Reduce Reuse Recycle

Posted July 31, 2009 By Andrea and has no comments yet.

So…I’m looking around. I’ve been praying hard the last couple days- mostly just “HELP!” cries to God for my hormones and stress, but still, I am feeling calmer and blessed today. Intrinsically I know this all the time, but there are certain moments when you get caught up in yourself and it is harder to realize.

As I look around I see a lot of stuff. My books are my prize possessions, but clothing, lotions, earrings, they are all lying around in superflous amounts. I need to share! Just a reminder to pull all of your stuff together and give it to someone who needs it! Sometimes staying in your own little bubble prohibits this, and honestly pregnancy makes that all the more easy. But, this week has taught me to look past myself and see the bigger things (i.e. not always me!). Okay not ever me. So, give it away. This is going to be one of my little projects over the next two weeks. I usually give to Partners Against Domestic Violence or Salvation Army, but I might just post it or give it to some lovely ladies that give me a shout out. Whoever you give it to, don’t hoard, let a little air in your house! Anyone have any fave organizations to give to?

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Categories: Social Justice
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Disappointment

Posted July 27, 2009 By Andrea and has 4 comments.

I am very disappointed, verging on upset, about the response, rather lack thereof, I have gotten to One Year Without. I think I assume that people are passionate about the same things as I am, and sometimes they just aren’t. That’s not a bad thing, we all need different interests and passions.

But I do think this is an important thing. Heck, they don’t even have to acknowledge what I am doing. Just send a little to someone in need!

Trying to come up with some positive ideas to reach people/ make them see what a great thing Compassion is. Any ideas? Maybe my approach has just been wrong. Praying about it, definitely don’t want this to turn into a personal negative!!!

Please pray too.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Categories: Personal

Life's little blessings (literally and sarcastically)

Posted July 21, 2009 By Andrea and has 8 comments.

babyThis week Andy and I have gotten good news on nearly every front. I am so excited to say that it seems life is moving forward just in time for baby. So…thank God for this week.

However, I wish that I felt that I knew what I was doing. I know it is only going to get worse. Everyday I read something else that makes me go WHAT??? No one tells you that happens after birth. Apparently the world keeps many secrets in order for people to pro-create. Then, just as you are about to enjoy the “miracle of birth” you discover just what lies in store.  For anyone out there that doesn’t want to know and wants to continue on in their happy bubble, I completely understand. For anyone else… keep reading.

  • Leakage- occurs grossly for the day after birth (as in “Oh honey make sure you bring 3 extra pairs of socks because it might run down your legs.”)
  • Soreness- breasts, down there, all that…for about 10 days. Apparently this is how long it takes to acclimate to breastfeeding. Umm….I thought it was supposed to be natural?!?!
  • Hemorrhoids- you’re about one billion times more likely to get these after you give birth. I don’t need to explain them. If you don’t know exactly what they are google them. NO thank you!
  • Clots- Bleeding occurs for 1-2 weeks after. During this time you might pass clots. One healthy pregnancy mag commented “may be painful and as big as a plum.” What the— No comment.
  • Weight- yeah, yeah, yeah. Everyone knows about this one. But it’s still unfair. No one likes cellulite. No one. Not even chubby chasers.

Get the concern? These are only the mild wowsers that I learned. I left out more explicit ones for fear of losing 3 of my 4 readers (thanks for being a constant baby).  I will be sure to let all my friends who desire to know the real truths about child bearing in the days after.

Are you already a mom? Do you agree or disagree? This is all merely hearsay right now. Give me two more months!

Popularity: 3% [?]

Categories: Personal, Staying Healthy
Tags: , , ,

Compassion Thursday

Posted July 16, 2009 By Andrea and has no comments yet.

Joining in with a few bloggers where every Thursday one of us will highlight children from Compassion who have been waiting for 6 months or longer without a sponsor.

Update 7/18/09: Andrea is Sponsored.  Whoever you are, Thank you so much.

To Sponsor another child with Compassion International, Click Here

andreaWith that said, meet Andrea. (fitting huh?)  Andrea is 3 Years Old and needs our help.

Name: Andrea Alejandra González Martínez
Birthday: October 12, 2005    Age: 3
Gender: Female
Region: Central America and Caribbean
Country: Honduras
Program: Juntos por la Niñez Student Center

Personal and Family Information:
In her home, Andrea helps by gathering firewood, running errands and cleaning. She lives with her father and her mother. Her father is sometimes employed as a laborer and her mother is sometimes employed as a laborer.

Andrea is not attending school because she is too young. Playing with dolls, hide-and-seek and playing group games are her favorite activities. She also attends Bible class regularly.

Please remember Andrea in your prayers. Your love and support will help her to receive the assistance she needs to grow and develop.

To give Andrea the help she needs and deserves, click her picture and welcome her to your family.  If you would like to browse other Compassion children, CLICK HERE.

