The best thing is that we have been taught that washing our hands well with soap can help to keep us healthy.  We have access to soap and water on a regular basis.  Not everyone is so lucky.  What they don’t know and don’t have access to can harm them or kill them.  Soap and water save lives and there is a Global Soap Project that you may not be aware of to get soap into the hands of people who are in need of it, to stay well.

The Global Soap Project was started by Derreck Kayongo.  His father was a soap maker in Uganda.  When Derreck came to the United States, he was amazed to discover that hotels put fresh bars of soap in the hotel rooms every day; discarding the used soaps.  This began the idea of the Global Soap Project as Derreck knew the importance of having soap to help combat sickness and disease.  Just imagine the difference having plenty of soap and water would make in refugee camps.

It is costly to get soap, in many areas of the world, and poorer nations cannot afford the luxury of throwing away bars of soap that are barely used.  The Bible says to those whom much is given, much is expected in return; we have a responsibility to do what we can to help those that are less well off.   This is such a simple thing to do.

Derreck began to think of how to recycle the soap and distribute it to people in need.  He began to contact hotels about donating soaps to be recycled.  He has a website that encourages people to get involved in the donation, recycling and distribution of soap that has been cleaned, recycled and inspected for impurities.  This has the potential of helping to save and improve lives.

In America, we understand that it is important to use soap and water anytime we are handling food or drinks; or when working with people who are sick, after using the restroom, or changing diapers or bathing young children who have not been trained yet about sanitation.  The Centers for Disease Control has a wonderful article about hand washing and gives the particulars on how to do it properly to prevent the spread of diseases or illnesses. If people around the world could have access to the soap that is thrown away in landfills every year it could help millions of lives that die from contact with diseases and symptoms such as diarrhea.

This time of year families are traveling on vacations and day trips staying at hotels.  Why not spread the word at the hotels, about the Global Soap Project, that you are staying at or saving the soap that your family is given to use throughout your hotel stay.  The project is based in Atlanta, Georgia.  This is a worthwhile way of contributing to a betterment of the world.  If nothing else, think locally.

There are many homeless people that could use individual bars of soap to use.  Why not donate to a homeless shelter in your area?  This is such a great idea to bless others with the things that we take for granted, won’t you do what you can to help others less fortunate.  Won’t you help Derrick and others like him who have a goal to save lives by donating soap, money or your time?  Visit his site and see what you can do to lend some support, won’t you?

I thought that he appeared to have his emotions under control…but, he became evasive in his eye contact and his body language definitely became more rigid.  He was angry, you could see that…but; he tried to redirect the line of questioning back towards his music.  It was uncomfortable to watch; I thought both he and Robin were uncomfortable.  In fact, Robin appears to hold herself away from him through her body language.  I felt the barely concealed hostility directed towards her from my computer screen.   Robin is always so natural on the television screen and yet I sensed that she was very uncomfortable.

Robin has interviewed him in the past, regarding the abuse issue; in fact, I thought that the previous interview was much more at ease than this one.  They seemed to have established a fragile balance in their roles of interviewer and interviewee.  That is what is so puzzling about the new allegation that arose after the interview today.  With his new music being released, this interview could have been a, turning the corner kind of interview.  One where he never again would have had to address the past…it is unfortunate that it did not turn out to be that kind of moment.

It is alleged that he went to his dressing room and busted out a window that crashed down on the road and sidewalk, in Times Square, below the building in a rage over the interview.  As far as I know, there were no injuries…however, there could have been.  Unless members of his entourage saw him do it…there were no witnesses to what actually took place behind his dressing room door; even though GMA staff allegedly became concerned over some loud noises and called security.  Chris Brown was photographed leaving the studio shirtless.

If it IS true that Chris did in fact bust out that window in some sort of uncontrolled rage over this interview…I would say that this young man has done himself a lot of damage.  He was on probation after the domestic violence situation with Rhianna.  I wonder if he is off of probation or if this alleged incident at Good Morning America will come back to haunt him legally.

Some are saying that Chris Brown agreed to the questions that Robin Roberts was going to ask him regarding the past BEFORE the interview.  Even if he had not though; he certainly had to be aware that interviewers would address the whole subject because the restraining order forbidding contact with Rhianna that was just recently lifted.

