Son of the Congo

So we all know my love for the Okc Thunder and I know what all Oklahomans know.....that our guys are special! Our Okc Thunder has some of the most genuine players in the league and Son of the Congo just highlighted that times a MILLION!
This documentary about Serge Ibaka ripped my heart out.....
It made me sad for Serge as it showed how when he goes home to the Congo all everyone wants from him is money. People literally follow him around yelling at him to give them money. You see how that weighs on him and not in how you would expect it to. He wants to help everyone but he can't and you can see how that weighs on his heart. While in the Congo he helps fit people with hearing aides and watching him be apart of what for most is the first time they ever hear ...... it's strong. Powerful.
Also Serge donates $500,000 of supplies to an orphanage that he visits in the Congo and the emotion he displays is what we all feel or should feel when we see how awful it is for those children. It's heartbreaking.


One of my favorite quotes is when Serge is referring to the Playoffs last year when he came back to play even with a calf injury and he says "Sleeping on the street, having no food, being alone in the Congo is hard.... sacrificing for my teammates in the NBA Playoffs.... no thats not hard". 

You just need to watch this documentary for yourself and you will be touched, I promise. I could go on and on about how much I loved it and how much it touched me but you need to watch it for yourself.
All I could think about while watching this is... what am I doing? I wish my life could matter or make a difference in someone else's life. Food for thought.

Change the World for ONE Today!

Hi Guys!! Today is a day I LOVE.... It's April 1st and NO that doesn't mean April Fools day to me what it means is a day for me to make a difference for ONE! I have shared about No. 41 so many times, my friend Tara started this amazing organization and I just love being able to help. I already bought my 2015 41 Day T Shirt which I will be wearing today (and all week actually) and I am donating $50 today which will feed 200 children in Rwanda a hot lunch!!!!!! 

What is 41Day? On April 1st, for one day, we as you to give up your lunch and donate what you would have spent to feed students in Rwanda. Students who, without our feeding program, wouldn't otherwise eat lunch at school. And who may only eat this one meal a day. Where is it happening? It's going down, all over the world, wherever you are TODAY! NO. 41 will be in Rwanda, but you can donate your lunch money, right here. Why does it matter? Since the feeding program started, two years ago, enrollment at the school has grown from 650 students to nearly 1,200! Because they want to eat. This impact is not only felt for the student, but also for their families who struggle to provide for each member. When hungry bellies are off the table, students are more focused and engaged in their work and, for the second year in a row, our students earned the highest test scores in their district! How can I help?  A little slice of the world is changing in Rwanda and it can all be attributed to a $0.25 meal every day and the snowball of hope that comes with it. There are so many simple ways you can get involved: Donate what you would have spent on lunch.  Share this event with your friends. Purchase a bag or a t-shirt. Donate here to sponsor a child for the year.

One meal, for one day, costs just $0.25. How much do you spend on lunch? $1 feeds 4 students, $5 feeds 20 students, $10 feeds 40 students...

Guys, feel free to share this post on your FB today and all it takes is as little as $1 and YOU can make a difference today, a real difference! It is so easy all the links are above all you have to do is CLICK!!!!!!!

Meet Barsilinga

Yesterday really made a dent in my heart and I was up all night thinking about the Elephants and knew I needed to do more! So I am so proud to announce the adoption of my Orphan Barsilinga! He was found on Easter Morning 2012, a true blessing I think! I have fostered an Elephant a few years back and I am blessed to do it again.....I was drawn to this little guy........

Name	Gender	Date Born	Location Found	Age on Arrival	Comments	Reason for being Orphaned
BARSILINGA	Male	Wednesday, March 28, 2012	Found near Wamba area, next to his dying mother	Approximately 2 weeks old	His mother had to be euthanized as her wounds were too severe for recovery	Poaching

Here is his incredible rescue...............

Barsi is now a little over 2 years old and is thriving at the DSWT!!! His story touched my heart, broke my heart and yet filled my heart with love all at the same time! It would be a DREAM come true to go visit the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and I have been saying that for years, they truly make a difference in all these animals lives.
I will keep us all updated on his progress as I get the updates from Africa!

