ML Goes Down Under: Let the Joneses Win

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Let the Joneses Win

My Lord and my God. I continue to be humbled and awed by your incredible goodness. Today I was overwhelmed by a most selfless and amazing act of generosity. As some of you know, I work for the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants. One of my primary duties there is to promote Financial Literacy. There is a Committee of caring and dedicated CPAs I work with who make this happen. They partner to speak to and assist those who need financial education-- which frankly, is all of us! :)

One of these amazing members is Kevin Cross. Kevin has a unique story of his own. Kevin is a CPA on a mission from God. After 17 years of leading one of South Florida’s best known Christian accounting and tax practices, Kevin passed the baton and answered the call to communicate God’s message of “true financial freedom.”

Click here and then click "About Us" to read how God touched Kevin’s life and has used him as an instrument to change minds, hearts and lives.

Kevin is one of the amazing CPAs on my Financial Literacy Committee at the FICPA. His faith journey played an integral part in my own discernment. Today, when I shared with him about this mission, he sent me the most amazing email. Among other things, Kevin affirmed me and reminded me:

"Don’t be afraid, God will not leave you or forsake you. From Genesis 28:15, to Deuteronomy 1:29/31:6, to Psalms 56:9, to Isaiah 41:17 to Matthew 28:20, to Hebrews 13:5, and many more places He reminds us that He will never leave you. Keep the focus clear on Christ and be quick to tell folks He is the reason you have love for people you have never met.

May you trust Him and fear Him only and share the joy and peace that can only come from Him (Romans 15:13)."

His beautiful email and incredible financial generosity brought me to tears. As I called him to thank him, he prayed with me over the phone. Many have prayed for me, but Kevin has been the first person to pray with me since I began this journey. I thank you with all my heart Kevin. Your courage, trust and faith led me to open my heart and mind to all God has to offer. I thank you and praise God for you and for your ministry that saves lives!

The name of Kevin's ministry is Cross Stewardship Ministries, where he serves the Lord and his neighbors fulltime. Check out his Web sites for a life changing experience.

MarginandMeaning.com

Account417.com

theJonesesWin.com

Check out these short movies that Kevin has made, along with his family. They are clever and poignant! And then pass these videos and Web sites along to your friends and family. Reminding them to "live the life that is truly life."

Drinking the American Dream

Let the Joneses Win

The Executions

Iced Latte or Warm Generosity

Thanksgetting

God bless you Kevin! And all the lives you touch.

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Donate to the Mission

I will travel to Australia in January 2008 and stay through November 2008 doing mission work. As one of 40 young adults serving on NET Australia 2008, I will be working to plan and promote the 2008 Catholic World Youth Day in Sydney. Please support me through your prayers, as I know next year will be challenging. I also invite you to support me financially. I am committed to raising $5400 prior to beginning my work with NET Ministries. I welcome and appreciate any support you are able to give. Your support gives the ‘green light’ for my Ministry work with NET. Thank you and God bless! Thank you to all my generous sponsors. To learn more about the incredible people and agencies who have sponsored already, see the list to the below.

Generous Supporters!