Sherry Shepard, from The View, seemed to communicate that she thought that IF he did in fact lose control and bust the window that the public would be pretty unforgiving regarding his behavior.  I tend to agree.  I think he appeared to have worked hard on himself after the original loss of control with Rihanna and he came across in the media as someone who was trying to relearn how to conduct himself more appropriately when angry.  In fact, in the interview with Robin he said that he didn’t think it would be a problem (bumping into Rihanna in public now that the restraining order was lifted); that all of that was in the past and he was beyond all of that and moving forward with his music.

The truth of the matter is…IF he did in fact lose control today…he comes across as a person with very little improvement over managing his anger.  Some witnesses said that he appeared livid after the interview.  He probably was doing a slow burn inside of his head.    Those who exhibit patterns of domestic violence towards others really have very little control over themselves and therefore their behavior is really an attempt at controlling their immediate environment and those in it.

Another truth here is that, Robin Roberts is a sensitive woman.   I would be willing to say that she has to feel awful that this talented young man possibly fell back into old patterns of behavior because of his interview on her morning news show.  Robin is a Christian…and, I do not believe that she would deliberately take joy in seeing Chris Brown fail and fall due to their interview.  I think of Rihanna too…she must be cringing inside thinking of all of the attention that this moment in time will re-ignite over a part of the past that she and Chris shared.   She cared for him at one time and maybe she still does.

It is all very sad and concerning.   What will happen in this young man’s life to bring him to a place where he can handle conflict and anger and to a place where others in his life feel confident that he will not repeat old patterns of violent behavior.  Update:

Since I wrote this post…I read news accounts saying that Chris Brown is still on probation…but that ABC will not prosecute Chris.  They have offered to let him come back on GMA and let him tell his side of the story.  Just a short time ago, I saw Gayle King had done an interview with Robin Roberts telling her side of the issue.   I found the interview very informative.  I am posting a link to it here:  Gayle King

The extra mile is what this organization does provide.  They often listen to a parent, of a young cancer patient, express their fears, anxieties and questions about what to expect when cancer hits their family.  Mark and Deloris Bailey, founders of the organization know what it is like as they have been in that position when their son was diagnosed and treated for cancer.  So they created Friends Like Us to meet the needs of young cancer patients by providing them with a chemo bear. 

This chemo bear comes with a medical bag which has tools that doctors and nurses can use to help explain treatments and procedures that the young child may be having to go through.  It is a wonderful tool.  This chemo bear even may have a port just like the child and can have it removed in a bear clinic when the child has his or her port removed.  In the meantime, the bear can be of service when the child is at it most vulnerable going through tests or long lonely nights in the hospital.

Because they are a nonprofit they must get their funds through fund-raising and sponsors.  It costs approximately $550 dollars for them to get 100 bears manufactured to be given to children.  Lately they have combined efforts with some other groups to add books about cancer, musical cds and blankets that wrap the child in warmth.  All of this is done in the name of healing and supporting patients while they are in the battle of their lives.

So if you are a business, a church or an organization that is willing to be a sponsor of Friends Like Us and donate one order of bears to their cause you can contact Mark Bailey  at (419) 557-8543 info@friendslikeus.org .   In exchange for that donation of 100 bears, they are willing to send you a bear with a t-shirt that says Friends Like Us , we helped make a difference, a card shipped with each chemo bear that says generously donated by “your company, church or organizations name on it” and three months of advertising on their front page of their website.

Not only would your business, church, or organization be helping 100 children and their families but you would also be getting exposure for yourself by the willingness of Friends Like Us to promote your name and give you credit for your generosity.   You will be instrumental in helping a child to heal and help to encourage a family who is dealing with a major medical crisis.  Thank you for considering this opportunity to be a friend to Friends Like Us and helping them to fulfill a vital role in the lives of those who are trying to recover their health and well-being!

Miley Cyrus became so rich and so overwhelmingly popular that she began to make changes like dressing more provocatively.   She not only “grew up”; she changed her image.   She made very grown up videos with older men and she was caught on film smoking Salvia in a bong (which is not illegal in California but which has hallucinogenic affects on the people who smoke it).   Billy says that he always tried to be a friend to his children and now he regrets not being more of a disciplinarian type of a parent. Many parents realize this type of mistake…but, when there are people who form a wall around your child, I would imagine it is harder to talk things out.   Billy didn’t have the title of being his daughter’s manager in business either…so he had no official say so in those business decisions of hers.  He feels that much of what has happened in recent months has been out of his control.

