DUCK FEST IN CHESTERTON

I have just arrived home from the Duck Fest in Chesterton, Indiana. It was a very successful event. Last night my uncle and cousin (thank you Uncle Don and Donnie) helped set up my tent and tables so that it was a much quicker set up this morning. We opened at 8am and stayed until 5pm (the event was until 8pm but threats of storms near my home and a rock band setting up on the stage right next to my booth caused me to close early) I was so happy to see some old friends as well as many family members turn up and support Mission Ethiopia!!! In total for the 9 hours (candy sales and two donations) I made $433.00!!!!!!!!!! My uncle made sure my tent was in the children's area and other than a couple of games and some bouncy houses I was the only vendor and so did very well. Thank you again to all who came out in support, it really means a lot to me and thank you again to my mom for being my right hand helper in all of this and to my aunt who helped us take everything down. I look forward to more summer events in the future and will keep you posted as to when and where they are.

LAST DAY AT LIBERTYVILLE DAYS

Today was a great day, a bit warm but so happy no rain. I was not sure how it would go as it was Fathers day but all in all it went well. I passed out quite a few more business cards for birthday parties. The sweetest was when we were tearing down. Two boys stopped by to see if they could still make some and I told them yes. They ended up getting large tubes and while they were creating their mom thanked me for allowing them to do this. They had brought their own money and had to decide how to spend it themselves. Then I thanked them for choosing to make Sandy Candy and told them where the money was going. The youngest boy, about six or seven told me when he was done he would give me a one dollar tip for my trip. Keeping to his word when he was done he marched over to me and gave me my "tip" how sweet is that. It is moments like that that make all of this worth it. The vendor across from me was very nice as well, very well traveled so we had a lot to talk about. He took my card and will keep in touch. Ron, Lisa and Reia stopped by for the last couple of hours and helped to take everything down. A big thank you the them and the biggest thank you is to my mom who was at the whole event with me. I love you mom.
I did have a couple of people tell me I would do well at the Lake County fair, which is not to far from my house. I checked into it today and I need to submit an application for consideration but the space is $500 for six days. The good news is it is indoors and air conditioned. I am not sure if I want to invest so much as I am not sure how long it would take to recoup this investment so I am praying about it. Oh I forgot my total candy sales this weekend were $497.00!!!!
Don't forget I will be in Chesterton next weekend at the Duck Fest.

DAY TWO AT LIBERTYVILLE DAYS

Ah the difference a day can make. Today the weather was much better just as the news had predicted. When we got to Cook park the roof of the tent had some water but we were no worse for wear. Of course when I pushed up hoping the water would go one way it went the other and I was once again drenched. We were able to set up much quicker today as all sides of the tent were open and gave us easy access and more room to move around. There were a few lulls but most of the day we had steady customers. My original plan of using hooks to hang the necklaces from did not work so my idea today was a winner as they were selling like hotcakes. I thought I may run out but do have some for today. We sold a lot more today than yesterday and the event was very crowded. Thank you to Jane, Saba and Emery who came by to help for a few hours today. I made the girls shirts to wear so even when they walked around they were helping out:) There were a lot of comments about what a great idea sandy candy is and lots of interest in my coming to birthday parties (I have business cards to hand out for this) The weather did prove to be very hot and once again as people approached our tent they would say how we had the perfect spot - God is so good. My mom and I had discussed not opening tomorrow as it is fathers day and only a four hour opening but after such a long day we decided not to take the tent down. I must admit that when I was gathering items to clean up I tripped on a cinder block and fell. I tried to go with the fall but because of the way I was falling I scrapped my leg and arm up really badly and my chest hit the table and knocked the wind out of me. I am alright now but have some battle scars from the day. Heres praying tomorrow goes even better than today.

DAY ONE OF LIBERTYVILLE DAYS

The morning started out quite dreary with threats of hail producing, tornado threatening storms. I waited at home until 9:30 when the tornado warnings had been lifted. My mom and I set out to go to the site and see how it was going. We got there and about ten tents were arlready set up but they had sides on the tents so once I checked in and saw my space I headed to Wal Mart and got some sides for the tent (best investment of the weekend) When we came out of the store the sky looked great so we headed back over. We managed to get the tent and sides up before the next storm came through. As I was unloading and bringing the stuff to the tent it began to downpour again. I will say we had the best location at the event. We were just off of the street so unloading was no problem and we are under a huge tree so we get the most shade. The other vendors have complained about how hot it is in their tents but we have such a great breeze by us, thank the Lord. So we had to unpack everything tetris style within the enclosed tent but we managed to do it in about two hours. We had a few hours of sunny, breezy weather and sold quite a bit of Sandy Candy. When I found out that more storms were headed our way we decided to pack up early. We had everything packed up and loading it into the car when once again it was pouring (and I was not even dry from the morning downpour) again. This time the tornado alarm was ringing in Libertyville so we packed up our last few things and lowered the tent. We got out just in time!!!! We shall see how tomorrow goes but the weather seems like it will cooperate with us. One of the families that I used to nanny for at night stopped by to support Mission Ethiopia thank you so much it was so great to see all of you!!!!!

