tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276515032024-03-12T21:06:47.718-07:00Unseen ChildDiana Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05987043143516123621noreply@blogger.comBlogger220125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27651503.post-84029230235151704732011-10-09T11:18:00.000-07:002011-10-09T12:45:34.469-07:00Please read!!! It's Urgent!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YYWJyb-M89M/TpHqogSpHcI/AAAAAAAAAjc/Tw1f6y6pcwM/s1600/Diana%2BJoy%2B263.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YYWJyb-M89M/TpHqogSpHcI/AAAAAAAAAjc/Tw1f6y6pcwM/s400/Diana%2BJoy%2B263.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661564188165217730" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">This morning I received this e-mail with the harsh reality that we need funds for Shannon's Hope Maternity Home as soon as possible or it is in danger of closing. I ask you to look at the eyes of these babies....please don't ignore them...I cry at the thought of asking these woman to go back to the streets because I know that their is a possibility that some mothers might be forced to put themselves in to the hands of an abuse man to keep a roof over their child's head. Or worse they will go into other shelters in which they can only be there from 6:00pm to 6:00am and then they are forced to walk the streets with a small newborn and perhaps even a small child.</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Znd_IYzz2Ec/TpHu_pUrdSI/AAAAAAAAAjk/XVXlDWLhbtY/s1600/n719028460_862399_7126.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Znd_IYzz2Ec/TpHu_pUrdSI/AAAAAAAAAjk/XVXlDWLhbtY/s400/n719028460_862399_7126.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661568983773181218" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">LeAnn Rimes has donated over $5,000.00 towards homeless mothers in less than 3 months. There are no words to express our appreciation for all she has done and continues to do through the eBay account: http://myworld.ebay.com/unseenchildfoundation/</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">I'm going to trust God that it is okay to ask this question...I would like to ask ALL my celebrity buddies to give as LeAnn has given! If you can please help by starting a campaign to help meet or match LeAnn's donation? Help us keep Shannon's Hope open! It has been a maternity home for homeless mothers for 30 years!!!!</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">I cannot ask these mothers to pack up their belongings and leave the home that was to keep them out of the cold this winter....</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Here's the letter I received....</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;font-family:webdings;font-size:130%;" >Dear Friends,<br />Shannon's Hope Maternity Home </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-style: italic; font-family:webdings;" >currently has an</span></span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;font-family:webdings;font-size:130%;" > <span style="font-size:180%;">immediate</span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-style: italic; font-family:webdings;" > <span style="font-size:180%;">need for financial contributions of any size. </span>Please go to their website at </span><a style="font-style: italic; font-family: webdings;" href="http://www.shannonshope.org/" target="_blank">www.shannonshope.org</a><span style="font-style: italic; font-family:webdings;" > They process their donations through PayPal or you can send the donation directly to their address:</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-family:webdings;" >Shannons Hope; PO Box 1477; Wheat Ridge, CO 80034.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-family:webdings;" >No contribution is too small, and every amount will help. Please know that your contribution is tax deductible as it is a 501(c)3 organization. You may call their phone number </span><a style="font-style: italic; font-family: webdings;" href="tel:%28303%29%20480-5433" value="+13034805433" target="_blank">(303) 480-5433</a><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-family:webdings;" >(LIFE). This is a </span></span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;font-family:webdings;font-size:180%;" >critical time</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;font-family:webdings;" ><span style="font-size:180%;"> </span>for the 13 homeless, and pregnant women and their children to continue living in a safe, secure, and loving home. Please</span> <span style="font-style: italic;font-family:webdings;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">do what you can NOW to help them!!</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bless You Everyone!</span><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Here is Shannon's Hope Maternity Home!<br /></span></span><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">http://www.shannonshope.org/</span></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:130%;color:black;" ></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6EBh4BnHrvk/TpH1_i5A30I/AAAAAAAAAjs/A4Sd5pCMifM/s1600/LeAnn%2BRimes%2BAuction%2B154.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6EBh4BnHrvk/TpH1_i5A30I/AAAAAAAAAjs/A4Sd5pCMifM/s400/LeAnn%2BRimes%2BAuction%2B154.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661576678627925826" border="0" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script language="javascript" src="http://neocounter.neoworx-blog-tools.net/premium_trial.php?user_counter=16691_1"></script></div>Diana Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05987043143516123621noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27651503.post-22890517745360646822011-09-11T11:07:00.000-07:002011-09-11T12:36:10.010-07:00Never forget the men and women we lost on September 11, 2001<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5x4I72Y9yh0/Tm0BipKVC8I/AAAAAAAAAiM/gnPM_E0j-jI/s1600/Never%2BForget.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5x4I72Y9yh0/Tm0BipKVC8I/AAAAAAAAAiM/gnPM_E0j-jI/s400/Never%2BForget.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651174802096196546" border="0" /></a>There is a feeling of sadness still after many years...Tell me I'm not alone feeling the darkness of that day.....<br />Please tell me your experiences of September 11,2001 when America was attacked by leaving comments below!....Here's a excerpt from my book <span>remembering that horrific day!</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />"Looking Through the Eyes of an Unseen Child"</span>...many were unseen that day 10 years ago....let us never forget them....:<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />[Chapter 1<br />It was 3:00am, the morning of September 11, 2003. The flashing lights from my clock lit the room. It was too early to be awake...a heavy sick feeling rested in my stomach...Was it the memory of my husband's family, and the friends they lost this day, two years ago....? Or could it be that this day held something even more frightening...? My mind drifted back....</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br />My husband was born and raised in New York before he traveled out west to attend the Bible College where we met, in the early 1980's. We were married shortly thereafter. The mid-west became our home, and New York City was where my new in-laws lived. After twenty years, I felt like I was part of this large family and New York was my favorite place to visit, with so much love and happy memories. Every visit meant an incredible view of the Twin Towers from my in-laws window. The same view shared by so many people on their way to work everyday, each with a different face, and a different story to tell. The morning of the attack seemed like any other morning. I was in my home switching the channels on the television when, in a flash, fear filled the air. A plane had hit one tower, and within minutes, another plane went soaring through its twin. Instantly, a blanket of confusion and grief covered the United States.<br /><br />Knowing that my brother-in-law worked as a New York City police officer, the reality that his life could be in danger caused my family panic. He managed a brief phone call to assure us that he was alive, but as the phone went dead seconds late, I felt my life slipping. I was losing all my happy memories and the only past I had chosen to tell my children. As the day went by, it felt like weeks. Once again, death was moments away from those I loved.<br /><br />The day that America lost so many lives reminded me of my loss also, the loss of my own childhood and the reality of the dark cavity that rested within me. I was no longer able to forget my childhood and to tell only the stories of my life in New york City. Now, this incredible city would be another tragedy from which I must run. As I lay in bed, I closed my eyes tightly and curled up, wanting to forget about the huge dark cloud and the belief that there was nowhere to hide from danger.] </span>End of excerpt....<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="messageBody" ft="{"type":3}"><br />Sending much love and prayers to my brother-in-law Seargent Mark Albertsen NYPD and his family today! It was a day that changed history...but, also a day that changed my brother-in-law and the Albertsen family forever!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-67G6p_E3lcE/Tm0DKuSsXzI/AAAAAAAAAiU/G_t6A8j52Uk/s1600/Fire%2BFighter%2BPaul%2BGill.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-67G6p_E3lcE/Tm0DKuSsXzI/AAAAAAAAAiU/G_t6A8j52Uk/s400/Fire%2BFighter%2BPaul%2BGill.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651176590179852082" border="0" /></a></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-67G6p_E3lcE/Tm0DKuSsXzI/AAAAAAAAAiU/G_t6A8j52Uk/s1600/Fire%2BFighter%2BPaul%2BGill.jpg"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="messageBody"> </span></span></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-67G6p_E3lcE/Tm0DKuSsXzI/AAAAAAAAAiU/G_t6A8j52Uk/s1600/Fire%2BFighter%2BPaul%2BGill.jpg"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="messageBody">Praying for my hubbies friend the late NYC Fireman - Paul Gills family...</span></span></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="messageBody" ft="{"type":3}"><br />....and all families that lost a loved one on that day 10 years ago on September 11, 2001...<br />To the lost: You are not forgotten!<br />To the living: You are in our prayers!</span></span><br />God bless you all!<br />~Diana Joy~<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script language="javascript" src="http://neocounter.neoworx-blog-tools.net/premium_trial.php?user_counter=16691_1"></script></div>Diana Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05987043143516123621noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27651503.post-42596815892725875002011-07-21T17:24:00.000-07:002011-08-23T16:07:36.638-07:00"Give" by LeAnn Rimes<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GE900RXhmUg/TlQwHGN4oCI/AAAAAAAAAiE/V5ym63u7By8/s1600/Shannon%2527s%2BHope%2B036.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GE900RXhmUg/TlQwHGN4oCI/AAAAAAAAAiE/V5ym63u7By8/s400/Shannon%2527s%2BHope%2B036.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644189131488141346" border="0" /></a>
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<br />Everyone support <a href="http://twitter.com/leannrimes" class="twitter-anywhere-user">LeAnn Rimes</a> and go to<span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span><a href="http://www.leannrimesworld.com/give">http://www.leannrimesworld.com/give</a> and tell her how much she has GIVEN to you or inspired you to GIVE to others!!!!
