December 5, 2015 By 2 Comments

Winner Winner + New Tees

Hi!  It’s Saturday and here I am.  Hahahaha.  So fun.  4 things on this fine Saturday:

1.  The winner of the Rustic Tote is…

CAROLYN SAYS:  I got handmade beaded serving utensils for my mom who loves to always “add 1 more” to the table.

Carolyn check your inbox for an email from me.

Also I am still looking for Melinda who won the feathered fringed earrings in cobalt.  Melinda check your inbox for an email from me.

I hope you guys enjoyed all the giveaways this week.  I loved reading all your comments…some of which made me laugh out loud, feel a tad happy/weepy and made me salivate….brownies with peppermint ice-cream and hot fudge…hold up!  Hopefully you got a few ideas for Christmas presents and will shop around some of my favorite purchase with purpose companies like Noonday Collection and Timbali Crafts.  Which leads me to number 2…

2.  I have amazing family.  Family which are givers too.  Thursday my sweet cousin Emily sent me a text and said she wanted to buy some Timbali, but didn’t really need anything.  So because she is crazy kind she sent me some money, I picked items out and Monday we’ll have another giveaway.  This bag makes me all kinds of swoony.  So so gorgeous.  Thank you Emily…you know you make my heart want to burst!  Check back Monday.

3.  Sasquatch Design Company…Meagan, Nick and Marcie…are at it again and just in time for Christmas.  We are currently trying to raise money for a garden to be put in at the Ngungwane carepoint.  You can make your tax deductible donation HERE.  Or you can buy a sweet baseball tee.

Remember when I asked you to vote for Nick’s design in the Design the Good contest…well he actually won and yet, not.  He had the most votes by a good margin…well over 1000…but the judges didn’t choose his design.  After quite a bit of angst and toil basically it came down to companies being shady and not up front and lots of tiny print loop holes.  It made me feel super yucky I asked you guys to vote, but we can’t make people choose honestly and integrity.  So Nick and Sasquatch Design decided to print the tees themselves and give all the profits to the Ngungwane garden fund.  If we reach the goal they are going to use the money to buy supplies for Ngungwane.  Crazy awesome again.  I know some good hearted people.  You can purchase your tee HERE.

And 4.  Yesterday our kindness advent was share sonic happy hour.  There was some concern about our tape not holding up so hence the overload of washi tape…just in case 🙂  Kids crack me up.  Our kindness advent for today is surprise chalk art.  So fun!

And tomorrow we are crafting up some handmade ornaments and delivering them.

Hope you enjoy your weekend.

Happy Saturday!

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November 13, 2015 By 6 Comments

VOTE!!!

Our friend Nick over at Sasquatch Design Society entered one of his most awesome designs in the Design The Good contest.  Here’s the down low…Nick uploaded his design and now we vote.  The most votes wins and the winner gets to choose what charity/organization receives the moola…and Nick chose Ngugnwane.  Simple enough and to the point.  Design with the most votes wins and we really really really want Nick to win.  And come on, his design is crazy good.

 All you need to do is:

1) CLICK HERE

2)  The entry screen asks for your full name and email address…enter those and then click the bright pink VOTE button.

3)  Right afterwards Nick’s design should appear with his name in the top left hand corner.  You hit the little heart at the bottom of his design by the number of votes he already has and the number will increase by one because of your vote.  The End!

So simple.  So easy.  And whoa now, watch out Ngungwane if he wins…we’re coming for you either way.

Please take a slice of your time to go vote and share with your friends and family and co-workers and anyone who will lend you their ear.  THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU in advance for voting.  We soooooo appreciate it and you!!!

Here’s to a great weekend and a Happy Friday!

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October 6, 2015 By 3 Comments

And Just Like That…

It’s not even my regular blogging time because honestly I just could not wait.  You should see the utter chaos…full on wrestle mania which I am referring while I type.

I had a completely different blog for today and then my phone started blowing up.  I had been detained by the world’s worst dirty diaper I have ever seen in my entire 8 years of mothering.  It was horror story worthy.  There were curse words.  I tore through half a pack of wipes easily and ended up putting her in the bathtub because things were too out of hand.  Her clothes were not salvageable.  The other kids gasped.  It was bad.  But I digress…my phone was dinging away and little did I know, but our Swazi team was going crazy because Marcie discovered the Ngungnwane Playground Fund at over 100% this morning.  Everyone was losing their minds.  I might have text cursed.  This was insane.  Texting continued.  I told my kids…they cheered.  I cried.  Harper and I hugged.  Amon gave me a high-5.  I’m still sitting here just in awe.

