JanineThrossel.com

So, here is my good news for today. . . My husband just brought me 22 roses to celebrate 22 years of marriage today! (And my children each brought me a rose as well!) God is good. Enjoy your weekend!

In the midst of the Chilean volcano eruptions, the earthquake in Nepal and the riots in Baltimore, there is a LOT OF GOOD NEWS this week, too! Here are a few examples. . . . * More than 450 women and children have been RESCUED from Boko Haram in Nigeria (please pray for their emotionally and psychological recovery, and the hundreds still being held). * A teen was pulled from the rubble nearly a week after the Nepal earthquake! * Thousands of people stepped up in Baltimore to clean the city, feed police and military personnel and also feed the many needy children who couldn't get access to their school lunches. * A report shows automobile crash fatalities with drivers 16-19 years old are less than half what they used to be in America. * After Tim Ward lost his wife and home in a landslide, an anonymous donor heard his story and paid off the mortgage--of $360,000. * After Jean Sharon Abbott spent 33 years unable to control her limbs, a correct diagnosis allows her to ...

Each time I see these photos, they make me smile! William Lawrence is so precious! He also happens to have an extra chromosome. His dad, Alan, is a photographer, who created these (and other) fantastic pictures of Wil flying. Alan says they are a reminder to him that his son will be able to do anything he sets his mind to as he grows. Alan is using the photos to create a calendar to raise awareness about Down Syndrome and gather money for two related organizations. "Ruby's Rainbow" helps provide scholarships to higher-level education for men and women who have this genetic condition. "Reece's Rainbow" helps fund adoptions of children with Down's. Sadly, studies show 90% of parents who are told their children will be born with extra chromosomes choose to abort them. Reece's Rainbow has helped with over 1,300 adoptions so far! I hope you will take three minutes to watch the beautiful, inspiring video at the link below. I think you w...

Remember awhile back that I wrote about Operation Christmas Child and packing shoeboxes for children around the world? ( http://www.janinethrossel.com/2014/11/focus-fridays.html ) Well, I wanted to share with you a glimpse of what that operation looks like when seen from the other side, when those boxes are received. Our heavenly Father is so much better than Santa Claus. . . he truly knows the desires of our hearts. ***BE SURE TO READ THE AMAZING STORIES BELOW THE VIDEO!** Enjoy.   Stories from the Philippines You Make Me So Happy “I am Mency, 8 years of age. Thank you for the shoes and socks that I received. Please know that there is a hole in the sole of my shoes that I was using every day. I prayed that Jesus will replace my worn out shoes. I was overjoyed when I opened the gifts box, I found a beautiful pair of shoes that fit exactly to my feet. Not only that, it also contained socks, toys, etc. Thank you very much, you make me so happy.” The Whisper...

The sun is coming up on this beautiful day after Christmas, golden rays through cloudy, cold windows.  I have a heater going in the bedroom where I'm typing and a fire in the fireplace downstairs.  Our little Daschund, Jack, refuses to give up his bed yet, even after I put a sweater on him. Christmas didn't go quite as I expected this year.  A bad cold kept me from the Christmas Eve party and Christmas Day dinner that I had planned to attend with loved ones.  It's threatened to keep me from my family's traditional tea party this evening as well.  My sewing projects and reading plans were hindered by runny eyes.  A broken oven sidelined the holiday delights I tried to cook for my husband and children. Not quite as planned. Yet, it has been a beautiful time with my guys, who chose to stay with me instead of going out.  My oldest child filled our stockings and read us the Christmas story from Luke 2.  We opened lovingly-chosen and lovingly-wrap...