The Rising Star Rollercoaster....we are climbing.

The list of things to do and the time is getting shorter until our feet touch India's soil.  We are at 69 days until take off. The Rising Star rollercoaster ride has been in progress and climbing steadily.

1.Fundraising-This has been an uncomfortable part of the climb and it has taken a lot of guts to get in the seat and do this.  Asking for money has always been a hard thing for me.  I have always failed at this when my kids were in sports and we had to fundraise for the organizations.  I would pay the donation amount rather than ask or sell.

After we went to Portland and saw the founder of Rising Star speak, I realized this isn't about me, it is money to help others in need.  This isn't covering my plane tickets or travel expenses. The leprosy affected families will be benefiting from this.  It isn't about me, it is about them.  I'm growing and learning.

We have some awesome contributors that have joined us on this ride!  They have helped us climb.  I CAN'T say enough about some of the stories that have came to my attention during this process. One of my good friends with a small growing family donated a large sum that she had been saving for quite a while.  I'm sure she had a list of other things it could have been spent on but she chose this.  We had a donor we only met for a short few minutes in Portland help us.  We have had retired couples share in this. One proud grandfather said his grandkids picked up trash in their neighborhood and asked people to donate to the cause this way. We have had so many family and friends contribute what they could to support us and this cause. It reminds me of the story of the Widow's Mite in the New Testament.  It tells of a poor widow who donates what she could and that it was held in more value than those that donated that had great wealth.  For all of our contributors it has been a great sacrifice but the pay off is big for those in need.

  We have raised a little over $3000 towards our $3500 goal. The opportunity is extended and ongoing in reaching this goal.  Any donation is generous.  If you haven't donated yet, please consider being a part of this.  Help support us in the fight to end leprosy and its stigma.  Help us climb!

2. Visas- Another part of the climb has almost been completed.  I was relieved to finally get these in the mail yesterday. A set of passport pictures had to be taken for each of us to affix to the visa applications. Costco does these for $5. Money orders had to be purchased. It is not cheap though. The application fee is $76 per visa with another $42 in charges to pay to have it securely mailed through Fedex to Travisa Outsourcing and than back to me. I had a hard time parting with our passports as this is required in order to process the visas. I will sigh with a big relief when they and the visas are in my possession and safely in my care.

3. Shots-An anticipated painful part of the climb....Thursday we had a visit with the travel nurse on what shots need to be taken and medicines that need to be purchased.  Quincy and my wallet can smile with joy as due to her youth her vaccinations are in affect.  She only has to do the typhoid and the malaria pills. Me, on the other hand, due to my advanced age, frown,  is going to be feeling the joy of booster shots and a lighter wallet.  I have to receive a polio booster at the tune of $69. A Hep A for $95 at Group Health or $79 at Costco with a booster six months later for the same price. I have to get a measles booster that  Group Health is graciously covering.  These three are all good for life once I get them. 

For Typhoid we will be taking four pills every other day a month prior to the trip.  These are good for five years.  They are $53 at group health and again cheaper at Costco.  We also have to take malaria medicine two days prior to the trip, during the trip and a month after.  Group Health wants $17 and Costco $7. 


 I am going to investigate prices through the health district this week to see if I can save a little more money.  We also will have to purchase diarrhea medicine and lots of sunscreen and approved bug spray.  This was an expense that has proved to be a lot higher then I had anticipated.  I thought our insurance would cover most of it with a co-pay.  Was I ever wrong in assuming that! 

4.  Graduation announcements-By the end of this weekend these will be mailed and probably in many of your mailboxes shortly after.  Quincy graduates on Saturday, June 11.  Wow...two out of three daughters graduated. I wish I would have taken more pictures, blogged, and videoed more.....mommy guilt.  I can heap it on myself pretty good.  Raising kids goes by way too fast.

 The point of us going on this trip is due to this being Quincy's choice for her senior trip.  I can't think of a better way to start your life out. Her choice in serving others and striving to make the world a better place is something I hope will become a lifelong passion.  I know it seems like a lot of expense and preparation to go on a trip like this and many people may think we are a little crazy.  I know there are a lot of local opportunities to do this and we participate in some of those.

  This is different.  It is seeing a different country and approaching it from a global perspective.  We are all family and all countries are interconnected on a daily basis.  What happens in India and other places affects us in so many different ways. We need to share and show our love across borders to create change. I'm glad she is bringing me on this rollercoaster of a ride.  Right now we are doing the climb and anticipating the downhill thrill full of loops and turns.  I'm strapped in and committed at this stage of the ride.  There is no changing my mind or getting a refund.  We are in for an unforgettable experience!
Thanks for reading and following our ride.

The Power of One

I have finally figured out how to post on a blog. I know, it is sad when your mother is more computer savvy than someone who's generation is supposed to be defined by this characteristic. But I am making headway! I still do not know how to send page invites on facebook though. Again, I'll have to get my mom to show me how that works.

The reason for this very interesting and lengthy post is to tell all of our many followers, four, about our exciting trip to Oregon on Friday. We were planning on departing at ten o'clock, but falling into a common stereotype of women, we didn't leave until one o'clock. We spent three magical hours cuddled up together in the car all of the way to Portland. But it was definitely worth the wait, we got to see Becky Douglas, the Founder of Rising Star, speak about her work and the volunteers in India. This quote by Edward Everett Hale was the theme throughout her presentation:

I am only one,
But still I am one.
I cannot do everything,
But still I can do something;
And because I cannot do everything
I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.