Brooke pointed out we were in Swaziland just 3 months ago.  3 months.  $16,288.  We got a front row seat to watch God do what only He can do.  I said it over and over again…we’re going to let God do what only He can do.  This felt big.  This felt daunting.  This felt like too much.  This felt impossible, but yet, God!

I remind myself all the time that God does not need me.  I can get in the mind set that I am a vital piece of His kingdom and really I’m just a flawed sinner and He’s the Creator of the universe…He’s going to do what He wants with or without me, but He invites us into His work.  He asks us to join Him.  He gives us the honor of being a vessel…playing a role.  And what a crazy blessing it is when we say yes.

I watched members of our team simply give God back what He had given them…their talents and resources.  Some we’re word spreaders…they made handouts and postcards and emailed their friends and family often.  They talked to their churches and people they knew.  They took to social media and would not stop talking about this community and these precious kiddos.  Some gave financially.  Some bought tshirts for themselves, their husband, children, brother, mother, sister, cousin, their cousin’s friend and next door neighbor.  Some made those 1000 t-shirts that were purchased.  They prayed…they prayed their hearts out.  They love this community, they listened to the go-gos words, they heard the calling and said “Yes God.  We are in.”  I’m so humbled to know these people.

And a lot of you guys gave and bought tshirts and took classes and gave above and beyond and helped us spread the word and prayed with us.  Thank you!  Thank you forever and ever amen.  You are kind and love big!!!

I still keep sitting here just floored.  I’ve text a 1000 times over “I am just dying.”  It’s amazing and incredible and phenomenal.  God is good and mighty.  I’ve boo-hooed like a giant crybaby.  Sometimes when God does the amazing things He chooses to do, I find myself feeling unworthy of His gifts…His blessings…like why would He choose to do this when He knows I’m going to be crazy excited…like I make or break the deal…and then I quickly remember He gives good gifts to His children.  He is a God of wonders.  He wants the praise and glory and He wants His name to be made known.   He does things for us to marvel at Him.  And marvel I will.  To God be every bit of the glory!

Happiest of Tuesdays!

PS:  The Noonday party is still on.  I think we’re going to go after a garden next 🙂

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October 1, 2015 By Leave a Comment

Shameless Re-Post {Not The Garth Brooks Kind}

Today I totally and completely hit the copy and past button and then made peace with myself.  Ha.  I am shamelessly reposting yesterday’s entire post because it’s just this important to me.  I know some will be all “yada, yada, yada” and sometimes I too “yada, yada, yada”, but I figured it’s my blog and I can repost if I want to (insert music notes).  So here’s a reminder of yesterday’s amazingness and another push for Ngungwane’s playground.  I’ll be back tomorrow with my regular scheduled randomness programming.  Thanks for being kind to this bloggy lady and for putting up with all my playground shenanigans…because I do madly love these people and this community!

********************

So I am so excited to report we are officially at 61% of our goal for the Ngungwane playground fund.  You guys, this is crazy town.  We are almost at 10K!!!!!!!  I am so blown away.  I had decided to stop checking the fund every single day and when I checked in yesterday morning we were at 42%.  Marcie text me and said her sister was dropping $3090 in t-shirt sales in the account that day too and BOOM, now we find the fund sitting pretty at 61%.  God is so so crazy good.  Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who has helped in anyway.  I am just over the moon.  I told Marcie I was about to start crying in Target and being the supportive and loving and nurturing friend she is she said if I did to please videotape it :)  I’m just constantly floored at how God works and moves.

So here’s the deal, we’re going to press on.  We’re going to continue to work and do our part.  I told Josh Kelley yesterday I don’t want one thing for my birthday, nor do I need anything either, but he can make a donation to the playground fund!!!  And there are so many ways you can help too.

1)  Share the Ngungwane Playground Fund with family and friends and strangers.  Take to social media, email, text or word of mouth and simply share the page.  Telling people…getting others in on the action…is such a HUGE help!!!

2)  Make a tax deductible donation HERE and directly impact our goal.  There is no amount too small.  My kids recently dug into their piggy banks and brought me a grand total of $4 and I added it into some other money going in.  No donation is too small.  Every single bit helps.

3)  Book a Bible journaling class.  I’m taking to the streets and coming to you to teach my Bible journaling class.  Think parties, Bible studies, small groups, women’s events, church classes, girl’s night, etc.  All the money from these classes goes directly to the fund.  Message me HERE if you are interested.  And I’ll be hosting the next class in our home in November…date to be announced.