After you sponsor Andrea, let me know in the comment section or shoot me an E-mail.

Whatever you decide, pray for Andrea, will ya?  Pray for her, spread this message around on your social network sites, send it in an email, etc.  Get involved and let us, together, improve the lives of deserving children…..One child at  a time.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Categories: Compassion
Tags: ,

When life ends…

Posted July 13, 2009 By Andrea and has no comments yet.

There is so much emotion and confusion. How does life go on the same? It doesn’t.

But, the one thing I have been reminded of in the past several days is how living your life truly out of love (the only unconditional kind- God’s) can leave a deep impact on the many people you meet. Even something as simple as a hug, the kind that is genuine, nothing wanted or intended by it. It is time really time, for me to start living fully in and out of Christ’s love, partially is just not enough. It doesn’t help me and it doesn’t help others. There’s no how to for turning over this leaf. But there is a direction and a willingness of spirit that I feel I finally have. It is true that we can fight or succumb to the leading of God through the Holy Spirit. And I really don’t want to fight anymore. Any piece of me that I have been trying to hold onto is just not worth keeping. I would rather leave an impact of Christ’s love than my own tenacity…

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Categories: Random
Tags: ,

Reason for Poverty= Technology?

Posted July 9, 2009 By Andrea and has 6 comments.

This hit me the other day as we were discussing it in class. If technology and its use is creating an even wider gap between the rich and the poor in this increasingly global society, what are we doing to combat that? I don’t have any answers and I think it is going to be a very tough question (especially for those trying to live like Christ) to answer in the next few years. I see churches and ministries becoming increasingly media savvy, but we cannot forget how many people we leave out of reach when we take technology to the next level. But we’re in the U.S. you might say. Yes, we are. So while more people have access to technology it still doesn’t mean all can afford private access. And if churches focus too much on primarily modern forms of communication we risk leaving some people out of the loop altogether. Furthermore, if so much resource is poured into these new forms of technology and having the latest greatest X, then what does that leave in the way of traditional forms of communication and outreach? I also hate thinking that outreach should be a “To Do” list that churches have to remember. But I just see more and more time being taken up with a community and an obsession with the newest thing and somehow innovation replaces heart.

I don’t begin to think this is an easy issue. I also know that the political and historical climates in many countries that are impoverished are limited not only by the lack of technology but by the very governments that control them. It’s just interesting to think that research has shown sociologists that the very technologies that causes countries like the U.S. and Japan to thrive are the reason that others are floundering. Just a reminder to always think outside the box, remember all the people Jesus died for on the cross, not just the ones in your line of vision, and live the life that Christ gave you in way that is free from slavery to anything.

Just my thoughts, sometimes they don’t even flow together too nicely, but I hope and pray Jesus was a part of them. I think He was. :)

Popularity: 2% [?]

Categories: Social Justice

One Year Without…

Posted July 3, 2009 By Andrea and has 4 comments.

I am joining my husband in this beginning on Monday. What is One Year Without? It is a movement designed to give up an addiction for one year in order to take that money and give it somewhere that is really needed. The money will go directly to Compassion International’s Most Needed Fund. To learn more about Compassion check them out at www.compassion.com. Read more about One Year Without here, where it all started.

I have had a really hard time deciding what to give up. There is no food that I feel I can eliminate while being pregnant (wouldn’t be fair to the baby), :) so I am choosing to give up what I am MOST uncomfortable with anyway. It will probably save me a lot of money, which in turn will help me to give even more to Compassion. I am giving up shopping at Target. Since living near a Super Target it has been very easy for me to pop in buy a new shirt (that I don’t need) or shop their grocery section, make-up section or just browse (again for things I don’t need). It is teetering on serious addiction. It shouldn’t be!!

Children all over the world are going without food, and it’s twisting my insides to not have Target. How horrible is that?!

HOW CAN YOU HELP??! So glad you asked. ;) For this self challenge (going one year without something so near and dear to my heart) I am asking you to give just $1 a week(that’s $52 total) to encourage me. I will send a monthly update so you know if I am continuing success. If you support me in this you will not only be helping Compassion with your $1 but mine as well. If you can’t give $1 a week you can give $1 a month, whatever you feel lead to do. If you can give more I am sure Compassion will gratefully accept. In return I will post you on my blogroll and add your name to the following list. I am going to try to snag my mom to get the #1 spot!! To add yourself to my list of cheerleaders and pledge whatever you would like leave me a comment or send me an email at underwoodreads@gmail.com. I will get back to you in a couple days. This challenge begins Tuesday, July 6th. WOO HOO.

If I at any point feel like I’m not challenged in what I’m giving up, I will drop something else, until I feel challenged.

You can check out my husband, who is giving up energy drinks (his MAIN SQUEEZE vice) here, and the movement that started all of this here. Feel free to join in yourself!!

Popularity: 2% [?]

Categories: Random
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