Technorati Tags: articoli, strambi, stranezze, giornali, Ansa

One of the fast growing forms of advertising is in-game advertising, in either sponsorship forms, and even better, product placement.   And not only is in-game advertising the fast growing, it is also one of the most targeted and most effective.

Some of the key reasons that in-game advertising works so well include;

•             Huge Global audience of 43 million unique users   (source, Google Analytics December, 2007.)

•             Gamers are networked and vocal about what they like…(” ¬ Comscore Media Metrix, 5-06)

•             Very “chatty” audience who regularly use IM, texting, blogs, forums and will chat about your brand/products.

•             100% organically grown audience through word of mouth marketing.

•             98% of users on high bandwidth connections.

•             A great opportunity to advertise your brand or product whilst people are enjoying themselves and are having fun!

•             Higher than average CTR.

•             Double the average exposure and branding time per ad over Yahoo and MSN, (- source Comscore Media Metrix, 12-05.)

•             Creative range of advertising solutions.

Fantasy Couriers brings a whole new element to in-game advertising, Giving not only the obvious companies the opportunity to advertise their products within the game, but also all of the other online retailers looking for an exciting and different form of advertising.   The retailer’s products are integral to the game, they are the parcels that make the world go round.

If you would like to advertise in Fantasy Couriers then contact us at advertising@fantasycouriers.com

Source; comScore Media Metrix, May, 2006.

If the game's not your thing, no problem, the event's more social than sporting, but we're very grateful to the Tipped folk for bankrolling the spinning and flicking addiction that some of us will bring to the bar.

So we're going to head there early, grab our tokens and set up camp around one of the babyfoot altars. And - reflecting the lack of organisation and formality of the event - there probably won't be a tournament, or an overall winner, or a prize. But then you probably knew that anyway. But having said that, this Twit's set to be the biggest yet, so it'll be great to see a whole bunch of faces (old and new) there. If you've not done so already, why not leave a comment to let us know you'll be there.

Ebruli Hanım Bebek Forum Ailesine gösterdiği yüksek katkılarından dolayı Forum Sultanı Ünvanlığını tekrar Almıştır..

Değerli Rosary Üyemiz 12 Tecrübe Puanı ile Pırlanta Anne Ünvanlığını Almıştır..

ve Eylül Aynı Annesi 23 Tecrübe Puanı ve Sponsor ve Üyelerimizin Anket Sonucları sonucunda Ayın Annesi Meltemxx Olmuştur..

1) Değerli yazarlardan A. Vehbi Vakkasoğlu imzalı Ailede Sevgi Sohbetleri
adlı bir adet kitap

Sevgi ve Sohbet… Unutmaya yüz tuttuğumuz iki insani güzellik.

Sohbet sevgiden doğar. Sevgi sohbetle devam eder, bereketlenir.
Sevgisiz gönüller sohbetsiz kalır. Sohbetsiz ortamlar kuraklaşır, çoraklaşır, cansızlaşır.

Ailesiz sevgi ve sohbet yarımdır, noksandır, sevgi ve sohbet önce ailede başlar, gelişir, genişler.
Sevgi ve sohbetin en uygun zemini ailedir. Aile sevgi ve sohbetin son kalesidir.

Evet, aile ’son kale’ dir. Onu kaybedersek bütün insani özellik ve güzelliklerimizi kaybederiz. Bu sebepledir ki, aileyi ayakta tutan sohbet ve muhabbeti, ne pahasına olursa olsun yaşatmak ve sürdürmek; aileyi bir sevgi okulu haline getirmek mecburiyetindeyiz. Ümidimiz; bu eserin, sevgi merkezli eğitime inananlar için ilim ve irfana ulaştırmaya vesile olmasıdır.

Ailemize on beş dakika olsa bile zaman ayıralım ve bu eseri onlarla paylaşalım.

_____

2) Sponsorumuz ServerCesur.Com dan bir adet Desitin Pişik Kremi

ESITIN CREAMY (4.8 oz / 136 g)
YAZ SICAKLARINDA BEBEGINIZIN ACI CEKMESINE IZIN VERMEYIN!
Amerika’ nin 1 numarali pisik kremi, 12 Haziran’da Turkiye’de!
%100 Orijinal, sizin icin Amerika’dan.
Bebek vucudunda pisik olan heryere, istediginiz siklikta kullanabilirsiniz.
Hicbir yan etkisi ve zarari yoktur.
Bir kulanimda kizaran bolgenin ne kadar cabuk iyilestigine inanamayacak, simdiye kadar DESITIN’siz nasil yasadiginiza sasacaksiniz.
DESITIN bir Johnson & Johnson markasidir.

