A New Year's Prayer for 2010

God of our yesterdays, our today, and our tomorrows.
We praise You for Your unequaled greatness.

Thank You for the year behind us and for the year ahead.
Help us in Your new year, Father, to fret less and laugh more.
To teach our children to laugh by laughing with them.
To teach others to love by loving them.
Knowing, when Love came to the stable in Bethlehem, He came for us.
So that Love could be with us, and we could know You.
That we could share Love with others.

Help us, Father, to hear Your love song in every sunrise,
in the chirping of sparrows in our backyards,
in the stories of our old folks, and the fantasies of our children.

Help us to stop and listen to Your love songs,
so that we may know You better and better.

We rejoice in the world You loved into being.
Thank You for another new year and for new chances every day.

We pray for peace, for light, and for hope, that we might spread them to others.

Forgive us for falling short this past year. We leave the irreparable past in your hands, and step out into the unknown new year knowing You will go with us.

We accept Your gift of a new year and we rejoice in what's ahead, depending on You to help us do exactly what You want.

~ Author Unknown ~

Cody's Big Adventure starts TODAY! Outward Bound Back Country Snowboarding in Colorado

Cody begins an amazing journey today - he is going on a wilderness adventure with Outward Bound. He will be flying (by himself - yikes) to Colorado and living out in the snow, climbing mountains and snowboarding down them for the next 9 days with a group of guys he's never met before.

I must be crazy, right?! Well, no, although I have thought that myself. I just believe that if you help a kid focus in on what they really love and what they're good at, they will be more successful in finding their life purpose and become contributing members of society.

Cody has shown a lot of interest in pursuing wilderness adventure for a career and he thinks he wants to live in Colorado, so for his 16th birthday and Christmas, we decided to send him on this journey to see if he really does love it and want to pursue it. It's not a vacation - it's far from it - Outward Bound teaches them leadership, team work, service, and solitude. The kids are unplugged from everything they are used to and thrown into the great outdoors to experience life in a whole different way. I can't wait to see what he learns and how he grows from this! Check out the videos to learn more.

Video - Facebook users click HERE to view







Cody will be back Thursday, Jan. 7 - would you please pray for him while he's gone. And while you're at it, you could pray for me too because even though I'm so excited he gets this opportunity, I am extremely nervous and on edge.

Here's his schedule:

Monday - Travel to Chicago with Mom and Dad - have a family day

Tuesday - Fly out of Midway to Denver - stay overnight in a hotel by himself (yikes)

Wednesday - Outward Bound picks him up in the a.m. - they travel 3 hours into the mountains

Thursday & Friday - Training at Copper Canyon resort - they will learn everything they need to know and will practice carrying all of their gear on their backs. This will be the last time during the trip they get to use ski lifts!

Friday thru Tuesday - Living out in the mountains. One of these days will be used for solitude. The kids actually set up their own camp and stay by themself for a day to reflect and be quiet. The counselors constantly rotate between them, but stay back and only interact if they need help. GULP!

Wednesday - Traveling back home ALL DAY LONG!

Thursday - Back at home with his happy Mom!

www.outwardbound.org

What I want for Christmas more than anything else

Facebook users click HERE to view video

No more lives torn apart,

that wars would never start, and time would heal all hearts.

That everyone would have a friend, that right would always win,

and LOVE would never end...

For the Man Who Hated Christmas

This story below was written by Nancy Gavin and originally published in the December 14, 1982 issue of Woman's Day magazine.

It’s just a small, white envelope stuck among the branches of our Christmas tree. No name, no identification, no inscription. It has peeked through the branches of our tree for the past ten years or so.

It all began because my husband Mike hated Christmas--oh, not the true meaning of Christmas, but the commercial aspects of it--overspending... the frantic running around at the last minute to get a tie for Uncle Harry and the dusting powder for Grandma---the gifts given in desperation because you couldn’t think of anything else.

Knowing he felt this way, I decided one year to bypass the usual shirts, sweaters, ties and so forth. I reached for something special just for Mike. The inspiration came in an unusual way.
Our son Kevin, who was 12 that year, was wrestling at the junior level at the school he attended; and shortly before Christmas, there was a non-league match against a team sponsored by an inner-city church. These youngsters, dressed in sneakers so ragged that shoestrings seemed to be the only thing holding them together, presented a sharp contrast to our boys in their spiffy blue and gold uniforms and sparkling new wrestling shoes. As the match began, I was alarmed to see that the other team was wrestling without headgear, a kind of light helmet designed to protect a wrestler’s ears. It was a luxury the ragtag team obviously could not afford. Well, we ended up walloping them. We took every weight class. And as each of their boys got up from the mat, he swaggered around in his tatters with false bravado, a kind of street pride that couldn’t acknowledge defeat.

Mike, seated beside me, shook his head sadly, “I wish just one of them could have won,” he said. “They have a lot of potential, but losing like this could take the heart right out of them.” Mike loved kids - all kids - and he knew them, having coached little league football, baseball and lacrosse. That’s when the idea for his present came. That afternoon, I went to a local sporting goods store and bought an assortment of wrestling headgear and shoes and sent them anonymously to the inner-city church.

On Christmas Eve, I placed the envelope on the tree, the note inside telling Mike what I had done and that this was his gift from me. His smile was the brightest thing about Christmas that year and in succeeding years. For each Christmas, I followed the tradition--one year sending a group of mentally handicapped youngsters to a hockey game, another year a check to a pair of elderly brothers whose home had burned to the ground the week before Christmas, and on and on.

