Why the Disparity?

****Update: I have now reached $650 of my $1000 goal! Thanks to everyone and PLEASE let's make it $1000!**** 




When I set out to raise money for a charity I am always certain that I will either meet my goal or come pretty close to the goal. I always try to gear the raffle prize to attract the people who I think will feel close to the cause I am supporting.

This latest raffle has been quite different from my African Orphan raffles, and I knew it would be different and challenging. North Korea is hidden from view. North Korea has a leader who is hated and despised by any person who has even a shred of morality or compassion. North Korea is only in the news when it concerns a nuclear weapons matter. I did see Greta Van Susteran a few months ago in North Korea on Fox News to cover the extreme famine, but only lush, green fields with healthy Koreans were shown. It didn't look so bad from that perspective, honestly.

So I wonder, how do I show the extreme famine, brutal tortures, and unbelievable oppression in a country that hides it so well from the outside world, from us? I can't.
How can I help the millions of people who are trapped behind that wall and suffering in North Korea? I can't. I can't help everyone, but I CAN help ONE. WE can TRY and help.
Here's the deal. We KNOW that people are tortured and starving and forced into labor camps in North Korea. We KNOW that there are orphans and people who want to escape, they want to be free, they want to have a voice. We do not have to see it all in order to believe it. There are people who DO escape, often times leaving their family behind to suffer the consequences. These refugees spend their lives in FEAR of being sent back home so they do not go on TV and tell everyone who they are or how they got here. These brothers and sisters do TELL others about their lives in North Korea though, and it's worse than what any of us can imagine.

There is disparity that allows me and others like myself to have been born here in the USA. I have food and clothes and freedom and everything I could ever need. Halfway across the world in North Korea there are those who are born and live their life starved, beaten, and silenced. Why is that? What is the purpose for that huge difference in life?
Have you ever wondered why you were born here and not there? Was it just luck?
If you are from South Korea, have you ever pondered how your life would be different had you just been born across the border instead? What do you think your purpose is as a free Korean?
Friends, I will be blunt and put it all out there because this is a cause that weighs heavy on me. This has been a cause that I have been wildly surprised to have NOT affected more of my friends and associates than I expected.
We are in an economic recession big time, I know. I also know that many of you have taken more than one big vacation this summer. That is great, I am not saying we shouldn't take vacations. I AM saying that I need $10 from you.  This cause needs the amount you spend at Starbucks a week. This cause needs the amount you were going to spend on pizza tonight. 318 Partners has North Koreans ready for a rescue, an escape. They need your $10 to pay for the brave mission. 318 Partners has orphans waiting in China, fearing for their lives, waiting to be brought to a forever family. They need your $10 to help pay the way.
It does not matter if you are white, black, purple or Korean. You need to ask yourself this question: Was I born with all of these privileges and blessings so that I may help those who were not? Can I sacrifice a little more?
The horror that happens in North Korea is beyond our full comprehension, but you can save someone and it will only cost you $10.

Will you ponder this for just a while? Then after you donate and enter the raffle, will you please consider spreading the word? The only thing better than helping 318 Partners fund their missions is spreading the word about the crisis in North Korea. I do not only want to give money, I want MORE people to fight, more people to speak up and educate others.
I want world peace, but this is a nice start.


Blessings,

Celebrations and Freedom...for others

Summer has officially started, at least that is what the weekend felt like with all of the family, friends and cookouts.
We had friends over Saturday for another family movie, only this time we had food and BBQ and delicious pies and slaw first.

 The kids endured the heat by running through the slip and slide.

 The sand box and tire swing were also played with, as well as the trampoline. It truly is a kid paradise around here with so much land to run and play upon.

The blue go-kart was used to drive on a track that we mowed through the pasture. This was all pre-movie entertainment. Lets' not forget the wonderful friends we were all able to visit and laugh with..good times.

 Fletcher has gone from crawling one week to pulling up the next.

 He even stands with only one hand for support. He's quite proud too!

 He's a sweet, sweet, boy......

His ONLY fault would be that he likes to teeth on people! In fact the girls call him "Zombie Baby" because he is constantly biting. OUCH!

 The 4th would not have been complete without more friends and family. We had ice cold soda and kabobs on the grill.

 More fun was had hanging outside, trying to climb trees and running through the pasture.

It was the first 4th without my dad, and his birthday was also over the weekend. To say that we were not all a bit melancholy would be a lie. This was a first, another step towards moving on with our lives and it was very bitter sweet. But then, anytime we move forward it is bittersweet because in order to move forward, we must also leave something behind.
We rounded the night with fireworks galore and went to bed that night exhausted but happy that we could have such a fun festivity here on Barefoot Farm.

 Yesterday we again played outside at a church where the big girls attend their Civil Air Patrol meetings.

 The kids love to swing and also climb the poles on the swing set. It was approaching bedtime, but decided to go grab a treat at Sonic and play outside anyway.

 This little man enjoyed sharing my Oreo Blast. Oh, it was so, so yummy! It was also great to again just hang out on a quilt with him. No agenda. No chores. Nothing but hanging out.

