Our Two New Grandchildren

Laying aside the main topic of health & wellness and reflexology here. Taking the moment to share and celebrate our growing family.

Introducing our two newest grandchildren:
Faith Meron Watson & Asher Melese Watson

These children are sister and brother. Their new parents are our son and daughter-in-law, Amy & David Watson. 2 yr old, Isaac, has been waiting for his new siblings, and will be excited to meet them, too.

Learn more about this family's adoption journey and view additional photos of these beautiful children at www.EthiopiasCalling.blogspot.com

As we prepare to welcome these two special blessings from Ethiopia, Africa, into our family in the next couple of months it seemed appropriate to share the video below. "You Raise Me Up" is one of my favorite songs. It is sung here by Josh Groban and the African Children's Choir. (Please ignore the "donate to American Idol" messages on the screen. This is not a promo for them.) Enjoy the video!

Spring Cleansing - Helping Raise Funds for a Special Family's Adoption Journey

It's Spring, and cleansing has been a topic on my mind a great deal recently. Thinking of the healthy version for the body first, but it led me to thinking of Spring Cleaning as a cleansing of the home environment.

Bookstores have lots of shelf space and titles dedicated to decluttering your life. Feng Shui experts tell us that clutter has a significant (negative) effect on the way we experience life. Stuff that we don't absolutely love or need just gets in our way.

Stuff getting in our way is reminding me right now of a reality show I've seen a few times where people have this horrible disease of hoarding. Their lives are so effected that many of them can barely function. At the same time, they have such a difficult time even beginning to let go of any of it. Sometimes I believe any of us could get to that point if we don't make a conscientious point of regularly removing clutter from our surroundings.

So time to Spring Clean!!! Will you haul that "stuff" to the street for the garbage men or take it to Goodwill or the Salvation Army? Salvation Army, Goodwill, and other non-profits are a great choice if you need the tax deduction. (Remember to keep a real specific list. You'll need that for the I.R.S.)

At this point, however, I'm interjecting some additional food for thought here. Don't need that tax deduction, or are willing to forgo it, or you would rather not be bothered with having to keep up with all the lists.... Have you considered donating your unneeded - no longer loved by you stuff to a family hosting a yard sale to raise funds for their adoption?

There are often families right around you that are in this process. The Adoption journey can be a quite expensive one. Many families fundraise to help them meet the financial burden, and yard/garage sales are a common fundraiser. We all know it takes lots and lots of stuff to make that a real profitable venture. Your donations could mean so much.

There is a bit of a personal agenda in this post, too. Our son and d-i-l are adopting two precious Ethiopian children. The time is nearing to bring these children home, and considerable additional funds are still needed. A yard sale is being held in Bartlett, TN on May 22.

If you are in the Memphis, TN, area will you join me in this Spring Cleansing endeavor? Would you consider donating those items you no longer need or love to the yard sale to help bring these precious children home to their forever family? Please direct message me with your email address, and I'll be in touch. We'll even come get your "stuff."

You may read about Amy & David's adoption journey at their blog, Ethiopia's Calling.

Rescuing Orphans -- A Thankful Thrusday Offering

A heart of thankfulness and gratitude is a great measure of health and wellness to the body, mind, and spirit. Grace Alone host Thankful Thursdays. I have seen others posts for this meme, but have not posted there before -- I'm not sure I have even visited. That's my loss for sure. Today a post for Thankful Thursday caught my attention and I was drawn there to the theme of thankfulness with the thoughts of rescue in mind. I'm so glad I did.

For those who have visited Alive! recently you know that my son and his wife are on an adoption journey to "rescue" two children from their very difficult circumstances in Ethiopia. We haven't met these precious children yet or even know who they are. What we do know is that there are 5 million orphans in Ethiopia because of an every growing HIV/Aids crisis, drought, & famine. While family is important to the Ethiopian people, these millions of children have no one left with the means to care for them. Two of them will soon be welcomed with love by our family. The anticipation is great and the needs to see this through are also great.


