$250.00 Cake

So today was THE day of the 2nd Annual Ruth Harbor Walk for Life. And what a GREAT day it was!!! We had about a dozen Jordan Creekers, plus kids, there to walk. And thanks to Angela's idea to do t-shirts, Ryan Rogness' graphics, and Aunt Cindy's hook-up for custom iron-ons, we were sportin' great tee's, too! We had a double stroller (LOVE IT!!!), the May family brought a cool wagon (kids loved it!!!) and a few Dads had kids on their shoulders. It was just fun.
But the BEST news...before all the sponsor sheets were even tallied, this year's walk has out-done last year's walk. REALLY love that!!! In the past week or so, the girls and I have toured the neighborhood asking for sponsors for the walk. We went to one house, and the husband said that he would sponsor us, but did not give an amount. So, knowing that his favorite cake is a HOMEMADE Angel Food Cake, I asked him how much it would be worth for a charitable donation. He laughed and said that I drove a hard bargain. (Lots of retail sales experience:) He said that I needed to name my price, and he would decide if it was acceptable. So I said that $50.00 would be great, but that if he thought my cake was totally worth it, then $100.00! And he replied with, "well, how about $250.00". YOWZA!!! So thank you Grandma Byers for passing down your 13 egg white cake recipe. It is all going for an amazing causeY
Mark and I were also able to meet the new house parents, as well as 2 of the young women living at RH. It was really a rewarding experience, and a GREAT way to spend time together as a family.

Generosity

I am so blessed by the awesome women that I know! Last night several friends came over and as a group, the Women of Jordan Creek Family Church created these AMAZING 'welcome bags' for the women at Ruth Harbor. Even a few ladies who could not make it to my house made sure that they were able to be a part of the evening by contributing good smellin' lotion, pedicure supplies (loved that when I was pregnant!), and $$$ for gift cards to Target (who doesn't love that???). We assembled 5 gift bags, and the timing is perfect. There are currently 3 women living at Ruth Harbor, and the Director is talking with a 4th young woman. I think it was Dara's idea last year to do these gift baskets, and it was the house parents who made a point of saying how much the women appreciated the thoughtfulness. Can you imagine being, what, 15 years old, pregnant, and not being at home. You go to live in a house with people you do not know. You don't know what your future will hold just 5 months from now, when you have a baby. You don't know if you will keep the baby and choose to parent that baby on your own, or if you will choose to place your child for adoption. You don't know if your current friends will still be your friends thru the next 5 months, or afterward. You do not know what your relationship with your family will be like as your own life is changing so much. But when you walk into your new bedroom, you have a beautiful bag of goodies waiting on your bed with a note that just says 'welcome'.
I am so blessed by the amazing, loving and generous women that I know. Thank you...

Walk For Life

Ruth Harbor ... A Compassionate Solution, A Safe Place

I am passionate about Ruth Harbor.
Ruth Harbor is a local home, ministry, safe place for young women who are pregnant, and need a place to live until their baby is born.
I just wrote, and deleted, a bunch of logistical information about Ruth Harbor, because I realized that their website says it better than I ever could, so check it out by clicking on the above link.
This blog is to raise $ !!!
Saturday, May 12th, will be the 2nd annual Walk for Life to raise money for Ruth Harbor. Mark and I had the privilege of being involved in year #1, and it was so gratifying. In previous years, Ruth Harbor had done a flower sale to raise funds. Last year, with only minimal additional effort, a substantial increase in money was raised. LOVE THAT!!! But in my opinion, raising AWARENESS of Ruth Harbor is as important as raising money. So please consider giving of your time (and join us on the walk at Meredith Trail in Des Moines), or of your talent (contact me to sponsor our family as we Walk For Life)!!!
And how cool is THIS...Angela Sustala has also become passionate about Ruth Harbor, and she had the fabulous idea of organizing a Jordan Creek Family Church TEAM! This is her idea...I only wish I could take credit for it:) Team members will receive a Walk For Life t-shirt with our "JCFC" logo on the back. Then we will all meet at Meredith Trail @ 9am for registration, walk together, and then go have breakfast together afterward. So if you would like to join our "TEAM JCFC" that would be even more cool than sponsoring our family.
Either way, get involved!