Here’s an update on the Sewing Project: So far, volunteers have made ovee3,600 pillowcases/dufflebags! Isn’t that just amazing.

God has taken the Sewing Project to Help Foster Kids and expanded it in so many ways this past year. Hands On Greater Phoenix which is an organization that support volunteer projects, asked me to sponsor Sewing Days each month where people can bring their sewing machines and we sew.  Newspapers have done great coverage on a monthly basis and people have shown up and we are making even more pillowcases for foster kids.

Another great thing – Mesa United Way has Helen’s Hope Chest Boutique, which was created because money was cut from the state budget for foster kids clothing. It’s an 13-room house with each room filled with kids clothing, books, toys and foster kids go there to pick their free items. Kids had been using grocery bags to put their new items into. Helen’s Hope Chest approached me and asked if they could use the kid-friendly pillowcases to use instead of grocery bags. They wanted 100 and I’ve been collecting them but wasn’t sure if I’d have enough.
Last week, a woman dropped off 60 bags – I now have over 100 to donate to them today. What an answer to prayer!

In Nov. and Dec. there are holiday boutiques that I will be having a table at to give out information for those interested in helping volunteer. People who attend these craft fairs love to sew. As a fundraiser to purchase more materials to make more pillowcases, people can make a $5 donation and pick kid-friendly regular pillowcases (not the ones we give foster kids – these are regular pillowcases). Many times people pick them as a gift for a grandson or a child or even the child picks their favorite and they also learn about what foster kids are going through. Last year I handed out more than 100 informational flyers and raised $150 to purchase more sewing material.

I have redone my information sheet that I hand out to people interested in volunteering. I’ve included information about Helen’s Hope Chest and the Share Well With Others book and the website address to learn more about the book.

Thanks to Adriane for the update, and if you want to touch base with her for new information, go to her website at http://members.cox.net/sewingproject/ where you can find additional contact information!

In this wonderfully written song by Jason Gray and Jason Ingram, we hear the challenge to not let our worship “fade with our voices…”

I hope you enjoy it as much as I do, and more importantly, that you find it a challenge you will take on daily.

You can download the song or the entire album from Jason’s publisher, Centricity Music.

Yes, I am a firm believer
In the things that we can do
If we would all just come together
And let the Lord lead our way
There is nothing that we can’t do
There is nothing we can’t face

(lyrics by Romeo/Law/Anderson/Linton/Mowatt)

Hear the full song at the Third Day website or purchase the song on iTunes!

Listen to Say Your Prayers on MySpace.com/theWedding or buy it at iTunes.

Thanks to The Wedding (and Wavorly, and A Current Affair) for taking us under their wing as newbies on the road!

Give me your eyes…  for the broken-hearted, the ones that are far beyond my reach…

As you listen, think back on chapter 3, and reconsider your compassion challenge.  Who will YOU see today?