The Atkinson Family-- thank you SO much, not only for the financial support, but for the prayers and email. You are an inspiration to me, and I can't wait to see you perform when I return! Bless!!!
Mr. Philip Rountree and Family-- my second grandpa! You are an amazing man and have touched the life of so many. I know God has welcomed you home, but know that you are sorely missed, and I cannot wait until we meet again in heaven. I love you.
Pamela Ridley—thank you so much for your generosity and support. It has been such a blessing to get to know you, and I look forward to getting to know you more!
Tracey Thomas—thank you so much for your support, and especially for the support you are to my family. You hold a special place in my heart!
John and Carol Ryor-- You generosity is amazing! God bless you!
Barbara Bennett—thank you for all your support. I loved being in the PAL class with you! Hope all is going well with you and you are using all we learned! Miss ya!
Helen Horton—thank you for supporting me, but even more for what you have done for my sister. You have meant so much to her. Thank you for sharing your gifts daily with so many.
Will and Catherine McFarlin—thank you so much for your support, and for your support when we took the Inner Healing class together. I so looked forward to seeing you every week, and I learned so much from you. God bless you!
Vicky Wade—you have the most beautiful spirit. Thank you so much for always encouraging me and for helping out SO much with Financial Fitness Friday. You are just an amazing inspiration of courage and hope. I hope one day to be as beautiful as you are!
Joan Pray—thank you for always being there for my mom and constantly supporting our family as well. You are awesome and SO appreciated!
Carrie Newsome—thank you for your encouragement Carrie! I hope you have an awesome time at the reunion. Wish I could be there!
Dolores Palladino—thank you so much for supporting me and even more, for being so loving to my mom. She adores you and I can see why! You are in my thoughts and prayers daily!
Christopher and Jan Murdock—Jan. You are in my mind and my heart everyday. Know that I pray for your family all the time. You are such an inspiration to me of faith, trust, courage and perseverance. May God bless you for all you give and for all you are. I love you!
Jennifer and Dennis Scarry—your generosity is amazing. You are such an example in your faith, patience and perseverance. I am so honored to know you! Bless you both and your family!
Ken and Margaret Szortyka—thank you both so much for all you have meant to me over the years. You have been such an example in the way you cared for Sarah and prayed for Erin. Your faith is amazing and your hearts are SO big. I love you both and pray God’s grace is multiplied a hundred fold to you.
Janice Territo—thank you so much for sharing your amazing faith with me. You’ll never know what an inspiration you are. Your support means so much. And I heard you have moved, but know you are still in my prayers. MLC
William and Aleksandra Turner—thank you guys SO much for all the amazing ways you support me! You are the best and I cannot wait to get back home and hang out with you guys. You are so special to me and I hold you in my heart. Love you much!
Susanne Houff—thank you so much for encouraging me in my dream and supporting me through CRHP. I am still using the books you gave me over here! May God bless you and multiply your joy, as you so willingly share it with so many!
Diane Klein—thank you girl, for your support and for you example. You truly are such an incredibly gift to SO many. You’ll never know what an example your compassion and your faith have been to me. Thank you for sharing all you are. Love you.
Mickey Wilson—thank you for your generous support, and for all the beautiful people in your prayer group. May God bless you all abundantly!
Miriam Cunill—thank you so much for your support and love over the years. You are always in my thoughts and prayers.
Betsy Wilson—thank you for always supporting me, from the day I came in to interview through the day I left. You are an amazing person and I have learned so much from you.
Donna Strange—thank you so much. Not only for your financial support, but for encouraging me to follow my dream. You are an amazing woman and your family is so blessed to have you as a mom.
Erin Waldron—girl, I miss you! Keep your dreams and hopes high. I know He has amazing plans for you. I can’t wait to get home, have some sushi with you, and hold your new baby! Love you!
Mia Thomas—thank you for your support and for the awesome conversations we have had. You are such an inspiration to me and I am honored to know you. Looking forward to chatting when I get back!
Karen Nuzie—the office sunshine!  Thank you so much for your love and support. I miss you!
Sandy McCusker—thank you so much for all you do to support me and all the youth ministry. You’re so wonderful!
