Category Archives: africa
(this is THE PAM of the THE pam's cheesecake…) FIRST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i need to giveaway my piano.
it's great and i hate to get rid of it but it's just taking up space at the craft house and there is no room at the farm house. my children have all said they don't want to play piano anymore. Since i don't see any future prodigies amoung them in piano…i am ready to let it go. it's in "antique" shape. it's been well loved. but there is nothing wrong with it. let me know if you want it. i wrote a post about it earlier this year. (makes me sad now) it's taken now.
SECOND – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – - my friend Lisa Leonard announced something pretty darn awesome today. join me in praying for their family in this new COOL journey they are starting. a tv show??? it's pretty amazing.
THIRD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
i love The Adventure Project. they offer ways for me to help out….sitting in a little kansas town all the way on the other side of the world!! TODAY IS AN IMPORTANT DAY and we need your help.
ok…. TODAY ONLY…. all our donations will be matched up to $5,000. i set my goal to provide 3 pumps today….$1200. please tell me we can exceed that. imagine if you had to water you own garden….let alone your crop to feed your family and make all your income….with no hose?! AND THEN someone offered you an irrigation pump at a price you could afford because someone very far away cared about you. BE THAT SOMEONE TODAY. i know how many of you come here everyday. prove it.
Ho, tiu komikso estas bona amuzo, nu, oh So excited about the Lisa Leonard show! I’ve worn my Lisa necklace for almost six years now, proudly displaying the names of my two precious sons. 🙂 Wow, The piano, REALLY think about it before you give it up. Personally, I would hang onto it even tho they are having some kid moments of not wanting to play anymore. Just yesterday I was thinking about how much I would love a piano. Sadly, I live in California. I grew up in church with Lisa! (I was more friends with her two younger sisters who are also twins!) Such a cool idea! Am sharing it on Facebook now! Megan would you please tell me the name of the book that your kids use play piano? My daughter wants to start playing piano and since we cant afford to pay for her classes I’m looking for a book that will help her start learning. Megan, I might want your piano. Let me talk to Ryan…do you have measurements on it? Thanks. You have NO idea how badly I want to hop in my mini and venture to your house to meet you in person and hang out…ahem, I mean get your piano. 😉 i want to work for lisa!!! her story is amazing and so inspiring! i love her crazy curly hair, her ideas, and her work! thanks for sharing~!!!! What a worthy project! I’ve given to many of your ministry plugs in the past, and I’d love to give today, but I cannot. Right now we are setting aside our extra cash because in December my husband is leading a group from our church to Honduras to dig a well for Living Water International. So today I just pop in to say that water is SO IMPORTANT and I will totally support this in prayer – if you can give, ladies – GIVE! Jesus is the key to eternal life…but water is the key to a healthy life here on earth! WOW! What a day of exciting things! God is always moving but I love the days where He really shows himself in awesome, big ways!! Love it!
one of my favorite companies out there is 31Bits.
————————————————————————————————————————————-
they launched their fall/winter line yesterday.
i am a bracelet kind of girl…i almost always wear three or four at a time.
and guess what my dear sweet blog readers…. you can enter the code MEG20 and get 20% your order!!! woo-hoo!!! now click on over to 31Bits for some shopping and be sure to click through and read their blog too! (it's not too early to shop for christmas… for reals)
Just shared this on Facebook and off to do a little shopping! Thanks Meg! Thank you for the code! It saved me shipping plus more! I love 31 Bits! Have ordered many of their designs. I Love Them! I really admire those people that doing their best not only for self but also for helping other people specially when it comes to economic needs. We are aware that although there are abundant countries but still there are less fortunate people. These people needs our support. And giving them a source of income is a good idea. I just did a WHOLE LOTTA shopping!! Thanks lady 🙂 All the girls in our families will be rocking some gorgeous bracelets this Christmas and I love that there is a wonderful story behind each piece 🙂 Wow – how cool is this??!?! I am going to have to check them out as I think these would make some great birthday gifts for my friends! Awesome, I am going to have to check this out. I work with a small non profit. We help in Uganda in a small village north of Kampala. Our core belief is sustainability. We try to put programs in place for hunger, medical, education, and clean water that will hopefully thrive on their own and our role will lessen till they don’t need us at all anymore. Please check us out http://www.project-restore.org Me, too! Just placed an order for a friend for her birthday! Thanks for the code!!!!!!! Thank you I just placed an order, very nice jewelry. Just made my first purchases! Thanks! I’ve been thinking about giving all the women something from here for XMAS this year – one stop shopping! Reading about companies like this brings tears to my eyes. Reminds me to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with my God. LOVE 31 Bits! I gave my Mom the necklace I bought when I was down for Craft Weekend and it is her favourite! I was thinking of picking up a few more to give out as Christmas gifts, I think this blog post (and coupon code!) is a sign that I should! Thank you! : ) i love all of it! do you know how long your code is good for? i want to order some things but can’t do it today. YAY! So excited… I was just going to order something yesterday and thought I better wait! So thankful for this code!! this email came today from 1Billion Thirsty….the group i went to africa with (partnered with water4christmas)
and prayed for them. i had to pass this on to you…..
Posting on FB too. Oh I’m so sorry! That must be so hard not being able to know how everyone you met is doing! Praying. Thanks for sharing and giving us the chance to give. I felt led. Prayers for Africa and Sierra Leone. I am praying for those sweet little lives. -Tracy Read this as I sat drinking my Sonic sweet tea. Decided to donate and challenge my FB friends to donate what they spent on coffee/happy hour today. Thanks for continually bringing things like this to our attention! Thanks for linking this. Africa has been on my mind. I want to do more. Done! You’re pretty much one of my favorite people. I adore your heart. So Sad. $20 in. xoxo today i would love to tell you about Mercy Project.
Heather Hendrick of the Mercy Project wrote these words about the group and their mission: There’s an estimated 7,000 children who work in the Ghana fishing industry. Some of Who are the most vulnerable? Children.
Today as we’re celebrating the systems in our own country that strive to prevent injustices like child trafficking and child labor, we’re mindful of the many child slaves around the world who are unprotected and the organizations, like Mercy Project, who are working to free them.
