Thirty-One Gives, Christmas Fundraiser

To help support a family in need this Christmas, Erin and I are hosting a
Thirty-One fundraiser next Wednesday night at 6pm!

15% of EVERY sale, as well as ALL hostess rewards that are earned, will be gifted to them this Christmas! 

This is a great time to come out and see some fabulous products, finish your Christmas shopping, buy some items for yourself, and support a great cause at the same time!  You can see all of the gorgeous products on the link below.

Erin and I get no personal gain from this party, but you will bless a family tremendously this Christmas by shopping online through the link below or coming to the party!  As a bonus for reading my blog, use the coupon below at the party for special deals as well!

Curious what the family could earn?

Well, if we get $600 in sales the family will receive:
$90 in cash
$100 in free product
2 half price items
A Large Utility Tote with a Stand Tall insert
& 2 Hostess Exclusive items!

If we get $1000 in sales, the family will receive:
$150 in cash
$200 in free product!
2 half price items
A Large Utility Tote with a Stand Tall Insert
& 2 Hostess Exclusive Items!!!

If we get $1200 in sales, the family will receive:
$180 in cash
$250 in free product!

THREE half price items
A Large Utility Tote with a Stand Tall Insert
& THREE Hostess Exclusive Items!!!

• Click here to shop online
• Come to the party, see the fabulous products, and shop in person!
  • Date: Wednesday, December 10th
  • Time: 6pm
  • Where: Erin's house - email me for the address - allysonhemric@gmail.com!
  • Use the coupon below for extra gifts as well!
   
  

Too Random for a Good Title

Hey everyone, sorry it's been so silent around here recently.  I feel like I have been running around non-stop ever since I got home and when I finally had the chance to sit down and blog, my computer decided to break on me...yep gotta love that!

I don't even really know where to begin this post, other than trying to recap the last couple of weeks.

My first two weeks at home were filled with visiting family, celebrating Christmas, catching up with friends, lots of cuddling with my sweet puppy, and planning/shopping for my return to Haiti.  Those first couple of weeks were honestly a blur and felt like they passed in the blink of an eye.

Once the New Year hit, things slowed down a bit but quickly caught right back up with the fast pace of things here in America.  I traveled up to Virginia to celebrate a dear friend's wedding (see below), which was such a blessing for both of us!  I have missed hanging out with those girls so much and it really put back into perspective just how perfectly God has crafted every aspect of my life.

I have missed Haiti more than I anticipated, but I have also longed to stay home more than I thought I would too.  It seems like home and Haiti are always playing a tug of war game in my life.  My heart wants to have both of them all the time, but that unfortunately doesn't quite happen.

I did end up extending my stay at home for a couple of weeks, however it was not done for a reason I would have chosen.  You see, a couple of days before I left Haiti, I pulled a muscle in my lower back which made my sciatica flare up for the first time in a while.  I've had a bulging disk in my lower back since college but it has remained fairly dormant with only a few painful days here and there.  That day however, I had a bad feeling I had just made it way worse.  After coming home and not getting any relief from the pain, I started to see a chiropractor and we began throwing around the idea of getting another MRI done.  I didn't want to accept that I may have seriously injured the disc, so I kept putting it off.  However, when I almost passed out from the pain during the wedding I decided it was time to get things checked out.  Mom and I decided it was best to postpone my trip to Haiti so we could figure out if there was indeed something serious going on in my back (it also helped save a ton of money on flights if I had gone back).

Well, after getting the results of my MRI back this week, it was determined that I have a herniated disk and am now being referred to a neurosurgeon... not the news I was hoping to get.  My doctor is pretty sure it will require surgery, but that is to be confirmed next week when we meet with the surgeon.  Surgery would mean relief from the pain (which would be awesome), but it also would mean that my stay at home will have to be extended further.

I never imagined this would be happening right now, but I know the Lord has a plan.  I'm praying he will show me which route to take to find healing as well as get back to Haiti.  Please continue to keep me in your prayers.  I feel like that flag in the middle of a tug of war game being pulled two different directions both physically and emotionally.  Trying to process of all this, let alone explain it to my supporters has been very difficult for me.  I will return to Haiti, and I will finish out my year there, but I've had to put things on hold for a little bit.  This saddens me deeply, but I'm learning more and more each day that my health must take priority right now.