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<br />Here's my post to LeAnn on the site:
<br />LeAnn always talks about her fans and all the wonderful things they do...well, I want to make people aware of what a HUGE impact she has had on the homeless families here in Denver, Colorado. LeAnn inspires me every day to continue to GIVE to the homeless and get kids off the streets.
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<br />My name is Diana Joy and I am the CEO of the Unseen Child Foundation. I have been helping the homeless here in Denver for almost 30 years. I am writing on here to let others know that me and my team were able to help more mothers with LeAnn's help. Her donations are helping feed, clothe and educate the homeless in Denver so that the cycle of homelessness, poverty and child abuse can be stopped!
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<br />LeAnn GIVES to so many people with such UNCONDITIONAL love, not expecting anything in return. The song "Give" is in my eyes just an example of how LeAnn lives every day! Love you LeAnn!!!
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<br />Here's the information again!!</span> <span style="font-size:100%;">*wink* *wink*</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://twitter.com/leannrimes" class="twitter-anywhere-user">Support LeAnn Rimes</a></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" > and go to</span><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.leannrimesworld.com/give">http://www.leannrimesworld.com/give</a></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" > and tell her how much she has GIVEN to you or inspired you to GIVE to others!!!!</span></span></span>
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dRXjYGOk71s/Tii7lQkhcvI/AAAAAAAAAIA/Wx2N3rpZ_ro/s1600/263847_190841874306558_100001422401805_507979_4295629_n.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 392px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dRXjYGOk71s/Tii7lQkhcvI/AAAAAAAAAIA/Wx2N3rpZ_ro/s400/263847_190841874306558_100001422401805_507979_4295629_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631957582804513522" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="GBThreadMessageRow_AuthorLink_Wrapper"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span>
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<br /><a class="GBThreadMessageRow_AuthorLink" href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001422401805">Picture designed by LeAnn Rimes friend Daniel Galvan</a></span></span><span style="font-family:georgia,serif;">
<br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script language="javascript" src="http://neocounter.neoworx-blog-tools.net/premium_trial.php?user_counter=16691_1"></script></div>Diana Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05987043143516123621noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27651503.post-52603648084776009212011-07-10T20:59:00.000-07:002011-10-09T14:43:39.932-07:00LEANN RIMES GIVES WITH HER HEART!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f2nbbzVh57A/Thp1excUOdI/AAAAAAAAAhk/_b-SVBINDIw/s1600/1%2BLeAnn%2BRimes.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 357px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f2nbbzVh57A/Thp1excUOdI/AAAAAAAAAhk/_b-SVBINDIw/s400/1%2BLeAnn%2BRimes.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627939855881484754" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="line-height:115%; font-family:"Arial Black","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:EN-US; mso-bidi-language:AR-SAfont-family:Arial;font-size:18.0pt;" ><span style="font-size:130%;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;font-size:100%;" >LeAnn Rimes put's her talent and celebrity recognition behind raising money to stop child abuse and national attention, to the Unseen Child Foundation of Denver Colorado!!</span><br />Own a piece of Country Music History and help stop the cycle of poverty, homelessness and abuse.<br />The Unseen Child Foundation is proud to announce the auction of LeAnn Rimes’ items to make a difference in the eyes of an unseen child.<br />LeAnn Rimes has been a supporter of the Unseen Child Foundation Clothing Bank/Food bank since 2010. She has donated a large amount of items to help the Unseen Child Foundation reach out to the Denver community.<br /><br />In the last year the Unseen Child Foundation and Shannon’s Hope have partnered to give the community not only a clothing bank and food bank, but now also a Shelter for young mothers to find safety from domestic violence, child abuse or from being homeless.<br /><br />By purchasing even one item you will be standing beside LeAnn Rimes to stop the cycle of abuse! One hundred percent of all items auctioned will go to funding a Safe House and Clothing Bank!<br /><br />Through your donation you too will be that one person to make a difference in the eyes of a child.<br /><br />To bid on the items go to:<br /><br />http://myworld.ebay.com/unseenchildfoundation/<br /><br />Thanks so much for your support!!!<br />God bless!!<br />Diana Joy<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script language="javascript" src="http://neocounter.neoworx-blog-tools.net/premium_trial.php?user_counter=16691_1"></script></div>Diana Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05987043143516123621noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27651503.post-33950176243559029292011-07-02T17:02:00.000-07:002011-07-02T17:11:32.151-07:00Thanks LeAnn Rimes for all your support!!!Thank you so much LeAnn Rimes for all your support!!! Here is a radio interview that was sent to me last week. It was done by Bob TV: Link: http://www.bob949.com/pages/bobtv.html?feed=287091&article=8749130<br />Stay tune peeps to see a video and hear LeAnn's newest song!! Writing another post this week...keep checking in! *wink*<br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/3JI89UQhSz0" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" width="425"></iframe><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script language="javascript" src="http://neocounter.neoworx-blog-tools.net/premium_trial.php?user_counter=16691_1"></script></div>Diana Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05987043143516123621noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27651503.post-67124721972094390762011-05-24T19:57:00.001-07:002011-08-19T18:24:18.499-07:00The Unseen Children need you now!!!! Please help!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e1gPyytqQS4/Tdx4IpvfcrI/AAAAAAAAAgo/doRNkyKVH5Y/s1600/IMG_0740.jpeg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 175px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e1gPyytqQS4/Tdx4IpvfcrI/AAAAAAAAAgo/doRNkyKVH5Y/s320/IMG_0740.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610491325836128946" border="0" /></a>The latest news!!!
<br />Well I am proud to announce that the Unseen Child Foundation is partnering up with Shannon's Hope Maternity home for homeless moms! I was so sad to hear that it was about to close due to funding. The founder came to me and asked if I could help....ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?! Of course we will help!! We can't have one of the most valuable homes in Colorado close due to funding! Shannon's Hope has been going strong for 30 years and to have it shut down now is a tragedy!!!
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pBGJwAkTEt0/Tdx3qZLU6YI/AAAAAAAAAgg/iaihTaUfbwY/s1600/IMG_0803.jpeg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 229px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pBGJwAkTEt0/Tdx3qZLU6YI/AAAAAAAAAgg/iaihTaUfbwY/s320/IMG_0803.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610490805993400706" border="0" /></a>It was two weeks ago that Leslie Pottebam (Founder of Shannon's Hope) approached me. Since that day I have not stopped telling the world about how important it is that we as a society keep this home open. The young women in the shelter have now become my family! The Unseen Child Foundation is determined to make these moms seen!
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<br />Here is the Mission Statement for the Child Foundation:</span> To stop the cycle of abuse through raising awareness of all forms of child abuse; through community involvement such as education, mentoring, life skills training and advocates for youth we will stop the cycle of abuse and make the world a safe place for children of many generations to come. Which also includes: financially supporting safe houses, mentoring programs and other services that would otherwise close due to funding.
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<br />Shannon's Hope Maternity Home's Mission Statement: </span>Shannon's Hope offers a safe, loving environment for pregnant women and their children. An opportunity for success through each individualized program. Proper nutrition through a balanced diet and large food pantry. Mentoring through hands-on life-skills training. Counseling to heal from past abuse and pain Most importantly a place these moms can call home!
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<br />As Leslie and I talked we went over the statistics of abuse! I talked about how my entire goal was to stop the cycle of abuse and she just grabbed me and cried! It must have been a very interesting sight...too old women holding each other crying in a very loud restaurant! I YI YI!!!
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<br />Did you know?
<br />*1 in 4 women are victims of domestic violence
<br />*20% of domestic violence victims are pregnant
<br />*Pregnant women are at higher risk of becoming victims of domestic violence
<br />*In Colorado, every day there are 504 homeless women with at least one child
<br />*85% of homeless women will get pregnant within the first 3 months of homelessness
<br />*22% of pregnant homeless women have substance abuse problems
<br />*37% of teenage mothers will have another child within 24 months of giving birth
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<br />What can we do to stop the cycle?......
<br />You can help the Unseen Children by donating goods:
<br />*diapers - we can use every size
<br />*food - we teach each resident how to eat healthy and balanced
<br />*Clothing - some residents enter the home with just the clothes that they are wearing
<br />*toiletries - we can use everything from shampoo to toilet paper
<br />*Baby supplies - each newborn needs everything from diapers, tiny t'shirts, baby clothes, winter baby blankets...the list continues! You can help us by having a baby shower for the Unseen Children from Shannon's Hope!
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OYBxN0m_vec/Tdx8CHlm8zI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/Fk1iuMD8Sj8/s1600/IMG_0823.jpeg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OYBxN0m_vec/Tdx8CHlm8zI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/Fk1iuMD8Sj8/s320/IMG_0823.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610495611635168050" border="0" /></a>
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<br />Most importantly this home will be closed due to the funding if we don't raise money quickly! This home has 10 bedrooms and each room has a bathroom. That's 12 mothers people!!! The Unseen Child Foundation has personally taken on this project to make a difference in the life of these children. We received one new mom yesterday and tomorrow we will be interviewing another young mom!