As a mother, it’s difficult for me to imagine my children working 14 hours a day, 7 days a week.
I’m unable to wrap my brain around the thought of my children engaged in long, hard days of physical labor, eating one meal a day, and then falling asleep at night on a dirt floor filled with other slave children. Yet this is the daily reality for kids who have been trafficked into the fishing industry in Ghana, Africa.
As with much of Africa, there is a great deal of poverty in Ghana.
Unfortunately, this leaves many mothers in an unimaginable position: sell their children to someone who can take better care of them or watch them starve to death.
Most of the mothers are told their children will be given food, housing, and an education.
Instead, the kids are often taken to Lake Volta where they become child slaves and their mothers never see them again. Thankfully, Mercy Project is working to break the cycles of trafficking around Lake Volta by providing alternate, more efficient, sustainable, fishing methods for villagers – ultimately eliminating the need for child slaves.
Because of the work Mercy Project is doing in Ghana, the first group of children will be freed this month from Lake Volta.
*******please watch this documentary about the issues in Ghana and the HOPE Mercy Project is bringing! *******
Mercy Project is the only NGO working on Lake Volta addressing the injustice of child labor and child trafficking at its root – by strengthening the Ghanaian economy and eliminating the structures that cause the demand for trafficked children. Whether these ideas of child labor, child trafficking, and modern-day slavery are new to you or you’re aware of these injustices, but need to hear some good news every once in awhile, we invite you to become a part of what Mercy Project is doing in Ghana.
When Mercy Project frees their first group of children this month, we can all celebrate together.
……………………………………………….. thank you Heather…. i don't know about you, but when i hear about another kind of injustice i get to where i think about those children constantly. what would you do if this was happening HERE to our children? let's support Mercy Project today. $5.00 can buy you a fancy coffee or make a difference to a child in Ghana. i can't wait to see what can be done through these awesome willing servants! Mercy Project Facebook and Twitter can you keep you up to date on what's going on daily.
“When the lives and the rights of children are at stake,
thanks for joining me.
The Mercy Project sounds like a great organization. I have been reviewing human trafficking statistics and it is truly sickening to see how prevalent it has gotten around the world. I am even more discouraged with the fact that it has reached it’s way into the United States. It is so infuriating that people engage in this practice to make a living. My hope is that, if enough people find out about child trafficking it will slowly be brought to an end. this is good stuff. thank you so much for sharing. i so needed to get out of my own head and own space today. thank you. It’s a noble cause no doubt and it’s heartbreaking to think of these families broken up in such a horrendous way but it would be wrong to think that child slavery only happens in poor countries like Ghana. Check out Human RIghts Watch new campaign against the abuse of child labor (especially migrant child labor) in the US (hope this link works but if not just google migrant child labor US) http://www.hrw.org/news/2010/05/05/us-child-farmworkers-dangerous-lives i found out about mercy project last december when i ran a local half marathon that benefitted them. i’ve been following them closely on Facebook ever since and was so excited to post about the work they are doing today! this is great- thanks for sharing! 🙂 I love the day to day stuff you share and what you shared today. God is using you. Through the computer I can see your hearts desire to glorify Him. Some people may not hear about human trafficking and child slavery except from your blog. And others like me who are striving to make a difference needs to be reminded on days like today. Thank you! no silent witnesses… the winner of the Alexander Creative Family Rules poster is….. Love this! Thanks for the opportunity!! Posted by: sharon y. | April 20, 2012 at 02:17 PM send me your info sharon y. and i will hook you up with Ryan Alexander! now if you didn't win….go get your own!! so i said yesterday i was missing pam and dreaming about going back to africa. i know that He does not want my time and thoughts and money to be spent on clothes and nothingness.
then i got these books….and i'm done for. and i am scared to read seven. pam and i email each other quite a bit. her son wrote a book and it's on kindle!
way to go jake.
and now….on a completely DIFFERENT subject i am going to take the year off from taking family photos.
🙂 thank jess and joel for being my only clients this year. ha! i have a lot of you ask about my lens and camera.
tom petty was really good. and i liked being there with mr. duerksen.
1. Never allow a love (photography) to become a burden. It sucks the joy out of it, and there are so few things in life (other than family) that bring true joy. Take the time off and enjoy life. Photographing beautiful families will be there next season 🙂 You were right that reading Katie’s blog will wreck you. I just read two posts and watched the About Katie video. I might just have to sit on my couch and cry for a few minutes. I have never seen such radiance and joy on such a beautiful face. What an extraordinary young woman, so obedient to the Lord. My heart is quickened and cut with conviction. i had to read Seven twice because it hit me right where God has been talking to me for the past few years. and i love the way she writes, its like she’s just talking to you. So exciting to hear what God is doing in your heart, Megan…even if you are not quite sure what to make of it yet. Keep sharing. And THANK YOU for taking our pictures. You are the best. I love the one you posted and can’t wait to see the rest. we just talked about being idolators in church. shopping, tv, gadgets, anything that takes our focus away from God is an idol!!!!! agreeing with what you said, its not that shopping, or having tv time is wrong, but if the need, addiction, desire to do or buy those things blurs your dedication to the lord, then that is putting those objects or activities above God, which is idolizing! he just laid it out there and it just really clicks! convicting post especially after i just spent a boatload of $$ at ikea this weekend. i struggle with the “how much is ok” and the “how often is ok” questions…it’s hard because i know me and i’m a person that loves to fluff her nest. that requires shopping…so ya. i’m afraid of both of those books. my friend is reading 7 and its got her all convicted…eek! wise decision with the photo break. you are smart to do that. happy monday, ms. meg 🙂 i took the year off from doing photos, too. granted i only have two and a less hectic schedule, but with my husband deploying…well, you really don’t have to give an explanation after saying that, right? 