Step Out Onto The Ice

Today our interview team took a risk and walked out onto the ice of a frozen lake. We thought it was risky to step onto that lake. That first step was hard. It took courage, and it forced us to reflect on our host kids and the huge risk they take when they choose to come to America. They will face so many unknowns...our team was unsure if the ice would hold their weight, these kids are unsure if a host family will be able to hold the weight of their heart. They to have the courage to face weeks inundated with a language they don't understand, courage to try new foods and to leave behind their friends and all that is familiar to them! Will you choose to step out onto the ice and host a child this summer?

 

If you are interested in hosting a child this summer please check out the New Horizons for Children website. Matching will begin soon!

Channeling My Inner Mary Poppins

I leave for L@tvia on Saturday, about 36 hours from right now!! EEEEEEEKKKK! I can't believe it's finally here! I've been running around town picking up needed items, collecting fun gifts from friends near and far and making a record amount of Amazon purchases (seriously thankful for free Prime 2 day shipping)!

As a fundraiser we offer families the option to send care packages to their host children in our checked suitcases, mailing things overseas can be very unreliable and often times packages never make it into the hands of the children. Sending items with us gives them peace of mind, and helps us raise funds to pay for the cost of our trip. We will hand deliver Ziploc bags stuffed with goodies to the kids from their American host families. This was the state of my porch when I got home from work last night!!! My mailman must be wondering what on earth is going because this one delivery is more than we get in several months combined!

On top of the mounds and mounds of Ziplocs I will be taking over to L@tvia, I will also be taking lots of gifts, goodies and art projects to the orphanages we'll be visiting (plus a carry on with my personal items). I posted on Facebook that I'd like to take candy, small toys etc with me and my friends did not disappoint.

These fun candies came from a college friend all the way in North Carolina. She is an adoptive mother herself and knows full well how much these special treats will mean to the kids we will meet!

Another sweet friend that I know through my husband has lent me her snow boots, and dropped off this huge bag of gifts/games for me to bring!

A sweet little girl in Oregon mailed me some of her stuffed animals to share with the kids. Her family hosted a boy this summer and though those animals mean so much to this sweetie she willing sent them to me to hand out to the children we will meet.

Where in the world am I going to pack all these things?? So I channeled my inner Mary Poppins and managed to fit nearly ALL of the above into one rolling duffel suitcase!! It's filled to capacity and nearly maximum weight at 48.9 pounds of gifts and care packages!! But I did it!! Now on to suitcase number two....