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Her tiny feet spun around pulling her little body into twirling spheres and made her hair fly straight out in a beautiful confusion of golden threads.  Pure glee filled her face and those eyes brimming with old world looks sparkled and scattered joy to my heart.  At that moment I was transported to being her age.  The tender age of four.  Where cardboard boxes became boats and houses and my sleepy head rested trustingly on my father’s shoulder as he carried me from the car (half asleep) up the stairs to lay me gently in bed.  “Goodnight daddy” I’d whisper and he would slip away leaving me to disappear into dream land.  There were times that he’d lay on the floor in the evenings and we would play “airplane”.  “Again, again daddy” I’d squeal as his feet took me flying and soaring above him.  Suddenly I’m jolted back to the reality of now.  Orphans in India don’t have daddies or mommies.  The only touch from an adult that they may have had could be in the form of a stinging imprint left on their cheek…and consequently their hearts.  Father’s Day is tomorrow and if  you haven’t found the perfect gift for your father consider donating in his honor.  If you don’t have a father figure in your life then consider reaching out to a child who also understands what it means to not have a daddy.

{Amazing hat by Unveiled Bridal Designs.  Maybe I could be the third Middleton sister 😉 }

{Photos by: Jenn Lynn Images}

I love you amazing people.  You inspire me.  Your thoughtful and kind comments are so fun to read and encourage me greatly and some of the emails I have received have totally made my day.  One incredible reader from “down under” is throwing a Miss.elaini.ous party (more on that in a bit 🙂 ) while a ten year old I know had a bake sale and gave me $28 for the orphans.  It thrills me that people are getting creative on how to give and raise money for orphans.  Rescued orphans have the potential to be the leaders of the coming generation.  Even a single life changed can have an impact beyond our imagination.  Who knows, one of the orphans may be a future Einstein, president, or Mother Teresa. IF THEY ARE RESCUED.  That takes a sacrifice on our part.  It is easy to assume “somebody” else will donate $5 dollars or that “other” person will host a donation dinner.  Yet if everyone thinks this way then nothing will happen.  How tragic it would be if we “lost” a future Mother Teresa because we didn’t do something TODAY.

(P.S.  That “belt” in the picture is really the extra strap off the purse… 🙂 )

{Photos by: Jenn Lynn Images}

{Dress and hair piece borrowed from Heidi)

Yesterday as I was trying to open a canning jar the top slipped from my hand and fell sticky side to the counter… It got me thinking: Lids fall to the ground messy side down and some lives lay messy side up.  Skinny little ones, with empty bellies, sit hungry in the dirt.  Messy.  There are little hands and feet that are blistered, bruised, and battered and without a mommy to kiss, bandage, and care for them.  Messy.  A tear trail runs through the grim on sad little cheeks.  Messy.  Broken lives that need to be loved.  Donating money helps these orphans.  Find that jar of loose change you have and donate it today to a child in need.  Because messy lives don’t have to stay that way.

{Photos by: Jenn Lynn Images}

{Hat by: Unveiled Bridal Designs}

{Clothing borrowed from Michelle}

This is a personal post.  A letter to myself…

Remember the beginning of the year?  That night you couldn’t sleep and at first it didn’t seem any different from the many other sleepless nights you’d had before.  Eyes wide open staring into the dark.  Looking, seeking for something that wouldn’t quite materialize.  Yet a spark was lit in you and even though you had a fear of failing you recognized that the greatest failure would be to do nothing at all.  Wasting the beautiful life you have been given would be failure.  The best things come from stepping outside your comfort zone.  You’re the girl that wouldn’t even comment on blogs you loved, didn’t have Facebook, and was terrified at the thought of writing.  Period.  (Even in your journal…lame).  Maybe creating a post is like pulling teeth…almost every.single.time, but here you are 75 posts later.  (Don’t forget you also have Facebook and Twitter (which you have no idea how to REALLY use…ahem, it’s ok you’re a work in progress.)) It’s alright to fail.  To not be perfect.  To be perfectly imperfect.  God’s holding you.  So you can rest.

