Is it too late to ask for a Christmas present...?

Ha ha!  If you know me very well, you know that I am NOT that interested in getting or giving presents...it's just not my thing! :) I actually make a deal with all of my family and friends: "if you don't buy me anything, I won't buy you anything...let's just get together and hang out!" Or "You go buy yourself something, and I will buy myself something, and then we will both get what we want!" :) :) That is my kind of gift giving! :)

BUT if anyone is still looking for a place to give this year...this will be TAX DEDUCTIBLE. :)

There is a conference near Phoenix, AZ at the beginning of January that I just found out about and it is very important to me!

http://wholisticmissions.com

You may have noticed I have been focusing on economic empowerment type initiatives in 2012. God has been directing me to help people discover who He created them to be. By identifying their God-given talents and passions and empowering them to turn it into a way to pay the bills doing what they love. In this process,

I am learning how to focus on people's assets (instead of being blinded or overwhelmed and discouraged by their problems), to empower and release them. 

I have read about some of these community development principals this year by studying lessons and outlines that this organization uses at their trainings. Now I am eager to finally attend this conference/training, for the interactive learning (which is so beneficial) and the great opportunity to meet and learn from others who are doing this type of work all over the country and around the world.

I believe this training is extremely important for the coming year and the timing could not be more perfect!

I need the following:
    $282.39 for the airline ticket
    $122.41 for the rental car (5 days)
    $301.50 for 5 nights in the hotel
    $195.00 for the conference admission fee (includes most of the meals too)
TOTAL: $901.30

I already had a couple (who really believes in this training) who donated $100 towards my trip. So I just need $800 more.

You can send checks to: P.O. Box 671127, Dallas TX 75367
Make Checks Payable to: Vickery Meadow Ministry (to be tax deductible)
Include a note (don't write on the check): For Michelle's conference

Thank you all for always supporting and encouraging me!

I can't believe this year is coming to an end...already??!!

 VICKERY THREADS was a HUGE SUCCESS at the White Rock Local Market! They sold $400 worth of product in one day. After the market the girls came up to me and said, "Michelle, we want to go to more markets and sell more stuff" It was so great because they had been so unsure before the market!  

After just one market they gained confidence and saw the great potential in selling their stuff and being entrepreneurs!  

That moment, was the moment I have been working towards ALL YEAR!  For these women to see their potential and believe in themselves! WOO HOO for 2012! 

After the market they sold the remainder of their product at the Vickery Threads graduation party and received a sewing machine and sewing starter kit. 

DFW Professional Organizers, the business my mom and I created is coming along well. 

Good experiences and bad experiences (not that bad) and I am learning so much! 

Networking has been really beneficial and a lot of FUN!

Referrals, referrals, referrals!  Send us your referrals! :) 

God is showing me what He has in mind, when he told me I needed to model entrepreneurship to them. I have already had a lot of great conversations with different ladies about the business I started. 

After I told my neighbor, Haneen what I was doing, and showed her my website, she said very directly, 

"I would like to do this!" And she talked about her desire and interest in interior design, and then her interest in being a make-up artist.

Then we researched and found the AVEDA art institute is just a few miles from our house. She learned she needs to get her GED and then she will be ready to apply. NOW she is a lot more motivated to get her GED!

This is EXACTLY what I wanted, to be an example to others, inspire other women to discover what God created them to do. He created them with gifts, passions and talents on purpose and with a purpose! It's BEAUTIFUL! 

 This Saturday is our LAST market in 2012 for the IRC's New Roots gardeners. 

White Rock Local Market takes a break and will start back up in March. 

Please pray with me about the next steps for these gardeners: 

They have enjoyed the market and say they want to continue, but I pray they will be self sufficient, confident and successful... 

In order for them to be self sufficient I think their families will need to step get more involved and do the work that I have been doing (speaking English and selling to customers). This market is only twice a month, but they have the potential to spread out their efforts and produce, covering more markets next year. 

Please pray that I will do a better job of empowering them and not enabling them. 

Pray the younger generation (who speaks English) will join them and help make them be successful. 

And pray that God speaks to me and others involved to know what direction He is leading us. 

