Wholly Surrendered - Our Story

My Heroes: Keeping Good Company

2011-01-28T12:04:00.000-08:00

Last weekend, January 21-22, 2011, was the Freedom Summit 2011, a historic gathering of 1700 people gathered for the largest anti human trafficking Summit of it's kind on the West Coast. Every moment felt like an honor to be there, to learn what others are doing to combat human trafficking (HT) in all of its forms, and to learn how we can work better together in the Bay Area and beyond.

Dr. Condoleeza Rice made a worthy and admirable leader in the charge. I learned a great deal from her speech, in particular that the cause to stop HT is actually a matter of national security, in part due to the other crimes that cluster around this horrific injustice.

As I walked through or gazed about the vendors room, I sensed a marvelous spirit of unity among us, like the heartbeats of many united as one. For most of us, this was the first time we have ever experienced so many people eager to learn about what we do, and have been doing for years, to fight against HT. One of the things Pockets of Dreams has had to overcome for the past 5 years is simply customer apathy however there was none of that at the Freedom Summit. Customers eagerly listened, learned and supported us. Clearly, it was the same for all of us.

I realized I was standing among my heroes - people that I wanted to thank for all they have been doing to free the enslaved and vulnerable. Going about the vendors room, I gathered autographs of those I count among my heroes. Here is a partial list:

Tina Beauchamp, AHT Advocate
Mary Glandus, Lord's helper
Letitia T., MISSSEY
Eva Medina, Pockets of Dreams
Jenn Umberg, Invisible Children
Nathan Garcia, Call and Response
Jeremy Anderson, Project: AK-47
Tammy Von Horn, Pockets of Dreams
Stacey L., Out of Egypt
Amber Thomas, Nightlight International
Karen Schmidt, Pockets of Dreams

A fringe benefit of caring for the worst of victims is you keep company with the best of peers. To all of you and those I wasn't able to gather signatures from, thank you for all you do to protect the most vulnerable among us. May God bless you, increase your reach and effectiveness, and keep all of us in the sweet spirit of unity we are in today.

You Have More Power Than You Think

2010-11-23T11:21:00.000-08:00

If you are reading this blog - you have more power than you think. It means you are literate, have access to a computer, and that you are probably free to read what you want to.

Today there is a sneaky mindset creeping into the minds of many consumers about the "poverty we in America are in" due to the "current economic downturn". In fact, we can almost take comfort with "trying to make every dollar go as far as it can" for our families by shopping mindlessly for the lowest possible price point - and feel justified in doing so.

The opposite is actually true. If our current economic income is, in fact, less than it has been in some time - shouldn't we spend even more mindfully? If we have finally gotten a taste of what it means to do a little bit 'without', shouldn't we cross examine every dollar to find out where it's going - and make it truly go as far as it can?

Kalpona Akter of Bangladesh would agree. Entering the garment factories from age 12 to help support her family, Kalpona worked 14 hours a day cutting fabric, for which she earned the equivalent of $6.00 per month. Intended to help support her parents, four sisters and one brother, "my wages hardlly covered anything at all", Kalpona reflected. After finding new work for better pay (about $8.00 per month), she also found her hours increased to about 17 hours a day. Sleeping at the factory along with the other workers, Kalpona rarely saw her family.

Kalpona's story doesn't end here. Through rigorous self-education, she learned that she had rights, that she could help to organize workers at her factory, and today she works as a full-time advocate for living wages, safe working conditions and stopping sweatshops. Her top three suggestions for responsible shoppers:

Ask questions
Demand transparency
Inform companies of the labor standards they must meet to earn your dollar

You have more power than you think to demand that the things you buy are good for both people and the planet. This is called the "green economy," a system that always includes both social and economic justice, both community and environmental health.

The seamstresses of Pockets of Dreams clothing personify what it means to work with dignity and for a fair wage, earning 3-5 times what they earn in country for similar work. Moreover, they are able to work from home so they can watch over their children and spend more time with their families. Our Managing Partner, Tammy Von Horn, personally traveled to rural Manila and Malolos, Philippines bearing gifts and blessings to share with our seamstresses as we now enter our third year working together. Meet Carina, Neri, Ivy and our other seamstresses in this clip.

You have more power than you think. How will you use it?

Pockets of Dreams

A Matter of Respect

2010-10-25T15:23:00.000-07:00

October 16, 2010 marked the "Day on the Bay" celebration in Alviso, CA and Pockets of Dreams was on hand to give away free pinwheels, display our children's clothing and feature a free children's coloring contest. Thousands of people from all over the Bay Area came out to enjoy the festivities, free food, pumpkins - even free kayak rides! Called the "next Sausalito" by Mercury News writer Tracy Seipel, there was an air of nostalgic fun and festivity.

As children flocked to our booth to join in the "Design A Pockets of Dreams" coloring contest, I had a chance to observe entire families together. One large family impressed me in particular as they lingered for over 45 minutes while their little girl devoted herself to drawing her best picture. At no time did the adults urge her to hurry up or be finished. Instead, they simply waited for however long it took her to finish. What a wonderful way to show respect and nurture to a little girl.

Another man stopped with his two children, likely giving Mom a break for the afternoon, and patiently helped them for about 30 minutes to draw their pictures and write down their dreams. Again, what a wonderful way to nurture children - simply giving them time, patience and a little encouragement.

Sometimes children would say they didn't know what their dreams were but, with a little gentle prodding, they quickly remembered them. There were so many wonderful dreams the children shared - everything from becoming a pop star, to writing children's books, becoming a famous composer to saving stray animals. With the support of their families, there is no doubt these children will eventually attain their dreams.

