Special Mail Days

So today I am in the middle of getting my letters ready to be sent out for July, and I was surprised and happy to find a letter from my compassion child Amanda.

She writes:

Dear sponsor Joanna,
I greet you in the peace of the Lord Jesus and I wish you are fine.  I thank you for the help you offer me and for accepting to be my sponsor, I am so glad because you will be a great help and blessing for me and I will be able to share lots of things with you.  I want to tell you that my favorite food is the pique macho and I like to keep the house in order.  I also like to help my mother to cook and I like to go to the park with my sister.  My favorite color is pink.  I thank you so much and I wish God bless you and take care of you.

With love,
Amanda

She made a very beautiful picture with lots of detail of a house, mountains, sun, clouds, and a girl.

I love my compassion children. 

To The Rescue!

I Am A Super Hero.

It is true.  See.  I have the picture to prove it.  

I found this really cool site off of a Klove Facebook page (For the longest time I refused to sign up, but I had to write a paper on either Facebook or Twitter, and I just don't understand Twitter, so I picked Facebook.  And that's how my page on Facebook started *laughs* then *sigh*) newsfeed.

Really fun site.  (The hero maker, not Facebook)

You can see the resemblance right?  I tried to pick a curly hairstyle, but the ones they had were very strange looking. 

And here is my future husband.  *wink* 

His name says it all, Mysterious. 

We make a super couple.

Happy Errand Day!

I am so tired today.

We did so many errands this morning!

My son saw an orthodontist today.  The orthodontist was very nice and informative, and his staff was extremely helpful.  My daughter was such a good girl at the office.  I was so happy to get in and out with minimal fuss. 

We also went to the post office, to Great Clips, to my sons dentist to get x-rays, and I also had an appointment (not in that order). 

Then my wonderful friend, CT, came over!  We had a great time together.  We talked, and I was trying to help her with her computer.  I'm not that computer savvy but I did my best.  When she left I didn't think I helped much, but turns out she's okay with her computer for now.

We went to CiCi's Pizza.  Such a great deal, but HORRIBLE when you're on a diet/health change.  I did so bad today!  And the dessert stuff there... Oh. Em. Gee.  There was this one amazing dessert, just melts in your mouth.

I told CT, "It's an explosion of flavor!"

She laughed at me.

But that is okay, she's allowed to laugh.

The Glory Within

I have been reading The Glory Within by Corey Russell for the past 3 weeks.  Usually it takes me a lot less time to read a book, it only has 168 pages in it.  But this book has taken me a lot longer.  I am still in the process of reading it.  I have been taking notes.  And have been *trying to* apply this to my daily life.  Sometimes I remember and sometimes I do not remember. 

This is the book:

It is about the glory of the new birth, the indwelling Spirit, and your call to right now access the life of God within you - through speaking in tongues. 

I first heard about this book on the program Sid Roth's It's Supernatural.   And then a lady from church recommended it to me after we were talking one day. 

There are a lot of misconceptions on all of the spiritual gifts, especially the gift of speaking in tongues.   I have heard from other people that they believe that speaking in tongues is a sign of the devil, or the babblings of a demon.  Look at the fruit.  If it is good fruit, it is from God.   If it doesn't worship God, and if they are doing things that turn people from God, or if they are glorifying themselves, it is not of God. 

There are also people that believe the gifts have died off after the apostles.  But that is not biblical.  In the bible it doesn't say that the gifts are not available now. 

And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; - Mark 16:17 NIV

Throughout the book, Corey Russell, gives many verses and personal testimony and testimony of others of the power of speaking in tongues, he calls it speaking in the Spirit.

For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God.  Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit.  - 1 Corinthians 14:2 NIV  

He also says that speaking in the Spirit is speaking to God.  This is a direct quote from the book:

They are not filling the air with sound, and they are not emptying their minds by speaking gibberish.  They are talking to God.
When we pray in the Spirit, we are not engaging people or angels or demons or anything else; we are connecting with our Father in a personal, private conversation.  

I am learning a lot in this book, and it makes me hungry for more of the Word of God, and to be Spirit-filled. 

Cleaning The Body, Day 7

I am seriously thinking of stopping the cleanse. 

I don't feel like it's making any change.  It's been 7 days and there is no difference.  I might have wasted my money on this!! 

So, I really hate to do this, but I am going to stop this one and get a stronger one. 

Yes, I did have a day where I ate not so well, but I don't eat like that very much. 

*hangs head in shame*  IM A QUITTER!   (not really)

I'm going to look into a different one, one that is A LOT stronger. 

Surprises

So, Guy D.

