#81 - Our Health

I am so thankful that we have all remained healthy so far this fall. We have made a concerted effort to stay home as much as possible to avoid getting sick with H1N1. We have sacrificed going to story time at the library, homeschool co-op, etc. Maybe I'm being paranoid...but both of my girls have some respiratory issues in their past and I'm not willing to risk it.

So far...so good. If the girls and I were all pregnant, we could get the vaccine. Shucks!

#80 - Solutions

I am thankful for good, solid solutions to real problems. I learned the other day that children that go through the Child Survival Program are priority for Compassion's sponsorship program once they are old enough. But what's really, really cool is that some of these kids aren't eligible for the sponsorship program because they have been RELEASED from poverty through the Child Survival Program! How cool is that? Compassion knows what they are doing and we serve such a great God.

Would you consider sponsoring a Child Survival Program for $20 a month? We sponsor one in India. Contact me for more information. I'll even give you a gift for joining in this cause to help children survive.

***For some reason, my blog isn't allowing you to see the whole video. To see it better, go HERE.

#79 - Hope for Fred

Today I am thankful for this story and how Compassion is helping many others like Fred around the world.

I love the grandfather's quote at the end of the entry...

I'm thankful that Compassion allows me to be part of this minsitry.

#78 - Hope Lives

I am currently doing the study Hope Lives - A Journey of Restoration by Amber VanSchooneveld. I have had this book/devotional/study for well over a year. I have given it as gifts. But I am just now diving into it and it's good.

Amber is an employee of Compassion International so there are lots of stories of families and individuals she has met through her work. The book is just full of deep insights.

Here's a taste of what has struck a chord with me...

about Jesus...He was busy with the slow work of taking time to care for people. He was never too busy to stop and help someone.

about motives...I want God to transform my heart by the Holy Spirit so that I love what God loves, so that mercy naturally flows out of me. I want to show others mercy because it was first shown to me; to offer mercy to others as fellow guests at God's table, not as a benevolent queen offering scraps to beggars at my feet.

and...And when my motivation for all things is Christ's love, loving the poor will become an organic shoot growing out of my heart.

about purpose...Something happens when a creation does just what it was created to do - it sings. It finds joy and purpose and fulfillment. Far from being a burden in my life, I suspect fulfilling my purpose in loving and serving the poor around me will make me more truly alive. It will nourish me and bring me joy.

I am so thankful I am taking time to do this study. I have the added benefit of doing it with two other friends, so they are keeping me accountable to finishing it! I have extra copies of this book....I'll happily send you one if you let me know.

#77 - Many threads

I'm in a good place right now....

...growing in my relationship with God

...learning lots about myself and about who God wants me to become

...working through some issues of materialism, simplicity, even minimalism

...learning the importance of prayer - sometimes face down on the floor!

...learning about spiritual leadership (through Compassion and Bible study)

...opening my eyes even more to the needs of those around me (both in my home, my town and in far-off countries)

...learning how to "be Christ" to my husband and children

...observing the joy of child-like faith through my daughters

...living in a new town and state where I truly have to depend on God

...exploring with Kevin what God's will for our family looks like

I'm thankful for all these threads in my life.

#76 - More Compassion Friends

Recently I became an Area Coordinator for Compassion....I have a team of advocates that I pray for, encourage and communicate with regularly. Tonight I got to meet 4 new advocates that are on my team. It is always refreshing and encouraging to me to be able to meet others who are passionate about this ministry....to sit and hear their stories. I am so thankful for my new friends.

#75 - Beautiful Waterfalls and Forests

I'm so thankful for another family hike, filled with beautiful scenery!

#74 - Time At Home

I love it when we have several days in a row and we don't have to go anywhere. It makes life so much simpler and slower! Today was library day and we were looking forward to getting out, but there was part of me that just wanted to stay home again. I'm thankful for the days when we are at home.

#73 - Great Quotes

I love great quotes that make me think....

