Blue Monarch and Out of the Blue Granola

A SAFE HAVEN, A SHELTER IN THE STORM

The Blue Monarch is a safe place to fall for women who are struggling with addiction and/or abuse. It is a long-term residential treatment center located on a 50 acre farm, which was formerly a bed and breakfast near Monteagle, TN. This peaceful setting contrasts sharply with the turmoil it’s residents have experienced. The Blue Monarch literally started from a dream. About 20 years ago founder, Susan Binkley had a vivid dream about putting together a recovery program for women and children. At the time, she thought she had intercepted someone else’s dream. Now, years later, she’s living the dream, right down to the very last detail.

Blue Monarch is a 1-2 year program where women, and their chidren live, work, learn and worship. Women are given the chance to reconnect with their children.

LIVING THE DREAM

A few years after “the dream”, Susan and her husband Clay opened a bakery named The Blue Chair. It was here that Susan heard horrifying stores of abuse and addiction from some of her employees. The more she thought about these women and ways she could help, she realized that “this is what God was asking me to do”. She considered ways to employ these women and realized that just a job was not was these women needed. Her feeling was to take a group of women, help them achieve sobriety, enhance their relationship with their children, help them build better life skills and promote spiritual growth. Thus, Blue Monarch was born.

TRANSFORMING LIVES

Susan chose the name Blue Monarch because the butterfly symbolizes transformation and more specifically the monarch because of it’s resilience. And blue for the name of her cafe, which she sold in 2012. A monarch is special because it survives the winter when all others die-fragile, yet determined.

Women come to Blue Monarch for many different reasons. Most are dealing with drug addiction, some are in trouble with the law, some are estranged from their children and some are escaping domestic violence. Whatever the reason, all are struggling. But, in order to be accepted, you must have a desire to change. This is a stringent program and there is a limited amount of space. Blue Monarch can house up to 12 families at a time. It is a huge commitment and you must be willing to change every aspect of your life. Many of these women come from generation of dysfunction.

GRANOLA WITH A PURPOSE

While in the program, women learn to parent their children (sometimes sober for the first time). This is an intensive, self-help program. The Christian-based curriculum combines individual counseling and treatment with classes on parenting and life skills, anger management, budgeting and work ethics as well as Bible study. Once a woman has completed the work ethics program, she is eligible to work at Out of the Blue Granola. This is a private business that provides onsite employment for the women participating in the program. This was a perfect fit since this granola is what they made and served at The Blue Chair. It is an all-natural product, carefully baked by hand using local honey. With each bag purchased, you will receive a photograph of one of the women who bake the granola and her very special story of recovery on the back-that’s why it’s referred to as “gift granola”.

Out of the Blue Granola gives the women valuable job training for their upcoming job search and an often unknown sense of accomplishment. Once the woman starts to earn an income, she can choose to give up to 10% back to Blue Monarch to support the services she has received. These are some of the reasons it is also called “granola with a purpose”.

If you would like to purchase some all natural “gift granola” or “granola with a purpose”, please visit https://www.facebook.com/HedgysGoodDeeds/app_410312912374011

Ironwood Pig Sanctuary

THE PEOPLE & THE MISSION

The great people at The Ironwood Pig Sanctuary have dedicated their lives to helping neglected, sick, and unwanted pot-bellied pigs. They have been doing this for the past 13 years. Their stated mission “is to eliminate the suffering of pot-bellied pigs by promoting spaying and neutering, assisting owners and other sanctuaries, and providing a permanent home in a safe, nurturing environment for those that are abandoned, abused, neglected or unwanted”.

A FOREVER HOME TO 600 PIGS

Over 600 pot-bellied pigs from the Phoenix, Tucson, and other Southwest areas is a “forever” home for these forgotten animals. Most of these pigs will live out the remainder of their lives here. When I mentioned that The Ironwood Pig Sanctuary dedicates their lives to their pigs, I meant it literally. They spend many hours each and every morning making sure all of the geriatric and sick pigs get the medical care, medications and supplements they need and then they repeat this in the evening.