Maybe that is true…yet truthfully, his children and his wife play a part in this scenario as well.  If they all respected him as the head of the family (instead of having the balance of power out of whack by earning power) then his opinion would carry more weight in their choices.  This is doubly sad because they all appear to love one another…but, there seems to be no authority except of those in their business life; who may or may not have their family’s best interest at heart.  Billy says that he has not profited from Miley as a person on her staff such as a publicist or manager.  I think that fact brings him some kind of comfort…but it has to be a small comfort.

Miley makes a lot of money through the sale of all kinds of merchandise & music.  She has become a powerhouse in the celebrity field and as such…she is afforded many “handlers”.  Those are the people who promote, publicize, and schedule Miley’s appearances and her image.  They are the only ones in control of her image. They are her authority, instead of her father or her God.

Miley’s father Billy says that when he has questioned some of those handlers about his daughter and the reason behind her handlers alleged attempts to desperately get their hands on some anonymous  young people’s cell phones and computers; he was allegedly told that it was “none of his business”.  While that may be true professionally, it certainly is not morally or in the area of parental concern.  His daughter and circumstances surrounding her well being most certainly are his business.  That is a God given right!

Now I don’t know about you…but when a man or woman’s child becomes a property that is so large that the parent is considered to be interfering when asking questions about how that child (even if that child is over the age of 18) representatives are dealing with details in his/her life; then, I have to question the motives of those behind the image.

When the Cyrus family came to California with the lure of the career and fame, they were supposedly a family united in faith.  It seems to me that Billy has regrets about where his family has found themselves at this point.  I can’t say that I blame him.  He and his wife Tish have separated at the end of 2010.  His children are all scattered.  He says that he would give it all up in a minute to go back to the way things were, if his family could be back where they started.

All I can think of when I read articles based on that interview is, Matthew 16:26 which says; “What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or, what can a man give in exchange for his soul?”  They each made a decision to pursue their careers…and so it doesn’t just fall to the father.  Still, their intentions could have been the best when it all started.  After all, the show was a clean family show…who could have seen where it would lead?

This story still makes me sad, because like many Christians, you have to wonder if they thought they would go into the big city and change the dark places with the influence of their careers.  Instead, their family seems to have been changed, and if this interview speaks to the truth of the matter, Billy Ray Cyrus doesn’t appear to believe that those changes were not for the better or, worth the risk.  May God get into the midst of this family’s business and repair and heal the damage that has been done; restoring their faith and family values.  What are your thoughts?

There must be an answer to help hurting hearts to understand, that what is happening to cause them pain, isn’t happening because they are a bad person, or for no apparent reason at all.  The mind and the soul just needs to make some kind of sense of it all.  Understanding tragedy is no easy task.  People have differing opinions on why bad things happen.

Some people believe that the tragedy is a punishment from God.  Others believe it is a situation that is meant to teach a life lesson to those left standing.  Others still are of the understanding that bad stuff happens for no reason at all; other than being in the wrong place, at the wrong time.  After all, why does a bad situation happen to good people?  Do Christians suffer more than non-believers?  Do non-believers suffer more than Christians? Does faith play a part in human suffering at all?

It all depends on who you talk to about the idea of suffering and faith.  Everyone has their own opinion based upon their personal experiences.  However, when someone is suffering and searching for answers, it is natural to turn to those who we are closest to for answers.

For a Christian that could be their spiritual leader, a fellow believer, friend or even a family member who is grounded in their faith.  For an unbeliever, the lack of a foundation of faith can still lead to a pathway about God.  I say that, because God will often get the blame for bad circumstances, even when a suffering person doesn’t believe in God.  Often, you will hear people say, IF there is a God, why did he let this terrible thing happen?

I  believe that is because the human soul knows for certain, deep inside that person’s mind, that God not only exists; but, he is the only one who has the answers that they seek.  A person who is committed to an unbelief in God seems to struggle more when dealing with grief or suffering, in my opinion.  I believe that is because to me, God and having a faith in eternity means having hope of moving from this life of challenges and struggles to a place called Heaven.

It is important to recognize that God can handle the unbelief, the anger, and the questions.  But for those seeking answers; it is not just about asking the questions, but more importantly, it is about getting answers.  If you ask and you seem to be going without answers; you must ask yourself the hard question; are you ready to listen, really listen and accept the answer that God has for you?

