What I Wore // Charcoal and Red

November in Wisconsin is chilly (frigid at times) but it still looks like autumn rather than winter most of the month. I could very happily live through a winter with no snow, though I do love having snow for Christmas! 

When I lived in Northern Minnesota November was very different. Lets just say that up North September is the only month of Autumn.

Keeping it simple with neutral clothing but adding a pop of color with the Acacia necklace. You could easily add a few more layers (a wrap-waist sweater and pea-coat perhaps?) and swap out the necklace for a red scarf.

Top // Old Navy

Jeans // Target

Shoes // TOMS

Necklace // Visiting Orphans

Happier giving or spending? Does it have to be a choice?

"What a foolish, frivolous person I must be," she sighed. "I'm wholesomely ashamed to think that a dress... Even if it is a forget-me-not organdy... Should exhilarate me so, when a good conscience and an extra contribution to Foreign Missions couldn't do it."
// Anne of Avonlea

It's just the truth isn't it? No matter how aware or moved we are by the accounts of others in the world who live with less than us, giving to charity is not often as exciting as a new edition to our bursting closets or, as in my case, bursting bookshelves. We have the freedom to be frivolous, even if only from time to time, while most in the world do not. Like Anne, we ought to be ashamed of our selfish hearts, but in our day and age we can be exhilarated by something new for ourselves while at the same time being excited about giving!
For example, with TOMS shoes (by far my favorite shoes, and I am a shoe girl!), for every pair you buy they donate a pair to a child without any shoes, one for one. FashionABLE scarves are gorgeous and comfortable and they provide income for women in Africa. The acacia necklaces I buy from Visiting Orphans (but you can find on various other sites too) also provide income for women in Africa. Then there is Noonday Collection from which you can buy many beautiful bracelets, wonderfully rustic trays, or this (long desired by me) catch-all purse! And it is all providing jobs for women in several different countries on many different continents who would otherwise live in shame and poverty. {I can't wait for you all to hear more about Noonday in a few weeks. A blogging friend and adoptive momma of two is going to be guest posting about them. Stay tuned or Follow my blog so you don't miss it!}
We really have the best of both worlds. I anticipate the day when I can go for chai with my girlfriends, buy a book or see a movie with my family and have THAT provide support and income for fatherless children and widows around the world! Dream big. It CAN happen. :)

What I Wore // Acacia Necklace

Last week I told you all that I am allergic to jewelry and its true, if it is made with metals. I can wear paper-bead necklaces all day long though! And just like the fashionABLE scarf I wore last week, these necklaces are made by women in Africa and sold for their income.

Transitioning from sundresses to autumn layers is fun. I made one of my favorite sundresses look like a skirt by just layering a detailed cardigan over it and pairing leggings and boots with it. The "various blue" acacia necklace tied the whole look together for me.

Necklace // Visiting Orphans

Cardigan // Khols

Sundress // Target

Leggings // Target 

Boots // My mom's closet

Of vaccinations and visiting orphans

Last time I got shots I was five years old and, though I was as quiet back then as I am today, I screamed at the top of my lungs when that needle pricked my arm. I was completely freaked out! Having that as my last memory of getting a shot has resulted in quite a build-up of stress as I anticipate getting all the vaccinations I need before heading to India. [I will be there for two weeks with Visiting Orphans starting on November 27th.]
Today was the first round of shots. I wanted to be comfy and relaxed so I wore my sweat-pants and a loose-fitting henley, knowing that the sleeve would have to be pushed up for the shot. Ironically this henley is VO merchandise and has the logo on the front. While I was sitting in the nurse's office and they were trying to distract me by staying in my face and asking lots of questions, they asked why I was going to India. As soon as I said, "To visit orphans" they noticed my shirt and lit up and I was reminded that this trip, or rather the kids I will encounter on it, mean enough to me for me to be pricked with needles and have an achy arm for a few days over the next couple of weeks. So, as I am soothing my aching arm these next few weeks, the pain will serve as a reminder of the Lord's aching heart for the fatherless and I will rejoice in the opportunity I have to be His hands and feet to more than 100 of them in just one month!!

Visiting Orphans Merchandise

Visiting Orphans has some great new merchandise (as well as their awesome original pieces) and with any purchase you make, if you put my name (Chelsea Mills) in the "donation information" field at check out, $8 is credited to my fundraising for my trip to India!

I'm wearing the PureReligion henley currently, it's so comfy. I have my eyes on the zip-up hoodie! :)

Moved with compassion

σπλαγχνίζομαι [translated: splagchnizomai]

VERB 

1) to be moved as to one's bowels, hence to be moved with compassion, have compassion (for the bowels were thought to be the seat of love and pity)

ἐλεέω [translated: eleeō]

VERB

1) to have mercy on

2) to help one afflicted or seeking aid

3) to help the afflicted, to bring help to the wretched

4) to experience mercy

Splagchnizomai is what Jesus had for people during His time on this earth. 