4)  Buy a t-shirt.  Sasquatch Design Society, Meagan, Marcie and Nick, have been hard at work and it has seriously paid off.  All those t-shirt sales has brought in over $3K in profit which is absolutely amazing.  Thank you to everyone who has already purchased…we are so grateful.  Christmas is coming and this is definitely purchasing with a purpose.  And tell a friend ;)  You can read more about the tees HERE or head straight HERE and make your purchase today.

5)  We’re hosting a big Noonday Collection show Thursday, October 29th at our house!!!!  You guys know I love a good party.  I am a huge Noonday fan and we’re using all the free goodies we get from this party to throw a huge “Thank You” giveaway again.  We did this last time when raising funds for tables and chairs for Ngungwane and it was a big success.  The more purchases made at the party, the more free stuff we get to help raise funds with!  You can read about what we did last time HERE and HERE.  So add it to your calendar…think Christmas shopping party people…and invite a friend…the more the merrier is always my party moto.

6)  My goal is to have my Bible Journaling class ready for purchase via the inter webs by the end of November…hopefully before.  I’m praying this will be a huge way to help raise funds for the playground.  All you out-of-towners get ready because my class will be available for you soon.  Keep your eyes open and I will share all the details when we’re legit and ready to roll!

And 7) Pray with us.  Pray for these kiddos and this community.  Pray God would receive every bit of the glory He so deserves.  What an honor it is to join hands with these amazing people and community in this adventure.  We are so grateful.

Thank you guys so much for all your help so far.  You are kind and crazy awesome.

********************

See you tomorrow.

Happy Thursday.

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September 30, 2015 By 3 Comments

Killin’ It!

So I am so excited to report we are officially at 61% of our goal for the Ngungwane playground fund.  You guys, this is crazy town.  We are almost at 10K!!!!!!!  I am so blown away.  I had decided to stop checking the fund every single day and when I checked in yesterday morning we were at 42%.  Marcie text me and said her sister was dropping $3090 in t-shirt sales in the account that day too and BOOM, now we find the fund sitting pretty at 61%.  God is so so crazy good.  Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who has helped in anyway.  I am just over the moon.  I told Marcie I was about to start crying in Target and being the supportive and loving and nurturing friend she is she said if I did to please videotape it 🙂  I’m just constantly floored at how God works and moves.

So here’s the deal, we’re going to press on.  We’re going to continue to work and do our part.  I told Josh Kelley yesterday I don’t want one thing for my birthday, nor do I need anything either, but he can make a donation to the playground fund!!!  And there are so many ways you can help too.

1)  Share the Ngungwane Playground Fund with family and friends and strangers.  Take to social media, email, text or word of mouth and simply share the page.  Telling people…getting others in on the action…is such a HUGE help!!!

2)  Make a tax deductible donation HERE and directly impact our goal.  There is no amount too small.  My kids recently dug into their piggy banks and brought me a grand total of $4 and I added it into some other money going in.  No donation is too small.  Every single bit helps.

3)  Book a Bible journaling class.  I’m taking to the streets and coming to you to teach my Bible journaling class.  Think parties, Bible studies, small groups, women’s events, church classes, girl’s night, etc.  All the money from these classes goes directly to the fund.  Message me HERE if you are interested.  And I’ll be hosting the next class in our home in November…date to be announced.

4)  Buy a t-shirt.  Sasquatch Design Society, Meagan, Marcie and Nick, have been hard at work and it has seriously paid off.  All those t-shirt sales has brought in over $3K in profit which is absolutely amazing.  Thank you to everyone who has already purchased…we are so grateful.  Christmas is coming and this is definitely purchasing with a purpose.  And tell a friend 😉  You can read more about the tees HERE or head straight HERE and make your purchase today.

5)  We’re hosting a big Noonday Collection show Thursday, October 29th at our house!!!!  You guys know I love a good party.  I am a huge Noonday fan and we’re using all the free goodies we get from this party to throw a huge “Thank You” giveaway again.  We did this last time when raising funds for tables and chairs for Ngungwane and it was a big success.  The more purchases made at the party, the more free stuff we get to help raise funds with!  You can read about what we did last time HERE and HERE.  So add it to your calendar…think Christmas shopping party people…and invite a friend…the more the merrier is always my party moto.

6)  My goal is to have my Bible Journaling class ready for purchase via the inter webs by the end of November…hopefully before.  I’m praying this will be a huge way to help raise funds for the playground.  All you out-of-towners get ready because my class will be available for you soon.  Keep your eyes open and I will share all the details when we’re legit and ready to roll!

