Welcome to the Saturday Morning Chat Group.
Special Announcement! Today I want to let you all know about a new blog that has been created by Becky at 'Lady In Waiting Blog Design' to help families who are adopting showcase things that they are selling to raise money for their adoption. It is located at www.adoptionfundraisers.blogspot.com, and the blog is called 'Touching Lives One At A Time'. There is a link on my sidebar and I would be happy to give it to you today if you would like it. Please support these families, and if you are selling something to raise money for your child, please let Becky know and she will add you to the blog.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
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«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 293 of 293We have so much laundry here all of the time that it's crazy. Tim does a lot of it though, and I tend to be the one in charge of keeping the kitchen clean and together.
Blogger just flipped us..I really like that. I just left you a comment though Michelle that you might have to go back to see.
Kimberley, you mentioned that you expected shipping to run about $500? Is that right, or am I dreaming that? I was wondering with all of the boxes that you've gotten, if your shipping estimate is going up.
Maybe I should just send you a shipping donation instead of another box of stuff...
our agency used dhl for some things thats why I asked.
Kelley,
Yes, I think our postage costs will be higher because of the increased participation, but I have $325 in the postage fund right now which I think is pretty good and my husband said he will try to get paypal on the blog this week for the postage fund. So, I think we'll be ok. Like I said, if I don't have enough next month, we'll just ship it out as we can. We'll get it all there. I just want to get as much out in a big group as I can to take advantage of the discount on consecutive boxes.
I think it's great that you can get a discount on the multiple boxes. That will help.
Connie,
Then I will check with DHL. I am looking for a good deal, but with a guarantee that it will get there.
I'll call them and see what they can quote me. I am open to any help or suggestions. So, please if anyone has good ideas, send them my way.
I like how we can all feel free to share our feeling here without being tortured for it.
Nude huh? Even though it would save me from 12-15 loads of laundry today, not sure I would like to see it.
Kimberley, I was looking for Crystal's blog address in my book, and I didn't bookmark it or write it down. I have an invite to her blog...do you have the URL for it?
Nancy,
I have been thinking about you a lot lately. How are you guys doing? Did you get Gwen's address? I can get that one to you. The other got upset with me over her e-mail address, so I can't give out her address.
Kimberley, let me guess... one of your Spiritual Gifts is Administration??? You are so organized!!!!!!!!!!!!
gonna go get ready for the gym.
Not able to do alot of what I use to due to the hip and tailbone, but I do try. I was up to 3+ miles. Now it hurts if I try to push 2.
Yesterday cleaning the house was fun. Took me forever because I had to be extra cautious every time I had to get something off the floor.
Be careful, Nancy, and have a great day!
Crystal's blog is johnsonangels.blogspot.com
my comments are disappearing?
You did get the one that said my agency ships DHL to China some right?
Nancy. Sorry you are hurting. I can't run at all anymore due to an on-duty injury years ago. Well, let me say I am not supposed to, and haven't. However, a friend of mine runs marathons for fun (he's deranged!) and I am going to try to get in shape enough to run the Jingle Bell Fun Run with him in December. He asked me to last year and I almost peed my pants laughing. If I can lose the last 20 pounds, and wrap my ankle enough, I may be able to do it. Not for time, but just to finish it. It's only 5k.
Hi Everyone...I'm stepping in a little late today...just had a "dancing session" with DD & I am WIPED OUT!! I told her I need a break...so much for the gym! lol!
now I see it again, hmm I think all of our comments are making blogger go blitzo :):):)
Karen,
Thank you for saying that. I don't really know what my gifts are to be honest. I'm not too good at administration, but I do try to keep on top of things with this blog and do what I tell people that I will do. I feel like we are a support community and people have truly important needs here.
Thanks for that blog address, Kimberley! I'm trying to get all of my ducks in a row here, and that helps!
Yes Connie,
I got that one and I'm going to call DHL and check it out.
I need all the help I can get.