The envelope became the highlight of our Christmas. It was always the last thing opened on Christmas morning and our children, ignoring their new toys, would stand with wide-eyed anticipation as their dad lifted the envelope from the tree to reveal its contents.
As the children grew, the toys gave way to more practical presents, but the envelope never lost its allure. The story doesn’t end there.

You see, we lost Mike last year due to dreaded cancer. When Christmas rolled around, I was still so wrapped in grief that I barely got the tree up. But Christmas Eve found me placing an envelope on the tree, and in the morning, it was joined by three more.

Each of our children, unbeknownst to the others, had placed an envelope on the tree for their dad. The tradition has grown and someday will expand even further with our grandchildren standing to take down the envelope.

Mike’s spirit, like the Christmas spirit will always be with us.

Motivation Monday . . . The Blind Side - The True Story

(Facebook users click HERE to view video)

"If you give somebody a chance, there's hope for that person"

Michael Oher

Who is in your life right now that you could do one small thing for?

What could you do for them?

How and when will you do this?

Let me know - leave a comment!

Lanette + TOMS Shoes

Have you seen the commercial for TOMS Shoes on TV yet? Blake McCoskie started TOMS shoes because he wanted to operate a business that makes a difference in the world. For every pair of shoes TOMS sells, another pair is hand delivered and placed on the feet of a child in need. It’s an amazing story and you can see that at the bottom of the page.

So what does that have to do with me??













TOMS shoes has inspired me to “take a leap of faith” and start a business doing what I love and what I’m good at, while at the same time raising money to help empower women, children and families.

I have just debuted a line of hand made jewelry that includes great inspirational messages and charms. I’ve also released some of my photography, but what makes it different are the motivational quotes that are beautifully placed into the picture. All of my products would make lovely and thoughtful gifts this holiday season.

The BEST part is that 50% of the proceeds from my Inspirational Jewelry and Photo Art line go directly to missions and humanitarian work that really will make a difference in someone’s life. Check out my new store at

www.livehappy4life.com


Will you help me make this dream come true? Please shop here this holiday season and forward this to anyone you think might be interested!!

(If you are in the South Bend/Mishawaka area, you can pick the items up and save shipping. There is a form on every item that lets you skip the shipping charges – please fill that one out if you place an order.)

Facebook users click HERE to view the video or go directly to the blog

If you’re interested here are links to what I am raising money for:

* Sonnyvilla – the local charity that I support – http://www.sonnyvilla.org/

* Kiva – an awesome organization that gives micro loans to entrepreneurs who are in great need – http://www.kiva.org/

* The Rajski Mexico Mission – I’ll be teaching some women in Mexico how to make jewelry and start their own business this winter – you can read more about the trip at http://lanetteonmission.blogspot.com/2009_09_01_archive.html

Monday Motivation . . . Advent - Let's stop the insanity!

O Come, O Come Immanuel

(Immanuel means "God With Us")
Facebook users view video HERE

ADVENT: The coming or arrival, especially of something extremely important

I've been wondering lately why I've been getting so irritated at the stores and all of the craziness that is involved with Christmas. Yesterday, it finally all made sense. I've been studying Advent a little and am finding that advent means "to prepare for the coming of something extremely important".

It seems to me that the only thing that seems important when you open the paper, surf the net, or turn on the TV is the commercialism and craziness of the season. Budgets are blown, people are stressed out, Mom's are overworked, and the noise and chaos of it all is deafening. There's so much insanity that it's hard to see and remember what it is we are celebrating...

We are celebrating Christ's birth . . . the day that God came to be with us because he loves us so much.

The advent season (the 4 Sunday's before Christ's birth) is meant for us to prepare for the coming of Christ. To think about how desperate we are for his love and light in this dark world. To remember and acknowledge what God has done for us. To serve others and spread the light of Christ to everyone we know.

The celebration part of Christmas doesn't start until Christmas day - the day Christ was born.

THAT was the missing piece for me . . . no wonder it all gets to me so much that I want to run away to an island, put some lights around a palm tree and just be on the beach singing and spending time with my God and my close family and friends. It's all too crazy! It's like 3 months of insanity leading up to Christmas.

(O come, O come Immanuel . . . we need a savior . . . we need your light)

Let's stop the insanity . . . it was never supposed to be like this. This season is a time for reflection, preparation and spreading light and love . . . will you commit with me to simplify, cut back, rest and prepare?

What would it be like to simplify and get back to the Christmas basics?

What steals your joy at Christmas time?

What consumes you?

What do you want your focus to be this Advent season?

Trust . . .

Silver Lake, Michigan

I was able to catch this shot of a little girl (ok, I confess, it’s my niece Airiana) chasing seagulls on the beach without a care in the world. Just watching her be her true self – talking to the birds, laughing and running - was a beautiful sight that I will cherish forever! It’s a great reminder to me to just let go of life’s burdens for awhile, relax, have fun and TRUST!

Check out more of my artwork for sale at

www.livehappy4life.com

Moments that take your breath away

Tulum, Mexico

I was so lucky to get this beautiful shot of an adorable little Mayan girl walking on the beach behind her Daddy. They were out for a Sunday stroll and the sight of them walking the beach together was a beautiful moment that took my breath away.

