Another fancy map...

I've recently returned from the International Christian Retail Show which just happened to be in Denver, CO this year. This was awesome for so many reasons, probably the biggest one being that I got to spend some QT with my sister and my sweet niece. One of the cool things about ICRS moving around each year is that you get to meet a whole new crowd of fabulous Christian stores and wonderful store owners and other vendors too. Of course we also saw some familiar faces and got to catch up on the latest and greatest from the past year.

Before we headed to ICRS I was feeling like maybe we had set this goal a little too over our heads, because 2000 is a lot of cards for a small company like ours. Being in Denver and sharing the challenge with a whole new group of people gave some new energy to our project. The enthusiasm from all of you new participants gave me HOPE that we could reach our goal, so thank you for that. The other thing that I realized as I was making the list of new hope creators, is that they were from all over the map (and globe)... so I got all nerdy again and made another map for you to check out. This time of senders.

Inch by inch we're getting closer to 2000. We couldn't do it without your willingness to write the notes, so thank you!!!

does anyone have a friend in Idaho?

... or Rhode Island? Seriously though, we're only 4 states away, count them 1-2-3-4, yep, FOUR. If my math is correct, you've sent hope to 46 states. Woo hoo! You are a seriously connected group of people and I LOVE how far you've been spreading your hope notes. Way to go YOU!

With that said, our note writing is at a bit of a standstill. We're doing great, but we've still got over 1000 more notes to write. So, use those connections and help us get the word out about our little challenge. We would really appreciate it and I know that the 1272 people who have yet to receive a little hope in their mail box will to!

sooooo close....

... to all 50 states! Yay for you all and your serious commitment to reaching out to our ENTIRE country. Not to mention the 9 other countries you've added to our growing list. So, we're at 44 states. That's only 6 more to go! I got to add 2 more and a new country to our map this evening thanks to our friend Mike in Arizona. Go Mike!

I know you all have friends all over the world, so come on! You must know someone in Hawaii... New Hampshire? Rhode Island? Check out our map, be inspired to send a little smile across the country or the ocean for that matter.

Thanks for doing what you're doing. It's pretty awesome to watch our map turn green with HOPE!

Is it really already the end of May?!

Wow! I guess time flies when you're having fun, right? So... Emily and I are at a trade show in St. Charles, IL right now and we've had 21 people sign up to take the challenge at the show. I even printed out our groovy map so that our new friends could help us reach our goal of all 50 states. So far, Rose (from the booth next door) has added Wyoming and Minnesota to our growing list. Thanks, Rose!

Also, I got an awesome email from a hope note writer in GA... I couldn't say it better myself: "Thank you for encouraging me to encourage others. By giving, I received." (also... she added 2 states to our list! woo hoo!)

Hearing from you all is definitely encouraging, so keep up the good work! You all have sent hope to 43 states and almost 700 people!! We're getting closer, but we've still got a long way to go... tell your friends, family, the guy next door... spread the word! And thanks for being the light in our dark world.

another fabulous friday!

Hello my hopeful friends! Here's the scoop... 147 of you have committed to create some hope by sending FREE gratefulimages cards.

That means that 588 people out there are going to get a happy surprise in their mailbox. In between bills and junk mail they'll get a fantastic note from one of you. How cool is that!

Together, we've reached 38 states, one US territory and 8 foreign countries. Woo HOO!

Here's the thing... we really really want to reach 2000 people. That would just be AMAZING. So, we need your help. Spread the word about the create hope challenge! Tell your friends and family... tell the person in front of you in the grocery store line, tell whoever you want! Please help us get the word out.

So, I got really nerdy today...

After sorting my fancy create hope spreadsheets and counting up the states (and countries!), I realized that you all had sent hope to 34 states, one US territory and 2 foreign countries! Being the visual people that we are... I just had to make a map of all the hope out there. I mean, how could I not?! So, pat yourselves on the back and keep spreading the word. How cool would it be to get all 50 states by the time we're through?! If you want to see the totally awesome PDF of the map, click here.

over 25% of the way there!!!

You have sent over 500 messages of hope and encouragement out there! How cool is that?

It has been so awesome getting the emails back from everyone with the names of the receivers. The comments from you all about what an amazing experience this has been are incredibly encouraging to me. Thank you for sharing! Here are just a few:


"How cool is this?!?! I'd love to create hope with you!" - Sara in Michigan

"Just wanted to let you know that I've sent my cards. They were all sent to friends who are dealing with difficult situations with their children. My note mentioned that our family is praying for theirs. Thanks for including me in the challenge!" - Jennifer in Texas

"Thank you for the opportunity to send notes - I LOVE sending notes/cards to people! :) This was a great idea - blessings to your family for the beauty that you have given this world." - Tera in Texas

And, now the updates. Click here to check out the list of our awesome Hope Note senders. And, click here to see the receivers.