 A last minute gift from a dear Aunt was a huge success. The kids ran around for an hour playing with bubbles.

Tomorrow we hit the lake for some more family time. More food. More Fun.
It's amazing that in these times of poor economic times, we are chock full of blessings. Anyone in this great Nation can become anything.
This is where I turn your attention to North Korea. Yep, I thought about the poor people of that country all weekend. Amid my many blessings, there are people across the globe who have nothing. NOTHING. They have no voice, no food, no hope. Imagine for just a minute that you had been born there instead of here. I have one video for you to please watch. My dear friend Lisa made it over the weekend. The pictures are from her trip last April to South Korea. You might shield young eyes, as it is graphic at times. The drawings are from stories told by defectors who escaped.




After a huge weekend of celebration, what is a child's life worth to you? What can you spare so that ONE person can escape from the horrors in North Korea? Can you spare $10? $20? It's really that simple. I am raising funds for 318 Partners so that they can help a REAL person leave that horrible country. They cannot save everyone, you cannot save everyone but we can save at least ONE person. We can change their world for good. Imagine if you were on their side of the world and we were all over here celebrating with all of our food and glory and drink. Would you want us to dig deeper and find a few dollars to help? It's not much money, even in these times. You can read about the raffle and how you can participate HERE. I am only $400 shy of my goal and not only are the prizes fantastic, you would be helping someone who is truly in need.

I know the times are lean but honestly, you can find the means to help. You do, after all, live in the country of Hope and Prosperity, and Free Speech. You are not under a ruler who joyfully ties pregnant women up and cuts their babies from their bellies. You are not under an oppressor who tortures and starves his people. You can find the money to help. You can be THEIR VOICE!

So let's make this happen! Let's give 318 Partners all of our support....

and enjoy your week:-)

"...once our eyes are opened, we can't pretend we don't know what to do. God, who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls, knows that we know, and holds us responsible to act."

Proverbs 24:12

 

This Week

First I want to update that I have collected $520 so far in the Quilt Art Raffle! Whoo-hoo! This excites me. thank you everyone who has donated. I have some Memory Quilt Art Blocks to sew:-) That makes me happy. There are still 3 weeks left to donate and enter the raffle so PLEASE help me reach the goal of $1000. Click this paragraph to find out more info.

Now, I am not going to ramble on and on today about North Korea, although I have seen some stuff that still makes my stomach turn. Lisa showed me some art work, pictures depicting what refugees said happens in those concentration camps. I am still trying to process it all mentally. It would make you cry, seriously. I know why Kim Jong iI is so adamant about keeping this horror from view. It's barbaric and worthy of an ST-6 assassination. BUT I said I would not discuss North Korea today...

We have plans for fun this weekend, and why not? My head needs to find a happy place and it found one this afternoon in the back yard.

Slip and Slide! Need I say more? Sure the little ones had already bathed, but who cares if PJs get wet. It was a new toy that needed some "trying out" so the children happily obliged.
It was sheer excitement and plans have been prepared for tomorrows adventures. My only hope is that they wait until 10 am before starting such adventures.

 Duke saw the great advantage of having fresh, running water for drinking.

Zeb? Well, those britches got a little saggy from the water.


Friends

Yesterday we were so happy to have some friends over for lunch. It had been way too long. My teenagers had a great time with their friend.

I wonder, if you could be a teenager again, would you? Would you do it all over again?

Fletcher

My baby can light up the entire place with those baby blues....

 He is now very mobile and crawling everywhere. I predict that in one week my lower kitchen cabinets will be a mess, and it will not be my fault this time.

 Duke is still the ever-gentle loving dog and he loves the baby. After all, the baby is a constant food source to a dog who wishes to sit under the high chair at dinner time.

Fletcher, of course, thinks everything within reach is a potential food source.

Carrot

We know that Willow can grow a giant carrot and that the carrot makes a great snack.

The children have green thumbs, I say.

I hope everyone has a great weekend. We will have family movie night along with a good old fashioned, southern BBQ on Saturday. It promises to be a fabulous time.
Monday we will have a good old fashioned, southern cookout complete with lip smackin' yummy kabobs. I am even going to pull out the ice cream churn...it's been way to long. I am ready for a nice long weekend with family and friends. My blessings to you all! Have a wonderful weekend! Don't forget to have some fun:-)

Motivation is the key!!!

Un-motivated is what I am feeling today. I think the rain has dampened and zapped all energy around here. Add to that with a fussy toddler and baby and you have one LONG day!
The up-side to it is I have family coming in for a visit...my dear sister. I have been trying to get my pantry all straightened up so that she will be amazed that it still looks great since she last was here and cleaned it for me:-)
Tomorrow a good friend will be here for a visit with her wonderful kids. Few things in life are better than having great friends. I should mention that the friend coming over is Lisa, the "I am their voice" North Korea Crisis advocate. I am sure we will be talking about the raffle and how the funds are starting to come in.

