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My Online Legacy…HOPE

By
Real Estate Agent with The Elizabeth Nieves Realty Group 209227

Imagine for a moment...

 

Imagine yourself as one of the trillions of stars that light up the Eastern Sky...surrounded by billions and billions of other stars. Imagine...going out ‘on stage' night after night and shining as brightly as you possibly can...only to have your light lost in the blinding glare from the other stars. Imagine wondering if your little light matters to the world at all. Then imagine...one night...you are chosen to provide a guiding light to three wise men seeking a very, special, newborn child.

 

Forever the world is changed...because of you...BECAUSE YOU ARE.

 Star-filled Sky

 

Every human being feels like that little star from time to time...lost in a vast sea of faces and words. It is easy to believe that our voice and fragile life matter very little to this seemingly endless universe. Still...we humans are programmed with a profound need to leave a piece of ourselves...however small...when we are gone. I once heard someone say, "When a man nears the end of his life, he does not seek fortune or fame. He seeks significance."

 

What will I leave behind when I am gone? After all...that is the REAL QUESTION.

 

What will I leave of myself to show the next generation that I was here? What will I deposit into those people closest to me...my husband, my family and my children? What emotion will my memory evoke in those who know me? Will the world really be any different...any better...because I was born? Will you, the reader, remember this post? Can my words change the world?

 

 Can one person...a solitary, ordinary life...really make a difference?

 I have a dream

In 1963, Martin Luther King delivered a speech during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom declaring, "I have a dream!" Those four words have resonated through the generations to this day. No one can hear those words without remembering the man, Martin Luther King, and his passionate dream...a dream for which he was willing to die.

 

 I also have a dream...

 

Almost exactly one year ago, I began my blogging journey on ActiveRain...without a clue as to where my journey would lead. Within weeks, I began to realize the impact of each of my posts...that the words I write will continue to 'speak' on my behalf...long after I am gone. In that moment of realization, I made a commitment to write words that evoke intense emotion...words that build up...words of encouragement...words of hope. I also made a decision to use this incredible platform I have been given to share my dream with the world...my dream of leaving a better world than the one into which I was born.

 

My DREAM...my PASSION...my REASON for being here on this earth...is to rescue sexually abused and Hopeabandoned children and give them HOPE.

 

A year and a half ago, I met three children...ages 6, 8 and 10. These children had lost their father (in a work-related electrical accident) four years earlier and been abused and abandoned by their mother two years earlier. They were living with a relative who clearly resented their presence in her life. She often reminded them that they were a phone call away from being 'sent back' into the system.

 

The first moment I saw these three angels, I fell in love with them and wanted to bring them home with me. I wanted to give them the life they deserved...the childhood that had been stolen from them...the hope to believe in a brighter tomorrow. Although I wanted to be the one to change their lives...these three children forever changed mine. They reminded me that I am not here on this earth for myself...that the only way to gain my life is to give it away. They left their 'fingerprints' on my soul and pieces of their broken hearts in my heart.

 

In honor of these three children...and ALL of the 'broken' children who have found their way into my heart...I have a dream of building 'Durham's House of Hope'. Durham's House of Hope will be a beautiful home and school for 100 sexually abused, abandoned, discarded and 'broken' children...a loving, peaceful place where their little hearts can be protected and nurtured back to life.

 

As real estate professionals...we are blessed to make a living by helping people realize their dreams of home ownership. There is nothing more satisfying than seeing the look on a new home owner's face...that first moment when they realize that the home REALLY is theirs. That moment is magical. Can you imagine THAT feeling...intensified a million times...when you see a child, who has been abused and thrown away, walk into their beautiful, new bedroom for the first time?

 

Can one person change the world? Sure...they can! However...a hundred people can do a thousand times more. Remember..."The whole is greater than the sum of its individual parts."

Hope begins in the dark...

TOGETHER...WE CAN CHANGE THE WORLD...ONE CHILD AT A TIIME!

 

Written and Posted by:

Elizabeth Nieves - Broker, REALTOR® -- The Elizabeth Nieves Realty Group @ Keller Williams (A Bilingual Real Estate Team serving Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill NC and surrounding areas.)

