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{Day 178 (on the 2nd day of Christmas)}

“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)

Posted on December 14, 2011 by |

{Day 177 (on the 1st day of Christmas)}

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)

Posted on December 13, 2011 by |

{Day 176}

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 😀

Posted on December 11, 2011 by |

{Day 175}

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.

Posted on December 8, 2011 by |

{Day 174}

No one thought I would even make it to the $10K mark let alone anything above that.  Even my very supportive parents had their doubts about the goal (they’re so great that they never let on though till much later).  Yet in the last 4 days God has graciously brought in $3,000 dollars, for the sweet orphans, putting us over the $40K mark.  I may be a little odd but I’m not special.  I have my bad days just like everyone else and I am constantly needing God to help me every second of every day.  My body is weakened by health issues.  I did not do this project on my own and when I did try it didn’t go well… In light of that fact I share this:  2 Corinthians 12:9,10 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me….For when I am weak, then I am strong.

I am weak.  Without Jesus helping me I wouldn’t have come this far, but with him I have.  If you are weak in any way and feel like you can’t do anything please stop and reconsider.  You may not be able to do what someone else is doing but I bet if you really want to you will find something you CAN do.  You, dear reader can make a difference.

The 10.for.1o challenge is still on.  :)   If you want to take it just get 10 friends to donate 10 dollars for orphans.  I still really need 2 more lovely ladies who are willing to be fashionable for a cause!  It has something to do with the song the 12 days of Christmas.  :)   Check it out here.

Thank you everyone who donated!  UPDATE!!! $40,998.40  Anyone want to tip it over the $41K mark?  😀

Posted on December 3, 2011 by |

{Day 173}

December 1st…Already?!?!  Does anyone else start wondering where this year went about now?  I do…  In my mind I think I will always see this as the year of THE dress.  And the year that God showed me more of himself.  More of his love for me and the orphans.  Let me explain one of the ways.  Back at the beginning of the year before the project started someone asked me something to the effect of, “So even after the 100 days are over you still have to raise the money if it hasn’t come in right?  Because that is what you committed to.”  My response was laughter and a big NO.  Note to self:  Sarah in the Bible laughed and it wasn’t a good thing. 😉  In all honesty though I really didn’t think that I would keep raising the money after the 100 days were over.  Yet my heart was changed.  I love orphans like I never have before.  Even though I feel a bit insane at times working towards my goal of $50,000 I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything.  You see I got a note from Belgium yesterday.  A lady had heard about the project (via Facebook) and had shared with her family on Thanksgiving about these children in need.  So they all pitched in a little to help.  As a result $200 more came in!  If I would have stopped in August we would have raised about $31,000.  Yet I probably would never have received that letter and certainly not raised 39K.  Right when I am thinking that the money is coming in sooo slow God sent this amazing update and I am encouraged.  He is a God of the details and he is a God who cares.  I am praying that the rest of the money will come in by the end of the year.  Will you help me?  You can take the 10.for.1o challenge.  🙂  Just get 10 friends to donate 10 dollars.  I’m loving the stories I hear about people doing this!  I still need more lovely ladies who are willing to be fashionable for a cause!  It has something to do with the song the 12 days of Christmas.  🙂  Check it out here.

LOVE this UPDATE!!!! $39,124.14  yep you read that right! Almost to the $40K mark.  Wanna help us get there faster? 😀

(This picture is from one of the new homes…that you helped open!)

Posted on December 1, 2011 by |

{Day 172}

Last week was crazy… Tuesday I took my last big CLEP test for the year and passed! Praising the Lord for that. 🙂  Wednesday I got in a really bad accident and my car was totaled.  Grateful that I was able to walk away from the wreck.  Thursday was Thanksgiving for all of us in the states and what a blessing it was to rest and spend time with family.  My niece discovered the word cornucopia and would randomly insert it into conversation which cracked me up.  Lol!  Friday I had the last of my iron IV’s and then went to the wedding rehearsal and dinner.  Saturday was the wedding and it was lots of fun and so beautiful.  🙂  I got to be a bridesmaid for the sixth time and was very honored.  Looking back on last week I am so thankful for all the little ways that Jesus was with me and gifted me in hundreds of ways.  Living life with him is so wonderful!  I am rejoicing greatly and I pray you are too!

I still need 3 more lovely ladies who are willing to be fashionable for a cause!  It has something to do with the song the 12 days of Christmas. 🙂  Check it out here.  And the 10.for.10 challenge is still on!  Will you join me and others this holiday season to give to those who have less than we do?  I’m wanting to have another update. 🙂

Posted on November 28, 2011 by |

{Day 171}

Happy Thanksgiving! Things I am thankful for…

To be loved and known by Jesus

To have a wonderful family and friends

For an abundance of food

For a bed

That this is my 200th post

That I have amazing readers

That I am alive after being in a horrible car accident last night

That I can walk and still be a bridesmaid on Saturday

I could go on and on because I am crazy blessed…

May you all have a wonderful day!

If you are thankful today would you consider taking the 10.for.10 challenge to help those that are needy?  You just have to get 10 people to donate $10 dollars to the orphans by the end of the year. 🙂

What are some things you are thankful for today?  Feel free to tell us in the comment below! 🙂

Posted on November 24, 2011 by |

{Day 170}


Sorry I have been pretty quiet this last week.  I have a good excuse and some exciting news!  But first please watch this video.  No, really, please watch it before you keep reading.  Did you?  O.K.  Soooo by now you probably know that I get crazy ideas…well I got another one.  I realized that we have about $12,000 left to raise and the second thought that jumped into my head was the song “The 12 days of Christmas”.  Naturally of course. 😉  What?!  The 12 days of Christmas doesn’t just start playing in your head after you hear $12K?  Haha!  Anyways right now I am searching for 12 normal yet brave, willing, beautiful women to pledge to try and raise $1,000 dollars by the end of the year.  Here is the fun part and where the 12 days of Christmas comes in.  Each lovely lady will get a day of Christmas to interpret into a high fashion evening gown look (think a Vouge spread) to be shown on the blog for the 12 days leading up to Christmas.  Currently I have 7 amazing ladies who are taking on this challenge.  Yet I still have 5 more days to fill.  Any of you gals up to giving this Christmas season and looking fabulous while doing so?  If you are interested in being one of the 12 then please send me an email at: misselaini @ gmail . com  (remove spaces)

Oh and don’t forget that you can still take the 10.for.10 challenge.  Some people are getting 100 dollar bills just because they were willing to ask for $10. 😀

Yay! UPDATE: $38,010.50  SO happy we tipped it over the $38K mark. 😀 😀 😀

Posted on November 21, 2011 by |

{Day 169}

…The unfortunate commits himself to You; You have been the helper of the orphan.  Psalms 10:14

So grateful that while I can’t help all the millions of orphans God just calls me to do my part for He is the true helper of these needy little ones.

… be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.  Luke 6:36

Pretty excited about how quick we made it to this UPDATE:  $37,990 😀  Only need $10 dollars to push it over.  Take the 10.for.10 challenge?

Posted on November 14, 2011 by |

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