This is one of those times I wish I had my finger on the pulse of every Pensieve reader, to tiptoe into your respective minds to know what I could say in an opening sentence to compel you to read the rest of this post.
Please stay…you're not just welcome, you're wanted!
Some of you are regular readers–do you know how grateful I am for you? I don't tell you enough, but I am especially fond of each of you…especially since in an effort to balance online time a bit, I'm not able to respond to every email or comment (I loathe that, btw).
You already know what I'm about to share :).
If you're a new visitor, here for 5 Minutes for Mom's Ultimate Blog Party, instead of taking time to tell you tons of stuff about me when you have so many great blogs to visit, there's just one thing I'd like to share:
I need you!
In just about a month from now, I'll be traveling to Kolkata, India with Compassion International and a team of bloggers to observe Compassion's work there and to write about our experience.
Every time I say that out loud (or type it), I'm stunned all over again…to have opportunity to use my words to give voice to those who have none? To enter into this holy work? To be tasked with communicating the stories to which we bear witness?
Yes…..stunned.
I know you're busy–the Ultimate Blog Party keeps you hopping! But I'm gonna be bold and ask for a few things (then I'm gonna have fun and throw in a different sort of giveaway):
- If you haven't already, would you subscribe to my blog (you can also receive it via email by submitting your info in the left sidebar)? That way you'll know when India posts are "live" (April 24-May 2).
- Would you consider adding a Compassion-India badge to your sidebar? Or write a post about the trip and include a badge? If you're willing, please let me know in comments or drop an email to pensieve(dot)me(at)gmail(dot)com and I will send you the code. Compassion has coded our badges so they can identify where visitors are coming from…so I'm VERY appreciative when you agree to do this!! I so want to do a "good job" for the children we'll be visiting, ya know? 🙂
- Gladys Knight had hers, I've got mine! PIPPS–wanna be one? "Pensieve-India Prayer Partner". Okay…hokey…I knowIknow. If you can come up with anything better, I'm totally open to suggestion :). The bottom line–what matters most–is that this trip is saturated in prayer! As you can imagine, there are a lot of details to be ironed out…and to have you come alongside me (us) and pray for and with me? I'm not too proud to beg…or at least put it out there (I'll make some kind of blogroll for those of you who say "yes" to this!)
- Sponsor a child from India. At least visit Compassion's site to learn more; but if you click the badge in this post? Your heart will be pierced, I'm almost certain :).
- Follow me on Twitter and when we're in India, you can hear real-time thoughts (presuming I can access Twitter).
Again, I KNOW you're busy blog hoppin', but to learn more about this trip, I'd love for you to read previous entries; those show much more of my heart :).
In addition to the giveaways Pensieve is sponsoring on the UBP's prize page, I've got two giveaways for commenters to this post:
a $50 contribution to Compassion International in your honor
a softcover copy of Mary DeMuth's "The Daisy Chain" (RV $14.99).
Thank y'all…I'm so excited to meet some new peeps to share in this journey! xo
Cool…look at some of my favorite things being given away–
#19, #21, #22 — $50 gift certificates to Target Stores, provided by: Shoot-Me-Now, Agoosa, & Beginner Baby Blog,
#58 – Kitchen Aid Artisan Stand Mixer, provided by: Moms Who Think;
#26 — $30 gift certificate to Target, provided by: Little Miss Hannah
#88 –$40 gift certificate to Carrabba’s Italian Grill, provided by: The Divine Miss Mommy
89 — $100 gift card to HomeGoods, provided by: HG Openhouse
Nice to meet you:-) I am partying today too!
Oh! Now there’s a prize I’d love to win!! (Don’t need preschooler toys anymore.)
Definitely PIPP-ing for you!
Hey!
I love that you’re using this opportunity to advertise for Comapssion International! I’m looking forward to your posts about the trip. 🙂
The first time I ever heard about Compassion International was when Shannon from Rocks in My Dryer went to Africa with them. What stories she told! I’ll be praying for you, and I’ll be looking forward to hearing your stories of God’s work in India.
Hi Robin. God bless you on your trip. My husband went to Haiti last year and now we support a child there. We pray for him each night that he is healthy and taken care of.
I guess I need to get busy and post my party. 🙂
Robin, I’m still so ecstatic about your trip. Can’t wait to hear all the GREAT reports when you return!
