Let the Baking Begin!

It's that time again! Time to start the baking. I love to bake more than cook a healthy meal. Good thing it only happens ever so often otherwise you'd be calling me Mrs. Claus.. big and round! We are planning (we... ha!) on making this delicious bread for all the neighbors, cookies for us and friends, send some yummies off to England and Japan, and more for us!

Tis the Season!

Kolmbocha Orphanage in Ethiopia

Kolmbocha Orphanage from Tom Davis on Vimeo.

Children's HopeChest CEO Tom Davis

World Aids Day

Today is World AIDS Day. Children's HopeChest is making a difference. Tom Davis, CEO of Hope Chest is in Ethiopia this week raising awareness for US and support for the orphan. You can join in and make today count.

Here is a note from Tom today:

In the African nations where we work, there is a generation of AIDS orphans left behind. It fuels not only extreme poverty, but child abuse and sexual abuse of the worst kind.

In Russia, AIDS grows by the day, often helped along by sex trafficking of young girls from our orphanages. Fortunately we can and are doing something in both cases.

On World AIDS Day, I just wanted to encourage you with two thoughts that I hope you'll pass along to your online friends through Facebook and Twitter. Or just repost this entire message...

1. HopeChest is protecting over 1,000 Russian orphans from sex trafficking and crime throughout our Ministry Center, Family Center, and Independent Living Center programs.

2. HopeChest is rescuing 10,000 orphans from extreme poverty by supporting feeding programs, health and education initiatives, and Christian discipleship throughout Ethiopia, Uganda, and Swaziland.

In those places, there is no sex trafficking or extreme poverty. We are making a difference.

One of the ways that happens is through an initiative called 5 for 50 (http://www.5for50.com).

This is a small way that just $5 can make a difference for someone who has been impacted by AIDS--particularly orphans in Africa.

Go to http://www.5for50.com to find out more about the 5 simple ways that YOU can make a difference in the global AIDS crisis.

It Does Matter

I had someone say recently that it didn't matter what other people did...that's their business.

I thought about that today. I thought, I read some stories of lives being changed, I thought some more. And guess what.. it does matter.

Tom Davis is in Ethiopia with Children's Hope Chest this week changing the world one life at a time. Orphans with no hope, find hope. With his leadership and our support children will live... it does matter.

DB is in Cambodia saving children from sex trafficking. One child at a time, reaching them, rescuing them, educating them, being Jesus to them... it does matter.

Here at home I encourage, love and invest in my kids knowing... it does matter.

If no one cared what anyone else did.. why did Jesus come?

The world is black and white. There isn't room for gray. No matter how much you want to live in the gray, it does not exist. Choices are either right or their wrong. Words either bless or they curse. Actions either lift up or tear down. We make decisions daily that DO effect the lives of other people around us. Is it showing Jesus or not? That's the bottom line.

One day you live, one day you die. What we do in between that time can change a life.

Reality Check:

What is your legacy gonna be? Are you willing to stand for what is right even through the scoffing and the pain? What's it gonna take to realize you do count? You do matter... Are you gonna make today count? You may not be in Ethiopia like Tom but you do have neighbors, you do have family, you do have co-workers, you do have roommates. If they don't know the love and forgivness God offers and you are the only Jesus they will ever hear OR see.. are you making it count?

It does matter.

Family....on the Road Again

We drove all night after a moment of spontaneity to Las Vegas. My kids can't accuse me of my lack there of anymore. We hopped in the truck at 10 pm and off we went! We were exhausted by the time we reached Vegas. The truck is a great, I repeat, great vehicle but horrible to sleep in. We crashed for a few hours getting some much needed rest.

Gabe and Coya goofin' off
This is my little sister and her family. It was great seeing her after two long years! Two years tooo long.
The Three Sisters... me, Bobbie Jo, and Reginia
Best Buds ... and 1st Cousins. Josh is in on leave for two weeks before being shipped out again overseas. Oh, it's good to see family! These two go right back where they left off. Love it!
Reg and Dave are so happy for this small glimpse of time to spend with Josh. The only thing missing is Jenna Bug... We miss her!
Auntie Gaynell is recovering nicely after her operation. We made a quick stop over night in Vegas to see her.
Family time and good food! Ok.. so just family time. It was great to have all my chickies together at one table.
The Three Amigas...

So here's to Take One of our trip. It's been great seeing my family and friends too. I must say, I am sitting here blogging in the quiet of my sister's house and enjoying the solitude. The older I get the more quiet I need. I love the excitement but also need to decompress for a bit. So..I'm writing and uploading and decompressing. Ahhh... Tomorrow morning.. Our favorite donuts!