Thank you so much! The makeover is thanks to Connie and she is guiding me with the whole digital scrapbooking thing:) I am used to stamping my scrapbook pages,which I love the look, but the digital is nice because it's so changeable. I'm trying to do a mixture of both. Well, I am procrastinating...Have a wonderful morning everyone. I will try to check back later:)
Good Morning Patricia!
How is NYC this morning?
Good morning, Patricia!
Have a great morning Michelle!
It's been great as usual, everyone! I've got errands to run, and I'd better get going before the morning slips away from me...
You should take the SHAPE survey and find out. They do change as God sees fit. My main two are Service and Help. They have remained constant since I first began taking the assessments. The others have changed positions over the years, some get stronger, others weaker.
Nancy,
You are running now with your ice fall injuries?
Be careful.
Have a great weekend Kelley!
What is the Shape Survey? I have never heard of it before.
NYC is kind of cold & dreary...we had a snowstorm yesterday, but most of it's all slushy today...too bad...it would have been a great day to go sledding in Central Park.
I'm soooo ready for Spring even though we haven't had it too bad this winter.
I'm excited about that new link you posted, Kimberley! I have to check that out!
Have you all seen the new Give Away at "Ni Hao Y'All"? Stefanie is giving away a blog redesign...they are such an amazing family! They were in our original DTC group back in '05
Patricia,
I don't think I've seen that blog, I will have to go and check it out.
I love NYC. I was there right after 911, I have a friend who is a paramedic and went through the whole ordeal. I had to out there because he was in such despair and depression over it all.
I spent a lot of time in the museums, it's just an amazing place.
OMG...my heart goes out to all of those people who were down at the site helping out...such an awful time, yet the outpouring of love from so many people helping was so inspiring...I will never forget anything about that day...even now, when we go downtown, it's just hard to be in that area, despite the new construction going up.
NYC is amazing & I feel so lucky to have been born & raised here! THe museums are awesome...even Kiara likes them! lol! And that's hard when you're 3! :) The worst part though is lack of space...ANYWHERE!! But, everything has it's positives & negatives, right? It's all about choices & priorities I guess. :)
Hmmm...I hear some major paper ripping going right now...I have to check that out!
Have a WONDERFUL & blessed day, everyone!
Have a wonderful weekend Patricia!
SHAPE is one of the Spiritual Gifts assessments out there. There are others, you can find them in Family Christian and other bookstores.
Of course, I can't find my SHAPE one right now, but I do have "Your Spiritual Gifts Inventory" by charles V Bryant and the "Wagner-Modified Houts Questionnaire" by C. Peter Wagner and Richard F. Houts right here.
There are a series of 125 or so questions you answer. Each answer is weighted. You total up your score in each category and it assesses your Spritual Gifts.
That sounds really cool.
I honestly don't know. I can tell you that our new church has really been amazing. I am challenged and enlightened every Sunday.
Yes, your pastor, Jeff, reminds me of a younger version of our pastor, Tim. Other than your congregation being 3 times the size of ours, it is much like being here at home when I attend there on my visits with Kelly.
I'll bet your main gift is Encouragement.
I am going to have to meet you when you come up here the next time.
Our Pastor does a really great job I think.
And I can't believe how many internationally adopted children attend. Our church has children from all over the world.
BYW, if you take the assessment, Encouragement falls under the 'true' gift title of Exhortation. The ability to counsel, inspire, motivate, encourage, and strengthen others
I will tell that you this blog has brought that out in me, but I don't know if that was one of my gifts before or not.
I have been amazed by things I have seen since I started blogging. Both on my blog and the blogs of others. I have seen God do things that I didn't really think were possible. I have seen people be able to raise the money they need in short amounts of time. I have seen documents come in weeks that should have taken months. It really has built my faith considerably.
I think we're the last ones here. I couldn't believe you'd been going for an hour already when I joined in.
Hosted a Singles event here last night. After getting everyone gone and the place straightened up, writing my nightly letter to Rick, and starting to read one of my 'healing' books, it was after 1am before I fell asleep. I didn't set the alarm. Figured if I was supposed to chat today, I would get up in time without assistance. I didn't think it would be at 5:55 though. Thought it'd be later in the morning.
