{Day 196}

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)

Posted on January 6, 2012 by |

{Day 195}

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)

Posted on January 1, 2012 by |

{Day 194}

What.a.year.  I’m full to the brim and extremely grateful.  Thankful for this year.  Thankful for the orphans.  Thankful for all the support from you wonderful readers.  Thankful for all the donations.  Most of all thankful for Jesus.

“I don’t really want more time;

I just want enough time.

Time to breathe deep & time to see real & time to laugh long, time to give You glory & rest deep & sing joy…

I just want time to do my one life well.

Life at its fullest is this sensitive, detonating sphere —

and it can be carried only in the hands of the unhurried and reverential—

a bubble held in awe.”

From 1,000 Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are

By Ann Voskamp

The last day of the year.  Another goal to see completed.  Will you add to the total?  For the orphans? What can we do by the end of the year?  Yes, I realize that’s tomorrow so please donate and please contact your friends and family!  Thank you everyone! See you in the new year. 😉

UPDATE!!! $47,691.60 😀 😀 😀

UPDATE!!! $48,063.60

UPDATE!!! $48,800.60

UPDATE!!! $49,750.60 WOOO HOOO! LET’S KEEP IT COMING! CAN YOU CALL ONE PERSON AND ASK THEM TO DONATE?  JUST ONE?!

(Photos by: Christa Taylor)

Posted on December 31, 2011 by |

{Day 193}

(Photos by: Christa Taylor)

Let me just start out by being honest.  I have so many words and thoughts bound up in my heart that I’ve been trying to get to come out onto this screen yet they wont budge.  I’ve written this blog post and deleted it a few times now.  You see I’ve been counting days, times, and…moments this year.  This year has been filled with almost every range of emotions and it’s certainly been a year of change.  Yet one thing, one Person has stayed the same and that is my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  What is really in my heart is this: that he would receive all the glory and praise.  I am so grateful to be his.  He has been faithful, he is faithful, and I know he always will be faithful.   I love him.

“I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations.” Psalms 57:9

Only one more day left of this year.  My dream was to raise fifty thousand dollars this year.  I’m just a normal girl yet I do believe in miracles.  Will you help make one happen today?  Will you give to sweet darlings who actually really truly do need our help?  Will you please, PLEASE give what you can and ask a friend to do the same?  Even $5 dollars?  Let’s watch these number soar shall we!?

UPDATE!!! $47,534.10  LESS THAN $3K to go!!! Can we bring in the remainder by the 1st of the new year???  Please post on facebook, twitter, or anywhere else you can think of! 🙂

(Last photo by: Klye Flubacker of Kyle Flubacker Photography)

(Hair and Makeup by: Sadie Ypma of Mario Tricoci Salons)

Posted on December 30, 2011 by |

{Day 192}

I looked in awe at him.  So perfect and so content.  I’ve only felt this particular feeling I was having twice before.  And just because this was the third time didn’t make one bit of difference.  He captured my heart at first glance.  Looking into those eyes that stared so steady back at me and my heart went all liquid and I hugged him tight.  Ahh yes so bold so intense is this love.  This love for the tiny one who I was holding.  My sweet new little man.  My nephew.  And his tiny little form is so fragile and he yet he rests so easy in my arms.  I think of all the little ones who don’t have blanket arms to wrap around them.  The helpless ones who have no mommies and daddies and I have no words.  And I think how Jesus came down as a baby.  The One who became an infant and couldn’t speak is the One who spoke it ALL into being.  And that is why I have hope for the babies and children who are orphans.  Because Jesus knows them by name and loves them and was helpless like them so that he might rescue them.  Will you be arms of love today wrapping a child up in hope?  Please give whatever you can today and personally ask just one friend to donate even 10 dollars.  Only 3 days left to make a miracle happen!

UPDATE! $46,263.82 less than $4K to go!!!! 😀 😀 😀 woo hoo!

(Photo by: Dorene Vandermeer)

Posted on December 29, 2011 by |

{Day 191}

Last year at this time I had no idea that I would be sitting here writing a blog post.  Or that I would have a blog for that matter… Nor did I know that I would be raising money for orphans and connecting with amazing people from all over the world.  Then I thought that I would do the 100 days project and be done.  Half of my year given to a crazy project.  Instead it has turned into a whole year.  Given to me as special gift and I give my heart and desires for this project as an offering back to the One who gave it to me.  I am blessed.

Will you help my wish come true?  I really want to raise the rest of the money by the end of the year….which only gives us four days.  Yikes! That means we need to have a thousand dollars a day come in… Would you do me a big favor?  Would you please ask as many friends and family as you can to give 5 dollars today?  Just think, if we all do that then we’ll have no problem making a miracle happen.

I’m going to be honest with you.  I REALLY want the money to come in by the first.  It is hard to for me to realize that that might not happen.  I’m having a tiny heart struggle yet I will choose to rest and be at peace.  You see I’m not just a smiling girl for a camera.  I’m real and I have good days and bad days and desires and hopes just like you.  Letting go of those things when I need to isn’t always easy…but it is good.  Whatever the outcome I will be praising Jesus for what he has done!

