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By Quiet Waters

~ Pausing by quiet waters in this full hard good life

By Quiet Waters

Author Archives: By Quiet Waters

Good and Effective Work, Child Sponsorship

21 Monday Sep 2015

Posted by By Quiet Waters in Compassion International, El Salvador, Joy, Letter Writing, One Life, Uncategorized

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Child Sponsorship, Compassion International

Readers of By Quiet Waters more than likely know that I advocate for children to be sponsored through Compassion International.  It is part of the work that God has given me, to speak up for those who have no voice.  After spending a week in El Salvador, I returned home more certain that the ministry of Compassion is doing a good and effective work in the communities around the world.

El Salvador
Compassion goes into impoverished countries and communities world-wide and partners with local churches already involved in children’s ministry.  And this partnership is improving at risk communities.

The people I saw and listened to people who all said similar things, that the project at the church is helping them in ways that no one else will or can.  And each of them spoke of the love of Christ they observe in word and in deed.  I will be writing more in the days to come about my specific experience in El Salvador, but for this post, please believe me.  The ministry of Compassion works, lives are being changed and improved.  Severely impoverished people are experiencing hope and the possibility of reaching their full potential.

El Salvador

Children of ES808.  See these smiles?  These kids are part of an older, established child development center.  The long-term investment in these kiddos lives really shows!

 

Would you like to be a part of this work? Child Sponsorship is a one to one relationship with a specific child.  If you sponsor one of these children, no one else will have the opportunity.  For the purposes of sponsorship, that child will be yours.  Just $38 a month is the financial investment in sponsorship.  That financial investment provides tutoring, healthy snacks and meals, medical care, mentorship, vocational training, knowledge of the Gospel and discipleship in Christian living.  Parents and guardians are also offered educational and occupational assistance.  The churches where all this takes place is a safe haven for the children at risk for hunger, exploitation and/or forced entry into gangs.  And the neighborhoods around these churches see a beacon of light.

Once a child is sponsored, you and the child have the opportunity to develop a relationship through letters and cards.  Sponsors are asked to write to their children at least 3 times a year.  I hope to encourage sponsors to write or send cards monthly or every other month.  For many of these children our words of love and encouragement in the Faith are the only ones they hear outside their child development centers.  The letters are very important!  One more important relationship building opportunity exists as well.  One can travel to the country of his or her sponsored child, and spend a few hours, with a translator and really connect.

If you have questions about sponsorship, please feel free to comment or email me.  If you would to sponsor child, you can click the banner below.  Boys and girls in 27 different countries between the ages of 3 and 22 are in need of people who will sponsor them and stand in the gap for him or her.

http://banners.compassion.com/banners/gotq/300×250/banner.php?referer=139752

 

 

 

 

Children like these are waiting for the gift of a sponsor and the love that will be shared.  Please consider adding a $38 a month financial investment and regular letter writing to your personal ministry and giving.  Thank you.

 

Grace and peace be yours

~ Michelle

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On the night before…

14 Monday Sep 2015

Posted by By Quiet Waters in Compassion International, El Salvador, Uncategorized

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El Salvador September 2015

El Salvador September 2015

 

 

 

GREAT NEWS!!  Both of these kiddos have been sponsored!

Compassion in El Salvador

Compassion El Salvador

a welcome gift from a CSP

Our time in this beautiful country is passing quickly, much too quickly. But on the other hand another very exciting day approaches. Tomorrow we are to meet two of our Compassion Sponsored Children, Johana and Kenia.  It is with a lot of joyful anticipation of this event that I am writing this post.

Compassion International

Kenia

You see, even if we did not have the opportunity to travel to this country, I knew that the work that Compassion International does is effective and is changing the world, one life at a time. But now I’ve seen it.  I’m in El Salvador, meeting people, hearing stories, sharing the Gospel of Jesus, and seeing compassion in action. The work of Compassion International, always done in Jesus name through the local church, is working.  Life in El Salvador is improving and changing as these kids grow up, take the baton of faith and pursue their full potential.

Hopefully I’ll be writing several posts in the near future about our time in El Salvador and the people we meet along the way.

 

Grace and Peace be yours.