In much the same way, Pockets of Dreams provides support, respect and nurture to some of the worlds' poorest women and children in developing countries. How do we do this? By partnering to sell their sewn goods for them and allowing them to retain the profits. In this way, women in the Philippines are earning up to 5 times what they could earn for similar work in-country, and mothers in Tanzania are economically fortified. The difference between having this kind of work and not having this kind of work is that women are often forced into selling things of far more value - themselves, for instance - just to feed, clothe and house their families.

Like mom and dad who simply waited for their children to finish their artwork, helping these women isn't difficult or out of our range. It's just purchasing an adorable dress, apron, handbag or outfit and giving these women the dignity and respect they have earned. Visit our online store soon and see how easy it is to make a difference.

Meet Gianna!

2010-10-05T15:03:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time there was a little girl by the name of Gianna. Gianna's mother was a mail-order bride from the streets of Manila and came to rural east Texas to marry Gianna's father. The marriage didn't work out so Gianna's mother left. With nowhere else to go, the infant Gianna and her mother went to a women's shelter, which is where Gianna grew up (pictured here with her beloved mother).

After working her way through school, Gianna wanted to help women she could relate to - women like her own mother - living in underserved communities who are at risk for abuse, becoming mail-order brides or prostitutes for lack of other opportunity. She took off for Southeast Asia and "Gianna Fair Trade" was born.

Today you can find Gianna using her immense skills and talents to travel the globe seeking out women artisans and bringing their beautiful products to the global marketplace. Traveling to places such as Laos, India and Thailand, Gianna teaches the women how to grow their businesses, increase their skills and grow in financial literacy. Read about these artists here!

Pockets of Dreams is honored to partner with Gianna at the San Francisco Women's Expo on October 9 & 10. Come see us any time between 10 am - 5 pm. We're located right by Kate Spade, Kirstie Alley and the Rejuvenation Massage Garden!

Small Beginnings ~ Huge Return

2010-09-16T12:31:00.000-07:00

When Bob Pierce, founder of World Vision, made his first trip to Asia in 1947, he barely had enough money to get to Hawaii, much less all the way to China. Today, World Vision offers support to over 100 million people in 96 countries. When disaster strikes in nearly any part of the globe, World Vision is often the first organization on the ground to mobilize help. Small beginnings ~ huge return.

When Nathan George started Trade as One in his living room in 2006, he likely could not have imagined that today he would be helping thousands of people who otherwise live on $1.00 a day in places such as India, Africa, China and Guatemala. Small beginnings ~ huge return.

When Pockets of Dreams was founded in 2006 with pocket change (see story here) we could not have imagined we would be able to help women and children in places such as Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Nicaragua and the Philippines within our first four years alone. Small beginnings ~ huge return.

World Vision, Trade as One, Pockets of Dreams...what do we have in common? Genuine care and compassion for others, even those we will never meet, and the absolute certainty that we can make a difference. Will you join us? Take a small beginning by visiting any of our websites ~ and expect a huge return.

Helping Women Help Themselves

2010-08-23T11:21:00.000-07:00

Some twenty years ago I read a book entitled "They Cage the Animals at Night", the true story of an abandoned child's struggle for emotional survival told by the now-adult Jennings Michael Burch. Little Jennings was dropped off at an orphanage by his mother who was unable to care for him. "I'll be right back"...she said. The story documents the many men and women that impacted Jenning's life both for good and for bad and will surely light a fire beneath anyone who loves children to be that positive person in their lives.

The title "They Cage the Animals at Night" refers to how the comforting stuffed animals were locked up and made unavailable to the orphans who would have been comforted to sleep by them. I used to think this was one of the most evil things I could imagine - until I read another book entitled "Prayer Warriors: Demon Slayers" by Dawn E. Worswick. Ms. Worswick describes not the stuffed animals that were locked up, but the children themselves as they were abducted by child trafficking gangs for sexual exploitation in cities all over the world, including my own city of San Jose, CA.

My mind is still boggled as I start to learn about this but, while this is new to me, it's tragically not new to the victims of sex trafficking, many of whom are as young as 5 years of age. When I think about this "giant pool of evil" I sense I am barely getting my toes wet as I start to learn about how to help victims and their families regain their lives. One organization devoted to helping to abolish human trafficking is "The SAGE Project" which stands for "Standing Against Global Exploitation Project" and it is founded and staffed by former victims of human trafficking that have now broken free and are helping others.

Poverty is a key "entry point" where evil such as human trafficking begins. Today, Pockets of Dreams provides impoverished women in the Philippines and Tanzania the ability to earn a living wage by sewing beautiful garments, purses and quilts for sale through our 24-hour webstore. This partnership provides a direct connection to their way out of poverty and ability to remain safe from human trafficking. Please stop by today and bless someone you love with an outfit, apron or home decor from Pockets of Dreams. At the same time, know that you are making a difference to women who are working very hard to help themselves, their children and their communities. We are eager to share these fabulous creations with you!

Made by Happiness in Tanzania

2010-08-05T10:48:00.000-07:00

Made by "Happiness" in Tanzania. This is not just a play on words. "Happiness" is the name of the woman that creates many of the adorable aprons that Pockets of Dreams sells. Sometimes I wonder why they call her "Happiness". Let me tell you her story and you can decide for yourself.

Happiness lives in Tanzania and has two children of her own. Four years ago she took in two more children, both orphan girls, and raises them as her own. She has opened her home and shares it with a Kids Club leader. Kid's Club is a safe place where street kids, orphans, and neighborhood children can come for a time of singing, playing fun games, Bible lessons, and some food.

If this doesn't keep her busy enough, Happiness is the Director of the Kamala Center, also located in Tanzania. Although her husband left her some time ago due to her faith commitment as a Christian, Happiness is described as a busy woman with a heart of gold. For me, her picture is worth a thousand words and shows a beautiful woman committed to making a better life for herself and her community. I have a feeling she really does make people happier just by being around her.

