I know you didn't forget the wetsuit (you'll never forget the wetsuit), but I am going to TOP THE WETSUIT.

When Huggies originally contacted me about working with their Every Little Bottom campaign, I was pretty excited, for numerous reasons. Working with a big, well-known brand? Very exciting. Doing something that felt good and helpful? Very fulfilling. But as much as I loved the idea of the program and all the great things that would happen as a result of it, I wasn't particularly affected by it personally. Is it hard to hear that there are moms out there who have to reuse soiled diapers on their babies? Yes. Is it awful to know that there are women out there who have to go hungry in order to send their babies to daycare with a stack of fresh diapers? Yes. Is it something I saw happen among my friends or in my community? Never.

So was it something I expected I would stick with after I'd done my contractually obligated writing and... you know, stuff? I doubted it.

I took this project on because I thought it was important to use the talents and, I don't know, website traffic I've been given for something good. It turns out that this project is no longer just a project to me. This is no longer a job or something I'm doing simply because I think it's a great idea or because I'm being compensated. I am IN this thing. I would have never expected this to happen or for my worlds to have collided this way but they are and it is awesome and I am INVESTED in this. This MEANS something to me now. It means a lot, actually.

It is too much for it to all be called a coincidence – I believe that God orchestrates things, and I believe that in my situation, there are too many so-called “coincidences” to be chalked up to fate or whatever it is people tend to call it. What happened is that my church, the church I've attended since I was nine, the church I met my husband in and grew in my faith in and dedicated my children in – moved to a new building in a different location. It doesn't sound like a big deal, something like moving six miles away, but everything is different in this new area of town.

It's in a part of town that is heavily populated with low-income families. Lots of immigrant families living 12, 15, sometimes 25 people to a very small two- or three-bedroom house. Lots of kids forced to eat cold beans or Chef Boyardee from pop-top cans because they don't have access to a can opener, much less a microwave to heat it up in. Kids falling asleep in elementary school because they share a tiny, restless bedroom with six other family members and don't get any food until they're served free hot lunch at noon. Parents earning wages far below the poverty level, and unable to afford something as simple as soap for their kids on a regular basis. Some of these families don't have access to a kitchen or a bathtub.

This is my COMMUNITY, and I didn't even know it existed before now. Me and my new kitchen and my expensive stroller and my name-brand shoes. I feel ashamed that I was so blind to what is going on STEPS from my doorway. Steps, you guys. And yet suddenly, I'm handed the tools to make a difference in this community, even if it happens in this very small way of helping out some moms who can't always afford diapers.

I met with the director of community programs at my church a few weeks back and she told me that a few months ago there was a clothing exchange held at the church. People from the surrounding community were invited to come to the church and take home clothing for their families for free, and she told me that she saw a woman come into the lobby with her toddler and the toddler was wearing only a t-shirt and one of those old-school plastic diaper covers. That's it. There was no diaper UNDER the diaper cover, and she said that you could clearly see through the plastic and see that it was filled with urine, just sloshing around inside. What kills me about this is that it must feel so SHAMEFUL to go out like that. Here's a woman trying to provide for her family, a family that cannot afford clothes and therefore HAS to find a way to procure donations, and she has to go out in public with a child without even a clean diaper. It makes me think she didn't have a clean diaper to her NAME, or she would have used it to go out in public. It seems humiliating and sad and awful and I realized that this is my community. This is someone I might see in my grocery store, suffering.

I'm determined to do something about it. No longer because Huggies has asked me to, or because I think diaper need is a just another good, noble cause. Simply because it must be done, because these are real people, and suddenly, I have in my hands the tools and the information and the power I need to get it done. End of story. Coincidence or divine intervention? You can't convince me God's not involved here in a big way.

This is a good time to tell you that in my next post, I'll be detailing exactly what I'm going to do, and how YOU can be a part of it. It is going to be... well, I'm hoping the end result will be amazing and helpful and will really serve a community, but before that, there will be an extremely humiliating experience and I will be the only one suffering through that. For your entertainment. SUFFERING FOR A CAUSE, though. More details next week!

Disclosure: I have partnered with the Huggies® brand to help promote the Huggies® Every Little Bottom program. I have been compensated for my time commitment to the program, which includes writing about it here. However, my opinions are entirely my own.

Comments

[HereWeGoAJen]

I haven't forgotten the wetsuit.

I already think the internet is amazing, so I can't wait to see what your plan is.

[Jessica]

Such a sad story to hear, Emily. And yes, I agree that God has been involved in this and it's awesome that you get to make a difference for someone via the Huggies program.

[Lynda M O]

Let’s hear what we can do-it’s in every community.

[Jennie]

I'm pretty proud to know you, Em. I can't wait to see how I can help.

[Jenna]

Can't wait. Nothing like making a fool of yourself for a greater cause :)

Jenna
momofmanyhats.blogspot.com

[Kate]

I also can't wait. I worked with our Baby Basics ministry at my last parish, which provided diapers and healthy food regularly for those in need, and it was heartbreaking and wonderful all at the same time. (And if you want logistical information on how the program worked, I'd be more than happy to share. It's a great one.)

[Life of a Doctor's Wife]

This sounds really exciting. You write with such passion on the topic, I can't help but think that you'll be able to easily accomplish whatever project you're working on.

[Maggie]

Oh Emily you are just so awesome.

[Hillary]

This is a good good thing. I interviewed a woman the other day who was helping with a veterans' organization. She just started helping one day. "Why ask? Just do," she said. So true.

[A'Dell]

I have not forgotten the wetsuit either but I am super interested to hear what you are cooking up. Awesome, awesome, awesome. I love to see you inspired; big things usually result.

[Alison C]

It is heartbreaking that in a "first world" country there are people so lacking in basic necessities.

I look forward to seeing your plan.

[Megan]

I cried when I read your post, but I felt so energized, too. What can I do to help?

[Sabrina]

Wow! What an impression this turn of events has made on you. I'm excited to read more about your plan :-) Too many of us are only a thin line away from being able to afford the most basic of necessities.

God bless you as you serve Him and your new-found community with love.

[Olivia]

I would love to hear more about the clothing exchange your church had- our church is getting ready to move just a few miles down the road ourselves, and while the community doesn't change as drastically, we are going to be starting a community center. Your post touched my heart and ignited some ideas for ministry- I'm also in the process of researching the possibility of getting a diaper bank going in this area. Any advice, info you have is greatly appreciated! I love seeing God at work in your posts!

[Puma Outlet Store]

JoAnne, thanks for sharing that story. That day impacted all of us, some more than others but nevertheless, it changed all of our lives. We never know what life will throw at us next. That's why we train like we do so we can take on anything it brings. So that we are strong both physically and mentally to take on new challenges.

Great job to everyone on the WOD today. You all fought hard and I was very proud of all of you. Even with me changing the WOD to make everyone do 343 reps, I felt that was important, no one complained and everyone did a rep, hard reps, for each person lost that day. Thank you!