SWAP AND HOP

Lysa TerKeurst is hosting a SWAP AND HOP at her website as well as my favorite Karen Ehman. Karen is my favorite because I just saw her speak at Hearts at Home in IL!! I went to her, 'Keeping your Ducks in a Row' seminar. I even bought the 'Brain in a Binder' which I have implemented but I still need some serious help. Karen and Lysa please help me...plus I have a chance of winning a FREE BOOK!!!! They might not give it to me because that is my PROBLEM. Books!! What do I do with them all!?!

My main concern is in the kitchen. The desk where the phone is (there really is a phone behind the kleenex box). Do you see it?? Do you see my 'Brain in the Binder'?? I really do love that binder. Back to my desk. We have a kitchen table near by the desk and when we get ready for dinner; guess where all the stuff from the table goes to??? YES, the desk that holds everything. Holds the mail. Holds the kleenex. Holds magazines. Holds whatever the kids make during the week. Keep in mind I homeschool. So, they don't make a lot of stuff but they make stuff! Do you see the fruit bowl?? Why is it on the desk??? Plus, my husband would like to get rid of the magazine rack on the wall! Why is there a magazine rack in my kitchen?? Books from the library, a bowl to return, my knitting bag for when I run out of the house, books that I like to read with my coffee in the morning (when I can), books I borrowed, dust, and coupons (that I don't use). LYSA AND KAREN PLEASE HELP ME!!

BTW-I have 1 husband, 2 kids and 3 dogs. Starr (in the photo) is our new addition!! I hope you are laughing. I just like to go through the numbers, starting with my helpmeet!! My number 1!

So, I am sharing this with you, Lysa and Karen in hopes of getting some help from them and if possible to win another book for my collection!!!

WHICH SIDE OF THE STREET ARE YOU ON?

There is another rally coming up this month in Aurora. A planned parenthood abortion clinic opened up last year and there has been monthly protesting since the opening.

IT'S A MATTER OF LIFE & DEATH RALLY is quickly approaching on April 26th. Click on the caps and it will take you to the Families Against Planned Parenthood home page. Please check out their video, it is amazing and you will need your box of tissues!!

I have never really taken a stand before on abortion. In the video it shows people on one side of the street, PRO-LIFE and on the other side, PRO-CHOICE. It was interesting to see only 17 standing on the Pro-Choice side and 1,000 standing on the Pro-Life side.

Since, I have CHOSEN to have a relationship with GOD (a year ago I was baptized) and NOT CHOOSING to lead myself in life BUT to be LED by GOD has changed my life forever. GOD has changed my perspective. GOD has changed my understanding to be able to discern what a true Christian is. I thought I was Christian. I went to church. I knew some of the bible stories. I taught Vacation Bible School (for 10 years). What else was there?? Boy, there is a whole lot more to it!!! Don't get me wrong I am not telling you that you are not a Christian. I am saying that I have taken it to the next level and I have developed a RELATIONSHIP with our Father in Heaven.

Mark 8:34-37
Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?..."

Now that I understand truly what that verse means I cannot go back to the way I was. I have been renewed, empowered by prayer and faith. GOD has led our family to homeschooling. This was our first biggest step to listening to the LORD. Since then our eyes has been opened up to things that we would of missed. If I was still in control I would of missed: hugging my children more, reading to them, teaching them spiritually, learning how to be patient, staying home more, learning what it truly means to be a helpmeet to my husband and the list can go on and on and on.

I shared this with you because GOD has led me to choose LIFE. HIS MIRACLE OF LIFE. HIS LOVE OF LIFE.

Thank you Lord for my 2 miracles!! Thank you for your patience and love. Thank you for your SON! We are here to share HIS love, HIS mercy, HIS faith, HIS miracles...Thank you for giving me that chance. AMEN!

GOD IS FAITHFUL

I have just received a newsletter from Brazil and I posted its contents below. This made me think of my trip to Brazil almost one year ago. It brings back such great memories and some sadness as well.
Last year I went on my very first mission trip through my church (and I pray that it won't be my last!) and I met some wonderful people. On this trip I left my home thinking life is good (and it is good) but I also came back a different person. I had changed, spiritually, emotionally and mentally. I went there with my team thinking that we were just going to teach VBS (Vacation Bible School) to the poor children of Niteroi, Brazil. God had other plans...

