Looking back on 2012

Happy New Year!

Better late than never…

As I forge into a new year, I’ve tried to take a minute to look back at 2012. I’m actually going through Unravelling 2013 by Susannah Conway as recommended by a visiting pastor to NewSong, Chris Seay. Check out that HERE to find out more or do it along with me!

Lately, I’ve been into having a theme for each year. Well, it actually started last year when the word REDEMPTION came to mind and then I watched that word play out day to day and month to month right up until the end of the year.

What were the highlights of 2012 for me?

First of all, I made a conscious decision to start the prep process for a future adoption. I knew that the time was now. I chose to both starting saving money and begin building a community through recycling. Redemption really became visible to me during this project idea. Sometimes, I cannot believe how friends stepped up to join forces with me for “Shorty.” I think Shorty may be the most loved “unmet” child ever. I’ve had strangers donate money, friends inconvenience themselves to save recycling and get it to me, and family members continuously send money to deposit. Shorty has $2094. I’m still diligently recycling and saving so keep on keeping on! Thank you for your continued support! See, drinking sodas and beers [preferably from cans] is less guilty knowing that the container will go toward a good cause, right?!?!

I am thankful for the many new friends that came into my life through book club and Mom’s ministry at NewSong. I also began a group called Eden that includes ~10 other fabulous women leaders. We meet monthly and I learn more in that 2 hour block than I ever anticipate.

I’m continuing on with my BCBA training. I have 2 more graduate level classes under my belt and ~400 clinical hours. It has been exhausting juggling work, working an extra day to get extra $ and hours, cramming online work into the weekends, and then reserving Sunday for a true Sabbath / week prep evening.

In February, I conquered uncharted wine territory with my favorite wino friend Tom. We hit Edna Valley in central California. We have tasted together in Napa, Temecula, Paso Robles, Santa Ynez, and now Edna Valley. We are so ready to take this thing internationally.

I went to my yearly women’s conference called GodChicks in June. I think this is time #5. Every year, I sign up for the following year and wait excitedly for the time to come. I LOVE this conference and cannot recommend it enough if “church” is your thing. It’s hip, cool, fun, and mind-blowing. It has to be for me to go because I do not love large groups of women on the weekends….

I finally visited Chicago. It has been on my "to visit"  list for years. I met a friend there, Jody, and fell in love with this place. I went on a food tour, architecture boat cruise, to the art museum, the "Bean," and had Chicago style pizza and hot dogs.

I took two trips home to Mississippi in August and December, and I traveled to St. Louis for an early Thanksgiving before heading to South Africa.

South Africa…..last but certainly not the least.

This was my 6^th time/consecutive year to travel to South Africa. My support community did it again. We raised almost $2000 to donate directly to the organization that I serve (Monte Christo Miqlat), the autism school (Boland), and a few other on-the-spot projects that popped up. My friend Candice came for one of the weeks I was there, and it was exciting to share another one of my “home away from homes” with her. We served, wine tasted, ate, sweated, safari-ed, and Table Mountain-ed.

I had a theme for the year, but as the year closes, I could sum up how I felt at any given time in one word as well: OVERWHELMED. I, at any time, was overwhelmed with feelings of exhaustion, joy, gratitude, loneliness, confusion, and love.

Before I left for South Africa, the theme for 2013 popped into my head early: STORYTELLING. I was not sure of any details or the origin but glimpses began to come to me as I prepared a message to share with a congregation in South Africa. During the trip and by the end of December, I knew exactly the significance and confirmation of this theme.  I can’t reveal of all the details yet, but I do see a future of storytelling that began way before 2013, but 2013 will be the catalyst. Can. Not. Wait. Tease, right?

As the year wrapped, I can see how all of the feelings and events intertwine like the image when one looks through a kaleidoscope. A kaleidoscope is a cylinder with mirrors containing loose beads and bits and pieces of glass. As the viewer looks into the end, light enters creating a pattern due to the reflection off the mirrors. 

