Sponsor a Child with Children of the Nations

I was  interviewed several weeks ago as a new sponsor for a child in Malawi, Africa... One of the benefits of working part-time. I donate 10% of my gross income to various charities. 

Read the whole story here:

https://cotni.org/news/malawi/2013/08/30/you-have-changed-my-mourning-dancing

True Life Choice / Walk for Life 2012

This morning my husband and I and several hundred others walked around Lake Eola to show support and raise $$ for True Life Choice, a crisis pregnancy center here in Orlando.    If you would like to support this worthy cause in protecting the unborn and assisting young mothers, click HERE.

The Walk for Life provides funds for True Life Choice to continue offering FREE life-affirming services to over 1200 women, men and children in the Orlando community each year.These FREE services include:

• Pregnancy tests

• Pregnancy options counseling

• Ultrasounds

• Baby clothing and furnishings

• Parenting education

• Maternity clothing

• Post-abortion recovery groups

• Men’s ministry

A few photos from our walk this morning...

Recipe Contest / Orlando Union Rescue Mission

The Orlando Union Rescue Mission serves about 20,000 meals each month. With so many meals, they are always looking for something new and cost effective.  They are holding a recipe contest to this end.  The winning recipe could be served to hundreds of Central Florida's homeless and be featured in their November newsletter.

Recipes will be reviewed by staff at the Mission and possibly be tested and served to their residents.  The winning recipe will be chosen based on cost-effectiveness, taste and convenience.

Click HERE if you would like to submit a low-cost recipe that can be made in huge quantities to assist this worthy organization.

Starbucks 12 Days of Sharing

Just a reminder that today (December 1) Starbucks began its Twelve Days of Sharing.

More details at THIS LINK where you click on Day 1 to see the current offer.  A portion of the money from each handcrafted drink  purchased today goes toward the Global Fund to help fight AIDS in Africa.

Don't forget to return to the site each day through Dec. 12 for a different share offer, some of which will probably be BOGOs like they had a couple of weeks ago.

HOT TIP:  There is a BOGO for Day 2 (Dec. 2).  Check it out tomorrow.

You can also text 12days to 29943 for daily offers sent to your phone so you won't miss any.

There is also a link to answer the question  What will you share this holiday season?

Generosity /Tithing and Sacrificial Giving To Others / Africa

Our Sunday School lesson this morning focused quite a bit on practical ways to prepare for Sunday morning as well as on  giving to others...

Last summer I attended a Silent Auction to raise money to help a mission trip to Kenya, Africa where a group of adults and students in our church youth group were headed.  One of the items that I purchased was a beautiful diamond and gold cross pendant.  It ended up being only $20 which was a bargain, but not what the original owner had expected since it was donated to help raise funds.

I debated what to do with it for awhile and even considered giving it as a Christmas gift last year since I do not often wear necklaces myself.  I decided to list it in my Ebay store which I did in January.  I was so excited to let my friend know that it sold for $75.00 this past week.  Here is THE LINK to that listing.    There is another mission trip to Africa this coming summer but I am donating this amount toward the digging of a well in the village where they will be going.  The coffee that I also have listed on Ebay is being sold for the same purpose--to raise funds for the well.  

If  you have a specific charitable cause that you feel led to contribute to and are short of cash, consider selling something that you own in order to raise the funds needed, laying up for yourself treasures in heaven as Scripture says.  Just a thought...

Matthew 6:20 

But store up for yourselves atreasures in heaven, 

where neither moth nor rust destroys, 

and where thieves do not break in or steal...

Christmas Shopping / CHARITY Ebay Listing / Kenyan Arabica Coffee

Our church's youth group is selling 100% Arabica coffee to raise money to dig a well in Mrema, Kenya, Africa. $15/1-lb. bag, ground or whole beans. All proceeds go directly toward the digging of the well.  I have the listings posted on my Ebay store through the end of December 2010.  Coffee is available both in ground and whole bean form.

If you would like to purchase some, go to THIS LINK.

A little more detail about the significance of the label on this coffee--Esther's Well: 

Esther is from a Digo village deep within the mountainous heartland of Kenya. From a young age she dealt with the scourge of leprosy which plagued her skin, hands and feet until she was miraculously healed by the grace of God. This miracle led her to her faith in God, which was unacceptable to the people of her village because they practiced both Islam and forms of witchcraft, and she consequently was ostracized and excommunicated by her own people and even her own family. The neighboring village of Mrema graciously took her in as one of their own where she was treated with respect for her faith, and she lives there to this day telling her hopeful story.

We had a chance to visit this in the summer of '09 and personally met her, seeing with our own eyes the hands and feet that were marred by the leprosy. We also learned that the closest water source is a small dirty river over 10 kilometers away, and felt the call to raise money for the drilling of a well that will benefit not only the people of Mrema, but neighboring villages as well.

The coffee beans for sale are grown in Kenya and roasted locally in Orlando, Florida.  The proceeds from each bag of Esther's Well coffee will go directly to the well-drilling process, which will hopefully begin before the end of 2010, bringing water to thousands of Kenyans who would otherwise go thirsty.  

Here are some photos from the trip to Africa last summer:

First Baptist Orlando ACTS OF LOVE SALE Saturday, October 30, 2010

I completely forgot about this and just saw it on my calendar. My son's birthday is tomorrow and I have to vote early so I won't be able to go to this, but YOU might be able to attend.  Proceeds go to help others in need.

