Oh, the places we've been!
On Thursday….Thanksgiving Day—I am at Laced with Grace!
On Friday—I conclude the 90 Day Jesus the One and Only Bible Study!
Also on Friday, I am over having coffee with YOU and anyone else that is joining before or after shopping—at the Cafe!!
So—-where are YOU???
This coming Saturday, November 22nd, is National Family Volunteer Day and we want to inspire you and your family to share Christ through volunteering in your own local community or as part of an international volunteer program!
Here is just an example of how one of our contributors at Crosswalk.com, Sharon Brani, and her family were led to volunteer their time and energy together as a family mission. How will your family be blessed through embarking on a new family outreach? I look forward to hearing your stories of how God has and will work through you and your family this Family Volunteer Day and throughout the year! Help us spread the word by blogging about Family Volunteer Day and giving your blog readers examples of how they can offer their time and service.
The Gift Goes On: Choosing a Family Outreach
Editor’s Note: November 22nd marks National Family Volunteer Day. Below, Crosswalk.com contributor Sharon Brani shares the blessings she and her daughters experience through their involvement in family outreach. If your family is interested in locating family-friendly volunteer opportunities, resources with links can be found at the end of this article.
It all began in 1993 when I, a single woman in her early forties, adopted a six month old baby girl from Russia. God’s Hand was so evident in even the timing of her adoption. On Christmas Eve of 1993 my life was changed when I became the mother of Noelle. And although many people refer to the blessing that my daughter received through adoption, I have always known that the gift was mine.
The miracle of adoption always shines with the wonder of God’s plan and purpose. There are no accidents. No mistakes. The little one wrapped in a pink blanket was His Touch to my life, breathing fresh hope and healing. He knew all about the pain of my divorce. He knew about the shattered dreams and broken heart. He knew and so graciously provided the gift of a very special child who for years afterward would bless me with incredible joy and laughter.
In 2000, God whispered within my spirit once more that there was another little girl that needed me. I questioned. I prayed. And after long months of waiting and even a failed adoption, I finally came home with my second daughter from Russia. Jenny, too, became His very special gift of grace and love to my heart. My two daughters continue to bless me and the lives of many others. What precious gifts from the Father’s Hand!
But it does not stop there. In fact, the story is only beginning.
In late 2007, my girls and I talked and prayed about a family mission for the new year. We tossed about various ideas. We were already supporting a child in India. We participated in the yearly Christmas shoebox ministry where shoeboxes are filled and sent to another part of the world to bless a child at Christmas. What else could we do?
After searching the internet and speaking with other adoptive parents we finally decided to adopt the Shoes For Orphans Souls project led by Buckner International Adoptions in Texas. Their website explained the process clearly so with open hearts we agreed to make this our own project for 2008.
I was so touched when each girl asked to go to the local shoe store to purchase their first pair of new shoes. My oldest, after much deliberation, chose a small pair of white DCs. She not only took them into her church youth group the next day to promote the shoes for children idea but also continues to keep them attached to her book bag. With brown eyes sparkling, she tells everyone that this is only the first pair that she will buy to help an orphan somewhere… Continue Reading Here
God Bless You and Your Family,
Kristie Rutzel, Salem Web Network Marketing Coordinator
Line: 804.205.9700 Ext . 152 Fax: 804.205.9648
111 Virginia St., Suite 500 Richmond, VA 23219
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| From Carmel Seasons Tea 2008 |
After you click on the “picture” to view the video…go on down and see the entire slideshow of pictures!
Girls, I just popped over to Lori—my dear friend who I have YET to hug—and she had this link on her blog and invited me to visit another “Angie”. Go over to Bring the Rain and read…soak it in….but above all—pray. There is much to be done—many lives to be touched—reached for God in these last days….and we must pray.
Read her post entitled, “Seven Prayers a Day”. YOU will be blessed!
Close your eyes (after you click play) and fellowship with the LORD. Worship the Lamb of God..
Agnus Dei—Latin for “Lamb of God”….
Worthy is the Lamb—You are holy–
I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NIV)
The sight of our Nation’s flag always sends a thrill over my heart. Many times even tears to my eyes. To know how hard fought our freedoms have come is not something I take lightly. The fact that I am free to express my love for Jesus Christ to the world wide web—without fear that someone will come and rip my home apart to deprive me of my Word.
A nation without the Word is a nation truly deprived. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1
Thank you Father, for the freedom we have, for those who have fought hard and long to obtain it and those who continue the fight to keep it so. May Your unlimited blessings flow into their lives as they forge on, following Your path! In the precious name of Your only Son, Jesus~Amen.
….For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. 2 Timothy 1:12
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
Photographs by Marilyn Chancey © Copyright 2008. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Mark your calendars!
Internet Cafe Devotions will be celebrating the holidays this year with lots of great things for you to participate in! There will be six weeks of celebrating going on and it will happen on Thursdays.
We will start on Thursday, November 20 with Holiday Traditions & Ideas. You’ll be able to post on your very own blog all about your family’s traditions and maybe even give us some ideas on new traditions for our families.
Click on the button above and head over to the Cafe for all the details and to join in yourself! It’s going to be a fun way to get into the Spirit and even pick up a few surprises along the way!
Yes….we had a good time….YES I was mentally and PHYSICALLY exhausted when they went home….boys are boys…and there was some wrestling….running….playing….and even some major whining (not all of it was mine either)….and the little cutiepie that is the youngest says, “I not you best fwend anymore”(he says YOU not your)….EVERY TIME he gets upset with you….or if he doesn’t get his way. So…I have only 2 best friends now….the older two. But even they weren’t my best friend the whole time they were here either.
I still don’t think I have unclinched my teeth from the stress….(I have a tendency to do that in my sleep)…and Jeff said I snored last night. I told him…”Well, at least I was able to sleep”. A little bit. My headache is still close enough that I know it’s there….my throat hurts when I swallow and yes, I am whining. So, Jeff, you still gonna be my best fwend?
Can I file a report for hurricane “Grandson” damage??? Anyone??? help?
I’ll be on the Sisters of Faith site tomorrow…..Lord willing.
FROGS?? DID I SAY FROGS??
Yes! Head on over to the Cafe` girls….bring your cup of coffee or tea…I think there’s some fresh pumpkin cookies!!!
of my one thousand gifts…
I love crispy –thin–oven fried cornbread. My sweet mother-in-law taught me to make this after Jeff and I first married. If you look closely, there is the smallest piece…I had to “test it”.
A great combination with the cornbread is tender collards (we love all greens), along with ham and sweet potatoes with butter…of course! (This is Jeff’s plate by the way—he cleaned it!) Please pardon the fact that I used “paper napkins”….instead of cloth. I reserve my cloth for company. If you had told me you were coming…I would have set your plate and ironed the napkins!
This dear little fellow is a precious gift of life—the first of five grandsons that God has delivered into our hearts and lives. He has been having a few more problems than usual. Many changes. A new school this year. This calls for more prayer. Autism does not like change. Rylan likes things kept the same. Routine should have been his middle name…we learn as we go. He is sweetly snuggled up watching Mickey Mouse. His favorite cartoon.
The colors of the changing seasons…I love the painting technique my Father uses. His color palette is out of this world!
I cannot say when I have enjoyed a Bible Study more. Beth Moore has written many. But for the days that I am traveling through….this one has ministered to me in some areas that I desperately needed. I have glimpsed Jesus as never before. I have felt Him and spent many hours digging in the Truth. Loving every minute of it. Thankful. That’s where I am.
This is 5 of my One Thousand Gifts. I could talk all night.
Jeff & Angie 