Well, he responded that he understood my apprehension and that there isn't a rush.  He also bought a membership since he was on a free trial, so that he could still talk to me on the site.

What do I think of this?

I am pleasantly surprised.

He is also a child sponsor through Compassion International, and I think that is so cool.  I kind of wrote him a semi-long email about my compassion children.  I was a little excited to share.

He is in his 40s, and lives about 45 miles south east from Fenton, Mi.

He asked me to go out to a Christian concert July 29, 2012.  I told him I would go with him.   He is taking me out to dinner and to the concert. 

Day 6 of Cleaning The Body

Moving along!!

Sharing Good Times

Today, we went to a baby shower for my very good friend, CT.  We first became friends when we were 8 years old.  It seems like so long ago (considering we're in our 30s, it IS a long time... OUCH).  Over the years we have lost touch, but whenever we do connect, it's like time never past.  We pick up where we last left off.  My goal this time is to keep in touch always.  And to not let the things that happen in life interfere with my friendship with her.  She is my true friend.  

Everyone had a great time, there was pizza and salad, breadsticks, and yummy chocolate cake.  I overindulged a bit.  *sad face*

The kids had a wonderful time.  All the kids were chasing each other and playing with balloons.  It was a great party. 

Day 5 of Cleaning The Body

Having overindulged today, I can only guess what is happening to my cleanse and detox.  I drank a lot of sprite, had a piece of pizza, and two plates of some delicious salad, and of course that chocolate cake.  My pants felt so tight when I was coming home from the shower. 

Heart Beats For...

I was dumped.  

I was talking to this guy (Guy A only because I "met" him first) on the dating site, and he sent me a mail saying how he has to stop talking to me, and how he was talking to someone else.  

I was a bit surprised by the mail, since we never talked about getting together and I was trying to encourage him in some areas in his life.  But that's how it goes sometimes.  *shrugs*

Some interesting news, someone new (Guy D) asked me on a date.  Shocker, I know right.  I flaked out tho.  I was like:

"Oh dear, I would love to go on a date with you, but I'm so scared."

Well, that's a bit of an exaggeration, but I did mention that it has been a long time since I was on a date (3 years).  

I don't know if I will go on the date, there is a guy (Guy B) I have been talking to that I really enjoy talking to and learning about.  I love the way he loves his kids.  The only downfall is he lives in another state.  And I am not sure I would be willing to take the kids out of a place they have always known to live somewhere else.  And I wouldn't expect him or ask him to take his kids out of a place they have always known to live somewhere else either.  So...  Not sure what is going on there. 

In the case of Guy C (who also happens to be the scam artist), the profile disappeared, and I talked to him briefly today.  I really want to see if he is actually going to come see me.  He says that he is going to come visit me for 4 weeks.  I am doubtful, a lot of what he says is very out there.  But, I really am curious to see what lengths he will go. 

Day 4 of Cleaning The Body

STILL DOING IT!!!  But I ate a cupcake today!!  Oh No!

Cleaning The Body, Day 3

I am still doing the cleanse and I feel pretty good.  Not sure how I'm suppose to be feeling.  I don't feel sick.  I don't feel any differently.  But I might do something stronger next time.

I've taken my morning and my evening capsules.

(Sorry for the short post, but nothing to say besides that lol)

Healthy Body Vs. Cupcakes, And Stuff

I made the mistake of buying cupcakes today.  They look so yummy.  So yummy.  I gave one to my son, and some frosting was on my fingers so I licked them. 

MMMMMMMMM Heaven!!

I'd take a picture of these delicious sweet treats, but then I would have to look at them more.  And that would just be too tempting.

Day 2 of Cleaning The Body. 

Things are going well?  I dont know, I dont feel sickly.  I've been drinking a lot of water.  SO much water, I feel like there's a pool in my belly.  (not really)

This might be too gentle of a program.  I really don't eat that much crap, I've been cutting out a lot of the grease and sweets.  So we'll see how this goes, since this is only Day 2.

Dating... I might have ran into a scam artist.  I found another profile of this guy I am talking to, same everything, but with some slight differences.  I really dont know what entertainment someone would get out of pretending to be something/somebody else. 

I did mention it to him. 

"So, I found an interesting profile on the dating site."

"Really, please tell me about it."

"There was someone on there that looks just like you but with some differences."

"Not me, of course."

We shall see, my dear... We shall see!  

I really want to sponsor another child.  I've been thinking about it for a few days.  There are just so many children who need help, and I want to help them all. 

Cleaning The Body, Day 1

For a long time, I've wanted to do a cleanse and detox.  Since it's my first one, I bought First Cleanse.  It's suppose to be gentle for first time users.  First Cleanse is a two part kit (2 week program), a morning formula and an evening formula. 