Oh well. What's a loss of sleep? Actually, 4-5 hours is what I usually get, unfortunately.
And how is Rick? Are you able to see him regularly? Really, I think this may be your guy...time will tell...but all the signs are good.
It always gets slow on the chat about now and then the west coast ladies jump on. Then I close up at about noon and they are all disappointed.
We'll see. This has been a pretty mellow group today. I could keep up with everyone.
Have you always had trouble sleeping or is this a recent thing?
Good Morning from Sunny California. Kimberly, I love what you have done for Starfish. I am praying for wisdom for you in deciding how to ship the items. I have shipped quite a bit of stuff to an orphanage in Malawi...and it is quite challenging.
www.heart4malawi.blogspot.com
Good Morning Chrissie,
Welcome to the chat!
What service did you use to ship your items?
If I want the box to be there in less than 6 weeks I use DHL. The options are limited in Malawi. Fedex Just got there about a month ago but they are a bit more money. It costs me $400 to send 15 pounds. And 15 pounds is not much when you are talking about clothes. The bigger issue has been customs....
When you send a box over seas you have to fill out a customs slip and write down every single item and what the value is. Then in Malawi...being the "official poorest" country in the world. Things either get stolen out of your box. OR the government charges the orphange fees depending on the value of the box. I have learned a few tricks....
I had another woman tell me to look into DHL this morning. I think I will give them a call and see what they can do. I don't know a lot about China's customs. I am hoping that everything will get there. I am worried about a box coming up missing.
Well...please share whatever you can. My e-mail is timnkim@gmail.com
I'll send you an email. I have posted quite a bit lately about box shipping on my blog. Thanks for what you do!
The orphanage in Malawi is where Savannah-Hope is.
www.heart4malawi.blogspot.com
Morning Chrissie.
No, Kimberley, we haven't seen each other at all since last Saturday. We haven't spoken to each other either. There have been a few email exchanges.
Even though I met him at a Singles retreat thru church, and he has gone through the 23 week Divorce Recovery program, and paperwork has been filed since last year, he is still legally and technically a married man. So, we agreed to not see each other, or talk to each other, until his divorce is final. It's hard, but it will be worth it. We want to be able to stand together with our heads held high, knowing that we both honored God by not dating while he was still legally bound to another even though she moved on last August and is living with someone else already.
Karen,
I think that is very noble. And I think that it is important to the right things and have a good solid and true foundation for your marriage.
Oh, did I say Marriage??
Sorry, it just slipped right out.
I will go to your blog Chrissie and see what I can learn. This is my first time shipping to China.
I write him letters every night which are in a binder. He'll get them when the time is right.
In the meantime, the messages we do share are usually Bible verses/passages we are finding that encourage us to stand firm and not let Satan shake our faith.
Re sleeping: I have had trouble sleeping for years and years and years. Been checked. Can't determine why.
Oh, are you related to Gwen and Crystal?
In Malawi you can't buy many things that you can here, so things get stolen quite a bit. I have been pretty blessed though that just about everything I have sent has made it...eventually. I just have to keep the numbers down on the value. You can't get underwear in malawi. People go crazy when I send underwear!
I think that is wonderful Karen...the letter part, not the lack of sleep.
I guess that different people can function with different levels of sleep. I'm a little crunchy with five, but I can get by. 8 is best for me.
I have known Crystal's 9 1/2 years. We used to work together in an orphanage in San Diego. I was the adoption worker for her oldest daughter. I am also good friends with Laura Nipper who knows Crystal and Gwen through me. Small World.
Wow, and to think we take underwear for granted. I have never asked if the Starfish babes need underwear. It wasn't on the list of requested items.
Wow, we know quite a few of the same people. It's a small world I guess.
Marriage. I like the sound of that. Don't know... can only hope and TIG.
Um, I'm going to display ny ignorance of world geography here... where is Malawi?
Wow, I just went to your blog Chrissie and it is fantastic. Did Verna do it?
I love all of the photos and I see little Savannah on there.