Meredith Manning—thank you so much for your support, of both me and of my family. You’ll never know how much it meant
Marion Lee—my most amazing and beautiful grandmother. This is the woman who taught me what it is to love and to give—not from excess, but from need. I cannot think of a more loving, compassionate, motivated woman, and I am so proud to call her Mam’a. I am the person I am because of her and my grandpa. I love you Mam’a
Brenda Hubbard—thank you so much for your financial support, but even more for picking up all you did when I left. You are an amazing person and do so much to help so many. God bless you and yours!
Safee Broxton—chica I miss you so much—especially your beautiful smile! Thank you and Derek so much for your support. I cannot wait to hang out when I return. Love you!
Richard and Angela Turner—my soulmate! I miss you SO much and cannot wait to get back and have a weekend of coffee with you. Thank you so much for supporting me in all I do. I love you!
Forrest and Barbara Vancamp—thank you for being so wonderful to my mom and so incredibly supportive of me. You all hold a very special place in my heart.
Rudolph Straub—Thank you guys SO much for your support. I am so thrilled you are a part of my family, and cannot imagine my childhood without you all in it. Love you and hope you are enjoying being grandparents!
Lawrence and Robin Stanford—thank you both so much for your support, especially at the reunion dinner and over the past 10 years. You are an amazing gift to ALL who meet you.
Luis and Suzie Serna—My morning angel! I love you and I miss you SOO much. I can’t wait to get back and get to work with you every morning! Missing your big smile, but praying for you!
Robert and Patricia Schwandt—thank you so much for supporting me now and over the past 28 years! You are the best, and I thank you for the friendship of your family, especially for what you mean to my folks. Love you!
Kent and Bernie Reed—thank you so much for your support. You generosity is amazing! God bless you!
Jason and Kelli Mercer—thank you both so much for your support. I miss you but I am praying for you, especially during this beautiful “wedding” time! Love you!
Terry and Diane Lucas—Thank you for your support and even more so, for the profound impact you had on me during confirmation. I will never forget delivering food boxes with you. The feelings I felt being able to help out but also the knowledge that there was so much more I could do have spurred me on in many areas of my life. I love you!
Bill and Ana Lee—thank you both so much for your support. I miss you, and I am praying for you, especially for your mom, Ana. Can’t wait to see you over Thanksgiving!
Scott and Mary Anne Koeppel—thank you both so much for your support. May God multiply back to you your incredible generosity.
Tim and Cindy Hogan—Thank you for all the ways you guys have supported me over the years. And for ALL your prayers—Lord knows I needed them! I miss you all very much and think of you all the time. Love you more than you know.
Arnold and Bernadette Cooperman—thank you so much for your support throughout the years. I have been so blessed by Laura and your family. You are all in my heart.
Gene Walton—Coach Walton! You have no idea what a beautiful surprise it was to get your letter. Thank you for supporting me now and for all the ways you supported me way back when. You helped give me the determination I have needed this year. Bless you always
Robert Vossler—thank you for teaching me what it is to take up your cross. I’ll always remember the time we built the cross together for the Passion Play. I think about that all the time when I imagine what Jesus went through. Thanks for letting me help, even when I probably wasn’t much of a help. 
Bob McGuire—You are the man! Thanks so much for everything. It meant so much that you helped organize the MOGS to do my BBQ. You’ll never know how much I appreciated it!
Brent Johnson—thank you for your support and affirmations. It meant so much to me, especially as I was leaving a job I really enjoyed. You are in my prayers!
Mike Holland—thank you for your support and for the constant support you give me in chasing my dreams. I always appreciated our conversations and drew much wisdom from your advice. Thanks Mike! You’re the best.
Fr. John Licari—thank you so much for the amazing impact you have had on my life. Your joyful spirit and awesome sense of humor draw people close to you and let Jesus’ light shine through you. Bless you for your generosity!
The Zorn Family-- thank you for your love and support over the years, and for sharing your wonderful children with me. You are such a blessing!!
Dr. David Kahn-- thank you for showing me what it is to give back and empowering me and so many others to REALLY make a difference. Because of people like you, I am me.
Sara Jones-- Here's to over 11 years of friendship and sharing fun times. I love you girlie!