World Elephant Day

Hello Friends! Today is very important to me and if you are a long time follower than you know this cause is dear to my heart! Today is World Elephant Day and my heart aches that these amazing creatures are being poached, orphaned and on the verge of possible extinction. I hope todays post will educate you on something you may not have already known about and I hope this post will instill in you a desire to make a difference!

ONE ELEPHANT IS KILLED EVERY 15 MINUTES. AT THIS RATE NONE WILL BE ROAMING WILD IN 2025.

WHY SAVE THE ELEPHANT?

Elephants have roamed the wild for 15 million years and today this iconic species faces their biggest threat to survival due to continued ivory poaching. As long as there is a demand for ivory, elephants will be continued to be killed for their tusks. Today it is estimated up to 36,000 elephants are killed annually, that’s one life lost every 15 minutes. Learn more about this CRISIS HERE!

What can we possibly do??? How can we change the world for Elephants??
I want to make it super easy for you...........

1. Sign the Petition HERE!

2. Foster a Elephant thru the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, this is dear to my heart...I sponsored an orphan a few years back and it really helped me to grow in a charitable way as well as the love that grew in my heart for these amazing creatures! You can Foster one HERE!

3. Wear Your Support!!! HERE

4. Print Your own poster HERE and share on social media!

#1every15 #iworry

5. Share this post, Share these 2 important websites....
Use these sites to educate yourself and share with others!

http://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/WED/#creative

http://iworry.org


You know I really think every little bit helps, we have to think that and I want to join in on creating change. #changetheworld

Why are we doing NOTHING?????

I have a question.....as you watch this video how many of you had already heard about this crisis? I am betting not nearly enough, this is shocking and demands attention!

Nicholas Kristof is someone I admire greatly and I have talked about him many many times on this blog, he is a journalist for the NY Times who really sheds light on subjects we ALL need to care about. He is a champion for woman and he not only inspires me to do more but he gives me the knowledge to do so. Todays article in the NY Times was about this situation...... how could this be? 200 girls have been kidnapped? Why is this not the TOP story??? Here is the perfect way that he put this in perspective....

" While there has been a major international search for the missing people on Malaysian flight MH370, and nonstop news coverage, there has been no meaningful search for the even greater number of missing schoolgirls."

Wrap your head around that.

Mothers and relatives of kidnapped schoolgirls in northern Nigeria gathered late last month.CreditAfolabi Sotunde/Reuters

What can you do? 

1. Start by educating yourself and read Nicholas's article Bring Back Our Girls.....HERE!
2. Sign the petition on change.org HERE

3. Sign the White House petition HERE!

No. 41 Day!!!

"Do FOR ONE what you wish you could do for all." -Andy Stanley

When No.41 started, there were, roughly, 100 young adults over the age of 18 living in the Noel Orphanage. With no family and limited resources, the prospect of university or becoming gainfully employed was low. Along with that, confidence was low, dreams were small and hope was almost non-existent. It was important, not only to provide a means of sustainable employment doing a culturally relevant trade for these girls, but also to remind them that they were created for a great purpose, by an even greater God. We all have been given gifts and talents and, once realized, we should spend those helping others and that is where the feeding program came in.

In our village there are three secondary schools, grades 7-12, and these students go to school all day, most without eating. The schools, generally, offer a 20-minute break for lunch where children who live close enough or have money, may go home to go to the market to eat. Most do not.

All that has transpired at No.41 is beyond our wildest dreams. We have had ten girls move themselves out of the orphanage and we now have 19 enrolled in university. We have career fairs and business trainings, bible study and English class. I never believed this couldn’t happen, but I never imagined it would happen like this. No.41 is a testament to all that God wants to do in you and through you, if you’ll just say, yes.

What is the Goal of 41 Day????
(via www.no41.org)
On April 1st, we would love for you to join us, wherever you are, for a day of fasting and prayer for children around the world who go without lunch everyday, AND we are asking that you would donate what you would have spent on lunch, to feed our students in Gisenyi, Rwanda. Our feeding program, 1,200 students and teachers, provides lunch for one child for just $0.25 a day. How much do you spend on lunch?

$1 feeds 4 children for one day,
$5 feeds 20 children,
$10 feeds 40 children...

