Rock Chalk Jayhawk!
I can’t help but give a shout-out to my alma mater, Kansas University, for making it into the NCAA basketball championship. Here’s my Wordle for the Jayhawks, celebrating accomplishments of this week and of the past:
I’m Not Kidding
I’m not kidding, but here’s an April Fool’s Wordle.
Most of these ideas are from here and here. However, some of these are tricks my parents played on me. What pranks do you recall from your childhood?
New Family Member
We have a new exchange student living with us! Barbora is from the Czech Republic and has been in the states since last summer. She’s a Rotary Exchange Student, and we’ve known her pretty well already, although she just moved in with us today. She’s an excellent musician and has been in one of the high school choirs I accompany for on piano. She took a trip to Jackson Hole with us last summer and we had a great time together.
Barbora is not our first exchange student. We’ve had several through the years and it’s been a great experience for our family. We have learned so much about different cultures, languages and customs. It’s been a wonderful experience for all of us through the years!
I thought I would show you a Wordle featuring our previous students, followed by some photos of them.
Liz -- England
Osmar -- Brazil
Hugues -- Belgium
Ida -- Sweden
Livia -- Brazil
Stas -- Russia
77 Plane Crashes Per Day
77 plane crashes per day
That is equivalent to the number of children dying every day of starvation. Imagine a plane crash every 18 minutes. This figure is based on the 155 passengers onboard the A320 Airbus that Captain “Sully” Sullenberger landed safely in the Hudson River on January 25, 2009. And it’s based on the 12,000 children that die every day from hunger.
You can make a difference by giving to Compassion’s Global Food Crisis Fund. Don’t even hestitate. Don’t think twice about it. You know you can help.
Now, let’s see how these figures change if we consider the number of children dying from all preventable causes due to poverty. It’s equivalent to 180 plane crashes per day, or one every 8 minutes. Imagine hearing that news on the TV every evening. But it’s true.
180 Plane Crashes Per Day
180 per day. We really can’t ignore these figures any more. March 11 has been designated “Global Food Crisis Day” — by clicking these words, you can view several excellent films about this crisis. You may also want to sponsor a child at this time. It really doesn’t take enough out of your pocket to cause you to be hungry; but it will completely change that child’s future.
Compassion International is a company you can trust. They have been given a 4-star rating by Charity Navigator again for the 7th year in a row. Out of a million non-profit agencies, only 45 reached that distinction. Check out Compassion’s financial accountability here.
One special way you might want to remember Global Food Crisis Day is by following Brock Gill’s Rice Challenge. Can you live on just one cup of rice for one whole day? Give it a try some time within this month, and you will see what it’s like to experience this kind of hunger. I’m going to try it. How many of you would be willing to join me?
[See follow-up post here -- 180 plane crashes per day]
Quiet Rest — Wordle
This hymn was sung in two different churches the past two weeks, when I was speaking for Compassion International. The lyprics really jumped out to me because of the use of my word for the year, “Hold.” Isn’t it beautiful how it’s used in this hymn? I just had to put it into a Wordle, so here it is.
Compassion Blog Wordle
Footprint of the Compassion Blog
Using the url from the Compassion Blog, this is the Wordle that was created. What have been your favorite posts on the Compassion Blog? You know, there are several interesting aspects to the blog. You can see the country flags and mark which one is yours. You can read about the blog contributors, and see a list of all from one author, such as Amber Van Schooneveld, who made a recent trip to India. Their blogroll is divided up, nicely, between Readers, CompassionBloggers.com, Compassion Advocates, and Compassion Employees. If you find your blog in the wrong list (or not listed), make sure you notify Chris. I think this network of Compassion friends is wonderful!
Best of all, you can look to see which stories have been the most popular. I want to list some for you here, because you may have missed some of these:
- Letter Writing Ideas
- My Sisters are Sponsored. What about Me?
- Should I Visit My Sponsored Child (is that the best use of my money?)
- A Day in the Life of a Bangladeshi Cycle Van Driver
- Kamrul Receives His Cycle Van
- Why Does My Sponsored Child Look So Scared?