Please continue to keep me in your prayers as I try to figure all of this out.

More posts (some a little behind schedule) will come as soon as my computer gets out of the shop!

Surprise!

I'm home!!!!!!!!!

A few months back when I was booking my flights home for Christmas, I realized I could come home on the 19th for over $100 less than on the 21st (which was my original plan).  So, I went ahead and booked the cheaper flight but decided, with Erin, that we wouldn't tell anyone and surprise mom and dad by coming home early :)!  I almost ruined the surprise SO many times over the last couple of weeks, but we were able to pull it off!

Yesterday morning I packed my bags and headed to the airport.  It was a full, but fairly easy day of traveling.  Erin and Faith met me at the airport and then we headed back to the house.  I knocked on the door to be greeted by dad; mom stayed on the couch thinking it was Erin at the door until I walked around the corner.  A few tears and lots of laughs were shared.  It was a really fun and successful surprise! (Erin has a video you can see on Facebook or instagram!)

 Flying first class is awesome!!  I wasn't able to use the money I'd budgeted the last two months to take a few days off with a beach trip, so I put it towards an upgrade on my flight!  Have you ever seen so many buttons for reclining your seat in an airplane?!! It was awesome!

 I got to see a rainbow from above (top right), which was SO cool!  I also had to get warm with some Starbucks in Miami (I enjoyed some for you Jenn!) and then caught up on the latest celebrity news during my 5 hour layover.

 Sunsets are gorgeous from above.  I didn't get a really good shot of the beautiful colors on the other side of the plane, but it was breathtaking!  I'll pick a seat on the other side next time!  We also had a delicious meal on the flight home and then it was like Christmas opening all of my mail from the last two months!  (I LOVE getting mail!)

 Finally home and reunited my my family and sweet puppy dog!

I'm so happy to be home.  I thought it would be major culture shock or at least feel like a transition, but I just feel at home.  It was pretty awesome crawling into my own bed last night, brushing my teeth with sink water, and doing laundry today, but it hasn't felt out of place or anything.  I just feel like I'm home.  I'm so happy to be home.

Now to start the Christmas celebrations!! The next three weeks are super busy but I'm going to soak every minute of it up before I head back to Haiti!

Christmas is Coming!

Despite the fact that it is 80 degrees with a gorgeous breeze here today, Christmas IS in fact just around the corner and I can barely contain my excitement!!  Christmas means that I get to come home for a few weeks, see family, hang out with my friends, hold my sweet puppy dog, and just be home!  Oh I cannot wait!!!  So soon...so so SOON!!

Our little Haitian Christmas tree I absolutely adore!

As I prepare for my time at home, here is what I am most looking forward to during this little vacation from Haiti:

• Seeing my family!! 
• Holding my sweet puppy dog
• Seeing all of my friends and getting to be part of one of their weddings!! I cannot wait for the wedding weekend!
• Good food that I don't have to cook, dishwashers, and all the holiday treats that only come once a year :)
• Worshiping at Grey Stone - I miss my home church so much!
• Giving everyone their Christmas gifts!
• Getting a pedicure
• Washing my clothes in my own washer and dryer!
• Sleeping in my own bed
• Brushing my teeth with cold water from the faucet
• And walking around barefoot without getting grossly dirty feet :)

Before heading home though, we've got a pretty busy weekend ahead of us! HFMS is hosting the KOFAEL Christmas party this Sunday, which I'm also very excited about!! All of the ladies are bringing their kids, we're making sugar cookies for them to decorate, we'll have cake, games, and Christmas fun!  We are going to have a packed house but it is going to be SO much fun!  The ladies will also each get a special Christmas gift that Elisabeth is bringing. They are going to be so excited!!

With one of the KOFAEL ladies at the last meeting!

Well, I should probably get back to working on things here.  Christmas is SO soon!

What are you most looking forward to this holiday season?  

Thursday Thoughts: Merry Christmas & Haiti

Wow what an amazing fun-filled two weeks it has been, and the party is still going!!!

