she has gratitude in nearly everything she says.

She works so unbelievably hard - tirelessly - and yet

she has a cheerful heart, sees the glass half full,

and finds the blessings and beauty in everything.

Bless you Sister Donna, for all you do!

from handiwork to gnomes(!) in Ethiopia

 My friend Diana brought me a handmade, doily-like hot pad,

when she returned from her most recent trip to Ethiopia.

It had a tremendous amount of detail... so pretty (above)

 Diana told me she had met this woman (left, above)

who had little use of her atrophied legs,

but had become successful since given the opportunity

to participate in a micro-credit program.  

Now she is able to run her own business,

and sell her beautiful hand-made wares for fair prices.

She is showing some examples of her lovely work, above.

Diana is right behind her :)

My lovely hot pad - I will cherish it :)

Thank you Diana - xoxo

~

And now, for an Ethiopian oddity...

 Gnomes in Ethiopia! SERIOUSLY...

Diana saw these "gnomes" on a hotel lawn.

I said, "But that's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs!".

Diana said she'd suggested that to the grounds people,

but they had NO idea what she was talking about. 

"GNOMES. GNOMES!", was their answer, hehe.

Ethiopian gnomes - I love it :)

~

Remember me talking about amazing Sister Donna

waaaaay back in May (here AND here)

and how she runs a girl's orphanage in Ethiopia?

And how the girls make beautiful rosaries to sell?

Stay tuned, cuz I'm *finally* spotlighting them,

and the site where you can purchase their rosaries!

some sweetness

These stories speak for themselves... ENJOY! :)

It was a busy morning, about 8:30, when an elderly gentleman in his 80's, arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb.

He said he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 am.

I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone would be able to see him.

I saw him looking at his watch, and decided, since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound.

On exam, it was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound.  While taking care of his wound, I asked him if he had another doctor's appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry.

The gentleman told me no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife.

I inquired as to her health; he told me that she had been there for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer's Disease.

As we talked, I asked if she would be upset if he was a bit late.

He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recognized him in five years now.

I was surprised, and asked him, 'And you still go every morning, even though she doesn't know who you are?'

He smiled as he patted my hand and said, 'She doesn't know me, but I still know who she is'.

I had to hold back tears as he left; I had goose bumps on my arm, and thought, 'That is the kind of love I want in my life'.

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‘TIL DEATH DO US PART: ELDERLY COUPLE DIES HOLDING HANDS

• Posted on October 20, 2011 at 8:39am by  Liz Klimas
• Print »
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• Gordon, 94, and Norma Yeager, 90, of Des Moines, Iowa, were married for 72 years. According to a local report, from high school onward they wanted to be together forever. On Earth, they got about as close to “forever” as any human couple could ask for, and last week they died an hour apart while holding hands with each other.
• KCCI reports the couple’s son, Dennis Yeage,  as saying the couple was in a car accident last Wednesday, which put them in intensive care. Nurses did not separate the couple. Gordon died first but, as Dennis says in the news clip, Gordon’s heart monitor was still registering a beat. This is because the monitor was picking up Norma‘s heart beat through Gordon’s hand. Norma died an hour later:

“Staying together for 72 years is good, I‘d say that’s exceptional,” said daughter Donna Sheets.

“Neither one of them would’ve wanted to be without each other. I couldn’t figure out how it was going to work,” said Donna Sheets. “We were very blessed, honestly, that they went this way.”

 KCCI reports that the couple was buried holding hands in their casket on Monday.

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The Sack Lunches 

I put my carry-on in the luggage compartment and sat down in my assigned seat.  It was going to be a long flight. "I'm glad I have a good book to read. Perhaps I will get a short nap," I thought.  Just before take-off, a line of soldiers came down the aisle and filled all the  vacant seats, totally surrounding me.  I decided to start a conversation.  "Where are you headed?" I asked the soldier seated nearest  to me.  

"Chicago - to Great Lakes Base.  We'll be there for two weeks for special training,  and then we're being deployed to Iraq " After flying for about an hour, an announcement was made that sack lunches were  available for five dollars.  It would be several hours before we reached  Chicago, and I quickly decided a lunch would help pass the time. As I reached for my wallet, I overheard a soldier ask his buddy if he planned to buy  lunch.  "No, that seems like a lot of money for just a sack lunch. Probably wouldn't be worth five bucks. I'll wait till we get to Chicago .  

