I recently read Jesus, Bread and Chocolate by John Thompson. It talks about having an authentic faith in a mass market world and touches on some important issues like fair trade chocolate and coffee. The final chapter is all about child sponsorship through Compassion, so for that reason alone I would recommend it!
Praying for
Josseling in Nicaragua...She was scheduled to graduate and complete the sponsorship program in October when she turned 18, but has had to leave early. In January she began studying journalism at the university and she just doesn't have the time to attend her project anymore. I was anticipating her graduation, but my having to write a final letter came earlier than I expected. It's so hard to write a final letter after 12 years of sponsorship, but I'm so thankful I got to meet her in January.
Working on
Compassion Sunday...it's this coming Sunday at my church and I need to work on my presentation! Our youth pastor is doing the communion message (and he sponsors 2 kids), my husband is preaching and then I'll have 5 minutes to share.
| I plan to hang this shower curtain in the hallway of our church, with a few child packets. All the kids and parents go down the hall to get to their classrooms so I think it will be a good visual. |
Thinking about
OK...confession time. I've been feeling overwhelmed lately with the number of kids we sponsor and correspond with. I don't feel like I can keep track or really know my kids, and writing letters seems like such a big task these days. I probably shouldn't have taken on 8 more correspondent kids earlier this year. At this point, I haven't decided to replace Josseling with a new child because I'm wondering if I should scale back when opportunities arise. Does anyone else feel like this or am I just being whiny?
Writing
I'm getting ready to wrap up my Fruit of the Spirit letter series this month. I have one final fruit to write about - self-control and then this 10 month series will come to an end. I'll have to figure out what to write about next! To read all the sample letters in the series, go HERE.
On the Blog
Another confession...some days I'm not sure if this blog has run its course or not. There are so many Compassion sponsors blogging about their experience and it's a great thing. When I started this blog, there weren't that many so I thought it would be unique. Some days/weeks I feel inspired and have much to share...other days/weeks I feel like calling it quits. I guess I'm just not sure where to go from here.
Logging you in...
James Schrock · 514 weeks ago
I can also identify with kids completing the program early. It has happened to me twice. Once was also due to his university studies taking the bulk of his time. I can understand, but I wish I would have received notice before the fact. It takes the wind out of your sails for a bit.
I only follow two blogs on a regular basis. Yours is one of them. I would miss it if it wasn't there, but I can understand your point of view.
fiddlejill 88p · 514 weeks ago
I think I'm saddest about not being able to give Josseling a graduation gift. I can still give a final financial gift, but it's greatly limited compared to what I was saving up to give her for graduation. Makes me wish I had given her a family gift earlier this year.
I have 3 different blogs I regularly write on, so I think that's why I get overwhelmed!
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Aimee · 514 weeks ago
- I love the shower curtain idea!
- I do feel overwhelm writing to all of our kids sometimes. We make it a family event though where all 4 of us sit down & write letters. It makes it easier and more fun. And we've scaled down to writing every 2-3 months, instead of every month. We didn't think we'd add another child as well after Rechelle graduated from the LDP... but just merely days after her grad, we were at a Compassion event and found Maria who has the same birthday as me and we just had to take her child pack home with us!
- Your blog is a great resource! Perhaps write less often so you're not as overwhelmed? These days, I am only publishing one or two blog posts per month.
fiddlejill 88p · 514 weeks ago
I do want to try to keep in touch with Josseling, but I'm not on facebook so it makes it harder. I have had some contact with David, former LDP correspondence in Peru and Dominic, former CDSP in Kenya...but it gets less and less as time passes. Still, I need to remember to call Compassion and release my info.
I have a Compassion Sunday presentation with 10 child packets from Nicaragua - we'll see if any grab at my heart and end up joining our family. I do want to concentrate my efforts in Nicaragua, as I think returning there is very likely.
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crystalkupper 54p · 514 weeks ago
fiddlejill 88p · 514 weeks ago
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yvonnelreynolds 51p · 514 weeks ago
I have always loved your blog!! You always have such great tips and ideas to share. But I completely understand the issue of feeling overwhelmed!! I have had to say 'no' to quite a few things lately, because I am not sure how I can juggle even more than I am already doing. We all need a break now and then ;)
IF...you select a child in Nicaragua, you will have to let me know! Matthew is heading there in two weeks as part of his new job with the Compassion Mobile Experience. I believe he sponsored a child there and will be meeting him or her on the trip!
Oh, and I love the book suggestion and the shower curtain idea!!
fiddlejill 88p · 514 weeks ago
I am so excited about Matthew's new job. I keep meaning to tell you that. I don't know him at all, but what I know about him...this seems like a perfect fit. So cool that he gets to go to Nicaragua soon. I am eager to go back there someday.
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Teena · 514 weeks ago
I often wonder about my blog too.
Totally agreeing with others! Much love!
fiddlejill 88p · 514 weeks ago
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Hannah H. · 514 weeks ago
I LOVE your blog, but completely understand being overwhelmed. You have been such an inspiration to me. But I don't think it should be overwhelming. I feel the same way about the kids…and it's nothing to be sad about! I think God give us each different capacities in different seasons. Right now I'm home all the time and it's a way for me to reach out outside the home. But I know when my kids get bigger, I'll have to cut down on the number of kids I write to. While in college I could only handle a few kids because of my schedule. So don't feel bad and I think waiting to add another is a great plan!
Thanks so much for your posts! And for finishing up the Fruit of the Spirit. My kids have said they enjoy learning and having a "Bible study" through the letters.
fiddlejill 88p · 514 weeks ago
I'd love to find another Bible study series to write about...it's been helpful to know what my next letter will be about!
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Jessi · 514 weeks ago