Book Review: Kisses from Katie

". . . people who make a difference in the world:  They hold the unshakeable conviction that individuals are extremely important, that every life matters. . .They aren't determined to revolutionize the world all at once; they're satisfied with small changes.  Over time, though, the small changes add up. . .They teach small lessons that can bring incremental improvement to one man or woman, boy or girl.  They don't do anything to call attention to themselves, they simply pay attention to the everyday needs of others, even if it's only one person."

What an amazing story!  I read this book in about 2 evenings.  Once I started I could not put it down.  I was amazed by the strength, courage and faith of this child.  Yes, I call her a child.  She started this journey fresh out of high school.  While most individuals, fresh out of high school would read this and balk at the idea of being called a child, compared to myself, at the age of 41, she was a child when she embarked on this journey.

I remember my days fresh out of high school, never in a million years would I have dreamed of taking a year of my life and moving to Uganda to work as a missionary or, after that year was up, continue to stay and live my life so far away.  Even now typing it, I think that it is something I could never allow my daughter to do.  To be so far away, alone in a country so poor.

This story is about FAITH and TRUST in the Lord.  It is about how much change can come about if one just BELIEVES in God and ASKS for his help.  This is such a wonderful story for anyone and everyone to read about the great things God can do if you only ask him.

To learn more about Katie and the amazing things she is doing in Uganda, check out the links below:

http://www.kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com/
http://www.amazima.org/

Amanda Elizabeth

The last two days have been hard. Monday started off great but a few hours into my day and my Mom called to say that she was keeping my nephew and that my youngest Sister was headed to the hospital. She was 20 weeks pregnant and thought she was in labor. It turned out that she was not in labor, but that her appendix had ruptured on Saturday and that she had a massive infection. My sister had emergency surgery to remove her appendix and to clean up as much of the infection as they could. They started her on some powerful antibiotics and at 12:21 pm on Tuesday my neice was born. Elizabeth Amanda weighed 10 ozs and was 10 inches long. She managed to live in this cruel world for 30 minutes surrounded in the loving arms of her parents before going to heaven to be with her Aunt Liz (her namesake) and her Great Grandparents.

I never knew you. . .but I have loved you deeply!

Sunday, Sweet, Sunday

I LOVE Sundays and everything they represent.  Starting my day off with God and my Family is always the highlight of each and every Sunday.  Having the opportunity to praise God for all the wonderful gifts he has bestowed upon me and the opportunity to pray for strength and humility.  The opportunity to pray for our world leaders.

This Sunday there was a Call2Fall upon our knees in humble prayer before the Lord in order to seek repentance and ask forgiveness and healing for our land.

Prayer is a powerful thing.  I've seen first hand what prayer can do.  I ask that each of you join me in praying for the United States of America, our Home, our Country.  Pray that we, as a nation, return to the ways of our forefathers and put God back into our lives - ". . .one nation, under God, indivisible, for liberty and justice for all."