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.

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!