Meet SCwSG Team Member Trisha Barton 04/26 by Dr Diane Dike | Blog Talk Radio

Meet SCwSG Team Member Trisha Barton 04/26 by Dr Diane Dike | Blog Talk Radio

Amazing Interview!

Kristie Barton's Volunteer Testimony!

My husband, Keith Barton, and I have been together for five years. We have a daughter and son. We always believed we were close to God until we actually were! We got married and baptized at our home on the same night, Sept. 4, 2011. God sent us signs of what he wanted us to do and why. Everything changed for the better that night.


I had God-given gifts and dismissed them or ignored them throughout my life. After I really gave myself to the Lord, my gifts and blessing came on full force. It's exciting and I'm hungering for more! I don't make it to every church function, but I always make sure to keep my feet grounded in the Word, even if that means staying up late to study, journal and read my Bible. 


Even with all the blessings pouring in, we still struggled financially.  Since I wanted to stay home to raise my children, and with daycare costing more than what I could make in wages, I prayed patiently for God. I started babysitting children but when it caused negative changes in my own, I knew that was not right. My children’s well-being is more important than money. 


One morning, I came across a link to “start your own business, only $99.” Doubtful, I clicked on the link for more information, and found out the job was to be a Scentsy consultant. I love Scentsy products, but never considered selling them. I was hesitant having tried Avon in the past and lost money rather than gained. However, I didn’t have God's help in that venture, so I called the number. We only had $220 to our name, I was very cautious.


The next day I couldn't stop thinking about it! So I dove in and trusted God. I signed up, and found every other consultant to be good hearted, honest, Christian women. 


Thinking of ways to give back to God, I remembered my mother-in-law, Trisha Barton, so happy volunteering with SCwSG. She told me Diane’s inspiring story and a little about the organization. I was amazed, and wanted to help children and animals too. So, I decided to donate 10 percent of my product sales to help the foster care program.  


The same night, I awoke at 3:30 a.m. KNOWING I was to raise that amount to 15 percent, gladly giving most of my commissions to SCwSG. And God has blessed me!  I have reached level one in Scentsy's 70-day goal in just 2.5 weeks. My personal wish is to at least get to a level 2. I would not have been able to do this alone. It is only through God that it was made true! I am not far from my second goal.  I am so thankful for God's blessings in this, and I'm so happy to share my blessings with SCwSG.


If you would like to help, please find my link in the Second Chance with Saving Grace store under "fundraisers" or go directly to my site. Be sure to click on the SCwSG party link so we can keep track of how much we raise (orders over $150 get free shipping). Feel free to call my business line: 903-394-2231 if you need help or want to join the SCwSG Fundraising Team or are interested in volunteering with this outstanding organization! 

Today's Devotional brought to you by prayer warrior Michelle Simpson

Genesis 37:5-10, 23-24

⁵ Now Joseph had a dream, and he told it to his brothers; and they hated him even more. ⁶ So he said to them, “Please hear this dream which I have dreamed: ⁷ There we were, binding sheaves in the field. Then behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright; and indeed your sheaves stood all around and bowed down to my sheaf.”

⁸ And his brothers said to him, “Shall you indeed reign over us? Or shall you indeed have dominion over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words.

⁹ Then he dreamed still another dream and told it to his brothers, and said, “Look, I have dreamed another dream. And this time, the sun, the moon, and the eleven stars bowed down to me.”

¹⁰ So he told it to his father and his brothers; and his father rebuked him and said to him, “What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall your mother and I and your brothers indeed come to bow down to the earth before you?” ¹¹ And his brothers envied him, but his father kept the matter in mind.

²³ So it came to pass, when Joseph had come to his brothers, that they stripped Joseph of his tunic, the tunic of many colors that was on him. ²⁴ Then they took him and cast him into a pit. And the pit was empty; there was no water in it.

So Joseph finds himself in a pit right after God had revealed that He was going to set Joseph apart and above is family. We have all been there, a mountaintop experience when we have felt so close to God and then we find ourselves in a pit! Sometimes we have dug the pit ourselves and sometimes others have dug it for us. Sometimes we are pushed into the pit and sometimes we blindly follow others into it, nevertheless we are there wondering if we misunderstood what God had shown us on the mountaintop. I am sure Joseph probably questioned his circumstances at times. He was human, but the Bible doesn't record it. Instead we see Joseph trusting God through it all. We all know the end of this story. God used the pit time to get Joseph to Egypt. Then He used more pit time, in a dungeon, to have Joseph appointed over all of the agriculture in the area so that through Joseph God could provide for His people all over that region during a severe drought and famine.