🙂 i like having less to plan around, too. leaves more room for random trips out of town and such. I am 69 and live a very blessed full life. I have everything I could desire but I don’t desire worldly goods any more. I wear what I have, I don’t follow trends, I give freely and I feel good! You are good and you will do what is right for you. I don’t think God wants us to deprive ourselves when we have worked hard to achieve money and success. It is a constant thought provoking issue. I am having a conflict now, it seems the more Christian people I know are always unhappy, frustrated and in a state on confusion. Can’t we all be more serene? But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 this is an awesome post–starting with kisses from katie (which i haven’t been able to finish yet because i sob like a newborn baby and can’t get through some parts) and ending with that pic of jess and her adorable fam. We saw Tom Petty, too! Such a fun concert…and Wildflowers is my favorite as well! If I had known you were going to be there, I would have looked for you – HA! LOVE Katie’s book. She’s from Brentwood, where I live. Pretty amazing what God has done through her!! Oh yes I have read both of those book and Seven will also wreck you and kick your tail at the same time!! 🙂 I tear up just thinking about Kisses From Katie. I actually got it from the library earlier this year and mentioned it to a friend and she said, “Rats! I was thinking of giving that to you for your birthday.” My response…PLEASE! I can think of nothing I’d like more than my own copy so I can highlight it and write it it, respond to it, take notes in it! I was afraid that when I read it I’d feel so inadequate! How can I compare to giving up everything and moving to Africa? But it completely inspired me…to love like that…right here, right now, even in my own family. Selflessly. As for 7, I’m on the last chapter right now. Can hardly put it down. Another book I want to go through again. More slowly. Truly digest. Change. Reading 7 right now. Wrecking me. Awesome. FYI. Seven is going to rock your world. Be prepared. It’s good, all good, but be ready. 🙂 Go for a long walk on your quiet road. Oh my gosh. I bought Kisses for Katie last night in my Kindel. A.MAZ.ING. So inspirational. She is amazing. Thank you for the recommendation. I’m off to tell everyone I know about it. I have both of those books on my bookshelf. I found Katie’s blog awhile back… it wrings your heart out. I follow another blog about making knitting and crocheted squares called Knit A Square and I remember once reading about a little orphaned girl and her wish was just to have someone tuck her in bed at night… I think about almost every night when I tuck my kids in bed. I breaks my heart to think that probably millions of kids go to bed every night with just that one wish… so I’m crocheting squares and wondering what God is calling me to also… but you know, God’s timing is perfect and you will know at exactly the right time (just like me, I’m hoping 😉 what exactly that calling is about… for me, I know that it’s just not quite here yet… Just keep putting one foot in front of the other, Meg. You don’t have a messy heart, I read your blog and I see a very pure heart God-filled woman… I would say you’re just experiencing a calling… Ditto what Laura Phelps said. The Africa print is gorgeous! And good for you for making a decision for you and your family, even if it meant temporarily giving up something you love. I am sure when you go back to it next year you will be even more passionate about it! Got to see Kate at BrookHills in Birmingham earlier this past year when we went to see Mindy. David Platt, the pastor did an interview kind of thing with her. And as she spoke, she would at times look lovingly down in the audience at a couple of her kids that she brought with her and she would wave her fingers at them. You could just see the love she had for them. So cute! And darn, Meg. Jill and I were talking about when the family would all be together for a family shoot. But I totally understand!! Life can be too hectic and we have to decide what is important. Another year, maybe when the little munchkin will be a little older. I LOVE the photo shot of the girls and it hangs in my livingroom. LOVE, LOVE!! I can’t believe we will have 4 granddaughters and 1 grandson. I’m not that old am I??? First – thank you! Thank you for keeping it real. You find a way in every post to make a connection and I so appreciate it! I read your post and want to DO something – read my Bible, take more pictures, call the people I love, hug my kids and husband or just sit on the porch and enjoy God’s creation. Thank you for inspiring and loving and living out loud! I would love to see Tom Petty! once again…. i. love. your. blog. me too… to all of that. the last thing you said about pics… even me too. i have an 8, 6 year old and 15 month old. thinking of starting this photo season makes me uneasy. i’m questioning several things and want to know what God is wanting for my life. thanks for reminding me to keep searching. xoxo I LOVE that picture of the Macs…sooo adorable…that family just warms my heart to no end. I’m glad you made the decisions you have, your family will appreciate it I’m sure. You actually inspire me to want a simpler life…some days I hate working and hate having such a busy life…never know what the future holds but someday I hope to have that simpler life. Your heart is joyful, cause it bleeds colors onto this blog…we all get that and I know I feel blessed to read what you have to share. Keep smiling and sharing those bright colors! Oh my. Kisses from Katie rocked my world. My comfortable, safe, suburban world. Months later and I still hear her “voice” in my head. I haven’t read Seven and I am a little afraid to, honestly. Katie is amazing! How many high school girls would go down that path? I think about her, and I feel lazy and not-finding-my-purpose. I felt the same way, to some extent, after reading the fiction book, The Poisonwood Bible. One of the main characters has that same dissonance when she comes from living in Africa for years back to the U.S. I love your honest sharing, Meg. I wish I didn’t live so far from you (VA….Kansas). Oh Meg, I know the messy heart feeling. I have had it for several weeks now. It is so disconcerting and frustrating. You are not alone, sister! I have heard of Katie’s book, but I haven’t read it yet. It is now on my list, along with Heaven is Here. Have a great weekend! I never comment but the firt part of your blog is the best thing you have written!!! I think about this OFTEN also! How easy for American Christians to go off to Africa for a short time and come back to their pretty life. I share those feelings so often!! Oh Meg!! I read Kisses From Katie a few months ago and I don’t think I ever cried so much!! I follow her blog also and wow she is sooooo awesome!! I too have a constant battle of the wants of this world and what God wants of me! Yup..messy heart girl right here!! I want and need to read 7!! Meg, don’t be scared of 7, you will LOVE it. I’ve known Jen for as long as I can remember and she sounds in the book just like she does in real life. It is a safe place…she shares her successes and her failures during each month – which makes her REAL. She shares in such a way that it will make you think and want to take the challenge right along with her, but without the fear of “what if I mess up and don’t do it right” – if you are taking the chance to change your way of thinking like she has done, it will take you amazing places…and you’ll laugh and cry (sometimes at the same time) along the way. Definitely an awesome read. I would also recommend her Interrupted and Ms. Understood. Actually, I’d recommend all of her books, but those are my faves. 