UPDATE!!  $45,807.82  Let’s get this total to shoot past the goal amount shall we?!

(Photos by: Dorene Vandermeer)

(Feather fascinator by Unveiled Bridal Designs)

Posted on December 28, 2011 by |

{Day 190}

Since the ladies from the “12 days” were just so fabulous and fun to work with I thought I would bring you some outtakes from the shoot we did here in Portland over the next couple of days. 🙂  If you can’t tell we had quite a good time and my silly side came out…yes I can be silly sometimes. 😉  I hope you enjoy these pictures (especially since I love these girls) and if you still haven’t had a chance to give a Christmas gift to the sweet darlings in India then please consider giving even $10 dollars today.  It really is that easy to feed an orphan for two months! 🙂  And yes having food in their tummies would be an amazing gift for which they would be quite grateful…

UPDATE!!  $45, 604.90  Soooo do you think you can help me make my wish come true to get the $50K in by the end of the year?  Please tell your friends and family and together let’s do something incredible for these orphans. 😀

(Photos by: Dorene Vandermeer)

(Feather fascinator by Unveiled Bridal Designs)

Posted on December 27, 2011 by |

{Day 189}

Luke 2:11-14 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

Merry Christmas to all you wonderful people!

Update! $45,204.90 😀 😀 😀  Can we get the last $5K by the end of the year?  Only one week!

(Photos by: Dorene Vandermeer)

Posted on December 25, 2011 by |

{Day 188 (on the 12th day of Christmas)}

“On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, twelve drummers drumming.”

Well folks, today is the last day of this 12 days of Christmas project.  Haven’t these ladies been amazing (and can you believe it is Christmas Eve!?)?  I am SO grateful and thankful for these FOUR beautiful women who have taken on the challenge to raise funds and give hope to these sweet orphans.  Their hearts for others are simply stunning.  I sincerely hope that they have inspired you to do something for the orphans.


 

Merry Christmas! My name is Jessica Harmon and I live outside of Chicago in Lombard, Illinois with my husband and one year old son. The Piper Piping (aka Kristen Fleischauer) and I have been sisters in Christ for ten years now. And though I do not have any actual sisters, I imagine the deep friendship we share to be characteristic of any God honoring family tie. Over the years this bond has made Kristenʼs passions my own and her friends mine as well. This is how I know Elaini!  I have been so encouraged by the mission of Warm Blankets and their commitment to providing Christ-centered care for orphans around the world. And since first hearing about Elainiʼs efforts, I have also been moved by her steadfast dedication throughout this creative campaign. “Her work is produced by faith, her labor prompted by love and her endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ!” (1 Thessalonians 1:3) With her devotion to seeing this project through to completion, I believe we can be certain of Godʼs faithfulness in His complete provision of her $50,000 goal.  So on this Twelfth Day of Christmas, as we prepare to celebrate Christʼs birth, pray with me that the Lord would prompt tender hearts to give to this worthy cause. And may many hearts also be moved in ultimately carrying out our Fatherʼs command to care for and love the fatherless, who deserve to know the love of Christ and His great mercies.  Please donate today.

(Photos by: Klye Flubacker of Kyle Flubacker Photography)

(Hair and Makeup by: Sadie Ypma of Mario Tricoci Salons)

My name is Sara and I am 18 years old.  I live in sunny San Diego, where I’ve been a small business owner since I was 11.  I’ve never meet Elaini in person, but I somehow found her blog a few months ago and kept coming back.  Her various fashion endeavors for the children of India showed me that you don’t need a lot of resources to help those in need on the other side of the world.  I was contemplating how I could use my own money for God’s glory rather than my own (I was feeling unsatisfied after purchasing things only for myself) and I saw Elaini’s post and contacted her right away.  When she told me the full scope of the project, I did get a bit intimidated!  I’ve never really fundraised before, and I considered dropping out of the project, thinking it would be too hard.  Then I realized that, if we’re going to serve God, it has to be on His terms, not ours.

For fundraising I asked my facebook friends to donate money, and I raised $40 that way.  I also received Christmas money from a relative–more than usual.  That extra is being donated as well.  I contacted some of my fashion blogger friends, and while none could commit to featuring the cause on their blog, one is fairly interested in the cause.  In addition, a large percentage of my sales from my online clothing and jewelry business will be donated, to the end of this year and hopefully on to the next.

Throughout my participation in this project, I’ve learned it’s not just about the numbers, even though we do have a set goal to reach.  Give with a joyful heart, and glorify God in everything. 🙂

(Photos by: Breanna)

Hello! My name is Rachel and I live in Yanceyville, North Carolina.  To quote Pride and Prejudice, “A little place of no consequence except to those lucky enough to have grown up in it.”  It’s been a blessing growing up here and watching my parents live out their faith day by day, following the Lord whole heartily.  When I first read about The 12 Days of Christmas, I was excited, but a little tentative.  After a lot of prayer and the Lord pointing scripture out to me again and again, I felt God told me to step out and do it.  The Lord has blessed me with wonderful, godly parents and a caring family, so my heart goes out to those who have none and I pray that these little ones come to know God and His  love.  At the moment there is $200 raised.  However, the Heavenly Father knows exactly our needs and those of the precious children in India, so He will provide the perfect amount.  Have a merry Christmas as we celebrate our Light, Jesus Christ, coming and giving us life.

