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“He wants to give you something.” I turned around to see a mother standing by her young son.  Without a word he stretched out his arm and handed me a crumpled piece of paper.  It was a one dollar bill.  Considering that this boy was fairly young (6?) I am guessing that he doesn’t have a lot of money.  The beautiful thing that touched my heart was that he gave WHAT HE HAD.  One child giving to another child.  One with two parents, the other without.  Similar ages, different countries.  Worlds apart, yet still connected in that moment.  A child answering the cry of another.  A dollar may not seem like a fortune to some of us but to the little boy who stood before me it may very well have been, and to the orphans in India it is.  Don’t discredit the power of a dollar towards this project.  One dollar can make a difference.

{Photos by: Christa Taylor}

Today is a very special day for me.  I get to celebrate the most amazing woman I have ever met.  She is my best friend, teacher, and counselor.  When things are rough she cries with me.  Every day she makes me laugh out loud.  Yes, ALL the time.  The moments I need a hug she is there to hold me.  We finish each others sentences.  During long seasons of illness she nursed me and went above and beyond the call of duty.  This incredible, beautiful woman has laid down her life for me.  She loves Jesus and has taught me what a personal relationship with him looks like.  What can I say to honor her?  Words seem trite.   I can never be thankful enough for her.  Why?  Because she is my mom.  Mother, I love you.  SO VERY MUCH.

Thinking about my mom causes me to reflect on these orphans we are raising money for.  They don’t have a mom OR dad.  My heart bleeds for them and I pray that we can show them love by sending some of our “treasure” to them however small the amount may be.  To all you mothers out there…Happy Mother’s Day!

{Photos by: Christa Taylor}

{My mother and me: Taken yesterday by Dad}

Note to self: Don’t wear a fabulous hat if you don’t want people to notice you.  So much for being a wall flower…but I did hear some fun stories. 🙂

Studying the Bible with an amazing group of women today, but man it’s early.  For the record I’m really not a morning person…zzZZZ  Oh well, at least I actually get stuff done on days like this (minus the sleep walking, three naps I feel like taking, and incessant head nodding at whatever you’re saying).  Plus the added bonus is that I get to spend the afternoon with my best friend (aka mom).  Going to traipse around the city, and hopefully not get soaked. 🙂 Here’s to fun, carefree days doing the things you love best! Hope all you lovely people are having a fantastic weekend!

{Photos by: Christa Taylor}

How did it get to be Friday already??  Anyways, the weekend is here and I am looking forward to time with my family.  Tonight I am attending a wedding of some friends I have known for forever.  Since the royal wedding just took place (and for us girls it took our breath away with all the pretty dresses/hats) I thought I would channel Kate Middelton.  Hopefully I will exude the same grace and elegance that she does.  This hat is so amazing and fun and I love the designer Dorene.  She is absolutely as incredible as the pieces she makes!

Raised: $815

{Photos by: Christa Taylor}

{Hat by: Unveiled Bridal Designs}

You know those fabulous shoes I wore yesterday? Yeah, well they are really comfortable but don’t try taking a hike (o.k. it was more like a walk…I’m just being dramatic) in them.

On another note is was a glorious day yesterday with plenty of sun drenching and a productive time working on the project and spreading the excitement.  It is delightful (and a bit strange) to actually be telling people about this journey because up until Day 1 it had been a secret.  As in since JANUARY!!!  Four months is a fairly long time to not tell people about the craziest project of your life thus far…and now I want to tell the whole world.  Will you help me?

Total Raised: $715

{Photo by: Christa Taylor}

I opened my mailbox (well email…) yesterday and found a note that left a huge smile on my face.  The sweet lady that I am in contact with at Warm Blankets informed me that she was chatting with someone at Indian office.  They were telling the children in the orphan homes about this project.  Theses darling little children are praying for this project!!!

Some of the children got to go to the beach for the first time this last week so hopefully I will be able to show you pictures soon. 🙂  Do you remember your first trip to the beach or have you ever been?  I am sure the delight on their faces was beautiful.  Too bad I couldn’t have been there since this outfit looks sea worthy!

Money raised: $625

Update: Here is a picture of the trip to the beach.  Thankfully this home is sponsored so they have the opportunity to do this but many are not sponsored and struggle to continue running.  Your donations go towards homes that are not sponsored.

Photo: Warm Blankets Orphan Care

{Photos by: Christa Taylor}

Girl about town! This outfit will be perfect for today since I have several appointments and one photo shoot.  Big bag, check. Hat, check. Little yellow socks, check.  Must have the yellow socks. Most definitely.  My photographer tells me they make the outfit. 😉

Oh yeah and I can wear it backwards. The dress is cool like that. No biggie. 😀

Yesterday was great and I had a fun evening figuring out some more outfits, but more on that later. 🙂  The best news so far is that money is coming in for those precious children in India.  $450 raised!!! To give a bit of perspective: $500 can support one orphan home for a month in India.  Grateful for all your encouragement and for spreading the word!

Update: $500 raised!

{Photo by: Christa Taylor}

One day down 99 to go… Number one question so far:  Are you going to wash it? NO.  Just kidding!  Of course I am, and my amazing friend Karen made me two dresses in order to simplify the process. 🙂

The sunshine was actually out yesterday which caused great delight here.  In the process I got a little too much sun? Nah you can never get enough here.  We all needed the warmth to thaw out.  Consequently I’m a bit red like this outfit.  Hoping the start of your week is rosy instead of  having a huge red warning sign on it.

{photos: Christa Taylor}

Here we go!!!  The 100 days of wearing this dress to raise $50,000 for orphans in India has begun. 😀  Today I am wearing the dress simply as it is so you can see what it looks like, but wait till you see what I am going to do with it…!  Feeling incredibly blessed to have an outfit to wear when the orphans in India have lost everything.  I am helping in the nursery at church today and I know that seeing the little babies will make the reality that so many children don’t have parents very poignant.

{photo by: Christa Taylor}

{a spinning jewel}

May 1st approaches on wings.  My 100 days of this project and wearing the dress is coming like the dawn.  Rising swift and sure before me.  When I pause to think about this adventure I catch my breath.  Why me?  Weak and unfit my body trembles.  Last week felt like the dark before the dawn.  Darkness so thick you can feel it, but then…what beautiful words.  Yes, BUT THEN I was reminded that Jesus gives life abundantly to me.  The Light comes and it is glorious.  Honestly I can’t raise $50,000 on my own, but I know the One who created the world and since he owns it all then that is just another reason to trust him.  The thought has been present in my mind for some time now:  My world is going to spin crazy with the start of this project.  Thankfully I know the One who holds it in his hands.  It will not spin out of control…for he holds me too.