UPDATE:  O.K. some more donations came in but we still haven’t hit the $5,000 mark. Let’s break past that number today! We need to raise $173.27 today in order to do that.  We are doing this for orphans.  These aren’t fictional children they are flesh and blood little ones.  These are some of the orphans in Warm Blankets orphan homes:

{Photos by: Jenn Lynn Images}

{Skirt donated by Megan, Necklace donated by David&Cheri}

Remember my really amazing camera story here?  Well, this is part two.  Because I need to be reminded that God can do whatever he wants with this project.  You see we are getting REALLY close to the halfway mark of this project and considering that we have $45,000 left to reach the goal I can start to get a little nervous…but WAIT! instead of doing that let me tell you about my camera lens. Rather lenses. 🙂  So I had prayed about getting lenses and I received two with my camera but then I was meeting with a dear friend who was showing me how to use my camera and she told me I needed another certain lens.  My response to her was that if the Lord wanted to provide that lens then he would since I didn’t have the money. Welllll the next day she said she needed me to drop by.  I had no idea why but when I arrived she handed me a small bag with the beautiful word Canon on it. !!!!!!!!! (That’s me freaking out) Because when I opened the bag there was the lens she had told me about!!! Along with her family they had unanimously decided to get me this amazing lens.  I am so blessed.  And I am remind that whatever happens with this project is not in my hands.  Jesus loves these children.  He will take care of them.  Will you do your part and donate today.

Update:  Look we are almost at the $5,000 mark.  Let’s have our goal be to raise that much by tomorrow.  😀 We can do it!!!

{Photos by: Jenn Lynn Images}

{Clothing borrowed from Heidi}

Splash! A dew drop from heaven hit me directly on my nose as I walked along smelling the freshly scented air. I looked up as the blanketed expanse began to wash my face.  It was as if all the grime and dust from last week washed away.  My soul feels refreshed after having the water of the Word wash me.  A beautiful new week has begun.  It will hold new weather and thunderstorms may come but there will be rainbows too.  This ring from Shabby Apple reminds me that raindrops don’t have to be “rain on your parade” but they can be sparkling teardrop gifts for a parched soul.  Thank you Shabby Apple for making my week a bit brighter!

{Ring donated by Shabby Apple}

{Dress borrowed from Michelle}

{Photos by: Jenn Lynn Images}

I know some amazing people.  YOU!!! Last night I had the privilege of attending a clothing swap.  Everyone went home with something new and fun and the best part…it was free. 😀  Because the host, Emily, is so amazing she decided to have a raffle.  The ladies each put in $5 to enter and then Emily donated all that money to Warm Blankets Orphan Care! Isn’t that just wonderful?  I think so.  More money for the sweet little children in India.  Here’s my challenge to you:  can you do something creative to raise money for the orphans?  Think garage sale, concert, themed dinner with friends…you get the idea.  The options are limitless.  Have everyone bring a set amount to give to the orphans and WA LA! A fun AND profitable time.  Anyways just something to consider… 😀  (I’d love to hear your ideas!)

{Photos by: Jenn Lynn Images}

{Clothing borrowed from Michelle}

Sometime we have an off day/moment/year…but I don’t ever want to stay in that “off” place.  I have been given so much.  More than I deserve.  When I think about that it puts things in perspective.  So here is a few things I am thankful for:

Ears to hear truth
Eyes to see everyday miracles
Hands to help others (and type!)
Weakness so I don’t think I can do anything on my own.

Are you grateful for what you have been given? If so then please give a gift today to the orphans. Don’t wait. You have been given this moment. Make it worthwhile.

Since I don’t have a lot of words today I am sharing this video…because it speaks beautifully.

{Photos by: Jenn Lynn Images}

{Clothing borrowed from Heidi}

Coming up with outfits is hard work.  I know it looks glamorous and it seems that I just get to play dress up for 100 days, but that would be an erroneous view.  There are so many days that I want to wear the dress…with sweats underneath.  Thankfully there have been friends helping me and letting me borrow their clothes.  Often I am so paranoid about ruining them that I wear an apron when eating…pathetic but true.  So when the incredible people over at Shabby Apple donated this beautiful and stunning necklace and ring I was extremely grateful.  This company has really great products and I feel honored that they would partner with me to bring a unique look to you and help the orphans.  Thank you Shabby Apple for being so generous and amazing!

{Necklace and ring: Shabby Apple}

{Photos by: Jenn Lynn Images}

Sorta freaking out…! I only have 60 days left.  To raise $45,000. Deep breath.  I am not doing this alone.  I need you fabulous people to help me spread the word and thank you to those who have already done so!  Would  you be willing to post on your FB page, twitter account, or blog about this project (or all three)?  Obviously the more people that hear about it the easier it will be to raise the amount to open 10 more orphan homes.  I don’t know about you but I REALLY want them to have a safe place to sleep at night.  In a bed.  With sheets.  And a pillow.  If 500 people gave 100 dollars (one dollar for every day of the project) we would have raised over $50,000!!!!!  Can we do this??  I know we can!

{Photos by: Jenn Lynn Images}

{Styled by Lauren}