HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!!!

We are Blessed - Blessed - Blessed to live in a free country!!!!

-Free to Worship

-Free to openly carry our Bible

-Free to dress how we want

-Free to choose our career

-Free to have prayer meetings and Bibles Studies in our home

-Free to even disagree at times

-this list could go on and on

As we celebrate this holiday with our family and friends, let us also pray for those who do not experience these same freedoms.

Pray for our missionaries who God has called to share the love and eternal truth of Jesus Christ.

Pray for those who serve our country, fighting for the freedom and protection of others.

God Bless You and Your Family!! :)

Heart for Orphans Island Party

at Island Lake Marine and Sports right off Kechter before you get to I-25.

http://www.islandlakemarine.com/ILM%20WEB/ILM%20Homepage.htm

YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS THIS!!!

Date: Friday, July 8

Time: 5 - 10pm

This is truly Fort Collins best kept secret!! This is a private island that is not open to the public on a daily basis. You will be escorted by boat to the island where your family will make some of your best summer memories together. :)

Tickets are available now! Proceeds of this event will benefit orphans in Haiti and Guatemala.

Tickets are $25 and include a catered dinner, live music by Who Brought Larry. The Island Fun includes water trampolines, paddleboats, canoes, swimming, beach volleyball and bonfires.

Tickets can be purchased in person by contacting Tiffany at: timberlineorphanministry@gmail.com or Kari at: Karalot9@gmail.com

You can also purchase your tickets on-line at:

http://signupguy.com/event/heart-orphans-island

A Billboard for Birthmother Ministries

Thank you so much to the Knights of Columbus in Fort Collins for providing this billboard on Riverside Ave. and also for providing funds that will enable us the opportunity to advertise in ten local establishments!

We are thankful that they are partnering with us in sharing the one-on-one friendship that volunteers at Birthmothers extend to women in unplanned pregnancies within our community.

- Lorraine Meyer, Birthmothers Ministry Leader

coloradobirthmothers@gmail.com

Colorado Siblings need a Family

Oh my - the personality of these kids just jumps out of the picture!! They are precious and in desperate need of a forever family.

Would you please prayerfully consider opening your heart and home to them? :)

Here is a brief profile that their caseworker wrote:

These precious siblings would like be together in their forever family! Rose is very much into "girl things" and likes to read. She is also a writer and is doing a great job writing a book! Smart and sensitive, this preteen is very caring and helpful with Dacoda, her little brother's needs. In the fifth grade, Rose thinks things through and takes time to consider others. She benefits from physical, speech and occupational therapies. George, like his sister, is also bright and sensitive. Reading, football, cars and playing outside are his interests. When it comes to food, he'll eat anything and everything - in large quantities! This wonderful fourth grader wants to be part of a loving family and would thrive on activities that encourage sportsmanship and teamwork. Youngest child Dacoda is a happy, smiling people-lover who likes to be around others. He is interested in SpongeBob, cars and Power Rangers. Fun and charming, this kindergartener gets along well with both adults and kids. He is good at engaging others and likes to be moving, especially outside. Dacoda utilizes a wheelchair and walkers for his cerebral palsy and is really motivated to be mobile! He has made amazing progress and continues to improve weekly. He benefits from physical, speech and occupational therapies and will soon be in a regular classroom. Talkative and busy, he charms everyone he meets. Dacoda may not be able to live independently as an adult, but he can have a wonderful life! The caseworker prefers a family who speaks both English and Spanish; however, all family types will be considered. George needs a strong male role model and a patient, nurturing home. Rose would do well with a caring mother figure. She says she would like to have additional siblings to play with! Financial assistance may be available for adoption-related services.

For more information contact the Adoption Exchange at: 303-755-4756

Rose - 5th grade - born 11/1999 Case #9592
George - 4th grade - born 4/2001 Case # 9591
Dacoda - Kindergarten - born 4/2005 Case # 9590

Passport Through Darkness

Passport Through Darkness, by Kimberly L. Smith

"You can have whatever You want from me, but please, God, just show me what difference one person can make in the darkness of this broken world." (Taken from the conclusion of Chapter 1)

When you purchase a book, do you ever jump to conclusions about what the story will be or how it will end, even before you start reading the book? I do! At Orphan Summit this year, I purchased the book Passport Through Darkness. I knew the book was about trafficking and a woman who dared to defy the odds of stepping into this battleground in Sudan. What I didn't know is that the book is about so much more than the author and her husband's obedient response to God's call. It is about realizing and then seeking the dream God has for you.

