Giant Christmas Stocking Giveaway!

How would you like to win one of these giant Christmas stockings?

These stockings are stuffed full of goodies...

"These treasures are valued at more than $100 each. We have homemade table runners, pot holders, dish towels, Chex mix, Hockey Pucks; Yankee candles (Home Sweet Home scent, of course); Ultimate Chippers cookie mix; peppermint bark; spiced cider mix; and whatever else is cute at the Hallmark store."

Here are pictures of a few of the items...

You could win one of these stockings when you donate to help bring James and Rafferty home!

Tyler & Ruth Tadema have committed to adopting both of these beautiful boys!

James & Rafferty will be the first children in their family!

They hope to travel to meet them in December!

Click here for details and to participate!

Check here on December 12 to find out if you won!

This post is part of a Sharing Sunday blog link-up hosted by Jane!

Do check it out and consider linking up a post of your own!

Let them make you proud!

Look at these beautiful boys!

Pryce - From his profile: Very smart, friendly, good memory, likes to recite poems...

Don't they look like they would make fine sons!

Carter - From his Profile: Smart, friendly, WANTS TO BE ADOPTED!

Boys you could be proud to call your own?

Patrick - From his Profile: "He is a smart, inquisitive, very friendly and kind boy. His DREAM is to have a FAMILY and loving parents. He KNOWS he is facing a TRANSFER to an institution for disabled children of older age, where he will not have a chance to develop his potential." He is "high enough functioning cognitively to recognize and fear the next transfer." (Emphasis added.)

Boys you could train to be real men!

Marcus - From a facilitator who met him: "I personally saw this boy and talked to him. He is a very smart boy. Unfortunately he cannot walk at all, and he uses a wheelchair.... He told me that he WANTS TO BE ADOPTED., and that's why he allowed to make a picture of him. He did not want to demonstrate his disability, so he covered his legs with a blanket. " (Emphasis added.)

Boys you could inspire to make their mark on the world...

Maxim - "Maxim is one of the MOST ENGAGING and LOVABLE children you ever could meet. He picks up English very easily.... He was tested recently to see if he could get an operation in Ukraine to help him. There are no physicians in Ukraine that can help Maxim. Physicians have been contacted in the U.S. and we believe he can be helped." (Emphasis added)

Are you up for the challenge?

Emmitt - From his Profile: "Emmitt is a sweet boy. He is living in one of the mental institutions, and has been for many years, yet he remains sweet, intelligent, and kind. Two of our adopting families met him while they were there, and are pleading for a family to save him." From a family who met him: "He is very friendly, funny, and talkative. He desperately seeks out attention.... He is extremely intelligent, and just precious!"

Can't you see them sitting around your table next Thanksgiving....

Playing with cousins and having a blast at the next family gathering?

Which one will it be?

They need a Dad to look up to...

To teach them to be men...

They need a mother to love and encourage them that they can do it...

Family to believe in them...

To give them the inspiration and opportunity to be all that they can be...

Could you give even one of them the chance?

Let them make you proud!

For more information on any of these boys click the link under their picture!

If you can't adopt them...

Could you share their story to increase their chance of finding a family?

Could you pray for them or donate to their fund?

They need a chance...

They need to come home!

This post is a part of the Forget Me Not Friday Linkup organized by Jane!

Please check it out here! And consider linking up a post of your own!

Who will make her smile?

Have you met this little one?

This is Lyla (Lilianna on Reece's Rainbow).

She just had her 2nd birthday...

She has big blue eyes...

But where is her smile?

She doesn't know how much she is loved!

She had family who were eagerly planning to adopt her...

They were planning to name her Lyla.

Sadly, Lyla's heart condition landed her in the hospital.

Doctors did not expect her to live...

So the family adopted another child.

Now...

Against all odds...

Lyla has recovered sufficiently to be listed for adoption again!

God must have great plans for her -- He preserved her life for a reason!

Who will get to watch those plans unfold?

Who will put a smile on sweet Lyla's face?

Who will step out and bring her home so she can get the love and medical care she needs...

So she can grow and thrive and smile and laugh?

Could you be her Mama?

Or could you share her story to help her Mama find her?

Click here to find out more about Lyla or donate to her grant fund!

Dear Sarah at Mathew 18:14 blogs for many orphans...

But she has given Lyla a special spot on her blog...

She's putting her picture at the bottom of EVERY post till she gets a family!

I got these pictures from her post about Lyla here.

In honor of Lyla's birthday Sarah is doing a blog link-up to help her family find her...

Won't you join the link up and help spread the word about Lyla?

By the way...

Sarah and her friend Rachel have a blog where they sell lovely crocheted items to raise money for orphans...

Check it out here -- maybe you can find some Christmas gifts and help orphans at the same time!

Please Pray for Lyla!

This post is part of TWO link-ups!

The first is a special one organized by Sarah for posts about Lyla/Liliana (or that at least have her picture & link in them).

