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Asking for your help!

I recently posted on Facebook and have reached out to a select few regarding my neighbor who is facing hardships and recently lost her elderly husband. She is missing work, which means, she isn't getting paid during this time of bereavement. I would love to ask everyone to stop by her home and just donate a HUG, but that isn't possible.  However, what is possible, is for you to make a difference in someone's life today.  Maybe you can't give monetary donations, but you can pray.  Pray that we are able to help her through this time in her life and that whatever she is facing, God continue to ease her and make a way.

Any donations would be greatly appreciated for her to be able to use towards funeral expenses, medical bills, groceries, clothes and shoes.  

Click this link to make a donation:  http://tinyurl.com/7t2xmjb

Thank you for anything you are able to do.

God Bless,

Samantha

"Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength." - Corrie ten Boom

It's never too late! I had this draft saved from May 2011...  It's January 2012  and I'm awake.






 The last few weeks of my life have been extremely challenging... I'm lying, since my last blog post I've been in a battle.  I have a 6 month long to do list of tasks to complete, people to follow-up with, and mission trips to catch up on.  That is not the extent of the list, but you get it.  I've gotten some of the greatest news & some of the worst, grown closer in my relationships & distant from others, dreamed about my goals, but seemed to never wake up. 







Sometimes we don't need another chance to express how we feel or to ask someone to understand our situation. Sometimes we just need a firm kick in the pants... An unsmiling expectation that if we mean all these wonderful things we talk about and sing about, then lets do something to prove it.

I've Walked Miles in My Shoes

Since returning from Haiti I have been overly giving and sacrificed much.  It amazes me the sacrifices that you are willing to make once you find your passion in life.  For the ladies... I've not had a manicure, pedicure (feet are ROUGH), gotten my hair done or trimmed (not even once) and I've been wearing the same pair of run down shoes for over 1 year and slipping when walking on to smooth surfaces because the bottoms are so worn.  My feet have been wet each time it rains because the front of my shoes are separating from the soles.

From my past posts, many of you know that I am still trying to raise money for my next mission trip which has been pushed back numerous times.  I am not giving up, however, I am sacrificing all the wants and have sacrificed many of the needs in order to reach a goal to fulfill my passion.  I am determined to be the change I wish to see in the World and I'm not looking for a pat on the back...  I simply want to say THANK YOU!

If ever there has been a time when I seemed ungrateful for the support anyone has given me, please charge it to my head and not my heart.  The last two months have been extremely trying financially and emotionally and I appreciate everyone who has been there in every way. 

If you fed me, provided a couch or bed for me to lay my head on, gave me a ride, gave me a job, lended an ear, prayed for me, prayed with me, gave encouraging words of wisdom, sent positive and uplifting e-mails or text messages...
THANK YOU.

Special Thanks to:
LaDonna Johnson (my mother)
Sanford Smith (my father)
Wanda Johnson (my grandmother)
Susan Strange (my new BOSS!!)
Bilal El-Amin
Shawna Jackson Taylor
Charlesetta Johnson
Misty Hankin
Emily Given
Joy Harris
Myra Parks
Nija Bonvillian
Shannon Simpson
Megan Sheckles
Tamara Connor
Denise Williams

These names were not listed in any particular order. You have all been there in some way and I couldn't be more grateful.  If ever you need me, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.

Much love from a heart that keeps on giving,

Samantha  ♥

Listen to Haiti/Blog

An Amazing story: God's work never ends!

