Archives for May 2011

A few months ago, I saw a necklace on a blog giveaway that I swooned over. It was from a little etsy shop I hadn’t heard of before–Wild Poppy Shoppe. Then, I started seeing it pop up all over the place it seemed…understandably. What lady wouldn’t swoon over this stuff?

Wild Poppy’s pieces are all vintage inspired and made by hand. A few pieces like the one below (for only $17!) feature beautiful beads made by women in Kampala, Uganda to help the work of an orphanage called Christian Children’s Centre. Super cool.

Jessica, the store owner, is one of those gals I wish I could just sit down with over coffee for a while, you know? She’s a mommy to two little guys (2 and 4). She and her husband met doing Missions to Asia and had the opportunity when she was pregnant with their youngest to go to China to volunteer at Philip Hayden Foundation‘s orphanage. Jessica had had adoption on her heart for a while, and, during that trip, God softened her husband’s heart to it as well. Now, 2 years later, they’ve got their LID with China and are waiting to meet their new child any day now.

Wild Poppy entered the pictured last Spring as a means to raise some money for their adoption. But, it’s become a lot more than that.

Jessica wrote to me–

What would have seemed like an overwhelming venture in this season of life has grown naturally into a way to bring in funds for our adoption and has opened up so many opportunities to work with others that are adopting and caring for orphans. It’s amazing to me how when we are faithful to take the small steps we know to take, God takes our little and turns it into much more than we could on our own.

Amen, sister. I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed in our ventures in this season of life too. But, we’re already seeing Him multiply the efforts we put forth in our small steps of obedience. And, what a joy that is.

Go take a stroll over at Wild Poppy Shoppe. Send Jessica a little note there and give her some encouragement as she waits to see her new baby’s face. And, thank her for supporting The Sparrow Fund even as she works hard to raise money for their own adoption. Let some of her sweet pieces mesmerize you, and buy a couple of them. We want to see how God takes that 10% and turns it into much more than we imagined.

Ooo….we’re off to a fun start.

Grace started the Finley and Oliver clothing line when she found herself frustrated at the lack of little boys’ clothes that weren’t emblazoned with puppy dogs or fire engines. Oh, how I dread the puppy dogs and fire engine matching sweatsuits too, Grace.

Two years old now, her line has really taken off. And, I understand why. What’s not to love?

Finley and Oliver only uses American Apparel blanks which are sweatshop free and made in downtown Los Angeles. I love this brand tee–they wash and wear beautifully. I like the slim cut and stretch of them. I’m not just sayin’ that either. I’ve got 4 kids–our clothes have to make it through 2 kids at least. American Apparel brand tees do. And, Grace uses eco-fi felt for her appliques which is made from recycled plastic bottles. Pretty cool, huh?

Grace was quick to join us with our May Fundraising drive with The Sparrow Fund. She’s gotta soft spot in her heart for adoption. Between her two sisters, she has three adopted nieces and one adopted nephew from China.

Grace wrote to me —

When I was approached to contribute 10% of my sales for the month of May to The Sparrow Fund, there was no way I could refuse. My sister and her husband have adopted special needs children from China – one of whom has significant medical issues which will require lifelong surgeries and treatment. Providing counsel and comprehensive medical reviews of referred children to adoptive parents is such a blessing and an essential tool in preparing them for what lies ahead.

So, go check out her site, people. Thank her for supporting The Sparrow Fund and adoption. And, get shopping. I may be buying some of these after the month of May is over —