Archive | Uncategorized

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That’s what I think when I see that number at the top of this post.  Day 98?!?!?  Only 2 days left…  O.K. So let’s talk.  We’re getting down to hours left to reach our goal.  Can we at least push the total to $25,000 today?  Halfway would be fantastic.  Actually everyone that has donated should feel amazing for getting us this far.  It’s pretty incredible what you are doing for these adorable children.  If you haven’t donated already PLEASE Donate.  Today is the day.  We’re running out of time! If 1,000 people gave $28 dollars we would reach our goal. 😀  xxx

In other news today is a very exciting day for me.  My kindred spirit and very dear friend Elizabeth is marrying the love of her life Aaron.  Congratulations you two!  I am thrilled to be a bridesmaid on your special day.  Its going to be a busy and very fun day. 😀 (I’m doing hair and makeup for the girls…say a prayer for me!)

Total Raised: $22,036.82

Thank you to my sweet reader Rebekah for sending me this beautiful headband!

{Photos by: Christa Taylor}

I saw the sign yesterday flashing the news that the circus was coming.  Lately it feels like the circus is already here…at.my.house.  Yet seeing that sign transported me back in time to a day that my older sister took me to the circus.  Crystal clear in my mind I can still see the funny little monkeys ridding bicycles and the giant lumbering elephants with their decorated head dresses. Then there was the beautiful slender acrobat who transformed herself into a flying bird as I watched in amazement.  I was very young when I went to the show but this memory is still so real to me today.  I can’t imagine the scary acts and sights that must be even more ingrained in the minds of the orphans.  Yes my childhood was very different from theirs.  Have you ever stopped to think that it could have been you?  I have.  What if I had been born in India and had lost my parents?  Since most of us haven’t had this experience lets help these children that have.  Because if it WAS me I would want others to have compassion.  Did you know that the orphans are praying for the success of this project?  So I guess they want you to have compassion as well.  Will you?  Hmm.  Three days.  There’s just way too much to write (about everything in my life).  Yes, I’m going to keep the blog so I’ll tell you all about my personal circus later. 🙂 PLEASE DON’T FORGET TO DONATE!!!! If you want to see us reach the goal then I’ll need your help!!! Thank you!

Thank you Abigail for donating the beautiful flower and for David and Cheri for donating this amazing cuff bracelet!

Total Raised: $21,387.29 😀

{Photos by: Christa Taylor}

Both chubby hands gripped the two rough toilet paper rolls (aka binoculars) that were glued together and hung around her neck by a slender piece of yarn.  Lifting them to her shining eyes she exclaimed, “I see you!!!”  She walked around the yard peering through the craft project with eager sight.  I want to see too.  See what the future holds for me.  (It’s unbelievable how foggy my lenses are.  I can’t see right now.  Apparently I’m not supposed to.)  I want to see what the future holds for the sweet darling orphans in India.  When they look through the lens of their life I want them to see hope magnified there instead of pain.  Instead of them focusing on survival I want to see them have the opportunity to focus on education and building a beautiful life.  I hope you truly see how much these orphans need our help.  Please donate at least $10 dollars today.  If 1,000 people gave $29 dollars we would reach our goal!!!!

To everyone who has read this blog…THANK YOU. You are amazing.  To the (maybe 10?) males who actually read this blog….you deserve an award or something! 😉

Total Raised: $20,857.29 😀

{Photos by:  Christa Taylor}

Time is such a mind teaser.  One minute I feel as if the 95 days have flashed by while in that same moment I feel as if I have worn this dress for forever.  (It has become like a second skin.)  Counting days has revealed to me a precious gift.  The awareness that I often miss moments that are glittering gems of beauty or significance.  I wish I could just open my arms and hug life to my chest.  Wrap it up and appreciate it more.  All I have is right now but I so often abuse the time I have been graced with.  Am I guaranteed that I will have tomorrow?  Are you?  Realistically no.  Tiny grains of sand are streaming through the hourglass.  Will you let them slip by unnoticed?

“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that has been given us.” ~Gandalf (The Lord of the Rings)  What will you do with the time you have been given?  Let’s make a difference in the lives of orphans.  Let’s take the time to be a blessing to someone else.  Let’s not forget that all we have is right now.  Please take in the beauty around you today.  I know I need the reminder to do so.

Only 5 more days to throw a party!

UPDATE: RAISED SO FAR: $20,107.29 😀 😀

{Photos by: Christa Taylor}

The link is now working! Thank you SO much for you patience.  If you tried to give and were unable to please try again.  Grateful for your support and the help for the orphans!