Karen has several nieces and nephews, but she is a good friend through her sister who has a daughter home from China and is in the process of adoption another from China right now. We are hoping she will be traveling soon.
I was actually that God used to find Savannah-Hope. Her finding story is on my blog posted Jan 1st 08. Its been fun chatting...harder for us on the west coast to participate with the time difference. Hope you both have a great day.
Ok, I'm going to look silly with you. Where is Malawi? I don't know either.
HI Karen,
I had my tickets purchased to go to Malawi before I even knew where it was! So don't feel bad! It is a skinny little country in Africa. Its in the South East near Mozembique. There is a picture of a map at the top of my side bar on my blog.
www.heart4malawi.blogpsot.com
Chrissie, I'm here on the West coast with you!
Kimberley, believe it or not, until Katie came along, ALL I had were nephews. Six rowdy boys.
Good morning ladies. Hope everyone is doing well this morning.
Malawi is the poorest country in the world. Used to be the third...but about 6 months ago slid down to the poorest. They have a population of 12 million. 2 million are orphans. Most orphaned from AIDS and Malaria. No open adoption program in Malawi for these orphans.
Now what agencies are adoption out of Malawi, do you know?
Hi their Laura! Looking forward to Aiden's B-Day party tomorrow! Don't you just love the sunshine!!!
Good Morning Laura,
How are you?
Their are no adoption agencies in Malawi. It is a "closed" country for international adoptions. Savannah's adoption is a leap of faith!
Chrissie, is your link right? I copied it into my browser and was sent to the Mega Site for Bible something.
I have a friend who has been on quite a few mission trips to Africa and wants to adopt there, but I had never heard that you could until Savannah.
hmm Karen...sorry about that. This should be the right link. I don't have the blog public cause I have so many of the orphans pictures on there.
www.heart4malawi.blogspot.com
We are doing well this morning.
It worked this time. Thanks!
Savannah-Hope's adotpion journey has been a complete and total leap of faith. I would love to run my own adoption agency in Malawi one day...see if God opens the door. Madonna has been a huge obstacle for us. You can type her name in the search box on my blog for more info on the affect she has had on our adoption and others in Malawi.I have nothing against her and it really isn't her fault. Just because of who she is...just has made things harder for us.
Well, it was nice chatting with you all. I gotta get going...lots of errands to run before I have to go to work.
I am heading for Honduras next weekend on a Mission trip. It, too, is a poor country.
Have a great week Chrissie.
Kimberley, I have to get going too.
Please keep me in your prayers. I have BIG abandonment issues and that is the button that Satan tries to push to make me fear this separation from Rick.
While waiting for his divorce to finalize, whenever that will be, my job is to work on my issues. This is a big test.
Thanks
Have a great Saturday and weekend.
Well girls,
It is noon, so I'm going to close down the chat. I have to get us ready for the Children's Museum.
I hope you have a great week next week though.
Poor Laura,
You just got on and I'm sorry to leave you so soon.
Have a great Sat everyone.
I'm going to do an update post for Starfish and then I have to get dressed and ready.
Thanks Laura,
Have a great week.
Hey, I can finally make it to the chat. I am 3 hours behind but I have a sick boy so no basketball for me today (or for him). Usually I am gone on Saturday mornings and can't make the chat and besides I love to sleep in so I am late anyhow.
LeeAnne, Glad you made it. sorry no one was here.
What a great morning - lots of fun chatting - I missed it because I was working - but I did want to put a word in - not that anyone will read it - I am just SO SORRY that it appeared that I was taking/copying an idea - I really am not on here very often - only one other Saturday - I HAD NO IDEA. Wow - Actually Gwen, a travelmate, was talking to me - suggested the blog idea where it was one central location for adoptive families/those that want to support adoption. I thought it was such a great idea - I had no idea it would step on toes - I am again, sorry. I certainly think there is room for more than one - and it doesn't really support me - it's supposed to help LOTS of people - that was the whole goal!!! Just wanted to throw that out there -I don't want to hurt anyone!!
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