tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post8192560822985793091..comments2023-11-28T04:49:21.046-06:00Comments on We Are THAT Family: The Question I've Been Afraid to AskKristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02608199440254905212noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-49296455314120126482010-03-24T17:07:34.676-05:002010-03-24T17:07:34.676-05:00Love that pic of you looking at that kid. It says ...Love that pic of you looking at that kid. It says it all - the love, the heartbreak, the compassion. I am almost done reading "Too Small to Ignore" by Wess Stafford (Compassion Pres). So good and convicting. And made me cry the ugly cry. <br /><br />Love the quote at the end of this post. And I hate it. So much easier to sit back and let someone else pick up the slack. <br /><br />I am currently working on a Bible Study for my church women's ministry. Major logistics to work out, but it will be focused on serving others. Still haven't got an name for it yet. Each week will focus on a different group/individual: the sick, the imprisoned, children, etc. After teaching about what Bible says about those people/things then have testimony of someone (like a former prisoner) who has been touched by God's people. Then in small group time we will actually do something to minister to those people. The least of these. Will give people a taste of different areas to serve, find their calling, passion in that regard. Help people to get out of the paralysis (there so much need, I can't do it all so I do nothing mentality) and into action. Be more like Jesus. <br />Okay, there is more to it and this comment is way to long. Email me if you want more info on this as it develops. OR email me if you know of a study out there that is already like this so I don't have to write it!!!! <br />Blessings to you. Keep wrestling.TDM Wendyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14490428486183766703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-36691679423553699582010-03-23T18:34:59.774-05:002010-03-23T18:34:59.774-05:00I understand and I am asking the same question. I ...I understand and I am asking the same question. I went on a sponsor tour to the DR in January and I will never be the same.Kristen Lovehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12593032226862288551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-68585268216899022422010-03-22T15:56:35.604-05:002010-03-22T15:56:35.604-05:00Hi Kristen,
I just found your blog via another las...Hi Kristen,<br />I just found your blog via another last week. I read all about your journey to Africa - SO touching! I just wanted to thank you for sharing about Compassion International. As a result, my family decided today to sponsor a child. My 10 year old daughter excitedly chose a 10 year old girl from Uganda. She can not wait to get the packet in the mail so she can begin a relationship with her. <br />I look forward to following your stories. Your recent struggle is very similar to what my heart has been feeling. I too am praying for direction for our family and I'm TOTALLY open to whatever and where ever that may lead us.Lindyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10719144506190074414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-46569408969995812592010-03-22T12:50:22.277-05:002010-03-22T12:50:22.277-05:00Your comments and support and LOVE can be felt in ...Your comments and support and LOVE can be felt in these comments. Thank you all for taking this amazing journey with me. (hugs)Kristenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02608199440254905212noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-28723974878213907632010-03-22T10:01:01.479-05:002010-03-22T10:01:01.479-05:00John 9:3
"Neither this man nor his parents si...John 9:3<br />"Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life."Aprilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05785347216242530496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-38911527817583834992010-03-22T01:28:23.267-05:002010-03-22T01:28:23.267-05:00You got me again, tears in my eyes. I feel like I...You got me again, tears in my eyes. I feel like I should say I am sorry for making you go through all of this, but I also love that you are going through all of this. I thank God for the struggle He has walked me through ever since that first trip to Ecuador. And by the way, it was sackcloth, not naked. :-)Stephenhttp://www.jonesbones5.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-44718945457396251962010-03-22T00:20:02.933-05:002010-03-22T00:20:02.933-05:00WOW. Such a great/true quote. We so often look a...WOW. Such a great/true quote. We so often look at the world around us and wonder why God does the things He does. We love to point fingers instead of acknowledging that we are put here to do God's work....what are WE doing....what a perfect question. Thank you for writing this - breathtaking.<br /><br />www.melonbelly.blogspot.commelonbellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17991835919283533684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-61855449783920962722010-03-21T23:04:03.105-05:002010-03-21T23:04:03.105-05:00Mission trip wisdom. It's a rude awakening co...Mission trip wisdom. It's a rude awakening coming back to the states. I've been there. We have gone to Mexico twice. Poverty on one side of street and luxury on the other. Doesn't make sense.FiftyCentLovehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09458565297123996785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-53111695542057658712010-03-21T20:58:50.779-05:002010-03-21T20:58:50.779-05:00Ugggg...... I thought the ugly cry was over..for m...Ugggg...... I thought the ugly cry was over..for me. Then I read your post. I am so glad there a people like you that keep it real for me... thank you Kristen!Patriciahttp://www.jonesbones5.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-91272167836580742232010-03-21T18:53:43.782-05:002010-03-21T18:53:43.782-05:00Even if you don't have it all figured out yet,...Even if you don't have it all figured out yet, THANK YOU, for being sensitive to the Lord's voice and for teaching and encouraging the rest of us. What a blessing you are.Cathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12164864938908297643noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-5492435502827739462010-03-21T17:33:50.105-05:002010-03-21T17:33:50.105-05:00Your blog is so inspiring.
