Ever been to Covent Garden?

I felt like I was there this weekend....

Detroit's Eastern Market

I don't know what kind of flowers those are, but they are cool looking. I had wanted to take more photos, but the crowds of people made it impossible to do so without getting run over.

Happy Memorial Day! And many thanks to all who serve our country both away and at home. You are greatly appreciated and may God protect you.

Ghana Update - May

Our application with a non-profit organization Interlink Ministries has finally been approved. This will allow donors to make tax-deductible donations to a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. (Don't forget to check if your company has a fund matching program!)

If you've been waiting to donate... Here is the information for YOU

Make checks payable to Interlink Ministries and note Ghana Orphans Project in the memo line. Mail to:
Interlink Ministries
P.O. Box 460
Apple Creek, OH 44606.

Support letters will be going out to friends and family. Please pray that these letters will find favor and the funds will start coming in again.

If you haven't seen it, I was able to get an article about the trip in my local paper. You can read it here.

We have a LONG, LONG WAY to go and the months seem to be flying by.

Stay tuned.... the Paint Tia Pink Project information is coming soon and will officially begin July 1st. I know that's what most of you are waiting for ;)

Some Changes are Afoot

Friends... may I ask you to please pray for me. There are potential major changes happening in my life and in the past I have not reacted well to these types of changes, even when I know they are ultimately for the best and betterment of my life. These are good changes, but they are still hard. On some level I need to go through this and figure it out on my own and trust myself to choose wisely, but I can ask you to pray.

Pray for wisdom, for healthy choices, that I would clearly hear God's voice and that the enemy would be silenced and for my time to be used wisely.

And while you are praying, if you could also pray for my friend. Her marriage is at a crucial turning point and God has already been evidently working.

Thank you friends.

Outrun - The First 10K

Ok... so I'm trying this again, since Blogger issues ate the post I did yesterday.

My bestest friend in the whole world is running her first 10k tomorrow morning. I was blessed to run her 1st 5k with her a couple months ago. Lately she's been a little discouraged.

This race is important for several reasons, but one is her time will help us raise money for the school in Ghana. We all know that sometimes just a simple word of encouragement gives us the push we need to get going again.

So... perhaps you can take a minute and hop over here to wish her well for tomorrow. It's a simple way to add a smile to someone's day. Both hers and mine.

UPDATE: Even though there were no comments left, 2 of her friends showed up to cheer her on. Unfortunately, her body did not cooperate and she was unable to finish the full 10k and only completed 5k. She is undetered and will try a 10k again soon. Hopefully then, we can really encourage her.

Back to North Carolina

I had a wonderful opportunity to get back to North Carolina this spring to visit some dear friends. I started my trip visiting my Firefly. We enjoyed a bowling alley birthday party and a realatively peaceful sleep over with several young girls. These are the cuties I got to laugh and cuddle with... (I got to do those with Courtney too, but she probably wouldn't be assumed at the photo I had of her bowling)









From there I drove a little north to see long time friends, the Fords. I was loooking forward to continuing to rebuild relationships with them. I wanted to take some time and do something special with the kids. And even had the opportunity to do something special for Julie as well.

On a particularly warm day, Abi and I went for a walk through the neighborhood, stopping at the playground for some silly photos.

For our special time, Abi suggested we go to the park and watch the sunset - perhaps finding some dandelions to make wishes on. She picked this because it's a memory we shared here in Michigan before she moved. We got some snacks and kicked a ball around, having a wonderful evening just the two of us.

my favorite photo of the night

our shadows lengthening

making our wishes - for time to stretch

Aaron is 17 now, not typically the age that wants to hang out with fairly "uncool" adults. He and I have always had a good relationship and he's like a younger brother. One thing we have in common now is music. After asking Abi to write some lyrics, Aaron and I set down to put some music to it.

The easiest way to speak to a skinny teenager - offer to take him to lunch. After a great lunch with some great conversation, we decided to go play a round of putt-putt golf (or mini golf for the rest of you). We finished just as the rain started. We finished off the afternoon by spending some time in Sam Ash and then getting a little lost on the way home. But it was a little more time together.

I didn't do!! I'm innocent (well....)

The trip ended with a very special night at a local coffeehouse hosting it's Friday night open-mic night. Aaron and some friends put together a band and performed several songs. Julie and Abi continued to work on getting me up there to play.

3 musketeers

Aaron on bass

Finally after much coercion...

What finally convinced me to do it? My friend Julie simply sharing her heart that it would make her night for me to be brave and sing. I wanted to give her that gift, and in the end it gave her the gift of bravery to get up there shortly after and sing with some people she met just that night. It wasn't a perfect performance, but I know that wasn't what mattered in the end.

I hope it isn't too long before I can get back to visit again, creating more memories and stories for a lifetime.

For a few more artsy photos check here