No one truly can tell you why God does what he does, why he allows the bad things to happen in life?  Only God knows all of the pieces of the puzzle that make up our life circumstances.  He alone can bring peace to your heart and mind about such things.

So how do you communicate with God.  First you must pray, ask him the question that troubles your soul.  Sometimes answers do not come immediately and that can be frustrating.  There are times when you must fast (with a dr’s approval) and pray while waiting.  Read the word of God and allow the scriptures to speak to you, words of wisdom.  Take time to meditate on the word, peacefully & quietly.  Don’t do all of the talking; listen for God’s answer.  There are times when God will use another person to speak to your heart. He will speak to you through the Bible, other people and sometimes through dreams.  He will confirm his answer to you so that you know it is of him and not just another person’s opinion or your own.

Grief at a time of loss can add to a person’s sense of suffering.  It can confuse the heart and mind of a person with anger, disbelief, anxiousness and denial.  Those things can be worked through as long as a person doesn’t get stuck in any one of those phases of grieving.  Grief is a challenging time and everyone copes with grief differently.  That is ok, as long as you ARE coping and moving forward by healing.

Friends Like Us is a wonderful non-profit organization which makes it their goal to help support children and encourage their families in their battle against childhood cancer.  The organization was first started after Mark and Deloris Bailey began the journey of helping their own son heal from his battle with leukemia.

The chemo bears come with accessories.  There is a small medical bag that helps to educate the child as they go through their own treatment program.  Doctors, nurses and family members can use the accessories to help demonstrate some of what the child will be going through themselves in their journey to healing.  There is even a bear clinic that will remove the chemo bear’s port as the child gets his/her port removed; returning the bear to the child with it’s very own small scar resembling the child’s new battle scar.

There are times when a child is being treated for cancer, when they must face alone time either through testing, procedures or just moments when family members must go home to attend to siblings, household chores or something as basic as getting a shower and returning phone calls or earning a living.  These separations are hard for everyone.

The chemo bear can provide comfort during those moments and are invaluable.  They cost approximately $30 dollars and donations are always welcome.  When a chemo bear is purchased, you receive not only the bear; but you receive the accessories, a child’s book on living with cancer and a colorful bandanna.  This is really a great way to encourage a child.  The chemo bears are suggested for ages 3-12 because there are small parts which could lead to a choking hazard for younger children.   Siblings are not left out of the equation either.  The Bailey’s understand how delicate the balance is in meeting the needs of all of the family members as they try to meet everyone’s physical and emotional needs during this time.  Chemotherapy can take up to 2 years for a female childhood cancer patient and up to 3 years for a male.  This can be very difficult.  It is their desire to provide comfort and support during this challenging time in the life of the childhood cancer patient and their whole family.

Both Mark and Deloris spend large quantities of time on the phone with family members supplying them with emotional support as well as information on resources and just practical tips on coping with the stress of having a child with cancer.  The work they do cannot be underestimated.  It is their personal goal to have chemo bear program available in all children’s hospitals around the United States.

Friends Like Us relies solely on donations and purchases of products through their gift shop to fund their organization as they do not get grants or any type of federal funding.  Volunteers are also needed to help sew the medical bags that are included with the accessories that come with a chemo bear.   Won’t you please consider volunteering, donating or purchasing products to help keep Friends Like Us helping families?  Spreading the word about the work that they do costs nothing and it may just get the information about Friends Like Us into the hands of a family in desperate need of support and encouragement.  Thanks for visiting!

If you are doing the same…would you take the time to sort your coats for your various family members and see if there happen to be any gently used warm winter coats that could be donated for those in need.  Children grow and often need to be refitted for larger sized coats.  If their previous years coat is still in good condition; why not wash it up and take it to be donated to someone who could use it?

Make sure to check and make sure that all the zippers work and that buttons or velcro are still intact and useable.  If you happen to be blessed financially and have the means to donate a new coat even better.  There are many people who struggle to stay warm in the cold winter months and let’s be honest… those coats sitting in the back of your closet, unworn, aren’t doing anyone any good.

How do you find coats for kids collection sites?  Watch your newspapers for announcements…check your child’s papers from school…paying special attention for announcements about coats for kids.   Often you will even see fliers or signs in front of businesses that advertise the fact that they are collecting coats.  Please take the time now to gather up any unused coats, prepare them for donation; and, make sure that they are doing what they are designed to do…protecting people from the cold elements.  Thank you ahead of time!

