Day 243

August has made its way to a close. Eight joyous & stretching months have passed by us and four wonderful ones lie ahead. I want to thank you all for where we are at today. We've almost hit the 2k mark and all i can say is 'praise jesus!' You should know you are a part of the joy in Africa now. But let's not stop there!
I pray for giving. For your hearts to love these kids even more, because they are so worth it. Every penny put towards the Redeemer House Orphanage makes a difference.

Give.

Day 242

I spent a good majority of this morning separating out the things i'll need most for the next three months. It has caused me to move a slower pace.
To love more, pray more, appreciate more, cherish more, give more.
This season of life has been a wonderful one. I am continually being stretched in all different directions, but for the most important purpose there is. Jesus.
Jesus is teaching me to be a better 'me' every time i put my lbd on. Jesus is teaching me to love far away and close by. Jesus is teaching me that life isn't about me.

I am learning to give love and love giving.

Want to join me?

Day 241

DAY 241

Give.
Not because you're rich.
or trying to impress the world.
Not because you want a great story or happy ending.

But
because you love them.

And
that is reason enough.

Click

Here.

Day 240

Today, i wore my little black dress for the 240th time. It feels surreal that we've come this far. It feels good to look at the sidebar of this blog and see we are $24 away from 2k. It feels crazy and fast and slow and it sort of feels like i don't know what to think at all. Half the time all the words i feel like saying are "thank you". Because 240 days ago, these orphans had less than what they have today. And this is because of you.

If you would like to be a part of the giving, click below! You make a difference every little bit of love you give.

Day 239

GIVE.

Day 238

(click the image to give!)

Day 236 & 237

My oldest sister and her little family are here for the weekend. They came to town with bébé Claire for a few days before we all split ways for the fall. These days i've learned to appreciate my family in a different way. Counting down the days until i depart for another country makes me happy yet sad at the same time. I've found myself counting the hugs i get and how many times i can say 'i love you' to my parents in person. Counting the sister conversations we have while we share a bed because moving boxes flood the others.  These moments are the sweetest moments. Going away has taught me how to cherish more, how to really love something that you know you wont always have. I love my family & it has made me love the family that i've made with my littles in Africa. Though i've never held their little hands, i fall more in love every time i say a prayer for them.

I cherish them.

If you would like to cherish them too,

CLICK THIS LINK.

Day 235

Because i didn't take a picture of me in my lbd today, 

you get one from the beginning of summer.

& because we are going to be thousands of miles away in a little more than one week,

you get to see her pretty face too.

& because you should know,

she is the one that encouraged me to wear a little black dress for an entire year, to fall in love with 13 adorable children that i have yet to meet, to be bold and step out in faith.

She is one of my very best friends forever and always.

And because of her, they are too.

You can donate to those cuties by clicking the image below.

Day 234

I picked some flowers for the children today.

In my heart & on my mind.

Please pray and give what you can to Redeemer House.

Thank you.

Day 233

It has been two days since i've been home. A glorious two days with my sweet family. Full of hugs from my little brother, prayer for Africa, bible study with mama, lemon curd in the fridge, and summer air.

God has been so good in teaching me what holds value in life lately.

I'm enjoying the simple moments for the next twelve days as i get ready to head across the ocean to work with some more beautiful children. Three months i'll be away kissing rosy Romanian cheeks and hearing little laughs. I'm eager and excited for it all. I'm nervous and already miss the people that are so close yet will be so far. But God is so good, all the time.

Preparing for the little orphans in Romania have made me miss the children in Jinja a little more everyday. I know that i don't have definite plans to head to Africa yet, but i grow more excited every time the Lord puts these kids on my heart. Every time i see a photo or status with news of redeemer house nothing but joy floods my face. Someday soon i will see them, and i will do nothing but smile that day.

DONATE.

They are so precious to me.

Day 232: We Are Back

Hello my loves!
I came home from nine weeks at summer camp yesterday evening. A WELCOME HOME banner was hanging from the front door and i could hear my family inside.

These days are full of hugs, laundry, and prayers of thanks. I don't really have a bedroom to call my own anymore, but i'm thankful to be home with the sisters that took it over. I'm thankful for the people i met and the relationships that have begun over the summer months. I'm thankful to sit by my dad and have long talks about life with my mom. I'm thankful for the children of Redeemer House that are on my mind constantly.

If you would like to join me in giving a little thanks, send some their way.

August 12

Camp ended Saturday, i slept till 4pm yesterday, and i'm staying an extra week to help with rentals. I'll be home the following Monday and i'm head over heals excited. To sit and talk with my family, to go to my church again, to write post for all of you more frequently. Some lovely people have been sending donations in the mail and it has truly been a blessing. I'm looking forward to putting an update up on donations for you all and share some stories of this summer.

I feel like we've done some wonderful things for these children as we make our way through August. But I know we can do better. If only a dollar better, we would be so grateful.

 

Please consider giving to Redeemer House Orphanage. These children are worth it, i promise.

love,

tatiana

Travel news

Hi everyone!

God has been good throughout these last few weeks. If there is one thing I have been learning at camp this summer it is that God wants us to care for the people around us, not just care about them. I have been thinking and praying a lot for my children in Jinja and I've been so thankful to those who have sent mail/comments/e-mails and so on my way. I've been meaning to write a post for all of you to tell you what's going on. Plans of travel are continuing to be put into place, but also checked to the curb. Many of you know I had been planning a visit to see my dears in December, but it doesn't look as if I will be in Africa at that time. While I am still headed to Romania for three months to work with a team of missionaries and the orphans there, I will be headed home to be with my family for Thanks Giving. Africa looks as if it will come early-mid next year. Please continue to keep me in your prayers as I work some things out with Redeemer House. I long to see each of my darlings and know that day will come soon.

And please donate to the children as well! Every little bit counts and is appreciated too!

Thank you for keeping up with the blog even when it lacks posts and a lot of love. Obviously, if you are reading this, you are no doubt a faithful friend and you should know I appreciate you.

Much love to you!

p.s.-pictures of the little black dress will be here soon.