We began our Christmas celebrations on December 22nd with dinner and a gift exchange with Erin & Stephen.  On the 23rd we attended Christmas at the DPAC which was A-MA-ZING!!  If you didn't go, you really missed out!  On the 24th we celebrated with my mom's side of the family at Mama Barb's house, where we had some delicious food & cake, lots of fun, and some wonderful gifts!  On the 25th mom, dad, and I celebrated Christmas here at the house.  Mom made her usual HUGE breakfast spread, we opened gifts, and then packed to head to Grandma's.  We spent Christmas night up at Grandma's eating waaaaay too much food, exchanging gifts, reminiscing, laughing like crazy, and enjoy being with family.  We came home on the 26th after a day at Grandma's, went shopping today for final Haiti supplies, and tomorrow will be spent packing.


Whew.  Tired yet?

Well that was just this past week!  On Saturday we leave for Haiti!!!  I am so ready to get on that plane and be there already!  I cannot wait to see what all this trip holds.  It's going to be incredible and I can't wait to see God work!!

Please keep us and the team in your prayers as we prepare for our week in Haiti.  Keep an eye out here on the blog for updates during our trip (as internet allows).  I will try to blog or update facebook every day, so keep reading!!

Haiti here we come!!!!!!

Friday Free-For-All

I feel like I need to post an update, but there's nothing really to write about.  So here are some things that I'm excitedly counting down for!

18 Days until Christmas.

22 Days until we leave for Haiti.

25 Days until we get to celebrate the New Year in Haiti (again)!

I cannot wait to see Dorothy, the kids, Jim & Debbie, and to share this experience with my mom!  I was looking through pictures of a friend's recent trip to Haiti, and I got giddy with excitement for our upcoming trip!  It's going to be an incredible time, and to spend my second New Years in Haiti is absolutely exciting!

And while I'm at it, I just have to share this picture that Jennifer Hambrick took of Johnny during her trip.  This little boy melts my heart! I love him!

I can't wait to be back!! Please keep our team in your prayers as we prepare for our time in Haiti!

Quick Not me Wishful Wednesday

Hows that for a doozy of a title?! I guess I should've kept up with my posts this week!

Any who!

I have not been in a blogging mood this week.  Actually, I haven't really been in any kind of mood lately.  I've just kind of been stuck lately. In a rut of sorts.  An I-have-no-idea-what-I'm-doing-but-I-do-the-same-thing-every-day kind of rut.

Does that make any sense?   Probably not.

Well for other thoughts:  I am so glad the election is over!  While I know the ridiculous whining, complaining, bragging, and everything else will probably continue on Facebook for another week or so, I'm still glad it's over!  I'm glad that the phone calls, annoying commercials, and the constant fighting/debating/complaining about the other candidate every where you look is over.  It'll be great once everyone moves past this and gets back to normal life! When I can look through my news feed and not see people bickering any more...oh that'll be a lovely day!

On another random note: For any of you that haven't been following my facebook statuses, I finally heard back about the position in Greensboro.  They still have not made any decisions as they are still finishing up interviews, so it'll be the end of next week before I hear anything.  I'm still praying constantly, trusting God will take care of it, and hoping that I'll get the position.  I appreciate all of you who are praying for me, please keep the prayers going!

And since it's Wednesday (and I really can't think of a good Not Me Monday or Quick Tip Tuesday post) here is the item on my wish list this week!

I am absolutely in love with these Madden Girl Zappa Booties from DSW.  For all of you ladies out there that have large calves, like myself, you'll understand my frustration when it comes to finding boots I can wear.  The ones that I REALLY want, simply don't fit.  However when I found these, I decided they'd be the next best thing!!  I'm not sure whether to add these to my Christmas list or wait until I get some money in and buy them myself.  I love them and already have a lot of outfits in mind to put with them!  We'll see how it all plays out, but one way or another these beauties will be making their way to my closet!

Oh and for the last random note of the day:  52 days until I'll be back in Haiti!! I cannot wait!!

Well that's all I've got for you today.  I'm going back to my doing-nothing-but-doing-the-exact-same-thing-every-day routine.

