use what you have // a day in the shop for Lacy

One of my favorite parts about running our shop is being able to use our art & our business to bless our friends so that they can bless others. Last month, our amazing customers bought prints AND supported our friend Caroline as she went to Haiti. I never truly updated about the funds that we were able to raise for Caroline, but after all of you purchased prints and the profits were donated - her trip to Haiti was fully funded! She is actually finishing up her trip now, and you can follow along on instagram! 

Today we're raising money for another dear friend of mine, Lacy. Next month she is headed to South Asia to partner with Light of Hope learning center to help girls and young women get off the streets and away from the dangers of human trafficking. Every cent of profit from today's sales will go to help fund her trip and it is our JOY to help her get there. If you've been waiting to buy a print or a special canvas - would you make today the day? We'd love to bless the girls through Lacy! 

You can read more about her trip here & go buy some prints here! 
Thank you guys and have an amazing Friday! 

Passion Project Haiti - help support our Caroline

Right around the time we moved to Charleston, people started asking me if I knew Caroline. Have you met Caroline? Surely you know Caroline? I didn't know Caroline, but I wanted to! Apparently she was this amazing photographer with this amazing heart for Jesus, crazy passionate and an incredibly good friend. When I did finally meet her, she totally lived up to the hype. 

Caroline has become the unofficial Naptime Diaries photographer, but she's become my very official friend. She is encouraging and life-giving, she drops a meal off at my house when she knows I'm having a hard day and she brings me flower arrangements that are leftover from the weddings she shoots. When she is passionate about something, we want to support her. 

Today in our shop, we're giving 100% of the profits to support Caroline's upcoming trip to Haiti and I wanted her to tell you below why she's going. We're done shipping for Christmas delivery but you can buy gift cards that automatically downloads or any kind of goodies in the shop to receive just after January 1st - all proceeds go to her trip. We'd love to have you help support her today! Here her heart below! 

In high school and college, I took a handful of missions and outreach trips both in the country and out of the country. But since my business has picked up and time off seems rare, it’s been years since I’ve set aside the time from work (and life!) to serve others and do something not about me.

This upcoming January, I’ll be heading off to Haiti with a group of creatives and photographers to help serve the people of Port-Au-Prince.

Led by the photographer, Josh Newton, (http://joshnewton.com) this is the first of many Passion Projects to come-aimed to unite people through their heart for serving and put their passions into practice. Directly supporting two wonderful organizations, Thirst Relief International (http://thirstrelief.org) and Child Hope International,(http://childhope.org) on this trip, my team and I will be:

-teaching kids vocational skills they can use for life

-documenting the work of the volunteers, workers, nurses and teachers of Thirst Relief and Child Hope

-working with and teaching a handful of orphans who have already started their own businesses

-making a photo book/magazine telling the story and history of the orphanage through photos and words

-and if we raise enough money, helping Thirst Relief install a clean water system!

So this is where you come in. Help me make this trip about something bigger than myself.

mares-e-dotes original painting! Raffle ends tomorrow!

To catch you up to speed: 

- My handsome husband is planting a church. 

- Our family is in the process of moving to Charlestown - a neighborhood in Boston, MA that we believe is in big need of a church. 

- We have a long 33 page church planting plan, but our main plan is to move to Charlestown, settle in for (hopefully) the rest of our lives, and build a community that is centered on the gospel. Check out more here - Gospel Community. 

- This is (hopefully) our last big public fundraising drive, and our prayer is that we'll be able to raise the money needed to move our family and belongings and get set up in the city to start building community, working, and loving our neighbors. We're so thankful (thankful doesn't begin to say it) for the support of people wide & far - financial support means a lot, but your prayers mean so much more.

Here's how it works: 

- We have some super talented and giving friends who have donated services, items, and gifts for us to raffle off in an effort to raise support. 

- You donate $10 per "raffle ticket" and we'll use an electronic online picker to pick a winner of each item! You can donate to Gospel Community using the paypal button on the side of the my blog or on the Gospel Community website. 

- For each $10 you get one entry. Donate $20, get 2 entries! $100, 10 entries! 

- For a one free entry per raffle item (limit one), facebook or tweet about the fundraiser!

- Please leave a comment naming how many entries you qualify for and which item you want!

