That’s right friends. I’m dying of excitement to finally be taking the first vacation in three stretched years of non-stop working. And well, I even feel bad saying that because I lovemy jobs, so I don’t even feel like I’m overworked, but this is an entirely different trip where I’m going to be working in the way I most love.
So where am I going?? To…(drumroll please, with chopsticks)…
Saigon, Vietnam!! Not only am I so thrilled to be visiting one of my most favorite countries in the world, but I’m elated to meet the children and families of an organization I’m very passionate about- Heartbeat Vietnam, a program by Vina Capital Fund to hold provincial outreach clinics staffed by volunteer doctors and surgeons from major hospitals in Vietnam. The first time I was ever made aware of the lack of hospital care in Vietnam was on my last family trip there a few years back. We were traveling away from the city life of Ho Chi Minh and headed more towards the rural countryside to visit distant family and friends. Once there, I recognized instantly the need for medical attention. I remember visiting the villages outside Hanoi and coming across numerous households with children that were sick, some with flus having lasted for weeks, some bedridden from unknown illnesses. When I’d ask why these children haven’t made their way to see a doctor, the answer was unanimous: with none to little finances and the only options for care being hours into town over rough terrain, the only hope was to pray for a miracle. This was so hard for me to fathom, and I realized I’ve never thought twice that I live 6 blocks away from one of the finest hospitals here in LA. This made me determined to bring not just this awareness back to the states, but something back to Vietnam for these hopefilled families.
I began spreading the word about this need. After many cold calls, my great friend Kathy Uyen, a successful actress living in Vietnam responded about having met a young passionate woman who worked with a charity fund dealing directly with these areas. Long story short, the Director of Development, Mimi Vu and I connected, both with a vision to use our platforms to bring hope to those in need around us.
So I’m off to Vietnam this Tues, 2/23. During my trip, I’m going to be volunteering some time to spend at these clinics funded by donations thru Heartbeat Vietnam. Each outreach clinic provides free care to 200-300 children, including diagnostic testing, treatment, and placement on the cardiac surgery
waiting list if required, and the best part, within the communities of these villages in remote areas . Mimi explained to me that families will travel hours through the night in order to arrive to the clinics early to hold their place in line for medical attention. I’m determined to bring encouragement and prayer to these families and volunteer doctors, meanwhile extend a way that you each can also be a part of this journey.
HERE’S HOW YOU CAN HELP:
Any donation, ANY amount is beyond appreciated!! And I truly mean this- because ANY amount u donate, Vina Capital MATCHES DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR. As I head there, I will be blogging updates with pictures and video for you to see where your support is going straight towards. This site also allows me to thank you personally, and to keep you updated. YOU are helping me make this happen. Thank you.
It is a link where you can safely make your donation, allow me to personally thank you and keep in touch, and also meet and connect with other wonderful people like yourself who are bringing hope to these families.
And of course, thank you for reading and praying me along.
Until then, I had a wonderful hike lifting up so many of your wonderful submissions for prayers.
Thanks for “Praying it Forward” with me this morning. Remember if you’d like me to send a prayer back in return, here’s the info.
Thanks to Lillian who brought her prayers up today.
And um…let’s all pray for Vy here who…let’s just say we delivered her prayer for her ;P
much as I am thankful every single day for my bombtastic life, can we please consider having more holidays where we bring people, food, and thanks together?? Hallmark would have a field day, and 
Oh, and then there’s my j-o-b. Are you serious with giving me the best career a girl could ever dream for where I play dress up to get onscreen and make some stylish smiles?? My path to empowering people is barely just beginning, and I’m so appreciative of the lil signs you give me to push me along. 
And omg (pardon the pun) you’re pretty spectacular with these friends you’ve filled in my life. I have such a creative combo of caring people, and can write a book about what makes a good friend. 
(They get your inappropriate jokes, help you get the ugly cry out, bring you food from fave places when they think of you, yes, TELL YOU when you’re fat, oh and my fave, actually volunteer to help you pack & move.) Then there’s so many fantastic things in my every day too that I hafta squeel over, like mint fro yo when I can find it, gorgeous Runyon canyon romps to the top, the way Nicole Millen fits, the really burnt roasted brussel sprouts, any great sale, Ca Kho (Vietnamese claypot fish), the McQueens in Lady Gaga’s video,
toothless kids, Asset spanx, socks from Target, naps, my legs that never gain weight, Modern Family, a hug back, my job as a server way back when. And Lasik.
Love,
