Money & Time

Money and Time, there never seems to be enough of both of them. Which one would you say is more important? Which one is more valuable? Which one is irreplaceable? Which one is easier to replace? Which one can we not live without? 

By the worlds perspective and standards it is Money that is most valuable, because after all there is always tomorrow. This world focuses on how we spend our Money, the importance of wise investments, but I would dare to say that how we spend our time makes the greatest impact on our lives. Which was most memorable, influential, and had the greatest effect on your life, and the lives of the ones you love? The way you spent the last $500,000 or the way you spent the last 5 years, the way you spent the last $50,000 or the way you spent the last 5 months, the way you spent the last $5,000 or the way you spent the last 5 weeks, the way you spent the last $500, or the way you spent the last 5 days? 

How we spend our time in the upcoming year will have the greatest influence on our own life as well as the ones we love. We can always get back money, we can never get back the time we have lost.

Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. Matthew 6:21

And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world, but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? (NLT) Matthew 16:26

For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? (ESV) Matthew 16:26

Little Lamb

Do you remember the first time you watched The Little Drummer Boy?

As a little child I wondered; Can GOD really bring back to life a little lamb that is dead? Over the years I often wondered would I ever see such a Magnificent Miracle like this, someone actually brought back to life? 


I have been a Christian for the past 15 years. During these past 15 years as I grew in my walk with Christ, I knew that GOD could do Great Miracles, but I wondered would He ever do such a Great Miracle that I may witness for myself with my very own eyes?


I use to think that only the Greatest of Christians, those born into loving Christian Homes were worthy of such an honor to witness a Miracle take place. Not coming from a loving Christian Family (quite the opposite in fact), I saw myself more like the unwanted & unloved dolly on the island of misfit toys.





Through the years I always felt broken to one degree or another. You would never be able to tell, because as a child I learned to suppress, and cover up my pain so well that on the outside I looked perfectly fine. Truth is, I never felt like I could quite measure up to others in the Christian World. Although the child abuse I suffered and endured was no fault of my own, I still felt shame, that if people knew about my horrific childhood that they would see me as "damaged goods."

I was fortunate to have great counselors & therapists who helped me process the pain of the past, but there still was a piece deep inside of me that was broken. This piece I discovered that was so broken & shattered comes from pain that your own parents don't love you. Even when you have the love of others you never out grow the need of a parent's love.


As good as counselors and therapists are there is a ceiling effect to how much they can help, and mend what is broken. What my relationship with Christ has taught me is that He was greatly wounded, so that the greatest of wounds could heal. Wounds, so deep that they tear at the very soul of a person.


The early part of my Christian Life was spent learning & knowing about Christ. The Bible is referred to as "The Holy Handbook" or "The Creator's Manual". If something is broken, or is not functioning at optimal level we need to look to the Creator's Manual to see how it can be mended, repaired, and restored.


For such a long time I believed the enemy's lies that GOD must not love me to give me not only one, but two very abusive parents, as well as an abusive uncle that viciously attacked me, and a once trusted teacher that abused me.


 By reading GOD's Word I discovered in Jeremiah 29:11 that abuse was NEVER apart of GOD's Perfect Plan for me, or any of us. Those who hurt me chose to do so against GOD's will, and GOD is clear about what will happen to them, especially since they have unrepentant hearts. 


To those of us who have been abused, and left to feel unwanted & unloved by their parents, "Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me. Teach me your way, Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors." 
Psalm 27:10-11


GOD promises never to forsake us and to be parent to the parentless. What the enemy meant to destroy me, has in fact blessed me in ways others will may never know in this life time, because they do not have the same need or void to fill. To actually know GOD as Healer we have to personally experience His Healing Touch & Love by being healed ourselves . I haven't just heard of His Healing, I have experienced first-hand His Healing, so I can say I know Him as Healer.  


GOD's Amazing Word & Love has healed me from a painful past, and has transformed my pain into Divine Purpose far beyond what I could ever imagine. I am so excited to see what GOD is going to do with this former unwanted and unloved Misfit. What I am currently experiencing is that everything is coming together to fit into GOD's Perfect Plan. Where we don't fit in the world, GOD has a perfect place in His Kingdom.

Jesus Christ is the Holy Shepard who lovingly picks up the little lost lambs of the world. His Sacred Love paid the price for not only our Salvation & Restoration, but also our Reconciliation with the Most High GOD.

This past Tuesday my precious Daughter Carissa was a little lamb in her Kindergarten Christmas Play. It reminded me of how Jesus Christ was born to be the Lamb of GOD to be sacrificed for the sins of the world, and to not only bring Salvation, but most importantly Reunification not just in our next life, but in this life. We are united with Christ in GOD's Kingdom to be Sons & Daughters of the King of Kings. And by GOD's Authority we can have & shall have victory over death in this life.