My answer to your ques...Your blog is so inspiring. <br />My answer to your question is this...<br />God loves us so much that he lets us CHOOSE. And he doesn't take away one person's ability to choose unwisely to ease another's suffering. Instead he makes us strong enough to bear the burdens that are placed on our shoulders. He uses OTHERS, US, to help our brothers and sisters who are suffering. WE have a merciful and just God. We need to emulate Him more in our everyday lives. <br />Thanks for the inspiration! You are amazing!!Stefhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14735618188851876515noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-75770660672488015952010-03-21T16:21:21.649-05:002010-03-21T16:21:21.649-05:00I've come across your blog a couple of times i...I've come across your blog a couple of times in the last few months. Yesterday I came across your Class Notes snippet in my Southwestern Today magazine, so now I feel like I've got a connection to you!<br />I've been ruminating over some of these same concepts for a while now. A short trip to the mall yesterday left me very unhappy with my culture and myself. I have a growing desire to live a Matthew 25 life and to teach my daughter to do the same. I look forward to seeing how God leads you and your family to care for the least of these.Rachel Mosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02414851824547329917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-84907301085922800792010-03-21T16:18:42.687-05:002010-03-21T16:18:42.687-05:00Kristen, your post was so moving. It made me reca...Kristen, your post was so moving. It made me recall the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi...Lord make me an instrument of your Peace, where there is hatred, let me sow love. where there is injury, pardon, where there is doubt, faith...<br />Your faith and sense of purpose is truly inspirational. Thank you.Two Minute Takeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00590884505960931744noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-36920332091845598262010-03-21T13:07:14.314-05:002010-03-21T13:07:14.314-05:00Your best post so far. God is birthing something ...Your best post so far. God is birthing something beautiful in you. Ministry. Ministry simply means people. He'll lead. You'll follow, and you will bring others with you.<br /><br />Cant you see the beautiful glow?<br /><br />GingerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-55781977525127325282010-03-21T12:06:15.125-05:002010-03-21T12:06:15.125-05:00WOW...that was so beautifully written...
