Washing Machine filter ~ 2 hours to get it all open, apart and cleaned, but that didn’t fix the problem

• Something I am hoping for…this

Coppelia

the sweet gift of friendship

but they still show up in  specific areas.  Dropped dog food, crumbs that missed the trash can are usually found by the ants before I find the mess.

This product was sent to me by Purex in exchange for my review.

offers a child, a family, a community tangible hope and help to prevent the evils of poverty.

Will you?

April was a quiet month for letters, but we did receive 3 from children, an updated picture of Carlos and a phone call.

We heard from Laura, a first letter from our correspondent child in Bolivia.  This is a sweet short letter that leaves me thinking that she recently received a gift from her financial sponsor, or previous correspondent sponsor.  Yea!

Are you able to read what is noted in the box at the bottom of the letter?

Tomorrow I have a post scheduled that discusses this issue and how sponsoring a child through Compassion International helps to prevent abuse and exploitation.  Please check back tomorrow to read more on how much more sponsorship provides a child.

We also received a letter from Ndiisa in Uganda.  Ndiisa shared in this letter how he is facing Senior year exams and asked for our prayers.  He has many questions for us and I am hoping that Builder has time this weekend to respond.

This month we also received an updated photo of Carlos, but I have not scanned it in yet.  He has grown and is such a handsome boy!

  And sadly, I received a phone call this week that precious Lesbia has left the program.  Please pray for us as we all grieve this news.  It appears that she may have left the program to go to work.  Lesbia is 12 years old, and lives in Guatemala with her mother and grandmother.  Her letters useds to be cheerful and curious, but lately they had a sad tone to them.  We had written several times. to encourage her, and hope that there is something in those letters that will minister to her as time goes.

The same afternoon after that phone call we received the packet for our new sponsor child, Samatha in India.  So many emotions this week.

 As Builder and I say often, Full, Hard, and Good.  We will continue to pray for Lesbia and look forward to getting to know Samatha.

Linking with Michelle

Because He Loves Me by Elyse Fitzpatrick ~ This book was read and discussed by an online community.  You can access some of my thoughts on this book here.  It was a great book to read and study.  I didn’t write about the last couple of chapters because I am still processing them and seeking how to apply the material to my own life.

The Mine by Henry McIntosh ~ my step father gave me several chapters of the book he has written and is seeking to be published.  This is the story of miners in the Canyon City area of Colorado.

Freefall to Fly by Rebekah Lyons ~ There is a greater story than the one about you or me, and it is found in our stories !  My review of this book is here

Sweet Sanctuary by Kim Vogel Sawyer

In the Presence of My Enemies ~ by Gracia Burnham and Dean Merrill ~ Despite the terrible circumstances of being held as a hostage and the loss of her husband during the rescue, Gracia has become more than a “survivor”.  Loving our enemies and living forgiveness tough commands of our God.

This book is giving me much to think about and pray about.  I am so blessed to read Gracia and Martin’s story, my faith has been encouraged a great deal.  To read how God indeed sustained them and refined them during their captivity, how Scripture they had memorized came to mind and directed their steps and attitudes is a tremendous testimony to us Believers.  God will sustain us, His Word will accomplish much within us, and He is our strength, our comfort.

Tales of the Defended Ones by Beth Guckenberger.  You can read the thoughts I had after reading this book with my children here.

Only the Mountains do not Move by Jan Reynolds ~ A Maasai Story of Culture and Conservation.  This book discusses the traditional lives of the Maasai people, of Kenya and Tanzania.  The photographs are wonderful and I appreciate being able to “see” the world that may be known by our sponsor kids in both countries.

In my life this week…  Whew, it was a FHG (full, hard, good) week.  I’m concerned about how little schooling we are getting done this spring.  Our homeschool co-op wraps up in 2 weeks and I am hopeful that after we wrap it up a concentrated 6 weeks at home will help each of us get more on track.

In our homeschool this week…there was mostly independent working.  Two of my kiddos are on a living history field trip today.  Because of appliance issues and fatigue Mae and I have stayed home.

My favorite thing this week was…experiencing a different side of friendship as I struggled with appliance and van issues while my hubby is away at work.  A girlfriend texted me to see if she could take my kids to the field trip we had planned to do together.  And being a Navy wife, she completely understood the situation of dealing with life and deciding which things to handle on my own and which ones to call Builder about.  Another new friend, and a plumber, arrived after work on Friday to troubleshoot and fix the hot water heater (which is less than a year old)

My kiddos favorite thing this week was…Petal Rose and Chica are probably have the best time at the Living History event.  Mae is completely soaking up this “just be” time in her room as she putters and listens to a story.

Things I’m working on…some spring time yard maintenance and some deep spring cleaning.

I’m grateful for…friendship, extended warranties, the evidence of grace within me as the Spirit conversed with me all through the hardest day, reminding me that it wasn’t really hard comparatively speaking.  All these things are simply things.  We still had clean water, heat, transportation and each one of us is healthy and strong.

I’m praying for…families and friends who are walking through valleys, my children and my husband

Something I am ogling or have my eye on…I’m still looking at high school material for Mae.  Has anyone experience with Liberty University’s high school track?

A photo, video, link, or quote to share (silly, serious or both!)…

We visited the “Experience Compassion” event in our city this past week.  Please take the opportunity if they come to your area.

I Found Hope – Change the Story from Compassion International on Vimeo.

With Compassion International’s Change the Story mobile experience you are able to experience the reality of millions of children around the world. Change the story is an immersive experience available to you for only a short time.

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