 Just over 5 years ago, when I was still in my first trimester I woke up having a horrible miscarriage, a huge puddle of blood and tissue surrounded me. The shock & emotional pain literally took my breath away. I was frozen in fear. My husband and I have tried to become parents for 12 years, and we suffered 144 painful months, some much more painful than others. Each month felt like the loss of a dream to have a family of our own. That morning our worst nightmare was coming true right before our eyes, and our hearts were being shattered into a million pieces. I witnessed my husband's heart shatter in the greatest agony he had ever experienced. It was the worst day of our lives. 


Then I felt the presence of the Lord, that "Peace that surpasses all understanding". Later when I was at the doctor's office, I witnessed the doctor's complete shocked face, as he said, "I am very concerned for all the blood loss & the tissue separation, but you still have a strong healthy heartbeat, as in your baby has a strong healthy heartbeat. This was a man who did not share our faith, but said, "there is nothing medically I can do for you to make sure you hold on and don't lose your baby, just keep praying." 


Months later when I was near the end of my pregnancy the doctor was examining my progress, and the same complete shocked look appeared upon his face as he said, "there is complete healing, no scare tissue, nothing to signify the previous tear & separation, as if it never happened." With the amount of tissue damage caused by the separation of my child being pulled away from my body I should have had some scar tissue from the natural physical healing. In other words, the doc was proclaiming the Supernatural Healing of Jesus Christ! 


The Lamb of GOD was slain and shed His Holy Blood over 2000 years ago, and 5 years ago He saved Carissa's Life before she was born, and in doing so I know He saved my Life and my husband's life too. This past Tuesday Carissa was honored to be selected to portray a little lamb in the stable of Bethlehem that first Christmas Day when Christ Jesus was born in a manger. 
Oh precious Lamb of GOD I Praise You for saving my little lamb, 
and being her Great Shepard.

Oh Christmas Tree

Decorating the Christmas Tree

How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? Maybe the question should be, What items do you hang upon your Christmas Tree? What are your favorite things to place upon your Christmas Tree?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4Hv9YmhGpw

Christopher & I share a Christmas Tradition that many of you may also have in your home. Every year we select a Christmas Ornament that represents a special Moment we shared that year. We had this tradition from the time we first started dating and selected our "First Christmas Together' Ornament from the Hallmark store. The year we got married we purchased a Christmas Ornament of a Hawaiian Couple to represent our wedding in Hawaii. In 2003 we purchased our first home together and bought a set of keys to represent the day before Thanksgiving when we got our house keys, and spent all of Thanksgiving Eve Night preparing a surprise Thanksgiving Dinner at our new home -- family thought they were just stopping by a friend's house to pick up extra chairs when they discovered the new house was our house! There are a couple of handmade Christmas Ornaments that I made as a child hanging up next to my child's hand-made Christmas Ornaments. There is a school picture of Christopher as a young boy, a Kindergartener, the same age Carissa is now, that is glued to a paper Christmas Ornament. There is a Military Ornament Representing all of our service men and women in the armed forces. There is this adorable Hallmark Christmas Ornament with a rooster w/classes reading a green book titled Parent's to Be with a Momma hen sitting on top of one egg, knitting waiting for her egg to hatch (we waited 12 years, 144 months for our egg to hatch! -- which was well worth the wait. Then during my pregnancy I had a miscarriage that GOD transformed into a Miracle when He saved Carissa and knit her so safely & perfectly that the doc. was completely shocked that "there was no sign of the separation, no scar tissue, nothing as if it never happened"), then last, but certainly not least two very special Christmas Ornaments, a white baby bootie with a pink flower & ribbon, and a white little bear with a pink blanket both ornaments read, Baby's First Christmas.

Those are some of my most favorite Christmas Ornaments because they represent the fond memories & blessings that each unique experience brought me. I also have Christmas Ornaments from Friends & Family. Grandma & Grandpa started purchasing a special Christmas Ornament for Carissa ever since she was born. Her second year she started ballet, so they got her a ballerina ornament. The third year they got her a Tinkerbell ornament, because she not only likes Tinkerbell, she is a tinker putting together all sort of cleaver projects, and finding new ways to utilize her toys & objects in ways no one else imagined. Last year she received a Cinderella ornament to to represent the beautiful blue Cinderella dress Grandma hand-made for her. I don't know what she will get this year? Maybe something representing Kindergarden? 

I am looking forward to what Carissa is going to make in her Kindergarden Class to hang on the tree this year. 

For Christopher and I we have been thinking what can represent this year for us? What we came up with was a book with the WOW logo on it. To see the new WOW logo, Click Here.

WOW represents many things for us. It started off being the acronym for Women of Worth the name of a Christian BookClub that I thought would be a great idea, but it appears that the Lord has even Greater Plans which He continues to reveal to us. I am excited to see what the Lord is going to do next!

