1st Quarter Review of 55th Birthday Yearlong Plan

This year when I blew out the candles, I had more in mind than birthday wishes. I had a plan: a Yearlong Birthday Plan.

TIME to share how well I am doing with my birthday yearlong plan. I wrote in detail here what I want to accomplish in 9 areas in my yearlong plan.

One. Collect 55 Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes. I’ve packed 19 boxes so far!!! Go here for this first quarter update.

Two. Raise $4,000 so I can go to India in July. I have about $2,200. We have had a car wash and yard sale. 3 more events are coming up . . .

• June 29th – yard sale and car wash (if enough people to help)
• July 4th – sell food & drink before/during parade
• July 6th – India Dinner & Raffle

Three. Practice gratitude 55 times. I have not been very intentional about this besides writing Friday’s Fave Five and two posts on gratitude. The posts are Choosing Gratitude by Nancy Leigh DeMoss – a book review and Choosing Gratitude And Why It Matters.

Four. Move 55 minutes daily. I have not progressed in my daily minutes count – still at 30 minutes 3-4 times a week.

Five. Write 55 posts. I have written 50 posts so far. In April I was part of the Blogging  From A-Z Challenge and I wrote 23 posts that month. I am so sure I can reach my goal of 55 posts.

If you want to see what I’ve written go to my right side bar (towards the bottom). “Stuff I’ve Written and When.” There is a monthly archive.

Six. Create 55 times. Go here to read about the things I created this first quarter.

Seven. Read 55 books. 14 read, 41 left to go.

Here is what I’ve read so far.

1. Fearfully & Wonderfully Made by Dr. Paul Brand & Philip Yancey
2. Acts of Love: The Power of Encouragement by David Jeremiah
3. Plan B by Anne Lamott
4. The Mysterious Voyage of Captain Kidd by A.B.C. Whipple
5. The Summer of the Swans by Betsy Byars
6. Mister God, This is Anna by Fynn
7. Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George
8. The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning
9. Johannes Kepler: Giant of Faith and Science by John Tiner
10.The Quest for Character by Charles Swindoll
11. Masters of Mystery: 56 Short Stories of Mystery, Intrigue, & Suspense (by different authors)
12. Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller
13. The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
14. Secrets of the Vine for Women: Breaking Through to Abundance by Darlene Wilkinson

Eight. Do 55 things from previous bucket lists. I haven’t even looked at these lists, so I probably haven’t done any of them.

Nine. Bake 55 pies. I have made 7 pies so far. Below are the reviews.

1. Raspberry Freeze Pie
2. Derby Pie
3. Apple Pie
4. Dark Chocolate Cream Pie
5. Strawberry Yogurt Pie
6. Toll House Pie
7. Tamale Pie

Tally – 5 of the categories are going GREAT, 1 is okay, and 3 are a fail (so far). Come back in September for the next review.

Your Turn . . . 

• Did you make any goals on your birthday this year? If yes, how’s it going?
• If not yet, what would you like to accomplish before your next birthday?

Related Posts . . .

• My 55th Birthday Yearlong Plan
• 1st Quarter Review of 55th Birthday Yearlong Plan: Create 55 Times
• 1st Quarter Review of 55th Birthday Yearlong Plan: Collect 55 OCC Boxes

Sewing Machines and Lessons Transform Lives in India

Each machine only costs $60.00.

Do you have a sewing machine? Do you use it very often? Is it vital to your livelihood?

To some women in India having a sewing machine and knowing how to use it well makes a huge difference in their lives. They are able to provide an honorable living and home for themselves.

In late July four of us from Cordova Neighborhood Church are going to India for about 2 1/2 weeks. We are going with LINC Ministries. One of the things we are doing is to raise money for 60 sewing machines which we will buy in India.

These machines will be given  to four sewing centers that LINC Ministries operates.  At the center the women are taught how to be a seamstress. Upon graduation each lady is given a machine so she may then start her own business.

The women who attend the training are women who have been abused. Besides offering the women a skill, they are offered a new life and hope.

All because of a sewing machine.

Would you like to help us with this? On Saturday, May 18, we are having a yard sale, bake sale, car wash, and flea market at Cordova Neighborhood Church from 9am -2pm.

