Books for 2012

What I've been reading..an update! Updated December 2012
For 2012 I planned to read 24 books in 12 months. Here is my list of what I wanted to read and what I did end up reading.

1. Girl that played with Fire    Good read!

2. The Double Bind  Horrible book

3. Unbroken  Amazing book!!!

4. Crazy Love; overwhelmed by a relentless God
5. The Christmas Wedding by James Patterson
6. Calm my anxious heart By Linda Dillow
7. Organized Simplicity

8. All 3 of The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (1st and 2nd book awesome! 3rd book was slow and not that interesting.)

9. A new you by Friday Didn't finish, wasn't that good

10. The time of my life by Patrick Swayze

11. Kardashian Konfidential By the Kardashian's only part of it was good

12. Life is not a reality show by Kyle Richards I felt like this was geared towards single women. Some of the stories were good. I recommend this one only if you are looking for a man.

13. The Naked Truth by Danielle Staub

14. A new child by Friday Good book, hard to follow all the rules. Especially if you are a very busy family. Got some good tips though. I did not have new kids by Friday!!

15. 21 days to a more disciplined life

16. Sarah's Key  This was a very good read. I recommend this one for a book club as well.

17. The girl and the hornets nest Great book! He was an amazing writer. I highly recommend all 3

18. Firefly Lane Good Summer read. My first book by Kristin and I liked it.

19. Something blue, something borrowed series

Not on this list that I read:
50 Shades of Gray (all 3) Loved them all!
Gone Girl I really enjoyed this book, very different from any mystery I've ever read.
The Book Thief  I like this book, I cried! Good for book club as well.
Heaven in for real
Bared to you by Sylvia Day   Very close to 50 shades, I liked it. I'll finish the other 2 soon.
Sleeping Beauty By Anne Rice    awful book
As one with me    Not a great book but it was ok

I tried really hard to do 24 books, I came close but there is always next year!

NicaraguaAug2012 Cut03 YouTube 1080p MM

Here is the video from my mission trip. I cry everytime I watch it. I really miss everyone from the trip but mostly the girls at the orphanage.
I am in two very quick clips in the video, wish it was more but it's the message that counts. Pastor Earl does amazing things!
I do hope to go back. If you donated to this cause I am greatly appriciative and hope that you will give again so I can return!!
GOD BLESS!
Feel free to pass this video to everyone!

xoxo
-N

2 WEEKS!

OMG!! I am actually leaving in 2 weeks to Nicaragua!
I am caught up on all my shots and picked up my prescriptions.
Today I picked up my insect repellent with Deet in it, I made sure I had my passport copies.
Now I'm just trying to add up donations (still accepting till Tuesday morning ;)I'm so close to having the total amount, just need a bit more to cover airfare...Making sure I have the proper forms filled out, and the proper clothes to wear.
I have decided to do a final "fundraiser" if you will by holding my own garage sale. I plan on doing this next Friday. I hope people buy all my junk I mean treasures! It's been stacking up in my living room and my house looks like I'm a hoarder.
I am excited to go, I can't wait to meet all these children I've been fundraising for.
I hope to bond with my team and make life long friends.
I do hope to blog more in the coming week as I prepare to leave.

xoxo
-N

Like my Page

Many of you have either read my blog post, got a letter or email but I am going to Nicaragua in August. I have made an official page on Facebook to keep my friends and family posted on my adventure.
Go like it!
www.facebook.com/puertocabezamissiontrip

I will keep you posted on my fundraising efforts, pictures any news and especially after my mission trip I will post more pictures and stories.
I'm super excited!
Pass on the website ;)

xoxo
-N

1st Donation

Today I showed up at car pool and my girlfriend handed me a check! My very 1st donation to help the children in Nicaragua!
I was up from 3-4:30 am last night freaking out about the funds. I just kept praying. God is good!
I may cry every time I get a check.
 I love when people know that we are truly blessed and we shouldn't take it for granted.
Keep the donations coming, I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store!

If my letter from the previous blog post has touched your heart please, please re post on your blog. We can change the lives of hundreds of children!

xoxo
-N

Hints Revealed!

Dear Friends and Family,
 I have some exciting news to share with you!
This coming August, I will be joining several other families as we travel to Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua where we will be working in an orphanage that is home to over 100 children who have been left orphaned due to the poverty and natural disasters of that area. Behind Haiti, Nicaragua is the second poorest country in Central America. Three yeas ago Hurricane Felix devastated this area and today many villages still lay in ruin. With over 85% unemployment rate poverty is at historic highs. The need for adequate shelter for the children is desperately needed. During our time there we will engage with the children, listen to their stories, play and interact with them. It's our hope and desire to get to know each of the children and share the love of Christ with them through our words and actions.

In addition to spending time with the children we will be working on the construction of a new orphanage which when done will provide living accommodations for up to 120 children complete with dining hall, study area, kitchen and play area.

I am asking for your prayer for the entire trip. By praying for my safety you are actually helping spread the love of God to the hundreds of homeless children living in such oppression. In addition to prayer I would like to as you to partner with me by helping me raise the required $1800.00 for expenses for this trip and in addition we as a team need to raise $5,000 for construction materials. I would like to ask you to consider making a donation towards the expenses for this trip. Any help you can give will be greatly appreciated.

If God places in your heart to help, please make out your check in any amount to Cherry Hills Church and mail it to me Nicole Craft at
10776 Towerbridge Circle
Highlands Ranch, CO 80130
I in return will send your checks to the church and they will send you a tax deductible receipt. Please write Nicaragua August 2012 on the memo line.

Thank you in advance for your donation, prayers and support!!
Please pass on this letter to anyone you know that loves to donate to special causes!

I will try and keep my donation amount progress in the margin. Thank you again!

xoxo
Nicole C

24 books in 12 months (Dec 2012)

What I've been reading..an update! Updated December 2012

1. Girl that played with Fire   Good read!
2. The Double Bind Horrible book
3. Unbroken Amazing book!!!
4. Crazy Love; overwhelmed by a relentless God
5. The Christmas Wedding by James Patterson
6. Calm my anxious heart By Linda Dillow
7. Organized Simplicity
8. All 3 of The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (1st book awesome!)
9. A new you by Friday Didn't finish, wasn't that good
10. The time of my life by Patrick Swayze
11. Kardashian Konfidential By the Kardashian's only part of it was good
12. Life is not a reality show by Kyle Richards I felt like this was geared towards single women. Some of the stories were good. I recommend this one only if you are looking for a man.
13. The Naked Truth by Danielle Staub
14. A new child by Friday  Good book, hard to follow all the rules. Especially if you are a very busy family. Got some good tips though. I did not have new kids by Friday!!
15. 21 days to a more disciplined life
16. Sarah's Key
17. The girl and the hornets nest Great book! He was an amazing writer. I highly recommend all 3
18. Firefly Lane Good Summer read. My first book by Kristin and I liked it.
19. Something blue, something borrowed series

Not on this list that I read:
50 Shades of Gray (all 3)
Gone Girl
The Book Thief
Heaven in for real (halfway done)
As one with me
I tried really hard to do 24 books, I came close but there is always next year!