One year ago today....

Haiti was hit with a devastating earthquake. A country that was already faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges was now faced with unbelievable loss and grief of losing those they loved and their homes.

I was blessed to be part of team that went to Haiti in August on a trip to Son of God Orphanage. The need is great. Infact, the need seems beyond my capability of responding to. God is not asking me or you to step in and fix it as a whole, He is calling us to respond to the need in the manner that He puts before us.

This song "I Refuse" by Josh Wilson resonates in my heart personally. I don't want to pretend everything is all right - I don't want to wait for someone else to do what God has asked me to do - I don't want to live like I don't care.

If I close my eyes I can still hear the voices of the children at Son of God Orphanage, I can still feel their fingers touch my arm, I can still see the smiles on their faces as we loved on them.

God asks us to respond to the things that are on His heart - The children and people of Haiti are precious to Him, we need to respond accordingly.

Let's live like we care in a BIG WAY!!! :)

Matthew 5:14-16

You are like light for the whole world. A city built on top of a hill cannot be hidden, and no one would light a lamp and put it under a clay pot. A lamp is placed on a lampstand, where it can give light to everyone in the house. Make your light shine, so that others will see the good that you do and will praise Your Father in heaven.

National Mentoring Month

January is National Mentoring Month. Becoming a mentor can have a great impact in the life of a child or teenager. Rob Mitchell's book Castaway Kid is a great example of how a mentor had the ability to speak hope, life and love into his life. His mentor helped him get past his heartbreaking circumstances to become a successful business man and nationwide speaker who advocates for children in need of a positive change and influence in their life. That positive change and influence could very well be YOU! :)
http://www.castawaykid.com/
To find out how you can become a mentor for kids in Larimer County:
http://www.larimer.org/humanservices/volunteer/mentor.htm
or contact: Christina Ulrich-Jones at: culrichjones@larimer.org

No Welcome Child Adoption/Foster Care Support Group

Due to our snowstorm today, Timberline Church has closed their facilities for the rest of the day.
Mark and Kristin Orphan have agreed to come and speak at our next scheduled meeting on February 6. So please mark you calendars for that date. Enjoy the snow!!! :)

"Change of Plans" Exclusive Trailer

Family Movie Night on Fox - this Saturday, Jan. 8th -" Change of Plans".

This looks like a great family movie!!! There is a lot of interest and anticipation going into helping individuals and families find out how they can get involved after watching this movie.

After the movie join a live broadcast at: www.familiesforall.org

Hosted by Kelly Rosati, VP of Community Outreach at Focus on the Family- I Care about Orphans

Guests include:
Paul Pennington, Executive Director and Co-Founder - Hope for Orphans
Charles "Chuck" Johnson - President and CEO, National Council for Adoption
Sharen Ford, Ph.D, Manager, Permanency Service in CO

To learn more go to:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=184573828236681

There is also a study guide to go with the movie:

http://www.christianallianceblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/COP-discussion-guideFF.pdf

Spread the word in your community!!! :)

ADOPTION/FOSTER CARE SUPPORT GROUP

Sunday, January 9th at 5:00pm in Room 211 at Timberline Church- Mark and Kristin Orphan will be sharing about their adoption journey and the challenges that can be presented in marriage when you are parenting children that have been hurt.
Mark and Kristin do a great job at being real while at the same time providing support and encouragement for those who are on this journey.
Kristin started Finally Home Foundation in CA. It has been a tremendous support to families who have attended a FHF event. We are looking forward to having FHF launch in CO in April.

The need is real and we want to be a part of supporting families who say "yes" to providing a home for children in need of temporary care or a forever family.

Childcare is available for this event.

Please register at:

http://fs8.formsite.com/timberline/Childcareenrollmentform/index.html

Filling in the blanks on the form add:

Leader: Jeff and Kari Stewart

Ministry Group Name: Welcome Child Adoption/Foster Care Support Group

From Finally Home Foundation Website:
http://www.finallyhomefoundation.net/Home_Page.php

The Need

Families often find themselves isolated and struggling with some of the following challenges:

1. Marital Crisis

2. Financial Crisis

3. Need for mentorship from experienced foster/adoptive parents

4. Need for extra curricular activities to build self-esteem and promote healing for the foster/adopted child

What a great way to start the year supporting and encouraging each other!!!! Thank you to Mark and Kristin for your willingness to share - we appreciate you!!! :)

Christian Alliance for Orphans Webinar

Help Wanted: Protecting Orphans from Human Trafficking

As part National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, gain an overview of the global human trafficking problem, its impact on orphans, and what orphan care ministries, churches, and motivated individuals can do to make a difference.

Host Church: Woodmen Valley Chapel

Presenters: Dave Wayman, Woodmen Valley Chapel

Tom Davis, Children's HopeChest

Date: Wednesday, January 19, 2011 Time: 2:00 PM Eastern

https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/563821696

Day after Day

Not one of us knows what tomorrow will bring.

Have you ever had something suddenly happen in your life that seemed to change all of your tomorrows? Your view of life, decisions, and sometimes your view of God was now seen through a new filter?

While our view changes, God's does not.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever.

Hebrews 13:8

His Word is true, His Promises are real, His love for us is unchangeable and our confessed sins are cast as far as the east is from the west (Psalms 103:12) . WOW!!! How can we not want to cling to Him knowing how much he cares for us?

This coming year will bring unimaginable joy and unexpected situations and challenges for all of us. God will be right there in the middle of it all if we allow Him to be. He will bring peace that passes all understanding (Phil. 4:8) and comfort that will sustain and lift us up personally and as the body of Christ (2 Cor. 1:3-4).

This song by Kristian Stanfill - Day after Day speaks to this truth.

No matter what joys, disappointments, victories, hurts, fears come our way in 2011 - God is Faithful ALL of the time!! He is the God of everyday - Rest in His Hope and Love for you as you commit the coming year to Him.

Happy New Year to all of you!! :)

MY SALVATION AND MY HONOR DEPEND ON GOD; HE IS MY MIGHTY ROCK, MY REFUGE. TRUST IN HIM AT ALL TIMES, O PEOPLE; POUR OUT YOUR HEARTS TO HIM, FOR GOD IS OUR REFUGE. PSALM 62: 7-8