While putting together the WOW BookClub the Lord placed in my heart the desire to start an 

Outreach Program to help children whose childhood, like my own, has been a living nightmare. GOD has taught me through His Amazing, Healing, Transforming Love that out of our darkest pain His Divine Purpose arises. Our Backstory is not a place of shame or inferiority, but a place that is transformed & testifies through Victory to His Glory. In other words, our Backstory is for His Glory!

What GOD teaches me I am compeled to share with others. My personal motto & life devotion is to Share It Forward!

If GOD has brought you through it, then there is no one better equipped than you to do something about it. 

GOD brought me the healing, He brought me the Purpose, He even gave me the name, Giving Dreams Wings, for our Outreach Ministry, yet I did not know exactly where to start, or in what direction to go. Some many needs & so many choices to make. Where do I begin?

Then one wonderful October Morning GOD placed the plans in Carissa's heart, and out of a Daughter's Dream to help others our first Giving Dreams Wings Outreach Program was created. As the saying goes, "And a child shall lead them."

Most certainly in one word to sum up this year would be WOW!

Love that Lasts Forever

Artist Jean Keaton

Isn't this an amazing picture? Doesn't it give you such an warm, comforting, secure, joyful, peaceful feeling inside? This beautiful image of Jesus raising up a precious child reminds me of the love Christ has for each of us. The pure Joy that is exchanged between two people who love one another so deeply & without reserve. It is such a deep connection between the love of a child and parent. A love that gives it all, and holds nothing back. 


It reminds me of how when I go to pick up my little daughter from school and she is filled with anticipation as she waits with the other children as one by one they are picked up by their parents. Each child eagerly waits his or her turn wondering, Will it be my turn next? My daughter lights up the second she sees me, and runs directly into my arms. She is completely focused, determined, and nothing is going to distract her from her desired destination to be held by her loving parent. When her Daddy comes home from work she stops whatever she is doing to run up into his loving arms. It is such a blessing to love a child, and to receive the love of a child.


Isn't GOD's Love soooo Amazing! The very second we turn to Jesus we find He has been waiting for us to run up into His loving arms. Christ is always so excited to spend time with us and longs to be with us. That is soooo Awesome -- GOD longing to be with us. I hear some people repeatedly say over and over and over again that they are not worthy of GOD's love. I wonder how a Holy Parent feels when He hears His precious child repeatedly say to Him just about every time their together, I am not worthy of your love. I can just imagine our Holy Parent telling the child; Please stop saying you are not worthy of My Love. You are My child, stop all the negative talk about yourself, and just run to Me, I have been waiting to hug you all day.


Can you imagine what it is like to be a child, and go all day without a hug from your parent? Imagine how horrible it would be to go all day without having the love of your parent wrapped around you telling you how precious, important, and valuable you are to them. Imagine having to endure that for a week, a month, for years, and for the rest of your childhood.


Ever wonder what it is like to be an orphan or foster child? Imagine one day you drop your child off at Day Care or at School, you are looking forward to seeing each other again soon. Your child is anxiously awaiting your arrival, but you don't show up, so your child continues to wait. Unfortunately something tragic happens, and you & your spouse are not able to be with your child ever again. Your precious child is suddenly dependent on the mercy of others. Sure family or friends said that they would look after your child should anything ever happen to you and your spouse. The sad reality is many do not keep their promise. Either way your child is left in the care of others. As good as they care for your child, it is not the same as your love, a parent's love. If you could not be with your child again, Would others simply caring for your child be enough? Wouldn't you want someone to love your child as their own? If anything would ever happen to us we would want others to love our child just as much as we would love our child. We would want others to see our child with the eyes of a loving parent whose love is unconditional and everlasting.

If the Church Body is the Body of Christ, then as Christ said we are to be parents to the parentless children. We are to be parents to the orphaned children. There are over 300,000 churches in American, and currently 126,000 American orphan/foster children who are standing in line waiting for their loving parent to show up, wondering, Will it be my turn next?Their biological parents will never show up. They need a loving parent. They need us to be their loving parent. If only (1) church out of every (3) churches had only (1) family from within their entire church family who would adopt an orphaned child, then every child in America who has been abandoned would have a Forever Family. 

As Christians we have all been adopted into GOD's Forever Family, because Jesus paid the price for our adoption. Do you remember your Adoption Day? The day you became apart of GOD's Forever Family -- the day your life was changed Forever.

Imagine if Jesus was not around to pay the ultimate price for our adoption, then we would not be able to be apart of GOD's Family. We would never know how awesome, amazing and totally wonderful it is to be loved by GOD, and for GOD to call us His Child. There would be no close intimate relationship of a Loving Holy Parent & Child. No Parental Love. No Ultimate Joy. No Blessings or Gifts. No Comfort. No Protection, No Help or Healing, and No belonging & connecting to a Loving Forever Family. We would just be an outsider alone desperately longing to be apart of GOD's Amazing Family. What if GOD said, I will care for you, but I can't be your permeant parent. This arrangement is only temporary & has an expiration date. This is what it is for orphan/foster children. In the best situations they only get to experience love for just a short amount of time.