_________

3) Sponsorumuz Bebenaz.Net den tüm ürünlere % 15′lik hediye çeki..

_______

Değerli üyemiz meltemxx ‘e tekrar teşekkür ediyoruz ..

Bebek Forum YÖnetimi

www.bebekforum.com

Ebruli Hanım Bebek Forum Ailesine gösterdiği yüksek katkılarından dolayı Forum Sultanı Ünvanlığını tekrar Almıştır..

Değerli Rosary Üyemiz 12 Tecrübe Puanı ile Pırlanta Anne Ünvanlığını Almıştır..

ve Eylül Aynı Annesi 23 Tecrübe Puanı ve Sponsor ve Üyelerimizin Anket Sonucları sonucunda Ayın Annesi Meltemxx Olmuştur..

1) Değerli yazarlardan A. Vehbi Vakkasoğlu imzalı Ailede Sevgi Sohbetleri
adlı bir adet kitap

Sevgi ve Sohbet… Unutmaya yüz tuttuğumuz iki insani güzellik.

Sohbet sevgiden doğar. Sevgi sohbetle devam eder, bereketlenir.
Sevgisiz gönüller sohbetsiz kalır. Sohbetsiz ortamlar kuraklaşır, çoraklaşır, cansızlaşır.

Ailesiz sevgi ve sohbet yarımdır, noksandır, sevgi ve sohbet önce ailede başlar, gelişir, genişler.
Sevgi ve sohbetin en uygun zemini ailedir. Aile sevgi ve sohbetin son kalesidir.

Evet, aile ’son kale’ dir. Onu kaybedersek bütün insani özellik ve güzelliklerimizi kaybederiz. Bu sebepledir ki, aileyi ayakta tutan sohbet ve muhabbeti, ne pahasına olursa olsun yaşatmak ve sürdürmek; aileyi bir sevgi okulu haline getirmek mecburiyetindeyiz. Ümidimiz; bu eserin, sevgi merkezli eğitime inananlar için ilim ve irfana ulaştırmaya vesile olmasıdır.

Ailemize on beş dakika olsa bile zaman ayıralım ve bu eseri onlarla paylaşalım.

_____

2) Sponsorumuz ServerCesur.Com dan bir adet Desitin Pişik Kremi

ESITIN CREAMY (4.8 oz / 136 g)
YAZ SICAKLARINDA BEBEGINIZIN ACI CEKMESINE IZIN VERMEYIN!
Amerika’ nin 1 numarali pisik kremi, 12 Haziran’da Turkiye’de!
%100 Orijinal, sizin icin Amerika’dan.
Bebek vucudunda pisik olan heryere, istediginiz siklikta kullanabilirsiniz.
Hicbir yan etkisi ve zarari yoktur.
Bir kulanimda kizaran bolgenin ne kadar cabuk iyilestigine inanamayacak, simdiye kadar DESITIN’siz nasil yasadiginiza sasacaksiniz.
DESITIN bir Johnson & Johnson markasidir.

_________

3) Sponsorumuz Bebenaz.Net den tüm ürünlere % 15′lik hediye çeki..

_______

Değerli üyemiz meltemxx ‘e tekrar teşekkür ediyoruz ..

Bebek Forum YÖnetimi

www.bebekforum.com

Ebruli Hanım Bebek Forum Ailesine gösterdiği yüksek katkılarından dolayı Forum Sultanı Ünvanlığını tekrar Almıştır..

Değerli Rosary Üyemiz 12 Tecrübe Puanı ile Pırlanta Anne Ünvanlığını Almıştır..

ve Eylül Aynı Annesi 23 Tecrübe Puanı ve Sponsor ve Üyelerimizin Anket Sonucları sonucunda Ayın Annesi Meltemxx Olmuştur..

1) Değerli yazarlardan A. Vehbi Vakkasoğlu imzalı Ailede Sevgi Sohbetleri
adlı bir adet kitap

Sevgi ve Sohbet... Unutmaya yüz tuttuğumuz iki insani güzellik.

Sohbet sevgiden doğar. Sevgi sohbetle devam eder, bereketlenir.
Sevgisiz gönüller sohbetsiz kalır. Sohbetsiz ortamlar kuraklaşır, çoraklaşır, cansızlaşır.

