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<!--Generated by Squarespace Site Server v5.8.3 (http://www.squarespace.com/) on Thu, 26 Nov 2009 22:28:24 GMT--><rss xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" xmlns:itunes="http://www.itunes.com/dtds/podcast-1.0.dtd" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" version="2.0"><channel><title>Reflections Today</title><link>http://lifesong.squarespace.com/home/</link><description></description><lastBuildDate>Wed, 25 Nov 2009 20:53:32 +0000</lastBuildDate><copyright></copyright><language>en-US</language><generator>Squarespace Site Server v5.8.3 (http://www.squarespace.com/)</generator><item><title>Authentic Gratitude</title><category>Heroes</category><category>Lifesong for Orphans</category><category>advocate</category><category>show hope</category><category>spiritual life</category><category>steven curtis chapman</category><dc:creator>Christi Ucherek (christi@lifesongfororphans.org)</dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:56:32 +0000</pubDate><link>http://lifesong.squarespace.com/home/2009/11/25/authentic-gratitude.html</link><guid isPermaLink="false">260273:2618686:5914706</guid><description><![CDATA[<p>We received this note today from&nbsp;Scott Hasenbalg,&nbsp;executive director of <strong><a href="http://www.showhope.org/" target="_blank">Show Hope</a></strong> -</p>
<blockquote>
<p><em><span style="color: black;">Friends &ndash;</span><span style="color: black;">&nbsp;</span></em></p>
<p><em><span style="color: black;">First, a Happy Thanksgiving to each of you.&nbsp; Last week, Kerry and I spoke at <strong><a href="http://www.focusonthefamily.com/" target="_blank">Focus on the Family Chapel</a></strong> and shared our journey over the last couple of years with the message of finding God in the valley and why we should carry AUTHENTIC GRATITUDE heading into this holiday season &ndash; &ldquo;BECAUSE OF ANOTHER&rdquo;.&nbsp; Gratitude is birthed when we realize our need for another and regardless of your personal trial or suffering, we have a lot to be grateful for because of the work done on Calvary by our savior Jesus Christ.&nbsp; May you be blessed this holiday season.</span><span style="color: black;">&nbsp;</span></em></p>
<p><em><span style="color: black;">As you begin to relax from a day of family engagements, don&rsquo;t forget to tune in to CNN at 8pm EST as SCC was taped with Larry King 10 days ago as one of the &ldquo;Hero&rsquo;s&rdquo; of the year as a touchback from his families live interview 14 months ago.&nbsp; Other guests scheduled to appear are Tyra Banks, Mariah Carey, Ben Stiller and more.</span><span style="color: black;">&nbsp;</span></em></p>
<p><span style="color: black;"><em>Also, there is an interview posted online:&nbsp; click <strong><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/11/12/steven.curtis.chapman/index.html " target="_blank">here</a></strong>.</em></span></p>
<p><span style="color: black;"><em>&nbsp;</em></span></p>
<p><span style="color: black;"><em>Thank you for your continued support and prayers as we together CHANGE lives of our world&rsquo;s most vulnerable children.&nbsp; I am GRATEFUL for you.</em></span></p>
<p><span style="color: black;"><em>By His Grace ONLY,</em></span></p>
<p><span style="color: black;"><em>&nbsp;</em></span></p>
<p><span style="color: black;"><em>Scott</em></span></p>
</blockquote>
<p><span style="color: black;"><strong>Are you carrying AUTHENTIC GRATITUDE into this holiday season? </strong></span></p>]]></description><wfw:commentRss>http://lifesong.squarespace.com/home/rss-comments-entry-5914706.xml</wfw:commentRss></item><item><title>Thank you...</title><category>Ethiopia</category><category>Grants &amp; Loans</category><category>adoption</category><category>advocate</category><category>donors</category><category>interest free loan</category><category>matching grant</category><dc:creator>Christi Ucherek (christi@lifesongfororphans.org)</dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:00:06 +0000</pubDate><link>http://lifesong.squarespace.com/home/2009/11/23/thank-you.html</link><guid isPermaLink="false">260273:2618686:5863390</guid><description><![CDATA[<p>We couldn't help but share this heart felt thank you we recently received from the Couch family. Your <strong><a href="http://www.lifesongfororphans.org/donation.html" target="_blank">donations</a></strong> make stories like this possible!</p>
