Archive | December, 2011

“On the eighth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, eight maids a milking.”

Inspiration wise for this look we went with a bright cherry red dress as a nod to a rosy cheeked maid and instead of doing literal milk maid braids we decided on something more elegant.  I really like that the ornaments in the pail are a Christmas take on fresh frothy milk. 🙂

Barely a month ago I had the crazy idea to do this 12 days of Christmas project but I knew that I needed to get on it if I was going to have it happen.  Thankfully a dear friend told me I better not think about it too long so I dived in praying that God would somehow provide the ladies to do this project.  As many of you saw I put up blog posts but I wasn’t really sure if anyone would respond…thankfully Haley did.  Not only is this 21 year old from California beautiful but she is so very sweet.  I am really grateful that this lovely woman dedicated her time to helping orphans.  Yet this isn’t a new thing for her and her family.  They have adopted one adorable little girl from Ethiopia and they are in the process of adopting another child from China.  I love her excitement over getting another sibling and that she wants to help the sweet orphans in India as well.  So far Haley has raised $800!

Haley I am so proud of you!  Thank you for being such a delight to work with.  It has been completely wonderful having you be a part of helping me and the orphans.

UPDATE!!!! $42,554.90 😀 😀 😀  Let’s keep it coming! Don’t have a stocking stuffer yet?  Why not donate $5 or $10 dollars in someone’s name.  Or instead of getting a gift card for those hard to buy for people on your Christmas list why not donate in their name? Seriously you really should. 😉

P.S.  I couldn’t wait till the 12 days are over to announce that my sister has made me an aunty for the third time last night! I have an adorable chubby NEPHEW and I love him!

(Photos by:  Kourtney W.)
(Hair and make up by:  Cara Gafner)

“On the seventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me, seven swans a swimming.”

Finding a swan turned out to be a bit difficult since she was very elusive but once I found Anjali I knew she was perfect.  Not only was she more than willing to help and agreed to do this without any hesitations but she is also extremely kind and stunning .  I’ll let the pictures do the talking for that…

Hi! My name is Anjali, I am 18 years old, and I am from Corpus Christi, Texas. I met Elaini through a mutual friend and I am so glad to be a part of what she is doing. She has given many orphans in India hope for a better future. My family is from India and I have visited several times. It breaks my heart to see so much poverty and poor living conditions, especially for the children. I feel so blessed for all the things I have and for my loving family. Seeing those children, makes me really appreciate everyday things that we take for granted. So far, I have raised about $300 and I am hoping to raise $1000 by the end of the year. This has been a wonderful experience and I would like to thank Elaini for giving me a chance to give back.

Anjali it has been a joy to work with you to help these sweet orphans and we thank you.  With your generous heart, talent, beauty, and grace I know you will do amazing things.

Hey everyone! You know those people on your list who are hard to get gifts for (the ones that just popped into your head when I said that…dad)?  Well how about donating in their honor today?  It is a great gift that fits with any budget because you can donate $5 dollars or $500.  Seriously why not skip the crazy packed malls and give a meaningful gift that will bless more than just the one you give it to.  🙂

(Photos by: Jennifer Recio)

“On the sixth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, six geese a laying.”

Today’s beautiful lady is Sara and I am so grateful for her.  She is such a servant and is truly a blessing.  Not to mention I enjoy laughing with her!  I am thankful that she is willing to jump in and help people when they need it.

Hello! My name is Sara and I have been blessed to know Elaini the 3 years that we’ve gone to church together.  When I first heard about the 100 Days Project and the $50,000 goal, I had to chuckle.  That is so God’s sense of humor to ask us to do things so totally beyond our comfort zone, if only to remind us that in our weakness His strength is made perfect.  I have been so encouraged in watching Elaini’s humble obedience and by seeing God’s faithful provision as He has continued to meet her in this project.  I am so excited that because of what God & Elaini have done together, 110 Orphans in India have a place to call home this Christmas. So far, I have been able to raise $280 towards my individual goal, and I am looking forward with eager anticipation to see God bring in the rest of the 50,000 by the end of this year!

Sara, I am truly thankful for all the hard work you have been putting into this to help me and these sweet orphans.  You’re beautiful in so many ways and I love you.

If you haven’t had the opportunity to give yet please feel free to donate a little today.  Even $10 dollars makes a big difference in a child’s life. 🙂

(Photos by: Dorene Vandermeer)

(Feather fascinator by Unveiled Bridal Designs)

“On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, five golden rings.”

I’m happy to have you “meet” Raquel today.  I really appreciate her enthusiasm, heart for others, and willingness to jump into this project. 🙂  She is really sweet, fun, and stunningly beautiful and I am excited for you to hear from her.

