India is Gorgeous

Banana Boy wrote and choreographed this song himself. Please ignore the mess behind him.

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

 

India is in Asia

India is in Asia

India is a beautiful place

India is gorgeous

And One More Purchase

One more purchase to report.

Boys' underwear (1 pkg = 6 pair/$5.99)
2 pkgs size 4
1 pkg size 6

Girls' panties (1 pkg = 10 pair/$6.54) (why are girls' unders such a better deal???)
2 pkg size 4
1 pkg size 6
1 pkg size 8

Socks (1 pkg = 6 pair/4.99)
1 pkg 6-12 mo.
1 pkg 12-24 mo.
1 pkg 2T-3T
1 pkg 4T-5T

3 pkg Pampers Preemie Swaddler diapers @ 8.99 each (on sale)

Total: $96.07 (why does that add up so fast????)

Weighed my two already-packed suitcases the other day and one came to 20 lbs and the other to 25 lbs. I was really encouraged by that because
1) I have to drag these through like 5 airports
2) I won't have to pay extra fees for overweight luggage
3) I can stick MORE stuff in them!

The first two suitcases hold a bunch of Land's End school uniform clothing I got at the tent sale in August. Oxford shirts were about $3 each, dress pants were about $5, polos were $3. Really good deals to be had. It's almost all boys' clothes, but Sarah's boys will look fabulous! (BTW, this was not paid for with donation money--Mr. GT and I donated this)

Is This the Cutest Thing EVER????? (or what!)

...the shirt, I mean, not Rose Bud!

It looks way tinier in person.  It's a 0-3 mo. fleece sweatshirt from Land's End.  I was at the inlet the other day and found this on the clearance rack for (are you ready?) $3.50!!!  Won't that be CUTE on one of the babies?

I also found 2 size 4 fleece sweatshirts for some of those skinny-no-body-fat little peanuts Sarah just brough home. (They were less than $9 each) and some socks for $1 a pair and a teeny-tiny pair of knit shorts.  CA-YUTE!

So, I spent another $27.38.  I know.  This was sort of whim shopping, but those kids are SO skinny!  And it gets down to about 60 degrees there now.  There's even times of the year when they wear stocking hats.  I know from experience, those tropical kids can't handle the cold weather.  Banana Boy still hates to play outside in the winter and it took TWO years before he could even get dressed up in his snow stuff and stay out more than 5 minutes!

So one of you who gave about $25, you claim this purchase in your heart.  Know that you made some little ones very, very warm!

Your Dollars at Work

Another report on the spending of the money.

When RoseBud and I go, our main task will be teaching a group of children in a sort of mini-camp. Sarah has asked that we work with the kids on learning the continents and oceans, telling time, some science projects, Bible stories and sewing.

In preparation for that, I purchased some supplies from Oriental Trading Company to bring along. Not only did I have a coupon for free shipping, but it also included 15% off the whole order! I was thrilled to be blessed with such a good deal on OTC's already great prices! (for the best deals in coupons, check out RetailMeNot. Just type in the name of the website you want to shop at and you will find any coupons there might be out there. I love this site!)

So, here is what I bought from OTC:

Changing Faces Clock
3 sets of smooth cut scissors (I took a chance on these--I am a strict Fiskars fanatic and refuse to buy any other scissors for our kids' use. They are sharp and last forever. But these OTC scissors are very good and I'm happy with them. Sarah asked for scissors)
12 magnifying glasses
color mixing paddles
felt puppets (these are just the bodies in various skin tones. We'll decorate them there)
50 felt sheets, asstd colors
scratch art crosses
nativity foam stickers
rhinestone cross ornaments
resurrection craft
valentine foam stamps
foam weaving placemats (fits in with the sewing unit)
5 million glue dots (best price I've found)
Continent posters
5000 tissue paper squares (saves me having to cut up all the tissue paper)
1000 tissue paper strips (ditto)
faux leather coin purses to sew (comes prepunched with laces, for sewing unit)

Total: $177 with discount. If anyone would like an itemized list, I can provide that for you.

I'll be posting more about the specific projects we'll be doing with the kids. I'm really excited about this! Sarah had chosen 7 or 8 kids with whom we'd be working, but she asked if she could add a few more to our group. She said the kids are really excited about doing this with us!

A Very Special Thank You

to Daisy, who shared $12.51 from her allowance. She's been saving it up for quite awhile.

And also to Banana Boy, who for Christmas gave me $11.20.  This included his $10 bill from his birthday.  Isn't that sweet?  Mr. GT said BB had been plotting for 2 weeks about sharing this with the kids in India.  He kept asking if they could use dollars in India.

Thank you also to
Nate & Susan
Mark & Lori
Wayne (again)
Lynn & Erik
Scott & Tracey
Nate
Keith & Teresa
Ron & Suzanne
Bernie
Jean
Chad & Jenny
Stan & Mary

When Your Cat Dies and Goes to Heaven

it will look like this.

Important to know:  There is also a fire burning in this room.

25 below outside, happy cat inside.

Please note:  No cats were harmed or killed in the making of this post.  Spider is fine.

You Are All So Generous!

Thank you to

Barb & Keith
Tim & Gayle
Linda & David
Amy & Tom (& kids, I'm sure!)
Michelle & Terry

We are getting so close!  Less than $1400 to go!

Sarah is looking at wheelchairs today, and from what she said yesterday, there might be some good ones available for between $100 and $400.  I would really like to help to purchase at least one.  I will also be sending a check very soon to help out with some of the immediate expenses with the new kids.  Thank you everyone SO much for your generosity!

Please spread the word of this ministry and share Sarah's blog with others.  The more people who see it, the more who are available to help.  And if this ministry touches you, please consider sponsoring a child!  Any amount, given on a regular basis is a HUGE help to Sarah's ministry.  Remember, she has not corporate sponsors, as of yet.  All funds to run the homes come strictly from individual donors like you.

I have been so blessed by everyone's generosity in helping me fundraise for this trip.  God's blessings!