MISSION ETHIOPIA AT DUCK FEST IN CHESTERTON, INDIANA

Mission Ethiopia and Sandy Candy are going on a road trip. I have confirmed my booth at the duck fest in downtown Chesterton Indiana. This event takes place on Saturday June 27th from 8am until 8pm. This event is being put on by the Lions club of which my uncle is a member. I look forward to seeing all of my family and friends there.

MISSION ETHIOPIA AT LIBERTYVILLE DAYS

Coming up on June 19-21 Mission Ethiopia will be setting up a tent at Libertyville days to sell Sandy Candy. They are expecting over fifty thousand people at this event so I pray I sell out of candy as this would mean a lot of money to be able to give away in Ethiopia. The event runs as follows: Friday 12pm - 8pm, Saturday 10am - 8pm and Sunday 1pm - 5pm. I would love each and everyone of you to come out and support Mission Ethiopia. I am also looking for volunteers to help since it may be very crowded at times. I would like people to sign up for at least one hour to help sell the candy and possibly pass out fliers at the carnival down the block (pending permission) I would love people with children to come because the children help draw other children in and for their time I will give them one free tube of Sandy Candy. Please contact me if you can volunteer some time and please keep this event in your prayers.This event is held in downtown Libertyville on Milwaukee ave between Church and Cook streets. The arts and crafts tent will be in Cook park. Thank you very much and I hope to see you at Libertyville Days!!!!!

STILL FUND RAISING.....

For those of you who are interested in why I am still raising funds I will answer that question here. If you scroll down and see that I have raised all of the money for the trip you may be wondering why I am still trying to raise money. I am raising money for a couple of reasons, first the prices quoted on here were from eighteen months ago when I began this journey. The one thing I feel may change is the prices for my flights so I want to make sure I am covered. My main reason to continue raising funds is because I want to be able to help in any way I can while I am there. I am sure the orphanage will have many needs and I would like to be able to help where I can. Also at the bottom (if you have read that far) you know I am interested in adoption. I realize it will take nothing short of a miracle for the funds needed to come in before I go and with enough time for me to have a home study (I do not doubt miracles can happen, they do every day) before I go so I press on with these goals in mind. So for the time being the money is being set aside for additional costs and the remainder to be given within the country. Thank you very much for your continued interest and support. God bless you.

A STORY YOU HAVE TO HEAR

This is a great story I feel I must share with everyone. A while back I went to an adoption support meeting where the people there had adopted from different parts of the world, none from Ethiopia. As the evening went on the leader told the story of a single woman who adopted two boys from Ethiopia and just before picking them up found out they had an older brother in another orphanage. Months later while at a party I ran into someone I had not seen in years and we were filling each other in on our lives. When I told her about this trip she told me the same story as I had heard at the adoption support group except that she worked with the parents. Yes I said parents and you may be wondering why since earlier I said she was single. Well her and her boyfriend decided to get married during the adoption process but then the adoption got cancelled because in order to adopt from Ethiopia as a married person you have to be married for at least two years. They got an annulment and the adoption continued (they are married now) while there to pick up the two younger boys Sintayehu and Wondemagegn they met Daniel, the older brother. Once home they began the process of adopting Daniel and were able to do so three days before he turned 18 at which time he would not have been adoptable. Now having heard Denise and Jeffery's story twice I had to meet them. I contacted the woman who runs the support group and was given contact information for Denise. We met a couple of weeks ago and the whole family is lovely. I was in there home for quite a few hours and even had dinner with them. The boys are lovely and their home is so peaceful and full of love. I pray one day soon I can say the same of the children I adopt from Ethiopia. Please continue to pray for guidance and direction for me in this as Ethiopia may soon be closing adoptions to single woman. Thank you Jeffery, Denise, Daniel, Sintayehu and Wondemagegn for opening up your home to me and allowing me to share your amazing story.

EXCITED IS HOW I FEEL

As November comes closer and closer I continue to get more excited. This journey has been absolutely amazing and this is only the beginning. I look forward to Ethiopia in so many ways.
I am in continuous contact with one of the staff in Ethiopia and do not have much to update there. Right now he is just answering my questions but cannot give me to many details as I have arranged the trip so far in advance. I will keep you posted on anything that is interesting:)
Please continue to pray for me and what this trip will unfold both in the lives of the people I come in contact with as well as in my life.