WATER, WATER, & MORE WATER

The most important thing, especially in the summer, is water. They spend countless hours during the day making sure all of their pigs have fresh drinking water, water in their wading pools, and water in the wallows. We haven’t even mentioned the daily feeding of all 600 hungry pigs!

RESCUE NEVER STOPS!

Somehow, in the midst of their busy days, they find the time to rescue pot-bellied pigs found wandering in neighborhoods or in the desert, some that are left at community shelters and, any who are abandoned by their owners (this happens more often than you would think). Occasionally they are called to help take other’s pigs to the vet. Often times, caregivers are unable to transport their pig themselves due to their size.

Kelli saying hi

A DANGEROUS ‘TREND’

One of their great concerns is the trend of breeding “teacup” pigs. There is no such thing! As with dogs and horses, irresponsible breeders try to achieve ‘traits’ with a lot of inbreeding going on. Inbreeding, and a small gene pool in pot-bellied pigs (as well as any other domestic animal) causes a number of health risks. For example, nearly all of these pigs will develop painful arthritis and, for some, it will be the cause of their early death.

Rufus smiling, as always

A BIG BUNDLE OF LOVE

As you can tell, pot-bellied pigs are intelligent, loving animals but, they require a lot of work and attention as well as a large space to roam for adequate exercise. There aren’t many people who are equipped to deal with a 200-300 lb. bundle of love.If you want to get a pot-bellied pig as a pet, please do your homework first, and, by all means, adopt, don’t buy! Pot-bellied pigs are suitable for indoor living if trained properly. They are curious animals with a humorous disposition and an intelligence second only to that of a dog. They are not finicky eaters and can be house trained.

SPONSORING & EDUCATION WILL SAVE LIVES

If you are feeling the need to help the plight of these sweet pot-bellied pigs, the Ironwood Pig Sanctuary is a reputable, responsible, and loving place. They are always in need of donations, volunteers and they have a wish list of things they need in their newsletters. Our CEO has personally visited the sanctuary and sends them a donation each month. The Ironwood Pig Sanctuary is a 501(c)3 non-profit, so all donations are tax deductible. They also have a sponsorship program that allows you to sponsor one of the pigs and receive pictures and information about the pig you sponsor. To take a peek at all the pigs needing a sponsor or to donate, visit their website at http://www.ironwoodpigsanctuary.org/index.html.

 A special thanks to the Arizona Daily Star for these great photos.  Any of these photos can be purchased at  http://tucson.com/gallery/lifestyles/pets/photo-gallery-ironwood-pig-sanctuary/collection_7b721b6e-e788-11df-8b1c-001cc4c03286.html#1

Lifesong For Orphans

GOD HAS A PLAN

Lifesong for Orphans is another of our non-profit friends. They are a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization. The journey to Lifesong for Orphans was made up of struggles and promises made to God. It shows that if you’re willing, God has a wonderful plan waiting for you. Lifesong for Orphans is God’s plan for Gary and Marla Ringger.

THE STRUGGLE

About 20 years ago, Gary Ringger made a commitment that has changed the lives of thousands of children worldwide. At that time, Gary owned a struggling food business that produced rice crisps, soy crisps and cookie pieces for granola, cereal and candy bars. The business wasn’t succeeding and he was losing money. The financial burden and the responsibility of making a safe product for human consumption took a toll on Gary and depression set in. Thankfully Christianity had always played a major role in his life and he began to spend more time in prayer. Through prayer, Gary was led not to quit the business but to think of it as an opportunity to be a ministry. Carrying out the conviction that this was to be God’s business, Gary and his dad made a commitment that if the business succeeded, and he ever sold it, he would keep only what he invested, with interest, and, if God blessed him beyond that, the rest would go for Kingdom purposes.

GOD’S BUSINESS

Eight years later he sold the business, for a fairly large profit, and after much prayer, he was led to use half of the proceeds for a family foundation and the other half for starting a business that would eventually fund the foundation. Thus, The Manna Group Foundation, Watershed Foods and, what is now, Lifesong for Orphans were born!

