Woman At the Well

The Power of Validation

Make a difference in somone's life. Sometimes something seemingly small can make a huge difference. I challenge you to validate at least 5 people. You will be amazed at how much better it will make you feel.

Babies of Juarez Outreach

Our Story - by Quinn Anderson

In October 2007, my family was privileged to serve in Juarez, Mexico, alongside friends of ours. We witnessed firsthand the very real, very basic needs of these people. I returned a changed person. My vision has been altered significantly, and I see my blessings much differently now.

Diapers…
In Juarez, a ten-and-a-half-hour drive from Highlands Ranch, Colorado, many babies wear the same diaper for four or more days because the family can’t afford new ones. A mom will go to the store with enough money for one diaper. The diapers are used and reused until they can no longer hold anything more, and the mom will go back to the store with just enough money to buy a new one. Cloth diapers aren’t an option because water is so scarce in Juarez. Our team in the clinic saw babies with horrible sores on their bottoms and the parents with no means to help them.

Formula…
Just ten and a half hours away, many mothers are too malnourished to breastfeed, and babies are dying due to lack of proper nutrition. A mother’s milk often dries up in the first 30 days after giving birth. Up to twenty-five percent of the babies in Kilometer 30 (an area in Juarez) don’t live longer than six months. It’s extremely common for parents to not name their babies until after six months because of the terribly high infant mortality rate. Formula is literally life itself to these people.

My babies did not go without food. My babies didn’t go more than a few hours without a clean diaper, much less days. My babies were named before they were even born. I feel compelled and privileged to do anything I can to help these incredible people. If you would join with me, I promise your help will be life changing for the babies of Juarez.

I am collecting diapers and formula—even expired formula—for the babies of Juarez. Anything from a single diaper and a can of formula to cases of each will be accepted and greatly appreciated.

We also gratefully accept tax-deductible donations. Please know that 100 percent of every dollar given to Babies of Juarez goes toward the purchase of diapers and formula. If you want to participate, you can send a check (payable to “The Shepherd’s Way” with Babies of Juarez in the memo line) to 9457 S. University Blvd #226 Highlands Ranch, CO 80126. You can also donate online via the Just Give site. Simply follow the prompts.

If you have questions, I would be happy to have you e-mail me personally at qanderson@comcast.net.

Third Annual Breast Friends Day

Today we celebrated our third annual Breast Friends Day. To read the history of our event click HERE and HERE

We begin our celebration around noon, with lunch on the Patio of Yia, Yia’s. It was a balmy 72 – perfect for outside dining. Karen gave us each a breast cancer awareness pen to mark the occasion. The food was delicious food and the company was even better. I ordered crab cakes. It almost looks too good to eat doesn’t it?

We didn’t linger over lunch because we had some very important appointments. Just around the corner was Invision Sally Jobe’s beautiful new facilities. We checked in, selected our coffee and verified our medical information (in private cubicles). We were then directed through the doubles doors into the inner sanctum where we were greeted by a vivacious woman who gave us our heated pink robes and helped us select a locker for our purses. Everyone we met was simply fabulous, helping to make our Breast Friends Day especially pleasant. I had the pleasure of passing out chocolate to everyone – which was so much fun because no one was expecting it.

My X-ray technician was great at answering all my questions. I wondered about the amount of radiation involved in a mammogram. These new digital imaging machines are very low dose and the radiation exposure is comparable to one day out in the Colorado sun. The radiation from dental X-rays is far more extreme.
I was able to view my images on the monitor and they all looked good to my untrained eye – no spots or weird looking areas. Only one image had to be redone. This screening is not painless but necessary for maintaining good health. I was only sore for a few hours. Anyone who has suffered from breast cancer will emphatically remind you to get your yearly screening.
When I came out, Karen and Megan were waiting to be screened, so we stopped and posed to commemorate our event. Behind us is a vase marking over a million biopsies.
Please join us in our celebration of good health. Schedule your yearly screening today!

Listening to His Voice

Just being with my grand baby, Kamryn, brings me joy. She is one of the best gifts the good Lord has ever given me.

Kamryn was in my arms the other day, and every time I spoke, she turned her head and pressed her ear up to my lips. Even as I spoke to other family members, she tuned in to what I had to say. It did my heart good to discover she was so attentive to the sound of my voice.

I was later contemplating Kamryn’s reaction when the Holy Spirit reminded me that this is the way He wants me to be with Him. What a beautiful picture. I rest in His arms, and whenever He speaks, I turn my head and press my ear to His lips, waiting to hear the loving timbre of His voice. Oh, the pleasure He feels at the attentive way I listen to His voice.

Francesca Battestelli - Free to Be Me

I love this song. Listen to the words. Francesca is fabulously bold and free. This song is on her latest album, My Paper Heart.

The Angels Rejoice

The Angels in heaven rejoiced as they received another servant of the Lord, willing to stand for his faith. Though this was a terrible tragedy for the Winter's family and church, I can’t help thinking he was blessed to go out while serving a church he loved, surrounded by his family and friends.

The Bible says to be absent from the body is to be present with Christ. Pastor Winters is in heaven right now, praising God and rejoicing with the angels.

Father, we unite in prayer for the Winter’s family as they grieve the loss of this dear man. We pray for those precious children, grieving for their Daddy. We pray for his widow as she learns to pick up the pieces of her life and become both parents to her girls. Comfort them and surround them with your love.

We pray for The First Baptist Church of Maryville that this incident will not tear them apart, but make them even stronger. Father, move in that church as never before. Send them the sweet spirit of forgiveness and revival.

Finally, we pray for the shooter and his mother. We pray that they will discover the healing power of your love and forgiveness.

In your precious name, Amen

Please visit Speak on it with Lisa for more on this topic.