Missing....

I have a little bit of a void in my heart these days.....

I left all of these kiddos over 10 months ago....and can't wait to squeeze and laugh with them again...in about 38 dayssssssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lost all 10 of these not even a week ago....can't wait to see them over the summer and sadly watch them WALK (right past my classroom)INTO THEIR Kindergarten classrooms in the fall...;( (BUT OH so proud of them!!!!) :)

But most of all......my heart aches for these two.....It has only been 5 days and I already can't stand it not knowing what they are doing and experiencing for the first time down in Texas. Something that I KNOW I have to get use to..... :( And I know I am thankful for many picture texts, emails, facebook, phones calls, and skype!!!!

****Next post coming soon...about donations needed for the Ordinary Hero trip...I have my "2nd mom" going with and 3 great friends....soooooooooooo excited for them to EXPERIENCE ETHIOPIA...................! Please keep us in your prayers as the trip is getting close....I believe 38days!!!! :)

Event recap...finally!

This is a little late....but thought its always good to go back and be reminded on how awesome God is...:)

It was exciting to have Kelly come from TN to speak to our church & community. It was good seeing her again and just to be able to hear from her heart. I believe that the event inspired, touched, moved, informed, and led people to seek out those in need....and not just to adopt....but to serve others. So thankful for you Kelly.....and the example you are to so many....thank you for sharing your heart for the fatherless and encouraging us to do the same!!! Thank you to everyone that served at this event....and planned for the event...and PRAYED for the people attending the event. Here is the Called2Care group(minus a few)that helped with the event. Jami Kaeb is also in the picture!!! So thankful that Jami was able to come share her HEART for children and families that are in the foster care system! What a BLESSING she is........excited I finally got to meet her....:) My Aunt Shell also got up and spoke about an awesome opportunity! Its called New Horizons for Children it is a summer hosting program. Go check out the website for more information! If your not interested...be sure to pass it on to someone else! :) :)

It was nice having my good friend Whitney Winkler and her brother Andrew come and lead us in worship! Thanks Whit!!! So thankful for you...and your flexibility with the event!

It was nice that Kelly was able to stay until Sunday so that she could speak to our SS classes and we could have a Q&A time! She's a pro at answering questions!:)

I can't wait to take some of these shoes over to Ethiopia...and place them on so many children's feet! Would you like to send over donations?....let me know if you do! :) LESS than 2 months away and I'll be in ETHIOPIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So excited how the Lord has planted seeds of adoption on many hearts....not sure if we'll ever know...but thankful the LORD does.

Blessed...Blessed...and more BLESSED!

I won the $500 Ordinary Hero grant!
I am so thankful to ALL of you who bought on my behalf.

Not sure exactly the amount of "sheep" that were bought in my name....but will let you know soon! It was very exciting to get an email from Kelly....and to read YOU WON! So thankful! :)

On OrdinaryHero blog:

Rachel Hauter!!! Wow! Rachel went nuts with the selling....or should I say she has some awesome friends and family that purchased on her behalf. I think she now will have a whole herd of sheep to give away in Ethiopia on her mission trip :) She sold $2372.55 worth of product in those 6 days!! Wow!! She receives 40% of that total plus this $500 grant. Congrats, Rachel!!
Kelly even wondered how I did it?!?!? Funny thing is...........not sure...other than I KNOW I HAVE AN AMAZING FAMILY and AMAZING friends who God has blessed me with! I WISH I COULD NAME EVERYONE! Once I receive the list......then I will because I want to thank everyone personally for helping me and FEEDING children in Ethiopia! I couldn't wait to get over there....but now...it makes it so much sweeter to know all of you will TRULY be helping children in Ethiopia and that I will be able to hug and serve them for YOU!.....

Below are some pictures of when our team bought sheep back in July for the different orphanages and a church that we attended. Was it my favorite thing seeing these animals get treated like this...and then killed? Noooooooooooooooooo but.....thankful we got to fill up some bellies!:):):):)

Thankful:
(a.) Obtaining or deserving thanks; thankworthy.
(a.) Impressed with a sense of kindness received, and ready to acknowledge it; grateful.

Thank you again...and again...for giving so that I can go.

