Olivia's Basket

janeray — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 16:57:27 +0000

Corrie called. She left a message. She was so excited. About a yard sale? Well okay, I like yard sales too but…but she asked me to call her back she had good news for me. So I called. She told me something remarkable. She had decided to hold a yard sale in honor of Olivia, to help raise money to build homes. Her church got involved, her neighborhood joined in, there was a lemonade stand, and people even gave donations. The reason Corrie was so excited is the number 1000. It’s the amount they made on a sunny Saturday morning. They sold extra stuff they owned, sweet lemonade made by her daughters. We think more than the lemonade was sweet. The effort. The idea. The caring. Thank you Corrie, Trevor and the entire community in Bellingham, Washington. You did good. We are grateful.

Family Fun Day

janeray — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 23:19:15 +0000

Join us Thursday May 27 at Arkansas Athletes Outreach to have fun, good food and help build some houses in Mexico and Haiti. Click here for all the details.

A Beautiful Bench

janeray — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 19:26:58 +0000

Had such lovely news a couple of days ago. For the past couple of months, some ambitious friends took up the cause to help raise funds for the beautiful butterfly bench designed for Leverett Elementary, Olivia’s school. As we were taking a walk together, Terri told me they have raised all the money to start the project. We are humbled. For example: our neighborhood association readily said they would help, the Leverett PTO gave, people gave through Olivia’s Basket website and someone who no longer lives in our neighborhood, but whose grandchildren love this area said he would contribute to this unique effort. So many reasons for us to be grateful. Take a look at the bench. It will shine for years on the favorite hill we sat and watched Olivia and her friends play. Oh, and did I mention the oak tree to be planted? Our friends…help keep us whole. Thank you.

Happy Valentine’s Day Olivia

janeray — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 20:45:49 +0000

Two days. One house. Lot’s of love. Handing over the keys. Offering hope. Worth everything we have. Join us. It will change your life forever. We love you olivia.

Olivia's house

Heading to Mexico

janeray — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 14:49:47 +0000

We wanted to introduce you to the family we are building the first home for through Olivia’s Basket. Our own family heads out today, work gloves for the build and baby clothes for this young family packed in our luggage. We are not doing this alone though. Faithful friends will be helping with the painting and hammers while others gave sacrificially to make this happen. We are so grateful. None of us expects this to be easy. The reason for going is still raw to us, yet we see the immense good this will bring. Thank you for following this vision with us. You are needed and appreciated. We’ll talk to you soon. Oh, and of course I have my camera. Pictures do say so many things don’t they? In Him, Jane

The Giving Girls

janeray — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 15:00:54 +0000

On Monday, January 11, 2010 two special girls celebrated their birthdays at the newly opened Starlight Skatium in Fayetteville. Invitations were sent out to family and friends. In fact, the entire 5th grade at Vandergrift Elementary were invited to skate, have fun, fall down and in the process be a part of giving to others they will never meet in other parts of the world. Thursday, January 14, Faith Waitsman her younger sister Whitney and Madison Hiatt stood in our livingroom with big smiles on their faces and handed over an envelope with over $700 enclosed because their invitation generously asked that instead of bringing gifts for them, would you please consider giving to Olivia’s Basket. They just wanted to be part of helping others in important and special ways.

It was, and will always be, a special moment in our lives.

So for Olivia and all the people this will help we say, “Happy Birthday Madison and Faith!” and “thank you” to two young girls and everyone who so generously decided to share their special day in giving to others.

The Butterfly Bench

jray — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 09:19:52 +0000

Wilson Park is a short drive from our house. On the Northwest corner of the park sits a whimsical play castle surrounded by pieces of art that also function as benches. The castle has been the location of infamous games of “monster” (i.e. Dad relentlessly chasing daughters around said castle grounds), princess birthday parties and pleasant conversations with friends.
When we heard that our friends at Leverett Elementary were going to place a bench and tree in memorial to Olivia at the school, we assumed that it would be the standard metal bench with a lovely tree to shade it. Jane and I were both awestruck when we were handed the designs for the bench. The same artist who designed the benches for our favorite spot at Wilson Park had designed a “butterfly bench” for Olivia. Nothing could be more perfect than the design, the designer, the chosen location or the love and effort being put into the project by our friends.
We are honored and blessed beyond measure that this can be one of the gifts in Olivia’s basket, a present in her honor for “generations” of parents and kids at Leverett to enjoy together.

Grace

jray — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 17:07:40 +0000

“Grace, she carries a world on her hips
No champagne flute for her lips
No twirls or skips between her fingertips
She carries a pearl in perfect condition

What once was hurt
What once was friction
What left a mark
No longer stings
Because grace makes beauty
Out of ugly things

Grace makes beauty out of ugly things”
From Grace by U2

Olivia’s life was one of inherent meaning and value as is each life that God creates. What we do in someone’s memory or honor does nothing to enhance or detract from that value and meaning.

And yet we when we are profoundly impacted by a person’s life, and even by their death, the fruitfulness of their time can be increased, multiplied by our responses.

Olivia’s Basket is an idea born of incredible grief and loss covered and mixed with faith and hope that her life would bear much fruit to the glory of God.

We don’t understand it. We wouldn’t have chosen it, but we do chose to walk by faith and invite you to walk with us.

Thank you.

John, Jane, Hope, Hannah and Naomi Ray

We miss Olivia so much…