The morning formula contains herbs used traditionally to stimulate the body's natural detoxification processes.  These herbs support and stimulate the functions of the  6 channels of elimination (liver, lungs, lymphatic system, kidneys, skin, and blood).

The evening formula contains herbs that stimulate the bowel to support its natural cleansing function.

I'm not sure exactly what to expect.  I've read a lot of reviews about these types of products and most people feel sick for the first couple days.

Today is Day 1.  I took my morning formula about an hour ago.

This should be exciting.  

The Dating Scene

How am I liking "the dating scene"?

I could take it or leave it, to be perfectly honest.

Not that I've been on any dates, because I haven't.  I have briefly talked to a few men.  And my nerdness comes out because I made an excel spreadsheet (hilarious I know) on the guys, and my thoughts on them.

Some have been nice to talk to, some have been weird to talk to, and some have made me wonder what the heck am I doing on this site. 

Some questions I have asked myself:

Would I be willing to uproot my children out of everything they know to move?
Would I be willing to deal with more baggage from someone's past?
Would I be willing to become a stepmom (again)?
How would my children feel if there were other children in the family?

The answers are unknown at this moment, and I know there will be many more questions.

Special Mail Days

I received a letter from my compassion child Enock today. 

His father wrote for him:

Dear sponsor Joanna,
Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ.  He and his family members thanks you for agreeing to help him to so that he can have a bright future.  He likes to pray and to play football.  He concludes wishing you peace of God. 

He made a picture of a bike and a flower.  They were very nice pictures.

Life's Fortune

My favorite vitamins: Life's Fortune

Yes, I'm making a post for my vitamins.  They are amazing.  I feel so full of energy.  They are a bit pricey, compared to the vitamins you can buy at the store.  At my local health store they are $25.95 for a bottle with 90 tablets.  A months worth, since a serving is 3 tablets daily.

So worth it.

Kid's vitamins: Gummi King

These vitamins are very tasty.  The kids like taking them, and they're very good.  I order them online, they usually have deals.  Like buy 1 get 1 free, or buy 2 and get 1 free, with free shipping.  It is $8.95 for 60 gummies.  Daily dose is 2 gummies. 

Dating

So I've been a member to the dating site for a week.  I started on a trial membership, but decided I would give it 6 months.  So I paid for a 6 month membership.  I know that look you have on your face, I have the same one on mine. 

Why?  Who?  How?  WhatWasIThinking?!  And when words don't cut it, I feel the Tasmanian Devil has the right idea.  Spinning and just making incoherent sounds. 

Like so! 

On the site, I've seen a lot of this:

I'm sorry but I'm not interested in someone who is divorced.

That was the most polite comment on the whole "no divorced people" requirement to chat.  And the more I see it, I'm just like wow really guys?  Not everyone is blessed with a happy marriage with compromising loving partners. 

There is a lot of stigma that comes with someone who is divorced.  I never wanted to get one, and I surely never dreamed I would get a divorce.  I don't believe in divorce.  But the events that lead to my divorce were... unfortunate.  

On the positive side, I have conversed with some nice men.  Maybe two, if I have to be honest.  There aren't that many guys knocking on my "door". 

I'm okay with that. 

Happy Sunday

Today was a beautiful day, the sun was shining and it was hot.  We went to church, I helped out in the 3 year old - K room.  They are always so funny, and happy.  Well, there were some kids who cried because they missed their mommies (my children NEVER cried, they were always happy to go in without saying bye *sniff* ).  

We came home and then went out to the store.  I really do love going to the Family Christian Store.  All those books, well maybe I just love going to book stores, but I love going into the kids section.  I bought the kids an Auto-B-Good DVD. 

Auto-B-Good Faith Collection: Wisdom from the High-way 

This series reinforces Bible-based character traits and traditional values.  It is a very well made series for kids ages 4-10. 

I also bought a couple books.  I will write about them when I read them. 

Fun With Photos

I was playing around with piZap again, and made some pictures of my compassion children.

My First Child Letter

Oh dear.

I can't believe I forgot!  I was telling everyone, but I forgot to post about my very first child letter!

I received a letter from my compassion child Jordan on Saturday June 2, 2012.

He writes:

Dear sponsors Joanna,
May our Lord Jesus Christ bless you and your family!  My name is Jordan.  I am happy and thankful to God that you chose me.  I am a cheerful boy.  I like riding bike with my friends and playing soccer.  I have a toy named Gufi.  I am 7 years old.  I study in 2nd grade of primary school.  I attend the Compassion Project and to Sunday school.  The place where I live is beautiful and it is surrounded by abundant vegetation.  What do you like to do during the free time?  I send you a drawing and hope you like it.  Please pray for me, my family and the Sunday school children.  I say bye with a hug.  I love you so much. 

