I am compatible....

In case you want to add me to your "google reader" - I have changed my feed setting. :-)
Happy Blog-Reading!

WHY DID I WAIT????

I just have to say, "WHY DID I WAIT!!!!" Wait for what - you may ask?? I have heard about Google reader and understood the concept but never bother to check it out. I was kind of lazy about it. WOW - if you like to check people's blogs.... Google Reader is a MUST! (Click on the link to sign up.)

I just need to mention a church that is worthy of accolades. We visited a church with my sister on Sunday evening on the east side of Cincinnati. I am debating if I should mention the name of the church on my blog. I received FIVE cards/letters in the mail from that church this week. I must say - that is pretty impressive - especially considering that it is definitely smaller than the church that I currently attend. Would people visiting my church receive that much in the mail after visiting? Do we even get their name & address? Hmmmm....... I am not "dogging" my church so please don't get offended or anything... I do not wish to have "debates" on my blog/comments.

And as a side note - this is the book that I am currently reading. If you have not read ANYTHING by John Eldredge... YOU MUST TAKE THE TIME!!! He has a heart for God and incredible intimacy with God. His books are thought provoking and yet significantly "easy reads" (as I would term them). I have read most of his books. I would suggest starting with "Waking the Dead." Two other excellent books of his are Wild at Heart and Captivating. I will post some EXCELLENT quotes from this book soon! :-)

Happy Saturday!

Pregnancy Care Center

Last night, we attended the 2008 Celebrate Life Partnership Benefit. My good friend, Dorie, is the director of one of the PregnancyCare Centers. I just want to say that she does an incredible job working there. Not everyone has the talent and skills it takes to "stand in the gap" for unborn babies like she does.

Our dinner was delicious. Let's see...
Tossed Greens with Balsamic Vinaigrette dressing
Bread/Rolls and butter
Parslied Chicken breasts
Asparagus
Chicken stuffing ( I think? - it was delicious)
Tiramisu
See Charlotte's blog for a picture of the tiramisu :-)

The theme was, "Answering the Call." Photographer Michael Clancy was taking pictures of a 21-week old fetus undergoing spina bifida surgery in 1999 when the baby reached out from its mother's womb and grasped the surgeon's finger. Michael shared his testimony and how the photo he took in that moment has been used by God in powerful ways every since. Click on the link to his website to read his story. Although he wasn't the keynote speaker of the evening - his story was quite amazing.

John Ensor is the Executive Director of the Urban Initiative Program of Heartbeat International. This ministry is dedicated to training Christian communities how to provide life-saving, life-changing assistance to women and couples unprepared for pregnancy. He gave a very challenging presentation. He started out telling the story of The Good Samaritan. Then, related that to us, as a group.

"Would it be difficult to help a couple earn 50 more dollars a week/month so they could afford to keep their baby? Abortions happen one woman at a time. Saving lives happens one at a time. You don't have to have a special degree to help a neighbor in need. This is Christianity in verb form. Our Christian heritage involves saving babies. What will be our legacy? How will we answer the call? What will we give up to save a baby? Could you give up a coffee a day?" (And he referred to Starbucks - ooh... that one hurt.)

The Psalms Foundation partnered with PregnancyCare of Cincinnati to match any donation made last night up to $100,000 dollars.

Of course, Charlotte & I (blog- & scrap-aholics) brought our cameras along for pix after the program.

Men in Black (w/ red ties...)

Rach & Kevin

David & Charlotte

Tara + baby & Matt

Bennie & Viola Durr

The guys... hangin' around

Looks like Rachael is telling another "Big Fish" story... ha ha.