Day 31

 So, I'm totally going to bake a cake this weekend.
We have reached day 31, or 1 month, or past the mark of 4 weeks! You can call it whatever you'd like, I just know it's something pretty great. And it has all seemed so short, yet hard, but the most rewarding thing ever. Things are being learned and people met that would never of happened if it wasn't for this little project.

So let's break it down! Here is a little list of things learned, so far. (postscript: okay, maybe some of them are still being worked on.)

1. Always always always pray & be thankful. I have been trying to pray more & trying to be thankful more, but these things I'm learning, learning, and re-learning.
2. Grace & Gracefulness. 
Grace is depth. And I don't understand it nor do I think I will ever be able to comprehend it, but it has been a huge part of this project. 
Gracefulness is stepping of the curb in a strong wind and doing everything in your power to keep your dress from flying up. (I am relatively good at this now.)
3. You can't please all the people. Most are loving and kind, but every once in a while you get some crazy argument about this project that you have every right to believe is crazy. You tell them you are wearing a dress for an entire year, they tell you that's 'gross'. So you tell them you wash it a lot, and they tell you that's 'cheating'. It's a funny game. You don't take things like this to heart.
4. I am blessed and a blessing. Many of your kind words have made me realize these two things.
5. You pretty much already know what you are wearing everyday. This may or may not mean you can sleep in 10 more minutes.

Day 30

Day By Day

Old Joy

Comes Back To Me.

Day 29

Hi readers!
I hope you had the best kind of Tuesday. Mine went by fast with two tests, a coffee date, and a little time of prayer.
We are two days shy of a month and my prayer is that in these next 11 months, funds come pouring in for the darlings across the blue ocean. Pray about giving please.. It means the world to them.

Day 28

Starting off the week with a happy heart.

Hope all you are doing the same.

Planning a benefit concert for the project! More news on that later!

Donate here.

Day 27

Hello and happy end to the weekend!
I have been blessed by so many over the past few days. It's funny how someone's small words can make you feel so encouraged. I want to thank you if you've sent some my way.

I am constantly reminded that I am being used for good by all you wonderful readers.
But whenever a bit of self creeps in, whenever a bit of self wants to take center stage, I am reminded that this is not about me. Even though that's my picture above these words, even though I'm wearing the little black dress, and blogging about each day.
It's all about Him. 
Let this project be about the grace and love and the mercy of Christ for these children across the way.

Today, I am thankful.

Day 26

I hope all you lovely readers are having a wonderful weekend! We are at $260.05. Thank you for the love!

Day 25

This is not just a project, it's my life.

Or at least a season of it. A season of giving and love. It's a season of humility.

25 days & honestly, I have no idea what i'm doing. But i'm doing it.

Donate HERE.

Day 24

I have worn this dress for 24 days. I know when I tell people about the project, some of them label me as insane in their brains. Yet, I have been so encouraged by more people than I would have ever thought possible. I am learning, learning, and relearning faith.
Faith is a choice - to trust and believe without knowing what the outcome will be. It may not be the safe or the easy way. Not doing what everyone else does, but going against the current. 

My faith has blossomed over time.

I have faith that I can wear this little black dress for 341 more days.
I have faith that whatever the amount of money we make for the orphans is the right amount.
I have faith in this project.

I have faith.

Day 23

It has been the most unbelievable 23 days. I am being changed from the inside out.
Every day, I get a little more thankful, a little more bold, a little more appreciative of those around me & those across the sea. It's a growing thankfulness. It comes and goes because, well, nobody's perfect. But when I strip away my selfish thoughts & wants, replace them with the act to help to meet the need of some else other than myself, I am so satisfied in what I can give. Even if it's small.
I am not an expert at this giving thing, but more and more I am realizing that life should not be about what I can get, but what I can give and how I can serve.
If you'd like to join me, CLICK HERE.

Day 22

Happy day!

I wore yellow tights & prayed for the dears across the way.
Sadly, I also had to spend most of my day in class listening to lecture.

But I like to think one outweighs the other.

I'll have some words of love to share with you tomorrow. 

Day 21

I am heading forward with much love and anticipation. The last few days have brought joy without a doubt. As January heads to an end, I would hope we make a large step in the giving area for these dear children across the way. They deserve the world.

Click HERE to give.

