Identity For Children

Friends,

This might just be my most favorite post!

There are NO words that will effectively express my passion for this ministry, these children or the work that is being done around the world on their behalf.

Identity For Children was founded by our dear friends Brian & Sarah Grandstaff and we wholeheartedly embrace and support their vision for these children.

You might remember a few weeks back my husband had the privilege of going to EL Salvador with Brian Grandstaff and our friend Bob Cooper.

This video below is from that trip. (THANK YOU Les for the amazing video!)

PLEASE take a moment to watch it. You will be blessed I know. For more information on Identity For Children please visit their website www.http://www.id4c.org/

(PS - remember to turn on your speakers and pause my music below)


Identity For Children - Promo Video from Les Lanphere on Vimeo.

Pumpkin Carving Fun

Our family set out to carve pumpkins this weekend and what a blast we had!!!

Sadie picked out a cute white pumpkin. And she requested her daddy to carve a cross, a smiley face and a heart. She thought she'd help, but quickly realized she didn't really like the slimy stuff inside. :-)

Ethan had the traditional orange pumpkin and his formal request was his 2 hands with a cross in the middle. Ethan LOVED the slimy stuff inside. That boy is ALL BOY!!

Madison picked out the heaviest pumpkin and her special request was a butterfly, a cross and a heart. She is undecided about the slim...

My beloved Brian is one heck of a pumpkin carver - I was SO proud.

Comparison Chart

This Comparison Chart is my FINAL political post.

I'm eager to get back to the fun family stuff. :-)

But as Americans we have the GREAT privilege of casting our vote for the next leader of our GREAT country. And we should at the very least place an educated vote.

So below you will find a comparison chart for both candidates. There is NO hoopla or persuasion about either. JUST FACTS.

Please take the time to do your research above and beyond this simple (but highly informational) chart and cast your vote for the candidate's platform you MOST STRONGLY support.

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Florida Marriage Protection Amendment: McCain Supports Obama Opposes

Government ban on partial-birth abortions: McCain Supports Obama Opposes

Government funding of organizations that perform abortions: McCain Opposes Obama Undecided

Human Cloning: McCain Opposes Obama Supports

Adding "sexual orientation" to the definition of hate crimes: McCain Opposes Obama Supports

US Senate vote recommending Constitutional ban on flag desecration (vote #2006-189): McCain Supports Obama Opposes

Allow parents to use vouchers for school choice: McCain Supports Obama No response

Increase restrictions purchase and possessions of firearms: McCain Opposes Obama Supports

US Senate declaring English as the official language of the US Government (2007-198): McCain Supports Obama Opposes

US Senate votes confirming Samuel Alito for justice of the Supreme Court and John Roberts for Chief Justice of the Supreme Court: McCain Supports Obama Opposes

US Senate vote to permanently repeal the "death tax" (vote 2006-164): McCain Supports Obama Opposes

Flat tax structure: McCain Supports Obama Opposes

143 Days...

Does experience count??

You couldn't get a job at McDonald's and become
district manager after 143 days of experience.

You couldn't become chief of surgery after 143
days of experience of being a surgeon.

You couldn't get a job as a teacher and be the
superintendent after 143 days of experience.

You couldn't join the military and become a
colonel after a 143 days of experience.

You couldn't get a job as a reporter and become
the nightly news anchor after 143 days of experience.

You couldn't get a job as Director of Nursing
after 143 days experience as an RN

BUT....

From the time Barack Obama was sworn in as a
United State Senator, to the time he announced he was
forming a Presidential exploratory committee, he logged
143 days of experience in the Senate. That's how many days
the Senate was actually in session and working. After 143
days of work experience, Obama believed he
was ready to be Commander In Chief, Leader of the
Free World ...

143 days.

We all have to start somewhere. The senate is a good
start, but after 143 days, that's all it is - a start.
AND, strangely, a large sector of the American public
is okay with this and campaigning for him. We wouldn't
accept this in our own line of work, yet some are okay with
this for the President of the United States of America?

Hmmm?

More Politics Anyone?

Friends,

I watched these videos yesterday on my friend Courtney's blog http://storinguptreasuresinheaven.blogspot.com and they litterally brought me to my knees!

There are only a few short days left before this highly controversal election comes to an end.

I would be honored if you took the time to watch these videos.

And please check out Courtney's blog for many more facts, statistics and and of course some colorful opinions from her followers.



This women SURVIVED an abortion!!

Redistribution Of Wealth

Listen Folks, I know everyone is SICK AND TIRED of this election.