Helen Jones-- thank you for supporting me over the last 10 years and for sharing Sara with me!
Fr. Eddie Jones-- thank you for your encouragement and support.
Lisa Jones-- I adore you and your beautiful family!! May God bless you for all the ways you give of yourself so generously! I love you!!
John Johnson-- I am so blessed to call you friend. Thank you for your generosity, friendship and support.
Valerie and Edward Hill-- thank you for your support throughout my whole journey. You are loved!
Bob and Lori Guido-- may God bless you for your prayers and support. Take care of my dad for me!
Dave and Jenna Eddy-- thank you for your love and support. I am praying for you!
James and Teresa Croteau-- thank you for your support and for sharing the gift of Jenny with me!
Carolyn Coggins-- thank you for your support through the years!
Alfred Claud--to my "save the world" buddy. Thank you for all the ways you love and inspire me. I'd not be here without you!
Jenny and Brian Black-- to my dear friend who helped get me on this path in the first place. I love you and yours and I miss you terribly!
Pat and Katelyn Biggins-- thank you for all your help with my fundraiser. You are amazing!!
Doris Baranik-- thank you and bless you for all you are to Elizabeth and Chris!
Mrs. Sue Johnson-- thank you so much for your prayers, support and encouragement-- on my mission and everyday. You are such a beautiful person with so many incredible talents. Keep using them to serve others and He will continue to bless you! Thank you for all you are and all you have done for me. Love you!
Ms. Vivian Cunill (aka Aunt Bebe)-- Thank you for all the joy you have brought to each generation in our family. From trips over the bay to ice cream before bed time to watching the stars with you, you made the childhood of every young person in our family magical. Your love was made known through your words and actions, and each of us is a better person because of your influence. Thank you for teaching me how to love and serve God in all you do and for showing me what it is to be a strong, independent woman of faith. Yours and Aunt Esther’s spirits and joy for life will live in my heart forever, and I can never thank you enough for that. I love you and thank you with all my heart.
Deacon Nelson and Angela Madera—to the family I wasn’t born into, but was blessed into. I love you more than you know, and I thank you for welcoming my family into your lives. Thank you for always being there, praying for me and supporting me as I grew up and still today! And thank you for being prayer warriors for me on this incredible journey. You are a blessing to all who know you and embody the hospitality and generosity of Christ. I love you!
Punnie and Lee Bosarge—my wonderful cousins! Thank you for your prayers and support throughout the years and for always being the rock that pulls all our extended family together. You are loved and appreciated more than you know
“Cookie” Rose Castano—thank you for all you mean to me and for all the fun times we had as I was growing up. Living away from my grandparents, you were my “in-town” grandma! I love you!
Alan and Colleen Baker—thank you for your generosity and prayers. God bless you!
Joseph and Mary Hennessey—thank you for your incredible generosity! I pray that God will bless your gift and it will come back to you ten fold! Happy holidays!!
Paul and Betsy Cureton—may God continue to bless you and reward you for being so generous.
Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee—thank you for all you do and have done over the years to support youth ministry. The fruits of your labors are fragrant! God bless you!
Mrs. Janis Piotrowski—thank you so much for your generosity and kindness! It meant so much! God bless you!
Karen Celander-- my wonderful realtor! She has been a great support and helped me in the purchase of two houses. She is ethical, honest and hardworking. If you need a great realtor, Email Karen at Armor Realty!
Carol Simpson-- thank you so much for your friendship and support! Hope to see you this week! :)
Joe Salib-- thank you for your support and generosity! And for being such a good friend to my dad. Be sure to give him lots of hugs while I am gone. :)
The Fackender/Carmody Clan-- there are not words to express my love and appreciation for all you have meant and continue to mean to me. I am so honored to be a daughter, sister and friend to so many wonderful people. I love you and all of your family more than I can say. God bless you and I will miss you!
Ms. Serow-- the hug you gave me at church will be one of the memories that sustains me next year. God bless you!!
Mary Farmer-- thank you for your support and joyful spirit! I was blessed to get to share the confirmation experience with you!