The second is for "Forget-me-not Friday as detailed below.

Feel free to join both link-ups

This post is a part of the Forget Me Not Friday Linkup organized by Jane!

Please check it out here! And consider linking up a post of your own!

Your name their treasure!

Would you like to help make a treasure for three little boys?

You can!

Bradley, Bryant, and Brooks' Grandma is making quilts for each of them!

Grandma will stitch the name of EVERY person who helps bring them home on their quilt...

So the boys will have a tangible token of how very loved they are by family, friends, and strangers too!

If you would like to be a part of their very special quilts go here to read more and donate!

As you can image -- adopting three children is expensive!

I know the family will appreciate any donations given...

And the boys will have a memento to treasure!

This post is part of a Sharing Sunday blog link-up hosted by Jane!

Do check it out and consider linking up a post of your own!

How one family made a HUGE difference!

I read a great story yesterday on Rachelle's blog. It was about a family back in the 1950s who were touched by the plight of war orphans in Korea. Back then international adoption was almost unheard of. ( Even with domestic adoptions children were matched to look as much like their adoptive family a possible so that no one would know they were adopted -- it was a secret!) The family first sent money to help the orphans, then decided to do more. They tried to decide how many kids they could provide for and settled on EIGHT! (sadly one of the little girls was too sick and weak and died before she got to the US.) Washington, however said they could only adopt two. They would have to petition both houses of congress to change the law -- and they did! Not only that, before congress had made their decision, the Dad went over to choose the kids and care for them in Korea until permission was granted! As a result of all the letters the couple received asking how to adopt, Holt International Children's Services was started! -- As a result, many, many children have been adopted! What an amazing story! Please go to Rachelle's blog and read more (there are a few pictures there too)!

Rachelle and her family are adopting Gideon (Eddie on RR) and hopefully another little boy as well! They are just waiting for a travel date!

Even though most people cannot adopt eight children, everyone can do something! Whether you are able to adopt one or more, or donate to help others, or advocate for orphans, or even "just" pray (really the most important part!)...You never know how God may bless your efforts! He could use YOU to change the world! God can bless the smallest gift or effort! Remember the widow's mite?

"And He saw a poor widow putting in two small copper coins. And He said, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all of them; for they all out of their surplus put into the offering; but she out of her poverty put in all that she had to live on." Luke 21:2-4 NASB

This poor widow's example has encouraged many to give who might otherwise have thought their gift too small to make a difference! Every little bit adds up! The influence of her gift has resulted in gifts far exceeding all that the rich people gave that day!

Here's one child you could make a difference for...

Francine

You could even win some great prizes!

Act before November 23 so you can have a chance to win!

(And if it's after November 23 when you read this -- you can still give! Finding a family for Francine and helping them afford to bring her home is the best prize of all!)

Please share her story! Perhaps you know her family!

You never know how God will use you! Remember, no gift or prayer is too small for God to use!

This post is part of a Sharing Sunday blog link-up hosted by Jane!

Do check it out and consider linking up a post of your own!

Guess What?!?!

Sweet little David...

(I blogged about him here.)

Has a FAMILY!!!

This sweetie pie will soon be OUT of that nursing home!

He'll be in a family where he can grow and become all that he can be!

Praise God!

You can read more on Adeye's blog here.

...

And in case you missed my last post...

Genesis has a family too!

Her family's blog is here!

This post is a part of the Forget Me Not Friday Linkup organized by Jane!

Please check it out here! And consider linking up a post of your own!

Adopted!

Have you ever been adopted?

I have!

(In an "unofficial" sort of way...)

My biological parents love me dearly and raised me...

So I have never been in need of a literal adoption...

I've lived many miles away from my parents for quite some time...

But my parents are only a phone call away...

And I'm a "grown-up" now...

But I've had the privilege to be "adopted" even so!

While I lived in California one of my coworkers took special interest in me...

She called me her adopted daughter...

(I'm am close to the same age as her own daughter.)

She invited me to eat with her many times after church...

We went walking together often...

She would give me advice if I needed it...

She cared...

It was hard to say goodbye when I moved to Michigan...

I found it a bit lonely after church...

Well...

Recently I met up with some friends from years ago...

They live in Michigan near to where I just moved...

We met up at church recently after more than 10 years...

(We had only had very minimal contact since we last saw each other.)

They invited me to lunch with them the next week...

Last weekend I was out walking and they happened to drive by...

They stopped and invited me into the car...

And told me they had decided to "adopt" me...

It is now "understood" that I am invited to eat with them EVERY week after church if I like...

Isn't that sweet!

While I don't need a "literal" adoption...

It's very nice to have "family" who care about me...

Family to spend time with...

While I am far from home!

I have been so blessed with both my biological family and dear friends along the way...

While "my" kids...

Have no family at all.

Emmitt - Almost 14 and no family yet :(

Victoria - 9th birthday next month with no family to share her special day :(

It's not fair is it?