Our goal this year, on April 1st, is funding a whopping 41,000 meals! That's $10,250 or 1000 people giving up a $10 lunch. We have SO got this!

Y'all, changing the world FOR ONE, on 4-1, is really that easy.

All donations can be made here:
http://www.no41.org/faq#donate

Or if you would like to sponsor a student for the WHOLE year, it's $60 here:
http://www.no41.org/collections/169275-all-products/products/5444938-student-sponsorship



I have talked about this Charity several times before ( HERE )  and I went to school with Tara the founder of No. 41....I am constantly in awe of the work she has done. She is making a difference and I hope that thru this post I can make a difference in just ONE child's life. I pledge to donate $60 today and I encourage you to do the same! If you can't give $60 then Pray, Share this post, Fast or a donation of even $5 will make a difference. 

Make sure you get your 41 Day shirt HERE!!! I already have mine and I am wearing it as I type! By purchasing this shirt you will provide 68 LUNCHES!!!!

I hope you all will be as inspired as I am and filled with Hope that people are truly making this world a better place. It makes my soul smile to know that I can help even in the smallest ways. Happy 41 Day!

ONE Day.....

Hey friends......this is an organization I love and try to support........You have seen me talk about this several times before....... No.41 (My friend Tara's website is HERE)
FOR ONE (4/1) Day is here! 
Donate, if you can. We can change the world for one! 

The website for more info or donations is listed on the flyer! Please feel free to pass this on.........

Running For My Life...

Running for My Life is not a story about Africa or track and field athletics. It is about outrunning the devil and achieving the impossible faith, diligence, and the desire to give back. It is the American dream come true and a stark reminder that saving one can help to save thousands more.
Lopez Lomong chronicles his inspiring ascent from a barefoot lost boy of the Sudanese Civil War to a Nike sponsored athlete on the US Olympic Team. Though most of us fall somewhere between the catastrophic lows and dizzying highs of Lomong's incredible life, every reader will find in his story the human spark to pursue dreams that might seem unthinkable, even from circumstances that might appear hopeless.

I came across this book at Barnes and Noble while browsing thru the Christian section and I am so glad I found it. I have read several memoirs based in Africa dealing with genocide so I was drawn to this book as soon as I saw it. Lopez's story is amazing and to see how he gives all the glory to God even in the face of impossible odds is inspiring. I also loved reading about his American family and how amazingly selfless they were, I can only hope that one day I could make an impact on someones life like they did. This was a quick read and I highly recommend this book also if your husband is looking for a good book I think Men would really enjoy this.

Switching gears only slightly it was ONE year ago this week that the Invisible Children project received the attention they deserved with the Kony 2012 video. This really moved me you can read more about this HERE and HERE
Something I always say when I try to bring a spotlight to a cause that is dear to me on this blog is......Knowledge is the first step. Learning and opening your mind/heart to things you may not normally come across is where it starts. And even though this platform is relatively small it is what I have and I use it. SO....what happened to the Kony 2012 movement? Find out.................

Gifting from the Heart....

Hi friends.....this is Take 3 on the perfect gift to give and I am thrilled that everyone not only loves my ideas but has used them! Today's gift idea is the most important, do you have someone on your list who has everything? Someone who really doesn't need anything? Someone you know that has a heart to serve? I have the BEST thing for you to do..........

Now, this post is so complex and I worry I won't accurately express how wonderful this is so cut me some slack. I have a friend whom I have known since High School and I have talked about her before....she gave up her life here to follow God's calling to serve in Africa. I mean it amazes me she did what so many of us don't have the guts to do and it blows me away. Not only has she been in Africa for I think almost 2 years she is making a HUGE difference in peoples lives. 

What is 41? Here it is from Tara's website.......

No. 41 started on a whim and a prayer in March 2012, with the intent of teaching young women from the Noel Orphanage in Gisenyi, Rwanda (ages 18-25) not only to sew, a culturally relevant trade that would always sustain them, but to give back to their community through a feeding program supporting local schools.

The first No.41 bag (for one child, for one meal, for one year) was sold in May 2012 and today No.41 employs 21 women from the orphanage, as well as 11 from the surrounding village. We have 9 mamas better providing for their 13 children and 17 of our young women are now enrolled in university.