- There will be new items up each day, but all items will stay open for raffle until Monday 10/25. 

.................................

Today's item up for raffle is super dear to my heart. 

My bff from Seattle, Marilee, painted this beautiful painting just for our fundraising purposes. Not only is it lovely and would bless any home, but the love she put into it blesses me personally. 

Same as always, comment early and often. 

This is our last item up for raffle and I'll leave all the items up through the entire day tomorrow (ending at midnight west coast time)- with results for winners on Thursday! 

Remember to check out the past days of items! 

Raffle extended! And a Tukula bag!

Hey friends! We've received a few more items up for donation and we're going to extend the raffle through Wednesday! So, to be clear - every item listed since last Monday is still open to be raffled upon:) After donating, comment on the item that you want! And of course, share on facebook or twitter to get a free comment!

To catch you up to speed: 

- My handsome husband is planting a church. 

- Our family is in the process of moving to Charlestown - a neighborhood in Boston, MA that we believe is in big need of a church. 

- We have a long 33 page church planting plan, but our main plan is to move to Charlestown, settle in for (hopefully) the rest of our lives, and build a community that is centered on the gospel. Check out more here - Gospel Community. 

- This is (hopefully) our last big public fundraising drive, and our prayer is that we'll be able to raise the money needed to move our family and belongings and get set up in the city to start building community, working, and loving our neighbors. We're so thankful (thankful doesn't begin to say it) for the support of people wide & far - financial support means a lot, but your prayers mean so much more.

Here's how it works: 

- We have some super talented and giving friends who have donated services, items, and gifts for us to raffle off in an effort to raise support. 

- You donate $10 per "raffle ticket" and we'll use an electronic online picker to pick a winner of each item! You can donate to Gospel Community using the paypal button on the side of the my blog or on the Gospel Community website. 

- For each $10 you get one entry. Donate $20, get 2 entries! $100, 10 entries! 

- For a one free entry per raffle item (limit one), facebook or tweet about the fundraiser!

- Please leave a comment naming how many entries you qualify for and which item you want!

- There will be new items up each day, but all items will stay open for raffle until Monday 10/25. 

.................................

Tukula is a super beautiful company that is helping Uganda in a massive way. They employ three Ugandan tailors at an above average pay rate, to make beautiful bags for people around the world to purchase, and then they use their profits to put back into the Ugandan economy - meeting basic needs in the rural and village communities. They have super graciously donated a bag, with the color of your choice to our giveaway.

Check out Tukula's website for more info and more products for purchase. And remember to check out the raffle items from the last week! 

Raffle, Day 4? 5? I lost count! The Ruffled Owl!

To catch you up to speed: 

- My handsome husband is planting a church. 

- Our family is in the process of moving to Charlestown - a neighborhood in Boston, MA that we believe is in big need of a church. 

- We have a long 33 page church planting plan, but our main plan is to move to Charlestown, settle in for (hopefully) the rest of our lives, and build a community that is centered on the gospel. Check out more here - Gospel Community. 

- This is (hopefully) our last big public fundraising drive, and our prayer is that we'll be able to raise the money needed to move our family and belongings and get set up in the city to start building community, working, and loving our neighbors. We're so thankful (thankful doesn't begin to say it) for the support of people wide & far - financial support means a lot, but your prayers mean so much more.

Here's how it works: 

- We have some super talented and giving friends who have donated services, items, and gifts for us to raffle off in an effort to raise support. 

- You donate $10 per "raffle ticket" and we'll use an electronic online picker to pick a winner of each item! You can donate to Gospel Community using the paypal button on the side of the my blog or on the Gospel Community website. 

- For each $10 you get one entry. Donate $20, get 2 entries! $100, 10 entries! 

- For a one free entry per raffle item (limit one), facebook or tweet about the fundraiser!

- Please leave a comment naming how many entries you qualify for and which item you want!

- There will be new items up each day, but all items will stay open for raffle until Monday 10/25. 

.................................

Hey friends! 

I've got a few more items up for raffle, so I may keep posting items through the weekend and early next week! But today I've got a sweet, beautiful apron from Kait over at The Ruffled Owl! This beautiful Christmasy apron would be perfect for Thanksgiving and holiday prep - but would also put some pep in your homemaking step in the middle of the summer as well! 

