Well, I started a GO FUND ME page to raise money for Orcxance's visa expenses. We have started the visa application process and our goal is for our family (including Orcxance) to visit North Carolina in 2022! We have already incurred some expenses as we begin filing for the visa and paying fees to our lawyer, so we decided to set up this fundraiser so we can afford to complete the process. You can help us make this happen!
Here is the link to the fundraiser page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/visa-for-orcxance?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1
Please feel free to share this on social media or with friends and family. We appreciate your interest!
Friday, 19 June 2020
Tuesday, 16 June 2020
Market Day Event
Hi Friends!
We are hosting an "African market day" so everyone can get a little taste of a Congolese market right here in North Carolina! There will be a wide variety of items such as artwork, fun clothing, carved woodwork, aprons, hand bags, keychains and many surprise items.
The market will be open from:
3-6pm on Sunday, June 28
and
4-8pm on Monday, June 29
The purpose of this event is so that we can see you, and so you can experience a mini Congolese market and do some shopping. :) All profits from purchases will go toward our family and ministry in Congo. Please show your support and come see us!
Comment below if you would like the address or more information!
www.valleygrace.blogspot.com
Friday, 1 May 2020
Saturday, 25 April 2020
Esengo Art
Esengo means "joy" in Lingala. My shop contains mostly paintings, and I try to make my paintings joyful!
But there's more than just paintings and sketches there. There are some new things like handbags and little girl dresses, as well as wooden figures carved by one of our craft partners in Congo.
Visit my Etsy shop here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/EsengoArt?ref=hdr_user_menu-shop
But there's more than just paintings and sketches there. There are some new things like handbags and little girl dresses, as well as wooden figures carved by one of our craft partners in Congo.
Visit my Etsy shop here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/EsengoArt?ref=hdr_user_menu-shop
Wednesday, 22 April 2020
Deuteronomy 2:7
For the Lord thy God hath blessed thee in all the works of thy hand: he knoweth thy walking through this great wilderness: these forty years the Lord thy God hath been with thee; thou hast lacked nothing.
Saturday, 18 April 2020
Recommends
A "recommends" blog post in the way of my cousin Sarah (www.lovesmelodies.blogspot.com)
1. Silicone baby dishes. Baby Molly is eating solids now and we are loving the silicone dishes which were a gift from Aunt Faith. They are fun colors, smooth, easy to clean and best of all, not breakable! Also, the little bowl suctions onto a smooth hard surface which makes feeding even easier and less messy. The spoons are soft and flexible; perfect for putting in a baby's mouth. They also make good teething toys and Molly likes to play with them even without the accompaniment of food. The bib that came with the set is great because it has a pocket that catches food and drips, and again, it's easy to clean!
Can be purchased on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Baby-Toddler-Feeding-Set-Adjustable/dp/B07NWB62B1/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=silicone+baby+feeding+set&qid=1587221772&sr=8-5
2. Bubbles. There are many good reasons for bubbles. Molly loves bubbles. I love bubbles. Most kids love bubbles. They are beautiful. I have one little bubble stick leftover from somebody's wedding that I happened to discover in a suitcase. It is easy to refill the little stick with liquid soap. Currently we have a big bottle of strawberry soap that someone gave us when Molly was born and it makes decent bubbles.
Again: Find at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Big-Mos-Toys-Heart-Bubble/dp/B07611DGJX/ref=sr_1_7?dchild=1&keywords=wedding+favors+bubbles&qid=1587221988&sr=8-7
3. Metal skewers. This one sounds totally random but it's a great item for meals! We use these metal sticks for grilling meat and the occasional marshmallow. Just chop meat and veggies and put on the skewer, then grill over charcoal. A yummy dinner! The neighbors are also big fans so we have to keep a close watch on these when they're lent out.
...And of course S'MORES! They are good for roasting marshmallows; at least over our little charcoal stove. If you're going for the campfire style roasting, you might get roasted too, since these skewers are short (about 12 inches long).
