On a warm spring afternoon in Atherton, we gathered together to get a preview of the eight Touchdown Camp.
Patty Cardona, president of Project Lost Sheep, brought children who had attended camp last year. Each child reported on a different aspect of camp. One little girl performed a dance.
Darlene Stethem, Bible teacher, gave a preview of the lessons and music for this camp. Dates: July 16-20 at Verbo Church in Redwood City.
Catherine Parlanti, treasurer, asked that we be alert to getting community support from local businesses.
We appreciate your interest and support to make a real difference in the lives of these children. Enjoy a camper who danced for us. Enjoy the picture-movie from the tea party recently held as a benefit for our eight Touchdown Camp coming this summer. (July 16-20)
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Mother's Day
I suppose the most important gift a mother can give her children is not all the things she is busy doing for them but something of herself.
My mother was a teacher and she was serious about her teaching and also about her country. She would write letters to her congressman if she felt something should be changed.
We would hear her typing away on the old manual typewriter back in the bedroom. My mother was a tough woman. She put herself through high school working as a clerk in a law office. She then put herself through college and got her master's degree in education.
All of these seeds didn't, of course, mature in me until I was much older but I was prepared by my mother for the call to children when it came to me.
Her passion for education affected all of us. We all got college educations and teaching credentials although not all of us three sisters worked as teachers.
I don't know how she did all that she did. She did not cut corners. She taught, she shopped, she cooked, she cleaned and she and my Dad worked hard to be good parents and then grandparents.
She didn't have a lot but she had plenty inside. She had faith and she took us to church every Sunday and yes she taught Sunday school. Teaching and education were bedrock to her as were her faith. She gave much to her children, her students, and her community
In memory of my mother: Myrtle Sutherlin
My mother was a teacher and she was serious about her teaching and also about her country. She would write letters to her congressman if she felt something should be changed.
We would hear her typing away on the old manual typewriter back in the bedroom. My mother was a tough woman. She put herself through high school working as a clerk in a law office. She then put herself through college and got her master's degree in education.
This was no small feat and she had a passion for education. She thought anyone could improve and yet she saw the needs of children around her and was concerned for "latch key" kids.
All of these seeds didn't, of course, mature in me until I was much older but I was prepared by my mother for the call to children when it came to me.
Her passion for education affected all of us. We all got college educations and teaching credentials although not all of us three sisters worked as teachers.
She didn't have a lot but she had plenty inside. She had faith and she took us to church every Sunday and yes she taught Sunday school. Teaching and education were bedrock to her as were her faith. She gave much to her children, her students, and her community
In memory of my mother: Myrtle Sutherlin
Prioritizing Correctly
Lots of people tell me that they would like to volunteer... someday. When they retire or when the children are older or when they have more time. We all work in a priority universe. What we do with our time tells us our priority. If we spend all our time making money and non of our time on things that we say are important to us then we may be able to fool ourselves but not those around us, nor God who sees it all.
On the other hand, there are people who "go over the top" out of balance on doing good things to the detriment of their families.
Ray Steadman, beloved former pastor and author, of Peninsula Bible Church once related the story of a woman who came to him saying her marriage was "on the rocks". When the pastor inquired what she was doing with her time the woman piously said that she was teaching 10 Bible classes a week: days and nights.
Pastor Ray told her to "quit her Bible studies" and save her marriage. Being available to God does not mean that we are crazy and neglect the people in our own family.
Jesus was available to the crowds and helped many of those in his path but he also had his guys, the disciples. He had the best mother and He never forgot her needs even when He was dying on the cross. He turned her car over to John.
When we love God we will spend time with Him: we will pray and read the Bible not because we have to but because we want to. We will be available to serve people and help them because we are ready and full.
The Lord has the answers to our craziness. Do we trust Him enough to give him our hearts and our time?
When we are in the center of God's will He give us joy. This joy can never be bought with our own efforts nor money. Joy is a fruit of God's Spirit: Joy is a lasting paycheck!