Checkout more of my artwork for sale at http://www.livehappy4life.com/

Motivating Underachievers: When Your Child Says "I Don't Care"

Motivating Underachievers Part I: When Your Child Says "I Don't Care" (read the entire artcile by James Lehman here) Following is a condensed version.

The first thing to understand about teens and pre-teens who seem to have no motivation is this simple truth: It's impossible to have no motivation. Everybody is motivated—it just depends on what they’re motivated to do.

I think it's helpful to see that rather than being unmotivated, these kids are actually motivated to not perform and to resist their parents. In other words, they’re motivated to do nothing.

Think of lack of motivation as an action problem—and the action is to resist. These kids are making excuses; they’re pushing their parents away. At school, they’re motivated to resist studying and homework. Once you realize that your adolescent is motivated to do nothing. “I don’t care” is their magic wand and their shield—it takes off pressure and makes them feel in control all at the same time. The words “I don’t care” empower them. Frankly, you can't make your child care. Let’s be honest, the old saying, “You can bring a horse to water, but you can't make him drink” is true. But understand that while we can’t make our kids drink, we can certainly try to make them thirsty.

9 Ways to Get through to Your Underachieving Child or Teen

Look at What Your Child Likes: Make a point of observing what your child likes and enjoys now. Look at his actions—if he watches a lot of TV, plays on the computer, if he likes video games or texting, you know what he likes. Ask yourself: does he like going to the movies? Does he like going fishing? Does he like taking walks? Take an inventory of the things he enjoys and write it all down on a piece of paper. Later, you can use these things as incentives.

Take the Goodies out of His Room: If you have a child who holes up in his bedroom, the computer should be in the living area—and if he's going to use it, he should be out there with other people. He also shouldn’t have a TV or video games in his room, and if he’s not performing, don’t let him have his cell phone, either.

Make Sure everything is Earned Each Day: Hold unmotivated kids accountable. Make sure everything is earned. Life for these guys should be one day at a time. They should have to earn video games every day. And how do they earn them? By doing their homework and chores. They earn their cell phone today and then start over tomorrow. Let me be clear: for these kids, Mom should hold the phone.

Have Conversations about What Your Child Wants: Sit down with your child and say “So what kind of car would you like to have? Do you like Jeeps?” Try to get him to talk about what he'd like. You can say things like, “Just think, some day you're going to have your own place. What kind of place would you like?” That's the type of thing you use to motivate adolescents because that's what is real to them: they want to get an apartment, they want to have a girlfriend or boyfriend, they want to get a car. So have conversations about what it takes to attain those things. And don’t forget, it’s a mistake to give your teen or pre-teen lectures when you want them to do something—instead, make them see that completing their responsibilities is in their best interests, because it leads to the life they’d like to have in the future.

Don’t Shout, Argue, Beg or Plead: If you’re shouting, you're just letting your child know that he’s in control. Here’s the truth: when people start shouting, it means they've run out of solutions. Arguing, pleading, and trying to get your teen to talk about how they feel is not very effective when they’re using withholding as a relationship strategy.

“It Matters to Me.” I think parents have to be very clear and tell their children that what they do matters to them. Personalize it by saying, “It matters to me. I care about you. I want you to do well. I can't make you do it and I won't force you. But it matters to me and I love you.”
By the way, when I tell parents to personalize it by saying “It matters to me,” that doesn’t mean you should take it personally. Taking something personally means believing that your child’s inappropriate behavior is directed at you. It’s not—in reality, it’s their overall strategy to deal with the stresses of life.

Stop Doing Your Child’s Tasks for Him: “Learned helplessness” is when people learn that if they don’t do something, someone will step in and do it for them—and it’s a very destructive pattern. As a parent, it’s important to stop doing things that he needs to do for himself. Don’t do his homework—let him do it. You can be available for help if necessary, but don’t take on his tasks. I believe one of the most important things an adolescent has to learn is independence, and if you take on his responsibilities, you’re robbing him of this chance to develop.

Learn How to Be a Coach: Let’s face it: it's often sports coaches who get the most out of our kids. It’s their job to help kids want to improve their skills. So the coach learns a little bit about each of his players. A good coach is not constantly saying, “You’re great, you’re the best, you’re a superstar!” Rather, they always keep their athletes looking forward by complimenting them on the specifics of their progress. Always keep your child looking forward. Comment on his or her progress instead of telling them how great they are when they haven’t put forth much of an effort.

Set Deadlines and Use Structure: Tell your child clearly when to do chores and schoolwork—and when you want them done by. “Do your chores from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., and then you'll have free time until dinner. And during free time, you can do whatever you want to do.”

It’s important for parents to realize that being an underachiever gives your child a sense of control and power, because then he doesn't have to worry about the anxiety of failure or meeting challenging responsibilities. Once you start to achieve, people expect more of you. Kids feel this quite powerfully and they don't have much defense against it. So you'll often see that when people start expecting more of these kids, they fall apart.

A kid who's an underachiever is motivated to do less—or to do nothing—because it gives him a sense of power and it gets him out of the stress of having to meet responsibilities. Your job as a parent is to help him by coaching him to meet those responsibilities in spite of his anxiety, fear or apathy.

Motivation Monday . . . Quickie Inspiration- 40 speeches in 2 minutes!

Awesome Video that'll get you going on a Monday morning!

Facebook users click HERE to watch video



Watch this whenever you're feeling defeated and I guarantee you'll get your mojo back!