The Naiman Family-- your whole family has been such an important part of my life for over 20 years! Thank you for all the ways you have and continue to support me! From elementary softball teams with Amanda, to high school youth group with Ben, to CORE team with Anne Marie... I have been so blessed! Love you!
Kathy Ricker-- thank you for your generous support and your prayers. And for sharing with me the gift of Jenny! Love you!
Ms. Gaye Schwall-- thank you for your prayers and your incredible generosity. I know God rewards faith such as yours and I am so abundantly blessed by your gift! Thank you and God bless all you do!
Mr. Pete Cowdrey-- thank you for the love and support you have shown countless youth over the years. Good Shepherd is blessed by your lovely and caring spirit!
Mr. George Ballo-- thank you for your support and for being such a good friend to my dad!
Mr. and Mrs. Vancore-- God bless you and thank you!
Dan and Melissa Nunez-- thank you for your love and support! May God continue to bless you and your beautiful babies!
Janice Territo-- your incredible faith and trust in the Lord is a constant example to me! God bless you!
The Quigley Family-- thank you for your prayers and generous support!
Mr. and Mrs. Heimbecher-- may God continue to bless you this holiday season and always!
Cookie Zimmer-- my third grade teacher, and the person who brought to light the gift of creative writing in me and so many others. Thank you for supporting me over the years and believing in me!
Parishoners of Good Shepherd-- thank you so much for your incredible generosity! I do not even know who all of you are, but I love you and I thank you for all you have done. God bless you!
David R. Ramos-- to someone who has been an example to me in his faith and love of family. May God continue to bless you, your wife, and your beautiful children!
R. Kevin Cross & Cross Stewardship Ministries-- thank you and God bless you and all of your AMAZING works! Check out Kevin's mission from God at www.theJonesesWin.com
Erik and Kristen Kirk-- my CRHP brother and sister! Thank you so much for your incredible generosity. May God continue to bless you as you have blessed me with your presence and support. Thank you!
Bill and Terri Wyman-- thank you both for your generosity and support. You are two of the most loving and giving people I have had the honor of meeting. I am blessed to be in your prayers, as I know you have a direct line to our Lord. Thank you and God bless!
Rick Allen at Durra Quick Print-- thank you and all of your staff for being such wonderful friends over the years. May God continue to bless all you do and all those you work with. You are loved and appreciated more than you know!
Debra Hargrove-- thank you for your prayers and for supporting me and my family. Give my mom lots of hugs while I am gone. :) Thank you!
Anne and JD Kemp-- thank you so much for your incredible generosity! Anne is one of the happiest people at our office. Her cheerful voice and beautiful laugh brighten our department! Anne has been an incredible support to me since announcing this mission. I am blessed to know her, and honored that she will be coming along in spirit as I strike out on this mission. Thank you Anne and JD!
Dianne and Robert Dearduff-- my daily dose of sunshine! What will I do without you next year? You brighten my every morning and make my life so much better just by being you! I will miss you so so much. Thank you for your prayers and support! Love you both!
Viveca "Mormor" Yoshikawa- thank you so much for making me a part of your family. I am blessed to know you, and your courage in striking out has been an inspiration to me. Please remember me in your prayers! Love you!
Mako Yoshikawa-- you are such a blessing to me. Thank you for all the ways you have touched and continue to touch my life. I love you! PS-Mako is also an incredible photographer. See his beautiful images at Memories by Mako, LLC.
Thomas and Shanda Lee-- thank you for your prayers, support, and a beautiful Thanksgiving. I love you!
Melanie Gillespie-- thank you both for your generous donation, but even more for your prayers as I was discerning this calling. Please keep Melanie in your prayers as she prepares to give birth to baby Ander-- scheduled to greet the world on Dec. 26, 2007! Love you!
Shawn Stewart-- special thanks to my new friend and an angel of a person. The world needs more people like you!
Jennifer and Ray Green-- thank you for your prayers and support. You never cease to amaze me!!
Jeanette Recinella May-- thank you so much for your incredibly generosity! God bless!
Lucy Donnellan Fronheiser -- thank you Lucy! And please pray for Lucy, her husband Matt, and baby Fron who is due around June! Also, check out Lucy's photography. She takes such precious shots of children! Grazus Photography, named for her beautiful grandmother.
Alexis Lambert-- first donation! Thank you!!

ML Goes Down Under

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Let the Joneses Win

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