Giving Thanks for Girls Around the World

I am blessed to have a beautiful 14 year old daughter named Carrie. Carrie is a kind, gifted and smart young woman who gives of herself for others.Carrie received her report card today and received straight A's. Did you know that there are more than 600 million girls living in the developing world and at least 1/4 of these girls are not in school. I am thankful that my daughter is able to receive an education and has many choices for her life.

If a girl does not receive an education, she is married off at a young age, she is illiterate, isolated, pregnant and stuck in the cyle of poverty. One girl in 7 in developing countries marries before age 15. If a girl in a developing country receives an extra year of primary school it will boost her eventual wages by 10 to 20%. An extra year of secondary school 15-25%. If you give a girl an education she will have a better chance of being healthy and not having HIV. She will marry later when she chooses and raise a healthy family. When women and girls earn income they reinvest 90% of it into their families, as compared to only 30-40% for a man.

Women need to invest in giving women and girls an education. It will change their life - it will change the world. I encourage you to visit The Girl Effect website and become educated and become involved. Together, let's change the world - one girl at a time.

Visit other blogs about the girl effect at: http://wiselivingblog.com/the-girl-effect-blogging-campaign/

Blessings,

Barbara

Destination.....Home

Dear Sisters,

I can't believe it has been a couple of months since I last posted a blog. From the summer into the Fall has been a worldwind of activity and travel. I write this as I sit in a hotel in Pennsylvania waiting for the shuttle to take me to the airport. This is my last trip for the season and won't be traveling again until spring.

As this is the season for giving thanks, I want to say that I am truly blessed by all of you and having the opportunity to meet so many women in my travels. A special trip for me this Fall was traveling to Salt Lake City, Utah to be with the American Baptist Women in Utah for their conference. What a wonderful group of women who give so much of themselves to make a difference in their community and around the world. Thank you Utah women for your love and hospitality. I had an awesome time.

Many of my trips this Fall were to various board meetings for ABC and AB Women. Although by the end of the meetings I am usually tired, I am also uplifted by the spirit and fellowship of others.

I am also blessed for a family who supports me in my ministry endeavors and will keep the "Home Fires" burning while I am away. I am feeling blessed to be going home today and to begin to prepare for Thanksgiving this week. God has truly blessed me and my family this year and I am thankful for all that he gives to me and my family.

May we continue to pray for our sisters in Haiti as they still struggle to have a roof over their head, have food to eat and keep healthy as disease spreads.

I wish each of you a blessed Thanksgiving and thank God for all that you do to shine a light in your part of the world. May you continue to be Women, Destined for God's Purpose.

Blessings,


Barbara
A Woman Destined for God's Purpose and to be Home....... "Home Sweet Home"