Adoption, unfortunately, is a very expensive undertaking in terms of dollars needed to actually bring the children home to their "forever families." Through my love and passion for fabrics, embroidery, and creative endeavors along with the financial need these charming bracelets and treasure pockets were born. Notice in the photos that we've added a darling little charm of Africa as a reminder to the wearer that this is benefiting the family's adoption. The treasure pockets you see in the background of the next photo were originally created as a way to fund my reflexology schooling a few years back. Two to three hundred were sold. Sixty or seventy have been waiting around for their opportunity to contribute to another great cause. God is so good...always providing opportunities.

Now combine these lovely creations with my reflexology practice. The display you see here is on my dining room table where all my clients stop to pay for their reflexology sessions and to book their next appointment. Since my practice is part-time seeing 7-8 clients in an average week, I'm very excited and THANKFUL on this THANKFUL THURSDAY to report that these earned $150 just this week toward the adoption. It's very exciting to be a part of this "rescue" journey. Praise the Lord for His goodness and faithfulness in all these lives!

Please, if you will, read more about their story at their Ethiopia's Calling blog. They are having a giant yard/garage sale at Amy's parents' home in the Chicagoland area this weekend. Thank you for praying for them for beautiful weather, motivated shoppers, and a very successful event bringing them steps closer to being united with the children God has waiting to join their family.

My Blues for Today

I've begun to make a habit of posting for Blue Monday over at Smiling Sally's blog. If you've read the few I've posted you know that blue is more of a challenge for me. Perhaps that is why I'm feeling an urge to continue to share with you in this venue.

This week I spent a few days in the Nashville area visiting my son and his family. Of course, that includes my very special (and only) grandson, Isaac. Please notice that in our photo moment here he is wearing blue, and you see just a hint of the blue and green design that decorated my white tee. Also, note this is a very relaxed and happy gramma, too. It was a privilege while there to swap reflexology sessions with a fellow practitioner -- oh such a blessing for my own health & wellness & tranquility. And you know that subject is one for which I am passionate.

Isaac's mom and dad have been diligently working to raise the funds needed for their adoption plans. You might enjoy reading (and following) their journey at Amy's blog: Ethiopia's Calling. This week we sorted children's clothing for one of two big garage sales they are having, we collaborated on a letter sharing their story and their financial and prayer needs with family and friends, learned more about a benefit cruise that a friend/travel agent is organizing on their behalf, and became even more excited about the Bracelets for Ethiopia that this Gramma has been creating for another fundraiser. Sharing a photo of a few of the blue ones here. They will soon be available in my Etsy shop.

When leaving on Saturday the weather was so beautiful. The thought of being cooped up in the car for 3+ hours just wasn't very appealing. Part of living a healthy lifestyle, however, is in taking whatever circumstances and finding the beauty in them. The Lord sure delivered with some very dramatic cloudscapes in the blue, blue sky. Thinking that my fellow travelers on I-40 in West Tennessee must have thought I was a little off driving and shooting photos at the same time. . . and must admit it was a bit scary, but worth capturing the moment!!!

Memories Stored in a Little Blue Box

My blue contribution to this week's Smiling Sally's Blue Monday. Blue is a always a challenge for me. Except for turquoise and the deep teals, my space doesn't come to life in the blue family. This photo, however, holds an especially fond "blue" memory. Sweet memories are balm to the soul.

Before sharing a little explanation of its current use, and my sweet memory about this box, please allow me to digress for a paragraph here. It's all a part of the story.

From previous posts you may know that my son and d-i-l are adopting two children from Ethiopia. The cost of adoption is quite high -- While most adoptive families are willing to make some enormous personal sacrifices to bring their children home, they just don't have big enough piggy banks to meet the financial requirements without help of family, friends, and even some they don't know. As a family we have some pretty creative fundraisers in the works. . . what you see here is just a glimpse of the makings of some pretty bracelets that will soon be showing up in my etsy shop with all profits going to their adoption fund. (Hope you don't mind that I shared this tidbit here.)