- Proof — That Sponsorship Makes a Difference
- The Journey of One Letter
- Dear Good Samaritans — Letter from a Muslim Care-giver of a Sponsored Child
That should keep you busy for a while, and before we go, let me show you another Wordle from the same url of the Compassion Blog. Different colors, different angle. Nice! Love that blog!
http://blog.compassion.com
It Brings Great Glory to God
[click image]
Check this out. As a Compassion Sponsor, you can host a very special event called “Compassion Sunday” in your church and touch the lives of many children in need. Free resources are available – bulletin inserts, videos, presentation outlines, sermons, posters, scriptures and other materials. You can start by ordering a planning folder, which gives much information and guidance for those who have not held a Compassion Sunday before. Best of all, you will receive child packets of children in need of sponsors. These can be shared with others in worship services, Sunday School classes, youth groups, Bible studies, and small cell groups.
Compassion Sunday is a great event for the church and is not difficult to organize at all. Although April 26 is the national date for this year’s event, you can hold your Compassion Sunday on any date that your Pastor approves.
Why should you host a Compassion Sunday?
- 30,000 children die every day from preventable causes
- A child dies of malaria alone every 30 seconds
- 1 million children have been forced into the commercial sex trade
- 246 million children are working globally, 8.4 million in horrific conditions
- Sponsored children have the opportunity for Christian education, nutrition, social skills, and health needs met
- Sponsors’ lives are changed and blessed in a huge way, too
- Many will thank you for introducing them to this very effective and powerful ministry
- It brings great glory to God
Take a look at these testimonials from others who took the big step of hosting their first Compassion Sunday, and here is an important message from Compassion’s President, Wess Stafford.
Get started right now by clicking the logo below, which will take you to the Compassion Sunday planning page. You can’t imagine a more rewarding way to spend a Sunday Worship Service!
25 Random Things — Wordle
OK, for all who tagged me — Here’s the list, and a Wordle to go with it:
Once you’ve been tagged, you need to write up 25 random things about yourself. If I tagged you, it’s because you tagged me or because I want to know more about you! So here goes:
1. We have the three most wonderful kids in the world!
2. I can write upside-down and backwards, or just backwards or just upside-down.
3. My 7th-8th grade English teacher was in her 80′s, and she actually died in the classroom, while teaching (probably because I was writing my spelling papers upside-down).
4. For those reading this on Facebook — I keep a blog at http://compassionjuli.wordpress.com.
5. We bought tickets to two shuttle launches — the Challenger (which exploded in the air) and the Columbia (which exploded on its return) — very sad events for our family. The child I was pregnant with during the Challenger launch went with me to the Columbia launch, and now is majoring in Aerospace Engineering. How weird is that?
6. I like to collect mini things — pitchers, mugs, Bibles, figurines.
7. I was quite the tomboy. I loved playing tetherball and four-square as a child; in fact, I think I was the tetherball champion perhaps. I was a lousy softball player, though, much to my dismay. Great on the stilts and pogo stick, however (I think I topped 1,000 hops once!).
8. My favorite Bible verse as a child was Matthew 17:20.
9. I practically grew up on the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri, and was quite the water skier — using slalom, trick skis and shoe skis, and was even asked to perform in a water ski show once when the regulars were not available.
10. When I’m distressed or overly busy, I will often go off to special places in the mountains to spend time alone with God.
11. I started piano lessons when I was 4 and quit by 7th grade because my mother couldn’t get me to practice (she said after she let me quit, she could never get me away from the piano).
12. Our Compassion child in Thailand — Siriporn — was accepted to the Leadership Development Program, which means she qualified for University studies. I admire her so much!
13. I’ve been a Child Advocate for Compassion International since 1994, and a sponsor since 1988. It is the BEST thing you can do to help a person in poverty! I love hearing from our sponsored children!
14. As a child, I always sought out the unloved, handicapped, new students.
15. I’ve experienced two instantaneous healings. I’ll write about them on my blog one of these days.
16. I perform over 300 pieces of piano music per year.
17. I have wild and detailed dreams — such as being a secret spy for the Queen of England, mini moose, 911 calls or seeing our dog leap through the tops of trees. Some of my dreams are spiritually significant, and some include friends or family members that have passed away.
18. This one goes with Gigi’s #20. In high school, I was making a leather floppy (hippy) hat and had to bore holes in it with an awl. I was doing it on the kitchen counter, and my dad said, “Don’t make holes in the counter!” I said, “I’m not that stupid…” because I did have a board under the leather. However, when I removed the board, there were all the holes I’d made, in the counter. My dad and I never talked about it again, but I knew he was mad.
19. I’ve almost reached the 500th child sponsored as a Compassion Advocate – and I have a prize for the one who sponsors #500.
