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Mercy Shop {GIVEAWAY}

Mercy Shop {GIVEAWAY}

a giveaway from the Path Less Traveled and Mercy House Lovelies, I have something really special to share with you today – have you heard of Mercy House? If you haven’t, I highly recommend taking a few minutes to browse their website and learn about what they do – such a wonderful ministry to women in need!

They provide a safe haven for mamas {and their babies} in Kenya, as well as education, counseling and life-skills training, all the while in a nurturing and loving environment. So far, “more than a dozen girls have been rescued from the slums of Kenya and shown the love of God, and a dozen babies have been born, healthy and thriving” – isn’t that amazing?!

a giveaway from the Path Less Traveled and Mercy House a giveaway from the Path Less Traveled and Mercy House From their site:

The Issue:

          • Annually, 21,000 women are hospitalized from having an illegal, unsafe abortion in Kenya. (Center for Reproductive Rights)
          • Abortion is a volatile topic in Kenya.
          • 13,000 Kenyan girls are kicked out of school for being pregnant. (Center for Reproductive Rights)
          • 25% of pregnant women in Kenya are HIV positive (ObGyn in Kenya)
          • Every 30 minutes, a woman is raped in Kenya. (Nairobi Women’s Hospital)
          • Mothers often force their daughters into trading sex for food in the slums (CNN)
          • More than 20,000 children are sex trafficked in Kenya (Human Trafficking)
          • 1500 women die in childbirth every day across Africa (WHO)

a giveaway from the Path Less Traveled and Mercy House

“The Vision of Rehema House (supported by Mercy House):

  • Provide a safe place-a guarded home with at least 12 maternity beds
  • Partner with local churches
  • Prenatal Care- checkups, medical assistance for healthy deliveries
  • Proper Nutrition-protein and regular healthy meals
  • Counseling-post abortion/prostitution, rape recovery
  • Ministry-prayer, Biblical teaching, regular devotions
  • Education-help catch girls up in school thru 8th grade, then continue on to high school, or vocational tract
  • Livelihood Skills-cooking, jewelry-making, art, sewing, etc
  • A nurturing environment in-which to give birth and breastfeed babies
  • A safe place to stay and learn and heal until they graduate
  • An account to start small business or go to school (from products they make and sell)

a giveaway from the Path Less Traveled and Mercy House

“The Plan:

    Our residents are invited to stay in the program for a minimum of two to four years, but our desire is to support each mom and baby throughout their lives. Each girl earns money through our Sustainable Skills Program and it will be dispersed over a long-term period to continue their education and even start a business as a part of our Graduate Program. Since our residents are at-risk- abused and even orphaned, we will assist them for as long as needed. We want to be their forever family and will tailor our help to each girl’s situation. Our goal is quality, not quantity and total discipleship.

It is the desire of The Mercy House team to fulfill Micah 6:8 “He has shown you, O man, what is good: And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and love mercy, to walk humbly with your God.”

Their blog about the House has wonderful updates about the ministry, the mamas and babies, and ways that you and I can help. Also, you can follow along with Kristin Welch’s {the founder} blog here.

a giveaway from the Path Less Traveled and Mercy House

So now I have a lovely set of prizes for someone to win – the Large Red Funky Paper Bead Necklace pictured (a $25 value!) and a $20 e-gift card to the Mercy House shop!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

– All prizes are supplied by myself, and the photos and text are used by permission from Mercy House. One winner will be selected to win the giveaway bundle listed above. This giveaway is open to US residents only and ends on Sunday, March 1st at midnight PST. The winner will be emailed on Tuesday, March 3rd, 2014.

fashion{ABLE}

fashion{ABLE}

Have you heard of fashion{ABLE}? No?

