The post I've dreaded...

My heart is crumbled into a million pieces right now. After so much prayer, so much clarity, and so much perseverance & passion... we started planning our 1st trip to the DR Congo.  I was excited and pumped knowing we'd be traveling in March.  Unfortunately though, a LOT has changed within the last week.

Let me first start by saying... any of you who have donated to our trip through a portrait session or just monetary donation and would like it back - I won't be offended in ANY way.  Let me also say, the trip is NOT cancelled, it is simply going to be rescheduled.  Therefore, any session purchased on behalf of our trip fundraiser, or donation received... will still go to pay for mine & Richard's trip to the Congo.  At this time, we are just not 100% sure when that trip will be.

Now... back to the news.  The reason the trip is being rescheduled is because of quite a few details that are out of our hands.  Unfortunately, I took a leap a little too fast.  Me, being quite motivated and some days a little too passionate... I felt we could take on and tackle everything we needed to in the short amount of time given.  Unfortunately, I was wrong.  [insert pride]  I won't lie, this is sooooooo very hard to even have to announce this.  So many have been incredibly supportive, many prayers prayed, and so many have donated to us personally - to get us there.  We are still so VERY appreciate to all of you.

We ask that you continue to pray for us.  We WILL be going to Democratic Republic of Congo... it may not be until Fall of 2012 though.  We will just have to play our cards right and make sure we have everything properly lined up next time.

Again... please do not give up on us.  God has given us a HUGE task to take on and we still have a long way to go.  Will continue to support Voices 4 the Voiceless as we work hard to get this orphanage up and built?  Cookies 4 Congo... its almost that time and this is a HUGE way to get involved and help us reach that goal!  We CAN do it.... we CAN!

Cookies 4 Congo starts in 2 weeks!  Will you help us spread the word?  

Until then... Brantley

Tweet

Hi everyone!  First of all, thank you for the sweet comments & all of the wonderful & encouraging emails last night!  [per yesterday's post].  I really needed the encouragement and your words lifted me up.  Thank you!

Also, per a reader's suggestion... Voices 4 the Voiceless is now on TWITTER!  

Yes mam... that is correct! I won't lie, I have no clue how to use us.  So, if any of you are Twitter fans out there, please become a v4vprojectcongo follower!  [none of the names I tried to use were available]  I would greatly appreciate your support on there!  So, go on there and TWEET about Voices 4 the Voiceless... PLEASE!  :)

Ways to help spread the word and show the love....

Tweet:  Cookies 4 Congo

Tweet: Voices 4 the Voiceless

Tweet: One of our latest posts

Tweet: our V4V blog or website

You know the drill.  Spreading the love is appreciated!  Thanks everyone!

Until then... Brantley

V4V Project - Cookies 4 Congo

Will you help us spread the word!  Voices 4 the Voiceless is proud to announce our newest fundraiser!  We hope this will be BIG and we pray you will ALL join with us to help spread the word!  :)

How YOU can help!

1] Grab our button by placing it on your blog!  This is an easy tool to help spread the word!

<center><a href="http://voices4thevoiceless.blogspot.com/2011/09/cookies-for-congo.html"><img src=" http://i.imgur.com/L8Vxg.png"/></a></center>

2] Get involved!  Make some cookies, and have a cookies sale!  Sell them at work, at church, in your small group or Sunday school class - anywhere you want!  Let your kids get involved and allow them to help and learn about giving!

3] Donate!  All of the proceeds [100%] will go directly towards Project Congo!  We will use the money to help rebuild the orphanage in the Democratic Republic of Congo!  This is HUGE!  Will you help?

Many have asked how they can get involved... even those as far as California!  Well... you asked, and here is your chance to serve!  We need your help... THEY need your help!

Will you be a voice?  Go HERE for more details!

Until then... Brantley

What's that I see???

Well you might have noticed a little hour glass on my blog.  Yep... we're fundraising again... but not to bring a baby home [at least not quite yet].  That hour glass is there to keep up with fundraising efforts because we're going to the Democratic Republic of Congo in March!  Yipee!  I am ecstatic!  Not just because we're going, but because of all that God has done to get us this far!  He has truly blessed our new ministry/organization, Voices 4 the Voiceless!  So many have reached out, asked how they can help - and been such a huge encouragement for us! 

