Tears of Gratefulness

So I'm going to be honest with you... 

I worry about money... 

not in the typical sense of worrying "how we will pay monthly bills 

or where my next meal is coming from" sort of way,

but rather quite the opposite... 

I sometimes worry because I've NEVER had to worry where my next meal is coming from 

and I worry I'm not doing enough for others who do.

Don't get me wrong, I didn't grow up "wealthy" by North American standards, but we always had enough... my dad worked hard for the same company for 35+ years and mom was a stay-at-home mom who always did odd jobs to help contribute (and made me wear dresses she sewed for me and patched holes in my jeans with flowers on the knees so I could keep wearing them... granted it was the 70s so maybe I DID look hip!!!). And my brother Darren and I along with our cousins would go bottle collecting each summer to make extra money for ourselves!!

But since the tender age of 7, I've been very conscious of the fact that there are many in this world with less... I  remember very clearly walking around Tijuana Mexico with my family that year seeing some pretty sad things and children in need and it has stayed with me for life.  I even did this layout after my first Home Building Trip to Mexico in 2011 when I had a Full Circle Moment standing again at the border of Tijuana... I realized I had finally DONE SOMETHING to help what I had seen back at age 7...

So my personal worry about money comes from the sense that I worry that I'm not giving enough to others who DO wonder where their next meal is coming from... and so it has become a HUGE passion to be a good steward of what God has blessed me with to in turn bless others... and although I do give regular contributions to some really great organizations and causes throughout the year, I have to admit that my brain and heart is ALWAYS strategizing how to "multiply" it for greatest impact... it's just how God has created me to think...

and it's how Crop For Mexico came to be :)

I had scrapbooking supplies that I knew had value, I'm an event planner and love to host as well and decided that would be a great way to "multiply" the value of what I had to offer!!!  This year was our 3rd event and each year it just blows me away even more!!!  I totally realize not everyone can actually go to Mexico to help build, but I KNOW that there are really good people who still care and so I like to give opportunities for others to partner with me... and I KNOW scrapbookers like to craft and GIVE so it is the perfect partnership!!!!!

Last year I took a group shot of all the ladies at the crop, printed it out and brought it with me to give to the family in Mexico that we built for... here you can see the single mom, her two young boys and her oldest Reynaldo who is proudly holding the photo... he wanted it in EVERY picture!!  He couldn't understand why these ladies back in Canada who didn't even know him cared... but he was thankful!!!!!!

And this year I took another photo of our wonderful group of crafty ladies who came out to show support for what we are doing... and although we have not yet been introduced to to the 3 families we are building for this summer, I am anxious to again take this photo to show them and tell them how these ladies back in Canada cared sooooooo much and gave sooooo generously!!!!

And now for the moment you've all been waiting for... 

the TOTAL $ raised through the 2013 Crop For Mexico...

$11,492.25

My personal faith goal was $12,000 and we were so close and I have to admit that although I was ecstatic with this amount and so very grateful to ALL who gave so generously, a small part of my heart was disappointed as I knew we needed at least $18,000 to cover just the building materials for all 3 homes plus about $1500 per home to furnish and buy food, etc.

But then God pulled a miracle 

(He is in the business of miracles just in case you didn't already know!!)

and I'm pretty darn sure it was all for me...

to teach me a lesson about faith and trust and relying on HIM, not on ME

and I received a wonderful email the next day declaring...

somehow our group of 34 kids, teens and adults together through the Crop For Mexico, Coco Brooks Pizza sales and a few other means managed to raise a total of

$22,229

which means we even have the money to furnish and buy food for ALL 3 FAMILIES!!!!  And in fact, if you do the math, it's almost exactly what we need to do this!!

And so I cry... again...

I just love how God continues to teach me...

that HE is bigger than any problems or worries...

He takes every little bit offered to Him and multiplies it...

and that He loves me and He loves you and He loves those families...

and He loves those who notice the hurts of others and blesses those who step out in faith to do something to help.