And 7) Pray with us.  Pray for these kiddos and this community.  Pray God would receive every bit of the glory He so deserves.  What an honor it is to join hands with these amazing people and community in this adventure.  We are so grateful.

Thank you guys so much for all your help so far.  You are kind and crazy awesome.

Happy Wednesday!

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September 3, 2015 By 4 Comments

Tees For Ngungwane #TheDealio

I’ve had several questions about the tees for Ngungwane I posted about last night.  So here’s the deal:

My friend Marcie…who is awesome…along with her husband Nick and sister Meagan…run a side business called Sasquatch Design Society.  They do amazing work and so kindly offered to make tees to help in the fundraising for Ngungwane’s playground.  This was Marcie’s idea and I love that she is leading the way in this effort.  I extra love this because I tend to have what Josh Kelley so lovingly termed “laser focus”…this is where I get something in my mind and just can’t stop thinking about it and want to accomplish as quickly as possible on my own…with or without other people involved…which isn’t super healthy, but usually I just dive in head first and don’t stop until it’s done…again, maybe not the healthiest 🙂  $16,250 isn’t exactly something I can make happen with my “laser focus”.  God is teaching me a lot about His timing and patience and my pride which I need big time.  We each have gifts and talents and abilities and our team has been tapping into what they each do well and using those for Him.  Marcie, Nick and Meagan are choosing to use what they have and I love that.  I love seeing people become invested and use what they have available to them.

This is crazy incredible for so many reasons, but my top 2 are:

1)  Most people want to get something for their money.  It’s just the truth and I get it.  So it’s nice to walk away with a cool tee for your donation and also acts as an aid…a walking advertisement…for Ngugnwane’s playground fund.  The more people who know the better.  So share this with your friends and family…share on social media platforms…pin it on Pinterest…helping us spread the word is a huge gift and we are so appreciative for you doing so.  As our friend Alisha says “We just need networking” and she is so right.  Spreading the word…getting more and more people involved helps so so much.

2)  Since they own the business they cut all the costs down to only the shirt fee and shipping.  This is HUGE because we easily bank $15 per shirt if not a little more depending on the shipping.  They are selflessly not making a penny on these tees which just adds even more to the fund.  There is also an option for you locals when you check out to choose “local pickup” and no shipping fees will apply.

The tees are Canvas brand.  Sasquatch also did our team shirts when we went to Swaziland so I personally own one of the Canvas tees and they are super soft and comfy.  They are unisex size and cotton.  I typically would wear a medium or large in a ladies fit, but wear a small in this brand since they are unisex.  I hope this will help when you are deciding on your size.  They also have added kids sizes.  I am in a major dilemma now because I feel strongly that all the Kelley kids should have one 🙂

You can GO HERE and purchase your tee today…and maybe one for your spouse and kids and mom and dad and brother and sister and teacher and cousin and of course your cousin’s friend as well.  Everyone needs one.

Do you have any other questions??  I will do my best to answer them.

And in other fundraising news, Josh Kelley and I are officially moving in the direction of an online Bible Journaling class.  We have never done anything like this but plenty of you have made it known this is what you would love to see happen.  And we aim to please…and want to add to Ngungwane’s playground fund even more.  We are looking into outlets and how to’s and all the ins and outs of an online class/video…this is crazy new to us…thank you for your patience as so many of you have made this request.  And if you have any ideas for us throw them our way.  It makes me anxious and nervous, but also very excited to see what God can do.

Happy Thursday.

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July 15, 2015 By 1 Comment

Comfort, Courage & Hope

Today we wave pooled all day long.  I didn’t sleep well last night and was up quite a bit.  Couldn’t sleep this morning so I got in a good run and grocery shopped solo all before 7am.  Everything feels a bit different when I come back home.  It’s strange being home with such an excited and yet overwhelmed heart.  I look at clean water differently.  I stared weirdly at my cart full of colorful fruits and veggies at the grocery store.  Simplifying more of our life yet again and again rushes over my train of thought.  Are we living our one vapor right?  Are we bringing Him glory with our family?  Do my kids truly understand to be first they must really be last?

I keep thinking about all these crazy amazing kiddos and these people who are the light of Christ in their community half way around the world.  I keep running 1000 thoughts and ideas through my mind about how all these dreams will happen…getting 78 sweet kiddos sponsored, raising $16,500 to have a playground put in the middle of Swaziland, raising funds for sewing machines so ladies can help provide for their families, funds for cabinets that lock so the preschool teacher can keep supplies on site, how to help local woman around me see the value in purchasing with a purpose through companies like Timbali and the list rattles on.

