Faith and Trust

Almost everyone knows that two years ago, I was honored and blessed to travel to Kenya and love on some kids.  I thought that I would go to Kenya and be able to mark it off of my bucket list, so to speak.  I never imagined that I would feel the "calling" again.  But, after being able to step outside of my comfort zone, I almost immediately wanted to return.  Those children at the Challenge Farm have a very special place in my heart.  It was all God that I was able to go in the first place.  We certainly were not financially capable of me going on such a trip without the generosity of so many.  There have been trips back to Kenya since and each time, I send letters and wish that I was going, too. 

Well, there is another team traveling back to Kitale in February.  I feel the pull to go.  My one and only reservation is finances.  I know that I can get help with Ethan, just like I did last time.  So, I sit here again thinking that there is NO WAY that I can raise the money needed ($2500/$1500 due mid-December) in the short amount of time.  There is a truth to that statement.  *I* can't.  God *CAN*. 

I think that is the lesson.  I am putting a limitation on God's capability!  Who am I to say that God is not capable of providing if it is meant for me to return to Kenya?  Then, there's the *haters*, the people who chastise all international work when there is so much to do domestically, or the non-believers who don't believe that God is providing anything.  You feel like you are on constant attack once you commit to such a mission.  Am I strong enough to battle that spiritual warfare?  Nope.  But, God is.  I just have to lean upon Him for the strength.

Please join me in praying for what is meant to be for this trip, whether I am supposed to be a member of the team or not.  I need to have FAITH that if it is meant to be for me, then all of my needs will be met.  I need to TRUST that all of my needs will be provided for.

If you would like to help in the financial aspect (can we say end-of-year tax deduction?!!??!!!), checks can be sent to:
River Oaks Community Church
1855 Lewisville-Clemmons Road
Clemmons, NC 27012
Memo:  Kristen Faulkner - Kenya



First day at the farm.  With Sarah, Jackson, & Esther



Your prayers and support are very much appreciated. 

Dear Santa,

While at the Festival of Trees on Saturday, I had the pleasure of browsing all of the vendors.  Simply Sterling was there and had a display of shoes.  I have seen these shoes before, but did not find them attractive, so I would keep walking.  Well, on Saturday, I gave in to the request to try on a pair.  The first pair was too small for my man feet.  Then, we tried the Paloma.  Oh.My.Word.  It felt like I was getting a foot massage as I walked.  Freaking fabulous.  Since I have high arches and rarely wear shoes with support, I have been thinking about getting a really good shoe. 

Unfortunately, my sweet husband saw the price of said foot massaging shoe and axed the idea.  I have been having some foot pain in my heel and really need to do something.  So, Dear Santa, if you could find your way to drop off a pair of black patent leather (even though I *love* the red ones above, I have nothing to wear them with) Alegria Paloma size 42's, I would love you forever.  :)

Love,
Kristen ☺

Must see videos!

The following three videos are so eye-opening.  Please, please, PLEASE watch.  Questions welcome and encouraged.








 

www.fillthegap-juiceplus.com

How do you say...

A-T-H-L-E-T-E?

I say, ath-leet, but have found many people pronounce it "ath-a-leet".  Where does the "A" come from?  Is this one of those supposedly vs. supposebly type deals?  LOL.

Today.

First of all, Happy Birthday to my friend, Alanna!  Alanna and I have known each other since elementary days, which means we are either closing in on the 30 year of friendship mark or we have already passed it.  ;)  Love ya, sis!  Hope you have had a great day!!!  xoxo

Today symbolizes something to me that sparks an emotional roller coaster.  I was never supposed to get to today.  This was not how I had my life planned, nor do I like to think about how things haven't turned out as planned in my perfect little world in my head.  But, it is a reminder that I am not in control of my life, God is.  And, apparently His timing and plan is SO much different than my own.  So, I have no other choice to sit here and remind myself that "there is a reason".  {And for those that have no clue what I am talking about, send me an e-mail and I'll explain it to you.}

I got to school to pick up Ethan for his private speech therapy and his school speech therapist (SLP) and occupational therapist (OT) were in his classroom.  The OT was actually working with Ethan.  Last week, she had sent home a note of concern for the redness between Ethan's fingers.  I let the teacher know that we were aware of the redness and have some antibiotic at home to put on it.  You see, Ethan does "mouth swipes" throughout the day to help himself swallow.  I am not a fan of this practice, but it is actually very smart of him to come up with his own way to safely help himself with his swallow.  I try to redirect to his "chewy" whenever possible.  We have found that saying "no mouth" to Ethan equals Ethan putting his hands in his mouth again.  *sigh* 

So, long story short, the therapists feel that Ethan can't work effectively while putting things in his mouth therefore, they suggested using arm restraints.  {This is where my eyes start to bulge, and my blood starts to boil, and I do my best to keep my Mama Bear claws from coming out}  I really don't appreciate the suggestion of arm restraints on my child.  I have arm restraints for him, but they are only used for certain things, and it is rare {like trying to keep his hands down so he can get used to wearing his glasses again, but for only 20 minutes at a time}.  Anywho, I felt bullied by these women.  The SLP has already made a couple of comments about how Ethan's sign is not functional which ticks me off because we have worked really hard to get Ethan to have ANY form of communication, so if he has adapted some signs in order to communicate, that's fine by us and it is quite exciting!  I hate that she doesn't see or know that.  Such drama...

On a better note, Ethan is making great progress in private speech with the PECS method.  He gets ice cream every single session *eye roll*.  I don't plan on that continuing once he really grasps the concept.  Ice cream is a treat that we don't give in to very often, but how can you resist when he came up with his sign for ice cream? 

Regardless of what the school therapists say or think, we are VERY proud of how far Ethan has come and the progress that he has been making.  Of course we would love to wave a magic wand and have these communication issues resolved, but since that is not going to happen, we have to be proud of where he is and look forward to even further improvement.

You WILL smile.

You're welcome.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Juice Plus+ Research Continues to Grow

It’s an exciting time for Juice Plus+ research. Two clinical research studies were recently published online ahead of the printed journals.

Investigators at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro recruited 41 healthy adults to take either placebo or Juice Plus+ Orchard, Garden and Vineyard blend capsules for 28 days prior to an acute bout of eccentric exercise, and for four days after. The investigators found that Juice Plus+ helped prevent the increase in oxidative stress markers in the blood seen in placebo subjects.

A study conducted at Charite University Medical Center in Berlin, Germany followed health professionals (mainly nursing staff aged 18-65) who were in direct contact with patients and at a particularly high risk for exposure to germs. The subjects took Juice Plus+ Orchard and Garden Blend or matching placebo daily for eight months. The researchers concluded that taking Juice Plus+ was associated with a 20% reduction in days with moderate to severe symptoms over the cold winter season.

To learn more about these studies please click on the links below.
University of North Carolina-Greensboro study:

http://www.naturalproductsmarketplace.com/news/2010/08/juice-plus-fights-oxidative-stress-during-exercis.aspx

Charite University Medical Center-Berlin, Germany:

http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayFulltext?type=1&fid=7875834&jid=BJN&volumeId=-1&issueId=-1&aid=7875832

How exciting is this!?!?  I love what Juice Plus+ is doing for me and my family AND so many others!  If you're not taking Juice Plus+, you need to be!   Want to learn more?  Have further questions?  Let me know! 

www.fillthegap-juiceplus.com