Sunday, January 30, 2011

One Day / One Lunch...Post from Amy Block...

Proud of you Addisyn......................................................................Friday, January 28, 2011



One Day~One Lunch

“There’s a young boy over here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?” John 6:9

Often times we are guilty of doing nothing because we can’t do it all. Often times we excuse ourselves from doing God’s work because we don’t believe we can make a difference with the little we have to offer.
On February 3rd marks 100 days of my 15 year old daughter, Addisyn, eating a small bowl of soup and piece of bread for lunch, like the children at the feeding program receive. Addisyn decided to do this so that she can donate her lunch money to Lifesong for Orphans for the children at the Adami Tulu preschool. You can read about what God taught Addisyn through our trips to Ethiopia here and here.

What to some may seem a small gift, God see’s the heart behind her efforts. He sees a child who is willing to give up the little she has for others who have nothing at all. He sees a child who did something for them- and in essence-did something for Him- with what she’d been given. Through a simple bowl of vegetable soup God has taught Addisyn so many lessons- in sacrifice and in integrity. He also blessed her efforts through a friend who decided to join in- doubling the gift.

As I was praying the other morning and thanking God for working in Addisyn's life- God brought to mind the little boy with five loaves of bread and two fish…. and how He took that child’s gift of giving what he could and multiplied it.

If you are reading this today- yes YOU… I’d like to ask you to be a part of something big. God usually preferred to work through His people. People just like you and me-and my 15 year old daughter. You have two choices right now. You can click off this page and pretend you didn’t read this and go on with your everyday life- or you can choose to see that God brought YOU here- to read this- for a purpose- to be a part of something big.

Do not worry, I am not going to ask you to do something you can’t- I am asking you to do something you can. The Average American spends between $2.00 and $8.00 a day on lunch. If everyone who reads this blog post would simple choose- on February 3rd to give up their ‘lunch money’ and then donate what they would have spent on lunch that day to Lifesong for the Adami Tulu preschool - can you image what Jesus could do? A mere $3.00 feeds a child for ONE MONTH. Can you imagine the impact we could make- simply by being willing to make a small sacrifice for someone else?

But more than that… can you imagine how it would affect those around us as we say ‘enough’. Enough of over abundance. Enough of the waste. Enough of going on with our lives like we are the only ones that matter. Enough of turning our back to the needs of others in this world. Enough of pretending we don’t know what to do. If a 15 year old can think of something to give, then so can you and I. No more excuses- all it takes is one day and one lunch.
So mark your calendar for Feb. 3rd and spread the word about the One Day- One Lunch Project. Put it on Facebook, add it to your blog- ask your friends, coworkers and church family to join in. Let’s make a small sacrifice- to make one big difference.

"Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love."

~ Mother Teresa
Online donations: http://www.lifesongfororphans.org/donation.html
**indicate for the Adami Tulu Preschool.

Mail checks to:

Lifesong for Orphans
PO Box 40
Gridley, IL 61744
For the Adami Tulu Preschool

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

We Love You Mark....

Memories of my wonderful nephew Mark Winters will be held forever in our hearts....in just one day things can change alot.......each day we have here is one we borrow....

for we are never promised tomorrow.......
 My nephew passed away last Wednesday Jan. 19th, at the age of 23..... It was shocking news ...My parents (his grandparents) have raised him from birth . They spent the last 23 years being there for him in all good and bad times... they have never turned their backs on him and he always knew they were there for him if he needed them...Thank you mom and dad for giving so much of yourself for Markie.. during this sad time of grieving be proud of yourselves as well for being  amazing parents to Mark.... i know Markie was.  Mark has a beautiful little boy Logan who is 2 years old... And Logans mom Kim was a very special person in Marks life....My brother Mark sr. tried to stay in touch with his son the best he knew how and deep down i know Mark knew his dad loved him very much... .....Grieving is hard..everyone will share the pain and everyone has different ways of coping..... my heart , thoughts and prayers goes out to my parents, Kim , Logan , cousins, aunts, uncles, his friends, his co- wokers at Amherst Ale and his boss that he cherished and looked up to as a big brother John Bona...i personally thank you John for being the awesome person that you are and for being  there for Markie when he needed that brotherly shoulder to cry on and share with...... We love you Mark . everyone  will miss you... and know that our heart aches with sadness for you leaving us so soon....forever hugs and kisses to you in Heaven....



