Blessings and Raindrops

seeking joy in the midst of the ordinary

thank you for feeding their tummies!

Sweet friends, I wish I could hug each of you and thank you personally for blessing these children so abundantly by giving to our Feed Their Tummies fundraiser. The past few days have been full of rejoicing and tears in our house, as photos have poured in of these precious ones being fed and loved on.
 
Yesterday morning, when Dr. Laure delivered the food to one of the orphanages, she entered the gates to children calling out {in Lingala} ”Maman aye nzala esili“, which translated in English means, “mom comes, finish hunger.”
 
Thank you. Thank you for giving.
 
Even when it seems that the need is too great. Even when the enemy whispers, “you are only one. what good can one person do? it’s not worth it to even try. you can’t make a change.”
 
You did it. You made a difference for these children. They now know that someone, somewhere cares enough to send life-saving resources. And, in my opinion, that is worth it.
 
Each and every one of these children are worth it.
{please take two minutes to watch this video of the food delivery photos!!}
 
 
I love the quote at the end of this video:
 
“If you can’t feed a hundred people then just feed one.” – Mother Teresa

what we've been up to around here.

Monday will mark FOUR weeks since my computer has been hospitalized (at Computer Medic, no less). If this sounds ridiculously dramatic, it is. I’m going crazy over here. I have close to 1,000 photos on my two cameras that need downloading, organizing and editing (including photos for photography clients).

I feel so unorganized right now – which is saying a lot because ever since the boys were born, I’ve been in a constant state of disorganization. A friend and I were just saying we need to stop apologizing and saying, “I’m sorry, I’m not normally like this. I don’t typically forget appointments, or forget to pay on time, etc…” and just face our reality and start saying, “sorry, this is just who I am.” 🙂

Anyhow, I’ve been quiet over here on the bloggity because y’all know I can’t post without photos! {yes, this is a warning: an overabundance of photo posts to come as soon as my computer is repaired}.

But, I wanted to quickly jot down a little of what we’ve been up to over here and thought I’d include some phone snapshots. I love that this blog has become a running journal of our days {since sometimes it all passes in a blur} and I hate to let too much time go by without documenting what we’re up to.

With fall in full swing, the boys have been helping Dave chop down firewood out at the farm…we should be set for the next ten winters or so. Kidding. We go through a lot of firewood in the winter. We love our wood burning stove. So much. Truly, what’s better than a cozy fire with your loves while the snow falls quietly outside your window? {A hammock on the beach? Why, yes. We have a tie}.

And, the boys have been busy growing up on me. Looking all handsome in their fall sweaters. {Ben’s all dressed up to dig up worms and place them in their “new home” – the wheelbarrow}.

 

If there’s anything I adore, it’s snuggle time. These boys know how to snuggle.

 
 

I finally found a bed for S’s room! I’ve been working on painting it white {it’s currently red and gray…we’re going to need a few coats}.

Halloween has come and gone. The boys LOVED trick or treating. They couldn’t get over the fact that people just gave them candy. It was hilarious watching them. When we got home, they dumped all of their candy on the floor and shared it with one another. It was very serious. They were adorable little football players. All of the photos of the hilarity are on my camera…more to come.

You know that farmhouse that I keep talking about? Well, we have been working hard on finishing the never-ending remodel {when I say “we”, I clearly mean “Dave”}. And, I’m going to cheat right now and share a photo. I still have to give y’all the full update – the move of the house, the reassembly of the top floor, and the remodel of the inside. But, for now, here’s a sneak peak. The new staircase is in.

The Created for Care mini-retreat was a huge success. It was perfectly timed for my heart. I spent an incredible weekend with sixteen other mommas and just basked in the truths being shared. I cannot wait to share more.

This is the text I received last Saturday during one of our sessions. Simply adorable. Made me smile.

Last, but not least, I have a really dear friend {the story of our friendship and adoptions is pretty cool- I will share sometime soon} leaving today to go visit her little love across the sea. She is bringing along some goodies for our girlie and will love on her for us. I’m so, so thankful. I made this neat little puzzle for S … such a fun gift idea. I think I’ll make some for the boys for Christmas, they love puzzles.

Whew. That was a lot of random “what we’ve been up to’s.” Life is full. God is so good. Blessings abound. Happy weekend to all!

feed their tummies update and more…

First of all, I have to just say, from the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

151 precious kiddos whom have stolen the hearts of so many will be smiling and eating a nutritious meal for two months!!!!!

You guys! Truly incredible!

We raised $4630 to Feed Their Tummies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What started out as an effort to raise a few hundred dollars, turned into a challenge to raise $2,000. And, then, God DOUBLED our goal. Doubled it. I’m just blown away.

I promise to post photos of the food deliveries and the kiddos smiles. So, stay tuned!

In other fun news, I need to announce the winner of the Noonday Collection giveaway. We had 284 entries to win!

Drum roll, please…

#59 is…Meredith LaGorga!!!

