NOTE: IF YOU RECEIVE THIS LETTER VIA EMAIL SUBSCRIPTION, PLEASE CLICK LINK TO BLOG TO SEE FULL ARTICLE/PHOTOS & MORE...
RED SHOES FOR RWANDA BLOG LINK
Hi! So, yes, I do realize it has been, ah-hem..."awhile".
First of all, I would like to thank all of you who sent in your end of the year RSFR pledges, and thank you to everyone who has sent in notes/emails/letters saying they will send in the rest of their pledge if and when they can. I have kept every single card, note or letter from all of you this past year. Your encouraging me to hang in there and to keep wearing red shoes through 2010 helped me along this journey.
Secondly, I would like to apologize for not keeping up on my blog as I had set out with the intent of doing when starting RSFR in January of 2010. Sometimes life throws us curve balls, and we can't always catch them. I feel like I had a few of those thrown my way this past year, but life is good! I am pleased with the amount of money we all raised to send in to World Vision to help Rwandan Children in need.
I had not planned on a cross country move when I started my red shoe charity venture, and that most definitely put a crimp on my shoe sale plans. I had wanted to have all of the shoes we purchased at cheap/discounted prices, (or those that were gifted to me or sent in as a donation) to sell for profit by being photographed & listed on either eBay or Craigslist by the end of December. Well, due to packing/storage room, I had to leave most of the shoes in Washington, unable to take them to California. (Trust me...I tried, but at Christmas time we were returning home from WA with gifts, two kids, two dogs, one cat, a hamster & luggage and there was just not one inch of space left for red shoes!) So, we are driving back to Washington for a week (leaving tomorrow) and I will be listing them all for sale in/on one venue or another and packing them up and bringing them "home" to California with me. If they do not sell, my husband has offered to put up a donation for the shoes to send in to World Vision as another gift, and then I will donate them to another charity...two good deeds in one fell swoop, and a nice big ADIOS to this pile of red footwear once and for all!
NOTE:If, over the course of the past year you have seen any red shoes on the blog that you are interested in owning, please contact me and let me know. I wear a size 8.5-9 medium, and I am willing to set shoes aside for serious potential buyers, or even to put them on a "lay-away" plan for you! :)
I have learned LOTS this past year and through this venture. I am sick of red shoes, but don't hate them. In fact, there are a few pair I will keep forever to shoe my (hopefully) grand kids someday!
I learned that I can do pretty much anything I set my mind towards doing. I learned that even the best laid plans can blow up in your face. I learned that part of why I wanted to do this project was a bit of selfish contrition that I needed to release and let go of and realize that I can not pay for past screw ups I have made for the rest of my life, especially not like this. God is a God of forgiveness, and I have learned that I have been released, and it is a freedom that was not found through wearing shoes for charity.
Between our move to California, home schooling my son, my daughter leaving for college, (and then deciding to do her second semester in Thailand) I had too much on my plate and mind. I was also concerned for the security and health of my parents and their move West. My body was not reacting well to the stress and I began experiencing over-whelming pangs of anxiety this past winter. I saw a doctor and was put on several medications. These medications did not help, but in fact made symptoms much worse. I was feeling confused, disoriented, and more anxious than ever. I could not drive, teach or remember even the most simple instructions. To make a very long and personal story short, I was admitted to the ER in January.
The combination of medication and amounts of them that I had been prescribed was apparently very dangerous and my body was not reacting well. I was told it would be wise to admit myself to the hospital to be watched closely (there was talk and concern of seizures or even death) and that is what my husband and I thought was best. So I was in the hospital for four days and as a patient, demanded that some changes be made, starting with my refusing to take anymore of these drugs. It was one of the scariest things I have ever experienced in my life, since stopping them "cold turkey" was dangerous in itself, and the withdrawl symptoms were incredibly painful. But, within 48 hours I felt like what I imagine coming out of a coma must feel like. First article of business: FIRE my doctor. More than two other doctors said they had never seen anything like this, and thank God I was okay. I did not speak of this or blog about any of this in January, because by then my daughter was over sea's and I did not want to warrant unnecessary worries or concerns on my behalf. I do want to thank all of those who held me up in their prayers and thoughts during this time. I have been seeing a therapist who is helping me work through some of my anxiety issues. Letting my child leave for school and a move on top of that just proved to be a bit too much stress for me to handle on my own. Ironically, my daughter is doing exactly what I hoped she would do. She is giving her time and talents to those in need in Thailand. She is helping the developmentally disabled learn how to express themselves through theater arts. Seeing her leave the nest tempted me to clip her wings, but she was made to fly and I am happy to have learned more skills on how best to handle my stressors . I am learning I can't do everything for everyone or be everything to everyone. I am reminded daily that God is in control. Amazingly, the earth has not fell off of its' axis, either. :) (Weird!) One of my final steps in wrapping up my medical issues is to see a neurologist to make sure that everything is okay as I am still having a lot of short term memory loss.