His friend agreed. I looked around at the other soldiers.  None were buying lunch. I  walked to the back of the plane and handed the flight attendant a fifty dollar bill.  "Take a lunch to all those soldiers." She grabbed my arms and  squeezed tightly.  Her eyes wet with tears, she thanked me.  "My son was a soldier in Iraq ; it's almost like you are doing it for him."  

Picking up ten sacks, she headed up the aisle to where the soldiers were seated.  She stopped at my seat and asked, "Which do you like best - beef or chicken?"  

"Chicken," I replied, wondering why sh e asked.  She turned and went to the front of  plane, returning a minute later with a dinner plate from first class.  "This is your thanks." After we finished eating, I went again to the back of the plane, heading for the rest room.  A man stopped me.  "I saw what you did.  I want to be part  of it.  Here, take this."  He handed me twenty-five dollars.  

Soon after I returned to my seat, I saw the Flight Captain coming down the aisle,  looking at the aisle numbers as he walked, I hoped he was not looking for me,  but noticed he was looking at the numbers only on my side of the plane.  When he got to my row he stopped, smiled, held out his hand,

an said, "I want to  shake your hand."  

Quickly unfastening my seatbelt I stood and took the Captain's hand.  With a booming voice he said, "I was a soldier and I was a military pilot.  Once, someone bought me a lunch.  It was an act of kindness I never  forgot."  I was embarrassed when applause was heard from all of the  passengers.  

  

Later I walked to the front of the plane so I could stretch my legs.  A man who was  seated about six rows in front of me reached out his hand, wanting to shake  mine.  He left another twenty-five

dollars in my palm.    

When we landed in Chicago I gathered my belongings and started to deplane. Waiting  just inside the airplane door was a man who stopped me, put something in my  shirt pocket, turned, and walked away without saying a word.  Another  twenty-five dollars!

Soon entering the terminal, I saw the soldiers gathering for their trip to the  base.  I walked over to them and handed them seventy-five dollars.  "It will take you some time to reach the base. It will be about time for a sandwich.  God Bless You." 

Ten young men left that flight feeling the love and respect of their fellow travelers. As I walked briskly to my car, I whispered a prayer for their  safe return.  These soldiers were giving their all for our country. I  could only give them a couple of meals. It seemed so little...

  

A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life wrote a  blank check Made payable to "The United States of America " for an amount of "up  to and including my life." That is Honor, and there are way too many people in  This country who no longer understand it."

Makes you stop and give thanks, doen't it :) 

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Jasmine

True Story  (I just *love* stories like this!) (what a great story for November - the month of THANKS!) (okay, I'll stop messin' around so you can read it) * In 2003, police in Warwickshire, England, opened a garden shed and found a whimpering, cowering dog. The dog had been locked in the shed and abandoned. It was dirty and malnourished, and had quite clearly been abused. Jasmine In an act of kindness, the police took the dog, which was a female greyhound, to the Nuneaton Warwickshire Wildlife Sanctuary, which is run by a man named Geoff Grewcock, and known as a haven for animals abandoned, orphaned, or otherwise in need. Geoff and the other sanctuary staff went to work with two aims: to restore the dog to full health, and to win her trust. It took several weeks, but eventually both goals were achieved. They named her Jasmine, and they started to think about finding her an adoptive home. Jasmine, however, had other ideas. No one quite remembers how it came about, but Jasmine started welcoming all animal arrivals at the sanctuary. It would not matter if it were a puppy, a fox cub, a rabbit or, any other lost or hurting animal. Jasmine would just peer into the box or cage and, when and where possible, deliver a welcoming lick. Geoff relates one of the early incidents. "We had two puppies that had been abandoned by a nearby railway line. One was a Lakeland Terrier cross and another was a Jack Russell Doberman cross. They were tiny when they arrived at the centre, and Jasmine approached them and grabbed one by the scruff of the neck in her mouth and put him on the settee. Then she fetched the other one and sat down with them, cuddling them." "But she is like that with all of our animals, even the rabbits. She takes all the stress out of them, and it helps them to not only feel close to her, but to settle into their new surroundings. She has done the same with the fox and badger cubs, she licks the rabbits and guinea pigs, and even lets the birds perch on the bridge of her nose." Jasmine, the timid, abused, deserted waif, became the animal sanctuary's resident surrogate mother, a role for which she might have been born. The list of orphaned and abandoned youngsters she has cared for comprises five fox cubs, four badger cubs, fifteen chicks, eight guinea pigs, two stray puppies and fifteen rabbits - and one roe deer fawn. Tiny Bramble, eleven weeks old, was found semi-conscious in a field. Upon arrival at the sanctuary, Jasmine cuddled up to her to keep her warm, and then went into the full foster-mum role. Jasmine the greyhound showers Bramble the roe deer with affection, and makes sure nothing is matted. "They are inseparable," says Geoff. "Bramble walks between her legs, and they keep kissing each other. They walk together round the sanctuary. It's a real treat to see them." (my fave pic!) Jasmine will continue to care for Bramble until she is old enough to be returned to woodland life. When that happens, Jasmine will not be lonely. She will be too busy showering love and affection on the next orphan or victim of abuse. Pictured from the left are: "Toby", a stray Lakeland dog; "Bramble", orphaned roe deer; "Buster", a stray Jack Russell; a dumped rabbit; "Sky", an injured barn owl; and "Jasmine", the abused and abandoned greyhound, with a mother's heart doing best what a caring mother would do...and such is the order of God's Creation. Oh, how humankind could learn a few things from sweet, loving, accepting Jasmine :) Many thanks once again to my dear friend Wendy, from whom I often receive inspiring stories of hope and love! xoxo    (And for all you doubting tossers, Snopes has verified the truth of this wonderful story and the reality of these photographs which accompany the story. So HAH!)