I hear you beloved follower of Christ. You think God has never spoken to you or given you a vision of greatness to hang on to. Maybe you think it might be easier if you had something to hang on to like Joesph. I have good news! He has spoken a word of promise to you, something you can hang on to during trials and tribulations. It is found in I Peter 2:9; '⁹ But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; " He has chosen you. When you chose something it is because it is your favorite, you prefer it over all others! God has chosen you! You are His favorite! We are royal. We worth dignity and honor in His eyes! We are a priesthood. Priests were intercessors in Jesus' day. He has given us all the job of being intercessors for our fanily, friends and those around us! We are a specail people. We are so treasured by God that He purchased us! So you see my friend, you are set apart by God for a purpose!! Wherever you are today hang on to that truth!

Father there is none like You! You created everything visible and invisible and in all of your creation you call us your favorite! It is almost too much for our minds to grasp. Thank You for loving us so much, for setting us apart and giving us a purpose! Help us to remember that when we find ourselves in a pit and to trust You inspite of our circumstances just like Joseph did! In Jesus name, amen!

Today's Devotional brought to you by prayer warrior Michelle Simpson

Psalm 121

God the Help of Those Who Seek Him

A Song of Ascents.
¹ I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
From whence comes my help?
² My help comes from the LORD,
Who made heaven and earth.
³ He will not allow your foot to be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
⁴ Behold, He who keeps Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.
⁵ The LORD is your keeper;
The LORD is your shade at your right hand.
⁶ The sun shall not strike you by day,
Nor the moon by night.
⁷ The LORD shall preserve you from all evil;
He shall preserve your soul.
⁸ The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in
From this time forth, and even forevermore.
This is one of the many songs of ascents in the Psalms. These were songs sung by the Israelites as they made their journeys to Jerusalem to worship God in the Temple. They were required to travel to Jerusalem three times a year for the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks and the Feast of Tabernacles. These feasts were known as the Pilgrimage Feasts (Deuteronomy 16:16-17). The journey was long and dangerous for many of the people. They sang these songs to remind themselves of the greatness of God and to stay focused on the pilgrimage rather than the circumstances of the journey. These songs were also sung by the exiles as they returned from Babylonian captivity.

Psalm 121 speaks of God's faithfulness to protect them from the elements. He is there shade from the sun and their protection from becoming moonstruck (a very real fear in those days). They remind each other that God does not slumber or sleep. Night time was particularly hazardous for the travelers. Not only were theives on the road but there was also the threat of wild animals, so it was great comfort to know that God did not sleep but kept a constant vigil over His people. The road was steep, often the trail was narrow with ledges, so again there would have been great comfort in knowing that God would not allow their feet to slip.

God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Do you feel like an exile? Has your journey been trecherous? Sing Psalm 121 today. Claim His awesome protection for you, your family and your situation. He does not slumber or sleep. You are his child! Call out to Abba, Father! He hears and will answer!

Abba, Father, Protector, Mighty God, be with me now! I am like a child frightened by a nightmare. My situation seems impossible and daunting! But this I know, You are God and what seems impossible with man is possible with You!! So I come into Your sanctuary, knowing You are awesome in this place! I cast all of my fears and cares on You Abba, Father and give You praise for what You are doing and for what You are going to do! Thank You Father for everything You have done! In Jesus name, amen.

Daily Devotion

This week's Daily Devotion is brought to you by Dream Team member Bobbi Heffel

I stopped to look at Mary's video update as she goes through her battle with cancer and it just struck me how we had the same thought of being in the arms of Jesus. One of my favorite things about the Christmas season is sitting in front of the lit Christmas tree with a steamy cup of tea or hot chocolate. Those lights draw me in and the next thing I know I am a million miles away in thought. The hustle and bustle of the season just falls away and I am able to focus on whatever God has for me that day.

Today as I sat in front of the Christmas tree it wasn't the lights that grabbed my attention but the ornaments. We don't have matching ornaments but more of a mish mosh of collected treasures. Each ornament has its own story; a memory of family, friends and Christmases past. I recalled when my children were younger and they would climb into my lap to hear the story of each ornament they picked out.

