tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57503077623134646372024-03-14T04:48:06.231-07:00Acacia Shade Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09185529729951524579noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5750307762313464637.post-54990635195335044352017-04-02T17:23:00.002-07:002017-04-03T17:45:47.999-07:00SOMETHING WONDERFUL<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">"None of us, including me, ever do great things. But we can do small things with great love, and together we can do </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">something</span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> wonderful."</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">- Mother Teresa</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">We embarked on our latest trip to Ghana with great purpose, filled with the desire to achieve something meaningful, to fulfill that yearning that mothers have to fix something(or someone) that is broken, to instill hope, offer encouragement, to serve, strengthen and most importantly, to love. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">It was my first time back to Ghana in over a year when we moved our kid's into the new home that we built for them at GMAD. We were so excited (as always) to see them and had planned for many other service projects to do while there that were in line with our cause. Also, this time we were bringing along ten strong and wonderful women and we knew that together, as we arrived, our bags bursting at the seams with supplies and our hearts equally as full, we could turn love's whisper into a shout!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><b>AND SHOUT WE DID!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Being our first ever Women's trip </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">we didn't know quite what to expect, </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">or how the ladies would fare </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">in a third world county. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">We knew it wasn't for the faint of heart. The problems and challenges of the people we encounter can be enormous, as are the unshakable pains our hearts would feel. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Even so, as board members, we were so excited to share that "something" that we feel when we come to Ghana. That thing that is impossible to put into words or try to explain to someone who has never been there. It's not just a feeling but an overall experience. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="color: #454545; font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0.5px;">You see, each person that we meet in Ghana has a story we haven't heard, </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="color: #454545; letter-spacing: 0.5px;">dreams we haven't yet imagined, and a present-day reality that is just as real as our own, </span></span><span style="color: #454545; letter-spacing: 0.5px;">and what we have come to realize each time we meet them is that they have </span><span style="color: #454545; letter-spacing: 0.5px;">more t</span></span><span style="color: #454545; letter-spacing: 0.5px;">o give us than we could ever give to them. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="color: #454545;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0.5px;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="color: #454545;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.5px;">It is a privilege to learn from them, </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="color: #454545;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.5px;">to feel their strength, to hear their stories </span></span></span><span style="color: #454545; letter-spacing: 0.5px;">and share them, </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="color: #454545;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.5px;">and then to be inspired</span></span></span><span style="color: #454545;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.5px;"> to do something </span></span><span style="color: #454545;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.5px;">to help, however and wherever we can. </span></span><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="color: #454545;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.5px;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="color: #454545;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.5px;">It is these kinds of experiences </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #454545; letter-spacing: 0.5px;">that captivate our hearts for Ghana and her people.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="color: #454545;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0.5px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="color: #454545;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0.5px;">We also didn't know how lucky we would be to get this particular group of ladies, many unknown to each other but yet so perfectly meshed in their reasons for coming.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="color: #454545;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0.5px;">It takes a certain kind of person to leave their families and comforts of home, to travel 1000's of miles around the world into some of the most unpleaseant conditions to help people they don't know and may never see again.... and on top of that, Pay to do it! </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; letter-spacing: 0.5px;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">But to our delight, what every one of these women possessed was a strong desire to leave their imprint on the lives of their brothers and sisters in Ghana. To bring them hope, comfort, and to just let their hearts be expanded, knowing that they could be.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.5px;">The School for Special Needs Children in Aboom. It never disappoints! We arrived to their exuberant hugs, and also painted </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.5px;">the outside of their school(which was long over due for a paint job)</span></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.5px;"> Oh these kids!! I forget how they steal your heart from the moment you step off the bus. It was the best way to spend our first full day in Ghana. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large; text-align: left;">I think I can safely say that a favorite of all of ours was the day we arranged to meet with three mothers (and sons) in their village. These women inspired us to have a life marked with their same unwavering strength, hope and resolve. As mothers we sat together with their sweet boys and shared a moment in time but as we left, our hearts were filled with their beautiful faces, knowing that now they will forever be etched in our thoughts and become a part of our prayers. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was a joy to reconnect</span> </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">with little Wisdom, a darling boy we met two years ago in a remote village in the Volta region. Getting to see how he is accepted and loved in his village and that he is truly flourishing made our hearts so happy! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #454545; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.5px;">Another notable highlight was meeting with the </span></span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.5px;">incredible</span></span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.5px;"> Kekeli foundation, whose work includes creating self-advocacy groups while working to get inclusive schooling for young people with disabilities. We got to deliver supplies we had collected for them and see the goat farm we had raised money to help them build for the purpose of educating these special young people in the trade of goat farming. And we so loved getting to meet with the those future goat famers!</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.5px;">We were so fortunate to have the always inspiring </span><span style="background-color: white;">Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah, join us for an assembly we organized at the local school near our home at GMAD. The children were riveted as they listened to his story, while hearing how he is working to change the perceptions of people with disabilities by empowering them, promoting their well-being and creating global awareness. Emmanuel believes, as do we, that changing age-old perceptions needs to begin with educating the rising generation about these issues, which is done by creating awareness and inclusion in the schools. We came away </span>from this day encouraged about the way things are going in Ghana, and although it's just a small start we are going to keep working to reach out to more and more schools as we brainstorm ways to further create inclusivity and awareness. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large; text-align: justify;">When meeting with the various organizations we went to help. I was (as I always am) in complete awe of the people who run them. They make it their life's purpose to convey value, and significance to those who have long been forgotten, shunned and neglected. This is just a part-time gig for us, but these people are on the front lines everyday facing seemingly insurmountable challenges while working with the most vulnerable of Ghana's children who live in inescapable poverty. There truly are angels who walk the earth and it is always humbling to walk among them. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Last, but in no way the least of our highlights, was seeing four (not so little anymore) children that we have come to love as our own. They captured our hearts long ago and have been the inspiration for us to do what we do at Acacia Shade. Although we continue to evolve and grow as we reach out to help educate, create awareness, and provide assistance to as many of Ghana's most vulnerable children and their families as we can, we will never forget the four who started it all. We cherish any time we have with them and our hearts swell with pride as we see the progress in their lives and the milestones they reach, and surpass. We love that they are now part of GMAD, where they are accepted, included and loved by their peers, nannies, and all the staff there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #454545;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.5px;">Once again, Ghana delivered an unforgettable trip to us and we are really proud of what we were able to accomplish there together. Although we are reminded of the ongoing challenges ahead, we are hopeful and we come back home resolved to keep things moving forward for Acacia Shade. We will keep adding to our continuing list of projects to tackle, </span></span></span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.5px;">always with gratitude for the things that we're learning and especially for the constant reminder that we all belong to each other. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.5px;"> -Holly</span></span></div>
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Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09185529729951524579noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5750307762313464637.post-34046932533515084922015-11-08T22:31:00.000-08:002017-03-18T10:47:40.562-07:00TOGETHER WE DO BETTER<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> You've heard the sayings..... "the more, the merrier", "two minds are better then one", "safety in numbers", "teamwork makes the dream work". So....basically to sum things up, <b>EVERYTHING</b> in life is better when you're not alone. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> I read somewhere that "Loneliness is the only real disability", We all know the power of relationships to heal us and make us feel whole. The importance of belonging somewhere is key to our happiness and as basic a human need as is food and shelter. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b> ENTER </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Our new home at <b>Ghana Make a Difference </b>(GMAD)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">When the lease was up (after two years) in our home we knew that our next move needed to be somewhere where our kids could be around other children everyday. We had seen them blossom and progress with the TLC they were receiving, but they were isolated and it became obvious to us that beyond the care they were getting they needed something more.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">They needed to feel included and be part of something bigger. As luck would have it our prayers for them were answered when we found the wonderful organization, GMAD. GMAD was already committed to caring for Ghana's most vulnerable children who were orphaned, or rescued from child labor trafficking. Like us, the founders of GMAD, also dream of a future where all of the children of Ghana will be accepted, cared for, included and loved. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">So we set about building our new Acacia Shade home in the GMAD compound and have dedicated it to always and forever house children with disabilities, building it big enough for the possibility of adding even more of these special kids in the future. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Together with GMAD, we are creating this incredible <i>model of inclusion</i> where our kids become their kids and part of something our kids have never known, bringing for the first time social support, a sense of community and the opportunity to interact with their peers. Seriously, how happy do these pics make you? We couldn't be more excited for this new move.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I have just returned from Ghana where miracles were preformed once again as a house was built in just under two months and our kids were moved in, greeted by bunches of happy children welcoming them home. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">We will continue to work hard to raise the money needed to finish off the list of things at the house ( tile, landscaping, etc.)and to help the nearby school acquire a Special-Ed teacher as well as adding ramps and other necessary changes there to accommodate our kids.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> For the Next little while our efforts will be focused at GMAD while we work to create a successful <i>model of Inclusion </i>that we hope to then replicate throughout all of Ghana. Dream big or go home... or in this case we dreamed big and built a home, and with all the love that went it to getting it built and the sweet little occupants it will house, it might just be the happiest home on the planet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">-Holly</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">view from our front porch</span></div>
