My Continuing Journey with Apparent Project

Back in September, Shelley was here in the U.S. with her two youngest – Jackson and Ember.  They came to stay with her mom in Washington State, while working on the next phase of the adoption for these precious Haitian children.

It was exciting for me as I could actually chat with Shelley on the phone.  It was during this time that we worked out some the logistics for our upcoming trip to Apparent Project this March.  I can’t begin to tell you how excited I am to be returning and to be taking Jarod, Russell and a group from our church with me.  It will be here before we know it!

Something else was talked about during our conversation and I have held back on sharing because, well, I didn’t really know what to say.  I was humbled, honored, extremely overwhelmed and still had to wait for certain things to fall into place.  The last few months have been full of excitement and anticipation and I feel like I can finally make it “public”.  Well – as public as my little blog world is.

Shelley invited me to be a member of the Apparent Project Board.

Eeeeeeekkkkk!!!!!!

Can you stand it????

Ya  - me neither!

One of the reasons that I have not shared a whole lot about it is because there is still so much that is unknown to me.  Having never been on a Board before – I really am unsure of all that is expected of me but I KNOW that I’m supposed to step forward and be a part of it.

I simply can’t get over how just about the time that I think that God has taken me as far as I can go with Apparent Project; He flings open another door for me to walk through.  One that I didn’t even know existed!  Oh the joys of walking with our Father and allowing Him to lead.  It’s simply amazing!!!!

I had to be introduced to the current Board Members (via email) and then I had to be voted on.

So – on November 19, I received this email from Shelley –

“From the responses I got, it seemed to be unanimous that we would like to have Cami on board, so without further ado....

Welcome CAMI FRANKLIN to the AP board. I know that you will be an asset and come with a new and fresh perspective based on the experiences that you bring to the table.”

Wow!  At this point I was told that my participation would be done via conference calls and our first meeting was to be on Dec. 1.  I can handle that – no problem!

It was shortly after this that everything became finalized for Jackson and Ember’s adoptions and Shelley and Corrigan were going to get to come home for Christmas.  The first time traveling all together as a family since 2008!  Shelley decided to move the Dec. 1 Board meeting to Jan. 5 since she would be there and because I am the “newbie” – and her mom has some influence (Thanks Marilyn!) – everyone wants to meet me.   I was asked to join them in person for the meeting.

Details were all worked out and this Friday I will board a plane bound for Seattle with the final destination being Lacey, WA.

Eeeeeeekkkkkkk!

I cannot wait!  I will be there for the meeting on the 5^th and then stay until late Tuesday night – flying all night and arriving home early the 9^th.  I’m so excited! 

And I am still apprehensive.   I know that God has called me to this task but once again I am walking into the unknown.  I pray fervently that I will be an asset to them and that God will use me.  I am His vessel and ready to be used.

I am excited about visiting with Shelley and Corrigan.  About meeting the other Board Members.  I look forward to finally meeting Marilyn (Shelley’s mom) as we have spent lots of time on the phone together in the last two years.  And I am thrilled about meeting the Apparent Project Stateside staff.  Those wonderful ladies who take care of all of the sorting and packing of jewelry.  I will be able to see how everything is run and I plan on taking lots of photos and blogging about it so stay tuned!

I honestly do not think I would be where I am today without our church!  Hickory Grove Baptist Church has embraced Apparent Project in a way that I can only express as a “God thing.”  They have spread the word, collected boxes, and invited me to sell in their homes and work places.  They get excited about the thousands – literally – of boxes that come and go through our doors from dozens of places in the community and they have worked the cost of shipping all of them into the church budget.  To them, this is not just “the thing that the Preacher’s wife does” – but it is truly “our church ministry.” 

Thanks to all of you who have purchased jewelry and collected boxes and have helped to spread the word about Apparent Project.  You have helped open up the many opportunities that I have had to let people know about this amazing ministry.  I must also mention how thankful I am for Russell, Jarod and Anne.  They have been very willing to allow me to be sooooo involved in all of this.  I have always been a wife and a mom first and now that my children are older, it is much easier for me to devote myself to a ministry beyond my home and my church. Obviously it is one that I believe in wholeheartedly and I am privileged, honored and humbled to be a part of it.

Stay tuned – lots of fun stuff ahead!!!!

Until next time……..