The time has come!!

                                           

Hello friends of Unpampered on Purpose! It's been awhile since we last updated you, but we wanted you all to know that the time has come! In one week, an entire village will have access to CLEAN WATER because of all of YOU! We have a team of people that will be traveling from August 1st-Aug 8th to Misagua, an impoverished village in Gautemala. Because of your donations and sacrifices, we raised enough money to drill a water well with Living Waters International and With This Ring!

Half of our team will be teaching the women and children about proper hygiene, while the other half will be getting dirty, hands and feet all in, drilling the well! Beyond that obvious physical need, we will be spreading the life-giving love of our Savior, Jesus Christ, which is the best gift of all !  

The sacrifices of extra pamperings that you all made may have been small, but God is mighty. Isn't it amazing to think of all the lives YOU helped us to change?? I can't wait to keep you all posted in the week to come! 

We were made for MORE

Have you seen this picture? It's been going viral the past few weeks and even got the attention of Ashton Kutcher, who proudly proclaimed "This is good for the world!"  

According to her mini documentary, this courageous woman had loathed her body for many years. Her negative body image was crippling, preventing her from going out with her husband, or from enjoying days at the beach, or from simply feeling happy. 

So she decided to do something about it and she entered herself in a body building contest. And she did it! Look at those results! Her before picture is on stage after what looks like many many months of hard work and sacrifice. 

But then she reveals this simple truth - "Nothing really changed..." Though her outward appearance certainly did, her insecurities and self-loathing were still there. They still haunted her no matter how great she looked, or how much she accomplished to get there. 

Now, she seeks to begin a body image movement, encouraging women to accept and love their bodies no matter what. I love the message behind this! As a mom of three daughters, I truly believe there is such a need for girls to grow up with a more positive body image, with more positive and realistic images of what's considered beautiful in the world. 

But, I also believe that this courageous, beautiful woman is missing one piece -- why should we accept and love our bodies? Is it just to feel good about ourselves? 

Or is it because we were made for MORE?

Women should embrace their bodies and their beauty, simply because we are God's masterpiece! Because we are born for more than feeling insecure and less than. Because God wants to use us for His glory no matter what our pants size may be!! 

This is the heart of going Unpampered on Purpose....Sacrificing extra comforts and pamperings for the greater good of love and giving, because we were made for MORE! Ladies, let's free ourselves from the captivity of negative self talk, negative body image, and always feeling less than. Instead, I pray that we can embrace what God has designed for us, what He has called us to be, and to live out our lives as the beautiful masterpiece that He has created!! 

“Don’t judge by his appearance or height...The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

How a rare disease has brought me JOY!

I'm pretty sure it wasn't until my husband and daughter caught me chugging orange juice straight out of the container from the fridge that they finally suggested I see a doctor. For weeks prior to that, I had been complaining of feeling thirsty all of the time, but this was getting out of control. I was going through at least 3 large jugs of orange juice on a daily basis, not to mention what seemed like a million trips to fill my water cup.

Finally, I agreed - something just wasn't right.

So I went to the doctor, thinking for sure I either had kidney failure, diabetes, or a brain tumor. (My mind goes to bad places sometimes, what can I say). Test results came back only to find that I had anemia. Anemia?? That wasn't even on my radar. I thought it was a bit odd that I would develop this condition when I'm not a vegetarian or anything...but after the age of 35 they say that it's all pretty much downhill, so I accepted the diagnosis and began a regimen of iron supplements.

Unfortunately, after two weeks of taking iron, I really wasn't feeling much better and my thirst had grown to an almost unbearable degree. I was tired. I was sick. I was cranky. It wasn't fun.

I decided to go back to my doctor to get more tests done, which led me to a 3-hour glucose test. This was to rule out Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. During this test, I was instructed to drink a really disgusting bottle of liquid sugar (if you've ever had a baby before you know what I'm talking about), and then sit in their office with no food or water for the next three hours so they could take my blood every 60 minutes.

I'm not sure why it didn't occur to me how difficult this test would be for me - since, you know, I was in the habit of chugging liquids now straight from the fridge. There really are no words to describe the feeling I had during those three hours except for torture. Dramatic? Maybe - But seriously - It. Was. Torture.

Just as I wanted to bawl my eyes out from the sheer physical discomfort I was feeling, God intervened and appropriately snapped me out of my little pity party.

