Join me in Africa without having to get all the shots

I am happy to announce that my friends and family have contributed the money I needed to get my body onto the continent of Africa and put my hands to work. It's only three months until I board a plane and it's starting to get real. I am really excited and starting to prepare my heart for new things I will experience. Reading some great books, getting a list ready for packing, and starting my shots. Oh boy!

Now a really fun part of preparation starts! Well, part 1 of 2 for the fun.
Part 1 is raising money for the orphanages I will be visiting. Our team will raise as much as we are able to for works on the ground once we get there. Cash is not handed over to orphanage directors, but there are many things we can't pack in bags (more of that on part 2) that the orphanage is in need of. While we are in country, our leaders can take the orphanage directors shopping or shop for them for things like stoves, washing machines, water filtration systems, playground equipment, etc.

I would really love to open up the opportunity to all of you if you feel that helping these orphans directly is something you would love to do. I know most of us have given to big organizations that help many children, but I thought it might make it more real to give to these children and see pictures in June of the impact YOU had on them. If you feel called... give. If you feel called and you want to see big change... give big! This all goes to the cause and not to my personal travel. I'm ready to see some amazing things. Want to see pictures and hear stories of some amazing things, too? Let's do this!

1- the Paypal button on here will work to go to raising these gifts (and tracked on the side)
2- Look for my next post in a few days of how you can contribute money to this cause by just cleaning out and donating some of your kids unused items.

Sweet Donation

I received probably my sweetest donation to date. An eleven-year-old girl has been taught by her parents to take part of her allowance and give it away. Where she gives it is all up to her though.

I was over at her house the other day with my kids, and her mom told her about how I was going to Africa. When the family sat down to discuss how the children would give their money this month, Morgan decided to donate to my trip. Sweetest bundle of ones I have ever seen! I hope I can make her proud!

Now That's A Girls Night

Last night my amazing friend, Jody, held a fundraiser for my trip. When she was in Uganda bringing home their six-year-old daughter this fall, she would go to the Friday markets and buy the most beautiful jewelery, bags, scarves, and Christmas ornaments all with the plan to hold a party and sell them to raise money for me to make my way to Africa, too!!! Wow, is that friendship or what?!!

It had all the makings of a great girls night out. Food, wine, shopping, and talking... but at the end of the night I am now so much closer to my goal! The women I met there were so nice and so generous and I am glad to now know them ;)

I hope that anyone receiving these gift for Christmas just loves them!
It means the world to have supportive friends that will go out of their way to help the great cause (and their husbands for helping). I am truly blessed.

Gymboree Love

The wonderful staff at the Gymboree in Boulder, made a beautiful gift basket and raffled it off to their customers. They were able to raise $101 for my trip! Amazing! What wonderful support from great friends!

And the winner is...

Jeff and Diane Emhoff!!!!

As I was writing all the MANY slips of paper last night, I felt so thankful for each and everyone of you that has donated to my trip. Some of you had me writing your name for quite a while ;) I thought it was only fair that I have Tristan pick the paper since he can not read... no cheating here. As I was writing each of your names, I really did want all of you to win these beautiful bags. As I could only draw one name, I pray that something beautiful comes your way to all those who's names were not drawn.

Now a little bit about the winning couple. Jeff and Diane are two of the most wonderful people who have ever come into my life! I know that sounds dramatic, but it's just plain true. I first knew them through their kids who I went to high school with. Campaigners every Friday morning in their living room. Through college, Jeff lead a wonderful Bible study that my friends and I attended, but it was also during these college years that my then boyfriend Neil and I began a friendship with Jeff and Diane. Countless hours have been spent together eating good food, drinking good wine, and having wonderful conversations only true friends can have. A perfect couple to win this prize. Beautiful bags and accessories for her and some great coffee for a man who knows how to enjoy a good cup of joe.

Thank you all for your support!

Fundraising Just Got Fashionable!

For those of you that didn't know, I am heading to Africa this June with an organization called Visiting Orphans (check out the link to the right). This is a thirteen day trip and we will be going to Ethiopia and Uganda. I am so excited for this trip and have been fundraising for the last few months. I am a little more than a third of the way to my goal of $3600. Thought is was time for a really great fundraiser that we can all get excited about. I'm giving away a five piece bag set from Abbadabba bags along with five pounds of Starbucks coffee! There is a little something for everyone.

Here's how it works:

• Donate $10 for one opportunity to make the bags and coffee your very own
• Donate $25 for three opportunities
• ***If you are really feeling generous,$50 will get you 10 opportunities!!***

Fundraiser will run the month of October, and I will draw a name on November 5th (in case that last entry take a day or two to upload in the system)

I WILL SHIP ANYWHERE IN THE CONTINENTAL US, SO DON'T LET YOUR LOCATION STOP YOU!


This is a 5-Piece Set from AbbaDabba Bags. Included are a Hobo Bag, Divided Cosmetics Bag, Wristlet, Key Fob and Reversible Coffee Sleeve. Each is made from coordinating fabrics in ice blue and espresso brown. The retail value of all 5 pieces is $112.*
***If you have not been to the Abbadabba Etsy sight, I highly recommend it! Here is the link for all your holiday needs ;) http://www.etsy.com/shop/AbbaDabbaBags

Hobo Bag:

ALSO...

These five pounds of Starbucks Coffee!!! (Valued at around $55)

Thank you for your support on this awesome adventure! You can follow this blog to hear updates and stories both during and after the trip.

It just gets better and better

I received an email today about codes of conduct while on our trip to Africa. It all seemed very formal and needs to be notarized and sent back, but most of it made me very excited! Neil and I sponsor an eleven-year-old boy in Korah and I was planning on meeting him on my trip but had high hopes of going to his home and meeting his parents and siblings. Well, it seems this is more than likely the case and possibly even more! There may even be an opportunity to take him to lunch with our group (if the parents agree). I am so excited to meet this sweet boy and his family! It's like I will already know someone in Africa ;)