No. 41 is about empowering young women. Our goal is not to give them the world, but to show them that God has already given them everything they need to go out there and take it. When you join with us, you are truly changing the world FOR ONE.

 I have been awaiting on these bags for months and I knew there was an amazing new store who was selling the 41 bags in Oklahoma City so I had to go while I was in town. It is called Plenty Mercantile and all the products have a purpose. You can visit their facebook page by clicking HERE!

 I bought the One Bag that will feed ONE child for ONE year this bag was $75 and $65 goes straight to the charity. This is the PERFECT gift!! On the 41 website you can also purchase a 41 backpack for less or a stunning necklace made with love. But after speaking with Plenty in Okc they said anyone can call them and if you pay for the shipping they would ship these bags anywhere! Here is their number (405) 757-1925

If you don't want to purchase the bags you can donate directly to 41 on their website which is also the perfect gift for anyone. I know there are so many charities out there and you can give your money to any one of them. But this is a small charity making a BIG difference and they can only do that with our help. All year I was sponsoring one of Tara's girls Rosine but when I lost my job I had to stop that for awhile but I have every intention of doing that again as soon as I am willing. On the website you can also learn how to sponsor a girl and I can just go on and on about this........But the website tells it better than I could.

 Here is Tara who is making a difference and I can only hope that you all will take time today to visit her website and learn more about what she does. It is incredible.... For me it all started when I had a Arbonne party for her and she had a Scentsy party for me and she told me about the Africa shirt (she is wearing) that she was selling to raise money for her move. I bought the shirt and now over 2 years later I still follow and try to support her cause..... I try to do that especially thru this blog.

Here is the 41 website http://www.no41.org/ or you can click HERE to visit the website. Now lets make this super easy here is what you can do to help and make someone's Christmas gift matter....

1. Buy a 41 Feed One for One year tote from Plenty in Okc......call  (405) 757-1925
2. Buy a 41 backpack or a cute necklace from their website by clicking HERE!
3. Donate or sponsor a girl thru Tara's website above.
4. Post this blog post or one of your own to spread the word about this amazing charity. Tell em Nicole at the Sizzlin Savages sent you or heard about it thru me. I really want to see if this can make a difference.
5. Let me know if you do any of the things above at nsavage@live.com because I would like to HOPE to feature everyone on my blog who helped!
6. Head on over to Tara's blog to follow her on this journey.....leave her a comment and tell her I sent you.....click HERE to check it out!

Thanks for listening!!! And Happy Shopping this Holiday Season!

Machine Gun Preacher

If you remember about a month ago I watched the movie Machine Gun Preacher on "on Demand" and was moved by it. So I would love it if you would visit that post (HERE) to get caught up, learn more about the movie and the man behind the movie Sam Childers.

While I was watching the movie I ordered his book on Amazon and finally this week I found the time to read it and love it. Now, Sam will tell you that he was an 11th grade drop out who in some crazy turn of events is writing a book. But you know what? I love the way it was written.....this book was written as if you were sitting at a table listening to Sam tell you his story and the children in Africa's stories! This book is an amazing example of what ONE man can accomplish thru Christ. This book is an example of someone truly listening to what God has laid on his heart. I loved it.  I think you should:
1. Watch the movie
2. visit Sam's website www.machinegunpreacher.org
3. Read the book and discuss with your friends and family.

Has anyone read this book or seen this movie since I last talked about it????

Machine Gun Preacher

Oh Monday......I am sorry to say I didn't miss you, why must you always come back so soon? Did you all have a good weekend? You know, I did until yesterday.....I had a huge migraine. Since the move I have been tracking my migraines better and every time it storms here I get one. Must be the pressure change....so right on schedule yesterday came the storm and my migraine. 

*** I originally had my review for Total Recall here but after reading this post back I removed it ...I wanted all the focus to be on the movie below*****

 Ok, last night I rented a movie on Demand and for a few weeks I always hover over this movie Machine Gun Preacher so last night finally I hit "rent". I am not sure why this movie hasn't and won't be in theaters especially with all the recent light being shed on Joseph Kony. Kony is a central theme in this TRUE life movie.....

 I won't be able to accurately tell you what this movie is about so watch the trailer................