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Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09185529729951524579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5750307762313464637.post-60021115105399693432015-03-09T16:07:00.002-07:002015-11-08T22:33:43.924-08:00QUESTIONS….ANSWERS…..AND A LITTLE VICTORY…. <h2>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">HOLD ON TO WHAT YOU DO KNOW…. </span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">It's been a little over a week since we returned from Ghana and I am still stuck in that place of trying to understand. What is it I am wrestling with to the point of brain exhaustion, you may ask? ...Well the list is long, varied,and a bit dis-jointed, but I can't quite surrender and put it to bed just yet. In my mind's eye I am still going to try to solve the unsolvable, and make sense of the senseless for just a while longer. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">To give you a small idea of the ticker tape that's running inside my head, might you try answering, or understanding some of the following questions which plague my consciousness.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">*Why does everything in Ghana have to be so hard? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">*How can these sweet, disabled children there be so misunderstood, neglected and abandoned? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">*How can anyone around them not see and understand what is so obvious to me?… that these children have hearts that feel and minds that think. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">*Why doesn't the Ghanian government step up and help their own most vulnerable children? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">*Why can't they fix the roads and keep the power on?(as if life there isn't hard enough)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">*How do those awe-inspiring people we met there, who have commited their lives to helping the disabled and disadvantaged children (with little to no support) do it?...… day in and day out, and yet they stay the course and remain so positive and hopeful… how? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">*Why am I so blessed?….. and the list goes on and on but I think you get the idea.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I will continue to grapple with the how's and the whys, but in time I know I will slowly acquiesce and make peace with the fact that for the most of them, I will have no answer. Even so, it will be ok because even though this latest trip to Ghana produced a flurry of seemingly endless questions and problems to be solved, it also provided a bevy of answers as well. Answers which allowed us to to feel much solace, joy and relief. Below are some of the things that we learned, realized and resolved during this trip.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">* Our kids are thriving and so happy, (most important and yay!!!) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">* <b>YES,</b> we are all making a difference there! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">* <b>LOVE</b> really is the answer to the most important questions.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">* There is so much good in the world and there are so many people with huge hearts. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">* We now know where we will focus our efforts going forward and what we want for the future of Acacia Shade(and it's bright… stay tuned).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">* We now know where and what we will do for the future of our Acacia Shade kids ( also bright).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">*We learned that there are so many wonderful organizations in Ghana helping the disabled. We don't have to re-envent the wheel trying to decide how to help the most children. Instead, we can jump on board behind these organizations and offer our support. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">We realized that there are so many ways we can support them as they reach out and help so many more children then we alone could do- strength in numbers… it's true….. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The list continues on and it is a truly wonderful list, which as I ponder it, I become more and more resolved to let go of my NEED to have all the answers. I'm going to focus my energy on feeling happy for what I do know, and as I look at these…. a few of my favorite pics from our trip, they alone relay the most important answers of all. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I know it's just a small victory over my thoughts, but I'll take it and smile all the while.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">-Holly</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Beautiful sweet Esi,so happy with her new baby doll.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">A rare little smile from Annabel</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Cute little Zuma trying on her new party dress.</span> </div>
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Ayariga welcoming us back with signs and drawings</div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09185529729951524579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5750307762313464637.post-37160896346923302812014-11-20T10:22:00.000-08:002014-11-20T11:00:09.417-08:00A YEAR LATER… MILESTONES, LESSONS LEARNED AND GRATEFUL HEARTS<h2>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I am constantly baffled by this thing called "time"….. . It sweeps through our busy lives and leaves us wondering how could it possibly be another year where it ( time) has eluded us once again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">It has been a good first year at Acacia Shade. Four little children have flourished in our care and we have seen first hand what is capable when little spirits and bodies are given the love and care they deserve.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We have been overwhelmed at times, both by the responsibilities we have undertaken, and by the hearts ( and donations) of generous, good people who have recognized the importance of what we are trying to do.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Of course there have been enormous challenges, which have caused us to wonder.. "how are we ever going to do this?" but somehow we figured it out and once again "time" allowed us the chance to get it right. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">There has been a lot of learning, and growing going on this past year for all of us, but it's the children's milestones that have left us just giddy with delight. Our hearts rejoice to see Esi able to complete a giant floor puzzle all by herself, and almost potty trained to boot! She is learning to use a walker and has become the beloved older sister to her three younger housemates. This sweet girl has transformed herself and we are so excited at the possibilities in her future. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">The other children are also a far cry from the lifeless, despondent, children we gathered up from the orphanage over a year ago. They are growing and learning everyday and most importantly have joy and love in their lives. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">It has been a great start and we are proud of where we have come.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">With a year under our belt, we are feeling good about what we have learned, accomplished and how lives have changed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Now we are faced with the question of "what to do next", how do we proceed from here to grow… to reach out and help more children? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The answers are coming and, God-willing, big changes are in store for us in the coming year. We are currently working with several organizations in Ghana who are aligned with our cause and exciting things are under way at Acacia Shade. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Yes… there is so much more to be done, things to be learned, memories to be made and more people to cherish and love. "Time" is a good thing and there never seems to be enough of it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">So…..Here I am again, wondering about "time"….. what will it bring? how will lives change, and how will hearts grow.</span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I know "time" will tell, and I am hopeful.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">-Holly </span><br />