I am going to see a neurologist to make sure that everything is okay as I am still having a lot of short term memory loss. LOL!! :) II know I wrote that twice, I'm kidding!) No, seriously, any prayers on my brains behalf would be appreciated and I am hoping there has not been any long term damage sustained.
Well, with all of that being "said", I wanted to show off the picture of the check to World Vision, and some of the other thank you notes and pictures that I have not posted yet. In my head I have tallied up the final amount that I would love to see be sent in to World Vision (after the shoe sale, and when others have sent the remainder of their pledges in), and I hope the figure to be around the $4000-4500.00 mark. We shall see what the rest of the new year brings! It is not to late to donate more if you feel led, and if anything, this project sparked a new passion between my husband and myself...an ultimate goal of setting up a non-profit organization and sponsorship for a orphanage....someday, somewhere. Oooooooh la la! It makes me so excited at the possiblities! Hmmmm......Blue Shoes for Bosnia? Yellow shoes for Yemen?..... Who knows!?!
Blessings to you and yours and best wishes in 2011.
Humbly Yours,
Sheridan ~
FOR YOUR OWN PAIR OF NON-SKID SWEET STANDARD ISSUE HOSPITAL SOCKS, CLICK HERE! ( I think they may even come in red.)
Letter to World Vision International. I was in the hospital, so my husband actually typed this up (with my approval) and mailed this in for me. Thanks honey!
CHECK TO WORLD VISION!
WORLD VISION RESPONSE LETTER AND RECEIPT
ANOTHER NOTE FROM WORLD VISION REP. IN BAY AREA, CA
WORLD VISION LETTER RECEIVED AFTER ARTICLE WAS PUBLISHED
FRONT COVER OF WINTER 2010 MAGAZINE
WORLD VISION MAGAZINE ARTICLE
THANK YOU! XXOO
NOW JUST FOR FUN:
RED SHOE PHOTO'S I HAVE COLLECTED AND GLUED INTO MY JOURNAL THIS PAST YEAR (FOUND FROM MAGAZINES, LETTERS & VARIOUS SOURCES) ENJOY!
my journal from my hubby! :)
I thought to myself: "This picture and this woman would look complete & so fabulous if she had red shoes on"...I look to the right of the picture where her feet are propped up and TA-DA!!!! Smart Girl! :)
These "duck" shoes would be perfect for Quilcene, but at $300 a pop, I don't think so :)
This little girl reminded me of my own little Cecily playing dress up with her mama's shoes!
One of my favorite looks.
Some perfect fitting note cards I picked up at Barnes and Noble!
I adore this picture!
One of our promotional cards.
A sweet note from my mama.
Promo Card.
Another Promo Post Card sent out.
My hand sanitizer of choice from Bath and Body Works! I bought several to stock up! :)
Pop up shoe book found in Sonoma, CA.
I love the calenders my daughters boyfriend gives me for Christmas! Perfect!
A sweet red retro bracelet that my Darling Hubby bought me as a gift in Sonoma, CA.
It says, "Love Conquers All"....how true, how true.
CECILY LEAVING FOR THAILAND:
One Last Late Night Airport Hug~
The shoes I wear nowdays are a mix of fun and colors, but I won't ever give up red forever!
Every time I see a red shoe it reminds me of my journey through 2010 and how we made an impact on some childs life in Rwanda. God Bless You!
Love, Sheridan~
