milk&honey cafe

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Love,

Love — a magical feeling between a boy and a girl. Roses, chocolates, kisses, and hugs. Is always willing to fall into, be smothered with, and often leads to excessive gazing into each others eyes.

Love — a mother and child. Protection, patience, warmth. Father and daughter and son. Provision, strength, foundation . Easily the most powerful bond between two human beings.

valentine's day

Love – patient and kind. Does not envy, nor does it boast. Never ever self-seeking or easily angered. Keeps no record of wrong. Doesn't delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. Always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love – an action, more than words. A choice to make. Both the cause and the effect. And love grows. No matter how small it is, it starts with one, and leads to two, which multiplies to four and who knows where it will go?

valentine's day

What is this girl babbling about? Well, in light of the so called "holiday" that just passed by, I want to share with you my take on love. And hopefully it doesn't sound like boasting on my part, but perhaps it inspires you and urges you to join me in multiplying "love".

SO, last year, I had a special Valentine's Day Cupcake sale to make some extra cash. It went quite well, with more than 10 individual orders, and up to $200 in profit. So this year, I thought I could do the same. I thought, "Hey, more people know about my cupcakes, so maybe it will be an even better turn out." But as it turns out, whether it's the economy to blame, or my lack of advertising, I was wrong. I barely got 5 orders, but nonetheless, I was still really happy to be doing it.

valentine's day

As I was collecting my final orders, I read an article about how there's this guy in the States who wants to somehow ban Valentine's Day (and is trying to take it to court) since it's just another evil money-making day for businesses. Apparently, all it does is make men feel pressured and under-appreciated because of the unreal expectations of women. It's simply about how much dough a man can dish out for his woman. But the article goes on to saying that instead of the cynical view, why not just celebrate this day of Love? Why not have a chance to stop and really appreciate love? And I thought to myself, well, what is love then? Sure, it's emotional feelings towards your mate, but I believe love is more than that. It can make an even greater impact and produce greater fruits than that. So what better way to celebrate love than to show it to those who need it most?

valentine's day

And who needs it more than anyone at this time? Of course, the people of Haiti. I don't really think I need to talk much about the heart-breaking disaster, as I'm sure everyone is aware. With that said, I was moved to give what I have and share my part of love. So, last minute, I decided to donate all the money from the cupcakes, which turned out to be enough to provide TWO families with emergency kits. (Through World Vision). I know it's but a small initiative on my part, however I know every bit counts. It's my first step, and I don't want to stop here.

valentine's day

Andrew and I also started supporting a child through World Vision. His name is Mame, from Senegal. His family barely meets their needs, so I'm really hoping with the monthly donations that we make, it will make a difference in his family's lives. Imagine we could truly change someone's life? Imagine we can help pave a way of hope?

valentine's day

The power of one. Hundreds and millions of people start with one. That's from a song I've recently heard. And I really believe in it. I'm starting with one, but I'm confident it can keep spreading. Just like love spreads. ♥

valentine's day

18 comments:

  1. Hi,
    I just subscribed to your blog recently because your baking tips/pictures and everything is so useful and cute! :)

    I just wanted to say that I am encouraged by your heart to supporting a child in World Vision and that definitely God's love surpasses all other loves.
    Thank you for that reminder and please keep on posting! Your cupcakes turn out so beautiful! :)

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  2. I love your blog - I really enjoy your writing and how could one ever miss those little delights you share and create? Thank you!

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  3. Your cupcakes look wonderful, perfect for valentines! :-) and what a nice gesture. im sure more people will be inspired by what you did!

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  4. The cupcakes look gorgeous,and those brownie hearts are just adorable. So nice of you to donate the cupcake money, everybody should contribute in their own way and I'm sure you inspired people to help.

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  5. Very nice of you to donate the earnings to those families!

    The cupcakes look tasty too btw :)

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  6. What a beautiful post! Love conquers all!

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  7. thanks for updating sarah!
    everything looks so beautiful
    ohh makes me so hungry

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  8. A gorgeous post; love + cupcakes.
    keep doing what you love, it makes all the difference.

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  9. sarah, your blog is amazing!
    i secretly come by every once in a while to see if you have any updates.. ahhhh i wish i could bake like you.
    it's such a blessing to see your heart go out to those in haiti.. : )
    oh yea, i was going to make brownie heart cupcakes this year! but heart-shaped cookie cutters were sold out everywhere i went lol. i guess i need to order them for next year haha.

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  10. YAY you're back!!!

    Gorgeous cupcakes as always :)

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  11. love this post...so sweet and beautifully put.

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  12. Sarah,
    Your blog is so sweet. I love how you post your recipes-very creative. And your photos are incredible...thank you so much for sharing
    Sandy

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  13. Where did you get those awesome cupcake boxes? Everything looks incredible.

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  14. Well those lucky five people who DID place orders knew what they were doing. What lovely Valentine's cupcakes (esp. the ones with the brownie hearts on top).

    Sounds like you really know the meaning of Valentine's Day :)

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  15. I love the color of your red velvet! Sometimes red velvet is too crayola red- but this is perfect! I'm glad you're back :D

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  16. so cute! what cupcake recipe did you use? Is this the martha stewart one you had posted before?

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  17. those look fantastic! may i ask, how did you make sales? I mean, is it to friends? or online? how did you get your name out there?

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