Update: Twisted Vine Fundraiser

To our supporters,

I want to fill up this blog with our deepest hugest THANKS for your support for our fundraiser! So many of you came last Sunday or donated in your absence. We had a BLAST! As usual, the Twisted Vine was so gracious and hospitable in support of our cause. We could not have asked for a better afternoon.

From the day, we raised $386 on behalf of the dear friends who were there physically! I wish you could know how appreciated your generosity will be once we deliver this most precious gift. On behalf of the faces that immediately come to mind from previous visits: Thank you! Enkosi! Baie Dankie!

Tears have immediately flooded my eyes as I see those faces and recall occasions of watching hungry children eat provided soup on a cold day, seeing the Autism teacher smile as she looks at all the donated supplies for her classroom, watching community leaders fit children with shoes that you provided, and seeing HOPE come to life in eyes that seem to have lost that glimmer so long ago. Nothing can replace the feeling of hope revived, knowing that you are loved by people you have never met from miles away. I'll stop now on behalf of all the patrons at Panera who do NOT need to see me spiral into the ugly cry of gratitude. Again, thank you even though "thank you" is not enough.

Here are some pictures from that day:

 party favor bags with rooibos tea and rusk

With cups overflowing,
Danielle (& Candice)

PS: Missed the party but want to donate? Click HERE!

Loooooooooong overdue updates!

Hi all, this update is long overdue—so much to catch up on!

If you wonder why I’ve been silent, it’s because I’ve been working unhealthily diligently to finish this semester's class early. The class ends right as I return from South Africa (Dec. 6) so I made the goal to finish ASAP so that I could focus on preparing my heart and spirit for the trip and then be totally open while there. I made it! I’m brain-dead and exhausted but I managed to squeeze a 3-month graduate level behavior analysis class into 1 month!!!! This past weekend, I finished my remaining activities, the final and post-final assignments. I have one project pending, but I am waiting on feedback from the department before I can resume. Then…..I’m home free and spiritually and physically Africa bound! Congratulatory cocktail anyone? 

[info on this endeavor to become a Behavior Analyst can be found here]

Recycling:

First of all, thank you for your continued support of the recycling endeavors for “Shorty.” Shorty now has $1887.29! Most of this is from recycling, and some is from gifts. Going to the recycling center almost weekly has been eye-opening in a lot of ways and I’ve experienced quite a few of perspective shifts while there.

I never imagined myself to be so excited over this surprise when I arrived at my women's group last week:

I laugh about being a “trash collector,” but it’s so much more than someone’s empty water bottles. It’s redemption in so many ways. It’s a token of belief, hope, kindness, and love. It’s an eardrum-bursting loud message screaming “I believe in you and I support you.” Thank you, Chris!!!

To my "recycling associates," each time you say that you have a "bag," I hear "I support you!"

Want to get on board with recycling and/or donating? It's so easy!

• Collect CA CRV bottles (water bottles), aluminum soda/beer cans, beer and wine bottles, other glasswares (spaghetti sauce and salsa jars, etc) and other non-CRV plastic bottles (juice, shampoo, conditioner, soap) - It's really not that profitable to recycle for one person/family but when you combine it, it adds up! Plus, it makes the world better. Win-win!
• Live too far away? Recycle and send the money for the Shorty account. You can still be part!
• Collect coins - I have a container for all my loose change. When it fills, I cash it in for the amount to deposit into Shorty! A friend donated her loose change to me, and I took it in with mine.

I so appreciate the recycling/adoption community that has been appointed for me. I say “appointed” because I feel like divinely chosen people, the “right” people, have been placed in my path for a variety of reasons and to help in a variety of ways. You'll never even know how much of an encouragement you've been.

South Africa:

I cannot believe that departure for South Africa is in 37 days! Luckily, I’ve been busy finishing class so I haven’t had the opportunity to just sit and squeal with excitement. But now I can!

For the first time since I first visited S.A. in 2007, I’m behind in fundraising. For the first time though, I’m not worried. Weird, right? I think it’s all my “in-Africa” lessons about time and plans—often they go right out the window no matter how much you stress or prepare! It all just works out.

I would like to shower them with financial blessings since there aren’t specific items to bring this year. If you would like to be part of this, please email me or let me know. Checks can be made out to me or you can donate HERE. Donations are going to a school for autism, the organization with whom I collaborate and serve, and a home for children infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. Links for researching the specific agencies can be found in this post. I know them all personally, and I'm continually overwhelmed by their hearts and generosity to make a difference in their community. They NEED this.  

A quick reminder: How can you help?

• Financial donation of your choice
• Pray for us – I can send you specifics
• Donate a PECS book (if you have one of these or know someone who does)
• Come to our wine tasting FUNraiser on October 21—invite your rich friends who love Africa

A few of the faces I can. not. wait. to see!

2012’s theme has truly been REDEMPTION in a lot of ways and has set the foundation for what I believe to be seen into fruition next year. I’m getting this word in mind for the theme of next year: STORYTELLING. Glimpses of it are already arising around me, and I think the two will be interwoven. More on that later on in the year….

Ever so grateful for YOU,

Danielle