I had the privilege of leading a workshop called "Coming Clean: Creating a Culture of Authenticity" where we discussed how to make it a safe place to be not perfect. To be messy. Or grieving. Or just in process. It was a lovely discussion to be a part of.

I was also a part of a panel of three women leaders, sharing their stories of working / serving in a "man's world." It was such a productive discussion.

For those of you interested in learning more about the conference, the social network is still up and running. In fact people have joined after the fact, as a result of seeing some of these amazing video clips.

One of the best parts of the conference was seeing how many opportunities there are to make a difference in our world. It really opened up my eyes to the pain around me that I all too often shut out.

I'm encouraged that there are non-profits like "Laundry Love" where you simply adopt a laundramat and go bless the people who hang out there. You bring quarters and pay for some loads of laundry, while making relationships with the folks who use it. Many of the charity opportunities were things we could involve our children in... something near and dear to my heart.

Won't you go check out the site, look over the presenters / faciliators and get ideas for ways you and your family can make a difference in someone's life.

 Dawn Carter

twitter: @decart

So the question was to write out what a reporter would have seen who was on assignment covering Jesus last words. (Oh, and by the way, as a reporter/journalist, it is ethical that you remain unbiased, but in my experience it is very hard to remain that way because every story affects you differently, and thus, you write more heavily on the subject that impacted you the most while you were on that specific assignment. But, I digress...)

Jesus' Last Moments as imagined by Mo:

It's cold, clouds are looming, and the sky is dark in the distance. Something's coming, but I'm not sure of what?!

The wind is blowing, women are weeping, pleading, praying in despartation that God would spare Jesus. Some are watching and waiting for Jesus to do something miraclous like come down from that heavy cross. And yet, there are others looking upon the three men on the crosses with disdain.

I'm almost sure that people are still questioning who the one in the middle really is, and why is he in worst shape than the other three. What were his crimes? Why didn't he explain himself? Why is he wearing a crown of thorns? Why did he appear so willing? Like a lamb led to the slaughter, why didn't he fight?, I would have!

There is that stillness in the air, like right before a huge storm, and then I finally let my eyes rest on Jesus. 

Jesus is still, silently dying, in agony, his head is hanging down to his chest, his eyes are softly closed, he is bloodsoaked, and unrecognizable (to say the least.)

As I am trying to understand why this man was so violently treated by the guards, I look away because I cannot help but to think that he is innocent...but who am I, and what do I know?

A moment passes by, and I slowly begin to realize that Jesus is awake...

In a swift moment, Jesus raises his head, almost full of life again, the color appears to be back in his skin, as he, in a weird triumphant way, shouts, "It is finished!" And then his body went limp, and I knew that he had died.

What just happened? 

Such a huge commotion began to occur, as people began scattering, the ground began shaking, and rocks were spliting in two. 

Ten feet away from me stood several men who were guarding Jesus on the cross. They also noticed everything that was happening.  I could tell that they were terrified, as was I. They "exclaimed, 'Surley, he was the son of God!'  (Matthew 27:50-54)

And at that moment, my intuition was right.

Jesus was innocent. 

(Thus, said by the very words of Jesus' persecutors, he was the Son of God, as my findings show on this assignment.)

If you LOVE coffee and want to have fun making and serving your Sandals family then the Coffee Cart  is for you! We need help at the 10, 11:30 and ESPECIALLY 7pm. I have made coffee before, and let me tell you it is FUN! :) More than serving a beverage it is an opportunity to learn something new and make a connection with a few people on Sunday. This job is 45mins on Sunday. 

The Info Tent is in need of help at every service on Sunday to help answer questions and welcome our new guests. No prior experience neccessary! :) Lori Zimbardi does a fabulous job directing our family on Sunday but there is only 1 of her. This job is again, 30-45 mins on Sunday. 

There are many other ways to serve at Sandals. If these opportunities don't appeal to you, please call the office and ask for Lori or email either of us. Amanda or Lori

One of my favorite God stories was that there were three pairs of women's shoes that were mysteriously missing an owner. They were accidentally packed in the one of the five crates that were given to the Salley's. One of the pairs of shoes happen to be the exact size of the Salley's house worker, Monica. The other two pairs of shoes, Monica was able to take home to her two daughters.(so, so incredible...and undeniably..so like God.)

Dawn also shared how God showed up everywhere, including on the safari that she took. She was able to see animals that so many people rarely get to see. Such as a lion, elephants, a tree full of monkeys,a cheetah, and an alligator eating a baby hippo... Oh My! (there is a little bit of a saga in regards to "baby hippo", ask Dawn!) 

More importantly, she shared with us MAP girls, how she, Andrew, and Becca were able to pour into the Salley family. They saw their faces light up as they opened the crates of goodies, necessities, and love that Sandals had given to them. She saw their tears of gratitude as it appeared like Christmas day in the Salley home.

Dawn then shared with us how Becca was able to lead them all in live worship every night which was requested by Nancy herself as she has been live worship starved for almost a year now. She told us her henna tattoo experience, what it was like to be invited by a native for dinner, and how the yellow and smiling, MR. THANKFUL led the way.

Dawn led us in an experience with God in a whole new way. He showed each of us that we are all designed for His purpose,that He knows our heart's desires, and He knows EXACTLY what each of our souls crave. We got to see a little bit of God's plan, in that, without a doubt, God specifically chose Andrew, Becca, and Dawn to love on the Salley family. 

After hearing Dawn's adventures, we sang a song that Rachel was led to share with us. Isn't it like God to throw this line in there, "I will never be the same" for us to sing.

However, the night was not over yet, the climax of the night was about to take place!

We all gathered around Dawn's web cam, and talked to Nancy! While some of us gave her words of encouragement, others reminisced as they thanked her for what she is doing for God in Africa. It was like chocolate icing on a chocolate cake, so perfect and such a sweet experience...

Most of us used our words, but Martha used her voice. She sang to Nancy a song that she wrote from her heart. Maybe it was just me, but I noticed that there wasn't a dry eye in Dawn's living room. 

We concluded the night with a video email, as we sang a little jive that Dawn had "wrote." We hope that she watches it as many times as she wants!

I, personally left the night on a God high. I was so jazzed and excited by what God was doing, I couldn't sleep. My spirit has been refreshed, renewed, and REFOCUSED.

And even today, as I write this entry, I am still on that high, full of hope, and excited about the Salley's future!

I came to Dawn's E. Africa recap to learn about how to pour into the Salley's, and they, without a doubt poured into me.

 Isn't that, so like God...

Moms with A Purpose provides a place where moms can find community with other moms, give and receive encouragement, and practice authenticity as they discover and apply God’s Word to their lives. 

What We Value

Sandal’s vision of being “real with ourselves, real with others and real with God” is right in line with what we’re all about at Moms with A Purpose. We value community and the encouragement God can bring through it. We actively encourage authenticity in our relationships with: 

• Ourselves… because we all fall short and don’t have it together and we need help in this challenging job of being a mom
• Other Moms… accepting them for who they are, loving and encouraging them; always pointing them to God and celebrating the growth we see in them
• God… allowing Him to teach us through His Word and through each other, how to be the women He created us to be