An organized pantry is a happy pantry!

Decided to clean out my pantry so I could reorganize.  After I had cleared out everything, I decided that the walls were looking pretty sad from years of use.

So on a whim I got out the can of paint from the garage that was leftover from the entryway.  After an hour of painting it was looking much better.

Some new bins and reorganization and the pantry is looking good and functional.

While in this process I decided that the kitchen "junk" drawer was doing nothing for me either. 

So a short time later...the junk drawer is junky no more!

Whoo Hoo....can't stop me now...laundry room cabinet...I'm coming for you next!

This CAN be done!

As I'm sure you're well aware, I have been blogging about Compassion a lot lately.  We were given 25 sponsorship packets last month for our emphasis at church.  I'm so happy to report that 22 of them have found sponsors!  I only have 3 packets left....and I REALLY don't want to send them back to Compassion without sponsors.  So if you will indulge me for a moment I'd like to tell you more about these three precious children.

This is Brandon Enrique Az Hernandez.  His birthday is February 15, 2003 and he lives in Guatemala.  Brandon makes his home with his father and his mother.  Gathering firewood, running errands and cleaning are his household duties.  His father is employed as a laborer and his mother is employed as a laborer.  There are 6 children in the family.  As part of Compassion's ministry, Brandon participates in church activities and Vacation Bible School.  He is also in primary school where his performance is average.  Soccer, playing with cars and art are his favorite activities.

This is Andrea Victoria Gaspar Mendez.  Her birthday is June 15, 2003 and she lives in Ecuador.  She lives with her father and her mother.  Her duties at home include making beds and cleaning.  There are 4 children in the family.  Her fatehr is sometimes employed as a laborer and her mother maintains the home.  Andrea participates in church activities.  She is also in primary school where her performance is average.  Playing house, playing with dolls and hide-and-seek are her favorite activities.

This is Francis Kokou Alosse.  His birthday is February 2, 2006 and he lives in Togo in Western Africa.  Francis lives with his father and his grandmother.  He is responsible for helping in the kitchen, running errands and cleaning.  His father is sometimes employed as a farmer and his grandmother is sometimes employed as a farmer.  There are 5 children in the family.  For fun, Francis enjoys soccer, bicycling and playing games.  He attends church activities and Bible class regularly and is in primary school where his performance is average.

Through sponsorship these children will have new opportunities to learn and grow physically, mentally, and spiritually.  If any of you (not just Hope Community members) would like more information about sponsoring any of these kids or more information about sponsorship through Compassion in general, please contact me. 

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.