Monday, April 27, 2009

That Cheap Couch

My sister is on my mind and heart non-stop. I'm nearly obsessed. The first thing I did this morning was check my email and the LPM blog for any communication. There wasn't anything yet. Then someone sent us a link to the Compassion Bloggers' Flickr page. I went on there immediately and was so excited when I found a picture of my beautiful sis. She's alive! Well, of course she was, but I'm dramatic like that. I also cried just seeing her face. My big sis instincts are on overdrive.

A few minutes later a post appeared on the other blog and I had an email from her. Yeah! Among other things, her email said, "Compassion is AMAZING. Like seriously." I called my mom asap to read her the post. She's at the ranch and has no Internet connection. Then I texted my bro-in-law to let him know to look on the blog. He wrote me back and said he was crying at work. We are all still here, but our hearts are there with her and with those children.

So naturally I've been thinking about our Compassion kid in Honduras. I'm terrible at snail mail, but I decided to see if I could figure out how to email him through their web site. It worked and it was so easy! Yeah! When I logged in, I found all sorts of info about him, including his family's monthly income. I told it to Curt and he did the math. He said, "In one year they make what it cost us to buy that couch you're sitting on." The sad thing is, when I think about this couch, I think of how glad I am that we bought the cheap one because it's been bathed in apple juice and spit up.

Now I'm off to the gym. Incidentally, at $30/month, the gym membership that makes me feel a smidge better about my body costs the same as it does to provide life-changing educational, medical, spiritual, and financial support to our Compassion kid.

23 comments:

Tara G. said...

Thanks for the reminder that we can e-mail our kids; I had put that communication in a "need to file" pile. The pile is MIA. And I am keeping a box of tissue by the computer until further notice; I cry every time I read one of the team's posts.

Teresa @ Grammy Girlfriend said...

Thanks Amanda for the information. Today my grandson and I picked out a special boy to sponsor. We are so excited to get started. Praying for Melissa and the entire group.

petrii said...

Amanda,
How amazing is this trip?!! I'm following and praying. It was really good to hear her update and also Angie's. It is great to hear two perspective's of the same trip.

Have a Blessed evening,
petrii

Dionna said...

I'll have to go check out the site to see the update from Melissa. I sponsor a little girl in Haiti too -- I love emailing instead of snail mail. :)

Marla Taviano said...

Sisterly love warms my heart. Praying for your little sis!!

KR said...

Well, I'm obsessed too and none of the bloggers are related to me! I am praying for them, and for all of you- the families waiting on a word! Imagine all the missionary families prior to internet..phone..telegram..air travel? Humbling...and a little embarassing...I just spent a third of the cost of monthly sponsorship at Starbucks.

Holly said...

Even though I'm not part of the family, I have been continually in prayer for Melissa and the team. It's almost like I just know that what she's doing is so hard and draining--but that God has His Hand upon her and this is going to be a big part of her life. I love to see God's Hand move over someone that I care so much about, like your sister.

PS You are an awesome big sister, Amanda. 'Wish I had one JUST LIKE YOU!

Angela said...

I have a compassion girl in Africa!
I thought it was sad that we spend over 30 a month on dog food! It is totally worth the money and I am so glad that we sponsored her!

debra parker said...

And these are the thoughts that constantly run through my mind...

Kelly @ Love Well said...

I hadn't thought about it until now, but that's another cool benefit from the Compassion Bloggers trips. For those of us who already sponsor kids, it's motivation to send another letter, pray another prayer and be overwhelmed at the blessings of having them in our lives.

(I'm obsessed too -- with the whole trip. I've even been reading all the #compassionindia tweets.)

Tara said...

Thanks for putting things in perspective, Amanda. You are right: It is so easy to get caught up in the "necessities" here in America, that pure and simple, just really aren't.

So glad that Melissa is there, safe and sound. It was good to see her in the pictures!!!

Shelly said...

Nate and I are praying for her and Colin. Maybe we should add the rest of you as well :) Most validly so :)

Anonymous said...

We've been sponsoring a child in Mozambique and I had NO idea we could e-mail them!!! I'm doing it in another screen right now. Thanks for the info, Amanda :-)

Fran said...

I cry with every post from any of the bloggers. I especially loved what Melissa wrote to the sponsors though...it got to me.

Praying for all of them. It really is amazing what they are doing.

Hugs,
Fran

JottinMama said...

All of this makes me want to be a Compassion sponsor. Reading your blog and Melissa's update on the LPM blog - I'm blown away. I think I'm going to check in to supporting a child today. Thanks so much for bringing all of this to my attention. Have a wonderful day :)

Sweet Blessings,
Kate :)

valerie said...

I'm so thankful for the internet and cell phones etc.
so we can stay in contact with one another.
I'm glad you were able to see Melissa's picture to know she made it safely.
That was so sweet that her husband cried at work when he read her post. Made me cry!
Thank you for sharing. I'm praying for them all the time.

Lauren said...

Continuing to pray for your sister, Amanda!!! What a work God is doing through compassion, and he's not done yet :)

Erica said...

It is really amazing how little it takes to provide so much for those precious litte ones. Thanks for the reminder!
We sponsor a child in Bangladesh. I am going to see if I can e-mail him. I do send the snail mail, but it would be fun to have more frequent updates.

Rose said...

Praying for Melissa and your family! and inspired to sponsor a kid! Thank you!!

Sunni said...

I'm tearing up with you - I'm also a big sister and can only imagine the many emotions you must be feeling.

I'm praying for the team and all of the sweet children.

Heather said...

I was looking through compassion last night at all the kids that need sponsors and honestly I am having a hard time picking just one. I want to sponsor them all but can't! I loved reading your sister's post and look forward to reading more. Praying for them. This post makes me wish I had a sister all over again!

Amy said...

I sponsored a Compassion Child just last week!! I have been feeling a tug that I need to do it for several months. I was at a conference at Willow Creek Church outside of Chicago last week and a man spoke who was a Compassion child. Being sponsored changed his life!!! It helped him and his family get out of poverty. He was able to get an education and now is studying at Moody Bible Institute. It was so motivating to help out and sponsor a child!!! My child is from India and I can't wait to start corresponding with him.

katiegfromtennessee said...

OOo, I'm glad Melissa posted! I'll have to check it out on the living proof blog:)

katiegfromtennessee