Love Thursday: A Little Heart Goes A Long Way
In case you only have time for one sentence, the zine is waiting for you here!
Okay. Is this not the sweetest thing you have ever seen? My Japanese neighbor Mana Maeda made a whole bag full of origami hearts for me “for the children of Rwanda.” The kindness folded into each and every heart just blows me away.
This is not the only act of love happening on my street this morning. Madeleine’s piano teacher (and my kindred spirit friend) Katie Kellert donated the tuition from Madeleine’s entire spring semester to the Rwanda Trip. This was such a personal and sacrificial gift that I wanted to find a way to really honor her generosity. One hundred of these LamaLi journals made by women living in the rural villages of Nepal (eco-friendly and fair trade-woohoo!) are going with me in Katie’s honor. With the help of Odette’s sister-in-law, Golethe, I’ll be talking to a special group of girls about Mondo Beyondo dreams and using journaling as a tool to problem-solve and put dearest thoughts on paper.
Tucked inside will be these Hope Notes–made possible by the goodness of Krystyn Heide, the HopeRevo.com community and little girls like this lovely from Tracey Clark’s daughter’s Girl Scout troup. Or these sweet things, all the way from DreamerGirl in the Netherlands. I’m expecting about 100 notes tomorrow via FedEx.
It’s Love Thursday, and I am feeling it! Now I’m going to go light a candle and take a deep breath. I have to figure out once and for all how to get 400 pounds of all this goodness packed and onto a plane in the next few days.
You can still donate to this project and help us cover last minute expenses here. I’m doing last minute shopping today for 1000 pens. 
The zine, of course, is dying for you to make her your very own here. And thank you to everyone who posted or sent links our way! Keep them coming!
May 15th, 2008 at 10:02 am
Love, love, love - I’m sending all the love I can to you today, Jen. Pens and journals and notes and hearts and so much to take. May the airlines receive your packages with love and tenderness. May your seats on the plane be soft and tender. May your seatmates be gracious and welcoming. May you find peace and grace and laughter and goodness every step of the way. Beginning today. Right now. Right where you are.
Am I really gonna get to meet you at Blogher??? Is that even possible? What stories and hugs and smiles we will share, dear, beautiful, strong, adventurous Jen.
May 15th, 2008 at 10:04 am
This whole thing just keeps getting better and better! The zine looks awesome! The hearts are adorable and represent exactly what it is we’re helping you do - take love across an ocean to a group of girls that deserve it oh-so-much.
And the journals and teaching the girls how to use them to find and fulfill their dreams? I think that’s an amazing gift. Jen, you’re an incredible person and the people helping you are amazing, too.
May 15th, 2008 at 10:11 am
Wow, what an amazing thing. I’m keeping you and your trip in my prayers.
May 15th, 2008 at 11:24 am
Those origami hearts are wonderful.
May 15th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
I love that you’re taking the idea of mondo beyondo lists to africa! And those journals are just yummy
Thanks for the link love and i hope everything works out with the shipping.
xo Silvia
May 15th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
I’m keeping you and Odette and Grace in my thoughts also. Can’t wait to get a copy of my zine!
Peace love and light.
May 15th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
Why, of all posts, is this one making me tear? Because it’s that moment where nothing can get in the way of the “yes”–even the inevitable pitfalls don’t stand a chance against the power of communities of love.
EEK! So excited for you…. Love, Love, Love…
May 15th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
I’m delurking (after being a long-time reader) to say that my prayers and fervent good wishes will go with you on your upcoming journey. Oh…and a donation via PayPal too!
What love, inspiration, courage, and hope emanate from your blog, and so I can only imagine what you will bring in person to those lucky girls! Blessings to you and safe travels…
May 15th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
What great little hearts!
May 15th, 2008 at 9:12 pm
Mana’s hearts — does the shape of a heart mean to these Rwandanese girls what it can mean to us? I know if anyone can communicate what love means it’s you. And now please use your superpowers to convince Mana to blog a how-to for those of us who would love to create a heart like these. For when words aren’t enough and we need to show what we mean.
Off to buy the zine — a hug to you and a fierce prayer for Odette.
May 16th, 2008 at 12:27 am
Oh it’s so so exciting! This has been so amazing to watch. I am grateful to have observed and contributed. There’s magic happening here.
May 17th, 2008 at 10:35 am
every time i come here i leave feeling full of love and magic.
those paper hearts are just wonderful.
as are you.
love,
mccabe xx