Africa

Dear friends and family,

I am ecstatic to announce that I am going to AFRICA! I would like to share with you a trip that I think will not only impact the people that I come in contact with but myself included!

Because we are consistently bombarded, in our culture, with having more and more it is hard to conceptualize and envision a community, a country, and even an entire continent where lack of basic human necessities such as: food, shelter, and clothing are few and far between. This is where I would love to take some time to share with you about my upcoming trip to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia with a team from Ordinary Hero Foundation. During this ten day trip we will focus on coming along side the people of  these communities in Ethiopia to bring a glimpse of hope and help them both spiritually and materially. Here is a little more detail:

First, on this mission trip I will be given the opportunity to bring much    needed donations in the form of clothing, shoes, blankets, school supplies, food, rain coats, undergarments, Amharic bibles, and much more. We will  pass these donations out to children on the streets and in orphanages and villages, who would otherwise go without. 

Second, we will be traveling within the city as well as in the countryside to not only serve the poor and pass out donations, but also hold soccer camps and art camps.  

Third, we will be visiting the trash dump community to visit sponsored children, help with their outreach program, as well as make home visits where we will pray and leave donations as a blessing.  

Fourth, we will travel to the mountainside where we will bring relief to the women who carry heavy loads up and down the mountain in order to provide for their families. 

Fifth, we will drive through the countryside passing out Blessing Bags to children who basically have nothing. This is always a highlight, as it is like provision dropping out of thin air for these children, as we pull up out of nowhere, and start providing for their basic needs. 

Sixth, we will make life long relationships, find children to sponsor, help waiting orphans find families by bringing awareness, bring hope through God’s word, and leave with our lives changed as much as theirs

I'm excited about the opportunity and experience that lie ahead. I hope you see the value in what we will accomplish. As you can imagine, a trip like this requires financial support from a number of people. In order to go on this mission trip I need to raise $750 by February 15. I will also be required to raise increments of $750.00 by March 15, April 15, and finally May 15th. If you can support me in a financial way, I would be very grateful. But, most importantly, I also need your prayer support.  Prayer is the fuel that will allow us to be successful as we follow God's leading on this mission in Ethiopia. 
If you would like to be part of this mission through your financial support, you may send a check to: Ordinary Hero, PO Box 1945, Brentwood, TN 37024 by February 15, 2012. Please include my name in the memo line. You may also donate online at http://www.ordinaryhero.org/Ordinary_Hero/Donate.html.  Please include my name and “Ethiopia trip” in the memo line when donating for proper credit.  All contributions are tax deductible, as Ordinary Hero is a 501c3 Nonprofit Organization. 
You may also visit the Ordinary Hero Store. Any purchase made on my behalf by clicking my name as an Affiliate during checkout, will allow me to receive 40% of the purchase price, credited toward my trip. Visithttp://www.ordinaryherostore.org/.  

Thank you for your love and support! 
Gratefully,

Samantha Woodlief

Puffs cereal, time with Grace, and Roseola

Some here's whats going on with us this week:
- Madi has been eating big girl food! i.e. puffs (dissolveable cereal) real bananas,  and peaches. She loves it WAY more than baby food.
- We discovered Madison has an allergy to oatmeal, only proving my suspicions.
- Grace spent 3 days with us over the past 2 weeks since Ronda had inservice. We had a blast and she is such a wonderful help with Madison.
- Madi has was diagnosed with Roseola last night. According to google this is the best definition that I can give of it without writing a novel.

"Roseola is an acute disease of infants and young children in which a high fever and skin rash occur." (Accompanied with irritability, swollen lymp nodes, and runny nose. She has it all FROM HEAD TO TOE)

Gluten free...please (maybe)

Jenn recently took part in a restoration diet where she practically ate NOTHING in order to determine what, if any, allergies she might have. Prompted by the idea, I decided that I would do it as well. I have always wondered why people are so crazed when it comes to gluten free diets. I have read MANY, many articles pertaining to gluten free lifestyles and the pros and con's associated with it (Mostly positive associations). I decided what the heck, lets give it a whirl and see if I could manage a month of gluten free/sugar free lifestyle. I am 8 days in, and I admit it might be a little premature, but I am really jumping on board and understanding why so many people prefer this lifestyle (Ask me in another 3 weeks and I might think differently!). I feel like my body has detoxed all of the funk out and I feel healthy! My body is craving less and less sugar, pasta, bread, and overall crap. Needless to say that I have more energy and I am actually having to put some creativity into cooking, which is always a positive for me since I find it be therapeutic. So far I have mainly been eating just lean proteins (turkey, pork, chicken, fish) and the occasional splurge of steak, fresh fruits, and fresh vegetables. So far, so good!

But....I am planning to venture out this weekend (after we get paid; gluten free is EXPENSIVE) and cook my first real gluten free dish. I think that I'll start out with some brownies or breakfast bars since that seems to be what I miss the most.

Stay tuned for the turn out! Cross my fingers and hope that it's tasty!

Missouri

Madi and I drove almost 400 miles (by ourselves) to Camdenton, Missouri to see our old friend Katie! We had such a blast and Madison, surprisingly, did fantastic! We spent the week spending time with Katie and Gabe, her 20 month old son. Katie and I grew really close during the time that she and Chad, her husband, were here. Katie helped me plan all the details of our wedding and we were so sad to see them move to Tulsa, Ok where Chad was working on another hotel. We have already decided that we will be seeing them again (hopefully) in January if the weather permits! We love you guys and we were so blessed during our week there! Can't wait to see you guys again :)