Invitation to a Special Tea ...

Welcome to tea ladies (and gentlemen who may also stop by) ... 

I'm so happy that you stopped by. Today's tea is a special tea ~ it's in honor of Hope Unlimited's celebration of love, for the many girl's they help. You also get a tiny glimpse of my new writing studio (which I will share more about at another time).

I have a creative area set up at the back of my writing studio, the windows provide a fabulous view of Mother Nature's treasures.

For our tea I have chosen some specific items: The tea was a gift from my friend Elizabeth, she brought it all the way from China, during her world trip last year. The teacup and saucer set is a gift from my dear friend Ly ~ so we have plenty of cups and saucers for everyone. And the heart display represent LOVE, not just at Valentine's - but everyday! 

Look how lovely the Jasmine balls look! 

And once they bloom in the tea pot ... WOW!!!

I just love the orchid design on the saucer and tea cup...

Now that your tea is poured ... let me tell you a little about Hope Unlimited's Celebrate Love project. Each year Hope Unlimited hosts a summer Day of Love party where all the girls learn about HEALTHY relationships, family and God's love. Girls as young as 10 come to Hope Unlimited from the streets and slums of Brazil, where they are constantly threatened by abuse and exploitation. 

During the summer Day of Love, the girls are given cards ... much like the Valentine's Day cards that children here in North America exchange. These cards are sent from caring loving people all around the world. It's amazing how a "little" card will make a difference in the life of these girls ~ knowing that someone, somewhere in the world cared enough to send them a "little" note.

By now you are possibly thinking...

 "hey, I could send a card", "I want to make a difference",

 "How many cards do I need to send, I don't have a lot of spare time"....

You can send 1 card or sky is the limit ... your card(s) can be store bought - or handmade.

I chose to make mine .... here is a sample of the cards I made. You can find phrases in Portuguese to personalize your card(s) here. The one I used - translates to You are precious, God's beautiful creation. On the inside ~a butterfly goes through so much in a short time, to evolve into the beautiful gift from nature- so I chose a stamp with a butterfly and "dream big" wording; I added a second butterfly bling (because who doesn't love sparkly inspiration) and added a heart and the phrase Happy Valentine's day on the front of the card. For the envelope I added the phrase the translates into Beautiful young lady; a couple more hearts with sparkly bits representing the infinite number of Angels who watch over each girl. I also added a seal to close the envelope.

Once your card(s) ready to go ... place card(s) in an envelope and mail it to:

Hope Unlimited For Children, PO Box 100, Jefferson City, TN 37760. 

Cards may be postmarked as late as April 1.

And the wonderful folks at Hope Unlimited offices will make sure that your card(s) arrive safely at their Brazil destination. 

You can learn more about Hope Unlimited by clicking here and to learn more about Celebrate Love click here. If you were wondering the impact a card can make read this story.

Celebrate Love: Meet Joyce

Read about how Valentine's cards affected a girl at Hope Unlimited here.

Special thank you to Susan from My Place to Yours who introduced me and many others in Blogland to Hope Unlimited.

Now take 5 minutes out of your day and send a card, you will be making the world a better place!

sharing with:
"Isabelle Thornton"  Le Chateau des Fleurs for Monady Linky ~Little red House for Mosaic Mondays ~  A Return to Loveliness Tuesday Tea Time Tuesday ~Tuesday Cuppa Tea  ~Friends Sharing Tea ~ Tea Cup Tuesday ~ A Return to Loveliness ~Tea Time Thursday ~ Feathered Nest Fridays

A Parent's Love ...

 From the time we are born.... Our parents are our world. They are the one's we run to when we are hurt, sad, don't understand something, are afraid or just need a hug.

They make us feel safe! Protected!

Parents take the time to walk with us in this journey of life..

Parents are the foundation for the adults that we will be...

Susan - from My Place to Yours ..

Wrote about the reality of what can happen when children - especially girls are born to parents who do not provide the basic necessities of  nurturing, caring and unconditional love.  Susan has also shared an opportunity for us all to make a difference!!!

(from Susan's post)

But what happens when there were no conscientious, caring parents?  When a young girl is abused ... or prostituted ... by her parents?  When she's taught that her only value is as a sexual object?  How can she possibly understand what true love is?

That is the reality for most of the girls at Hope Unlimited for Children. The concept of dating and marriage, love and family, evoke feelings of confusion and guilt and fear.  But their story doesn't have to end there ...

In Brazil, the Day of Love is in early Summer.  On that day, surrounded by godly women who love them, the girls at Hope Unlimited are taught about true love and purity and what it means to be of value as one of God's highest creations ... and loved by their Creator. As part of their celebration, each girl receives Valentines that show them they are special.  Valentines that come from people who took time to make a few extra Valentines for someone they don't know.  People like you and me.  It's a very small act that has a huge impact on the way young girls think of themselves ... and how they face the future.

If you'd like to join me in making Valentines for the girls of Hope, you can be certain you'll bring happy smiles and growing confidence into a young girl's life.  It can be as simple as making a couple of extras when you write Valentines to your loved ones ... or you can make an "event" out of it and involve your Sunday School class, ladies Bible study group, mission group, civic organization, Girl Scout troop, sports team ... parents of daughters.

Send your Valentines marked "Valentine Project" to

Hope Unlimited for Children

P.O. Box 2707

Los Alamitos, CA 90720

All Valentines received between now and the end of April will be translated and shared at the 2012 Day of Love celebration.  To read more about the Valentine Project, click HERE.

Susan, thank you for sharing "VALENTINE PROJECT"with your blog readers and giving us the opportunity to pass it on to readers of our blogs.  I encourage readers of Falling Off A High Heeled Life to not just pass this on but to get out your pens and send a card, or two, or three or ........ to the project. Let's let these girls know that WE CARE enough to let them know how precious to the world they are!! A handwritten card is priceless!!