To Learn more, go to SoleHope
This is a special edition of Multitudes on Mondays... counting gifts all wrapped around my first ever Sole Hope Shoe Cutting Party!
Count with me, won't you?
* - Sole Hope Shoe Cutting Party Kit arriving... filled with info, bookmarks, a DVD with instructions, templates, etc!
* - The excitement of sharing the vision and inviting friends to come and be a part of something that blesses and makes a real difference across ocean and land.
* - Informative Booklet and DVD that gives directions and tips and makes it easy to host a party - even for this NON-sewing-blogger!
* - Gathering supplies and donations ahead of time.
* - Cutting the templates and tracing on material a few days before the party. (A little prep work is SUPER helpful on the day of the party!)
* - People are busy and even though I had a dozen or so say they were planning on coming, the closer to the party - the more friends' had things come up and were unable to attend. Instead of stressing out, I believed God would bring who He wanted and we would just have to commit to cutting a bit longer if necessary!
* - I kept it relaxed and low key... no browsing around Pinterest for recipes or party ideas... a trip through the local bakery and produce department, and I was good to go! Easy Peasy!
* - I collected plastic (milk cartons, laundry soap, or plastic binders) and purchased a few extra pairs of scissors - and borrowed a few pairs of Pinking Shears!
* - I set up 'stations' for cutting, tracing, organizing, and then assembling and bundling.
* - The DVD was great - powerful, short, and to the point!
* - Everyone was ready to get right to work!
* - People brought extra jeans/denim... bags and bags!
Our Barrell was overflowing with Scraps by the end of the Party!
My sweet friends... sisters, really - who came to cut... and count, together!
These Girlies really ARE sisters!
* - FORTY pairs of shoes cut in a little over 3 hours!
* - Quick and Easy clean up!
* - Bonus - the one sister who was unable to come? Yeah - her family owns a small business in town that sells Sewing Machines... so she wants me to host another party, and have it there at the shop - and they will promote it and oh my goodness, who can KNOW how many pairs of shoes we will be able to cut?
All in all, this was a great way to spend a Saturday morning! In just a few hours, we partnered with SoleHope and that means that 40 African Littles who have never had shoes will get a pair to help them stay healthy (and you know there were ALL KINDS of hands laid on these shoes! Praying for each baby...)
...and we count on!
(Next time I will catch up with my normal Counting of Gifts... numbered, one by one!)
Speak Life. Be Love. Shine On.
~Karrilee~
Linking up with Ann Voskamp in Counting (beyond) one thousand gifts...
Are you counting too? What ministries or organizations do you support, counting them as the gifts that they are - both in what they do, and how you get to come alongside and help? I'd love to hear!
Oh, WOW! What an amazing ministry! I just love what you're doing and to have a party for it, is wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI also love how you said you kept it simple--no browsing Pinterest for ideas---what a temptation, to get caught up in the details instead of what really counts. Love it.
Thanks for stopping by Heather! Yes - Sole Hope is an amazing ministry - so fun to be able to partner with them to make a life changing difference that really requires very little from us (which is wonderful simply because that makes it more doable!) And yes - as much as I love Pinterest - it can add all sorts of (unrealistic) ideas floating around my party planning head! I'm skipping it for this weekend too, as I host an If:Local event! Now - inrl is months away - so I will Pinterest my heart out for that one! ;)
DeleteLOVED every bit of this post. Love how this brought women together. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteYes Ashely - it was a great day... a huge bonus realizing that the shoes we cut would actually be worn and used to help literally save lives of those babies! It's crazy to think this is their reality - but it is! Honored to partner with a ministry that is making such a huge difference!
DeleteLove you, friend!
Beautiful post and beautiful ministry! Glad I found you through the Ann Voskamp link up. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteMary
Thanks Mary! So happy you stopped by today! I need to revisit the link up and stop by a few blogs too! I appreciate you visit! Happy to be counting gifts with you!
DeleteI'm part of the wring group and I thought I'd drop by for a visit. I'm so glad i did. This ministry is amazing! Thanks for sharing. I'm trying to figure how to have my own shoe party. I had music on while I was reading this post and when I realized it was Beautiful Things by Gungor I thought how appropriate.
ReplyDeleteMimi - thanks so much for stopping by! I need to go around and visit the blogs from our group as well! I am thrilled that you are going to host a party too! Just check out their website above (There is a link right under the 2nd photo!) - they make it super easy! I am hoping to do it again in March!!! Oh - and that is one of my favorite songs!!! How VERY appropriate! Looking forward to getting to know you better in our group!
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