<br />Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09185529729951524579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5750307762313464637.post-74951243888400528352013-12-01T19:27:00.000-08:002013-12-01T19:42:25.377-08:00ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE, LOVE..<h4>
LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED</h4>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">The chorus of a certain Beatles song started playing through my head recently while looking at the latest photos from our Acacia Shade home. Especially so, after reading the favorable updates on the children from their caregivers there. </span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">Apparently John Lennon and Paul McCartney were right on the money when they were crooning about the value of this most basic of human needs. Any question as to wether a little TLC rendered can throw a life of neglect into reverse and spin it in the direction of hope, has been put to the test and can be answered with a resounding YES it can!</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">It has only been a few short months on this steady diet of food for the body and soul and these children are flourishing like a "shade tree in its native soil". When I look at these photos I can't seem to smile wide enough to do justice to the joy it gives me. And w</span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">hen I think about our kids ( ours, yours... we are their family now)</span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> I no longer worry about what will become of them, because I know they have a future now that is filled with promise, uniquely their own with nothing to hold them back. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I am longing get back to Ghana and see their smiling faces, hug them and give them a high five to let them know how incredably proud I am of them for being such little fighters. For taking life by the reigns and riding it through the storms, while patiently waiting for the sun to shine, so they could shine. And shine they do, in all their brilliance casting a warmth on those lucky enough to be in the realm of their existence. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> Okay, seriously, how happy do these pics make you?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Esi racing to the dinner table... and I love the four small bowls of soup ready to fill four happy little tummies.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">So happy to be the first one there, it really is the small things for these kids. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> Esi helping Zumah learn her shapes and what it feels like to have a big sister. <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3PPfh0D6EDw/Upv1da9b02I/AAAAAAAAAeg/iVTZG47RIkk/s1600/This+two+kids+are+soo+loving.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3PPfh0D6EDw/Upv1da9b02I/AAAAAAAAAeg/iVTZG47RIkk/s640/This+two+kids+are+soo+loving.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">High fives and hand shakes for Zumah, crawling like a champ. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Along with these pics came updates and stories on each of the children. They told of clapping, and dancing, and crawling and growing. Laughing, and sleeping, and helping and learning. The house is as I expected it to be, brimming with praise, warmth and a continual flow of that thing that is sometimes all we need to change a life. Love.</span></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09185529729951524579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5750307762313464637.post-37809116405360846572013-09-07T12:02:00.001-07:002013-09-08T15:33:03.262-07:00HOW DOES IT FEEL?<h2>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Changing Lives...... it's a good thing.</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">A week ago today I was in Ghana doing something that would change a life forever.....<b>.MINE.</b> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">After months of planning, raising money, negotiating, dreaming, emailing, begging, hoping, and most importantly... <b>PRAYING.</b> The time had come, and I found myself signing a document that would undoubtedly alter my life and heart forever. It was one of those defining moments in my life as four little children were assembled behind me while I signed the papers that would release them into the custody of our Foundation. </span></div>
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My dream that had begun years earlier while visiting that very orphanage with my family had now become a reality.</div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">The enormity of what was happening was in no way "lost" on me as I signed my name in exchange for the responsibility of these children for the duration of their lives. I am fully aware that the Ghanian Government is expecting us to care for them indefinitely.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">That is a humbling thought indeed and as I work my angles to secure the funding needed to sustain them, I realize that the feeling of urgency to do so, is a feeling that I will come to know well. It's not a bad thing nor do I see it as such, for it is what will keep me motivated to 'go to bat' for those who cannot swing the bat for themselves. Those who now depend on our foundation to sustain their lives.</span></div>
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It's hard to describe the emotions of that day, and I have thought about it plenty over the days since. Certainly there were feelings of such joy and relief mixed with a bit of worry and doubt.... only because we didn't know these kids or their backgrounds, capabilities, how they would adjust, or even if they would like us. </div>
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I had prayed for, and thought about them everyday since meeting them last October. For ten months I had imagined how happy and relieved I would be once we finally got them safely into our home there, and could begin to change their lives. Surely that would produce one of life's indescribable moments.</div>
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I had imagined it to be a happy and sweet day, I had imagined to feel a bit overwhelmed with the responsibility. I had imagined my heart to swell with a love for these children whom I was serving and helping. I had imagined to feel some heartache too for the struggles they had endured previously. I had imagined I would feel a satisfaction and renewed purpose in life.</div>