Ailesiz sevgi ve sohbet yarımdır, noksandır, sevgi ve sohbet önce ailede başlar, gelişir, genişler.
Sevgi ve sohbetin en uygun zemini ailedir. Aile sevgi ve sohbetin son kalesidir.

Evet, aile 'son kale' dir. Onu kaybedersek bütün insani özellik ve güzelliklerimizi kaybederiz. Bu sebepledir ki, aileyi ayakta tutan sohbet ve muhabbeti, ne pahasına olursa olsun yaşatmak ve sürdürmek; aileyi bir sevgi okulu haline getirmek mecburiyetindeyiz. Ümidimiz; bu eserin, sevgi merkezli eğitime inananlar için ilim ve irfana ulaştırmaya vesile olmasıdır.

Ailemize on beş dakika olsa bile zaman ayıralım ve bu eseri onlarla paylaşalım.

_____

2) Sponsorumuz ServerCesur.Com dan bir adet Desitin Pişik Kremi

ESITIN CREAMY (4.8 oz / 136 g)
YAZ SICAKLARINDA BEBEGINIZIN ACI CEKMESINE IZIN VERMEYIN!
Amerika' nin 1 numarali pisik kremi, 12 Haziran'da Turkiye'de!
%100 Orijinal, sizin icin Amerika'dan.
Bebek vucudunda pisik olan heryere, istediginiz siklikta kullanabilirsiniz.
Hicbir yan etkisi ve zarari yoktur.
Bir kulanimda kizaran bolgenin ne kadar cabuk iyilestigine inanamayacak, simdiye kadar DESITIN'siz nasil yasadiginiza sasacaksiniz.
DESITIN bir Johnson & Johnson markasidir.

_________

3) Sponsorumuz Bebenaz.Net den tüm ürünlere % 15'lik hediye çeki..

_______

Değerli üyemiz meltemxx 'e tekrar teşekkür ediyoruz ..

Bebek Forum YÖnetimi

www.bebekforum.com

____

Se trata de una gran cantidad de litros de cerveza que regaló uno de los sponsors de la "Roja", Cruz Campo, que antes del partido de cuartos de final ante Italia se comprometió a realizar la empresa como un regalo si el equipo español se quedaba con la corona.

Finalmente ello aconteció, por lo cual cada jugador de la plantilla recibió su peso en litros del cerveza, regalando en total más de cinco mil litros de cerveza, es decir, unas 15 mil botellas.

El más "contento" fue el portero Pepe Reina, que fue el de mayor peso (96 kilos), mientras que el volante de Villarreal, Santi Cazorla, fue el que menos recibió, pues su peso llega sólo a los 66 kilos.

"Agradecemos a Cruzcampo su apoyo en la Eurocopa. Tomaremos la cerveza en compañía de familiares y amigos que han hecho posible que lleguemos tan lejos. La tomaremos con moderación. Llevo bastante tiempo pesando entre 94 y 96 kilos. No piensen que he ganado kilos en verano ni que tengo sobrepeso", dijo el meta.

La "ceremonia" se realizó justo en la concentración española, que se prepara para una nueva fecha de las eliminatorias mundialistas.

Billy said "It gives me food for thought - what am I doing at this level.  Salisbury have reported me for my shirt - what is the game coming to? What is that all about?  It makes you wonder if it is worth me staying at this level. It is Mickey Mouse some of the stuff that is going on."

En sus propias palabras:

"Su mejor receta: la creatividad.

Drimer Chocolates es una empresa argentina que desde 1992 ha logrado posicionarse como una de las marcas más reconocidas del mercado local.
Hablar de Drimer Chocolates es hablar de innovación en todo sentido.

Su imagen altamente cuidada a través de novedosos packagings, su atractiva exhibición, y una sobresaliente creatividad en todos sus diseños le dieron la posibilidad de competir con las mejores marcas del mundo, con una excelente respuesta en capacidad de producción.

Desde el primer momento, además de aspirar a la más alta calidad en la elaboración de sus productos, Drimer Chocolates sumó a su constante evolución puntos de venta exclusivos, como canales gourmet y Free-Shops.

El haber sido seleccionado para ocupar un lugar en Free-Shops se debe, justamente, a todos los diferenciales de imagen que transmite esta joven y pujante empresa."

Agradecemos a Drimer por su confianza en nosotros.

