Category: Home Life

5 weeks ago was the International Justice Mission Benefit dinner. We weren’t sure how Amelie was going to do with a babysitter so I invited my friend Laura to attend the event with me. They told wonderful stories about the work they are doing around the world to fight for the poor. It is amazing what IJM is doing day in and day out around the world. Fighting for people living lives that we in America could barely imagine. Children as young as 5 in brothels, widows having their land stolen, entire families working off a years old debt in a brick factory. A few days before this dinner they secured the release of more than 500 people from a brick kiln in India – men, women and children suddenly free. IJM works after the release to help them and other victims return to their old life or start fresh in a safer place. The story of the 500 is on their website.

Mike and I are regular supporters of IJM and I encourage you to find out more about them and what they do around the world here.

I know I say it a lot, but YOU can make a difference. I may not be able to go to India and save a family from slavery or go to Cambodia and rescue a child from a brothel, but I can help fund those who do. Everyone can do something!

God bless IJM and all their worldwide employees and their unwavering fight for justice.

Last month was the annual church picnic. We always invite the kids who attend our Good News Club and kids who are a part of the KIDS HOPE USA program. I was very happy that 6 of our kids showed up, plus one child who graduated out of the program last year. The little boy that I mentored this year came with his mom and it was so nice to meet her in person.

The girls had a great time running around. Amelie was unsure about all the attention she was getting and stayed pretty close to me in big groups. We gave them some lollipops and then they played with the “big girls” at the end.

Here is our pastors wife with the little girl she has mentored for 3 years. Their relationship is so precious.

I run a mentorship program the elementary school by our church. Last month we took the girls to the yearly carnival and they had a blast! Instead of a cake walk, they did a stuffed animal walk. Nadia won the 3rd time that she played and was so surprised she looked at me totally confused when I told her to go pick one because they called her number.

This is the little boy I mentored this year. He was there with his mom and he is super sweet! I love the spray painted hair! I asked Nadia if she wanted to do it and she looked at me like I was out of my mind. Ah well.

Nadia played this game and Amelie was yelling, “Ball Ball Ball Ball!” So we let her play.

It was hilarious how hard she was throwing the ball. They were flying all around and I almost couldn’t take photos I was laughing so hard.

We bid on some of the silent auction stuff and won a PF Changs GC and a Young Chefs class for Nadia to take. It was a very fun night for the girls and they went right to sleep when we got home.