Then I envisioned crawling into the lap of the one that loves us best. I could hear him as he began to hold up a treasure he had created in me. He lovingly displayed it while reminding me of how he loved me and sculpted this treasure in me. That he was there with me in that situation. Always present, always loving, always giving, and always guiding. There were enough treasures to fill a whole tree! Some were storms he had brought me through. Other treasures were unexpected beauty and joy he had brought into my life; the birth of children, sunrises and sunsets, double rainbows and butterflies. Some treasures were the people God has introduced into my life; a Godly mother, a special best-friend, one particular little old lady that taught me that work is the most precious word in the English language. I could spend the rest of the day thinking of the people God has used to bless me, grow me and challenge me to new heights. Alas, the phone rang and life was calling. I long to crawl back into the lap of God, to be near him and hear what else he has to say. I pray you make the opportunity to spend time in his lap soon.

Today's Prayer
Father, thank you for being our ever present help. Thank you for the special times when we can fall into your arms. In your arms we find love, comfort, adoration, compassion, strength, protection and encouragement. Amen

Deuteronomy 33:26-28 (Amplified Bible (AMP) Biblegateway.com)
26There is none like God, O Jeshurun [Israel], Who rides through the heavens to your help and in His majestic glory through the skies.
27The eternal God is your refuge and dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms; He drove the enemy before you and thrust them out, saying, Destroy!
28And Israel dwells in safety, the fountain of Jacob alone in a land of grain and new wine; yes, His heavens drop dew.

Alert: Protect Your Business from XXX Domain Name Misuse

By: D. Sean Velarde-Managing Director, Burns, Figa & Will, PC

Business and trademark owners must act quickly to prevent their names and marks from being linked to pornography. The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) recently approved the use of domain names using the top level domain ".XXX" for websites featuring adult content.

Trademark owners and businesses' have an opportunity to block registration of .XXX domain names that correspond with their marks or business names. Under what ICANN has labeled the "Sunrise B period," business and trademark owners may file an application with participating domain name registrars for a fee typically ranging between $200-$300. The fee will protect the mark for ten years. The Sunrise B period runs until October 28, 2011. Beginning November 8, 2011, the adult entertainment industry will have the .XXX version of any available name. Beginning on December 6, 2011, the general public will be able to bid on those domains.

Trademark and business owners may find that purchasing the .XXX version of their business name and trademarks for a few hundred dollars may be nominal in expense in comparison to the damage to their business and marks should their good name fall into the hands of adult entertainment website operators. Business and trademark owners should act now by contacting participating domain name registrars to purchase the .XXX version of their name and marks.

Sean is a member of the SCwSG Dream Team
Copyright 2011 D. Sean Velarde, Esq. All Rights Reserved, (303) 796-2626

Meet Team Member: D. Sean Velarde

We are proud to feature Sean Velarde our dear and blessed friend with a kind heart and an abundance of knowledge. For several years he has been helping us better serve hurting people and animals. He protects, guides and gently teaches us.  I'll never forget our first conversation. We made an immediate connection and before long his beautiful daughter featured Gracie and I in her school report about heros. 

Soon we spoke at her school and forged a plan to meet the students at the Denver Children's Hospital where they helped us with Free Storytime and Love Kit give-a-ways all year to bless and encourage those getting treatment. I'll never forget what one mother said during a visit.  Pulling her little child in a red wagon, tubes, IV's in tow, and with tears in her eyes said, "I'll never forget this day as long as I live. It's the first time my son has smiled in months. Thank you!" 


Sean helps to make these moments possible. We highly recommend him and encourage you to contact him and enlist his services.

What Form of Entity is Best for Your New Business?

By D. Sean Velarde, Esq.

Introduction

If you desire to protect your personal assets from creditors, or you desire to minimize the tax consequences to your new business and to yourself as an owner of the business, then the legal entity you choose for your business is very important. You and your advisors must consider many factors to insure that your goals are achieved. An attorney or an accountant may appear smart by quickly stating that a particular business form is suitable for every new business. However, the proper choice of entity cannot be determined until you and your attorney explore several factors, including the purposes for forming the entity together with your desire, if any, for a limited liability and tax savings.

You must also carefully consider the legal requirements and regulations applicable to the business or its industry, the choice of jurisdiction for the new business, and your short-term and long-term goals, including ownership succession or the future potential sale of the business. The ability to sell your ownership interest in a business, the ease of raising capital, the relationship between co-owners, and liability for the business’s tax or legal problems are all dependent upon the choice of entity.