The aprons, in both adult and child sizes, made by Happiness and the other seamstresses are delightful, unique, whimsical and of high quality. Pockets of Dreams is delighted to be a dedicated support to Hope of the Nations in Tanzania. Visit our website today and purchase a beautiful apron (Coming Soon!) for yourself or someone you love. Just wearing it will make you happy!

Cool Clothes, Cool Cause

2010-07-30T13:40:00.000-07:00

When I was 12 years old and my sister Cindy was 13, our mom enrolled us in the Wendy Ward Charm School. Remember it? We got a cool pink book, learned to stand in a "One o'clock pose" and how to curve our fingers to look extra graceful. Honestly, I loved it and my sister did too. It simply felt larger than life to walk the catwalk, learn how to turn properly and appear at ease with all eyes on us.

Our Pockets of Dreams models tell us they too love the fun and excitement of our photo shoots and events. Whether they're being coached on walking a catwalk for a luncheon event or going on location to beautiful garden settings, our PoD Girls love the attention, the fuss and the fun. It's nice to know that in many ways we girls haven't changed so much.

The partners of Pockets of Dreams don't look for professional models. We love being able to extend the fun to any young lady - and oftentimes her mom too - with a desire to pose for the camera and sell clothing that changes lives. Not only are the clothes and handbags beautiful, they are of high quality, one of a kind and versatile.

As I walked the Wendy Ward catwalk some 40 years ago, I never imagined I would become a partner in a group of women selling goods to impact the lives of women and children in poverty. Now, as I look at the dozens of young ladies that have modelled for Pockets of Dreams, I wonder how they too will make an impact to better our world - in ways they can't possibly imagine today.

"Six Impossible Things Before Breakfast"

2010-07-23T14:31:00.000-07:00

"Alice laughed: "There's no use trying," she said; "one can't believe impossible things." "I daresay you haven't had much practice," said the Queen. "When I was younger, I always did it for half an hour a day. Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast." Alice in Wonderland

I love this quote. In fact, I loved the whole Alice in Wonderland movie starring Johnny Depp and Mia Wasikowska as the 19 year old Alice. Thinking about impossible things, I’d like to share with our readers “Six Impossible Things” that is already reality for Pockets of Dreams.

Impossible Thing #1: Pockets of Dreams was started with pocket change that was saved over the course of a couple years. See “Humble Beginnings” - who starts a global company with pocket change?

Impossible Thing #2: Family and friends came out by the dozens to help sew our first Pockets of Dreams dresses, which we sold 90% of at our first Premiere in 2008. The creativity of our seamstresses, and the generosity of their time and talent, blessed every garment we sold.

Impossible Thing #3: Nancy Silva, a high school friend of partner Susan Sagun, offered to sew dozens of summer dresses that Pockets of Dreams donated to a school / orphanage in Uganda. What was also amazing is she had not seen or heard from Nancy in 30 years so it felt like Nancy “fell out of the sky” like a gift from God.

Impossible Thing #4: Our relationship with our manufacturer in the Philippines began with a simple package delivery at Tammy Von Horn’s place of business. She simply asked the person delivering the package "How are you?" and a conversation began that launched an amazing relationship with women rice farmers / seamstresses. Who could have imagined the man in shipping & receiving has a family in the Philippines that ran a clothing manufacturing business?

Impossible Thing #5: Partner Karen Schmidt attended an event in Morgan Hill, CA where a missionary was speaking about Hope of the Nations that operates out of Tanzania. From this relationship we are now selling quality quilts, aprons and clothing sewn by impoverished women in Tanzania and allowing them to support their families by selling to a global market.

Impossible Thing #6: Sent on a business trip to China and Taiwan by her company, Managing Partner Tammy Von Horn made a side trip to the Philippines to meet our seamstresses. After a very bumpy three-hour car ride through densely vegetated roads, Tammy and the women exchanged gifts and rich conversation, despite language barriers. Seamstresses negotiate for their wages and are able to earn 3-5 times what they can earn in-country by sewing for Pockets of Dreams. For one seamstress, the additional income was enough to put her daughter through University which makes her very proud.

We’re eager to see what other “impossible things” are in the future. Coming soon to our online store are fabulous Mother/Daughter aprons, baby quilts and boys shirts made by impoverished women in Tanzania. Visit our online store and see how beautiful changing the world can be.

Swimming With the Busses

2010-07-20T16:28:00.000-07:00

When I was a child some 40 years ago, most of us played ball in the street, floated boats in the gutters and even chewed bubble gum we found on the sidewalk. Well ... maybe only I chewed sidewalk gum but the point is we didn't fuss so much about germs, child predators or even street safety.

Today it's dangerous to be a child. Poverty and unemployment trickle down to the most vulnerable of us - our children - and the unthinkable has now become more commonplace than many of us realize. Lack of food, clothing, medicine has been joined by child trafficking in children as young as five years old. Information is available here.

A couple weeks ago, our managing partner, Tammy Von Horn, spent a week in the Philippines meeting our seamstresses and their families. It was a joy-filled time as they welcomed Tammy into their homes, exchanged gifts and got to know each other better. One evening as they were driving to the rural home of one of the seamstresses, a monsoon rain came pouring down, flooding the street with 3 feet of water in what seemed like an instant. As cars and busses cautiously made their way across the flooded streets, Tammy was amazed to see chilren swimming right alongside the busses! Blinking her eyes a few times to see if this was for real, she recalled it was like being in another world - because it is.

What's no different between our worlds, however, is our desire to see our children thrive, have opportunities, receive an education and have hope for the future. Today we have to fight harder for what used to seem more assured but it's a fight worth fighting for. Please visit Pockets of Dreams and consider making a purchase that will change the life of a child. Not only are the garments and purses beautifully sewn but they carry the ability to change the world - one child at a time.

Give It Up - You Can't Make a Difference...(Agree or Disagree?)