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<br />I have been on the phone talking to my friends from LA, NYC, Nashville and Colorado! I will not stop until this house is funded!
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<br />We appreciate any contribution, big or small. We have setup online payments, one-time or monthly, on the website www.shannonshope.org. There will soon be another page on www.unseenchild.com to make a donation.
<br />You can make your checks payable to "Shannon's Hope" Or "Unseen Child Foundation" All donations go to PO Box 1439 Wheat Ridge CO 80304
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A2NlltJ45Xw/TdyAyrAu2RI/AAAAAAAAAhY/gGjunjdFgIo/s1600/IMG_0833.jpeg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A2NlltJ45Xw/TdyAyrAu2RI/AAAAAAAAAhY/gGjunjdFgIo/s320/IMG_0833.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610500843824404754" border="0" /></a>
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<br />To all my celebrity buddies you can make a donation by sending auction items! We have already collected over 25 items and the boxes are coming in! Please help me help these children!?!
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<br />Much love to all!!!
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<br />Diana Joy...
<br />Unseen Child Foundation Team
<br />Shannon's Hope Home Team
<br />And all the many young moms and children waiting for your help :)
<br />XOXOXOXO
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script language="javascript" src="http://neocounter.neoworx-blog-tools.net/premium_trial.php?user_counter=16691_1"></script></div>Diana Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05987043143516123621noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27651503.post-48328796738444938752011-04-19T15:20:00.000-07:002011-04-19T15:25:36.317-07:00Thanks Leann Rimes for your kind donations to the homeless!The Unseen Child Foundation wants to thank Leann Rimes for her kind donations to the homeless kids here in Denver Colorado. Also, we want to thank Denvers KYGO radio station for having us at the event Feb. 3 2011!<br /><br /><object width="480" height="390"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2VjRiwypVyM?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2VjRiwypVyM?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="390"></embed></object><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script language="javascript" src="http://neocounter.neoworx-blog-tools.net/premium_trial.php?user_counter=16691_1"></script></div>Diana Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05987043143516123621noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27651503.post-66834948641851703402011-04-19T07:59:00.000-07:002011-04-19T14:35:01.982-07:00The "Unseen Child Foundation" needs you!!!!'<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iB1oxnSrWdI/Ta2u-TtWeWI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/OxZJQAFyIA8/s1600/young%2Bmen%2Bwith%2BMental%2BIllness.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iB1oxnSrWdI/Ta2u-TtWeWI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/OxZJQAFyIA8/s320/young%2Bmen%2Bwith%2BMental%2BIllness.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597322297357007202" border="0" /></a><br /><br />My adopted son is back after being gone for three days. The last two days have been filled with constant chatter of how NASA has a bunker and is hiding the reality that we are about to be attacked. That there are many in authority who are out to destroy him...as well as us. And of course the government is one big conspiracy!<br /><br />I feel so helpless due to the reality that his therapy has ended after 3 months and will not start up again for another 3 months! So, we will need to keep him safe and focused for the next 90 days! Because he is now home, my job is to keep him in a structured environment and out of the way of the news. My husband wakes him up at 7:30 am and then we begin our day of following a list of chores or activities. While helping him keep busy, I have to hear the constant talk of paranoia!<br /><br />My husband and I have been doing this for over 20 years. People keep asking us when we are going to stop? Well, right when it's time to retire...another kid comes across our door step needing food or clothing! Some will send a endless amount of texts through my phone asking for a place they can go to talk or not feel alone. Most of the text are always the same...the world is ending and they are going to need to get weapons or anything they can to survive. The texts are some times filled with Bible verses proving the end is near. These kids, young adults or homeless moms are just asking for a place they can go to, to connect with other people....just to feel safe with out any questions of where they came from or what lies ahead.<br /><br />Since September 11, 2001 the problem has more than quadrupled! Denver has gone from 10,000 to 20,000 homeless! Dave and I don't take the kids that are just homeless because of abuse or aging out of the foster care system. There are plenty of shelters for those kids or young adults. The majority of our young adults are mentally ill or have a criminal record as long as a 10 story building...(ok...maybe that's a little bit of a overestimation!) But, when hearing why they are on the run...it sure feels like the list goes on forever!!!!!<br /><br />The only homeless young adults (or teens) we see are the ones that wander the streets, talking out load to nobody. Or hanging out down town trying to make a connection with some one to warn them of what danger is ahead.<br /><br />There are several you won't see. Those are the ones that only come out at night. They hide due to the reality that they need to stay "Unseen" from the police or others in authority. They can't go to a shelter because that would require a name....that would put them at risk of being arrested. So, what can we do for those children and adults?.....Ignore them? Continue to let them be "Unseen" and continue the cycle of abuse on to their children? We need a place that the young mothers can go with their children...that require no name to receive help. A supervised environment that won't ignore the homeless. That will give them mentoring and resources (like computer lab) to get a job.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SrYZ8gIkQh4/Ta2k4EAxIpI/AAAAAAAAAfI/6Msbn3hr9m8/s1600/mental-illness.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SrYZ8gIkQh4/Ta2k4EAxIpI/AAAAAAAAAfI/6Msbn3hr9m8/s320/mental-illness.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597311194947986066" border="0" /></a><br />Most of the women are in a relationship (or married) to a pimp or abusive adult. Unfortunately, a lot of the men are up to 10 or 20 years older than the young women. The young woman often will have more than one child and suffer with some type of "Mental Illness" or "Post Traumatic Stress Disorder".<br /><br />So, now you know about how the Unseen Child Foundation came to be. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lwXDEcZBHz0/Ta2xbPPRbcI/AAAAAAAAAfY/j_Fi8tcVyKE/s1600/layout.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lwXDEcZBHz0/Ta2xbPPRbcI/AAAAAAAAAfY/j_Fi8tcVyKE/s320/layout.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597324993396567490" border="0" /></a><br /><br />How can you help the "Unseen Child Foundation"???<br />We provide:<br />*Clothing Bank - Clothes for all ages needed! Especially birth to child size 16.<br />*Computer Lab - Apple donated computers so that the young moms, young adults or homeless teens can get their G.E.D<br />*Mentoring Program - Volunteers needed!<br />*Back to school Back pack program - School supplies!<br />*Christmas program - giving gifts to children who would otherwise not have them.<br />*Thanksgiving program - giving a meal to a family who would other wise not be able to eat a meal on the holiday.<br />*Annual "Baby Shower" that provides diapers, wipes and items that most government funded programs do not provide.<br /><br />The most important gift you could give the "Unseen Child Foundation" is a building! For almost 20 years we have been "Mom & Pop" program. Which means my husband and I have been working this alone. As of 2 years ago we became a "Non-profit - 501 C3". We now have volunteers...but, need many more! Most of all we need a building to run all of these programs. The stress of having people come in and out of our home has been too much. Due to the reality that we live in one of the lowest income area's in the largest county in the Denver Metro Area our needs are extremely high!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2EPWpYQkGiM/Ta206UO8mgI/AAAAAAAAAfg/Sa0X3qTO5-M/s1600/grace_0.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 118px; height: 159px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2EPWpYQkGiM/Ta206UO8mgI/AAAAAAAAAfg/Sa0X3qTO5-M/s320/grace_0.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597328825848207874" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Go to www.unseenchild.com and help us help the homeless!!!<br /><br />God bless!<br /><br />Diana Joy<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script language="javascript" src="http://neocounter.neoworx-blog-tools.net/premium_trial.php?user_counter=16691_1"></script></div>Diana Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05987043143516123621noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27651503.post-17881103991888518522011-02-24T23:06:00.000-08:002011-04-15T14:59:30.473-07:00Amazing Grace how sweet the sound<span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br />Since my last post I have realized that yes, there are people who want all the latest "yuck" from County Music Artist, Actors and Celebrities. But, I hope that those people are in the minority. Please confirm this to be a accurate assumption! The majority of society truly wants to see the good in everyone. So today I am no longer keeping silent. I want society to know what the media doesn't tell them.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I have kept my mouth shut while watching E!News and other media outlets bash Leann Rimes! E!News recently launched a very hurtful,extremely opinionated, story about Leann. I understand the point of celebrity news casts. There job is to dig up the worst dirt possible. But, since when has it become about posting personal opinions of someone they do not even know personally? Truthfully, I really believe deep down we all want to hear the BEST in celebrities. After all we are the ones who push them upon pedestals and demand that the rest of their lives become about being our futures role models.</span>
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<br />As I watch television I notice that we are a world obsessed with the day's "most popular drama" and reality TV shows, less and less do we stop anymore and take the time to actually know someone for who they really are (and not who they are "edited" to be).</span>
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">It appears that there are seldom people who freely give of themselves anymore without expecting something in return, whether it be free publicity for their next album, or a chance to look good in front of the cameras before the debut of their next film. But, after meeting Leann (and other heroes I have met in Hollywood and Nashville) I have hope in our future.