How wonderful that you are able to help with their cause. It’s sure to be a rewarding trip for you!
Great post! What a wonderful cause to be taking a trip for. I’m definitely interested in learning more about Compassion, so thanks for the link! Happy UBP!
I’m looking forward to reading about your trip. Compassion is such a wonderful organization!
I’d love to post a button on my sidebar (wish I could donate money right now but can’t)…what a great opportunity and great experience for you!
Thanks for helping to keep the Pre-Party hopping!
Okay, so I’m a dork…how do I add the badge/button? Do you have the html somewhere I’m not seeing?
I found your site throught the twitter party. Would love to be one of your PIPPs.
Good luck with this amazing adventure! I can’t wait to hear about it. I’ll be subscribing. 🙂
Can’t wait to hear more about your trip – want to put it up on my site! Let’s chat soon!
Thanks for attending my UBP “Pre-party” via Twitter… Brilliant my friend!
Wow, lots to mull over here tonight. So, I already subscribe to one of my fav bloggy peeps… YOU. :~D AND I’ve been thinking MUCH about your upcoming India trip, and I’ll gladly join in as a PIPP! Plus, I’d lurve win your $50 donation toward Compassion Intl.
And yes, some day soon we will sponsor a child through Compassion. In His timing…
Happy Ultimate Blog Party!
(((Hugs)))
So jealous that you’re going with Compassion International. I would love to do that someday! Great blog! Lovely party!
know you will do great in India, I am always trying to improve my writing skills (using my blog to do so) and you have some..writing skills that is
I’m just going blog to blog to see how others do it, thanks for sharing
have a great weekend
Hi Robin,
Rock on sister with your new Ford!!
I am stopping by from The Ultimate Blog Party to say hello and to check out your blog. I am looking forward to a fun week!! 🙂
Stacie
The Divine Miss Mommy
http://www.thedivinemissmommy.com
http://www.twitter.com/stacieinatlanta
Robin I would love to put your link up on both my blogs. Let me know how I can help spread the word for you.
Happy Blog party-ing !
Karrine
AKA Her Media
AKA The almost always organized mom
I’ll be praying for your compassion trip. What an incredible opportunity!
My prayers are with you. Be safe. Teach many.
holy India cows! look at all these ladies up in the middle of the night to leave comments!! (not me, I love to sleep!)
got you in my reader, praying for you all, esp. for the kiddos.
monica (missing Twitter desperately! can’t wait for Lent to be over)
This is how I found you last year! And I can’t wait to hear about your mission trip. We have a cousin who was adopted from India about 20 years ago.
nice to meet you
good luck in india,
check out my post #157 on the ubp page
Send me your code and I’ll put a button up for ya! Love ya, girl.
Happy Party Day !!
Good Morning on this beautiful Spring Day!!
Thank you for inviting us to stop by during the Blog Party. I will be a PIPP for you. I also subscribed while I was here, so I know I will be back for sure.
Have a Wonderful Day!!
goodluck on your endeavor. wishing you all the best!
Proud to be a PIPP! (My husband is really going to roll his eyes at that one…)
Great things happening here! I’m on board!
When you get the chance (some time next year perhaps?!) stop by and say hi. I’m writing about living an abundant life (on a budget).
Enjoy the Party!
Sharon
I would love to add your button! I looked on Compassions Website to add a generic button and didn’t see anything. Bad me for not digging deeper. And of course, I will pray. We sponsor two boys and love it!
What an amazing opportunity/trip! Count me in as a PIPP.
Love that you are using this party to get this awesome opportunity out there!
Nice to meet you 🙂
We sponsor two Compassion Children, it is a fantastic organization!
All the best in your travels, can’t wait to hear about it!
Nice to meet you, bookmarked your site to come back and read more about this in depth. Have fun at the UBP2009!
what an incredible opportunity…i can tell you with complete sincerity that i would love to be in your shoes. i sponsor several children through compassion and world vision, but i’d love nothing more than to be in the trenches, participating in hands-on work in the battle against oppression and poverty.
i look forward to reading your reports.
Very Cool Prize! Love giving to others!
I’m party hopping!
OK, I’m a regular! I can’t afford to sponsor a child, but I would love to put a badge on my blog! I had no idea it was time for the UBP again, sweet! I’ve been low on material to read in my sedentary pregnant state!
