Quick Recap of Auction

Hi! Just wanted my bloggie friends to have a quick recap of the auction.

It went very well! We raised about $1200... half of which will go to my personal travel expenses (and makes me about 300 shy of my plane ticket) and half will go to the school fund! Yea :)

If you bid and did not win OR you just want to make a donation, there are donation buttons on the right hand of this page. One for my travel fund and one for the school. If you want to split up your donation, you can deposit into my travel fund and leave a note via paypal and I will make sure half of it gets into the school fund.

Thank you all so much for your support. I will get back to my blogging ways soon. Today though, I am super busy with appointments and mailing loads of goodies to people and... you know that kind of stuff.

Take care!

What this auction is all about!

In November I will be traveling with 2 of my friends to Kete Krachi Ghana for a smidge over 2 weeks to work with trafficked children at The Village of Life and on Lake Volta. We will be loving on them, learning their stories, telling their stories, and prayerfully furthering the effort in releasing more children from modern day slavery on the lake and in the homes of these masters. More info about our trip can be found here.

This auction is a fundraising effort for our trip. The money raised will be split in half and used for two purposes. Half of the money will go into my travel fund to help make sure I am on the plane in November! The other half will go to The Village of Life school fund. We need to raise a total of $30,000 to construct a new school on The Village of Life campus. This project will allow George Achibra and the staff of PACODEP to continue rescuing and educating the children on Lake Volta. If less than 50% raised will finish off my trip expenses, we can give even MORE to the school fund!

If you do not want to or do not have time to or any other reason there is not to participate in the auction... PLEASE consider donating. There are donation buttons on the right side of this blog. One of the accounts is for my travel fund and the other is the school fund. Every dollar helps!

Thank you all for dropping in and participating in this great auction. I look forward to seeing the action unfold. Have fun!

Auction will open at 5:30pm CST on Thursday June 16 and will close 24 hours later at 5:30pm on Friday June 17.

Thank you.

I have been talking to my husband, Kyle, and friend, J.D., lately about how sometimes God's provision can look a lot like something you really don't want to do or go through.

That is what I was thinking 2 months ago when I was facing having my 2nd acl repair on my left knee. Why is this happening? Why am I being punished this way, I love sports and working out and being active... this is going to slow me down so much. I have TOO much going on right now and to add this is just too much on my plate. I was sad and angry and a little frustrated with the idea of surgery and rehab and restricted activities.

And now I kind of look back and laugh a little. I would have never had time to slow down and run this auction without being injured. I am not naturally a person who slows down. I am typically a person who, while pretty organized and planned, fails to give myself enough time to accomplish things. I bank on having enough time then end up being too busy and overwhelmed and put it off and then get really stressed out.

I also was given something, in Ghana and in fundraising, to keep me busy and motivated while rehabbing. Something to do and stay busy with when anxiety was high and I couldn't go for a run. Something to do when family troubles seemed to be mounting and I couldn't hit a fitness class or the gym.

I was forced to slow down by an injury. And it gave me the time and resources to focus on what God wants my heart to focus on. It has given me time to contact amazing people for the auction and have the most beautiful conversations with them. It has introduced me to so many new and talented friends. It has shown me that money isn't really what fundraising is about so much as creating a community with the same passion and goal. And it has shown me how many ways help can come from people.

So if you have helped at all with this auction, I thank you! Truly you have been part of my "healing" during my knee injury by helping me. You have been part of preparing my heart for this trip. You have been part of spreading the word about our trip and our passion for trafficked children with others. And more importantly God's passion for these children.And as we head toward the auction on Thursday, I want you all to know that I am grateful and blessed to have such wonderful people in my life. Thank you so much for your support and love. And thank you God for a big project to keep me focused and healthy through a difficult injury and surgery.

Illini Scarf!

And for those of you who don't know what the heck and Illini is... shame on you! ;) But in your case, it can simply be a very beautiful orange and blue scarf but please go find out who the Fighting Illini are :) My friend Carrie made this lovely scarf for the auction.

Custom print canvas preview

Have I mentioned lately that I have EXTREMELY talented friends? Well... I do :)

This item comes from Kim Burke. She is a designer at a sign company in Indiana (check them out if you are close to Lafayette!). She created a 24x12" custom designed print on canvas, ready to hang. Here is the little gem for you:

Clutch Purse Preview

My great friend Kristie made a gorgeous clutch purse for the auction. Here is what she has to say about it:

This gathered clutch is perfect for a casual night out. Measuring 9.5 inches wide and 5.5 inches deep, it's just big enough for all the essentials. The lack of interior pockets maximizes space and allows you to fit more items inside. 