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<br />Leann; time and time again has given of herself not because it would benefit her career, but just because her heart called her to. We are all struggling in this scary economy and pinching every little bit that we have left to hold on to. Yet, all the while she is to this day one of a dying breed who is not concerned with hoarding her precious material things. But would actually give them away for the purpose of putting a smile on a young woman's face. A woman who wakes up every day hoping that today will be a day in which she will be able to "Create a memory" with her daughter. And dreading the days she is taken away to the hospital separated from the very child she fights to live for.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I was in the hospital sitting with that same young woman and her name "Crystal". While sitting in the hospital room I saw E!News make the announcement regarding Leann Rimes. My heart broke because Crystal and I know the REAL Leann Rimes. She isn't the horrible person the media makes her out to be.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">At that time few people knew that Crystal was in the hospital battling cancer and that she has a 9 year old daughter who is also hurting. They were "Unseen" to many. But, they were not "Unseen" to Leann! Do you realize that BEFORE E!News starting the "End of 2010 drama" Leann wanted to give Crystals daughter a gift. Crystal's daughter didn't ask Leann to cure her mom from cancer, or for her to give them lot's of money...all she ask for was for some one to help her mom feel pretty. Leann made sure that gift was granted. Within a day after hearing Crystal's story, Leann sent Crystal some of her own clothes! No one knew but us. Leann felt that out of respect for Crystal's daughter the gifts were to remain private. It was private, but now Crystal and Leann have agreed to make this public</span>
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Leann has been sending boxes to the Unseen Child Foundation for 2010 and now 2011. Leann and Eddie came to Denver after vacationing in Aspen. While the media was talking negative about the two of them, Leann was setting up a time to meet with Crystal and I at a KYGO party. Unfortunately, Crystal was back in the hospital when Leann arrived here in Denver. Very few people even noticed that Leann cried that day when I told her Crystal couldn't make it! That same day Leann fought back tears as she sang at the KYGO event because she looked at my assistant and saw pain in her eyes.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R0nHRrO3zeE/TWdo1eaqJWI/AAAAAAAAAe4/8TLspDD9xX0/s1600/IMG_0192.jpeg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R0nHRrO3zeE/TWdo1eaqJWI/AAAAAAAAAe4/8TLspDD9xX0/s320/IMG_0192.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577541931428881762" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Also, Eddie took me aside for a hug and to remind me that he and Leann were listening to our cries for support. He took time to ask more about how they could help! Wow! Did E!News catch that on camera?...sadly not.</span>
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ai9SqKw7T6E/TWdpkpVr3oI/AAAAAAAAAfA/w00GTA2IjS4/s1600/IMG_0193.jpeg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ai9SqKw7T6E/TWdpkpVr3oI/AAAAAAAAAfA/w00GTA2IjS4/s320/IMG_0193.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577542741814664834" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I know that this is not what E!News would have reported. To them this isn't worthy material. The media believes all we want is the gossip of "Celebrities gone bad". But, I don't believe that is what you really want to hear. You want to hear the truth and that is that both Eddie and Leann are NOT who the media portrays them to be.
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">So, yes, there are celebrities that do wonderful things for the right reasons. Leann is one of the Unseen Child Foundations Silent Contributors. She kept quiet and respected the privacy of a young mother with cancer. She has continued to make donations to the Unseen Child Foundation which helps young mothers who are in the Witness Protection Program (due to domestic violence). Also,she helps homeless teens who have aged out of the foster care system. It was very emotional to hand some clothes and a pair of boots to a homeless teen that never thought she was seen. But, on the day I dropped the donation off, she was not only seen...but, was seen wearing a celebrities clothes! How awesome is that!!!</span>
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I met Leann Rimes through twitter. I talked about the old hymn "Amazing Grace" and how much it meant to me. Her response was, I can't get through that song with out crying. From that time on our relationship and trust grew. She was no longer just a celebrity...but a hero to so many who depend on the Unseen Child Foundation. I just ask you to think before you talk about another person. Do you really know who they are? Have you walked in their shoes? And most of all can you give them the "Grace" that you would want given to you?</span>
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fitlk1cAP04/TWdn4iOCY3I/AAAAAAAAAew/K7dgODChyAo/s1600/Leann%2BRimes.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 318px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fitlk1cAP04/TWdn4iOCY3I/AAAAAAAAAew/K7dgODChyAo/s320/Leann%2BRimes.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577540884477666162" border="0" /></a>
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">When I see Leann's picture I don't think about what others say. I hear the song that we share together. The words that she has not only said, but lives today.
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">A verse from the song: Amazing Grace
<br />"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
<br />That saved a wretch like me....
<br />I once was lost but now am found,
<br />Was blind, but now, I see".</span>
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<br /><div><embed src="http://widget-b9.slide.com/widgets/slideticker.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" quality="high" scale="noscale" salign="l" wmode="transparent" flashvars="cy=bb&il=1&channel=1585267068861781433&site=widget-b9.slide.com" style="width: 400px; height: 320px;" name="flashticker" align="middle"></embed><div style="width: 400px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=bb&at=un&id=1585267068861781433&map=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-b9.slide.com/p1/1585267068861781433/bb_t016_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide1.gif" ismap="ismap" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=bb&at=un&id=1585267068861781433&map=2" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-b9.slide.com/p2/1585267068861781433/bb_t016_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide2.gif" ismap="ismap" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=bb&at=un&id=1585267068861781433&map=F" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-b9.slide.com/p4/1585267068861781433/bb_t016_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide42.gif" ismap="ismap" border="0" /></a></div></div>
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<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">God bless to all who have supported the Unseen Child Foundation! It is because of you that many homeless and needy people receive food and clothes through out this cold winter!
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<br />Diana Joy
<br />CEO Unseen Child Foundation
<br />www.unseenchild.com</span>
<br />Crystal Chapman
<br />VP Unseen Child Foundation
<br />Crystal has requested this blog be posted!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script language="javascript" src="http://neocounter.neoworx-blog-tools.net/premium_trial.php?user_counter=16691_1"></script></div>Diana Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05987043143516123621noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27651503.post-3517567212789762052011-01-30T22:20:00.000-08:002011-01-31T00:09:53.815-08:00Don't ever say "NEVER"!Some times God tugs at my heart to write.. But, yesterday afternoon I felt like He knocked me over the head to get my attention! It was the string of negativity through twitter that was the straw the broke the camels back! My blood started to boil with the twitters of judgment, racism and prejudice! At that moment I made a commitment to myself (and God) that as soon as I found a window of opportunity, I would obediently let my fingers hit the key board and let God do the talking! I pray that my emotions and past experiences do not prohibit God's ability to use me as I type today.<br /><br />I want to finally respond to some of tweets, DM's and e-mails sent to me from random people over the internet the last few weeks. The majority of the negative e-mails were from people I do not know. I guess they felt the need to educate me (with what they believed was the God's truth) regarding the people I follow both on facebook and twitter. They sent me links to blogs, articles and pictures of certain celebrities gone bad!<br /><br />My adopted mother would probably do the "Happy Dance" if she knew I was admitting this to the world! She used to say, "Don't ever say "NEVER", because that's when you find yourself in the same position as someone you just judged." I remember as a teen saying in her presence "I'm NEVER going to be that bad!" I can still see the look in her eyes and the way she quickly sounded out the words..."Don't ever say never"...Ugh! That was all it took! At that point I realized that I am never above another person. That at any time in my life I could easily find myself in their shoes.<br /><br />You would think I would learn when I was told the first time about being prejudice or judgmental...but, no. It wasn't long before I was talking as if I was God's gift to the world and this girl in high school needing saving from her sinful ways. Then I heard my mom say, "Yikes!!! Do you want God to pull out the lists of all the garbage you carry??...Then why would you make a list on some one else?" Ouch!....My mother was right again!<br /><br />It would be over 20 years later that I would find myself on the other end of judgment. People would look at me and it was as if they were saying "I'm never going to be like her". Gulp! I was facing prejudice right in the face!<br /><br />I was now being attacked by the media personally with false allegations! I now know how fast people jump to conclusions based on whatever they read in a newspaper or heard on the television. After all if it's in the newspaper it must be true...right? WRONG!!!! The media had gotten word about my childhood! It felt like minutes and the world knew I was the daughter of a well known criminal! And I was a woman with a mental illness called "Multiple Personality Disorder" My husband and I had some of our closest friends abandon us (to save their own image) right when we needed them most.