And just to clear up any confusion:

- Every time you comment, it's like buying a raffle ticket. So you comment, that lands you one chance toward winning the item mentioned. 

- Each comment "costs" $10, a donation which you can make using the paypal button on the side of the blog. This money goes straight to Gospel Community Church and is tax deductible. 

- If you facebook/twitter/blog about the raffle, you get one free entry! 

- For now, I'm definitely leaving all raffle items open till Monday the 25th, but we may extend everything! 

And here are the items still up for grabs: 

- Jared Hogan's family video ($1200 value)

- Maria Hogan's baby headband ($20 value)

- Running skirt from Road Runner's Sports ($40 value)

- Thrifty Nifty & Wise gift set ($25 value)

Have a great weekend and happy raffling, ya'll!

Raffle, Day 3 - Thrifty, Nifty, & Wise!

To catch you up to speed: 

- My handsome husband is planting a church. 

- Our family is in the process of moving to Charlestown - a neighborhood in Boston, MA that we believe is in big need of a church. 

- We have a long 33 page church planting plan, but our main plan is to move to Charlestown, settle in for (hopefully) the rest of our lives, and build a community that is centered on the gospel. Check out more here - Gospel Community. 

- This is (hopefully) our last big public fundraising drive, and our prayer is that we'll be able to raise the money needed to move our family and belongings and get set up in the city to start building community, working, and loving our neighbors. We're so thankful (thankful doesn't begin to say it) for the support of people wide & far - financial support means a lot, but your prayers mean so much more.

Here's how it works: 

- We have some super talented and giving friends who have donated services, items, and gifts for us to raffle off in an effort to raise support. 

- You donate $10 per "raffle ticket" and we'll use an electronic online picker to pick a winner of each item! You can donate to Gospel Community using the paypal button on the side of the my blog or on the Gospel Community website. 

- For each $10 you get one entry. Donate $20, get 2 entries! $100, 10 entries! 

- For a one free entry per raffle item (limit one), facebook or tweet about the fundraiser!

- Please leave a comment naming how many entries you qualify for and which item you want!

- There will be new items up each day, but all items will stay open for raffle until Monday 10/25. 

.................................

Super excited about today's raffle items! 

It's super sweet when old friends donate some goods, it's just awesome that our future Boston friends want to donate stuff too. But when internet strangers want to donate things, I'm just overwhelmed and grateful! Page, from Thrifty, Nifty, & Wise doesn't really feel like an internet stranger because I love her blog so much - but all the same, we're so thankful for her generosity! 

And just look at all this great stuff! 

 today's raffle item is this WHOLE set. 

are you kidding me cute rosette headband?  

checkbook cover? yes, please! 

altogether that's a reusable coffee sleeve (my fave!), checkbook cover, wallet, and precious headband!

Page says this is a $25 value, I think she might be selling herself short! 

And it can all be yours for $10? 

And you get to further the gospel in the process? 

That's a great deal for a Wednesday. 

Also don't forget Monday's raffle - video by Jared Hogan and precious babyheadband by his talented wife. Or Tuesday's raffle - Carissa's brand new running skirt in your color and size choice! 

Donate, shop, and tell your friends! 

day 2 raffle, running skirt!

To catch you up to speed: 

- My handsome husband is planting a church. 

- Our family is in the process of moving to Charlestown - a neighborhood in Boston, MA that we believe is in big need of a church. 

- We have a long 33 page church planting plan, but our main plan is to move to Charlestown, settle in for (hopefully) the rest of our lives, and build a community that is centered on the gospel. Check out more here - Gospel Community. 

- This is (hopefully) our last big public fundraising drive, and our prayer is that we'll be able to raise the money needed to move our family and belongings and get set up in the city to start building community, working, and loving our neighbors. We're so thankful (thankful doesn't begin to say it) for the support of people wide & far - financial support means a lot, but your prayers mean so much more.

Here's how it works: 

- We have some super talented and giving friends who have donated services, items, and gifts for us to raffle off in an effort to raise support. 

- You donate $10 per "raffle ticket" and we'll use an electronic online picker to pick a winner of each item! You can donate to Gospel Community using the paypal button on the side of the my blog or on the Gospel Community website. 