100% cotton construction with stained wood buttons on front and a plastic zipper. 

Plain back. 

Handmade.

Auction info!

So we are really getting down to crunch time in this auction! Very fun stuff if you ask me. The Auction will take place on Thursday June 16 at 5:30pm CST and will end on Friday June 17 at 5:30pm CST. This should allow anyone wanting to participate the ability to do so! I will have the items/pictures/description/bid info in TWO locations.

One place will be right here on my blog. I have tons of friends who have no desire to do the facebook thing and that is A-Okay! But I still want you to participate. I will post each individual item in it's own separate post and you will be able to bid in the comments section. I will check in periodically to update to the current bid price so that you know what is going on over on facebook too!

The other place will be on facebook. Go to that link and "like" the Going Going Ghana Auction community page and you will be all set to bid. Same basic principles over there as on the blog. There will be a photo with the item description, photo and bidding info and you will bid in the comments.

Some items will have free shipping as the donors have provided it with their donations. Others will have a shipping cost and I will be sure to point that out in the auction info. If you live local, you will be able to pick the item(s) up from me or have me drop them off to you.

I will be accepting payment via paypal, money order, or cash (for locals only). Sorry kids not messing with checks from people I may not know. Once your item is paid for I will ship it to you (or the donor will) as quickly as possible. If someone falls through on a payment (which won't happen because you all are awesome!), I will go to the 2nd place bidder and offer the item to them.

ALL proceeds will be divided 50/50 to go into my personal travel fund for our trip to Ghana and into The Village of Life school fund.

If there is ANYTHING at all I missed, let me know! This is the first time I have ever done something like this but even if I have forgotten something, I will update this post as necessary or I am a pretty reasonable person and we will solve any issues that arise. Sound good?

Thank you all for your help and support. Can't wait to get this party started :)

Fab Mary Kay Preview!

My friend, Aubrei, is a Mary Kay consultant and she just sent me a box full of goodies to put on the auction block. She is pretty awesome and wow... she sent me so many goodies that you may have to fight me for some of them (of course, to know how exactly to use them, I would have to call Aubrei because my knowledge in all things girly and make up are fairly limited).

First up we have a compact and lots of goodies to fill it with. Applicators, lip gloss (gold rush... its shimmery and gorgeous... I kind of want it for myself), mineral eye color (ivy garden, hazelnut, and sweet cream) and blush (shy blush). The word on the street is that they can all go into the compact and are interchangeable with other blush, eye stuff and lip stuff (hey... im not technically sound in the area of make up).

Next is the Satinhands Pampering Set in Peach with Satinlips lip mask and lip balm. Comes in a cute little tote too!

Last, I have one set of Timewise 3in1 cleanser and moisturizer for both Normal to Dry skin and Combination to Oily skin

Tada! Isn't that beautiful? Remember these are just previews. More details to come on all items!

More Artwork! Photography prints preview

My friend Meredith has some prints to offer up to 3 lucky bidders! She will let the bidder pick their size of either 8X10 or 11X14. I am in love with the train but they are all beautiful.

As previously explained... I will have full details for all of the previews up for the auction. So if you don't see info for something you like, I am sure it will be up on the 16th.

Vitamins preview!

All my health nut peoples out there that love to be healthy and strong and love to stay organic and crunchy... well we got something cool for you! A months supply of Nutrilite DoubleX vitmains/minerals/phytonutrients. You can check it out at my friend Amy's website.

Theme park tickets preview... woot!

Growing up in S. Indiana, I spent many many summer days at a theme park in Santa Claus, Indiana called Holiday World & Splashin' Safari. I have SO many fond memories there. They seriously have the best water park I have ever been to and such a fun family atmosphere! That is why I am so excited to announce to my many friends and family that we got 2 one day admission tickets for Holiday World & Splashin' Safari for the auction! Wee :) If you haven't had a reason to go to Indiana before, this may be a great reason... especially if you live within a few hours. There is nothing like Hoosier Hospitality and nothing like a great summer day at the parks! And of course... all my southern Indiana peeps already know about this little jewel so I don't even have to tell them how awesome it is.

Tony Dungy autographed book!

This is one thing I am SUPER excited about. I wrote Tony Dungy and asked if he could donate something to the auction and he sent me a signed book :) His staff was so sweet and helpful. The book he donated is called "The Mentor Leader" and would make an awesome Fathers Day Gift, die hard Colts fan gift, or just a gift for a person looking to become a good leader.

