Make A Differnce Day, October 23

Make A Difference Day was a huge success! We (MCVS) partnered with the AmeriCorps NCCC, City of Jackson, Keep Jackson Beautiful and the Jackson Zoological Society to bring together over 400 volunteers for a national day of service that really was amazing! All the hard work we put in to planning (and begging for supplies from local retailers) really paid off. We cleared several acres of brush and debris, painted a train tunnel and fence for the zoo and stained picnic tables. All-in-all our goal of creating an accessible and friendly recreation area for residents of Jackson where families feel they can live, work, grow and play far exceeded my expectations.

Thank you to everyone that helped us make such a huge difference for Livingston Park and the Jackson Zoo! One of our younger volunteers summed up my feelings nicely - it makes a difference knowing I am making a difference. How great of a statement is that from a 12-year-old. Photos below for enjoyment!

Make a difference, change the world.

Four shots later...

And I do not feel great, but hey, it's the last round. That also means we are two weeks and a few days until we leave. My boss was great yesterday and let me go home after the shots were injected into what is now a very very sore arm. They didn't hurt as bad as I thought, but I feel really bad - like I have a fever - today. Thanks Yellow Fever, Hep A, Meningitis  and Typhoid.

I must say the Hinds County Health Department was not nearly as bad as I anticipated. Aside from seeing all the very young mothers and some very interesting tactics for keeping children quiet, I was pleasantly surprised. I met the sweetest (and very young) mother of a three-month-old daughter during my visit to HCHD and she had so many goals - one of which is to be a missionary in Africa. How interesting that our paths crossed. We talked for a really long time and I tried to encourage her to stay in school. It is sad to see such a bright and shining child catapulted into adulthood because of a choice, mistake, whatever you want to call it. She had a great and positive outlook on life though. I hope she can reach her potential, and I hope maybe I some type of impact on her life through by just talking to her and supporting her during our 30 minute friendship. It's like my friend says all the time, and I strongly believe: People may forget what your said and forget what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel. 

If you actually know me, then you know I am a planner - for the big stuff. Yes, my clothes are laid out beside my bag, along with all the things I will be taking with me and a big check list. I like to make sure I have everything I am going to need - or everything I want to give to other people. I am so super excited I can hardly stand it! I am like a five-year-old little girl about to see Santa for the first time and understand the context of the meeting.

I have to get ready for work - but I hope you to change someone's life today! I know I will try to. Make A Difference Day is coming up really soon. Find and participate in a project that will make your community a better place for families to live, work, grow and play!

Happy Wednesday!!

Three weeks and counting

I looked up today and realized there are only three weeks left until we leave for Africa. I cannot believe the time has gone by so fast. I also realized I have not been very actively writing on the blog - thanks work and life. I have, however, attended a lot of football games. So there you have it. I have neglected the blog for SEC football - but then again that is the only acceptable reason to do such a thing. Well, I'm getting back in the saddle as they say.

I had my first round of one-on-one emails with Melinda from Pennies for Posho last week, and I have to say she is probably the nicest and most helpful person I have ever met...virtually, of course. She gave me a little crash course in what to bring, how the Internet connection works (YAY! There is wireless!), and so on and so on. Case in point, the blog will be up and running everyday. I am so grateful that this experience can be shared with everyone - friends, family, co-workers...even strangers if they come across it and want to read it.

This will definitely be the most amazing - and quite possible most definitive and life changing - experience for me to date. Honestly, it is possible that I will not come back - sorry to break the news via the blog family! Seriously, I could not stay away from my sweet boys. They are getting older as the days come and go more quickly. The circle life is unfolding before my eyes in my boys, and now I will see it unfolding in the eyes of a child that has no choice but to succumb to an untimely death due to malnutrition, disease and warfare to name a few. I have a mixed array of emotions to think I may be the person to offer a moment of happiness to a child that will not have the opportunity to realize the dreams he or she has. But it also offers solace in that I may be able to put a smile on his or her face, if only for a brief moment in time.

I know this may sound a little ridiculous to some...but I think I will stuff my supply container with candy for the children (and some things that are not so ridiculous like toothbrushes and toothpaste). Kids love candy - at least I did, but I am also kind of a piggy - and I think everyone should at enjoy the experience of sweetness melting slowly in their mouth! HELLO JOLLY RANCHERS! Watch kids, I am bringing a tub full (half-full).

Okay, enough for today. I have to get back to the job that pays the bills and enables me to participate in civic responsibility projects and generally making the world a better place to live, work, play and grow. Thanks to my family and friends who always support me in everything I do. I would not be able to take the strides I do to make the changes I want to see in this world if it weren't for you.

Do the work you believe in. Find and support people who are making a better world and join with them. Educate yourself and become knowledgeable, so you can be effective and have a powerful impact on the world in which you live!

EWH