This is all so new... but it is so exciting!

So... what are the details... well... Richard and I are leading a small team in March.  We plan to leave Saturday, March 3rd and arrive back home on Sunday, March 11th.  Its going to cost each person approximately $3,000 to go.  We were able to build our savings account back up and have enough for one of us to go.  But... we still need help coming up with my half.  So... we need to raise $3,000 !  God is good and He is faithful!  I trust that He got us this far... He can get us the rest of the way!

We will be visiting the orphanage site there in Kinshasa.  Hopefully the building phase will be started by then.  We will also be visiting the other government run orphanages in the city.  This will help put into perspective exactly why we're doing what we're doing.  Seeing the conditions, the lack there of and the needs... We hope to come back with more open hearts and a better picture of what is really going on in this country so desperate for help!

Will you help me get to the Congo?  We need your help and we appreciate your support and prayers and we prepare our hearts for this trip!  Thank you so much!

Also... if you're interested in purchasing a shirt... go HERE.  All of the profits will go 100% to Project Congo!  We need your help to build this orphanage and to give 70 orphans a roof over their head, food on the table and an education!  Thank you to all who have already purchased one!  We're forever grateful to each of you!!!

Until then... Brantley

T-Shirts!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yay... so this momma is super excited today!  Our Voices 4 the Voiceless t-shirts came in and they look FABULOUS!  :)  Cannot wait for you to see them in person!  So... if you ordered a shirt... you should be getting yours in the mail within the next couple of days. 

Wanna see a sneak peek?

We've had some people ask how the sizes run.  Most of you can tell how I am "built"... so the shirt size I am wearing in this picture is a size small.  Keep in mind... as most shirts do... they might shrink a little.  But mine feels pretty comfy -with still a little room for shrinking.  :)  I LOVE them!

And this would be my little helper!  :)  Katherine Grace decided she wanted to help package them up!  So... if you get your package & it has a little drool on it... I'm sorry!  ;)  

Also... we have the following currently in stock and would LOVE to sell each and every one of them!!!

Blue - [3 Smalls]  [2 Mediums]  [1 Large]
Gray - [2 Smalls]  [5 Mediums]  [5 Larges]

Thank you again 'Oh So' much for your prayers and support!  God is so good!

Until then... Brantley

Don't miss out!

A few reminders!  

#1 - DON'T miss out on the chance to win an awesome E-Book from Angela Braniff!  (fellow adoptive momma & photographer)  She's got some amazing tips, guide to technique and just altogether AWESOME book on how to take better pics!  See two posts back for that giveaway!  Deadline to enter is Monday!!!

OR... if you just wanna help them out... they NEED to sell 28 more E-Books to pay for the next part of their adoption fees!  Come on people... help her out!  We all know each of us have been helped out throughout our own adoptions!  At just $25 for a book... you can't beat that!

#2 - Our final court date is on Friday!  Can this really be!  Say a little prayer for us... we're so super duper excited!  :)

#3 - Last, but not least.... our Voices 4 the Voiceless t-shirts are still available!  We would LOVE to have your support with this amazing fundraiser!  The money from the t-shirts will go towards Project Congo!  With your help... we can give these children who are left fending for themselves on the streets of Kinshasa a safe place to sleep, food on the table and a way to go to school!  We're building an orphanage that can house 70 orphans!  That can make a HUGE difference in the lives of these children!  All of this with your help of a t-shirt for $20!  :) Will you be a VOICE?

Huge thank you for all of your prayers... support and even financial donations!  They're greatly appreciated!

Until then... Brantley

Monday AND a GIVEAWAY!!!!

Oh yes, you read right!  Its Monday and we all know how drab Mondays can be... so why not have a giveaway and make it a little brighter!  Well... most of you know I am a photographer by day (amongst many things... a mom, a wife and now a founder to an organization).  Some days my husband thinks I'm crazy!  But... the meaning for this post...

