Welcome to the Saturday Morning Chat Group! I am going to be driving to Kansas City and will miss the chat, but there is some important information that I wanted to roll out about the latest project.
If you go to the Chinese Starfish Blog, you can see that there are several babies who need surgeries in the very near future. One thing that I found really surprising is that Amanda has just recently been contacted by some larger orphanages and asked for help with fundraising for some of their babies.
The amount of money that needs to be raised seems so large, but when I thought about it, if we break it up into smaller amounts and have numerous blogs working to raise the funds, I think it can be done. I would like to encourage each of you to choose a baby from the Starfish Blog that you would like to sponsor during this fundraiser.
Verna is making fabulous links like the one above for each of the babies. The link will take people directly to the Starfish donation link. If each baby can have 5-8 sponsors, I would think that the money could be raised for their surgeries. Each blog that participates, touches that many more people. After everyone signs on, we will be able to calculate how much money each blog would need to raise in order to hit the totals needed.
Verna is donating all of her profits from her blog designs this month to the Starfish Surgeries. So, if you need a new blog look, please contact her.
I am going to meet with the Pastor of my church to see if they are willing to make a donation.
Please feel free to spread the word. We will distribute photo links to anyone who wants one.
April has raised a significant amount of the money that Breanna needs for her upcoming surgery, so she doesn't need as many sponsors as the other babes do.
Also, Amanda is fully aware of what we are doing, so leave her a comment and let her know how many people support her efforts and love the children she cares for.
Also, please keep Crystal and Savannah in your prayers. They are still in Africa.
Friday, April 04, 2008
Welcome to the Saturday Morning Chat Group...
Thursday, April 03, 2008
There is no place like home...A Special Thank You To My Husband...
It's been a while since I've been away from home for several days. I enjoyed my time in Chicago, but it feels so right tonight to be home with my family.
I want to do a special post for my husband. Thank you for always loving me. Thank you for always supporting me in everything that I do. Thank you for never asking me how we are going to pay for my latest project or how we're going to make it work. Thank you for sharing my faith and believing that God will find a way. Thank you for not complaining when you couldn't open the bottom 3 drawers of your dresser because boxes of baby clothes blocked them. Thank you for not freaking out when FedEx told us how much the postage would be. God provided and still is providing the way. I love you more than I can ever put into words.
On the way home the other day, you asked me what my next project was going to be. Thank you for embracing it when I told you tonight. The word is out...we're committed now : )
Monday, March 31, 2008
Heading for Chicago...
Today I am heading to Chicago for some corporate training. Yeah, that's going to be fun. BUT, I do love the Windy City and I haven't been there for a while, so I'm looking forward to it.
I don't know how much posting I'll be doing over the next 3 days that I'm away from home, but I'll try my best to keep in touch!
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Good Morning Everyone and Welcome to the Saturday Morning Chat Group!
Good Morning Everyone! I tell you , I have been battling with insomnia this week. I usually sleep like a rock, but lately I've been waking up in the middle of the night and then spend hours tossing and turning before I get back to sleep again. I'm not liking it.
Some important announcements:
Crystal who is in Malawi Africa to bring home Savannah Hope needs your prayers and support. There are some issues with her paperwork and she cannot come back to the US until they are resolved. I have heard that it could take up to a month for resolution, so please pray for a miracle here so that she return quickly to her children and husband with Savannah. Crystal's blog is 'Johnson Angels'.
Robin at 'Red Thread Stitches' is almost to the point of giving away another handmade quilt, so if you want to donate $1 to get your name into the drawing, you should get over to her blog quickly!
Thank you so much for your prayers and support for my Grandmother. Yesterday they put some type of a camera through her nose and into her lung. They were able to see the mass and remove a part of it to be analyzed. Please pray that there is no cancer.
Lastly, Tim and I are going to try to get at least 3 of the remaining Starfish boxes shipped out today. I don't think we have enough funds to send out the 4th box. I know that you all have given so much, but if anyone hasn't donated yet and would like to help, please make a donation to the Chip In postage fund.
