Day 59

I can hardly believe this month has reached an end. 

I hope February has been sweet to you.

Update post tomorrow!

Day 58

It feels like I've been on a mountain top.
Life has been:
Vulnerable. Trying. & Lovely.
Yet, I feel a relief that i can be a part of something so wonderful.

Everyday, I learn a little more about love. What it means to give and receive it. This project has become part of my story. A small part that is meant to be for the glory of someone else. Because compared Him, I am nothing.

Day 57

Today was honestly just tiring. And honestly a little overwhelming and unknowing.

But tomorrow may hold a wildly new adventure. 

May you have a very lovely week. 

DONATE.

Day 56

I am joyfully accepting all the opportunities and challenges this project has brought to my attention. I am continually being stretched with gladness and appreciate what all of you have been doing for the Redeemer House children and I. Without you, none of this would be possible. 

So, THANK YOU.

DONATE to the children.

(I'll have an update on funds for you soon.)

"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 55

I have great news.
There is going to be a benefit concert for the Redeemer House Children on March 9th.
If you like music and Redeemer House, than you should totally come.
If you don't like music and have never heard of Redeemer House, than you should still come.

Happy Sunday!

Day 54

I'm touched to know that you care for what I am doing. But more importantly for these children. I am pleased, without a doubt, that God has used me to do something for them. A small something. But still a something after all.

Matthew 5:14-16

¹⁴ Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

¹⁵ Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

¹⁶ Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Day 53

Ever since this project started, life has taken on a whole new meaning.

I have discovered love in small places and boldness in things that use to scare me to death.
People that live on the other side of the United States have reached out to say, "i'm praying for you." People I would have never had the opportunity to speak a word to in my life, but because of this project, I get to say "thanks." 

As we approach the end of February, my prayer would be that you would join me if you already haven't. Whether it's a small donation or prayer about the children, It is appreciated and doesn't go by unnoticed. I am grateful and so are they. 

If you would like to donate, "CLICK HERE."
If you would like to chat or just say hello, "CLICK HERE."

Day 52

When you give a donation to Redeemer House Orphanage, you're not only helping these children with everyday needs, but you are showing them a love that is very important. You show them that you care for them and want to see them succeed in life. I have never met these children, yet I know for a fact that they are precious and love the Lord with their whole hearts. I hear stories of their zealous little hearts shining for Christ all the time. And I am so proud of them.
I would ask that you join me in this adventure of faith for these dears. Donating a little goes a long ways.

DONATE.

Day 51

Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.

Psalms 27:14

DONATE.

Day 50

This morning my alarm read "congratulations: day 50."
I write notes of encouragement to myself sometimes. They are best at 5:45 in the morning when the day just begins.

But even more so, all of you have been an encouragement to me these last few weeks. I don't know how to "thank you" because those two words will never be enough.
I am so grateful for the e-mails and facebook messages that have made there way to my inbox at the very moment I need them most.

I liked day 50. I might have even loved it.

I have some lovely things to tell you tomorrow. Stay tuned.

Day 49

I don't think there are words to express how thankful I am for each of you. Each of you that have prayed, donated, and read the blog. Thank you doesn't really cut it anymore.

I am thankful that by God's grace, we have shared some love with Redeemer House and the children. It has been such a blessing to see the amount grow a little each week. I have open hands for whatever the amount may be in the end. If we reach our goal of $10,000, that would be wonderful. But if it's something different, lesser or more, than I know without a doubt that it will be something better.
Thanks for reading this!

(1 day from 50. That feels awkwardly weird.)

Day 46 47 48

I am back! I would say you deserve three posts, but you are going to get one very large one instead. I promise a lot of pictures and a lot of weekend love.

Day 46:
I headed over the mountain on Friday with my sister to surprise one of my best friends for her birthday. She is leaving the country for 6 months, so we wished her farewell with lots of love & laughter. We surprised her on campus with cake, a crown, and there may or may not have been some kazoo tunes.

Day 47:
We made 60 donuts for a party Saturday night. My dress was in for a good washing the next day. Floury galore.

Day 48:

Today, God has been good. I spent most of my time driving home in prayer for the children and just life in general. Things are a little more clearer, a little more sure.

I didn't get a picture of me today.

But I did get a picture of this gorgeous forest on the way, and the trees are much much prettier than me anyways.

Also, I want to thank you all for the kind words as of late. It's funny because someone always says something when I need it most.

DONATE.

Day 45

Happy Love Day readers!

I am a little thankful today. Here is a list of some lovely things:

1. you.
2. the dears across the big blue ocean.
3. midterms being halfway over.
4. my family & friends.
5. all the support towards this project. thank you all for the sweet messages!
6. weekends.
7. and of course...chocolate.

Cheers to a lovely February 14th!