<blockquote>
<p><em>Dear Lifesong for Orphans,</em></p>
<p><em>We write you this note to express to you our deepest thanks for the matching grant to bring our newest little one home from Ethiopia. Our family has experienced the gospel lived out through the adoption of our two youngest and we are refreshed again through the process of our new adoption. </em></p>
<p><em>Thank you for your part in fulfilling God's plan for our family. May God continue to bless you for your important work in something so dear to HIS heart! </em></p>
<p><em>Thank you, </em></p>
<p><em>Montie and Sally Couch &amp; family</em></p>
</blockquote>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="full-image-inline ssNonEditable"><span><img style="width: 150px;" src="http://lifesong.squarespace.com/storage/Couch101.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1258745630262" alt="" /></span></span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span class="full-image-inline ssNonEditable"></span>To&nbsp;learn more about adoption grants and interest free loans, click <strong><a href="http://www.lifesongfororphans.org/adGrantLoans.html" target="_blank">here</a></strong>.&nbsp;</p>]]></description><wfw:commentRss>http://lifesong.squarespace.com/home/rss-comments-entry-5863390.xml</wfw:commentRss></item><item><title>Gobena... new look, same GREAT vision!</title><category>Christian Alliance for Orphans</category><category>Ethiopia</category><category>Ethiopia</category><category>Lifesong for Orphans</category><category>Ziway</category><category>advocate</category><category>africa</category><category>coffee</category><category>fair trade</category><category>gobena</category><category>lehman</category><category>organic coffee</category><category>orphan care</category><dc:creator>Christi Ucherek (christi@lifesongfororphans.org)</dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:00:14 +0000</pubDate><link>http://lifesong.squarespace.com/home/2009/11/20/gobena-new-look-same-great-vision.html</link><guid isPermaLink="false">260273:2618686:5859462</guid><description><![CDATA[<p>&nbsp;<strong><a href="http://www.gobena.org/index.html" target="_blank">Gobena Coffee</a></strong>, with its new look, was recently featured on the <strong><a href="http://chrisitianallianceblog.org/?p=224" target="_blank">Christian Alliance for Orphans blog</a></strong>! They've also created a new video describing their partnership with <strong><a href="http://www.lifesongfororphans.org" target="_blank">Lifesong</a></strong> in <strong><a href="http://www.lifesongfororphans.org/orphanagesEth.html" target="_blank">Ziway, Ethiopia</a>.</strong></p>
<p><strong><object width="400" height="225"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=7673345&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=&amp;fullscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=7673345&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=&amp;fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="225"></embed></object></strong></p>
<p><strong>
<p><a href="http://vimeo.com/7673345">Gobena Coffee Story</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user2522764">Danae Lehman</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>
</strong></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>]]></description><wfw:commentRss>http://lifesong.squarespace.com/home/rss-comments-entry-5859462.xml</wfw:commentRss></item><item><title>New Church Fund Partner</title><category>Church Adoption Fund</category><category>Fort Wayne</category><category>Indiana</category><category>Lifesong</category><category>Pathway Community Church</category><category>advocate</category><category>church adoption fund</category><category>church orphan ministry</category><dc:creator>Christi Ucherek (christi@lifesongfororphans.org)</dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:27:52 +0000</pubDate><link>http://lifesong.squarespace.com/home/2009/11/19/new-church-fund-partner.html</link><guid isPermaLink="false">260273:2618686:5854247</guid><description><![CDATA[<p>We are very excited to introduce a new <strong><a href="http://www.lifesongfororphans.org/adoptFund.html" target="_blank">church fund partner</a></strong> - <strong><a href="http://www.pathwaycommunity.org/Default.aspx" target="_blank">Pathway Community Church</a></strong> in Fort Wayne, IN.</p>