Motivation Monday - Hope

Your thoughts, words and deeds are painting the world around you.
Jewel Diamond Taylor
Facebook users click HERE to view video


You get to choose what you focus on.

There is beauty in every moment we're alive - you just have to choose to see it.

Are you so focused on what is wrong with your life that you can't see all the things that are good?

That's no way to live.

Don't miss it! Open up your eyes and really see - there's beauty all around you!

What are you missing out on?

WHO are you taking for granted?

What are some good things in your life?

. . . You'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse - Phillipians 4:8 (msg)

Video provided by www.values.com

Motivation Monday -

Motivational Monday is BACK!! . . . Encouragement

Imagine what the world would be like if we all

responded to an awkward situation like this man did!
(Facebook users click HERE to view the video)

Inspired by a true story.

I wonder how this compassionate response affected the boy's life??

I wonder what would have happened if he was yanked off the stage, scolded and humiliated?

What could you learn from the pianist that you can apply to your every day life - not just for children, but for anyone?

Video from http://www.values.com/

The Big Announcement

A few weeks ago we had a party (Fiesta) to announce and celebrate a new venture the Rajski's are stepping into. If you weren't there, or you were there and couldn't follow my nervous speech, here it is with more clarity:

On January 27th Trent and I will be taking a 5 week "sabbatical" to the Riviera Maya in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico to explore future Humanitarian/Missions opportunities. Here are some questions that people have asked - you might be wondering too, so here goes:

Where is the Yucatan Peninsula? It sounds really far away!

Heck no it's not far away. The Yucatan Peninsula is the name for a big thumb shaped piece of Mexico that sticks out and kind of points up to Florida. From Chicago it is only a 3 1/2 hour trip by plane. It's really easy to get to. If you've ever heard of Cancun or the Riviera Maya - that's where we're going. We will be staying in Puerto Morelos - a little fishing village just 4o minutes south of the Cancun airport. We usually stay much farther south in the Riviera Maya, but this location will make it easy to get just about anywhere in the Yucatan (plus we'll have access to fresh fish and lobster every day!!)

Click HERE for a map. Click HERE to see a cool website about the Riviera Maya.

Why Mexico? Can't you find people here in the U.S. to help?

20 years ago we found this area by "accident" - although come to find out, it's not an accident at all. When we're there we feel like we're home. It is truly one of the most beautiful places in the world with natural wonders and beauty like I've never seen anywhere else. We have fallen in love with the people and feel that God is calling us to make that area and the Mayan people part of our lives.

Yes, there are plenty of people to help here in the U.S. and we do our best to do that in many ways. Different people are called for different things - we believe that there is something special God has for us to do for the Mayan people in the Yucatan, so we are stepping out in faith to see what that might be. We will continue to support and help the people in our family and in our community too.

What about Cody - is he staying home alone? (or in other words . . . what kind of parents are you - leaving your teenager for 5 weeks???)

NO, he is NOT staying home alone! We wish he could go with us, but it's not in his best interest to take him out of school for that long. We have it worked out where we will only be apart for 2 weeks at a time. We'll be gone for 2 weeks and he'll stay with close family or friends - then he'll fly down with Trent's brothers family and stay with us for a week on the beach - then they will all go back home and we'll be back in just two weeks. Works out perfect! We will definitely be skyping every day though and I'm sure we'll miss each other alot, but Cody is totally on board with us and is exploring the possibility of spending a long stretch of time down there after he graduates from high school. He's been there before and loves it!

Someone told me you're selling everything and moving to Mexico, or you're staying for 6 months - is that true???

Now that's how rumors get started - so stop that!! NO, we are not selling everything and moving there. SOMEDAY . . . when Cody is much older, we would like to consider the possibility of living there 4 - 6 months out of the year, but for now we are just going for a little over a month. We'll see what happens from there. BUT, if we come back and can't stand the Indiana winter, I'll make sure you get an invite to the big Garage Sale - ha ha!

What are you going to do for 5 weeks - lay on the beach and drink margaritas??

The purpose of going down and spending a long stretch of time is to meet people and explore the area more than we are able to when we are down for just a week. I picture us getting in the car and taking off and exploring as much as we possibly can and talking to as many people and organizations as we can. At this point we are keeping an open mind and just exploring what might be needed and what might be possible.

One of the things we are dreaming about is just having money in our pocket to do random acts of kindness. For example, if we go to a small village and they need food, then we will get them some food. If their kids need underwear or shoes, then we'll get them some underwear or shoes . . . we'll just do what we can with what we have, spur of the moment. Sounds pretty fun, huh? (That's what my new photography and art business is raising money for).

And yes, I'm sure there will be a little bit of laying on the beach and a few margaritas here and there in our future!

What about Trent’s shop - how will it survive without him?

It will be fine! Our nephew Shaun is in training as we speak (or read) to take over the business when Trent is gone and he's doing very, very well. If it doesn't survive, then maybe we will be selling everything and moving to Mexico - lol! All joking aside, we feel that if we're doing what God has prompted us and wired us to do, then He will provide and take care of everything we need.

Are you scared? What about the crime and all the people getting killed in Mexico. What about the swine flu???

No, we're not scared at all, we're super excited (or maybe clueless??). There is not a lot of crime where we are going. We have always felt safe there before and have never been threatened. This area of Mexico is much different than the parts you're hearing about in the news. Here's an article on how it's more dangerous to vacation in Orlando than it is in the Riviera Maya - click here. I'm not a-skeered of the swine flu either!

