What if you lost your most treasured possession...

What is your most treasured possession? A family heirloom passed down through generations? That shiny new iPhone you just bought? Perhaps some rare collectors item? Each of us have special items that we seem to enjoy more than our other possessions, whether they be gifts from loved ones or things we worked hard to buy. We admire these things. We love them. We take care of them. We treasure them. 

One of the things I love and admire the most on a daily basis is my engagement ring. Although I've worn it for a good 3.5 years now, I still catch myself gazing at it, commenting to Jarred about how much it sparkles in certain rooms. I absolutely love everything about it. I love that my sweet husband had to save up and work his rear off to buy it for me because I had to have this one. It's unique and rare, from a collection that's no longer being made. It's petite and delicate and the perfect ring for me. But what if I didn't have it anymore? 

This question became a reality for me this past weekend. As Jarred and I were preparing to take a weekend trip up to New Hampshire and Maine, we had a bit of car trouble. Well, to be more accurate, we straight up knocked our side mirror out of its holder backing down our alleyway too fast because we forgot our camera at home and were too eager to get on the road. Thus started a downward spiral of events. We hit a pole, out pops the mirror and crap...we aren't going anywhere until this is fixed. But hark, what do I remember? I have some special car putty that I can use to put it back on! Yay! I get the putty, start working it in my hands and think to myself, "oh goodness, I don't want to get this stuff on my rings!!" Of course not, right? Off go both my engagement and wedding bands, which are soldered together to make one ring, and my Clemson ring. I set them on the car to finish my repair job. Finally the mirror is back in place and we are on the road, flying up I-95 to  new adventures on the horizon.

Once we checked into our hotel for the night, right at the New Hampshire/Maine border, we start thinking about dinner options. As we're getting ready to go eat, I start rubbing some lotion on my hands. Now ladies, you especially know that you have to be careful putting on lotion because it can get all up in your rings! Just as that thought crossed my mind, my face went white and I gasped. Poor Jarred didn't know what was going on. "MY RINGSSS!!!, MY RINGS, oh my goodness my rings! They're gone, Oh my gosh, they were on top of the car!!!!! I didn't put them back on. Oh my gosh, oh my gosh...they're gone!!!!!!!!!!!!!" My thoughts were racing 90 miles an hour, which is almost as fast as we were going up the interstate when my rings were ON TOP OF THE FLIPPIN' CAR! NOOOOOOOOOOOO!

After the initial startling realization of what happened, my "calm in emergencies" phase kicked it. I immediately started thinking about what to do next. Should we go home? Could the rings have fallen off the car immediately when we started driving? Perhaps they're lying in our parking space? Would the scavengers who roam our alley looking through trash have noticed them yet? It was dusk where we were and would be completely dark in Boston within 30 minutes. There was no time to go home and still have daylight to search. Ah-Ha! Call the neighbor. Maybe she'll look. Who else? The folks I babysit for, they'll look! Sari, my co-teacher, surely she'll go look! Oh my goodness my mom is absolutely going to FREAK (and is probably doing so right about now as she reads this for the first time...eeek!).

As the search party was being sent out in full force, my stomach started to do flips. That sinking feeling just wouldn't leave. I NEVER take off my rings, how could this have happened?! I sleep with them, shower with them, and only rarely take them off for cleaning. What a disaster!

But then, in the exact same moment, something quite profound happened. I thought...this is not a disaster. In the grand scheme of life this is not even a big deal. There are people losing loved ones to cancer. The children I'm going to visit next month in Kenya don't have enough food to eat. I am so ridiculously blessed. These frivolous pieces of rock and metal are not something to freak out over. I know it may sound crazy, but...Perspective, it washed over me. I was more concerned with the fact that I probably should be flipping out more than I was. But then again, should I? No, not really.

Over the years I've actually wondered a good deal about whether or not I loved that ring too much. It's a mere material possession that I won't be able to take with me when I leave this world. In the Bible it clearly says that we should not treasure possessions here on this earth, where thieves can steal and rust can destroy... or in my case...that I can leave on top of my car and send flying to only the good Lord above knows where. But rather we should glorify the Lord with our lives so that we store up eternal treasures in Heaven. While I was sad that my rings were gone, I also had a calming peace that it was okay. It was almost a freeing feeling to be without them because in that moment, I realized the answer I'd been wondering about. No, I don't love my engagement ring too much. I am okay without it, and without my Clemson ring too. I don't need them. During the stress of it all, in my heart I was truly thankful for the time I got to have them, for the time to enjoy them and admire them, but okay with moving on ringless. Clarity is a great thing.