There are other possibilities, like selling to local restaurants, etc. And I have been praying and believing for a local market here in Vickery with all nationalities and products...and languages! :) 

Yirgalem got a CAR!

She has been working so hard and going to school at the same time. Someone at her church pulled people together and raised money to buy her a new car. It is fabulous!  PLEASE PRAY for BREAKTHROUGH with paperwork problems getting her driver's license. 

We celebrated my grandparents' 70th Wedding Anniversary this Thanksgiving!

I am so proud of them and tell everyone about them, so I had to brag on my blog about them too! :) 

I made this scrapbook for them, I am pretty proud of that too! :) 

We are so grateful to have had them in our lives and so thankful to still have them healthy and happy (at 90 years old)! 

LOTS OF EXCITING NEWS

MARK YOUR CALENDAR: October 13th

The Vickery Threads ladies will be selling their up-cycled, burlap purses and bags at the 

White Rock Local Market:  702 N. Buckner Blvd., Dallas, 75218, Saturday October 13th, 8am-1pm.

So if you have not made it out to market yet, plan to come buy veggies AND purses/bags on Oct 13th!

***Does anyone remember me saying that I was praying that we would have 2 booths at the WRLM by the end of this year (see July BLOG)? THANK YOU JESUS!  I am so thrilled and truly encouraged! It didn't seem possible, but God said to believe for it and HE MADE IT HAPPEN! 

MARK YOUR CALENDAR: this Sunday

THIS Sunday, September 30th, 5-7pm

Live Oak Community Garden, near Jimmy's Food Store on Fitzhugh and Bryan

Help raise money for the Community Garden that our ladies work in

Enjoy visiting the garden, drinking wine and tasting the traditional Bhutanese food that I rave about!

Get your ticket online now, or at the door:

http://www.eventbrite.com/event/3793418216/?ref=enivte001&invite=MjQ1OTY1Ni9qaHNoYWRlQG1hYy5jb20vMA%3D%3D&utm_source=eb_email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=inviteformalv2&utm_term=attend

Note: This is an IRC event, I am just helping promote it b/c it helps our ladies.

I will be out of town, so sad to miss this! :(

THE BHUTANESE GARDENERS ARE FAMOUS...!

Check out the "Edible" Magazine, September issue. 

Its a great article about the ladies' community garden and selling at market! 

Its a free magazine at Sprouts and Whole Foods and most Farmer's Markets (in the Dallas area). 

DFW PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZERS 

WEBSITE IS PUBLISHED:

www.dfwprofessionalorganizers.com

Tell ALL your friends, we LOVE referrals!

I cannot believe it, yesterday I did a Google Ad Words campaign, which uses key words to drive customers to the site when. You only pay if someone clicks on your site. I was skeptical at first, but in less than 24 hours, I already got a call and booked my first appointment for next week!  So we have had one click, one booked consultation, which is a guaranteed $50, and only spent $1.57 in advertising, not bad!  

ps. Use the website address above, vs. searching through google, so we don't have to pay for it! :)

New Experiences...

For several years now, I have known that my assignment here on earth is to "help women"...

It has evolved over the years: First, I just simply wanted to rescue women out of brothels. Then, all I wanted was for them to know how much their Father in heaven adored them.

And now, since January God has been downloading new vision and clear direction for what He has called me to do...He is opening my eyes to the world of possibilities for all kinds of women through economic empowerment opportunities. 

I believe that God is our Creator, and He has created each one of us with special gifts and talents, passions and interests. And He wants us all to pursue these things and thrive in these areas. He created us this way to give us fulfillment, purpose, confidence...and many times a way to financially support ourself and our families. This is why I am so passionate about helping women discover who God created them to be and then empower them to pursue the things that God created them to do.

As I have been pursuing this dream to empower other women, God has been revealing to me what I am naturally good at and how He created me with specific talents, passions and interests that He wants me to pursue. I thought mine was just ministry, but He is showing me how I can do ministry in more ways than I thought. I thought it was all about doing for others, but now He is telling me He also wants me to be a model to women. He wants me to show them what they are capable of, through my own adventures and successes (and failures). AND God also pointed out, if I want to help women start their own business, I might need to know what I am talking about and have a little experience with small businesses myself. :) So right now I am pursuing one thing to gain some small business experience....

