Books!!!

I'm a teacher at heart- always have been.

I'm also a major bookworm.

So put those two things together- one of my favorite things to do is read with kids and help children learning to read and watching as children discover the joy of books.

The children at LCH (the orphanage I work at in India) do not get to know this joy like I did.

I had a never ending supply of books. At home, at school or at the library, I could always find a book to read.

These kids don't have that. They don't have a library that they can go to and check out books. They don't have books at school that they can read (don't get me started about schools in India, I can't wait till we can get these kids out of the school that they are in and into our own school).

I don't want my trip this summer to be all about me. I want to give something to the kids.

I want to give them books.

I want to help introduce them to the worlds that they will find in books.

I want them to be able to read books.

So...

In addition to the support that I am raising to go on this trip at all, I am going to be raising additional money to buy books for the children.

The goal is to build a small library in the girls' house. They already have some books, but need more!

We need to first buy a cabinet to be the library and then we will fill it up! With books in Hindi and in English.

Think how much these kids will learn reading and practicing their English!

We need at least $150 to buy a cabinet and then everything beyond that will go towards books.

So here's what I'm going to ask of you...

Can you give me $5 so that I can buy a child a book?

Just $5.

Skip your latte one day and instead help a child learn to read.

And if you are willing, can I ask one more thing from you?

Will you ask your friends to give $5?

I'm going to be asking everyone that I know (sorry if I get annoying haha). I'm going to ask my classmates, my friends, and anyone who will sit still long enough for me to talk to them.

Will you ask your friends? Will you ask the people in your classes (professors typically don't mind if you make an announcement)?

Will you help me?


If you want to donate, there are two ways: 1. Use my PayPal button  and 2. Send it straight to the Crosspoint office. The address for Crosspoint is:

Crosspoint of India 

3714 Gailyn Drive
Bartlett, Tennessee 38135-9444

Oh! And if you missed this post about the kids at the orphanage and the work that God is doing there, please go read it! I think it got overshadowed by the scarves haha.

An Adoptive Generation

A comment yesterday made me think.

One of the dad's that I babysit for said that he hopes/thinks that his generation will be known for adoption. That its happening all over the place- people in the church adopting children from all over the world.

It got me thinking about what the church will look like if that's true. If the generation that is having children right now becomes known as the adoption generation.

How cool will that be?

I know that I write a lot about adoption not being enough to solve the orphan crisis (and I did share with him some of my thoughts, I can't seem to help it haha), but I really think adoption is awesome and thinking about what the church will look like when adoption is common.

When an adopted child isn't the only adopted child in his class, neighborhood, or church.

When an adopted child isn't the only non-white child in a church (adopted or not).

When people won't think its strange or do a double-take at a white mom and dad dropping a non-white child off at Sunday School. 

When adopted children and families have friends to turn to for support and comfort.

When adoption becomes normal.

Right now, when someone adopts, the reaction (I hope) is really positive- people say things like "that is so great!! You're doing such a great thing. God is going to use you to change the world for that child!" I say things like that!!

But think about it- when someone gets pregnant, they aren't told that they are doing a great thing- they're just having a baby. It's great, people are happy- but its normal. You're just starting your family like everyone else.

How cool would it be if a day comes when adoption is just normal.


Instead of being told how great someone is for adopting or how awesome is it that they are following God's call for their lives, people just say "congratulations! where from? when do you hope to have him home?"


It won't make adoption any less great. Having kids is still great, its still a call from God. Your children are your most important mission field.


But it will be normal.


What if people didn't think twice about adoption- its just one normal way of starting or adding to your family.


How cool will that be?

Studying with Sweet Katie!

Saturday 3-19-11

What a fun surprise visit (well not really a surprise, but it wasn't when I expected to see her) from my fave Tulane student!! Although we spent the our time together doing school work, it was still so fun to get to see her happy face!!

Park time with H!

Friday 3-18-11

His mom is a photographer, so he's very used to this ordeal haha. 

I love that it is warm enough to get outside! Babysitting is so much more fun when we can go to the park or at least the backyard.

Too soon after nap time to take pictures

Thursday 2-17-11

Got to hang out with this cutie and his brother, he did get a little bit happier after he woke up a little better haha.

Oh Spring....

I love this time of year.

I love the days when its finally warm.

If you know me at all, you know that I hate winter.

I miss my flip-flops and my shorts and not having to wear all sorts of heavy layers.

I love the sun and warmth.

The first day that I can break out my rainbows and not freeze my toes off is a lovely day.

The first sunburn of the season- love it!!

The first time that my extra pale legs see the sun is very wonderful!

And if you haven't been on UNC's campus in the spring- you are missing out!


But this time of the year is also miserable for me..

Chapel Hill is covered in green.

The bricks (that cover the campus and trip us all day long), they are no longer red- they are yellow.

Already!

I can't walk outside without my eyes itching, my nose running and lots of sneezing.

And I take medicine.

I like being outside.

I've started running- I can only run outside, I hate the gym with a passion.

But being outside is miserable.


So, I'm asking-

Can anyone sympathize with my misery?

Do you have any advice, suggestions, ways to not be miserable that doesn't involve staying inside all the time?

I could sure use some help!!

SCARVES!!!!!

Wednesday 3-16-11

In order to raise funds for my trip this summer, I will be selling scarves straight from Central Asia!!! (Not an exaggeration, K brought them over herself!!)

I was trying to decide how to best go about selling all my scarves and what I thought would be best and easiest would be to post pictures of all the scarves on my blog. 

Look through, see which one you like and then let me know and I will mark that it is yours!! 

First come, first serve!! So be quick!! I'm thinking they might go fast!! 

I marked a price on each scarf.

The price is somewhat negotiable (if you want to give more I will not stop you ;) ). Basically, I did it like this- $10 for lighter, cotton, summery scarves, $15 for mixed pashmina/silk mix, $20 for 100% pashmina.  The pashmina and silk mixes and full pashmina scarves are heavier. 

So here we go!!!

Update: as people order, I'll update this post by saying which ones are no longer available.

All of these are mixed material.
#1 is no longer available. 
 

#4-6 are no longer available. 

 #7-9 are no longer available. 

These are more summery.

#10 and 11 are no longer available 

#13-15 are no longer available 

#16-18 are no longer available. 
 

#20 is really pretty! It's half the gold and silver stripes and then the other half is black, so pretty!

#22 and 24 are no longer available.

#25-26 are no longer available. 

Please buy some scarves everybody!! Go ahead and buy birthday presents and Mother's Day presents and heck, Christmas presents!!! 

If you want one, e-mail, text, call, facebook, comment, tell me to my face (what no technology??) and let me know what number you want!! 

 I will accept cash or checks. Make checks out to Laura Droege.

Thanks!!! Help get me to CA and India!!!

Much love!!

Oh!! And PLEASE post this link everywhere!! Tell everyone that you know!!

One more thing-- I'll be happy to ship scarves wherever, just e-mail me for my address to mail me the check and I will put the scarf in the mail!