Origami Owl Lockets and Charms

@LocketsNcharms - A Think Goodness Brand Partner

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Reflecting on my Years + How You Make a Difference

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It’s my 5 YEAR Anniversary with Origami Owl!
 
Dearest friends and to my clients near and far,
 
For 5 years, you may have watched from the sidelines or have even helped me along the way with our Origami Owl business. This business has been a blessing to our family. When I started 5 years ago, today, I had no clue where this “locket thing” would take me. I just bought a kit on January 19, 2012, and said, “Let’s see where this goes.”
 
I paid attention and it was definitely more than hubby and I could imagine. It paid us back. We were able to pay the bills, purchase and pay off our van, pay off the other car, pay off all our credit cards, the business was the #1 factor in the approval and purchase of our home, be a tourist in our hometown of San Diego, and eat ungodly amounts of food! All the while allowing me time to be home with the kids and homeschool them.
 
We’ve been fortunate, to say the least. 2018 brings us challenges but also the opportunity to achieve even more and new goals. At first, new goals were not even on my radar with a growing baby in the belly, the studies of my kids requiring more from me as their teacher, and with a recent and drastic change in hubby’s work that had me shed more than a few tears, we remain hopeful for what is to come. With all this and a clear path in our finances to allocate every single penny that comes in our home to be used wisely, within biblical principles and in God’s ministries (that means no waste and only needs from here on out), the tears turned to light and things that looked impossible actually has turned our eyes into seeing even more blessings in everything – literally, everything! Even with the hurdles before us, the year unfolding, hitting 5 years with Origami Owl, the dates to achieve goals getting closer, the promise of possibilities – not impossibilities – get more real and I feel like more is still achievable.
 
There are trips to be earned with Origami Owl. In 2015, hubby and I earned an Origami Owl all-expense paid trip for Leaders to the beaches in Naples, Florida. Trips or no trips, this is something we do to help ends meet.  Every penny is used wisely for our family and outside our 4 walls.
To be able to continue doing so, here is what you can do to help:
 
I. Consider purchasing a personalized item from me for the next birthday, holiday, Mother’s Day, Teacher Appreciation Day or graduation.  Every locket helps and every smile from receiving a locket never hurt either.
 
II. Ever thought about starting your own locket business or have a young budding entrepreneur 11 and older? I’d love to share the opportunity with you! It isn’t rocket science nor a mystery on how Origami Owl works. It is sales but along with that, they also get to learn the value and the ability to make and handle the money they earn.
 
III. Refer to me! Have friends, family, church groups, band or sports groups looking to do a fundraiser or to earn extra money? In our 5 years, we have donated thousands we have earned ourselves back into local groups and in 2016 alone, Origami Owl has donated over $1million to organizations and individual families in need. You can see some of the stories at LiveSparkly.com. I would love to do more of this with you.
 
Thank you so much for your support! And if you read all the way to here, extra blessings to you. We truly appreciate you and looking forward to what God has in store for us in 2018!
 
Jer 29:11-13, Matt 6:33
<3 Jennylou + Raya Family

How do you Like Your Espresso? #NationalEspressoDay

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national-espresso-day

I woke up today and found out that is it National Espresso Day.  Yay! Happy National Espresso Day, everyone =) For many of us, that day is every day, isn’t it?  Every day we have our cup of coffee or we have our espressos straight or in a latte.  Are you a coffee or an espresso drinker?  Some people think that these are the same but as any coffeehouse enthusiast would know, they are not.

How do you like your espresso? I am a latte kind of gal and in my lattes are 2 shots of Peet’s Coffee espresso beans.  I love the one called Forte. The magic is definitely in their delicious beans.  My hubby, on the other hand, love his espresso diluted in water and ice called an Americano.

We used to visit a Peet’s almost every single day – sometimes twice – because they are just so good with their lattes and Americano.  But with our staying-out-of-debt plan (we’ve been debt free for awhile now), this spending on espresso drinks was not a good thing.  We thought of ways to cut back – as in drinking it less, but that was just too huge to fathom.  We both loved having it made for us and hearing the baristas say, “Would you like it served for here or to go?”  “For here, please.” was our usual reply.  But we soon sought another alternative and it has worked wonders for us. We bought an espresso machine!

Yes, almost a year ago, we bought an espresso machine on Amazon and we have been using it since.  I even wrote about it on my personal blog with a little video to show how that little baby worked: http://www.jennylouraya.com/how-to-make-your-peets-coffee-at-home/

Oh, the oodles of money we have saved from making drinks at home. We also saved time and gas.  I’m not going to lie and say we have not bought one of the many latte drinks I love, or an Americano for hubby, from Peet’s since our espresso machine arrived in our kitchen.  But what I will say is that it has definitely paid itself over and over again within the first month we had that thing.  If you are looking for ways to save money in your cup, check out an espresso machine for your kitchen counter.

So back to my original question, how do you like your espresso?

 

<3

Jennylou

Love espresso and coffee so much you must have it in your locket, get your Espresso charm or your Coffee charm on the charms page.

 

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Jennylou, the writer on this blog has been an Origami Owl Ind. Designer since January 2012.  She works from home writing, and for now, only sips occasionally on decaf-lattes while she awaits the arrival of baby #3. Your purchase of Origami Owl + her loving and hard-working husband of 11 years + Jesus makes all this possible.  Thank you for your Origami Owl purchase at http://locketsandcharms.origamiowl.com.

The True Meaning of Christmas…

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… is giving hope and love to those who feel they have been looked over and forgotten.