As of now I have $320!!! It doesn't all show on the Chip-In button because I have been given some checks and cash.  Have you considered donating? I know, I know that times are tough and the economy has been a bit busted. Consider this: how much do you spend eating out? How about Starbucks? Perhaps you could even make your July 4th celebration a more simple family affair. Yes, I think we could all dig deep and donate $10!
HERE ARE THE DETAILS!!!!

Now, please watch this and see if you don't feel a little more blessed to be a citizen here in the USA. Then, read the details again and donate! :-) My friend Lisa knows this great man!!! Your donation will help these orphans!
Blessings to you all!

Art Quilt Raffle Plus an EXTRA Something

An Introduction
Remember when you were in school and the history teacher would talk about WWII and the Holocaust? It was terrifying to read about the struggles so many people went through during that time. Not only did the Jewish suffer, but Christians did as well. Corrie Ten Boom told her horrific story as a Christian in a concentration camp in her book "The Hiding Place." Aren't you glad nothing like that happens anymore, that we are far beyond those terrible day of concentration camps? Well, sadly they still exist. They STILL exist! Where? They exist here.

See that area on the map that is full of lights? That is South Korea. They are doing well over there, thriving! Now, look at the dark area on top. That is North Korea. They are suffering there, and they HAVE concentration camps. They are dark because they have NO ELECTRICITY. Well, the small dot of light is where the devil Kim Jong II (the Dear Leader) lives.

Why North Korea?

My dearest friend, Lisa, works as a human rights activist for North Korea. She is crazy about the  crisis in North Korea, and because she believes I am a good person (seriously, she gave me a t-shirt to prove it!) I told her that her cause is my cause and that I would help any way I could. Now I am going to tell you all that you too are GOOD people (but without a t-shirt) and ask you to help as well.

Today I will start a raffle to collect a donation for 318 Partners. Much like the Underground Railroad you learned about in school, this group will raise funds and then use the funds to help the defectors of North Korea. Many of the women are sold into sex trafficking, 318 Partners helps get them out. They also go in and actually help people escape from the oppressed country. It is an Underground Railroad! They need money to do it all  so we are all going to pitch in and help. They have a few missions they are currently raising money for and WE can be part of that! WE can help rescue someone and change their world FOREVER!

I know this is a difficult "sell" because the North Korean government is SO reclusive! Let me tell you that the enemy LOVES it! The enemy LOVES that these people are oppressed! The enemy LOVES that these brothers and sisters of ours cannot learn about Christ! The enemy LOVES that they are all starving! We must see that GOOD triumphs over evil!

What is the Raffle?

I really reached into my artistic self and decided to raffle 2 items together. One is a quilt art.A quilt art is a small artistic quilt creation that tells a story or expresses a feeling.
Here is my Proverbs Quilt Art for 318 Partners.

It measures about 18x16 inches, was all handmade by me, and not only features some Proverbs that express this cause, but also has written in Korean "Free North Korea." It is ready to hang on your wall.
There is another gift that will go along with this quilt art.

Yep! That is a Keurig Elite coffee maker and it has with it 12 K cups, a sampler of sorts. Oh, you know how nice that coffee maker would be, admit it!

Here's how it works. I have a Chip In button on the upper LEFT of this blog. Click it and make a donation. You can also mail me a check, just email me for my address. We have ONE MONTH to raise $1000 for 318 Partners! Share this post with everyone you know. You can also find me on Face book and 318 Partners is on Facebook too!
Now, for every $10 you donate you get 1 entry at the drawing. So if you donate $50, you will get 5 entries! The drawing will be held at 7 am on 7/26 using random.org.
Now, I love it when people really open their hearts (and wallets) and donate $100. So I have ANOTHER gift for everyone who donates $100 or more.

This is a quilt art that is also called a memory quilt block. I made this one for a friend who donated to my last raffle. If you donate $100 or more I will ask you to send me a picture and I will custom make one of these for you. You can use a baby picture, wedding picture, birthday picture, whatever. Maybe you have a special occasion coming up? I will get started making it as soon as I get your photo via email AND you can choose a color scheme if you wish. That photo is printed out on a special fabric and truly is lovely in person. It is also ready for hanging on your wall.

Are you still with me? I know this is long winded, but it is truly so important! I will be featuring stories and videos throughout the month so that you can get the feel for what the North Korean Crisis really is and how it affects so many. 318 Partners is devoted to saving lives and changing the world for individuals who are suffering there.
""Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute"
Proverbs 31:8


Will you be their voice?

Family Outdoor Movie Night

 So, it rained just a couple of hours before but movie night prevailed! (I apologize for the poor picture quality...)

 There are few things better than gathering with friends and family on a summer night to watch a movie on the "big screen." Everyone brought a couple of chairs, quilts were layed out everywhere for the youngest and a good time was had by all.

 Popcorn, lemonade and lollipops added to the movie experience. It was a nice relaxing family night, especially since restless toddlers (with short attention spans) could get up and run around without disturbing anyone.

 The movie was much better than I expected. I mean, the title seemed silly but it was a funny flick with awesome music. Who doesn't LOVE Sir Elton John?

So the first summer movie is done and now we are planning the next. We will show another flick on July 2nd and I am sure it will be as great as this one!