Wishful Wednesday

While working on my last design project, I discovered this great new store out at South Point, called West Elm. Apparently it's part of the Williams-Sonoma & Pottery Barn corporation.  We stopped in there to buy the accessories and bedding for her master bedroom, but I fell in love with this store!  They have some of the best accessories I've seen and all at pretty affordable prices.  They also have beautiful bedding, curtains, and furniture options.  I was dying to shop for myself on that trip, but had to focus on the task at hand.  So what's on my wish list this week?  Gift cards to the West Elm store, so I can go back and have my own shopping spree :)

Wishful Wednesday

Everyone who knows me, knows how much I love Criminal Minds.  I'm in the process of collecting all of the seasons on DVD.  As of now I've got season 1-6, so it only makes sense to add Season 7 to my wish list.

Speaking of my current seasons, I can't seem to find my season 5.  I know i've lent it out a couple of times, but can't remember who the last person to use it was.  I've asked all of the usual suspects.  If you have my season 5 set, please let me know!!  If I can't find it then, well I'll have to add season 5 to my wish list as well :)

Merry Christmas!

From our family to yours, we wish you the very Merriest Christmas!  I hope your day is filled with lots of love, laughter, joy, and memories.  Make the most of this holiday and remember Jesus is the reason for this season.  He has truly blessed me this year, and I hope He has done the same for you.  Merry Christmas!

Welcome Home!

A few weeks ago I saw a little news clip about President Obama ending the war in Iraq and that all troops would be home by Christmas.  I wasn't sure if it was true or not, so I asked some of my very "up-to-date-on-politics" friends and they all thought it was just a rumor. I'm happy that they were all wrong.  Cassie texted me this morning that President Obama's speech today at Fort Bragg marked the official end of the war in Iraq!!!!! While I support our troops and completely believe in our mission there, I think our time in Iraq is done.  We got the people that attacked us or were a large threat, so our job is complete and successful.  I'm so very excited to hear this news.  It has been 9 long, successful, and difficult years in Iraq and it thrills me to know the troops are coming home!  The best part is that they will all get to be here with their families for Christmas!!

Christmas miracles do happen!


I can only imagine the joy the troops and their families must be feeling right now.  They have all got to be filled with pride, excitement, honor, and pure happiness.  Reunions of soldiers and their families are such a heart-warming thing to watch.  The fact that it's almost Christmas makes it that much better.

So to all the soldiers, Thank you!  Thank you for your bravery, commitment, honor, sacrifice, patriotism, and strength.  Thank you for serving our Country in our time of need to protect those you love.   Thank you for being brave enough to risk your life for our freedom.  Thank you all for your service these last 9 years, the years before, and all the years to come.  Your dedication and efforts do not go unnoticed.  I am so proud to call myself an American. To live in a Country like ours is truly a blessing.  I cannot express my gratitude for your service enough.  I hope all the soldiers coming home have the Merriest Christmas ever.  Hug your loved ones, hold your kids tight, kiss your wife, and make the most of this Holiday season.  Thank you and welcome home!!!


To their families, Thank you! I never fully understood how difficult it must be for military families until a few weeks ago. I know it's hard to say goodbye to your loved ones, but thank you for supporting, loving, and believing in them.  I know from talking to my friends in the service, that their family's support means the world to them and is what gets them through each day.  Thank you for standing beside them, uplifting, supporting, and loving them.  Thank you for your bravery, strength, and sacrifice.  I can only imagine the joy you must be feeling right now.  Go hug your soldier, shower them with love, and enjoy every single moment with them. Laugh together, support one another, do your favorite things together, and above all love one another.  I hope you all enjoy this Christmas season together.

Thank you and welcome home!!  

Now what?

I finished my one big exam and one of my presentations.  That means I have one more presentation and one small exam left to go.  I've been working non-stop for months now and I'll be honest, it's really weird having nothing to do.  I took a nap this afternoon and have been watching Hallmark movies since.  Weird I tell you...weird.

And boring!

I've considered packing for home/Haiti, doing laundry, cleaning the apartment, going Christmas shopping and so many other random activities.  I haven't done anything yet, but I think laundry will come first.  What else would a college gal do on a Saturday night? I mean come on, laundry is just a blast!


Yeah I'm bored out of my mind.