What do you hope will come of all this?

Wow, that's hard to say right now. We hope that God will give us clarity and that He will go before us and prepare the way for whatever it is we're supposed to be doing. There are soooo many possibilities that excite us that it's hard to say right now.

The main thing that we hope will come from this is that people in the Yucatan AND people here in the states will benefit - that lives will be made better and that people will know that there is a God that loves them, sees them and wants the best for them. That people will become aware of who God created them to be and embrace that and use it to spread love and make the world a better place.

What can we do to help?

Well, right now you can pray for us and just encourage and support us by not saying "that's the dumbest thing I've ever heard", or anything like that. In the next couple of months we may have some opportunities for people to come on board and help us feed a village of kids, or give them new blankets or something like that . . . so if you could open your e-mails and respond to that when we send it out, that would be great!

I've started a new business of inspirational photo art and wire wrapped jewelry that will be helping to fund our humanitarian work while we're there. If you could do your Christmas or birthday shopping with me, that would help a lot (25% of the proceeds go straight to help empower women and families). The website will be live shortly - here's then link for future reference http://www.livehappy4life.com/

You could also help by watching out for my kid while we're gone. If you see him in his big blue truck driving like a teenager with his parents out of town, or he's somewhere you don't think he should be - send me a text or something! (Ha ha - just kidding Cody)

If you read all the way to the bottom of this post - thank you very much for listening and supporting us - you've already made a difference!

This is Yucatan - Video

This is a great video of what the Yucatan is like in just FOUR minutes. Watch out - it might make you want to get up and dance (or maybe that's just me - lol!)

Facebook users click here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4N9kHAHQwJU




Thank you to "Yucatan Living" for providing this video (HERE's the link)

If you want to know more about the Yucatan (not just the Riviera Maya but the entire Yucatan), go to their website HERE

Happy Birthday Dad!!! A photo tribute in honor of his birthday!

This is his happy dance to celebrate his birthday

Playing with Airiana - he's such a kid!

Yes, that IS a flamingo suit he's dressed up in . . . dont ask!

I love you Dad!!

Motivational Monday - Creativity and Joy!!

How much better could life be if we approached everything with the creativity, energy and joy that this couple did for their wedding?

Facebook users click here to view video



Can you imagine the energy in that room? Now that's a way to celebrate and have fun with the people who are imporant to you!! LOVE IT!!

By the end of the video I was in tears because of the pure joy on the wedding party and the guests faces - now THAT is how we were designed to LIVE!! I predict that couple will have a happy and fun marriage!

Also love that the church wasn't stuck in tradition and rules and that the couple got to express themselves that way - I believe that God was laughing and dancing along with them!

Cody's 16th Birthday Video

A new addition to our family . . . Esther

This is Esther Araputha Raj - she's 11 years old and lives in Erode, Tamil Nadu, India. We became aware of her need to be sponsored thru my friends Rob and Michelle Wegner who are in India right this very minute! Isn't she beautiful??!!!

Esther lives in a village named Erode - through Compassion International anyone can sponsor a child in need for only $40 a month. For $40 you can provide education, 3 nutritious meals a day, birthday parties, clothing, and best of all the love and light of Jesus.

Rob and Michelle went to visit their Compassion daughter, Sangeetha 2 days ago and their story is incredible! Check it out here - the story and photos are amazing. This is their 2nd visit - and this time they couldn't wait to see ALL of Sangeetha's family. When they pulled out some little gifts for her siblings, they had a gift for her little brother. The Wegner's were shocked and saddened to find out that he had died almost exactly 1 year prior from "brain fever".

Sangeetha was sponsored . . . Kannan was not. Sponsorship probably would have saved his life. A sacrifice of just $40 a month truly can be the difference between life and death.

To sponsor a child, or two or five . . . go to Compassion International and click on sponsor a child. There are a few children left in Sangeetha and Esther's village that still need sponsors. If you want to sponsor them just ask for a child in Erode, India.

To read about Rob and Michelle's month long journey in India - click HERE!

Flip Flop Cake

Here's a picture of the flip flop cake I made for Brianna's Graduation luau party. It was a blast to make! Everything is edible except the beach towel and sunglasses.

Seashells are made of custom colored chocolate

The large flowers are handpainted marshmallows

The sand on top of the cake is crushed up graham crackers

The polka dots are skittles

The first layer is lemon with a raspberry filling

The second layer is white confetti cake.

Making a Difference Every Day

Never doubt that

a small group of people

can change the world;

it's the only thing that ever has

Margaret Mead

Whoever you are, wherever you are, no matter what your circumstances, you CAN make a difference.

It could be as simple as smiling at someone you pass on the street; or a quick phone call to a friend to tell them you're thinking of them; or a kind word of encouragement to a frazzled Mom in the grocery store.

Sometimes we feel insignificant, but just like the little girl who threw the starfish back into the water, a simple act of kindness can make all the difference in the world!

You CAN make a difference!

Cody got his driver's permit

Yes, that's my "baby" holding his next step to FREEDOM - his Driver's Permit!

Watch out world - you only have 74 more days until he's on the road all by himself!

(Don't worry - all those years of his Dad letting him drive up at Silver Lake and out in the field has paid off - he's a very good driver)

Man cannot discover new oceans

unless he has the courage

to lose sight of the shore.