You know this is temporary. There are people in other parts of this world who aren't so lucky. You will be able to drink water when this is all through. There are people in other parts of the world who aren't so lucky. You have a way to quench your thirst all day long. There are people in other parts of the world who aren't so lucky. 

You might say I'm a bit slow to catch on to things. I admit it, I am. It wasn't until that moment that I realized the amazing, ironic connection in the timing of my "mysterious" symptoms. Here I had just decided to raise money for a water well to give people access to clean water. I hadn't thought about clean water much before this. It just sort of happened. And at the same time,  I just sort of "happened" to feel thirsty 100% of the time.

Again, the test results showed that I did not have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, and my doctor sent me on my way.

Over the course of the next few weeks, my symptoms got worse.

Allow me to put this in perspective for you. This is what my night stand looked like pretty much every morning when I woke up.

And still, nothing seemed to quench my thirst.

Soon, my hands began to literally shrivel up.

Then, they began to form white dry spots all along my creases....

Next, they began to crack and bleed....

My nose had no moisture either, so I stopped being able to breathe through it properly. This is especially problematic when you have very little saliva, as you have to breathe through a dry mouth all day long.

I began to feel weak, shaky, my heart started to beat out of my chest with just the smallest amount of exertion, my head started to pound nearly all day long.

I have never experienced anything like it --which makes sense, since I've never been dehydrated for WEEKS -- have you?

I can't believe there are people and children alive today that experience this as their reality. A constant reality. And what's worse, if they decide to quench their unbearable thirst, most often it's with the knowledge that they are risking disease from contaminated water. What a horrible choice to have - either continue being that thirsty and dehydrated, or drink something contaminated that will make you sick. Talk about torture.

Thank goodness I was able to finally get a clear diagnosis once I saw an endocrinologist. I actually DO have diabetes, only it's a very rare form that has nothing to do with blood sugar. I have what's called diabetes insipidus - otherwise known as "water diabetes". 

Get a load out of that one! 

This particular form of diabetes actually means that my body is no longer able to conserve its own WATER.

And you know what I felt when I got that confirmation?? 

JOY! 

I felt joy!

 I kept thinking of that verse in the Bible:

"Consider it PURE JOY, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face TRIALS of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops PERSEVERANCE." 

         (James 1:2-3)

I really just have to smile at God's perfect timing, and I feel HONORED to be able to relate to people in impoverished countries, THIRSTY people, on a completely new level.

I do have medication that will take my thirst away - praise God, I'm so blessed! 

I can only take two a day, and so far, it lasts about 11 hours. So,  I have one or two hours in every day, usually first thing in the morning and again in the evening, when God reminds me of what it's like to be physically thirsty. Two hours a day when He gives me the joy and the perseverance to continue to do His good work here on Earth, for people who aren't just physically thirsty, but spiritually thirsty as well. Two hours a day when I am reminded that He is truly the only one who can ever satisfy us.

“Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.”

(Proverbs 25:25)

Amy's "Unpampered" Story

A couple of months ago I decided to get a manicure. This very stereotypical pampering of a middle aged, middle class woman seems like a normal occurrence for most. However, for me it was out of character. Usually, I reserve manicures just for weddings and formal events. Suddenly I felt having pretty painted fingernails noticed by others was my formal event. I started to become insecure of my hands and I had good reason. Last fall, I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis, and after the shock of going from perfectly healthy to chronically ill wore off, I felt I "deserved" the treat of getting my nails done. 

The idea that someday my fingers may be permanently disfigured scared me. The thought that I might start hiding my hands made me feel like I should show them off now. So I went and got a manicure.  

Two weeks later, I paid for a polish change. For an entire month I had pretty nails on my little hands. And then it hit me. Why was I putting chemicals on my fingernails when I was choosing to treat my illness without putting chemicals into my body?

At the same time, Carly was moved to start UnPampered On Purpose.  Then it really hit me.  

Why am I suddenly spending what little disposable income I have on something that has little value to me, especially when helping others is what I value most?  Sure, someday my fingers may be twisty, but they aren’t right now. 

That is because I have access. 

