Sunday, October 30, 2011

IMPORTANT!!!!

Look at her, she's a typical teenage girl, havin' fun with the camera. This photo was taken on the way to her doctor appointment, and even though on the ride there she was nervous, she found ways to have fun. Help me bring another sweet smile to this teenage girls face, in a scary time in her life, and write a Message to Margret ASAP!!!

For those who donated, you have a Carepages invite waiting for you to respond to in your email. It only takes like 2 seconds to get on my message board. Just write from your heart. A simple act of kindness, writing to a teen in Zambia, from the convenience of your computer that most Americans are on 24/7, will mean THE WORLD  to Margret and me.

So pleeease write!!! I can't wait to make her book of messages and send it to her!

Thank you SO much!

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Don't Forget To Write!!!!!!!!!

For all of you who donated to my Messages for Margret project.....please don't skip out on writing to my dear, sweet, Zambian friend Margret!! These messages will mean THE WORLD to her!! 

If you donated to this project, Wiphan has already sent you the email from CarePages. That email is the only way you will have access!!

This is REALLY IMPORTANT!!! When she gets the scrapbook of all the encouraging messages, she will go into surgery, and come out of surgery, knowing that people are praying, thinking and caring for her. 

Check your spam, trash,and inbox folders for the CarePages invite. If for some reason you can't find it, leave me a Comment, and I will contact Wiphan for you to make sure you receive it!

So please DON'T FORGET TO WRITE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you so much - your support and generosity mean so very much to Margret and Me!

Monday, October 24, 2011

Message Monday

"When our hands become His hands we let others see the cross." Greg Hook

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Shopping For Sports Balls!!

WOW, what an amazing weekend!! It all started Friday when I jumped into the car after school and my mom told me about Margret, and her condition, and I knew at that moment that I needed to take on the challenge of raising the funds.

And we were fully funded for Ukraine too!!
Right as we got home from picking my brother up, I jumped onto the computer to write, knowing that I also was going to be shopping for sports balls for the kids in Ukraine later that night.We didn't get into the car until 8:00pm, we shopped at our local sports store for almost an hour, and ended up with 23 balls, 2 pumps, 2 nets, and a few boxes of Pump Needles!
I was soo happy we were able to send so much to the kids in Ukraine, it felt soo good to push around an overloaded cart and have people ask what its all for!!! Their reaction was a little bit of shock mixed with a big smile, and a "Good Job!".
The next day I was super busy,  I had ballet in the morning, and our Annual Cousin's Halloween party at night. I was at the party when my mom came up to me to tell me that we were already halfway to our goal for Margret!! I was extremely surprised, I WAS NOT expecting to raise so much money in a little over 24 hours!! We didn't end up coming home until 12:30 at night (or should I say, Morning!).

This morning I was woken up at 7:15am by my mom telling me I had raised $1,861 for Margret. I quickly...OK....well slowly 'cuz I was going on few hours of sleep...made my way downstairs and blogged about our success. 2 hours later we made our goal. Wow, amazing.

I left for church feeling great, I had just raised $2,000 for a sweet girl in Zambia who needed life saving surgery, how many teens can say that?! I knew that this was God's plan for me, helping orphans around the world, that this is what I'm supposed to be doing.

I just finished deflating the 23 balls and packaged them up to be shipped to Rachael on Tuesday. I can't wait!! The kids in Ukraine will be soo excited to see all of their new sports balls that they get to play with!!!
Thank you all so much who helped my Score A Goal 4 Ukraine fundraiser be such a big success! I couldn't have done it with out you!!!
Stay tuned for the drawing for the exclusive Orphan Lifeguard item, that will still be held on November 1st! I can't wait!! What an exciting weekend ... and MONTH!

Update of an Amazing Update!!

I just received notice from Andrea (my friend and contact at Wiphan) ... that ...


we ... 

are ... 

fully ... 

funded! 


Remember to write your message on Margret's messages page once you receive your email invitation. All those that donated should have their invites today!!!!!

Amazing Update

I can't believe that I have such a huge surprise for a girl my age half way around the world from me. Soon she will be going to bed not knowing that I just woke up and found out that we have raised ...

$1,860!!!!

Margret will be so excited when she finds out that she will receive the life saving surgery!! I am amazed that we have raised so much money in less than two full days, but I also know that God works mighty wonders. I am so appreciative that so many of you opened your hearts to help me save my Sponsored Child's life. I can't thank you enough.

Oh, by the way, you can also help Margret by buying an Orphan Lifeguard T-shirt!!!  All profits will go towards the fundraising of Margret's surgery. I have worn my t-shirt many times already and I have gotten so many compliments about it. It's a great opener for a conversation about Orphan Lifeguard!!!

