Archive | August 2011

El Amor de Patricia

Aug31


"El Amor de Patricia" By, Nancy Alexander

Plans Underway to Help Guatemalan Orphanage…

My husband, Steve, and I were touched as we watched friends adopt their little girl, Aven, from Guatemala three years ago.  This country along with their "new" orphanage, "El Amor de Patricia" (The Love of Patricia) need help!  We have not known exactly how God wanted us to help until now.  We feel very strongly that God is leading us to increase awareness, and to raise money for "El Amor de Patricia", an orphanage which is run and operated from donations of others.

El Amor de Patricia (The Love of Patricia)

PLANS NOW IN MOTION FOR FUNDRAISER:  “El Amor de Patricia”

I want to tell you just a little about our friends we met through the Internet, Jim & Andrea Cockrum.  Jim Cockrum is VERY well known as an Internet Marketer, Leader, and Teacher.  You can type "Jim Cockrum" into Google, and you'll immediately see how often his name comes up.  When I started my "online" career, I purchased a book "The Silent Sales Machine Hiding on Ebay" from Jim.  This was the BEST thing I ever did!  I learned so much from him.  I found out right away that he was a moral, Christian, and trustworthy, man who had the type of Internet business that I wanted to strive for one day.  My goal was that my business, one day, would begin to have the kind of reputation that his business has earned.

As a "newbie" in Internet Marketing, even the easiest of tasks were not easy for me.  I read his book many times;  I studied his book.  Finally I was able to successfully implement one of his ideas into my own business.  This idea greatly affected my traffic, and my sales!  I sent Jim an email thanking him for his book, his ideas, and the way he obviously ran his business — with God at the helm!   Within a few days, I received an email back from Jim wanting to know if he could give me a call.  Of course, I said "yes". 

That was a very encouraging and inspiring call from this "well known" Internet Marketer (or guru, as some would say)!  It was a call that literally changed my business.  Before I knew it, I was highlighted in one of his newsletters which goes out weekly to over 100,000 fans ready to devour his honest, down-to-earth ideas, suggestions, and business insights.  I received coaching from Jim along with many suggestions which helped me grow my own business to be one of importance. 

I learned that I do have something to give others far and above the wreaths I was selling at the time.  After fighting fibromyalgia for so many years, I could encourage, inspire, and train many women who wanted and needed a business.  It had to be a business they could run from home as they dealt with health issues.  I began filming how-to, instructional DVDs on wreath design, writing e-books, and now have a membership site, www.BestOfNancy.com, with my partner, Linda Joseph.  I could not have done any of this without Jim Cockrum's help and encouragement!

Aven Cockrum:  A Precious Little Girl From Guatemala With "Smiling" Eyes


As we grew to know and appreciate Jim and his family, Jim announced that he and his wife Andrea were adopting their fifth child, Aven.  Aven, who is their third adopted child, was coming from Guatemala.  Steve and I watched with interest and admiration as the Cockrum's moved to Guatemala for over 3 months so they could spend more time with their sweet little one before bringing her back to the United States.  This is when we developed our interest along with a desire to help the children of Guatemala.  As this new orphanage was opened and licensed, we found it was operated only on donations, we knew it was time to do something. 

My husband and I kept up with the adoption process as the Cockrums posted updates about all they were going through completing their adoption, and bringing little Aven home.  As we did, we learned more about "El Amor de Patricia".  It is located near where Jim and Andrea Cockrum adopted Aven, in Mixco, Guatemala…about 20 minutes from Guatemala City.   Most of these children will grow up with the orphanage being their "forever" home because adoptions in Guatemala have now been stopped by the government.  This orphanage is different from the "government owned" homes.  This one is run "family style", which is so wonderful for the children!   There is one Guatemalan family that resides and runs the Hogar at all times!  There are many "helpers" but the kids have one main family unit to turn to.  This way, they learn about love, parental authority, and family as a result.  This is something so many orphanages DO NOT teach!

The director of this orphanage is Tamara Hillstrom.  She has moved bureaucratic MOUNTAINS to get a non-profit orphanage set up since adoptions were shut down.  She has a true PASSION for the orphans of Guatemala, and has adopted three daughters from there as a single Mother.  The orphanage is named after Tamara's mother, Patricia, who was a fairly renowned philanthropic patron of those in desperate need.  Her daughter learned from the BEST!  El Amor de Patricia has received approval from ALL levels of the Guatemalan government and is now receiving babies on a daily basis.  These babies are coming from hospitals, and from people who are "finding" babies and bringing them in. 

Below, you can see pictures of some "little ones" who are in the orphanage today!

 

Newest Little "Angels" arrive at  "El Amor de Patricia" 

Our hearts have been touched;
God has begun a work in us… 

 

  

SO…I AM VERY PROUD TO ANNOUNCE:  THE PLANS ARE NOW IN MOTION FOR A
FUNDRAISER FOR “El Amour de Patricia”! 

