Why?

I have always felt drawn to global causes. When I see celebrities traveling to far reaches of the globe and helping in orphanages and communities in need, I've always paid close attention. My ears perk up and I want to understand what that must be like to have the resources to do that. And I've seen many of the leaders within my company embark on similar journeys. I have always thought, "someday when I have the resources and time, I will do that." It's even on my dreamboard!

So when I received the email from Valerie, seeking volunteers to join her on a Mission Trip to Guatemala, my immediate reaction was "Yes!" You see, Valerie, is one of the most giving people I know and after a 3-year process of adopting her son, Mateo, from Guatemala, she wants to give back and help the over-flowing orphanages where her son spent the first three years of his life.

And then my logical brain took over...what about the kids, who would watch them, what would my husband say, how would I pay for it? So I looked at the calendar. Lo and behold, the girls get out of school the week before the scheduled departure! I called my mom. "Would she agree to have the girls come to the farm for a week in June?" "Of course," she said. Valerie suggested that we could raise money through Parties with a Purpose and having people sponsor us, so last on the list...talking to my husband. At first he was surprised and asked all the same questions I did. Luckily I had all the answers! And, after 20 years of marriage, he knows that when I've set my mind to doing something, there's usually no stopping me!

And then, I began to see doors open! As I told people about this mission, I began to hear others tell me they knew someone who had gone to Guatemala, or in the case of my chiropractor friend, who has a sister-in-law who is currently there building houses. As I networked among my Latino friends, I discovered I knew a lot of people who had family connections to Guatemala and I received so much encouragement and support.

On the day that I was scolding my children about how "there are children in this world without clothes, food, and shelter (because they were complaining about something), I realized that this trip could not only fulfill my internal tug, but I could use it as a "teaching opportunity" and my girls could experience what true giving is all about. Not by being there with me, but by hearing the stories and seeing the photos and helping to save spare change for their Mom to take this trip.

So, it's official! The fund-raising has begun! And after just two people agreeing to host a "Party with a Purpose" we've raised $300 (enough to pay for the deposit to Across all Borders, who is planning the logistics). Next is to raise money for the plane ticket. There will be a large group of people connected to the Arbonne business family who are attending. I feel very blessed to have this experience. A few wonderful, dear friends will also be joining me and I know that it will be an amazing experience with positive, giving people. And we will be forever changed!

I'll be using this Blog as a way to share what I learn through this experience and to appreciate the people who support us.

Blessed and Grateful,

Sondra