<p>Check them out <strong><a href="http://www.pathwaycommunity.org/Ministries/TrueVineMinistries.aspx" target="_blank">here</a></strong>...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="full-image-block ssNonEditable"><span><a href="http://www.pathwaycommunity.org/Default.aspx" target="_blank"><img style="width: 150px;" src="http://lifesong.squarespace.com/storage/PathwayLogo.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1258670001780" alt="" /></a></span></span></p>]]></description><wfw:commentRss>http://lifesong.squarespace.com/home/rss-comments-entry-5854247.xml</wfw:commentRss></item><item><title>Both Hands...</title><category>Adoption</category><category>Both Hands</category><category>Lifesong for Orphans</category><category>Stum</category><category>maas</category><dc:creator>Christi Ucherek (christi@lifesongfororphans.org)</dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:52:54 +0000</pubDate><link>http://lifesong.squarespace.com/home/2009/11/18/both-hands.html</link><guid isPermaLink="false">260273:2618686:5843989</guid><description><![CDATA[<p>Check out <a href="http://thestums.blogspot.com/2009/11/serving-with-both-hands-and-about-100.html" target="_blank"><strong>this story</strong></a>&nbsp;and <strong><a href="http://www.vimeo.com/7696840" target="_blank">this video</a></strong> that <strong><a href="http://www.lifesongfororphans.org/bhProj.html" target="_blank">Jake and Merica Stum</a></strong> from Cleveland, TN posted about their <strong><a href="http://www.lifesongfororphans.org" target="_blank">Lifesong</a></strong>/<strong><a href="http://www.lifesongfororphans.org/bothHands.html" target="_blank">Both Hands</a></strong> project this past weekend... truly incredible!</p>
<p><span class="full-image-inline ssNonEditable"><span><img style="width: 200px;" src="http://lifesong.squarespace.com/storage/stum.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1258574295641" alt="" /></span></span></p>
<p><span class="full-image-inline ssNonEditable"><span>And... this&nbsp;<strong><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oe6PljnpI1o" target="_blank">video</a></strong> about the&nbsp;<strong><a href="http://www.lifesongfororphans.org/bhProj.html" target="_blank">Darren and Rebecca Maas</a></strong> <strong><a href="http://www.lifesongfororphans.org" target="_blank">Lifesong</a></strong>/<strong><a href="http://www.lifesongfororphans.org/bothHands.html" target="_blank">Both Hands</a></strong> project that took place this past weekend in Nicholasville, KY! </span></span>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;<span class="full-image-block ssNonEditable"><span><img src="http://lifesong.squarespace.com/storage/maas2.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1258575778411" alt="" /></span></span></p>
<p>Your donations make stories <strong><a href="http://www.lifesongfororphans.org/chLives.html" target="_blank">like this</a></strong> possible! &nbsp;</p>]]></description><wfw:commentRss>http://lifesong.squarespace.com/home/rss-comments-entry-5843989.xml</wfw:commentRss></item><item><title>This hits you right in the heart...</title><category>Advocate</category><category>advocate</category><category>oppressed</category><category>social justice</category><dc:creator>Christi Ucherek (christi@lifesongfororphans.org)</dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 14 Nov 2009 14:00:00 +0000</pubDate><link>http://lifesong.squarespace.com/home/2009/11/14/this-hits-you-right-in-the-heart.html</link><guid isPermaLink="false">260273:2618686:5798020</guid><description><![CDATA[<p><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/opyjJk9mPXg&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/opyjJk9mPXg&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object></p>]]></description><wfw:commentRss>http://lifesong.squarespace.com/home/rss-comments-entry-5798020.xml</wfw:commentRss></item><item><title>Church Adoption Fund Webinar</title><category>Church Adoption Fund</category><category>Lifesong for Orphans</category><category>church adoption fund</category><category>church orphan care</category><category>interest free loans</category><category>matching grants</category><category>orphan care</category><dc:creator>Christi Ucherek (christi@lifesongfororphans.org)</dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:00:03 +0000</pubDate><link>http://lifesong.squarespace.com/home/2009/11/13/church-adoption-fund-webinar.html</link><guid isPermaLink="false">260273:2618686:5781268</guid><description><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #4f604f;">Are you considering starting an <a href="http://www.lifesongfororphans.org/adoptFund.html" target="_blank">adoption fund at your church</a>?