Fall Pics

I know it's late, but here are a few pics from our trip to the pumpkin patch and playing in the leaves.

Compassion Friday

The annual cost of a small dog is $580.  The annual cost of a medium dog is $695.  The annual cost of a large dog is $875. (ASPCA)

For $1.25 a day ($456 annually) you can provide a CHILD with an opportunity to receive an education; an opportunity to be healthy; an opportunity to receive love, guidance, personal attention, etc. (Compassion International)

I'm not knockin' dogs.  I'm just sayin'...

Two roads diverged...

Have you ever read something and thought, "They're talking about me!"  That's exactly what I thought when I read this from TrueFaced:

"As we're walking down life's road, we arrive at a tall pole with signs pointing in two different directions.  The marker leading to the left simply says Pleasing God.  The one leading to the right reads Trusting God.  It's hard to choose one over the other, because both roads have a good feel to them."

On the path marked Pleasing God, "I come to a door that reads Striving to Be All God Wants Me to Be.  These words reflect the values that flow out of the motive of Pleasing God, and they describe how we believe we should act.  Since my motive is a determination to please God, I will value being all God wants me to be.  So, I open the door by turning the knob of Effort.  The motive of pleasing God has now produced the value of Striving to Be All God Wants Me to Be.  As I enter this enormous room, a hostess with a beautiful smile greets me and says in an almost too polite tone, 'Welcome to The Room of Good Intentions.'"

"The stifling atmosphere in the room...make[s] it hard for me to breath.  I am so tired of pretending and keeping up appearances.  As I search for the door, someone walks up to me and, looking over his shoulder, whispers, 'Hey, umm, I'm going to check out that other path back at the crossroads.  For the past several years, I've given this room everything I've got and something's not working for me.  You look tired too.  You want to go retrace our steps and head out for the Trusting God trail?'"

On the path marked Trusting God, I come to a door that reads Living Out of Who God Says I Am.  "I tilt my head to the side, thinking the phrase might make more sense if I do.  Those are certainly some words, one right after another.  What in the world to they mean?  It can't mean what I think it means!  When do I get to do something here?  Where's the part where I get to prove my sincerity?  Where are my guidelines?  When do I get to give God my best?  I shake my head and stoop down to read what it says on the doorknob...Humility."

"As I step inside, another hostess immediately approaches.  She smiles kindly and, with a voice that is at once knowing and reassuring, says softly, 'Welcome to The Room of Grace.'"

 "We will never please God through our efforts to become godly.  Rather, we will only please God -- and become godly -- when we trust God."

Compassion Friday

Please consider sponsoring a child through Compassion International today.

Compassion Friday

I'm switching Quick Facts Friday to Compassion Friday and in doing so, want to share the most recent letter we received from Magazi.

"Dear Mike Mauntel, Magazi salutes you "Shikamoo."  He says he is fine and doing well together with his family.  He says he is so grateful for the nice family gift you sent to him.  He says his parents are so grateful for the nice gift, for they were able to buy the following: One iron sheet, clothes for dad and mom, rice, sugar, beans, clothes (suit) for him and his sibling.  He also thanks you a lot for the nice photo, letters and stickers you sent to him.  He says he lives with his father, mother, and his sibling.  He says his past photo he had sent to you he took with his parents.  He says he, likes playing football game.  He says his best subjects are mathematics and handwriting.  Magazi hopes that Michael is born and grows well.  Hey says may you have a look at the photo he has sent to you when with his mother and sibling with all the gifts he bought.  He lastly says may you pray for his mother to know Jesus for he is of different denomination."

He also included this drawing.  Notice the stickers!

I thought Maddie would like to see the stickers on there since she LOVES stickers.  Unfortunately, she threw a fit.  "My tickers!"

I calmed her down, sat her on my lap, and tried to explain how Magazi lives in another country, is less fortunate that we are, etc.

Thinking I was getting through to her, she got up, turned around, looked at me and said, "No talk to me daddy."

Much like getting played, all I could do was laugh.

Please consider sponsoring a child through Compassion International today.

Mimi's house now?

So, I just got home from work.  Maddie greeted me at the door and immediately gave me a hug and kiss, which has NEVER happened before. 

I said, "This is one of the best days of my life!"

Meanwhile, Emily's cracking up. 

Sensing something was up when Maddie asked, "Mimi's house now?", I realized Emily told her she couldn't go to Mimi's house until she gave me a hug and kiss!

I may have been played, but it was one of the sweetest moments to date.

Quick Facts Friday

The following is information from Compassion International specific to Tanzania, the country of sponsored child -- Magazi.

 "Although Tanzania is one of the most politically stable countries in Africa, it remains desperately poor.  The country hosts the largest refugee population in Africa because of conflicts in neighboring Rwanda, Burundi and Democratic Republic of Congo.  Refugee camps, which house thousands of children in Tanzania, have little access to clean water, sanitary conditions or education.

Nearly 90% of Tanzanians struggle to survive on less than $1.25 a day.  The country has few exports, and agriculture is the primary source of income.  Many regions, however, are plagued by drought."

Please consider sponsoring a child through Compassion International today.