And I'm not sure what I think about that...
Saturday, June 27
Friday, June 19
Not such a great day in the life of a Slocum
Today we found out that we will be held up in our goals to serve with the IMB - due to budget cuts. There's just not enough money to send all of the willing and called missionaries. As a matter of fact, the IMB is having to dig into their reserves - money they "stored up" in the good years - in order to support about 420 missionaries that are presently on the field. They can only send 90 of the 200 that are ready to go this year. We may not be two of those 90. Our plan was to be appointed in Sept, train in Oct-Dec, and be on the field by Jan 2010. We have no idea what the time frame will be now. It depends on the budget.
Is this anything close to what we expected? No. We make plans, and then the Lord informs us of His. Even though this whole event came about through disobedience (lack of giving and credit-stressed economy), God will turn it around and use it for His glory. Perhaps three years from this January (when we would be finishing up our term) something will be about to happen that we would miss out on experiencing on the old time table. Now we will be probably be there to experience it. Perhaps He has something planned for these next 6 months to a year while we are waiting here in the states. Something that will glorify Him that couldn't be accomplished at FPO or on the field. We just don't know.
In the meantime, I would ask all of you who are reading this to do two things: Pray and Act. Pray for the leaders of the IMB and the SBC. The convention is this week in Louisville and some MAJOR issues such as this will be discussed. It will be a tough time of making hard decisions. Next, I am asking you to act. The IMB receives funds to FULLY support it's 5,000 missionaries directly from LOCAL SB CHURCHES and the LOTTIE MOON CHRISTMAS OFERING. Of the money that you give to your local church (in the form of a tithe each Sunday - hopefully 10% of your earnings) - only about 7% of it goes to the seminaries,mission boards, etc. Of that 7%, only about 4% goes to the IMB. That's 4$ of every 100$ you give. Of the Lottie Moon Offering - 100% goes to the IMB!!! Did you read that correctly?! Oh yes - 100% of it! But that's not til Christmas, you say. Not a problem - you can put money in your church's offering plate ANYTIME and label it to where YOU want it to go. If it says "IMB" - it will go to the IMB. If it says "Lottie Moon Christmas Offering" - it will go towards Lottie Moon. So I think it's time for a Christmas in July!
The Lottie Moon Offering for this past Christmas was $14million below what was expected based on previous year's giving. A 7% drop - the largest ever. A drop was expected, of course, but not that much. In order to make up that $14 million, each REGULAR attender of an SBC church would need to give - are you ready - $2. If all of the MEMBERS of an SBC church gave, each would only need to give <$1. Is it possible?! Of course it is!!! But it starts with us. Be the first and tell someone else about it. It IS possible to change the world. Or at least the IMB budget shortfalls.
Is this anything close to what we expected? No. We make plans, and then the Lord informs us of His. Even though this whole event came about through disobedience (lack of giving and credit-stressed economy), God will turn it around and use it for His glory. Perhaps three years from this January (when we would be finishing up our term) something will be about to happen that we would miss out on experiencing on the old time table. Now we will be probably be there to experience it. Perhaps He has something planned for these next 6 months to a year while we are waiting here in the states. Something that will glorify Him that couldn't be accomplished at FPO or on the field. We just don't know.
In the meantime, I would ask all of you who are reading this to do two things: Pray and Act. Pray for the leaders of the IMB and the SBC. The convention is this week in Louisville and some MAJOR issues such as this will be discussed. It will be a tough time of making hard decisions. Next, I am asking you to act. The IMB receives funds to FULLY support it's 5,000 missionaries directly from LOCAL SB CHURCHES and the LOTTIE MOON CHRISTMAS OFERING. Of the money that you give to your local church (in the form of a tithe each Sunday - hopefully 10% of your earnings) - only about 7% of it goes to the seminaries,mission boards, etc. Of that 7%, only about 4% goes to the IMB. That's 4$ of every 100$ you give. Of the Lottie Moon Offering - 100% goes to the IMB!!! Did you read that correctly?! Oh yes - 100% of it! But that's not til Christmas, you say. Not a problem - you can put money in your church's offering plate ANYTIME and label it to where YOU want it to go. If it says "IMB" - it will go to the IMB. If it says "Lottie Moon Christmas Offering" - it will go towards Lottie Moon. So I think it's time for a Christmas in July!
The Lottie Moon Offering for this past Christmas was $14million below what was expected based on previous year's giving. A 7% drop - the largest ever. A drop was expected, of course, but not that much. In order to make up that $14 million, each REGULAR attender of an SBC church would need to give - are you ready - $2. If all of the MEMBERS of an SBC church gave, each would only need to give <$1. Is it possible?! Of course it is!!! But it starts with us. Be the first and tell someone else about it. It IS possible to change the world. Or at least the IMB budget shortfalls.
