World Orphans

Did you know?...

Right now, there are between 143-210 million orphans in the world.

About every 2 seconds a child loses a parent somewhere in the world.

Everyday over 5,000 children in the world become orphans.

In Africa, HIV/AIDS alone has orphaned up to 15 million children, and expected to rise.

Over 1 billion children are deprived of basic necessities like food, water and sanitation.

In the next 3 years it is projected there will be 400 million orphaned children in the world...

Statistics according to UNICEF

These statistics break my heart.

Can you imagine not knowing 
if you were ever going to say the words mommy and daddy?
Could you imagine not even knowing the words mommy and daddy?
Or never being told that you were loved?

I am stunned by how many sweet little lives that need a home and someone to just love them.

I want to adopt them all.

I can't help but think of the innocent souls in the world, 

who will never have the someone I had as a child..

Someone to read them a story before they fall asleep.

Someone to lay beside their bed while they are sick.

Someone to cheer them on as they score their first goal.

Someone to teach them how to tie their shoe.

Someone to pack a sweet note in their lunchbox on the first day of school.

Someone to take them to church.

Someone to encourage them to go after their dreams.

Someone to say the words, "I love you".

It has given me a strong desire to teach at an orphanage one day.

I long to share my love with these sweet little souls..

because I have been loved so dearly.

I have fallen in love with the phrase...

To Whom much is Given,

Much is required.

(Luke 12:48)

Given><Give

I am reminded of my favorite childhood song...

Jesus loves the little children,

All the children of the world.

Red and yellow, black and white.

All are precious in his sight.

Jesus loves the little children of the world.

And so should we!

Psalm 127:3

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,

the fruit of the womb a reward.

If you feel it in you to give,

these are several sites I have found with awesome t shirts you can purchase. 

The money goes toward helping orphans, or a family trying to adopt an orphan.

My favorite t shirt is from Thirty-One, 

but they are all great and go toward an awesome cause!

147 Million Orphans Website

Every Orphan

Thirty-One

Sevenly, People Matter

Reaching Hearts With Hope

Show Hope

We Are Loved.

Hope for Haiti

Lifesong for Orphans

Coreluv International

Common Threadz

Feeding the Orphans

Restore the Orphan

If You can't feed a hundred, then just one.

Hope For Izzy

It's A Child's Life

I came across World Orphans Blog while doing some research, with a post that struck my heart,

 Jesus Loves Children.

This site caught my eye, and gives people a great opportunity to give back.

You can click the picture if you want to check it out!

The Closest thing to Being a Mom.

November 9, 2007.

I walk into the hospital room.

My mom turns around holding the most precious baby..

And I gaze upon one of the most beautiful faces I have ever seen.

I instantly fall in love.

My heart grew....

And that is the day

I became an aunt.

One of the greatest days of my life.

And when I thought it couldn't get any better than that, my sister had another little girl..

and I give a little bit of my heart away again.

It IS the closest thing to being a mom.

The power of being an aunt (or uncle) is incredible.

I never want to take for granted the power
I have to be an influence in these precious lives.

But it is a choice.

I could choose not to be a big part of their lives, however life would be incredibly dull.

I think of some of the most precious moments over the past 5 years, have been with my nieces.

They never fail to cheer me up, make me laugh, and feel me with such joy!
And I want them to know that their Auntie loves them beyond all measures
and would do anything for them.
I would give my life for those two, no doubt about it!

I know the power of being an aunt, 

because I have been on the other side.

The role my aunts have played in my life are big ones.

And I am blessed to have 7!

They have been some of my greatest mentors.
They will always hold a special place in my heart.

I can only return the favor to God by being the role model to my nieces, 

that my aunts have been for me!

I hope that you take full advantage of your role as an aunt or uncle, if you have nieces and nephews..or when you do one day.

You might have no idea the impact you can have in those lives of your nieces and nephews,

whether young or old!

It comes with great rewards...
 their love.

Wearing a Mask {Part 2}

We had the most fun Saturday night for my baby sister's graduation party.

It was 'dress up as a movie character', or more like a costume party.

I was Rapunzel from "Tangled", if you hadn't figured it out.

We also created a fun Photo Booth, I think the adults had more fun with it than the kiddos!

It was beyond ironic, that last night, someone brought up wearing a mask at church.

I thought back to the post I wrote several months ago, titled Wearing A Mask.

You can read it, here.

Because, I am going to be redundant today...

This is a topic that hits home.

For too long I wore a mask.

I tried to pretend my life was perfect.

Maybe not perfect, but definitely that nothing wrong was going on.

Every time I smiled, I felt like a liar.

I felt it was a role I had to play as a Christian.

But it wasn't, and it's not.

I eventually let it go.

I found out

that being your true self is the most 

relieving feeling.

Because He knows my true self, and my sufferings..

Like my Grandma always said, He knows the number of hairs on my head!

I wasn't the only person wearing a mask.

Along this journey, sharing my story with those close,

I was amazed to discover others who were hiding behind one too.

I think of what C.S. Lewis said,

"Friendship is born the moment when one person says to another,

'What! You too? I thought I was the only one!"

If you are hiding behind one and take the courage to let your guard down,

you could, and most likely, will inspire others to take off their mask.

It is a comfort to know that we all have 

pain,

brokenness,

a past...

and that at one time or another we have all hid behind a mask..

And an incredible assurance that we no longer have to!

Before I forget, again. I've been meaning to write this..
Go Spurs Go!
Have I ever mentioned I'm a San Antonio Spurs fan?
My Spurs just dominated in the Western Conference Finals!
...Tim Duncan will always hold a special place in my heart.

(My g-parents, adorable)

Click below to find where I printed the photo props from, if you want to do a photo booth!

FUN PHOTO PROPS!

I printed them on white card stock and hot glued them to skewers.

(I doubled up the card stock to make them hold better)

Then I just draped black material on a wall..

Seriously, so easy and it was the most fun!

Aeron Elizabeth's Photos

Aeron Elizabeth's photostream on Flickr.