Look at that Smile!

Almost exactly two years ago I wrote a post about my Compassion International Child, Helen Angela, and her Almost Smile Photo - a photo that I was so happy to get because it was the first time I had seen her remotely happy. Always a serious photo taker, Helen Angela comes off as stern and no-nonsense, …

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 …

25 Easy & Fun “Extras” to Include in your Compassion Letters

******EDIT: Please note that this post pre-dates Compassion's New Writing Guidelines that go into effect on April 11, 2016. You can read about the new guidelines here.************ As you know, I'm a passionate Compassion International Child Advocate with three sponsored children in South America. As a sponsor, I give $38 per child per month to …

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 …

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, …

What a Difference!

This past month I joined up with Compassion International and a slew of other bloggers to participate in Blog Month. The goal was to see 3,108 sponsors connect with children eagerly waiting across the globe. And, I'm so very excited to see that not only was that goal met, but it was surpassed! So thank …

Drawing up Love: A Letter Writing Template by Request

I’m continuing my series of copy-able letters to sponsored children. To read more about this series, click here.  Want to pin this template to Pinterest? just use the "pin-it" button at the bottom of this post. Easy Peazy!  About a month ago (ok exactly one month ago -- sheesh where has the time gone?!) I recieved …