 

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Four Sleeps and Quaking Sandals

07 Monday Sep 2015

Posted by By Quiet Waters in Compassion International, Gratitude, One Life, Parenting, teens, Traveling, Uncategorized

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Wow, 2 weeks ago I knew this would happen, and it sure did.  I’m starting this week staring at the FRIDAY box on my calendar.  So much to do, and so little.   Just four sleeps from now I will be traveling with my 14 year old daughter to El Salvador.  This will be my 3rd trip to that lovely area that connects us up North to those to the South.   We are traveling with a group of women, all connected through our ministry to children through Compassion International.

It has been a whole 17 years since I traveled to Guatemala with my mom to do some work for an agency I was employed by, and to meet my first 2 sponsored children.  Too long!  And I am over the top excited to be heading back to Central America.

Child Sponsorship, Compassion International

Meeting Edgar and his family in Guatemala

 

This time my 14 year old and I will travel with a group of women, none of whom we have ever met.  This one thing has me quaking in my sandals.  This mother daughter pair of very introverted ladies is going on a trip with a bunch of unmet ladies???  But we both know this is gift from our Father, so with quaking sandals we are going!

And that is where my courage is to come from, in every situation, knowing that the Father is the orchestrating my life.  He knows the desires and passions of my heart, He ordains my steps, He is the keeper of my children.  And now that I’ve written that last sentence I’m smiling big because, He gave those gifts as well, passions and desires that have been refined by Him, and my children, gifts, tremendous gifts each one.  And one more thing, He has promised to always be with me.  So I can look forward with courage and anticipation at what and who awaits in just 4 sleeps.

Who we are looking forward to meeting?  In particular Johana and Kenia!

4 Sleeps

Johana, El Salvador

 

4 Sleeps

Kenia

Looking forward to all that God has for these next 2 weeks, and hopefully the words to be able to share some of it with you!  Interestered in sponsoring a child through Compassion International?

 

http://banners.compassion.com/banners/BlogChildv3/getChild.php?referer=139752

 

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New Earrings from Fair Trade Friday, Earring of the Month Club!

28 Friday Aug 2015

Posted by By Quiet Waters in One Life, Uncategorized

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Fair Trade Friday

Faith Trade Friday

Aren’t these just so pretty?!!  These earrings were in my Fair Trade Friday Earring Club package last month, and while I am absolutely delighted by them, I wrapped them after my first look and set them on my dresser for awhile.  The metals used in these earrings, specifically the colors of the metals are not what I ever wear so I let them sit until the true recipient of these pretty things came to mind.   She has, and these beautiful earrings, made by a hard working woman in Bangladesh, are dangling on equally pretty ears.

Are you interested in receiving, each month, your own package of handmade earrings?  Each pair of earrings are made by a marginalized woman who is learning new trade and earning an honest income to support herself and her children.

Fair Trade Friday

Please visit Fair Trade Friday Earring of the Month Club to learn more, and to sign up!

Fair Trade Friday

 

 

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Perfectly Unique ~ Sponsorship Saturday

08 Saturday Aug 2015

Posted by By Quiet Waters in Books and Thoughts on Books, Compassion International, Letter Writing, One Life, teens, Truth, Uncategorized

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Back to School

As summer is winding down and the fullness of days that “back to school” will bring is on my mind.  This weekend I can be found plotting out preparations for meal planning, house cleaning, fringe hours and exercise.  In the last few weeks another concern has floated into my thoughts.  I have began thinking about not forgetting to write to our sponsored children thanks to another blogger, Desert Violet, who recently wrote about pre writing letters.

Several letter writing ideas swirl in my mind often, but getting them down on paper isn’t always done before I forget the great ideas I have.  Understanding that about myself, I began to be intentional about looking for an idea for a series of letters to pre-write.

Letter Writing Inspiration

Early in the summer I had made a commitment to myself to finish some of the books I started reading, but for one reason or another, haven’t finished.  Perfectly Unique by Annie Downs is one of those books.    As I read the book, I was looking for quotes and ideas to infuse into my conversations with my daughters.  And I was also inspired to write a series of three letters to our sponsored children.  This fall I will share them with you, here on By Quiet Waters.   These letters are quite simple, but I hope the message is clear.  Every child is planned for, loved, and has purpose.  That is what I want each of my own children to know and believe,  and each of our sponsored children well.perfectly unique Continue reading →

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Mesa Verde, Highway 160 Road Trip

27 Monday Jul 2015

Posted by By Quiet Waters in history, Traveling, Uncategorized

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Colorado Staycation, National Parks

Mesa Verde, a stop along the way.

