This is my first blog post here, so I thought that I would go ahead and full introduce myself. I am a single mom, living in South Louisiana. 

My first experience with sponsorship was when I was in sixth grade. I attended school at an all girl's Catholic School . My class chose to sponsor a child, we sponsored him through high school. IN fact, a couple of the girls actually got to meet him. 

It was an amazing experiece and it has stuck with me all these years. I have been active, in horse rescue, greyhound rescue, pet welfare ( a military no kill shelter helping military families/veterans) and st joseph's diner ( a local feeding program) as well as teaching therapeutic riding.

I am a medic who does not work in the field at this time. I work in the medical audit and billing /research area now. I have had many jobs, certified massage therapist, certified therapeutic riding instructor, horse trainer, riding instructor, kennel manager, bar/nightclub manager, Farm manager, File Clerk, Veterinary Assistant/surgical tech ( large and small animal) and I am sure that I have forgotten a few along the way. I was in the US air force 96th comm sq many moons ago.. attended Millsaps College, USL, NWFL University, okaloosa-walton comm college, SL community college, LSU, and i am sure i forgot somewhere.. renewable resources.. long before it was the in thing..

I am returning to school to become a teacher. I want to have the same holidays as my daughter. I want to influence young minds.

I live as green of a lifestyle as possible. We live by reduce, recycle, reuse.. and i have since well my whole life. I am looking at 40 years old soon and my life is all about my daughter, Sarah, my dogs, my horses, my cat... work and starting all over again.

I love to read, hike, explore, ride horses ( dressage, hunter, lower level combined training, as well as just riding) drawing, painting, playing board/card games wtih my daughter. 

My daughter's name is Sarah-alexis Mackenna R. She is in 3rd grade, straight A student, loves Math, and is very hard on herself. I do not demand straight A's but she does. She attends The Academy of Sacred Heart in Grand Coteau, LA. The school inspires a sense of community, it teaches girls to think and act wisely, as well as it starts teaching children to give back to the community from Kindergarten on. 1.    A personal and active faith in God
2.    A deep respect for intellectual values
3.    A social awareness which impels to action
4.    The building of community as a Christian value
5.    Personal growth in an atmosphere of wise freedom

I think that everyone can learn from these, i wish that all children were exposed to the values( and for those in non-Christian areas.. insert their higher power) 

I am currently sponsoring three girls through Children's International.

1. Nayely Maribel, she is 10 years old and lives in Quito, Ecuador. She loves school. I have been sponsoring her since 2008. I wish I had known about sng's, special reports, etc prior to this summer. I have sent money for birthdays and Christmas every year, but due to my lack of understanding it just went to the general fund because I did not understand that I needed to earmark it for her specifically. She lives with both parents and her older brother, Darwin. Her family does better than many, living on $330 a month. I was drawn to her by her smile and her eyes.. and I still am, there is something very special about this child. 

She is a doll who I am very blessed to sponsor.

2. Tulasi, is 13 years old , loves to draw, and lives in Kolkuta India. She lives with two siblings with her parents. They live on $21  a month. She loves languages, drawing, playing outdoor games with her friends.I still have not received a welcome letter or a response to either letter that I sent, so I have no idea what her other likes are

3. Eunice, in Lusaka, Nambia Her father is deceased, her mother is a day laborer. She has two younger siblings, Andrew and Pikilina ( i love the name it is so cute) She seems like a shy child, that has a tremendous amount to offer the world.. there is something very deep and soulful about her eyes. She is a healthy child, helps her mother with several chores, and loves school. She is in 3rd grade and doing well. 

I also sponsor two other children through Child Hope Zambia, Purity and Lotia . Purity is quite ill.. but hopeefully I will able eto make things a little easier for her. I will not go into detail as I do not want to take away from this amazing organization. I dearly love C.I.

I am far from wealthy. I am just a working Mom ( my ex husband hasnt sent childsupport in many years- so.) It is worth putting a few extra hours in here and there to be able to do this.. I believe that we have to give back. I do not tithe through church, but I do believe that we must give back to our community, our world. 

I am in the process of getting fit again, loosing weight, and reestablishing myself and recommitting myself to living a healthy lifestyle, a giving, heartfelt, involved lifestyle with my community.

More later

Nicole