--Andre Gide

Check out http://www.dailygood.org/more.php?n=3717 to read about how this sailboat, which is made entirely of plastic water bottles from the trash, is making a difference in the world

Twenty Years of Married Bliss . . . or something like that - lol

Trent and I were married TWENTY years ago

May 20, 1989

He wouldn't marry me until he got his 1967 Cuda restored so we could drive it in our wedding. I wanted a limo - he wanted to drive his Cuda. I didn't understand it then, but I do now. He had that car since he was 13 and it was a huge part of his life - it was important to him to share it with me on our wedding day. Took me about 12 years to finally "get" him - he's still working on trying to figure me out :0)

I desperately wanted an outdoor wedding (actually, I wanted it on a beach, but that's another story) - we planned it to be at his Mom and Dad's house on the river, which is the house we live in now. In anticipation of the big day, Trent's Dad completely dug up the yard and replanted grass seed (that's just the way he was - that's where Trent gets it from), but a huge storm came and washed all the seed into the river, so we had to go to plan B. We decided to have it at Coalbush United Methodist Church and that was a good thing, because it rained and rained on our wedding day. This shot is after our reception already started, there was a beautiful sunset - we ran outside and got some pretty outdoor shots and that made me happy!

This is my baby nephew Shaun (who is 22 now and is Trent's partner at the shop) and our God daughter, Holli Houghton. They were adorable! Right after this shot Shaun decided Holli must taste as good as she looked - he lifted her arm right up and took a big bit out of it - not cuz he was being mean or anything, that's just what he liked to do when he was two!

This is one of my favorite pictures of the entire wedding day - Me and my Daddy during the Father Daughter dance.

Here we are on our honeymoon in Cancun. Little did we know that trip would become way more than just a romantic get away. We were supposed to go to Jamaica, but about 1 month before the wedding the airline went bankrupt and we lost our reservations.

At the last minute we decided to go to Cancun and we fell in LOVE with the people of the Yucatan. We dreamed of living in a paradise like that someday and now, 20 years later, that seed that was planted is growing into something and this winter we will be exploring the possibility of doing missions/humanitarian work in the Riviera Maya. I don't think it was an accident that we ended up there . . . I believe God had something bigger in mind for us!

I can't wait to see what the next 20 years brings!!!

I'm Gonna Be Fish Food When I Die!

No kidding - I really am! Check out the "Eternal Reef" - this company takes your ashes, mixes it with a special concrete and then sits your "reef ball" in the ocean to make a new reef and create new life in the ocean. This is the coolest thing I've seen in a LONG time! Much to my Mother's horror, I've already sent for my information packet!

I'm posting it on the world wide web so that my family HAS to honor my wishes. I need all of you to hold them accountable if I go to heaven before you!

View video HERE



"Over the years man has done a great deal of damage to the seas and oceans of our world. Many natural reefs have been destroyed and over fished. Establishing new reefs helps to take the pressure off the natural reef systems and help repair the damage that has been done by mankind"

This may seem morbid to some of you, but I'm fine with the whole "death" thing - it's a natural part of life and part of our journey. I believe that when we die it's just the beginning of a whole new wonderful adventure, and personally I can't wait to be in heaven with my Abba. (BTW, it's not that I think I'm so great and that's why I'm going to heaven - it's only because of Jesus and His grace).

Now, don't worry, nothing is wrong with me and I have no intention of "checking out" any time soon - I really believe that I have a lot to do on this earth yet, so I hope I won't have to have my reef ball made for a very long time :0)

Motivational Monday - What would your cardboard sign say?

These are not actors, they are people who live right here in Michiana. The signs they hold reflect something difficult they've been through and what happens on the other side of faith.

They could be your neighbors, your daughter's teacher or one of your business associates. They're every day people whose lives have been "turned over" because of faith and love.

WATCH IT!!



Video from Granger Community Church

What would your cardboard sign say?

Do you have a second side on your sign?

I'd love to hear your response - please comment if you've read this and share it with us!

My sign would read:

* Control Freak

* Living life to please others

* Imprisoned by fear & anger

The Flip Side:

* Learning to let go and trust

* Living life for Jesus only!

* FREEEEEEE and Haaappppyyyyy!!

Happy Mother's Day - Can You See??

Facebook users click HERE

I wish I was here . . .

One of my favorite spots in the WHOLE world

Casa Cenote in the Riviera Maya

I Love The World Video Celebration

To view video from Facebook - click here

Happy Earth Day!

I love the world too -

Let's work together to keep it around for awhile!

Let’s stop telling the world what’s wrong with them

and start living a life that inspires others to live differently

Erwin McManus

Your life is a new poem every day

Your life is a new poem every day.

You write yourself down at work and play.

You do not always see your poetry.

You may not notice it at all,

and yet you are a poet writing your life as you live it.

You are writing a new poem even when you may think

you are repeating a humdrum one.

Excerpt from http://www.heavenletters.org/

Motivational Monday - "The Race"

If you're viewing on Facebook, click HERE to see video
When you fall, will you get back up?



"To me you won - you rose each time you fell"

You've all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You're after one that's gold eternally.

I don't know about you, but I'm running hard for the finish line. I'm giving it everything I've got. No sloppy living for me! I'm staying alert and in top condition. I'm not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself. 1 Corinthians 9:24-26 (The Message)

Wellness Wednesday - Crabby Foods

Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed and now you're feeling kind of crabby today?