2010-06-24T16:41:00.000-07:00

Why would four typical women with busy lives, husbands, children, jobs and houses to clean devote every spare hour to liberating women and children from poverty in places like Tanzania and the Philippines? Why would they lose sleep over children trapped in sexual slavery in places like Cambodia, Thailand and Viet Nam? What do they actually think they can accomplish from the other side of the world, safely removed from it in their Bay Area, CA homes and neighborhoods?

Since 2006, the partners of Pockets of Dreams have been working relentlessly to be a boost to just these women and children. The fact that sexual slavery in children as young as five years of age is now a common sight in many parts of Asia only makes them more dedicated against this horror. That people who frequent these brothels have managed to convince themselves that “this is just the way things are here – we can’t change it” only makes Pockets of Dreams more determined to provide alternatives to the children and their families.

Today Pockets of Dreams is excited to announce a partnership with Hope of the Nations in Tanzania! Through this partnership, impoverished women in Tanzania are sewing and selling beautiful baby quilts, vibrant aprons, well-made shirts and purses on the global market and receiving all the profits for themselves. Schools are teaching the women to read and write, and their children are enrolled in preschool. Hope is rising for these women as they work steadfastly on their creations – amazed that people on the other side of the world would care enough about them to find a way to connect in this incredible way.

Give it up? We can’t make a difference? We don’t think so. Visit www.pocketsofdreams.com today and see how simple – and beautiful – changing the world can be.

A Matter of Degrees

2010-06-01T13:58:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I'm amazed at what captures our attention. Women and teens pouring over magazines comparing this movie star and model to that one. Page after page of women, tall, short, blonde, brunette, skinny, pear-shaped, hour-glass, round face, square face, heart-shaped face, thin hair, thick hair, long waist, short waist. We analyze to exhaustion and here's what's amazing to me - the difference for most of these attributes range from 1/8" to about 1" - that's about how much "plumper" lips will be if you plump them up, or how much shorter a nose will be if you reduce it. A "long" face will only be about 1" longer than a "square" face in most cases.

These tiny nuances that we compare ourselves to every day, while most of the world lives by a very different yardstick. Almost half the world - over 3 billion people - live on less than $2.50 per day. According to UNICEF, 25,000 children die each day due to poverty. In many countries, sexual slavery using children as young as 5 years old is common.

The concerns of life are miles - even world's - apart. I am increasingly discontent with such meaningless lines of thought on matters of no merit, and increasingly heart broken for those who suffer far too much this side of heaven. My partners and I in Pockets of Dreams are grateful for the opportunity to partner with Hope of the Nations in Tanzania where meaningful change happens on a daily basis.

Women are taught a life skill, children are taught to read and write, families are supported and helped to thrive. All of these things move women and children further away from the harrowing effects of poverty and closer to living strong and free. Now that's something I care to measure.

Joy in traffic...huh?

2010-01-18T19:31:00.000-08:00

I want to share something with you, odd as this might sound, about finding joy in traffic. Living in Silicon Valley, traffic is a necessary evil I deal with every day. In fact, most days it takes me about an hour each way between San Jose and Palo Alto. So what's joyful about it?

Let me admit first...it's not always joy-filled...but more often it is. Why? Because it's an opportunity for me to practice something important to me. Which is that I'm a member of a family of humans that live in this place at this time in the span of history - and we're all together on the same roads right now...all going to our places of school or business.

If tonight, at the kitchen table, surrounded by friends and family, I hear this person or that person telling me about their equally long commute, I would naturally be compassionate and empathetic about what they go through. Why wouldn't I be the same for the men and women that I don't know personally? Every one of them is a mom to someone, a daughter to someone, a wife to someone, a son to someone, etc. In other words, they are part of this big human family that I'm also a part of. And sometimes, one or the other of us finds ourselves in a tussle to get to work asap - like now - and I've been there myself. Other times, we're so busy thinking about what we did last weekend, or what our husband or wife said to us that morning, that we're just lollygagging along, not thinking too clearly - and it shows up in our driving.

Which makes us drive weird - which makes us kind of adorable - because haven't we all been there? And aren't we actually privileged to get to interact (at least in traffic) with all these men and women, young and old, that we don't even know? I know that sounds odd - it even sounds odd to me - but I still think it. Which makes it no big deal when someone cuts me off, because I figure "wow - they must have something on their mind" or when someone speeds ahead of me - because I've been there too - and today I'm glad to putt putt along.

I don't know folks, but I daresay we'll all live longer, and happier, if we take down the judgement call and consider ourselves this one big human family - and sometimes someone misbehaves - so we can be glad we're in a position to be tolerant of them today. Because maybe - just maybe - tomorrow that misbehavin person will be me. And I'd really appreciate your tolerance of me.

"One sandwich and some compassion, to go, please"

2010-01-18T12:29:00.000-08:00

Recently at my favorite sandwich spot, Panini's in Los Altos, I witnessed a beautiful thing. As I walked outside to await my piping hot tomato/cheese/pesto panini, a homeless man walked in. Without a second of hesitation, the owner grabbed several bags of bottles and cans she had been saving and, with a smile, handed them to the homeless man. Such a simple gesture, and it cost her next to nothing. But it gave the man dignity, and a face looking his way that was smiling at him - not averting his with disgust. I call what she did "scooting over" because it didn't take a lot of effort on her part, but it allowed someone else to be included.

Years ago, at the funeral of a much loved man, those of us who had arrived early were asked to scoot over, and then scoot over again, to allow more people to sit down in comfort rather than stand for the celebration of his life. I recall thinking then how all I was asked to do was sit in a little bit less comfort for the pleasure of knowing that others could also be more comfortable.

Our customers are our heroes because they scoot over too. How? By purchasing a dress, purse or outfit rather than simply go for the least expensive item money can buy - say at Target or WalMart - because what they are also buying in Pockets of Dreams clothes is a helping hand to women and children in significant need.