We had mentioned to Jim on a couple of occasions that we wanted to do something to raise money and awareness for this very special orphanage.  So, Jim and I, along with my partner, Linda Joseph, recorded a planning session/conference call last Monday. 

It is time to raise much needed funds and awareness for this very special place for children who cannot be cared for by their parents in their own homes.  The children in this country are born into EXTREME POVERTY!  Over 75% of its people live below the poverty level.  So many times parents just simply do not have the means to care for a child.  They do not believe in abortion, so they give birth to their babies and try to care for them.

Soon after the birth, many of these mothers realize they cannot care for their newborns.  Many are abandoned on the doorsteps of someone whom they think will take care of their babies.  But, unfortunately, others are abandoned in locations where they cannot be rescued and cared for.  They are left alone to die in horrendous circumstances!

 Tamara Hillstrom & her Mother Patricia

 

El Amor de Patricia survives on donations.  They also use these donations to help children in their surrounding area, not just those in their orphanage.  The staff of the orphanage uses donations from people like us to help those in the surrounding community.  For instance, a large majority of the children in this area do not have mattresses.  "El Amor de Patricia" has already delivered some sets of bunk beds to several families after raising money for them stateside.  Usually one mattress will sleep 4-5 kiddos…smile – with lots of "sleepovers" after the staff delivers bunkbeds!   

THIS IS WHERE WE CAN HELP!

We are working on a section of the recording that can be used in promoting this fund-raiser.  Jim, Andrea, and myself, along with many others want to get the word out to as many people as possible, to our lists, to our friends, and whoever can and will help us raise this much needed money.

We are still working on all the logistics such as sales pages, product pages, and more.  People are already donating their products and services to be sold or auctioned off during a week long period (date to be announced soon).  We already getting promises of products such as special numbered prints by Andrea, DVDs which teach floral design, and Instructional e-books from me, and Internet marketing books and courses from Linda Joseph and Susan Whitehead.  I will be donating a HUGE $400.00 wreath to be auctioned off by Jim on eBay!

So, if you have any products or services, you would like to donate, please let me know as soon as possible.  We are putting together the products page right now which will be sent out to as many people as possible.

For More Information on Donations, or to Make a Pledge: 
Please contact me:  nancy@LadybugWreaths.com!

If you have a product you would like to have Jim auction off for you, please let us know. 
And, others may just want to make a donation.

 

 
Whatever you can do will be GREATLY appreciated by these precious, precious “Little Angels”!


PLEASE HELP US!  PLEASE PRAY WITH US! 
WE CAN MAKE THIS BE AN AMAZING GIFT FOR THESE CHILDREN…
ONE THAT WILL AFFECT THEM FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES!

SOMETHING TO BE REMEMBERED ALWAYS BY THESE CHILDREN AT:


El Amor de Patricia (The Love of Patricia)

Click here to see their FACEBOOK page or their WEBSITE.

Click here to see updates on my FACEBOOK page.

(There will be MORE Information Coming Very Soon!)

Smiles & Blessings… Nancy 

 

Sharing God’s Comfort

Aug10

 
"Sharing God's Comfort" By, Nancy Alexander

2 Corinthians 1…


…and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.  For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.  If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer.  And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.

I have gone through a lot being sick since I was 28 years old.  It has not been easy for me or my family.  I am posting about this on my blog a lot lately because I receive so many emails from other women who are going through the exact same thing as I did.  As I was reading this morning, this verse touched me. 

I have had troubles, have felt pain, exhaustion, sorrow, and hopelessness.  But this verse tells me that God has used this to comfort me, therefore giving me a heart to comfort those who are going through the same thing by sharing God's comfort I received.

A New Morning…

Aug8

"I Can Be Cured" By, Nancy Alexander

From Fibro… to Freedom…

It is a new morning… the sun is just starting to rise.  This day will never "be" again!  What will you do with yours?? 

I am planning what I should do with mine… what will I write on today that will make a difference in someone's life?  What can I do that will please God?  I have prayed for a new "Spirit" for today.  I pray that God will fill me with so much Grace and Love that it literally spills over onto others I come in contact with.

I am soooo grateful for my loving husband, and a marriage "Made in Heaven"!  Steve loves me, he cherishes me, and he supports my business.  He encourages me, helps me plan, write, and develop this business which is a gift from God.  Steve is helping me finally write a book — on my life and my battles with Fibromyalgia.  So many friends and customers have been begging me to do this to help them in their journeys fighting this awful disease.  The title will be: 

"I CAN BE CURED"   –   "From Fibro To Freedom" 

 

Pray that God will bless and lead me on this journey in my life.  It will be painful at times… it will be joyful at times… and I'm sure these times of remembrances will bring many tears. 

I will be praying for you today – that you have a joy-filled and pain-free life! Have a marvelously Blessed day.  Think of someone today who needs you; love someone today who may be unlovable; and give thanks to God in every single thing whether it be good or bad!

