I am so excited to discover that one of my favorite shopping sites has partnered with Next Generation Nepal (NGN). If you are in the mood to buy some unique items for your home, or are in need of a special gift for someone, go to Uncommon Goods on line and check it out! Make sure to follow the instructions below so that a donation can be made to NGN. If you are interested in learning about NGN and the work it does in reuniting trafficked children with their families, you can search them on facebook or go to their website. I recently finished reading the book "Little Princes" about how the organization began. It's a quick read and a really neat story.  I cried through most of the book thinking about all of the street children and orphans I have encountered in my travels in Central and South America. I wish that more people were as proactive as the founders of NGN in addressing the needs that face our global community.

Uncommon Goods Partnership
Uncommon Goods is an online marketplace offering creatively designed, high-quality merchandise at affordable prices. Uncommon Goods has selected NGN as a sponsored non profit.  Go to their website (www.uncommongoods.com), place an order, enter NGN at the Source Code at check outand NGN receives 10% of your total sale.  Also, if you select NGN at check out, NGN get a $1 donation from Uncommon Goods.

Become a Foster or Adoptive Parent

If you have ever thought about fostering or adopting a child, now is the time to learn more! The Department of Human Resources in Alabama is currently recruiting new parents. Limestone County DHR will begin foster parent training on Tuesday, February 28 at 6:00pm. Morgan County DHR will be offering two simultaneous classes. The week night class will begin on Thursday, March 1 at 6:00 pm. The weekend class will begin on Saturday, March 3 at 9:00am.

To view pictures of Alabama's waiting children go to: www.adoptuskids.org.

Happy 2012!

This is a part of a poem I keep on my wall. It's called "Dream Big".
I hope it inspires you as much as it does me.

If there were ever a time to dare, to make a difference,
To embark on something worth doing,
It is now.

Not for any grand cause, necessarily,
But for something that tugs at your heart,
Something that's your aspiration,
Something that's your dream.

You owe it to yourself to make your days count.
Have fun. Dig deep.
Dream big.

Trust
Believe in the incredible power of the human mind.
Of doing something that makes a difference.
Of working hard. Of laughing and hoping.
Of all the things that will cross your path this year.

The start of something new brings the hope of something great.
Anything is possible.
There is only one you.
And you will pass this way only once.
Do it right.

Tornado Recovery Continues

Limestone County, Alabama

Storm Recovery

A week ago today one of the worst tornadoes in history passed through Alabama and several bordering states. Multiple tornadoes touched down with EF4 and EF5 force quickly destroying large areas of land. In total, the storm took the lives of over three hundred people. Two hundred and fifty of those killed were from Alabama. Forty one of Alabama's sixty seven counties have been declared a national disaster area. There is much work to do! The photos above were taken yesterday in Limestone County. I pass through this neighborhood every day on my way to work. As you can see, many homes were completely destroyed. While power has now been restored to Limestone County, surrounding counties, such as Madison and Lawrence, remain without power in some areas.

If you live outside the state of Alabama and are interested in being a part of the recovery effort, you can make a monetary donation to the American Red Cross. If you live near the affected areas and would like to volunteer, you should register with the Emergency Management Agency(EMA), and they will assigned you a task. The number to call to contact EMA is 211. They do not need clothing donations, however the Salvation Army and local churches are accepting clothing donations and furniture donations for storm victims. It is my understanding at this time that the Harvest area of Madison/Limestone Counties needs volunteers to clear up debris and that some of the poorer areas of Lawrence county are also lagging behind in volunteer manpower.

If you already receive food stamps from the State of Alabama, you can use your EBT card to purchase hot, already prepared food through the end of the month. If you have not previously received food assistance, FEMA will be setting up locations through out the state for persons to register for emergency food assistance. Watch your local news for more information about the FEMA contact location in your county.

Samford University Homecoming 2010

Relish Life

Rita, the hot dog, says,"Relish the moment!"