Find here: https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Donuts-Kabob-Skewers-Grilling/dp/B072BXVD7X/ref=sr_1_4?crid=1MQXG24Q4DLLI&dchild=1&keywords=metal+skewers+for+grilling&qid=1587222267&sprefix=metal+skewer%2Caps%2C169&sr=8-4
4. Podcasts and audiobooks. These are perfect for long days at home with a baby and no one else to talk to. Also, this helps me keep up my English vocabulary when I'm not otherwise hearing English in my daily life. (Okay, this is probably not a practical reason for most of you, except those readers who are expat spouses...which is probably none of you.) Anyways, a couple of my favorite podcasts are the Alliance sermons (from my home church) which can be found here: http://www.abfboone.com/sermon-archive/ and you can download new sermons each week as new ones come out. I also enjoy the 'What Have You' podcast, which can be found here: https://www.nsa.edu/what-have-you-podcast/.
As far as audiobooks, I won't attempt to list them here; there are too many! But I love Audible, and have found many favorites on there, as well as discovered new ones.
5. Hammocks. Particularly an ENO. A durable hammock is a nice outdoor/backyard accessory. It makes a good place for reading, taking naps and of course, playing with babies. We really enjoy our ENO hammock, especially Orcxance. It's easy to set up and is made of pretty tough material. Also, if it gets rained on, it won't be ruined. Just hang it out to dry.
Purchase from your local Mast General Store. If you have one. https://www.mastgeneralstore.com
1. Silicone baby dishes. Baby Molly is eating solids now and we are loving the silicone dishes which were a gift from Aunt Faith. They are fun colors, smooth, easy to clean and best of all, not breakable! Also, the little bowl suctions onto a smooth hard surface which makes feeding even easier and less messy. The spoons are soft and flexible; perfect for putting in a baby's mouth. They also make good teething toys and Molly likes to play with them even without the accompaniment of food. The bib that came with the set is great because it has a pocket that catches food and drips, and again, it's easy to clean!
Can be purchased on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Baby-Toddler-Feeding-Set-Adjustable/dp/B07NWB62B1/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=silicone+baby+feeding+set&qid=1587221772&sr=8-5
2. Bubbles. There are many good reasons for bubbles. Molly loves bubbles. I love bubbles. Most kids love bubbles. They are beautiful. I have one little bubble stick leftover from somebody's wedding that I happened to discover in a suitcase. It is easy to refill the little stick with liquid soap. Currently we have a big bottle of strawberry soap that someone gave us when Molly was born and it makes decent bubbles.
Again: Find at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Big-Mos-Toys-Heart-Bubble/dp/B07611DGJX/ref=sr_1_7?dchild=1&keywords=wedding+favors+bubbles&qid=1587221988&sr=8-7
3. Metal skewers. This one sounds totally random but it's a great item for meals! We use these metal sticks for grilling meat and the occasional marshmallow. Just chop meat and veggies and put on the skewer, then grill over charcoal. A yummy dinner! The neighbors are also big fans so we have to keep a close watch on these when they're lent out.
...And of course S'MORES! They are good for roasting marshmallows; at least over our little charcoal stove. If you're going for the campfire style roasting, you might get roasted too, since these skewers are short (about 12 inches long).
4. Podcasts and audiobooks. These are perfect for long days at home with a baby and no one else to talk to. Also, this helps me keep up my English vocabulary when I'm not otherwise hearing English in my daily life. (Okay, this is probably not a practical reason for most of you, except those readers who are expat spouses...which is probably none of you.) Anyways, a couple of my favorite podcasts are the Alliance sermons (from my home church) which can be found here: http://www.abfboone.com/sermon-archive/ and you can download new sermons each week as new ones come out. I also enjoy the 'What Have You' podcast, which can be found here: https://www.nsa.edu/what-have-you-podcast/.
As far as audiobooks, I won't attempt to list them here; there are too many! But I love Audible, and have found many favorites on there, as well as discovered new ones.
5. Hammocks. Particularly an ENO. A durable hammock is a nice outdoor/backyard accessory. It makes a good place for reading, taking naps and of course, playing with babies. We really enjoy our ENO hammock, especially Orcxance. It's easy to set up and is made of pretty tough material. Also, if it gets rained on, it won't be ruined. Just hang it out to dry.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)