Notecards

It's time for another Notecard Party at A Haven for Vee. I love this party!

Since the Fourth of July will be here soon, this flag-waving blogger wants to share some favorite pics from last Summer's trip to Mackinac Island. It was hard to choose, but I limited myself to the Stars & Stripes -- and beautiful blues. This visual reminder of sacrifice and freedoms ... I think it's beautiful!

Have you made any Fourth of July plans this year?

More from Mackinac Island ...

More flag-waving from Mackinac Island

GRAND HOTEL Expectations

Fabulous Fudge!

Lighting the Way: A Grand Hotel Finale

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FATHER'S DAY: Just Another Day ...

So you say Father's Day is "just another day." 

Well, Renaissance Man, I guess it is...

Another day to say I love you more than you can imagine!

Another day to marvel at how someone with no "fatherhood experience" turned out to be -- and still is -- one of the best "hand-on" Dads I've ever known.

Another day to say thank you for loving my little girls ... and their mother ... when they very much needed a consistent, every-day man in their lives.

Another day to recognize the sacrifices you have made for our family.  I realize that's the nature of "family," but many men aren't as gracious as you.

Another day to be grateful for the laughter and smiles you bring into our home.  What a beautiful gift that has been for the past 23+ years.

Another day to reflect upon the encouragement you consistently provide, always helping "your girls" to be the best we can be.

Another day to say thank you for loving the young women we raised, and for still playing an active role in their lives.  They count on that, you know.

Another day to hold your hand and admire the plants in our beautiful-thanks-to-your-hard-work garden.

Another day to stand in awe when I think of how you have "taken to" the children in Brazil.  Mr. "I don't like hugs" happily allowing himself to be smothered with hugs.  It's a picture of love in its truest form.
 
Another day to be grateful for the good and godly man you are -- and to enjoy watching as Poppa shares himself with our little ones.  How much fun you're having with grandsons!

Just another day?  I'm glad to have it so I can tell you (since I don't do it often enough) that our family is "us" because you are in it.  Surely there have been moments when you wondered what you got yourself into, but you never wavered in your dedication to your daughters ... or to their mother.  It seems to me that is a true mark of a good father.  Frankly, I never doubted that's what you'd be!

High-fives with children at the Nave Mae Preschool on our recent trip to Brazil

Another day ... today ... to say Happy Father's Day to my husband and best friend.  May the year ahead be your best yet!
 

This letter is an updated excerpt from the Blessing Book I shared during my 31 Days of Creative Caring.
Why not make one for your own sweetheart ... or father ... or child ... or ... ?

Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead?  Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?  If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!
Luke 11:11-13

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To all fathers ...

Biological, adoptive, step-, foster, fill-in,
and especially my own! ...

Happy Father's Day

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Greetings from the girls at Hope Unlimited in Brazil ...

These girls (and their friends) send a big THANK YOU to everyone who sent Valentine cards for this week's Day of Love party.  If you've prayed for these girls, thank you!  If not, it's never too late ...  Here's the scoop.

This picture makes me happy because I know the party was a time of love and encouragement for the girls ... and a time for talking about what it means to live a wholesome, pure life ... even when it means having to overcome the tragic realities in her past.  These precious girls are right where they need to be.  At Hope Unlimited for Children they're getting the tools they need to construct a bright future for themselves and their future generations.

The picture also reminded me of something I've never thought to share with you before.  See the little girl who's totally hidden behind her Valentine?  I don't know who she is, so I don't know if she's shy ... playing ... or threatened.  Threatened?  Yes, threatened.

Sometimes a child is brought to Hope because a drug lord has put out a hit on someone and their family.  Their entire family.  Those children know to avoid cameras.  And Hope staff knows to check -- and double check -- every photograph we publish to ensure no threatened child is accidentally included.  Ah, the things most of us never have to think about ...  Nevertheless, the "faceless" little girl and her friends are safe and loved. 

But what about these little girls ...
and the millions like them?

Neglected, scavenging for food, growing up too fast ...

What about them?

Every prayer you offer for Hope's children and staff ... every Valentine you send for the girls ... makes a difference in the lives of children who were once just like these.

Every monetary gift you share, large or small, means Hope can be there to help.

So can you ...

* Choose from 5 different $10 gifts *

* Become a member of the Thrive Team *

 

  The King will reply, "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."

Matthew 25:37-40

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I hope you all have a wonderful Father's Day weekend!  I'll be back soon with a tribute to my Renaissance Man.  In the meantime...

Have you ever longed to be loved by an absent father?

Father's Day for the Fatherless @ Blue Cotton Memory 

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Joining Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound and
Spiritual Sundays at Blogger Spirit.

His & Her Tablescapes ... Garden Theme

Wouldn't it be fun to do these two theme tables?

Mr. McGregor's Garden

 Focus on vegetables (and perhaps fruits)

Mrs. McGregor's Garden

 Focus on flowers ... of course!

How do YOU envision the McGregors' tables?

Surely I'm not the only one who's ever thought about it ... am I?

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Join me for Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch.

There's Always Time to CELEBRATE LOVE ... but the best time is NOW!

  

Last Valentine's Day, many of you sent cards for the girls living at Hope Unlimited for Children in Brazil.

Hundreds of cards ... from Blogland, civic groups, and churches.  Families and individuals.  You sent them when you sent your own Valentines ... because I told you:  the Day of Love in Brazil isn't until Summer.

Well, it's Summer, and tomorrow, June 12, some beautiful young ladies will receive Valentines and learn ... many for the first time ... that they are loved by people they don't even know.  These girls and their friends, whose young lives were once filled with abuse, exploitation, and even forced prostitution, will learn about healthy relationships and family and God's love.  And ours, thanks to many of you!

Please pray for the girls ... and the women who will share wholesome Truth with them at the Day of Love party.  And if you're reading this "after the fact," pray anyway!  I stand in awe at the ways God uses simple Valentines to soothe deep pains and bring hope to young girls. It takes so little effort on my part to send a Valentine.  So little, in fact, it hardly seems worth it at the time.

  

Oh, but it's worth it!  Just ask any of these young women.  They were once young girls who received our Valentines.  Today they are Hope graduates, making a difference in their world.  Our world.  At various stages of young womanhood, they continue to discover God's path for their lives ... all because "once upon a time" they ended up at a place called Hope ... and discovered love.

It's true.  Just read Joyce's story to see the life-changing effect
the Valentines had on her life. 

Joyce is #2 from the top on the far left.  I was so excited to see her a few weeks ago ... and meet her second little one!

And then (also pictured here) there's ...

Patricia, a young wife and mother who works for Hope during the week and, along with her husband, leads worship at the graduate church on the weekend.

Camilla and Francyslaine, two young women coming to the States next month to spend a year in a special missions training program.

Natalha and her husband, both former street children ... now Hope houseparents.

Josie, getting married in a few weeks.  I wonder if she plans to wear one of these.

The success stories go on and on thanks to people just like you and me who take a few minutes to send a Valentine (or several!).  So little effort ...

If you missed participating this year, plan to join us next year.  We'll do it again!

We love because He first loved us.

1 John 4:19 

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June is a popular month for weddings.

What kind of "celebrating love" is going on in your world?

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