So may each of you who noticed and contributed be blessed beyond what you can even ask or imagine

and may you too know and feel and understand God's love just a little better!!!

With Tears of Gratefulness and THANK YOU from my heart,

Allison

HUGE Garage Sale this Saturday!!! Come shop and craft!!!

This Saturday, May 4 is National Scrapbooking Day and we are celebrating in a HUGE way!!!

Come shop and craft with us for a great cause... we are building 3 homes in Mexico this summer for 3 very deserving families!!!  Each home costs $6000 so we are looking to raise $18000!!  It's a HUGE number, but when many come together, HUGE things are possible!!!!

Join us for... 

HUGE CRAFTING GARAGE SALE

and CRAFT PROJECTS

Grace Baptist Church

2670 Radcliffe Dr SE Calgary

All day (from 10am - 6pm) we are holding a HUGE Garage Sale of crafting and scrapbooking supplies along with back to back craft projects YOU can make!!!

And 100% of ALL money spent goes towards the fundraiser!!!  ALL OF IT!!!

Here are just a few projects you can make to get you excited...

And if you can't make it out to shop and craft, but still wish to contribute to our fundraiser, you can buy any of the above kits (based on availability) or you can simply donate to the cause (right now until Saturday, for every $5 you donate, we will enter your name to win this (over $500+ worth of gift cards) as our way of saying THANK YOU for caring :)  

My personal faith goal for this weekend is $12000 which would cover the building of 2 of the 3 homes... how cool would THAT be?!?!?!?  And YOU can be part of it... every single $1 matters and will help change lives in a way we can't even imagine...

More info and ALL classes are HERE.

Me at 47 years old!

Recently I needed a few new shots for the magazine I write and work for (Canadian Scrapbooker Magazine) and was kinda sad that I didn't yet have my new studio set up to do them in!!!  I also wanted to be holding my camera, but yet needed my camera to take the shot... so guess what I grabbed??  The camera I tossed into the ocean!!!  YUP!!  I still have it!!!  I can't bear to throw out a $2000 camera... my plans are to "bling it up" and make it into artwork for my wall someday!!!  Meanwhile, it makes for a very realistic (and expensive) prop!!!

So this photo just so happens to be the same week I turned 47!!  So this is me at 47!!  My mom joked about me turning 29 and I actually chastised her for encouraging me to pretend I'm younger than I am... why can't I be 47 and proud of it?!?!?!  My mom is in her 80s and looks FANTASTIC!!  I think she should broadcast THAT to everyone and anyone (I do!!  I tell everyone my mom is in her 80s because I think her and my dad both do the 80s really well... don't you agree?!?!) 

So all this bring me to some really troubling questions...

Why is it that women feel the need to pretend??  

Why are women and girls not ok to just be exactly who they are right now??

Why can't we CELEBRATE ourselves and the truth of who we are??

Why do we focus more on what a calendar says or what a mirror says or what a scale says or what a school grade says rather than what our heart says??  

As some of you already know, I'm getting ready and super excited to re-launch my photography business!!  I've been shooting portraits in my home studio for over 16 years, but have taken a break since moving 2 years ago.  During this time, I have been digging deep into my heart and soul (while taking TONS of new photography classes) and through this, have come to realize what I REALLY WANT to do with my business and the WHY behind it all...

It's pretty simple... 

I want EVERY and ANY woman or girl 

who has ever looked in a mirror and not felt good enough, 

to have a BEAUTIFUL photo of themselves

to remind them of their true value.

Although a photo seems on the surface to be about outward beauty, I am learning that I can help a woman connect to her inner beauty and CELEBRATE her true worth and value through the experience of capturing a beautiful photo of her... exactly as she is... exactly as God created her... BEAUTIFUL... simply for being who she is right now... mother, wife, daughter, friend, teen, girl, woman.

And I am soooooo very passionate about this!!!!!  I am yearning to give this gift to women and girls from ages 8 through 80 and beyond!!!  I want them to not only hear how BEAUTIFUL they are from loved ones, but to also see it and feel it and BELIEVE it themselves.  I'm on a mission!!!!  

