For all you non-facebookers

Alright, so our life has been crazy since my last post. All of this excitement that is now public, has put my mind at mach speeds. I really should be in bed, I can hardly keep my eyes open. {Yes I know it is only 12:00, but I am very much an early to bed, late to rise kind of gal.} Plus I decided to make apple crisp, which needs to be in the oven for 55 minutes, at 11:45 and so I am forced to stay awake until then. What I should have been doing, and what I told James I would be doing, is cleaning up our house. You can't see the floor under the stickiness of late night baby food/cheesecake making and our table and counters are around here somewhere. But instead, like always, I am doing something else. I think my Dad might choke if he decided to come over. Although our car gave him a bit of a warning. {Insert incredibly ashamed/embarrassed face.}

I literally want to hug everyone I meet. We have been given so much incredible support from everyone, even those we hardly know, and it makes me want to cry. I went through a "obviously we can raise $7000.00 in a month, that's pocket change" to "what in the world were we thinking! this is never going to happen" and has rested on somewhere in between. With all of the amazing people around us, I strongly believe that James and I will be jet setting across the world in January. So thank you thank you thank you! I am also starting to think that my cheesecakes alone are going to get us there. Are they delicious? yes. Are you crazy not to buy one? Obviously.

I'm pretty sure James thinks I'm crazy. I don't think I've ever crafted in my life. Just ask my family. Oh I have all kinds of grand ideas. And I could spend hundreds of dollars at Michaels, but that's about as far as my creativity goes. My mind goes completely blank when I sit down with all the goodies in front of me. When I try to put two and two together, I get so confused that all of my precious crafting purchases go in a bag and are shoved deep into a closet. So this time I have tried to tap into my deeply hidden talents. Food. Correction, desserts. Oh how I love me some desserts. I have taken two of my most favorite desserts and mini'd them. And viola, adorable delicious Reese's Brownie Cheesecake {drool} and Peanut Butter Toblerone Cheesecake{drool drool} in an individual {or if you're like me, half a} servings. These, obviously, are our biggest sellers.

Part Two:

It's about a week later. I have been so busy {this time a normal persons busy} that I have not had time to update! It's been a crazy couple weeks of baking and hot glue gunning and raising a teething baby. I am currently still in my "pajamas" with coconut oil in my hair {which I should probably wash out, it's been in there a while. Hello shiny hair}. I am afraid to look in the mirror, and avoided it when a friend said she was on her way to pick up her brand new Christmas wreath. I avoided it because I knew I didn't have any time at all to change my appearance and chose ignorance over embarrassment.

God continues to bless and "surprise" us every day. I asked James last night over an evening of dishes. Yes a full evening. "Do you think we're crazy?" Without missing a beat his answer was a firm "Yes". We are crazy to pick up our lives and move to Africa. We're crazy in love with the fact that we get to. And we are crazy overwhelmed with your love and support. Once again we are reminded that God has an incredible plan for us and even though we worry and attempt to get there on our own, He has a different idea. Each night that I worry, God follows up with another incredible donation, or offer of prayer, or word of encouragement. You think we'd learn to just let go and let God.

Our facebook page has been well attended, but for those who choose to stay away from it I will post all of the things we have been selling.

Top:
Apple crisp : $4.00/jar
Butter tarts : $15.00/dozen

Bottom:
Reese's brownie cheesecake : $4.50/jar
Peanut butter toblerone cheesecake : $4.50/jar

I am also making delicious, healthy baby food for $.40/ounce.

My beautiful sister Amy has offered to make your Christmas cards for $25.00. {your cheques can be made out to Cori-Lynn Schuurman and sent to me. Message me for my address}
All you have to do is send her the files, and your idea, and she will make it happen! {kenton.amy.vdveen@gmail.com}

Here are a few of the gorgeous yarn wreaths we have been making! $20-$25

Have you ever had a monster cookie. Quite literally the most delicious cookie you will ever eat! $10.00
Or a delicious snickers cupcake mix $8.00

Sarah Huizing has donated 40% of her profits if you order Lia Sophia jewelry from her until December 10th.
My incredible sister Michelle has offered her Epicure Extraordinary cheese dip fund raiser. You buy the cheese dip {a 3 piece set} for $20.00 and $5.00 will go to our trip! The dip is absolutely incredible so you don't want to miss out. You can message Michelle for more information!
And Dorothy has so generously donated 15% of her sales until December 23! She is a amazing behind her machine and makes Cherry Pit heating bags that you will want to get your hands on.
{I am forcing you to at least check out facebook}

And moving onto the Silent auction we are having in Cornerstone basement on December 14th. You will not want to miss this, and to convince you I have made up a Sneak Peek album.
Our good friend and cousin Megan Strating Photography has donated a 1 hour family session. I could go on and on about her talent but her photos speak for themselves.
Laura from On the Laundry Line has donated 2 of these adorable summer dresses. She can make them in sizes 6months-6years in the fabric of your choice!

These four gorgeous 6x6 wax pieces have been donated by my cousin Alice. They are based around Psalm 91, and each piece works around a verse.

And obviously we will be serving and selling Seeds of Hope coffee. For every bag we sell, $4.00 will be donated to our trip.

We are always adding more goodies, and failing at adding more goodies. {There may or may not be paint bubbling up inside my oven...oops}

This post has been a 20 part one and I must end it abruptly because since my 9 month old {today!} has now become incredibly mobile he gets into everything. Although I cannot blame him since we do have an abnormal amount of stuff lying around. He's learning pretty quick. "No, that's moms."