A GIVEAWAY!!!

My friend, Angela is also a photographer.  She is a children's portrait photographer to be more specific.  She is also a momma adopting from Africa... the Congo to be specific!  :)  Well... she has created this WAY TOO AWESOME FOR WORDS E-Book!  Let me just say... from a photographer's opinion... this is a steal!!  Seriously... for $25... you can purchase this "how to" E-Book on photography! BUT.... we're also GIVING one away!

Wanna know how you can WIN one?  Yeah, I thought you might like to know!

Do the following and let us know that you have done each of these things by leaving a comment under this post! (for each thing done)

1] Become a "follower" of our Voices 4 the Voiceless Blog.  (current "followers" count)

2] Become a FAN or "Like" Voices 4 the Voiceless on facebook.  (current "fans" count)

3] Become a "follower" of Angela's Blog. (current "followers" count)

4] Share a link to Voices 4 the Voiceless Website on your fb page, or blog.  Let them know about our t-shirts and fundraisers we're doing to support Project Congo!

Deadline to ENTER is Monday, August 29th!

And that my friends is ALL you have to do to ENTER to win this incredible E-Book!  Seriously, this is an amazing guide to helping you take better pictures for facebook, your blog and even just of your kiddos!

Not to mention... you can help a gal bring home their baby girl from the Congo!  Come on... what are you waiting for????

Until then... Brantley

33 Weeks & Updates!

Wow.... this FRIDAY is our court date to make Katherine Grace "officially" ours according to our state!  How crazy is this.  She feels like mine... in fact, most days I feel as though we birthed her (even though I know that isn't really the case).  I'm just so excited!  God has been amazing throughout this journey and the day is finally almost here!  :)  I'm even more excited because Richard took the day off work, and both our parents will be there to celebrate with us!  We're all going to go out to lunch afterwards and enjoy the day!

For now... here is her 33 Week pic!  Oh how my baby girl is growing up!

And for Voices 4 the Voiceless... don't forget to order your t-shirt!  They've been a big hit and we are so grateful to all of you who have already placed orders!  The money will go to support PROJECT CONGO!  Thank you again!

Until then... Brantley

Week in Review

Ahhh... is it really Friday???  I'm so excited for yet another weekend off to enjoy with my family!  We have lots planned for the weekend - but I won't bore you with the details.  I will share with you some pics from this week though!  Many more where these came from... but I have a little one ALL over the place that I must entertain!  :)  Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Can you find me???

Also... for those of you who asked about larger sizes for the V4V t-shirts... we can get larger sizes!  In the shop we have listed sizes small, medium, large and x-large.  We can definitely get larger sizes if needed!  So, send us an email through the contact section of our website if you're in need of a larger size!

Until then... Brantley

V4V T-Shirt Fundraiser!

Hey Everyone!  

Wanted to share some exciting news!  We have placed our first order for T-Shirts and are SUPER excited about them!  We hope to add many more varieties to the "collection" soon... but for now... we have one design in two colors!

They're $20 each and the funds will go towards the Mam `Ekoko Orphanage in the DR Congo!

In turquoise/blue color -

In Gray!

You can order these through our shop by clicking HERE!

We also have a link via our V4V website & blog!  Thank you so much for your support!

Until then... Brantley

the BIG news!

Well, here I am on this Monday morning writing this post that I have been so anxiously awaiting to announce!  I cannot believe today is finally here.  I'm honestly speechless!  I don't know what to say.  God is marvelous and He is good.  He is so incredibly faithful and has the most beautiful ways of showing His presence!  I cannot begin to tell you how humbled I feel this morning!  Knowing that He has chosen me to take on something like this!  Why me?  I continue to ask myself that over and over again.  But He has and I pray I can be His hands and feet on this journey we're about to embark!

A little back story... and please read before continuing down the page.