These are the photos of the book and the letter from Tony Dungy's foundation stating that it is an authentic autograph. I can send the letter along to the winning bidder too if you want. It is addressed to me but you may have it if you win :)

Another piece of gorgeous jewelry!

My friend Marcia who owns Bratcat Beads has donated a beautiful piece of handcrafted jewelry to the auction.

I am just thinking its going to be difficult for people to figure out what to bid for. SO many great items :)

Preview Party! Photography session

J Fortune Photography of Southern Illinois is donating a photo session to one lucky bidder! This is pretty limited by location so please only bid if you can get to her in S. Illinois or can pay for her travel to come to you.

Wool Soakers preview

A friend who owns Alfalfa and the Sprout just sent me pictures of the 2 wool soakers she has donated!!! SO stinkin' cute. If you cloth diaper your kiddos... you will be drooling and maybe even if you don't.

First up is a size small wool soaker.
Measurements:

Waist: 10"-14

Rise:16"

Thigh: 6"-10"

Then we also have a medium dino soaker.

Measurements:

Waist: 12"-16"

Rise: 20"

Thigh: 8"-12"

As a general rule you can take or leave my opinion but I think they are both pretty gender neutral and would look adorable on ANY fluffy butt out there. 

Sunday Morning Preview

I think many of you know that I have a couple of friends who have little ones with cystic fibrosis. It is a cause very near and dear to my heart... raising money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation to find a cure for these beautiful kiddos. Well my friend Lora introduced me to Kristy who offered to make a donation to the auction. She has a son named Jude who has Cystic Fibrosis. If you don't know much about CF... definitely look it up. It is a genetic disease that creates incredibly thick and sticky mucus in one's body. It affects the lungs, pancreas, and the digestive system. These kiddos and adults have to have a lot of medical treatment and take a ton of medications every day to help them absorb the nutrients in food and to be able to breathe and clear their lungs out. Kristy's business Jude's Cure helps her support her family but she also donates 10% of all proceeds to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation so that their great work in finding a cure for children like Jude (and Alyssa and Ryan) can continue. So I am incredibly excited to have this piece in the auction and introduce people to her business.

What a build up! Up on the auction block will be a Pinafore (it is a top, not a dress... that is the word on the street. We all know I have boys and know nothing about girly stuff) in your choice of material and size (6mos to 3yrs). These little beauties are reversible too!

Collector Barbie preview

True story right here. My mom used to buy me collector edition Barbies thinking I would be amazingly interested in them one day and um... that never really happened. The good news is that I have quite a few special edition barbies that have never been removed from their box... So since they have just been sitting in my closet in a box for ages... I thought maybe I could put them in the auction and have them help a girl get to Ghana. So here is my whole barbie collection...

So heres what I have... I have all 3 in the Avon Spring Collection. These are called Petals, Tea Party and Blossom

I also have quite a few of the winter series that Avon had.
I have the 1995 Winter Velvet Doll

The 1996 Winter Rhapsody Doll

The 1998 Winter Splendor Doll

The 1999 Snow Sensation Doll

Then I just have a few Special Edition Dolls

2000 Timeless Silhouette

1999 Angelic Inspirations Doll

1997 Avon Exclusive 1st in Series Mrs. P.F.E. Albee (and my fave... she is cool)... 

And Last: 2001 Avon Special Edition Simply Charming doll

Auction Preview: fluff style!

I know all my cloth diapering buddies know what this means... I got fluffy mail that needs to be shown to you! Special, soft, delicious fluff. You have to forgive my photos though. These are poor quality, I know. I will have better pictures for the actual auction, promise. But I HAD to show you :)
Up first is a pair of longies with a matching hat. I will get the measurements but my guess is that the longies are probably 3 months-ish sized... Lora correct me on that if I am wrong!

 And next is a pair of toddler shorties.

Both of them to me look very gender neutral to me... I am known to put my kids in purple shoes and pink shirts though :) (both are boys).

These were donated by my friend Lora... her very talented Mama made them.

Tutu and clip preview

My friend over at BumbleFly N ButterBees is offering up 1 basic tutu in your choice of colors and one bow with your choice of  tulle colors (up to 3)...

Christmas Cards preview!

We are going to have two items up for bid donated by my talented friend Melissa... One of each card design. The winner will get the card customized to their families needs and have 25 cards and envelopes shipped to their doorstep. Wee!

More details to come on these awesome custom holiday cards in June!