Would just being cared for a short limited time be enough, or would you want, long, desire, and need to be loved for a life-time?

What if instead of you that we are talking about it is your child who needs the love of a parent, because you can not be there physically taking care & loving your child.

What would be your choice for your child -- Love for a limited time or Love for a Life-Time?

Each orphan/foster child is GOD's child. What is the choice or will of our Holy Parent for the orphaned children who are His children? We need Christ, but do we truly realize that Christ needs us to be His physical body to do things He longs to do like adopt the orphaned children, love them, and call them His own?

GOD blesses each of us with loving us not only for a Life-Time, but a Love that lasts Forever.

As Christians, the representation of the physical body of Christ here on earth, shouldn't we make it our priority that every child experiences the love of a parent not for just a very short temporary limited time in their childhood, but throughout their childhood & into adulthood years until their earthly parent goes home to be with GOD, our Holy Parent.

This is the Spirit of Adoption that has no age limit. We do not age out of the Spirit of Adoption as Christ demonstrated while He was being brutally sacraficed on the cross, while enduring His own pain His priority was for the needs of others when He united His birth mother Mary with His Disciple & Friend John to be a Forever Family for one another. We are all blessed to be apart of of an Adopted Love by Jesus that lasts our entire life here on earth and for eternity. 

If Christ never came to earth, died for our sins, reconciled us to our Holy Parent, we would never get to have the Ultimate Blessing of being GOD's child and experiencing a Love that Lasts Forever.

While each and every person is not called for Adoption, each and every person is called to support & encourage the Spirit of Adoption, some how some way. How do we each participate in the Spirit of Adoption? I am not sure, but what I do know for certain is that the Lord Jesus Christ will show us the way.

Thank You Lord Jesus for the Spirit of Adoption. May the Spirit of Adoption be poured out over the entire church body, and may we be blessed to manifest Your Love & Spirit of Adoption for the orphans in our life in the specific ways that You have called each of us to do, so that they have the blessing of being apart of our Loving Forever Family & enjoy a Love that Lasts Forever.

Giving Dreams Wings

I would like to introduce to you one of the youngest Philanthropist who definitely has the WOW factor. Her name is Carissa Stark, and she is 4 yrs old, and I am blessed and honored to call her Daughter. Here is how our morning went . . .

(last night Carissa asked her Mommy, What birthday present do you want? Her Mommy said what she always says each year, "You and Daddy are the greatest birthday present God has given me").

This morning while Carissa's Mommy was preparing breakfast, and packing her lunch for school Carissa said, Mommy I want to give one of my dollies to a Friend that doesn't have any. Carissa's Mommy asked her, Which Friend doesn't have a dolly? Carissa started naming Friends, and her Mommy said those Friends have lots of dollies. Then Carissa paused for a second and said pointing a finger down at the table, "Mommy there is a girl in this land that needs a dolly. Mommy I want to give one of my dollys to a little girl that doesn't have a dolly or Mommy. She went to go pick out one of her dollies and said, "I want to give this one to her" Then she thought a moment, looking at her dolly with messy hair, and smudges on her face said, "I think she would want a brand new dolly of her very own. Can we go and buy a new dolly for a little girl who doesn't have a dolly or Mommy?" Carissa's Mommy's heart overflowed with sooooo much Joy that she could no longer contain the happy tears. Carissa concerned, and a bit confused asked, Mommy why are you crying? Her Mommy said,  Watching you Love Others like Jesus, giving from your beautiful heart, and putting love in someone else's heart has made Mommy's heart overflow with Joy that the happiness is coming out of my eyes. Carissa asked, So Mommy those are Happy Tears? Her Mommy said, Yes my Love those are VERY Happy Tears. My Beautiful Daughter you have given Me the Best Birthday Present EVERRRRR!

Before Carissa headed off to school she said, Mommy I am going to ask my Friends if they will get a new dolly for a little girl who doesn't have a Dolly or a Mommy. Carissa asked her friends at school, at church, and at dance class, if they would like to get a Dolly for a little girl without a Mommy.

And this is the beginning of Carissa's Dolly Drive.  And there is much more. . .

A couple days later Carissa asked about the little boys who don't have a Mommy, and what we could do for them, because "Mommy a little boy does't want a dolly". Carissa's Mommy asked her, What do you think a little boy would like? Carissa said a truck, no I think he would like more better a Teddy Bear to cuddle & love. So now Carissa's Dolly Drive has turned into

Carissa's Dolly & Teddy Bear Drive.

And there is more. . . To top it off. . .