Now let me also say that I'm not delusional enough to think that in my sin I don't have other idols in my life, things I treasure far too much. I definitely do, and I pray God will show me those things in time. But this story is about rings...and it's not quite over yet...

The phone rang several times over the next 45 minutes with updates from my search party, but never to inform me that my rings had been found. That is until my precious husband decided to go join the search party himself, not back in Boston, but in the hotel parking lot. He went out to examine our car and think about the trajectory the rings might have taken. As he was walking out there, an idea hit him, and immediately he knew there was a chance! Low and behold, safely tucked away in the crack between the trunk and back window, to what to his wondering eyes should appear...BLING BLING!!! My engagement ring and wedding band!!! They had traveled from the top of the car, straight down the back window and gotten stuck in the crease. Can you believe it! They made it all the way up the interstate to Maine. How insane!! Praise the Lord, what a gift!! Isn't it funny how that works? More than once in life I've had to realize I was okay without something before the Lord decided to give it to me. Interesting.

Unfortunately my Clemson ring is still at large. Lots of searching but no luck yet. I'm pretty sure I've seen the last of that one. But again...I learned my lesson, and I'm A-Ok! Perhaps I should ponder the meaning of it's absence...perhaps it's Clemson I love too much!

In Loving Memory...RIP Clemson Ring, you were loved...

Midweek Confession Time...

As inspired by my friend Meagan on her blog, it's midweek confession time...

1) I desperately want someone who knits to make me a nose warmer, perhaps with little elastic bands that go around my ears to hold it on. And no, I'm not kidding. My frozen nose and I am quite serious. Heat = $$$, and money can be spent on so many other more wonderful things like flights home to see family.

2) I am now 100% addicted to seltzer water. No I don't mean flavored sparkling waters, while those were my gateway drink, I now only drink the hard core unflavored carbonated seltzer water for the worst addicts. I blame this on fancy pants Boston. Everyone here drinks sparkling waters. At first I couldn't stand it...and now...there's no going back.

3) During this week's Bachelor episode, I had a mini hissy fit over Kacie whipping out her baton in the middle of her date to impress Ben. I mean, how dare she steal that from me?! Now what am I going to do when I get on a reality show one day? She totally stole my quirky thing! Dang it. But somehow I love her for it at the same time. We do share a special bond after all. Never mind that she's actually had training...

Okay, there are my confessions for the week, who's next??

Boanerages Deaf Initiative - Uganda

Hi Friends!

Last night Jarred and I had the wonderful pleasure of meeting a very special Ugandan named Joel. He is the director of two schools for the deaf in Uganda and has a beautiful heart for helping those who cannot speak up for themselves. Joel has been in the US speaking to various groups and participating in a Deaf Expo out in California. It was such a blessing to hear from him about all the work he's doing. It was also heartbreaking to hear some of his stories...

His heart for the deaf was originally born out of tragedy. Joel had a deaf brother who was burned to death by members of their community who didn't understand him. Since that time he's dedicated his life to serving those who are misunderstood and taken advantage of. He tells the story of a little boy he met in his travels around Uganda. When Joel asked the parents of the child what his name was, they stared at each other with blank expressions. They'd never bothered to name the boy. But later, when Joel asked the name of their family dog, the parents replied its name in unison. Deaf children are thought of so poorly in Uganda that many are not even given names. If that doesn't break your heart, I don't know what does. The boy has since been named by Joel and is now learning sign language at school where he is loved and supported. There are hundreds more children with stories just like his. 

