Found

Found. Abe and Aninda have been found! PRAISE GOD! I don't know the entire situation, but it sounds like Abe and Aninda were still (again?) at Luckyhill when they were found. It was NOT easy to get Kingsley to "give them up", but, thank The Lord, he did! They are now safe and sound with a new foster family, sleeping in warm beds, being fed well, AND being loved on!!!! I guess when they found the boys, their "new Dad" shouted HOSANNA! Shouting right along with him. "...Amazing grace, how sweet the sound...I once was lost, but now, am found." It strikes me that Heavenly Father knew all along where those two little boys were. :)

Following

I remember when I thought nothing was really HAPPENING with Sixteen Small Stones. In my heart, I knew things were, in fact, happening...they were all just happening, well, "behind the scenes", as it were. I knew God had His plans, and He was working on His end of things, while on my end, I waited. I waited for His plan to be made known. I still wait for that. I waited for action. I do NOT wait for that now!! It seems every day is a whirlwind for Sixteen Small Stones. Planning, praying, ACTING! So much going on...donations, shirts, cards...So many to help...Haiti, China, Africa...New ministires. New faces. New prayers. New love. Lots and lots of love! I still wait for His plan to be made known. But I have learned that this is something I will "wait" for until the end of my days. God's plan will never be laid before ME as it is before HIM! Tonight, I made Taiger take a bath. He really needed a good scrubbing, but, more than that, I needed the time to prepare a special gift I was planning to give him. Taiger complained. He whined. He procrastinated. When I finally lured him into the bath, he did more whining...the water was in his eyes, the water was too hot, there was soggy paper in the water (did I really just admit that?! It was just the wrapper off the shampoo bottle...life could be worse!). Finally, I told him I had a special gift for him, but he had to be good in the bath. He had to wash his hair. "What is it?!" He had to wash his face. "What color is it?" He had to dry off. "Is it a...". He had to lotion up. "When do I get it?!" He had to get his pijamas on. "PLEASE can I have it now?!" I had a plan. Taiger didn't know all of my plan. He knew there was something special, but he didn't know what it was. He didn't know why he had to take the bath (so I could prepare it for him without him seeing it). He didn't know why he had to get in his pijamas first (because I knew if I gave it to him before, he would be so busy playing with his new surprise, he wouldn't stop to get his pijamas on, and then he would fall asleep without pjs and he'd be cold all night). He didn't know all of this. Why didn't I just tell him? Because...it was not the right time. Because he was not ready. (If I had told him, he would have wanted to play with it right then and the software wouldn't have been downloaded, and he NEVER would have had a bath and he would have been dirty and smelly! Then, he wouldn't have gotten in his pjs so he would have been cold all night...). My timing was better. I knew how it would turn out and I knew the better plan. Sometimes, I am like Taiger. I want to know NOW! I HATE waiting! I KNOW God has something special for me...and for so long I have waited to know what it is! Now, I realize, God's plan is not something I need to know. I just need to follow His will, step by step, and in the end, all will be right. I think everyone knows this news, but I want to make SURE everyone knows. In a few months, Taiger and I are moving to China (finally, right?! LOL!). I will be in school there, taking my last Chinese classes toward my major. Taiger will be...well, that is still a mystory. I suppose he will be coming to my college classes with me (unless anyone wants to volunteer to nanny? Anyone? No? Didn't think so...but it was worth a shot. :) ). The IDEA is to eventually start a food program in China, similar to the ones Katie Davis and Renee Bach run in Uganda (kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com; servinghischildreninuganda.blogspot.com). You notice I said "IDEA" and NOT "PLAN". That is because I have no plan! ONE idea is to start a food program. But only GOD knows THE REAL PLAN! Only He knows what He has planned for Taiger's and my life! So, I take His hand, and step into the darkness. I can't wait to see where He leads us!

A Bit More Good News!!

For a bit of good news, check out this blog! LOVE IT! :D http://fullplatemama.blogspot.com/2010/04/and-then-she-wept.html

SO THANKFUL!

Today was an AMAZING day for Sixteen Small Stones!! :)

First of all, I ordered FREE business cards for Sixteen Small Stones! Is is a HUGE blessing! The amazing part? They were FREE! Check out visaprint.com!!

Next...about the shirts. I now have a picture of the design for you all to see! YAY! The shirts are not necessarily this color (the MEN's ones are, similar, though) but it gives you an idea of the image and writing on the front. :D THANK YOU, Michael, for this fabulous design! (I will post actual photographs of the finished shirts once they are done being printed!)

