Cart

Uncategorized

by

An appropriate topic for today, as America celebrates Independence Day. Let’s break down the dictionary definition of Independence.

in·de·pen·dence noun ˌin-də-ˈpen-dən(t)s

: freedom from outside control or support: the state of being independent

: the time when a country or region gains political freedom from outside control

Related to INDEPENDENCE

Synonyms
self–sufficiency, self-dependence, self-reliance, self-subsistence, self-support

Antonyms
dependence (also dependance), reliance

Related Words
autonomy, freedom, self-determination; potency, power, resilience, strength

As we pull out the grills, meet up with family and friends, relax by the pool in the name of independence, we need to remember the 200 children Hope for Hearts serves.  America celebrates 240 years of independence. Our children are going through what our forefathers went through, a fight for their freedom, a fight for the right to be self-reliant.

A toast to the children: We honor your fight. We support your efforts to better your situation. Cheers to your education, stay resilient and continue to follow your path to INDEPENDENCE.

Peace, love and freedom,
Cristen

This blog was originally posted in July 2014. Updated July 2016.

by

Our supporters are the best. We appreciate when you sponsor a child, make a general donation, purchase our jewelry. Every dollar goes to providing a hand up to our children. We now proudly serve two schools in Uganda, helping children gain an education and skills to acquire a job and become self-sufficient.

Well here’s an easy way to provide additional support in everyday life. You shop. Amazon gives. It’s as easy as 1-2-3. Follow the below steps to register and give the gift of an education.

Step 1
Start your Amazon shopping experience from smile.amazon.com.

You can get automatically redirected to AmazonSmile whenever you shop at Amazon with Smilematic from Coupon Follow!
https://couponfollow.com/smilematic#26-0851908

 

Step 2
Designate your charity, enter our EIN 26-0851908 in the box provided. See example screen shot.
H4H Amazon Smile Step 1

Step 3
You will see this below screen and hit select next to Saint Elizabeth Girls Academy foundation. See example screen shot.
H4H Amazon Smile Step 2

That’s all you need to do. Now, every time your Amazon purchase is eligible for AmazonSmile donation…

  • 0.5% of the price comes back to support education.
  • AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same service.
  • REMEMBER – Support your charitable organization by starting your shopping at smile.amazon.com.
    H4H Amazon Smile Reminder

Happy Shopping and Giving,
Cristen

by

Let me introduce to you Graceful Spaces…

Some of you reading this know me, others will get to know me. I am adventurous, hardworking mother of four beautiful children, and entrepreneur at heart. I founded Hope for Hearts to help children in conflicted areas gain access to an education. Since starting that adventure in 2007, I am proud to say we now serve two schools in Uganda, St. Elizabeth Academy and Kankobe Children’s Home.

My charity work is off and running. Now, it’s time to focus in another project near and dear to my heart. Graceful Spaces.

Graceful Spaces, a project with multi interwinding layers…

Graceful Body

Through BioEnergetics, I can help you discover body culprits making you sick and tired, and work to provide restoration and balance by activating your bodies own natural healing solutions. I am a certified BIE practitioner. One consultation and you will see how BIE can change your life. It changed mine. See below for an offer to try BIE and help the children served by Hope for Hearts. 

Graceful Energy

I am a certified Feng Shui consultant. I can help you with design that makes you feel energetic, beautiful, confident and balanced everyday by creating a clean and balanced environment.

Graceful Living

Designing is a passion of mine, and daily surroundings can affect your overall health. Give yourself a graceful living space with a timeless sense of practical, luxurious comfort. I focus on intentional, sustainable, decorating that dynamically integrates the essence and engages your personal style.

Graceful Products

The final pièce de ré·sis·tance to your space, your retreat from the hectic world, your own private island… I will help you explore the positive effects of cleanses and essential oils. Products that will connect the dots to each space, natural and healthy.

A simple definition of Graceful: moving in a smooth and attractive way.

In order to keep life moving smooth, we must take care of ourselves from within and carry that outward. We must maintain a peaceful atmosphere even in the most hectic of environments surrounding us. I can help you re-establish some peace and grace back into your life.

Graceful Spaces is not just a project, it’s a passion.

Live graceful,
Cristen

Coming soon the debut of gracefulspaces.vegas and in the meantime to schedule your Summer Hope for Hearts BIE appointment, drop a line to cristen@gracefulspaces.vegas

[one_third]gs[/one_third]

[two_third_last]

How can BioEnergetics help me?

