Skating Uphill - December 2022

Living a Healthy Lifestyle

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“I have made a difference in at least two lives
in my own small way, and I am proud of it.
You can do it too.”
– The Uphill Skater –


#BeTheDifference is a tall order in a world full of different people, different lifestyles, different belief systems and a huge variety of simply too much stuff. How in the world can one person be any kind of force for change, or make an actual difference. I mean really, I am not Meghan Markle, or Dolly Parton, or even Elizabeth Millen. So, what can just one little person honestly do? Not much, right?

Wrong! I have made a difference in at least two lives in my own small way, and I am proud of it. You can do it too, if you haven’t already. It is easy; adopt a child. I do not mean take a child into your home, unless you feel called to do so, but what I have done is adopted a child overseas. As a teacher, resource specialist and private tutor, I have helped many young people, but the adoption process is different. I believe with all my heart I have changed lives and made a difference.

As a member of First Presbyterian Church on Hilton Head, I joined a group at the church to become part of a program that adopted young men taken off the streets in Nairobi, Kenya. This was my first experience in this sort of thing. My next step was to have a child of my own, which came to me through prayer and a friend who worked with young people in Cambodia. One of her students had been dropped by his sponsor, and she called to see if I would be interested. What a wonderful experience! His name is Yon Yen, and he wrote to me and sent pictures regularly. He was a super person. I had him all the way through high school, teachers’ training college, and into the world. I made a difference. 

My next child came to me through the work of Brian Fatzinger, although he probably didn’t know it at the time. I went with his group of missionaries to Haiti several years ago, and that experience has never left me. Through a Christian group called “Compassion,” I was made aware of a very young girl whose family had lost their small home in an earthquake in Haiti. They went to their local church for help. The youngest child’s name is Nayou, and she is mine and has been for over two years. I have pictures of her, her mother and her bigger sister. She cannot write yet, and her mother is illiterate, but through their pastor, I get at least one letter a month from the father. I send my regular support, but I know this is only sustenance  for them. So, I have also sent a goat and three chickens. This probably does not sound like much to you, but again, to them it is life changing, a chance. I did it, and so can you!

I look forward to my letters and pictures, and probably best of all, so does my little grandson. We share the letters, and he helps me write back by sharing some of his activities. He told her in his last “helper letter” that he was jealous because she had chickens and his Granny would not let him have any. I guess there is no homeowners’ association in that part of Haiti!

There are so many children out there who need help. When you think the world is too big for little you to change it in any way, just remember, you read this right here in Pink, and it is not hard to do. Love to all of you world changers, Judith

Visit www.skatinguphill.com blog for new recipes, daily thoughts and décor ideas. Also find reprints of Pink articles and shared comments. Blogging is fun and easy.

Judith Lawrenson is a former Hilton Head Island resident who has a huge heart and is loved by all who meet her. She has served and volunteered with numerous charitable organizations while living in the Lowcontry making an impact wherever she went. She and her husband recently moved to the wild hills of West Virginia to be closer to grandchildren. Judith is an avid sailor, a retired reading resource specialist, and a children's TV host whose local show originated from the Boys and Girls' Club. Judith is also a long-time seeker of healthy, happy living and a lifestyle dedicated to service to others, balanced with love of God and love of self. Check out her blog www.skatinguphill.com for fun info, recipes and nutrition ideas, current updates on nearly everything in the world, and lots of comments and opinions.

Though I do tons of research, and have done so for many years, I am not a doctor and I share only my opinions. I enjoy research and subscribe to several magazines and publications and read up on all new trends. I hope you do, too!

 

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