Today we had the joy of catching up with Mary Collins, Executive Director of Alternatives Pregnancy Center in Waterloo, to hear what God has been up to at the Center!

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Alternatives Pregnancy Center offers Cedar Valley women hope and help during crisis or unplanned pregnancies.  For more information call 319-232-5683 or visit their website.

Brent Manion, Mary Collins, & Julia Taylor

Posted: July 30th, 2009 under Alternatives Pregnancy Center.
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Today we had the joy of talking with Jeff Bartmess about his Friend for Life, his wife Venus.

Jeff writes, “My best friend was a sweet lady from Philippines. We talked online a lot for a few months. We could talk about anything and everything. The friendship grew to the point we couldn’t go 1 day without talking on the phone and online both, some days we talked 3-4 times and texted all day and night. WOW that got expensive on the phone bills. Soon we were talking about wanting to spend our lives together. I went to the Philippines to meet this wonderful person. As soon I exited the plane and walking down the rollaway stairs I saw this little beautiful woman across the airport hiding behind an electric poll. She was so shy, scared and beautiful. After we faced each other the first time we knew in our hearts we were to be together for life. We married July 28, 2007. She has such a passion to be the greatest wife God could have ever wanted in the whole world. She follows Gods ways as a wife and is the BEST friend I have ever had/have or ever want.

The weirdest part is I prayed for 8 long years for Gods help to find a good wife but I never gave God the power to do his part. I kept trying on my own to find a woman of my own needs and wishes. As soon as I was so fed-up and finally gave up on my ridicules search God gave me my best friend, wife and mother of our new baby. God has blessed my heart beyond comprehension and understanding.

So Julia and I had the joy of talking with Jeff on the phone to hear his story!

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Posted: July 30th, 2009 under Friend for Life Winners.
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While traveling I picked up a Psychology Today and read an article on kissing.  I found two quotes very interesting.

“Men instinctively use kissing to smooth over conflicts–with great success.”

“Women incorrectly believe kissing is not a good way to reconcile after a fight.”

I asked Paul, my husband, what he thought.  He smiled and said that as long as you don’t over use it.  It’s hard to argue when I’m a half puddle of goo from just a smile.

So Brent and I pose the question:  Is a kiss an effective form of conflict resolution?

By the way, I think there is a science behind delivering a kiss during an disagreement.  Failure to execute precisely can be fatal.

Posted: July 30th, 2009 under Marriage.
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Our thanks to Pastor Morris Anderson of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church for joining us on the show to talk about the recent outbreak of shootings in Waterloo and what our area pastors are doing to proactively address the situation.

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For more information contact the church at NewHope100@msn.com or call 319-233-7664.

Posted: July 29th, 2009 under Uncategorized.
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Registration is going on now for the seventh annual community baby shower and health and resource fair.  This year’s event will take place Thursday, September 24^thfrom 1 – 6 pm at The Salvation Army.  The Army is located at 1000 C Avenue NW in Cedar Rapids.

The event is a partnership between The Salvation Army and Hawkeye Area Community Action Program (HACAP).  Both agencies will continue taking registrations through August 31st.

Registration Sites:

HACAP InnCircle                HACAP  Urban
5560 6^th Street SW                1328 2^ndAve SE
Cedar Rapids, IA                Cedar Rapids, IA
Tel: 366-7631                        Tel: 366-7632

HACAP Marion                 HACAP Taylor (Beginning 8/1)
3405 7th Avenue, #100        720 7th Avenue SW
Marion, IA                         Cedar Rapids, IA
Tel: 447-5816         Tel: 558-2140
The Salvation Army
1000 C Avenue NW
Cedar Rapids, IA
Tel: 364-9131

To register you must provide:         1) Photo identification
2) Social security numbers for children being registered

Proof of income or FEMA # is also required to qualify for free give-a-way items.  Income guidelines:  Up to 150% of federal poverty threshold.  Acceptable documentation includes:  Pay check, bank statement, WIC booklet, food stamp card, assistance notice from the Department of Human Services or documentation/correspondence with FEMA number.

Donations of new and gently used baby and toddler items are needed for distribution to families in need.  Examples of donation items include toys, clothing, blankets, crib sheets, bathing and feeding supplies, strollers, high chairs, pack-n-plays, diapers, wipes and other baby gear.  Donations can be dropped off to:
The Salvation Army
Monday – Friday from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.
Now through Friday, September 11^th

Marion & Cedar Rapids Wal-Mart Locations
Friday, August 7^th Saturday, August 8^th
9 am – 6 pm                        8 am – 8 pm

Friday, August 14^th Saturday, August 15^th
9 am – 6 pm                            8 am – 8 pm

Participants will be able to “shop” for the items they need during the event distribution.  The fair is also designed to be a resource for families with valuable on-site services including vision, dental and developmental screenings for infants and toddlers.  Area businesses, social service agencies, health affiliates and others will have also informational booths.  Participants can use the time to visit with representatives and learn about the many different kinds of community services that are available for their families and children.

Volunteers are also needed for donation collection, set-up prior to the event and support the day of the event.  For more information on these volunteer opportunities, how to register and donation needs, visit The Salvation Army website at tsacedarrapids.org or call The Army at 319-364-9131.

Hear Brent’s conversation with Lieutenant Michael Sjogren, Corps Officer and Lindsay Hand, Director of Social Services at the Cedar Rapids Salvation Army.

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Posted: July 29th, 2009 under Baby Shower, Salvation Army.
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