🙂 And I LOVE Kisses from Katie…have been following her blog for a few years. I love that girl. reading katie with the kids right now. I’ve followed Katie’s blog for a long time and read her book in January. It’s fantastic. A lot of her blog posts are in the book but it’s neat how they put it together. Definitely makes you think! I haven’t heard of Seven – let us know! I am so glad for you, seeing from a distant that God is moving and working and guiding you. I love that you are saying no to one thing for a season and allowing God to doing something different for a season. God is good. I so get what you mean by a messy heart…I’m right there with you. I’ve been struggling with it for a little while now. God is slowly allowing me to clean up the mess…but I really wish I was back ‘home’ where I could worship with my girlfriends who ‘get’ me. I miss not having someone I trust to talk to. Both books… Incredible, prepare to be challenged! 7. Is soooo good! such a touching post! it’s awesome that you and pam stay in touch and that is so cool for her son! I too am considering taking a year off from taking pictures. It is just too much and I often feel like my family gets put on the back burner. In our little town there is a photographer who has been in business for 30+ years. His wife recently passed away from cancer. I often look to him for advice and he said that he and his wife regret not being present for a lot of things while there kids were little. I don’t want any regrets. Kudos to you for making that decision. I’m sure it’s a huge weight off you shoulders. speaking of spending money on things we don’t need. i had told my 6 year old she could take her money and spend it on something she would like at Target. she has a real hard time saving. she just said, “no thanks mom… i shouldn’t be worried about stuff on the world. i should be worried about Heaven. besides i already have jesus!” wow… i have been thinking about that statement for the whole week! i asked for her book for christmas… and read it quickly. our seven year old has *always* (you know for like, three years) wanted to be a pediatrician like her aunt brittney. after missions week at school in the fall she came home wanting to be a missionary ~ then she clarified that she would be a doctor who would spend her vacations traveling to other countries to help those in need. as i was reading the book i could so relate to the parents in giving their daughter the freedom to do something so extra-ordinary. I’ve heard so many things about Kisses From Katie. Life changing things. I’m almost finished with 7, it’s good. Like really good. And I think you will love her candid, wittyness. 🙂 You have me weeping with just a click & looksee of Katie’s blog. Seriously? My day wasn’t supposed to go there… but God has a special way of jilting people like you, who in turn jilt people like me into another world of amazing grace… amazing. Grace. Oh Meg. Consider me wrecked. I clicked over to Katie’s blog and instantly teared up at her blog header. I am in trouble. Thank you for sharing. 🙂 Kisses from Katie was the first book I downloaded when I got my Kindle for Christmas. I sat in the debris that is post Christmas and cried at all we had and all that we took for granted. I really started thinking about what we NEEDED and what we just wanted. I think maybe I need to reread it I’ve been on a declutter and simplify rampage lately and I think I need to focus that energy. I booked marked Kate’s blog. I look forward to following her ministry. I have to say, I smiled a little when you said you were too busy to do family portraits. I am CONSTANTLY amazed at how much you do. When do you sleep? This is my CONSTANT pull I found Katie’s blog last week. After reading it and learning her story, I just felt that so much of my life and problems are petty compared to what some people suffer on this earth. Her story is amazing and inspiring. She is my spiritual role-model! What a servant of the Lord! I, too, deeeeeeeply want to go to Africa. It has been in my heart for several years now. I read 7. It’s awesome. And instead of doing everything for a month at a time, I did a version of it doing a week at a time. AND my good friend is visiting Katie from Kisses from Katie RIGHT NOW in Africa. Crazy timing! God is stirring in you! Exciting! Thanks for sharing your journey with us! We can learn so much from each other. It is so good to see into other’s thoughts sometimes. I think it helps us process ours. I have both of those books on my reading list. I’m scared to read both I will admit. I am taking my son to the book store tonight for his b-day. I think I’ll take a look at this book. I’m super bummed that I won’t get to see your cute pictures this year but being a photographer myself I completely understand how increadibly time consuming it is. I constantly feel like my passion and my priorities are playing tug of war. Laundry or editing? Uno with the kids or editing? Calling in sick to work to finish editing…Ugh. For awhile now I have really strived to live a simple life. I am going to add this book to my reading list. I looked at this book today at our church bookstore. I want to read it to my kids this summer. My 12 yr old daughter, who usually rolls her eyes at most of my ideas, said she thought that book would be reaaallly good. Don’t know how my 9 yr old boy will feel. Sometimes i just have to be the mom because they need it! I am praying this book will bring the reality that i know into my children’s hearts. We live in a society that has fed us all the lie that more is always better. Thanks for choosing not to believe the lie. I choose with you. Even when it is painful or seemingly weird. We are living right side up in an upside down world! MY thoughts when reading this…1) I get the debate between having nice things or using $ to help others, but someone like Katie always convinces me to give. 2) YOU don’t need stuff to be cute 🙂 3)God gives us more blessings than we can buy 4) It is so exciting for me to read about what is stirring in your heart and I am looking forward to see what he does. Hugs to you. You are precious. And I think your heart isn’t messy. In fact, it is quite beautiful to me. Meg, my daughter is reading Kisses for Katie. She’s a HS Sophomore. She texted me from school, crying. She was definitely convicted! We found her blog and after one read of her beautiful thoughts, it’s changed my ways of working, thinking, BEING. ************************************************************************** i love 31 Bits jewelry.