We were able to purchase several more plain shirts at the sale price!! So, anyone ordering in the near future, you will still get the same great price of only $20.00!!!! Also, earlier this week the company printing our shirts waved the set-up fee because it is for a Non-Profit!!!!! Talk about true miracles. :D :D I didn't know how on earth I would come up with the money for the set-up fee. Thank you, Fast Signs in Murray, Utah! You are AMAZING! :D :D For those of you who have already ordered your shirts, we have not forgotten about you! I am sorry it is taking longer than I had expected. There have been NO "problems"...just logistics to be worked out, and I appreciate you being patient with us. :)

Next, Sixteen Small Stones has had some very, very kind and generous people DONATE MONEY to Sixteen Small Stones over this past week or so. When people donate (money, time, items), it really, really blows me away. I am totally blind-sided and don't really know what hit me. I am so in shock, and in this state of INSTANT humility. I feel my legs kind of go shaky, my jaw drops and in my mind I start shouting prayers of THANKS. Then, I come to this point where I have to come up with some words to express how I feel about what they have done. THANK YOU just doesn't ever seem like enough. My mind is screaming, "The only way to thank them is to buy them a gift, or pay them back" and my logical mind screams back, "SILLY! That totally defeats the purpose of their donation! HA!" So, I am left at a loss for words and in a state of being totally overwhelmed with gratitude. So...THANK YOU, for lack of better words, to everyone who donated this week and EVER. I just want to make absolutely SURE you all know how thankful we are.

For donations, I have some MORE good news (it just keeps comin' tonight, huh?! LOVE IT!)! I received a package yesterday of FOUR FUZZI BUNZ diapers! YAY! Again, blown away with gratitude...and now even MORE good news! The kind person who donated the diapers sent me an email today saying they want to donate TWENTY MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That means TWENTY FOUR diapers for Renee to use in Uganda! TWENTY FOUR! I am so, so thankful.

And now, for the last bit of news, and I really HAVE saved the best for last...

We MAY have an idea of where Abe and Aninda are!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

When I read this at Full Plate Mama's blog (fullplatemama.blogspot.com), I kind of went numb for a second. I thought I had misread it, or hadn't understood, or something. When I reread it, I got goosebumps all over my arms and tears in my eyes. I know it is too early to really believe they are safe and well, but I can't help praising God for His mercy, His goodness, and the way He knows everyone...each sparrow that falls from the sky is accounted for. Please continue to pray as the search continues for these two brothers, and as help continues for all of the children from Luckyhill. :)

So much for which to be thankful tonight. Thank you, all. :)

The Most Amazing Garage Sale in History

An Amazing Garage Sale! Sixteen Small Stones is in the process of planning the best Garage Sale of the year...maybe even of this CENTURY...=GASP= MAYBE even the most amazing in HISTORY! Why so amazing, you ask? First of all, ALL money made is going to help our Friend Homes and Friend Organizations! Isn't that fantastic? Second, as if that weren't enough, my Dad has pledged to match whatever amount is made at the Garage Sale!! So, if we make $50.00, my Dad will also give SSS $50.00! Isn't that amazing?! My Dad is so loving and generous. :) The final fantastic thing is the variety of items we will be selling and how we are setting things up. Okay, stay with me and hear how this is all going to work out. First, we will have the normal Garage Sale things. Second, we are going to be selling Sixteen Small Stones shirts! Third, we will be doing the traditional SSS fundraiser, a "Paint A Stone" table (where, for 16 cents you can paint a rock to take home). Fourth, (and I am REALLY excited about this one!) we are going to have an area of items that you buy and donate! So, you say how for much you want to "buy" an item and pay for it. Then, you take a tag and write your name on it (it will probably look something like the one pictured below) and pin it to the item. Then, you put the item in one of three boxes, the one labeled, "Foyer de Sion", the one labeled, "Serving His Children", or the one labeled "Racham Ministries/Children's Prison". You choose the donation, how much you think it is worth, AND to which ministry it will go! AMAZING! Of course, we are going to have literature set out about Sixteen Small Stones and all of our Friend Homes and Friend Organizations, so people can learn more about us, about our "FRIENDS" and about People In Crisis around the world! (If you are part of one of our Friend Homes/Organizations and you want us to show pictures or set out any literature about you, please let me know as soon as possible!! THANK YOU!!) If you are doing "Spring Cleaning" and would like to donate any items to our Garage Sale, please let me know and I will give you the address of where to drop off your items! We would be SO GRATEFUL to have more things to sell! I will update for sure when the Garage Sale will be (it is all depending on when the shirts are done being printed!). In the meantime, search around you home for anything you don't use anymore and would like to donate, or start searching under the couch cushions for change to spend at the Garage Sale! :) Thank you all SO MUCH! This is going to be SO FUN and I hope everyone will at least stop by, say HI and paint a stone!

