{ 3 years!!! (DAY 459) }

IMG_0050-Edit 3rdanniversary IMG_0201-Edit 3rdanniversary1 IMG_0530 IMG_9910-EditIMG_0270-Edit1656329_682826881739746_250020255_n 8009_682826895073078_556788481_nWhere has the time gone!?  Today marks the 3rd anniversary of the little black dress project.  As I was contemplating this day and thinking about these photos we took of me in the dress I realized something.  The project was a sprint that turned into a marathon.  I’m still trying to reach the $100K goal.  It’s the day in and day out continuing towards a goal that seems to take longer than I would like.  What started out as a productive style project turned into a lifestyle.

Standing on the beach at the water’s edge in my black dress I thought about how “my” kiddos were on the other side of it.  How I wish that I could shorten the horizon and draw it into my hand just so that I could be closer to them.  Hearts are bigger than oceans though so I send my heart across it to orphans in India.  You have too.  For that I am immensely grateful.  It’s the constant motion of the faithful waves that produces the result of rock being broken into pebbles which turn into sand.  You all have been like those waves.  Faithfully giving and breaking down the goal into smaller and smaller bits through these three years.  Thank you.  I can’t tell you how grateful I am for your giving hearts and care for others.

Wearing this gorgeous flower crown by Fieldwork Flowers reminded me that God gives beauty for ashes.  That is what he has done with those precious children.  He has taken them from a life filled with pain and stress and put them in loving homes.  He crowns our lives with steadfast love and mercy. 

Today will you join with me once more and donate to helping these dear children in India?  Will you give $5, $10, $15, $20, $100 because investing in lives is the most important thing we could do with our money?  Because caring has to go beyond awareness.  At some point we have to stop reading about it and do something.  Please join me today in making these precious lives a bit brighter because of your care and generosity.  I’ve said it so many times and I won’t stop…each little bit matters.

I want to give a very sincere thank you to Fieldwork Flowers for their gracious donation of this stunning flower crown!  It was the perfect beach accessory and I loved wearing it.  Thank you! If you need flowers these ladies are so incredibly lovely and a delight to work with.  They create such beautiful works of art.

Kiersta, I can’t thank you enough for taking a whole day and lending your expertise to take these photographs.  Thank you for being willing to adventure down to the beach and get up early.  Thank you for going with the flow even when lighting was a beast.  You are so talented and I love working with you.  You take amazing photographs.  The end.  Truly a HUGE thank you for making this shoot happen and being so sweet and helpful.  People if you need a photographer this girl is amazing!

Flower crown by: Fieldwork Flowers
Photography by: Kiersta Rhodes Photography

P.S. Wanna see past years?  Day 1, 1st anniversary, and 2nd anniversary!

12 Responses to { 3 years!!! (DAY 459) }

  1. Laurel Anne May 1, 2014 at 8:48 am #

    Elaini, you are so beautiful! That fourth photo in particular looks like you fit right into a fairytale. 🙂

    • misselaini May 5, 2014 at 8:38 pm #

      Thanks Laurel Anne! 🙂 I do like dreamy fairy tales…

  2. Sammie W. May 1, 2014 at 6:18 pm #

    Everything about this photo shoot is just so perfect: The beach background, the flower crown, and the little black dress! It’s like everything I love wrapped into one post 😉

    • misselaini May 5, 2014 at 8:39 pm #

      You’re so sweet Sammie! Thanks dear. 🙂

  3. Diana Nesbitt May 1, 2014 at 10:29 pm #

    Beautiful pictures! Here’s the post I wrote to help spread the word:
    http://diananesbitt.com/2014/05/02/three-simple-things-you-can-do-to-change-a-life-forever/

    • misselaini May 5, 2014 at 8:39 pm #

      Diana, thank you so very much. I really appreciate your support for me and my sweet kiddos in India. Your post was absolutely beautiful! <3

  4. Celeste May 2, 2014 at 1:05 am #

    Beautiful photos, beautiful words, your beautiful heart on display, a beautiful and wonderful God at work! Thank you for allowing us the privilege, opportunity and blessing to partner with you in helping these precious children!

    • misselaini May 5, 2014 at 8:40 pm #

      Thank you for partnering with me! It is a gift. 🙂

  5. Alesha May 5, 2014 at 8:36 am #

    Gosh, has it really been 3 years?! I can’t believe it was so long ago that I stumbled upon your blog in the early days of the little black dress project. Your journey has been inspiring to me every step of the way. I can’t thank you enough for listening to God’s urging, for taking that step, and letting Him work in amazing ways through this. Because of those 100 days, darling little children in India have been blessed, but I know for a fact that we have been blessed, too. Blessed to be a part of it, blessed to see it play out before our eyes.

    Thank you for sharing your heart with us these past 3 years, Elaini. And here’s to all that God has done and all that He has in store!

    xoxo, Alesha

    • misselaini May 5, 2014 at 8:41 pm #

      Wow! Thanks for following along all these years. 🙂 I’m humbled that I get to have this be a part of my story and I’m grateful that it has touched lives. I appreciate your uplifting words. xxx

  6. elizabeth. May 5, 2014 at 10:27 am #

    Gorgeous pictures, Elaini – love that flower crown, too! Congratulations on 3 years of blessing these dear children – our Heavenly Father’s faithfulness is so amazing.

    • misselaini May 5, 2014 at 8:42 pm #

      Thank you! I was delighted to work with such an amazing team! Also very thankful to be on this journey.

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