Bracelets Galore!

We are continuing the journey as we have been in contact with our adoption agency as well as the agency that will be completing our home study.  We hope to begin the home study and the "paper chase" very soon!  We have been so grateful lately for the opportunities that God has given us to share about our journey with those we meet.  We continue to be thankful for all the encouragement that God has given us through his people.

So, I continue to toss around different fundraising ideas that I can do.  A while back I began making beaded jewelry to sell to help with the cost of our adoption.  I've come up with some cute designs, but I've been wanting to come up with a more signature piece that I can make a lot of.  While perusing Pinterest (haha, that's where all my "creative" ideas come from!) I stumbled across a DIY wrap bracelet and I thought, "Hey, I could make that and its really cute!".  So, my dad ordered me some supplies through his shop Missions Pottery, and I have made my first few bracelets.  I really love the style of the bracelet.  I make them with leather and bamboo cords in cheery colors.  I have posted some example pictures below.  I have light and dark variations of the leather cord, as well as multiple bamboo cord colors like purple, green, orange, pink and blue. They will be sold at Perfect Blend Coffee Shop and Missions Pottery and More.  Also, you can contact me via e-mail at mprevatte113@gmail.com.  The price will be $6 for the single band and $8 for the double band.  They are also really cute stacked so grab up a few different colors!

Quick Update

     I wanted to take a moment to give you all a quick update.  As we all know, this journey we have started on is a long one, but I hope to keep friends and family in the know as much as possible.  We are so grateful for you continued prayers and support. 
     We are getting ready to send off our home study application this coming week.  The home study involves gathering documents and completing paperwork that must be compiled in order for the adoption process to continue.  We will also have a couple of visits from a social worker and have some education on how we can best meet the needs of our child.  We look forward to the next leg of our journey and welcome your prayers and encouragement.
     Our coffee sales continue to rise thanks as word is getting out about what we're doing.  Thanks to everyone that has purchased some and thanks to those who have been selling it for us!  We continue to have handmade jewelry for sale at Missions Pottery and More and at our coffee shop, Perfect Blend.  We have a few fundraising things in the works for after we finish our home study.  Once we finish the home study we will be able to apply for grants and some of those grants are matching grants.  In other words, if we receive the grant they will double whatever we make at our fundraiser up to a certain amount.  So we're trying to plan some larger fundraiser soon!  We are hoping to have a BIG yard sale where all proceeds will go to the adoption.  If you are getting ready to do some spring cleaning, we will take your cast offs =)  Also, we are planning to have a fundraising night at the coffee shop with a silent auction.  If you or anyone you know owns a business or could get an item donated, that would be awesome!  We also have some friends and family that are helping to plan a benefit concert.  Through this process, we are definitely finding out how much we are loved and how much our little one is already loved (even though no one has even met them yet).  I can't wait to tell them of stories of how VERY wanted they were and how a family and community came together to bring them home!

If you have any items for the yard sale or any silent auction items, you can e-mail me at
mprevatte113@gmail.com

       

A Bit About Uganda

I realized today that although many people know we are adopting from Uganda, there may be some that would like to know more about the country of Uganda and where exactly we will be traveling to in the country.  So, I thought I would do a blog post giving some info about Uganda and the city where we will be traveling.

Uganda is a small landlocked country that rests on the banks of the beautiful Lake Victoria.  Uganda is known as the "Pearl of Africa" for its beautiful landscapes, lakes, and mountain rims.  It is considered a tropical climate with average high temperatures 77-82 degrees year round.  The national language in Uganda is English along with the local language of Luganda.  The capital city of Kampala is where we will be traveling.  It is a more modernized, bustling major city with museums, theaters, government buildings and schools.

There are approximately 2 million orphans within the country of Uganda and it is considered to have one of the largest populations of orphans in the world.  The need is great, but many people within the country and around the world are reaching out to help these children.

Below, I have added a map of Uganda, with the capital city starred.  I have also added some pictures of some wildlife and beautiful landscapes of Uganda.  These images were found on the public domain of "The World Factbook".

The shore of Lake Victoria

                                  

Part of the Nile River