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That day did not disappoint.... In fact, my expectations were exceeded and it was a very, very good day indeed.</div>
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There was however, one thing that had escaped me in all my imaginings of how amazing and wonderful it would feel to truly change a person life.....and that was that it had never occurred to me once that the life I would be changing the most that day would be my own. </div>
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-Holly</div>
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Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09185529729951524579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5750307762313464637.post-29988067988631449152013-08-30T19:49:00.002-07:002013-08-31T02:29:29.936-07:00HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS<h2>
<b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">Making A House A Home</span></b></h2>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">and </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">that can be,</span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">at times, </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">frustratingly </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">humorous</span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">One has to have spent a little time here </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">to </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">It's not unlike those idiosyncrasies </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">of your </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">loved ones that drive you crazy </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">while endearing them to you at the same time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Setting up home here has exemplified</span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">this point </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">and makes the fact that we did it in </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">under two weeks a true African miracle!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Acacia Shade home, Accra Ghana </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">It is, by no means perfect, </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">but it </span><b style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">IS</b><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> the perfect home for us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The doors will still hang crooked, </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">there are cracks in the floor tiles, </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">the finished paint job looks like primer, </span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">the water often just trickles out, </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">while toilets flush only </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">about </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">half the time </span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">and the dim, weird florescent lighting leaves you having to </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">feel your way around at night.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">But it is affectionately warm, </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">and shiny clean, </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">with new little beds, </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">and lots of kindly donated furnishings, supplies, and toys.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">If ever there's a day when the water has pressure, the lights don't blitz out, the fridge holds temp, </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">and the toilets flush, </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">it will have been a good day indeed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Better still however, are the days when kids are smiling, </span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">tummies are full, </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">fingers are busy stringing beads </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">or coloring pictures, while delicious smells waft from the kitchen, and laughter rings through the air. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">We plan to have many of those days here </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">at Acacia Shade's new home. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">And so it is .....tomorrow we collect the children from the orphanage and bring them here to their new home.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We have had them in our thoughts each day as we </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">unpacked, cleaned, arranged, purchased, and </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">anticipated their arrival.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">They may never know the hours spent readying this house,</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">or most of the generous and kindhearted souls who donate </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">funds to make this happen. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">But it gladdens my heart to think </span></span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">that there is <b>ONE</b> thing that they </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">will know for certain and that thing is....</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">what it feels like to be loved </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">and to be part of a family, </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">and that thought alone is priceless to me.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">-Holly </span></div>
Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09185529729951524579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5750307762313464637.post-16212885837421818212013-08-27T17:32:00.000-07:002013-08-27T22:43:21.312-07:00MINDS THAT THINK AND HEARTS THAT FEEL<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">They are not so different from us</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The term "ignorance is bliss" has taken on new meaning in my life since meeting these sweet children and learning of their heart breaking struggles. Thoughts of them now shadow my days and the urgency to be doing more fills up my usual "down time."</span><br />
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When I went to the orphanage in Accra last October to select the most at risk children which we would relocate to our first home there, I came to understand how truly misunderstood these children are.</span><br />
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The customary belief in Ghana is that those who are born with a physical, or mental disability are considered to lack the very things that make us human....hearts full of emotions and brains which are capable of learning even the most basic forms of communication. They are thus believed to have no need for human interaction. </span><br />