One of the big things that David and Amy have done since they married six years ago, and are still doing to an even greater extent, is shopping the thrift shops, repurposing many items they already have and keeping life simple. That thrifty attitude is catching on big with many people today after being lost for a time in the prosperity we enjoyed for so many years as a country. I remember that the attitude permeated everything my mother did in her life, as it did in most of the members of her generation having lived through the great depression. The memories attached to this precious blue box are a great example.

This was mom's greeting card box. She originally purchased it when I was a small child (and it did originally contain greeting cards). She kept that box in the middle desk drawer always filled with cards that she found at a bargain price somewhere. She rarely bought a new box -- probably more like she found a bin where she could get 2 dozen for 50cents on clearance. I remember this box always full with lots of choices for any occasion, and I remember the box being opened often to choose a special sentiment for friends and family whether it was a birthday, a new baby, an anniversary, or other encouragement. Mom enjoyed brightening others' days with cheerful greetings often accompanied by one of her handmade gift treasures.

Why I kept this little blue box, I'm not really sure except perhaps for one of the cherished and happy moments memories of a somewhat tumultuous childhood. Mom's penchant for repurposing (all though we just often weren't very appreciative of that facet of her personality at the time) may be the very reason. As I've been cutting small fabric pieces for these handmade treasures as one of my contributions to the adoption $$$, I was looking for something around the house to repurpose that would hold all these little pieces and keep them from becoming a jumbled mess. Voila! This little blue box is exactly the right width for these little strips of fabric and keeps them and the memories neatly at my fingertips while working on one at a time. Fifty+ years later this blue box is still in use, and I believe mom would be quite pleased.

As I've been visiting around others' blogs this morn as well, leaving my thoughts and comments, I realized that this just might fit in with Today's Thrifty Treasures at Southern Hospitality as well.

Special Joy In Blue!

Just for Blue Monday . . . we divert our attention for a moment from thoughts on health and wellness to precious people and things that grace my life. I believe that in the larger pic, faith, family, memories, and enjoyment of life are the greatest contributors to true health and wellness. So, here's my contribution today to Smiling Sally's Blue Monday.


Just love this pic of my mischievous little granddaughter in her pretty blue Easter dress . . . this would not be a complete story, though, without pics of our other two precious little ones. . . one is wearing a spot of blue. Well, the other is spinning in her matching (to her sister's) purple confection. (These dresses were a real joy to create adding to my personal wellness quotient.)



This little guy turned 1 on The Fourth of July. His family is on the adoption journey, and he will soon have siblings from Ethiopia. While visiting ALIVE!, look for more on their story.

Pockets of Treasure for Two Ethiopian Orphans

Etsy store, Lynn's Treasure Pockets, has reopened. We've reposted a few expired items and are so excited about our latest inspiration. It's coming soon. Hint: A delightful bracelet...be looking for this precious and inspiring gift idea.

I recently read that the church is dying because Christians fail to make Christ ALIVE! Extending our hand to the poor and needy is the call of the Christ Follower's life.

"Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you." James 1:27 (NLT)

So where do these two thoughts merge? An earlier post this week featured our son and d-i-l and the adventure on which they have embarked: Adopting two Ethiopian orphans. When you shop at Lynn's Treasure Pockets, you join the journey. All profits from sales in this Etsy store will benefit David & Amy's adoption fund.

The Father has not left us as orphans --

"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." John 14:18

"So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, 'Abba, Father.'" Romans 8:15

I especially love the way this is worded (and in context) in THE MESSAGE:

"This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It's adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike "What's next, Papa?" God's Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children. And we know we are going to get what's coming to us—an unbelievable inheritance! We go through exactly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard times with him, then we're certainly going to go through the good times with him!" Romans 8:15-17

In that same spirit of reaching out to the orphan and widow as commanded and as Christ has done for us, we're looking forward to your participation in uniting these two precious orphans (children of our Heavenly Father) with their forever family.

