Tuesday, June 28, 2011

my children and MY children

My children, in Ghana, are on my heart today. Working on a presentation for a talk I am giving at church in a few weeks is proving to be a tear filled event. Recognizing the difference between my children on Lake Volta (as they have become my heart and passion in so many ways) and MY children that I birthed makes me feel so utterly sad and angry. Because in my two sons I see childhood. I see joy and very few worries. I see giggles and hugs and kisses. I see enjoyment in a lick of ice cream or drink of tea. I see trust in their eyes that I will protect them or that Daddy will keep them safe. I see children who have no adult responsibilities... as it should be. They are CHILDREN.

For a long time I set out to give my children the childhood I never had. I mean I guess I still want that. But as we get closer to meeting our children in Ghana. That becomes less of the focus. Less me and more others. The life my boys have... it is the life all children should have the opportunity to have. They should ALL have a family and education. They should all have a safe place to sleep at night and plenty of food, time to play and be fun, goofy little people. They should have children's responsibilities like learning to read and write and learning manners and that actions have consequences... but not the consequences of disobeying your slave master or having to dive to the bottom of a lake to untangle nets at 4 years old without the knowledge of how to swim. Those are big nasty consequences no person should know let alone children who have absolutely no control of the situation. And I get angry and frustrated for my children. I get angry that so many children don't know childhood. That so many children are forced to grow up without a family and home. That so many kids have no advocate. And it motivates me. Now I am their advocate. They have made an impression on me I can never shake. And I want them all to be like my children. I want them all to be in a loving home with loving people around them being educated and playing soccer and having access to good medical care. I want them to grow up with the tools to succeed and make an impact on the world.

And all of that makes me know my heart is going in the right direction. Because I really really want this face:
to look like these faces:
The good news is that they CAN! With your help, more and more of these children will be rescued from slavery and placed into loving homes. Homes where they get an education, food, medical attention, protection and most of all... a family. That is what The Village of Life is all about!
Photo Credit
If you can, please consider donating to the school fund or my travel fund. You can make a very real difference in the lives of OUR children. The world is so much bigger than our own lives. And our impact can be so much greater than just our lives too. Make an impact on these beautiful children. Because we are not just responsible for our children when we get right down to it. Our world is a community and God commands us to take care of all of the orphaned children.

Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. James 1:27

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Update!

So far I have collected about $850 of the auction funds! Today I deposited half of that into The Village of Life School Fund! I am so blessed and excited to be a part of this and humbled by how my friends are stepping up to help us raise funds for our trip and to build this school. It is a testament to how God can use ALL of us for this trip. Keep praying, keep finding ways to be involved and know that I appreciate and love you all.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

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!

Thursday, June 16, 2011

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 :)

Rock Star Lessons!

ROCK STAR LESSONS

RockStar Lesson's with Muncie's own resident rockstar Andy Whitten

With over 25 years experience with the guitar and piano, Andy brings a love of music and a love of seeing each student develop his or her talents and abilities. Your rockstar can study guitar from beginner to experienced. Lessons range from worship styles to blues and rock and roll.  Acoustic or Electric. 
Rockstar Piano studies can include a chord based worship approach or a start at the beginning learning the fundamentals of music and theory. 
Rockstar Drum lessons available with a focus on rhythm, hand/foot coordination and a self discovering approach to learning hand drums or drum set playing. 
You could even bid as a band to have Andy sit in on your band's rehearsals and have professional coaching on setlist flow, stage presence or songwriting!  
Andy has studied Music Theory and Performance, as well as bringing a 15 year plus professional teaching experience to the table, Your Rockstar Lessons await! starting bid of $100 retail value $240 

Necklace and Earring Set

This simple and lovely set features mocha faceted swarovski crystals paired with a delicate gold plated chain. Earrings to match! Measures about 22" 
Starting Bid: $20
Shipping NOT included
Donated by Gina
Urban Lily

Stretchy Bracelet

Silver plated pave beads with light pink Swarovski crystals accent this lovely pink and silver bracelet. The bracelet will look nice fitting anyone with a wrist between 6-7"
Starting Bid: $9
Shipping NOT included
Donated by Gina
Urban Lily

Bracelet and Earring Set

This unique bracelet features silver plated diamond shaped flowers and black faceted round Swarovski crystals. The earrings match perfectly! Bracelet about 7 1/8".
Starting Bid: $13

Shipping NOT included
Donated by Gina
Urban Lily

Silver plated bracelet with swarovski crystals

Silver necklace with large clear pendant
A dazzling clear Swarovski crystal pendant with unique facets that brilliantly reflect color and light is paired with Urban Lily’s very popular silver plated link chain. It is quite a showstopper!