Let me introduce you to some of their loveliness:
fashion{ABLE} on the Path Less Traveled fashion{ABLE} on the Path Less Traveled fashion{ABLE} on the Path Less Traveled fashion{ABLE} on the Path Less Traveled fashion{ABLE} on the Path Less Traveled fashion{ABLE} on the Path Less Traveled

 

What is fashionABLE, you ask? Here’s their mission statement: “The fashionABLE mission is to create sustainable business for Africans so they aren’t dependent upon charity, but instead earn the dignity of a job. We offer opportunity to everyone, with a primary focus on empowering women. When we invest in a woman, statistics demonstrate that she will have a life-changing impact on her family and community… and herself.”

A few weeks ago, several bloggers went on a trip to Ethiopia together to experience fashionABLE in action – and in anticipation, of the trip, they gave away a set of the new {and amazing!} leather clutch and a gorgeous gauze scarf. And I won the giveaway!!! {yes, there just might have been some squeals of delight as I opened the emails from Shannan and Trina, letting me know that I had won the amazing package!}

The products are lovely {and extremely well made}, and from what I can tell about the company, it is just as lovely, if not more so. Even though I am completely behind their mission {equipping women with skills and enabling them to leave the sex trade}, I might not have bought the items because of the price – but now I can tell you, they are so worth the money! I’m excited to be able to share about fashionABLE every time someone compliments me on them {and there have already been many complements} and spread the word about a company who is actively  seeking to transform lives. And maybe, the lives that are being changed will find their very souls being renewed and wooed and restored by our Eternal Advocate, Friend and Savior?

 

<3

 

p.s. can you read the notes that the ladies included? they are so precious!

 

amy merrick – pure gorgeousness

amy merrick – pure gorgeousness

Have you heard of Amy Merrick or seen images of her floral arrangements? If you haven’t, I recommend {highly, HIGHLY recommend} hopping over to her site and browsing through her blog. The displays she styles are pure gorgeousness!

See what I mean? And her photography is rather inspiring, too :)

Oh, how I wish I could crawl into these photos, soak in the glory of these petals and surround myself with their perfection every day. Can you tell I’m in love?

Whenever I see one of her posts pop into my inbox, I know my soul is about to be refreshed.

Do you have artists that inspire you, whose work feeds your spirit?

 

XO

 

– all photos are from Amy Merrick’s blog

Mother's Day Roses
a recap of love

a recap of love

Did you have a lovely Mother’s Day yesterday? I know it’s a joy-full day for some of you and a bittersweet day for others, and for some of you a day full of sorrow – whatever your emotion, I hope you were able to enjoy the spring day and soak in the ones you love <3

Mother's Day RosesOur Mother’s Day was full of family – both our imediate little brood {who woke up at 7, crying of course … the dreamed-of breakfast in bed might need to wait a few more years!} and my husband’s family.

As far as gifts go, there are two that are making me smile: last weekend John sent me to Lowe’s to pick out some flowers, and I brought home this lovely light pink Knock Out Rose, and it’s already blooming! I LOVE flowers, especially roses, and seeing this out in the yard from the kitchen window has definitely made me feel loved <3

And then yesterday afternoon I went shopping with two of my sister-in-laws for some summer wardrobe refreshers , and I found the sweetest white sundress {and it was 50% cheaper in the store than online – score!}.

Some of the reviews online say that they think it’s a bit short, but being a bit short myself I found it to be the perfect skim-my-knees length :) Now that I’m almost back to my pre-baby weight {notice I didn’t say “shape?”}, I’m really looking forward to wearing pretty little things again! And maybe John and I can go out somewhere? {Sweetie, that was a hint …}

But the best gift? The kiddos coming up to me throughout the day, throwing their arms around me and declaring “happy birthday, Mommy!” or “happy Valentine’s Day, Mommy!” or “guess what? I love you Mommy!” and then near the end of the day {when they were starting to get the hang of it} “happy Mom’s Day, Mommy!”. {melts me every time!}

Love to you all,

XO

 

 

things to think about

things to think about

Last night my husband handed me the Small Business section of the Wall Street Journal with the comment, “here honey, you should read this – there are some great little stories about making a small business work.” Right now my reading time is a bit limited, what with three small kiddos, a business and the rest of life, but I’m so glad he told me to take the time to read! {by the way, reading is one of the things that rests me – I know that’s not the case for everyone :)} I’m only on the second page so far, but already have found some things to mull over and think about. Here’s a quick snippet that I thought you’d enjoy:

“Perhaps the greatest factor that determines whether or not an entrepreneur will be successful isn’t the business idea itself, but rather the entrepreneur’s willingness to try (and keep trying) to turn the idea into reality. Great ideas are abundant, but it’s what we decide to do with them that counts.”

