Care for the 23

Hello Friends!

In honor of the upcoming Memorial Day Holiday, 

I have a special military themed guest post here today, from my sister-in-law-in-law, Heather.

(This means, her brother is married to my sister).

She's doing something awesome, and I'm gonna just let her explain it all to you...

Take it away, Heather!

Hello friends of CuppaKim!

Heather here.  Somehow related to CuppaKim, but no one is quite sure if Sister In-law-In-law is a legitimate designation.

And this is my husband Dave!

Here’s a better picture of him:

Dave, (the CuppaKim Family may or may not call him LoveyLips), is in the Army and is currently serving in Kabul, Afghanistan with 22 other men and women.

This is 21 out of the 23, just before they left.  Dave’s the one hiding from the sun on the far right.

These 23 soldiers are in a finance unit, and so most of them work in an office where they help other soldiers and locals get money when they need it and some travel through Afghanistan on missions, delivering money to soldiers and staff on other bases.  A pretty interesting job!

Heading out on a mission!

When they’re out on missions they get to see some really unique things, like this beautiful street art, and this man selling…hawks!

Life as a deployed soldier is pretty difficult, because they’re away from their families, their beds, their pets, their normal clothing…but it has its perks, like the occasional lobster and steak night!

Now I know you are proactive people, what with your yearly mug swap and your support of the people in Sudan, and I will once again call upon that proactive nature!  

I've put together a website in order to serve all the soldiers in this unit.  It is my desire that we would show them that they are loved and missed by sending them care packages and praying for them!

Visit careforthe23.com to see how you brighten a soldier’s day by sending, giving, and praying!

Thank you all for having me!  

Feel free to follow our crazy deployment journey on Instagram @instaolson

Kim again!
Heather, Dave, and the rest of the 23 would LOVE your support! Care for the 23 is an awesome project that involves sending happy mail and love across the globe to those serving in the armed forces.
We'd love it if you headed over there and bless some of them!

Heather, thanks for sharing. And please sign me up for any single, hunky, 30-something, over 5'8" tall dudes you have on your list.
(Not that I'm being picky).


God Bless the US!

Mylie's Guest Post

Mylie and I teamed up for a little guest post over at my sweet friend April's blog today. 

She's off gallivanting on her honeymoon, and I'm only slightly jealous.

Head on over to The Striped Flamingo to read about one of our recent adventures!!!

It's a Jolly Holiday with Katy.

I'm over at Katy's place today. 

Sharing with you some of my Christmas favorites. 

{Just some of them. Because there are SO many favorite things around Christmas time.}

But these are the best of the best.

And I'm giving a set to one of you guys. 

Chickety check it out. 

NOW.

{Please excuse my bossiness.}

Out n About: A Guest Post from CuppaDad

A few weeks ago, my dad emailed me these pictures.
Complete with captions.
I realized they would make an excellent guest post.
So while I'm off gallivanting for a couple weeks, I thought you'd enjoy a little something from my dad's POV.

headed to the coast......not so fast.....gridlock

"Happy Girl"

"Happy Girl"

"Happy Girl"(Hour)

Dinner guest

Chow'n down

"Ticks, poison oak, rattlesnakes, mountain lions, OH MY!" "Where's Laura?" "She like's this stuff!"

Stick with "Rattle"

Stick with "Rattle"

   Just another day around here with the Ol' Folks

   Love, Pops

It's a Happy Thursday at Happy Days!

Hi Friends.

I'm over at Happy Days today.

Sharing a little bit more info about Hope4Sudan. 

Head over there to find out more!

Lots of other fun stuff going on this weekend. 

Including the reveal of my secret project.

If you follow me on InstaGram you will definitely get the inside scoop.

Be sure to check in here next week for a full recap, 

and another super fun announcement on Wednesday!

A Jolly Holiday: Guest Post

Good Morning Friends!

Today I'm over at Scotty Boy & Katy Girl guest posting on Katy's Jolly Holiday Series.

Head on over and check it out.

And be sure take a peek around Katy's adorable blog (and say hello) while you're there!

And PS if you here by way of Katy, I'd love to say a giant hello, and welcome you to A Cuppa Kim.Pour yourself a Cuppa Tea, pull up a comfy chair, put on your yoga pants and stick around for a bit.I'm so happy you're here!

Twenty Questions: A Guest Post

Hi Friends.

Good Morning!

Today I'm guest posting over at another Kimberlee's place.

(yep, we spell our names the same way).

Kim from Enough Faith For Today asked me to share a little bit about myself.

Some of it you probably know.

Some you may not.

Hop on over and see what I had to say.

And be sure to check out her little corner of the internet and say hello while you're there!

Meet Jami: A Guest Post

Good morning friends!!!

I'm busy recovering from an awesome wedding weekend.

Here is a sneak peek of the fun we had while shaking off some nerves before the ceremony:

PS, have I mentioned how much I love this app? 

For $2.99 they send you two copies of the photo booth strips in the mail

Yes please!!!

Anyway, while I get my life, act, and photos together, I wanted to share with you a post from my friend Jami from Call Me Blessed. 

Jami is a blog friend, made real life friend back in September when I finally got to meet, and hug her at Blog Sugar. 

She truly is beautiful inside and out.

And I'm not just saying that.

She is pretty amazing, and her and her family are going to be heading to Mexico to build homes in the name of Jesus. 

Jami has a heart for Jesus. And a heart for people.

Please take a minute to read what she has to say, 

and maybe would you consider joining me and hopping over to her place and supporting 

her, and and she will be doing for the Lord?

Hi, my name is Jami and I blog at Call Me Blessed. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to share with all of you a missions project my family is working on. 

For the past two years Hubby has gone to Mexico with our church to build houses.

I am still amazed that this can be done. A group of people can go for four days, be the hands and feet of Jesus and completely change the lives of another family.

These families live in shacks made of pallets and cardboard. Sometimes they don't even have that. These are families just like yours and mine.

Families with Moms and Dads who love their kids the same way I do.

Kids who just want to play, be carefree and have a bed to sleep in.

Hubby, I and my two oldest kids have the opportunity to go and give a family some security. A dry place to lay their heads. The kids and I will be able to play with the local children. The group even does a Vacation Bible School while we are there. We are so thankful for the opportunity to get our hands dirty with our kids. To show them how blessed we truly are. To experience how taking just a small bit of our time and resources, and sharing the love of Christ can change everything for someone else.

I won't pretend that I don't have any nerves about this trip. After prayerful consideration and seeing the pictures and videos Hubby has brought home, I don't see how I can't go.

From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded, and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.

Luke 12:48

pictures from Hubby and W's last trip.

We are traveling with a missions group called Yugo. Please go to their website, see the amazing work they are doing and help us spread the word.

We are trying to cover all of our own travel costs but still need to raise money for the building materials. Every dollar helps. Instead of buying a Starbuck's coffee or a magazine today, will you consider helping us change lives in Mexico?

I hope you will consider partnering with us in this journey. The more money we raise, the more houses we can build. We would also love to have you praying for us. Praying for God's provision financially and safe travel.

To donate, you can simply visit Call Me Blessed and click on the "donate" button in the left sidebar. 

I can't wait to share the pictures and memories we bring back with us

Let's Take a Field Trip to Keep Up With the Johnsons

Hey Readers! Totally excited to let you know that I'm over at Keeping Up With the Johnsons today. 

Jessica has been telling the story of what God has been doing in and through Hope Church of San Mateo, and graciously allowed me to write a guest post about how the Lord used Hope last weekend. 

 

Make your way over there and check it out.

It's okay if you left your permission slip at home.