I went all excited and couldn't wait to see the children and have some fun. I thought I knew what to expect and I was surprised. Brazil, embraced me, I fell in love with this wonderful country of wealth, poverty, gangs, homelessness, beauty and most of all the children of Reencontro! It hard to sum up into words but I will try as I share some photos.

This photo is my ultimate favorite (above). It captures joy, beauty, a bond of friendship. Emily is the third one from the left and just look at those smiles!!! Emily was my roommate and we had a blast getting to know each other and the children. Just look at those faces!!! Do you see the 2 on the right, hugging??


My sweet Nathiely. This little girl was God's plan for me. She touched my heart in ways that I just cannot explain. I did not have her in any of my classes. We met on my last day of teaching at the school right before I had to get on the plane to go home.

On Thursday we were all singing and putting on a play from the bible. We just ended and I heard a young girl screaming. This is where I felt time had stopped for me. No one was moving or they didn't hear her! How could they not hear??? I saw this girl holding her neck and yelling out in pain. I immediately ran over to her and pulled her hand away from her neck. There I saw a thorn, it looked like a thorn and it was big! At first I was afraid to touch since I had no idea what it was. Then I just told her not to move (remember they didn't speak English and I didn't speak Portuguese), well she didn't move. I took my fingers and tried to remove it and wouldn't budge. I tried again and I had to tug real and it came out. Her teacher took her away and I didn't see again that day. I did ask how she was doing and they said that she was fine. I did not give it another thought about the incident.

Now, I am giving you a quick shortened version of the account of that day.....Alessandro (our translator) was going back to his office and I told him that I was interested in sponsoring a child. He asked who and I just couldn't pick a child. I wanted them all. I actually felt bad that maybe I had to pick one and just couldn't hurt their feelings. I told him to let God lead him and I will be happy with any of these kids. I did tell a 'big sister' would be great for my daughter, Anna. She has always wanted a big sister. Later that day he said he picked a girl for me. I was so happy that I wanted to meet her right away. She had left for the day and I could meet her on my last day there.

Impatiently I waited. The very next morning I sought out Alesandro and asked where is she? He brought me over to a classroom and went to get her. When I saw her I couldn't speak. All I could do was burst into tears and cry. I grabbed that little girl and just held her tight in my arms. I did not want to let her go. It was the girl from the day before. The girl that I pulled out the thorn from her neck. Keep in mind Alessandro didn't know about the incident with the thorn, he wasn't there when it happened.

It has been a year now and I can't wait to hold her in my arms once again. We will not be able to go back to Brazil until 2009. One more year to go! I write to her and send photos monthly.

THANK YOU, LORD

Here is clip that I took of the children singing in there native language.
They are singing, "Thank you, Lord"

Let us all thank our heavenly Father just like these children.
Heavenly Father, thank you, thank you for life, for your love, for your Son. Thank you for these children that we are able to minister to them. Thank you for allowing us all to pray together! Thank you for the opportunity to be able to travel to Brazil. Thank you! Amen!

Below is the newsletter that I received from Brazil.

From the Heart of the Starks ~ BGC in Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ~ Spring 2008

God Is Faithful!

“Know therefore that the LORD your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant to a thousand generations and constantly loves those who love Him and obey His commands. ” (Deut. 7:9)

GOD IS FAITHFUL IN WELCOMING CHILDREN – 1By1 Rio Update:
Many of you sponsor children via 1/By/1 Rio Child Sponsorship. Thanks for your faithfulness! As part of our compassion ministry, each week we spend time with these children and their teachers located in two day care centers. Natalia, (not pictured) age 12, a student in the Boa Vista day care after school program, lives with her mother and three brothers and sisters. She and her siblings each have a different father, none of whom live with the family. Natalia lives with the constant pain of rejection because her mother refuses to allow Natalia to call her “mother”. Instead, she coldly insists to be addressed by her first name. Natalia, longing for love, sometimes forgets and for this she is severely beaten. Yet, at the BV center, Natalia not only is loved by her teachers, but she has come to know the love of Jesus. Twice a week Natalia participates in a Bible class where she recently gave the following response when asked: what is the Bible? “The Bible is my sword to fight against evil”. Natalia was overjoyed when she received a Bible as a Christmas gift. Thank God for His wonderful transforming work among needy kids! Please pray for children, teachers and administrators involved.

For more information about the 1By 1 Rio program contact Pam Putnam/BGC 1(800) 323-4215 EX-3235.

