Orphan Sunday: November 8

Orphan Sunday from Christian Alliance for Orphans on Vimeo.

There are 143,000,000 orphans around the world.
143,ooo,ooo orphans standing shoulder to shoulder will go around the 10,913 mile perimeter of the USA nearly 4 times.
143,000,000 orphans in a single file line would reach around the earth over 2 times.
500,000 of those orphans are in Southern Sudan alone.


My friend Amber Burger (from SBU), introduced me to Orphan Sunday. She and her husband, Vernon, have been working with an incredible church in Southern Sudan called Evangelical Presbyterian Church under a nonprofit organization: His Voice For Sudan. They have been working hard to build orphanages and equipping the people of Sudan to run the facilities. If you would like more information about His Voice for Sudan go to www.hisvoiceforsudan.org.

Giving Thanks

It is Autumn - my favorite season of the year. It makes me think back and reflect on all the good things that have occurred in my life and also what I've learned through the hard times. It is a time of Thanksgiving! In preparation for the actual Thanksgiving holiday, I started a list early in the year in the back of my journal of things that make me happy. And let me tell you - I am a HAPPY GIRL! I add to this list often!

However, I ran across a list today that surpasses the list I have written in my journal. This list is found in Ephesians 1:3-14 and it is what God has done for me! So, I want to share it with you because it is pretty amazing!

So, I am thankful because God has:

1. Blessed me with every spiritual blessing.
2. Chosen me.
3. Predistined and adopted me.
4. REDEEMED me.
5. FORGIVEN me.
6. LAVISHED His GRACE on me.
7. Made known the mystery of His will.
8. Provided and eternal inheritance.
9. Sealed me in Christ.
10. Guaranteed my inheritance.

He wants the same for you! John 3:16 - the most famous Bible verse says: For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not parish but have eternal life.

When we die, we have a destination. Heaven or Hell. It's true. But God doesn't condemn...see John 3:17 - For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

It also says in 2 Peter that "...God is patient with [us], not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."

When we respond to Christ's invitation to be HIS, we are richly blessed. (See the list from Ephesians.)

My heart is overwhelmed by His goodness this morning. I had to share this with you!!

Saying Hello To The New!

This week our newest family member came home. His official name, in my opinion, is Chandler Copper Chase Marquez (all the names we debated). However, he is not MY dog and I've had to relinquish my desire to keep the name Chandler in existence and let the rightful owner (my dad) name him whatever he chose. So, Copper...Copper it is. :o)

We are all very happy he's home. Zacc is so happy to have a playmate and loves his new role as "pack leader." Zacc's personality changed so much - it's WEIRD!

So here he is....Mr. Chandler Copper Chase Marquez!

The day we met the TRIPLE C!


The day we picked him up to take him home!

My gramma was really happy to meet him.

His first bath

The Copper Fro!

Unfortunately....

Seems like lately, I'm attracting middle schoolers, married men or guys with girlfriends. I don't usually post this kind of stuff on the blog for the whole world to read, but here's what I think...

1. If you're a middle schooler, sorry dude, but there's no chance. I'll take a picture with you though. (hahaha!)
2. If you're married, I will politely decline but internally I'm giving you a solid kick in the nads. Have some respect for me and the commitment that you made to your WIFE!
3. If you have a girlfriend - be about your girlfriend!!
4. If your single, have courage. I'm right there with you!

Around the Corner...

Autumn is around the corner. I've been listening to the Louis Armstrong Station on Pandora, have many windows open around the house, and pumpkin spice candles burning for long periods of time. Weirdly, I've spent a lot of time in the kitchen and still I've yet to touch my sewing machine which is calling my name! I have the bouquet of sharpened pencils my bestie sent me in honor of me receiving my teaching certification (in January) prominently displayed in my room. And I'm dreaming of pumpkin carving parties and hoedowns and such! Have I mentioned that I love AUTUMN and all the festivities therein? I do!!

Project Runway: Newspaper as Fabric

You have no idea how exciting it was to watch Project Runway! The latest challenge was to use newspaper as fabric!!

Look at this winning design:


To see other designs click HERE!

And LOOK!! Remember the blog entry from November 2007? Yeah!! The family had a newspaper challenge too and Hannah created a really beautiful dress!



In the second picture, you can see the Super Hero costume we made for Andy (right) and how other designers didn't give Sophia the option of free limbs (left). Without asking what Sophie thought the designers wrapped her in newspaper and made newspaper "arms" with a gun at the end. So funny! Do you see it? And of course, Olivia is sporting Hannah's design which included the bow made out of the newspaper bag (center).

It's so sad that the beach house where these pictures were taken is no longer standing. Thank you Hurricane Ike!

In the near future...

I'm looking forward to watching these movies (I'm pretty sure they'll win awards):

1. Where the Wild Things Are



2. The Blind Side



3. Good Hair (this one is going to be hilarious!!)



4. Precious (this one, epsecially, will be winning some SERIOUS awards)