Think about it - how can you scoot over today? Maybe allow that person in traffic to zoom ahead of you, or support someone at work more than you have in the past. Look for ways and they will start to be more apparent. And as you do, consider how your world expands for the better as you "get by" with a little bit less.

Wholly Surrendered - Our Story: Racing into the Heart of God

2009-12-29T22:45:00.000-08:00

Wholly Surrendered - Our Story: Racing into the Heart of God

Racing into the Heart of God

2009-12-26T19:58:00.000-08:00

Recently I was speaking with a homeless man of about 30 years of age who was lamenting his inabiltiy to find a girlfriend. Although this problem was daunting on so many levels (where do you take a woman on a date when you're homeless, have no car and no money?), I nevertheless took him and his plight seriously, and listened. He was clearly restless and discouraged so - after listening to him for a good long while - I gave him the best advice I've ever taken myself. Do not walk but RACE into the heart of God because inside the heart of God is where every good thing awaits you.

I picture it kind of like the Sleepy Time bear, nestled into an oversized, stuffed chair, a fire burning bright in the hearth, a hot cup of tea at hand. In other words, contentment awaits you inside the heart of God. But this is not to say that rest and relaxation is the only thing you'll find in the heart of God. Sometimes it's where you get dusted off, stood up straight again, and headed back out into battle. It's where you get the strength to endure the good fight, to not cut corners in your daily walk with God, to do the hard thing you may be called to that you'd like to pass on.

The other thing about residing in the heart of God is this is the storehouse of every good thing you could want to hand out to those you love. It's where wisdom resides, patience, love, joy, goodness, and hope. I can almost see us standing in the immense storehouse that is God and handing out love, joy and hope by our words and actions as if they were parcels. We figuratively - and in reality - hand these very things out when we act in loving ways to people, bringing hope and healing by the things we say and do.

Recently I had the opportunity to dress up as Mrs. Claus on Santana Row in San Jose - even renting a beautiful costume complete with the white hair, red dress with fur trim and a wonderful red cape. Since I'm not always an extrovert, I had to gear up to personify what I believe Mrs. Claus is all about. As the wife of St. Nick, Mrs. Claus would be a Christian and she would have a heart for children. She would need to be a beacon of light and hope for a world that endures so much pain and hardship. And she would need to be all-inclusive, extending the love of Christ to any and all. Finally, she would need to have a sense of God's abundance as being more than ample for everyone.

Again and again on this day, I found myself returning to the "storehouse" that is God - even the very heart of God - where I could restore my stockpile of love, hope and joy to pass it out freely and to anyone with an open heart to receive it. After 5 hours, my feet began to need a break - but the love of Christ shone just as bright - because there's never an end to God's provision.

James, widely believed to be the brother of Jesus, says in James 1:27 "Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world." Pockets of Dreams, now selling our third generation of whimsical, pocketed dresses, purses and separates, is doing just that - reaching across the world to little girls and women and giving them a chance at a life free from trafficking, poverty and sickness. Grants are provided to women in Uganda, enabling them to begin or expand on their own sewing business and find their way out of poverty. What could be closer to the heart of God than that?

Born of Bliss - Born to Bliss

2009-11-20T06:58:00.000-08:00

Did you know - you were born "of" bliss! Which means you were also born "to" bliss. If you think about it, how could it be any other way? All creation is born of bliss, born to bliss. Everything starts as the union of two cells where something magical begins to happen. And God doesn't show any restraint in His creation. Every human, every insect, every fish, bird, exotic flower, every tree, shouts the glory of God from it's very cells.

I think that's part of what we love about Disney movies. Disney knows how to express bliss in a visual way using sparkles and bright lights and soaring music. When we see it, most of us recognize bliss as the way we are "supposed" to live - and we enjoy it for about 10 minutes - until we go back to our "other" way of life. Which is what?

Speaking for myself, I work at a large computer company in Silicon Valley where the risk of layoffs loom large on everyone's minds every day. As a result, fear presides over the environment, making it anything but bliss. What presides over this environment is a tremendous amount of faith - but not in the goodness of God to provide. Instead it's the fear of losing that which they've worked so hard to have. Which is what? The ability to keep working and providing for themselves and their families. Because if they couldn't do that, what might become of them? So they live in constant fear, which results in no bliss, and is very exhausting.

I think about dryer lint traps. What is lint but particles of everything in the dryer, falling off and "sticking" to the lint trap. What happens if we never clean out our lint traps? They become 2 inches thick and, after awhile, fail to do any good. The worries of our lives work exactly like that. If we let every worry we can come up with "stick" to us, they will establish themselves like layers of lint that block out our ability to live freely and according to the bliss we were born to. A lot of people who live in the fear-based environment of high tech companies in Silicon Valley have a strategy for dealing with their lint. That is, they only clean it out twice a year when they're on vacation. It's then that they can finally reconnect with things that really matter to them, remember how to enjoy and be grateful for their lives and what they do have - much of which is free anyways.

They come back to work refreshed, but a little bit sad, because they still haven't learned how to bring that bliss into the workplace. And how to leave the fear behind. I want to ask - isn't the choice to live in fear far more damaging to you than is the choice to live in bliss? The very thing you fear will happen - loss of quality of life - is hastened by the fear you choose to reside in. We can say "No - I don't choose to reside in fear" but actually we do, every time we fail to live in simple faith, relying on the goodness of God to provide - not on our jobs. Our jobs are transient, temporary, capable of going away at any time. God is eternal, we were born of Him, born to bliss, and anything short of that is not our destinies.

We're going to have faith in something. Faith in fear or faith in God. Which will you choose?

