Questions for My Sponsored Kids

If all goes to plan, in just a few short hours I'll be hugging my sponsored kids and dining with them at the hotel. I am beyond giddy! When I traveled with Compassion International to meet my two Ecuadorian sponsored children, Josué & Emily, in 2013, I had no idea what to expect. No idea how …

One More Day

I have one day until I get on a plane and fly back to South America. One day. Less than 24 hours until I'm in Miami with my dear friend Deb, and we're meeting with the rest of the group. This is so surreal. The last trip still feels like a fantastic dream - it's …

Preparing for Ecuador Part 3: Sponsored Child Gifts

Over the next few weeks I’ll be sharing a series of posts as I gear up to return to Ecuador in April. This is the third in that series. One of the things I always wonder, and end up Googling, is what other Sponsors take to their sponsored children when they meet. So, I thought it might …

Returning to South America

I've got some exciting news to share with you today - it's been semi secret for a while, if only for the fact that I haven't shared on any of my social media outlets yet. But, as it's fast approaching, it's time to let the cat out of the bag. In just under 3 months …

Ecuador: Fun Day

Today, after a long break from this space (my deepest apologizes, dear readers) I’m continuing my series of posts relating to my recent trip to Ecuador. For previous posts, click here. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ After our hour-long bus ride, we arrived at a water/play park. Since it was Saturday, the park was open to the public, but Compassion …

For When You’re in Hot Water

To say I have felt care-free, relaxed, or even at ease these past few weeks would be a lie. It's been quite the opposite, I'm afraid. Stress is a funny thing. It builds constantly without release until it bubbles over impacting far more than you expect. Have you ever been in a situation that is …

Quilt 4 of 26: A Quilt for Josué

If you follow me on instagram or twitter you've probably noticed the flood of quilt pictures from this weekend. One of my June goals was to finish quilt #s 3, 4, and 5. That would not only put me back on track for finishing 26 quilts in a year, but would also put me on …

Starting the Year Off with a Big Blessing

If you would have told me back in 2006, that the little girl I picked out for my church to sponsor through Compassion International would have such an impact on my life that I would end up sponsoring 2 additional children and longing to travel thousands of miles from home to simply give them a hug, …

I Found My Smile Hiding Out in the Mailbox

Hello Friends. I know it's been quite a while since we've had a visit. What can I say? I totally dropped the ball on this blogging thing after participating in Nester's 31 Days Challenge. Honestly, it wasn't because I was burnt out, or tired of writing, but rather, it was so much easier to write …

Five Minute Friday: Quiet

(I’m joining the Lisa-Jo and her Five Minute Fridays. Rules are: for only five short, bold, beautiful minutes. Unscripted and unedited. We just write without worrying if it’s just right or not. Won’t you join us?)   ~start~ I sit quiet. After blogging every day in October, I sit still in November. So still that I can feel the quiet and in the deep recess …