GOD is Faithful in Building His Church:
In partnership with the First Baptist Church of Niteroi (FBCN) church planting vision, we are helping to plant a church in the community of Jockey, an area of urban poor about 20 minutes from Niteroi. Together with Pastor Izaias and a team of other Brazilian leaders, we are witnessing God’s faithfulness as He builds His church. We joyfully give thanks that several have trusted Christ as their Savior in the past month and are participating in a new believers class. Pray for their spiritual growth and fruitfulness!

The rental house where Baptist Mission in Jockey (BMJ) meets (which is getting smaller and smaller as we grow) is right across the street from the property where BMJ, Lord willing, plans to build a muilti purpose covered sports court. Our leaders recently submitted a request to FBCN for R$60,000 ($35,000 USD). Please pray with us that God will favor BMJ with a positive response from the mother church and that construction on this project will soon begin!

We rejoice in that after the land was cleared in late March, BMJ hosted a one-day Children’s Bible Club. Thirty-five energetic boys participated in an enthusiastic soccer competition and approximately 100 children and adults shared a meal and heard the good news that Jesus loves us so much that He died to rescue us from our sin. Please pray for whole families to come to Christ in the Jockey community.

God is faithful in embracing the company of the lowest:
Jesus commissions His followers to “go and make disciples of all nations” this includes following His example of suffering and humility by “embracing the company of the lowest” (from Isa 53:12 The Message). While reading Isaiah 53 in his daily time with the Lord early morning Jan 28th, Rick sensed the Holy Spirit saying: “Go and embrace Ricardo, a drunk living among the lowest”. Invite him to Carnival Camp. Go! Even if it is raining hard and the hillside of the slum is muddy trails!” We went, hugged, and prayed with Ricardo. He came to Carnival Camp (photo), quit drinking & smoking (for 2 weeks) & was clean from booze for almost 2 months, bringing several families to our Baptist Mission in Jockey. Ministering to Ricardo began a series of requests for help from other believing men crying out for deliverance from addictions. Please pray for Luiz Carlos, (young man in background, photo below), Afonso and Marcelo with whom Rick is doing a weekly study called “Celebrating Recovery” based on the Beatitudes and AA’s 12 steps. This ministry is an up and down experience that calls for desperate prayer and confidence in our faithful God Who is always in control.

MORE TWINS PHOTOS!

This is a record for me. Me posting 3 times in one week! Boy, I must have a lot of time on my hands...NOT! I just came home from visiting the babies and they are sooooooo cute! Did I tell you that the twins are cute?? Let me share the photos I was able to take...

Mister Jack was so hungry he started sucking on his thumb.

Miss Eva was so relaxed she didn't want to wake up.

Joshua and Jack bonding for the first time.
He only wanted to hold the 'boy baby'.

Eva and Anna bonding.
Anna couldn't wait to hold the 'girl baby'.

Look at those cute scrawny legs.
Can you tell which baby is this one???

Last, but not least, me.
Do you know which baby I am holding???

THE TWINS HAVE ARRIVED!!!

Eva Linnea and Jack Joseph

I know I am posting twice in one day but I couldn't help sharing the gorgeous photos of the twins. Anna and Joshua have 2 new, beautiful cousins!! This is what the proud father, John had to say about them:

Hi all!

After much anticipation and a very long day on Friday, the twins finally arrived on Saturday morning.

Jack Joseph was born at 12:53 on March 15 and weighed 6 pounds 3 ounces and 18.5 inches long.

Eva Linnea was born at 12:54 on March 15th and weighed 6 pounds 6 ounces and 18.75 inches long.

Both babies are very happy and healthy!

Hope to see you and talk to all of you soon; thank you for all the well wishes so far!!

Love,
Carie & John

The proud father, John with his 2 blessings!!!

Linnea is taken from an aunt who recently passed away. As some of you know that I requested prayers for this very special member of our family. We called her, Aunt Maryann but her first name was Linnea. It is such a beautiful name. I know she is smiling upon us right now!

Joseph is Carie's fathers first name. So you can see the family name is being carried over to the next generation. What blessings.

HEARTS AT HOME 2008!!

WOW! What an inspirational 2 days!!