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It was astonishing to me as I met these children, </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b> </b>And now, nearly eight months after first meeting them, I visited with them yesterday while I'm here once again. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">This time with our Acacia Shade team as we prepare their new home.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">And as they reach for my hand, smile and look in my eyes, there is no doubt in my mind that they can not only learn to communicate and interact, but that they also feel deeply and connect on a level that goes far beyond the "normal" capacity.</span><br />
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In a few days they will start a new life, in a new home where they will have the opportunity to expand, grow, and learn as never before. </span><br />
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Even so, again... I have no doubt,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">that it is us</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">who will learn the most from them.</span><br />
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I for one, am anxiously awaiting those lessons.</span><br />
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-Holly</span><br />
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Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09185529729951524579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5750307762313464637.post-8338235215386995462013-06-16T15:58:00.000-07:002013-06-17T15:38:54.572-07:00GOD KNEW<h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">A small village in Ghana is where this all began... or was it?</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">People often ask me how we came to adopt a child from Ghana. To be honest, the thought had never even crossed my mind until about 5 years ago after two of my siblings adopted these beautiful little seven and eight year old Ghanian girls. One thing led to another and then a series of happenstance events( or as I call them, miracles)led me to the village where I met our son Kwasi.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;"><b>Kwasi (on the day we first met)</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> Almost a year later from that first meeting. I met him again for a second time as he officially became a member of our family, and he and I were soon on a plane bound for America to his new family, and a new life for us all. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">He came to us this small, malnourished eleven year old boy, having no useful schooling, speaking very little english and having absolutely no knowledge of a world that existed outside the forested surroundings of his small village in the hills of Ghana. I joke that it was like having a two year old in an eleven year old body because he basically had to learn everything starting from the beginning. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">And so began this adventure for our family...and one that has undeniably blessed us all in ways that could never have been otherwise. Kwasi makes us smile every day and always helps us remember those things that are most important in life. To say he is a remarkable boy is far from adequate and although as his mother, I may have taught him a thing or two in the past four years, there is no question who has taught whom the most.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">It's strange when I think that he has only been my child for four years because I feel like I have known, and loved him all my life. I have no doubt that God sent him to me. I can't imagine how I could have pulled through some recent events in my life without this sweet young boy who, not only loves me deeply and is my fierce protector, but is still dependent on me and needs my mothering for years to come. He helped give my life the renewed purpose it needed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> Because I am not his birth mother I cannot hold claim to his inbred goodness, his pure heart, and that calm and steady spirit he was born with. But, I like to think his love for chocolate (and all things sweet), his joy in serving, his appreciation of nature, and his deep love of God and family come from me....and so I do. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Who would have known that this little boy that I found four years ago, brought into my heart and thought I was rescuing would be the one to rescue me?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">God Knew.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">God Knew and he led me to him. There are no words from this mother's heart to adequately thank him for that. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">But,I will always try... and I know he knows this too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">-Holly</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">May 2013</span></div>
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Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09185529729951524579noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5750307762313464637.post-50609194920289430352013-04-18T21:42:00.000-07:002013-04-18T21:44:37.039-07:00Dreadlocks, Reggae and the "Sweet Art Gallery"<h3 style="text-align: left;">
He goes by RASTA......</h3>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">One of the coolest things about Ghana is the local talent, wether it's wood-carving, bead-making, playing the djembe drums in a Rastafarian Reggae band, or in the case of Ras Sweet,</span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">(who goes by Rasta because of his 18+inch dreads and Rastafarian beliefs) </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">it's ALL OF THE ABOVE.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">How seriously cool is that? He is a true renaissance man!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Meet Rasta</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We<b> LOVE</b> his wood-carvings and therefore have decided to give everyone the chance to own a "RASTA original". </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">So...... Acacia Shade commissioned him to carve our very own Nativity Sets, which we sell on our website to raise money for our foundation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Each set is unique and masterfully carved by Rasta himself.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">$75.00 for an all hand-carved, 12 piece set.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">WE can promise you will love it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">And just to be clear......We are under no illusion as to the fact that it is no where near Christmas time. </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Talent knows no season, besides think how nice it will be to be so ahead of the game! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Buy yours today here:</span><br />
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<a href="http://acaciashade.org/store-2/hand-crafted-nativity-set/" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;" target="_blank">Acacia Shade Nativity Set</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Thanks Rasta for sharing your talent with us!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">-Holly</span></div>