</span></strong><span style="color: #4f604f;"><br /><strong>&nbsp;</strong><br /><strong>Is God stirring in your heart to take the next step toward engaging your local body of believers?</strong></span>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The webinar will<span style="color: #1f497d;"> include</span>:</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 200px;" src="http://lifesong.squarespace.com/storage/Nov19.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1258065587868" alt="" /></p>
<ul>
<li style="color: #4f604f;"><span style="color: #1f497d;">A</span>n overview of the Lifesong <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=vi58t5cab.0.0.bfvcjhcab.0&amp;p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lifesongfororphans.org%2FadoptFund.html&amp;id=preview" target="_blank"><strong>Church Adoption Fund</strong></a> concept. </li>
<li style="color: #4f604f;">Lifesong partnership with churches and solutions to overcome "Common Barriers". </li>
<li style="color: #4f604f;"><strong>Personal testimony/experience from Irving Bible Church / Tapestry Ministry</strong>of how Lifesong has partnered with his church and ministry, including obstacles he encountered. </li>
<li style="color: #4f604f;">Concerns churches often face when starting an adoption fund </li>
<li style="color: #4f604f;"><strong>Q&amp;A</strong>- an open forum allowing you to ask your questions to Michael Monroe (Iriving Bible/Tapestry) and/or Lifesong staff </li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;<strong><span style="color: #4f604f;">Please join us for this opportunity to hear the heart of a ministry leader and adoptive parent.</span></strong></p>]]></description><wfw:commentRss>http://lifesong.squarespace.com/home/rss-comments-entry-5781268.xml</wfw:commentRss></item><item><title>Galesburg, IL family featured in local newspaper</title><category>Adoption</category><category>Galesburg</category><category>IL</category><category>Kochersperger</category><category>advocate</category><category>donors</category><category>international adoption</category><category>matching grant</category><dc:creator>Christi Ucherek (christi@lifesongfororphans.org)</dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:32:01 +0000</pubDate><link>http://lifesong.squarespace.com/home/2009/11/12/galesburg-il-family-featured-in-local-newspaper.html</link><guid isPermaLink="false">260273:2618686:5780319</guid><description><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="full-image-inline ssNonEditable"><span><img style="width: 150px;" src="http://lifesong.squarespace.com/storage/pic%20from%20paper.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1258059174186" alt="" /></span></span></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.jmkochersperger.blogspot.com" target="_blank">James and Melanie Kochersperger</a></strong> know the joy of adoption first hand! This past September, they welcomed their son BJ into their home and can't imagine life without him!</p>
<p>They write,</p>
<blockquote>
<p><em>Dear <strong><a href="http://www.lifesongfororphans.org" target="_blank">Lifesong for Orphans</a></strong>, </em></p>
<p><em>We have completed the journey and are now home with our precious 21 month old son named B.J.! We lov ehim dearly and can't imagine life without him. Your organization played a huge role in our adoption and we can't thank you enough! You brought our friends, family, and church family together in a way that created a miracle for us! We can honestly say that our adoption was only successful because of how God worked through your organization! God is using you in a big way and we are truly blessed to have been a part of it! </em></p>
<p><em>Thank you and God Bless You! </em></p>
<p><em>The Kochersperger Family (James, Melanie, and BJ)</em></p>
</blockquote>
<p>Check out the newspaper article <strong><a href="http://www.galesburg.com/lifestyles/x1615056813/The-face-of-adoption" target="_blank">here</a></strong>.</p>
<p><span class="full-image-inline ssNonEditable"><a href="http://lifesong.squarespace.com/display/admin/www.jmkochersperger.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img style="width: 400px;" src="http://lifesong.squarespace.com/storage/family%20photo.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1258059036477" alt="" /></a></span></p>