- For each $10 you get one entry. Donate $20, get 2 entries! $100, 10 entires! 

- For a one free entry per raffle item (limit one), facebook or tweet about the fundraiser!

- Please leave a comment naming how many entries you qualify for and which item you want!

- There will be new items up each day, but all items will stay open for raffle until Monday 10/25. 

.................................

Ok guys, please remember that yesterday's raffle will stay open ALL WEEK. Do not miss out on the amazing deal from the Hogans! A family video valued at $1200 and the sweetest baby headband you've ever seen! But up today....

One of our favorite things about preparing for our move to Boston has been connecting with future friends. Carissa is one of our favorites. She's a sweet friend who lives in Boston and gets us more and more excited about moving every day! In honor or our future friendship and our many future runs through the city of Boston - she's donating a super cute RUNNING SKIRT! 

Runners, wanna-be runners, women in general? Have you tried running skirts? I'm obsessed with them! I blogged about mine here. They're just the best for real. Even if you're not a runner, you should wear one to the grocery store just to look athletic. However, I've never done that myself:) 

This particular one is a $44 value, from Road Runner's Sports. 

Same drill as yesterday! $10 per raffle entry. Enter as many times as you like. 

If you win, pick your favorite color and let us know your size and we will ship you this bad boy! One free entry for facebook or tweet. You can do this! 

And no matter what, DO NOT miss out on yesterday's deal! 

Happy Tuesday and happy raffling! 

day 1 raffle, the hogans!

To catch you up to speed: 
- My handsome husband is planting a church. 
- Our family is in the process of moving to Charlestown - a neighborhood in Boston, MA that we believe is in big need of a church. 
- We have a long 33 page church planting plan, but our main plan is to move to Charlestown, settle in for (hopefully) the rest of our lives, and build a community that is centered on the gospel. Check out more here - Gospel Community. 
- This is (hopefully) our last big public fundraising drive, and our prayer is that we'll be able to raise the money needed to move our family and belongings and get set up in the city to start building community, working, and loving our neighbors. We're so thankful (thankful doesn't begin to say it) for the support of people wide & far - financial support means a lot, but your prayers mean so much more.


Here's how it works: 
- We have some super talented and giving friends who have donated services, items, and gifts for us to raffle off in an effort to raise support. 
- You donate $10 per "raffle ticket" and we'll use an electronic online picker to pick a winner of each item! You can donate to Gospel Community using the paypal button on the side of the my blog or on the Gospel Community website. 
- For each $10 you get one entry. Donate $20, get 2 entries! $100, 10 entires! 
- For a one free entry per raffle item (limit one), facebook or tweet about the fundraiser!
- Please leave a comment naming how many entries you qualify for and which item you want!
- There will be new items up each day, but all items will stay open for raffle until Monday 10/25. 

Now, to start off - 

we've got a sweet sweet deal for you.

Jared Hogan, an incredibly talented, accomplished, and lovely friend of ours is a professional video/media master. This is a video he made of his sweet and beautiful four month old delight, Winnie. He's donated a short day-in-the-life film so that one of you EXTREMELY lucky raffle winners can have a forever documented beautiful memory like the one shown. Now this prize has a small limitation in that you have to be in or get to the Charlotte, NC area to take advantage of it - but seriously it's a deal. Donate $10 for an entry and get a short film by a professional videographer, valued at $1200. 
*to be clear, this is for a non-special occasion film. no weddings, births, etc.

happy 4 months, winnie! from jared hogan on Vimeo.

Don't get bummed out if you're not in Charlotte. 
I've got something else for you on this first day of the fundraiser! 
Jared's beautiful wife (and Winnie's mama!), Maria - is making some beautiful handmade goodies and crafts. So the second raffle item of the day is a precious handmade baby headband, valued at $20. (Also, modeled by the talented Winn) 
*to be clear - you do not win the actual cute baby in this photo. bummers. 

So, two wonderful goodies to get today!

1) beautiful short family film by the talented Jared Hogan or 

2) beautiful baby headband (which truth be told, I'd totally steal from my baby) by the lovely Maria Hogan. 

Donate. Comment. Pick your goodies. Tell your friends.

let the raffle begin!