Highway 160 Road Trip

Exiting I-25 at Walsenburg, Colorado, onto Highway 160 leads to a long westward drive to a wealth of beauty and interest.  This most certainly includes Mesa Verde, just east of Cortez, Colorado.  In early June 2015 I planned a road trip to the Grand Canyon  with my daughters and our exchange student Lea.   Mesa Verde and 4 Corners Monument were “stops” along the way. 

Mesa Verde.  Is so much more than a stop along the way!

Mesa Verde, Colorado Staycation

Continue reading →

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Hold Fast

25 Saturday Jul 2015

Posted by By Quiet Waters in Truth, Uncategorized

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Hold Fast

 

As the days continue darken in this country, of the free and brave, hold fast dear ones, to your confidence and hope in Christ.  Let’s not fuss nor pick at one another, but instead encourage and strengthen one another.  That is what protects from unbelief and the trickery of sin.

That is what will let the light shine in the darkest of days.

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Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls and Toys ~ Colorado Staycation

22 Wednesday Jul 2015

Posted by By Quiet Waters in Traveling, Uncategorized

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Denver, Stay-cation

My Beloved, Builder as he is sometimes known, built a doll house for our youngest a few years ago.  She loves it and has filled so many productive quiet hours designing and decorating the house.  Then after awhile, she saved up the money to purchase another kit.  This one SHE built and now simply asks Daddy Builder for help from time to time.

When our oldest daughter, Nikki, heard about her youngest sister’s passion she sent us info on “must sees” in her old neighborhood …Denver.  Top of the list…The Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls and Toys.    As we continue our Colorado Staycation activities, I felt we had to make sure to visit this museum while all of my older kids were out of town in June.

Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls and Toys

Doll houses, miniatures and toys from past generations and loads of information on Native American, European and Asian cultures fill this charming old house just blocks from Denver’s City Park.  Previously known as Pearce-McAllister Cottage, 1880 Gaylord Street, this house is now the home of the Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls and Toys.  There was just one gentleman staffing the museum when we visited, and he was quite kindly and helpful.  Back in the kitchen area, the Oak and Berries Tea Room is where the lovely Roxanne Rose serves tea to visitors.  You must call ahead for a reservation as the Oak and Berries Tea Room is a very popular spot!  For reservations call Roxanne at 720-351-5123.  We hadn’t called ahead as we were taking a rather relaxed approach to the day, and I didn’t know exactly when we would be at the Museum.  Well, the tea room was hoppin’ busy and it wasn’t until we were about finished with our visit through the museum that Roxanne approached us.  She is a lovely woman and we are looking forward, when time allows, to head back to Denver for another visit to the Museum and for tea!

Colorado Staycation

 

Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls and Toys

Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls and Toys

Looking upstreet at the Somewhere Gazette

Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls and Toys

Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls and Toys

From when this house was a home

Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls and Toys

When this house was a home, can you see the details?  Love this house!

 

Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls and Toys

Stairs to the 2nd floor

Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls and Toys

my favorite display!

Love Love Love the display in the picture above!  Reminds me of my grandmother’s dining room (where her similar sewing machine was) and the fabric store!

Now this doll house, below.  It is made from an 1890 Gun Case.  It is filled with hand carved furniture and hand thrown pots.  The rugs are Navajo and Granada.  This exhibit is on loan to the museum, so isn’t supposed to be there permanently.

Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls and Toys

Gun cabinet doll house

 

 

If you find yourself in the area and have a morning or afternoon to visit, this museum is full of delightful displays and is an enjoyable way to pass a couple of hours.

 

 

 

A couple of throwback memories!

A couple of throwback memories!