Congratulations, Mere!!! (This makes me happy! I wish I could send something to each person who gave but know that this is going to a great home. Sweet Meredith has had quite a journey on this crazy rollercoaster called adoption and I’m thankful that this little surprise will be arriving in her mailbox to bless her)!

Thank you all again for being so generous and loving these orphans alongside us mommas!!

If you are still feeling generous and want to find other fun ways to help DRC orphans, I have to share a few really, really awesome fundraisers happening right now that you won’t want to miss…

Let’s start with a shameless plug…this is the last weekend to pre-order our adoption tee’s. Order HERE. All proceed’s go toward funding our travel to DRC to bring home “S”!!

Next up, you just HAVE to check out my friend, McCall’s, bundle giveaway. All proceeds go toward bringing home their daughter from the DRC.

Oh my word. I will fight someone over the Spoil Yourself Bundle. {Just kidding. Or am I??}

 
I’m still on Dave’s computer while mine is in the shop so I apologize for the funky sizing of photos, grab a magnifying glass {because everyone has a magnifying glass lying around} & forgive me for making you squint. 🙂
 
Next up, my dear friend, April. She is raising funds to get her daughter, Addison Grace, home from the DRC. Addi lives at the same orphanage where our daughter lived. I had the privilege of loving on her while I was there in August. She snuggled with me all day long during our visit. She loved rubbing the hair on my arms … she would laugh and laugh … it was the sweetest thing.
 
I can’t post Addi’s picture but I can tell you she is one of the cuties in the photo above. 🙂
 
April is hosting an auction on FB, you can bid on all of the really cool stuff HERE.
 
Lastly, my friend Olivia is hosting a HUGE giveaway to bring their daughter, “W” home from the DRC. Prizes are INCREDIBLE — we’re talking Ipad’s here, people.
 
 
Check out Olivia’s giveaway HERE.
 
This is better than Black Friday shopping — Christmas gifts purchased and former orphans coming home to forever families!!! 
 
Have a wonderful weekend, all! I’m headed off to our mini- Created for Care retreat. I CANNOT wait for this weekend. Will share all about it next week. 🙂

He invites us in.

You guys. You have blown me away. Truly, I am speechless tonight. {But, you know me. I’ll try to find a few words..} 🙂

Let me tell you – when I originally had my little noonday show several months ago, I ended up with a $200 credit for product. My sweet friend, Corrie {who is a Noonday Ambassador} and I put our heads together and came up with this idea for a raffle to enter to win pieces from the fall collection.


Corrie {pictured left} on a recent Ambassador trip with
Noonday Collection to meet artisans in Guatemala.

We originally thought this would be a great fundraiser to help cover a small portion of our travel expenses when the time comes to bring “S” home.

Fast forward to the DGM suspension. Travel suddenly felt far away. {And, I felt crushed}.

And, then, I heard that these children whom I’d fallen head over heels for are hungry again. I received updates from trusted friends visiting the orphanage where our daughter spent eleven months of her little life. And, the updates were dire. I, along with other mommas whose hearts were aching, decided we needed to do something.

God reminded me that I had this Noonday credit stored away to use “later.”

Later was suddenly now.

And, this little idea turned into an amazing opportunity for friends and family members and people that I have never met or crossed paths with before this week to link arms, step forward and declare to the world that we will NOT turn our eyes away. We will do something.

I prayed about this fundraiser. I prayed that God would use it to bring full tummies to the 54 children at that orphanage. I didn’t know how much we could raise. I just wanted to do something, even if it felt like a drop of rain in the vast sea of need.

And, that my friends, is what I’m learning here…

Our something may feel small.

Our something may feel insignificant.

But, God.  God is big.

He will use what we offer up to Him.

He took this small step and turned it into a huge outpouring of provision. He opened doors to work with other passionate mommas and create a chance to feed not one but THREE orphanages. And, not just one meal like I had originally hoped for, but, at least a month worth of food for these 151 children. And, the donations continue to pour in.

Something that felt so simple – feeding children in need – transformed my heart to see His glory. This opportunity to lift my eyes and remember —

I am not walking this path alone. He will transform ashes into beauty. He is ONLY good.

I read these words tonight, “God does not call us into the deep water to let us drown.”

I’ll be honest. These past few years have been hard. This past year has been ache-with-every-fiber-of-my-being HARD.

God has called my family into deep water. He has broken {shattered} our hearts for what breaks His. He has called us to love the fatherless and to go against what this world tells us defines success and happiness.

And, He has reminded us over and over that He is faithful. That He is near.

These deep waters that we’re in? We’re not alone. He will not let us drown. He is holding us and drawing us closer to His heart.

These past few days, as donations for food for these precious little ones have poured in, I have been reminded in whispers from His Spirit… He doesn’t need me to do His work. Yet, He invites me in.

What an awesome, breath-taking privilege that is.

Thank you for giving. Thank you for sharing. Thank you for loving.

Continue to give…raffle ends Thursday, October 31st at midnight. Winner will be announced on Friday. Details and enter HERE.