all these beautiful faces make me love this cause and company even more. i love all of it. the ladies at 31BITS sent me this necklace to give away to one of you!!! it's called the Waverly and it's BRAND NEW from their spring line. Go to their website and read about their company. Go to their shop any time in the next 30 days and use the code MEG20 and you will get 20% your purchase! i am going to do a little shopping for sure! there is so much i would like to have in their store. to enter to win this necklace today….leave a comment with your favorite piece from their shop. mine would be: 87 cuff and Meadowsweet and Aurora and Sprout. what's yours? ************************************************************************** Love the Sprout but it’s so hard to choose! They are all such beautiful pieces! Wonderful cause! Love the Meadowsweet necklace! Love the 87 cuff and the waverly- but love them all! LOVING the Timber colors. What a cool company! Love the Mayfair necklace…and the Prim Rose bracelet…but more than that, love what these necklaces represent. The Cypress bracelet is my favorite!! Love all the pieces. Picked up Sprout and Cypress. Thank you for spoiling us with a coupon code! 🙂 I love the Meadowlark necklace. It is all so beautiful though. ohhhh, it’s so hard to choose! i love orchid loop (necklace) and pixie row (bridal)! 87 cuff for sure. What a wonderful site! Thanks for telling us about it. I understand your heart for Africa. I have a heart for Haiti(http://madebymolliesmom.blogspot.com/2012/01/not-crafty-post-im-afraid.html) I LOVEEEEE Orchid Loop!!!! Gorgeous necklace!! What a great site! I love so many! I would pick the Cypress, Meadowsweet, or 87 cuff. 87 cuff I love the cypress and the heart behind this ministry. 🙂 oh whisper zest is so pretty 🙂 So hard to choose! I think gypsy or 31 Cuff. I don’t know… too hard! Beautiful jewelry. Reminds me of the Beads for Life party my friend and I hosted last year. These women are so beautiful and talented. Can’t wait to check out 31Bits. Oooh! Waverly, Humming Burst, and Timber! What a fantastic mission! Love love love this company and their mission!! I have always thought of their jewelry as a little funky…there is some really classy stuff on that site!! I love the 87 cuff also- so great! I love the bella necklace! I have a friend who is a missionary in Gulu! It’s amazing how God is working through so many different people. I love the Laurel Locke! Love Gypsy! I thought it was a ring at first, which would have been awesome! The Daphne bracelets are great! I need one in all colors. I big puffy heart LOVE this cause! Their jewelry is so fantastic! I would be proud to wear any of it! I love the bright and cheery Waverly as well as the beautiful Glory Fringe. Thanks, Meg! 🙂 Love the Mayfair! hmmm – rockhopper or crushed jewel – but it’s hard to pick! gorgeous stuff! Cypress and the 87 Cuff!!! LOVE them!!1 I love the caramel dust necklace! It’s so beautiful!! What a cool way to help and wear beautiful jewelry!!!! My favorite is the meadsweet in aqua!!! Aqua is my new favorite :}}}} I bought two purses from a market in Charleston, S.C. that were made in Africa. They are beautiful too!!!! I love the giveaway necklace in mustard. It is georgous too!!! I like Acorn layers and orchid loops! MEADOWSWEET for sure! Everything is LOVELY! OOOH! Love ripple, 87 cuff and a few more! All gorgeous! I really like the simple and classic look of the Meadowsweet. My sister’s birthday is in 2 weeks. I think she would love the teal color. Are you kidding??? I love them all…thank you so much for introducing me to this cause and this site…I can see many purchases for myself and for gifts in the future! I want one of everything. What great gifts these will make. LOVE the 87 cuff, but my fave is the yellow necklace(seriously) that is the giveaway. It’s not on their site yet. Thanks for the giveaway-what an awesome company! Oh my goodness, what a great company! I love all their bracelets! especially sprout. and thicket and 87, oh my is that the most perfect summer bracelet or what? Thanks for hosting this giveaway and showing off this awesome company! xoxo Hard to choose — I like the Cypress bracelst the best (I think!) Mayfair…so pretty! I love the waverly. Seriously the muslin (I’m guessing?) part is so clever and cute! I love the Riverbed necklace. Everything is beautiful. I love the meadowsweet necklace! Such great choices though! Thanks for the chance to win! I must agree, the very best would be to meet these talented women face to face! But many thanks for the giveaway…I love the Waverly, Orchard Bunch, Daphne’s, and Meadowsweet. 🙂 i love the bella necklace! (which is also my daughter’s name 😉 everyone at my church has a 31 bits necklace and i’ve been totally wanting one too. I love the Feather Blu bracelet. Gorgeous items! Gorgeous! I love the one that you’re giving away most! I’m going to Uganda this summer! So excited! love this company!!! how awesome. my favs are the gypsy and the 87 cuff. beautiful…all of it! I like Thicket and Gwazy Twist. Both are bracelets. I also like the 87 cuff too! I love the Rockhopper…so lovely! =0) Hard to choose because they are all so beautiful and different. I love the Mayfair and the Meadowsweet! Wind-spark Bridal – white for me and the forget-me-not bracelet for a friend and my daughter My sister bought me one of their necklaces a couple years ago for Christmas. I LOVE it. So colorful! I think my favorite is Orchard Bunch (necklace), but I’m totally in love with the one you’re giving away. Who wouldn’t love gray and mustard yellow. Thanks for the opportunity! i LOVE the 87 Cuff. Great colors. The Waverly is amazing – I would choose the blue! Meadowsweet or Sprout. But honestly, they are so gorgeous. All of them! LOVE the Sprout and Gwazy Bloom bracelets! What a great cause to support! wow! just. wow! can the world be any more amazing?! if i win your giveaway, i’ll get the teal “meadowsweet” This is a bit random but I was curious where you found your gray polka dot material that you used for the back drop of the necklaces. I’m looking for something just like that to make for my baby’s bedding. I appreciate your effort to let me know. Thanks! I’ve seen paper beads before but these are really pretty and more vibrant. Thanks for sharing! i love the one you’re giving away! what a beautiful business! So many beautiful pieces, I really like the Hazel Belle bracelet. i love the watson braid bracelet…what a great organization…thanks so much for sharing! i just might have to buy some gifts here! Like you, one of my favorites is the 87 Cuff! 