Day 44

i am discovering joy.
in all things little and sweet and even the hard things.

psalms 27:14 Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.

Day 43

God has been blessing me with so much happiness lately.

Donate.

Day 42

“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” -Romans 8:38-40

Day 41

Happy Sunday!
I hope all of you readers had a most wonderful weekend.

Today, I wanted to give a little thanks. Bella is one of my sisters and has helped me with this project so much these past few weeks. She's usually the girl behind the camera most days and I could never thank her enough. She was one of the main reasons I even decided to step out in faith and do this project for Redeemer House Ministries. I can't really put her into words, so i'll probably just stop there. Just know, I am thankful for this woman and pleased to be her sister.
She writes here own blog here.


DONATE HERE.

Day 40

Happy today. Sorry for a late post.

Heavy in prayer.

quote via.

Update!

Day 39

There has been many praises over the last week from Redeemer House children sharing the word with their friends. It has been such a blessing to hear about the little updates and zeal they have for Christ.

Happy weekend!

Day 38

Donate to the loves HERE.

They would love love it.

So would I.

Day 37

My dress arrived in the mail on a Thursday in late October. When i stepped into it for the first time to see how it fit, a rush of nervousness came over me. I would be wearing this for an entire year. "Is this a mistake Lord?", i thought to myself. I knew it was going to be hard to put the same thing on everyday. And frankly, just the idea sounded crazy. Even a little silly at times. I could be judged and laughed at. I had little faith in what would be accomplished in these next months to come.

               "Why? Why are you doing this? Why should you wear the same dress for a year? Who is going to care?"

It had been in my head for weeks prior to the start of the project. But I decided, as i zipped the back of the dress up, that if this is all of the love i can give to the children at the Redeemer House Orphanage, to the children i have never even met, I am going to give it with the entirety of my heart. With joy, and love, and grace. 
I learned it's easier said than done. You probably already know that. It's easier to talk about raising money and praying for those beautiful children rather than actually doing something to help them. I would so often use prayer as an excuse not to do something for someone or help the person in need. "I'll pray for you" i would say. I'd replace need with busyness and four simple words.
 In January, I took a step to not use prayer as an excuse in my life anymore. I chose to live out the words I am saying when I talk to god and not just say them. I wanted my prayer life to become real. 

I have a dress, I have a heart that has been blessed beyond belief, and I have a God that loves me so that i can love others. This is a tiny fraction of the love that God has showed me, yet i am reluctant to show love to someone else because of how it could affect my life. It could make it harder, more difficult, painful, and unpleasant. I honestly didn't want any of those things. God is good though. I have been constantly reminded that this project isn't about me. It's not about what i can do for the orphans in 365 days, but what God can do. What He can do through me.

Go fight for them. 
Have faith. Have faith. Have faith.

If we truly want to live like Christ did, we have to love our brothers and sisters near and far as much as we say we do. Even those that don't reciprocate the love we show them. The love must extend itself down the street and across the ocean. It must have no bounds. The other day I read something that challenged me. "I don’t get to put fences around agape." It shattered my heart a little bit, because it had been what i was doing for so long. It made me realize that God's love isn't here for us to keep to ourselves, but give to those in need.

I don't want to be a woman who is pleased with saying four words to someone and walking away hoping that someone else will meet the need. I don't want to be satisfied and content doing things for my own convenience. I want to strive to be like Christ in all I do.
I am wearing a little black dress for a year. I am swimming in waters where i have never been before. I am stepping out of my comfort zone and cherishing the lives of 13 orphans in Uganda. Though it may sounds funny or feel uneasy at times, the Lord is shaping me in ways that words cannot describe, and He is forever growing me in life and through this project. I know the months to come are going to bring countless blessings.

I urge you to show love to the world and step out of your comfort zone. He is with you always.
Do not be afraid.

Day 36

At a loss for words right now.

I'll speak from the heart tomorrow.

Day 35

God is good. There is nothing greater than the joy he gives to us that we know without a doubt, no matter the circumstances in our lives, we will be blessed. We are a part of something special.

New update: $290.05

(ps. i have everything you could possibly imagine on. it's that cold.)

Day 34

Early February has brought Sunday morning teaching some dears, quality time with my mom, and prayer for the children across the way. God has been good.

If you would like to donate to my dears, CLICK HERE.

They are more than worth it.

Day 33

I've received a few notes of love & a lot of help with the blog today. Very thankful.

I'm out of words and can't believe it's already February!

DONATE TO THE LITTLE ONES.

Day 32

Firstly: Happy Friday! I hope you have an amazing time with the weather being so nice.

& Secondly: The project is still at $260. But it's good to be reminded that God does things all in his time. Praying for lots of people with a giving heart for the loves across the way. If that's you, thank you.

Donate HERE. (Even a dollar would get us out of this funk.)