on a day that it was needed

this arrived on my doorstep, very unexpectedly.

Liz Lemon Swindle - The Worth of a Soul

When Mothers Without Borders approached me about going to Africa, I told them I was not interested. For me Africa was a world away, “and besides,” I thought, “I am too busy.” Imagine my surprise when I found myself on a plane to Zambia in June 2007. One of the first children I met was Kennedy, the little boy you see in the painting. At three years old he has lost both of his parents to AIDS and was found living alone with his six year old brother and ten year old sister. When I thought of those three children struggling to survive and the millions of others across Africa in similar circumstances, I felt an overwhelming hopelessness and said to myself, “No amount of money can fix this.” Later that day while we were filming, Kennedy jumped into the arms of the man portraying the Savior. As I stood watching them, Kennedy turned towards me and our eyes met. At that moment I knew it wasn’t hopeless. I realized that the Savior can fix not only the problems of Africa, but of the whole world…and we can be His hands to do it. Looking back I realize that my reasons for not wanting to go to Africa are likely the same as yours. We are busy and feel like we cannot make a difference, but I know now that neither is true. We are never too busy to lift another and every good work is known to Him who said, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of…these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” - Liz Lemon Swindle

I started crying when the outside of the box had the name of the painting on it.  I knew this painting.  I fell in

love with it months ago when I first saw it.  I dreamed of having it someday.  Today I needed a reminder that sometimes when things are hard,  and it feels like your life is too small for your little prayers to be answered, you are wrong.  He listens, and He sends tender mercies in unexpected ways - just to show you He loves you.

Today I feel very loved.