A few days later, Carissa was putting all her Beautiful Bows in her hair, and said, Mommy I have so many bows, Can I give some bows to little girls who don't have any pretty bows?
Yes, of course you can Sweetheart.

What's a Mommy to do to make her Daughter's Dreams come true?

Carissa and I shared all her dreams of bringing blessings to others by having a Dolly & Teddy Bear Drive, and a Bow Drive with her Kindergarten teacher Mrs. Raymond. While talking with Mrs. Raymond we were further inspired & developed ideas which later became. . .

The Giving Dreams Wings Around the World  Outreach Programs.

The Lord placed it in my heart to ask friends, family, churches, schools, organizations, and businesses to help & get involved in Giving Dreams Wings Around the World, so I am asking you. . .

Will you please ask the people in your life to support Carissa's Dreams to bless other Children?

This year with the support of our home church Sanctuary, and Carissa's Kindergarten Class at Calvary Christian, as well as her dance group from Spectrum Dance, and our Giving Dreams Wings Sponsors, we are hosting a Christmas Cupcake Party for the children locally at ChildHelp USA where each child  will receive Christmas Blessing Box filled with special toys, goodies, and hand-crafted cards. For the girls we have Carissa's Bowtique where each little girl will be able to select a beautiful hair bow. For the little boys we have Carissa's Car Collection  where each little boy will be able to select a Matchbox or HotWheels car. Each child will also receive a Compassion Card made by one of Carissa's Friends & Classmates. Compassion Card are hand-made cards by kids for kids.

We are asking everyone we know to help us bless these children who don't have a Mommy & Daddy, and share the love of Jesus with them. We want them to know that they are loved by others, that we love them, that Jesus loves them, and that they are apart of GOD's Forever Family. We are also asking Family & Friends Nationwide to do the same in their schools, churches, and organizations, and to share the Love of Jesus with foster/orphan children that don't have a Mommy & Daddy.

We also have Missionaries who are going to Thailand in January 2012, Africa, Mexico & India in the upcoming months to bring Blessings of Love to Children in need around the world. If you have Missionaries that are planning a Missions Trip, when possible we would love to help supply them with Blessings to give to the Children in the country GOD is sending them.

What once began as a  Daughter's Dreams has turned into Great Outreach Events blessing children locally and around the world. We are so thrilled to announce that: On Christmas Day Carissa's Dreams to share love around the world will become Carissa's Foundation called

Giving Dreams Wings

We are currently collecting donations for our Giving Dreams Wings Around the World  Outreach Programs which include:

 * Art Supplies -- these support our Compassion Cards Program as well as donated items to Children around the world, so that they can create cards and send them back to our children.
(colored pencils, crayons, markers, card stock, stickers, fancy decorative scissors, paper punches, etc)

* Hair Bows/Headbands/Hair Accessories -- to support Carissa's Bow Drive Program.

* HotWheels/Matchbox Cars -- to support Carissa's Toy Car Drive Program.

* Dolls -- to support Carissa's Dolly Drive Program.

* Teddy Bears -- to support Carissa's Teddy Bear Program.

Please contact Anissa at GivingDreamsWings (at) gmail (dot) com on where to send your donations and/or how to implement Carissa's  Giving Dreams Wings Around the World  Outreach Programs in your school, church, business, organization, or corporation.

I love Luci -- Luci Swindoll that is. Here is what Luci said, 

"When you were a child holding a mirror in your hand, if you caught a glint of the sun, that mirror reflected a beam that could actually illumine a dark place. That was pretty exciting! You had the power to shine in the darkness. It was better than holding a flashlight because the reflection source was from above you, not from batteries in your hand. It was supernatural phenomena to every child.

Each of God’s children has the power to illumine the darkness. This light shows up in different forms: humor, kindness, peace, hope, grace—all characteristics that can come out of us when the light Source shines through us."

http://www.womenoffaith.com/blog/2011/10/glimmers-in-the-dark-by-luci-swindoll/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=facebook

What Luci is talking about is what Andy Andrews (one of my favorite authors!) refers to as The Butterfly Effect. The power of just one person making a difference in others lives. When the little light of one is combined with others I refer to that as The Firefly Effect.

Birthday Wishes

Today is my birthday. Today I praise GOD for each year that I have been given even the horrific time of my childhood, because everything that has happened to me, the good, the bad, the ugly, and the horrible has made the person I am today. I am a person that lives to testify that no wound is too deep that GOD can not reach, no pain is too great that GOD can not heal, and no dream is too lost that GOD can not redeem.

When we are asked, What would you like for your birthday? many things of this world can cross our mind from expensive things to less expensive things. What in this world would I like for my birthday? The things of this world as fun as they are, they are temporary. The greatest gifts I have received come from Heaven, not earth. I always dreamt of an Amazing Man of honor & valor, who would be my best friend, and love me for who I am. I got that over 20 years ago when Christopher became by boyfriend and promised to marry me, and 17 years ago we were married and I had the wedding of my dreams in Hawaii. Twelve years later, Carissa was born and GOD gave us the best gift ever.


