Archive | July, 2011

It’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey… How many times have you heard that one?  I’ve heard it a few times but it didn’t sink in till halfway through the project.  I’m slow…  To be honest I was stressed and worried. What if we don’t raise $50,000?  What if we don’t get to help as many children?  I wasn’t fully enjoying this journey.  Why?  Fear.  Strangling, hurtful, unhelpful to say the least, fear.  This project has been everything that I thought and nothing like I expected.  Learning to let go.  Give up control.  Live in the moment.  Rejoice that I’m here.  Right now.  Breath.  Reflection.  Trust… Enjoying every letter, comment, encouragement you wonderful people have sent my way.  I delight to see your generous hearts for suffering darlings halfway across the globe.  Thank you for giving.  You really are changing lives.

EEEEEEEE WE ARE OVER THE 10K MARK!!!!!!!!!!!!  $10,381.29

Thank you to Kate for bringing me back the beautiful red scarf for my birthday from her travels abroad so I could use it for the project!

{Photos by: Christa Taylor}

I hear it like the music of an African rain stick outside my window.  Even though it is the middle of July it is the real deal.  Rain.  Coursing down and dripping off the eaves.  Millions of diamonds coming from a gray cashmere sky.  My burning heart, mind, and body are soothed by the refreshing music.  How I long for the suffering of the world to be washed away like the rain washes the earth soil.   To see everything sparkling clean.  No more children without parents, hungry bellies, or pain filled lives.  And one day we will see most clearly.  The storm will cease and the clouds break to reveal the sun.  The sun that was always there.  Just like the true Son, Jesus, is always there.  Even in the rain.  What we can’t always see is that the rain brings cleansing.  It heals the cracks in the earth.  It brings life.

UPDATE: $9,266.29  raised!!! WOOT WOOT! 😀

19 days and counting.  Something that I’ve been thinking a lot more about lately: What should I wear the first day after this…any thoughts??

{Photos by: Christa Taylor}

YIKES!!! 20 days left?!?!?!?  Think of all the children we have helped! We have provided homes for at least 20 children. 😀  Can we help provide them with an education too?  Would you be willing to take a dare?  Give up your favorite beverage (coffee, tea, pop/soda/whatever you call it) for a week and then give that money to a child to feed them for several months?  Approximately 5 dollars feeds an orphan for a month.  Hello 90 meals for $5???  You’re right in thinking we may not be able to change the world but we can change a life.  Or several.  Or many.  Depending on how much money we raise in the next 20 days.  And who knows the power of one changed life?  The possibilities and opportunities are endless.  The child we feed may be a future president, TOMS founder, or Jane Austen.  Kinda makes my mind swirl when
I think of it like that!

P.S.  I realize I look 13 in this picture…

{Photos by: Christa Taylor}

In the sunshine the water sparkled.  My feet hot from the warmth of the rocks quickly sought relief in the cold river water.  Back in March when I went to the cabin the river was high.  At the falls torrents of water made for an impressive sight.  Yet this weekend the water was low and much calmer.  Looking across areas of still water I could see the stunning reflection of puffy white clouds in a brilliant blue sky.  Isn’t life so often like this?  Usually we are “high” on a rushing, busy life.  There are plenty of things to do and it is exciting.  Yet it is the “low” times in our lives that allow for reflection.  It is in the stillness that we best see the beauty up above.  Will you take the time to slow down, reflect on your life, and truly see?

I love this outfit today for two reasons.  One of my sweet readers, Kimberly, sent me this adorable ring she made.  Several days later my dear friend Kimberly gave me this head wrap for my birthday.  Both of their names are Kimberly and they both gave me purple yarn made flower items! 🙂  I guess this outfit was meant to be. 🙂  Thank you ladies!

