Terri Reed's Blog, page 34
April 17, 2013
Let Freedom Ring
Love Inspired Historical author Louise Gouge has a post over on the Craftie Ladies of Romance blog regarding freedom and Boston and the cowards who perpetrated the horrible bombing on Monday.
http://craftieladiesofromance.blogspot.com
http://craftieladiesofromance.blogspot.com
April 11, 2013
Techdirt article
More interesting reading from the old-man-yells-at-cloud dept.
http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130408/01345422620/authors-guilds-scott-turow-supreme-court-google-ebooks-libraries-amazon-are-all-destroying-authors.shtml
http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130408/01345422620/authors-guilds-scott-turow-supreme-court-google-ebooks-libraries-amazon-are-all-destroying-authors.shtml
April 10, 2013
Scott Turow's opinion piece
This is an interesting article worth reading.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/08/opinion/the-slow-death-of-the-american-author.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2&hp
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/08/opinion/the-slow-death-of-the-american-author.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2&hp
April 8, 2013
Being a Samaritan
Two summers ago my family traveled to the Ukraine to help Samaritan Ministries Ukraine. We spent a week with the kind and welcoming people and with Peace Corps volunteer Ben Fresquez. We were impressed with Ben and his passion for giving. Here's a letter from Ben on the work he and Samaritan Ministries Ukraine is doing.
http://us5.campaign-archive2.com/?u=adcefd8094d11a7175064ca2a&id=b8d73d8977&e=9a2077d345
NOTHING IS SWEETER THAN THAT!
April 7, 2013
My name is Ben Fresquez and I am a Peace Corps volunteer working with Samaritan Ministries in Ukraine. I have been living in Ukraine for nearly two years and have had the greatest experience of my life. As a community development volunteer, I have the opportunity to work in many different areas, both within the Pulin community and throughout the country.
One of these includes my interest and passion for business. In this regard, I have been working with SMU Director, Alex Brzhezytskyy on our regional Social Enterprise Development program centralized in the Zhytomyrska Oblast. Working with the SMU micro-financing program and watching the businesses grow in the short years I have been here, has been so completely fulfilling and inspiring.
I recently spent an interesting day working with Ivan Prokopchuk on his farm last week in the village of Skolobiv. Ivan is a small agricultural business owner who specializes in dairy and meat production. Two years ago, Ivan received his first SMU business loan of $5,000 needed to purchase equipment to prepare land for his operation. Once repayment was complete in the summer of last year, he then received a second loan to grow the operation and boost production. Ivan now operates a large farming operation of pigs, sheep, poultry, and over 100 cattle! It is amazing to see how much growth and success that can be achieved through something as simple as a loan.
In Ukraine, aspiring business owners face many obstacles in starting their businesses and contributing to the local economy. Businesses find it exceedingly difficult to develop their operation due to the high interest rates chrged by banks, and the challenges of getting the initial capital. According to research statistics, Ukraine’s small and medium businesses contribute only around 10–15 percent of GDP, which pales in comparison to the U.S. (50.7) and Canada (54.2) percent contribution. For many Ukrainian business owners, securing bank loans can prove to be impossible for most. It is difficult to find good credit conditions that will allow borrowers to pay the principal on a loan, while at the same time generating sufficient income.
SMU micro-financing program offers short-term, low-interest rates (approximately 8-10 percent per annum) as compared to 25-40 percent offered by banks. Our program is focused on building strong, trusting and robust relationships with clients by teaching people how to operate their business more efficiently, write a business plan, and market their products or services. We offer the necessary training, follow-up, and feedback for optimum success. The interest, which is sometimes paid back in-kind, is used to help sustain the Samaritan ministry, while the principle is returned to the general fund to make it available to another person or family. In this way, the program is revolving and self-sustaining.
Ivan’s success would not have been possible without the support from the SMU micro-loan. Over the last year, Ivan has been able to successfully grow his business and become a lead supplier of dairy and meat in the region. He is one of the largest suppliers for Рудь "Rud", one of Zhytomyr’s top ice-cream companies! Nothing is sweeter than that!
On the behalf of SMU
Ben FresquezHELP THE CAUSE
You can support SMU by making your checks payable to Good Samaritan Ministries or Amigo Relief Missions and sending to the following addresses:
IN THE US
Good Samaritan Ministries
C/O Donald N. Miller
12814 NW Bishop Rd
Hillsboro, OR 97124
IN CANADA
Amigo Relief Missions
C/O Dennis Scraba
23 Donnely Terrace
Sherwood Park, AB
T8H 2B3
Canada
Mark your check "Zhitomir"
Widow's Home
CONNECTIONSSHARE THIS EMAILJOIN onFACEBOOK
http://us5.campaign-archive2.com/?u=adcefd8094d11a7175064ca2a&id=b8d73d8977&e=9a2077d345
NOTHING IS SWEETER THAN THAT!April 7, 2013
My name is Ben Fresquez and I am a Peace Corps volunteer working with Samaritan Ministries in Ukraine. I have been living in Ukraine for nearly two years and have had the greatest experience of my life. As a community development volunteer, I have the opportunity to work in many different areas, both within the Pulin community and throughout the country.