Order yours today!!! Please add in the comments line on your t-shirt order that you would like to participate in Messages 4 Margret. Then I will send you a message to your email that will provide the link where you can leave your encouraging message for Margret.

Thank you so much - keep spreading the word, keep praying, and keep writing messages!!!!!! 


When he heard this, Jesus said, 
"This sickness will not end in death. 
No, it is for God's glory 
so that God's Son 
may be glorified through it." 





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Friday, October 21, 2011

To Margret,With Love

First of all, we have reached our goal for my Score A Goal 4 Ukraine fundraiser!!!! We went over and above and raised $325!!! I will be going shopping TONIGHT and I will blog about my trip this weekend. I am so excited and so appreciative for all of you that participated!!! Thank you for your prayers and donations!!  I will still have the drawing for the winner of the unique Orphan Lifeguard item on November 1st ... stay tuned!

When I started Orphan Lifeguard, I had expected to do a project every few months with things being kinda slow to start. I was okay with that, as I really just wanted it to be free-flowing and in response to when something tugged at my heart. Well, something is already tugging at my heart. I've learned that when God opens doors for you, you don't close them because it was not what you thought your timeline would be or what you were expecting, you go inside and do what He's calling you to do.
It all started  the last week of July, my family found out that our sponsored Wiphan child, Margret, had at the time what we thought was Elephantitis; which is a disease that makes certain limbs swell out of control, and there really is no cure. Margret was showing these signs in her right leg.
Our August Care Package to her just
before her 1st Doctor Appointment
However, yesterday we got word from Wiphan that her doctors appointment did not show Elephantitis, but it was clear that she has large tumors in her buttocks, her lower back, and her thigh which could be causing her leg to swell.

Tumors? When I read that word I was devastated and very sad for her. Even though I have never met her before I am always thinking about her. I feel a connection to her because she is close to my age, and we have her picture on our fridge. I see her face every day and think about her, and wonder about what it is that she is doing.  The letters she writes to us are so sweet and I love how she always includes stickers or a hand drawing. I can really tell that she tries hard in school and likes being there through her writings to us.
I continued to learn through Wiphan that the Tumors have to be removed. They have to be removed in order to save her life. People can not survive living with tumors. Her leg, obviously, is not getting better, only worse. It is hard to imagine what it would be like for someone with so little technology, and limited accessibility to medical care, would feel like when they walk into the medical room when she gets her surgery with all those lights and medical equipment. I am sure it will be very overwhelming and very scary. It would be for me, and I have seen medical technology before just in routine medical care.

Once the tumors are removed, they will test to see if the tumors are cancerous or not. We are praying for cancer-free results. If they are cancerous - well, let's just not think about that right now. My goal is to help her get through surgery first and be blessed with great news.
Also, the surgery will determine if the tumors were the direct cause of the swelling, or if there is a problem with her Lymph Nodes. That would not be good too, as Lymph Node issue could lead to many additional problems. I am praying too that the removal of all the tumors heals Margret completely!

What God has shown me in the months since we've heard about Margret's leg, and the recent news of the tumors, is that I have more ways to help outside of praying constantly for her. I live in a country that exceeds in money. I know there is talk of economic stuff, but really ... we still have money. We have money to give to others. We have money to save a child's life. We have the way and the power to directly impact Margret.
Her friend translating our letter to her
on the way to her first doctor appointment
She does not have money for doctor care, for surgery, for recovery, for medicine. Wiphan and I are her Lifeguards. We are committed to being the Hands and Feet of Jesus - to call upon His people - to raise the money necessary for her surgery and treatments to take place.

Will you join me?

Our goal is to raise $2,000 estimated for her surgery and additional care. I believe without a doubt that we CAN and WILL raise the money in time for her surgery; which needs to happen as soon as possible. If you feel called to help, please keep reading.

Messages 4 Margret:
Here's the deal: when you donate online at Wiphan, it will open access to my CarePage Website that I have created for Margret. With the online invitation, you can write as many messages as you wish for Margret. Words of encouragement, bible verses, prayers, and cheers. If you are a Wiphan Sponsor, you could also include which child you sponsor in your message, as Margret might have a connection with your sponsored child!!

Once we have raised our goal, I will create a book of ALL of the messages for Margret. Worried about English that she may not speak or read? Put away that Zambian Dictionary that we all have lying around the house, because we have that covered!! Our sweet Wiphan friend, Kristin, will be sure that every word of every message will be translated and read to Margret personally. WHAT FUN!!!

Can you imagine? She is a sweet girl, going through this life saving change, and she will be BLOWN AWAY by the number of people who care for her around the World!! She will enjoy hearing all of your sweet messages for her. What better way to communicate the Love of Christ and have a direct impact your donation, and your messages, will have in her life!!