what a qu...WOW...that was so beautifully written...<br />what a question to ask god..and frankly i didn't wanna hear the answer. because then you know you have to get off your bum and do something about it.<br /><br />thanks for pushing us all.FootPrintshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01244305923585144422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-18026979199468849232010-03-21T10:13:32.602-05:002010-03-21T10:13:32.602-05:00http://social.directoryoftoronto.com/petfoodrecall...http://social.directoryoftoronto.com/petfoodrecall/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-92081436052434243362010-03-21T10:08:06.634-05:002010-03-21T10:08:06.634-05:00Kristen,
I've been a faithful reader of your ...Kristen,<br /><br />I've been a faithful reader of your blog for some time now, occasionally sharing posts with my husband and older children. But we read your entire Africa series out loud as a family (all 8 of us!) My almost 12-year-old son wondered aloud why I cried with every post I read. My husband told him, "You'll understand someday."<br /><br />We felt God calling us, as a family, to sponsor a Compassion child. We all wanted to do more than one, but my husband has been out of work for 5 months now (and I am homeschooling the kids) so we are hardly subsisting as it is.<br /><br />However, your posts remind me that "hardly subsisting" in the U.S. is a far cry from what these people live through every day. It is also an act of faith to say, "God will take care of us. If he wants to use us to help someone else in the meantime, we need to do that!"<br /><br />It's hard not to hoard every penny, and that reveals to me that deep down in my heart, I'm afraid God *won't* take care of us, in spite of knowing what the "logical" right answer is supposed to be. The Devil whispers that if God really cared he could've had ONE of the many resumes my husband has submitted get at least an interview, etc.<br /><br />It takes a "slap in the face" such as your posts (and I mean that in the best possible way!) to open my eyes to all of this. I appreciate your willingness to share so freely the struggles of your own heart. In being transparent, you allow God to work directly on the hearts of your readers.<br /><br />Thank you for that. Know that we'll continue to follow your "journey" with interest--and that one more child has a sponsor because of God's tug on our hearts through your words :-)Pixiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00671406309236215820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-27073548958146688102010-03-20T23:31:19.254-05:002010-03-20T23:31:19.254-05:00Dear Kristen, I feel like I am reading my own stor...Dear Kristen, I feel like I am reading my own story in advance. I am planning to go to Africa next year, knowing that my heart will be broken. I want it to be broken, and at the same time, I hope that i will not chicken out of going.<br /><br />I'm glad I found your blog, and thank you so much for sharing so honestly. I look forward to following your thought process over the next few months.debbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17967505760808535408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-45255836951124129802010-03-20T22:35:11.638-05:002010-03-20T22:35:11.638-05:00You have soo eloquently put into words what has be...You have soo eloquently put into words what has been in my mind and heart since following your trip to Africa. <br /><br />"God, why do you allow poverty?" "To allow my people to give of themselves"...it's usually how my conversation goes.Jar Full of Rockshttp://www.jarfullofrocks.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-10368616340875061082010-03-20T21:54:03.762-05:002010-03-20T21:54:03.762-05:00definitely amazing. i pray that God continues to m...definitely amazing. i pray that God continues to move your heart... that's how God will help to end poverty - through us.<br /><br />Peace,<br />MelissaMama Melissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11731917736362150072noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-87739773024032877902010-03-20T20:36:06.574-05:002010-03-20T20:36:06.574-05:00I am praying for you and your family tonight. I w...I am praying for you and your family tonight. I well remember how difficult it was to reconcile... well... pretty much everything... the first time I came home from a Compassion trip. In fact (and a very bad decision this was!) the first meal I was taken to upon my return was Golden Corral (a buffet restaurant). I was so sickened by both the overabundance of food AND even more so, the overabundance of waste. But you can, and will, process through this and become a more purposed, passionate person. Thanks for letting us have a front row seat to this transformation.Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07802559709774624437noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-15852531668025778882010-03-20T20:07:42.170-05:002010-03-20T20:07:42.170-05:00I know this much...you're doing some GOOD in t...I know this much...you're doing some GOOD in the world, my friend. I'm proud to know you. :)bridget {bake at 350}https://www.blogger.com/profile/03028474637440238003noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-66139156489745006902010-03-20T19:57:31.855-05:002010-03-20T19:57:31.855-05:00I went on the Compassion site today and was lookin...I went on the Compassion site today and was looking at ALL the kids needing sponsors and I have a question for you: How do you choose who to sponsor? <br /><br />Do you just close your eyes and pick? Go by a certain country. I am so completely lost!Alexiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09865654988923436719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-70665736498210770732010-03-20T19:33:49.573-05:002010-03-20T19:33:49.573-05:00I am so thankful that you have shared your Africa ...I am so thankful that you have shared your Africa experience with us. I know it has changed your life and you can never be the same after a trip like that. We sponsor 3 Compassion children and you keep reminding me how important the relationship is. Thank you for shouting it from the rooftops.Mistyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09070838031035620909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-9209754241977263082010-03-20T18:38:36.348-05:002010-03-20T18:38:36.348-05:00Breathtaking and challenging post... Destiny D.Breathtaking and challenging post... Destiny D.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com