Advent~ I love this time of year.

It is only Christ alone who can make Christmas~ Ann Voskamp

So many good Advent activities, books, devotionals out there....   I have collected a few through the years. I was reading over at Kristen's blog. Her blog post 30 Ways to make Christmas Meaningful is wonderful. Several of these we do.. and several I want to start. Plus she is having a give away!

Advent: a time of waiting and preparing for Jesus...

Jesus is the Light of the World

Our Cradle to the Cross Wreath made by Caleb Voskamp

I will be sharing more... all through this month about Advent.

May you prepare your hearts for Jesus' coming~

Make a difference~ sponsor a child today!

Grace~

Seeing the Bigger Picture~

Our black Friday didn't have any fighting for a sale item..... or running fast to get to a sale item. I know that is how lots of people "do" black friday but for us....  that is not the norm. We wanted to buy several Jesus Story Book Bibles ... like I shared in my last post.

We had a great time.

At our last stop we went by Petsmart. We always like to go by there.... you see for about 2 years my children have wanted a Bearded Dragon. I am the animal person...  and I think they are cute! On this day... they were half price. Alyssa and I kept looking at them. Alyssa kept saying "Mom, it can be an early Christmas present for the boys and me."   Well, we would have to buy the starter kit... and food, and a rock.... and dishes for food and water...  

I just couldn't bring myself to spend the money.... 

We left... and as we were driving out of the busy, dark parking lot.... there was a man... standing on the corner... with a sign... that read...

HAPPY HOLIDAYS
TRYING TO SURVIVE

He didn't make eye contact......

as we drove away...   Alyssa said "we should do something...give him something."

I turned around...   told her to get a few dollars out of my purse. She asked about the extra food we had from our previous meal.  All of  this took maybe 3-4 minutes...  

I drove up to the place where the man was standing just a few minutes earlier...

He was gone.

I said "where is he?"   

We looked all around, we drove around several times... looking for him.   

We didn't see him anywhere.

As we drove away....  

We just looked at one another. A little stunned. She said, "we missed our chance."  We were quiet... both thinking....

After about 30 minutes...  she said "you know that money we would of spent on a bearded dragon... we could save more then 10 lives by buying a net to fight malaria." I shook my head ... "yes." 

I wonder where that man is....   wonder if he is cold tonight as the temps drop down to 38 and it is wet and soggy.  

I wonder if it was "Jesus" reminding us of what's really important.

Sponsor a child... change a life forever~
Grace~

This new way of seeing things...

 To be honest ... I am struggling some with this NEW way of LIFE for me... for us.  First let me explain a little.

I do not share many details about our personal life.  Every now and then I do but I realize that God's grace is sufficient and as Maureen says ...  "this far I have come and this far the Lord has brought me."

Our lifestyle is not of wealth...  at least not materially.  My husband was in the military for several years. He is  disabled with a back injury and severe agorphobia. We have always been a one income family. We both believe children are a gift from God. We are convicted to home school our children. We have really struggled through the years financially. Our home is a very modest one... needing much repair. We buy used, we do hand me downs.... and we buy generic products.

For years we have bought less and have given more.  We have centered this time of year around what it is really all about. We usually do an Advent Unit Study. We take the whole month of December and part of January and it all centers around Jesus. I love this time of year. 

Alyssa and I did do the black friday thing. I know several who do not like this day...  the chaos and spending, spending, spending. Again, we do it different. It was fun. We had a great time. The main reason we went was for these....

Lifeway had the Jesus Story Book Bibles on sale for $5. Several of the kids we work with on Wednesday do not have a bible. Several only come to the children's program on Wednesday. We love the JSBB. We also bought this ...

This new way of thinking.... new perspective ... has changed the way I see life. It is hard to sort through.... to put into words. God continues to show me...  I am so thankful for the peace that comes from this.

Last week I asked Wyatt & Wesley...