But my friend Jack did a "test" of the "redistribution of wealth" yesterday and I am sure you will find his results very interesting.

Please read:

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“Yesterday on my way to lunch at Doe's, I passed one of the homeless guys in that area, with a sign that read "Vote Obama, I need the money." Once in the Doe's my waiter had on a "Obama 08" tee shirt. When the bill came, I decided not to tip the waiter and explained to him while he had given me exceptional service, that his tee shirt made me feel he obviously believes in Senator Obama's plan to redistribute the wealth. I told him I was going to redistribute his tip to someone that I deemed more in need--the homeless guy outside. He stood there in disbelief and angrily stormed away.I went outside, gave the homeless guy $3 and told him to thank the waiter inside, as I had decided he could use the money more. The homeless guy looked at me in disbelief but seemed grateful. As I got in my truck, I realized this rather unscientific redistribution experiment had left the homeless guy quite happy for the money he did not earn, but the waiter was pretty angry that I gave away the money he did earn. Well, I guess this redistribution of wealth is going to take a while to catch on, with those doing the work.”

Jack

Flashback Friday - The Arrival of Baby Chason

It's January 2008....only 9 short months ago:

My sister is very pregnant and calls with news of a "scheduled delivery". This is SO unlike my sister. She is a no meds, no docs, all natural with a mid wife kind of mom.

SO although this news was shocking it was SO exciting because I actually had time to get there!! I was so caught up in my selfish desire to see my nephew come into this world that I hardly took time to console my sister during this truly traumatic time in her life. (I'm still sorry Steph!)

My mom, my dad (have I ever mentioned just how GREAT they are) and I all hoped on a plane and made our way to PA.

BTW, a little OT side note here - I HATE THE COLD!!!! But God loves me and chooses to bless me over and over in really neat ways. Like, when we arrived in PA in January He kept the temp in the high 60's and low 70's. It was unheard of!! Oh and another side note, FL had record lows the week I was in PA! How Mighty is Our God?!

Ok, back on topic - we get to PA. The weather is beautiful, my niece and nephew are thrilled we are there. We go shopping , eat dinner, my dad starts his nesting immediately - cleaning and fixing every thing he can, my mom can't wait to get the kids all dirty and messy. And my sister and I get caught up as she prepares for her big day. Oh and my brother-in-law, Curtis is in the mix of all this somewhere.

We get up early (5am-ish) and make our way to the hospital. Shortly after arriving my sister is induced and we all eagerly await the arrival of Chason Michael Stumbaugh.

Hours go by, my sisters pain increases tremendously, her breathing becomes short and difficult. The entire morning comes & goes and my sister doesn't dilate AT ALL!! The doc comes in before lunch "just to check on her" and discovers the baby is coming - he is actually coming! And the docs lunch will have to wait!

My sister pushes just a few times and out comes the most beautiful thing I have ever seen....










A happy, healthy, plump baby boy.

This my friends is by far the coolest thing to ever witness and I will cherish that memory for as long as I live!!

Thank you for joining me on another GREAT Flashback!!

Jen loves Brian 4-Ever

I do! I do! After all these years I *still* do!!

Before I get in to all the yummy details I have to explain myself a bit or you all will think I actually love gifts - and not my man.

Here's the thing, I love thoughtfulness and random acts of kindness. It could be anything..like taking a heavy load off my hands, or holding a door open, or remembering an important detail/activity in my life, doing something kind for my children. It's not really about gifts.

In fact, I am HORRIBLE at buying gifts. I try to be creative and think of the "perfect" gift for my love ones but always end up giving a picture frame, a candle or some smelly lotion.

My husband on the other hand is REALLY good at that sort of thing. Like when he sent me to the spa for the day, or when he bought me earrings the day I took my series 7 exam, or when he remembers I love peanut M & M's, or when he brings me back coffee from where ever he's been...

I know, I know, I'm rambling...

Anyway, the other day my husband was on amazon buying himself a new Bible. Because the 12 we have aren't enough. (OOPS, I forgot I was praising this man :-)

So while he was on Amazon he saw something he knew I would love and he bought it. There are no special occasions coming up and he didn't tell me when he did it. He just waited patiently for it to come in the mail. When it did (yesterday) he handed it to me and said I bought you something...

Are you dying to know what it is????

Ok, here you go.

Yep, a book written by Jon & Kate Gosselin. I didn't even know they had a book. But I love them, their show, their family and hope to one day be Kate's friend. :-)

For now, I will just enjoy their book.

Thank you honey for ALWAYS thinking with your heart. I love you.