I about cried when I read this, he is such a sweet boy!  He writes so well for a 7 year old.  I looked on the back and he made a picture!  It's a house, truck, tree, sun, clouds, and some birds. 

I sent him a letter already with some pictures of our trip to Bordine's. 

Is there such a thing of writing too much to a sponsor child?  Now there's a question.

I'm editing, since I received another first child letter from my compassion child Purnima today!

I was so happy when I checked the mail, after mowing the lawn (sneezing like crazy as usual).

She is 4, so her teacher wrote:

Dear sponsor,
Greetings and love from Purnima.  She is well with her family.  How are you?  She give thanks for your sponsoring.  She comes at project regularly, study, play, eat nutrious food and learn Jesus song, story, Bible verse.  She likes the song, "Mother bought a Bible for me".  She wants to know about you.  She loves and prays for you. 

She made a pretty flower and wrote some ABC's.  She wants to become a doctor!!  I love these kids.  They are so wonderful.

Summmmmmmmmmmer!

Well.

School is officially out.  My goodness, there were SO many people at the school.  I have to admit, while I was picking up my son and I was talking to him, and we were driving away. 

I got teary-eyed and I was about to cry. 

We were singing and laughing. 

Schools (Almost) Out!

Today is the last day for my daughters school, and tomorrow will be the last day for my sons.  So summer won't officially start until tomorrow for us. 

Our plans for this summer?

1. Zoo
2. Playdates with my friends children
3. Playdates with my sons friend
4. Bubbles in the park

Probably more, but I haven't really thought about it.  Just wanted to get the school year finished.  My son is on a field trip right now to Crossroads Village, and I'm hoping he has a wonderful time!

Oh NO!

Well...................

I signed up for a dating site.

Blaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah.  I don't know how I feel about it yet.  I'm not even sure why I signed up!!!

What was I thinking?!? 

Thing is, I don't know if I really wanna meet someone.  I know it's in my heart to be married.  But I was kinda hoping I would blink and then magically I'd be married.  Ridiculous I know!!

But.

Oh.

My.

Goodness....

*bangs head on desk*

What did I do?!

The Lost Are Found

Heaven IS for Real. Period.

Yesterday, we went to the Family Christian Store.

It's always an adventure going to stores with a curious 3 year old.  She wants to look and touch everything, and she wants to put everything in shopping carts.  Earlier I took her to Target, and she had so much stuff in the cart, I didn't even realize she had put most of it in there.

So anyway, at FCS.  They had a sale on some books, and a few weeks ago I was recommended a book called Heaven is for Real.

A young boy emerges from life-saving surgery with remarkable stories of his visit to heaven. 

Heaven Is for Real is the true story of the four-year-old son of a small town Nebraska pastor who during emergency surgery slips from consciousness and enters heaven.  He survives and begins talking a bout being able to look down and see the doctor operating and his dad praying in the waiting room.  The family didn't know what to believe but soon the evidence was clear.

Colton said he met his miscarried sister, whom no one had told him about, and his great grandfather who died 30 years before Colton was born, then shared impossible-to-know details about each.  He describes the horse that only Jesus could ride, about how "reaaaally big" God and his chair are, and how the Holy Spirit "shoots down power" from heaven to help us.

Told by the father, but often in Colton's own words, the disarmingly simple message is heaven is a real place, Jesus really loves children, and be ready, there is a coming last battle.

It was half off, so I picked it up.  

Such a good book.  I started reading it today while I was waiting to pick up my son from school.  I was teary eyed most of the time I was reading it.  I finished it a couple minutes ago.

God is amazing.  Just totally amazing.

Being Radical

So I've been reading the book, Radical by David Platt for the past few days. 

On the back of the book:

What is Jesus worth to you?

It's easy for American Christians to forget how Jesus said his followers would actually live, what their new lifestyle would actually look like. They would, he said, leave behind security, money, convenience, even family for him. They would abandon everything for the gospel. They would take up their crosses daily...

But who do you know who lives like that? Do you?

In Radical, David Platt challenges you to consider with an open heart how we have manipulated the gospel to fit our cultural preferences. He shows what Jesus actually said about being his disciple--then invites you to believe and obey what you have heard. And he tells the dramatic story of what is happening as a "successful" suburban church decides to get serious about the gospel according to Jesus.

Finally, he urges you to join in The Radical Experiment--a one-year journey in authentic discipleship that will transform how you live in a world that desperately needs the Good News Jesus came to bring.

 The book challenges you to dig deep and look inside yourself.