An Important Letter to All Readers

Out of respect for everyone involved with Luckyhill, I have removed all recent posts pertaining to Luckyhill. However, Sixteen Small Stones is still very much involved with helping the children from Luckyhill and we are still accepting donations on behalf of those children. At this time, we ask that you please do not post questions regarding Luckyhill as comments on this blog. If you have any questions regarding Luckyhill and donations, please send them to us privately at smallstonesafricaandchina@yahoo.com and I would be more than happy to answer your questions as quickly as I can. Your respect to this request is greatly appreciated! Please continue in prayer for Luckyhill and the wonderful children and people there. Your continued support is invaluable! The sweet children are, as always, in great need of love and support, and we continue to collect monetary donations to help support Luckyhill's Nutrition Program. As always, you may donate with the paypal button on this blog. Thank you all for your understanding and support! With Gratitude, Breclyn S. Everett President Sixteen Small Stones

SHIRTS!

Today, we went and bought the rest of the shirts AND went to the printer's! Still working everything out, so PLEASE be patient, if you have ordered a shirt and don't receive it right away. I have no clue how long it will take them to print the shirts, but know we will get them as quickly as possible! If you are wondering about an ETA, feel free to post or email me. :)

Shopping for shirts!

Bryttan and Taiger helped me pick out just the right ones for all of you! For those of you who ordered a WHITE shirt...they are SO MUCH BETTER than we thought they would be! I had assumed they would be "under shirt" quality, BUT NO! They are made out of GREAT fabric! They are soft and kind of stretchy a little, so they will lay so nicely. :) YAY!

So much love here!

For those of you who have NOT ordered a shirt, check these out! They are incredible and you will LOOOOOVE them! :D You can still order them, if you want one! We now also have ORANGE! It is so pretty! (If you ordered a different color and now want orange, let me know TONIGHT OR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!) Anyway, they are only $20.00 and the purchase of one can help SOOOO many people! If you DO want to order one, you can pay via the paypal button on this very page! In the notes, please specify the color and size you would like. Be sure to also include your name, address AND email address so we can contact you! THANK YOU!

Taiger was helping us look for the perfect white shirts...when he suddenly came around the corner with one hanging from his curly hair! So silly!

Okay, last but NOT least...we have another product in the works. Shhhhh....don't tell! I haven't even told my Team Leaders yet! (Um, surprise??)

Here is Bryttan outside of the print shop!! Isn't she just the cutest?!

AND don't forget to check back in the next few days to learn more about the GIVE AWAY! So excited you just can't even stand it? I will give you a little heads up...Think of anyone you know who blogs. That's all I'm sayin'!

Of course, since he was SUCH a good boy while we were shopping, Taiger simply HAD to ride the escalator, and Bryttan was kind enough to escort him while I paid.

Okay! NOW for pictures of THE SHIRTS! Of course, they are NOT printed yet, but this gives you all an idea of the styles and colours we are doing!! Don't you just want to wear one RIGHT NOW?! I know I do!

Here are pictures of our oh-so-fashionable shirts! Please note that the FIRST orange one comes only in CHILD'S sizes! (Yes, you CAN buy child's size! We LOVE tiny supporters! :)!! )

So, the colours are, from left to right:

DARK ORANGE (child sizes only), LIGHT ORANGE, LIGHT BROWN, WHITE

PLEASE NOTE: The LIGHT BROWN has a "V" neck! Also, the LIGHT BROWN is the NEW BROWN, and isn't nearly so snug as the original brown. These new browns are the ones we will be sending to EVERYONE who ordered "brown" on this next shipment. (Don't worry...they still fit nicely...they just fit like a shirt rather than a glove...Hooray for conservative dressing!:) )

Here is the CHILD'S DARK ORANGE for you to see a little closer. It is made of heavy cotton and felt really durable.