One Perfect Apple – That’s All I Want for Thanksgiving

2009-11-04T10:18:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving is just a couple of weeks away – and with it will come the beginning of what we call the Christmas Season. Already, grief support groups are forming to help people “get through the holidays” since so many suffer from bouts of depression during these times. Here’s what I’ve been thinking about with great eagerness and joy lately…

Have you ever seen (or actually partaken of) a Thanksgiving dinner that is almost beyond description – piled high with turkey, ham, roast beef, duck, 25 side dishes and 10 desserts. The table laden with the finest cloths, china, crystal and linens. Who can even estimate what such a feast would cost – both in time and energy to create? And while this is an exaggeration, is this not what people think they “should” long for? More, abundance, opulence – and forever feel like they’ve “failed” because they can barely handle even getting their family around the table, much less afford a tenth of such a feast.

Against such opulence and vulgarity, what I long for is … one perfect apple … sweet … juicy … simple … completely doable for anyone. But I speak in parables here. Because the apple is symbolic here of the simple joy of connecting with God…Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Simple, sweet, entirely available to me. And it won’t exhaust me, or leave me penniless for the expense – instead it will inspire and enrich me, give me a bounce to my step and a sparkle in eye. Ahhh…just the thought of it makes me happy. And I don’t need any grief counseling to get through it, nor do I need to save up for it. It’s already heaven-sent and at my right hand – I only need to reach for it and He is there. Refreshing, sustaining, delicious. That is God.

This year, as in most others, I will have, with family and friends, a pared down version of the opulent feast I spoke of. Perhaps a turkey, a few side dishes, pumpkin pie and maybe apple too. But as I shop, decorate the table and sit down to eat I will be thinking of that one perfect apple that is our true feast – Jehovah-Jireh, our Wonderful Provider.

Feast upon the Lord – nothing will satisfy more.

Adopted or Foster Child?

2009-09-20T18:01:00.000-07:00

I was thinking the other day during my hour-long trek to work about...what else? The difference between being a foster child and being adopted. Specifically, what does it feel like to be a foster child versus an adopted child? Frankly, I don't know because I've never been either one but the question still grips me and I want to pull on that thread and see what comes out.

A foster child, I think, would always have a sense of insecurity and longing to be adopted, to belong to a "real" family. If the child has been in lots of different homes they would probably not even know what it would feel like to truly get settled in and know they would wake up every day in the same bed. A really, really hard thing...

Then there's the adopted child. Even if the child would have preferred to know their own parents, there is still a sense of stability and belonging with the family. They would also know that they are really wanted because the adopting family has to jump through a lot of hoops to bring that child into their family.

So...when the Word of God speaks about the "spirit of adoption" as sons by which we cry out "Abba! Father!" - and Abba means "Daddy" - (see Romans 8:14-16) - it makes me wonder about the rest of us. Do we approach God as if we are foster children, insecure and unsure about if we can get very close to God, much less spend much time with Him. Or do we embrace the spirit of adoption and race to His lap, expectant and confident that He will be delighted we are there. What is true for you?

Are we content to live among the ruins?

2009-09-07T16:24:00.000-07:00

According to UNICEF, 25,000 children die every day due to poverty. *
Almost half the world - over 3 billion people - live on less than $2.50 a day.
Almost 1 billion people live on less than $1.00 a day.

Are we content to live among the ruins? Is the fact that we don't see this every day or that we can just change the channel of our TV set, does that mean it's far away and we can be insulated from this reality?

But how about if we could help the poor at the same time as we purchase school clothes for our own children? Or if we could help a destitute mother earn a living in Uganda just by buying our daughter or granddaughter a dress? Pockets of Dreams exists to bless and provide support for women and children in poverty. Everything we do, from where our clothing is made to how we market it, is done with an eye to blessing women and children in distress. Because we are not content to live among the ruins.

Visit Pockets of Dreams at http://www.pocketsofdreams.com/ and see how beautifully simple helping others can be.

* Source: http://www.globalissues.org/

Humble Beginnings

2008-11-17T17:04:00.000-08:00

I was thinking about this just this morning...about how Pockets of Dreams (and parent company Wholly Surrendered) started. There we were, poised and ready to start making dreams come true. The problem was...we had no start up capital. Sure, we could have all chipped in a few hundred dollars to get the ball rolling but somehow that didn't seem "just right" for the big dreams and the complete and utter reliance we expected to have upon God to make them come true. The funds we started with had to be somehow extraordinary - like fantastic seed of high quality that would grow amazingly strong plants.

Around this time, one of partners was engaged to marry a man who was in the process of moving from his former home. During the many years this man lived in this home, he experienced tremendous loss and unfairness. So much loss, in fact, that he nearly ended his life...so great was his sadness. As we were cleaning out this former home, we came across loads and loads of coin. Coins in the mattress, coins in the corners, coins in the sofa, coins everywhere! Gathering up all of this coin, we amassed several hundreds of dollars. "Ah!" we thought, "now THIS is extraordinary seed! Seed that has been gathered from the site of great loss, seed that God will use to supply a double, triple, possibly even a hundred-fold return!" It was perfect and the man (now the husband of one of our partners) readily agreed to donate all of it as seed money for our new venture.

As we take a break and pause to look back at 2008, it's awesome to recall that mound of dusty coin and the spirit in which they were offered to start to bring dreams and healing to what we hope will be millions of women and children everywhere. Yes - our dreams are big - but our God is bigger and what more appropriate start to underscore our intense faith in the Lord and His power than such humble beginnings. This enterprise is our dream, yes, but it's also God's dream and we rely wholly on Him to help us make them come true.

“Did God Forget About Them?”

2008-09-12T15:27:00.000-07:00

Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress ... (James 1:27 NLT).

One Sunday some years ago, I was singing and praising the Lord in a large church with about 100 elementary school age children. We were all standing up, praising the Lord and singing, except for one new boy who was visiting that Sunday. Sitting in his wheelchair at the front of the room, the boy had cerebral palsy and his body was twisted in what looked like an uncomfortable position.