20. I’ve visited Canada, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Ecuador, England, France, Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, Italy, Scotland, Switzerland, New Zealand, Panama, Costa Rica, Aruba, St. Thomas, St. Bart’s, St. Kitts and all states but 4.
21. Honestly, I never thought I would get to travel at all — and once buried a list of my traveling wishes in the mountains in order to give it to God and say, “It’s OK if I never get to travel.” Now look what He’s done!
22. I played the Carillon (Bell Tower) at Kansas University where I got a degree in Personnel Management — imagine that!
23. I like to study family genealogy–I’ve traced my family back to many pilgrims, Mayflower passengers, poor workhouse inmates in England, wagon makers in Germany as well as ancestors in Scotland, Wales, Switzerland and France. Some were born on ships coming to the new land, one drowned in the Rhine River on the way here in 1742, some were kidnapped and scalped by natives, some were published preachers, some signed land deeds with natives in the 1600′s and many fought in the American Revolution and in the Civil War. Fascinating! When traveling, I can just as easily be found in a cemetery as on the beach. My family thinks it’s horrid!
24. I LOVE reading the Bible because God speaks to me there daily — I’ve read several translations cover to cover — NIV, NASB, MSG, CEV, NKJV, KJV, AMP, NJB, GNB, RSV — probably others — I’m reading Holman’s now.
25. I’ve always had a horrible memory (even as a teenager) and have some memories that never occurred (such as where I recall we were when Kennedy was shot, or when Oswald was shot). At the most recent class reunion, my classmates all teased me about it and said I’ve never changed. Oh well. That’s me.
I Prevented Someone’s Death Today
I will continue to do my part as long as I live.
I will never stop sponsoring a child. Why?
Because the children need me.
Because I need them.
Because scripture commands we help the poor.
Because it’s the right thing to do.
Because I hate to see children die needlessly.
I want to do my part. Will you? Take a look at the statistics below.
Click here to learn more, and then Sponsor a Child today, please.
It’s shocking to see what’s happening, but it really takes so little to help a child in poverty.
Ask me about it today!
[click image to enlarge]
Sneetches — Wordle Wednesday
It’s time for another wordle from Dr. Seuss. Don’t you just love his story about Sneetches? There’s a lot of good theology in Dr. Seuss’ books, I think. What is your favorite Seuss book?
[Click image to enlarge]
Hold — Wordle Wednesday
This is my word for the year, and here are several of the phrases that I have already written down in my notebook. Some are scriptures, others are thoughts. If you have a word for the year, you might want to send me your wordle to post here next week. [Click image to enlarge]
Raise My Ebenezer?
Here is a “Wordle“ made up of phrases from the hymn “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing,” written in 1758 by Robert Robinson (click image to enlarge). Did you ever wonder what it means to say “I raise my Ebenezer?” Our Pastor reminded us of this strange phrase in his message Sunday. ”Ebenezer” means “Stone of Help.” Samuel set up a stone as a memorial to God for helping Israel battle against the Philistines. The specific thing Samuel wanted to remember was this: ”Thus far has the LORD helped us” (1 Samuel 7:12). What a great truth to hang onto! I have shared some of my methods for remembering what God has done for me in the past; how do you remember His dealings in your life? What has God done for you thus far?
Two Guest Wordles
I have two guest wordles today:
Abbie’s wordle (click to enlarge), above, connects with this wonderful post.
Here is Brittany’s wordle called “Priorities”:
Wordle from Kelly
I meant to post this on Wordle Wednesday yesterday — courtesy of Kelly. Nice job Kelly! Send me your Wordles and I’ll post them as well.
Unto Us — Wordle Wednesday
I never seem to tire of creating these Wordles. To make your own, click here.
What is your favorite Christmas scripture? Send me a Wordle with your favorite verse, and I’ll post it here next week.
Welcome to Wordle Wednesday!
I’ve been thinking about this verse today — it meant a lot to me when it arrived as a signature on an e-mail message yesterday. See if you can figure out how the phrases fit together. It’s really beautiful, isn’t it? I saw an answer to prayer this week for a formerly sponsored child in the Dominican Republic. This verse “happened” to come with the message that he has now returned to his project. Coincidence or God’s timing? I know God had his hand in this.