DFW PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZERS

 DFW Professional Organizers is a business partnership that I created with my mother. We realized we are both naturally good at sorting, organizing and helping others. It is funny, whenever we visit friends and family, we normally end up helping them with a project, like de-cluttering and organizing. We are just naturally good at it (God created us this way) and we just love to do it! My mom and I both need to make a little extra cash, and I knew God was telling me this is the right time to purse it. 

I have already gained some valuable experiences to share with others regarding basic legal, tax and financial things to starting a new business. And then creating business cards, developing a website, marketing, etc. 

me and my pretty mommy
We "swapped services" with a professional photographer and got some great pics for our business cards and website.
Swapping services is a BRILLIANT tip to starting a new business on a budget!
website soon to be published: www.DFWProfessionalOrganizers.com

My first "paying client" I was so excited (can you tell?)!

VICKERY THREADS

 Vickery Threads finally got its 501C3 (non-profit) status and now we are able to (legally) sell the bags!

Our goal is to have a booth at the White Rock Local Market by the end of the year. The money we make from the bags, pays for the sewing machine they will receive at the end of the class. Then they are equipped to pursue a small sewing business if they want to.

Please pray for this, I believe this market is a perfect opportunity for the women to experience the possibilities and learn to sell and market their products. 

Tika modeling a great new bag she just finished.

The girls being funny as they model their bags. 

This is a "clutch" purse they are making, it is very popular! 

The FIRST bag of the season was SOLD!
A friend of a friend, saw a picture of the purse and just couldn't wait until market day to get this purse. 

NEW ROOTS

Each market we are giving them more and more responsibility. First they had to get themselves to the market. So they learned the bus and driving route and then we prayed they would show up. :) That had a few kinks we had to work out but now going smoothly. Next, it was time for them to be responsible for harvesting and bringing the veggies to the market on their own, without our coolers, our cars and our help. I had the "perfect plan": I figured out exactly how much 3 coolers with rollers would cost them and they could either split the cost, or buy one cooler per week until they had enough.  Then, I remembered I was supposed to be helping them create their own solutions, by just asking questions, (something I am learning through some Community Development training) therefore empowering them to be self sufficient. My plan would have made them dependent on me for future solutions, and/or locked them into a solution that was not best for them.  

Their Solution: One of the families already owned one large cooler and they converted a large plastic storage bin into a cooler. WOW, what a great solution!

NEW ROOTS at the White Rock Local Market
Buddi, Me, Anita, Ganga and NarMaya's husband. 

NEW FRIENDS, NEW FOOD, NEW FUN:

I am thankful b/c I just realized I have been able to connect with all of the generations... 

The NEW ROOTS gardener ladies are a little older than me, 45-65yrs old. We are connecting as "adults," business women, with a desire to be financially successful. And then, when I come into their homes, and meet their teenager/young adult children, I can connect with them too...maybe since I don't have kids yet, they think I am a kid too! :D So I get to play grown up and act like a kid, all in one day! 

Traditional Nepali food

I got to help make Momo (dumplings-like food)...so fun!

After serving me traditional Nepali food in their home, Buddi's daughter invited me to come out to eat with her and her friends...YES, I ate TWICE, so stuffed but SOOO worth it!

My best girls: YIRGALEM AND MARYAM:

Yirgalem had a doctor's appointment. Without disclosing too much, please pray for her healing and recovery. She is scheduled for surgery in January at Parkland Hospital. A very big decision, and a long painful waiting period.
 After the appointment, we went to Whataburger to visit Maryam at work...

Maryam is the cutest thing ever!  She brings people their food and then even offers refills and additional condiments. I had no idea that fast food was becoming so service oriented. So great!

Lots of NEW BABIES to celebrate:

Frewinie is having a boy!
They said they wanted a traditional "American Baby Shower" so we did cake, balloons, decorations and small finger foods. But thank God they still brought their traditional spicy food, and of course it was the normal 6-hour African get together...with an after party coffee ceremony :D

Big Brother Frank, with baby brother Fredson
Mama Estella (my neighbor) carried him full term, after months on bed rest in the hospital...thank you God!