🙂 Aurora, Orchard Bunch, 87 cuff…to start 🙂 I love the Crushed Jewel bracelet. Although, truthfully, I love everything in the shop! I love The Waverly! But Whisper Zest would be my second favorite. What a fabulous company! Gypsy! These designs are beautiful! I think I love meadowsweet best…. but they are all gorgeous. what a great idea. Wow! those are all so pretty! I am going to use your code to buy the Orchard Bunch for my dad’s girlfriend. Personally, my favorite is the Willow Knot! I love the Gwazy Bloom bracelet! I would love the light pink sprout bracelet! 😀 I love all their stuff. So pretty! what an awesome business for these women!! so inspiring. I love the 87 Cuff! I am glad you introduced me to this fabulous company! The yellow waverly, the meadowsweet in all three colors or the gwazy bloom bracelet, I loved the color combo on that one! What a great shop, thank you so much for sharing it, I will be purchasing from there for sure! I really like it all, but the orchid loop may be my favorite! Hi Meg…this is Yvonne, I found your blog from “stumble upon” and I love your blog too much! I finished reading all your posts, inclusive of archives until the 1st day you started blogging in 2007 ….all finished in 3 days. always so lovely coming here…all you hear and read in the news is BAD…NEGATIVE…what is wrong with the world… I love the layered look of the Aurora! So pretty and I could get the look without actually getting my necklaces tangled! so hard to choose but i love the feather blu bracelet. LOVING the aurora!! oh wow. ok. LOVE the glory fringe necklace and love. LOVE. gypsy bracelet…thanks for the opportunity to win and opening my eyes to this beautiful shoppe. They’re all beautiful, but I especially love the Aurora! Love 31Bits. I have a couple of their pieces already & I wear them all the time. I really like the riverbed this time around! I love it all, but I particularly love the Sprout. It’s something I would wear all the time. 87 Cuff…Love, Love, Love. Thanks for sharing Meg, I love this and I’m going to share it with all my jewelry loving friends. Butterscotch is my favorite necklace..may these dear African women be blessed…Brrrr, everyone keep warm out there today!! 🙂 Wow! Thanks for intruducing us to this business! Love, love, love everything about it. I love the 87 cuff also, also the Orchard Bunch in all three colors. Gift ideas for so many friends and family! 87 cuff is beautiful and so are all the women of 31 bits! OH my goodness….those ladies’ smiles are radiant and it is obvious how happy people can be without much…..I noticed this when I visited Tanzania to hike Kilimanjaro. The hardest workers were the happiest of all Tanzanians, while the people who were dishonest and wanted to make a dollar without lifting a finger seemed defensive and angry. I do love Africa and wish to explore it more….helping teach, take care of children or volunteering in some way. I spent the last year mailing children’s clothes (that I gathered from the gymnastics school where I work) to children at an orphanage in Moshi that I visited. I love getting pictures emailed to me of the kids wearing the clothes. I show them to the kids at the gym to inspire them to have a giving heart and to know that it IS possible to make a difference. Like these women, who are making a difference in their own lives…..that is the greatest lesson anyone can teach! Sorry for being wordy but I also share in your passion for Africa……oh yeah…I like willow knot bridal…. Love the idea of empowering women! I love the Glory Fringe necklace and the Cuff 87 bracelet. Thanks! They are all absolutely amazing…..the product, the cause, the women. I am loving the necklaces that are in the bridal category. The Aurora necklace is perfect for any outfit…whether over a plain Tshirt or your best Sunday dress. I love this company and have always wanted to find a store that carried their product so I could see it in person. The discount code may seal the deal for me:) Meadowsweet in apple red! Love it! Fantastic company with an awesome purpose. such a beautiful cause! and such beautiful jewelry…loving the orchard loop and the orchard bunch! thanks for sharing meg….pinning now! I really like the Orchid Loop! Definitely hard to choose just one, though! Great giveaway! Beautiful jewelry and beautiful cause. I love the willow knot necklace and the gwazy blue bracelets. meadowsweet – yellow! Love the Blossom Bridal in grey and Sprout!!!!! Another great giveaway for a great cause. You are just awesome!!! That is funny, I swear I did not even look at your choices until I had made mine but I definitely love Aurora and 87 Cuff Love the 87 cuff bracelet too. I’m so happy you updated your “happy things” side bar. Makes me happy. My daughter’s third grade theme is Africa this year. I’ve emailed her teacher all the links to 31bits and I’ve volunteered to help throw a “house party” at their school in Paris. Love all of the pieces! Thanks for sharing. Oh yay! I love companies who work with women in this manner. One of my favorites is Sseko Designs. Do you know their sandals? I LOOOOVE mine so much! Wow. I can’t believe those beads are paper? I loved the waverly necklace the best, until I saw the 87 cuff. LOVE that bracelet. Might have to save up and get it! Empowering women to live life and kick a** at their profession = awesome. Who knows how many lives have been changed by this! I love the Waverly necklace! Love it! hmmm i’d love to go order one…..went all the way to check out…but shipping to canada is $25. that’s INSANE!!!! I love the Waverly and the Orchid Loop! Wonderful web site and cause. I will share with my friends and family to spread the word. I love the colorful 87 cuff!!!! Meadowsweet is one of my favorites. How do you choose?! There are so many great pieces. I love the Sprout and the Puddle Wrap! Wonderful cause and beautiful pieces! Thank you for the giveaway opportunity! They are all beautiful! Love the Willow Knot, the Gwazy Twist, the Prim Rose. Even their names are beautiful! I sent one of their necklaces to a friend last year for her birthday and she absolutely loves it! She says she gets compliments on it all the time…which in turn gives her the opportunity to share their story 🙂 I like the Heritage long. I love the aurora! I think it would look so pretty with a sun dress in the summer! I love the Willow Knot! all of them are too pretty to choose just one, my favorite bracelet is the laurel locke Love this company. And I love the orchid, mayfair & aurora. Who am I kidding?! I love them all!! They are all so beautiful, but if I had to choose I would say either Whisper Zest (light grey)or Camellia (grey or fuschia). Wow, they are all so beautiful! I LOVE the meadowsweet – love all the colours together, but if I had to pick, I think I reeeealy love the yellow. I agree with another commenter – wish they had some African women modeling the jewelery. those ladies have such happy smiles! I love the Aurora or the Honeyglow…I think. 