All I ever wanted when I was a little girl was to be safe and loved for who I am. I did not have that when I was a child, but I got that now in abundance. I am blessed to know GOD as my Holy Parent, so what more could a gal ask for? My loved ones are asking me what they can do to celebrate my birthday, and truly there is nothing in this world that I want or need. I do understand that they want to do something to show me that they love me, and want to honor my birthday, and they have asked me to think about it. I have prayed about it.

One of my childhood memories is when I was a young child around 8 years old, my biological parents had just moved us to California, and we were visiting my paternal grandparents. My grandmother had made me a two-layer chocolate birthday cake with pink flower icing & swirls and letters that said Happy 8th Birthday Anissa surrounded by 8 pink candles. Someone turned off the lights, and I was in the darkness with only the glow of the 8 candles. My grandparents said to make a wish, and the only wish I could think of at the time is I wish they knew about the real darkness in my life. I wish they knew how much horrible things were being done to me by my biological parents, I wish I knew I would be safe tonight, I wish my younger sister and I would not have to experience anymore abuse, I wish they would love me & my sister. These were the lost wishes of a 8 year old little child. Somewhere in this world I know there are other children who are wishing that they too did not have to endure abuse at the hands of evildoers. Somewhere in this world there are children whose only dream is to be safe and loved for who they are.

My life today is a world of difference from when it was decades ago. GOD has blessed me with wonderful people in my life, and He has completely healed all the deep soul wounds of my past. He has truly given me New Life in more ways than one. Jesus has paid my ransom, redeemed, and rescued me. Out of the pain of my past Christ has given me purpose. I want to rescue as many lives as I can from abuse. The little firefly in the darkness of the night does not seem like much, but when combined with other little fireflies we can light up the darkness with the light of Christ, this is what I refer to as The Firefly Effect.

At LIFEtoday.org they have a mission outreach program called Rescue Life where they rescue little children from evildoers who are selling the children's precious little lives off to the highest bidders. Today I am giving my birthday money to rescue one life. No more will a child be abused, no more will a child be in the hands of evil people, no more will a child wonder when the next attack is going to happen, or how much it is going to hurt, and if she is going to survive it. No more will she wonder if she is worth saving from harm.  And no more will she have to wonder if she will ever be safe and loved for who she is and not what she can do for someone. 


How much would you think it costs to rescue a life that is trapped in the slavery of sex trafficking? What is each innocent life worth to these horrible people who sell children's little bodies and dreams away? What if someone had my child slaved in sex trafficking? What would I do to rescue her? How much would I give to get her back? I would do it all, I would give it all, there is nothing I wouldn't do to get my child back. No matter the cost I would freely give it. I would lay down my life to save my child. That is exactly what Jesus did for us when He was tortured and sacrificed on the cross. Christ sacrificed it all, so that we could come back home.

What GOD has done for each of us, we can do for at least one other child. How much does it cost to rescue a child? Will you have to empty it all out? Will you have to sacrifice it all and have nothing left? No. It only cost $128.00 to Rescue a Life. That is my birthday wish. To Rescue a precious child one life at a time. I am asking my Family and Friends in honor of my birthday will you PLEASE help me Rescue a Life? Each life we rescue will represent a candle on my cake -- better yet, a candle on Christ's birthday cake! Christmas is not a time to celebrate a second birthday for ourselves, but to celebrate Jesus's Birthday, our Savior's Birthday who came to earth to rescue our life. What do you get the King of Kings for His birthday? How about a Rescued Life?

Last night Christopher asked me what I wanted to do for my birthday? What would be my birthday wish? My Birthday Wish is to end the evil of sex trafficking. He has learned that what I set my mind and heart on I will do. He said there are soooo many you can not end sex trafficking. I can end it for one. Will ending it for only one make a difference? It will make a world of difference for that one. It is worth it for that one. When I go to bed tonight I will know that one more child's life will be rescued. That this one will no longer have to suffer abuse, and this one will be safe, and this one will be loved, and this one will be healed by Christ's Amazing Holy Love, and this one will be saved in more ways than one.

You too can rescue a child's life, no matter how much you have to donate. No amount is too small, because it will be combined with others to rescue a life. Remember, The Firefly Effect, one little light combined with others to bring light into the darkness. These are GOD's precious little children, and what we do for them we do for Him -- what an Amazing Birthday Gift to give to Christ for Christmas!

To donate by credit card on line, click here. 
To call and donate via credit card or check, click here.

Thank You for making my Birthday Wish come True.

