The One Who Appears

This time of year we tend to reflect on being thankful. I have been blessed to visit many people and places and I realize that I am extremely blessed. While I am not wealthy by worldly standards, I am rich in spirit. Over ten years ago, I decided to make a commitment to invest in the life of a child. After much prayer, I decided to sponsor a child in Kenya through Compassion International. I began corresponding with a 5-year old little boy who I'll call Daniel (in order to protect his identity).

Twelve years later, I was able to meet Daniel who had become a young man (This is Daniel in the picture with me). Just weeks before our meeting, Daniel's father passed away. Daniel seemed nervous, but joyful at our meeting. I found great joy as I watched him eat foods he had never tasted before. He couldn't wait to tell his friends at school about our visit.

Sadly, Daniel had to leave the Compassion program. Because Daniel is no longer in the program, I can no longer correspond with him. I continue to pray for him, for he will always live on in my heart. I pray that he will grow in Christ and mature into Christ-like character.

I now sponsor a new child. I recently received a letter from this ten year old who told me that in his tribal language, Natalie means "the one who appears." My first thought was, "Hmmm, that's odd." However, what he said next blew me away. He wrote to me, "You have appeared in my life and brought joy and happiness." WOW! What a privilege!

The amount I give each month to Compassion is so little, yet to one young man, it is so much. I pray that I can live up to my name in this tribal language. May I not only bring joy and happiness in this child's life, but to others as well!

Sponsor a Child

Cherry on Top Award

Special thanks to Mandi at Life After Placing for the "Cherry On Top" Award:
1. Link to the person who gave it to you!
2. Pass it on to 5 more people!
3. Leave a comment on their blog telling them about it!

My top 5 blogs picks are (in no particular order):
1. Life is a Bowl of Wedgies
2. Verner Verbiage
3. Chiaroscuro
4. YPastors Wives
5. Tightening the Corset...Again

Check out these great blogs!

Tell me my child did not say that!

Tonight a friend of mine who is in ministry was in town to speak at a Women's Conference and we met beforehand for dinner. My daughter and her best friend joined us. While we were chatting, I made a comment about how few teenagers today know who Bathsheba is in the Bible. My darling daughter said, "I don't know who she is." Well, perhaps she's a bit young to tell her that story so I said, "At least you know who David is."

She looked at me and said, "Yeah, David in the Lion's Den." NO!!! I could not believe my daughter had just said that. I teach students the Bible five days a week and my own daughter didn't know who David was.

Sensing Jorjanne's embarrassment, her best friend jumped in to rescue her. "David wasn't in the lion's den. That was Joseph."

Thankfully my friend laughed with me, but I must say I was so embarrassed. Here are two gals who have been in church their entire lives and they didn't know who David was, but they knew about Goliath --- the big roller coaster at Six Flags.

Guess I need to step it up a notch! Can't assume she knows the stories of old.