Joel also told me about a wonderful girl from Nebraska who followed God's call to leave her comfort zone here in the US and travel around the world to volunteer at his school. Before her visit, the community in Uganda around the school had never understood why Joel would care for the little "cursed" children. Many Ugandans think deafness is contagious and would rather stay far away from the kids. However, mzungus, aka foreigners, are widely respected in the community. When the girl from Nebraska came to play and interact with the children, the community watched with wide eyes. They started making connections that if this girl whom they respected wasn't afraid to interact with the deaf kids, maybe they shouldn't be either. Even Joel's own mother who had never visited his school said, "did that girl come all the way from America just to see your school? If she did, maybe I should too!" His mother now does all that she can to help the students and has even proudly handed out certificates those who've graduated. An entire community has begun to change its opinion of deafness just because one girl from America volunteered her time to hug and love on a few children who needed love the most.

If you'd like to learn more about helping the Boanerages Deaf Initiative, please let me know. There are many needs, but Joel trusts that the Lord will raise up the support the school needs. Currently his school in Kampala has 40 children and just 1 teacher. Although Joel has worked hard to train more teachers, he is not able to pay them, so they leave. Just over $3 a day or $100 a month would pay for a teacher to be able to live comfortably and have the freedom not to worry about food or shelter. For $1 a day you could feed a hungry child. And by a visit, you could help change an entire community. Prayerfully consider if there is something you'd like to do to help.

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy." -Proverbs 31:8-9

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huFaOYpIa7c

My heart is already in Kenya

Over the past few weeks, as Jarred and I have begun raising support for our Feb. trip to Kenya, I've been constantly scouring the Internet to read more about deaf orphanages and schools. Each new article or website I come across encourages me and leaves me heartbroken at the same time. I'm thrilled when I read about the people who are working hard to give these children the love, education, and support they need. But in the same sentence I usually read more about the neglect and abuse that hundreds of thousands of other kids with disabilities are going through without the resources available to help them. Precious children without the ability to communicate who are being locked in their homes, raped, and tied to trees left for wild animals. My mind can't even wrap around the horrible injustices these children are experiencing. I want to hold each one of them, rock them back and forth, and tell them about how Jesus made them special, and he cares for them even when the whole world is against them. February can't come soon enough...

"Defend the weak and fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked."

-Psalm 82: 3-4

One of the many articles I've read: http://this.org/blog/2009/10/19/kenya-deaf-school/

Art Raffle for Africa

As a way of raising money for our upcoming mission trip to Kenya, Jarred and I are happy to announce an "Art Raffle for Africa." In the coming months we'll be raffling off this gorgeous, handmade stained glass flower mosaic. It's encased in an antique window frame and would be the perfect addition to any screen porch or bay window. It's valued at over $300 and was created by local South Carolina artist Kathy Dublin. Kathy went with me on my first trip to Kenya back in 2007 and is going back herself this fall.

Entries into the raffle are $10 each. For donations greater than $10, you'll be entered once for every multiple of 10. Twice for a $20 donation, 3 for $30, etc. The winner will be announced on Dec. 1st. There will also be 2nd and 3rd place prizes which will be revealed in the coming weeks.

100% of all money from raffle entries will go towards funding our trip. You'd like to enter, please email me at maryellen.callura@gmail.com, and I'll reply with our address. If you'd like to donate to our trip without entering the raffle, simply include that in your email to me. You can read more about what we'll be doing in Kenya on my previous post "A Smile is the Same in Any Language." Thank you so much for your support!

A Smile is the Same in Any Language

So the Calluras have huge news!!! And no, we're not having a baby!! But in our minds, it's something just as drastic! (Well, almost). We're going to Kenya! Not long term, but for just over a week in February. If you know us well at all, you probably know we're not the kind of people who want to travel the world to foreign countries everywhere. In fact, we'd be pretty content to spend the rest of our days safe and sound in the US where we speak the same language, understand the currency, and enjoy the food we grew up on. However, God has different plans for us, to fulfill His will for our lives outside of our comfort zones. To spread the Good News of the Gospel through our actions to the people of Kenya. Just as Jesus says in Luke, we believe the harvest there is plentiful, but the workers are few. So here we are, ready to work! We're still outlining the details, but it looks as if we have two wonderful opportunities.