First, If you don't know what Hearts-at-Home is all about please check out their site http://www.hearts-at-home.org/. Last year my friend Becky and I went for the first time and loved it. We met her cousin Kay and her friend, Robyn (who flew in from Vermont). The four of us planned on meeting again this year. Well, our foursome turned into an eightsome and more friends were appearing out of the crowds.

This past weekend Becky picked me up at 4:15 am (YES, I was still sleeping; my eyes were just open). We picked up 2 more friends; Sara and Shelley. We were off at the crack of dawn to Normal, IL. Let me tell you, I don't believe we stopped talking those 2 days, unless we were sleeping or in the shower.

Our first workshop began at 8:30 am with song, praise, stories of brave women sharing their lives and how they came to Jesus. We shed tears, we laughed and we sang praises to our Father! Cheri Keaggy was our main entertainment and WOW was she exhilarating, breathtaking, that I am listening to her right now as I blog. Check her out at http://www.cherikeaggy.com/home/index.html. She shared her own stories and her son came out to play on the drums. She mentioned her son is single!

Here is Cheri and her band singing their praises to our Lord!

Debbie, Robyn and Kay can't enough!

Shelley and Sara with their bright smiling faces!
This is both their first time at Hearts-at-Home.

Becky and I (I am on the left) feeling right at home.

The 3 lovely ladies who flew in from Vermont!
Kay (Becky's cousin), Robyn and newcomer, Debbie!

My friend, Nicole (far right) with her friends.

Our eightsome!
Becky, our new friend, Patricia (joined us on Friday night for the 'moms night out' program), Me, Kay, Robyn, Debbie, Shelley and Sara.

Most of us had different schedules but we connected whenever we can. The workshops that I took were perfect for my season in life. My 2 favorite speakers were Kirk Weaver and Susie Larsen (you can google them if you wish). I enjoyed them so much that I took both of their classes. Karen Ehman (google her as well) was another one who spoke about organization! I learned a lot from her and already implemented her 'brain in a binder' system.

Karl usually benefits from me going away from the girls! I come home all excited to share all that I have learned. Off topic then I will get back on topic........Whenever I go away for 2 or more days he seems to always have to take LOADS and I mean LOADS of laundry to the laundromat to get cleaned. His way of helping me catch up with laundry. This time when I returned I asked if he took any laundry to the laundromat (there wasn't any laundry to take! Looking for praise.) He didn't even noticed that the laundry was all cleaned or should I say dirty? Its amazing that my husband only noticed the mess but not what was clean. A huge aha moment in my understanding of my husband.

I really didn't know where I was going with that but I thought I would share! If you have a chance to attend a Hearts-at-Home convention, I suggest that you do! It is inspirational, fulfilling, teaches you so much more than what you would expect.

I enjoyed spending time with my friends, making new friends and truly seeing our Lord at work!!

God Bless You All,
Lisa

Quality Time

CHOO, CHOO, CHOO...Do you hear the whistle blowing?

I do! I wanted to share what my husband and kids have been up to a few months back. My husband, Karl saved his train set from childhood (I don't remember what kind it is :( He thought it would be fun to make a 'town' together with the kids in the basement.

They began with the ground...Karl built a table then he and Joshua both painted the table green. Later to find the type of paint they used didn't come off!!! I believe it had an oil base. So, they were green for a while. Karl found a hobby store and bought some green grass to cover the green paint. Apparently we did not have enough green! He figured that it would look a little more authentic...and of course it did!

On one of his visits to the hobby shop, he brought home the first building of 'our town'. It was a church! A beautiful white church! He also brought home a 'bluegrass band'! Don't forget my husband plays in a band and he plays the banjo. So, what kind of town would we have if we didn't have a band??

As you can see for yourself our little 'town' is coming along. They will add a river, general store, and other items as time goes by.

Here is a short clip. I had another video but it was too long to put on the blog. Enjoy.

I wanted to share this with you because it was fun watching them work and learn together. Watching their love and friendship blossom before my eyes and God's eyes. This is why He created us the way we are; for His delight. God enjoys watching His children grow in love, faithe, in relationships, and spiritually. For parents to learn from their children and children to learn from their parents. Without the faith that we have as a family I truly believe that we (and Karl) wouldn't of truly taken the time (quality and patience) to build not just a town for the train but a relationship with the kids. God Bless you all as you take the time to spend 'quality time' with your family building those relationships. Not only with our children or yours but with your extended family and friends. Most of you know first hand that 'our time' here on earth is short! Love on those who are around you!! I love you all.