I did find some stories that I assumed would be shared -- and how heartbreaking it was to read them. But, God is NOT calling us to look away -- to ignore and pretend that these things aren't happening. Sure, it is hard and it is painful to put ourselves physically and emotionally in the midst of any type of suffering. But, God is calling us to do just that. He wants us to be a witness, a voice for those who need someone to stand up and speak out for them.

What surprised me about this book -- as you will find out for yourself when you read it -- is that Passport Through Darkness is not only about the stories of those Smith encountered on this journey, but her own personal journey through darkness. She is real in sharing her feelings, insecurities and obstacles in following God's call. Among them are the challenges she and her husband, Milton, faced in their marriage, as they balanced the call God had given both of them.

Even though many of us might not be travelling around the world to be God's Hands and Feet to the lost, lonely and forgotten, the things that God calls us to be obedient in can seem bigger than our abilities. That means we are in the right place!! While it is more comfortable to be in a position where our abilities line up with the task. God calls us to depend on Him in the areas that our abilities, strength and faith don't match with the task. He will equip us in the moment or He will provide someone to come alongside us to complete the task for His Glory!

A quote from this book that I really like:

"This Kingdom living is painstaking work. We live it at times halfheartedly, other times with gusto, often with great joy and awe at the thrill of being used in something, anything, so far beyond ourselves we know it's God sized. Almost always a dreadful fear hovers around, wanting to bear down on us, and more than a sprig of doubt pushes up like weeds through a sidewalk. Our only prayer in those times is "Lord, we believe. Help us in our unbelief."

Reading this book challenged, encouraged and inspired by reading this book. As I read, the binding of the book began coming apart; it is now in three pieces. Someone suggested that I return the book and get a new one. But, when I read books, I highlight things that I want to go back and reread and I write notes in the sidebar. I can't take this book back and exchange it for another one, it represents this journey that God has me on, and is more precious to me in 3 pieces than if it was all together as it should be. This broken book reminds me that God uses the broken pieces of our lives to be an extension of Him right where we are, if we allow Him to work His perfect will in our lives.

:)

The song "Strong Enough" by Matthew West goes right along with the theme of depending on God to be strong in the areas that He has placed you. As you listen to this song, give God the situations in your life that you don't feel strong enough -- where you feel your abilities don't meet the task -- and then remember this truth found in

Philippians 4:13: I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Great Fathers Day Video by Brian Littrell

HAPPY FATHERS DAY

Happy Fathers Day to all of you Dads!!

Fathers play a role in a child's life that no one else can play. I am grateful for my dad. I am grateful for the truths he spoke into my life, with his words and his actions. He was my dad and my pastor - a difficult combination at times. On Aug. 1, 1987 he passed away suddenly. I was 23 years old and Hannah, our youngest daughter at the time, was 6 weeks from turning 1 year old. I really struggled with feeling angry at God for taking my dad when he was so young. I still needed my dad. I still needed to ask him advice. I still needed a hug that only a dad can give. I actually wanted to listen to his sermons now. :) In his sermons I learned more about him, about the things he held close to his heart and about the things he was passionate about.

In our daily life he modeled compassion in action. He always had time to stop and offer a word of encouragement to anyone, whether he knew them or not. One day when we were shopping, he asked my two sisters and me to wait for him at the door. We saw him walk over to an older woman and say something to her. Her face lite up as my dad spoke to her. When he came back I asked him "What did you say to her?" He said that he felt like God wanted him to

remind her that "God loved her and would never leave her". I will never forget that visual picture of obedience that my dad displayed. It is a reminder to me that we never know what is going on in someone's life. Be obedient in a simple act of offering a word of encouragement, it truly could change their life.

