February 3, 2013

anybody, January stories.



hey yall.
so month 1 of my "anybody" series is wrapped up.
you've heard 4 stories of people that are changing the world.
[48 to go!]

people who are moms.  wives.  sponsors.  non profit workers.

[if you are new to the blog, read this post to see what this is + why I'm doing it]

you've heard stories from: Katie, Katie #2, Becca, and Beth.

so my question for you is....have you taken their challenges? 

have any of their stories struck a cord in you & made you think, "hey, I can do that!"  

I hope so.  that is my goal in this.  not that we would just READ the stories, or be inspired by them, but they would push us to ACTION.

Katie challenged us to Be inconvenienced. Be encountered. Be changed.
Katie #2 challenged us... in your story. Are you choosing easy and comfortable? What part of your story are you missing out on because its too unknown or uncomfortable? Do you trust the Master Storyteller enough to take some risks? I'm not advocating for foolishness but you know what I'm talking about. I mean the moment a change in your story presents itself and you make a fear based decision instead of a trusting one. What could God do with your "yes?" After all, who could write a better story?

Becca challenged us to get involved.  Do something. Say YES! Be the change. [all in your local community!]

Beth challenged us to sponsor a child.  and if we already sponsor a child, You're challenge is to pray for your child right now, and then communicate with them. Send them a letter or a little care package. It would mean so very much. You could change the world for one, too. 


where have those (or just 1) of those challenges taken YOU? 

I personally have been really challenged to be more intentional with the kids we sponsor.  I started making a names + faces book so we can be praying for them and I've gotten notecards out to write them throughout the week.  



we can't all do everything, but we can all do something!  

I'd love to hear from you.  let's start a conversation! 

stay tuned for the next Anybody story this week! I love to see who God puts in my path the week before & just screams, "have them tell their story".  if you have someone you think could challenge and encourage, feel free to email me wynne.elder@gmail.com

9 comments:

  1. i am LOVING this series, wynne! i, too, have been inspired to be more intentional with our sponsor kiddos. and i love being challenged to live a great story. i just went to the mom heart conference here in ca this weekend and it was amazing to hear how a huge part of discipling your children is reading to them--so that they can picture themselves as heroes and heroines and once they start seeing the world through the lens of story and plot, considering themselves in the story God is writing comes naturally!!!! what an amazing legacy to leave our children... that they would always strive to be a hero/heroine for Christ, always searching for who they are in the story He is writing. XO

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    1. wow, i have LOVED reading peoples responses to this and how god has used to to speak!! it's so easy just to go about our day and "go through the motions" but it's amazing when we can be intentional with our time and talents! i lvoe what you said about reading to them and showing them the part they have to play in gods story! WOW!!! that super encouraged me and motivated me to want to read to my kids MORE! like i should go do that now....thanks for sharing ashley!

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  2. thank you so much for doing this series. it is both encouraging and challenging!!

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    1. yay! so glad it's encouraging and challenging you too!!!

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  3. I've been following your blog just recently and I am a fellow Africa and Ethiopia lover; I have passion for the maternal/infant health crisis in Africa and in the third world and currently in grad school to become a nurse midwife. Thank you for your beautiful and honest words that are transpired on this blog. I have been touched by this series and have been humbled and challenged to be better. I am always looking toward the future; my next trip to Africa and the plans of being a midwife where I am needed. I often forget the need in my community (NYC) which is huge. I been encouraged to not rush by the endless homeless people on the streets, but to stop and give where I can give and dignify them. Not just drop a few dollars, but talk to them. Yes, it isn't always comfortable and can be inconvenient- but its worth it and Jesus would be there and so then do I. I got involved at a soup kitchen and now will be volunteering once a month. I was encouraged to pray for my mother and son that I sponsor and be there in my prayers. Also, to be more aware and missional in my community Through your writings and of these ladies all have been such a blessing to me. Thank you!!!
    Jodie

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    1. ohh i love fellow africa/ethiopia lovers. we are a special breed, huh? how amazing that you are going to be a midwife!!! but you are so right! i'ts so easy to look to the future and what god's going to do and not look at hte people we see EVERY DAY that are in need!! that is amazing that katie's story has challenged you to look at the homeless people you see differently! wow. and involved at the soup kitchen! this is just the work of god. thank you for sharing your story here!! seriously!

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  4. Keep doing what you're doing Wynne! Love hearing others' stories! I know for me, being a mama to 3 littles, the day in and day out can sometimes drag me down and keep me from being intentional. I know I have to use what the Lord puts in my path...at the grocery store, when dropping the boys off at Parent's Day Out...all of those simple, everyday moments can be incredible moments to share Christ and love BIG. Not just praying for "people" but to pray for OPPORTUNITY! I think when we change our prayer for the Lord to give us those opportunities to be His hands and feet, He always, always delivers and blesses US in the process!

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    1. thank you amy! i totally know what you mean about just going through the motions of being a mom, it's a hard and non stop job!! but we can be intentional like you said at the grocery story, post office, etc. incredible opportunities if we pray and seek god for them! thanks for sharing!

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  5. hello wynne! I am one of your "quiet" blog followers, but I have been so inspired by this series. There's a lot of "new" in this chapter of my life and I desperately needed the reminder to look up and really see the needs of the people around me. Not only has it inspired me to be more intentional in my everyday setting but, thanks to the beth's story, we're now sponsoring a precious heart in malawi. so, from the bottom of my heart, thank you!

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thanks for the love!
wynne.elder@gmail.com