Feast of Praise — Gift to the Needy
We held our bi-annual “Feast of Praise” over the weekend, and it was very successful. We have done this in our community since 1993 as an inter-denominational Thanksgiving service. It brings the Christian community together for the purpose of remembering our blessings and giving donations to those who do not have a lot of food on their tables. This is how it works:
- We host an inter-denominational music program 1-2 weeks before Thanksgiving
- The local Ministerial Association sponsors the event, but does not plan it
- An inter-denominational committee organizes the event and “invites” people to perform in the program, rather than taking volunteer musicians from the churches. This insures quality and a wide variety of styles of music
- The format for the program has been different from year to year, but has involved individual soloists, duets, and small ensembles; a community choir, a worship team, drama groups, childrens’ choirs, high school vocal groups, instrumentalists, dancers, congregational singing and mimes
- The purpose of the concert is to raise funds for Compassion International and for the local transient/homeless fund; also to provide child packets for needy children in need of sponsors
- Local Ministers act as ushers and also give opening and closing prayers
- We have 1/2 hour of prelude music consisting of a jazz combo, bluegrass group or piano soloist
- The program is held either in the school auditorium or in a church
- We show a Compassion film during the program and also have a Child Advocate speak briefly about Compassion’s ministry
- Child packets of children in need of sponsors are available afterwards for sponsorship
- A local Pastor also gives a presentation about the local transient/homeless fund for the needy
- The program is advertised through Christian and secular radio stations, the newspaper, bank signs, posters and in church bulletins
- Sometimes we ask churches to bring cookies or snacks for fellowship after the program
The “Feast of Praise” has been very well received in our community for many years. This year we had standing room only, and raised nearly $900.00 in our small community; half of this will be sent to the Global Food Crisis fund at Compassion International. The other half is administered by the Ministerial Association for local needs of the poor. I hope others will follow our lead. Please feel free to drop me a line if you have any questions. Here is a copy of part of this year’s program. The devotion I wrote for the program can also be viewed here.
Beauty For Ashes
Here are some of my favorite verses, in the shape of a Wordle. During the worship time with Graham Kendrick at the Global Advocate’s Conference, these verses really came alive for me in new way. I realized that the Lord was telling me that I, too, am anointed, and can bring good news to the poor, bind up the broken-hearted and comfort those who mourn. It was overwhelming to realize that He could use me in this way. After all the heart-aches and struggles in my life, I can now reach out to help others. Amazing. Only God can do this. I truly have experienced His healing, peace and comfort.
Wordle — Global Advocate’s Conference
It’s time I posted another Wordle, so here it is. This is in honor of the wonderful conference I just attended in the Dominican Republic. I met other Compassion International Advocates from all around the world — wonderful, amazing people! I also enjoyed seeing my friends in the Dominican Republic again — such wonderful, real Christians: transparent and honest — sincere believers — loving friends. Of course, the highlight of the week was for sponsors to meet the children they sponsor, although many more are still in need of support. Here is a Wordle to represent some of the highlights of the week:
Woohoo! Kansas Wordle!
It’s Wordle Wednesday! I just returned from a week in Kansas, so thought I would share a Wordle and a few great pics. I know — when you think of Kansas, you think of Dorothy, Toto and the Yellow Brick Road.
Well, I actually did see them, but I also saw a lot of other awesome sites as well. A couple of years ago they did a computer study on Kansas, and discovered that it really is “Flatter than a Pancake!” Here is the Wordle that shows some of the things I saw:
I also wanted to share some of the photos I took. There really are some beautiful places in Kansas, including lots of fields of sunflowers, all bending toward the light, as we all should do. How can we make sure our lives are turned towards Jesus at all times?
Every town has its grain elevators, but they also have churches in the center of town, as well as railroad crossings and other interesting buildings. Is Christ placed right in the center of your life? Do you realize how lovingly He longs to oversee every single aspect of your life?
Most of the old buildings are made of stone, because there weren’t many trees in Kansas in the early days of settlement. I will soon be writing a post about the rocks I saw, and about the scriptures God shared with me on the same day.
Notice that this farm has both the old and the new styles of windmills. God is always working in my life in areas of my past and future. He always seems to blend the old and the new just perfectly in the lessons of life.
The sun never looked as big as it did this day as I headed out of Kansas toward Denver. Our God is a great and mighty Creator! He not only controls the weather, but gives special (and personal) attention to the needs of each of our lives. He’s far greater and more glorious than we can ever imagine!
I’ll Steal You Away
What happens when we’re sad and discouraged, and we cry out to God? I think His desire is to “steal us away” to a quiet place where He can speak words of encouragement, hope and provision, but unfortunately we don’t always follow that lead.
