It’s been a little while now but a few months ago I had some requests to do this hairstyle.  It takes under 5 minutes and is best done on dirty hair (for reals).  In fact I was having a hard time with my hair for these pictures because it was too clean!  I’m going to explain as clearly as possible how to do it but I’m hoping the pictures help. 🙂

1.  Make a side part.

2.  Section off the portion of hair from the small side of the part down to behind the ear.

3.  Now take that section and divide it into 3 equal parts and braid the hair slightly up.  Finish the braid and rough it up a bit.

4.  Now take the braided hair and lay it across the top of your forehead, but not too high (I pulled mine down as low as possible).  Secure on the opposite side of your head with two bobby pins crisscrossed.  If needed use hair pins to secure the braid along the top of your forehead.

5. Enjoy wearing! You can also curl the rest of your hair or just wear it messy.  🙂

I’ve been debating about whether or not to do posts without pictures and just write….I think I would post more often but I really don’t like seeing a post without a picture so I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!  Thanks everyone and I hope your week is off to a great start.

P.S.  I have an update coming and hopefully pictures of the children that have received mattresses.  Only 5 more homes have yet to be provided for so if you want to give towards that please do and just make sure to leave a note in the comments box when you donate.  Thanks everybody!

(Photos by: Dorene Vandermeer)

While in Chicago I was given the blessing of talking with a group of ladies about the project, orphans, and what God has been doing in my life.  There was also a time for the other women to share what God had been leading them to do.  It was an amazing evening and I went away so encouraged.  Not to mention that our lovely host Debbie did an amazing job creating a beautiful atmosphere.  I felt so privileged to be there with the incredible women from Warm Blankets and seeing all the little touches they had added to make the night special.  One idea that I had was for the women to write on a mirror in lipstick their “word” or dream for this year.  Looking at it I couldn’t help but be overwhelmed with gratefulness at how God is moving in his people to make a difference.    I hope that each and every one of them went home and wrote their word on their own bathroom mirror.  In fact let me challenge you to go write your word on your own mirror.  I’d love to hear your word in the comments if you feel comfortable with telling me. 🙂

Special thanks to Kyle for coming and taking all these great pictures for us!  Also thank you Debbie for all you did to make us feel special and at home.  You are a perfect hostess!

P.S.  For those of you that have been around for a while you may or may not have noticed that I’m wearing THE little black dress. 🙂

(Photos by: Klye Flubacker of Kyle Flubacker Photography)

Oh the weather outside was quite chilly but I was so happy I barely noticed the 5° weather.  Yes, you heard me correctly.  Did I mention it was cold?!  We bundled up, got frosted with snow, laughed, talked (and talked some more), ate, and altogether had a lovely time.  My time in Chicago was wonderful and literally a whirlwind.  It was really delightful getting to hug (for the first time!) the friends that have been so important in this fundraising process.  I can’t wait to get the pictures so that I can share them with you and a little bit about my time.  I was given a very special gift and I’m looking forward to showing it to you as well. 🙂  I’m so blessed to have been able to strengthen friendships and develop new ones!  How are you all doing?  I hope you are smiling today. 🙂

P.S.  All flights to Portland (and 250 other flights) were canceled due to weather.  Thankful I was able to make it home. 🙂

From left to right: Christine (Deputy Director of Orphan Rescue Operations and my main point person), Janet (VP Financial Accountability and the lady who gives me the official updates), Craig (President and CEO of Warm Blankets), and Kristen (Orphan Rescue Operations Specialist and one of the 12 days of Christmas project ladies).  Other picture is me with Tressa who is the Vice President of Orphan Rescue Operations and and the most incredible connector ever!  All of these people are SO wonderful!

All iphone photos… 🙂

For my 200th post since the start of the 100 days project I thought I should share with you some fun news that I found out after I had gone past my goal.  Warm Blankets Orphan Care is flying me out to meet their team.  In CHICAGO!!!!! I’ve been crazy excited about this since I found out and really looking forward to celebrating with them what God has done.  S0 yes, this week I will be flying off to the Windy City and needing to be be all “rugged up” (i.e dress warmly) as my Aussie friends would say.  Even though I am currently sitting in front of a crackling, blazing, warm fire and can barley imagine being cold I’m doing my best to pack lots of cozy things.  If you think to, please pray for me as I will be sharing at a tea they are hosting.  I want to spread the love of Christ wherever I go and inspire others to know true joy in Jesus and to make their lives count.  Also hello to all anyone reading this who might be from Chicago. 🙂  I’m thrilled I get to come to your city!  Anyways I hope to have pictures and stories to share with you next week. 🙂

P.S.  I just had to put this picture in ’cause I love my kids so much. 🙂  Also there are still needs, such as mattresses and bedding, for these homes so if you want to donate you still can! 😀 Each donation helps to change a life.