On the other hand, there are people who "go over the top" out of balance on doing good things to the detriment of their families.
Ray Steadman, beloved former pastor and author, of Peninsula Bible Church once related the story of a woman who came to him saying her marriage was "on the rocks". When the pastor inquired what she was doing with her time the woman piously said that she was teaching 10 Bible classes a week: days and nights.
Pastor Ray told her to "quit her Bible studies" and save her marriage. Being available to God does not mean that we are crazy and neglect the people in our own family.
Jesus was available to the crowds and helped many of those in his path but he also had his guys, the disciples. He had the best mother and He never forgot her needs even when He was dying on the cross. He turned her car over to John.
{ BEHOLD YOUR MOTHER, Jesus said.
And from that time Mary was taken
into John's home. }
And from that time Mary was taken
into John's home. }
When we love God we will spend time with Him: we will pray and read the Bible not because we have to but because we want to. We will be available to serve people and help them because we are ready and full.
The Lord has the answers to our craziness. Do we trust Him enough to give him our hearts and our time?
When we are in the center of God's will He give us joy. This joy can never be bought with our own efforts nor money. Joy is a fruit of God's Spirit: Joy is a lasting paycheck!
Sunday, April 29, 2012
About Our Company
Project Lost Sheep
A non-profit organization that provides for Touchdown Camp in Redwood City and additional tutoring for "at risk" kids. "At Risk" means unsupervised children who are at risk of dropping out of school or lacking in proper care. We believed in giving opportunities to children as they are our future. Not everyone is born with a silver spoon or born in a good environment. We realized this and we are here to help kids understand the importance of education and good values. We need to take action to show them the way and be a guide. Show them love and encouragement. We believe that through encouragement and love, a person can do wonders. Nothing is impossible.
A non-profit organization that provides for Touchdown Camp in Redwood City and additional tutoring for "at risk" kids. "At Risk" means unsupervised children who are at risk of dropping out of school or lacking in proper care. We believed in giving opportunities to children as they are our future. Not everyone is born with a silver spoon or born in a good environment. We realized this and we are here to help kids understand the importance of education and good values. We need to take action to show them the way and be a guide. Show them love and encouragement. We believe that through encouragement and love, a person can do wonders. Nothing is impossible.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Showing Love Through Little Things
My grandmother was a very wise Christian woman. One of her favorite statements was "what can I do for you? She lived in Indiana and was the wife of a farmer but her impact on me was great because she really cared. She wrote me newsy letters of farm life.
Late, when the children were little she made by hand blankets for them. She also gave me shell jewelry which she made in Florida in the winter.
She had learned that there were lots of opportunities out there to show love to others and she did it with her hands and her heart. But, you say, I don't make things. I don't do any of that. Okay, neither do I... Wish I could... but there is a way. IF YOU GAVE YOUR TIME that you could help someone and show you cared. How the cold old world needs this today.
If you focused outward and wanted to show love where would you start? Try something small and practical. You could really listen to someone who had a problem. (gift of time). You could invite a lonely person out to do something with you. Go with you to something. There are many isolated older people who would love to do something different. You could really do something at your church. Try something that is beyond what you normally would do and see God work!
If you haven't felt God's love in a long, long time you could just check out on Sunday mornings some churches near you. Church shop like you do anything else. You might be surprised how relevant the Bible is to your problems today.
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Touchdown Camp For Our Children
Once again, we are excited to sponsor the Touchdown Camp for kids this summer, July 2012. We have up loaded some photos of camp. We hope that you can be a volunteer, a donor or an advocate for our cause. We need 50 volunteers and $10,000 to run the summer camp.
Camp Information
Date: July 16th -20th, 2012
Time: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Location: Verbo Church
2798 Bay Road, Redwood City, CA 94063
Tel: (650) 364-9821
For Volunteering
Call Doris Bates at (650) 368-1224
Email: djbdance@comcast.net
Visit www.touchdowncamp.com for more info.
