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

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. 🙂

feed their tummies + noonday giveaway.

Y’all know how near and dear these children are to my heart.

I’ve held them. I’ve looked into their eyes. Their faces are seared into my memory.

I’ve prayed fervently for them.

I’m heartbroken to know that they hungry today. With the exit letter suspension, fewer families are traveling and fewer donations are getting to the orphanage. I’ve been told that there are only a few days of food left at this orphanage.

My heart can’t take it. These precious ones need so many things…but, right now, they desperately need a meal to fill their empty, rumbling tummies.

And, I know that we CAN do something. We can make a difference. We can send tangible LOVE. Food equals love to these precious children.

A group of mommas have decided to step out and help these little ones. We are brainstorming and working on ways for long-term sustainable care solutions {read more HERE}. In the meantime, we are committed to sending food now.

My dear, dear friend {and servant of Christ in the truest sense}, Dr. Laure, has offered to purchase food and cook meals. I know exactly where the money will go. Directly to these little ones.

This is where you come in. I have some amazingly, gorgeous Noonday Collection items to raffle off this week. Think: Christmas gifts {for someone else or just for yourself:)}!

Never heard of Noonday? I love Jen Hatmaker’s description…
“I’m currently loving, and I’m currently still loving Noonday. Founded by my friend Jessica Honegger, Noonday employs vulnerable women in nine countries, and they make just GORGEOUS jewelry and accessories. I’m not talking about some janky burlap slapped together with twine. This is truly beautiful, artisanal work combining local craftsmanship with designer savvy and making us look awesome. ALL THE WHILE providing sustainable employment for vulnerable women, allowing them to parent and succeed and thrive.” – Jen Hatmaker

Here’s how this will work:

For every $10 donation, you will be entered to win the entire collection pictured below!! {$10 = one entry, $20 = two entries, etc}.

Simply, donate through the Paypal button at the bottom of the page to enter to win! This raffle will end, Thursday, October 31st at midnight.

For $10, you have a chance to win nearly $200 worth of gorgeous brand new Noonday collection fall pieces!!

1. Tasseled Ladder necklace – made in Ethiopia {this is such a unique necklace!}

2. Tasseled Bullet Bracelets {set of 3} – made in Ethiopia {these are so fun and will go with everything!}

3. Courtney Cuff – made in India {I’m currently addicted to cuffs. I need this}.
4. Charlotte’s Bag – made in Rwanda {oh my word! I love this bag!!!}
And, as of this morning, I’ve learned that we are going to make this a challenge for $1,000 with a matching grant of $1,000 to feed 3 orphanages!!  AMAZING!!!
 
{Details, including specifics on what food costs and what we will be purchasing, as well as other awesome projects we are working on for these children can be found HERE}.
 
Enter & Donate HERE:

 

I know. There is so much need everywhere.

I know how overwhelming it all can feel if you look at the big picture of the needs in this world. Instead of feeling like you can’t do anything to help, know full well that you can. With this $10 – you will feed 133 precious, precious innocent children this next month AND you will support Noonday artisans around the world. That is simply incredible in my book, friends.

Thank you all so much for living so generously!!!! {And, please help spread the word! We want to blow these kids away with love!!}
*if you would, leave a comment here after donating. Some folks have had issues leaving “notes” in PayPal and I want to be sure everyone is entered to win!!! 

a video thank you message.

Sometimes, words aren’t enough. They simply fall flat. Lacking the right emotion and depth. They suffice out of necessity but they don’t quite paint the picture the way you’d really like to.

It’s then that you need photos and videos and a little music. And, Voilà! The pain and sadness depicted alongside the joy and the hope allows the truth to shine through, even when words fail. 
Exactly what my Congo trip recaps needed. 
I made a little video from our time with S that I have watched approximately 5.5 billion times yesterday alone. I cannot, absolutely cannot, wait to share it with you. So, until I can share her sweet face and you can hear that silly laugh, I thought I’d share another video I put together from our trip. 
This is a Thank You for everyone that stood beside us as we followed God’s path to the Congo last month. Donors. Prayer warriors. Fellow adoptive mommas. Every single person who linked arms with us as we headed to serve and love on these precious little souls. We were immensely blessed by this trip. 
To each of you, I send a heartfelt Thank You.