This Wordle is based on a song by Cisco & Ripplefx called I Hear You. I love this song! I first heard it at a Compassion International Advocate’s Conference, where this group ministered so mightily to us in praise and worship! These are wonderful young musicians who not only want to praise the Lord with their music, but also to speak up for children in poverty! They represent Compassion’s ministry of Child Sponsorship.
Here is the Wordle based on their song, I Hear You [please click to enlarge the image below]:
The powerful words of the chorus are as follows:
I hear you. I feel you I know your pain; I see you trembling again. I feel you, I hear you crying again; I see the teardrop rolling down your face. So tonight I’ll stel you away.
I realize this song may be about those He is calling home to Heaven, but I think there is a “stealing away” by His Spirit that can happen to us on an earthly, but spiritual level as well. This is crucial in our walk with Jesus.
Sometimes I need to let Him steal me away from the cares, worries, and busy-ness of this life. I often feel Him calling me away to the mountains, to a city park or even just to a turn-out along the highway. When I’m willing to spend this time with Him, He speaks to me through the Bible, through nature or just quietly in my spirit. He speaks words of encouragement, comfort, guidance, forgiveness, healing or insight — in fact, whatever it is that I need at the moment. Here is one of my favorite places to spend a day with the Lord – the Big Horn Mountains, which are only five minutes away from our town:
Ok, so I know what you’re thinking — I set this up. Actually — yes, I did — I went to the top of our street and asked the deer to pose for this photo! lol
It just goes to prove — you never know what God has in store for you when you allow Him to “Steal You Away!” Surely you have mountains, beaches, woods, farmlands, lakes or city parks where you can connect with God as well. Not that it has to happen in nature, but it sure helps me to leave the ordinary and get away with my lover — my God — in special times of need.
A Wordle about Alaska and Perseverance
Here is a Wordle about my recent trip to Alaska — note some of our activities, adventures, sightings, and sweet lessons from the Lord. [See previous Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4]
In particular, this is what I learned as I persevered in faith when unable to get on six successive standby flights out of Anchorage across the space of 26 hours. God is the one that caused me to persevere, as I did not have the strength within myself.
Why didn’t I just purchase a ticket istead of waiting on standby? First and foremost, I realized I would rather wait in the airport and donate to the Global Food Crisis or Sponsor Another Child through Compassion International than pay $506.00 for a ticket I didn’t need to purchase! But there were many other lessons and blessings of the Lord in this trial.
Here is a list of flights missed (because no standby seats were available), and why I believe God allowed me to miss them:
August 28 — Anchorage to Denver — 11:25 pm — Blessed to have spent an extra night in Anchorage with our son, Chris
August 29 — Anchorage to Chicago — 7:10 am — Learned to trust God rather than my own plans and schemes, and to rest in Him without fears or anxieties
August 29 — Anchorage to San Francisco — 2:07 pm — Learned to trust He is Present even when I can’t see Him (just like Denali)
August 29 — Anchorage to Chicago — 8:06 pm — Learned how to handle situations when God seems to be hurting us rather than helping
August 29 — Anchorage to Dallas — 8:55 pm — Blessed by a surprise encounter with our friend, Jim
August 30 — Anchorage to Denver — 11:25 pm — Reminded that I’m not God; and cetainly not in control
August 31 — Anchorage to Phoenix — 12:30 am [This is the one that finally had a seat for me] — Blessed by the surprise visit with our other son, Jeremy!
What was the overall conclusion of this experience? I believe every incident of life is significant, whether it’s not being able to get on flights, being snowed in, playing a lousy game of golf, watching a child fail in an athletic event, or more serious matters such as cancer, injury and loss. God is speaking to us in every situation — through trials and suffering especially — if we will only persevere in faith and continue trusting Him. We can learn from Him and from each other as we keep thanking Him and keep resting in His sufficiency and sovereignty. There is a reason for all we undergo.
To quote one of the statements I made in the previous posts: “He is always Good, Just and Present! He balances everything out in our lives, between trials and blessings, questions and answers, wrongs and rights, revelation and mystery.” He’s truly a great God and Savior!
Beijing Olympics Wordle
It seems only appropriate to post a Wordle related to the Olympics this week. It represents some of the athletes and personalities that have been my favorites this year, although I really didn’t see a very large percentage of the games. I’m sure there are many other heroes and stars out there that I’ve missed. Who are your favorites?
P.S. It’s a little late to add his name, but I’d like to name Bryan Clay as well, because of his emphasis on the importance of family. A great athlete, too!
Sheep Fold