"What about on your birthday if we just give each other gifts but we do not give any gifts to you?"  Wyatt said, "But its MY birthday... why would you get gifts?" 

good question.

grace=free gift from God~

Make a difference today and forever~ sponsor a child today!
Grace~

More Thanskgiving... Life style not just a day~

This morning when I woke up...   it was to a nice gift.  Ann Voskamp from Holy Experience is giving a free app to "One Thousand Gifts."   Not the book... but the Thankful list.  It is a way for you to make a list on your smart phone and read little snippets of GRACE, JOY, MERCY, PEACE, THANKSGIVING



Here's a few snippets~

"Wherever you are be fully there."

"When you are in need of a miracle, always remember, thanksgiving-the Eucharist-always precedes the miracles."

"Grace is to be given, just as Jesus did in his last meal. He did not receive grace but he gave it for us."

"It takes 20 minutes for your mind to know that your stomach is full. How long does it take your soul to know your life is full?"

"We can't expect joy all the time but look for it in everything."

Because Thanksgiving is more than holiday– It’s the Way to Wake up to Really, Fully Living~Ann Voskamp

So visit Ann and get the free app. I love it already! Thanks, Ann.

Give a gift that last a lifetime~ sponsor a child today!
Grace~

Thankful~

We had a busy weekend... and start of the week.  Today I took Dakota to the dentist for a consult about his wisdom teeth. We went to a nearby city.  Much bigger than we have here.  So afterward we went shopping. It was just Mandi, Dakota, Alyssa and I.  The little boys were home with Dad. We had a good time.  My favorite stop was at Hobby Lobby!  They had all their Christmas things half off!  I found lots of little things to send to our sponsored children!

So since we have already celebrated Thanksgiving last Thursday with Mike/Amber this Thursday I plan to do a "Thankful party" with the kids and us.  If you have any ideas, activities or games please leave me a comment or two! The menu will be "finger foods." We will play some games and do a craft I think....  watch some special movies... and just be together.   I would love for you to share!

One of many pics we took this past week. All our children & daughter in law Amber. They were laughing at the puppy.

We are still so excited about EDWIN being sponsored! God continues to encourage me. These young girls continue to come into my life.  Another one of Alyssa's friends has been praying about sponsoring and looking at the children that need sponsors!  Also another teen  (and her mom) is asking questions and plan to sponsor!

God is faithful. 

Thankful for so many things....  


Sponsor a child today, change a life forever!
Grace~

Just have to share! EDWIN is sponsored!!

GOD IS FAITHFUL. He hears our prayers!   Hez left me a comment saying that she saw on Our Compassion that Edwin was sponsored! 

We are so very happy.... so thankful.  The BEST Thanksgiving gift ever!  Now we will be able to see how Edwin is through Our Compassion.  

Oh, Edwin we love you ....   Edwin I know that Stephanie will love you too... she will write to you and your life will be forever changed.

Wow...   God is so great!

You can change a life too! Sponsor today!
Grace~

A Week Early

Our Thanksgiving came a week early....    Michael and Amber couldn't make it for Thanksgiving but made it this week! 

This is the first time since June that we have all been together. Life continues to change....  and we just try to go with it.  Sometimes it is hard for me but I am so thankful we were all here together. It was crazy and loud but so much fun. They played board games, wii, jumped on the trampoline...  even had pillow fights on the trampoline!

One of the things we do each Thanksgiving ~ I buy a flat twin sheet and we put it on our table...  and everyone gets to draw on it. Amber likes to draw and so she does great work! We write "HAPPY THANKSGIVING."  We have about 3-4 sheets with different hand prints, signatures, verses, pictures...  maybe one day i will make a quilt out of them.

Of course Alyssa added our sponsored children~

Amber added my sister and her two cats.

A great visit....  I am so thankful for my family. I am sure I will be posting several pictures in the coming weeks. God is faithful.

I am so thankful for Mike & Amber. I love them dearly.

 God continues to show me His grace, mercy and peace~

Be a Blessing to someone today!

Grace~

Girls with hearts for Compassion

All of you know that my daughter Alyssa loves Compassion as much as I do. She started a blog back in August. She shares all about her two sponsored children Jazzy Rain and Regita. 

Her friend Claire also sponsors Channu, Alicia and Maganga. Claire started her blog a few weeks after Alyssa.  Claire loves Compassion!