For me, I look back at the bits and pieces of feelings, events, pains, and celebrations that lie contained. When His light enters, I see how they reflect to make a beautiful picture, a unique picture of my story.

Thankful for the pain as much as the happiness. Thankful for redemption.

Come on 2013, let’s do this!

Love, 

Danielle

Loooooooooong overdue updates!

Hi all, this update is long overdue—so much to catch up on!

If you wonder why I’ve been silent, it’s because I’ve been working unhealthily diligently to finish this semester's class early. The class ends right as I return from South Africa (Dec. 6) so I made the goal to finish ASAP so that I could focus on preparing my heart and spirit for the trip and then be totally open while there. I made it! I’m brain-dead and exhausted but I managed to squeeze a 3-month graduate level behavior analysis class into 1 month!!!! This past weekend, I finished my remaining activities, the final and post-final assignments. I have one project pending, but I am waiting on feedback from the department before I can resume. Then…..I’m home free and spiritually and physically Africa bound! Congratulatory cocktail anyone? 

[info on this endeavor to become a Behavior Analyst can be found here]

Recycling:

First of all, thank you for your continued support of the recycling endeavors for “Shorty.” Shorty now has $1887.29! Most of this is from recycling, and some is from gifts. Going to the recycling center almost weekly has been eye-opening in a lot of ways and I’ve experienced quite a few of perspective shifts while there.

I never imagined myself to be so excited over this surprise when I arrived at my women's group last week:

I laugh about being a “trash collector,” but it’s so much more than someone’s empty water bottles. It’s redemption in so many ways. It’s a token of belief, hope, kindness, and love. It’s an eardrum-bursting loud message screaming “I believe in you and I support you.” Thank you, Chris!!!

To my "recycling associates," each time you say that you have a "bag," I hear "I support you!"

Want to get on board with recycling and/or donating? It's so easy!

• Collect CA CRV bottles (water bottles), aluminum soda/beer cans, beer and wine bottles, other glasswares (spaghetti sauce and salsa jars, etc) and other non-CRV plastic bottles (juice, shampoo, conditioner, soap) - It's really not that profitable to recycle for one person/family but when you combine it, it adds up! Plus, it makes the world better. Win-win!
• Live too far away? Recycle and send the money for the Shorty account. You can still be part!
• Collect coins - I have a container for all my loose change. When it fills, I cash it in for the amount to deposit into Shorty! A friend donated her loose change to me, and I took it in with mine.

I so appreciate the recycling/adoption community that has been appointed for me. I say “appointed” because I feel like divinely chosen people, the “right” people, have been placed in my path for a variety of reasons and to help in a variety of ways. You'll never even know how much of an encouragement you've been.

South Africa:

I cannot believe that departure for South Africa is in 37 days! Luckily, I’ve been busy finishing class so I haven’t had the opportunity to just sit and squeal with excitement. But now I can!

For the first time since I first visited S.A. in 2007, I’m behind in fundraising. For the first time though, I’m not worried. Weird, right? I think it’s all my “in-Africa” lessons about time and plans—often they go right out the window no matter how much you stress or prepare! It all just works out.

I would like to shower them with financial blessings since there aren’t specific items to bring this year. If you would like to be part of this, please email me or let me know. Checks can be made out to me or you can donate HERE. Donations are going to a school for autism, the organization with whom I collaborate and serve, and a home for children infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. Links for researching the specific agencies can be found in this post. I know them all personally, and I'm continually overwhelmed by their hearts and generosity to make a difference in their community. They NEED this.  

A quick reminder: How can you help?

• Financial donation of your choice
• Pray for us – I can send you specifics
• Donate a PECS book (if you have one of these or know someone who does)
• Come to our wine tasting FUNraiser on October 21—invite your rich friends who love Africa

A few of the faces I can. not. wait. to see!

2012’s theme has truly been REDEMPTION in a lot of ways and has set the foundation for what I believe to be seen into fruition next year. I’m getting this word in mind for the theme of next year: STORYTELLING. Glimpses of it are already arising around me, and I think the two will be interwoven. More on that later on in the year….