(Photos by: Becky Potter)

Hi!  My name is Rachel, and I’m 17 years old, living in lovely Colorado.  I have been following Elaini’s project for a long while, praying for it, and being inspired by it.  When she announced her 12 days of Christmas idea, I thought it was grand!  I didn’t think to be a part of it.  I have a passionate heart for orphans, and I have been praying for a long time about how to reach them.  But when this came up I was full of excuses.  I didn’t have a fancy dress.  “Modeling”- or any sort of anything in front of a camera- was not something I was excited about.  But finally I gave in and sent my offer to be part of the project- certain it was too late.  I was offered the final spot.  I got a message from my friend out of oblivion, just to say hello.  I mentioned that I was in sudden need of a pretty black dress.  She brought me one to use the very next day.  God does indeed have a sense of humor.  And so here I am, praying and fund raising for these precious little ones in India.  There have been frustrations (like the intended camera falling through), but only detours on the adventure.  God is faithful and I am so glad to be part of what he is doing for these dear children in India!

Thank you ladies! So blessed by your faithfulness to change lives.  You have and are.

Annnddd there will be one more post from yours truly for Christmas. 🙂

Please donate today (even $5 dollars?) so that these sweet children can have a Christmas.

Continue Reading →

Posted on December 24, 2011 by |

{Day 187 (on the 11th day of Christmas)}

“On the eleventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me, eleven pipers piping.”

I don’t know about all of you but I’m loving seeing all these incredible women come together to make this project happen.  And since it’s so fun seeing what everyone comes up with I decided to put TWO amazing women on today.  Yes, your welcome. 😉  I am so blessed to know Kelly and Kristen.  Not only are they stunning on the outside but they have amazing hearts.

Hi! I’m Kelly and I’m 21. I’m hailing from the lovely city of Portland, Oregon.  Elaini has been a dear friend of mine ever since I can remember and watching her complete the 100 days initiative over the summer was an immense honor and joy.  When she told me about her dreams of finishing her goal to 50K through the 12 Days of Christmas project, I was excited about the idea of being involved. So here I am!

                Warm Blankets and their work with orphans is a ministry close to my heart.  My family and I have been supporting an orphanage in Cambodia through Warm Blankets for nearly ten years and the blessing of joining with them and watching their work through these orphans’ lives has been a truly humbling experience.  Several of my family members have gone to witness their efforts first-hand and have returned changed people.  This venue of supporting them through the 12 Days project is thrilling to be a part of.

Of course, I had plenty of help: My sister Christa is an amazing photographer and my brother Sam is a stud, so together we had an awesome time putting together our shots for the Pipers Piping look.  We decided to go at it in two different angles, one with a pipe, and two with a piccolo. Enjoy and please join with me to support orphans!

(Photos by: Christa Taylor)

Merry Christmas! My name is Kristen Fleischauer, I am 28 years old, and I live in Glen Ellyn, IL, a suburb of Chicago.  I am part of the Orphan Rescue Operations team at Warm Blankets and I met Elaini when she began her campaign back in May.  Elaini is quite an amazing young woman (as I’m sure you all know by now) and has astonished and inspired all of the staff here at WBOCI over and over again as she has relentlessly advocated on behalf of the orphans.  We have watched the Lord answer our prayers for the kiddos in India through Elaini’s campaign and we are, yet again, humbled by the way God provides  for the “the least of these” despite our own human frailty and seemingly insurmountable odds. 

I decided to participate in the 12 Days of Christmas campaign in order to support Elaini as she reaches her goal and as a way of getting the word out about the orphan crisis to as many people as possible.  As of today, I have raised $590, but I need friends, family, and faithful Elaini followers to help me get to $1,000.  I can not think of a better time of year to join together to save some orphans, can you???  Their pain is real, their tragedy is daily lived, and WE have the opportunity to offer them hope and a future through partnering with Elaini to rescue and provide safe, loving, and Christ-centered home for these little ones.  Will you donate today? 

Ladies I can’t thank you enough for being a part of this.  Thank you for not only cheering me on but running this race with me.  I am deeply grateful for the gift that your lives are to me and to others.  Much love.

UPDATE!!! $44,764.90 😀 😀 😀  Wanna help us push it over the $45K mark?? 🙂  Let’s spread some real Christmas love.

(Photos by: Klye Flubacker of Kyle Flubacker Photography)

(Hair and Makeup by: Sadie Ypma of Mario Tricoci Salons)

More pictures!

Posted on December 23, 2011 by |

Design by Kiersta Rhodes. Site by 80twenty