Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Save Lazy 5 Ranch

My family LOVES lazy 5 Ranch in Mooresville, but this wonderful North Carolina attraction is in danger of being shut down. The issue is with the way the farm is being taxed and a potential change that would cost the farm too much money to stay in business. For all of the details here's a link to an article about the situation:http://www.topix.net/content/kri/2007/10/popular-attraction-could-be-forced-to-close-a-day-at-the-farm-endangered

To sign a petition and for more information about Lazy 5, visit their website: www.lazyfiveranch.com

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Help the Orphans of Guatemala TODAY!

Please take the time to make phone calls, send emails, or fax letters to your member of Congress and UNICEF/New York. We've tried to make it easier for you, by writing a sample letter that you can use. You CAN make a difference for the children of Guatemala! To learn more about the Guatemala 5000 Intitiative please visit: JCICS
Step 1: Contact your US Senators by phone or email. Feel free to use our sample letter, making necessary changes. Ask to speak to the Legislative Director or Chief of Staff.

Email Richard Burr Phone: 202-224-3154 Fax: 202-228-2981
Email Elizabeth Dole Phone: 202-224-6342 Fax: 202-224-1100
If you don't live in North Carolina - find your Senator's contact info here: Find your Senator
Step 2: Contact your Representative to the House of Representatives. Send the same letter. House of Representatives

Dear


I am writing in response to the Guatemala 5000 initiative. As adoptive parents and advocates for orphans everywhere, I am concerned about President Berger's announcement that there will be no grandfathering of Guatemalan adoptions that are currently in process. We have taken many mission trips to Guatemala and know first hand the conditions of the children's homes. Our concern is not only for the 5000 adoptive families in process, but most importantly for the 5000 children who should be able to come home to those forever families. We are concerned about the welfare of these children if their adoption process is not allowed to be completed.

We are asking that you get involved and

Sign the letter to President Berger of Guatemala that is sponsored by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute. If you do not have a copy of this letter, please contact CCAI at 202-544-8500.
Sign the letter to UNICEF that is sponsored by JCICS. www.jcics.org

These letters simply ask that all adoptions in process as of January 1, 2008 be allowed to process to completion under existing notorial laws.

Thank you for taking the time to hear our concern. We thank you in advance for supporting the Guatemala 5000 Initiative.

Step 3: Call or fax Ann Veneman, Executive Director of UNICEF Headquarters
Phone: 212-326-7000 Fax: 212-326-7758
Feel free to use the sample letter below, making necessary changes.

Ann Veneman, Executive Director

UNICEF

I am writing in response to the Guatemala 5000 initiative. As adoptive parents and advocates for orphans everywhere, I am concerned about President Berger's announcement that there will be no grandfathering of Guatemalan adoptions that are currently in process. We have taken many mission trips to Guatemala and know first hand the conditions of the children's homes. Our concern is not only for the 5000 adoptive families in process, but most importantly for the 5000 children who should be able to come home to those forever families. We are concerned about the welfare of these children if their adoption process is not allowed to be completed.

We realize that you have incredible influence and are asking that you use it to ensure that the 5000 children already in the Guatemalan adoption process, be allowed to process to completion under existing notorial law.

Step 4: Send an email to guatemala5000@jcics.org informing them of your support of intercountry adoption.

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Questions About Creation?

Thanks to Allen Branch, a minister at First Christian Church in Kernersville for coming in to talk about dinosaurs and creationism. For more information about this topic a great resource is www.answersingenesis.org.

Tuesday, October 09, 2007

Lauren Cole Run/Walk for CF

Sign up today for this 5K Race to benefit Cystic Fibrosis Research.
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Ledford High School
Race time: 10:00AM
Pre-registration:7:30-9:30 AM

For more info, contact Sami Joe Snider at takeurmarx918@aol.com or 336-689-0121.

Monday, October 08, 2007

A Fair Appraisal

So, WBFJ at the Dixie Classic Fair has come and gone once again . Since I barely have the energy to hold myself upright today, here's a quick list of the things that I'll remember from the 2007 Fair.

1. Losing the media goat milking challenge to my own co-worker, Bonnie Hilton. But, I did a lot better than last year, placing a respectable second....eat my sawdust Austin Caviness!

2. Having church at the fair for the vendors and fair workers. Even though there were only a few of us there, it was an absolutely BEAUTIFUL service and I'm sure God was there. Thanks Cindy Johnson and her band "Stage 2" for the wonderful music. Thanks to Scott Haulter, a minister from First Christian Church in Kernersville for his message. And, to the folks at the Dixie Classic Fair for allowing us to be there.

3. Meeting YOU at the gazebo! It was great saying hello to so many of you who came by during the fair. Thanks for all of your kind words and encouragement.

4. Collecting nearly 70,000 non-perishable food items for Crisis Control Minstry! Way to Go!

5. Judging the Heavenly Layerd Cake competition. My blood sugar level may never normalize.

6. Cornerstone Christian Church and their fantastic food!!!

7. Our Morning Show visit with a trainer from the Rainforest Experience exhibit. Not only did I get to handle a 50-pound python, but I may be the only person alive who has ever been peed on by a coatimundi while doing a live radio show.

8. Karaoke at the gazebo...enough said.

Important News From Caroline's Promise

Urgent Action Needed for Guatemala Adoptions

Many of you are aware that the President of Guatemala has made a decision to cease all Guatemalan adoptions to people living in the U.S., effective January 1, 2008. You can learn more from the Joint Council on International Children's Services:
http://www.jcics.org/Guatemala5000.htm


"President Berger's plans also call for the suspension of adoptions currently in-process. Such a suspension would be extremely detrimental to the children referred to adoptive parents. If President Berger's plan is actually implemented, up to 5,000 will unnecessarily remain in foster care or orphanages indefinitely. This situation represents a pending crisis for the adoptive families who have chosen to provide permanency, safety and love to a child in need and most importantly a crisis for 5,000 children of Guatemala." JCICS website.

JCICS has established the Guatemala 5000 Initiative and we encourage you to participate. They are asking all of us to make 6 phone calls and send 1 email to members of Congress and UNICEF. They are asking us to do this on October 8 -10. Your participation CAN make a difference!


Ultimately we depend on our Heavenly Father to intervene on behalf of these precious children. We believe that He is calling the Church to do its job and get involved!

PLEASE get involved! Here's what you can do:

1. Call US Senator Richard Burr (202-224-3154)

2. Call US Senator Elizabeth Dole (202-224-6342)

3. Call House Representative Virginia Foxx (202-225-2071)

4. Send an email supporting Intercountry Adoption to guatemala5000@jcics.org

Guatemala Prayer List:

That people will take the time to participate in the Guatemala 5000 Initiative.
That the government of Guatemala will at the very least provide a "Grandfather clause", allowing children who have been referred to adoptive parents to complete their adoption and not remain in orphanages.
For the children's homes and caregivers in Guatemala who will now be under extreme financial stress as they try to meet the needs of children.
For the US families who have children in the adoption process in Guatemala.

PLEASE get involved! Visit http://www.jcics.org/Guatemala5000.htm and forward this to people who want to make a difference in the lives of children

Tuesday, October 02, 2007

Smencils

Thanks to Tricia Orr from Simply Delicious for providing Smencils for PLINKO this year. Smencils are scented pencils that come in a variety of smells. Simply Delicious has all kinds of creative fund raising ideas. Visit their website at www.simplydeliciousnc.com