Ever so grateful for YOU,

Danielle

Blessed

It’s been a while since I posted and several of you have wondered how I’ve been doing so here’s the numbers as of today [insert drumroll sound here]:

Total in “Get Shorty” fun: $909.84

Total just from recycling since 1/23/12: $253.66

Awesome, right?

I’ve been so blessed by so many participating in the recycling and brainstorming looking for ways to help. Thank you isn’t enough. As you know, it isn’t just about the recycling, but those items are the “tangible” representation of your support of me.

Throughout the journey, I’ve been blessed in others ways. As I’ve spoken of before, some have given money to put in the fund along the way. One who keeps sending dollars here and there is my mom and mom is on board—can you tell? Look at her memo line in the check.

Another local friend’s husband took the recycling instead of giving it to me and then passed on the money. She sent a text to surprise me with the news. (Thanks MC!) 

[This is a great way for you far away to be involved]

Aside from the people who are intentionally supporting, there have been some encounters with others who have no idea of my story but have left me speechless, stunned, grateful, and teary-eyed with their actions and generosity. Many of you know how much my heart was broken for the Latino community when I moved to California from Mississippi and worked in Pasadena—the first time I met and served this population. Since being in Orange County, my heart breaks for the city of Santa Ana and for the hardships that the immigrant communities encounter. Well, I recycle in Santa Ana weekly. I’m constantly saying prayers of thanksgiving as I sort and fill up my huge yellow containers as I look around at the other patrons who recycle for income to feed their families. Times are hard. My eyes fill with tears just recalling images in my mind. Each week, I interface with some of the most beautiful people I’ve seen disguised by dirty clothes and wear and tear brought on by poverty. I don’t fit in, even if I go in my worst clothes. Because I go to work after, I’m usually in heels (but hey, I was in heels in my ATV safari in Africa too..that’s just me) and nice clothes. I’m the only White person. I’m the only middle class (or even close) person. On Friday mornings, we have a common ground. We sometimes exchange cheers for "large loads" in Spanglish. One man shared his story about recycling being his sole income at the moment, and I could barely attend because I was struck by the joy in his conversation, his mannerisms, his encouragement for me, and his enjoyment of sorting.

The first time I went, I felt awkward. I didn’t know what to do. Where do you get the containers? How did I take all 7-8 up there as a single person with no kids or husband to help? Will I even remember which ones are mine? How does it all work? I tend to get anxious in new places when I don't know the layout of the land. I was surrounded that day by people who could read my body language and helped. There were no words as Spanish was the only words spoken, but there were many gestures or people who just took over and helped push with me. 

Recently (2 trips ago), I had another encounter that literally sent me racing to my car, money in hand, to have a mini I’m-sad-but-I’m-happy breakdown.  I pulled up alongside a middle-aged Hispanic woman who was unloading her VERY FULL car (I was in awe of her loot). She had been there a while. She had tons of loose bottles filling her backseat and trunk. I, on the other hand, had OCD’ly organized my car for maximum time-efficiency unloading. Everything was presorted and bagged. I had filled up 7-8 containers in about 10 minutes flat. She still had a long way to go. I was in a hurry, dressed for work, and started to the weigh station with 2 of the containers. I could see one of “my boys” coming out to help me [the staff of young guys now know me by name]. When I turned around, I saw the woman with 2 of my containers. I don’t think I’ll ever forget her face. I looked at her with what I’m sure was utmost confusion.  She smiled and nodded with the most joyous look in her eyes to signify that she was helping me bring my containers. She stopped what she was doing to help me. She. stopped. to. help. ME?!?! When the guy took my containers from her, I heard her confirm with him in Spanish that he would help me get all my containers to the weigh station. She continued to help push them from my car toward the area where the guys could better assist me. When I left, she was still unloading. The simple act of cessation from her “work” to help me was overwhelming, but the joy in her face was too much for my heart to take before it burst. I want to be like this woman. I left humbled with big shoes to fill.