<br /><br />When my past was made public, I believed that the twenty years my husband and I had given to children was forgotten. The label "Mental Illness" over shadowed the fact that we were awarded "The home to successfully rehabilitate the top criminals in the state of Colorado".<br /><br />Some how the label that was placed on me that day, felt like the "Star of David". All Jewish people would have to wear the "Star of David" symbol during Hitler's reign. Hitler attempted to destroy all the Jews and create the perfect human race. Millions of Jews were slaughtered because of their race and religion! The "Star" was threaded on to their coats to announce to the world that they were not worthy of life. It was the worst killings in our entire history!!<br /><br />I know I wasn't facing death when many found out that I had a mental illness....And I had no "Star of David" on my coat.<br />But, to me it felt like I was dying. I felt my world crumble around me as I realized that I was now the person who I "Never" thought I would be! I was now the one being judged by others...including the church!<br /><br />Through all of the trials and tribulations my husband and I experienced, I have learned that no one is perfect. Hitlers hope of a perfect race will never be! Everyone has hidden parts (or secrets). And I'm sure that they live in fear that if anyone knew who they really were death or judgment would be around the corner. Or worse...maybe that person believes they too are the person that society will "Never" accept. <br /><br />So I ask you, "You who are quick to judge a celebrity, a race, a certain religion, a life style...how do you really know that your time won't come when you will be judged for your belief, your race or what secret you have hidden?"<br /><br />It was immediate that the State of Colorado quickly apologized for releasing confidential documents...but, the damage was done. However, I learned that we are all damaged and by admitting it we can support and educate others. The only way to survive the massive movement of judgment and prejudice is to educate society on "Multiple Personality Disorder" and "Mental Illness". I now invite you to walk in my shoes and look out of the eyes of a woman with "Multiple Personality Disorder" by reading the book <span style="font-style: italic;">"Looking Through the Eyes of an Unseen Child"</span>. Check out my site: www.unseenchild.com to learn more about me, my husband and the <span style="font-style: italic;">"Unseen Child Foundation"</span>.<br /><br />I have a deep respect and admiration for entertainers. They are expected to come up with newest music continually throughout the year. When we are relaxing, they are thinking of the next holiday song, or the music that will be on the top ten list. Some entertainers pursue acting and that complicates life even more! Gosh these people have to put their hearts and lives in the public for the media, internet and tabloids to decide their ultimate fate. How stressful it must be to have little or no control over what others say about you. As soon as something personal in their life happens the tabloids know within a day!<br /><br />I was watching on the television about Oprah and how she found her sister. It was a hard reality to see her tears fall as she stumbled with the words, "This woman is the only person in my life who hasn't sold me out for money or fame!" Can you believe the only person in her life that had not sold her out was a sister she never met!<br /><br />Personally, as a celebrity I would have a hard time trusting anyone. I think I would walk around afraid to speak, let alone get up on a stage and poor my heart out to the world to judge! You're entire life can be exposed for the right amount of money! How horrible would it have been if I didn't have that privacy to find my siblings and work through all the secrets from our past together?! It makes my skin crawl to think that parents sell out their own children in show business! Then people on the streets, bloggers, tabloids and the media have the nerve to say, "If she didn't want the world to know her business, then she shouldn't be a celebrity!"....How dumb is that!!!<br /><br />Also, how crazy is it that society insists the celebrities look perfect...but, at the same time bash them for doing what they must to look great! Ugh! They can get braces, hair dyed, and a make over. But, heaven forbid they get plastic surgery of any kind! We as a society pay them to look perfect and demand it...and yet can't wait to be the first to tear them down when they do!!!<br /><br />So those of you who are spreading this trash...think before you press "Send", "Twitter" or "Post"...because it is inevitable that your day will come...you will be judged...because there is no perfect race, person, religion...etc. And just think, the next generation is watching us all...learning from us how to survive!<br />Please think before you speak. And speak with compassion and not judgment!<br /><br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HpRwKu7_1aI/TUZsE3SstKI/AAAAAAAAAek/97-kEcFuAOw/s1600/300_dpi%255B1%255D.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 304px; height: 174px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HpRwKu7_1aI/TUZsE3SstKI/AAAAAAAAAek/97-kEcFuAOw/s320/300_dpi%255B1%255D.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568256820107850914" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HpRwKu7_1aI/TUZrvUtCAzI/AAAAAAAAAec/excmgv3Byjw/s1600/dianajoy%2B-grandma%2B-%2Bbrian%2Banthony.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 302px; height: 157px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HpRwKu7_1aI/TUZrvUtCAzI/AAAAAAAAAec/excmgv3Byjw/s320/dianajoy%2B-grandma%2B-%2Bbrian%2Banthony.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568256450045805362" border="0" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script language="javascript" src="http://neocounter.neoworx-blog-tools.net/premium_trial.php?user_counter=16691_1"></script></div>Diana Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05987043143516123621noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27651503.post-22273294378748353802010-11-03T12:31:00.000-07:002010-11-03T12:34:00.275-07:00November 6th!! Don't forget!!! Hope to see you there!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HpRwKu7_1aI/TNG49QW5w2I/AAAAAAAAAeQ/mSJW1--08fE/s1600/Village_Banner.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 328px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HpRwKu7_1aI/TNG49QW5w2I/AAAAAAAAAeQ/mSJW1--08fE/s400/Village_Banner.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535408779517608802" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script language="javascript" src="http://neocounter.neoworx-blog-tools.net/premium_trial.php?user_counter=16691_1"></script></div>Diana Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05987043143516123621noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27651503.post-18068958029547850582010-11-03T12:21:00.000-07:002010-11-03T12:29:09.132-07:00About the Unseen Child Foundation<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HpRwKu7_1aI/TNG328qxGSI/AAAAAAAAAeI/x6ZmICSO7nI/s1600/layout.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HpRwKu7_1aI/TNG328qxGSI/AAAAAAAAAeI/x6ZmICSO7nI/s400/layout.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535407571641375010" /></a><br /><br />What can the Unseen Child Foundation do for your family and other non-profit organizations in your area? The Unseen Child Foundation is a non-profit organization that assists other non-profits working to open their doors and offer help to children and adults in need. <br />A problem here in Denver and across the nation is that non-profits offering care to homeless, elderly, and mentally handicapped children and adults are facing tough times and many find themselves being forced to close. They stand alone without additional support and leave those depending on them to survive alone. These same children & adults end up coming to us seeking the help promised them by other non-profit programs.<br />I stand up (as one person) and offer my voice to encourage existing non-profits. Don't give up! Keep fighting! There are so many wonderful people like you out there trying to make a difference. Please keep trying. The government can’t help this time. We have to do it ourselves.<br />I am only one person, but one person can begin to create change. Especially in today’s economy if we all don't all stick together we stand alone. Let’s stand up together =). The Unseen Child Foundation’s goal is to help fund other non-profit programs so that they can keep their doors open and continue assisting people.<br />My voice, book, documentary, and life story raise the money needed to help develop, grow, and support non-profit programs like yours that work is hard to provide for children and adults in need. <br />I was an “Unseen Child.” It’s not easy to tell my story, but if I don't, then the patterns of abuse, homelessness, and poverty will continue unchallenged. I am challenging them!<br />I would love to come to your local bookstore, church or community center to share my story, the Unseen Child Foundation’s mission, and talk with you about ways to help children in your area who suffer. Please contact Cheri Vikdal for assistance with booking Cvikdal@comcast.net <br />You CAN make a difference in a child’s life by making a donation to the Unseen Child Foundation or purchasing a book. Let’s help each other. No one needs to stand alone fighting. Let's stand up together working to help the next generation. <br />May God bless you and remember...you are not alone! <br />*hugs* <br />Diana Joy<br /><br />Please pass this to anyone you know that needs help!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script language="javascript" src="http://neocounter.neoworx-blog-tools.net/premium_trial.php?user_counter=16691_1"></script></div>Diana Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05987043143516123621noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27651503.post-10440798590337067602010-11-02T18:40:00.000-07:002010-11-02T18:43:21.607-07:00Saturday Nov. 6th Village of Five Parks Food & Coat Drive!