<p>We want to take this opportunity to thank our <strong><a href="http://www.lifesongfororphans.org/chLives.html" target="_blank">donors</a></strong> who make stories like this possible each day! <strong><span style="font-size: 120%;">Take a look at that smile and praise God for His faithfulness in bringing children into their forever families!</span></strong></p>]]></description><wfw:commentRss>http://lifesong.squarespace.com/home/rss-comments-entry-5780319.xml</wfw:commentRss></item><item><title>Lifesong Ethiopia Feeding Program</title><category>Ethiopia</category><category>Ethiopia</category><category>Lifesong for Orphans</category><category>Ziway</category><category>africa</category><category>church orphan ministry</category><category>gobena</category><category>orphan care</category><dc:creator>Christi Ucherek (christi@lifesongfororphans.org)</dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:43:38 +0000</pubDate><link>http://lifesong.squarespace.com/home/2009/11/11/lifesong-ethiopia-feeding-program.html</link><guid isPermaLink="false">260273:2618686:5767523</guid><description><![CDATA[<p><span style="color: black;"><strong><a href="http://www.lifesongfororphans.org" target="_blank"><span class="full-image-float-left ssNonEditable"><span><img style="width: 200px;" src="http://lifesong.squarespace.com/storage/feeding%20program3.png?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1257976469341" alt="" /></span></span>Lifesong for Orphans</a></strong> and <strong><a href="http://www.gobena.org/" target="_blank">Gobena Coffee</a></strong> recently partnered with veteran missionaries to start a feeding program in <strong><a href="http://www.lifesongfororphans.org/orphanagesEth.html" target="_blank">Ziway, Ethiopia</a></strong>. <strong><a href="http://www.lifesongfororphans.org" target="_blank">Lifesong</a></strong> is also committed provide a Christian School to 300+ children in the Ziway, Ethiopia community who have very limited access to education.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: black;">Click <strong><a href="http://www.lifesongfororphans.org/orphanagesEth.html" target="_blank">here</a></strong> to read more!</span></p>
<p><span style="color: black;">&nbsp;<span><img style="width: 200px;" src="http://lifesong.squarespace.com/storage/feeding%20program1.png?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1257976317513" alt="" /></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;<span class="full-image-float-right ssNonEditable"><span><img style="width: 200px;" src="http://lifesong.squarespace.com/storage/feeding%20program2.png?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1257976530294" alt="" /></span></span></span></p>]]></description><wfw:commentRss>http://lifesong.squarespace.com/home/rss-comments-entry-5767523.xml</wfw:commentRss></item><item><title>LOVE this video...</title><category>God</category><category>Spiritual Life</category><category>Tapestry</category><category>afflicted</category><category>destitute</category><category>infertility</category><category>orphan care</category><category>parenting</category><category>single parents</category><category>spiritual life</category><dc:creator>Christi Ucherek (christi@lifesongfororphans.org)</dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:00:55 +0000</pubDate><link>http://lifesong.squarespace.com/home/2009/11/10/love-this-video.html</link><guid isPermaLink="false">260273:2618686:5721588</guid><description><![CDATA[<p><object width="400" height="300"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=7226151&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=1&amp;color=ffffff&amp;fullscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=7226151&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=1&amp;color=ffffff&amp;fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="300"></embed></object><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/7226151">2009 Tapestry Conference Intro Video</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/tapestry">Tapestry</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p></p>]]></description><wfw:commentRss>http://lifesong.squarespace.com/home/rss-comments-entry-5721588.xml</wfw:commentRss></item></channel></rss>