Tuesday, June 2
Bejeweled
I got my Lia Sophia jewelry order in yesterday and I feel like a new woman! Who knew that a couple of pieces of jewelry could make you feel like you just got a new wardrobe?! I saved my personal budget money for the month of May so that I could use my Hostess Credits to buy a few things after my show. I got about $472 worth of jewelry for $60! Here are a few pics to show you my new collection.....
This Necklace (above)...
...with these pearl earrings (above).
This Necklace (above)......with these pearl earrings (above).
Just the necklace of this set.
Both the necklace and earrings here.
This necklace was FREE!
And these earrings!
Wednesday, May 27
Tears and Fears
Anyone who knows me well, can vouch for the fact that I am not a very emotional person. I cry when my kids are sad or when they show those tear-jerking St. Judes Fundraising marathons. But lately I have found myself tearing up at the oddest times.
Today I was watching my kids splashing and running around like crazy wet ducks at the riverside park when all of a sudden my laughter turned to tears! What happened?! I was HAPPY watching them run around and giggle and play together - why in the world did my eyes decide to drop water?! Suddenly it hit me that this would probably be the last summer my kids would be able to do this, for a while at least. (I don't know if they have these kinds of parks in East Asia....) That simple thought led me on to think about all of the other things they might be missing out on in their little lives just because we are moving halfway across the world - literally. Is it fair to them?
But then my good Friend, the Comforter, reminded me that it's not about them. It's not about us. It's not about me. He reminded me that this calling was for our family and that the plans He has for us are so much bigger than the joy on my kids faces when running through waterpark sprinklers. He reminded me that the experiences we will have are worth so much more eternally than even the memories we build on beautiful summer play days. He reminded me that it is all about Him; that it's all for His glory.
Today I was watching my kids splashing and running around like crazy wet ducks at the riverside park when all of a sudden my laughter turned to tears! What happened?! I was HAPPY watching them run around and giggle and play together - why in the world did my eyes decide to drop water?! Suddenly it hit me that this would probably be the last summer my kids would be able to do this, for a while at least. (I don't know if they have these kinds of parks in East Asia....) That simple thought led me on to think about all of the other things they might be missing out on in their little lives just because we are moving halfway across the world - literally. Is it fair to them?
But then my good Friend, the Comforter, reminded me that it's not about them. It's not about us. It's not about me. He reminded me that this calling was for our family and that the plans He has for us are so much bigger than the joy on my kids faces when running through waterpark sprinklers. He reminded me that the experiences we will have are worth so much more eternally than even the memories we build on beautiful summer play days. He reminded me that it is all about Him; that it's all for His glory.
Thursday, May 7
My Mini Mommy
She loves to cook and bake (in style too)!
She plays dress up and marble mania with her kids (on the floor in full participation mode)!
She is always ready to teach an impromptu lesson on front yard ecology!
She's the first one to offer a kiss and a bandaid for any boo-boos you may endure!
She'll give you a hug just to brighten your day and let you know she loves you!"Train up a child in the way she should go and when she is old she will not depart from it"
Monday, May 4
The Witching Hour
My kids are crying. Both of them. In the same room, wailin' and hootin' and hollerin'. Why, you ask? Oh, because Mommy took away those precious privileges they hold so dear - George and the ball. What is so hard to understand about "Do not get out of bed" and "No, Jacob, do not eat the ball"?! Seriously! They have got to know by now, well at least Hannah, that when I tell them to do or not do something, I really mean it. But sure enough, George is now in the living room, along with a night-night and the replacement monkey. That equals three times she has gotten out of bed for one reason or another. And Jake? He's just steaming mad because I won't let him sleep with his beloved ball that may very well be the death of him when he chokes on the small pieces of foam he insists on pulling out with his teeth.
And here she comes again....I'm totally out of privileges to take away. I think we're moving on to spankings at this point.
And here she comes again....I'm totally out of privileges to take away. I think we're moving on to spankings at this point.
Saturday, April 25
Derby Festivities have begun!!!!
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=110844&id=829947795&l=1bfb79a010
Follow the link above to view pictures from today and the last week. Blogspot is too slow to upload my pictures, so when I have a lot I will put them on Facebook. We have really enjoyed the nice weather the last week or so. It seems that it is here to stay! Enjoy!
Follow the link above to view pictures from today and the last week. Blogspot is too slow to upload my pictures, so when I have a lot I will put them on Facebook. We have really enjoyed the nice weather the last week or so. It seems that it is here to stay! Enjoy!
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