Day 20

Joy to Sundays! It was a double dress kind of day.
I've been so blown away by how faithful God is. He has so perfectly prepared me to receive each day of this project with love. And i cannot express how grateful I am. For each and every one of you, and Christ, and everything going on because I am doing this small project for some orphans across the ocean. It baffles me.


On another note: My little brother jokingly asked me this morning, "Didn't you wear that dress yesterday?" Yes, yes i did. I have a feeling it's going to be a common occurrence this next few months.

Day 19

Happy day!

Spent the day on coffee dates meeting up with old friends.
We talked life & drank one too many lattes.
Eleven more days until January bids us farewell!
May you have a very lovely rest of the weekend!

"Ready or not, someday it will all come to an end. There will be no more sunrises, no minutes, hours or days. All the things you collected, whether treasured or forgotten will pass to someone else. Your wealth, fame and temporal power will shrivel to irrelevance. It will not matter what you owned or what you were owed. Your grudges, resentments, frustrations and jealousies will finally disappear. So too, your hopes, ambitions, plans and to do lists will expire. The wins and losses that once seemed so important will fade away. It won't matter where you came from or what side of the tracks you lived on at the end. It won't matter whether you were beautiful or brilliant. Even your gender and skin color will be irrelevant.

"So what will matter? How will the value of your days be measured? What will matter is not what you bought but what you built, not what you got but what you gave. What will matter is not your success but your significance. What will matter is not what you learned but what you taught. What will matter is every act of integrity, compassion, courage, or sacrifice that enriched, and empowered or encouraged others to emulate your example. What will matter is not your competence but your character. What will matter is not how many people you knew, but how many will feel a lasting loss when you are gone. What will matter is not your memories but the memories that live in those who loved you. What will matter is how long you will be remembered, by whom and for what. Living a life that matters doesn't happen by accident. It's not a matter of circumstance but of choice. Choose to live a life that matters."

Day 18

Update! We are officially at $236.08 for the children at Redeemer House Orphanage! My prayer is that before the end of January we would make it to $1000. What do you say? If you would like to donate click THIS LINK and spread some love. Redeemer House and I would be oh so appreciative of you.

I also have a small story to share from Kathy to you!

"For the last week, Timothy has been with us. He arrived on Saturday to stay with us until a permanent home could be found. He is maybe 14, totally incontinent, nearly non-verbal, doesn't even know his name. He was found on the streets of Kampala last week.

Sometimes people can't understand God's love through what we say - Timothy certainly can't - they can only understand God's love through what we do. I'm certain that's why God brought Timothy to us this week - so that we could learn better how to love people without words. Our most unlikely boy befriended him the first day. Our uncle was amazing with him. And every day we prayed for a home for Timothy, a place where he would be safe and cared for and loved.

Today, a home no one had ever heard of before agreed to take Timothy! They want him! They care for others like him! What amazing people, what an amazing ministry! We all cheered and praised God tonight. God answered prayers for Timothy this week, because He loves him. Just as much as He loves each one of us. To God, everyone matters! Please pray for Timothy in his new home - and pray that we hold on to what we have learned this week about loving others well."

Day 17

Thursdays are like my Fridays. It's the start of a three day weekend. I like the sound to that.
I also thought I should let you know i'm always going to be wearing these boots on school days. Always as in there is a very small chance that i wont kind of always. I'm letting you know because if I warn you, you can't get mad. Right?

Thank you for the donations during the week! We are making little victories every step we take and I appreciate the love. My hope is in the coming weeks we will make leaps!
I have an update for you tomorrow! Stay tuned.

Day 16

We are officially half way through January. That's exciting, and encouraging, and scary all together! It has been the most wonderful sixteen days. 
I encourage you to donate to the lovely children. A little, a lot, or a bit here and there. Redeemer House will be so grateful.

Yesterday, I told you I had a little announcement. So here it is!

My dear friend Hana who lives in Michigan decided to do the LBD project as well! You can make your way over to see what she's all about by clicking THIS LINK. 
She's calling it "The Agape Project". Her heart is wonderful.
She's going to be wearing the same black dress from January 14th-May 1st & all of the money she could be spending on clothes she will be saving and donating it to  India. I encourage you to follow her on her little journey as well!

Happiest Wednesday readers!

Day 15

Happy today!

I made my way back to school and I am feeling much better! If you prayed, thank you.

Tomorrow I have a fun little announcement to make to you all. So stay tuned. 

Day 14

Two weeks!

