Easter in Chicago

Here are some pictures of the family back in Chicago on Easter. This was the first Easter I spent away from them....


Miss you guy's!!



hmmm... it appears I am not the only one that is not in the pictures. Appears Dad avoided the

camera on Easter.

UPDATE 2008 Serving Trip

Hello Friends and Family!

What an amazing journey this has been and I wanted to share with you all just what God is doing during this exciting chapter of my life.

First is a huge answer to prayer regarding the renting of my home. Some friends of mine unexpectedly found themselves in a situation where they needed to rent a house until the end of the year and yes, they decided to rent my house. So... my house is rented to trusted and loved friends. God is such an amazing provider!

Regarding fund raising for my 6 month ministry trip many have generously donated and I have received about half of what I will need for the trip as planned. I feel so blessed and supported by those of you that have donated. It amazes me how much encouragement and support you have all provided. Thank you for your support! Currently I still need $4,875 to meet the $10,000 budget. Airfare is a huge cost and donations of airline miles or buddy passes would be very helpful in keeping costs down.

Thank you for your support! While I am gone I will keep a blog so you can track along with me on my journey. In the meantime if you are interested in hearing more about what is going on with me personally my personal blog is http://lifejourneynow.blogspot.com/ and for IGN updates you can visit our website at www.invisionglobal.org

Blessings,
Cindie

Tax deductible donations can be made online at http://www.invisionglobal.org click on "Make a Donation" after entering the amount write "Cindie 2008" in the comment section / or checks can be made out to "IGN" write "Cindie 2008" in the memo and mailed to Invision Global Network, 2549 69^th Ave. South, St. Petersburg, FL 33712. Air mile donations can be donated directly to IGN as well.

A Glorious Easter Sunday!

 

 

What a glorious Easter day. After being up early for Easter morning baptisms and going to two church services we spent the afternoon watching NCAA basketball, eating and lounging around. By 5:00 p.m. we needed to get out and walk around, so we grabbed our cameras and headed into St. Pete. We walked along the harbor taking pictures along the way and eventually made our way to the Vinoy, an old hotel that had been restored in the 90's. We took more pictures and made our way down to the beach where we were able to catch the last glimmers of the sun going down over the Gulf of Mexico. It was gorgeous. A kind gentlman took our picture as we stood on the boardwalk watching God's workmanship and miricle of light slowly fade away. What an amazing God we serve!

 
 

Homeless!

It's a done deal! Cindie is now officially homeless! What an amazing testimony. It's been Cindie's dream to get out on the mission field but of course being a home owner creates some serious challenges if you are not independently wealthy. To make a long story short we had been praying that someone would rent her place. We started making preparations to pack her up and get the house to a place that it could be rented and believe me there was a lot of work to be done! You never realize how much stuff you've accumulated until you move! With a week before her desired departure date, she got a call from a couple in her small group. They needed a place to rent while they looked for a home to buy. It was nothing short of miraculous. Within the week the house was all packed up - utilites transfered, deposits made and the house keys were handed over into the very safe hands of good friends. God is so good! Posted by Tim Salmonson

New day... new adventure

I am in Florida now. My house has been rented, my stuff moved to other locations or given away. My day's are mine to meet new people, focus on ministry, and become the person God created me to be. I am mobile and LOVING IT! I look outside here in Saint Petersburg Florida and it is 80 degrees. My sister called this morning and said it was cold and snowing (forecast is for 6 inches) in Chicago. CRAZY! I am grateful to be able to explore life and spend my time on things of a greater purpose than myself. So as this new adventure begins... may God "Rock my World" and those I encounter along the way. Thanks to all my friends and family for all your support in helping me live a life of passion and purpose. May my life express love for our creator and love for those he created. Glory and praises to Jesus!

Life is good! God is GREAT!!

Things are really coming together for 2008 and I am getting excited. I not only found a renter for my house, but they are friends of mine. How cool is that!! I will head to Florida in the next few weeks to continue to prepare for IGN's 2008 ministry projects and teams. Things are also going well fund raising for my international ministry 6 month trip. So far I have raised half the money. Still a long way to go and only 2 months to raise $5000 but I feel God's blessing on the trip and know that he will provide what's needed. It never ceases to amaze me how faithful God is and how he takes care of us in all situations. Yea God!

So... I will be in Florida soon (I am over the cold winter and ready for warm weather!) Then I will return to Chicago and spend time with family and friends (and my awesome church) before heading out to Kenya, Dominican Republic, and Thailand. Thanks to everyone who loves and supports me! Your the best!

Cindie

Becca Leaving the Hosptial

Message from Becca's dad...

The physician most responsible for Becca, Dr. Krasan (an "infectious disease doctor"), has set Monday as Becca's date of departure from the hospital. This will be exactly two weeks from the day Becca was admitted to Beaumont's pediatric ICU. This length of time has not come as a surprise to Amy and me, as a 14-day regiment was the general consensus among members of the staff from the beginning. Early on, some hinted at the possibility of a shortened stay, depending on our daughter's condition as the days progressed. While Becca has been showing some vigor over the last couple days, the steroid treatments have eliminated any chance of an early leave. Becca's team of attending physicians have decided to keep her on the "systemic" (body-wide) steroids, even after she returns home. These declining dosages will be taken orally for another several days, in addition to the small dose of steroids she'll continue to receive as drops in her ears.

Becca has complained very little about her lack of hearing, becoming an impressively good lip reader. She continues to enjoy her favorite movies, whose dialog and singing she has pretty well memorized over the last couple years. We speak closely to her face and use exaggerated gestures, sometimes even drawing sketches. The "X-ray" drawing has come in handy more than once. For the time being, no more formal tests have been scheduled.

With very few exceptions, the staff of the pediatrics ward has been very good. Dr. Krasan in particular has taken wonderful care of our little girl. He is refreshingly unassuming, a charming characteristic considering all the burden resting on his shoulders at Beaumont.

God bless,

Dave