Apparent Project Open House

Are you ready????  It's going to be awesome!  You have read all about Apparent Project on my blog for two years but haven't seen this stuff in person yet - aren't you a little curious?  Here is your chance!!!!!

 

Drop by - bring your friends, your family, other church members.  Come check it out!  There is no obligation to buy but I bet you won't be able to help but walk away with something fun!  This stuff is unbelievably amazing!  Pictures don't do it justice!  And remember 100% of your purchase goes directly back to Haiti - helping the artisans to feed, clothe, shelter, educate and most importantly KEEP their children!!!!

If this option doesn't work for you - here in another location and a few different dates - CLICK HERE.

You cannot go wrong with these Christmas gifts!  It's a WIN/WIN for everyone!  I originally got started with Apparent Project because I wanted the money I spent on Christmas gifts to count - to matter - to help.  This totally does that!  I post new photos HERE every day of the items that will be at the Open House.  Stop by and check it out.

Contact me with any questions!

Returning to Haiti

Remember this post?  I asked you to pray with me regarding my returning to Haiti.  Well, God has answered our prayers and has given me very clear direction.

I'M SO EXCITED!!!!!

Apparent Project has grown since I was there in February.  The guest rooms that were in the back of the artisan house have been remodeled to be used for the artisans to work in.  They needed the space.  That's a good thing!

They have been able to rent a new Guest House just down the street and Shelley contacted me a few weeks back and asked me to return and to bring a group with me!  Aaaaahhhhhh!!!!!  I'm thrilled and nervous at the same time.  I went alone last time, which seemed easy to me, but now I am in charge of a team.  Because I have already been there, Russ has put me in charge of all the organization of the trip.  God is once again stretching my faith.

The other exciting thing is that both Jarod and Russell are part of the team.  When I was praying before, I had also been praying about including Jarod in my trip.  He's at the age where I think he would do well and it would be a good experience but I wanted it to be a "God thing".  As his mother, I didn't want to force the issue.  God has given us a peace about him going and I am beyond excited to take everyone with me and introduce them to the Clay family as well as the artisans.

If you haven't figured out by now, Apparent Project is my passion - my hearts desire.  God has used it to radically change my life in the last two years and now He is using it to mold and shape my family.  I know that I know that I know that it is my God assignment - my calling and I am overwhelmed to see how God keeps using it to stretch and grow me and how he allows me to speak about it and continue to sell the jewelry.

We are heading back to Haiti from March 22 - 29, 2013.  This will allow us a full week to work in the Artisan House, volunteer at an orphanage, do some activities with the children and see some of the more rural parts of Haiti.

I know that God has called us to be a part of this trip and we are inviting you to be a part as well.  We need people to commit to pray with us faithfully through our preparation and our time there.  But there is also an opportunity for you to be a part of our personal financial support team.  We need to raise $1950 to cover our airfare by November 4.   The total cost for the 3 of us is $2700.  The remaining balance is Jarod's Passport, our vaccinations and other necessities.

If you can help in ANY way, please email me here and I can give you details on how you can contribute AND it will be tax deductible.  We are thrilled about this opportunity and trusting God to help provide for it.  Will you pray about how you can be involved as well?

Thank you soooo much!

I CANNOT wait to tell you all about what God is going to do!

Celebrations!

What a whirlwind my life is right now.  I am literally going out of town 3 weekends in a row.  Two down, one to go. This doesn't leave much time in the week to keep up with my normal stuff, let alone being able to sit and blog.  But - before I go out of town AGAIN this weekend, I will sit down and document the last two.

Our Anniversary Getaway

What a wonderfully, relaxing weekend!  It was much needed for both of us.  We have decided that two nights just isn't long enough - next year we want three.  Remind us of that - we always seem to forget.

 Almost sixteen years ago (on Oct. 15), Russell took me to Jekyll Island, Georgia to propose.  I was absolutely clueless.  Oh, I knew he was going to be my husband.  God had already shown me that very clearly - but I had no idea he was going to propose that night.

We decided to return and actually stay a few nights to celebrate our 15th Wedding Anniversary.  It was awesome.  It may become a regular place for us.  Why didn't we think of this before?  So close to us (an hour and a half) - and yet we felt so far away.

 Beach where Russell proposed.

 This was the view from behind our condo.  So nice.

 We didn't know this place even existed!  Thanks Chuck and Karesa for the great tip!

 On Friday, we rented bikes and rode all over the island.  So much fun - and so relaxing!

 Jekyll Island Club - gorgeous hotel.

 Russ loved visiting this chapel

 Sunset after dinner - gorgeous!  God is so good!

One last visit to Driftwood beach before we leave.

We absolutely LOVE our times away together.  So thankful to be married to my best friend!  Happy Anniversary my love - I can't wait to see what the future holds......

Amanda's Baby Shower

Sasha has loved on my children from day one and now she is finally going to be a Grandma!  My cousin Drew and his wife, Amanda, are due to have a baby boy in December.  This past weekend was the shower.  So Anne and I packed up on Friday and headed to New Port Richey to help with all the preparations and to celebrate the coming of baby Max!

I love the name!  Max was our Grandfather's name.  Russ and I had that name picked out if we were to have another boy.  Our baby days are over so I am sooooo thankful the name will be used in our family.   

Max Henry

 I was asked to make the cake for the shower - such an honor!  How cute is that?

These were so fun!  I made them as party favors - so many monkeys!!!!

Me and Amanda - adorable baby bump!!!!

Ashlea, Amanda and Tricia

Ashlea, Sasha, Tricia, Me and Anne

Can you tell we are related????

Max Henry - Greatest Ruler of the Home 

They are in trouble!  LOL!

Anne helped with the gifts - I loved this picture!

 Ashlea and Colin - they flew in from New Jersey

 Tricia and Jim - they came up from Miami

Drew, Amanda and Max

It was soooooo great to be with my family this weekend.  It's rare that we all get to be together and we really had a lot of fun catching up and just hanging out.  Such a wonderful time to celebrate!  Can't wait for little Max's arrival!

Congratulations Drew and Amanda!  

You guys are going to be awesome!!!!!

Until next time.......