Almost a week ago...  Alyssa & Claire's friend Hannah started a blog.  Hannah sponsors a little boy named Dipok. She loves getting together with these girls and she loves Compassion.

Last but not least ....  just this weekend  Evie... Claire's younger sister made a blog. She sponsors a little boy named Simon.

These four girls sponsor children from the Philippines, Indonesia, India, Tanzania, El Salvador, Bangladesh.

These girls... encourage me so much.  They are the next generation....   they are making a difference in the life of these children.   They are being "Jesus" to them.   We can learn so much from them...   they are not selfish. They are loving, kind and giving. They will get together and talk about sponsoring MORE!  None of these girls work yet. They range in age from 10-14.  They wait anxiously for the mail...  and they write to their kids atleast once a month.. sometimes more. When they receive any updates or letters they call all the others! They bring all their letters and Compassion stuff to the park and show each other.

God is faithful.  I am so thankful...  for my girls... Alyssa, Claire, Hannah & Evie...  you are changing the world .. one child at a time!   I love you much~

**also, thank you for praying with me for Edwin.  Still waiting....  


You can make a difference today.... sponsor a child!
Grace~

He is so heavy on my heart.....

As we looked at all the Ecuadorian children.... we saw the cutest, sweetest little boy. He looked so little... younger then 6. He has been waiting for more than 6 months. Alyssa and I have been praying that Dakota would decide to sponsor. He is our 18 yr old. Dakota listens as we read the letters we receive from Ucok, Bethlem, Jazzy or Regita. He is working and going to college. A few days ago he mentioned he was thinking of sponsoring.

Edwin~ 6yrs old from Ecuador

But we showed Dakota and we even asked him.... he said he had thought of it. I really want him to sponsor Edwin. I can not force him.... this is truly something someone has to decide on their own. God has to be in it.
So I am asking you to look at Edwin and share with all your friends/family. He makes me smile every time I see his picture!

Sponsor a child today!
Grace~

We can all do Something~

As the Compassion Bloggers flew to Ecuador...  Alyssa and I started looking at the pictures of the children from Ecuador needing sponsors!  So many with little red hearts.... waiting and waiting....

We decided that we would pick three each and pray for them... that they would be sponsored. 

We picked:

Alyssa's pick~   Kathrine, Jhary, & Carlos
My picks~  Mateo, Marcel, & Michael

As we went back to the website .....  we could not find any of them! I know that doesn't always mean they were sponsored but...   we hope they were. 

Now we pick three more....

Alyssa's picks~ Melany, Abigail, & Jazeel. She will show pics of these on her blog. Please take a look. All three of them have been waiting longer then 6 months!

My picks~ Edwin (which I have a special prayer request for and maybe God will answer and I will be able to share with you.), Josue, & John.

Josue 14 yrs old 

John 12 (13 on the 23rd)

All of these children that we are praying for have been waiting 6 months. If you would like to sponsor one of these boys....   click on the their names to learn more about them! I will share more about Edwin ... and share his picture with you soon.

Grace~ Teena
A Wonderful Christmas present to a child... sponsor a child today!

Letting us come along with them....

Its amazing to me how Compassion allows us to come along with them to places we would never be able to go....   well... maybe some day. 

This week the Compassion Bloggers are in Ecuador! I can't hardly even read without tears coming to my eyes.  I do love reading Ann's best.  They rip up my heart. I also love to read Shaun's blog posts. Several of the other bloggers are funny and amazing too! Please take a few minutes and read some of the posts.  I promise you they will speak to you...

When I read Ann's post about the Farmer and his first day in Ecuador... I thought.... this is so good. The best.... 

but then I read yesterday's post ....  about her daughter's sponsored child....  and ...

oh my.... oh my....

wow.. it will really put things into perspective.

Take a few minutes and read some of  Ann's, Shaun's... or the other bloggers post.   

Here is a video clip of one of the days in Ecuador.  Please pause the music at the bottom.

Will you sponsor a child today....   please look at the beautiful children ... waiting for YOU. Like Lidia was waiting for HOPE.

So many with little red hearts which means they have been waiting for more then 6 months! Lidia waited 3 years...  

I can not tell you how much these post have just broken my heart this week. It makes it all more real.May God break our hearts for the poor and needy.

“Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy.” Ezekiel 16:49

Grace~ Teena
Be the HOPE in a child's life today...

The Winner is.....

            Drum roll please..................

Hez!

....

Thank you for your comments! I appreciate knowing someone is reading. Hez, please send me your address and I will send you your free book! My new email is teenabrowneyedgirl4@gmail.com

Don't forget to follow the Compassion Bloggers. They are now in Quito... in Ecuador! Pray for them!

I haven't forgotten ... I will share with you what God has led Alyssa and I to do... as we follow the bloggers!

Grace~ Teena

Give a forever gift for Christmas... sponsor a child!

Follow the Bloggers to Ecuador!

I love when Compassion Bloggers  take a trip... and allow us to come along with them. Yes, through our computers...  but it allows us to see a glimpse of what poverty looks like.

Kelly, Amanda, Ann, Sophie, Melanie along with Shaun Groves, Keely and  Patricia will be traveling to Ecuador this coming week. Take some time and follow them...  let yourself peek into a different place in the world... let God open your heart to make a difference in the life of a child today.  Pray for these as they go....   pray as several of these bloggers will be meeting their sponsored child! I am excited for them... and for us as we follow along this coming week.

In the next post I will share with you what Alyssa and I will be doing ....   praying that God does a great work in Ecuador. 


also if you haven't left a comment to win my drawing...  please do so below.

Grace~ Teena
Change a life today~

Hope Lives~ Book Give away~

Hope Lives~ Journey of Restoration Devotional Book

Compassion changes everything..... the way you view yourself, the world and even Jesus. This five week exploration of compassion touches the head and the heart.

How you can win....  leave a comment sharing about your sponsored child,  share this on fb, share on your blog.....   or sponsor a child today!  Everything gets one entry but if you sponsor a child today you get 10!

I do have two sweet children that are waiting on you to change their life forever... 

Amit Singh

He is 11 years old and from India. Isn't he so sweet. I can see his smile.... just a bit. Wouldn't it be a wonderful Christmas present for him to find out he has a sponsor?!

Nabukalu Robinah

She is 16 yrs old. She is from Uganda. I look at the sadness in her face. I wonder if she has been sponsored before or maybe she never received any letters telling her how precious and special she is. Telling her how much God loves her. Yes, an awesome Christmas gift would be for Nabukalu to find out she has a sponsor!

Can't wait to read all the comments. I love hearing from each one of you. May God give you His grace and peace this weekend.

I will pick the winner on Tuesday November 8th. The day I was married 31 yrs ago.

Grace~ Teena

Change the world, one child at a time...

When Life doesn't turn out the way you thought it would...

Been reading lots lately. I like to read. I do not have a lot of quiet moments to sit and read...  I like it to be somewhat quiet. So I tend to read snippets but the past week or so I have been reading more. At the beginning of every year I list my reading list for the year. There is one problem ... I continue to add more books during the year! Needless to say I am far from finished and will take several with me right into 2012!

A while back I received Kisses from Katie in the mail. Alyssa quickly stole it and she is reading it now. I will read it too.... 

I am finishing up Plan B by Pete Wilson. It is a great book (one of those added during the year). A friend shared how it ministered to her after one of our friends lost their sixteen year old daughter in a car wreck. I would like to share a "snippet" or two with you...  

"if you try to overcome your Plan B, your problem, your junk, your sin, on your own, it will beat you. Surrender your will, humble yourself, as scary as that is, and then another kind of life becomes possible." ~ Plan B pg 133

"It's amazing the bright light God allows our lives to become when we give Him all we have in the midst of the darkness."  ~ Plan B pg 120

"My greatest fear fro my life and for yours is that we'll just get busy and distracted and settle for a mediocre, unexamined life. It's that we'll just settle into life as usual and never become the persons God intended for us to be." ~Plan B pg195

Just a few snippets. 

Sometimes life doesn't turn out the way we thought it would....  this book really helped me see that God works in our Plan B lives.  God never leaves you.  "What ever your challenge, you will get through this. Because no matter how things look God is with you." ~Pete Wilson

Grace~ Teena
Sponsor a child today~ change the life of a child forever