With God's peace… Nancy  

This is Why…

Aug3

"This is Why…" By, Nancy Alexander

Your Emails are the Reason Why…

I received  this  email this morning.  When I get emails such as this (and I receive them weekly, sometimes daily), my heart is broken.   It is broken because ladies, and sometimes men too, go through extreme pain, hurt, withdrawal, and even disbelief from doctors, friends and family when they come down with this mysterious ailment — Fibromyalgia.  They have to go way too long before finding the correct help and cure!  AND YES… THERE IS A CURE!!

 


Most of you know that mine started when I was 28.  I am now 60!  That was thirty-two years ago!!!!!! When are things going to change?  When are these ladies going to receive, first of all… understanding and belief that they are really sick, along with sympathy, and help from their own family members, and the top notch medical care they need and deserve from our many "learned" physicians in our advanced and educated country for this illness???

 

FIBROMYALGIA IS AN ILLNESS!  IT IS NOT IN THEIR HEADS, IT IS NOT SOMETHING THEY CAN "WILL" THEMSELVES TO BE OVER, IT IS A DISEASE!!


 

I become overwhelmed with anger from time to time knowing the despair and hopelessness these women feel as they are fighting a battle for their very lives, and it hit me this morning.  So many women write me for help!  I want to help them!  I want to tell them exactly what to do to get well!  I want to tell them they ARE NOT crazy!  I want to tell their husbands, their children, and their friends that they need respect, they need comfort, they need top notch medical care along with BELIEF that they are really sick with a "legitimate" disease!


 

I have told my husband soooo many times that I had wished to have been diagnosed with cancer instead… or with a heart-attack… or with some other "horrible" disease.  At least if I had been diagnosed with one of those people would have really believed I was sick.  But in 1978 and 1979, people didn't believe me — they thought it was "in my head", and doctors actually told me it was "housewife syndrome"!

 

Okay, Nancy… calm down!  Today is not 1979.  Fibromyalgia has been proven absolutely and without a doubt to be a disease; to be a horrible, debilitating disease, which not only hurts the person who has it, but every single person that they love and care for!   A chronic disease of any type affects every person in their household.

 

So, today as I read this email (as I do all of the others I receive) and see that people are still suffering before they get help, I get really angry!  This is totally unnecessary for someone to have to feel the shame and embarrassment that I felt for sooo many years.

 

But now, I can thank God for my illness, my pain and for each step along the way in my life because I CAN encourage, help and support women who cannot find the help they need right away!  I can show them love! I can tell them they are not alone!  I can tell them that I understand!

 


Email from a young woman in California: 

"First of all I would like to thank you for sharing your story. I am a 27  year old woman who has and is going thru several health issues. I also struggle with Fibromyalgia.


 This started when I was 24 and only a year into marriage. This kept me in bed rest because I wasn't able to walk or do much for myself. My wonderful husband, who has stood by my side thru all of this, would have to even bathe me and brush my hair because I couldn't do any of this for myself.

 

I went thru depression, anxiety and panic attacks because no Doctor knew what I had. Finally they diagnosed me w/Fibromyalgia and with a virus called mycoplasma. I felt no desire to live at times because I did not want to spend the rest of my life in such misery. Needles to say I wasn't able to work and help bring money into our household; which made me feel worthless.

 

It was thru those darkest times that I found God. With time, some treatments and with our Lord's grace I have been recuperating. I even went on my first jog again. That was something I thought would never be possible again. God has been so good to me and blessed me with my husbands love and support.

 

Now we are struggling with starting a family because I started pre-menopause at the age of 22. I wanted to keep my mind and body occupied and away from negative thoughts and since I made some of my own Christmas decorations last year I thought I'd give it a try and sell some…THAT IS HOW I CAME TO FIND YOU.  Who has inspired me and given me some confidence.

 

I purchased your Secret Vendor List back in May and I am purchasing things and getting things ready to start making and selling Christmas wreaths….."

 

 

So, I have let off some steam this morning!  I have let out some of the anger that engulfs me from time to time.  This young woman went for 5 years before finding out what was wrong. EVEN FIVE YEARS is WAY too long to suffer without knowing what is wrong!

 

I fought with every ounce of strength in my body for almost 25 years before getting a correct diagnosis and receiving proper medical care.  I had to do the research and find out by myself what was wrong with me…while fighting a battle all alone! 

 

It is now my God-Inspired goal to reach these women and help them get the proper medical care they need and deserve!


 

I read this prayer this morning posted by another young woman struggling with Fibromyalgia right now — it is truly beautiful, and touched my heart.  I hope it will touch yours too!


 

"Be present, Lord, among us and bring us to believe we are ourselves accepted and meant to love and live.  Teach us to care for people, for all, not just some, to love them as we find them or as they may become.  let Your acceptance change us, so that we may be moved to practice Your acceptance, until we know by heart the table of forgiveness and laughter's healing art."