Search Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill Homes for Sale

Comments (46)

Elizabeth Nieves
The Elizabeth Nieves Realty Group - Durham, NC
Bilingual Raleigh - Durham North Carolina Real Estate Team

JANE:  I've gone to the site and set up my account. I'm still learning all about it, but thank you sooooooooo much for the suggestion. I did not know about it. GBU!

CHRISTINE: Thank you so much for your kind and encouraging words. ALL I know is that I must do this. GBU!

GARY: I think you understand. You are such a giving and compassionate person. That is why I shared it with you before I even wrote about it here. GBU!

ROSE:  Oh...my sister...I'm working on that. Just knowing that you want to be a part of it makes my heart happy. I'll be sharing more about how we can all come together to make this a reality. GBU!

KATHY:  YES...since you have worked with these children...you KNOW and UNDERSTAND just how great the need is. I'm so very thankful to Jane for her input. I've already acted on it and opened the door. As far as my legacy...I believe that there are many in our industry who share a desire to give back. I want to use this platform...online...to make the need known and create a non-profit organization to build this...and other homes like it. GBU!

Sep 18, 2008 08:36 AM
Jason Roebuck
Springfield, OR

Elizabeth, I know that God will bless you in this, and I hope that I can somehow be involved with helping you make this dream come true...God Bless you...Jason

Sep 18, 2008 08:52 AM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Elizabeth, You have a beautiful dream...and dreams become reality!  You've got your children with you now, safe and sound (and I never doubted for a minute that you would!)  and I also don't doubt you'll achieve this cream as well. 

Sep 18, 2008 11:55 AM
Martha Brown
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc., Annapolis MD 21403 - Annapolis, MD
Your Homes Around Annapolis Agent

Elizabeth- What a beautiful and hartwarming post and legacy. May you achieve your dream tenfold.

Sep 18, 2008 02:19 PM
Liz Moras Migic
Chilliwack, BC
Chilliwack, British Columbia - Realtor

Girl you are in a LEAGUE of your own!  That was mind blowing actually....You're articulate, sentimental, intelligent, caring, loving, sharing, spiritual......Elizabeth......how did A/R manage without you here for all those months...........and to think, I never knew what I was missing!.......If you never did another thing........you're legacy would be 'everlasting'...!

Sep 18, 2008 05:19 PM
BethAnn Long
RE/MAX of Spokane - Spokane, WA
Realtor, CRS, e-PRO, CLHMS Spokane Wa Real Estate

Big Dream.

Bigger God.

Keep us posted. :)

Sep 18, 2008 05:51 PM
Tony & Darcy Cannon
Aubrey and Associates Realty - Layton, UT
The C Team

Elizabeth, great cause!  Good luck!

Sep 18, 2008 06:39 PM
Kari Greenaway
Williamsport, PA

Elizabeth, I love what you are doing! I've subscribed to your blog, and look forward to updates on Durham's House of Hope. Your writings are vibrant and full of important information that we all could use. I look forward to helping Durham's House of Hope in any way I can. Keep us posted

Kari L. Greenaway

 

Sep 18, 2008 08:52 PM
Terry Rasner-Yacenda
Broker,Owner - Dreams Realty - Reno, NV
"Dreams Realty"

HI ELIZABETH -- you're truly full of love and purpose.  What an honor to read your post.  We share your love of children on the edge - it happens in a lot of ways, sexually and socially, emotionally and financially...even spiritually.  We send children to church camp, buy families Christmas presents, and support the youth groups, but your dream is really powerful and purposeful.  Way to go!  May God continue to bless you!

Sep 19, 2008 04:13 PM
Alexander Harb
Knights Investing - Mesquite, TX
Dallas, Texas Real Estate Investing

I am glad someone featured this post in,"Christianity and Real Estate".....

Bringing hope to others is so needed in this time of economic stress and uncertainty....

THANKS for such an inspiring post, Eliz!!

=-)

Sep 19, 2008 04:35 PM
Cynthia Tilghman, Realtor® Onslow County NC Home Specialist
Kingsbridge Realty, Inc - Hubert, NC

Elizabeth,
A beautiful post that once again shows us your spirit of kindness, love and compassion. 