Measures 6 3/4". Would look awesome with an upcoming necklace with the same silver beads.
Starting Bid: $7

Shipping NOT included
Donated by Gina
Urban Lily

Silver plated necklace with Swarovski crystal pendant


Silver necklace with large clear pendant
A dazzling clear Swarovski crystal pendant with unique facets that brilliantly reflect color and light is paired with Urban Lily’s very popular silver plated link chain. It is quite a showstopper!

Starting Bid: $15
Shipping NOT included
Donated by Gina

Trashcan

A sweet lady from my church wanted to help out so she donated this trashcan. It has a step lid and is pretty nice.

PLEASE only buy this if you are local to me. I am NOT shipping this to someone.

Starting bid: $5

Artwork: River Painting


My 5 year olds preschool teacher wanted to help out with the auction too. This is a painting that she donated.

Starting Bid: $10
Shipping NOT included
Donated by Farzana

Showergels from Sephora part 2

Also from Sephora: Guava and Fig Tropical Fruit Showergel Duo.
No Minimum bid.
Retail $8 (a $16 value)

Shipping NOT included
Donated by Tammy

Suncare from Sephora

Summer Skin Essentials SPF protection. Includes oil-free sunblock SPF 30, Lip Protector SPF 15 and an eco-tote. From Sephora
Starting Bid: $20
Retail Value: ~$40

Shipping NOT included
Donated by Tammy

Showergels from Sephora

Picture is inverted... Cool!
From Sephora: Jasmine and Basil Lemon Fresh Fruit Showergel Duo
No Minimum bid:
Retail $8 ($16 value).
Shipping NOT included
Donated by Tammy

Beachy Paper Bead and Shells Necklace

Another paper bead necklace. Sandy colors used for these beads. TOTAL beach feel to this necklace. Makes me wish I were sipping some fruity drink by the ocean. Measures 22" in length.
Starting Bid: $13

Shipping NOT included
Donated by Pattie

Adorable Child Sized Bracelet

This bracelet is so cute and tiny. PERFECT for a little girl who wants to wear her own beautiful jewelry. Measures 5.5"
Starting Bid: $7

Shipping NOT included
Donated by Pattie

Charm Bracelet

Sweet little dangling charm bracelet. Measures 6 3/4"
Starting Bid: $7

Shipping NOT included
Donated by Pattie

Blues Paper Bead Necklace

This necklace is made of blue/teal/green paper beads with beads separating them. It is a positively gorgeous necklace. This is a cool necklace because these paper beads are being used in Africa to give African women a skill set by which to earn income for their families. There are various organizations out there doing this and I couldn't pick ONE but you can google paper beads Uganda to learn more!

Starting Bid: $10
Shipping NOT included
Donated By Patti

Note: I got this from my friends mom... she is not African but they are who told me about the Paper Beads being used as a trade in Africa.

Chinese Embroidery Slippers: Blue

These slippers are from Yunnan, a province that is very close to Vietnam in Southwest China. Roughly a size 6.5-7. Traditional Embroidery Slippers. They are new in package

Starting Bid: $5

Shipping NOT included
Donated by Isabel

Chinese Embroidery Slippers: Pink

These slippers are from Yunnan, a province that is very close to Vietnam in Southwest China. Roughly a size 6.5-7. Traditional Embroidery Slippers. They are new in package

Starting Bid: $5

Shipping NOT included
Donated by Isabel

Chinese Caligraphy

Chinese Calligraphy meaning "All the Best"
Starting Bid: $5

Would make a great wedding or housewarming gift if framed.



Shipping NOT included. 
Donated by Isabel

Tibetan Necklace

Vintage style Tibetan necklace. Gorgeous necklace that my friend Isabel donated from Tibet.

Starting Bid: $10

Shipping NOT included
Donated by Isabel

Thirty-One City Skirt Purse

This is a retired Thirty-One City Skirt Purse in Onyx Medallion. It's very roomy, has a single wide strap, snap closure, inside zipper pocket & cell phone pocket.

Starting Bid: $28
Retail Price: $59

Donated by Andrea

Wobbles Heavyhead

Wobbles Heavyhead. His head is filled with beads so he prefers to stand on it or lie down. Might be slightly dangerous if lobbed at someone's head, so use caution ;)

Starting Bid: $10
Donated by Emily Hyder

Periwinkle Patchbottom

Periwinkle Patchbottom. Periwinkle is a little on the shy side and sometimes hides behind that fuzzy mop of hair on top.