Me and Fredson: This is the BEST feeling EVER!

Haneen (my neighbor) finally had Mustafa a few days late...and in August, that is not fun.
But she made pregnancy look so easy!!  

Speaking of birthdays... Rochelle (my twin sister) and I turned 33 this month.

Pardon our "all-natural" look...we needed a blast from the past, so we ventured to Hurricane Harbor for our birthday celebration. Then mom made us dinner and an avocado cheesecake. Mmm, mm good!

the HIGHLIGHT of AUGUST
With all the excitement of August, I must say the HIGHLIGHT of my entire month was my trip to Oregon and Washington. I got to spend precious time with my nephew Truitt who is the funniest and happiest thing on earth!  And I had the best girl time with my big sister Michaelis, and 2 of my best buds from High School and college...all in one trip! It was just what I needed!!!!!

Me and Sissy wrestling the boy to take a picture with him.

The perfect end to the perfect trip:
Wine Tasting with 2 of my favorite Gal Pals: Melissa and Emily

PRAYER REQUEST: Stress Management 

The week before I went to OR and WA, I was actually pretty sick (dizzy, nauseous, almost passing out several times, etc). I feel better now, but I believe a lot of it had to do with stress. For the most part, it is all GOOD stress...due to trying A LOT of NEW things. Even though I am having a wonderful time with all my new experiences this year, I have felt totally "out of my comfort zone" and I found myself constantly doubting and criticizing myself and going non-stop without taking breaks, or taking my laptop to bed, etc. 

I did a lot of praying and a little research and I believe I just need to learn how to manage stress rather than de-stress.  So far, here is what has been helping me:

It defiantly began with reminding myself that God is the one who is going to make everything successful and He is the one who is going to equip me to do what He has called me to do. So I released that back to God. And then starting in the morning and throughout the day, I am stopping to do some deep breathing, sitting down to eat and trying to get into a little yoga. And it has been a lot of fun to combining prayer and talking to God with the deep breathing exercises and yoga. 

Deep Breathing has changed my life! It truly gives me strength and power when I am feeling tired, or stressed.
You should do some research, it is fascinating what deep breathing can do for you!

This is my favorite yoga position :) resting...turns to sleeping!
I am really trying to get into yoga, but frankly I get a little bored.  :D

Thank you for your prayers!

Exciting Update: ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT

ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT:

I am so thrilled about this new project I am working on... 

The IRC (International Rescue Committee) has asked me to help 4 Bhutanese Gardeners market and sell their produce. They have been gardening for over a year in a community garden, and now they are ready to make a profit! 

I pray that I can help them to be 

CONFIDENT, SELF-SUFFICIENT and SUCCESSFUL!

We will be at the White Rock Local Market every other Saturday through the end of the year.

702 N. Buckner Blvd., Dallas, TX 75218, 8am-1pm

7/28, 8/11, 8/25, 9/8, 9/22, 10/13, 10/27, 11/10, 11/17, 12/8

We will have different things on the menu each week.

Come early, as you can see in the last picture, we SOLD OUT of almost everything by noon. 

 VICKERY THREADS:

Vickery Threads is a non-profit through Northwest Bible Church, that is primarily a sewing class but it is so much more: packed with lots of fun, life skills and spiritual discussion. We have a great time with the ladies and the babies! They are learning to make clutch purses and over the shoulder bags using recycled burlap from a local coffee shop. I pray that by the end of the year, they will be selling their bags at a local market or on online. My goal is to equip them with knowledge, skills and experience to be successful on their own! 

 HAPPY BIRTHDAY SUBEIT:

Maryam has been working so hard she really didn't have time or energy to throw a party. But we made sure we got the basics and took a picture to show him when he gets older. :)  Cake, Candle and Balloon, it was great!

 MEXICO:

It was an honor to finally meet my brother-in-law's family. 

And his friend's wedding on the beach was so beautiful and lots of fun!

TOP: Me and my twin sister at the wedding. 