Business owners can be held personally responsible – as opposed to just the business being sued – for liabilities and injuries by anyone who believes they have been harmed in any way by the business. Owners may also be held personally responsible for certain contracts and other agreements entered into on behalf of the business. With proper planning, your personal assets can be protected from those risks and your taxes minimized. Deciding on what entity to use is one of the most important decisions made by the owner of a new business.

This article outlines several types of entities available and some of the more important factors that should be considered when choosing the best form of entity for your new business. This article provides summaries of those factors and should not be relied upon as comprehensive. Each particular circumstance is unique and requires its own independent analysis.

There are numerous types of entities for the new business owner to consider. The options include the sole proprietorship, the general partnership, various types of limited partnerships, a C-corporation, an S-corporation, or a limited liability company. 

Sole Proprietorship

An unincorporated, sole-proprietorship is one option for a new business when there is a single owner who is not concerned about limiting the owner’s liability for operating the business or his or her taxes in connection with the business. There is no legal separation between the owner and the business. Therefore, the owner is personally liable for all business-related debts, obligations, and judgments obtained against the business.

Formation of the sole proprietorship is easy and inexpensive. No filing with the secretary of state is required to form a sole proprietorship. However, the business may be required to register with certain state and local agencies and obtain applicable licenses and permits. All profits and losses from the business must be reported on the business owner’s personal tax return. Sole proprietorships have difficulty raising capital because they cannot sell interests in the business. If the owner sells a partial interest in the business, he or she and the new owner have formed a general partnership.

Given the relatively modest expense in creating an entity recognized by statute that will provide substantial protection for various personal liabilities and may also provide favorable tax treatment for the new business owner, sole proprietorships are generally viewed as an unwise choice. The single business owner who is not intentional in forming an entity with limited liability and favorable tax treatment may unwittingly operate the business as a sole proprietorship with all its attendant risks and disadvantages.

Partnerships

Generally, when two or more people associate to carry on, as co-owners, a business for profit, they have formed a partnership, whether they know it or not. Like a sole proprietorship, no filing with the secretary of state is required to form a general partnership. Again, the business may be required to register with certain state and local agencies and obtain applicable licenses and permits. Partnerships have many benefits, but can increase the risk of personal loss for business owners without proper planning. In a general partnership, all of the partners are personally exposed to the actions of the partnership and the other partners.

It is possible to form a general partnership without intending to do so. General partnerships generally are disfavored these days because each partner in a general partnership has unlimited liability for the obligations of the partnership and the acts of the other partners. If limited liability is desired, another type of entity is more desirable. For income tax purposes, general partnerships are a pass-through entity unless the partnership elects otherwise.

Each state has adopted rules regarding how partnerships operate in their state and most states have several different types of partnerships. Depending on the limited liability and tax goals of the owners, limited partnerships are often preferable to general partnerships.
In many states, a limited liability partnership is a general partnership that has elected for most or all the partners to have their liability limited to the amount of property and money they have contributed to the partnership. A limited partnership is a partnership which has at least one general partner who has unlimited liability for the obligations of the partnership, and at least one limited partner that has liability limited to his or her contribution to the limited partnership. Management of a limited partnership is vested in the general partner and may be governed by a partnership agreement or the applicable state statutes.

To form a limited partnership, the owners or the organizer of the partnership must file the appropriate articles or registration statement with the secretary of state in the state of organization. Limited liability limited partnerships, limited partnership associations, and other types of partnerships may be available depending on the state of organization and may provide unique benefits to the business owner. Limited liability partnerships, limited partnerships, limited liability limited partnerships, and limited partnership associations all are pass-through entities for tax purposes.

Corporations

A corporation is a separate legal entity owned by one or more co-owners, legally referred to as “shareholders” or “stockholders.” A corporation is formed by filing articles of incorporation with the secretary of state in the state of incorporation and paying the appropriate filing fee. Each state requires that certain information be included in the articles of incorporation, although those requirements vary from state to state. Each state also allows the incorporator to add other permissive and discretionary provisions to articles of incorporation which may be very important to the governance of the business and limiting risk.

A corporation is an independent legal entity distant from its shareholders. The corporation has a legal authority to enter into contracts, own property, litigate disputes, and transact other business consistent with its purposes. A corporation generally is characterized by providing limited liability for its shareholders, perpetual existence independent from its shareholders, transferability of ownership interests, and centralized management by its officers and directors.