<a href="http://twitpic.com/33e384" title="@DianaJoy - I can&#039;t wait and all should come to this :) on Twitpic"><img src="http://twitpic.com/show/thumb/33e384.jpg" width="150" height="150" alt="@DianaJoy - I can&#039;t wait and all should come to this :) on Twitpic" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script language="javascript" src="http://neocounter.neoworx-blog-tools.net/premium_trial.php?user_counter=16691_1"></script></div>Diana Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05987043143516123621noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27651503.post-68211378974922098662010-06-09T11:56:00.000-07:002010-06-09T11:56:33.865-07:00Point Of Grace - How You Live [Turn Up The Music] (Video)Good morning my friends! <br /><br />Today will be a full day of juggling children and getting to Greenwood Community Church...on time! Augh! Being on time is not my strength! lol <br /><br />The birds were singing and as I looked around I noticed my favorite flowers were beginning to blossom! While spending time in prayer a song and God's word (from the Bible) came to mind. The song "How to live" and the verses Mathew: 15:32-38<br /><br />As I prayed for all the people who would be in the church today and<br />the struggles our family is going through, I found myself so thankful for all that God has given me! My family, the house, the wonderful view of all the flowers and the excitement of sharing God's word with others. <br /><br />There are a lot of people with lost jobs, illnesses, unpaid bills and even the possibility of homelessness. Even our house is full with our grandson, granddaughter, two birth daughters and a woman with two small children. As I question how to pay our bills and feed everyone in our home I am quickly reminded of how big and how strong our God is! I imagine Him looking down on all the chaos and saying, "I will provide, be thankful in all things and enjoy the moment! This is how I want you to live!"<br /><br />Mathew 15:32-38:<br />32: And Jesus called His disciple to Him, and said, "I feel compassion for the multitude, because they have remained with Me now three days and have nothing to eat; and I do not wish to send them away hungry, let they faint on the way." 33: and the disciples said to Him, "Where would we get so many loaves in a desolate place to satisfy such a great multitude?" 34: And Jesus said to them, "How many loaves do you have?" and they said, Seven and a few fish." <br />Verses 35 through 39: Jesus gives thanks for what little food He has and gives the food to the disciples to give to 4,000 people. Every man, woman and child had full stomachs that day. <br /><br />These words are a comfort to me, because I know that if God can feed all those people....then He can feed all those living in our home, you who are struggling and the homeless! <br /><br />As I typed out the conclusion of my speech, I was reminded that God is a great God and can handle all things! Yes, I will be looking at the past and the present. But, I want to also look at the future!<br /><br />The song that God gave me today is:<br />"How to live/Turn up your music" by "Point of Grace"<br />Here are a view words that came to me to remind me how to live!<br />Chorus: <br />Turn up the music <br />Turn it up loud <br />Take a few chances <br />Let it all out <br />You won't regret it <br />Lookin' back from where you have been <br />Cuz it's not who you knew <br />And it's not what you did <br />It's how you live <br /><br />Bridge: <br />Oh wherever you are and wherever you've been <br />Now is the time to begin <br /><br />Verse 3: <br />So give to the needy <br />And pray for the grieving <br />Even when you don't think that you can <br />'Cause all that you do is bound to come back to you <br />So think of your fellow man <br />Make peace with God and make peace with yourself <br />'Cause in the end there's nobody else.<br /><br />Here is the video for those of you who want to hear the entire song ;-)<br /><br /><object style="background-image:url(http://i4.ytimg.com/vi/_qQm8283qsg/hqdefault.jpg)" width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_qQm8283qsg&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_qQm8283qsg&hl=en_US&fs=1" width="425" height="344" allowScriptAccess="never" allowFullScreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object><br /><br />So, my friends it is ok to look back and see the present. But be sure to rejoice for what God can do for our future. <br />God's not done with us yet!!!<br />Have hope my friends! <br /><br />Here is where I will speaking: <br />6:30pm today.<br />5600 East Belleview Avenue<br />Greenwood Vlg, CO 80111-1446<br />(303) 843-0281<br />God bless you all! <br />Know that God has it all under control...<br />I look forward to seeing some of you tonight!<br />Enjoy the moment =)<br />Diana Joy<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script language="javascript" src="http://neocounter.neoworx-blog-tools.net/premium_trial.php?user_counter=16691_1"></script></div>Diana Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05987043143516123621noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27651503.post-23305015925089118972010-03-21T10:31:00.000-07:002011-08-22T09:05:59.498-07:00Thanks WomanOf.com for the award!Diana also launched last year the Unseen Child Foundation, a non-profit organization that funnels money to shelters, safe houses and other programs in Denver that help abused children. “There are 1,500 kids between 9 and 15 years old who are homeless in Denver. That is out of control! I’m seeing awesome programs closing because of lack of funds,' Diana said. She donates $5 from the sale of each book to the foundation and is trying to garner more attention for it by teaming up with celebrities like Susie McEntire (sister to Reba McEntire), and many country music singers and songwriters.
<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HpRwKu7_1aI/S6ZfHJJ7g-I/AAAAAAAAAdI/aB_bYbtDWpY/s1600-h/dsc_1577%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451148975299855330" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HpRwKu7_1aI/S6ZfHJJ7g-I/AAAAAAAAAdI/aB_bYbtDWpY/s400/dsc_1577%5B1%5D.jpg" /></a>
<br />The foundation may soon get its biggest boost when a documentary based on Diana’s work with teens comes out in the fall and when a motion picture, now in the hands of Hollywood screenwriters, is released.
<br />It’s hard to imagine that someone with Diana’s tragic history could turn her life around so inspiringly. It is not just that she was able to become a normal person despite her terrible background, it’s that she is a better person at heart and by her actions than many of us with normal backgrounds ever become. There is something very special about Diana. Her pastor friend knew it, which is why, when Diana finally agreed to be adopted by him, he chose the most fitting surname he could think of for her: “Joy."
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<br />To learn more about Diana Joy and the Unseen Child Foundation visit http://www.unseenchild.com/. </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script language="javascript" src="http://neocounter.neoworx-blog-tools.net/premium_trial.php?user_counter=16691_1"></script></div>Diana Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05987043143516123621noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27651503.post-18353101242499751432010-03-13T22:05:00.000-08:002010-03-14T00:27:39.721-08:00"Adoption is not about finding children for families, it's about finding families for children”<div>“We are willing to spend the least amount of money to keep a kid at home, more to put him in a foster home and the most to institutionalize him.”
<br />~Marian Wright Edelman~
<br />My oldest adopted daughter gave birth to five children. Two of the kids flew in today and are now spending the next few weeks with grandma and grandpa :) I went to pick up my grandson Gabe. When he came off the airplane I could hardly recognize him...at 11years old he is almost as tall as me!
<br />Because he is missing gene #13 he struggles with speech, eyesight and obsessive, compulsive disorder (known as OCD). When he was born the doctors told us he would not get older than two years old…when he was five the doctors told us he would not progress much further than 6. When he was 7 the doctors said he wouldn’t be able to read or write…and that he would never become emotionally or intellectually older than 5 or 6 years-old. At eleven Gabe can read, write and participate in class with other children his age.
<br />After having Gabe in my house for every holiday and a few entire summer breaks (since his birth), I have learned that Gabe is an amazing child. He may not look or act like children his age. But, God has given him gifts that I wish I possessed. Gabe has gifts of kindness, forgiveness, unconditional love, freedom to express himself, and the bravery of a giant. He is so kind and knows when another child is hurting…no matter the age, Gabe doesn’t hesitate to give them a big hug to comfort them. He is not embarrassed to dance and sing when he hears a song that he likes. He has a smile that can cause even strangers to stop and smile back. If another child doesn’t understand him (because of his speech impediment) he will say, “That’s ok…I will say it again…this time slowly”. Gabe lives innocently in the moment, enjoying every day. His eyes show no judgment. With every obstacle he faces he handles it with such bravery. Nothing is impossible for Gabe. Whatever the doctors tell him he can’t do…it’s as if he knows and is silently telling them… “Oh silly doctors, I can and will do what you say I can’t”. And every year he exceeds everyone’s expectations!
<br />Gabe’s mom was my first adopted child. She had Gabe at a young age and loved him the best she could. When you read my book you will see her as “My Child without a Birth certificate” Gabe is who he is because his mom believes in him. She is determined to change the cycle of abuse and encourage him to grow beyond what other expects of him.
<br />My oldest daughter (Gabe’s mom) was on the streets and in institutions before I got her. What if I didn’t care…what if my husband and I saw her as a difficult child who had no hope in her future? I hate to think of all the happy memories we would have lost. The enjoyment of having Gabe’s eyes shine with every new step he takes in life. What if we hadn’t adopted at all…..? What a sad time that would be for us all. I truly believe children come in to our lives for a reason. God gives us children through birth and some through adoption….I myself see no difference. My husband and I have cried and rejoiced with every stage of every child God has brought into our life. These children and grandchildren are our many blessings and my husband and I thank God that we have had a small part in sharing life with them.
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<br />If we don't help these children we are not only depriving them of happy memories...we are depriving ourselves.
<br />It just takes one person to look into the eyes of an unseen child and through that child many lives can be changed! If we didn't help our oldest daughter...we wouldn't have our grandson Gabe! And what a loss that would be.....
