lauradodson:art+craft

Friend of Africa

I finally finished up my Friend of Africa embroidery + pattern. Whew. I will not say how long that's been on the table. Erm...ahem. However, it is now COMPLETE. Boy howdy does that feel good. I am offering it as a PDF pattern in my happydreamer shop on etsy.  Please have a look for yourself.

I added a felt heart + bead to mine where Uganda is located. In 2009 we adopted three little boys from Uganda and it holds a special place in my heart. The heart could be placed anywhere...Ethiopia, Ghana, etc. Visit my shop to see for yourself.  April 2013 I was able to return to serve in the orphanage where our boys began their lives. The people, orphanage, and landscape with its vast array of colors are never far from my thoughts throughout the day. Uganda is in my blood.

take a gander in the shop when you have a moment. Enjoy.

Uganda, my second home {pt. 3}

Not a whole lot left to add.

No, we are not adopting again. However, there were two boys that tugged pretty hard on my heartstrings. I pray for them often. I know the Lord will care for them wherever they are--Uganda with a family, Watoto, US with a family...a Mom and Dad would be nice, though.

I am so thankful that the Lord allowed this trip to come together. I'm praying about the next one already. I wonder when it will be?

Gorgeous little girl.

This little one carried this bundle of grass everywhere. I am guessing it has some superstitious conotation? I'm not sure though. 

Whizzing along at 60kph, my tea fields (yes, mine), storm clouds=favorite!, and a sweet boy.

This boy was so eager for his little brother to have his picture taken. Brotherly love. It was so fun to show them their pictures on my phone. They just laughed and hollered. Priceless!

This concludes the account of my trip. I left so many things out...I could write forever about it. Hope you enjoyed seeing a glimpse of my time there.

Uganda, my second home {pt. 2}

I went. And, you know, I thought I would set foot on Ugandan soil and start pouring with emotion. But I didn't. I walked out the doors of the plane, set my eyes on Lake Victoria, the ENTEBBE sign made of concrete on the hillside, threatening clouds, sunshine, and a smile crept across my face and in my soul.

Home. I felt like I was home.

That was unexpected.

And good ol' Africa hit. (And it wasn't so bad, maybe a little annoying, but in a good way.)

My room at Arise was given away, even though I had checked in early that day. My first night was spent on the couch of a missionary family whom Jeff and I had met 4 years ago. I had a lovely cold shower, & a mosquito net tunnel over me on my cushy couch with the pillow and blankie I brought from home because I'm weird like that.

A call was made the next morning to Ebenezer, and my dear Prossy made up a room that had just become available in the wink of an eye. 

My days were filled to the brim at Welcome Home with the children, Teacher Christine and her classes, mending clothes, taking things into town to be fixed by Esther, baking cakes for a party, organizing clothes with Mama Rose, and going on 'tours' with the children in the van by age group.

>>Ohgoodnessme was that lovely and crazy fun ride filled with children singing at the top of their lungs.<<  

"I am H A P P Y! I am H A P P Y! I KNOW I AM! I AM SURE I AM! I am H A P P Y!"

Eating at The Source--Muhammed is still there taking orders. Trying out The Keep--good food! Leoz, Two Friends, Flavours, and Sundays at Ling-ling.

A trip to the village surrounded by acres and acres of sugar cane and filled with smiling faces, tentative faces, sickly faces, and all beautiful. Heart exploding. Heart crushing.

*******

Welcome Home is not just an orphanage. There are other ministries under their umbrella--village ministries, pastor's training, medical help, emergency food for Mom's who are not producing milk, micro loans for personal business, helping street boys...they serve Jinja and the surrounding area in many ways. Pretty amazing.

It was surreal and normal all rolled into one.

Irene--Alan's mum--and loved by Daniel. (slouchy me)

Masese--If you've read Kisses from Katie, this is the area she speaks about. It's quite close to Jinja, which is the second largest city in Uganda after Kampala, the capital.

Mama Joy--Jeremiah's baby mum, Mama Elizabeth--Daniel and Jeremiah's Toddler mum. 

Snack time--fresh hand squeezed ju-ee-cee (juice).

Oh these children carrying their siblings all over the village--sweetness.

Part 3 tomorrow...just a few more pictures.

Uganda, my second home. {pt. 1}

I had this hungering to return to Uganda that would not go away for about a year and half. Maybe longer.

I prayed about it constantly.

I asked/begged the Lord to take this desire away because we could not afford it and I could not bear to feel the feelings that erupted inside me, and spilled out for all to see anytime I heard the name Uganda, heard Ugandan music, saw the landscape via video, etc.

I wanted for our entire family to go together. $14,000+ of togetherness in Africa. That wasn't going to happen anytime soon. I wanted Jeff to go with me, but he could not get more than a week off work, plus who would wrangle 5 boys in various stages of growing up? I was not up to asking anyone to do that.

It boiled down to me. Just me. I prayed. I prayed some more. And finally, I approached the throne of grace boldly. I asked my Father if I could go...if I could go and serve my children's first family--which is what Welcome Home Ministries was to our boys. A family. I wanted to see my boy's family--Rose, Irene, Joy, Elizabeth, Kavina, William and more.

