I mentioned this orphanage in my earlier post today. I was able to find their website online (I couldn't remember their name, so I had to search for it). They are fine. They felt the earthquake and of course, the aftershocks, but their buildings do not appear to be damaged. They had to sleep out on the drive last night. Dixie (the director) wrote in her blog that she was worried about it being too cold for the babies because it got down to around 60 degrees! Thank goodness they're in a warm climate. I'm putting the link to their website in the "Links I Love" section of my blog page.
This is a non-profit Christian orphanage. The website is very informative and easy to navigate. They have many needs, and are quite clear on how we can help them (not just because of the earthquake).
Check it out!
1.13.2010
PRAY for Haiti
As I write this, the news out of Haiti is devastating. I can only imagine that it will get worse as communication is restored. We must pray for the people of Haiti.
Last night, I heard several phone interviews with missionaries in Haiti. They were able to call out due to generators on their property. Because it was already dark, they were unable to provide much real time information. They did, however, talk about the lack of infrastructure in the country, the fact that they could hear their neighbors screaming for help, and the destruction of their own homes. Every single person that I heard interviewed last night said, "there's no 911 here." We must pray for the people of Haiti.
This morning the reports are that the Presidential Palace has collapsed. I saw video of the collapsed building next to a photograph of the building when it was whole, it was unbelievable. The UN Mission building is said to have collapsed. There are reports that up to 9,000 UN workers in the country have not been heard from. Of course, that could be due to the lack of communication, but regardless, it's clear that the people there to help the Haitians have been profoundly affected by this event. We must pray for the people of Haiti.
Here in the US, it's hard for us to imagine the conditions that are normally present in Haiti. There is literally no infrastructure. They have no emergency services, there is no potable water, the buildings are not subject to building codes. The people are poverty stricken, homeless, hungry, and ill. I heard a missionary say that even when they show Americans photos of what they deal with in Haiti, the Americans cannot comprehend it. We must pray for the people of Haiti.
The TLC Channel used to have a program "Adoption Stories". I loved to watch it. Several episodes featured an orphanage in Haiti. I can't get it out of my mind. Is their building intact, are the children safe, were there couples in Haiti waiting to take their new child home that were caught up in this disaster? I must pray for the people of Haiti.
Now, I know, we all have many, many things to pray for. Prayer requests that are more personal. But for today, we must ask God to protect and equip the missionaries in Haiti. We must pray for their safety, stamina, strength, and faith. We must pray for the injured, the trapped, the overwhelmed medical personnel. We must pray for the children. We must pray for the people of Haiti.
Last night, I heard several phone interviews with missionaries in Haiti. They were able to call out due to generators on their property. Because it was already dark, they were unable to provide much real time information. They did, however, talk about the lack of infrastructure in the country, the fact that they could hear their neighbors screaming for help, and the destruction of their own homes. Every single person that I heard interviewed last night said, "there's no 911 here." We must pray for the people of Haiti.
This morning the reports are that the Presidential Palace has collapsed. I saw video of the collapsed building next to a photograph of the building when it was whole, it was unbelievable. The UN Mission building is said to have collapsed. There are reports that up to 9,000 UN workers in the country have not been heard from. Of course, that could be due to the lack of communication, but regardless, it's clear that the people there to help the Haitians have been profoundly affected by this event. We must pray for the people of Haiti.
Here in the US, it's hard for us to imagine the conditions that are normally present in Haiti. There is literally no infrastructure. They have no emergency services, there is no potable water, the buildings are not subject to building codes. The people are poverty stricken, homeless, hungry, and ill. I heard a missionary say that even when they show Americans photos of what they deal with in Haiti, the Americans cannot comprehend it. We must pray for the people of Haiti.
The TLC Channel used to have a program "Adoption Stories". I loved to watch it. Several episodes featured an orphanage in Haiti. I can't get it out of my mind. Is their building intact, are the children safe, were there couples in Haiti waiting to take their new child home that were caught up in this disaster? I must pray for the people of Haiti.
Now, I know, we all have many, many things to pray for. Prayer requests that are more personal. But for today, we must ask God to protect and equip the missionaries in Haiti. We must pray for their safety, stamina, strength, and faith. We must pray for the injured, the trapped, the overwhelmed medical personnel. We must pray for the children. We must pray for the people of Haiti.
1.11.2010
Standing Up
On her seven month birthday, my granddaughter decided to stand up! The above photo is her first time to pull herself up.
(Love the hairstyle!)
Over the next few days she perfected the move...
Now she regularly pulls herself up on anything and everything.She's also started making funny noises with her tongue, which
it looks like she's doing in this photo.
Thanks for your patience while I brag!
1.07.2010
Seven Months Old
We went to the daycare yesterday to get seven month pictures with our granddaughter. She looked so cute, and was happy to see us. My heart just melts when she smiles! She laughs at us a lot, I guess we're funnier than I realized.
Katie sent us a text picture as we were eating dinner last night, the baby pulled herself up in her crib for the first time! Before long she'll be toddling all over the place.
Our official seven month photo
Wow, look at the time!
This picture is blurry because she's bouncing herself in my lap!
Katie sent us a text picture as we were eating dinner last night, the baby pulled herself up in her crib for the first time! Before long she'll be toddling all over the place.
Our official seven month photo
Wow, look at the time!
This picture is blurry because she's bouncing herself in my lap!I love the expression on her face, & she's laughing.
Ooohh, look at the light...
Ok, I'll look at the camera.
Ooohh, look at the light...