I’ve decided that this week should be about amazing meetings since you already heard about Paige and Sean.  So you remember the crazy story here?  Well I finally get to bring you another chapter to that story!  Since I finally got to officially meet my sweet friend Elizabeth I want you to “meet” her on here too.  Annddd to make it even better I get to introduce to you her lovely sisters Ruth and Miriam!  Each one is of them is so wonderful and incredible.  A couple of months ago Elizabeth emailed me and said they were going to be coming to the states (from Australia!) and asked if they could stay a few days over Christmas.  I was thrilled to say the least.  These beautiful ladies ended up coming for 4 days and it wasn’t even close to long enough because these three wonderful women felt like sisters.  All because of one email… I am so grateful for the time with them.  A chance to laugh and grow and revel in God’s goodness.  He is so kind to give us friendship.  We are all excited to see where God will take us and how he will develop our friendship.  (Not to mention that we had a ton of fun making perfume, seeing Multnomah falls, celebrating Christ’s birth, staying up way too late and being goofy, drinking apple cider, playing in the snow at Mount Hood…you get the idea.)  One of the greatest joys of this project has been to connect with people from all over and be involved in their lives.  Thank you for taking the time to be involved in my life.  It has been such a gift!

(left to right: Miriam, me, Ruth, and Elizabeth)

Something really wonderful happened last night.  I got to meet the amazing couple that works with “my” darlings in India.  When I heard they were coming back to the states for a rest I really wanted to meet them but figured that they wouldn’t be anywhere in the near vicinity.  It was a heart desire that I didn’t even pray about but God in his kindness just went and blessed me to overflowing.  Lo and behold I found out that Paige and Sean were going to be driving all the way from down in California up into Washington.  In one day.  They graciously agreed to meet with me and we had such a sweet time.  I’m grateful that the Lord has allowed this friendship to start.  I pray that I can visit them in India soon. 🙂  Even though we just officially met in person I already miss this great couple and I can’t wait to see what God has in store for them as they faithfully serve Jesus and the ones he loves.  So very grateful for this divine appointment!

Update!!! $56,130.34 😀  So a few of you asked about the mattresses for the homes.  We helped open 11 NEW homes last year in India but total there are 2o.  So 15 of the homes have mattresses but the other 5 don’t yet.  If you want to help change that then please make a donation today.

One year ago toady at 1:15 AM I wrote in my journal (something I never do…).  In the wee hours of the morning of January 8th, 2011 God gave me an idea.  Here are some snippets of what I jotted down:

“Yep, can’t sleep.  I have this crazy idea that’s making my heart beat fast.  What if I could raise thousands of dollars for orphans… By wearing a dress.  Wear the same dress for a month and get people to donate to Warm Blankets.”

You see I’ve been afraid all my life.  Afraid of failing and this had stopped me from stepping out.  I knew I needed to change and I knew I sure couldn’t do it on my own.  That’s when God gave me this crazy idea to wear a dress for 100 days.  Then he topped it all off with an insane goal of $50,000.  Yeah…  Forget about baby steps and just jump in the deep end.  I knew that I couldn’t do this on my own and that God would have to carry me every step of the way.  I knew it would be hard but I also knew it would be exciting to walk this path with Jesus.  And it has been.  I’ve changed now and I have an even greater desire to worship Jesus with all that is in me.  I have no idea what this year will bring but I do know that my God is faithful.  And I shall seek him.

“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations” Deuteronomy 7:9

“Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you.” Hosea 10:12

Hello everyone and hello 2012!  No, I didn’t die.  Just needed a break since all this excitement has got me going all crazy. 😉  As in I’m walking down the hall in my house and just have to do a little skip… or two.  Or start going eeeeeee (think high pitched and you get the idea)!!!!!  Yep, I think I turned into a little 5 or 6 year old or something over new years eve. 😉  And the numbers 5 and 6 have never looked so good.  Especially when they are combined! Yes here is what I think you have all been waiting for:

UPDATE!!! $56,104.60

And guess what?!  Our kids in India are getting mattresses!!! This makes my heart so happy.  15 of the 20 homes are covered.  If you want to donate you still can! I really want the rest of the homes to be taken care of…

Thanks for helping make 2011 such an amazing year for me.  I can’t wait to see what this year brings and what God has for me.  Particularly since I have NO idea what I’m doing…hahah! I do have plans to keep blogging though. 🙂  So I hope I’ll see you around.  (I have exciting news to share soon)

And yes I feel like I’m not touching the ground I have so much joy.  It should be illegal or something this “high” of joy I’m feeling!

(Photos by: Christa Taylor)

GOD DID IT AND WE GOT TO BE A PART OF IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

UPDATE!!! $54,000.60

Hello, this has to be the best end to last year and the greatest start to this new year.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TO EVERYONE WHO SO GENEROUSLY DONATED.  I CAN’T THANK YOU ENOUGH!

“For he has not despised or abhorred the affliction of the afflicted, and he has not hidden his face from him, but has heard, when he cried to him.  From you comes my praise in the great congregation; my vows I will perform before those who fear him.  The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the Lord!  May your hearts live forever!” Psalm 22:24-26

Happy 2012 everyone! Are you as excited as I am to see what God will do???  I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. 🙂

P.S. Had to put some happy pics of me from the 100 days to show how I feel on the inside. 😀

(First 2 photos by: Christa Taylor)

(Last photo by: Jenn Lynn Images)