Years ago while studying history I learned how wine used to be made.  Lush, plump grapes would be piled high in a large vat and then people would stomp on the fruit with their bare feet.  The sweet sticky juice would burst from the skins and run all purple red liquid.  What happens when we are pressed? More importantly what happens when I am pressed?  I find that what is pressed from my life isn’t always as sweet as what comes from the grapes.  Yesterday was a good moment for me to consider my own heart.  Was it easy? No.  Was it good?  Yes.  Walking through difficult circumstances shows us what color really runs in our hearts.  Thankful that I am learning (key word learning) to trust Jesus.  With my own life and the lives of others.  What have you been learning lately?

Since we are talking about grapes this is my purple princes outfit. 😉

A very large thank you to an incredible reader, Abigail, who sent me shoes all the way from Florida!!! Amazing. 🙂  Also thank you SO much to generous Rebekah for the lovely bracelet.  One of the many items she sent me.  Totally made my day! Thank you lovely ladies!!!! 😀

{Photos by: Christa Taylor}

{Dress borrowed from Karen, Ring my brother brought back from India}

Do you ever just stop and catch your breath at what you see or learn?  When was the last time you were amazed by something?  When was the last time you didn’t just look but truly saw?  Yesterday I marveled at the cellophane type wings of a dragon fly in a photo a friend sent me.  I studied the variance of color in the meat of a deeply hued plum.  I delighted in the picture of a beautiful mommy holding her look a like baby.  Each one a stunning picture of creation in their own way.  A little girl and her brother coming up to me with hands outstretched.  Their sandwich bags held $312 dollars that they had raised at a lemon aid and cinnamon roll stand.  They are both under the age of five.  “Is this for the orphans?” I asked.  I was answered with a cheery smile and a “Yes”.  It was humbling to see these young children offer their gift.  A gift from one child here to another in India.  For the sake of love.  It left my heart all in a puddle.  They came to my church camp out so they could deliver it to me.  And it it left me amazed and grateful.  Because a sweet 4 and 3 year old raised over 300 dollars.  What will you do for the sake of love?

{Photos by: Christa Taylor}

The conference was great! Thank you Alex and Brett for all your support. 🙂  It was really exciting to meet some of my readers yesterday.  (Pictures coming soon to our Facebook page)  It was definitely a highlight being able to talk one on one with many people and share my heart for the orphans.  Every time I see the slide show from the last 91 days I am just in awe of what God has done.  The “total raised” just keeps going up! So little time left though.  Will you help?  Will you be part of the blessing?  Check out the party page to see what you can do or donate today!  OK off to rest…the conference did my health in…exhausted but SO worth it.  Total raised coming soon!

A VERY big thank you to reader Rebekah for sending this adorable scarf and purse! (She had even wrapped it all pretty) 😀

{Photos by: Christa Taylor}

9 days.  Hey guess what everybody?  Our project is going to be featured at this conference!  I’m really excited to see what will happen and how much money we can raise.  Together.  Yes I know I’m crazy to think that in 9 days 34,000 dollars will come in but hey…you already know I’m a tad bit insane! I mean I HAVE worn 1 dress for 91 days so far. 😉 If 1,000 people gave $34 dollars we would meet our goal!!!  Alex from TheRebelution kindly made this video to be shown today to all the attendees. (Thank you Alex!)  We wanted you to be able to see it and share it! Enjoy! 😀

Total Raised: $15,764.29 😀

{Photos by: Christa Taylor}

Day 90 everybody! Can you believe that the ten day countdown has begun??  If 1,000 people gave 33 dollars we would reach our goal.  Can you, will you tell your friends and family and basically everyone?  These little children have experienced grief and pain like most of us have never had to even think about.  Empty bellies cramping with pain or a stinging touch where there should be a loving hug.  Loss of two parents.  Babies really without care.  Hopeless, helpless, and in every way needing a heart to love them.  I know you hear about this kind of thing all the time and it is easy to brush it aside.  Yet today I am asking you to think about that little one in your life.  A niece, nephew, cousin, friend, grandchild, sister, brother, or even your own child.  What if this was your little one?  Please consider donating to these children because they are just like the ones you know.  Real darlings with feelings.  Your gift makes a difference.

Also I just want to say a HUGE thank you to the woman in this picture with me.  She made the dress and worked with me to see my vision come to life in the fabric.  I can’t thank her enough for believing in me and donating her time and expertise.  Karen I am also grateful that you styled outfits or lent me so much of your clothing.  xxx

{Photos by: Christa Taylor}