Kairos

Recently my super fab mother picked up a beaded bracelet from a friend selling them in her Sunday School class. This chic piece was handmade by women in Ghana. Kairos 10 Jewelry is a non-profit that provides mosquito nets to these women and their families, as well as many other families in Africa, from the proceeds of the bracelets. They also put on medical clinics, forums for young girls, and so much more.

I think the greatest thing they are doing for these women is providing them with hope. Helping them to see they are worthwhile. Helping them to make their own future, and feel important. The Kairos teams friend these women and visit them regularly. In September another group will head out on a mission. I am committing to pray for them while they are gone.

So, after my mother failed to let me in on her newest philanthropic effort, I ran across the Kairos bracelets at a local store. I picked up one - purple with pearls - and have been sporting it ever since!

You can visit their blog at http://kairosjewelry.blogspot.com/ and check them out for yourself. Be expecting some for birthday presents, ladies!! 

Love you all, and miss you tons!

Renovation

The past couple weeks have been full of flights, friends, and fun. As I returned back to home-base I decided that I needed to pour all my excess energy left over from traveling into a project. I took on my desk.

A couple months ago I picked up a rusty red desk from Habitat for Humanity Restore. It was a steal at just $40. But then it rode around in the back of my car for over a month - it was worth it! Using Valspar paints and their pamphlet on how to crackle paint, I renovated my old beat up and scratched desk into a shabby chic piece of statement furniture.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

THE SUPPLIES:

Anytime I fix up something old I'm reminded of these words from Revelation 2:15, "And He who sits on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." And He said, "Write, for these words are faithful and true."

God makes all things new again, including us! My favorite song right now is Beautiful Things sung by Gungor. My favorite line is "You make beautiful things out of us." And its true, He makes absolutely beautiful things out of us if we allow Him to.

Watch and listen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyPBtExE4W0&feature=related


Over the next few weeks I will be taking on quite a few crafting projects. Stay tuned for more!

-Kendal

Being Strong

I am officially a Horned Frog alum! What a long, hard, and joyful road it was. It took a great deal of strength, confidence, and courage.

One of my favorite quotes finds itself stuck to my full-length mirror via stick-on wall art.  It says, "If you are confident, you are beautiful." And I fully believe that to be true. I've had many conversations with friends lately about confidence. We have come to the conclusion that confidence is everything. With one friend in particular we have been discussing that confidence is required for all situations: You must be confident to pass a class. You must be confident to go on a first date. You must be confident to turn down dates! You must be confident to know what you want in life.

Courage is what is behind confidence. Courage is what it takes to find that confidence within oneself. One of my favorite verses is Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

I decided that I needed a daily reminder of this verse. I choose a cabinet door from the Habitat Restore and sanded it down. Using stencils, black craft paint, and my trusty spray-on sealant, I crafted away! This beautiful creation is now proudly displayed in my room to remind me everyday that I must be Strong and Courageous! I choose a silver cross from Hobby Lobby to accent the sign and to remind myself that those character traits I desire come as a command from the Lord to respond to all things in that manner.

Go through this week being Strong, Courageous, and Confident, my dear friends - Kendal