I’m partying UBP’09! Enjoyed looking around your site! Will pray for your upcoming trip!
hope you have a fabulous trip! 🙂
I’d love to be a PIPP! I’m bookmarking you now.
Robin, I’ve been a lurker, so it’s about time I spoke up! I am so proud that you decided to go to India with Compassion International and I’m looking forward to your posts. Happy travels!
Have a safe trip!
You’re doing a wonderful selfless act. Hope you have a wonderful bloggy party!
So happy to join your PIPP squad (team? group? LOL, you get the idea)!! Had fun partyin’ with you Robin!!!
Wow…India! Very cool!
I will definitely be a PIPP! I love your blog EVERY DAY…was so excited to come to your party!
Thank you so much for including the post about sponsoring a child in India. I lived there for a few months and people you like help make a huge difference. Again, thank you!
That’s great… your work with Compassion. Nice to meet you. I did come over from the UBP.
Really nice to meet you! 🙂
This is my first visit to your blog, and you have touched my heart! We sponsor a little girl in Indonesia through Compassion. I will certainly be praying for your trip and look forward to reading about it.
Happy UBP 09!! 🙂
I want to be one of your PIPPS. I was a missionary teacher with New Tribes Mission before I married my husband 2 years ago. So, I KNOW how important prayer is…I still have a missionary heart. I wish I was going with you. I would love to be blogging this, too.
So, send me a button for my blog…let me write a post. Do you have room for me in your suitcase? Oh, yeah, and tell me how I can specifically be praying for you.
For His Name’s Sake,
Deborah
Subscribing can be harder than just showing up on my blogroll so maybe you can give me some tips. Subscribing fills up my google homepage and I find I forget to check it as often as my blogroll.
Found you through UBP09. I SO believe in what you are about to do and want to come back and learn more. God BLESS you!!!
Drop on by anytime. I’m a Chrisitan homeschooling humor blog writng mom.
So excited to see this – I have sponsored two children through Compassion for years (right now I have a girl in the Philippines and a boy in Peru) and my dad worked for Compassion for 7 years! I hope you have a fabulously blessed trip!
God Bless and happy blog party!
Praying for a safe trip!
Need a prayer partner? I’m your huckleberry, sister. Sign me up.
sounds like you have a great trip ahead of you. i’m adding you to my google reader and on twitter. 🙂
HEY FRIENDS! I’ll be visiting your parties next week; for the most part, over the weekend, I’m either a) foolin’ around with kids, b) foolin’ around with my hubby, c) cleaning, d) otherwise staying offline except for Twitter binges :).
THANK YOU for your comments & especially for those of you who are INTERESTED in Compassion!! THAT BLESSES ME LIKE YOU WOULDN’T BELIEVE!! 🙂 xo
I’ll be emailing badge code next week, too; trying to compile a data base for PIPPS so I can touch base with you en masse.
THANK YOU & HAPPYHAPPY WEEKEND!!
🙂
Hey there! You got a PIPP in me! We’re participating and giving away a Nana Star and Moonman prize on the UBP as well! I would love to become involved in Compassion International… Thanks!
I subscribed to your blog. I’ll pray for you and I’ll add your badge to my blog during your trip. You must be very humbled to be selected as one of the bloggers to share Compassion’s story and mission.
Wow! you are blessed! I’d love to go to India one day. I love Compassion International, they do a great job with the kids in my country Kenya. Praying for a safe journey
Hi! I am stopping by from the UBP! I would love to stick around and hear all about your trip to India. How exciting to be part of such a wonderful thing!!
Nice to meet you!
Talk about a party!
I’m quite intrigued and am learning how to get around!
Just stopping by from 5minutes for moms blog party!
It’s so nice to meet you. I sure hope that you are enjoying yourself at the party.
What an occasion to be given the opportunity to minister overseas in this capacity! My prayers go with you as you go to minister the Gospel of Jesus Christ. May hearts be tender for the hearing, and may your words be bold for the sharing!
peace~elaine
You sound like a very compassionate person, especially about your trip to India and the charitable organization you support. I’m happy to hear that. I am also looking forward to winning the $30 Stampin’ Up Prize Pack! I’m a scrapbooker, card-maker as well as many more paper crafts that I’m involved with, so I would definitely put the Stampin’ Up prize to good use. Good luck to you on your upcoming mission and God bless.
maggie@mannwieler.com
Nice to meet you! I will be back and waiting to hear all about India. That is sooooo cool and amazing of you to do.