I'm Allison Orthner, 

I'm 47 years old 

and I think I finally know 

what I want to do when I grow up!!!!

Crop For Mexico (and some sad news)...

We have opened registration for this year's Crop For Mexico on Sat. May 4, 2013!!!

We will announce the featured instructors, classes and make & takes at a later date, but know that you won't be disappointed!!!!

Although space at the all day crop is limited (register SOON if you want to be sure to get a spot), we are opening up all the classes, make & takes and garage sale shopping to EVERYONE!!  So if you can't make it for the whole day, but would like to take in a class, some make & takes and some shopping to help with this worthy cause, know that we would love to have you!!!!

Meanwhile, 

click HERE 

to register for the all day crop!!

And remember, 100% of EVERY DOLLAR goes towards building homes for some deserving families in Mexico and I will be honoured to again take a photo of the group along with me to present to the families :)

And now for some sad news... I've been getting numerous emails recently and figured it was time to publicly announce that we will NOT be doing a Scrapbook Your Heart retreat this year :(

It's hard to explain in words the why behind this decision, but know that it hasn't come without great thought, discussion and prayer... I guess the bottom line is that the planning team (myself included) needs a break and our hearts are being pulled elsewhere... and I'm growing to understand the concept that "not all good things are good to be doing all the time".

My heart and life purpose is still fully on helping others... I have relished in the privilege to be able to speak truth into the lives of so many women over the past years at our Scrapbook Your Heart retreats and the joy in seeing some real life changes and encouragement come from these retreats will NEVER be forgotten :)  We will ALWAYS have our memories ladies (after all, we are scrapbookers!!!!)  But yet again, I'm feeling God asking me to "Let Go and Fly"...

And shocker I know, but YES, I have MANY NEW AND EXCITING DEEP AND PROFOUND BRAIN THINGS going around and around in my heart and mind!!!!  I am ridiculously excited (and super scared!!!!) about some of them, but the time is not yet right to reveal and I'm still praying through it all... 

But meanwhile, I am REALLY enjoying a bit of freedom to focus on my family, my friends, my house (I still have unpacked boxes since we moved over 2 years ago!!!!) substitute teaching and even taking some days to just "be still" long enough to hear God speak.

And now for some GOOD NEWS!!!  Camp Caroline is having a women's retreat on March 15-17, 2013 and I'm thinking of treating myself to it for my birthday!!!  Anyone interested in joining me?!?!?!?

Cost is $150-$170 depending on the lodge you choose and there is a guest speaker and sessions with lots of free time to scrapbook or swim or whatever, but please note that this is a "church" retreat so the spiritual emphasis will be more evident (which I think is GREAT, but just wanted you to be aware of).

And of course, I'd love to see each and every one of you at the Crop For Mexico in May :)

Happy New Year (ok a little late!)

Perhaps it's because I just really loved my last post and the photos and memories from our Crop and Cruise Hawaii (these girls mean the world to me)...

or perhaps it's because I have so much to tell you about some really fun NEW things brewing in my heart and brain and don't know where to start (hint: has to do with my photography)...

or maybe it's just because I have been taking a step back to re-evaluate my life again (I do this often and especially around New Years)... but bottom line is... I haven't posted in a long while!!!!!

It's all good though!!!  But I don't want to wait too long to let you know about a few exciting things coming up...

MEXICO HOME BUILDING 2013

I'm going back to Mexico again this summer to build another 2 homes!!!!  It's in my blood now I guess!!  Once you have experienced this, it kinda makes you wonder why you do anything else!!!  Well at least it really changes one's perspective on WHY you do ALL you do in life :)

Anyways, watch for opportunities to join in with this project to change some lives:

CROP FOR MEXICO!!!
Sat. May 4, 2013
9am - 9pm

Join us on National Scrapbooking Day where we will again have another full Saturday of cropping and shopping with FULL SERVICE (servers, carriers, car starters, etc) and YUMMY home made meals, snacks and FUN on-site fundraisers including our infamous GARAGE SALE of all things crafty!!