Thank you for joining us in bringing this family together, and for sharing this post and the links with your friends.

Three Will Become Five

Our son and his family -- David, Amy & little Isaac -- are on an adoption journey to bring home two orphans from this extremely impoverished country. Please take time to visit their blog, Ethiopia's Calling to learn more about the challenges faced by children in this country and about their adoption story. Trusting the Lord that their one-child family will soon be a three-child family. Including mom and dad that is definitely 3 or more! (Check out the end of the post for the significance of 3 or more.)



We are all called to reach out to the poor and needy. When we answer that call, special things happen in our spirits that allow us to touch the heart of God. There is no doubt that there is a deep sense of spiritual wellness in that place.

The costs involved in adoption are great on many levels including financial. You may learn about some of that on their blog. We will be suggesting so many ways you may choose to be a part of bringing these children home to their forever family.

There are two big garage sales in the works right now. If you're in the Chicago or Nashville areas I would be happy to share the details on those. I'll also be sharing opportunities in the coming weeks and months in which everyone, if feeling led, may participate. Come back to visit often and watch for exciting happenings (Here is just the beginning.)

• The MOST important thing: Prayer, prayer, and more prayer -- for the children, for Amy, David & Isaac as they prepare to welcome these children into their family, and for the finances needed.
  
• Reopening of my etsy store (all profits will benefit their adoption fund)
• A link to coffee roasters who are combining their passions for fair trade coffee and orphans of Africa -- individual adopting families will benefit from the sales of the coffee
• Many other creative concepts still in development

Will you be one of a very special group of friends who is called and will answer, in whatever way big or small, to unite this family? Looking forward to sharing this journey with you.


I've just discovered The Gypsy's Corner blog, which I am enjoying. Tam, the blogs creator has offered a place to share: Three or more Tuesday.... Please visit Tam's blog, leave a comment. Add a link to your own post. Leave a comment or two on ALIVE! as well. They are always appreciated by all of us who take the time to share.

Will This Amazing Adoption Story Be Told?

For the last several months our son has poured much of his life and his time into telling the story of the Weimer family's generous hearts and passion for adoption as their family of five has opened their homes first to three siblings from Ethiopia and are now traveling back to Ethiopia to bring home three more precious children. All was going quite well and the plane tickets purchased for David to travel with them to film the story of their growing family, their passion for orphans and adoption, and the story of ordinary people doing the extraordinary to make the world a little bit better place.

Just after purchasing the ticket, the adoption organization which has been most helpful and encouraging about this opportunity shared with David and the family that there would be some serious hoops to jump through and permits to obtain before being allowed to film in Ethiopia. His camera would be confiscated at the gate without these permits. For more on the Weimer's story and for a few more details on the travel challenges you may visit Ethiopia's Calling blog.

Prayers for an efficient handling of the paperwork and permissions needed would be an extreme blessing to all of us!!!

Horton Hears a Who -- Horton Gets a Clue

WOW!!! That's the only word that came to my mind as I read through this incredible article -- plus an overwhelming sense of the Holy Spirit all over this one. "WHO" would have ever thought that Dr. Seuss in 1954 would be speaking prophetically to us today in 2008 -- over 50 years later.

What I recognized immediately as a friendly children's flick appearing on the big screen all over America this weekend, has just become a "must see" moment in time.

This is just more confirmation to me that it has been God speaking to me about using my reflexology skills and gifting in a pro-life center in my community. The contacts were made weeks ago. I now have a copy of a textbook on the subject of maternity and reflexology. When I learned of the book in early January, I had no idea it would take me over 2 months to actually obtain a copy -- especially in our instant gratification society. I'm also trusting the right doors will open for me to participate in a very specific maternity and reflexology advanced training this fall. All of that before I ever read this article this morning.

Praying you will take the time to read the whole article at the link above. Copies of the book may be ordered from The Elijah List or through Amazon at the link to the right on this page. What steps will you take to get involved in the cure for this epidemic, bringing God's light for these precious unheard "Little Whos?"