        Dealing with the paperwork, the care of other siblings and spouse, working a full time job;  not to mention hands on care between treatments, paying bills, chauffeuring back and forth between doctor and hospital visits; it can become overwhelming.  However, the most important thing is meeting the physical, spiritual and emotional needs of your childhood cancer patient.  You can’t be all things to all of the people in your life at the same time and there are moments when you have to be away from your child in the hospital.  Finding a way to still provide comfort and security for your child, even when you aren’t there, is of the utmost importance to you.    This is extremely important for the positive outcome of the battle against cancer.  There is someone who has been there and is trying to make a difference for other families in the same battle.

        There is a non-profit organization called, Friends Like Us.  Friends like us was started by the parents of a childhood cancer patient named Brandon.  Mark and Delores Bailey are those parents and they created something called the chemo bear.  This bear provided comfort to their son when he fought his battle.  The chemo bear is customized in a way with interactionable parts which simulates the treatments that the cancer patient goes through.  This helps to open the door for positive communication between the child-patient and the medical staff who are providing care.

       Children with cancer have to deal with so many life changes and it can be frightening and lonely.  Treatments are often unpleasant or uncomfortable.   These bears can provide great physical and emotional comfort to a child who is suffering during this time in unfamiliar locations sometimes seperated from friends or family. 

       The Bailey’s have started a program which provides chemo bears free of charge to child cancer patients through social workers in cancer hospitals.  The bears cost about 24 dollars to make and ship…and so the Getting Better Together program thrives on fundraising.  This week, June 28-July 5th, they are having a fundraising event called, Adopt A Bear.  For each $25 dollar donation, a bear will be given to a child with cancer.  Want to learn more about this wonderful program?  Are you associated with a hospital or cancer clinic that has not heard of this great program?  Check out their website for more information here:  http://www.friendslikeus.org/  or follow them on Twitter here:  http://www.twitter.com/friendslikeus . 

        If you can find it in your heart to help spread the word or to donate much needed dollars to provide comfort to a little one please do so.  If you want donate in the memory of someone who’s life has been affected by cancer; please do.   I think that is a great way to honor someone.  Thank you!

        The solution was the wonderful hospitality house that is connected to Spectrum Hospital downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan called the Renucci Hospitality House.   I can’t tell you what a wonderful service this Renucci House offers.  It was built in 1999 and helps to house family members of the hospital’s patients that are in need of having a place close by to sleep and rest.  It was designed to provide comfort and rest for the weary soul.  There is a small healing garden that is darling.  There is a playroom for young siblings or children of the hospital patient.  The staff is wonderful and caring, from the hosts to the cleaning crew.   There is a computer for the patient’s family members to use, a laundry facility, an exercise room…and quiet rooms for relaxing.  The dinning room is open 24-7 and the kitchen is stocked with non-perishable food items for those moments when food or drink is needed.

        The Renucci House was founded by Peter P. Renucci and his wife Patricia Renucci.  Back in 1968 one of their children was born through a premature situation and had to stay in the hospital’s neonatal unit.  This was the basis of their awareness of the need to be close to your loved one who is in crisis.   They helped to fund the Renucci House with a gift of $1.6 million because they wanted to thank the community for what had been done for their family.  This is a gift that keeps on giving with a pay it forward theme that I love.

       The atmosphere is one of love, support and healing.  You feel very comforted if you find yourself in need of the Renucci House.  It goes beyond the staff or the comfortable rooms.  There is a very wonderful program of volunteerism that happens here.  Organizations, churches, families and individuals are encouraged to give of their time, talents, and blessings.  You can volunteer to donate and prepare meals for the families who are staying there.   This is normally a great expense for families who must stay nearby their family members during a hospital stay; it may be an expense the family cannot afford.   Truly, this is a huge blessing and one that shows an important part of caretaking and nurturing of families in crisis. 

         Our family benefitted from several meals that had been prepared and served by some of these volunteers.  It was a service that was provided with joy by the volunteers; and that was a wonderful blessing.  The meals were wonderful from the main dish to the salads, drinks and desserts.  One evening, a church had their youth providing community service help to serve the families of the Renucci House.  It was a group of fifth graders and their mentors.  These people went out of their way to be of service to those who stayed there that evening.  They mingled and interacted with the families and showed great care.   I think it is great that young people are being taught the importance of giving back to a community through volunteering their time, skills and willingness to be of service.  Kudos to those involved.