100% of EVERYTHING from this event goes towards building a new home for a very deserving family!!  Just look at the face of 17 year Reynaldo as he holds his precious photo of the group of CROP FOR MEXICO ladies from last year who sponsored his new home... you will never fully know how it impacted this family knowing so many complete strangers back in Canada cared!!

So book the date NOW, watch for further information on registration and meanwhile, start collecting your goodies for the garage sale and money for the shopping... all for such a great cause!!!!!

GIFT CARD RAFFLE!!!

And... we will be doing a "Gift Cards" Raffle over the next many months and you have 2 options for getting involved in this one:

1.  Donate a Gift Card!!  Did you receive a gift card for Christmas that you don't think you'll use?  Or maybe you have one you've been holding onto forever that you are willing to donate?  Either way, you can support our Home Building by donating a Gift Card to our raffle :)  Simply contact me and I'll send you an address you can send it to.

2.  Donate to our Project!!  It costs $6000 to build one home and we appreciate every single $1 donated!!!  And you can have your name entered to win the Gift Card Bundle!!!  For every $5 donated, you will receive one entry to win :)

Ok... enough for now :)

This new year of 2013 is so very promising for me... I will share more again soon, but for now,  I am just so very excited and feel so very blessed for what's ahead :)

Kisses From God

In Hawaii, I received numerous "Kisses From God"... (no, this surfer dude did NOT come up to me and give me a kiss)!!!  But the story of capturing this classic shot of a surfer silhouetted in the sunset on "Sunset Beach" on the North Shore of Oahu is, what I am learning, is like a "kiss from God" :)

I have a deep and personal faith in God and I have learned to recognize when He is sending me little reminders of His love for me... sometimes it's obvious blessings, but many times it's subtle and unexpected... like this day in Hawaii.  I was already in my glory on an excursion with our Crop and Cruise group and had made it clear to our driver that taking in the sunset on "Sunset Beach" on the North Shore where all the big waves and surfers hang out was a priority!!

I couldn't get off the bus fast enough and although the beach was FULL of people getting ready to enjoy the sunset, I picked a small vacant spot and began shooting the "Wolf Pack" of kids having fun...

I was shooting in the opposite direction when I turned back and this surfer was emerging out of the water walking straight towards me with the sun directly behind him... I couldn't have planned it better had I tried!!!  I got my shot and new it was a classic and... a kiss from God... He knew that was on my bucket list of shots to get in Hawaii!!

Another kiss from God came from a very pleasant surprise and gift from the hotel we were staying at... originally my family was on the 8th floor with a view... of the building right next to us under construction!!!  Corlann our travel agent did some behind the scenes negotiating and next thing I knew we were moved up to the 21st floor in a suite attached to our beautiful crop room!!!  The view was classic Waikiki from 2 balconies that were ours to enjoy!!!

Another kiss from God was simply the stunning crop room that was ours throughout the entire first week where we were able to enjoy the ocean view and gentle breeze while we crafted (I finally got to take Christy's Art Journal Class... just imagine 5 hours of creative play with this view!!!)  And having my "dream team" of Christy Riopel and Jill Hildebrand along for this final (at least for now) hot tropical scrapbooking event was also a kiss from God... LOVE THESE GIRLS!!!!

And one day while crafting, this appeared...

Like I said, sometimes the kiss from God is obvious... like this rainbow... and this...

We were on our last Crop and Cruise group excursion on the island of Kauai and again I had requested sunset at the beach.  I had prayed earlier that day for a beautiful sunset because I wanted to help everyone capture some great sunset photos and the cloudy day made me doubt we were going to get it :(  But I'm an eternal optimist and knew no matter what, we were going to have an amazing day!!  And we did!!  The entire excursion was the BEST... our driver took us to lesser known places to view Waimea canyon (the "Grand Canyon" of Hawaii)...