"I am only one,
but I am still one.
I cannot do everything,
but I can still do something;
and because I cannot do everything,
I will not refuse to do the something I can do."
- Helen Keller

#72 - Our New Children

I am so thankful that we are in a position to add more sponsored children to our family. Here are our newest...

Luis is from El Salvador...I chose him because I wanted another boy and we had not sponsored anyone in El Salvador yet.


Yoselin is from the Dominican Republic. She shares the exact same birthdate at Sydney...January 5, 2005.


Lian lives in Columbia. I was looking for a "birthday buddy" for Kayleigh, but couldn't find the same day. Lian was 5 on October 10th and she enjoys singing, playing house and playing dolls...a perfect fit for Kayleigh.

I am very excited to begin helping the girls understand sponsorship and get them involved. They are already excited to pray for Yoselin and Lian and like having their pictures in their room.

Lord....THANK YOU for blessing us with the resources we need and the ability to be involved in the lives of these precious children. THANK YOU for opening our eyes to the importance of each and every life around us. THANK YOU for ministries like Compassion - allowing us to be your hands and feet.

#71 - A Fun-Filled Weekend

We had a great weekend...Kevin and I got to go out twice without kids! We drove through the Columbia River Gorge, tasted some delicious fruits and wine, went to church, hiked through the Wildwood Recreation area along the Salmon River and drove up to Mount Hood. Now Grandma and Grandpa Redman are gone and it's back to routine.

#70 - New Life

A friend of mine has been battling secondary infertility...after seeing a specialist, she and her husband were told it was nearly impossible for them to get pregnant without help.

God stepped in...

She's nauseous! The test is positive.

I'm thankful for God's faithfulness and presence in their lives. In all our lives. And in HIS time!

Pray with me for this new life.

#69 - Be Still

We all need this reminder....

Aren't you thankful He's GOD?!?!?

#68 - Miss October

Happy 3rd Birthday, my sweet girl. I am so thankful God gave you to us! We love you!

#67 - Grandparents!

We have more grandparents visiting and we are excited to have them here...

#66 - Fall Hikes

I am thankful for Fall hikes and beautiful scenery - what a wonderful reminder of God's love for us.

#65 - Lamentations 3:22-23

Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.

I ran across this verse today and was so thankful for the reminder that God's compassions are new every morning....

#64 - Spiritual Growth

Both Kevin and I have experienced amazing spiritual growth over the past 6 weeks

Here is a picture of Kevin headed into Lake Superior to be baptized a couple days before we moved.

I don't have a better picture because I was busy with two cranky girls, one of which was peeing on me!

#63 - Meeting Wess Stafford

I got to meet this amazing man...Wess Stafford. He is the CEO and president of Compassion International - an organization that is near and dear to my heart. Wess is also the author of Too Small to Ignore, in which he writes his story of growing up as a missionary kid in Africa. This is one of my favorite books and I have several extra copies that I would love to give you if you are interested! Just let me know...

#62 - Impromptu Trip to the Coast

The beauty and majesty of the ocean never ceases to amaze me...


I'm thankful I got to return to Oregon's coast yesterday...we had a beautiful, sunny day.

#61 - A Safe Trip

I had the most amazing opportunity to attend an Advocate's Conference in Colorado Springs this weekend for Compassion International. Being in a room with 400 like-minded people was awesome...worshiping God together and connecting with others who have a passion for children living in poverty!

I am thankful for the opportunity to go.

I am thankful for God's providence and timing in getting me there (I've been an advocate for 14 years and this was my first chance to go)

I am thankful for a safe trip there and back.

I am thankful God called me to this ministry and that I can partner with HIM and reach these precious little ones.

#60 - My Creator, My Father

Today I am thankful that the maker of this whole wide world is a FATHER to me....

the Creator of this Universe LOVES me!

and he loves YOU too...so hold on to that truth as you go throughout your day.

#59 - Grandparents!

We have grandparents visiting us this weekend (all the way from New York) and we are so thankful they are here!