Here are some foods you DON’T want to eat. RUNAWAY from them! Even though you think they will comfort you and make you feel better, they'll make you feel much worse:

Diet Cola – Aspartame, the chemical sweetener used in diet colas and other sugar free foods and beverages is a compound that decreases the efficiency of the brain. I don’t know about you, but as I get older I need all the brain efficiency I can get!

Coffee – A cup or 2 is okay . . . more than that can increase symptoms of depression by blocking serotonin - which is something that you don’t want to block – it’s a brain chemical that helps regulate your mood. Feeling crabby in the late morning, early afternoon – try cutting back on the Joe!

Sweets – Simple sugars and carbs cause rapid rise and fall in your blood sugar levels, and this is something you don’t want to happen – it creates mood swings, fatigue, grogginess and crabbiness (yes, that is a word). If you’re already in a bad mood, one of the worst things you can do is to eat something sweet to make you feel better.

Alcohol – More than 2 alcoholic beverages a day can worsen symptoms of depression. Alcohol is a depressant and slows the neurotransmitters in the brain (again, not good). It also affects the REM stage of sleep, which is necessary for serotonin production. Remember from reading above, serotonin is the natural “happy” drug for your brain, so you definitely want to get your REM sleep to make as much serotonin as possible.

Next week’s Wellness Wednesday will expand on this and give you simple alternatives to boost your energy and put you in a good mood! Stay tuned . . . .

Motivational Monday - A Lesson in Hitting

"It's not about how hard you hit - It's about how hard you can GET HIT and keep moving forward"

Click Here to View Video

Much to my surprise, I found an incredible motivational speech by Rocky Balboa to his son. I know, I know, it sounds corny, but I guarantee you it's not! I LOVE it! Make sure to watch the quick 2 minute video ALL THE WAY TO THE END!

If you're a parent, you will LOVE this and it might be something you want to share with your teenager and/or family at dinner tonight.

Here are some of the highlights:

When you were little I held you in the palm of my hand. I told your Mom "this kids going to grow up to be the best person I know"

Somewhere along the line you changed – you stopped being you. When things got hard, you started looking for something or someone to blame.

Let me tell you something you don’t know – the world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. I don’t care how tough you are, it will beat you to your knees and keep you there if you let it.

Nobody hits as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard you hit, it’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done.

If you know what you’re worth then go out and get what you’re worth. But you gotta be willing to take the hits, not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you wanna be because of him, or her or anybody.

Cowards do that and that ain’t you. You’re better than that! Until you start believing in yourself, you ain’t gonna have a life.

Thrifty Thursday - "Free Budgeting Tools and Calculators"

CROWN FINANCIAL MINISTRIES - Calculators and Budgeting Tools

Remember the phrase "Knowledge is Power"? Well, that applies to many, many things, but it especially applies to your finances. If we don't know where our money is going and how much things are costing us (knowledge), then we won't have any control over our finances and we won't get to live our lives the way we want (power).

Here is a link to an incredible site with ALL KINDS of FREE gadgets and calculators to help you with your budget, debt, income, etc. Here's a small sample of what they offer:

• Budgetometer
• Spending Plan Calculator
• Debt Calculators
• Accelerated Debt Payoff Calculator
• Debt Payoff Goal Calculator
• Mortgage Consolidation and Refinancing Calculator
• College Funding Calculator
• Automobile Loan Payment Calculator
• Savings Goal Calculator

It's time to get POWER of your money.

Don't let your money control you - control your money and make it work for you!!

Wellness Wednesday - "Add Cinnamon . . ."

Studies have shown that just 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon per day can lower LDL cholesterol.
Several studies suggest that cinnamon may have a regulatory effect on blood sugar, making it especially beneficial for people with Type 2 diabetes.

Cinnamon contains polyphenols, which acts as antioxidants that protect cells against free radical damage, reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and ward against cancer. The scent of cinnamon also helps with alertness.

In some studies, cinnamon has shown an amazing ability to stop medication-resistant yeast infections.

In a study published by researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Maryland, cinnamon reduced the proliferation of leukemia and lymphoma cancer cells.

Cinnamon has an anti-clotting effect on the blood.

In a study at Copenhagen University, patients given half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder combined with one tablespoon of honey every morning before breakfast had significant relief in arthritis pain after one week and could walk without pain within one month.

When added to food, cinnamon inhibits bacterial growth and food spoilage, making it a natural food preservative.

One study found that smelling cinnamon boosts cognitive function and memory.

Researchers at Kansas State University found that cinnamon fights the E. coli bacteria.

Cinnamon is a great source of manganese, fiber, iron, and calcium.

So go ahead, sprinkle cinnamon in your coffee, toss it in your oatmeal, and sprinkle it on your toast - it's soooo yummy and so good for you! But you should probably pass on those cinnamon rolls!

Motivational Monday - "Challenge Day"

"Our vision is to create a world where every child feels safe, loved, and celebrated. That’s not just every young person, but the child that lives inside each and every one of our hearts." Yvonne and Rich Dutra-St. John


Check out these amazing videos to see what a "Challenge Day" looks like - I promise you'll love them and want to bring them to your school!