And then he landed us at this private beach for sunset where they have old plantation homes and stunning property with hammocks, banyan trees and of course the ocean!!

At first it was cloudy (which was great for some portraits!!) but then the sun broke through below the clouds and we got our sunset!! And we played and photographed and played and after the sun went below the ocean, I thought we were done, but then suddenly someone told me to turn around and the sky was beyond what I had ever in my life seen let alone photograph!!!  It was like the sky was on FIRE!!!  It was ridiculously stunning!!!  And so we played and photographed and played some more... and this photo says it all...

Are you beginning to understand my "kiss from God" concept?  I believe we get them daily if we just pause to look and take notice... sometimes they are obvious like this sunset, sometimes they are even silly like the classic surfer dude shot and sometimes they are just a gentle whisper from God reminding us of who He is and how much He truly loves and cares.

There is still so much to share from our Crop and Cruise Scrapbooking and Photography LAND and CRUISE in Hawaii... but the above has been on my heart since it all happened and I couldn't wait to share!!  Watch soon for more... our scrapbook projects, more photo ops, excursions, my very special "Glam Girls" and a fun fashion photo shoot I had the privilege of doing including getting out from behind the camera INTO the photos as well!!!

We're BACK!!!!

WOW!!!!  What a trip!!!  I still can't believe that 76 people from all over Canada (and one from New York) trusted me enough to follow me to HAWAII for our Crop and Cruise Scrapbooking and Photography LAND event and island hopping CRUISE!!!!

Everyone always asks me which I like better... the LAND events or the CRUISES... and my answer is always... BOTH!!!  They are BOTH amazing, but very different!!!  On the LAND event, we got to spend much more time crafting and relaxing while taking in the view from our crop room...

Waikiki to the right and Diamond Head to the left...

And the beautiful ocean in between!!!

But the CRUISE visited some of the most beautiful places on this earth...

I am in my happy place going through photos (only about 5000 of them!!!!) and obviously have much more to share!!!!  Just know that I feel utterly blessed to have had the opportunity to help provide so many with an ultimate experience that will last forever in our memories. photos and scrapbooks!!  And the friendships I made make me tear up... you are all so very special and I am so honoured you joined me in Hawaii... YOU HAD ME AT ALOHA!!!!!  Much more to come!!!!

You had me at ALOHA!!!!

WOW!!!  The days on the calendar have been FLYING BY!!!  Between a new school year (and new school), and having teenagers involved in new volleyball and soccer seasons, I have been very busy behind the scenes getting ready for our Crop and Cruise event in Hawaii!!!!

I can't believe that after 18 months of planning, it's finally here!!!  I remember creating this on the beach in Kelowna with my family and it seemed so very distant and suddenly we leave this week!!!!

There are sooooooo many things I am excited about (I even teared up this week thinking about it all... shocker I know!!!)...

• Brad and I spent our honeymoon in Hawaii... that was 20 years ago this Fall... this will be our first time returning... I kinda like that extra meaning behind it :)  I even contemplated bringing along my wedding dress to do a fun "20 years later" anniversary photo shoot, but I don't think I can fit it in!!

• I just can't wait to hang out with two of the most talented, fun, crazy great friends and soul sisters who happen to be featured instructors with me (Christy Riopel and Jill Hildebrand)!!!

• And I am just so very excited to reunite with so many crafty friends and make new ones that I just know will be lifelong friends... truly my favourite part!!!

• And I will be in my happy place taking thousands of photos and replicating ones like this Hula Girl in the sunset... and teaching everyone there how to do it!!!

• And last, but definitely not least, I am so very are so thankful so these AMAZING sponsors for sponsoring this ultimate adventure... Crop and Cruise HAWAII!!!

Click on the logos to visit their websites!!!

Our FEATURED SPONSORS:

And a special thank you to our other generous sponsors:

Yup... all this adds up to...

You had me at Aloha!!!!!!