😉 87 cuff and nectar loom both bracelets. as well as several of the necklaces and other goodies. seriously, everything is gorgeous and would match well with anything in anyone’s closet. great give away. the waverly! It’s awesome! What a great company and the jewelry is amazing! I think I may buy a few birthday presents. Love the idea of giving while gifting 😉 It’s so hard to choose! Everything is beautiful!! I do love the 87 Cuff. I’m into large bracelets and cuffs right now. I love everything about this!! I love the Willow Knot-Bridal. I think I’ll buy it even though I’m already a bride for 12 years! 🙂 waverly! in blue – love that! Loving the Mayfair necklace – gorgeous tones! Amazing company and product. Ripple is my favorite! I love Glory Fringe and Buttercup Necklace!! Beautiful jewelry from amazing and beautiful women!! That necklace is gorgeous! I would love to have it! I love the Mayfair. Beautiful! Love that waverly necklace – those mustard beads and the cotton neckline! love the Glory Fringe necklace & 87 bits bracelet…so beautiful! i like the sprout bracelet! I love the laurel locke bracelet, but so many of them are beautiful! hard to pick a favorite The Waverly piece is uber gorgeous! I have a very similar necklace from The Apparent Project in Haiti. I’m actually waiting for a box of their beads so I can help promote them! I love the 87 cuff… Ooooo … so many happy things! I like the Laurel Locke bracelets. i love the mayfair, meadowsweet and the willow knot – bridal. and by love, i mean, will be purchasing. tough decision which one! i cannot wait to share this site with my friends and family!! Love this company! My favorites are the 87 cuff and the willow knot necklace! I love the Willow Knot- Bridal and Caramel Dust. What a wonderful cause! I love the cuff bracelet. Meadowsweet and blossom bridal. Love that cream bracelet. ~Yes, Meadowsweet is beautiful~ I like too many of them to find just ONE favorite, though! I quite like the Meadowsweet necklace. They are all gorgeous, though. Great cause! What a beautiful line made by beautiful women! I am in love with the jewelry and how simple and attractive the website is. I believe my favorite is The Apple Drape. I am organizing a flash mob for Africa this summer and will definitely keep this company in mind! They are absolutely beautiful! I love the ‘Glory Fringe’, it would go perfectly with anything. This is a perfect place to use in the future for gifts! Hi Meg, What a great organization! Reminds me a little of ten thousand villages. I loved reading some of the women’s stories. My fav necklace (other than the one being given away) is the Rockhopper. The blue totally stood out to me. Thanks for the giveaway and letting us know about such a great organization…I know where my go to gift site will be from now on! Beautiful! I love the 87 cuff. Like them all. Prim Rose bracelet my favorite. What a good cause! Such a good cause! My favorites are the Waverly and Ripple =] I love all of the bracelets. But the 87 Cuff is my absolute favorite. It’s okay that you like the same one. We’ll just have to decide who gets to wear it on what day. So we don’t look like losers, matching and all. i love glory fringe! what beautiful jewelry! I absolutely love the Sprout bracelet! Because of your blog, I have ordered numerous things from them! Most of them I have kept, but I have shared as well. I actually wore some of my bracelets to work yesterday! I love what they are doing! i love gypsy! feather blu = beauty I love all of it, Caramel Dust would my favorite…actually meeting the women in person would be a lifelong dream achieved. So beautiful. Meg, I really like Riverbed. This is awesome! I love Rockhopper, Timber and Camellia. I love the things you share with us! I like the rockhopper. I also love that my purchase will help empower other women! Love that. Thanks for sharing Meg! Amazing story… amazing womem! Thank you for sharing. I really like crushed Jewel and Riverbed Waverly is my favorite. I miss Uganda and those beautiful smiles. Ohh I want one… I came back from animal kingdom in Disney and they had all sorts of necklaces and I opted for an African cookbook. So glad you shared the web address. It was meant to be! I’m not getting married, but I love the Powdered-Tangle necklace! I LOVE acorn layers, meadowsweet and the 87 cuff. HAPPY. LOVE this. What a neat cause and awesome jewelry! My favorites are Willow-knot and Powdered-Tangle. I love 31 bits! My faves are Meadowsweet, Orchid Loop & that 87 cuff! ~caramel dust~ 87 cuff and Pixie Rowe are amazing. And Meadowstreet. They are all beautiful and unique, but I think the glory fringe is my favorite! I think the Sprout bracelet is just beautiful! What a wonderful company and way to bring hope and change to someone’s life! Thank you for sharing! Very pretty and love that it’s helping other people. I’m loving that meadowsweet and waverly-drawn to the yellow! Oh I am so excited about this ministry. We just found out this week we have a court date to adopt our son from Uganda. We will be heaind there at the end of March!! I love the Acorn Layers necklace but they are all beautiful! I love the 87 cuff, so colorful!!! Thanks for sharing, such a great company! Wow, they have really transformed paper bead jewelry and come up with super unique designs! I really like this one you are giving away and the mayfair necklace and watson braid bracelet! Wow.. I am speechless! What an amazing company!! I love all of their jewelry – it is so beautiful. I love the meadowsweet necklace.. All beautiful pieces but I’m loving the 87 cuff! I love the Gypsy cuff! so pretty. Thank you so much for sharing this! I’m going to spread the word for sure! I love the teal and yellow Meadowsweet! Beautiful pieces and a beautiful cause…love 87 cuff. Prim Rose bracelet. 🙂 Love companies with a purpose. I think the Meadowsweet necklace is pretty! The Bella necklace is very pretty:) Thanks for the chance to win! Really beautiful! My favorites are the sprout bracelet and riverbend necklace. Lovely. What choices and how spectacular they all are! I do love the Glory Fringe necklace, Meadow Sweet necklace and the Starboard bracelet…I can think of so many people that I would buy them for too. I would proudly where any piece and spread the word. Thanks for the chance. LOVE the Felicity bangles! Will be taking advantage of the discount to support this amazing organization. I think the Meadowsweet is pretty adorable, but really, ALL of their jewelry is gorgeous! Would love to win the Waverly! There are so many wonderful things on 31 Bits! I love the Camellia-Bridal necklace and the Laurel Locke bracelets! I’d have to go for Sprout. I own two of their pieces currently, totally awesome. People love them, so I like to spread the word. How cool!!! I love to see stuff like this! So great that these ladies can make a difference 🙂 I looooove that necklace…the bracelet…oh.my.word. Loving the Mayfair! Glory Fringe or Humming Burst…lovely!! My favorite is probably the Waverly that you have on the blog, but I also love the Mayfair. The yellow really is pretty and it’s not a color I ever wear. I would sport the 87 cuff every.single.day. of the summer. I think I may have to go shopping. It’s for a good cause, right? LOVE Willow-Knot – Bridal!! Gorgeous! So pretty, I love that they have wedding stuff! My favorite would be pomegranate or 87 cuff. Thanks for sharing, these will make great gift ideas! sprout and glory fringe! amazing.. thanks for sharing! I really love the Aurora. But there are so many to choose from. what a great cause. Meadowsweet I think:) L.O.V.E. 31 Bits! I love the Meadowsweet necklace in teal or the Daphne bracelet in yellow. Wow – love the jewelry! I am adding this to my birthday wish list! 