Limited liability means that shareholders are not typically liable for the obligations of the corporation. Instead, their liability is limited to the amount of their investment in the stock of the corporation. Shareholders may be liable for corporate obligations if corporate formalities are not followed and a creditor can convince a court that it was appropriate to “pierce the corporate veil” to reach the shareholder’s personal assets. A shareholder may also be responsible for corporate obligations arising out of the shareholder’s own bad acts, such as breaching a legal duty to other shareholders or the corporation. Finally, a shareholder may voluntarily waive some of the limited liability protection offered by a corporation by personally guaranteeing certain obligations of the corporation like a line of credit or lease.

A corporation is governed by its articles and its bylaws. Like articles, bylaws may include various permissive and discretionary provisions which may be very important to the governance of the business and limiting risk. A corporation must also follow “corporate formalities” such as keep minutes of annual and special meetings of its shareholders and directors to avoid having its corporate veil pierced. The shareholders may also desire to have certain management and shareholder agreements like a buy-sell agreement which restricts the shareholders’ ability to sell his or her ownership. Buy-sell agreements determine how business owners may later part ways and can prevent the remaining owners from having to be in business with someone not of their choosing.

Management of the corporation as governed by its bylaws unless no bylaws are prepared, in which case it is governed by state statute. Management of a corporation is entrusted to its directors who are elected by its shareholders. Directors may delegate certain duties of management to officers. In new, small, and closely-held corporations, the shareholders often appoint themselves as directors and officers. In that case, the shareholders should avail themselves of many of the permissive and discretionary provisions which may included in the corporation’s articles and bylaws. Some of the optional provisions include providing for the indemnification and elimination of liability of directors in certain circumstances.

A common type of corporation is the C-corporation which is a for-profit, state-incorporated business. C-corporations can take advantage of corporate benefit plans, health plans, and retirement plans that are not available to some non-corporate businesses. Also, the C-corporation is easiest entity for raising capital. The primary disadvantage of a C-corporation is that it is subject to double taxation. That is, the corporation’s income is taxed at the corporate level and then, when its shareholders receive dividends or other distributions, taxed again on the shareholders’ personal tax returns.

Under the Internal Revenue Code, Subchapter S, certain corporations may elect “S-corporation” treatment. An S-corporation is a corporation that elects not to have its income taxed at the corporate level. Rather, it is a “pass-through” entity which means its shareholders are allocated a pro rata share of the corporation’s net income that they then must report on their individual tax returns. To qualify for S-corporation treatment, the corporation must have a limited number of shareholders who generally must be U.S. citizens or resident aliens, must have no more than one class of stock, and generally may not have any entities as shareholders. Further, all of the corporation’s shareholders must approve the election to be taxed as an S-corporation and file the appropriate IRS forms within seventy-five days after incorporation. The S-corporation offers the same limited liability protection for its shareholders, perpetual existence independent from its shareholders, and centralized management. However, given the Internal Revenue Service regulation, transferability of ownership interests is not as easy as that of a C-corporation.

Limited Liability Companies

Limited liability companies (LLCs) provide limited liability to its owners, usually referred to as “members.” An LLC is formed when it files articles of organization with the secretary of state in the state of organization and pays the appropriate filing fee. Like partnerships, most limited liability companies are pass-through entities for federal income tax purposes. However, its members may elect corporate tax treatment. If an LLC has only one member, the member can elect to have the entity disregarded for federal tax purposes. The LLC will enjoy state provided limited liability, but sole proprietorship tax treatment.

An LLC may be managed by its members or managers chosen by its members. Depending on the owner’s desires, the election of how the LLC is managed from the beginning can be very important. The governing document for an LLC is its operating agreement – the rough equivalent of corporate bylaws. An operating agreement need not be in writing, but most state statutes offer the LLC and its members additional limited liability and other permissive provisions that must be specifically included in the operating agreement for the LLC to avail itself of the maximum possible protection. Operating agreements may also include a buy-sell agreement and a management agreement within the document.

In short, forming a sole proprietorship, a partnership, a corporation, or a limited liability company is easy. The sole proprietorship and general partnership do not require any special filing to be formed. Corporations, LLCs, and limited partnerships are formed simply upon the filing of the articles of incorporation or organization with the secretary of state in the desired state and paying the applicable filing fee. No attorney or accountant is necessary. The proper forms may be found online. If you prefer limited assistance, you can find people on the internet willing to charge a nominal fee to file the articles for you. Once filed, your corporation, LLC, or limited partnership becomes its own distinct entity, separate and apart from you. At that point, you will have some of the limited liability that the state of organization offers, but many critical issues have yet to be addressed. As mentioned, most state statutes offer additional, optional elections the business owner can make to further limit liability and risk.