– Samer Kurdi, Chairman of the global board Entrepreneurs’ Organization

So true! Not just in small business, but all of life. I hope you’re having a lovely Tuesday!

 

<3

 

 

little pieces on the Path Less Traveled
little pieces

little pieces

the photos that I capture on Instagram are just little pieces of our life, and it’s really interesting to see what moments I capture {and which ones I don’t} – of course, it seems as if {since I instagram from our iPad} I only capture the things that stand still. Which of course explains why Emma Grace, Ian and John don’t show up very often, but flowers, projects and Olivia do. :)

the daffodils and candles on our table, just before I took the photos for {this post}07efc7aa9fc211e2819022000a1f99d8_7 gardening hands – I almost always forget to wear gloves! 78b1eb9ca23511e2890a22000a1fbc9a_7 one afternoon I had a fun surprise – my vintage book page lanterns were featured in an Etsy Weddings email!0266d056a39d11e2942f22000a9f140e_7-1 new product in progress – it means lots of experimenting with colors. Creating new things for you is one of the things I love about having a handmade business <3915aa6d2a2b411e29c6822000a1f9688_7 sleeping babe – just another few days and she is moving from her moses basket to the full size crib we have used for both her sister and brother {onc John gets it down from the attic and I make her some sheets :)}4790e818a08e11e29c4c22000a9e0896_7 Olivia and mama <3

today is our 5th wedding anniversary {did you see the project I posted for it?} and I gave John this sweet “you & me” mug I found <3

coupon from the path less traveled and last but not least, the coupon code for you!

so there you have it! some little pieces of our past week – do you Instagram? If so, did you know that when you post photos of your purchases from the Path Less Traveled and tag them with #thepathlesstraveledmarket, they show up here on the right hand side of the site? It’s a fun way to share with others how you’re using your purchases, and I love seeing them, too!

Also, this weekend I’ll be sharing some customer photos – you’ll love them!

 

 

<3

have you heard?

have you heard?

Have you heard? Lisa Leonard is launching a NEW line for moms!

Here’s a little something from Lisa about it: “It’s finally here– our brand new Mother’s Day line. I’m so excited about our newest treasures for Mom. We will be launching this line tomorrow, April 9th— kicking off the launch with two days of free shipping. Just enter the code ‘ilovemom‘ at checkout {applies only to standard U.S. shipping}.”

I love the new pieces! Especially the Grateful Hearts Wall Hanging – so sweet!

While you’re shopping for your mom or grandma {or yourself :)}, don’t forget the decor for your Mother’s Day meal {by the way, do you celebrate with a special meal like we do?}! Our pink hearts garland and doily garlands would be so lovely, both together and on their own – even outside strung from tree branches if you’re celebrating alfresco! And keep in mind the special discount for our readers, too :)

 

<3

 

 

 

*the links I’ve included to LisaLeonardDesigns are affiliate links :)

Just had to share with you :)

Just had to share with you :)

I just stumbled across a shop on Etsy that I love – box64studios. Her work is just perfect! I think that she and I would be great friends. :)

Kelly uses beautiful vivid colors and combines them with words from hymns and scripture in a way that creates pieces that put the old words into a fresh setting. It somehow makes them stand out more and is just so lovely.

Kelly also offers a bunch of other things in her shop, one of which is a printable baby’s first year calendar that is just darling. :)

all images copied from box64studios