  • Allergies
  • Arthritis or gout
  • Headaches or migraines
  • Digestive disorders
  • Memory loss
  • Fatigue
  • Hemorrhoids
  • Constipation or diarrhea
  • Acne or rash
  • Learning disabilities
  • Nightly urination
  • Restless sleep or insomnia
  • Bad breath or body odor
  • Phobias or anxiety
  • Depression or mood swings
  • Weight gain
  • Fibromyalgia
  • And much more!

[/two_third_last]

Book your consultation test and first appointment by August 31, 2016*, and $40 supports Hope for Hearts in your name.

Cost: $170            You pay: $85 ($40 is donated)

by

“See a penny, pick it up. All day long you’ll have good luck.” Although this phrase is commonly used when one finds a penny on the ground, when it comes to the money, pennies are often undervalued. But I don’t see why. If you have a $1Million in $100 bills or pennies, you still have $1Million dollars. There’s a popular question circling math/financial circles…

pennies

If you could have $1Million now, or a penny that doubles in value every day for 30 days – which would you take? Most people would take the $1 Million dollars. They think the penny is incapable of having real worth. After all, its value is only 1 cent – and that’s an odd number. But if you do the math, the penny doubles on the second day and is now worth 2 cents. The third day it’s worth 4 cents. You continue doing this and for most of the month and watch the amount steadily increase – slowly but surely. It’s not until Day 18 that the penny is worth more than $1,000. It takes an additional 10 days (day 28) to be worth more than the original $1 Million, but by Day 30 the penny will be worth $5,368,709.12.

While most of us don’t have the resources to turn a penny into over $5 Million in savings, the story of the multiplying penny teaches us a good lesson. Anything, no matter how small can hold value. And if you add small steps up over time, they can have a big impact.

Our children don’t instantly become independent just by entering through our doors. There is no secret ingredient that magically makes someone successful, or rich. It takes hard work and perseverance. It’s pushing through those small moments that ultimately drives big results.

So next time you see a lucky penny on the ground, don’t disregard it. Pick it up. This is what the creators of Lucky Penny Day want you to do. I believe a penny isn’t inherently lucky – it takes good karma. So here’s my recommendation… Start a lucky penny jar. Every time you find a penny, place it in a jar, when the jar fills up – cash it in and donate it to Hope for Hearts. Every donation, large or small, gets us closer to lifting another child from poverty to prosperity through education. And it’s a heck of a lot better than letting these pennies go to waste on the ground.

Wishing you much luck,
Cristen

by

This April marks the 20th anniversary of National Poetry Month, perhaps one of the largest literary celebrations in the world. Inaugurated by the Academy of American Poets in 1996, National Poetry Month celebrates the art form that has inspired many writers and artists throughout the centuries, and moved its readers.

Poetry, like most art forms, is a beautiful way for individuals to express themselves. Oftentimes writers, especially of songs and of poems, will write based on personal experiences, the words a written expression of their feelings. It’s the human spirit being leaked out on paper. It can be a powerful way of dealing with feelings of anger, sadness, and hopelessness; or of celebrating happiness, love and joy. Any way you write it, poetry captures the human soul and experience in a way unlike any other.

A while back one of our students, Ayeni, shared with me a poem she had written; sharing a glimpse into a period of her life before she found hope at St. Elizabeth Girls Academy. I’d like to share it with you now.

A Poem on Street Life

I don’t know which crime I committed
To be in this situation Hunger, coldness, I have no clothing,
Except the rags and sometimes moving naked I get my food from dustbins,
I cannot forget to thank St. Elizabeth Girls Academy, which found me helpless and rescued me from the street, and gave me a new life; a promising future.
I also thank whoever is supporting St. Elizabeth to help the girl child.
Thank you all and God bless you – Ayeni

Ayeni’s story is not unlike any of the other children at our school. These are the feelings and experiences that many of the orphaned children in Uganda face. Ayeni was brave enough to use poetry to tell her story, and grateful enough share a heartfelt thank you with those who selflessly donate to give children like Ayeni a new life. A new poem to write.

This month gives you a special opportunity to support Hope for Hearts by helping to share Ayeni’s story with your friends and family. As part of the National Poetry Month festivities, April 21 is Poem in your Pocket Day. People can celebrate by selecting a poem to carry in their pocket and share with others throughout the day. We humbly ask that you continue your support for our children by sharing Ayeni’s poem with your friends. You can print one copy to show, or print several and hand them out to the people you meet throughout the day. Just like poetry inspires people to share their feelings, you can use poetry to inspire those around you to make a difference in an orphaned child’s life.

Thank you for brightening a child’s life.

With Gratitude,
Cristen

 

Street-Life