Love 1

For a while now, I have been following a blog called "Joining the Journey." It is written by a woman named Suzanne Mayernick. I am telling you-- this woman is nothing short of inspiring. She is an amazing Christian woman, who started a company called 147 Million Orphans. Over the past couple of years, she had adopted 3 children (at least one I know is from Uganda). Just last year, they traveled over to Uganda to pick up their baby girl, Josie Love. While they were waiting for paperwork to be approved, a medical test showed that Josie was HIV+. The Mayernicks were obviously heartbroken. They weeped for their child and vowed to give her a better life, despite her new label.
Bravely, the Mayernicks decided to share Josie's story with the world. They did not want their child to be ashamed of a disease that she had no control over. Suzanne speaks of the different opinions they got and how they ran across parents who were scared to have their children around Josie. Needless to say, it has been an uphill battle.
The entire time that Josie Love has been in the U.S., she has been visiting an infectious disease doctor and she has been receiving treatments. Just this last week, they got a call from the doctor that Josie's HIV was undetectable!! When I read the post that day, I cried. I felt like I was part of their story. You can read their blog here.

So, in honor of Josie Love, her company designed a precious baseball tee that says "Love 1" on one side and "147 Million Orphans" on the other. I am going to buy one! In purchasing one, you are donating money towards HIV/AIDS awareness and helping to feed children worldwide. You can go here to take a look.

I encourage you, if nothing else, to keep up with this family's story. They are incredible!!

Thirty-One!!!

I am now selling Thirty-One!!!
For those of you who haven't heard of it, it's a line of one-of-a-kind products ranging from purses to bags to baby bibs to all sorts of organization bins. My mom bought me several items for Christmas and I fell in LOVE! I mean, it's just that great! So that is why I decided to sell it.

If you'd like to check out the products, you can go to my website:
www.mythirtyone.com/allyhouchin

Or, if you want to host a part, please let me know! There are AWESOME perks of being a hostess. You can find these on my website as well!

Enjoy! :)

My Heart is Full

I am so blessed to have been able to be a part of such a wonderful memorial for an incredible man. My heart is full of joy knowing how many lives he touched.

He is in heaven, he is pain-free, and he is hanging out with our Lord as I sit here. That is just amazing.

Praying For a Miracle

I whole-heartedly believe in miracles. My God is one of unfathomable things. He can do anything. He WILL do anything, and I know he is watching over Amy's dad. I KNOW that He will heal if it is His will. I pray for a miracle.

Psalm 34:14
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Day Thirty: A Picture

On my last day of the Thirty Day Blog Challenge (yeah yeah, so what if it took me like 2 months to finish it), I am supposed to post a picture.
Here is a pic of me and my hubby from last week. We were staying at my grandparents cabin in Ruidoso, NM and decided (because of his dad's wonderful advice) to check out the White Sands National Monument. So, no it's not snow behind us... It's the whitest sand you've ever seen!! It was such a cool place!

On a more serious note, please keep my friend Amy's dad in your prayers. He has stage four lymphoma and has been too weak to finish his chemo treatments. Today, he had to go in to surgery for an infection. Please pray that he will come through the surgery beautifully and will heal quickly. Please also pray for patience and peace for his family. They are going through something that very few of us can imagine.

Day Twenty-Nine: Wishes

At this very moment, I am wishing our wedding video would hurry up and come already!!! It has been 3 and a half months and I am DYING!!! SO ready to see it. :)

I will get back with you if I think of something better.

For now, I also wish my kiddos would understand surface area and volume. And that they ALL pass the TAKS test.

That's what I get for blogging at work.
Anyway. HAVE A GREAT DAY!

Edit: I wish my friend, Amy's dad would be healed.

Day Twenty-Eight: Something That Stresses Me Out

Oh, where to begin.
I must be honest about something. I am a very high-strung personality, so there are a lot of things that ruffle my feathers. Maybe my New Year's Resolution should be to relax a little. That would certainly help with less ulcers, headaches, and necessary massages.

So, let me just list out a few things that stress me out:

1. A cluttered house -- This is just about every day. :/
2. The TAKS test -- My poor kiddos have so much pressure on them to pass it, as do I!
3. Too many people in one room -- This usually happens when we're out shopping. I don't think I'm claustrophobic, I just can't stand being in a room with lots of people. Ugh.
4. MONEY -- I never used to get bothered my money... I've always been a tightwad, only taken care of myself, and known exactly how much I had/spent each month. Now that I'm a married lady, I struggle to figure things out with our finances. It STRESSES me beyond belief. I'll figure it out though.

Guess that's about it. I'm stressed out trying to come up with more. :)

Day Twenty-Seven: Pets

We have a chocolate lab that is 8 months old, Harper Leigh Houchin.

Here is her picture. :)