Para conocer más, hacé clic en http://www.drimerchocolates.com/

Bank terbesar kedua di Islandia yaitu Landsbanki, baru-baru ini dinyatakan pailit dan telah diambil pihak pemerintah. Gudmundsson, yang keluarganya memiliki saham terbesar di bank tersebut, juga telah berhenti dari jabatannya sebagai direksi Landsbanki.

Problem keuangan yang dihadapi Gudmundsson boleh jadi berimbas pada West Ham. Wakil ketua klub Asgeir Fridgeirsson, misalnya, mengisyaratkan bahwa pihaknya mungkin takkan memberi dana buat manajer Zola untuk membeli pemain baru di musim dingin nanti.

Gianfranzo Zola , West Ham dapat mencari modal dengan menjual para pemainnya. Fridgeirsson berkata, "Mr. Gudmunsson tetap berkomitmen penuh pada kesuksesan klub sepakbola ini dan membangun awal menawan yang dibuat Gianfranco Zola. Takkan berpengaruh langsung. Jadi, dia tak perlu menjual West Ham.

Bulan lalu West Ham kehilangan sponsor kaos mereka . Menghilangnya sponsor tersebut membuat klub kehilangan pemasukan sekitar lima juta pounds. West Ham yang saat ini berada di posisi keenam dalam daftar klasemen sementara Liga Inggris. West Ham pada tahun ini laporan keuangannya mengalami kerugian 22 juta pounds.

Yes those Warm, Wet Air specialists to the ICU are humidifying our new garments with cash and prizes! [actually no cash and prizes].

Thanks to the Backway for his expense account for this most auspicious cause!

It's not a scam.
You can really make money for organizations and research.
You can win prizes.
You can meet awesome people.
But you can't unless you sign up.

Click here to sign up: http://www.socialvibe.com/?r=286437

-a

"If you are a smoker and something really irritates you on Wikipedia, don't react to it -- just grab your pack and have a smoke to calm down." - Wikipedia:No angry mastodons

A wikipedians attempt to remove poor health advice was reverted with this excuse:

Place information back. The advice is geared for people who smoke so they do not become angry mastodons. Instead, they should go get a cigarette and cool off. Some smokers do this, but some do not. - Guroadrunner 09-07-08

The idea of beneficial nicotine is sourced to HowStuffWorks.com, does this mean the blame is off wikipedia? It still sounds like a breach of Wikipedia's rules on Synthesising Original Research to me.

Dopo aver sponsorizzato eventi del calibro della Plone Conference, gli amici di Redomino si sono offerti di sostenere una buona parte delle spese richieste per il Linux Day della loro citta' e, non ancora soddisfatti di cio', saranno attivi anche nel corso della giornata portandoci la loro esperienza in alcuni talks specifici sui loro settori di competenza quali Plone e le applicazioni per il groupware: considerando la qualita' degli esperti che presenteranno tali temi la presenza e' fortemente consigliata!

Un ringraziamento e' dunque dovuto a questa societa': il Linux Day sono anche loro!

'The aims for the MWP Summit are very simple: to illuminate some of the critical issues within this complex environment, and to help stimulate the growth and prosperity of the companies that work in it. 'We hope that representatives of companies both large and small will join us for what we firmly believe will be a valuable, informative and enjoyable day.' Reflecting the choice of venue, the summit will concentrate on the importance of the aerospace industry to UK manufacturing. Delegates will be able to hear top-level speakers from organisations such as Boeing and Rolls-Royce, as well as the AMRC and senior managers from successful SMEs.

Topics to be covered will include advanced manufacturing techniques and materials, how to prosper as an independent SME, maximising global sourcing and marketing opportunities and the impact of environmental imperatives. The programme will be completed with a tour of the Factory of the Future, featuring demonstrations of virtual reality simulation, additive manufacturing and high-speed machining.

Nowy sponsor- firma EnergiaPro Gigawat sp. z o.o. jest członkiem Grupy Tauron Polska Energia, jednej z czterech pionowo zintegrowanych grup energetycznych, działających na terenie naszego kraju. Grupa powstała 6 grudnia 2006r.. Przesłanką do jej powstania był Rządowy program dla elektroenergetyki, zakładający poprawę skuteczności zarządzania spółkami, przejrzystość zarządzania, efektywność podejmowania decyzji strategicznych oraz przejrzystość linii biznesowych i łatwość ich oceny. W skład Tauron Polska Energia, oprócz EnergiaPro Gigawat sp. z o.o., weszły - Elektrownia Stalowa Wola S.A, Elektrociepłownia Tychy S.A., EnergiaPro Koncern Energetyczny SA, Enion SA, Enion Energia sp. z o.o. i Południowy Koncern Energetyczny S.A.