Hi Robin,
I’ve been peeking in on you for awhile now and want you to know I’ll be PIPP-ing for you 🙂 PIPP-ing, that’s totally a real thing. I love your thoughts and I love Compassion. I have two boys through Compassion and I am surely looking forward to following your journey!
Peace to you and yours,
Heather
PIPP – that is cute, count me in!
Great party and adding you to my Tweeters, when you have a moment, stop by my party and prize INTL #71.
Peace and Blessings,
Kiva
That’s nice that you are working with Compassion Intl. They are a good organization. Nice blog.
Hello, I will be praying for you trip. How wonderful!
I joined your Twitter so I can read about your trips.
Also, I am subscribed to your blog. Good luck…..Cindi
Blessings for your heart and compassion to the children overseas. Personally, my heart belongs in Africa, Guinea in particular… so I understand the tug that Jesus puts in our heart to love our brothers and sisters overseas.
Hugs & prayers,
Cathy
Wow…blessings to you!! We have a friend who is a missionary in India. Can’t wait to hear of your journey.
Nice to meet you. Have an awesome trip. Write from your heart as the Lord speaks to you over there.
I’m just blog-hopping. Nice to meet you.
charlies_secret_angel2006 at yahoo dot com
Hi Robin…
I’m just popping in through the party link list. I’m definitely subscribing so I can hear all about your trip.
Stop in on my party if you’ve got a minute!
Put me down! I wanna be a PIPP! I promise I’ll be honored to pray for you daily.
Hugs,
CathyT
Hey – I think PIPPS is just fine! 🙂 Can’t wait to journey through this with you. I’d love to win the donation to Compassion in my name ~ really!
I know you’re busy, come party with me too – I’d love to have you over for some cookies and chit chat. =P
Blog hopping from UBP09. Good luck with your trip. Travel safely.
What a wonderful opportunity you’ll have!
Hi there. I am so impressed with your work. I would gladly place your badge on my blog. Feel free to send it to me. 🙂 I wish you all the best of luck on your trip.
I’m party-hopping, it’s nice to meet you. I’ll try following you while you’re in India, I enjoyed Boomama’s posts last year from her Compassion trip. Best of luck to you!!!
Hi Robin 🙂
It’s great to meet you! I wish you many blessings on your trip – how wonderful….
Happy UBP!
Stop by my blog and say hi:
http://thescrapprincess.com
~ Lisa
While I’ve known about CI for years, Shannon’s, Sophie’s (& everyone’s)
stories in Africa sealed it for me :). I can’t wait to see how God moves in
our team…and in the people with whom we come into contact! 🙂
Thanks, Jessie :). Compassion is so close to my heart, especially THESE
days, every opportunity I have to share their stories, I’m seizing! 🙂
Robin!! I’m so excited for you! What an opportunity! WOW! I will be praying for you!
Thank you so much, AGAIN, for entering this work with me! I’m so thrilled
with all the new friends I’m meeting! So touched they seem to care :).
Thanks for your visit, Karen! I followed the link to your blog but didn’t
see a party post. Is it elsewhere?? What a blessing for your support of a
child in Haiti (that blesses me just knowing about it 🙂 ).
Thank you, Cecily. Prayers are welcome but they cost a lot–YOUR TIME! 🙂
Well, alright, then…TWITTER ROCKS (& thank you!!) 🙂
Thanks for your early comment and encouragement, Penelope! 🙂
You’re welcome. When I realized we were all there…stalling…it only made
sense! 🙂
Thanks, Ree-ah!! 😉
I was hoping you’d join me in prayer. I think you’re pretty doggone tight
w/God and well…I want you speakin’ to Him on my behalf ;). Glad you
popped in for the Twitter pre-party…I’m just now hopping in earnest!
(Though I got you the first night 😉 ). xo
Thanks for your kind words; I tried to click through to your blog to visit,
but the link was broken :(. Continuing to write and read others are two of
the best ways to improve your own writing! Hang in there! 🙂
It’s about time I visited your blog, huh? Twitter sistah o’ mine 🙂
Thank you SO MUCH Karrine! BTW, am I following you on Twitter? I didn’t
see it on your linked blog page, so let me know if I’m not :).