All donations will be collected through Wiphan. They will handle all of the money as they have the direct access to the medical care for Margret and are the ones overseeing all of the details. Because you are donating to Wiphan directly, your money is also tax deductible. Orphan Lifeguard's job in the journey with Margret is being her BIGGEST FAN and CHEERLEADER, encouraging the raising of these life saving funds, and collecting all of the messages for her. I am so excited to be teaming up with Wiphan ... and You!

How do you donate and get access to Messages 4 Margret?? Keep reading ...

Step 1:
Click on any of the Wiphan words in this blog post, or click on the WIPHAN box to the right. It will direct you to the Wiphan website. Click DONATE on the upper tab of the Wiphan site, and select DONATE ONE TIME. Follow the instructions on the donation screen, and include in the Memo Line: MESSAGES 4 MARGRET and Include Your Email Address.

Step 2:
Now that we have your Email Address, we will send you an email invitation from my CarePages website for Margret. Follow the easy instructions in this email to leave your message to Margret. Remember, once you have access to the CarePages website, you can leave as many messages as you wish during the course of this campaign.  So essentially, a one time donation for unlimited messages!!

Step 3:
Continue to pray for Margret, help me spread the word about Margret's story, add her to prayer chains, and check back on this blog often for updates.

Thank you so much for helping me save the life of my friend, Margret. This is the right thing to do, and I would really, really appreciate if you could help Margret.

To Margret, With Love ...

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

T-shirts!!

Add a splash of color to your winter wardrobe with the Orphan Lifeguard T-shirts!!!  You will be bursting with style while helping orphans in need!!
All profits go towards my purchase of sports balls, an air pump, and extra luggage fee to get the sports equipment to a specific Ukrainian Orphanage. Every time you wear the shirt - you get the chance to share about Orphan Lifeguard AND the kids you are helping. 

They fit great. They feel good. They are the new t-shirt in your closet that you will fall in love with!

AND ... THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THE DONATIONS BECAUSE WE HAVE GONE OVER OUR $300 GOAL!!! We did with cash donations, t-shirt sales, and ChipIn donations!!!  Wow, we are amazing!! If more money comes in it will continue to go towards the items already mentioned. More donations means more sports balls for the kids in Ukraine!

Thank You and Happy T-shirt Wearing!!!


Sunday, October 9, 2011

All for Fun and Fun for All!

It's about the fun, the exercise, getting energy out, and of course being a kid! If the kids in the Ukrainian Orphanage don't have sports balls, they can't do these things to their fullest!
The Dorm/Living Area of the Orphanage
You can't play basketball without the ball!! It would be called basket... that's it! Basket! No ball, no game. Sad, right?

Same thing with Soccer! Without the ball there is no game, and with no game, there is no exercise, no team building, no sportsmanship, no outdoor fun!! (or indoor, depending on rules:) ) 

We are soo close to our goal, we only need $4.80 to bring kids in Ukraine exercise! I know my Chip-In account says that we have raised $250, but with the sales I have got from my T-shirts, and donations by hand, we have raised $295.50! Thank YOU!! We can do it!

Thank you to the following people for the generous contributions by buying a shirt or donating cash:
-Linda
-Josh
-Jamie
-Maureen
-Stephanie
-Brian
-Carole
-Marcia
-Tricia
-Samson
-Lynda
-Cheryl
-Donna
-Tom

Your donations were VERY much appreciated!!!! 

Also don't forget to broadcast about my blog, and to tell me when you do, so you can be entered into my contest!!!!*

We can do this! It's All For Fun and Fun For All!! 

*All of the people listed above have been entered into the contest, including all of my Followers and those that have shared my blog. 

Friday, October 7, 2011

I Refuse...

Listen to this song's lyrics, it is exactly what my meaning is here on Orphan Lifeguard. It reminds me to look at the big picture in life and not take my good life for granted, and instead take that good life and do something with it for others. I love this song!

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Starbucks Challenge

I have a challenge for you....if you have a strong will, and great persistence, this should be easy.

No Starbucks for a day. "WHAT?! No STARBUCKS!" Calm down, its only if you want to help our Score a Goal 4 Ukraine project. If you want to take on the challenge then keep reading. If not, I totally understand. Just go take a break and calm yourself down with your Starbucks.

Here's what you have to do: instead of swinging by for your special treat at Starbucks, I challenge you to donate that dollar amount to help bring fun to kids with Score a Goal 4 Ukraine. Even if it is just one time. One day. It will make a difference to the awesome kids in Ukraine who I am supporting through my efforts to raise money for sports balls. 

Also don't forget, if you donate, follow or share my blog, you will automatically be put into the drawing for a exclusive Orphan Lifeguard item. The drawing will be aired Live here on November 1st at a still to-be-determined time..I cant wait!!!!

