If you think you're too small to have an impact...

If you think you're too small to have an impact, try sleeping in a room with a mosquito

I love this African Proverb!

One thing God has taught me over the years, and especially through Coordinating a MOPS ministry. Is that God needs ordinary people to do His extraordinary things. And it starts with me and you. No matter your age, how strong your faith is, how many or how little verses you know, if you are married, single, divorced. God needs us now. We can all do something to make a difference- in our families, at our workplace, in our community and around the world.

This one big reason is why I wanted to start this blog. To be able to share ideas how we can work together to make a difference in our families, in our communities and across the world. After being involved in MOPS for 5 years and Coordinating 2 of the years, I learned first hand some great lessons about getting involved in making a difference.

1.) I believe in my heart that the majority of people want to help, but just don't know where to begin. I get it, we are busy people. Sometimes we need someone to just show us a few examples to get started. I believe you have the intention in your heart, now you need the information to put that intention into place.

The smallest deed is better than the greatest intention.
John Burroughs

2.) We don't have to have to help with everythin, but we do need to help with something! I understand, it can get overwhelming when you are asked for money every time you go into the grocery store or all the mailings asking for money. But that can't stop us from doing something. And that leads me to the most important part...

3.) What is that "something" for you?

4.) What pulls at your heart?

5.) What holds you back from sharing your God given gifts to make a difference. And yes YOU have some AMAZING God given gifts!

One of my favorite books is called "She Did What She Could" written by Elisa Morgan who was the CEO of MOPS International. I was able to meet her at my very first MOPS Convention and that's where I was introduced to this book. "She did what she could" were 5 words that Jesus spoke in Mark 14:3-9. Take a minute and read those couple of verse and you will understand that God is asking us to just do what we can. 

Here are a few pieces from "She Did What She Could"-

What if...I did what I could? 

What if I quit focusing on what I don't have and considered instead what I do have?

What if I let go of the pressure to do everything I could and instead did the one thing I could do now?

What if I started right now, in this moment, in this season of life, to do what I could?

What if I lived each day with the commitment to do what I could in that day. To know that I am loved by Jesus and to love Him back?

I might schedule a meeting with the principal and press the school to provide the special services I know my child requires in order to be the best he can be.

I might go on bed rest during a difficult pregnancy in order to give the life inside of me a chance at life outside of me.

I might apologize to a friend I wounded.

I might resign from my job and make more time for my kids.

I might go back to work in order to provide more resources for my kids.

I might stay married.

I might forgive my mother.

I might forgive myself. 

I might share my story- my struggle-my-sins-in public so that others might hear that the God who has helped me can help them.

I might tithe more than makes sense but not more than I can really afford.

I might adopt a child.

I might bite my tongue instead of speaking.

I might vote.

I might make a cup of cocoa for my husband and take it to him while he watches TV. Not because he asked for it or because I need to be in his good graces. Just because.

I might get off the couch and go for a walk with my daughter.

What if I did what I could? 

So let's do what we can...now

Were you a teen mom? Do you know first hand the hardships and struggles that come with that? The looks that others give you as  teen mom? 

Here's a chance to help Teen Parents right here in our own backyard:

Youth For Christ- Teen Parents is need of your help. They are getting ready for their annual Fall Camp! This year they have had to expand and move to a larger location in order to accommodate the large group they are expecting to have! With the larger location comes a higher price and for many teens this is going to be tough! The cost is $80 per teen and they are looking for people that might want to sponsor a teen or two with a scholarship of $40! They want their teens to come up with at least half of the camp cost but they know they will need help with the other half! 

All of the contact info. is right on the brochure below. Or if I can help in anyway you are always welcome to email me:
DancingInTheKitchen.Lynn@gmail.com

Another Organization that my family has grown to love helping is the 

Bakersfield Ronald McDonald House

It is so easy to help! The house is located on the Memorial Hospital Campus. If you have never been there to see it. I highly recommend that you contact the house to come visit and learn more. Bring your family.

420, 34th St., Bakersfield, CA 93301.
Phone:  661-327-4647  Ext. 4290 

Here's a photo of me and some wonderful friends of mine 

volunteering at the BRMH. 

We made dinner for the house guests and cards that the guest could have to write to say "thank you" to the nurses and doctors.

If you are interested in making the BRMH house dinner or volunteering in another way please contact the house manager:

Scarlett Sabin

Phone: 661-900-8995

E-mail: SSabin@BakersfieldRMH.org

I hope this gets you to start thinking in a new way. 

Just do what you can. 

I will post many more ideas, and simple ways to make a difference.