April Wrap-up

Last day of the month....on to May!  First off I am very happy to report that Milagros (the little girl from Peru that I mentioned in the previous post) has a new sponsor family!  Before Compassion Sunday I had purchased the national flags from all of the countries that our church members sponsor kids from.  After our sponsorship emphasis Sunday, I will need to purchase 10 more!  A big THANK YOU to all of the Hope Community members who sponsor kids or who became new sponsors!  I can't tell you how blessed I am to be part of such a wonderful church family.  If you would like to know more about Compassion and the work that they do to help release children from poverty all over the world, please contact me.  I would love to tell you more

Last week I had the opportunity to attend Connect 2012.  This is the national conference for Operation Christmas Child volunteers.  Along with Compassion, Operation Christmas Child is one of the organizations that I am most passionate about.  It was a great time to be able to learn how to serve better in the position that I hold.  It was also a wonderful experience to hear from the National Leadership team from Zambia.  To hear first hand how the shoeboxes that we pack with gifts are impacting the lives of children in Africa was very inspiring.  I was fortunate enough to be able to spend some time with one of the team members over breakfast.  The photo is of me and Rev. Ernest Mangamu.  Rev. Mangamu told of the work that goes into training Zambian leaders and teachers that work with the children who receive boxes.  I even got to hear the story of how he got up close and personal with some lions. :)

This is some of our Central Indiana team members with the Zambian national team.  I got to hear from Ted who grew up in an orphanage in Russia.  He received a shoebox and the impact it had on him was life-altering.  I can't say enough for Operation Christmas Child and the work they do.

Sunday was jam-packed as well!  It was time to update the band photos for Reality 3:16.  Armed with 2 cameras, 4 lenses, a reflector, 6 band members, their 2 leaders and a dog, Paul and I got the job done!  Actually Paul got the job done....I managed to get tripped up and scrape up my hand and knee.  After the long weekend in Chicago I was happy to work the reflector, straighten up collars, move people around, do a little shooting, and basically let Paul do the hard work....which he does well.  A preview...

Paul's shot...my photoshop work :)

On a Mission

Today was Compassion Sunday at Hope Community.  My friend Aubree and I had the priviledge of sharing with our congregation about sponsoring children through Compassion International.  What a joy to tell our story and see families selecting children to begin sponsoring.  Thank you to Hope Community for helping to "Change the Story" for these children all around the world.  Of the 25 packets that Compassion sent to us I only have 10 left. 

I will have all of the packets available at our church on Wednesday and Sunday, but I'm taking it upon myself to find a sponsor for this little one.

It must have been that cute little 3 year old smile, but this sweet little girl grabbed my attention from the start.  This is Milagros Juarez Diaz from Peru.  Her birthday is June 11, 2008.  In her home, Milagros helps by running errands.  She lives with her mother.   Her mother is sometimes employed.  Milagros is not presently attending school.  Playing house and playing with dolls are her favorite activities.  She also attends church activities regularly.  If you choose to sponsor Milagros, she will have new opportunities to learn and grow physically, mentally, and spiritually.

Perhaps you are like Dusty and I were 4 years ago.  We had said for years that sponsoring a child was something that we thought was a good idea and we would like to do that someday.  Someday turned into weeks, months and then years.  Four years ago we quit waiting and God brought Mwajuma into our lives.  Earlier this year we were blessed to begin sponsoring Wannaporn as well.  If sponsoring a child has been on your heart and mind, I would love to talk to you about Compassion.  Perhaps you are the person to help change the story for Milagros.

To see more children waiting for sponsors, you can also visit http://www.compassion.com/

From a distant land...

Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land
--Proverbs 25:25

We received our first letter from our newly sponsored girl from Thailand.  We were all excited to read our letter from Wannaporn.

On a side note...Thai is a very ornate looking language!

We learned that Wannaporn lives with her mother and father and has an older brother.  Since she and Rachel have the same birthday, Rachel had a fun time comparing herself to Wannaporn.  According to her letter she is 114 cm. tall, so we got out a measuring tape and discovered she's about 1 inch taller than Rachel and about 2 lbs heavier.  She likes to ride her bike, her favorite fruit is watermelon, she has a dog, and her favorite color is yellow.  She learns verses at the center she attends and likes to sing praise songs.  What a blessing to be able to be a part of her life!  We're looking forward to getting to know her better through the years.  If you've ever considered sponsoring a child....do so today!  You can contact me with any questions about sponsorship or visit Compassion International at http://www.compassion.com/

What was that beagle thinking?

I found this photo of me and my brothers circa 1987 at Mom and Dad's needed a copy for myself, and these thoughts come to mind.

• This is proof that I've always had dark circles under my eyes
• Why is Peter wearing pink shoes?
• I wonder what Penny the dog is thinking?

Easter

Our weekend was full of family, church, eggs, food, and fun. :)  We dyed our eggs Saturday.  Between the food and the Easter eggs, we went through over 6 dozen eggs!!  (We only dyed 2 dozen)  

We went on a stealth mission for the easter bunny to hide some eggs for a little boy who missed the church egg hunt because he hadn't been feeling well.

Off to church this morning for a wonderful service.

We hunted eggs this afternoon in our backyard.

Then Rachel hid the eggs for Aaron and this happened...

The basket broke...eggs falling everywhere

Egg Down!

Rachel rebounded after a few minutes of pouting about the basket.  We even had a visit from our own little easter bunny.

Fancy with the Friends

Rachel's friend Loralei is here visiting from Nebraska.  To celebrate, Loralei, Rachel, Avalyn, and Hannah made a trip to the salon to get their nails painted.  I don't know....we may have created a monster.  This kiddo may want a regular trip to the kiddie salon.  She loves her nail polish. :)

Spring Breakin'

Back from a 4-day trip to Illinois which included a 1st birthday party, a trip to the lake, some mushroom hunting, lots of egg hunting, and a visit to see my grandfather.  We celebrated my nephew Carson's 1st birthday on Saturday with a farm-themed party.

Carson is one of the easiest going little guys around.  He smiled and clapped for everything.

The whole family

There was also a time for a little basketball.  Aaron has really been enjoying the fact that he is now taller than his dad. 

After church on Sunday we took advantage of the gorgeous weather and headed to Shelbyville Lake.  The lake is really low right now so Mom hauled out a couple of buckets to gather some large rocks for some landscaping projects in the backyard.

Comfortable Dusty???

Sunday evening Dusty took off back to Indiana for work and Monday I took the kids down to Flora to stay with Dusty's parents for a couple of days.  Aaron went mushroom hunting with his granddad, but there wasn't much to be found.

And Rachel and Memaw hunted Easter eggs....over and over and over!