Access to clean water to stay hydrated, to soak my aching joints in, to take a hot shower and to cook my healthy meals. I have access to health insurance and doctors, to supplements and healthy foods, and to information, all which help me fight a disease that may someday cripple me. How can I justify a manicure when people around the globe are without access to clean water? The access I have has allowed me to keep using my hands, so much so that I can give myself my own little manicure and that makes me beyond grateful. This little bit of self-pampering feels extraordinary to me. I’m using my hands to file and clean my nails. I don’t need a manicure to appreciate and love my hands. I don’t need the $23 I would have spent on a manicure and polish change to survive. I do feel a strong need to love others and treat them as I want to be treated. Today I can give $23 to help bring clean water to people who so rightfully deserve to be hydrated and bathed. 

It may not seem like much, but it is $23 towards a goal that was not there before I hit the donate button. Knowing where that small donation is going feels more beautiful than my hands could ever be.

How God's murmurs turned into mission

Last summer, I was sitting in the parking lot at a church, ready to pick up my children from VBS (Vacation Bible School). I felt pretty good that I made it on time that week, in the summer, to bring my kids one step closer to God through VBS - and truth be told, it was a free three hour break every day for me! If you've never done one, you really got to check it out. I pretty much "VBS hop" all summer long!

But that's not really the point.

The point is that as I was sitting in my car, I saw other minivans, and SUVs - countless of them really - parking in the parking lot with me. I saw all of us women, beautiful California women, getting out of our cars. I could hear talks about summer vacations, and all the fun things we were going to do with our family and friends. And I kid you not - it was like I started seeing it all in slow motion - like a movie. That's when I heard the very first murmur, which I have no doubt came from God. I didn't hear it audibly like an actual voice. It was just a whisper in my head, in my heart, in my conscience - wherever it was, it was clear ---

You are completely missing the mark

That's what I heard that day, sitting in the parking lot. And this little conversation between me and God began, despite me wishing it away. 

What do you mean God? How am I missing the mark? I'm here at VBS teaching my kids about YOU? That's way better than just sitting at home, letting my kids play video games all day, right? Why is this is a bad thing? I don't understand.

God kept up the murmurs in my heart....

VBS isn't the problem, it's your heart condition. You have stayed in your Christian circles, with your Christian summer programs, and your Christian small groups, and your Christian church...

Ummm....Ok God - why is that a bad thing? I thought that was a good thing?

It is a great thing, but I want more of you. Stop blessing people who are already blessed and open your hearts to the people that I'm close to. The poor. The broken hearted. The oppressed. The victimized. The suffering. YOU ARE MY PEOPLE and I want THEM  to become YOUR people! 

And that was it. That ended our little conversation and I stepped outside and I picked up my kids, and I brought them back to VBS the very next day.

Since then, I can tell you a thousand other ways that God has been speaking to me, convicting me, challenging me. But I'll spare you all of those details and leave you with this. 

WE ARE BLESSED! 

God has put you and I here, in sunny California, in America, in the 21st century, for A REASON!!! We are quite possibly the most blessed, the most resourceful generation on the planet -- and we are WOMEN! We are mothers, and sisters, and daughters. We have this heartbeat within us that is naturally protective and nurturing and loving and giving and compassionate. And I truly believe that God is looking down on us, here in the United States, and saying

WHAT ARE YOU DOING, MY BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTERS? BE MY PEOPLE!!!! BE MY HANDS. BE MY FEET. OPEN YOUR EYES. I HAVE BLESSED YOU BEYOND MEASURE FOR A REASON! 

BE. MY. PEOPLE.

Will you join me to be God's people?? It doesn't take much. We have such abundance if we just open our eyes and look around. Let's stand for something more. Let's stand for justice! Who's with me???? 

What is YOUR Unpampered Story??

I'm so excited to kick off this feature of our blog! Since beginning this project, I've heard so many women tell me why this concept speaks to their heart...and I've noticed that everyone has their own unique story to tell. Everyone has  a different something that comes to mind when they think of pampering themselves....everyone has a different something that they would consider sacrificing....and everyone has a different reason why they are willing.

What is YOUR Unpampered story?? 

It brings me so much joy to introduce my dear friend Caren, as she shares her own "unpampered" story....