Only three days until I get to go home! Cassie and I will be helping at Grey Stone Kids Camp's Parent's Night Out next Friday to raise money for our trip to Haiti and Chris' trip to Ethiopia.  I'll be working at camp the next week to get some money, then Christmas will be here, and then Cassie and I are off to Haiti!  I cannot believe this year is almost over!  Where has the time gone?  Where has the semester gone?  Am I really graduating in 5 short months? Wow!  It's going to be a fun-filled few weeks at home and some much needed relaxation/family time before next semester starts.

Well laundry time I guess...or maybe another movie?

Notice Something?

What's wrong with this picture (other than the poor quality)???  It was taken on November 1st outside of Norton Hall.

Do you see it? Maybe this picture will help:

See it now?

Yes folks, that would be Christmas decorations up only a day after Halloween.  Now I know HPU is all about some holiday spirit and making the campus look beautiful, but can we get to Thanksgiving first please??  After thanksgiving I'll be more than happy to start hearing Christmas tunes on the promenade, seeing light poles sparkling with Christmas lights, and Christmas trees going up.  However, I'm not quite ready for it yet.  And the other problem with this photo? I was at Norton the day after Halloween. And not only was I at Norton the day after Halloween, but as you can see from the pictures I was there well into the night as well. Those rooms all lit up on the 2nd floor to the left of the door... yeah that's where I was and/or always will be.  Story of my life.  Happy early Christmas from HPU!

Christmas Re-Decoration

I read the blog of a woman that used to go to our church, and it completely changed my view of Christmas. She pointed out facts that all of us know, I had just never put them together properly. You can read her blog post here.

Here is what I already knew:

1. In the US everyone celebrates their loved ones' birthdays like a national holiday.

2. When it is someone's birthday we give them gifts.

3. Christmas is Jesus' birthday.

4. On Christmas we give each other gifts.

Stop right there......Do you see where we've all been getting it wrong???? We give each other gifts on Jesus' birthday instead of giving Him gifts. Why do we treat His birthday differently than everyone else's??? According to our other customs, the person receiving the gifts should be the one who's birthday it is. I don't know why I never realized or thought of this before. It makes so much sense. I guess I just got so used to how people think this birthday should be celebrated that I never questioned it. Of all the birthdays in the world, Jesus' is by far the most important. He came to this earth to save us all from our sins and died on a cross so that we could have eternal life. So why are we taking one of the most incredible days of the year to celebrate ourselves??

Now don't get me wrong, I have been guilty every year of giving gifts to everyone but Jesus. And honestly, I don't think there is anything wrong with giving gifts to your loved ones. But after reading this, I do believe that our biggest gifts and the ones we spend the most time focusing on, should be the gifts we give to Jesus. We should give more gifts to the Birthday boy, than the attendants at his party.

So how do we give presents to Jesus, a man who doesn't walk this earth anymore you may ask? Well simple, it is spelled out in His word:

³⁴ “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. ³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

-Matthew 25:34-40

God tells us, that the small things we do for the least of us, we also do for Him. So this Christmas, I have challenged myself, and I also challenge you to celebrate Jesus' birthday properly this year. Give to those less fortunate, and in turn you also give to Jesus- the birthday boy!

Need some ideas of what to give? Well check out these organizations: Samaritan's Purse,Partners International Harvest of Hope, World Vision, Gospel for Asia. They each have an online or mailable brochure where you can look through and buy all sorts of things to help people all over the world. A few of the things that stuck out to me were:

-For $9 you can feed a hungry baby for a week

-For $75 you can rescue a child from exploitation

-For $15 you can teach a child to read and write

-For $45 you can provide fruit tree seeds to a family providing them with food and an income

-For $85 you can provide clean water for a family

-For $7 you can provide a hot meal

Also, consider gathering your family and volunteering at a local shelter or organization near your home. Adopt a family and help them have an amazing Christmas, provide clothes or food to your local shelters. There are SO many ways you can help, and these ideas are a good place to start. There are gifts ranging in price from $4-$1000 dollars. Consider celebrating this holiday, i'm sorry BIRTHDAY, correctly this year. I know I will be! Happy Birthday Jesus!