Giving Dreams Wings Sponsors

Thank you so very much for listening to your heart and becoming a Giving Dreams Wings Sponsor. Our outreach organization is called Giving Dreams Wings. Have you heard of  The Butterfly Effect or Firefly Effect? I have been talking about the Butterfly Effect and the Firefly Effect, being the little light in the darkness that when combined with other little lights changes lives for generations. Carissa asked her friends to help her with her Dolly Drive, the need is great and we need great help in raising donations. Please help us by becoming one of our Giving Dreams Wings Sponsors . 

We are currently doing a Dolly Drive, it is called Carissa's Dolly Drive, and if you click on this link you will discover how it began which I know will bless your heart. Please take a minute to do read this small, yet powerful paragraph titled, The WOW Factor. 

As you have read, Carissa's Dolly Drive was all her idea that we plan to continue to develop and promote all year long, and each subsequent year for as long as there remains little girls who need a dolly & Mommy. It is our Dream that you will become a Life-Long Giving Dreams Wings Sponsor to support Carissa's Annual Dolly Drive as well as other Giving Dreams Wings events, such as our Christmas Bows and Balls event where little girls will receive Beautiful Bows to put in their hair and in their Dolly's hair, and little boys will get a ball of their choice.

Carissa's first Dolly Drive this year will be to provide Christmas Hair Bows for little girls in local group homes. We will also kick off our next years Dolly Drive at Carissa's Valentine Tea Party. 

One of our future events for 2012 includes a Valentine Tea Party for Carissa's Dolly Drive where we would love to have a Dolly Drawling where our Good Wings Ambassadors have a chance to win your dolls, clothes, and accessories. At our Valentine Tea Party event we will have a Grand Prize for the Good Wings Ambassador who provided the most dollies through her personal fundraising, as well as a random drawling for all those who participated in Carissa's 2011 Christmas Dolly Drive.


Our Giving Dreams Wings Dream List includes items such as
New Dollies for little girls who don't have a dolly & Mommy to support Carissa's Dolly Drive. 

New doll for my Daughter Carissa, because she is our spokes person, visionary, and founder of Carissa's Dolly Drive, and for all the photos, videos, and promotional items where Carissa has her Dolly, outfits, and accessories your companies name and website will be listed. 

a new doll for our Good Wings Ambassador Grand Award Winner & other winner/s from our random Dolly Drawling, Matching doll & Girl clothes as well as accessories.

Beautiful Hair Bows & Headbands

Goodies and Treats to give to the little girls in group homes and the Good Wings Ambassadors.

Supplies & Decorations for the Valentine Dolly Drive Tea Party.

Monetary Donations to pay for our new websites Carissa's Dolly Drive & Giving Dreams Wings and promotional & marketing items to bring awareness to Carissa's Dolly Drive & Giving Dreams.

As you know time is of the essence, and we are eagerly awaiting your reply & confirmation, so that we can announce to the public that you will be among our Good Wings Sponsors supporting Carissa's Dolly Drive for Operation Christmas Dolly 2011, as well as Carissa's Valentine Tea Party 2012.

Thank you so very much for listening to your heart and becoming a Giving Dreams Wings Sponsor.

We are planning a Thanksgiving Event for all our Giving Dreams Sponsors who help us make our vision and mission a reality. May the Lord shine His light upon you and bless you, your family and your business. 

And if you were wondering what to give Jesus for His birthday present this year, I think helping Giving Dreams Wings is a great choice!

Looking forward to hearing from you VERY soon!

Love,

Carissa's Mommy,

Anissa Stark

founder of Women of Worth, The WOW Connection, and Giving Dreams Wings.

thewowevents (at) gmail (dot) com

The Firefly Effect

The Firefly Effect by Anissa Stark
all copyrights reserved

Have you heard of The Butterfly Effect? 
The Butterfly Effect was scientifically established in 1963 by Edward Lorenz theorized that the single flap of the wings of a butterfly in one part of the world can create a hurricane in another part of the world.


Author Andy Andrew wrote a wonderful book based on this principle titled, The Butterfly Effect. Andy explains that the Butterfly Effect is one of GOD's Laws, like The Law of Gravity.
The Scientific name for the Butterfly Effect is The Law of Sensitive Dependence Upon Initial Conditions. It is the power of one living matter or individual to set a change of reaction, so powerful that it changes the world and can save lives.

The Firefly Effect is the Butterfly multiplied to or cubed exponentially, like in algebra when a number is multiplied by the sum of itself. Recall in algebra if we start with a single number, so matter how many times you multiply it by the sum of itself, it remain the same. 
For example; 1 to the millionth degree still totals one.


It is only when two or more are multiplied more than one the total changes. 
For example; 2 squared or 2 to the second power, 2 over 2, is 2 x 2 = 4, 
2 cubed or 2 to the third power, 3 over 2  is  (3) 2s multiplied in row 
2  x  2  x 2 = 8
"For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them."
Matthew 18:20


The Firefly Effect is the combined, multiplied effect of The Butterfly Effect.

