Sponsored Child Update

Towards the end of the year last year I decided to sponsor a child through Compassion International with the funds I receive through my business.  Thus, she doesn't only become my sponsored child, but anyone who purchases my work sponsors her as well. 

I recently received a letter from her, my first letter!  It filled my heart with pure joy and excitement as I read some of her favorite things and admired the small drawings she included.  What a gift!  I got drawings!  So that she may be in your thoughts and prayers, as in mine, I would love to share some of things she shared with me.

She has a mom, dad, and younger brother (she is 7).  She drew a flag, maple leaf, and what looks like a purse.  Her favorite color is red, and her favorite game is skipping.  She wants to be a doctor when she grows up, and with the love of Christ it's incredible how she wants to make her life about helping others.  Her favorite song is "Jesus is my Savior" and her favorite bible story is when Jesus turns water into wine.  That is a pretty spectacular story I might add.  :)  On her worksheet it asks if she could go anywhere, where would she go.  Her answer, the local forest because she would see nature.  How beautiful!

I am totally looking forward to writing her back, and I think this time I am going to send her a drawing or painting.  It's so affirming when I get to share similar interests with her.  When and if you choose to pick the child you sponsor it's incredibly difficult because you see that each child needs and wants your love.  Knowing that this could be a great relationship and that God's hands are involved, is just pure beauty.

I'm wanting to design a project for her, something we as a collective could create to send to her.  I can only send things that would fit in the envelope, so it will take some brainstorming, but stay tuned if you're interested.  Actually, let me know in the comment area if you are!  It'd be great to see how many people would be willing to contribute a sketch, a word (i.e. love, compassion, joy, etc.) on a card, postcard, anything.  Imagine being 7, living in poverty, and receiving such a gift from complete strangers.  What a testimony to God's love for her and her family!

God bless!

THANK YOU!

Today, with your help, $100 was donated to the Habitat for Humanity! THANK YOU! We helped families by giving to a foundation that builds homes. And now, we will help the other families out there that we share this planet with.

As I had said when I started the fundraiser for Habitat, I am motivated and driven to give to wherever the money is needed through my work and through your generosity. After the goal is reached for each, a new one will be presented. You have proved through your support that this is a very obtainable goal.

The next foundation is the World Wildlife Fund. One of my biggest passions is for animals. My mom was an activist for animal rights as I grew up, donating her time to the Animal Rescue League, and always having rescue animals in our home, many rescue animals. We raised money for our fellow neighbors, now let's raise money for the animals God asked us to take care of. How does the WWF rescue animals? By rescuing the land they live on.

Like Habitat, every sale of an original painting, no matter it's size, 10% of the total will go towards WWF. This time around I am also including commissioned work. Any original painting, requested or bought from Etsy will be a donation on your part.

I grew up with the WWF panda sticker on our front door, and I used to wear a sweater that had their logo. Now it's time to bring that full circle. Read more about the WWF and what they do at their site.

http://www.worldwildlife.org

Habitat for Humanity

This year I want to give back more, it's been a lingering feeling for awhile now and I have been asking God over and over what I could do. My time is very limited, and so are my funds. I try to be there as much as I can for others, but it's still not satisfying me. So I decided to start raising money for organizations that help others.

The first one is for Habitat for Humanity. Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry. HFHI seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. Habitat has built more than 300,000 houses around the world, providing more than 1.5 million people in more than 3,000 communities with safe, decent, affordable shelter. HFHI was founded in 1976 by Millard Fuller along with his wife, Linda.

Visit Habitat for Humanity's website to learn so much more about what they do and why.

My goal this summer is to raise at least $100. This will buy a kitchen sink believe it or not! This is what I've come up with:

Each sale I make, 10% of the total will go towards a fund for the foundation/organization. Once I reach the goal I will write out a check or go online and submit a donation. To hold me accountable, I will place a wee icon here on the blog in the left menu showing how much has been raised.

There is a HUGE need out there. For food, shelter, clothing, water, man...the list goes on and on. And how can we help? How can we step aside from our busy day to day lives in one of the most comfortable countries of the world and give back. Now granted, tho we live in this country, it doesn't mean we all live as comfortable as we'd like. I knowing and living the hardships myself. Yet comparably we are still a nation that needs to turn around, give up some things, and hand it off to others. Be an example. Okay, I'm preaching to the choir now.

Point being, ask yourself, what can you do and what are you willing to do? Hardest and most important part is stepping out of your comfort zone, it helps us grow.