It all began MONTHS ago.  My heart aching for MORE.  I have prayed for so long for purpose.  "Lord, what is your purpose for this life?"  It wasn't until the face of Teri Lynn came onto my screen that it all became clear to me.  I know you all know who I'm talking about - as she has been in so many of my posts lately.  I will never forget that precious face!  So much confusion came from that face!  Why her?  Why would this happen to children?  How can this be?  Who will reach out and save her?  Why not me?

The questions continued and and I was broken!  My heart was totally broken for this child!  Why NOT me I cried nightly?  God made it clear that we were not her parents.  I could not understand why!  Why on earth would you not have me to adopt this child if we were so willing?  Why not Lord?

Because He had other things in store!  In the broad picture... if only I could see just a little farther down the road... He had so much more!  He wanted me broken so that I could SEE the whole picture!  So that I could SEE where He has me.  After many months of prayer, seeking His will.... He has finally made it CLEAR!

The Lord introduced me to a special person just a few shorts months ago.  Her name is Angela Braniff and you probably remember reading about her here on this blog.  After a facebook encounter... we soon became friends in such a BIG way!  I now know that the Lord brought us together for a reason!  We would soon meet and realize our deep passions for orphans and our desires to make a difference in this world!  To be a VOICE for these children!  Teri Lynn did not have a voice... it was our job to be the voice for her!  If not us... then who???

And that my friends is where Voices 4 the Voiceless became born!  God placed these two people in my life for a reason!  He showed me this face, this human being, this life of this precious child of God - Teri Lynn.  She had a name, a heart... and someone must speak up for these children!  God used her life to touch me, to show me EXACTLY where He wanted me.  And now, together, Angela and myself have started this non-profit organization to do just that!  To be the VOICE for those ALL AROUND THE WORLD!  To stand up for them and tell the world their needs, to be His hands & feet, and to be advocate for the many orphans all over the world!

Lord... you are BIGGER than I am!  You are far more powerful and majestic than me... how on earth are we supposed to make a difference in this world?  So many doors closed as we sought the help from so many.  But every time a door closed, he opened another!  And boy oh boy... the doors he opened were  far greater than the ones that closed!  The last several weeks have been trying and at times, we have felt hopeless.  But God continued to tug and He continued to show us through some pretty powerful reminders that THROUGH Him... anything was possible!  We have met some pretty incredible people, and have partnered with some open hearts who so greatly desire to help!  Thank you Lord!  Thank you for your endless faithfulness!  You are mighty and WORTHY of praise!

Thank you for entrusting us on this incredible journey of a lifetime!

To read more about this journey He has called us on...

Website:  Voices 4 the Voiceless, Inc 

Blog: Voices 4 the Voiceless Blog

I want to personally thank you a few people for their generosity & help over the last several weeks to get our website, logo, etc set up!  You have no idea how grateful we are to each of you!

Erica Anne with The Summer House - For graciously committing to designing our logo for us.  You took this project on during a busy time, and did not charge us a cent.  For her time and talents as she worked so hard with us to come up with something so perfect & fitting!  Thank you for the bottom of our hearts!  We're so grateful to you and HIGHLY recommend your work!

To Jeremy Riddle and his wife, Nicole for graciously allowing us to use your music on our website!  We are touched by the words in your music and thank you for supporting us on this journey!

To Lauren Casper & Leigh Ladd for sharing your images with us to use on our website.  And also to Lauren for also creating our blog button.  You're a doll and we thank you!

And of course to everyone who have so anxiously awaited this news & despite not knowing anything (including my parents, yes, I know... I'm sorry!), supported and prayed for us daily!  Thank you simply just isn't enough!

If you'd like to donate towards one of our projects, you can do so via the PayPal button on our blog, or by sending donations to:

Voices 4 the Voiceless, Inc

P.O. Box 1149

Columbia, SC 29202

Also, we're going to be creating new projects as time goes along.  We will also be working on local projects through the US.  If you have any ideas, or something you'd like us to partner with you on... please send us an email and so we can consider it!  Thanks!

Lord, thank you for breaking my heart, for what breaks yours!  My daily prayer to do, to continue breaking my heart for the things that break yours!  

So, I leave you with this... Will you be a VOICE?

Until then... Brantley