#1: To work with Pastor Euticauls Wambua who heads the Youth at Risk Community Center in the Korogocho slum just outside of Nairobi. This slum is home to over 150,000 people in 1.5 square kilometers. In Swahili, the word "korogocho" literally means "crowded shoulder to shoulder." Not only is it crowded, but it's also located beside an active trash dump. Due to the lack of clean water, overcrowding, and poor infrastructure, the people of Korogocho tend to have very poor health. In 2008 the HIV rate was an estimated 14% of the population. Situated in the heart of the slum is the Youth at Risk Community Center, a school for over 300 Korogocho children. At school many of the students receive their only meal of the day. They also receive academic and Biblical instruction from loving teachers. Jarred and I will be working with Pastor Euticauls to meet any practical needs they may have at the school. We hope to take some supplies with us as we go. I am also hopeful that I can use my teacher training here in the US to better educate the teachers at the Youth Center. We'll be updating the blog with details as we figure out more specifics.

Picture I took on my first trip to Kenya of a kindergarten class at the Youth Center.

#2: Our second opportunity on the trip will be to work with a school for the deaf just outside of Nairobi. Pastor Euticauls has a connection to this school because two of his nieces are deaf. Our mission there will be to take the love of Jesus to a people group who are largely thought of as "cursed" and who are outcast from society, living in an isolated and silent world. God's been preparing me, specifically, for this mission for quite a long time. If you're reading this, you most likely know that Jarred and I have the most adorable and fantastic deaf nephew in all the world. Before he came along, God gave me the phenomenal experiences of taking American Sign Language at Clemson and experiencing the deaf community across the US through FCA Mission trips. And long before that I had an unbelievably amazing aunt who was a teacher of the deaf in South Carolina and who was making me sweatshirts with ASL hand signs when I was just a wee child. So it's clear to me that God has definitely had many plans for me to interact with and love the deaf in his name for a long, long time. While we don't know Kenyan Sign Language, we know that deaf people in developing countries like Kenya often lack not only the opportunity for education but for acceptance as well. Through our smiles, hugs, the use of an interpreter and perhaps a picture Bible, we hope the deaf Kenyans we have the honor of interacting with will see and understand that they have a loving Father and Creator who not only accepts them, but died for their sins so that they would never have to be separated from him.

Well, now you know a little bit about are upcoming journey. At the moment we are in a place somewhere between "Hooray for going to Kenya!" and "Oh my word this is slightly terrifying but exciting all at the same time!" To say that we don't feel adequate for this mission in an understatement. However, we trust that God always provides and will equip us with all that we need to serve him. This will be Jarred's first foreign mission trip, and we are excited about how our marriage will grow through this shared experience. I also can't wait to see how God works in Jarred's life as he get to experience the incredible love of Kenyans for the first time. It's going to be pretty awesome!!

We'd love for you to pray for us as we start putting together all the details and begin our fundraising campaign. And if you feel called, join us!! Seriously...we'd love to have you! We're going in February, which I know isn't the ideal time for most people, but if you can get out of work or school...holla back! And don't worry if you're nervous about the interactions with the deaf and don't have a background with sign language...they don't use American Sign Language anyway...and besides, a smile is the same in any language!!

A change of pace - BOWS!

Well hello there! It's been a while! I've had a lovely summer frolicking around the mountains and Boston. How about you? Hope you're well! It's time for a little crafting update. While I've enjoyed my embroidery machine dearly for the past 9 months, I've decided to take a break from it for a while. I'm looking to new adventures in the crafting world, but am not straying too far outside of my baby/child focused genre. After buying my sweet niece/inspiration a few gifts...I discovered the gold mine people must have of making bows. After paying a ridiculous amount for a plain little brown bow, I decided I'd learn to make them myself! Plus, I have various grosgrain ribbon lying around my craft space from burp cloths, tutus, etc that needs to be used. So today I bought the remaining supplies (hot glue gun and barrette closures) and got to work! Here are my humble first attempts at bow making:

I'll call this one "The Sarah"...as it's perfect for any Georgia Bulldog fans out there.

This next one is fall inspired...plus I had limited color choices.

Now for a Clemson Trio in honor of football season...the one week countdown has almost begun people!! Get Excited!!

And finally, a classic and ever fashionable pink. Better known as "The Amy."

Now I must say, I wanted to use alligator clips rather than barrettes for the closures, but Michaels was out...of course. But it's only a matter of time. This weekend my sister and I are planning to make a ton of fun bows together for my niece and hopefully we'll learn some fancy new tricks. Can't wait!