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<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HpRwKu7_1aI/S5yZ_WgH11I/AAAAAAAAAbw/fAx9I76IKW4/s1600-h/2008+wedding+211.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448398962862577490" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HpRwKu7_1aI/S5yZ_WgH11I/AAAAAAAAAbw/fAx9I76IKW4/s400/2008+wedding+211.JPG" /></a>
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<br />Our Grandson Gabe =)
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script language="javascript" src="http://neocounter.neoworx-blog-tools.net/premium_trial.php?user_counter=16691_1"></script></div>Diana Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05987043143516123621noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27651503.post-16286653362670897172010-03-11T04:23:00.000-08:002010-03-11T05:56:41.042-08:00"It is what we do with what we are given that makes us who we are today"“I can see, and that is why I can be happy, in what you call the dark, but which to me is golden. I can see a God-made world, not a manmade world.” <br />~Helen Keller~<br />“Life is not filled with disabilities at all, but rather more abilities.” ~Patrick Hughes~<br />Isn't it amazing how the true hero’s we as society search for in times of trouble are not found being chased by the paparazzi. I truly believe with this economy the hero's are not those with money, beauty, fame or mansions. <br />The true heroes are those men and women who have overcome the worst of situations and come out smiling that bring joy to us all and give us hope in life. It is those men and women who use their stories to remind us that no matter how many curve balls life throws at us, we will survive! <br />It is a woman like Helen Keller (who was became blind, deaf and mute at 18 months) and a man like Patrick Hughes (who was not only blind, but also crippled from birth) who gives me the inspiration to overcome anything and to see the blessings God gives me through the most painful times! Helen Keller and Patrick Hughes put life in to perspective and see life as a blessing, not a handicap. <br />Patrick not only survived, but came out rejoicing for what God has given him. If a man who is blind and cannot walk can smile and see the joy in what he was given. Then I who can see and walk will rejoice and be thankful for every obstacle that comes across my path in life! <br />I pray that you too will learn from Patrick Hughes and Helen Keller the most valuable lesson in life, “It is what we do with what we are given that makes us who we are today.” Choose to see the good in everything God has brought across your path. Just like my heroes’ Patrick Hughes and Helen Keller have done!!!<br /><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/9xwCG0Ey2Mg&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/9xwCG0Ey2Mg&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />"Instead of comparing our lot with that of those who are more fortunate than we are, we should compare it with the lot of the great majority of our fellow men. It then appears that we are among the privileged." <br />~Helen Keller~<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script language="javascript" src="http://neocounter.neoworx-blog-tools.net/premium_trial.php?user_counter=16691_1"></script></div>Diana Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05987043143516123621noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27651503.post-69637994804665582572010-02-19T21:41:00.000-08:002010-02-20T01:35:52.225-08:00I love living life! I am happy!This has been a short week for me....I don't even know where the time went. But many months leading up to this week I have been living day to day. The reality is that I have been struggling with headaches and heart spasms. Over the last month I have spoken with a few Brain specialists. I wish I could say this is the first time I have had to face doctors begging for answers…<br />Unfortunately, 10 years ago I found myself sitting in front of a doctor who told me I needed brain surgery. It seemed like just a few days and I was already scheduled for the day that would change my life forever. I could go in to detail about those years….but, the one thing I remember most is when the physical therapist told me to walk and I kept falling. I was crying and she said, “Diana, you don’t need to walk a mile…or a block…just take one step at a time…put one foot in front of the other. It wasn’t the surgery that changed my life….it was the image of putting one foot in front of the other and eventually you will get there. So simple…but for me at times it has been extremely difficult. Perhaps you are going through something very difficult in your life. Like the loss of a job, an illness, or loss of a child. And some days you may feel like you can’t even get out of bed….I hope that you remember this post =-)! Just put one foot in front of the other and eventually you will get there!<br />I met with a wonderful doctor who took the time to put my heart at rest. Isn't it amazing how it just takes one person to look into your eyes, take time to tell you exactly what you have and then tell you, "It's going to be ok Diana! You don’t have to have brain surgery". It changes your day...or most importantly your life. God is so great, on Tuesday this doctor found out what all the others doctors couldn't and I am now on my road to recovery. My head is not hurting as often and the chest pain is less every day. God answered my prayer by giving me that one person who would calm my fears! I’m already feeling better!!! So, tomorrow I will get up with a smile…because I know that God gives me the ability to take one day at a time, one step at a time, and the gift of helping one child at a time through all the wonderful people who took the time to care throughout my life. <br />I hope my story inspires you to hang in there when things get tough. I was sent this through twitter just about the same time I was meeting with the doctor. Boy does he put life in to perspective! This post is for all of you who think you cannot take another step…those of you who are suffering in silence….those who are unseen….<br />Check out this video!<br />God bless you all!<br />Diana Joy<br /><br />Proverbs 23:18<br />There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. <br /><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/H8ZuKF3dxCY&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/H8ZuKF3dxCY&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script language="javascript" src="http://neocounter.neoworx-blog-tools.net/premium_trial.php?user_counter=16691_1"></script></div>Diana Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05987043143516123621noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27651503.post-63381938662705112312010-02-10T17:02:00.000-08:002010-02-10T22:59:10.562-08:00Note to God.....It has been such an emotional week! Some of my closest friends and family members have called me screaming! <br />I don’t think they realized that they were yelling at me….It was just that I happen to be in the way as they were loudly telling the world how angry and afraid they were. I would be lying if I told you that I handled myself with grace and control over the last few days. I have to confess that my family received the wrath of all of my fears and frustrations regarding our future this week as well. <br />This afternoon after some of the chaos had dissipated; I realized that the one person who should be educated on what’s going in the world was not called upon. So, when the phone stopped ringing and the house finally became silent I began to write a letter to the big guy upstairs…..Yep! That’s right! It was time to tell God a few things that He must have missed while making His rounds through our neighborhood. <br />As I began to write I could feel the anger building inside me! So the first words I wrote were, “Where are you God!” Then I put down the pen and said, “Now Lord, I don’t want to tell you how to run the world….but, well you had better get down here and help me with these endless medical bills, make sure my husband isn’t the next one to be let go from his company and give me some peace from all the yelling!” (At this point I realized I was the only one screaming)…Within minutes my emotions went from anger to fear! My heart pounded as I started to think of what could happen to me and my loved ones if God didn’t stop the madness! And it was only after I allowed myself to feel the fear that the tears started to flow and I went from telling God how He needed to run the world to crying out to the Lord to rescue my family and friends from the overwhelming fear that lingers from house to house throughout our city. At this point I bowed my head and prayed, “God there is so many hurting children on the streets and parents suffering because they can’t afford to get medical care for their family because they too have no job. Lord help them…help us all”<br />When I opened my Bible I went directly to the words a special man read to me when I was young and living in fear, <em>“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7) </em> <br /><br />Because I truly believe that God uses music to speak to us, I will post this video as well. This girls name is Charice. She expresses so much emotion throughout the song! I love it!!!!<br /><br /><object width="325" height="244"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/6tOUuLj7wh0&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/6tOUuLj7wh0&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="325" height="244"></embed></object><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script language="javascript" src="http://neocounter.neoworx-blog-tools.net/premium_trial.php?user_counter=16691_1"></script></div>Diana Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05987043143516123621noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27651503.post-30419270876999642162010-01-24T09:54:00.000-08:002010-01-24T11:23:43.872-08:00"A mother understands what a child does not say.”Hey Friends!<br /><br />I want to make you aware of a Country Music Artist who is supporting homeless teens. He is taking it to the ultimate by sacraficing himself. He is walking across the US (in the winter) to show society what it is like to be a homeless child on the streets. He was 14 when he was sent out to survive! Jimmy can share his story...than so can I. Jimmy encourages you to get involved -- in whatever way you can. Maybe you'd make a great foster parent. Perhaps you could volunteer to help kids in your community. And if making a donation is more your style, anything you can contribute to the cause will be helpful. Find an organization in your own community that helps kids at risk.<br /><br /><br />Mission Statement: "Unseen Child Foundation"<br />To stop the cycle of abuse through raising awareness of all forms of child abuse; through community involvement such as education, mentoring, life skills training and advocates for youth we will stop the cycle of abuse and make the world a safe place for children of many generations to come. Which also includes: financially supporting safe houses, mentoring programs and other services that would otherwise close due to funding.<br /><br /><object width="420" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/-UVIZpRm8ks&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/-UVIZpRm8ks&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="420" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="420" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/WFi4leEJZro&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/WFi4leEJZro&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="420" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Please help us by making a donation to the "Unseen Child Foundation" at www.unseenchild.com! You can change the cycle of abuse my looking in to the eyes of an unseen child! Through that one child many live can be changed! Look at what Jimmy has done! <br /><br />God bless!<br />Diana Joy<br />dianajoy6@gmail.com<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script language="javascript" src="http://neocounter.neoworx-blog-tools.net/premium_trial.php?user_counter=16691_1"></script></div>Diana Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05987043143516123621noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27651503.post-38724786472857339832010-01-22T15:23:00.000-08:002010-01-22T15:39:20.756-08:00My buddies from Spirit Media!<strong>Check out Spirit Media! These guys are going places!!!! </strong><br /><br /><object width="360" height="240"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Ls790bko8IY&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Ls790bko8IY&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="360" height="240"></embed></object><br /><br />God bless!!