First Baptist Church of Orlando

ACTS OF LOVE SALE

100% of the proceeds will be to their Benevolence Ministry

8 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Saturday, October 30, 2010

First Baptist Church of Orlando is located at 3000 S. John Young Parkway, Orlando, FL 32805

More information at THIS LINK.

Galatians 6:10 

So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, 

and especially to those who are of the household of the faith. 

World Vision Experience: AIDS Tour / Northland Church October 30-November 5, 2010

My older son attended Passion 2010 in Atlanta after Christmas in January of this year.  He had told me about a walk-through experience fundraiser that they held so the students could actually experience what much of the world lives every day of their lives.  He said that this World Vision event sounded very similar (though it is not advertised as a fundraiser).

In our city, it is being held at Northland Church, October 30-November 5, 2010.  Tickets are free, but required and can be reserved at THIS LINK.  Our family will be attending together.  It is also being held in Illinois in February 2011.

"Step into Africa" at the World Vision Experience Northland, A Church Distributed is sponsoring this event from October 30 to November 6. This interactive exhibit is a 2,500 square-foot replica of an African village featuring a gripping audio tour and engaging photography that will bring you out of your comfortable world and into the situation in Africa. You will be immersed into the story of a real child whose life has been tragically affected by AIDS. The Experience will give you a new, personal perspective on the greatest humanitarian crisis of our time. The educational World Vision Experience is ideal for school and Bible study groups, as well as individuals. 

You'll see, hear, and experience stories of tragedy and triumph lived out by real children in AIDS-affected communities. And you'll gain a completely new perspective on the greatest humanitarian crisis of our time. 

• it's about children

• it's about Africa

• it's an interactive experience

• it's a personal journey

• it's a chance to take action

  
  
  Psalm 9:18 
  For the needy will not always be forgotten, 
  Nor the hope of the afflicted perish forever.  

Click to Give FREE Mammograms

A friend whose wife is a breast cancer survivor (6 years this December)  sent me this link to click to help give free mammograms to those who cannot afford them.    Go to THIS LINK to help.  You can  click daily if you want to bookmark the site and repeat.  Thanks, Don, for this info.

While you're clicking, if you have not had your mammogram this year,  last year, or ever, make your appointment today.  It is uncomfortable, but not painful, and only takes about 30 minutes.  Liberal guidelines are for women ages 50-74 to  have one done at least every 2 years; more conservative guidelines are for women aged 40+ to have them done once a year.  Of course, any lump or change that you notice from regularly examining your own breasts should be evaluated immediately.

Wounded Warrior Project / Cracker Barrel / Wynonna Judd

The military,  its veterans and those on active duty are subjects close to my heart.  I have three uncles who served in World War II (Army infantry, Navy pilot and submarine commander).  My brother served in the U.S. Army / armor division for 12 years and one of his sons is currently on active duty as a Marine aviator (F-18 pilot).    

I am pleased to help  a friend (The Happy Housewife) spread the word today about this service for the benefit  of our servicemen and women:

Wounded Warrior Project

The Wounded Warrior Project’s goals are:

• To raise awareness and enlist the public’s aid for the needs of severely injured service men and women,
• To help severely injured service members aid and assist each other, and
• To provide unique, direct programs and services to meet the needs of severely injured service members.

Read more: http://thehappyhousewife.com/#ixzz0oTJVrKm3


Read the  Meet the Warriors section of the site. Each one of these soldiers had a reason to fight, a reason to live, and were prepared to die. These warriors not only had a physical loss, they lost their military careers as well. The Wounded Warrior Project is a great resource for those who are leaving the military due to an injury.

Wynonna Judd has joined Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® in its support of Wounded Warrior Project with the release of Love Heals, a collection of Wynonna’s top singles and three other tracks not available until now. On May 24, 2010, a portion of the proceeds from each Wynonna CD and Wounded Warrior Project products found in Cracker Barrel Stores will be donated to the Wounded Warrior Project. Plus, Cracker Barrel will double the donations of products sold between May 24 and 31, 2010.

The Happy Housewife  has a Wounded Warrior gift basket (see below) donated by Cracker Barrel to give away.  To enter to win this great gift basket you can leave a comment at her site, Tweet about this giveaway, Facebook about this giveaway, or tell your friends. For each entry leave a separate comment. Giveaway ends May 24, 2010.

United States Post Office Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, May 8, 2010 / Grocery Shopping

Just a reminder that today is another one of the U.S. Post Office's  Stamp Out Hunger food drive. 

This past year there have been more food drives by various organizations than I can remember.  That is another reason to manage your grocery shopping budget and to shop the sales primarily, stocking up when foods, especially non-perishables, are at their lowest prices.  Since I have been doing this regularly  over the last year, I always have a full pantry and freezer and  never have to fret about donating food or having enough to give.

There are several ways to check the lowest prices. Here are just a few:

• Coupon Mom
• Grocery Game
• Wednesday sale flyers in the newspaper
• Check with your friends

I use all three methods  for shopping in various stores.  Coupon Mom is free; Grocery Game charges $10 every 8 weeks for one store list ($1.25 per week) with more stores added for $5 each; newspaper flyers come with your subscription.  Many people balk at the cost of newspaper subscriptions since the news can be found online but I have found that the coupons alone more than pay for the subscription.   Friends often have good leads on the best prices, some of mine even post them on Facebook occasionally.

Just some simple ways to stretch your (or your husband's) hard-earned $$.