         Volunteers are encouraged to come and bake in the kitchen homemade baked goods or some other treat.  Put together snacks or care bags for the families.  This also opens the door to have conversations with family members who may need someone to talk to.  Comfort and peace are evident throughout the Renucci House because of the volunteer programs.

        The Renucci House actually operates quite a bit through their volunteer programs…from donated non-perishable food items which stock the kitchen for family members to use when they need it; to volunteers to help pay for the family members stay who can not afford to pay, to help cover the cost of staying in the Renucci House.   This is a big deal if a hospital stay goes on for very long.  Family members may have a hard time paying for their rooms, or much needed items to be able to stay close to their loved ones.   Some volunteers give gift cards to be used at local stores or restaurants in the area.    Perhaps donating a telephone calling card would benefit families who are staying at the Renucci House but have long distance calls to make.   Talk to the manager of the house to see if current magazines can be donated or perhaps you have a nurturing spirit and have time to greet guests or maybe volunteer to help in the library.  Empty nesters  or retirees who find themselves with time on their hands may wish to do something meaningful with all of their spare time.   The Renucci House volunteers provide breakfast and dinners daily…they need a large number of volunteers who are willing to provide this needed service.

       You know, the Renucci House is near to the Lemmen -Holton Cancer Pavilion, the Devos Children’s Hospital, and the Lena Meijer Heart Center; all of these facilities have patients and families.   There is a huge need to support those patients and their families at a time when they are facing some of the biggest battles of their lives.   Often there are so many emotions to deal with such as fear, anxiety, depression, sadness and hope.  The Renucci House provides the basics to allow people to cope with their emotions.   Please, spread the word, volunteer and give help when and where you can.  Having compassion and opening your hearts to opportunities to help is an important part of life…please get involved.   You never know when you or someone you care about may need some of those same things.

        If someone has time or talent to give or just feels moved to donate monitarily to the Renucci House you can contact their house manager at (616) 391-1790.  

 You can view their website here: http://www.spectrum-health.org/renucci .  My family is going to volunteer soon…we may even take our youth group down and prepare a meal for the family members in the near future.  As a family who has benefitted from a stay at the Renucci House recently, I want to say thank you to all of the volunteers, to the staff of the Renucci House and to the Renucci Family themselves for impacting the Grand Rapids community and it’s surrounding area with love, compassion and support.  You are appreciated greatly!

        That should be a comfort in itself; so then why do we fight it?   Whenever we try to take control and steer our lives in the path that we think it should go…we are operating blindly; it is good to remind ourselves of that.  For we only see our small portion of the jigsaw puzzle or road map.  God, you DESIGNED the jigsaw puzzle and the map; you know where every single piece of the puzzle fits; you know which road to take to avoid additional hazzards. 

        God, you alone know how each piece of our lives are supposed to fit together to create something beautiful and whole.  While we sometimes struggle to MAKE the pieces fit, and  occasionally they may even appear to fit together for a time…in the end; we often discover our mistake in trying to force something to work that does not belong there at all. 

        We need you God to make sense of it all, to guide us in our decisions, our reactions, our ACCEPTANCE, of what is supposed to be.  We need you to guide us in the areas of our lives to avoid and reject…to put our feet on the path that they belong on; even if it is dark and scary.  For you are the light, by which we can be sure, to follow to the correct destination.   Is it the obedience that you are looking for from us?  Why is that so hard to remember to do?

       Why do we worry, wonder and fret?  It is the unknown that terrifies us.   Imagination is usually a friendly companion in our daily lives, but in times of stress it can become the enemy towards building and strengthening our faith.  We want to trust and be a pillar of strength and encouragement…but, there is still the uncertainty of how things will turn out.   Do we feel worthy of a miracle in our lives when we desperately need it?  Do we KNOW  without a doubt that you love us ENOUGH to take care of our difficulties?   

           In the end, it doesn’t matter how we got where we are, nor does it matter if we like where we find ourselves…what does matter is how we choose to proceed; how we conduct ourselves in the midst of the challenges we face.  In other words…

          It is in our BEST INTEREST then to give up control,  remove doubt and fear from the equasion, find courage,  and expect miracles…trusting that even through the challenges…good will come.  Knowing with certainty that lives will be changed, improved, and blessed.   Thank you then God, for always being there; for loving us, and for helping us even when we are being problem children!