Hello there! My name is Raquel. I live in the beautiful and amazing northwest. I am the second-oldest of 7 children, daughter to two amazing parents, friend to many and devoted bond servant of our LORD.
I met Miss Elaini a few months ago at the Portland Rebelution…I thought she was a crazy, amazing lady…and I wanted to join her. I found out about the 12 Days of Christmas idea she had via Facebook (yes, good things *do* come from that website) and I was so excited at an opportunity to help her out…and all those sweet children in India. So far, I have only raised $75…a far cry from $1,000…but I am trusting that God will help me reach that goal…and have faith that He can double – or even triple! – that amount.
Thank you so much! Merry Christmas and may God richly bless you!!

Thank you dear! It has been so great getting to know you better.  I can’t wait to see how God uses you. 🙂

UPDATE!!!!! $42,044.90  😀   Will you please give $10 dollars today to help us get one step closer to our goal?

(Photos by: Dorene Vandermeer)

(Raquel)

“On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, four calling birds.”

If there is such a thing as kindred spirits this beautiful lady would be the closest one I have ever come across.  I love her deeply and am amazed that the Lord would give me such an incredible friend.  I hope her story blesses you as her life has blessed me.  Her gown is inspired by the color of a blue bird and we added feathers too just for fun.  Of course the phone is the calling part. 😉  Without further ado it is with great pleasure that I introduce Elizabeth to you today.

Do you ever close your eyes and smile at a memory?  If so, you’ve looked like me trying to write this.  I’m Lee and I live in Denver, Colorado.  Almost a year ago I remember one of my closest friends telling me, “I think I’m going crazy.”  For the next few hours we talked about her heart for orphans in India and an idea to wear a dress for 100 days.  When she mentioned her goal was 50K, I started praying.  Hard.

You see, this project hits close to my heart because I’ve been fatherless for almost 7 years.  My father left us financially stable, yet there have been intense holes in our hearts and lives.  I can’t even imagine how painful it must be for an orphan who has the additional hardship of financial concerns.  Not only are they fatherless, they’re homeless.

I must admit, supporting orphans is very personal to me.  Now I’m 23 and I still miss my dad every day.  James 1:27 says, “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this: To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction…”  I long to please the heart of Almighty God, and it’s thrilling to know I can do something pure and undefiled in His eyes by caring about those who have nothing to offer me in return.

If you’re reading this, then you already care about these little children.  Thank you for loving those who are unloved and remembering those so easily forgotten.  Thank you for helping Miss Elaini bless these orphans.  May you have a wonderful Christmas knowing you’re helping little ones celebrate Christ’s birth in a warm place, possibly experiencing love for the first time.

Lee thank you.  I can’t express that enough.  You have a big piece of my heart gorgeous girl.

UPDATE $41,759.90 🙂  Will you please give $10 dollars today to help us get one step closer to our goal?

(Photos by: Dorene Vandermeer)

(Feather fascinator by Unveiled Bridal Designs)

“On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me, three French hens.”

Hello everyone! Today’s fashion look for day 3 was inspired by vintage French dressing and the colors and feathers of a red hen.  I met Marissa when she was 17 and in the hospital bravely battling cancer.  Four years later this amazing lady has run a marathon, competed in the Miss Oregon pageant, inspired numerous people, and is a shining light for Jesus.  She’s always willing to jump in and help someone.  When I spoke to her about this project her response was, “What can I do?”  I so appreciate her giving, joyful heart.

Marissa has run races in honor of friends that have passed on and are no longer with us.  I admire her for running because she can, knowing that it is a gift, and for remembering those that can’t.  In light of that fact would you be willing to donate in memory of a loved one or friend today?  Or just donate because you are alive and have today to change another life?  Just $10 feeds an orphan for 2 months.  Would you be willing to sacrifice some small thing (maybe just a lunch out) so that a sweet child will not go hungry?

Thank you Marissa for being a hero for these children!  I am so grateful to know you and I love you.  You’re beautiful inside and out.

UPDATE $41,729.90  🙂

(Photos by: Dorene Vandermeer)

(Feather fascinator by Unveiled Bridal Designs)

“On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me, two turtle doves.”

This readers is my friend Jenni.  I feel so blessed to know this gorgeous, genuinely sweet lady.  For two turtle doves we wanted to go with soft, muted colors like a dove and inspired by the feathers of the bird we put downy feathers around the neckline as well as feathers in her hair.  Jenni is wonderful and I am so happy to have her share with you. 🙂

Hey everybody!  My name is Jenni and I currently live in Beaverton, OR.  I’m 22 years old and had the privilege of meeting Miss Elaini about a month ago.  The first time I met Elaini she told me about all the money she had raised this year for orphans in India.  I knew immediately that we had similar hearts and were meant to be great friends.  Back when I was 16 I made a promise to God that I would spend my life pouring out my heart to those in need, whatever that may look like.  So Elaini’s desire to raise $12,000 by the end of the year was something I felt like I NEEDED to help with. These children deserve our thoughts, time, prayers and financial aid.  Today as Christmas fast approaches please consider partnering with me in the effort to give these children basic necessities like a bed to sleep on and food to eat.  So far I have raised $200 dollars, and yes its true, THAT’S NOT $1,000!!! In order to get there I NEED YOUR HELP!!!  God Bless you all and Merry Christmas.