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Lunch and a Little History

17 Friday Jul 2015

Posted by By Quiet Waters in Education, history, Traveling, Uncategorized

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This summer has been completely wonderful so far.  While we’ve experience and witnessed some very hard things, I’ve seen a lot of growth and understanding among my daughters, my husband and myself.  We’ve traveled a bit, some of us more than others and I’ve finally been able to mark off a small dream…. my youngest 3 daughters, our exchange student and I visited the Grand Canyon!  But this post is about a place we found on the way to the Grand Canyon.

Arizona Road Trip

Welcome to Arizona and the Navajo Tribal Lands

On the way to the Grand Canyon we stopped in a small Arizona town called Kayenta.  A few miles north of the town, a billboard caught my attention and we decided to stop at the Burger King.  The Burger King?  Yes!

Inside the Burger King in Kayenta, Arizona is a tribute to the Navajo Code Talkers of World War 2.  Just this past year my daughters had learned about the code talkers in history, and I am thrilled to have found this small museum display.  There are glass case and framed art & information all about the part that the Navajo Code Talker played in the second World War.  Many of these men were from this area and the community holds a wealth of information about their opportunity to serve in the US Military, despite the way they have been wronged by our country’s government in the past.

Japanese Flag story

image

While there are glass cases inside the Burger King, just outside, on the other side of the parking lot there was another museum building full of WW2 artifacts, a video and many Navajo historic displays.

image

Kayenta Navajo Code Talkers Museum

Kayenta Navajo Code Talkers Museum

Kayenta Navajo Code Talkers Museum

I was able to find this book at our local library. It is a very gentle introduction to the contribution of the Navajo people in World War 2

Outside that small museum there were also 2 model hogans

Kayenta Navajo Code Talkers Museum

Kayenta Navajo Code Talkers Museum

 

 

We spent about an hour and a half at this place and I want to recommend to you, if you are passing through north eastern Arizona on  Highway 160, stop in at the Burger King for some lunch and a little history.

 

So tell me, have you ever driven through Kayenta?  Visited the Navajo Code Talkers Museum?

 

 

 

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Love Cute Earrings? Check this Out

15 Wednesday Jul 2015

Posted by By Quiet Waters in One Life, Uncategorized

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Fair Trade Friday, Mercy House Kenya

Do you love cute earrings? Oh my.  I do enjoy a pair of pretty or fun earrings! But rarely will I spend the money on anything but simple silver hoops. That is, until I discovered the Fair Trade Friday Earring Club.

In mid-June I was given my first pair of FTF Earrings, I mentioned them here on the blog.   These earrings have quickly become my favorite. They are unique, lightweight and have meaning.

FTF Earring of the Month

Fair Trade Friday Earring of the Month Club

 

A woman named Bipana made these earrings as a means of support for herself and her family.  She is the mother of 2 precious children and a refugee from Bhutan who now lives in Texas.  As a part of the refugee project, Bipana and several other women create handmade items and sell them to provide for some of their basic needs.   Mercy House Kenya has partnered with the refugee project as a means to empower women, through Fair Trade Friday.

Fair Trade Friday

Mercy House exists to engage and empower women around the globe, and to offer them the everlasting hope that comes only through Jesus Christ.  The founder, Kristen Welch found that asking God how He could allow so much human suffering presented her with the hardest opportunity to answer His question of her.  And Mercy House Kenya was started.  My family is inspired by the work of Mercy House Kenya and I am so excited to be able to share how you can join in on the work that is being done and help support women, living in extreme poverty and hardship, earn a living.

Mercy House Kenya

You can watch a video about Kristen Welch’s journey here.

Now, you don’t have to travel to Kenya, or someplace far away to make a difference in this world.  But you can partner with Mercy House Kenya and take an opportunity to purchase beautiful handmade items, which are fairly traded, from women artisans.  When you make a purchase through Fair Trade Friday or the Earring of the Month Club, you will receive beautiful items that you can keep and use, or give as gifts.  The women who make these items will receive fair compensation and continued opportunities to make and sell their fares.  I gave considerable thought to the idea of joining the earring of the month club and adding it to our monthly budget.  I am not sure I can do this every month, but I have made a short term commitment to the earring of the month club.  I can hardly wait to see what arrives in my mailbox later this month!

I hope that you will consider checking out the site and the next time you need to purchase a gift, to consider purchasing one of  the lovely and unique items offered by Fair Trade Friday.

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