I've left the couch a number of three times today.

Prayed for the children 4.

Skipped one class.

And drank 1 cup of tea.

I came down with the flu last night.

Hopes of feeling better soon!

I hope your week is starting out much better than mine.

Isaiah 43:2
When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

Day 13

Happy Sunday!
Tomorrow makes two weeks and I am still head over heals excited. Sweet messages have made it to my inbox that have made me realize how extremely blessed I am. All you who read this and follow the project are so so wonderful.
Here's a little piece of happiness from Africa to make your weekend a little brighter.

Day 12

Praying for my dear children across the ocean.
I hope you are having the best kind of weekend.

New Update!

Day 11

11 days has been challenging and wonderful. We are approaching the two week mark which has gone by unbelievably fast in my opinion, but joyous most of all. I received a donation in the mail yesterday after getting home from classes. It was like a breath of fresh air. 

I will post an update tonight when I find out the official amount that we are at!

Day 10

To everyone who has been following along with the project and donating: Thank You.
I will never be able to say it enough.
I love everyday of this project and I love that people love it enough to part with their hard-earned cash. (that's a lot of love.)

Happy Thursday.

Day 9

Happy Wednesday readers!

Day 8

I didn't forget about you or the project. Don't worry. I was just at school all day long. I apologize for the low quality i-pod photo. (Not to mention in a bathroom.) I snagged it in the few minutes I had in between biology and french. Forgive me.
Though I spent most of my day in class, I remembered to pray for my children in Uganda.

I hope your Tuesday was the most wonderful thing ever.

Day 7

We've made it a week! And what a wonderful week it's been. I have been so happy to have the opportunity to talk with many friends of the project and I am so looking forward to the next 358 days.
Thank you for loving on these children with me. If you would like to give today, here's the link: CLICK HERE.

Day 6

Hello day 6.

Joy to Sunday!

Day 5

Every morning when i put on my little black dress, i am reminded to pray for the children of Jinja, Uganda. I don't know if you believe in prayer, but if you do, I ask for you to pray with me. Pray for blessings on Redeemer House and for the love of Christ to be shown to all of the dear children that are there and will be there in the years to come.

As of yesterday, $35 has been donated to the project! Even this small amount makes me overjoyed and I want to say thank you. Thank you if you donated. Thank you if you pray. Thank you if you follow the blog or the facebook page.

(And just to let you all know, there will be a money update every Friday to see how far we come each week.)

Day 4

Yesterday, I spent most of my day reading through e-mails and messages of encouragement. I cannot say how thankful I have been for all you wonderful people. It has meant so much to have you be a part of this. 4 days have brought much more blessings than I anticipated this entire year would. I am baffled.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

(I will give a money update when i know how much we've made over the past few days.)

Day 3

Happy Thursday to you all. Day 3 has arrived!
I have felt so loved and filled with encouragement lately! I would give you all hugs if I could.

May you have the happiest of days today!

a love that does not show itself in protection from suffering. The love of God is of a different nature altogether. It does not hate tragedy. It never denies reality. It stands in the very teeth of suffering. The love of God did not protect His own Son. That was the proof of His love- that He gave that Son, He let Him go to Calvary’s cross, though “legions of angels” might have rescued Him. He will not necessarily protect us- not from anything that will make us like His Son. A lot of hammering and chiseling and purifying by fire will have to go into the process.” -Elisabeth Elliot

Day 2

 I like the fresh start a new year brings. It speaks of newness and possibilities. I've been thinking about resolutions and generosity, venturing into this year with a clear mind and an open heart. I don't really have any resolutions except this project, to wear one dress and love on some darlings. But yesterday, I decided that everyday of 2013 I would put aside a dollar for the children in Uganda. It doesn't seem like much at first, but to think at the end of the year I will be giving $365 to Redeemer House makes my heart a little happier. A dollar makes all the difference.

Happy day 2!

Day 1

Hello and welcome!
Today marks the 1st day of 365 to raise $10,000 for the Sweet orphans of Redeemer House.
I decided to wear the dress simply in the ordinary today so you know what it looks like as we head off onto our year long adventure.

A "Give" page has been added to the blog. If it's on your heart to give a little, a lot, or bit by bit during the year, you can click the tab and commit to whatever your hearts content. I've said it before and i'll say it again, it does not matter how big or small. Every cent you give towards this project is appreciated. 

Happy New Year!