Here's the thing. God said yes. He said yes multiple times.

Yes #1--Jeff. Yes #2--Mandy. Yes#3--My Principal. Yes#4--Our church's Pastor who oversees the school in certain capacities. Yes#5--Sue, my substitute/good friend who I knew would keep my students on track for the three weeks I was away.

5 times. 5. Really, God? I can go?

To say I was floored, astounded, giddy is the understatement of a lifetime...

{continued tomorrow}

Summer School: Sewing Galore

Summer is fast approaching. 3.5 days left of school! Translation~3.5 days to NO ALARM. Aaaaah. 

Swimming. Sewing. Crafting. Playing. Board games. Art projects. Walking. Planning. Organizing. Bliss.

I have two sewing projects for me, and if they go well, then maybe a few more.

Shearwater Kaftan by Make It Perfect
 

The Kaftan looks super comfy and that's what I like. This go around, I am making a muslin or two before cutting into my good fabric. I've never done that before due to over eager desires to wear it NOW. The downside is I am always a bit let down that I didn't S L O W down and tweak the pattern to fit me. 

Waterfall Blouse by Make It Perfect

(Yes, the model/designer is expecting and NO this is not a maternity specific pattern.)

I like how the yoke is a bit fitted but the body of the blouse is loose. I like loose and flowy and comfy. I am on my 4th muslin yoke and it is just about right. One more tweak, and I'll be ready to break out my cute batik fabric. I have two other fabric choices lined up after my first one is made. 

I also have lotsa lotsa dresses and shorts to make for the kiddos at Welcome Home in Uganda. Super yay!  I love sewing for them. I have several boys wishing for more lion-ee shorts. I will most certainly oblige those cuties.

Boy Shorts pattern from TieDyeDiva

Oh these five were so happy to wear their new shorts. There's about 20+ MORE BOYS. Eeek. Anyone want to help sew with me? The only thing I did not do when making these shorts is add the pocket. They are hard are their clothing, the washers are hard on their clothes, and boys + pockets = treasures that will get washed and potentially damage the washers at the home. This is a wonderfully made pattern in all respects.

Come on Summer!

mending dresses

Upon arriving at the orphanage where 3 of our sons began their lives, I had my hands full mending clothing. Right up my alley! I was sitting in the dim office (no power at that moment) trying to thread my needle thinking about the older girls outside.

I began to wonder if some of them would like to help me. They loved it!

Two girls helped me fix this little dress for one of the younger girls.

They were so proud of their work, and very fast learners. 

I am so thankful the Lord prompted me to go outside and sew there.

The girls did such a wonderful job hemming up the dress and in doing so served the littler ones.

(blurred for privacy)

Uganda Has My Heart

I've been my own little clothing factory this week (love Spring Break!). I've been making shorts and dresses for the children at Welcome Home in Jinja, Uganda. I really love both patterns I found on etsy. Easy. Well written. And the clothes are turning out super cute.

 DandyJane is where I got the dress pattern. LOVE IT.

TieDyeDiva is where I found the shorts that are knee length. I did not include the pocket because boys + pockets = rocks, worms, and other dead things in the washer. ;o) (Can you tell I have 5 sons?)

 

This is a good close up of the lovely flowery turquoisey fabric that I dearly love.

The red fabric looks pink, but this Anna Maria Horner is RED and I LOVE red. Red + Turquoise= Love 4 Ever. Another fave.

And I was told I could get "crazy" fabric for the boys' shorts. I searched my favorite quilt shop, and found these fun prints.

I've finished up some others today. I think the boys will love these.

And for me...I have since finished embroidering these pants.

Guess what?

It's happening. I'm going! I.am.going. For real.

I will be serving in the orphanage where these hooligans started their lives...

{We represent our state proudly.}

Why am I going?

I am going to serve our children's first family. I am going to lend a hand in areas of my skill set. I am going to be stretched. I am going to show the love of Christ. I am going to encourage sisters in Christ. I am going so that I may bring others, Lord willing, next year. I am going to see what the Lord has.

How can you help?

1.)  **Double bed size sheets and cases are needed. They can be gently used (or new)...no rips, stains, etc.**

**Twin bed size sheets and cases are needed. They can be gently used, or new.**Bath towels, wash clothes, hand towels of any color. Gently used or new.**

The above items will be given to the guest house where I will be staying.  It is rather expensive to purchase quality towels/sheets in country. It is cheaper to bring slightly used, no longer needed towels and sheets from the US.

2.)  Monetary gifts to be used to purchase formula for the infants, or used for other pressing needs at the orphanage.

3.)  My little art teacher self gets to teach art in Uganda! So very excited. There are a few items I'd like to bring with me. If you'd like to sponsor an item or several items you can do that, too, with a financial donation.  {Watercolor trays, paper, glue, crayons, and more.}

Please contact me in the comments, if you'd like to chip in. I will get back with you ASAP. I leave very soon!