Ok, I'll look at the camera.1.04.2010
Staying Put
We just got some good news today. We will be staying put in our rental for another year. Actually, I'm of two minds about this news. The positive is that we won't have the expense of moving, we don't have to pack everything up again, we will have a longevity of two years at this address when we go to buy. The negative is that it is very difficult to be a renter after owning a home for so many years. You can't paint, you can't have the flooring you want, you're unwilling to invest TOO much into the landscaping because it's not yours.
We are so grateful to have this home. One year ago today we were living in absolute limbo. Would our house be saved, would we lose it, would anyone rent to us, would we have to go to an apartment, would we be living in our car? Sounds melodramatic now, but it was all too real then.
This home has offered us peace of mind. It has offered us security. We have the greatest neighbors and are so blessed that they have established relationships with us when they know we're just renters. (Dan says it's because we're old and quiet!)
So, today I can stop worrying about next year. I know where we'll be. Now, I can worry about other things, like... do I look older than Dan now?!
We are so grateful to have this home. One year ago today we were living in absolute limbo. Would our house be saved, would we lose it, would anyone rent to us, would we have to go to an apartment, would we be living in our car? Sounds melodramatic now, but it was all too real then.
This home has offered us peace of mind. It has offered us security. We have the greatest neighbors and are so blessed that they have established relationships with us when they know we're just renters. (Dan says it's because we're old and quiet!)
So, today I can stop worrying about next year. I know where we'll be. Now, I can worry about other things, like... do I look older than Dan now?!
1.02.2010
Christmas Jars & Five Dollars Savings Account
I think I've mentioned before that I read a book, "The Christmas Jars" by Jason Wright a few years ago. It is a great story and very inspirational. After reading it, I wanted to start a Christmas Jar of my own, but circumstances interfered and I've been unable to. Until now. I started my Christmas Jar for 2010 on 12/31/09. I'm using a wide mouth quart canning jar, and it is already about 1/5 full. I'm so excited. I'm praying every day that God will lead me to the right person to donate the jar to. I'll keep you posted.
Last week on the news one night, they did a story about people saving $5 bills for a year. I guess this is a well-known savings gimmick, but I'd never heard of it. Whenever you spend cash, and get change, you immediately remove the $5 bills and save them. The reporter tried it and saved $940 in one year. Now, I don't know about you, but to me, that's a LOT of money! So, we decided to try it this year. I'm happy to report that I've saved $10 so far.
The secret to making both of these experiences work is cash. We used to only use cash for our groceries, but then, somehow we got in the habit of using the debit card. This year we're back to cash. Not only does that give me the chance to collect $5 bills and change for the Christmas Jar, it also makes us spend less.
I've placed a link to the Christmas Jar website and to the author's blog on my blog. Check it out. If you can, find the book and read it. Even if you don't do a Christmas Jar, it's a great story.
Last week on the news one night, they did a story about people saving $5 bills for a year. I guess this is a well-known savings gimmick, but I'd never heard of it. Whenever you spend cash, and get change, you immediately remove the $5 bills and save them. The reporter tried it and saved $940 in one year. Now, I don't know about you, but to me, that's a LOT of money! So, we decided to try it this year. I'm happy to report that I've saved $10 so far.
The secret to making both of these experiences work is cash. We used to only use cash for our groceries, but then, somehow we got in the habit of using the debit card. This year we're back to cash. Not only does that give me the chance to collect $5 bills and change for the Christmas Jar, it also makes us spend less.
I've placed a link to the Christmas Jar website and to the author's blog on my blog. Check it out. If you can, find the book and read it. Even if you don't do a Christmas Jar, it's a great story.
1.01.2010
New Year Ramblings
1. Happy New Year! I can't believe it's 2010, it seems like just yesterday we were waking up to see if Y2K had occurred! (it didn't) Last year I approached 2009 with optimism, this year I'm approaching 2010 with confidence.
2. Check out the new features on the blog. I got this really cool calendar, and it has New Word, On This Day, and Take a Break features. I thought it would be fun to put them on the blog. Plus, I've added a Today's Quote feature. Let me know what you think.
3. The Christmas Corner feature will be going on hiatus. I'll start it back up in the spring, or when I get my Hallmark Ornament catalog for 2010. The Christmas Countdown will stay in place, it's NEVER too early to start thinking about Christmas at my house!
4. A few days ago I was talking about what I was going to do for my Quiet Time this year. Well, I decided at the last minute that I'm going to read my NIV/Message Bible. I'm going to start with Job, one of my favorite OT books, and then see where I'm led next.
5. Thanks for reading my blog. I so enjoy writing it, and I'm just thrilled when I get a comment! Now, here we go... off into the unknown of 2010. Just be sure to enjoy the ride!
2. Check out the new features on the blog. I got this really cool calendar, and it has New Word, On This Day, and Take a Break features. I thought it would be fun to put them on the blog. Plus, I've added a Today's Quote feature. Let me know what you think.
3. The Christmas Corner feature will be going on hiatus. I'll start it back up in the spring, or when I get my Hallmark Ornament catalog for 2010. The Christmas Countdown will stay in place, it's NEVER too early to start thinking about Christmas at my house!
4. A few days ago I was talking about what I was going to do for my Quiet Time this year. Well, I decided at the last minute that I'm going to read my NIV/Message Bible. I'm going to start with Job, one of my favorite OT books, and then see where I'm led next.
5. Thanks for reading my blog. I so enjoy writing it, and I'm just thrilled when I get a comment! Now, here we go... off into the unknown of 2010. Just be sure to enjoy the ride!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)