I'm not a joiner.  Usually I'm a skeptic.  Sometimes a quiet supporter.  Sometimes even a reluctant critic (reluctant because I really don't like to upset people).  But I rarely jump on a bandwagon of any kind.  I made an exception for this.  For two reasons:

1. It seriously doesn't require that much of me.

I don't have extra spending money these days (and you probably don't either).  But I realized I could find some money if I really wanted to (and you probably could, too).  I made my first donation by borrowing a few books from a friend instead of buying them myself and I sent in the money I would have spent on the books.  It was quick and easy.  Next time I find myself about to spend some money that isn't totally necessary, I'll stop myself and send that, too.

2. It's a really worthy cause.

What's more important than providing water to people?  It's literally required to survive.  And not everyone has it, crazy as that may seem.  The charity that this campaign has chosen to support drills wells in villages that don't have access to clean water and can't afford to get it.  We want to help.  And we don't just want to send in whatever money happens to roll in from our efforts.  We want to provide an entire well.  That costs $6,000, which is a lot of money.  But no matter how long it takes to reach that goal, we will keep working towards it.  Because someday, there will be a village full of people who have clean drinking water because of the small sacrifices that were made by us and our friends.  Wouldn't you love to be able to say that you had a small part in that?  I would.  I will.

Don't be scared of the bandwagon.  Jump on.  Send a donation and tell your friends about it.  Quick.  Easy.  Totally worth it. 

The Story

For months there's been a restlessness inside of me to do more, to be more, to sacrifice more... And then , with something as simple as an awards ceremony, I found some clarity. What started as a wish that my hair was as "pretty" as the celebrities from the Oscars, turned into a confession of guilt to the Facebook world in the following post:

After seeing pictures today from the Oscars , I immediately thought that I wanted to get my hair colored....Like professionally, with highlights and deep conditioning... Because we all want to look like Jennifer what's-her-name from the Hunger games, or Angelina Jolie, right? And then I thought how I really need to get my nails fixed because it's been two weeks and they need fills. But then, I looked and saw the picture of this little 2 year old boy we just started sponsoring named Jose. And I thought to myself, when did it become ok for me to spend hundreds of dollars to "beautify" myself - temporarily I might add - when there are REAL kids starving around the world. REAL kids are dying because they have no clean water. And us women in America turn our cheeks and dye our hair and buy expensive make-up and get our nails done and get massages and go to spas. When did that become ok??? It makes me sick to my stomach at myself. So... I'm thinking (in the wee hours of the night, which is usually never good) to start something. What if we got all the women we could to sacrifice their "made up" beauty and embrace their less expensive, natural beauty in order to help kids who don't even have food to eat or water to drink. Wouldn't that be great?? Anyone willing to do do this with me? I can start with about $150 which is what I would have spent (easily) on nails and highlights... How about you????

I went to bed that night thinking people would think I was crazy, or think I'm always asking for something! But I kept telling myself, I'm in it for the audience of One - and that is my God, who loves the poor and is close to the broken-hearted. And with that thought, I was able to sleep....

Wouldn't you know, by daytime, so many of my generous, giving friends, responded and actually  said YES! Yes, I can do without that make-up, or that Starbucks coffee, or that massage, or that salon-professional hair to help those in need. Yes, it really is that easy. Yes, the sacrifice may seem small, but God can make it mighty! 

He is that good! No matter how small or how insignificant we think our resources are, God can always multiply them when our hearts are in the right place.

So....With one little thought, and the help of some great friends, the idea for this fundraiser began. Are you willing to go Un-pampered - On purpose? To sacrifice those "extras" in your life which enhance your comfort or your beauty, in order to give life to someone in desperate need? If so, will you join forces with me? Will you share this with every woman you know? 

I am envisioning beautiful women, posting pictures all over the world, with the hashtag #unpamperedonpurpose -- wouldn't that be so cool??? And that purpose of course is to fulfill the call of being the hands and feet of Jesus here on Earth. Finding a need and choosing to meet it. In any way possible. Isn't that what true love is all about?

I'm excited to partner with an organization called With This Ring. This organization began just like ours, with one woman who decided her most prized possession - her wedding ring- could actually save lives. The money that they raise now goes to some of the poorest villages in the world, where disease and death are far too common simply due to a lack of clean water. Your small sacrifice can help build a functioning water well for people who so desperately need it.  I hope you are able to visit this amazing website to learn more about where your donations will be going and the beautiful vision behind it all. 

With that all said....my sweet friends.... will you go un-pampered, on purpose with me??