{Photos by: Jenn Lynn Images}

Her little head crowned with a braid was bent in full concentration over the piece of blank white paper.  Colored marker in hand she painstakingly drew the letter A.  As she continued I pondered how we are helping orphans in India get an education.  Because of your donations children can learn their letters and not only that but life skills.  It shocks me to think that if we had never had an education then it would be unlikely for me to be writing this and for you to read it…  Ahh how much I take for granted.  I’m so grateful for the opportunity my parents gave me.  Can we give children without parents the same opportunity?

{Photos by:  Jenn Lynn Images}

{Styling by: The Mod Antiquarian}

I’m at the most beautiful cabin today for the bachelorette party. 🙂 Looking forward to making pancakes and putting whatever we want into them as we cook them at the table.  We are having a relaxing time celebrating the life of our very dear friend and her exciting future.  A fun two days making memories and taking photos.  I’m not the only one though at a party.  You can be too! I love how creative you are getting! Two gals are throwing a carnival party.  Doesn’t that sound fun??  I wish I could be there for it.  Are any of you interested in throwing a party to help orphans?  If so I’d love to hear your ideas and once you have your event send me the pictures and we’ll put them up on the misselainious Facebook page. 🙂 Hope you are having a great weekend everyone!

{Photos by: Jenn Lynn Images}

{Styling by: The Mod Antiquarian}

Tis the wedding season! Last week on day 69 my dear friend got married.  I was honored to help coordinate the day of.  Usually I am a guest, help, or in the wedding so it was exciting to see things from a different view.  The wedding was beautiful and the bride and groom were calm yet very, very happy!  Today and tomorrow I am off to a bachelorette weekend and I am looking forward to spending time with some very sweet ladies.  I think by the end of this project I will have gone to three weddings…  If you are a reader and are  in this season then Congratulations! (If you’re not then have fun attending some 🙂 )  What are you all doing this weekend??  I hope you are having a blast!

{Photos by: Jenn Lynn Images}

{Skirt lent to me by reader: Wendy}

Are ya still with me??  3/4 of the way through!!! Only 25 more days of the project to go you amazing people!

Please body hold up?  For those of you that know me or have read my story you know that I am doing this project in the midst of health issues.  They hate me apparently and I’m not always so fond of them either.  Although I would be delighted to be healed I am thankful for the experience I have been through/am going through.  (I wouldn’t change what I’ve gone through yet I won’t complain if it goes away.)  If it weren’t for my health issues I would be off in India instead of raising money and awareness here.  When life hands you lemons how do you make lemonade? (Or as the lovely Jessica stated on twitter: when Oregon gives you pouring rain, you make tea.)   Let’s make lemonade or tea for the children of India! 😉

UPDATE:  Raised so far $8,172.32!!! Think we can get it to $9,000 by the end of the week?? 😀

{Photos by:  Jenn Lynn Images}

I can’t get her face out of my head.  Those gorgeous eyes that show deep wells of pure soul.  I want to see them sparkle and I long to reach out and clasp that little hand.  Sometimes I find myself just thinking of it as a picture.

Wait she’s real.  A child with a future.

Orphans in India can seem like such a distant concept.  I must stop and reflect that this picture represents so much more.  It represents a life.  A beautiful life that we can help.  How neat is that?!?  We are helping children halfway around the globe.  That makes me super excited!!!  Looking forward to seeing how many more eyes we can make twinkle.

Don’t forget that you can “Throw a Party“.  Super fun.  For reals. 🙂

{Photos by: Jenn Lynn Images}

{Clothing and Styling by Karen}

Today marks the 73 day of wearing my dress.  Everyday I get up and put it on whether I want to or not.  Thankfully I have been able to wear other items to accessories it.  As some of you noticed each person that styles the dress has a different take on it.  They adorn the dress as they would themselves.  Each one is unique yet some have a similar flare.  As I pondered this I realized that we not only dress our bodies but our hearts as well.  Am I putting on love, patience, and compassion?  What really matters?  Fashion? Fun? Sports? Friends? Family? Beliefs?  What are you putting on today?? May we pay as much attention to our inward raiment as we do our outward.

{Photos by: Jenn Lynn Images}

{Styling by The Mod Antiquarian}