Yes, I know this is not really ‘crafting.’
I am fully aware of my limitations.
But they will be made with love from my heart.
And sold to you for a pretty penny.
Because that’s how much it costs to get to Africa to bring these babies home.
My friend Amy is heading up the Africa Bag Project.
Materials will cost us about $15. We are asking for $50.
You can purchase on my sidebar.
Leave us a delivery address either with paypal or email it to me.
(we will start taking orders now…it will probably be a week or two before we can deliver. You cannot rush art. 
)
I made this one for Tesi. Her heart is over Ethiopia.
You can request any country in Africa if you like.
If nothing is specified. The heart will be in Sierra Leone. And it can remind you to pray for the country we have fallen in love with and the children we brought home and the people still there.
All bags will be the brown stripes. The fabric used for Africa will vary. They’re all cute though, promise.
I feel quite stupid. First, because you all have already been so very supportive. I hate to bring it up again. Secondly, because the fact that I am selling a ‘craft’ is just darn funny.
But I got to get to these kids. Stupid or not.
Thanks much.
*UPDATED: this could get very exciting. A couple people offered to ‘craft’ something and then blog sell it here.
So we may do that. We need to sell 50 Africa bags and then we will feature a couple other crafters and their true cuteness. (good idea, Jen!)
fun times, people. fun times.
April 30, 2008
Our minds have been racing since yesterday’s progress. Again, we will wait, wait, wait, and then panic. There are so many things to do but none can be done until we have final approval. And that won’t come until the last minute.
We began checking and it turns out tickets to Africa are considerably more expensive than we had planned. Especially when we have to buy 4 of them.
So my friends have been scheming some last minute fund raising ideas.
Be watching for it coming soon.
Let me just say… I will be crafting for you. And asking ridiculous amounts of money for my efforts.
Still cautiously optimistic. Several things need to fall in place.
I can almost feel them in my arms….
April 30, 2008
So apparently our agency does not only email first thing in the morning.
I got an email at about 2 today that said they had gotten word from Dakar that they have ‘strong hope’ that the Visas will ready within 2 weeks.
2 weeks and we could have clearance to GO!
But nothing is definite.
Andy and I were both very cautious in our excitement.
This is the first we have heard in months. I was smiling. But I would not allow myself to freak out yet.
So I made a couple calls to some friends who I knew would scream.
They did not disappoint.
And they got excited enough to cover my caution.
It was nice.
Andy says he won’t relax with jubilee until we are on the plane with them in US air space.
This is progress, folks.
Please keep praying for the action that will happening over in SL in the next couple weeks.
I
April 29, 2008
Each week day morning I get a little excited.
It’s possible that on any weekday we could hear something.
I know my agency gets to work at 8:00 Colorado time.
I know she is checking her email first thing for word from the Freetown Embassy.
If by 9:10 (Iowa time, 8:10 Colorado time), I haven’t heard anything– it means I probably won’t hear anything that day.
So by 9:10 each morning, I get a wave of saddness.
Another day with no news.
Our agency worker said I was doing a good job being patient.
How nice..
….and how disillusioned of her.
April 29, 2008
(a friend (thanks, neely) posted this first. I stole it to have record here too).
‘Intentions are wonderful things. They are the starting points, the defining moments of our lives. But in and of themselves, intentions are wholly inadequate.
As a Christ follower, it’s easy to mistake intention for action and stirrings for solutions. I sometimes give myself credit for being a pretty remarkable human being just because I feel angry about injustice, pain over suffering, or empathy in the face of hurt. But even the strength of my intentions is not an accurate indicator of whether or not I will take the time to act, to put faith to work, to be the difference that Christ has empowered me to be. Defining moments are only as good as the lifestyles they translate into.’ (Nancy Ortberg)
April 29, 2008
Quincy, who still refuses to poop in the potty, has however started to change his own diaper.
This was him right after he peeked his head around the corner and said, “Mom. Poopy alert.”
He had taken off his own diaper. Gotten a new one. And was attempting to put it on.
I would say he is smart enough to get his little bottom to the toilet…
April 28, 2008
Quincy wanted me to take a picture of this baseball “trick.”
Very impressive.
April 27, 2008
Very, very few times in our lives have Andy and I been able to pull off simultaneous naps. I like to blame it on the fact that there are 4 of them and getting everyone quiet and to a safe place at the same time so we too can drift off, just hardly ever happens.
I usually I let Andy hit the pillow on Sunday afternoons…since he most often has worked a 25 hour week-end. But somehow today I fell asleep first. (Which basically means when the first child cries or the first fight breaks out or the first food or drink request comes to the door, the one that is not yet asleep is obligated to get up. And usually never returns).
I hit a wall today. Just a weird tired. Hope it is not indicative of an illness coming on….
Either way, I appreciated the sacrifice from my husband.
In other big and earth shattering news, Max lost his first tooth today. He was giddy with excitement.
I hope the tooth fairy (who he knows is his mother) is not too sleepy tonight to remember to recognize the milestone.
April 27, 2008
quincy preparing for battle with his brothers at the soccer field….
while Papa from Colorado was here, Max set up our sun room like this so Papa would not miss his “office” at home which has books in every square inch of it…..
April 26, 2008