Liczymy, że podpisana umowa zagwarantuje współpracę, która zaowocuje obustronnymi korzyściami, (w tym np. awansem drużyny Gigawat BK Wrocław do wyższych klas rozgrywkowych WRONBA).

Dal ring o dalla pedana ai reality. Comincia l'avventura di due olimpionici, il pugile Clemente Russo e lo spadista Matteo Tagliarol, alla terza edizione de La Talpa, da giovedì su Italia 1. Russo ha voluto ringraziare ''il Capo della polizia Manganelli, il prefetto Cirillo ed il capo settore Fiamme Oro perché, in 15 giorni, mi hanno dato il permesso speciale: la divisa è il mio lavoro, mi dà possibilità di fare sport in tranquillità economica".

"Mi dispiace per la Granbassi, ho saputo, ma non ho seguito bene la vicenda'', ha aggiunto. Per Matteo Tagliarol, invece, "lo stop" a Margherita è sbagliato, perché non sta facendo nulla che vada contro l'Arma e dice: "io ringrazio l'Aeronautica". All'aeroporto di Fiumicino, i due sportivi, in partenza con il cast al completo per Johannesburg, non hanno nascosto l'emozione. ''Perché La Talpa? Il ring e la tv hanno una cosa in comune: sono quadrati entrambi - scherza Russo - per me è un periodo libero: è una rivincita rispetto all'oro mancato".

"E' un periodo vuoto -  dice anche lo spadista Tagliarol -, senza impegni, nè gare nè allenamenti: ho deciso di giocare un po' in tv, il premio economico mi attira, non posso dire di no". Dello stesso avviso anche Russo: "Spero di vincere - dice - per smaltire così quella rabbia ancora rimasta e, non lo nascondo, anche per il bel bottino di denaro come premio. Ma è un'occasione anche per mostrare a tutti, in particolare ai giovani, i tanti valori e che il pugilato offre, che non è violento, visto che è messo spesso nel dimenticatoio, dandogli maggiore visibilità: con la mia faccia pulita voglio trasmettere belle cose'''.

Il 26enne pugile di Marcianise assicura che anche in Sudafrica continuerà ad allenarsi: ''Ho portato guantoni e cordicella, faccio l'atleta non il divo della tv. Sono con un bel gruppo, penso di andare d'accordo con tutti: nel mini ritiro a Norcia ci siamo preparati con un percorso di guerra, il passo del giaguaro, la lotta con i bastoni: è andato tutto bene, anche se dal 23 agosto non abbia fatto neanche un allenamento''. "Mi metto alla prova - aggiunge Tagliarol - ma rimango uno sportivo. Al momento, finché sarò in carriera, non ho nessuna intenzione di continuare nello spettacolo".

Addressing some of our fact-check backlog -- wolkingsworld

Tweeted early in the debate wondering about Biden's statement that Obama sounded the alarm two years ago about subprime mortgages.

Our fantastic reference librarian Mary Glendinning found this from The IRE Journal March 2006 - April 2006 (a publication of Investigative Reporters and Editors, Inc.):

...The reaction to our five-part series was swift. Citing the Tribune's report, U.S. Sen. Barack Obama called on the Senate Banking Committee to hold hearings on "the growing predatory practice of mortgage fraud."...

A Chicago Tribune article about Obama's call for a hearing reproduced on Obama's website.

The Baltimore Sun has the blurb that was featured in the Tribune. Here's how it ends:

Obama asked the committee to "hold hearings as soon as possible."

While Obama was asking a committee to hold a hearing, what was McCain doing? Sponsoring the Federal Housing Enterprise Regulatory Reform Act that was introduced three weeks after Obama entered the Senate. Where was Obama on that?

Where was Obama when McCain said this on the Senate floor in May 2006:

For years I have been concerned about the regulatory structure that governs Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac--known as Government-sponsored entities or GSEs--and the sheer magnitude of these companies and the role they play in the housing market. OFHEO's report this week does nothing to ease these concerns. In fact, the report does quite the contrary. OFHEO's report solidifies my view that the GSEs need to be reformed without delay.