🙂 87 Cuff is my absolute favorite! I love your blog. If I were even one bit crafty I would totally want to be at your craft weekend!! i love everything…and the waverly :o) WOW WOW WOW! What an amazing group of women. What a beautiful collection! Thank you for shedding light on such a wonderful cause. How to choose a favorite? Glory fringe, Mayfair, Willow Know Bridal necklace and the Blossom bracelet are simply stunning pieces. I love your blog. Love these! My favorites are the orchid loop necklace and the 87 cuff. But everything is beautiful! i love the meadowsweet necklace! such great choices though! thanks for the chance to win! Pretty. I heard they made these from old magazines. I think this is worth supporting. 🙂 I love the caramel dust necklace, it is by far my favorite! I like the 87 Cuff. Looks like it would go with anything and is a good conversation starter!!! I LOVE the wedding collection! So perfect. beautiful creative talented women of uganda! mine would be waverly meadowsweet hyde thicket and i love 87 cuff!! It was tough to choose, but I love the Meadowsweet too. Wow, everything is beautiful at 31 Bits! My favorite (other than the Ripple Necklace) is the concept that you can help empower other women out of poverty while they are doing something to nuture their creativity AND everytime you wear one of their beautiful pieces it reminds you to think beyond yourself to these beautiful women in Uganda. How do you choose one? They are beautiful. Thanks for the discount code….I love Willow Knot and it loves me! Love Rosy Posy Bridal! Beautiful pieces and a beautiful story. Orchard bunch, crushed jewel, meadow sweet….who am i kidding I love all of them. I found this shop about a year ago. I love their stuff. The Willow Knot Bridal Necklace – BEAUTIFUL! Besides the Waverly (which I adore), I really like the Rosy Posy necklace and the Felicity Bangles in the bracelets! i love 31 bits and i love the powdered tangle. 🙂 I love the meadowsweet — all 3 colors TOGETHER! Gorgeous! Love this company…wish they had some african women modeling the beautiful wares… These are all so pretty. I like the one you’re giving away 🙂 Is it bad luck to be one of the first to comment? 🙂 I love the MeadowSweet and OrchardBunch necklaces and the 87 cuff as well. This is great for me as I am allergic to metal. Thanks so much. I like a lot of it, but I think glory fringe is my favorite! What a great cause!
|
|
Jenny - So sorry! She is in my prayers.
maureen - Praying for sweet Beth and her family!
Valerie @ Chateau a la mode - Praying for Pam’s sweet Beth.
Vanessa - Praying in the name of sweet Jesus!
colleen from alabama - just saw this. I am praying.
Diane - Praying for sweet Beth and her family. May the Lord cover her with His grace and mercy, bringing healing to her body. Thank you for allowing us to join in prayer with you and your family.
Anna - praying
Amy - Lifting up Pam, Beth, the rest of their precious family, and those caring for Beth. God took their family to Liberia and He has His arms around them now (((hugs)))
Lori Austin - Praying for your sweet friend and her precious girl.
tonya - praying right now!
pve - Meg,
It has been some time that I was here, but for some reason, I was nudged by the spirit to pop in and wow, I see a very bright angel watching over your friend Pam and her daughter. I shall radiate light and love and good energy to you and all those around you. Especially to those who make great cheesecake. That always makes me feel better.
Oh, dear, humor helps me too.
prayers, love, humor, comfort to you.
pve
valerie - praying!!
Kristine - Prayers for healing and comfort…f
Terrie - Thank you Meg for sharing this with us. It’s what it means to be in community with fellow believers. Praying for those we don’t even know is a privilege. Praying for healing and Peace that only God can give! Please keep us posted! Hugs to her friends too…
colleen - ok… so I am a nurse practitioner…. I can pray… but I also want her back in the states….. Boston Children’s is where I would go if it were my child…. thinking so much for her….
Tiffany - Oh no. How scary. I’ll keep her in my thoughts and prayers.
Juli - I will be praying in agreement with you that Beth will be healed. She will pull through and that she will recover completely. I pray for peace that passes understanding for Pam, her husband and all of the other kiddos. I pray for quality healthcare for her. In Jesus’ name. AMEN
Kerri (@KerriMann) - Prayed with hands on the screen!
mandy friend - prayers<3 please keep us updated as you can!
Tracy Fisher - prayers for all. -tracy
Jeana - Praying now
Rachel Spin - Prayers for Beth and her family
Andrea - Done…..
Karen Gerstenberger - Praying.
Jen - Praying for healing for Beth and for peace and strength for her family (and for you!). Do they have a blog? Please keep us posted!
jackie @ marin mama cooks - Oh Meg! I’m sending her some white light, prayers and love!
tiffani - Praying now!
Rachel Reeves - PRAYING!
Meredith - PRAYING! 🙂
Martha - Praying!
CathyC - Praying!!
Barbara - Praying through tears. Please keep us updated.
April R - I’m so sorry. Will pray and hope.
taryn - Praying!
Kelly - Prayed and will be praying!
tiffany gardner - My kids and I will pray right now… and continue!
Alisa - My 13 year old daughter and I just prayed and will continue to pray for her. Keep us posted.
becky - Yep…on it. Prayer changes things.
Lori H - Praying!
Tina Jacobsen - Lifting Beth and her family up in prayer!!
Kate - Praying on my knees. We will lift her up at our prayer service tonight.
Stephanie - Praying here. 🙁
Gerri - All the time. God is good. Praying
Nichole {The Unconventional Doctor's Wife} - Absolutely, Meg! Lifting her up to the Great Physician!
Jennifer - Praying for Beth and Pam and their whole family and ministry.
Sara Torbett - Praying!
Siobhan - Praying for Pam and her beautiful daughter.
Waffle-Wednesday - scary, sad, and YES, praying.
Karen F - Praying for complete healing for Beth and for peace and comfort from the Holy Spirit while they wait . . . keep us posted!