Thank you Jenni for helping me help the orphans.  Love you girl.

UPDATE!!! $41,714.90  😀  Yay! Can you help Jenni push the total past 42K today?

(Photos by: Dorene Vandermeer)

(Feather fascinator by Unveiled Bridal Designs)

Finally it’s here!!!!! “On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me, a partridge in a pear tree.”

Today I get to bring you lovely Bethany again. 🙂  (You can read more about her here and here.)  This is her fashion look for day 1.  I am so blessed to have her be a part of this.  She’s amazing and I’ll let you hear a little from her personally.  If you don’t love her right away you’re crazy.  I totally love her and her beautiful heart and giving spirit!

I’m Bethany, and I’m 20 years old. I live in the town of Mooresville, North Carolina, though I’m not a southern girl at all. I love snow and cold breezes. I was born in the rugged little town of Moab, Utah, though I only lived there for a couple years. I’ve spent most of my life living high up in the mountains in the most beautiful state of all, Colorado. Yes I’m very biased.

My beautiful friend Elaini asked me to share a little bit about why I chose to be a part of this project, so here’s why. Each of us 12 girls who are participating in the 12 days of Christmas have pledged to raise $1,000 by the end of the year. So far I’ve raised $993.

First of all, I love being involved in anything bigger than myself.  Anything that I do that helps someone else, that just makes my dials run. When I first found out about misselainious, she was on day 130 or so. I wished I would’ve known about her project from the beginning, but I made up for lost time and looked at all her stunning outfits and the photos of the darling children she’s raising money for. I like having a cause that I can call my own and I instantly knew this would be mine until she reaches her goal. (and maybe longer..) See, I’ve been to India at least 4 different times for up to 9 weeks at a time. I also have a strong affinity with children – I adore them. I’ve also experienced first hand the places where some of these darling Indian children live. I’ve visited the slums and seen things that broke my heart. The absolute filth and squalor, the little tarps set up to make houses, and the pigs wallowing in the same black water that the children’s clothes are being washed in. I was blessed to be able to go in with a mission that brings school to those children. They’ve built a little thatch building right in the slum area and the children file in to learn their daily lessons and to get a meal. For a lot of those kids, it was the only meal they would have all day. I left a forever changed person.

But it’s so easy to live here in America and let all those sights and feelings fade into memories. That’s why when I discovered miselainious, I jumped right in. It’s very near and dear to my heart. And it’s something all of us can do to make a real difference. Sometimes it seems like the need is too big and what can our little bit help anyway.. but it does. Like that story of the man picking up starfish who had been washed up on the beach in a storm, and he was tossing them, one by one, back into the ocean. Upon being asked why he was wasting his time throwing them back, because there was no way he could save them all, he picked up another starfish, and tossing it into the ocean replied, “It made a difference to that one.”

You and I have the chance, right now, to make a difference in a child’s life. To protect them from pain, hunger, to give them love, food, shelter, a family, an education, and a chance to meet our Savior, Jesus Christ.

It will make a difference to that one.

Thank you Bethany! The orphans thank you too.  😀

UPDATE! $41,649.90 😀 Bless Bethany and the orphans by contributing to her goal today!

(Photos by: Duoimagery)

It’s coming!!! You will not want to miss what’s coming to the blog this week. 🙂  Every.Single.Day.  Going to be like old times. 😉  Yes, it is going to be grand. We are bringing you the 12 days of Christmas project.  A different lovely lady will be appearing on the blog for the 12 days leading up to Christmas.  These sweet, wonderful women are pledging to each try and raise $1,000 by the end of the year.  Feel free to help them out as their day comes up. 🙂  I’m so excited!!!!

UPDATE!  $41,359.40 😀

I’m needing to dwell on this…and pray this.

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” ~Isaiah 26:3

“Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths.  Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.” ~Psalm 25:4-5

“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!” ~Psalm 107:1

“Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you.” ~1 Samuel 12:24

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” ~Philippians 4:6-7

Grateful for all you amazing readers and for those that have donated!!!

UPDATE! $41,213.40 On our way to $42K. 😀

The 10.for.1o challenge is still on.    If you want to take it just get 10 friends to donate 10 dollars for orphans.