Lonnie - the 12 year old that was missing has been found in Laveen! Praise God for answered prayer!!
How thankful and relieved her parents must be who recently moved from Laveen to Mesa. Good news for family and friends!
Archive for the 'Uncategorized' CategoryShoes for barefoot childrenSeptember 5th, 2008, 2:43 pm by SharonDonnaChristine Park has the right idea! Her new venture is called “Walk A Mile In My Shoes…On The Pathway To Peace.” To top it off, her disability and small monthly income from Social Security didn’t hinder her - she found a way! I can only imagine what she felt when a heart of passion rose up within her, a deep desire to help barefoot kids. She heard about a mother’s medic son that had shared what he witnessed while in Afghanistan - children would walk for miles to get medical attention from a U.S. Medical Clinic; before anything could be done their feet had to be mended and treated - they were so battered. DonnaChristine found herself doing what others may have thought impossible - she is now able to put shoes on children abroad and in Arizona. A nearby business gave her space - USA Skateland, 7 E. Southern Ave., Mesa - where she is able to put notes in shoes requesting donations for new or gently used shoes. Activating youth in their schools and organizations became another great idea, even having people sponsor mailing a box! Her email is captainjaja@thejajas.com phone 480-373-5930. What a woman - serving others that have less, it surely fulfills a special place in our hearts. A response to missionary Richard TanguaySeptember 3rd, 2008, 3:31 pm by SharonRichard Tanguay, a missionary to Chile posted a reply July 14th, to a blog I submitted on Gospel Music. He suggested hearing more about success stories like four he knew of that were educated, free from government spending, and now have successful jobs on the west coast. It’s a good idea Richard - when I have the opportunity and see the positive influence such as these, I will certainly do so. A Response to Gary GouldSeptember 3rd, 2008, 3:22 pm by SharonGary Gould, The response time has closed regarding your reply - I thought it important to answer and post an answer to your comments of August 21st. I agree with your statement “I want nothing to do with anybody or any god that loves slave owners.” I believe also that God “is more interested as to how you look at your neighbors wife than if you own 40 humans as slaves.” A personal testimony is usually no use if someone doesn’t want to hear it. It has been my experience that life is found in relationships - the first for me in the one I cultivate with God. I’ve found I cannot begin to embrace what we’ve just agreed as truth, if I don’t know him. The only way I know to get to know him is to ask him to help me. Thanks for your input. Librarian Resources Cut at the HeelsMay 9th, 2008, 11:49 pm by aftonzapataThe Arizona Department of Education continues to cut its federal funding to school districts like Mesa Public Schools. Tom Horne is planning to cut another 10 million from education in the next three years. How could this be possible? I don’t know. As an Educator, I am appalled at the lack of personnel and human support to mold young minds and eager learners. Without librarians in our schools who will take the time to help students learn to love research, open that new book, and encourage a life long learner to read? Give more jobs to the aides who are paid less, you say? Do we really need qualified teachers? How about qualified doctors, lawyers, or pharmacists? If you’re interested in being apart of this discussion to know why librarians are the first to go then you can call the 472-0201 and ask to put this topic on the agenda at the next MPS Board meeting on May 14th at 7 pm. I encourage you to attend your local school district’s board meetings and meet with a school board member to address your concerns. If funding is cut at the heels how far do we go until we have automated instruction for our youth? Please press one for math…two for science… You get the picture. Take me out to the BallparkMay 9th, 2008, 11:45 pm by aftonzapataNot everyone may be able to catch the DBacks this spring but there are certainly plenty of ball games to go around. The perfect spring weather has brought players and spectators out to the fields. The All-American pasttime to attend a game is right around your neighborhood block. Even though it’s the end of the season, there’s still time to catch the playoffs these next few weeks. Come outdoors and enjoy a good game of Little League baseball. As a mother of two Little League players, I find myself and other parents, cheering on the best and worst of them to build their confidence and encourage good sportsmanship. These young ambitious atheletes are just as exciting to watch as the professionals at Chase Field. I marvel at the dedicated coaches, most likely fathers of the players who invest countless hours outside their professional employment to create memories and teach