All of a sudden I felt a tug on my shirt. It was John, a little boy of about 9 years, and he looked at me with piercing eyes and sincerity written all over his face. I leaned in to find out what he wanted and heard John say in a loud, bold voice, “Did God forget about him?” as he motioned to the boy at the front of the room. Instantly, I knew this was an especially holy moment and I would need God’s insight and wisdom to provide an answer to this earnest boy.

But I needed a moment to catch my breath – because this question and the way John asked me had snatched my breath away for a moment. Pretending not to have heard him for sure, I asked John to repeat his question. Meanwhile, I shot an arrow prayer up to the Lord asking “What shall I say to him Lord?”. John quickly repeated his question and I felt the Lord’s words coming through my mouth – about 8 words at a time – and knew not what the next 8 words would be until I got to them.

“No John”, I said with equal boldness. “God did not forget about him. Because, you see, when people have a problem like that, they need our help. And when we help them, we are being partners with God and are even becoming more like God. So he is actually helping us and we should be grateful that he is giving us an opportunity. He is actually helping us!”

I marveled at this answer myself, but the little boy John seemed very satisfied with it. Nodding his head knowingly, he went back to singing and praising the Lord. As for me, I got through the rest of the service with tears, humbled, amazed and with a heightened sensitivity for how the Lord provides with answers, as if on tap.

At the end of the service, I was standing at the front of the room talking with the Children’s Pastor when all of a sudden I saw John walk to the front of the room, look steadfastly at the little boy in the wheelchair and with a loud, clear voice say, “GOD DID NOT FORGET ABOUT YOU!” I can only believe that the boy, while unable to register a response, was blessed by this sincere act of love from John.

I think about this theme often. I think about the children especially in developing countries who have so little. Not enough food to eat, not enough clean water to drink, not enough healthy parents to raise them, not enough clothes to wear, not enough money for education, and added all together, not enough fodder for dreaming – let alone resources to make their dreams come true. Many of us have a tender heart for the children of Africa, Cambodia and Viet Nam to name a few. Many of us have been involved and are delighted to remain involved in finding solutions to these problems. Have you ever thought of yourself as being God’s partner in doing so? Have you ever considered that we – you and me – ARE God’s answer to these children – and that moreover we are blessed to be given the opportunity to partner with the Almighty God! Imagine that – you and I Partners with the Alpha and the Omega in bringing relief to human suffering from children who are so very precious to the Lord – so much so that He died for them.

Today Wholly Surrendered operates in the United States and Uganda, making Pockets of Dreams dresses for children in the U.S. that provide, not just an adorable dress, but also a teaching tool to enable a healthy word view. Part of that healthy world view is to understand that we can be a part of the answer to other children’s dreams and prayers. Every Pockets of Dreams dress comes with seven pockets that symbolize dreams that every child, everywhere, should have a chance to come true. Dreams for love, health, wealth, education, opportunity, family and friends.

Moreover, Wholly Surrendered uses the model often referred to these days as “play it forward”. How do we do that? By founding the Ugandan Fabric Fund and selecting seamstresses whom we gift with funds to start their own sewing business where they can make a profitable living for themselves and their families. The very first thing we ask them to do, however, is to “play it forward” and gift a Pockets of Dreams dress for a little girl in need in their area. After that, we just want to see them thrive in their own business and earn funds to allow them to feed, clothe, and educate their own children.

As we evolve, we hope to reach out to even more children and women in more countries to provide them with real means to reach their dreams and goals. We plan to further reach out to more countries and expand our clothing line to both boys and girls – but we need your help to do this. When you buy a Pockets of Dreams dress for the special little girl in your life, you help make these dreams a reality. Not only that, you partner with God Himself in becoming part of the answer in clothing these children with your prayers, your dreams, and your conviction that life this side of heaven can be much, much better for them.

Did God forget about them? Certainly not! And all of us, as the Body of Christ, are here to prove that. Will you help us today? Visit Pockets of Dreams today at http://pocketsofdreams.com.

Hang On

2008-09-10T22:26:00.000-07:00

Have you ever heard the saying "don't almost help"? I was struck by that line because it mirrors a feeling I've had and, I think, lots of people have. We want to help, we're moved to help, but we don't always follow up and do it. On the one hand, I truly don't want to play any kind of a guilt trip on anyone (least of all myself) but on the other hand, I feel an urgency to move when thinking of what the world looks like from the viewpoint of someone suffering. "When is it my turn?" might be their thought, if indeed they even go that far. For most, I think, they just suffer quietly and barely imagine life could be any different.

From the side of privilege, there's something about the simple act of "scooting over" to allow someone else to take part, have a say, eat a meal, have enough. It's not as if we impoverish ourselves by scooting over and sharing a part of what we have. We actually get something for this act of sacrifice - knowing that the world is a better place because someone has more of something we shared and will never even miss. So that's kind of what the following poem is about...scooting over, which is the hoped-for action.

Pockets of Dreams attempts to "scoot over" when we donate a dress to a little girl in a developing country, or when we donate to the Ugandan Fabric Fund that allows a woman to support herself and her family with a home-based business...a healthy alternative to the limited number of ways available to her today. Check us out at http://pocketsofdreams.com/

Hang On

Hang on, Little Girl
Help is on the way
The tears I shed for you
Are real

And I intend to send help
Just as soon
As the carpets in my living room
Are replaced
It’s been 10 years, you know,
And this is important

And the little girl nodded

Hang on, Little Girl
Help is on the way
The pain I feel for you
Is real

If only I had enough
To help you
And buy that gym membership too
Because I need to get fit for my husband
Which is important, you know?

