Tuesday, November 5, 2013

A Place at MY Table/A Little About ME

Where to begin? I moved a lot growing up and this enabled me to learn about different cultures in the U.S. As I got older, my Mom went back to school and became a Teacher For Speakers of Other Languages. I often participated in class and group activities and came to love interacting with people from all cultures.

When I was 16, I spent my Easter vacation on a mission trip in Haiti. We were asked to put a roof on a church. In my spare time, I fed every child I could, I played hackey-sack (the closest thing they had to a ball) with all the area kids, and I ran around with a smile on my face for every child I met. So many were thin, short, and gaunt, but they all smiled back with hope in their eyes. I came home forever changed, with a heart for missions and a plan to change the world.

I have two biological children, 18 & 8. They are beautiful and independent. But, we all feel that they should have more siblings. My husband has 5 siblings and I have 3. Two children is not enough for us. We can all agree on that. My husband's family came from Poland. He remembers sending clothing and other goods to Poland when he was a child. He has a heart for all things Eastern European. I have a heart for all things orphan. It is a match made in heaven.

We learned about New Horizons for Children. They have a hosting program that allows orphans to come to the U.S. and learn about life skills, how to cook and clean and live in a family environment. This sounded perfect to us. We put in our application and hosted for the summer.

This winter, we have an incredible opportunity to host a 15 year old girl. This girl lives n an orphanage with adult caregivers, not family. She shares everything she owns with all of the other children who live there too. She has a bright smile, a bubbly personality, and becomes feisty if she feels threatened or insulted. These are the children I am blessed with, the feisty, the loud, the ones with a great sense of humor. The ones that can be difficult to love, but I have to wrap my arms around them and earn their trust with unconditional love.

We just found out that this girl was available for this winter. And, that we would have a one week deadline to come up with the $1500 to host her. As our fundraiser, we are selling cookbooks. See below. If you do not wish to order a cookbook, but still would like to donate to show your love, we will definitely pass on the message that God loves her so much that He inspires strangers with His love!

Thank you for taking the time to read all of this! Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.
Thank you for your support!
 
Thank you and God bless you!
Photo: I have a cookbook filled with photos and 38 awesome recipes that I will give to anyone who donates $10 to Julie's fundraising efforts.  I will also include a $10 coupon off anything I offer at www.jocoburn.com including my fall cleaneating program, monthly menu services, coaching programs, store tours,  etc.  Just send me a message and I will tell you how to get yours.  Cookbook and coupon are delivered as an e-book via a dropbox link that you can immediately download to your computer and save or print!  Let's get this $ pouring in!!

1 comment:

  1. Julie, I'm not sure how you heard about me, but I enjoyed reading your Blog Title;;"I cannot make this stuff up!" I teach preschool with 4 year olds and sometimes at the end of the day when I think about what transpired in 4 short hours, I just shake my head. It's often just general craziness all around.
    Good luck to you on your orphan journey--may God bless your large, giving heart!

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