Etsy love: Frog Blossoms

Custom quilts made just for ME!

I received two *very fun* quilts in the mail

from a creative, talented Etsy seller:

Linda of Frog Blossoms!

I found Linda via Pinterest -

she's such a nice person and so talented!

Here's a quote from her store's bio:

"Why FrogBlossoms? My dad loved making ceramics. 

He was never one to make just one of anything -- he made everything by the dozens. 

One of his favorites was a frog-shaped planter. 

The frog had raised flowers all over it that he painted in a rainbow of colors. 

Everyone loved those Frog Blossom planters."

How sweet! She dedicates her store to Daddy :)   

It seems like today's fabrics are so wonderful,

whole-cloth quilts are more popular than ever!

And although Linda's quilts (among many other talents) 

are mainly throw-sized or baby-sized,

she was willing to go the extra mile for me,

and make 2 custom sized (over-sized!) throws :) 

 Look how they arrived in the box -

she even tied lovely ribbon around them :)

 She said to hurry up and wash them,

because they get more puckery every time!

And they do! I love them both so much! 

So does Luna :)

Luna loves any and All Things Cozy!

She had to try both quilts to decide on a favorite!

In the end, Luna decided on this one, hehe :)

Here is more *fun* information about Linda:

She has had such a full, interesting life!

She has lived all over the world and the U.S.

Her enthusiasm for life and learning is contagious!

At the age of 53 she even decided to complete 

her Bachelor's degree - AND a Master's degree!

She raised 2 wonderful kids whom she adores :)

She loves quilting, drawing, painting, sewing,

photography, music, ceramics, and...

the antics of her golden retriever Albert :)

But wait! There's more! Much more!

Linda has been a creative machine lately!

She's come up with all kinds of fantastic ideas!

Like the Save the Planet Bottle Strap, above!

Go on your walk - or anywhere - unencumbered.

You've got a bottle strap, key ring, and pouch -

so all your important things stay with you!

Pet Quilts!!

How adorable are these?!

And how FUN is this set?!

Girls' Tote and Crayon Roll :)

She makes these in all kinds of great fabrics!

Frog Flannel Blanket and Fleece Softie :)

Blue Butterflies & Blossom Baby/Toddler Quilt :)

Owl Padded iPad/eReader Tote & Pouch :)

School Days Lanyard & Key Ring/ID Set :)

4-Pillow Pocket Nap Mat Cover :)

Aren't all of Linda's creations darling ideas?!

She has even more expertly sewn creations

waiting for you in her Etsy store...

*sweet* baby dolls, puppy & bear stuffed animals,

cute fleece softie/blankie sets, mini owl key chains,

happy boy and girl dolls, ballerina & mermaid dolls,

even Matryoshka Nesting Dolls! AND THE LIST GOES ON!

Visit Linda's Etsy store Frog Blossoms! 

Linda, you're totally awesome!