Tuesday, July 10, 2012

It was a play on words... now meet Elise!

Neclace: c/o Lisa Leonard

Yesterday, I may or may not have played a little joke on you. Actually, it really wasn't a joke at all. It was simply a play on words. But... if you're really happy for me (because of that play on words)... um... just go back and read the post again. And who knows, maybe you'll still be happy... that I survived the torrential river ride.

All I have to say is I didn't mean to make anyone's hearts skip a beat. Just wanted to see if you were awake. You still love me though, right? ♥

Don't worry. I don't have any crazy news today or any outlandish puns... but I do have a very sweet girl for you to meet. She's this month's Feature Sponsor... and she's just awesome. It's rare that a person can completely capture my heart (except for Daniel, of course)... but Elise totally has me hooked. She's living in Rwanda (you guys... Rwanda), serving the Lord, and helping children. It doesn't get any better than that.

So go ahead and grab a cup of tea/lemon water/or wine (in my blog buddy Erin's case), and enjoy little miss Elise! (read to the end for a surprise!)

*************************************

Hey there fellow Aunie Sauce readers! 
My name is Elise Cooper and I blog over and Forever Changed.

  
I’m a pretty ordinary girl, I often refer to myself as Plain Jane
but despite that I believe I have an extraordinary purpose perfectly designed by God.

 So let me tell you a little bit about myself and overload you with pictures, 
because lets be honest, pictures make everything more enjoyable.


 I come from an amazing family that consists of a dad, mom, older sister, 
brother-in-law, and younger brother.


I have a best friend who without I would probably be lost.


 I have the sweetest dog in the world.


 I run, for fun (and enjoy a good a rhyme ever once in awhile).  


 I enjoy eating...



A lot...


And chocolate chip cookies are my weakness


 I love Christmas...


 More than any sane person should. 


 And at the rip old age of 21 I have a bucket list that I take pretty seriously.
Some of my latest accomplishments consist of parasailing


 Completing a Mud Run


And a Sprint Triathlon 


 Taking a carriage ride through central park


 Going skydiving


 Bungee jumping


 And white water rafting in class 5 rapids 


And moving to Rwanda Africa to work in an orphanage.


 December 27th 2011 I went on my first mission’s trip to Rwanda and Ethiopia.


 On New Years Eve we visited an orphanage called Noel with close to six hundred children 
with only eighty nannies to care for them.


 New Years Day I made my decision to move to Rwanda and four months later I did just that.


 I have now been in Rwanda for almost two months.


 These two months have been filled with smiles, laughter, new friendships, new adventures


 As well as tears, frustration, anger, confusion and questioning


 But I wouldn’t trade these two months for anything in the world 
because this is where God has called me to serve


and no matter the circumstance or consequences I will always seek to be obedient 
and follow Him wherever He asks.

Forever Changed is my way of documenting this crazy journey that is my life. 
If you are interested in joining me on this adventure head on over to my blog,
 I would love to have you!  
You can find me:
 @ my blog here 
@ my facebook here
@ my twitter here
@ my instagram here
or @ No.41's facebook here or site here

Oh, but before I go I think I should do a giveaway since ya'll are so awesome. 

No.41 provides skills, training and sustainable income to orphaned young women in Gisenyi, Rwanda as they get on their feet and transition to independence. The proceeds from their bags and beads will also fund a school-feeding program for secondary school students in the area. 
And conveniently is run out of my house and founded by my roommate Tara Clapper. 
So today I would like to offer you a chance to win a beautiful bag made by one of the amazing 31 women that are currently employed by No.41. 

To enter:
Enter via Rafflecopter below
Giveaway open internationally
Giveaway closes on Saturday at midnight.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

23 comments:

Morgan said...

Amazing. I have a friend that is moving to Haiti with her husband and three children in January to be missionaries. It is amazing to get to experience others' journeys while doing God's work. Thanks for sharing.

Colleen said...

I would LOVE to take a carriage ride through Central Park! Thanks for the giveaway and this great new blog!

MacKensie said...

bahaha you are too funny.

Breenah said...

Loved your play on words yesterday, and I giggled at the people who didn't get it!

I'd love to do all the physical things on her bucket list, but I think the only one I'm likely to do is the carriage ride through Central Park.

Sammantha said...

You're a better person than I am, lol, I was just annoyed by the people that didn't get the "play on words."

Wow, what a godly woman, so happy for her - can't wait to check out her blog now!

www.dysfunctionaleverafter.com

Jill said...

It would have to be white water rafting!

photography4thecreator said...

Wow, this has to be my favorite guest post I have ever seen on any blog. What an amazing lady!
Janelle - J.P Photography

Kace said...

I think I'd go skydiving..maybe...perhaps if someone pushed me.

I love this post. I actually discovered her a few days ago from your sidebar and I love her blog already and am looking forward to hearing more about her adventures.

Chelsea said...

I'd love to do a mud run!

Sarah said...

skydiving!!!!! YAY! :) God bless!!

Sarah said...

skydiving!!!!! YAY! :) God bless!!

Lindsay @ Trial By Sapphire said...

What an amazing person Elise is!

I always swore I would go skydiving, but I have no interest in it now. :-) I would like to go parasailing or to do a mud run!

Lindsay @ Trial By Sapphire said...

P.S. I went back to yesterday's post just to read the comments. How did people miss the joke?! Bahaha!

Jess said...

I absolutely LOVE what Elise is doing for the Lord. Such an incredible experience. I would have to say that the thing I'd love to do from her bucket list would be bungee jumping!

Amber Nicole said...

Amazing! She is amazing!!
My bucketlist item would be the carriage ride or the mud run! I wanna do both! Off to follow her blog!

MerMarty said...

Elise seems like such a sweetheart! I've always had a secret wish to go volunteer long term at an orphanage. I've only managed a couple short-term trips so far.

Jamie said...

I would love to go bungee jumping!!! BUT I'm too much of a wuss :)

<3 Jamie

Savannah said...

I'm not much of a daredevil, but the ride through Central Park sounds awesome :)

Anonymous said...

Every day I await a post announcing your engagement! Hurry up Daniel! ;) Thanks for sharing Elise's blog! What an amazing testimony she has of following the Lord wherever He leads! So excited to follow along on her journey now. And thanks for the giveaway! :)

xoxo, Vanessa @ He Says Newcastle
vanessawittmer.blogspot.com

Whitney Elise said...

I want to take a Carriage ride through central park!! all of those others are a little to intense for me lol

Nicole @ Three 31 said...

Elise is such a wonderful and beautiful person, inside and out. Thank you for sharing her blog! While I have no desire to jump out of an airplane or off the side of a bridge with a rubberband attached to my ankles, I would dearly LOVE to float down a raging river and white-water raft!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nicole @ Three 31
http://nicoleandkevin.wordpress.com/

Unknown said...

I would love to move to another country to work in an orphanage! And bungee jump.:)

Stephine said...

She is awesome.

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