Japan Relief All Wrapped Up

We did it, we survived and I LOVED it!  Our Japan Relief Effort was an amazing success.  Here is a little photo log of the big event.  We made about $3700 (donations are still coming in) which is more than we anticipated making.  Thank you to everyone who helped, every single act (big or small) and every single prayer helped.

 I was in charge of the bake sale so my work didn't really begin until Friday.  Heather saved my bacon and came over to help for most of the day.  I do not think I would have made it if not for her mad dish washing and other various talents.

 This is the typical site at my house on baking day - dress ups, runny noses and

 stuff everywhere!

 But who *really* cares when this is the insane result?

 Yes, I will show you each and very picture of my 3 tables full of delicious treats.

 I made chocolate covered pretzels, banana bread, poppy seed bread, key lime tarts, orange kissed cookies, chocolate covered rice crispies, lemon bars, homemade oreos and chocolate chip cookies.

 We also had a gum drop cookie bouquets, fudge, honey wheat bread, cinnamon rolls, raspberry braid bread, snicker, cupcakes, brownies, mint brownies and sugar cookies.

 Yum! Is what most people said as they walked by, followed by "how do I choose?".

The Taylors set up their photography and Ali had some beautiful pictures done with Cinderella.

We had a HUGE selection of craft items for sale.  There was everything form hair bows to headbands to banners to jewelry to blankets to cards to tutus and so on.  It was amazing to see what could be pulled together by a bunch of women from across the country in a few weeks.

 There was also a face painting table set up.  They did the cutest butterfly faces.

A couple of Ali's classmates came to the event. Her friends Yuma loved her new tutu and ribbon wand.

Helping with this event was an amazing blessing in my life.  I know I was not the brains or the brawn behind it all but I would do what I did and more in a second.  Serving others is one of my favorite things in the world to do.  I am grateful for the opportunity I had to serve and for the opportunity I had to teach Ali about service.  She continues to pray for the people in Japan and it warms my heart each time.  Though we don't have much I know that our willingness to do all we can makes up the difference.  I hope that you have the opportunity to participate in something bigger than yourself and that you seize it.