I KNOW, MONICA! I stayed up til midnight to link my post…but then it was
DELAYED! Near about killed me!
I didn’t realize “why” you weren’t on Twitter, so I’m glad to
know..seriously. I’m not “there” like I was, but…I do binge when I’m on.
Guilty pleasure? BTW, FUNNY you are with the “holy India cows” thing. 🙂
I’ll pop over now to see your party post; glad you checked in here!! 🙂
🙂 And I am SO THANKFUL you did, you encourager, you! 🙂
Thank you sweet new-friend!! It’s a beautiful Spring day as I sit here
reading, too. Soon, I shall go out to ENJOY a piece of it! 🙂
Heck, I’M rolling my eyes at that one, but thankful you’ll be a proud PIPP!!
xo
Will remember you in prayer, I followed last year as Compassion went to Africa and sponser now a lil girl. She is my daughters lil sis as we call her.
Hello there. Knocking on your door from the blog party. Hope you don’t mind.
Mike
http://somethingaboutparenting.typepad.com
Twitter: About Parenting
Great blog!
Came in off UBP09!
Nice to meet you and your blog!
Keep it up!
http://blog.handmadebycole.com/
Nichole
Love your blog!
Nichole
http://blog.handmadebycole.com/
So glad I stopped by to read your post, it’s been a while as life keeps getting in the way of my “me” time 😛
I’m sending blessings for your trip and will pray for you all. You are amazing and I think your dedication to helping others is awesome!
I’d be happy to put up a button if you send the code.
Happy UBP too!
Melissa
Hey, I will put up a Compassion blog for ya and pray for ya!! Will do later today. I am giving away a $15 Amazon card but missed the deadline to get it included in the Ultimate Blog Party List. Dang it.
Here’s the URL! Stop by to say hi! http://www.genesismoments.com/awritersjourney/2009/03/the-ultimate-blog-party.html
Party-Hopping!
Happy UBP 09!
Congratulations on your upcoming project. I hope that you plan on blogging about it.
This is my third UBP!
I had a terrific surprise. I actually came across a blog from a fellow church member. How cool!
Don’t you just love UBP!
Just stopping from the UBP and thought I’d say hello! I hope you visit my party post!
http://www.thehealthymoms.net/2009/03/ultimate-blog-party-2009.html
Love your site, it is cool. I am going to pass it along to my mom. She told me about the blog party, so I wanted to visit your site. My name is Becca and I have a cooking website with easy recipes for kids. If you have a minute, take a look or have your kids who like to cook stop by for a visit. We have videos of other kids cooking to make cooking easier. Thank you and have fun at the blog party!
Cool cooking videos
Hi…am stopping over from UBP 09….am new to the blogging scene…less than a week old actually. Do stop over at my blog sometime http://energizerbunnysmommyreports.blogspot.com/
Looking forward to reading about your trip to India. Wonderful giveaway. thanks!
Your UBP post is wonderful. I appreciate that you felt compelled to write about a humanitarian effort rather than just yourself. I would love to add the Compassionate button to my blog. I don’t have a ton of readers yet but every bit counts, right? I’ve subscribed as well and I look forward to more reading.
Just dropping in at the party to say hello. It is very nice to meet you.
-Carrie
Hello – here on the party route – still trying to meet up with all the blogs – have been to 250+ so far – last day!
Stopping by to say HI from the UBP! I’m looking forward to finding out more about Compassion India. I’ve always been a big supporter of Compassion.
What a great story. I pray that God blesses you and your works! Have a great day.
Thank you!
I love hearing that, Stacey…thank you 🙂
🙂 Thank you, oh, you-with-the-fun-name :). I wondered if readers would
think it odd, but right now I have the children in India on my mind & heart
all the time, so I’m looking for ways to share that with others. Suddenly,
I wish I had a squillion readers so these KIDS would get sponsored, ya know?
Thank you for helping towards that end, and I truly believe it’s not just
about how many readers you have…it’s about your passion and influence in
their lives by your words of conviction. 🙂
Here comes the prize train….TOOT TOOT!!!! You’re a winner, stay tuned! Reference #526
When you get a minute, send me the badge code, OK? Hugs, e-Mom
I will gladly place your badge on my blog. Feel free to send it to me.wish you all the best of luck on your trip.