Then, it made me think about my first day there, not fitting in and being overcome with worry as I looked around, and with every glimpse, being reminded that I was the outcast. Then it hit: Are our eyes open? When we see someone in our midst that clearly doesn’t fit in, do we stop what we are doing to ensure that they find their way? Language cannot be a barrier. It wasn’t and never is on Friday mornings. I’m always reminded that love is the universal language, and we should all be fluent. 

So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it. 

--Colossians 3:12-14 (the Message)

Redemption

First of all, thank you for your continued efforts in recycling!! To date, you have put $111.31 in the adoption fund in just 5 quick trips! Not bad for not even shelling out any coins or cash, right?

As I’ve mentioned before, each trip to the recycling center evokes a different thought or emotion. Something new hits me every time I’m there. It’s as if this is another one of those totally random places God chooses to speak to me the loudest (remember the treadmill in Austin? Yeah, we got a funky-cool relationship going on). For practical purposes, I’m conscious of separating items with “CRV” into specific containers as they yield a higher refund than others. Items must have CA CRV printed on the label which means “California Redemption Value,” meaning the price the recycling center will pay to consumers.

For a couple of trips, that word “redemption” has persisted in my mind as I’ve filled containers and turned in items that can be made into something new—things that won’t be discarded and left as waste, unused for years. Each item has a “value.” A few weeks ago, another friend mentioned this theme as well so that was my validation to continue soaking in it.

Dictionary.com defines “redemption” as the following:

• act of paying off a debt
• deliverance; rescue
• deliverance from sin
• atonement for guilt
• repurchase, as of something sold
• paying off, as of a mortgage, bond, or note
• recovery by payment, as of something pledged

Similarly, this word has specific meaning in the Christian world. Basically, Jesus was sent to the cross to “buy us out” so that we, as believers, are no longer enslaved to sins or Old Testament laws. 

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:23-24

“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” Galatians 3:13

When I think of the redemption of these items, I am reminded that we are made new. Despite anything we’ve done or do, we are made new through that relationship. 

2 Corinthians 5:17 comes to mind: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”

I pray and think through what will be redeemed in the timing unknown to me but inevitably part of my journey and “our story.” Possibly years of waiting for a family [on both parts of this equation]…redeemed. Pain through the years and process…redeemed. A child’s suffering from past experiences…redeemed. Sacrifice and efforts to pursue financial goals in order to complete this process…redeemed.

I thank you so immensely for coming along on this wild and crazy [and many times, nonsensical] journey!

Love,

Danielle

P.S. I thought I'd list a few recycling facts that I found on the CA.Gov Recycling website:

• In California, nearly 22 billion California Refund Value (CRV)-eligible containers were sold in 2009.
• Of those, more than 17 billion were recycled!
• And the nearly 4 billion that ended up in landfills? You could use them to fill every lane of the entire 770-mile length of Interstate 5...almost a foot deep.
• Since more than 4 billion bottles and cans ended up in the landfill, nobody claimed the CRV on them. How much CRV? More than $100 million worth!
• CRV is 5¢ for bottles and cans less than 24 ounces, and 10¢ for larger ones.
• CRV refunds are available to anyone--consumers, companies, or nonprofits--who returns bottles and cans to a recycling center.
• By eliminating the need to manufacture new products from raw materials, recycling reduces energy use, in turn reducing carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses in the air.
• For every 10 pounds of aluminum you recycle, you eliminate 37 pounds of carbon emissions from the air.
• For every 10 pounds of clear plastic water or soda bottles, 3.3 pounds of carbon emissions disappear.
• And although glass bottles are a lot heavier, each 10 pounds recycled still reduces carbon by nearly a pound.
• In a landfill, aluminum cans take 80-100 years to break down.
• Plastic bottles hang around as long as 700 years.
• Glass bottles spend 1 million years waiting around to decompose.