BOTTOM: Maya (my niece) and her mommy and daddy relaxing in the hammocks.

Pictures and Updates...

Solitude Retreat 

My head has been spinning with ideas and different avenues I am exploring with this Economic Empowerment initiative. I have been begging God for ANSWERS, clear DIRECTION, and RESULTS! I have a million books and websites I want to read and trillions of things I want to research and learn. So I was convinced that I needed to lock myself up for a weekend of solitude so I could study, research, and pray. Well, that is not what happened...

As I tried to do these things, I was totally blocked, I could not understand why I felt so restless and uncomfortable. So I asked God to "help me accomplish what I was supposed to accomplish during this time" and I was reminded of a different kind of solitude retreat that I had read about...

I wasn't supposed to "do" anything. I was just supposed to "be." Be in His presence, be at rest...just "be."  Wait, God was not telling me that I should be productive and work harder, wow, that was me...at that moment, I could sense this gentleness and tenderness from God. I realized that He craves my attention and truly wants me to just rest in His presence. And He cares more about me just "being" with Him, than me "doing" anything for Him.

Here are 2 songs that kind of illustrate what I discovered and experienced:

A Little Longer - Brian and Jenn Johnson:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-vjd6LJFi0
All I Need - Rita Springer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPYX65xcsPI

Maybe I will blog more about it later, but God taught me a lot about myself. I discovered that I am miserable being idle (naps and movies don't count)...total idleness, not doing anything...it is absolute torture to me. I am serious, I thought I was going to go crazy there for a little bit.

But (at times) it became a place of rest and peace for me...but was still so hard to do. 

Eating Healthy

I am still taking this day-by-day and meal-by-meal...so, no I am not perfect at this, but I love it (when I do it)!  Look how beautiful all the colors are and I always feel so GOOD after eating this way!  

Top picture: 

Any assortment of fruit, zest from one lime, chopped fresh mint, and lime juice.

...Hands down, the most refreshing thing I have ever eaten!

Bottom Picture: 

Quinoa, cherry tomatoes, mango, red onion, cilantro...mmm, mmm, GOOD!

I just learned about quinoa and I am loving it....and it is sooooo good for us!

It is pretty much the healthiest thing on the planet that we can eat...ha ha!

 My New Roommate

I have gotten a lot of revelation about all of creation, god's timing and life in general...
all from my new roommate, the Peace Lily. 

I might BLOG about it soon...
I have been truly learning so much from taking care of her! :) 

 Vickery Threads

I think I have mentioned that we are partnering with a new non-profit, named Vickery Threads...they are the ones that taught me to sew, etc. :) We had our first official class this Thursday. There are 2 Iraqi women and 4 Bhutanese/Nepali women...and that means a lot of kids! :)

We will meet weekly for 4 months, and they will learn to make several bags and purses from recycled burlap. And there will also be some life skills training in budgeting, parenting, etc. At the end of the class, the women will get to keep their sewing machine and a starter kit, with all the tools they need to keep sewing. We pray that out of this group there will be one or more that will want to pursue this and we can help them market and sell their products. 

 Farmer's Markets
I have really enjoyed discovering all the local farmer's markets as I am researching different venues and markets to sell the women's stuff at.  Look, I even get to use my fun baskets (a tiny obsession of mine)! :)

 Maryam got her first job in the United States! 

When she came from Tanzania, she barely knew any English. So her first priority was learning English. Then she had her first baby almost 1 year ago..so that was her next priority. Now its time to work and she is soooooo excited! She started this week and they are training her on all the positions (not just keeping her in the back)!  They really like her, and I am soooo proud of her!

Food Trucks: 

I am telling' ya, they are getting more and more popular. I am hearing about them everywhere...

check this article out and look for them in your neighborhood!

http://sidedish.dmagazine.com/2012/03/23/food-truck-events-sprouting-up-all-over/

 When the timing is right, I believe a food truck will be a successful business for a refugee family. :)  

Vacation

Maya (my niece) and I are ready for Mexico...we leave tonight!

I can't wait to see the town my brother-in-law grew up in and meet his family. YAY!