Audit

I am really not intending to brag- OK, maybe alittle. We went through our audit process with flying colors. Results will be posted on website soon. This is really meaningful to me for two reasons. One- I want to be able to assure those of you that contribute to this important ministry that your money is being used responsibly and in a way that honors you and God. The other reason is not unique to our ministry. Most nonprofits are managed by people who have backgrounds in Social Services. This makes sense because our primary purpose is to provide social services. I believe that my educational background and past experience allows me to develop programs that will really benefit the families that we serve. I compare this to small churches that do not have a large staff that specializes in all areas of ministry. The pastor may be pastoring and preaching, and administrating and even answering phones and handling the books. There is a large learning curve for social workers to go through in order to fully understand bookkeeping and financial issues. Social workers and CPAs do not typically speak the same language. I have worked very hard to learn all that I can to understand these processes and to surround myself with people that are knowledgeable in these areas.


The Lord has blessed us with Deana Kocylowsky, our current board treasurer. Deana is a CPA, who works for Wachovia. She reviews our financial reports and our processes on a regular basis. Deana has a servant heart and tons of patience. We are also very fortunate to have Cindy Bonner serving as our Lois' Lodge bookkeeper. It has made a huge difference to have someone on staff solely committed to operating our accounting processes. It is our desire at Lois' Lodge to serve our Lord with excellence. We are always open to your input on how we can do things better. Call us or email us: debloislodge@aol.com or 704-376-8550. Also, please feel free to add comments to the blog as you feel led. Check out our website, http://www.loislodge.org/ and keep coming back to the blog for ongoing ministry updates. DebbieI hope you and Debbie/Cindy know that you can contact us throughout the year as questions arise.
Julie A. Toschlog
C. DeWitt Foard & Company, P.A., C.P.A.'s

Baby Joshua

Mom and baby are living in our aftercare setting.

Welcome Ava Elizabeth

Carlyn Lawson had a precious baby girl, Ava Elizabeth, on Friday, March 23 at 1:29 PM. Ava weighed 8.2 lbs and is 19 inches long. Welcome baby girl. We love you Carlyn!

Lois' Lodge Banquet

This year's banquet is scheduled for November 8th at the beautiful Ballantyne Resort. Continue to check the blog for periodic updates on this important ministry event. Please contact Dawn if you are able to assit with planning for the banquet. (704)376-8550 or dg_loislodge@bellsouth.net. deb

WBT News

You can see this news story by going to: http://www.wbtv.com/home/6716167.html

Today I had a chat with my sweet friend Jeff Atkinson from WBT news. He has a way of making it feel that you are just having a friendly chat.... He called me this AM (didn't even give me a chance to run and get a major make-over) and asked me if he could interview me for his program Monday at 7 PM. He is doing a story on a law that South Carolina is trying to pass requiring women to get an ultrasound prior to having an abortion. Please pray for Jeff. This is a very important news event. If this law passes it could have national implications. See APA story below:

S.C. Legislation Would Require Ultrasound Before Abortion
By The Associated Press
Sun, Jan. 14 2007 07:54 AM ET
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - Pregnant women seeking an abortion in South Carolina would first have to look at ultrasound images of their fetus under legislation introduced this week.
The bill's sponsors believe the requirement would lead to fewer abortions, with more women opting for adoption or keeping their child.

"In having an ultrasound, someone who's considering an abortion can see it's not just a blob of tissue, that it is a human life," said Sen. Larry Grooms, R-Bonneau. "Once their decision is fully understood, they're more likely to choose life."

Pro-choice activists criticize the measure as restricting women's reproductive rights.
"It's another intimidation tactic aimed at restricting access," said Lindsay Siler, a spokeswoman for Planned Parenthood Health Systems in Raleigh, N.C.

But the bill's chief sponsor, Sen. Kevin Bryant, argued the proposal does not take away any rights. "This would give them a more informed choice," said the Anderson Republican. "A 10-week-old baby has 10 developed fingers and toes. That's a picture I would like people to see when they consider."

Before performing an abortion, doctors would be required to verify the gestational age of a fetus with an ultrasound, then show the ultrasound images to the patient, who must sign a consent form saying she's reviewed them.

NARAL Pro-Choice America believes women should have the option of an ultrasound, but they should not be forced to undergo a medically unnecessary procedure and view the images against their will. "The women of South Carolina are fully capable of asking their doctor for information they need to make private, personal medical decisions. Politicians don't belong in the examining room," said Nancy Keenan, president of the Washington-based group. In its 2006 report card on women's reproductive rights, Pro-Choice America gave South Carolina an "F," ranking it 38th among the 50 states and Washington, D.C. It included among South Carolina's negatives that it restricts insurance coverage of abortions, requires parental consent for teens younger than 17, and allows doctors to refuse to provide abortions. Grooms said he doesn't mind the "F."

Advocates for the Senate bill include the Palmetto Family Council. "A woman who looks into the face of her child on the screen or printout might think twice," said its president, Oran Smith. "As much information as our technology can afford her is a good thing."

Lois' Lodge newsletters are on their way to your home or to you via email. Let us know if we have your address incorrect or your receive more than one copy. Thanks all, Deb