For Donations
Write a check to: Project Lost Sheep
Mail check to:
co/Catherine Parlanti
Project Lost Sheep, Box 2735, Menlo Park, CA. 94026
Question about donations, email: catherineparlanti@hotmail.com
Help build our children's future. Donate, volunteer or be an advocate and spread the word. We love to see you there. Your efforts are much appreciated. Thank you and God Bless You.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Blossoms
There is something about a gorgeous apple blossom tree or a "tulip" magnolia tree that just expands us with their beauty. I llike really big, old blossoming trees. These have come into bloom year after year and are still putting out those dainty blossoms that sprinkle on you like spring snow.
How fun is spring. And of course, we feel the warm spring on our backs and we think of digging in the ground and just being outside. We lighten up from winter cares. We become a bit whimsical. We watch the clouds and really see the greening grass.
I love to take a walk in the spring. Walking on a warmish spring day does something for my soul. There are times we need to be dormant. But, spring is a time for new things. Are you ready to bloom and blossom? Take a walk. Really look at what is happening in nature. Feel God's love on you and feel His hand on your back and your life. You may do a little hop-scotching or think about it anyway. And suddenly, you are showering out sparks of joy and vitality along with all of God's world.
As my friend, Connie Rhodes said along time ago to me. "Spring is a time for new things." Yes, but we must be ready and be renewed in our hearts to launch into that newness.
THE EARTH IS FULL OF THE GOODNESS OF THE LORD.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Waiting
Have you discovered that life is full or waiting?
When we are young we wait for the next birthday. When we are older, we try to ignore it!
When we are waiting to hear back from a job appllication or appllications we can feel like nothing is happening.
And there are plenty of long waits these days. Maybe we are waiting for the right person to marry. You understand my points here. We will experience waits.
The question is, how will we handle them? If we have a little bit of faith that God, not us, is in charge of things, then we may have a "What I Can Isaiah Attitude". See Isaiah 40
We are not waiting on others; we are not waiting on the economy to get better but WE ARE WAITING ON THE LORD. There is a promise that goes with this. If we keep our focus, there is on the Lord, we will have our strength renewed. We will be lifted up an eagle on the wings. And how does that happen? There is an invisible force that is lifting up the eagle. That is called wind. It is uncontrollable. If the eagle didn't wait as he took off from a high point, he would crash.
There are lots of people, me included, who at times want something to happen in my timing. I don't want to wait. We are, aren't we a rather impatient society?
How many people now thank you for standing in line for a few minutes? That is because most people cannot stand to wait to be served.
We can wait. We must wait for God to strengthen us. If we don't, we take a nose dive.
Let's soar after the wait...however long that may be.
When we are young we wait for the next birthday. When we are older, we try to ignore it!
When we are waiting to hear back from a job appllication or appllications we can feel like nothing is happening.
And there are plenty of long waits these days. Maybe we are waiting for the right person to marry. You understand my points here. We will experience waits.
The question is, how will we handle them? If we have a little bit of faith that God, not us, is in charge of things, then we may have a "What I Can Isaiah Attitude". See Isaiah 40
We are not waiting on others; we are not waiting on the economy to get better but WE ARE WAITING ON THE LORD. There is a promise that goes with this. If we keep our focus, there is on the Lord, we will have our strength renewed. We will be lifted up an eagle on the wings. And how does that happen? There is an invisible force that is lifting up the eagle. That is called wind. It is uncontrollable. If the eagle didn't wait as he took off from a high point, he would crash.
There are lots of people, me included, who at times want something to happen in my timing. I don't want to wait. We are, aren't we a rather impatient society?
How many people now thank you for standing in line for a few minutes? That is because most people cannot stand to wait to be served.
We can wait. We must wait for God to strengthen us. If we don't, we take a nose dive.
Let's soar after the wait...however long that may be.
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