When forming your new business, you should consider, among other things, the following issues:

• How the entity and your income from the entity will be taxed
• Self-employment taxes for the owners, which are imposed differently depending on the entity selected
• Franchise taxes (taxes charged to certain entities based on capital contributions of the owners which, in some cases, can be expensive) as well as entity filing fees and annual reports
• How the entity will be managed and by whom
• The choice of jurisdiction (the state of incorporation or organization—this decision may be influenced by a number of factors including whether the company seeks public or private financing and the body of law developed through the state’s court system which may lead to more predictable litigation outcomes)
• Whether to require the corporation to indemnify and/or limit the risk of certain liabilities for directors of the corporation
• Property tax issues
• Sale and use tax issues
• Succession planning, including buy-sell agreements and estate tax planning measures
• Employee stock ownership plans
• Whether the company is required to register to do business in foreign jurisdictions
• Employee and independent contractor issues, agreements, handbooks, and policies
• Intellectual property protection for copyrights, trademarks, patents, and trade secrets
• Employee benefits (including owner-employees) such as ERISA benefit plans, health insurance plans, vacation and leave policies
• Various business insurance

Most lawyers tend to have two types of clients: the first type of client is the client who is willing to seek and pay for preventative legal measures to limit future risks and taxes; the second type of client is the one who is unwilling to seek advice and plan in advance. Depending on the level of planning up front, which in some instances may be perceived as expensive, the first type of client almost always pays a small fraction in legal fees than the second type of client. This is true because it often is the second type of client who later finds himself or herself in expensive, unpredictable, and largely uncontrollable litigation possibly resulting in a judgment against the business and, in some instances, the owners themselves. Good planning with competent legal counsel from the beginning can help you protect your business, your personal assets, and (like preventative medicine or car maintenance) can save you significant money later.

Copyright © 2010 D. Sean Velarde, Esq. All Rights Reserved

6400 S. Fiddler's Green Circle
Suite 1000
Greenwood Village, CO 80111

Phone (303) 796-2626

Fax (303) 796-2777  

Laurie's Second Chance with Saving Grace Story!

Second Chance is a great reason to get out of bed!

My name is Laurie Thomas and I live in Downers Grove, Illinois. I am a former teacher and graduated from Northern Illinois University, in 1983 with a BA in elementary and special education. I’m constantly amazed reading Diane’s Facebook wall posts, the issues that she has gone through personally, with family and how she was there at the end for her Mom, best friend Jan, Jan’s husband Dave, and last but not least, Diane’s precious service dog Gracie during her cancer ordeal. I know that Diane is the "real deal" and to see that kind of love pouring out, even after all she has gone through, is exceptional. Diane’s life experiences help us all to keep our own pain in proper perspective and to realize we can help others to find God and bring them closer to Him no matter what tough times we may be experiencing. We just need to be willing to reach out.

Shortly after I met Diane online, I was recovering from a hysterectomy and a blood clot when she surprised me with a gift of hope and encouragement by way of a SCwSG “Love Kit.” It was exciting to receive her books, a t-shirt, the card, bookmark and Gracie baby. Her autobiography, “God Made Only One Of Me” inspired me to use my own hard times for good and it was nice to know that there was a group out there and people I’ve never met in person who cared about what I was going through. This made me feel special and loved!

We became fast friends and I wanted to join the team to help her and SCwSG to “spread the love.” The way she has struggled and yet overcomes serious daily challenges brings healing to my soul. Diane helps me realize that I, too, can "be strong and courageous" – words Diane often posts in her messages. I see Diane and SCwSG team members as compassionate and loving people. Each member takes time daily to pray for one another as well as others who are going through tough times. And anyone who understands what a gift a 2nd chance can be is welcome to join the team and share their gifts and talents to help hurting people and animals. 

Diane's goal, as the leader, is to help make your dreams come true. She is helping make mine come true by allowing me to write, share encouraging prayers, help manage the fan Facebook pages, and to share my rhyme – some thoughts and lessons to be taught: Freestyle writer, wanting to make the world brighter, a freedom fighter. I hope to help others understand Attention Deficit Disorder and the challenges people with ADD have in a world that too often doesn’t. Ready to shine God's bright light and share that helpful insight with what I write.