Starting Bid: $10

Donated by Emily Hyder

Cosmo (not Kramer) Starbunkle

Cosmo Starbunkle. I'm still not entirely sure if those are arms or ears sticking out of his head, but he doesn't seem offended by this!

Starting Bid: $10

Donated by Emily Hyder

Milford!

Milford Goldenears. Milford isn't the brightest bulb in the box, but he makes up for it by being more than willing to go on adventures with you!

Starting Bid: $10

Donated by Emily Hyder

Artwork: Give of Love, 3 Magi

Gift of Love, 3 Magi, print

Starting Bid: $20

Shipping NOT included
Donated by Mrs. Alsop

Artwork: Garden Door

Garden Door, framed acrylic

Starting Bid: $35

Shipping NOT included
Donated by Mrs. Alsop

Artwork: Blue Angel

Blue Angel, framed acrylic

Starting Bid: $35

Shipping NOT included
Donated by Mrs. Alsop

Artwork: Worship

Worship, framed acrylic

Starting Bid: $35

Shipping NOT included
Donated by Mrs. Alsop

Artwork: Rhododendron

Rhododendron, matted pastel

Starting Bid: $20

Shipping NOT included
Donated by Mrs. Alsop

Artwork: Yellow Hibiscus

Yellow Hibiscus, matted pastel

Starting Bid: $20

Shipping NOT included
Donated by a high school teacher of mine Mrs. Alsop

Clutch Purse




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.

Colors are a little off on the photo. The purse is a chocolate brown with more of an orangey flower.

Starting Bid:$10




Shipping Included
Donated by my friend Kristie

4 hours of professional organizing- Evansville IN area only

My friend (essentially family member I have known her so long), Dawn, is offering up 4 hrs of organization services in the Evansville/tri-state area. She is an AMAZING organizer (member of napo.net too if you want to check her out there). Anyway this would be great for someone who owns a business and is looking to make it appealing and organized in design or someone who is just overwhelmed with their stuff and needs help getting it under control. This woman is a miracle worker. Just sayin!

NOTE: This is for the Evansville IN area ONLY.

Starting Bid: $45
Retail Value: $100

Child sized buckle tai babydoll carrier

First and foremost, isn't this little girl beautiful? Anyway, this is a custom kids buckle tai up for auction. Remember you will be ordering this from TMD when you win the auction so there will be a bit of a turn around time on it. They have beautiful fabrics all the time and will even let you send in a fabric if you have a special fabric in mind.
Starting Bid: $10
Retail Price: $20

Shipping Included
Donated by TMD

PF Albee Barbie

Mrs. P.F. Albee Barbie. New in Box. Box did use to have a door that got torn off in a move or something.
Starting bid: $10

Shipping NOT included
Donated by me

Winter Splendor Barbie

Winter Splendor Barbie. Never removed from box. Perfect condition.
Starting Bid $10

Shipping NOT included
Donated by me

Timeless Silhouette Barbie

Timeless Silhouette Barbie. New in Box
Starting bid: $10

Shipping NOT included
Donated by me

Simply Charming Barbie

Simply Charming Barbie. New in box.
Starting bid: $10

Shipping NOT included
Donated by me

Angelic Inspirations Barbie

Angelic Inspirations Barbie. New in Box.
Starting Bid $10

Shipping NOT included
Donated by me

Winter Rhapsody Barbie

Winter Rhapsody Barbie. Box is a bit dinged up. Doll never removed from box.
Starting bid $10
Shipping NOT included
Donated by me

Winter Velvet Barbie

Winter Velvet Barbie. New in Box. Perfect condition.
Starting Bid $10

Shipping NOT included
Donated by me

Snow Sensations Barbie

Snow Sensations Barbie. new in box.
Starting bid $10

Shipping NOT included
Donated by me.

Avon Spring Barbie Collection

Avon Spring Collection Barbies: Tea Party, Spring Blossom and Spring Petals. All New in the box.
Starting bid: $30

Shipping NOT included
Donated by... me

Mary Kay Cleanser and Moisturizer (combination to oily)

Mary Kay timewise 3-1 cleanser and moisturizer for combination to oily skin.
Starting Bid: $20
Retail Price: $40

Shipping NOT included
Donated by Aubrei

Mary Kay Cleanser and Moisturizer (normal to dry)

Mary Kay timewise 3in1 cleanser and moisturizer for Normal to Dry skin.
Starting Bid: $20
Retail: $40

Shipping NOT included
Donated by Aubrei