1. We are taking yard sale and bake sale donations.
2. We need help with the car wash or one of the other stations.
3. If you’d like to make a monetary donation, mail your check to LINC Ministries PO Box 1314 Roseville, CA 95678. Or I have addressed, stamped envelopes to LINC for you to use
4. If you donate money, you can donate towards our general financial need (travel, food, lodging) or towards a machine.
5. We are looking for folks who will PRAY for us.

Leave a comment or call me, if you are interested in doing any of the above.

If you’d like more information about our trip, I have a letter that I can send you. Leave a comment or call me for that too.

I: INDIA Trip is More Than Travel Delight; It Includes a Conference, Shoeboxes, & Sewing Machines

See those lines connecting to cities in the top left of the map? Those are places we’re going.

Wow! When God opens doors some of them are surprising. One such surprise is a trip I am going on this summer to the northwest of India. 3 other gals and I from Cordova Neighborhood Church are joining up with LINC Ministries.

This trip is from July 25^th – August 10th. I feel blessed to be given this opportunity to use my gifts to serve others. Our over-arching aim is to encourage and help women and children in the name of Jesus.

Goals for this Trip. 

We will buy the boxes & supplies in India. Each box costs $5. Photo by Katey Lee.

• Host and serve nearly 500 women in a three-day conference.
• Buy, pack, and distribute lots & lots of shoeboxes. These shoeboxes will be filled with paper, pencils, toys, candy, soap, and much more. Many of the children who receive a shoebox have never received a gift before.
• Buy 60 sewing machines for 4 centers.

Time permitting we will also do the following.

• Deliver 60 sewing machines. LINC Ministries operates four sewing centers. At these centers battered women are taught how to sew. Upon graduation they are given a certificate and sewing machine of their own so they may provide an honourable living for themselves.

NOTE: We are raising money to buy these 60 machines and will buy them in India whether or not we get to visit the sewing centers. Each machine costs $60.

• Visit and give gifts to children at a leper colony.

My last goal is to bring back our story. As we share our story and enthusiasm with you, I hope that missions will become more embedded into the hearts and lives of our church body. And as a result of this increased enthusiasm; I pray that more of us will give to and go on mission trips. It is a privilege to share the love of Jesus with others.

NOTE: LINC Ministries is founded and run by Leonard Lee. He was the speaker at Cordova Neighborhood Church’s all church camp in the summer of 2012. Leonard was awesome!

To read more about LINC Ministries, our trip, and opportunities to help go here. 

Photo by Katey Lee.

I Could Use Your Assistance.

Would you prayerfully consider joining our team through your support in two ways.

First, please partner with me in praying for: 

• The people we will be serving (women and children mainly) to see how much God loves them
• My health (we will be traveling through the Himalayan mountains) and effectiveness as a team member
• The many details of this trip: shots, preparing for the conference, fundraising, etc

If you would like to be a prayer partner, please leave a comment.

Second, please consider supporting me financially for this outreach. 

Photo by Katey Lee.

The cost for the trip is $3925.00. This includes

• Travel to and from India
• Travel and travel expenses while in India
• Shoeboxes and supplies, sewing machines, and costs for the Women’s Conference
• Food and lodging

If you would like to partner with me financially, send your donation to

• LINC Ministries 
• PO Box 1314  Roseville, CA 95678

All donations are tax deductible. Make checks payable to LINC Ministries. 

NOTE: My name should NOT appear on the check. 

 

Photo by Katey Lee.

Or you can give online by logging in here. Click on the “Donate Now” button on the right side of the page.

Thank you for your support and God bless you.

P.S. We are having a car wash, yard sale, and flea market fundraiser on Saturday, May 18^th at Cordova Neighborhood Church. It starts at 9 am. We are still taking donations. Call me sometime!

Relayed Posts . . .

Sewing Machines and Lessons Transform Lives in India: Here’s How You Can Help

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NOTE: This post is written for the Blogging From A to Z Challenge. There are 22 categories and my category is MI = Miscellaneous.

During the month of April I will post 26 times (mainly) finishing up posts that have been in my draft file for at least a year. For a list of all the posts go to the A-Z button on my header.

Today’s letter is I for India for the Blogging From A to Z Challenge. The topic is “INDIA Trip is More Than Travel Delight; It Includes a Conference, Shoeboxes, & Sewing Machines.”