Initiative. At that first event, we had 30 women sign up to be ambassadors. We now have 300 ambassadors.
What’ s been your most memorable moment from your work with LIVE2540?
Although I had traveled to Liberia six times, this March I was able to go and see the Jesus Loves Me Children’ s Center [ the organization’ s new medical clinic ] for the first time. It was surreal to walk into an 18,000-square-foot building that has been so long-awaited and so needed for years and years. We were able to see mothers and children lined up waiting for the doors to open, holding feverish babies. We sat on the ends of hospital beds and prayed with mothers and children who were scared.
Prior to the opening of JLM, our team would step foot into clinics in the bush of Liberia and find a child lying on the floor, his incision site covered with gauze because the clinic ran out of suture for stitching, or his family couldn’ t afford it. In many clinics in Liberia, if you don’ t bring the necessary supplies for treatment, you won’ t be treated.
Although this reality is grim, there are so many beautiful things about Liberia. The people of Liberia are strong in ways that we cannot fathom. They have endured civil wars, the Ebola crisis, and lack of healthcare on top of an already impoverished country. They have seen some of the hardest realities in the world and yet they still laugh and pray and hug and dance. Their faith is deeper because it has had to be. Their lives aren’ t distracted and diluted with busy schedules and new fads. They’ re a people focused on family and community and faith and being in the moment, and there is so much beauty to be found there.
Tell us a little bit about The LOVE Store in downtown Cartersville, which benefits LIVE2540.
If you’ re looking for a gift, look no further. The store has LOVE shirts, jewelry, bags, aprons, coffee cups, baby attire, and more. The products are fair trade, and a portion of each purchase goes to support healthcare initiatives in Liberia. The store is right across the street from our offices, so I’ m in there almost every day.
LIVE2540 provides invaluable medical care to some of West Africa’ s most vulnerable children and families.
What do you like to do in your free time?
Hike Pine Mountain, walk around Sam Smith Park, or hop around to restaurants and stores downtown.
Any favorite exercise routine?
I work out at TKO, a local boxing and full-body conditioning gym owned by JJ Jones. I walked into my first class a year and a half ago and had to lay down flat on the floor five times because I thought I would pass out. But now I can hang with the class!
What’ s your best life tip?
Pack the diaper bag, book bag, or any bag, the night before. I’ m still working on this, but it makes the morning so much more enjoyable.
What’ s something you can’ t live without?
Chick-fil-A. I even got a Christmas card one year. If I stop going, they’ ll probably have to let someone go, so I keep going because I don’ t want that to happen. Ha-ha!
What’ s the last show you binge-watched?
Binge-watching went out the door when we had our first child, but currently my husband and I are watching The Resident, and we actually stay awake the whole time, so it has to be good.
Minesinger( front row, center) and some of the Better TogetHER ambassadors.
Fill in the blank. There’ s nothing better than …
A beach trip, a good book, drinking coffee in peace, and when my girls reach up and hold my hand without being asked.
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