572: Syria

It is 9:38pm.

Last night after my happy little blog, I scrolled through Facebook and was suddenly thrown into a panic attack, where I literally couldn't breathe.

Someone had posted a video of INNOCENT CHILDREN who had been affected in Syria by the chemical attacks.

I lost it.

I went to take my shower and for the first time in a long time I cried to God about something that didn't relate to Elijah... even though in many ways it did.

While I am so far from Syria, and don't even really understand what is going on... I understand very well the pain and horror of losing a child. The feeling of hopelessness as you can't get your child to breathe. The gut kick that is the life you have to live day after day following this....

Even if the rest of these families or single civilians are brought to safety, they will forever be scarred. They will forever have some sort of post traumatic stress that will follow them around. This is not something that can just be prayed away....we need action.

And that is where my tears came in to play... I asked God, what am I supposed to do because I feel such a strong pull to help. I feel like I need to do something for these children.... I need to help these families...

To be honest, I don't really know how prayer works, but I believe God is up there, and I believe he is listening. I believe he loves us. And I believe he can bring us inspiration and hope... but I do believe he needs US to do more for each other.

We are the ones that have to live with each other. We are the ones that have to learn how to love each other. We have to make the decision to act, or to continue to do nothing.

We are honestly capable of loving each other so much more than we give ourselves credit for.

So what am I going to do to help?

Well, I still don't know exactly...

But I did start today by sharing information. Because "knowledge is power," and "knowing is half the battle." (Yes, I am totally an 80's baby).

But for real, if you don't know where to start, here are some very helpful articles that can give you ideas.

First, here is an article I found last night with many different ways to help that I found extremely informative: https://www.bustle.com/p/how-to-help-syrian-children-because-this-horrific-violence-is-affecting-them-most-49146

Second, here is an article The Today Show published today that has some charities that they recommended: https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=content.view&cpid=1523#.WOb3Fl1kMXE.facebook

And last, but certainly not least, The Charity Navigator website has put together a list of charities that are helping aid the Syrian crisis, and the website even breaks these charities down so you can see more information about where their money is going and provides a rating system of how helpful these charities really are: https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=content.view&cpid=1523#.WOb3Fl1kMXE.facebook

Please, I urge you, consider doing SOMETHING. Whether it is making a tweet, making a donation, or even sharing information...we need action.

And I am not knocking prayer!!!! Prayers can bring our hearts relief too, so pray away--just please don't forget that you have the power to be a miracle for someone.

The Earth has the capacity to hold all of our difference with love and compassion. And you have the power to change the world.

I love you all so much. For reals.

Please keep praying for our world. Pray for Syria. Pray for our country. Pray for my family. Pray for me. Pray for you! And always always pray for my sweet Elijah.

Thank you so much.

I love this picture of you!

I love all your pictures, but I remember taking this one and instantly running to show your dad that cute little smirk on your face.

I had this as my screen saver.

I showed everyone my cute little baby boy.

I loved you so much and was so proud of you.

I wanted big things for us.

I still do.

I love and miss you my boogie.

Always.

<3