P.S.-------less than 2 months and I will be in Ethiopia...Lord willing! :)I'll take whatever donations you have....to send over!:)

Pictures!!

Thank you to those that supported me the last time I tried to receive the $100 free grant from OH. I have a great family that supports me 150% and amazing friends-too! :) Here are a few pictures showing a few that have supported me!
(If you did or are going to buy something to support me...PLEASE send me a picture so I can thank you!:)

Here are two really cute girls! So thankful to have them as my nieces!

Ok, Ty is sporting the "Little World Changer" shirt...go check out the OH store to get your little one something just like this!
Here is another pic of Titus...just in case you didn't believe me that his shirt does say that...he will be a "Little World Changer..." :)

Had to put this picture up! Here are my amazing sisters! They are responsible for cheering me on to sign up for the fundraiser(as did Holli:)!!!!!! I'm very blessed! :)
Its hard to say which OH shirt is my favorite...this one comes in close to being #1!:)

Thank you once again for ALL of you who are supporting me...whether you do participate in this OH fundraiser or by praying or by giving fun toys, crafts supplies, soccer balls, candy...etc.! THANK YOU times 100! I pray that the Lord blesses you in return...because you sure are blessing me so that I CAN GOOOOOOOOOOO! :)

Until Sunday!!!

Sale still going on in the OH store! PLEASE help me by purchasing products! 40% of your sale goes DIRECTLY to my mission trip costs! Can you help me help CHANGE THE WORLD FOR ONE? $500 grant to highest seller and I want this PRIZE badly!:) Thanks to all! Please go check out the store!

http://www.ordinaryhero.org/

Please make sure to send me a picture of your family if you happen to buy a sheep! I will take over your family pic and show it to those that you will be feeding! :)

...two birds with one stone:)

Well, I'm not a big fan of asking people for things! But here I go....

It actually came up this past weekend with my family...that years ago...I'd always make my younger brother or best friend ask for things....so I didn't have to! (or does that mean I was just bossy?!?!? :)

Anyways...so here I am trying to ask you all on my own! :)

Here is a way that you can help me by purchasing an item in the OH store. Every item that you purchase-I then receive 40% towards my missions trip!!! There are even opportunities for you to purchase a goat/sheep to feed MANY children. How cool is that?!?! If you do purchase a sheep...please send me a picture of your family so that all those that you will be feeding will be able to see your family!

(There is a contest of the affiliate(me) that raises the most money by this Sunday(at midnight) then receives $500 free from Ordinary Hero towards their missions trip! How awesome is that...?!?!?
Here is the Ordinary Hero blog----it explains the contest a little better!

So, as my title says...."you can hit two birds with one stone"
The saying is true.....you can be helping children in need while supporting my trip back to Ethiopia! :) Do you agree?!

Save the date!!!

I am excited to say that on May 20 & 21 there is a great opportunity for you! We need help re-decorating a children's room at "The Children's Home and Aid" in Bloomington. I know this is an AWESOME opportunity for many to act upon what we all heard at the Light the Fire event. (Even if you weren't at the event.....you can just jump right in and get involved!!)

Kelly and Jami both spoke about how we should be reaching out to our own communities and ministering to those in need. Welllllllllllllllllllll...here's your chance....to help make many children feel special.

The Forgotten Initiative's mission is “to bring joy and purpose to the foster care community”

"We do this by partnering with our local foster care agencies to understand their needs and then we partner with churches (the Body of Christ) to bring awareness to the needs and connect the two! We want to mobilize the Body to be the Hands and Feet of Jesus to the forgotten in our communities! All that we do is because of Jesus and for His glory."

Monetary donations are needed and even "fun" donations are needed as well. :)

If you are wanting to make monetary donations to help with costs for this particular room-checks may be made out to Lifesong for Orphans and please mark going towards-The Forgotten Initiative!
If you know this is something you WOULD LOVE to be apart of....or if you have questions send an e-mail to info@theforgotteninitiative.org -Kathy will answer your question(s) or direct you to the right person! :)

Pass the word on about "The Forgotten Initiative" or "like" it on facebook! Also, be looking for the Initiative's awesome website that should be up and running the first week of May! :)