<br />Diana Joy<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script language="javascript" src="http://neocounter.neoworx-blog-tools.net/premium_trial.php?user_counter=16691_1"></script></div>Diana Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05987043143516123621noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27651503.post-41904025352491295562010-01-21T17:20:00.000-08:002010-01-21T17:35:40.563-08:00We need to stop the cycle of abuse!<embed height="345" name="Metacafe_3948812" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" width="400" src="http://www.metacafe.com/fplayer/3948812/female_friendly_businesses_and_diana_joy_albertsen_on_child_abuse.swf" wmode="transparent" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always"></embed><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><a href="http://www.metacafe.com/watch/3948812/female_friendly_businesses_and_diana_joy_albertsen_on_child_abuse/">Female Friendly Businesses and Diana Joy Albertsen on Child Abuse</a> - <a href="http://www.metacafe.com/">The best video clips are here</a></span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;">The Unseen Child Foundation's Mission Statement:<br />To stop the cycle of abuse through raising awareness of all forms of child abuse; through community involvement such as education, mentoring, life skills training and advocates for youth we will stop the cycle of abuse and make the world a safe place for children of many generations to come. Which also includes: financially supporting safe houses, mentoring programs and other services that would otherwise close due to funding.<br /><br />Help me speak in the prisons, churches and Universities to educate society on child abuse. We need to make people aware of all types of abuse that is happening behind closed doors so that the cycle of abuse can come to an end.<br /><br />I can't do it alone.....<br /><br />God bless!<br /><br />Diana Joy</span> </em></strong></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script language="javascript" src="http://neocounter.neoworx-blog-tools.net/premium_trial.php?user_counter=16691_1"></script></div>Diana Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05987043143516123621noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27651503.post-43429938556683731902010-01-16T21:33:00.000-08:002010-01-16T22:26:40.908-08:00One person can change so much!<strong>“To the world you may be just one person, but to one person you may be the world.”</strong><br />This hit me hard when I read this! What if just one person could have said something...maybe the two-year-old would be here today....<br />Be that one person to change the life of a child!!!!!!!<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/KtNYA4pAGjI&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/KtNYA4pAGjI&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><strong>The mother of a two-year-old boy who had burns over 75 percent of his body pleaded guilty today to child abuse resulting in death in exchange for prosecutors dropping a first-degree murder charge against her.</strong><br /><br />Isela Reyes-Talamentes, 23, will be sentenced on March 19, and faces a possible maximum sentence of 32 years in prison.<br /><br />The boy, Elijah Archuleta, was taken to St. Anthony's Central on Nov. 7, 2008, and was pronounced dead shortly after his arrival.<br /><br />Reyes-Talamentes' boyfriend, John Vigil, 22, is charged with first-degree murder and child abuse resulting in death in the case.<br /><br />His trial date has not been scheduled.<br /><br />According to court documents, the couple brought Elijah to a triage room wrapped from head to foot in blankets.<br /><br />A triage nurse, Gregory Busby, asked the couple how the child was burned and Vigil said Elijah was burned a day earlier while standing in a bathtub. Vigil claimed the youngster turned on the hot water and burned himself.<br /><br />Vigil claimed they brought the child to the hospital because he was choking - not because of the burns.<br /><br />Busby noticed the child wasn't breathing and, while running with him, administered two "rescue breaths".<br /><br />Busby then noticed the child was "ice cold" and "had no pulse."<br /><br />Medical personnel spent 30 minutes trying to revive the child but were unsuccessful.<br /><br />Police went to the couple's home and found Elijah's sister, four-year-old Serenity.<br /><br />She told police that Vigil had burned Elijah and after doing so he started choking and died.<br /><br />Serenity told investigators that her mommy was crying and upset that Elijah had died.<br /><br />Reyes-Talamentes first told police that Vigil, who was serving a three-year deferred sentence for drug dealing, gave the boy a bath after he returned from a court appearance.<br /><br />Later, she changed her story.<br /><br />She told detectives that Vigil had picked her up from work with Elijah in the car.<br /><br />She noticed that Elijah's hands and face were red. However, instead of taking the child to a hospital, she said they went to Vigil's court hearing, then went to Chipotle, and then to Wal-Mart, where they bought chips, sliced turkey and Lunchables.<br /><br />After that, Vigil went and hung out with friends.<br /><br />Eventually, after the Reyes-Talamentes discovered the extent of the injuries to the child, they finally took the child to a hospital.<br /><br />Jan. 13th 2010 - Read more: http://www.denverpost.com/commented/ci_14181923?source=commented-#ixzz0cqdGSLIH<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script language="javascript" src="http://neocounter.neoworx-blog-tools.net/premium_trial.php?user_counter=16691_1"></script></div>Diana Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05987043143516123621noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27651503.post-45965067100779210972010-01-15T07:20:00.001-08:002010-01-15T09:43:33.657-08:00It's time to stop the world and get off!All week I kept telling myself and others, "Stay positive, God has everything in control, everything happens for a reason, dream big and great things will happen. But, now I realize I wasn't listening to their pain. I was covering it up with quick answers and moving on through my day. So, I need to apologize to all those who have e-mailed me or called me and due to a stupid list of "To Do's" I responded quickly and moved on with my day.<br />Yesterday everything came crumbling down!<br />I had a conflict with one of my closest friends for the first time ever. And honestly, I didn't even see it coming! I'm sure it was because I was blindly rushing through my day not taking time to listen.<br />Then I had several deadlines to meet and only accomplished 1/4 of what was expected. By the end of the day I realized my daughter needed me to finish up some of her Senior Year necessities and the deadline was yesterday. But, because I was trying to juggle too many tasks at once, the most important task that needed to be top on my list...was pushed down and I only accomplished 1/2 of what she needed. I am so thankful for her soft, forgiving spirit and the gifts that God gave her of knowing how to make everything work no matter how impossible it may seem. She got on the phone and was able to request an extension until 11:30 today. So, I put that task on the top of my list...then told my 12 year-old that we would have girls night tonight and the phone and the computer would be turned off!<br />As I write I hope you are getting the idea of how crazy my life has been. But, no matter how much I cried out to God yesterday and blamed Him for everything. The reality is I didn't take time to listen to even Him. So this morning I knew I needed to stop the world and step off! I finally sat with God and listened. What I heard Him say was what I have heard so many times when my life gets out of control, "Diana, it's ok my child, I know you are hurting. You don't have to be strong with me. Come lay in my arms my child and let the tears flow. Let me take care of the rest." I finally gave him the list of failed tasks and the people I have hurt while trying to accomplish it all. At this point I finally realized that the list was written to somehow control the feelings I had inside me. The tears fell for all the pain that I have seen over the last couple of weeks! I finally stopped rushing around controlling every move I make....I finally sobbed for all the lives lost in Haiti :( And began praying for the country that has lost so much and prayed for God to hold them tightly in His arms!<br />For all the individuals who sent me e-mails and texts saying:<br />*I don't have a job any more!<br />*Where do I go from here?<br />*My husband just left and now I have children to raise alone!<br />*The court took away my children and I need your help!<br />*My child's sick and I don't know what to do!<br />*Or worse, I'm sick and I don't know what's wrong?....<br />*And the most common e-mail is,"Is the world ending? I see disaster all over! Isn't that signs of the end times?"<br /><br />I humbly tell you that these are all questions that I cannot answer. But,know who can! I did the most important task of all..which is give every ones fears and pain to God.<br />As the tears are falling with each word I type, I hand one by one each of the burdens I have carried throughout the week over to God. After I finished sobbing and praying to God this morning, I opened my e-mail and finished the last of my tasks for the week. I decided the weekend would be set aside for family and God.<br />In one of the e-mails a good friend Teresa Weesner sent me this devotional. I hope you get as much out of this as I did =)<br /><br />Road of Life<br />At first, I saw God as my observer, my judge, keeping track of the things I did wrong, so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell when I die. He was out there, sort of like a president. I recognized His picture when I saw it, but I really didn't know Him.<br />But later on when I met Christ, it seemed as though life were rather like a bike ride, but it was a tandem bike. and I noticed that Christ was in the back helping me pedal.<br />I don't know just when it was that He suggested we changed places, but life has not been the same since. When I had control. I knew the way. It was rather boring, but predictable...It was the shortest distance between two points. But when He took the lead, He knew delightful long cuts, up mountains, and through rocky places at breakneck speeds, it was all I could do to hang on!! Even though it looked like madness, He said, "Pedal!"<br />I worried and was anxious and asked, "Where are you taking me?" He laughed and didn't answer, and I started to learn to trust. I forgot my boring life and entered into the adventure. And when I'd say, "I'm scared," He'd lean back and touch my hand. He took me to people with gifts that I needed, gifts of healing, acceptance and joy. They gave me their gifts to take on my journey, my Lord's and mine. And we were off again. He said, "Give the gifts away; they're extra baggage, too much weight." So I did, to the people we met, and I found that in giving I received, and still our burden was light.<br />I did not trust Him, at first, in control of my life. I thought He'd wreck it; but He knows bike secrets, knows how to make it bend to take sharp corners, jumps to clear high rocks, fly to shorten scary passages. And I am learning to shut up and pedal in the strangest places, and I'm beginning to enjoy the cool breeze on my face with my delightful constant companion, Christ. And when I'm sure I just can't do anymore, He just smiles and says..."Pedal."<br />--Author?<br />I think the Author is God =)<br />God bless and have a wonderful weekend!<br />Diana Joy<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script language="javascript" src="http://neocounter.neoworx-blog-tools.net/premium_trial.php?user_counter=16691_1"></script></div>Diana Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05987043143516123621noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27651503.post-42989906142694126952010-01-09T14:23:00.000-08:002010-01-09T20:52:30.714-08:00My good friend Robert Jason!I was honored to have the opportunity to meet Robert Jason when he showed up at our book signing with Borders Books in Nashville TN! I so wished we could have spent more time together....we have stayed in touch through e-mails and phone calls....but, something tells me we will be seeing each other again soon =) Robert is a multi-talented Songwriter, Producer, Composer, and Studio Vocalist, whose songs have been recorded by Alabama, Reba McEntire, Barry White, and Fox Brothers. Check out his site <a href="http://www.robertjason.com/">http://www.robertjason.com/</a>.<br />I will be posting more video's of the awesome people who have come into my life through the book tour with Borders.<br />God bless!<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzLE-QkkqA_CbMihNoka7AslsVMVkGHW-NeUclYQxsrOzBQTl6vswEo2XVuq8KcO-bwQWPyCK357x8' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script language="javascript" src="http://neocounter.neoworx-blog-tools.net/premium_trial.php?user_counter=16691_1"></script></div>Diana Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05987043143516123621noreply@blogger.com0