One of these includes my interest and passion for business. In this regard, I have been working with SMU Director, Alex Brzhezytskyy on our regional Social Enterprise Development program centralized in the Zhytomyrska Oblast. Working with the SMU micro-financing program and watching the businesses grow in the short years I have been here, has been so completely fulfilling and inspiring.
I recently spent an interesting day working with Ivan Prokopchuk on his farm last week in the village of Skolobiv. Ivan is a small agricultural business owner who specializes in dairy and meat production. Two years ago, Ivan received his first SMU business loan of $5,000 needed to purchase equipment to prepare land for his operation. Once repayment was complete in the summer of last year, he then received a second loan to grow the operation and boost production. Ivan now operates a large farming operation of pigs, sheep, poultry, and over 100 cattle! It is amazing to see how much growth and success that can be achieved through something as simple as a loan.
In Ukraine, aspiring business owners face many obstacles in starting their businesses and contributing to the local economy. Businesses find it exceedingly difficult to develop their operation due to the high interest rates chrged by banks, and the challenges of getting the initial capital. According to research statistics, Ukraine’s small and medium businesses contribute only around 10–15 percent of GDP, which pales in comparison to the U.S. (50.7) and Canada (54.2) percent contribution. For many Ukrainian business owners, securing bank loans can prove to be impossible for most. It is difficult to find good credit conditions that will allow borrowers to pay the principal on a loan, while at the same time generating sufficient income.
SMU micro-financing program offers short-term, low-interest rates (approximately 8-10 percent per annum) as compared to 25-40 percent offered by banks. Our program is focused on building strong, trusting and robust relationships with clients by teaching people how to operate their business more efficiently, write a business plan, and market their products or services. We offer the necessary training, follow-up, and feedback for optimum success. The interest, which is sometimes paid back in-kind, is used to help sustain the Samaritan ministry, while the principle is returned to the general fund to make it available to another person or family. In this way, the program is revolving and self-sustaining.
Ivan’s success would not have been possible without the support from the SMU micro-loan. Over the last year, Ivan has been able to successfully grow his business and become a lead supplier of dairy and meat in the region. He is one of the largest suppliers for Рудь "Rud", one of Zhytomyr’s top ice-cream companies! Nothing is sweeter than that!
On the behalf of SMU
Ben FresquezHELP THE CAUSE
You can support SMU by making your checks payable to Good Samaritan Ministries or Amigo Relief Missions and sending to the following addresses:
IN THE US
Good Samaritan Ministries
C/O Donald N. Miller
12814 NW Bishop Rd
Hillsboro, OR 97124
IN CANADA
Amigo Relief Missions
C/O Dennis Scraba
23 Donnely Terrace
Sherwood Park, AB
T8H 2B3
Canada
Mark your check "Zhitomir"
Widow's Home
CONNECTIONSSHARE THIS EMAILJOIN onFACEBOOK
April 5, 2013
Heartwarming Story
A friend sent me this link regarding an amazing group of young women and the love they poured out on their coach.
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-plaschke-westmont-20130331,0,2860809,full.column
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-plaschke-westmont-20130331,0,2860809,full.column
April 4, 2013
I see London, I see France...
Well, I'm back from my trip to London and Paris. Here a few pictures of my travels.
My friend Leah Vale came with me.
Getting ready to take off.
Author Leah Vale and I.
In front of Kensington Palace
Leah and my daughter. It was cold but sunny
Tea at The Tea Box in Richmond Upon Thames. I love tea. 
Parliament. We sat in on the House of Lords while they debated a bill on child welfare. Very interesting.Headed to Paris for four days. We took the Eurostar to France.
The view from our hotel room in Paris. The Musee d'Orsay and the Tuileries gardens in the distance. We went to the d'Orsay. BEST MUSUEM EVER!
I loved the elevator in the hotel.
We see it and are determined to get there. We walked. It took a long time.
The Eiffel Tower at Night
The Holy Crown Relic which is kept in Notre Dame. I was within arm's lengthas the priest carried this on a red velvet pillow.
Waiting in line to go in.
Notre Dame 
Back in London. 
The Thames River is behind me on our last day.
March 28, 2013
Simba
I returned from my trip aboard to find Simba doing so much better. He's up and around and barely limping. He's still on some meds but I'm slowly weaning him off to see how he does. Here he is fresh from the groomers, all clean and smelling nice.
March 5, 2013
Update on Simba
Well, after two hours with the animal neurologist, we're no closer to an answer as to why the little guys lame on his left front leg. Doctor said it could be a bulging disks in his neck, however, he shows no signs of pain when palpating or manipulating his neck, leg or spine. It could also be a cyst on the nerve or a tumor. Only an MRI will give us more information. Ugh! He'll have to go under full sedation for it.
He's still on pain meds and restricted activity. I just want the little guy to feel better.
He's still on pain meds and restricted activity. I just want the little guy to feel better.
March 4, 2013
Guest today at Fliterary
New Love Inspired Suspense author Lisa Phillips invited me to be a guest on her blog today. Lisa's book The Ultimate Betrayal will be out in late 2013.
http://fliterary.blogspot.com