  
The story goes that…. People waited for a savior, the promise of the prophecies, for hundreds of years to be delivered from hurt, pain, and oppression. They thought God had forgotten them. Then, that day came when hope came into the world and their Savior was born. That Savior lived a life on earth of loving, healing, and giving hope to others. They called him Christ and his followers Christians.

This is why many celebrate Christmas.
And it is during Christmas we see many great things take place.
You don’t have to be Christian and loud about it to give love, healing, and hope to others, but if one says in their heart they are, how can one not act like the God they profess to believe? 
Despite Christians that deter people from God’s love, and the Word saying, “since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities–his eternal power and divine nature–have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse,” let us be Christians with love that shine into the world and not be the Christians others use as excuse to turn from the source of Christmas. Also, let us not fight others in the faith because they are not Christian enough and outside of the faith because they are not Christian.
Instead,
Love.
Be the light.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your father in heaven. – Matthew 5:16
Imagine if all Christians would live as such a way that showed love and light to others. Perhaps, there would be less excuse and no judgement calls made against Christians other than, “Their God must be true.”
Thankful to be such a great company that do amazing things for others. It is work as an Ind. that our family can do such things as well throughout the year. Once upon a time, we didn’t know where rent would come and it was already mid month and late. I know how it feels to down and scared. Today, I’m blessed to be a part of all Origami Ind. Designers that have worked their business this past year and help make miracles through via Origami Owl happen.
Merry Christmas! 
The story behind the video:
I came across this video through my friend, Director Carla and she said, “Last week members of the Origami Owl Sales Team visited a local AZ family to give them a few presents. Upon arrival, they met a mother with small 3 children, an unfurnished living space and 2 bowls of ramen noodles on a blanket where a table would be. The most touching was a pretend fireplace with empty stockings and nothing else. The mom wanted to create the spirit of Christmas for her children. Watch this video to see what happen when the Sales Team returned this week. The gift was given in the name of Origami Owl Directors. May all who watch this video be touched as I was touched. Let this be your gift this holiday season.”

 Merry Christmas Blessings to All.

Get to know LocketsNcharms (Origami Owl) via Social &Why You Should Use It

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Before I came to know Origami Owl, I have always had a fascination of how people are able to communicate themselves out into the world via the internet and via social media.  I recall exhausting my mom’s credit cards just so I can be on AOL as much as I was. Being online was a way for me to take in what the world had to offer and meet people, both at very little cost.

Eventually I realized I had something to offer too. I started blogging about me and my life at JennylouRaya.com and whenever there was a new social media platform, I jumped in on it, even though I really had no idea what for. I just wanted see more of the world an its people.

Then Origami Owl came along and I eventually carried over my social shenanigans to a new persona named ‘LocketsNcharms‘ to share my life as an Origami Owl Ind. Designer.  First, it was LocketsNcharms on Facebook (FB is the gateway drug to social media addiction).  I started doing YouTube because it was easier to show and tell, rather than write when it came to Origami Owl. Then, I decided to start blogging at Locketsandcharms.com (another  ID took LocketsNcharms). While I was building up and adding content on to these platforms, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram came out.  Of course, I had to get on these too and in these platforms, I stayed as ‘LocketsNcharms’.  My latest social platform I joined is Snapchat and I am really enjoying that I am able to share video snaps of whatever it is I am doing at the moment. I joined Periscope – the latest craze – prior to Snapchat but I really find Periscope annoying to me as I am not a fly by the seat of my pants type of talker.  I am on Periscope as ‘LocketsNcharms’ and Snapchat as ‘LocketsNcharms5’.  What’s the deal with the 5?  Someone took ‘LocketsNcharms’ on Snapchat and doing nothing with it.  Even if they did, anything that person would do would bring attention to me. Type in ‘LocketsNcharms’ on Google Search and see. I win 😉

My latest fascination is not a new platform but a new thing I am doing on YouTube. It is called daily vlogging.  It is where I share what I do on a daily basis. Why do I do it?

1. To remember my days and have them documented via video. I was coming across old baby videos and was a bit sad I did not have more. I also had not recorded much in the last years (just pictures because of smartphones) and I wanted to do it again. I loved reliving the emotions as I watched my babies. I also sense I have early signs of dementia and this would be a gift to my future self (or I could just be a tired forgetful mom).

2. To share life to friends and family near and far. They are all over the country and in the islands somewhere in the Pacific. My mom, I only see her once every three months or so, if that and this is a way for her to see her grandkids.

3. To shine light, be of use, and a source of smiles to those who watch. I try to post things that are helpful and useful or at the very least, something that would make someone smile.

I recommend people use social media. Why?

First reason: To help people connect with you after meeting – or verify you are real before meeting. This is a legit reason in personal and business life. Have you ever searched online for a boss, teacher, person you are about to hire?  What about to following up?

Second reason:  To keep the conversation going.  Nothing beats the phone for conversation but not everyone has the time for that. Being on social media lets you let others know what you are up to and talk to you on their own time.

Third reason: It is free.  It is a free way of marketing or advertising one’s business, but I highly recommend keeping #3 above as the mindset of why you are online on social platforms.  Even major companies that sell things know not go on social to push products. Be social to be social on social media.

I mentioned daily vlogs earlier.  My daily vlogs are at youtube.com/JennylouRaya.  It is on there and not my LocketsNcharms YouTube Channel because my days are not consumed with Origami Owl.  If you are interested in seeing my life beyond Origami Owl, you are welcome to my other YouTube Channel while you remain a subscriber to LocketsNcharms.

Here is my vlog for Sunday October 11, 2013:

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