Thanks to my friend Jamie- I have a very encouraging story to share with you! Please take a moment to watch this Anderson Cooper video about Plumpy Nut and how it is literally changing lives.

Check out this family that just received their referral call today!! It is so exciting to see the Lord bringing families together.

We had the privilege of spending last Sunday afternoon with some old and new friends. Martha and Bryon had us over for lunch. Martha and Moody have been friends since Jr. High, and Bryon's brother, Doug, is married to Maza. Maza is a gorgeous woman that just so happens to be Ethiopian. Maza and her precious mother made us some yummy Ethiopian food for lunch. We loved it. Hill couldn't get enough of the spicy beef dish they made!!



All the kids! Our crew (Issy woke up with some allergic reaction in her eyes), Martha and Bryon's two, Maza and Doug's two, plus a cute nephew.

I love PRODUCT(RED)! I love that you can purchase something that you already buy, and a portion of the proceeds go directly to Africa and the fight against AIDS. I have many (RED) shirts from the Gap, I'm trying to justify getting these really cute Converse low-tops, and now Hallmark has joined the (RED)campaign!! Just in time for Christmas. Please visit your local Hallmark store and support this great cause. Let your store know that you appreciate them making a difference. The proceeds go to the the Global Fund. I took the following from the join(RED) website.

MEASU(RED) RESULTS
The Global Fund has selected established grants with sound performance to receive money raised through (RED). To date, of the $45.5 million received by the Global Fund from the sale of (RED) products, $30.7 million has flowed directly to Global Fund financed grants in Ghana, Rwanda and Swaziland. In these countries this money is helping to finance comprehensive national HIV/AIDS programs led by the ministries of health, to provide antiretroviral treatment for children and adults, to assist in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, as well as essential counseling and testing activities to reduce the overall risk of HIV transmission.

Additional contributions of funds will continue to be made to these programs as they achieve tangible, measurable results in their lifesaving work. Additional amounts of money are sent by the Global Fund to (RED) grants according to the grants’ own requests to the Global Fund – usually every 3 to 6 months – and additional amounts are sent once results have been reported and verified.

To read Impact Stories about beneficiaries of (RED) money in Africa, click on http://joinred.blogspot.com.

The Global Fund
The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria was established in 2002 with the support of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and the world's leaders, to dramatically increase resources to fight three of the world's most devastating diseases. Since its creation, the Global Fund has become the dominant financer of programs to fight AIDS, TB and malaria, with $8.4 billion invested in 136 countries.

The Global Fund is an innovative partnership of governments, non-profit organizations, and the private sector. It is not an implementing agency -- the Global Fund relies on local ownership, planning and expertise and enables countries to design and execute their own programs, but provides funds only on the basis of proven results to ensure that funds are used efficiently to create real change for people and communities.

Global Results
In five years, the Fund has achieved substantial results. As of September 2007, Global Fund financing has provided:

1.1 million people with treatment for HIV and AIDS
9.4 million people with voluntary HIV testing
1.2 million orphans with basic care and support
2.8 million people with treatment for tuberculosis
23 million people with treatment for malaria
30 million families with insecticide-treated mosquito nets
Donate to the Global Fund
Purchasing (PRODUCT) RED is just one way you can support the Global Fund. If you've been INSPI(RED) to do more, please make a contribution to the Global Fund. On the donation form, be sure to check the box designating that you want your money to go toward fighting AIDS in Africa.


Click here to see the Hallmark (RED) collection. Now getting wrapping and writing......send the love people!!

I've been tagged!! (by Jaclyn)

Ok, here it goes.

Jobs I've had:
1. babysitter
2. elementary school teacher
3. ENVP, Arbonne International
4. chauffeur, laundress, chef, nurse, counselor (worst paying, but the best by far)

Places I've lived:
1. Dallas, Texas
2. Waco, Texas -- Sic Em Bears!!
3. Arlingon, Texas
4. Do you feel sorry for me, only a 90 mile radius?? No wonder I like to travel!

Foods I love:
1. All things Mexican, especially the Mexican liquids:)
2. Salt and Fresh Ground Pepper, Kettle chips
3. Pizza
4. Chinese food

Places I'd Rather Be:
1. Ethiopia, of course!
2. Aspen, Colorado
3. Costa Rica- sis-in-law lives there and it is beautiful!
4. Bavaria- visiting friends in Germany and maybe take a little road trip to Italy

Movies I love:
1. Life is Beautiful
2. The Bourne trilogy
3. Miracle, Invincible (any sports movie really)
4. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days

TV shows I love:
1. Office
2. 24
3. Brothers and Sisters
4. many reality shows, yes its true:) Top Chef, Project Runway, So You Think You Can Dance - and the list goes on!

Books I love:
1. Same Kind of Different as Me
2. Mark of the Lion series
3. Peace Like a River
4. There is No Me Without You

People I'm tagging:
1. Keva - The Fruit of the Spirit is Not a Coconut
2. Melissa- A Long Way From the Theta House
3. Lori- Adventure to Ethiopia
4. Jessica_- Twenty-Something

It has been eight weeks of waiting for a referral. Jaclyn has been doing posts with numbers each week as they wait for sweet Judah's court date. I thought it was cute, and I hope she is ok with me pirating the idea!

Since Arlington will soon be home to the Dallas Cowboys, I decided to pay tribute to a Cowboy great-- Troy Aikman. Number 8! Praying the next 8 weeks will involve a referral for our kids.