Today the idea crossed my mind to try and explain what exactly the Ngungwane carepoint is.  I want people to understand why this place is so important.  I want others to join us in these dreams.  I want to take more people to Swaziland, Africa.  I want others to experience the extreme joy and love which is waiting in this tiny country on the continent of Africa.

The Ngungwane carepoint sits in a community in Swaziland…an actual physical location…a plot of land which has a building, a small outdoor cooking area, a bathroom and a solar well.  There is a group of 4 go-gos (grandmother/mother figures in the community) who come to the carepoint and cook for around 140 kids 6 days a week.  There is 1 preschool teacher, Constantine, who lives just across the road who comes and teaches the preschool kiddos while the school age children are in school.  She wears her sweet newborn daughter Blessing on her back while her other daughter Happiness plays along with the other littles.

Ngungwane also has a shepherd named Hlobi.  She’s the boss lady 🙂  Hlobi takes roll everyday.  She not only cares about these kids and their futures, but she mentors them and disciples them…she teaches them about Christ and the hope found in Him.  She’s been trained for a year at a leadership academy in South Africa on discipling and wants to pour into the future leaders of Swaziland.

6 days a week this small plot of land is flooded with Swazi children who come not just to be fed a meal, have access to clean water and receive medical treatment if needed, but also to be seen and loved and fed spiritually.  They play and sing songs.  They learn.  They eat together.  They all pitch in to clean up after meals.  They smile and laugh.  They care for one another.  They are a family.

On one of the last days we were at Ngungwane a man named Neil who lives in the community came by to chat.  It was quite the conversation ranging from inspirational to laughter to questions about the future of Ngungwane.  I was so intrigued by all he had to say.  Afterwards I grabbed my notebook and jotted a quick note down about something he said.

“This carepoint represents comfort, courage and hope in this community.”

And I was struck deep by those words.  They played over and over again in my mind.  Comfort, courage and hope.

Here’s what I know…I know a lot of the time we can feel like the problems and the unfairness of this world are too big we can’t possibly make a difference, but this is simply not true.  God has called us to love and to love big.  He has called us to love which acts.  He has called us to first love Him and secondly love others.  We make a difference in this world by loving…by looking at others, our brothers and sisters in Christ, and simply coming along side them and treating them as we would want to be treated.  People are not charities.  People are not good deeds.  People are people…all created in the image of Christ…all daughters and sons of the King…each one of us absolutely adored by Him…and each one of living and carrying stories which matter, count and deserve to be told.

So we choose to do.  We choose to act.  We choose to love.  We choose to truly believe sharing each other’s stories and linking up arms with one another really does matter and can change the world.

Happy Wednesday.

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July 14, 2015 By 4 Comments

Home

Our Swaziland team arrived home early this morning.  It’s been a long day.  Coming home is always interesting to me…figuring out if I’m going to fall victim to jet lag, getting re-acclimated, taking a good long hot shower, assuming my role as mom again…all of it can be a bit overwhelming.

I’ve thought about sitting down to type out some thoughts all day long, but the time never came.  My heart and mind have been overwhelmed and there have been games of Sorry and Mancala which needed to be played, movies to watch, photos to share, popcorn to snack on and lots of souvenirs to pass around and taste test with these wild 5 kiddos.

We did not have internet or phone access while we were away.  I’ve missed you guys.  I missed Josh Kelley and our little tribe madly, but boy, what a trip.  What a team God allowed me to be on.  What incredible people we were with all week.  What crazy amazing kiddos we had the privilege to love on and be loved by.  What strong and courageous ladies we got to know who lead Ngungwane, these kiddos and their community.  Every last bit of this trip was just an honor…I can barely get past this fact.

There are new dreams.  There are seeds God has planted.  There is work to be done.  Starting with these sweet kiddos and getting every last precious one of them sponsored.  You can CLICK HERE and choose “unsponsored” in the status bar.  $38 a month does the trick.  There are more trips to be taken.  Consider joining us.  God is truly building something…He’s taking something which is already beautiful and making it crazy beautiful.

So I’ll be working on all my thoughts this week.  Josh Kelley has been a sounding board already.  I like him.  Hopefully there will be some sleep gotten and thoughts will work their way out.  It was a grand trip and it’s good to be home.

Happy Tuesday.

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