March of Dimes/Pine Rest Christian Services/Expelled

Hello to everyone of my dear blog friends. I am not a weepy person, I don't tend to sponsor people (I am not even very good at sponsoring relatives), and I am not into promoting causes (even thought there are two that we as a family are very involved in donating too and I do mention them here occasionally).

March of Dimes

However, tonight I got weepy and this cause is important.

I got the following email from my sister tonight:

Hello everyone

I am walking for the March of Dimes on May 3rd. A co-worker had a nephew who was born four months early. Her nephew lived for five months before he passed away. I am walking on her team to support her and the March of Dimes as they work to prevent premature birth and the loss of those born early. I have a page set up on their website and I will provide the link at the bottom the page. If you go to the team home page you will also see that she has included the name Hope Van Genderen. For those of you who did not know I miscarried two babies last year and she wanted to let Randy and I know that our loss was not forgotten. If you are able, I would appreciate any donations that you would be willing to give. Thank you for your time.

Love April

The donations link goes directly to April's page. I nearly cried when I went to the team page and saw Hope's name. I am still teary.

In addition to April, there is my friend Heidi from God's Grace in Practice whose Baby Boy has a birth defect. I pray for Heidi but this makes me feel as if I am doing a little something for her.

I know from personal experience that these things often mean more when you know the person. However, if you feel moved, please consider supporting my sister or her team.


Pine Rest Christian Services

My Uncle Cal is a director for Pine Rest Christian Services in Iowa and generally an all-around great guy. Pine Rest is a Christian Counseling service and if you've ever talked to those who've been counseled by non-Christians, you know how important a Christian perspective in counseling is.

This summer my Uncle is going on a cross-country bike-ride, Renewing Spirits Bicycle Tour, to help raise funds to provide counseling and mental health care for those who need financial assistance to pay for these services. Check out his blog to learn more about it.


Expelled: No Intelligence Required

Finally, my sweet friend Jodi from The Deputy Domain brought to my attention a movie that I had not heard of that I think is worth spreading the word about. It is Expelled: No Intelligence Required and is a documentary features Ben Stein. The movie overview says this about it:

Ben Stein, in the new film EXPELLED: No Intelligence Allowed

His heroic and, at times, shocking journey confronting the world’s top scientists, educators and philosophers, regarding the persecution of the many by an elite few.

Coming to a theater near you on April 18, 2008

Ben travels the world on his quest, and learns an awe-inspiring truth…that bewilders him, then angers him…and then spurs him to action!

Ben realizes that he has been “Expelled,” and that educators and scientists are being ridiculed, denied tenure and even fired – for the “crime” of merely believing that there might be evidence of “design” in nature, and that perhaps life is not just the result of accidental, random chance. To which Ben Says: "Enough!" And then gets busy. NOBODY messes with Ben.

The truth is something that we as Christians should never be afraid of.

I appreciate all my friends who will take the time to read through these three promotional spiels. Like I said, I don't do this sort of thing often. However, these are important things please pray about them and if the Spirit moves you (which is between you and God and nothing for me to judge you by) donate to my sister April or my Uncle Cal. If not pray for them and for my friend Heidi. Prayers are free and more powerful than any money.