To Those Whom I Love And Those Who Love Me


When I am gone, release me, let me go....
I have so many things to see and do.....
You must not tie yourself to me with tears....
Be happy that I have had so many years....
I gave you my love, you can only guess....
How much you gave me in happiness...
I thank you for the love each have shown...
But now it is time I travelled on alone...
So grieve a while for me, if grieve you must....
Then let your grief be comforted by trust....
It is only for a while that we must part.....
So bless the memories in your heart....
I will not be far away, for life goes on....
So if you need me, call and I will come....
Though you cannot see or touch me, I will be near....
And if you listen with your heart, you will hear....
All of my love around you soft and clear Then, when you must come this way alone....
I will greet you with a smile and welcome you home......

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Dad in Az....

 A FATHER MEANS...


A Father means so many things...
A understanding heart...,
A source of strength and of support...
Right from the very start...
A constant readiness to help....
In a kind and thoughtful way.....
With encouragement and forgiveness.....
No matter what comes your way.....
A special generosity and always affection, too....
A Father means so many things....
When he's a man like you...

~Author Unknown~



I like to walk with Grandpa...,

His steps are short like mine....
He doesn’t say, “Now hurry up....”
He always takes his time....

Most people are in a hurry...,
They do not stop and see...;
I’m glad God made Grandpa unrushed...,
And almost as young as me.....

We Love you dad......

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Feliz Cumpleanos Neyvada....





Happy 6th Birthday Neyvada...Four years ago this week a little 2 year old  peered through a computer screen and into my heart...In an instant with a grateful heart i knew that she was my daughter..I am so thankful i listened to my heart ..she truly is a blessing.....Neyvada is a sweet, compassionate and loving little girl. Neyvada is in kindergarten and is doing so well. She loves being a big sister to Matteya and a little sister to Gabi and Bella. Neyvada loves school and wants to be a dentist. She will be starting piano lessons this year . She loves to swim and dance. For her birthday she wanted 2nd holes in her ears ..so that is what we did today and then went shopping for a few new outfits... played at the park, had pizza and donuts ... Next Friday will be her rock climbing  birthday party with her school friends and a princess  cake ... Happy Brithday Neyvada ..i love you... you are my little butterfly and a very precious gift to me....

“I didn’t give you the gift of life...,

But in my heart I know...
The love I feel is deep and real..,
As if it had been so...
For us to have each other...
Is like a dream come true....
No, I didn’t give you The gift of life..,
Life gave me the gift of you.......”

– Unknown

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Haircuts For the Homeless...

 "Help someone who can't return the favor....." Author Unknown  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Par Exsalonce Salon owners Donna (Scottsdale location ) and Alfonso (City Scape Phoenix location) and their staff did an amazing job giving haircuts to women and children  at the Watkins Homeless Overflow Shelter in Phoeinx today...... Homeless are many times never even noticed...or looked down on... low self esteem is a constant companion for too many people in homeless shelters....Everyone has the right to feel good about themselves and it can be very difficult to feel good about yourself when your under stress of these circumstances...Today Donna , Alfonso and their crew put smiles on their faces, a sparkle in their eyes and hope in their hearts .... because someone cared enough to do something special for them....The haircuts they recieved today made them feel like a new person..... i learned today that " a haircut" is another thing that we can take for granted.. it is an element so small that really makes us feel good about ourselves ...the homeless do not have that privledge..today they did... they were so grateful and proud. One of the women said to me.." it will improve mine and the others self esteem.."..improving their self esteem will help them gain greater confidence in the new year.... and that is what we wanted to do today...Thank you donna, Alfonso and staff.... Thank you also to all the vendors of the Par Exsalonce salon who donated all the shampoos, conditioners, lotions , nail polish etc...everyone who did not get haircuts also got a gift.... Happy New Year!









Open your heart - open it wide; someone is standing outside. ~ ~ Mary Engelbreit