Friday, March 28, 2008
The Saturday Morning Chat Group....Our View...
I am sure that most of you know about the Saturday Morning Chat Group, but if you don't, please take this post as an invitation to join us tomorrow morning from 8am to 12 noon.
The closest thing I can relate it to is the television show The View. There are many women who come each week and we talk about current events, what's happening with China adoption and what's happening in our lives. Some Saturdays are a little crowded and it seems a little crazy and others are more quiet and you can talk more one on one.
But if you are wanting to meet some more of the ladies in blogland or if you have questions about something with your adoption or your life, drop in and join us! Maybe I should start inviting special guests.
Mr. Brian, Michael and K1's friend are also welcome and any other gentlemen who wish to join in!
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Spring...
Today is the first morning that I have heard birds outside of my window. I had to open it up and let some cold air in to hear them for certain, but it was worth it. Regardless of the weather, I am declaring it Spring for me. I need it in my soul. This has been a long tough winter and I'm over it. I cleaned up my front porch yesterday. The snow that came 2 days ago is almost gone. The lake has really started to thaw. The sun is now up when I leave for work and it is still up when I come home. I can't tell you how much that really brightens my spirits.
Welcome Spring! I think I'm going to get a Springy skirt out to wear today and maybe some pumps that let my toes show. : )
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Quote for the Week...And A Question...
This is something that I am struggling with right now. I easily forgive most things, but when someone is repeatedly cruel and hurtful it is hard for me to keep forgiving over and over. There is someone in my life who is very hurtful, who is destructive to my family. Someone who shows little regard for our children or us. I am struggling to forgive them over and over for the awful things they say and do. It has been a constant struggle for years. I forgive and try to start over only to be absolutely crushed over and over. I know that God wants me to keep forgiving them. I think that I can do that, but I also think it is not healthy to maintain a relationship with them. Is it ok to forgive this person for all they have done, but to stay away from them so that it stops or at least isn't so visible to me or my family? Is it ok if it is someone in your own family?
Monday, March 24, 2008
Thank You Secret Buddy!
A very special Thank You to my Secret Buddy. I just love the little easter bunny that you sent, but what really is meaningful to me is the small cross. Each of my children has a small cross over the doorway to their bedroom, except for Zach who has his over his bed. This little cross will be Sophia's and I will place it over her doorway tonight. It will hang there as long as she is a child in this house.
I read on our Yahoo Group messages that next month is our last month and that we are to reveal ourselves. I want you to know how sad this makes me. You have been such an amazing person and I have really looked forward to your gifts each month. I voted yes for a new group to be formed, but I know that I will never get another person like you, it just isn't possible.
I will miss you so much as my secret buddy, but I look forward to knowing who you are and being able to get to know you.
Please Pray for my Grandmother...
Please pray for my Grandma Peggy. I received a phone call this weekend from my Aunt telling me that doctors found some type of a growth about one inch in diameter in my Grandmother's lung. I spoke with my Grandmother yesterday and she is doing her best to stay strong and positive but I can tell that she is afraid. We all are afraid. Hopefully we will know more by the end of the week. Thank you for your prayers, I know that they will help.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Saturday, March 22, 2008
A Big Day for Eli...
Today was a big day for Eli. We went to Chucky Cheese (yes, if you know me you are completely shocked by this revelation). I did go to Chucky Cheese. He loved it and had a blast.
Then we went to the mall to see the Easter Bunny. He was so excited about getting to see him, but when the moment arrived to actually talk with him...this is what we got. See Below. He was not liking the Bunny AT ALL. Those pictures were not taken at the same time...this is the response I got to 'smile'.
Here are some photos from Chucky Cheese...just to prove I was there.
Welcome To The Saturday Morning Chat Group!
Friday, March 21, 2008
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Starfish Update! Our First 6 Boxes Arrived at Starfish Today...
Great news everyone! Our boxes made it through customs and arrived at the Starfish Foster Home today. Below is an e-mail that I received from Amanda. I can't wait to see the pictures!
Life, Love and Laughter,