And the little girl nodded

Hang on, Little Girl
Help is on the way
And the fear I feel for you
Is real

And just as soon, as I get my kids through college
I’ll be able to help you too
Because it sears my heart
To see you suffer so

And the little girl nodded

So hang on, Little Girl
Help is on the way
And the sadness I feel for you
Is real

And I fully intend to send money and relief
If only I didn’t first have to buy that second house
It’s an investment property, for my old age,
Because who’s going to support me then, you know?

And the little girl died

But all was not lost
Because she left behind
A little brother
Only two years old
And so far he’s doing okay

So hang on, Little Boy
Help is on the way
And the tears I shed for you
Are real

And I intend to send help
Just as soon…

susan sagun
feb 2007

Planting Seeds of Trust

2008-09-07T17:01:00.000-07:00

Like a bag of excellent seed, I choose now to gather up the very best seed we have and plant them in the great field that is the accessible internet. I choose to have faith that you, our readers, will have an inkling that something remarkable and of much value is being shared.

To begin, Wholly Surrendered began when six women came together at a tea house in Morgan Hill and listened to some insights one of these women, Tammy Von Horn, received from the Lord during a time of prayer. Writing them as quickly as she could, the following words encapsulate our beginnings as Wholly Surrendered.

After having heard all of these things, one of the women asked the question..."And what will we actually be doing?" And the adventure began. Armed with an unfaltering love for children no matter where they live, sure faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and eternal optimism, Wholly Surrendered makes and sells the Pockets of Dreams dresses and purses (http://www.pocketsofdreams.com/) with the proceeds of our sales going to benefit children and women in Uganda. We have also founded the Ugandan Fabric Fund which provides selected women in Uganda with a means to start their own sewing buness and thereby give them alternative and healthy means of supporting themselves and their families.

What you are about to read are the "first seeds" that the Lord provided us with and that have sustained us through the development of Wholly Surrendered and Pockets of Dreams up until now. We believe these seeds are eternal truths that work anywhere when planted in faith and tended to with prayer and care. We offer them to you in this spirit as our first communication.

Business Philosophy:

Key Scriptures: Exodus 33:14; Deuteronomy 33:25; Hebrews 13:20, Isaiah 61:3 and Psalms 29:11

Direction from God:
I am calling you forth to be a Moses – to show my people back to the promised land – a land of perpetual rest – where I execute and you walk through collecting the spoils for my advancing kingdom.

I am your sustenance – I have everything you need – wait and watch as I bring all things to you.

Bless whom I bless and watch as it all flows back to you pressed down, shaken together and running over – based on my economy – my economic principles – not yours!! You give and then watch as I match your giving back but much, much bigger.

Hallmarks of me include my joy. Spontaneous singing songs of joy!!

Gaze at me and produce after me. What you see is what you will reproduce. Reproduce me. I am in you and with you so now just look at me.

Look beyond the obvious for the secrets, the treasures I have hidden there for you --wisdom from the foundations of the earth reserved and aged just for you. These are like choice wineries that bring life, joy and refreshment.

Fast doubt.

In my Kingdom, there is no failure – just seasons. You may plant and expect the harvest tomorrow but the gestation of that crop may be longer than your planning. All of my words are accomplished. Not a single one returns void to me – not a single one.

I sent you to conquer my world with my love. Now I will magnify your tools, your hands to show my love undeniably.

People will want to copy you. Allow them. I am in the business of multiplication.

You alone can do great things. But you + me can do the impossible. And the “impossible” is only from your perspective and usually its just beginning to scratch the surface of what I can imagine could be. As you become comfortable walking in the realms of the impossible, then I’ll accelerate our business arrangements beyond the impossible to the unfathomable.

You want nations? I’ll send them to you. You want kingdoms? They beg for time on your schedule. Because I have excellent connections. Remember Pharaoh, Nebaccanezzer, and even King Darius? When I speak, they hear and search out the meaning.

Think acceleration. Six months. With me things don’t take much time. Say it and it becomes. I speak and it appears. I imagine. I dream and it manifests into reality. Agree with me and the time it takes for you to see what I’ve already caused will be shortened. I want us to walk in synch. One week of creation, step-by-step from foundations to crowned glory and then we rest week after week after week.

Delay cycles? Not with me. I speak and it becomes. I speak and it becomes. I speak and it becomes. Only when you question my goodness does this cause-effect flow stop.

Do I cut corners? Duplicate cheap imitations? No. Everything original. Everything unique. Everything in perfect balance. Every time. Something out of synch? Where is your question? Singleness of mind is what I offer you.

Love the things that I love. Despise the things that I despise and we will be in synch.

Delight yourself in me as I delight myself in you -- all parts of you – your body, your mind and your spirit. I made all of you delightfully -- not one higher or lower than the other. Bad flesh? The why would I give you a glorified body? I do so to precisely show you how beautifully and perfectly I made you in the beginning. Renewing your mind – to show you just how wonderfully I designed you to reign with me. Your spirit was created for P-E-R-F-E-C-T union with me.

Creativity, innovation relaxation and simplification are all in my hands. The goal: Always delight! Mutual delight! If this is lost, we wander aimlessly without purpose.

The terms of this business agreement:
I, God, execute.
You, pick of the spoils.

If you help me, the process will slow down. If you question me, the production line will stop. If you dance with me, the factory hums in perfect harmony. I am the cause and we delight in the effect together.

This may sound too simple. I say that it is with me. I speak and it becomes. I imagine and dream and it manifests. Every time. I am the Creator. You are my delight ALWAYS. I am only asking you to play with me.

The biggest investment and return will be those made in orphans and widows. They have my heart. If you love here, my returns are hugest here always.

In subsequent generations, there will be multiple teams of 6 who will reproduce the Wholly Surrendered business model. These will be oaks of righteousness as described in Isaiah 61:3. And this will happen over and over – everything will be shareable with all secrets revealed and nothing hidden.

Above all -- Integrity, delight, honor, trust and peace.