SOME WILL ADOPT, SOME WILL CARE AND SOME WILL GIVE

The mission of Lifesong for Orphans is simply stated “bringing joy and purpose to orphans”. They seek to mobilize the church, His body, where each member can provide a unique and special service-some to adopt, some to care and some to give. Lifesong for Orphans’ ultimate goal in caring for orphan children is adoption. They offer adoption financial assistance in the form of matching grants and interest-free loans, foster care support through The Forgotten Initiative, church and ministry partnerships, and international orphan care by serving advocates who help carry out their mission. Through their financial partnership with The Manna Group foundation, all US administration and fundraising costs are covered. This means that 100% of your donation will go directly to caring for orphans and their needs.

THERE IS SO MUCH MORE THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE

There is so much more to this story. Lifesong for Orphans has expanded to 10 different locations around the world to help orphans in need. Four thousand children have been blessed through their orphan care. 120 jobs have been created through their sustainable business programs and they of hundreds of volunteers caring for children worldwide.

Lifesong for Orphans also has an online store where you can purchase items and all of the proceeds (100%) go to Lifesong for Orphans http://www.lifesongfororphans.org/give/store/.

But, there is so much more that needs to be done. If you would like to learn more or help in any way, please visit their website at www.lifesongfororphans.org

Family Foundation Fund

FAMILY FOUNDATION FUND

The Family Foundation Fund got started back in 1993 when Onnie Kirk began taking 2 young men to work with him. Onnie had become painfully aware of the demise of families in America and, especially in African-American communities. After extensive research, it became evident to him that the cause was the absence of fathers in the home.

SOME STAGGERING STATISTICS

10 Facts About Fatherlessness:

1 24 million children (36%) live absent of their biological father.

2 There are 17 million children (25%) living with their single mother.

3 2 million of all births in 1995 were out of wedlock (32%).

4 Nearly 4 out of 10 first marriages end in divorce, 60% of divorcing couples have children. Over 1 million children each year experience the divorce of their parents.

5 One out of every six children is a step child.

6 There are nearly 1.9 million single fathers with children under 18.

7 4 out of every 10 cohabitating couples have children present and, of the children born to cohabitating couples, only 4 out of every 10 will see their parents marry. Those who do marry experience a 50% higher divorce rate.

8 26% of absent fathers live in a different state.

9 About 40% of the children who live in a fatherless home haven’t seen their fathers in at least a year. While 50% of children who don’t live with their fathers have never set foot in their fathers home.

10 Children who live absent of their biological fathers, on average, are more likely to be poor, experience educational, health, emotional and psychological problems, be victims of child abuse and engage in criminal behavior than their peers who live with their married, biological mother and father.

The Fatherless Account For:

• 63% of teen suicides

• 71% of high school dropouts

• 80% of rapes

• 85% of behavioral disorders

• 85% of youths in prison

• 90% of homeless and runaway children

THE PROGRAM

The Family Foundation Fund’s mentoring program is an intensive, multi-year, comprehensive commitment in which a mature, well-balanced Christian man acts as a surrogate father for an “at risk” youth who will have a long-term relationship and take an active interest in his life. A surrogate father will pray for him, advocate for him and be a presence in the rest of his life.

When a young man gets to a certain age, he begins to question his identity and what a real man is. Without a father’s guidance, statistics show that these men will experience significant emotional, physical, social and financial problems later in life. When these boys arrive at the Family Foundation Fund, they are generally lacking confidence and direction as well as being insecure. With the guidance of FFF and their surrogate father these boys will become secure and gain confidence. They will be able to take on life’s challenges.

The motto at FFF is “changing lives one boy at a time”. “They are good men who are going to be good husbands one day, good fathers, good citizens and good men of God.”

To learn more about the Family Foundation Fund visit their website at www.familyfoundationfund.org. They also have a Facebook page www.facebook.com/familyfoundationfund. Any donations can be made at http://familyfoundationfund.org/donate/.