I'm a Bit Short-Buy a T-Shirt

So I thought I had raised all my money, but it appears I'm about $330 short. Oops! Help me raise this last little bit by purchasing a T-Shirt.

Each shirt says "LOVE" in Luganda & Amharic, the two national languages of Uganda and Ethiopia. The women's and child's t-shirts have the design with the sign language spelling love. The men's design is the black and green one. All profits go to support orphan work as even the company who designed the t-shirts sends all their proceeds to help orphans.

The women's sizes come in S, M,L, & XL and are a feminine cut. All t-shirts are high quality cotton. The children's sizes are S,M,L and are more of a boxy cut.

The men's sizes are M, L, XL and run a little big.

They are $20 for one shirt, but this cost handles shipping as well. You can order with the "Buy Now" button to the right.

A Little Update

I have a lot of news to share with those of you out there. I think it's best to end with the good news, so let's start with the bad news. 

Maybe I shouldn't call it "bad news." I know God is a Redeemer and we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). As I've seen with many struggles over the past year, my life has been nothing but enriched from a spiritual perspective. I'm not saying it's easy...quite the opposite actually. I've had my fair share of tears, stress, etc, etc. However, I trying my best to learn daily that when "bad" things happen & things feel completely out of my control, God still has control. Things may not turn out how I would have planned them, but I've decided to take God at His word. He knows much better than I do. And He has the power to redeem situations that are the result of fallen humanity.

With all that said, here is what is going on. We moved this past weekend. Everything went great. We were so excited to be closing one chapter in our life and opening a new one. This new chapter seemed to be paved with rest. Rest from the past year of craziness. We were supposed to be closing on our house tomorrow. To make a long story very short, I got a call from our realtor yesterday that the people that were buying our house backed out. What a shock! When we originally put our house on the market, we received 4 offers. The people we went with wanted our house so badly that they offered us over our asking price. So now, hear were are, already moved out, and having to start over at square one. Our, now vacant,  house goes back on the market on Monday. 

Please pray that we get buyers quickly and can close quickly. We would love to be able to enjoy the summer and not have to deal with any house drama. 

Now for the good news. We moved into the apartment, and, so far, are loving it. It's definitely small, but that means less cleaning! Hooray! Ellie said it best, "This apartment is so fun...even though it's really puny." I love that kid. I've just been pretending I'm at a beach condo and can't wait to be at the pool all summer. Our plan is to be here until we are out of debt. We are kickin' it Dave Ramsey style. 

Also, we found great loving homes for both our cats. I pray the cats will adjust quickly and the new families will enjoy them as much as we have. 

And last, but certainly not least...I have raised ALL my money for the Africa trip!! I can't believe it! Thanks to each and every one of you who prayed and donated. 

Almost There!

I'm almost there!

I only need 10 more people to donate $39 and join my $39 x 77 Fundraising Campaign. I can't believe I am so close to meeting my goal. Would you consider joining? 

Just a little over 2 months before I leave!

Amazing!!

God is truly amazing!!

Yesterday I received more than enough money to cover the amount that was due today for my Africa trip! In fact, I only have $550 more to raise. I can't believe it!

I sent a fex ex package to Visiting Orphans with much more money than I had anticipated sending. God is so good and truly does do miracles!

If you'd like to make a donation to help with the $550 left to raise, you can use the Chip In link on the right side of the blog to do so or mail your donation to me at:

Mindy Spradlin
204 Cavalcade Circle
Franklin, TN 37069
*You can make your check out to Visiting Orphans.

Update on the happenings in my life:
Many of you know we are selling our house in order to get out of debt. After looking at SEVERAL rental houses, townhomes, etc, I think we have settled on moving into an apartment. I was SUPER opposed to this at first, my mindset has definitely changed. We are wanting to rent something as inexpensive as we can. Our goal was to stay under $1,000, not be in a sketchy area, stay in Franklin if possible, be in a good school district, and have at least 1000 square feet. Most of the rental homes we looked at under $1,000 did not fit at least one of those criteria.

Long story short, I really like the Alara Farms Apartments in Cool Springs. We are going to get a 1,200 square foot, 2 bedroom, 2 bath, apartment with great pool, fabulous fitness center, WONDERFUL school, great location, for $875/month. You can really beat that!

