There are no ordinary children

" Every child has a name, a passion, a story, and a place in history. There are no ordinary children." Dr Elizabeth Youmans- Principia international

I am involved with a number of projects relating to children.

On Christmas day we are holding a Christmas Party for the children from Bethany House in Krugersdorp. There will be 60 children at the party ranging in age from new born babies to 18 years olds. These are no ordinary children. Each one was born as a special gift from God, but through life circumstances their path has been derailed.The Bethany House Trust initiates, implements, co-ordinates and manages projects critical to the children and youth of South Africa.

The second project is collecting stationery packs for the vulnerable children in the rural farm schools around Muldersdrift. Each year in July we host more than 800 children at a week long holiday club and we like to bless these children with a stationery pack for 2010.

Should you want to be involved in a project related to children this year end please feel free to connect with me. (lgsmith@mweb.co.za)
It may be in your personal capacity or where your company is looking for a worthwhile place to investment in a worthwhile project.

Thank you for helping to change the lives of these vulnerable children and giving them the chance to have their own story.

Wise words for leaders on how to finish well

I read the following in my John Maxwell Leadership Bible this morning.
It is taken from an explanation on Ecclesiastes 12: 1-14

Chapter 12 concludes Solomon's meditation with some wise words that should direct every leader. They sound like the lecture of an experienced mentor attempting to counsel an emerging leader; trying to keep him or her from making some of the same mistakes he made. Consider Solomn's wisdom :

1. Don't lose sight of the big picture, especially when you are young.

2. Do what is right before it is too late to correct yourself.

3. Use your words like tools to shepherd and add value to others.

4. Don't try to master everything in life, just what is important.

5. Trust and obey God, because He is the ultimate judge.


These can form a great outline for a mentor or as part of your own reflection and planning for your journey.

Reflections and Gratitude 2009

As I reflect back on 2009 I have so much to be grateful for. I feel like this has been a sabbatical year. A gift that has been given to me to help me discover where I am going and what it is that I should be doing. There is a saying : "that one does not determine your purpose, you discover it." That is the sense I have had this year.

There have been many highlights.

A large family get together to celebrate my American sister's 50th, my Mom's 77th and Daniel's 1st birthday.
Two weeks with Bronwyn, Noiy and Daniel in South Africa.
The birth of my precious granddaughter Naomi.
A visit to London and two wonderful weeks with Justin and Sarah
A long overdue visit to see my friends Anna Marie and Chris in Lugano, Switzerland.
Two special weeks in Thailand waiting for Naomi and spending time getting to know Daniel.
Visits to KZN and navitaging all the lighthouses from north to south (8)
A week long leadership with humanity experience that has changed my thinking forever.
A year long Social Entrepreneurship Certificate at GIBS
Two visits to Limpopo Province and a walk down memory lane in Northern Cape.
Three visits to the beautiful Cape.

In between all this travel and learning there has been much time to plan, stratgise and build Refirement Network.

My friends are an important part of my life and I am grateful for each one.

My journey with my Saviour is the centre of my life. Without this at the centre of my life nothing else makes sense.

In Jeremiah 29 :11 it says " For I know the thoughts that I think towards you says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope"

I am on an adventure with The Lord. He will make a way where I see no way.
I look forward to continuing this journey into 2010.

I am also grateful that I do this 20kg lighter than I started the year.

Build memories with loved ones over the Christmas period and communicate peace and love to all you encounter.


Blessings

Lynda