*Note: I will be making daily updates for the next several days, so check back daily.

Thankful

We got our sponsorship packet today! We’ve begun sponsoring a child in Tanzania through Compassion. (See the *Be A Hero* tab above.) We are now officially the sponsors of 5 year old Masudi. His native tongue is Swahili. His favorite activities are rolling a hoop, soccer and playing with cars. He has a birthday coming up next month and he’s adorable!

We are blessed beyond measure to help this little one. He lives in an HIV/AIDS affected area where so many are in such great need. We are also helping by supporting Compassion’s AIDS Initiative with monthly donations.

Tomorrow we’ll be writing our first letter to Masudi. We hope it is the beginning of a very long relationship and that we can continue to provide assistance whenever we see a need. It takes so little, to help so very much, for those in such need.

Please consider joining in sponsoring a child. The cost is minimal, but the reward is great.

Consider This

I’ve been shocked and amazed at the vile reactions to Gov. Sarah Palin. They have gone way beyond political to extremely offensive, cruel, and even attacking her daughter and her small son. Why?

I’ve pondered this with curiousity, concern, and pain in my heart. I tried to make sense of it on some level.

Then I saw this insightful article and I think it addresses the reaction very well. The pain of those missing must be unbearable for those responsible.

The article addresses the abortion issue and all the tremendous pain involved on every side. I think the same could probably apply for those that have chosen involuntary euthanasia for an innocent family member.  The burden they bear must be great.

In my personal extended family situation (see above tab *For Life*), please join me in praying that I can see the broken humaness and need of forgiveness in my family members. I need to be reminded they have a heavy load to bear now and are in need of forgiveness … above and beyond the involuntary euthanasia they chose for a loved one.

Who Is Missing?

Your vote may make a big difference!

Whether by euthanasia or abortion … who may be missing from our lives?

Prayer

I pray for each of you daily to be blessed beyond measure, to find joy every day, and to know your Heavenly Father in a very real way.

I also pray that each of us will vote not for our personal wants, but vote to address the *needs* of others … including protecting the lives of the helpless, the defenseless, and the innocent.

Your Friend,

Shelly

NIV

Matthew 25:40

“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’

Psalm 139:13

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.