My mom and I both were excited to get to meet her before our trip. She is a powerful speaker and is passionate about helping those in the leprosy colonies of India. I felt honored to get to meet her, almost like she was a celebrity or the next Mother Teresa. My mom says that if she was nearby she "would definitely be friends with her". We got a big group hug from her, I still have not washed that dress. Haha.

Her presentation focused on the goals of Rising Star and how the organization begun. A lot of what she spoke about we already knew, but it was a much different experience hearing it directly from her. She spoke about how just touching the people with leprosy can be a gift in itself. Living in a place where they are considered "untouchable", it can change the way they perceive themselves by having someone reach out and hug them. The presentation was a great motivator for us to finish our fundraising because we now have a better idea of the talented, hard-working, beautiful people that we will be helping.

Another speaker that we listened to was a twenty year old college student named Martha. She volunteered last summer and shared her experiences with the children and the leprosy affected. Having been strongly affected by her three weeks in India, we saw how great of an experience we are currently anticipating. After the presentations, we spoke to Martha and she gave us advice about what to pack and some fundraising ideas.

On our way home from Portland, Oregon, my mom and I had a lot to talk about. We are excited to help in even a small way. But I have a feeling, that this trip may make an even larger impact on us.

Wow! All I can say is Wow!

Yesterday we received our statement from Rising Star updating us on the progress we have made so far in our fundraising efforts.  I am happy to say that we have made it to our halfway mark!  Our goal is $3500.  I have been touched by the support and generosity of our family and friends. I will not say amazed as I know that we associate and surround ourselves with some of the best people anyone could ask for.  You all know who you are!  Quincy and I are sending ((((BIG HUGS))) your way.  This is a short post but I felt that I needed to show gratitude to our February sponsors.  Thanks for joining us in the journey.  We still need to keep up our momentum and continue on this last leg of the fundraising efforts.  Wish us luck! 

Thank you, Silverdale Rotary!

      Quincy and I finally broke the ice and approached the business community this past Thursday at the Silverdale Hotel.  We were so grateful to be able to set up a table outside of the weekly Silverdale Rotary Club meeting with the hopes of creating awareness and getting donations.  Scott Park introduced us as his guest and bought us lunch (thanks!).  We got to listen to two wonderful presentations about  rotarians going to Africa and the Dominican Republic spreading goodwill through service.  I like how this organization reaches out to our communities but also crosses borders in making life better for those less fortunate.
     Quincy put a lot of effort into a nice presentation board that represented Rising Star outreach's mission.  We provided brochures explaining why we have chosen this cause and encouraged people to support us in our efforts. We even sweetened the table up with free cupcakes.  Many nice people came up and showed interest in what we had to say and took information with them.   Sheriff Steve Boyer gave us his card and wrote "Quincy, You are impressive!" on it.  It made her smile.  Those little things really matter.  Thank you, Silverdale Rotary!   

An update on fundraising efforts



  We will be in Chennai. It is colored in lavendar on the bottom part of the map off of the Bay of Bengal.

 India has been at the forefront of conversation in our home these past few weeks. I have watched the six part series of The Story of India. I have broke my rated R rule and watched Slumdog Millionaire, which was a fantastic movie. (Although, I came away from it thinking, yikes, I hope my time their doesn't involve any of this stuff). I ate curry the other night when we went to dinner with friends. I have recently been searching for a book about Mother Theresa on my kindle. Russ has even created a Facebook page for those that are on facebook. You can also donate from the Facebook page if you like. The Kent girls have all invited their friends to the page.




  Quincy is currently putting together a presentation for the rotary organization in hopes of presenting it to some of our businessemen in the area. As you can see we are all in on it in someway at the Kent home. This being said, we also are continuing to investigate into further fundraising opportunities. Many of you have already responded with positive feedback, given me some great ideas, and have donated to our efforts and we are very thankful for that support. If you have any ideas, please post them here or give us a call and let us hear them. We certainly cannot do it without other people's help.




  Our goal is to create awareness of Rising Star Outreach's three pronged mission and bring you along with us through this process of planning and eventually arriving to India. Pressing forward...only five months to go!

Let's get it started!

Well...you are here!  My first ever blog entry in my life and I'm learning slowly how to put this together. If you are reading this you are one of those that are well aware of what Quincy and I are doing this summer.  The tickets ($$$$) have been purchased which symbolizes our commitment to this adventure.  Visas need to be applied for.  Shots need to be taken....and the list goes on.  The big one is our dollars that need to be raised for Rising Star. 

 It is a little overwhelming to realize how much fundraising needs to happen to get us there.  For two of us it creates a big challenge.  I know we are up to it and will be blessed in unknown ways to make the deadline of April 29.  Our first goal is to raise the first $1000 of the $3500 to officially reserve our spots.  They are holding it as they know airplane tickets have been purchased. 

 Some people think we are completely crazy and others think it is wonderful.  For me and Quincy...we just feel the desire to reach out beyond our countries borders and do something nice but not easy.  Sometimes I wonder how I was blessed with such a good life and so many others have challenges that I don't think I would have the strength to get through.  Don't get me wrong, life isn't perfect, but if I look beyond my day to day challenges and see what others have to bear, I am humbled. Stay posted, become a follower of this blog and a partner on this journey to India. The fundraising countdown begins.  Let's get it started!