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Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09185529729951524579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5750307762313464637.post-21555203171675965522013-04-12T13:25:00.000-07:002013-04-13T11:24:13.079-07:00Buy a Necklace, Help a Child, and BONUS.... make your mom proud!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Okay...... We are a board of all moms, we have moms, and we know what moms want... and we are telling you that moms LOVE when their kids give back! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">There is no better gift that you could get for your mom this Mother's day then an </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>Acacia Shade Necklace.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">By giving her this gift you are also giving a child the gift of a life that every one of God's children deserves.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><i>NOTHING WILL MAKE MOM HAPPIER THEN THAT!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>Trust us on this one.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">They are $50.00 each and so much better then giving her flowers or chocolate </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">any day, because every time she puts it on she will smile knowing that because of her thoughtful child (sister,friend,mom,husband,aunt,cousin.. you get the point),</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">is feeling the love!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Order yours today (from the links below) for all those moms in your life, we all have one, or know one, and love one.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The good people at Arhaus Catalog have joined our cause by helping us produce and sell our <i><b>Acacia Shade Necklace.</b></i> The cost of the first 300 necklaces has been donated to our foundation... meaning 100% from the sale of these will all go directly to the care of these children. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Thank you Arhaus!</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.arhausjewels.com/product/nc821/necklaces" target="_blank">Acacia Shade Necklace at Arhaus Catalog</a> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">or you can buy one off our website at</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: blue;"><a href="http://acaciashade.org/store-2/" target="_blank">Acacia </a><a href="http://acaciashade.org/store-2/" target="_blank">Shade Necklace from acaciashade.org</a></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a></div>
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-Holly</div>
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Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09185529729951524579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5750307762313464637.post-6025650376008552732013-03-22T10:50:00.000-07:002013-03-22T10:50:39.429-07:00TALENTED WITH A BIG HEART<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Few things make me happier then witnessing random acts of kindness. Who doesn't love </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">"nice people"? ... and when they happen to be an amazingly talented photographer who lends his awesome photo for a good cause, well... that's especially joyful!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Meet </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Andy Biggs </span></b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--CMi8Xjxr7E/UUyNl_j8YCI/AAAAAAAAATI/AwDPnU9294I/s1600/Andy_Bio1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--CMi8Xjxr7E/UUyNl_j8YCI/AAAAAAAAATI/AwDPnU9294I/s400/Andy_Bio1.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Andy is the talent behind the awesome Photo we adopted to represent Acacia Shade, and he kindly gave us permission to use it. We have a hard time not believing that he didn't take it just for us because it couldn't be more perfect. </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--WRgJK_11MI/UUyUd2zgERI/AAAAAAAAATg/ZPb7irLReuE/s1600/AndyBiggs_TA05_GiraffeUnderTree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--WRgJK_11MI/UUyUd2zgERI/AAAAAAAAATg/ZPb7irLReuE/s640/AndyBiggs_TA05_GiraffeUnderTree.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I don't need to tell you how incredible his photographs are, they speak for themselves. Do yourself a favor and take a tour of his website, www.andybiggs.com you won't be sorry for the minutes spent at your computer while your transported to places few ever get to see. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Andy is a celebrated Photographer,<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="color: #666666;"> </span>adventurer, conservationist, and teacher, whose photography celebrates the African landscape and its rich wildlife, people, and culture. All awesome in their own rights, but on top of all that he happens to be a super nice guy.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Thanks Andy </span> </span></div>
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Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09185529729951524579noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5750307762313464637.post-81118534047549576722013-03-13T20:28:00.001-07:002013-03-14T21:19:57.925-07:00GHANIAN ANGLES.... they exist and we love them.<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><b>OUR TEAM IN GHANA</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">There are a few things I know for sure and one of them is that angels walk the earth in Ghana..... and lucky for us three of them are on </span><i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>team Acacia Shade.</b></i><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> We couldn't be more grateful!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> Everything is harder to accomplish in Ghana and so when I say that they perform miracles daily, all while still smiling..that is no exaggeration. They have been through the </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">fiery</span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> furnace of life which </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">melts away</span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> the dross from the gold and fewer hearts I know are as pure as </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">theirs. Sometimes I think life is too easy for me to ever achieve that kind of goodness, but as long as I have them to show me the way, I'll never stop trying. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Meet these beautiful ladies....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>Helena Obeng-Asamoah</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Helena works for the Department of Social Welfare and is an advocate for children everywhere. There is no distinction from her work and how she lives her life everyday....selfless and doing what ever she can to bless and save a child's life. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"I am a Social Worker. My work involves ensuring that kids live in families and not in institutions. That kids who cannot live with their biological families have appropriate alternative care. </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I love kids and hate to see them suffer." </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Vivian Kissiwaa Apeaning</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Vivian has a way of getting the
impossible done. She has a kindness and warmth about her that people can't
resist. We wouldn't be where we are without her time and efforts which she gives so generously!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">In her spare time, she enjoys cooking,
singing, dancing, traveling, watching soccer, and spending time with
family and friends. She is pleased to be a member of Acacia Shade. and says that "When you see the condition of the children, your heart breaks.