The little light in the darkness that when combined with other little lights changes lives for generations.

How does the Firefly Effect work?

Read on to find out!

Good Wings Ambassadors

Good Wings Ambassadors are courageous girls & boys of all ages who Dare to Share the vision & mission to support Giving Dreams Wings benefit events such as Carissa's Christmas Dreams and Skate-athon coming in 2012.


Sign up today to be a Good Wings Ambassador and help us with our Operation Restore Hope through Carissa's Christmas Dreams Drive. You can email us at Giving Dreams Wings (at) gmail (dot) com 


We will provide support info. for your personal fundraiser & Toy Drive, such as the vision and mission for Carissa's Christmas Dreams where each Good Wings Ambassador's own Toy Drive will be joined with all the other Good Wings Ambassador Toy Drive, like the light of one firefly joining with a bunch of others to light up the darkness.

Good Wings Ambassadors along with their Mommy/Guardian will be entered into a Drawling for chances to win various prizes now and throughout the upcoming year as long as they participate in the upcoming Giving Dreams Wings outreach events. All sorts of prizes for children of all ages.

To start your Dolly & Teddy Bear Drive:

We are asking that each Good Wings Ambassador & their Mommy, Auntie, Grandma or Guardian, will go to their favorite toy store to select a special toy, and to take pictures and/or video this blessed event to share on our upcoming Giving Dreams Wings website. 

To read about how Carissa came up with this great idea, and the progression of 

Carissa's Dolly & Teddy Bear Drive, Click Here  It will bless your heart.

By donating "a new dolly to little girls who don't have a dolly or Mommy" while these little girls are waiting for someone to love them they will have someone to love. Carissa says, "Every little girl needs a dolly to love." 


What once started off as a Daughter's Dream to get Dollies for little girls who don't have Mommies has developed into a Wonderful Outreach Program called 

Giving Dreams Wings Around the World  

The Lord placed it in my heart to ask friends, family, churches, schools, organizations, and businesses to help & get involved in Giving Dreams Wings Around the World, so I am asking you. . .

Will you please ask the people in your life to support Carissa's Dreams to bless other Children? Together we can make a difference in the lives of children around the world.

This year with the support of our home church Sanctuary, and Carissa's School Calvary Christian, as well as her dance group from Spectrum Dance, and our Giving Dreams Wings Sponsors, we are hosting a Christmas Cupcake Party for the children locally at ChildHelp USA where the little girls will receive Beautiful Bows & a Dolly, and the little boys will receive a Toy Car & a Teddy Bear. The older children will receive a special toy that they wish for, and each child will get a new outfit. Each child will also receive a Compassion Card made by another child (one of Carissa's Friends & Classmates). We are asking everyone we know to help us bless these children who don't have a Mommy & Daddy, and share the love of Jesus with them. We want them to know that GOD loves them and that they are apart of GOD's Family, and we love them. We are also asking Family & Friends Nationwide to do the same in their schools, churches, and organizations.

We also have Missionaries who are going to Thailand in January 2012, Africa, Mexico & India in the upcoming months to bring Blessings of Love to Children in need around the world. If you have Missionaries that are planning a Missions Trip, when possible we would love to help supply them with Blessings to give to the Children in the country GOD is sending them.

What once began as a  Daughter's Dreams has turned into Great Outreach Events blessing children locally and around the world. We are so thrilled to announce that: On Thanksgiving Day Carissa's Dreams to share love around the world will become Carissa's Foundation called

Giving Dreams Wings

We are currently collecting donations for our Giving Dreams Wings Around the World  Outreach Programs which include:

 * Art Supplies -- these support our Compassion Cards Program as well as donated items to Children around the world, so that they can create cards and send them back to our children.

(colored pencils, crayons, markers, card stock, stickers, fancy decorative scissors, paper punches, etc)

* Hair Bows/Headbands/Hair Accessories -- to support Carissa's Bow Drive Program.

* Matchbox Cars -- to support Carissa's Toy Car Drive Program.

* Dolls -- to support Carissa's Dolly Drive Program.

* Teddy Bears -- to support Carissa's Teddy Bear Program.

* We also need Christmas Angels or Secret Santas who will sponsor a Child's Christmas Wish and/or Christmas Outfit this year.

Please contact Anissa at GivingDreamsWings (at) gmail (dot) com on where to send your donations, or for those who live locally when you would like us to pick up the items you would like to bless the children with this Christmas.

Information on how to implement Carissa's  Giving Dreams Wings Around the World  Outreach Programs in your school, church, business, organization, or corporation is coming soon. Contact us for details.

Love,

Carissa's Mommy

Anissa Stark
Founder of Giving Dreams Wings
Giving Dreams Wings (at) gmail (dot) com