EXCITING NEWS

AS OF TODAY, FEBRUARY 27th, I HAVE REGISTERED WITH PROJECTS ABROAD TO GO TO ETHIOPIA FOR SIX MONTHS BEGINING IN NOVEMBER OF THIS YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AS OF TODAY, FEBRUARY 28TH, I HAVE RECEIVED ENOUGH DONATIONS TO COVER THE COSTS OF THIS MISSION TRIP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I WILL STILL BE FUND RAISING AND ACCEPTING DONATIONS TO GIVE WITHIN THE COUNTRY.(PLEASE SEE "GIVING WITHIN THE COUNTRY" AND "HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL" BELOW FOR A COUPLE OF WAYS I WILL BE GIVING WITHIN ETHIOPIA. THANK YOU AGAIN TO EACH AND EVERY PERSON WHO HAS CONTRIBUTED TO THIS MISSION, I COULD NOT HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT YOUR SUPPORT.

NO ORPHANS OF GOD

RECKLESS FAITH

Please take a few minutes to watch this inspiring video. It has encouraged me to continue on the path that God has set me upon, even before I was born.

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27

I will be working in Addis Ababa the capital of Ethiopia.

THE EXPO IS HERE!!!!!!!!!!

The expo went really well. I met so many wonderful people. The photos shows my tables and I am quite pleased with how they turned out. The close up is of my board which explains about the trip and Projects abroad. For those of you who did not attend the expo and are wondering what all the crocs are on the board. I did some research and for the price of one pair of crocs in the United States I could purchase 27 pairs of crocs in Ethiopia to hand out to the children there. It is amazing how far a little will go in another country.

I would like to thank my mom for all of her help and support. I would also like to thank Jane for letting me borrow her beautiful fabric from Africa to put on my tables.

I sold quite a few pairs of socks and lots of hats. Many people were very generous and gave donations-thank you very much. I raised just over three hundred dollars this weekend!!!!!!

I met some very nice people and was able to pass out my cards with this blog address on. Some people said they would donate here and others said they would send to my P.O. box.

I am looking for other venues to showcase my items at and fund raise, if you have any suggestions please contact me and let me know. Thank you

THE VISION

From the time I was a little girl my heart has beat for Ethiopia.
As a small girl while many of my friends were playing house I was
playing Africa. I would wrap up in a sheet with a doll tied to my
back and hang sheets from my canopy bed creating hammocks
for all of my "children". It is time for the vision to become a reality.
My goal is to go to Ethiopia and volunteer in an orphanage through
and organization called Projects Abroad. I will go over for six
months and work where I am placed. I cannot make this dream
come true on my own, so I am asking for help. This is a voluntary trip so I am seeking sponsors. I need to raise funds for the project, flight, immunizations and visa. I did ask the agency about bringing donations and was told to bring money instead. The reason is so I can give to the country twice, once to the local merchants and the second time being the actual gift. I would like to raise enough money to donate formula, food, clothing and blankets. I realize this is my dream but please realize in making my dream come true many children will benefit. Many people can give, even a small amount, but few are called or willing to go. I am called and willing but just need some financial help in getting there. Please give from the bottom of your heart and in turn you will be blessed as will the lives of many orphans. Thank you and God bless you.

WHERE IT ALL BEGAN!!!

ADDED-December 3, 2008 - Ever since I created this blog I have wanted to put this photo on here to show how long I have been caring for babies:) The only problem was I could not find the photo and since it is one of my favorite photos of me it had become rather frustrating. I had searched numerous times through all of my photos as well as my moms and could not put my finger on it. Then I remembered that I had made a memory book for my mom and thought I bet it is in there and sure enough it was!!!
This photo captures how early my love for caring for babies began. I could spend hours taking care of my babies. You may be thinking those are not babies, those are dolls. To me they were real and pity the person who tried to carry my baby inappropriately, they needed to be cared for properly. Yes I know there is one who is undressed in the background but she was waiting her turn and got all the love and care she deserved as well. I thought you might enjoy seeing this early photo of my love for babies as much as I enjoy the memory of taking care of them, and just for the record I still have some of my babies from those early days and hope that one day I have a daughter to pass them on to. Thank you for taking a walk down memory lane with me:)
By the way don't you think my pants complement the couch rather nicely?

... and a little child will lead them. Isaiah 11:6

WALK THE TALK

Please visit http://www.walkthetalk.com/ and click on inspirational movies and go down to the one titled The Dash. Then click watch this movie. It is so true how our birth date and last day of life are noted when the most important part of our life is represented by a dash. I have done a lot with my dash and plan on adding this missions trip to Ethiopia as well. Make the most of your dash each and every day. I also enjoyed some of the other titles including Because Our Children Are Watching. Lets be the example to the next generation that we all are capable of being.