If you're viewing this on Facebook, click HERE to see the videos









From the founders, Yvonne and Rich Dutra-St. John

• People often ask what inspired us to do the work that we do. The bottom line is that we are parents. When we created Challenge Day, our kids were ages one, two, three, and four and we did not want them to go through the pain we did growing up.
• We realized that the work we had been doing was dealing with the symptoms of the problem: alcohol and drug abuse, violence, depression and eating disorders.
• We wanted to get to the root of the problem. We realized the biggest problems in our schools and communities were not alcohol, drugs, eating disorders, or even violence or suicide. We saw that the biggest problems in our schools are separation, isolation, and loneliness.
• If our kids are feeling lonely, it is not because there is a lack of people; it is because there is a lack of love and connection between them.
  Our dream was to bring together young people of all different shapes, sizes and styles, with different skin colors and beliefs, who either didn’t know each other or hated each other.
• Our dream was to create a powerful program that was safe enough to bring these young people together from all different cliques, groups, and backgrounds, along with teachers, parents, and administrators.
• Our dream was to bring them together in LOVE, not just in toleranceWe had a dream; we knew we could change the world.
• We are two ordinary people who had a vision and are now making it come true.
• We challenge you to join us…Remember YOU are the Hero you have been waiting for. Be the Change in your own way. In a way that feeds your heart and fills your purpose.
  

Challenge Day Website: http://www.challengeday.org/ - phone: (925) 957-0234

Motivational Monday - "Everything's Amazing!"

Facebook users click HERE to view video
I remember the rotary phone!!!

How great would life be if we remembered and acknowledged what amazing times we live in!



(DISCLAIMER - For the record, I do not agree with his statement that this is the worst generation that's ever lived - I don't think our attitudes today are limited to one generation)

Motivational Monday - "Let Them GO! - by Madea"

This is such an AWESOME clip but it has been blocked by Youtube due to copyright - I'll keep searching and see if there's a way I can go about it the right way and get it back up!

This is a POWERFUL clip full of humor and Truths that will bring a new perspective to your relationships. Watch the first 5 minutes and I bet you will view things in a fresh, new way.
If you're viewing this on Facebook, CLICK HERE to see the video on my blog



I can't believe that after years of emotion, regret and sleepless nights over broken relationships that it took a man dressed as a granny to get through my thick head and LET ... IT ... GO! It feels so good to LET IT GO - forgive - and accept people for who they are.

Here are a few questions to think about and answer:

Leaves are people who move with the wind. When the seasons change, they whither, die and fade away. Some take all they can from the tree, only willing to give shade now and then.

Who are the leaves in your life?

Do you need to let those leaves wither and blow away?

Are you willing to let a leaf be a leaf without any expectations?

On whose tree might you be a leaf?

Branches seem strong and supportive until you step out on them for support and then they crack and break.

Who have you leaned on for support, or taken a risk and stepped out on, only to find there was no real strength or stability?

Can this branch be grafted back onto the trunk, or is it firewood?

On whose tree might you be a branch?

Roots may be few, but they’re strong and provide nourishment and life. Roots go deep with no agenda other than to hold and support. Without a strong root system the tree would topple in the storms.

Who are your roots?

What do they bring to your life?

What are the qualities that make a strong root?

Are you a true root on anyone's tree?

Wellness Wednesday - "Is salt really bad for you?"

The fluids in our bodies are like an ocean environment. Salt is essential for life - but our bodies cannot make it so it must come from an outside source. Most often it comes from meat or regular table salt.

The problem is that our bodies don’t really know what to do with processed salt. Processed salt is stripped of all the good stuff we need AND things are put in that are not good for our bodies. Years of processed salt intake can damage almost all areas of the body such as the heart, kidneys, muscles and bones.


Here are some interesting facts about NATURAL SEA SALT:

* Pure, natural, unprocessed sea salt IS NOT bad for you! In fact, it is GREAT for you - our bodies need it to work properly. So if you use natural sea salt, you don't have to feel guilty about salting your veggies or potatoes!

* 100% natural sea salt maintains its integrity. It is still harvested the same way it was done 2000 years ago - hand raked and left in the sun to dry. Nothing is processed out of it and nothing is added to it.

* Manufacturers of sea salt typically do not refine sea salt as much as other kinds of salt, so it still contains traces of other minerals, including iron, magnesium, calcium, potassium, manganese, zinc and iodine. These are all good things - you want them in your body.

* Natural sea salt has minerals that retain a lot of moisture and are grey in color. If your sea salt from the health food store is white and free flowing then it is processed and should not be used.

* Natural sea salt immediately works with the saliva in the mouth and starts the digestive process. The more minerals present in the mouth the more digestion takes place. This is good - you want to digest your food efficiently - it helps everything work right.

* Natural sea salt has been known to lower blood pressure and decrease water retention. It enables the liver, kidneys and adrenals to work much more efficiently.

* It can boost the immune system, provide renewed energy, and balance alkaline/acid levels (which is very important, you can read about that HERE)



Facts about TABLE SALT (or Sodium Chloride):

* Commercial salt is highly processed and full of aluminum, chemicals and additives which are toxic to our bodies.

* Table salt is normally rock or ocean salt that is mined, heat blasted, chemically treated, and then anti-caking agents and iodine added to it. What you have left is table salt that is basically dead. It is now just dry sodium and chloride.

* Processed salt is devoid of all the essential minerals and macrobiotic nutrients that our bodies need to survive

* Years of processed salt intake can damage almost all areas of the body such as the heart, kidneys, muscles and bones and it is processed salt that bloats us and causes water retention. Processed salt can put a body out of balance. That's why almost every time you have medical problem the Doctor tells you to cut down on your salt intake.


Do your body good and get natural grey sea salt. It won’t pour like table salt because of the moisture content, but the health benefits can be significant. It's an EASY FIX!!