We need YOUR help to reach our goal!!!! 

Do you accept the challenge?

Monday, October 3, 2011

AMAZING!!!

Oh My!!!!! Thank you! Thank you!! Thank You!!! You guys are AMAZING!!! In less than 48 hours we have raised soo much  for Score a Goal 4 Ukraine!!

I literally left for school this morning with $60 raised (which was awesome too!). Then I came home, checked my mail, saw that people donated, looked at my blog, and saw that we have raised 210 DOLLARS!!!!

This is going to mean soo much for the kids in Ukraine!! We have now covered the cost of the extra baggage, and have a great start to the purchase of sports balls!! The orphans are going to be sooooo happy!! I can already see the smiles on their faces!

We still need $90 to reach our goal, so tell your friends about this amazing story and send them to check out Orphan Lifeguard!!! Click on the buttons at the bottom of this post to share directly with Facebook, Twitter, Blog, or Email.

But lets not stop at our original $300!! There are still 28 days left in the month ~ a perfect amount of time to continue to raise so much more for the orphans in Ukraine!!!

OH! I almost forgot ... I have a surprise! Those who donate, or buy a T-shirt, are in the drawing too! (Wink)

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Contest!

We've gotta get the word out!! In order to reach our goal of $300 we need to tell everyone, I mean EVERYONE about Orphan Lifeguard!! Tweet about it, Facebook, Blog, Text, E-mail, I don't care how you do it! But we need as big of an audience as possible!! 

Perhaps you are thinking,"What's in it for me?". Well of course there is the obvious reason; you are bringing joy to kids in Ukraine. BUT I know that it would be more fun if there was a contest involved. 

Here's what you have to do:

1. Broadcast. Tell people about my mission. Tell people to become a Follower of Orphan Lifeguard. Encourage donations and T-shirt sales. Get on all forms of social media forums and talk about Orphan Lifeguard. 

2. For each broadcast - let me know!! Comment back on any of my posts to tell me how you shared about Orphan Lifeguard. For each broadcast, you will be entered that many times into my drawing. 

3. My Current Followers have already been entered in my drawing bucket!!! If you are new - Follow me, and you will be entered too!

4. The Prize?? An exclusive Orphan Lifeguard item!

5. Make sure you tune to my blog on November 1st, at a to-be-determined time, to see me Live!!  to announce the winner of the contest!!!

I can't reach my goal without you!! So start typing, dialing, following and get the word out about Orphan Lifeguard!!!!!!!!! 

Saturday, October 1, 2011

We Have T-shirts!!!!!!!!!

I am so excited to announce that Orphan Lifeguard has their own T-Shirts! Thanks to Hren Design we have two shirts available,  in men and women sizes.  

You don't have to be a trained Lifeguard in a bathing suit to change a life, just wear this head turning red shirt instead, and spread the word about Orphan Lifeguard!!

This month each shirt will go towards my $300 project for buying sports balls for the Ukraine orphans. (The price of the shirt includes shipping.)

Buy Now while it's still Red Hot!!!!!  Thanks!



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My October Project ~ Score A Goal 4 Ukraine

This month I have chosen my project to be for a boarding school/orphanage in Ukraine in a town called Novomykolaivka. This orphanage houses kids from ages 1st through 9th grade.
What's special about this orphanage is that some of these kids get to be hosted through New Horizons at different family homes in America, and  80% of the time they get adopted by their hosting families or somebody they met while being hosted.
You can read more about this organization by going to the New Horizon's website. By hosting through New Horizons my friend Rachael found her son Sergiy, who is living in this orphanage that I will be raising funds for. The adoption paperwork has begun for Sergiy and soon he will be home with his family.

Rachael has agreed to take the donations that Orphan Lifeguard receives to the boarding school when she visits in November.
My goal is to raise $300. Of that, $75 will go towards the fee for the extra baggage on the plane and the remaining $225 will be used for me to purchase soccer balls, basketballs, footballs, and an air pump. These items were a common wish from the boys in the boarding school.

If you feel ready to help, you can donate money by selecting my Chip In button on the right sidebar. Any dollar amount will be much appreciated!  If we could rally just 30 people to donate $10 - then we would be on our way to those athletic balls for the kids.

I will also be selling Orphan Lifeguard T-Shirts that you can buy to help donate for Ukraine.The funds from the T-shirts will be combined with the cash donations that  will go towards our $300 goal.

Thank you for helping bring joy to these children in the Ukraine. You will be making an impact in their lives by helping me with this fundraiser; changing their lives right away.

Thanks for helping Orphan Lifeguard Score A Goal 4 Ukraine!!!