I join as a cosponsor of the Federal Housing Enterprise Regulatory Reform Act of 2005, S. 190, to underscore my support for quick passage of GSE regulatory reform legislation. If Congress does not act, American taxpayers will continue to be exposed to the enormous risk that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac pose to the housing market, the overall financial system, and the economy as a whole.

I urge my colleagues to support swift action on this GSE reform legislation.

Bottom line: Obama's record is all talk. McCain's shows action.

We were greeted warmly by our hosts, and taken to another very nice hotel for our stay in Santo Dominingo.  Just as we did in Haiti, we visited the Country Office for Compassion's ministry.  Again, the employees were all so kind and friendly to us.  We learned much about their work in this country -- the integrity, sensitivity to the children's needs, and excellence of the staff.  We visited several very special projects in the area.  One project had three very special children in it --

• Francisco
• Julia
• Bicente

Francisco was in need of a sponsor.  I had his child packet with me, and wanted to meet him so I could find a sponsor for him when I returned home.  They brought him to me and we spent the day together.  I could tell he was very intelligent for, although he was very small, he could read every word I showed him.  We took our picture with his child packet:

While we were talking, a security guard from the project came and spoke to him.  I asked the translator what he was saying.  He said that Francisco had not been to the project yet, and did not know the rules -- he must stay in the project until someone comes to get him, because it's not safe on the streets.  When it was time for him to go, I went to the door to meet the parents, but they weren't there.  It was a neighbor that had come for him.  I told him that I would try to find a sponsor for Francisco.  He said, "This family is so desperate right now -- the father was in an accident and can't work.  They need to know Jesus.  Please be praying for this family and try to find a sponsor for Francisco."  I could only promise that I would try. 

When I got home, I felt God was telling me to talk to my friends Richard and Mindy about sponsoring Francisco, even though they already had another child in Africa.  They agreed, and a deep friendship began.  Mindy kept all of Francisco's letters and photos in a special album, and shared them with everyone she knew.  This year, she even invited me to return to the Dominican Republic with her in order to introduce her to Francisco.  It was a wonderful, glorious visit, and will be the subject of tomorrow's post.

The second child was a teenager, Julia.  She stayed close to me and spoke a lot throughout the day -- she had noticed that our names were similar.  She was a sweet girl; so friendly and polite.  She spoke about her sponsor to me.  When I realized Mindy and I were returning to the country, I asked about Julia, but was deeply sadened to hear that she had been killed by a car in the streets.  I think the security guard was right -- it is not safe on the streets for these children.  That is why we so desperately need to sponsor children and get them off the streets and into a positive educational environment.  Here is a photo of me with my sweet Julia; she's with Jesus now.  I'm certain that her teachers at the project miss her.  Believe it or not, Jane sponsors a girl from the same project -- I wonder of Erlin knew Julia, and if she could deliver a message of deep sympathy to her family, friends and teachers?  I will ask Erlin when I see her next week. 

Finally, I want to tell you about my friend, Bicente.  He became attached to me from the moment I walked into the project.  We became fast friends, although my Spanish was not very good.  He asked me if I knew his sponsor, for he wanted me to request that his sponsor write to him.  I asked if he had gotten any letters from him sponsor, and he sadly said, "No."  He asked if I could find his sponsor to ask for a letter.  I told him I couldn't make any promises, but would try to get a message to him.  In a flash, he was up out of his seat and running off to another part of the building.  I had no idea what he was doing, but he came back with a special gift for me.  This was his way of saying, "Thank you.  I want so badly to hear from my sponsor."  Here is the gift he gave me; a craft project he had made himself:

This gift is very precious to me, and I will always keep it in a special place in my bedroom.  It reminds me how important sponsor letters are to the children.  It's important that we connect with the children we sponsor, to let them know we love them and care about them.  We can encourage them to study, or to think about special scriptures we send them.  They love to hear about our communities and families.  They want to know someone believes in them and is supporting them in prayer.  I think it's important for us to realize, too, how much we need their letters, friendship and prayers.  I'm always amazed and saddened when I speak to a sponsor who says they are not writing their child.  I always tell them about Bicente, my special from in the Dominican Republic.  I sent him a thank you letter after I returned home, and Compassion contacted his sponsor to let him know what a bright and precious little boy was waiting for a letter in the DR!  We encouraged him to keep in touch by regular correspondence.  I certainly hope he has done so through these years.  If not, he has certainly missed out on a very special friendship with this brilliant young man.

By the way -- if you do not sponsor a child yet, YOU are missing out, and there is one waiting for you that would be pleased to correspond with you!