The Noticer

I just had the ultimate pleasure of reviewing the Book by Andy Andrews "The Noticer" My what a book it was. This book is set to be released tomorrow! April 28th. I recommend that you go out and get this book or order is! There are so many lessons in this book.

The story is set in a southern community called Orange Beach Alabama. The story line starts by a flashback of a young man who is homeless. Then it goes to present day and the young mans meets up with Jones...not Mr. Jones, just Jones.

Jones goes through town and gives incite to many people about the turmoil in their lives. From the couple who is teetering on divorce, to the gentleman who is a tough guy to work for. Jones travels from Alabama to Georgia and notices things about people that they almost feel he has been in their life and homes.

This book addresses many things in today's society that we are all dealing with. We learn that on the outside we all put on our masks, but inside we all have hurts. Jones teaches many people about the real meaning of life. We all have a purpose in life. Young and Old alike.

Go stand in line for this book. It will teach you things about your life that you may not know. There are thought provoking questions at the end for each chapter. I would also use these when you conclude each chapter!

Enjoy the Noticer...on sale April 28th~

Shannon

Max Lucado

I had the pleasure of receiving Max Lucado's DVD titles Skeeter and the Mystery of the Lost Mosquito Treasure from Thomas Nelson publishers. My youngest who is 10 enjoyed the movie. She is tinkering on not enjoying cartoons as much. She enjoyed the content and lessons learned. Skeeter is another Hermie and Friends cartoon. This particular one is on Being Unique. The leasson is based on Paslm 139:13 and 14. We were all designed by God. We each bring our own "uniqueness" into God's plan for our lives. We were not an accident. We all have something to bring to the table! The colors in the movie are wonderful, and the voices to boot!

Voices of each character include the likes of John O'Hurley...I think he was on Dancing with the stars a season or two ago! Funny man Tim Conway as the character Hermie, Robb Pottorf and Melissa Disney.

The movie running time about 60 minutes. Just long enough for little ones to sit and enjoy the movie. This is good quality TV watching verses other stuff that our little ones may be tempted to watch. Your little ones are sure to enjoy this movie. Max Lucado is one very talented man!

In Minnesota we all know about pesky Mosquitos...you are sure to get a kick out of Sinclair the mosquito. There is a little treasure map and a little adventure/mystery. You are sure to realize that even mosquitos have a place in our world. God must have created them for a purpose!

Go our and enjoy Hermie and Friends with another adventure of fun for your children. Good lessons to learn!

Shannon

A whirlwind week

Just when things are ho hum....

Just when I don't know which direction to turn with Hope Blooms

Just when I am losing interests....

Wham...God throws more exciting stuff at me!

Sue Turner from WCCO adopted two children from Liberia almost two years ago. I have been following her blog since she was actually in Liberia. She wrote on her blog about people from Liberia coming up to her and thanking her for adopting, or sending her e-mails, thanking her for adopting from Liberia. I posted a little about what our plans are for Hope Blooms. The next day she had looked at our website and e-mailed us about doing a story about Hope Blooms.

Now what is so exciting about this is....it opens huge doors for us. We get to share about our passion with adopting and waiting children. We get to hopefully/prayerfully build partnerships with donors. It may open doors for us to get started this summer. And that my friends, excites me! We are also getting the word out about adopting from Minnesota's foster care system.

So, please pray for this time. WE have not heard back from Sue yet. She thought it could take a couple of days. So pray for expedition on this! But God's timing is perfect, and I know that He is already working on the details. And what sweet details they are! WOW GOD IS GOOD! I am so blessed that I keep getting reminders of that every so often... well actually since this whole BIG plan started last July!

Have a good weekend!
Shan

etiquette Did I spell that right?? Ü

I have sent out e-mails to some important organizations wanting to gather more information on ways we can support each other. Adoption is a huge deal. Waiting children in Minnesota is a huge deal. These organizations do not get back to me. It has happened two times now. I am so passionate about helping these children to have a better life, and here are these organizations that are up and funded, and running and they don't get back to me. I would think they are passionate about helping the children they are servicing also.....Just frustrates me. I give them a week, and if I don't hear back, I just move on to the next organization. I am not so sure I want to work with an organization that is just going through the motions...Bummer!

Shan

Stuff

Well, it has been over a month since reaching tax exempt status. We are plugging away at finding money. Writing grants is a long tedious task. Who would have thought it would be so time consuming? But today is the first day in a while that I had a good chunk of time to work on paperwork. Felt good to work...but it is so nice outside. It is hard to work inside when the sun in shining, and it is nearly shorts weather!

That is it for an update....just plugging away!

Thanks for checking in!
Shan

are you really a Christian?

I am not even sure where this post is going...maybe someone out there has a good point...someone to point me in the right direction...

A few months ago, my dear husband Wayne told me that I don't live in the real world. I surround myself with good Christian friends. But that isn't the real world. The real world is...people behaving on Sundays at church functions one way, but in the real world there is swearing, lying, stealing, anger...you can fill in the blank. I don't mean out right stealing or lying. Just the sneak into the game, it is almost half time, and no one will notice. Or the little white lies, or out of the same mouth comes praise, and cussing....

I have been hearing about people that I thought were "good Christians". People that cared about how they acted at home, as well as at church. But I have become disillusioned about those people that act two different ways. I just don't think this is right! What you see with me is what you get...I may be a little more crabby at home, it is after all my safe zone. But if i am nice to your face, I am nice behind your back...I mess up as much as the next person...but I am who I am! I have been called Miss Perfect. Which really irritates me. I don't think I am perfect, nor do I judge you for not being perfect. But the sexual jokes, cussing up a storm, especially in front of your children, that just isn't right...no matter who you are. What is really the kicker, many of the people that I am talking about have other people questioning Christianity because of their actions. If someone doesn't know if they believe in God or not, and see you acting this way...they don't find any value in your behavior, and it actually turns them off even more of God.

Now I am not judging anyone. That is God's job. I am just truly disappointed when I hear of others acting this way...Perfection is always something to strive for. We will see perfection some day. But what will you have to answer for? Leaders of churches......man I could go on! I am just sad by this. Imagine how God feels.

Shannon