Instantly, there is something that communicates with you to help in any
way that you can". </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><b>Yvonne Ansah-Arthur</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">When registering our foundation in Ghana we discovered that we needed a third </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">board member and Yvonne so graciously, and without </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">hesitation </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">accepted. She is a </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">recently widowed mother of four with a huge heart and spirit. In her own words she describes herself as...</span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: small;"> "</span>a strong and affable single mother of
four children." </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; line-height: 115%;">Yvonne tells me that she loves the ideology of Acacia Shade because of her
strong desire to serve, learn, and acquire new experiences. She has a special interest in children and
the desire to see them live a fulfilling life. She grew up with many foster
siblings whom her parents were working with to take them off the streets.</span></div>
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<!--EndFragment--><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><b>Thank you our Ghanian Angels.. you inspire us.</b></span></span><br />
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Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09185529729951524579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5750307762313464637.post-635097954461737432013-03-11T21:01:00.001-07:002013-03-12T08:21:15.565-07:00THE MAKINGS OF A HOME<h2 style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">It takes a village to raise a child, and in some instances a city or two. Thank you good people of Provo and Alpine who donated boxes of items including cribs, blankets, linens, and kitchenwares to furnish our new foster home in Accra, which will soon become a place of refuge to some very special children presently waiting in an orphanage there......and a <i><b>BIG</b></i> shout out to my brother Eric, who let us stuff those boxes of goodies along side some heavy equipment that was making it's way in a container bound for his company in Ghana. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Free shipping and free stuff = more funds to spend directly on the care of these sweet children. win/win... Thanks All.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">-Holly</span></div>
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Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09185529729951524579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5750307762313464637.post-5588290067292566842013-03-10T14:21:00.001-07:002013-03-12T08:24:58.363-07:00GIVE SHADE<h2>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">When trying to come up with a name for our foundation, we were stumped. What do you call something that encompasses so many things... things we feel deeply committed to, things we want to accomplish now, and things we dream of achieving someday? Nothing came to us until one night Hannah's husband Shane hit the "mother-lode" of inspiration and brought <i><b>Acacia Shade</b>,</i> with its perfect symbolism to the table. The vote was unanimous, how could it not be? This was the <i><b>perfect</b></i> name... Not only can this incredible tree survive in the driest and bleakest of conditions, but it also offers respite from the scorching African sun to any beneath it's shade giving branches. And....So for us it represents, not only the will these children have to survive against the challenges they face, but also our ability to comfort and shield them from the reality of their situation by offering them a safe haven to flourish in. Thank You Shane for finding us the perfect name.</span></div>
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Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09185529729951524579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5750307762313464637.post-11136780209699396432013-03-09T11:02:00.000-08:002014-11-20T10:59:37.403-08:00EYES ARE THE WINDOWS TO THE SOUL<h2>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> These are the first four (of what we hope are to be many) <i>Acacia Shade</i> children. They are currently in an orphanage in Accra waiting for their new home to be ready, which, if our efforts pay off, should be very soon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> When I met them, none of these sweet children could communicate verbally,... but as you can see from the pics that I snapped, their eyes say more then words ever could. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We are working to be able to get these children tested by medical professionals to find out what their capabilities, as well as their </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">disabilities, </span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">are and what more we can do to improve their quality of life beyond meeting just their physical needs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Eyes <i><b>are </b></i>the window to the soul... and as I look at these pics again, I see souls as deserving and precious as any and all of God's children.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">-Holly</span></div>
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Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09185529729951524579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5750307762313464637.post-22008146120070464962013-02-18T13:23:00.000-08:002013-03-08T21:53:28.015-08:00WELCOME TO OUR BLOG!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Launching our website</h2>
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<i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">After months of waiting, working, planning and (most importantly) praying..... our web-site is ready to launch. If you are here reading this blog, then that means you made it to our web-site, care about us and hopefully want to help this great cause....</i><i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">We thank you.</i></div>
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<i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Getting to this point was no small feat for our team of dedicated board members. I don't want to say we are clue-less(because we're all pretty smart!)but not one of us had a clue as to how a group of seven moms with a common, searing desire to make a difference in the life of these suffering, forgotten children could even begin to realize our goals here . Well.....where there's a will there's a way ....and almost a year later from our very first meeting, </i><b style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i>here we are</i></b><i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> ..... We are now official and raising money to run our foster homes in a country that has become, for various reasons, so near and dear to our hearts.</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>I have returned recently from Ghana where, with the help of our selfless and amazing board members over there and the Ghanian Department of Social Welfare, we have targeted five at-risk, disabled children. These children are merely surviving in less than desirable conditions in an orphanage in Accra. With your help, we can move them into a loving home where they will have the specialized, life-giving care that they will never receive otherwise.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>We are not above begging for help here, and are pleading with you to pass along our good cause to any friends and family who would be willing to help. Please follow our blog (and see what we can accomplish together), like us on face book and email our web-site link to everyone you know. These children need your continued support. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>We can promise that you will feel "the love" when you plant trees under whose shade-giving protection you will never sit...but others will. Acacia Shade....that's what it's all about.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>-Holly</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #6a6a6a;"></span><span style="color: #6a6a6a;"></span>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09185529729951524579noreply@blogger.com0