malawispizzsa
As a child, a stack of books towered by my bed and I loved being transported to fictional lands with fantastical characters. During high school and college, I turned to non-fiction and I was equally inspired and transported to foreign lands. My library card was well-worn and I remember the day I checked out a biography about Mother Theresa. Reading about the 4’10” woman with big plans and an even bigger heart caused me to vow that one day I, too, would help orphans in faraway lands.

I scrimped and saved, graduated from college, and was almost on my way to serving orphans in Romania when I had the distinct feeling that I needed to change my plans. It broke my heart and I cried all the way home from the department office. Two months later I met my sweetheart and now I have three little ones of my own to serve every day.

But my heart still yearns for a Mother Theresa-like experience. Traveling overseas is on my bucket list, but for now I am making a difference at home. I am always thrilled when I discover local businesses who feel the same way. Last month I had the privilege of devouring some delicious, gourmet pizza at Malawi’s Pizza while learning more about their mission with the United Way. Along with some of my favorite bloggers from the Connective Circle, we celebrated Malawi’s giving 250,000 meals to a village in Africa (now it’s closer to 300,000).

Now that’s a cause I can get behind – talk about pizza with a purpose! For every meal bought at Malawi’s, a nutritious meal is delivered to a child in Africa. I was beyond touched when the Chef and Owner told us that last year was the first year that zero children died from starvation in the village they help. I wanted to give the man a standing ovation!

I loved that my family was invited to the celebration. You can tell by the look on their faces that my family are big fans of the gourmet pizza! We’ve been to Malawi’s in the Riverwoods before and their BBQ pizza does not disappoint! Still craving the berry dessert pizza, too, so yummy.

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After dinner, the children made tambourines and read the best-selling book Chicka Chicka Boom Boom together. It was a big hit! The activity was just one of the many hands-on activities promoted by the United Way to stimulate children’s imagination. Be sure to stop by their web-site to see the many wonderful classes available to the community!

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We’re believers in hands-on education at our house! Just that morning, we had practiced writing where we were going that night and predicted how many yummy sliced of pizza we were going to eat!

So grateful for the opportunity I had to gather with friends and celebrate a worthy cause. When a gourmet, but affordable, dinner out with my family can benefit a child in need – it’s a win-win situation!

What books inspires you?

What is your childhood dream? Have you accomplished it?

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13 Comments

Giveaways 4 Mom · July 14, 2013 at 8:03 am

That looks good and great pictures.

april aakre · July 14, 2013 at 8:19 am

wow that pizza and dessert pizza look so good. Looks like you had fun and had a great meal

Savannah miller · July 14, 2013 at 8:42 am

That is so amazing what they are doing! And their pizza looks super yummy 🙂

As for books that have inspired I don’t think any have yet which is strange because I read non-stop I think maybe because they are all fiction they don’t have that awe inspiring feelings.

Alaina Bullock · July 14, 2013 at 11:48 am

Mmmm! Sounds delicious! We have two family-owned pizza places that we love to go to! Not only is the pizza amazing, but the atmosphere and kid-friendly activities make fro a very enjoyable night out!

Cassie @ Southeast by Midwest · July 14, 2013 at 12:19 pm

That dessert pizza looks yummy!

Breanna · July 14, 2013 at 1:16 pm

Delicious, what a fun time 🙂

Stacie D Wyatt · July 14, 2013 at 2:33 pm

love the pictures and the post

Ashley S · July 14, 2013 at 3:12 pm

That berry pizza looks absolutely amazing!!

Shary · July 14, 2013 at 3:31 pm

I want to eat all of that food, oh my gosh! Your family looks like they had a blast!

coolchillmom · July 14, 2013 at 4:44 pm

wow! looks like an amazing full day!
loved the them, and yes, let’s support reading!

My favorite book to read with my munchkin is one my grandmother wrote for her grandkids and was never published

Growing Up Madison · July 14, 2013 at 6:19 pm

That pizza looks absolutely delicious. I don’t have an inspiring book per se but there’s a book (fiction) that I read in High School (donkey years ago) that I just had to have on my Kindle. It inspired my love of reading and I read it over and over again. It’s the Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett.

Deb Clem-Buckert · July 16, 2013 at 6:37 am

It’s great to teach your kids about charity at a young age!

Ange · July 19, 2013 at 1:00 pm

That looks SO good!!

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