skills that will last a lifetime. Here’s to the coaches! News Flash to venter: God does existApril 28th, 2008, 1:38 am by SharonSunday’s Vent, p. F3 Opinion 2 - requests proof that God exists before putting him on license plates - stating 86% of American Christians talk to him. One of the 14% does not - one’s perfect right. He does exist, I’ve come to know Him through a personal experience - by his grace. Through faith I have a personal relationship which grows through prayer - talking, listening, reading and hearing his Word. No one has been able to prove he does not exist, but many testify of his presence in their lives. He is the creator of all things; I would suggest asking him. Celebrity Basketball Game!February 28th, 2008, 11:20 am by SharonGo Suns! What a generous team - “Giving an Assist in the fight against Aids” There is still time - see your favorite basketball players. Coaching - Charles Barkley and Kurt Warner. Players -Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, Dan Majerle, other current NFL & NBA players! Check it out on the media release and City of Grace, Mesa -newsletter, who are part of this outreach effort - purchase tickets in the church lobby at the weekend services. Join us; help those with HIV/AIDS. At the same time, bring cans of food: dry beans, canned meat, peanut butter. Doing so will help stock United Food Bank, who in turn provides food to most of our non-profit services in our AZ region. What a great idea - bringing together a fun time and these worthy efforts so desperately needed. The event presented by Lawns by Les (boy could I use that!) with other generous sponsors. Take a look at the poster! Raising the Bar for CouncilFebruary 11th, 2008, 5:34 pm by SharonReviewing some of the press releases on the many races for City Council, including District 5 - which includes a short video, I looked over the list of those running and heard what each said. Keeping that in mind, looking at Mesa’s bright future, Arizona as a whole, and some of the immediate concerns our country faces; an obvious solution may be to “raise the bar” so to speak, when we cast that vote. By now, one may have guessed what that might be. It’s the one piece the council lacks, and the one element until now, the people of Mesa have not entertained as a possibility. Maybe it’s the timing, or realizing we have a candidate that can fill that position quite aptly. Phil Austin, who happens to be Hispanic, would be very helpful toward lending another qualified voice at the table. That in itself doesn’t qualify him; it does, however, bring the advantage of a cultural understanding and an ability to communitcate with this particular segment of Mesa’s population. Important in my opinion and missing in the overall picture. He brings with him, the legal aspect of someone committed to civil rights law; an Attorney versed on Employee -Employer Rights, is an asset to everyone. Of course, that’s not the sum of his qualifications; he’s clearly community minded, active in city functions, well versed on transportation issues, growth issues, public safety concerns, business, and a well known respected resident, contributing throughout Mesa. Our city, state, and nation is grappling with issues such as our economy and immigration issues. Topics particular to Mesa for a very long time - economic development at the forefront, touches many other related issues. It would seem the most prudent thing to do, is to have someone Hispanic in the process - for starters. For Mesa, an appropriate place in my opinion, would be on the city council. Phil Austin, Esq., his thoughts on how he would serve Mesa, to me were the most impressive and the most cohesive for District 5 and for Mesa. A Sigh of ReliefDecember 26th, 2007, 10:10 pm by SharonToday’s Editorials “Our View,” features an opinion and update of a local land developer - one I did quite a bit of research on because of moving plans in 2004. In the midst of purchasing a home, reading the public report and homeowner documents brought many questions to mind; each related to the land developer regarding services, fees, and agreements I had to subscribe to. Making an inquiry, I was told some services were currently in the process of new ownership. After requesting details from Pinal county assessor’s office, a name change was reported but the owner remained the same - the land developer. Reports made to ADEQ, CAWCD, ACC, ACCEPA Water r9, AEPA Rural, US EPA PP-2, USDA EPA Rural, & NARUC - resulted in one investigation, no change, and a promise to closely monitor. Information regarding permits, land development, water wells, reclaimation plants, Bulk Agreements to purchase the home, left me wondering why and how this could be possible. For me, I wound up not purchasing the home in that area; while personal circumstances left me having to move out of a home that was sold - the months that followed were unbelievable! It was nice to see the article and some wrongs that were finally being made right. |