"This little light of mine, I'm going to let it shine!"  (I'm singing).

Sep 21, 2008 11:10 PM
Troy Erickson AZ Realtor (602) 295-6807
HomeSmart - Chandler, AZ
Your Chandler, Ahwatukee, and East Valley Realtor

I can tell that you are truly someone who cares.  I wish you the best of luck with your dream of building 'Durham's House of Hope'.  I am sure that you have already left the world a better place for the people whose lives you have touched.

Sep 22, 2008 01:22 PM
Elizabeth Nieves
The Elizabeth Nieves Realty Group - Durham, NC
Bilingual Raleigh - Durham North Carolina Real Estate Team

JASON:  God will continue to show us the steps we are to take. THANK YOU for being a willing vessel. GBU!

CAROLE:  With God...ALL things are possible. I BELIEVE! GBU!

MARTHA:  Thank you so much! GBU!

LIZ:  Your comment choked me up. ALL I can tell you is that I want to accomplish the purpose for which God created me. That is ALL I want. GBU!

BETHANN:  I LOVE THAT! Big Dream...Bigger God! YES!! GBU!

TONY & DARCY:  God has a plan. I'm just going along with HIM. GBU!

KARI:  Thank you so much! In the coming days, I'll be writing more about the next step. God will honor your heart to serve. GBU!

TERRY: I am not surprised by all of the things that you and the Doc do for others. You are so very giving...such a beautiful representation of Our Father. GBU!

ALEX:  God is sooooooooooo good! He has an amazing plan. Isn't it incredible that He allows us to be a part of HIS PLAN? GBU, brother!

CYNTHIA:  You sing beautifully!! GBU, sis!

TROY:  That is ALL I want. GBU, my friend!

Sep 22, 2008 02:37 PM
Jason Crouch
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX
Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)

Sis - I somehow missed reading this one when you first launched it.  I remember discussing this on the phone with you recently.  I am including this post in the Family Ties recap today.  God bless you and your sweet spirit.

Oct 05, 2008 06:04 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Somehow I missed the beautiful post, Elizabeth!  (Jason's post brought me over to check it out)!  You are SO right--one person CAN make HUGE, impactful changes and the more that believe this...

...well, let's just say, TOGETHER WE CAN CHANGE THE WORLD!

Debe in Charlotte 

Oct 05, 2008 08:22 AM
Margaret Woda
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. - Crofton, MD
Maryland Real Estate & Military Relocation

Those children are so fortunate to have you, and I know they'll look back at your blogs about your journey to bring them home with amazement when they're adults and can truly appreciate your love even more.  And this is another great post that I'm glad to discover through Jason's recap.

Oct 05, 2008 11:55 AM
Hugh Krone
Weichert Referral Associates - Hamburg, NJ
Realtor, Sussex County NJ

Elizabeth,

May the Lords face shine upon you all the days of your life until that glorious time when He takes you home.

Oct 05, 2008 12:09 PM
Tami Vroma
West Michigan Real Estate Specialist-Five Star Real Estate - Grand Haven, MI
Realtor, Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

You already know how I feel about this post my friend and kindred spirit!!

Dec 11, 2008 11:58 PM
Sharon Paxson
Sharon Paxson, Realtor® EQTY Forbes Global Properties - Newport Beach, CA
Newport Beach Real Estate

Elizabeth - what a wonderful post you have written, and I am so glad you want to help children that have been abused. You continue to amaze me with your well thought out and well written and "touching" posts. I must tell you - I have my own journey right now, and reading your posts gives me inspiration. God Bless!

Dec 12, 2008 07:30 AM
Sonja Patterson
Keller Williams - BV - College Station, TX
Texas Monthly 5-Star Realtor Recipient for the Hou

What a wonderful post Elizabeth!  There are SO many children that need to know they ARE LOVED.  To be able to change just ONE life is worth it all...and to touch 100 is so exciting!! God cares for each precious one.  They are and will be your shining stars who will someday be able to help others.  As I have seen in my own life...there is no pain wasted in God's economy.

Keep shining for Him!! :)

Dec 12, 2008 12:38 PM