My interests include: church, photography, writing, arts and crafts, scrapbooking, community fests, volunteering and traveling. My Mom is from England where I taught students. I am blessed with many lovely family memories.

Thank you Diane for caring enough to reach out to me, send me a “Love Kit” and welcome me to your amazing team at Second Chance with Saving Grace. The best is yet to be, I do believe.

GO TEAM, GO!!

Trisha Barton's SCwSG Testimony

From the moment I first heard Diane’s story, I knew I had to meet her.

Through Facebook, we became friends and when I found out she would be travelling through Texas on her way to Florida I decided to find a way to get her to stop in my small town of LaPorte.

Well, after a few messages back and forth, she agreed to stop in for a night and it turned into three!

We went to my church Wednesday and God saw to it that she gave her testimony that night ... so many lives were impacted by that brief talk. People stayed after and a long line formed to meet her and of course Gracie too.

On Friday, she spoke to several classes at LaPorte High school. It was amazing! So many students came up to tell her what an impact her message had on them. She has a wonderful way of connecting with people of all ages and attitudes!

It is hard not to want to hug her and let her know she and Gracie are loved and have caused healing because of their message.

It was a great few days that I'll treasure forever. Paul, Diane and Gracie are down-to-earth, genuinely sincere people who want to help those who are hurting. It was amazing to watch them minister to all ages everywhere we went.

Their mission in life is to provide hurting people with the knowledge that they can “BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS”.

That is hard to do sometimes, but when you look at Diane and see what she is going through, you can know that God is there through thick and thin and will bring you through the storms.

I wholeheartedly recommend that you go to www.DianeDike.org Get to know her. Once you do you will want to tell others about her. She needs us just as much as we need to keep her out and about speaking of God’s goodness.

She has an incredible message just for you! To know Diane is to love her. I've joined her nonprofit, Second Chance with Saving Grace. I'm thankful to be apart of this important outreach team, using my gifts and talents to be all I can be. I'm transforming the world and you can too!!

Thank you and God bless. -Trisha Barton and family

American Missionary Journey

Paul, Gracie & Diane in a town near you!

With an extraordinary faith, hope, and love this amazing team touches hearts around the globe. Their inspiring story books, Love Kits of Hope and Encouragement, autobiography, God made Only One of Me and incredible outreach work to orphanages, hospitals, nursing homes, prisons, schools, churches, ~wherever they are invited~transforms lives. A happy reader wrote, "I came home to your package on my doorstep. I was going to go out but picked up your book and am now on page 106, laughing and enjoying yours and Paul's love story with tears in my eyes. What a blessing..."-Greg A guest at one of their events exclaims: "Don't miss the opportunity to meet this amazing team. You will never be the same!"-Tina

TRAVEL SCHEDULE
They plan to leave Colorado heading west & pick-up 191 thru Utah & Arizona.
Then I-10 thru New Mexico into Texas & continue on I-10 thru Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama & Finally into Florida then picking up I-75. They will need to arrive into Tampa, Florida for an event by Dec. 17-18.

It's easy to schedule their amazing testimony, disability educational presentation or marriage enrichment message at your Church, College, School or other important venue call: 303-225-2717 or visit the web site: http://www.DianeDike.org They are looking forward to meeting you, serving & allowing God to use them for His Glory!

Your Second Chance with Saving Grace Volunteer Team!
http://www.DianeDike.org Call TODAY! 303-225-2717
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Wake Up Call X3~McCartney, FCA, Diane Dike, Ph.D.

http://www.promisekeepers.org/home/wake-up-call---parker-co/?goMotive=IA95-2WUC

Come join us for the "Wake Up Call X3" with McCartney, Fellowship of Christian Athletes' Jeff Hutcheon and motivational speaker Diane Dike, Ph.D.

"Promise Keepers is urgent about bringing God's people together at this critical time," said McCartney. "We are pleased to gather with other ministries to rally entire families for what God has planned."

Vail-based Dr. Diane Dike (founder of Second Chance with Saving Grace, www.dianedike.com) will also speak. "Current economic stress and spiritual emptiness urge us to come together," said Dike. "It's never too late for men, women and youth to be all God created them to be and use their gifts to glorify God." Dike is also co-founder of the Rocky Mountain Spiritual Tsunami project.

The "Wake Up Call X3" begins at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 30, 2009 at Southeast Christian Church, 9650