Worth of a Soul.

My favorite picture of life:



The story behind the painting...
From renowned Christian artist, Liz Lemon Swindle, October 2007:


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."


This picture and the description explains my feelings about my beloved africa. If you want to know me at all look up: Alma 26:35-37.

Merry Christmas time to all of you! Rememember that the worth of souls is great in the sight of God.


heart,
vickitoria

ps. one day this painting will hang in my home. but for now, i hope to get a mini size to carry with me wherever i go. (hint, hint...christmas...)

YOU AND ME WE ARE THE SAME

"A man filled with the love of God, is not content with blessing his family alone, but ranges through the whole world, anxious to bless the whole human race.

Observe charity, wisdom and fellow-feeling, with love one towards another in all things, and under all circumstances.

Consider the state of the afflicted and try to alleviate their suffering; let your bread feed the hungry, and your clothing cover the naked;..do good to all men...that you may be harmless and blameless, the sons of God without rebuke."--the prophet Joseph Smith

Breaking News:


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8249693.stm

Africa is still suffering.
:(
People. People are still suffering. Their harsh circumstances are so different than our deepest nightmares. Please pray for them.

Sometimes that is all we can do; that is the most we can do.

They are human beings--they are God's children, same as you and me.

since today is september 11,2009--8th year anniversary of the tragic terrorist attacks on our nation, i wanted to encourage/remind the blogging world about
prayer.
fasting.
believing in each other.
hope.

america has a lot of things going on. the world has a lot of things going on. each of us, has a lot of things going on.

in the words of one republic (only cause i'm listening to it randomly, not being emo)--

hello world, i hope you're listening. forgive me if i'm young, for speaking out of turn.... but:

"Courage, my friends. 'Tis not too late to make a better world."--thomas douglas

being patriotic, i immediately clicked 'join group' on the fbook page :)that stated, "sept. 11- a day of fasting and prayer.'' how appropriate. What better way to honor those that suffered that tragic day and those who fought for the suffering, then to draw our thoughts and actions to the Heavens.
So, there's my invite. A day of prayer and fasting for our nation, it's leaders, and of course, this world.
Take some time to learn about what is going on in our country. Take some time to figure out what is going on in the world.

In other news......


i now live in batavia , illinois. i never thought i would call this place 'home' for longer than a couple weeks after i left high school, but alas life often turns out how you least expect. and thats okay.

living at home lets me do cool things such as:
1. hang out with URS and NOEL. duh, awesome.
2. hang out with benson. too adorable to speak about.
3. work out with Kiera. yes.
4. eat Ursula's food. yessssssssssssssssssssssssssssss.
5. visit Katie and crew and be a part of their FIRST HOME experience. rockin.
6. studying preach my gospel with noel. slash sharing our souls. thanks daddy.
7. going to a grown up book club. .....

this last one leads me to my present thoughts and tangent.
Oh crappp. I don't remember the name of the book, but Sara Brady wrote it. It's about her life and the life of her husband after he was shot with President Reagan. Anyways, she had a cause that she fought for--gun control, from what I grasped from the discussion. The book club was really wonderful with a lot of various discussions, but one that really stuck with me was about being passionate for a cause.

What are you passionate about?
During book club we began to discuss this. Well, I sat back and listened mostly to the 6 other women whom I admire greatly as they discussed their concerns and regrets and emotions and well, their lives. These are women who have magnificent talents and dedicated their lives to their families and serving the Lord. I could blatantly see their passions, yet they could not. I saw that they were satisfied with their lives, but also wanting to have that passion for a cause and not knowing if what they had done was good enough. (believe me, it was ...they are remarkable). BUT.
It made me wonder and consider my life. What am I passionate about? Does the world know? Better yet, do my friends know? My family?? I think they do. . .I hope they do. Do passions change? Probably. BUT.

Isn't it about time, to figure it out?

what cause are you passionate about (big or small)??
have you shared that with others?
you should.

I'll listen. Email me or hit me up with a comment.

This world needs us to be passionate. As humans, we need that.

Isn't it about time ?

:)

Oh my beloved Africa. Someday we will be united once more.

YOU AND ME WE ARE THE SAME---thank you Uganda for stating this most certain truth.

heart,
Vickitoria

It's True, I am in LOVE.

with my AFRICA.

STILL.

YES INDEED, a year later and we still love each other and we still love our beloved africa. We all hang out, quite often in fact. LOVE.


This summer I will be in FIJI doing the similar humanitarian and development work with HELP (check out my other blog--
www.tortotime.blogspot.com ). So cheers to another adventure. But don't you think I'll be forgetting about my dear Uganda...cause that just aint possible.


heart,
Vickitoria