The down side, we won't have a yard and we will probably have to get rid of our beloved cats. This is actually really sad. Not so much for me, but more for the girls. They LOVE their cats. They are basically their children. The apartment allows cats, but for 2 pets, it is a $450 non-refundable pet fee. Nathan made the comment that we just can't justify spending $450 on our cats when we are really trying to get out of debt. Plus it's an extra $15/month in rent for them. That's not really the big deal. It's mostly the up-front cost. At first, I tried to convince him we should keep the cats, but I think he is probably right. $450 is a lot of money. Anyway, we're haven't totally made a decision on this, but will in the next few days. As crazy as it sounds, we're both trying to seek the Lord on this. We want to keep the girls' lives as stable as we can, but don't want to be irresponsible with our money. I'll keep you updated.

Anyway, thank you, thank you, thank you, to those who have donated and those who have been praying. Maye you all be blessed exceedingly this week!

Fundraising Update

To date, I have raised just about 1/2 of the $3,000 that I need to raise in order to be able to go to Africa in June. Thank you SO very much to all who have donated. I have been extremely blessed by each and every one of you.

I still need about 40 people to participate in my $39 x 77 Fundraising Campaign. I ask you to consider being one of the 77 and donating $39. I assure you, it will be money well spent. You can find out all about the $39 x 77 Fundraising Campaign HERE.

Although the deadline for the total amount due is June 1st, I need about 70% of the money in by April 2nd (IN 2 DAYS!) to cover some immediate costs. If you would like to be one of the 77, please follow the donation instructions on the $39 x 77 blog post.

Thank you so very much!

Looking for a House...Please Read

Ok...This has nothing to do with Africa, but thought it might help to post this here...

I wanted to let you know that Nathan and I are looking for a place to live starting near the end of April. We are selling our house and will most likely be closing on April 30th. We are aggressively trying to pay off debt. That is our #1 goal for the next year.

Can you help us get the word out? Do you by chance know anyone that is going to be out of town for the next 6 months to a year that would like someone to house sit for them? This nice family of 4 is up for it. I know it is a long shot, but God is big. We figured you never know until you ask, and there may be someone out there needing someone to sit on there house for a while. :) Oh, and for school purposes, it needs to be in Williamson County. Beyond that, we are not picky at all. Tiny or huge, condo or house, big yard or no yard, we are ready for anything.'l We'll even take care of pets and plants!

Additionally, if you are aware of a very inexpensive rental that will be available at the end of April, let us know. Again, needs to be in Williamson County (except Fairview), in a safe location, and very inexpensive. Even a carriage house or guest house would be fine. Our kids are young so we can squeeze into something smallish. We are trying to get out of debt in 1-2 years. It's an ambitious goal, but one we really want to do. We're hoping once we do this, it will be done once and for all and we will never have to do it again. :) Thanks guys!

P.S. We can also barter tree work for rent. Lots and lots of tree work!

Please help us get the word out!!

Heartbreaking Orphan Statistics

Every 15 SECONDS, another child becomes an AIDS orphan in Africa.

Every DAY 5,760 more children become orphans.

Every YEAR 2,102,400 more children become orphans (in Africa alone).

There are 143,000,000* orphans in the world today. The population of orphans theoretically makes up the 7th largest nation in the world.

Orphans in the world today spend an average of 10 years in an orphanage or foster home.

Every YEAR 14,050,000 children grow up as orphans and AGE OUT of the system.

Every DAY 38,493 children AGE OUT.

Every 2.2 SECONDS, another orphan child AGES OUT with no family to belong to and no place to call home.

Many of these children accept job offers that ultimately result in their being sold as slaves. Millions of girls are sex slaves today, simply because they were unfortunate enough to grow up as orphans.

*Reliable statistics are difficult to find, even the sources often list only estimates, and street children are rarely included. But even if these figures are exaggerated by double, it is still an unacceptable tragedy that over a Million children would still become orphans every year, and every year 7 Million children would still grow to adulthood as orphans with no one to belong to and no place to call home. They are totally vulnerable and easily fall prey to predators and slave recruiters.

(Data provided by UNICEF)

Don't let these numbers and statistics just be "numbers." These are CHILDREN. Real, live, human beings. Just like you. Just like me. Just like your children. Just like my children. 

For a moment I image my children, my beautiful Ellie and Libby, without a mommy or daddy. I imagine them growing up with no one to lay in bed with them when they have a bad dream. No one to see them blow out the candles year after year. No one to journey through with them and walk alongside of them through the challenges of life. Tears are streaming down my face.

It just isn't right. God, give us wisdom to know what to do, to know how to act, and courage to be obedient to what you tell us.