My dad was passionate about missions. Even pastoring small churches with small budgets, a portion of the money always went to international missions. He loved having missionaries come to our church and stay in our home. He never went on a missions trip or traveled internationally, but he believed that God had called the church to spread the gospel to every tribe and every nation.

While I struggled with anger at God for taking my dad young, I learned that God could handle my anger. He turned that anger into action in my life!

Dad's - God has given you the opportunity to speak into the lives of your children in ways that will remain for eternity. Your testimony, your passions and your actions will continue to lead your children in God's will for their lives.

HAPPY FATHERS DAY!!!! :)

Child Appointed Special Advocates Training

BE THE DIFFERENCE - SPEAK UP FOR A CHILD :)

New Volunteer Orientation Night

Tuesday, June 21 at 5:30pm

Child abuse doesn't have to be. At CASA of Larimer County we help change the outcome for abused and neglected children every day by being the eyes and ears of the court system. Come and learn how ordinary people are doing extraordinary things for children at our New Volunteer Orientation at the:
Larimer County Justice Center (WEST door, 201 Laporte Ave., FC).

For more information contact: 970-377-9445 or email cassaharmony@yahoo.com.
http://www.fortnet.org/CASA/about/aboutCasa.htm

SUMMERTIME!!!!

I am always happy for the change in routine that summer brings. The break from homework, parent portal messenger, early alarm clocks and packing lunches.

Summer break brings as many challenges for me as it does for the kids. It takes us 2-3 weeks to work into a routine and, getting everyone's expectations of what "their" summer is going to look like worked out.

The summer chore list still remains to be posted (that is my job) and I have slacked off on getting that done. Then we try to sit down as a family and have everyone name one thing that they would like to do as a family during summer break. The guidelines we give on this is that it has to be something we can do close to home, inexpensive and that it can be done in less than 4 hours.

Summer can be exhausting keeping everyone busy, productive and relatively peaceful with each other. I know the weight that we as mom's carry in making sure that everyone gets to do the things they want to do. I want to remind you to do things that you like to do. Stay connected with your friends during the summer. Meet at the park for a picnic. Find a teenager that you can pay a few bucks to hang out with your kids while you meet a friend for lunch (enjoying a perfect glass of ice tea - my personal favorite!).

Enjoy each day and ask God to fill your heart and home with His unfailing love and grace. :)

Guatemala

Last month we went to visit an orphanage in Guatemala City. From the moment you walk through the front doors of Jesucristo es mi Casa you feel the love of God flowing through every room. To me it felt more like walking into a home of a large family. The kids and staff knew that we were coming and were ready to sing some songs of welcome to us, along with a lot of hugs and kisses on the cheeks.

Pastor Araceli is the director/founder of this orphanage. She said that God spoke to her heart that she needed to do something to help another orphanage that was full to capacity, which led her to open Jesucristo es mi Casa. She quickly began receiving referrals of children from the local police and children services dept. These kids need love and healing that can only come through the power and love of Jesus Christ.

Pastor Araceli is also a pastor of a vibrant, caring church in the community. They have a community center that serves a free lunch to anyone that comes through the doors. Daily you will see infants - through seniors come to be fed and ministered to. They know that they can not only count on a good meal (for some their only meal of the day), but they know that they will sing praise songs and hear the word of God. This meal time happens during a lunch break for the kids in school, so parents are able to bring their kids to eat before or after they attend school (kids either attend school in the morning or afternoon in the public schools in Guatemala City).

This community center also has a clinic. The doctor that has been seeing members in the community is now sick and is not able to help. Please join us in praying that Pastor Araceli is able to connect with a local physician who can come to the community center a couple times a week.

The kids all received new dresses for the girls and shorts and t-shirts for the boys from Dress a Girl. Dress a Girl is a new ministry that has recently started at Timberline Church. As you can tell they are very proud of their new clothes. http://www.dressagirlaroundtheworld.com/

We feel honored at Timberline Church to come alongside Pastor Araceli as she has stepped out in obedience to love and care for these precious children. :)

If you would like to know more about how you can support or get involved with this ministry in Guatemala, please contact Tiffany Cherry at: timberlineorphanministry@gmail.com