This past weekend I went out with some girlfriends.  We ended up at Waffle House for breakfast and as we walked in, I noticed a man sweeping the parking lot in the cold.  He eventually came in and our waitress decided about 15min. before to quit her job. This man, introduced himself, "Hello, my name is Steven." I refused to shake his hand while I was eating until he at least washed his hands... (that's just me, no harm meant).  I thought he was offended when he walked off.  My friend said, "Oh look! He's really going to wash his hands for you!" He came back and apologized for the dramatic scene between employees that we had just witnessed and asked if we needed anything.  Of course we did... So as he began to wait on us my friends made small talk with him and I asked, "do you go to church?"  He said, "No, I've only been a few months, I don't know of any churches, I'm always working and I'm just trying to make a living and trying to get in good with my two kids who live here and their family. It hasn't been easy, but I'm trying." One of my friends named off some churches and I kindly gave my missionary business card to him.  We left not thinking anything of it and tipped him well.
The next morning, I got up very lazy, dropped my mother off at church... let me be real honest.  I got in at 4am in the morning.  I was extremely tired from a very long over due, fun night out with friends and a heavy Waffle House breakfast.  I told myself I would go back home and set my alarm to get up, but in my heart I knew I probably wouldn't get up for church.  "What's one Sunday...?  I attend church on the regular. I do my good deeds each week.  I acknowledge God every single day and spend my quiet time building a closer relationship with Him." ...those were my thoughts driving home... Before I reached the driveway my cell phone rang.... Yes, you guessed it! It was Steven from Waffle House.  He said, "Hello, Samantha? I just got off work at 7am, I rode the city bus to my apartment and as I was taking off my clothes to go to bed, your card fell out. I would love to go to church, but I don't have any clothes or shoes to wear and well, I don't have a way there. "  Now I was tired... but I knew that his call wasn't just for him, but also for me. I was so excited that someone actually wanted to go to church who hadn't been in over a year. I told him that we would find him a way there and that he could wear whatever he wanted.  I actually wore jeans Sunday so that he would feel comfortable... not that it mattered. Imani is a come one, come all atmosphere... in WHATEVER YOU HAVE IN YOUR CLOSET! =)

To end this story... Steven enjoyed church service, though he was so sleepy by working an overnight shift and getting off at 7am, riding the bus and getting home around 8am.  He left service thanking me over and over. I left service with a wonderful word of God and ready to begin my week.  Though Steven is faced with many challenges at this moment in his life, he knew he needed to seek God before relying on his own understanding. Some of us get so caught up in image and being tired and lazy that we decide to skip out on God every now and then, but it was something to see a man so down, but so adamant about getting in the presence of God in spite of being tired and working all night. I thank God for that reality check!

You never know how God will use you... you cannot plan who you may be an example for. We must be reminded that we are always being watched. Even on a late Saturday night... God's work never ends. You might be the only example someone ever sees of God's will. Make sure you're on your game at all times! God is always on His game for you.

Extra! Extra! Read all about it... Help me tell the WORLD about it!

I am taking any and all ideas for fundraising!  I will be linking up with Willie Eames and his wife Blake Eames, both local artists of Lexington, KY to come up with a missionary fundraiser very soon.  In the meantime, I would like to take you up on your talents and/or ideas, whether it be at a local venue or your church!
I'm completely open and willing to try (almost) anything.  It's crunch time ladies & gentlemen.  Put on your thinking hats... since it is almost Christmas, get in the spirit of giving a little early and simply give me an idea.

I would like to ask that many of you donate something to me outside of money.  I would like to challenge you to update your facebook status', tweets on twitter, personal blogs, work bulletin boards, church programs, etc with my blogspot web address and simply send as much traffic as possible to help me spread the word about helping the World!... and maybe...just maybe... someone will be inspired enough to donate via the paypal button or pass along the web address as you did.

I am completely open to speak and present on the issues effecting children across the World and especially the thousands of orphans in Haiti and the children effected with AIDS in Africa.  Many of you know the true passion of my efforts - this is no vacation for me.  There are plenty of ways you can help - donate a book of stamps, tell someone who may not know what I'm doing, send encouragement by posting to my blog posts, etc... I could also use someone's skill to create a logo for me, help me with an awesome business plan layout, and other technical things.  Don't all raise your hands at once. (smile)

"When you think there's nothing you can do...rest assure, there is always something you can do." - Samantha