That preview makes me emotional, stirs up something in my heart and calls me to action.
Let me start this "review" by saying is more killing justified in God's eyes? A means to an end? Does the bloodshed get out weighed by the good in the end result? I am sure this could be easily up for debate and I will leave that you. Also this movie is rated....R. An R movie with a Christian message? This is the true story of Sam Childers life....the drugs, violence and language are part of that, part of who Sam was and part of the atrocities that happen to the people of Sudan.

I loved this movie, I truly loved and was moved by this story. This story shows you that God loves and forgives anyone...people forget that, that ONE person can make a difference and that you can turn your life around no matter how bad you think it is. This one man didn't pick the easy path, he didn't stay in his comfort zone and I 100% believe that God not only changed him but God had this as a path for Sam. I liked this movie so much I looked up his website this morning but I bought his book (HERE)
I highly recommend this movie.....movies like this make me think I should do more.?! I should step out from behind my blog and truly do more.? I volunteer, I sponsor a lovely woman Rosine who lives in Africa, I try to shed light on issues via my blog but is it enough? Sam does more and I have a friend from HS Tara who gave up her life and she now lives in Africa, she is making a difference. Things like this (movie) make you think about your own life and the purpose God has for me and you. This movie isn't sunshine and roses......people struggle even when they serve the Lord.

Friends, I am sorry to get all heavy on a Monday morning but I am speaking from my heart. Have you seen this movie? Thoughts? Let me know if you see it and what you think. To check out Sam Childers website, learn more about the children or to donate you can click HERE. or just visit www.machinegunpreacher.org  

I have ordered a shirt....it's a start. 

"Hope is the greatest weapon of all"

Here is a clip of the real Sam Childers talking about Sudan..........

Meet Rosine....

 So guys I have something VERY exciting to talk about today (and I need a break from moving talk) I have a friend that I have known since High School named Tara....you can learn all about her on her amazing blog La.T.Da (Click HERE) But today I am going to tell you how she is touching lives........
I know that I talk so much about "causes", giving, things that I am passionate about and making a difference........but Tara is actually doing it! I can not believe her courage, her big heart and how much of a difference she is making. I only wish I could have the courage to do what she has done!
Long story short Tara lives in Africa at the Noel Orphanage and yes, you can see pure joy all over her face........................

 Tara has been taking sewing classes lately with some amazing young women in Africa and she has once again stepped up and is making a HUGE difference! About a week or 2 ago she started posting pictures and information about some amazing ladies and how WE can help! I jumped at this chance.............meet Rosine.........Rosine is my new friend, someone I will gain insiration from and someone who is beautiful inside and out! I am Rosine's new sponsor..............(we are already FB friends)

Rosine is our newest little love. She is quietly confident and always wearing a smile. She is also not from the orphanage, but her aunt, Mama Clarisse, is one of my favorite mamas (at the orphanage) and asked if she could join. Umm, duh. :)

Born in 1982, Rosine is 29 years old and the oldest of six children. Rosine, her 3 brothers and two sisters, lived with both parents until she was 11 and her father fell very ill and died. It was at that time that Mama Clarisse and her daughter (Clarisse) moved in with their family and Rosine's mother worked very hard to put all of her children through school.

Rosine wants to study Accounting or Computer Science and she hopes to work in a bank one day. 

She likes the sewing school so much. She is going to work very hard and use her money to help her family and solve many of their problems.

So isn't that excititng???? I can't believe what a wonderful oppurtunity this is.......want to learn more? This is from Tara's blog...............

I am so stupid excited!! Thank you so much for loving these girls like I do. It's $34/month to be a sponsor. You can donate through His Chase, recurring every month, on the link above (right hand side of the blog, second photo down, it says 'donate here'). Let me know which girl you would like to sponsor and make sure to designate her name on the His Chase site. The girls are excited to set up emails and facebooks to keep in touch with you. We are praying for all seven girls to have sponsors by morning.

So you want to help too? Visit Tara's blog HERE, look around and then leave her a blog comment with your email address and she will get back to you ASAP! I look forward to sending stuff to Africa for Rosine, getting to know her and forming a bond that will last a lifetime! I am so lucky.