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Showing posts from December, 2011

Taking Stock of 2011

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HAPPY NEW YEAR! Photo information:  Photo from internet. Not sure the name of the photographer. At the close of the year,  many of us look back and review how the year went.  Some of us,  make resolutions.  Others of us, set goals.  I've never been one to make resolutions but I usually do set some broad goals for myself.  Mostly these have been unwritten goals in 2-3 key areas.  For the first time last year,  I sat down and wrote out my goals in several major areas of my life.  Last year was also the first time I posted my goals on my blog.  Within each broad goal I identified, there are a number of smaller ones.  I didn't write these down, but kept them in mind as I moved through the year. I wanted to see if writing and posting my goals would help keep me achieve some things that I "always want to do" but which just never seem to get done due to lack of time.  Does that sound familiar to you ?  I've heard it said that if you want to make sure you d

Do You Use Wikipedia?

Dear friends, Do you use Wikipedia?  I know I use it a lot and find it very helpful for the most part.  If you use it too, please consider making a small donation to keep it going. I made my small donation of $5. last year and again this year. If we all do our part, we can continue to have this service benefit us when we need it. Here is an excerpt from the personal appeal from the founder of Wikipedia. With just a few days to go in our 2011 fundraiser, we're so close to reaching our annual budget. Then we’ll have everything we need to keep Wikipedia going in 2012. Only about 1 of 500 Wikipedia users donates each year. But that’s enough to keep us free for the whole world to use, without ads, and without restriction. When we raise our budget, we stop fundraising. Please help us end this year’s fundraiser today with a donation of $5, $20, $50 or whatever you can. Thanks and Happy New Year, Jimmy Wales

An Update on Mama Linet

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My friend visited Mama Linet on December 12, 2011 to take her some support I sent to try and help her get on her feet.  Some of you remember me writing about Mama Linet before. She is the young mother with the little girl named Linet who has a cleft palate. I came to know of Mama Linet through my friend Jonah.  He found this little family while on a medical mission.  On that mission he learned about the little girl Linet who was rapidly losing weight and could not eat.  He felt led to help her get some medical attention and the right food to help her get stronger.  He was so gratified and excited when the little girl stopped losing weight and started to get healthier. Now the little girl is thriving, running around, playing and drawing.  She still needs cleft palate surgery and hopefully she will be able to get it some day. In the meantime, we also wanted to help this mother try to provide for her family since times are very hard in Kenya with runaway inflation and poor maize price
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For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor,  The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.  ~ Isaiah 9:6 God is love. ~ 1 John 4:8   Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself ~ Matthew 19:19

Christmas for the IDPs

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On Christmas Eve day,  my Kenyan friend Jonah went shopping for food at the local Gilani's Supermarket in Nakuru town. He hired a truck and got together some volunteers. (Click all collages for a large view). Their mission was to visit and encourage some people living in a camp for Internally Displaced Persons outside of Nakuru.  These people live in deep poverty.  That means they do  not have proper housing, jobs or food or clothes.  They live in ragged tents and ramshackle buildings constructed with scraps they have been able to find. They live without water, electricity or basic toilets. It is a miserable and hard life. Now and then if they are lucky they might get a glimmer of hope through the gifts of strangers like Jonah and those that help him in the missions. Here are a few photos of the children and the people of the camp. Children love to be remembered. These small gifts of snacks made them happy at this time of year. The grownups also love to be e

Merry Christmas and a Blessed, Peaceful Season

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I wanted to share something with all my blogging buddies for Christmas.  Originally it was going to be a Christmas photo, But I came across this video which really "blew me away" and instantly knew this was what I wanted to share with you all. The song is introduced by David Foster,  Canadian "boy" and well known music producer and composer and sung by the wonderful Andrea Boccelli and the world reknowned Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Whether you are a Christian, or not, I hope that the peace and beauty of this song will bless you. Enjoy! Peace, Joy, Love  & Hope, be unto you.

Wise Words

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A lie does not become truth by reason of multiplied propagation, nor does truth become a lie because nobody sees it. ~ Mahatma Gandhi   31 Then said Jesus ...If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;   32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.    50 And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth.   51 Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death. John 8: 31-32, 50-51 ~ Jesus Christ 

Wise Words

It does not matter how slow you go so long as you do not stop. ~ Confucius Hoping you are all enjoying your holiday preparations. 

Gift Catalogue - Missions of Hope

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Hello friends, I know you are all busy preparing for Christmas. If you are still considering what to gifts to buy for Christmas, I have some ideas for you. It is becoming more and more popular to purchase charitable gifts on behalf of someone else. We have some great ideas for you through the Missions of Hope . Please take a moment to consider whether any of these gifts would speak to your needs.  It would be also be great if you would feel free to share this post with your friends who may still be looking for Christmas gift ideas Soon I will do a post on a woman who has been helped by gifts such as these.  Thank you so much for considering these needs. Merry Christmas and happy shopping! Orphan & Family Needs $155 to $205 US - School Fees per Boarding student $25 US School Uniforms per student $15 US School Shoes per student $25-50 US monthly for Orphan support $55 US Family Support

Missions of Hope: Mama Linet

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I wanted to share this uplifting missions update out of Kenya. (Click on the highlighted title below, to read the post). "Mama Linet" and little Linet. Missions of Hope: Mama Linet : Hello friends, I was able to meet Mama Linet on Wednesday of this week. Mama Linet, is of the Luo tribe, like President Obama in USA. She ...

Soft Glow

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Lamplight keep on burning while this heart of mine is yearning. Lamplight keep on burning till this love of yours is mine. Song: Lamplight (sung by the Bee Gees) I stand at your gate and the song that I sing is of moonlight. I stand and I wait for the touch of your hand in the June night. The roses are sighing a Moonlight Serenade. Song: Moonlight Serenade   (sung by Carly Simon) Join Skywatch Friday here for more beautiful skies.

Sponsorship Needed ~ Please Pray

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Missions of Hope enrolled Kipngeno in university in Kisii Town, Kenya where he is majoring in pharmaceutical studies.  Kipnegeno waited years after graduating from high school to be able to start university.  Several times we thought we had a donor for him.  Several times our hopes, but more  importantly, Kipngeno's hopes, were dashed because the would-be donors never followed through. Kipngeno kept busy on the farm while he waited for his time to start university studies. In September 2011, we took a leap of faith and enrolled Kipngeno in school and have managed to help him through 4 months of student housing and all needs associated with living in a new town and going to university. The term finishes at the end of December and we are appealing for someone who feels led to help Kipngeno, to come forward. Are you the one that can help him?   You would be changing a life for the greater good if you can help. Jonah pays a visit to Kipngeno. Jonah is on far left

Ever Changing Weather

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I was reminiscing about a road trip to visit my mom last Spring. Just look at the ever changing weather and sky in a few short hours. In the case of the bottom photos, it is only a few minutes between photos. Join Scenic Sundays hosted by the Holleys to see more beautiful scenes from around the world.

Macro Flowers - December 2, 2011

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  These flower photos are from my archives as of course we have no flowers growing here at the moment. You can enjoy more flowers from around the world at Tina's Pic Story and Maia's Macro Flower Saturday.

A Series of Sky Photos from the Spring

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Click here for more sky photos from around the world.