Eleeo is what people cried out for as Jesus passed by.

   Crying for mercy is to ask one who has the power to give and take away for relief from sufferings or other circumstances. Compassion is to feel sorrow over or show concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others. Physical care or emotional investment, which does the most good to one in need? A testimony from a Gospel for Asia team member who worked among earthquake survivors says, "We gave away blankets and drinking water, but the survivors were not focused on these items. Rather, they were so grateful for someone to grieve with them and listen to their sorrows." 

   I believe that we ought to provide relief to those in need, Jesus healed and helped those who cried out to Him, but that is only one part of demonstrating our faith through works. Should we help feed starving people? Yes. Should we help provide medical care for those in need of it? Yes. Should we offer our hand to someone who falls down? Yes. But it is the heart of compassion that ought to move us to serve and give. Christ's compassion will give them hope.

   What I love about Gospel for Asia is that their focus is to minister with the love of Jesus, the truth of the Word and the hope of the Gospel. They have their priorities right, Jesus first and foremost, then 100% of donations they receive go to the field to serve, reach out with love, share the Gospel, care for physical needs, meet people where they are, and invest in children. Nobody had to convince me to be a fan of GFA, the goal, the heart, of their ministry endeared me to them for life.

-----

   In November I am going to India with Visiting Orphans to minister to suffering people. I cannot bring physical relief to all the orphans, street kids, families in slums, or lepers that I will encounter. But Jesus is going through me and His Father's heart, His love, His compassion will be poured out upon them as a result. We are going to feel sorrow, show concern, be moved with compassion, grieve with and minister Jesus' love to the suffering people we will meet. We can't leave them with physical restoration or financial stability but we can leave them with hope. If the Lord is moving you to support me as I go this fall and you would care to donate toward my trip you can click here and put my name (Chelsea Mills) in the field that says, "Team member or ministry name". Any purchase from my store will also go toward my trip to India and I am happy to take special requests so drop me a line!

This Valentine's Day...

Valentines Day is coming up! 

Looking for a unique way to celebrate?

Consider the cost of the chocolate, candies, cards, flowers, jewelry and other treats -- all tokens to express love, adoration, appreciation and show that you are treasured. Then consider your sisters in India who have no idea that they are treasured or loved and have probably never been shown appreciation by their husband or family. Would you please choose to give the love of Jesus to those women this month, even if it means not going out to eat with your man or going without the other delightful treats you are anticipating, and, instead, choose to either:
1) Give financially to the Women's ministry fund on Gospel for Asia's website, or 

Gospel for Asia

2) Purchase a Word Print from the GIVENstore here on my blog (all proceeds go toward sending me to India this October where I will personally get to administer the hope and love of our Lord to women who desperately need it!)

JohnnySwim's "Hallelujah" & Visiting Orphans

My heart could burst! :)

365 paintings in 1 year!

Help me sell 1 painting every day for 365 days! 

Buy one your self (only $20 + shipping) and then tell your friends about them! Spread the word through Facebook, Twitter, Snail mail, smoke signals -- get creative! With your help I'll be on my way overseas with Visiting Orphans in one year!

GIVENstore | Paintings

I have been painting...

Painting Africa. :)

I am selling my paintings. 

You can order them for $10 a piece. :)

Any color you like!

Phthalo Green

Lemon Yellow
(Looks kinda greenish here but it really is yellow!)

Blue Lake

Brilliant Red

Popsicle Purple

Light Green

Phthalo Blue

Brilliant Orange

All proceeds are going into savings for a day (that is hopefully coming very soon!) where I will get to GO and visit children overseas with Visiting Orphans. <3

Reasons to go

  I learned about Visiting Orphans a few years ago, quite a few actually. I didn't notice what the ministry was called but I was captivated by the subtitles of the various countries, "India: 35,000,000 reason to go", "China: 50,000,000 reasons to go", "Africa: 42,000,000 reasons to go", etc. It made me stop in my tracks. It made me hold my breath. It made me think, "That ought to be more than enough reasons." Learning about VO is one of my earliest memories of having my heart awakened to the cause of the orphan.
  I rediscovered VO last spring and have frequented their website since then during my time at Ellerslie and since returning home. I fully intend to go on at least one trip with them in the course of my life-time. Big Brother, James, recently got a job there which has only made my loyalty and high opinion of the ministry increase.
  That said, there are not 35million reasons for me to go to India, there are not 42million reasons for me to go to Africa and there are not 50million reasons for me to go to China, there is only ONE reasons for me to GO: HIM.* <3

*Abba, Father God