Moment to Remember

Because sometimes all you need is a hug from Big Brother to make the world right again.

This is linked to Moments to Remember

1 Kid + 1 Goat = A Whole Lot of Change

One kid.

One goat.

One family changed.

It's not much, really.  In fact when I dwell on the number of goats or cows or chickens needed to really change the world, I realize it's like trying to read every page on the internet.  

But we're trying.  We're still saving.  We're filling up our piggy bank, closing in on the $20 goal we set for Augy and will match and cover the rest for a goat.

One goat.  

Or is it two goats now?

Our friends, Rick and Stephanie, read the blog this week and were moved by our one kid, one goat, one family we're trying to help from our one piece of the planet.  And so they moved in the direction of blessing one family, another one, with a goat.  They've given money to bless someone else with a goat, thanks to our one boy so moved with the weight of others needing help, they felt the need to help, too.

What's really fun is that Rick and Stephanie are expecting their first born in a few weeks.  They've been waiting a really long time to meet this little guy or girl and we'll all rejoice when he or she arrives.

Our family will rejoice.

Their family will rejoice.

And now, in two places in the world, two more families will rejoice when they receive their goats and start changing their own little part of the planet.

Four families.

Two goats.

And it all started with one kid.

We're Getting a Goat, Part II

Yesterday, I wrote about sponsoring a goat through Compassion or World Vision.  And I was a bit concerned Augy would think we would have a real goat in our backyard soon.  Afterall, when you have 1 type of barnyard critter in your yard, what makes a 4 year old think you wouldn’t have many? 

So I spent some time reminding him why we were doing this.  How people all over the world don’t have enough to eat or drink.  That some kids have no toys, which is why we also packed shoeboxes at Christmas time.  How families need animals to help them live. 

The whole conversation got him more and more excited about this goat.  And I got more and more concerned when I saw his enthusiasm.  He started looking for boxes in the house, you know, so we could mail the goat to Africa.  And he gave little Tobias a lesson in why we decided to do this, using props and everything. Augy teaching Tobias about the goat going somewhere else. We have animal magnets and thankfully, a goat is included.

And then Augy started sobbing.  The really upset, shaking uncontrollably sobb I only remember him doing twice in his life so far.  (Once when our beloved beagle, Bella died.  And the other when our Brazilian houseguests had to leave.)  He curled up in my lap and cried.  Once he caught his breath and I had braced myself with answers concerning why the goat would not be coming to live with us, he got me. 

“Momma,” he started to say while wiping his nose on my sleeve.  “Momma, they need a goat.  Really bad!”

“What? You’re not upset because it’s not coming here to live?” I had assumed all wrong.

“NO!  They need a goat!  They have nothing!  The little boys who don’t have anything, they need a goat right now!”

His passion and conviction made me glad I was already sitting.  The day before, Brandon’s sermon involved excitement.  No, it wasn’t just exciting.  It was about getting excited for God’s world and kingdom.  About having as much passion for what the Lord is doing as we often have for football games or chocolate.  And I think Augy’s excitement when first hearing about our goat adventure held the same amount of passion when he realized there are people out there in such need, we don’t have a choice but to be upset.  He was destroyed to his core about little ones not having the same things he has.  And it hurt him.  Deeply.  To his gut.  That’s the definition of compassion, being moved to the gut.  It’s like a sucker-punch when you realize other people hurt and need and long for the basics. 

Augy felt it. 

And after assuring him we would do everything possible to earn money for our goat, he jumped up, clapped his hands, and informed me, “Well, we should start cleaning up right now!  That will help me get money for their goat!  Come on, Momma!  Let’s go!”

And so even if cleaning up his toys was not on our list of things that would help him earn money, I didn’t dare crush his spirit and we added more money to the piggy bank. 

We’re 2 days into saving for a goat and $4.00 closer. 

Look out world, a goat is on the way.

Augy explaining why we're giving a goat...and possibly a penquin and a polar bear.  

We're Getting a Goat, Part I

Augy and I tackled money yesterday.  Or at least he got his feet wet and an in-depth lesson concerning money and it's various amounts and how much those quarters he loves to use at Tastee Freez are really worth.  And because he loves "Toy Story", Augy gathered his Mr. Potato Head collection and proceeded to really get into learning about "Money, Money, Money".  (See the movie.  Get his joke.)  I admit to feeling a tad annoyed because we had to stop our lesson and find Potato Parts.  But then I remembered, this is why we homeschool...because life isn't about sitting in a chair all day.  It's not about keping still and quiet when learning can be fun and entertaining.  So Mr. Potato Head joined our table.

And then I told him we were buying a goat.  

No, we haven't totally sold out to country-life.  Not yet anyhow.  But Brandon and I have been talking for awhile about buying an animal through Compassion or World Vision.  Augy nearly jumped through the roof and Mr. Potato Head hit the floor.  Augy's totally enarmored with animals, still, and insists he's saving up for a zoo.  I tried to stress we would never see the real goat.  The goat will never ever come to our house.  This goat is going somewhere else to help people who don't have toys or clothes or enough food.  The goat will help bless other people.  

And just when I thought he would be so disappointed without a goat in our backyard, he got even more excited.  "Because now they will have a goat to help them!" he said.  "I'm SO excited!"  Now we're earning money and adding up things and saving to help him help others.

Once he reaches the goal of $20, Brandon and I said we'd match him and cover the rest of the amount needed.  It's only $45 through Compassion for a goat.  $45 to change the life of someone in desperate need of sustainable income.  Sheesh, for $45, I could almost consider a goat for the backyard.  I said almost.

Next time I'll fill you in why Augy started sobbing uncontrollably concerning this goat and why it really wasn't about the goat at all.

Baby Firsts

Before...

After...

Before...

During...

After...

We've had a good few days of firsts.  Hopefully he won't be too traumatized by the dog's first kiss on the lips.