While I've always had the blessing of a loving family...

They have no one.

While I am blessed with friendship...

They are lonely.

Don't you think it's time for them to be adopted?

They need more than a friendship adoption...

They need the "official" kind.

They've been alone so long...

I'm not in a position to adopt them myself...

So I've adopted them in a different way.

I've chosen to speak for them here...

In hopes that someone who IS able to adopt them...

Will see them...

And choose to give them the family they've never had...

The love they've been waiting for so long...

Will you consider my kids?

Emmitt

Victoria

Is it even remotely possible that one of them could be yours?

If so please at least look into it!

You can click on their pictures to read more about them!

Click here to find out the adoption requirements and see if you qualify!

Even if you are unable to adopt them...

Maybe you could spare at least a small donation?

(Donations can be made to their individual grant funds by clicking the link under their picture.)

Even small donations help their grant fund grow to help another family afford to adopt them!

Can you pray for them?

Prayer is one of the best ways to help...

And it's free!

Even if you can't adopt "officially" at this time...

You can choose a child to speak for!

There are many MANY children waiting!

Click here to choose a child to advocate for today!

Your voice counts!

You CAN make a difference in the life of a child!

God will bless your efforts -- they are HIS kids too!

Before closing...

I want to share good news with you!

Genesis is on the My Family Found Me page again!

Not only that!

She's also on the New Commitments page!

Here is her family's Reece's Rainow page!

One of her new brothers was born blind, but was blessed with a corneal implant...

Another (who is also ADOPTED!) is blind in one eye...

Her family are already prepared for her special need and she will have an extra special bond with her siblings!

You can read her family's blog here and follow Genesis' journey home!

Genesis has been chosen!

Chosen to be a special part of a real family...

A family who are choosing to make HER their very own!

Will my Emmitt and Victoria be next?

This post is a part of the Forget Me Not Friday Linkup organized by Jane!

Please check it out here! And consider linking up a post of your own!

Christmas Shopping Can Help!

Great opportunity!

Help Bradley, Bryant, & Brooks come home...

By shopping on Amazon.com!

When you use the above link to do your shopping you help these precious brothers come home!

Be sure to use the above link...

Also, you must use this link before adding the item to your cart or wish list...

(If its already on your wish list, delete it and then use the link!)

Check out the family blog for more details!

(The code for the Amazon Link is on the family blog too!

You can copy it so you can put the link on your blog...

This may encourage some of your readers to shop with the link...

So THEY can help the boys too!)

Amazon has so many options...

Books...

Toys...

Gift Certificates...

One family even helped by purchasing the exhaust system for their car on Amazon!

So go ahead!

Buy your Christmas gifts...

Or something you need...

and help these boys at the same time!

If you prefer, you can donate to the family's Reece's Rainbow fund here...

(When you donate through Reece's Rainbow... It's tax deductible in the US!)

This post is part of a Sharing Sunday blog link-up hosted by Jane!

Do check it out and consider linking up a post of your own!

Sad Story

Sad Story

See this little boy?

I don't know his name...

I know only a little of his story from two families who caught glimpses of his life...

Two families...

One adopting Harlene

The other adopting Blake

Harlene's family was waiting for friends when they saw two ladies bring this sweet boy and his little sister to the orphanage...

There were piles of paperwork...

The Doctor came in and took the little boy inside...

He came back and took little sister inside...

He came back with the children's clothes...

The two ladies took the clothes and left the orphanage...

There were no tears or emotion...

Probably the ladies were social workers...

Probably they were not family of the children...

But the poor little children...

Dumped off in a strange place with no hugs and kisses...

Some time later Blake's family got a glimpse of the children...

Workers brought the little boy and stood him before the blue backdrop to take his picture...

He looked frightened...

He looked stiff...

Can you imagine how scary it would be to be in this strange new place?

Next it was sister's turn...

She however would not cooperate...

She was too sad and scared...

She would not stand and smile for the camera no matter how the workers tried to comfort her...

Can you blame her?

Blake and Harlene will be going home soon...

But their places have already been taken by two more needy children...

Heartbroken, frightened little ones...

The light has gone out of their life...

They have become another number...

Another file...

So Sad

Please pray for them!

You can read what Harlene's family wrote about these children's entry into the orphanage here.

You can read what Blake's family wrote about them and the attempt to get the photograph for their orphanage file here.

I encourage you to read the story from the hearts of those who saw this story with their own eyes.

I know this is a sad story to share...

But I hope it will encourage us to keep up the work of advocating for orphans...

They are helpless...

Frightened...

Alone.

They need our voices to speak for them!

While we cannot save them all...

(If only we could!)

It makes such a huge difference in the lives of the children who are rescued!

Each child rescued is a testimony to the value and worth of all children!

God loves and sees each one...

He has not forgotten them...

Can He use your voice to speak for them?

"For the needy will not always be forgotten,
Nor the hope of the afflicted perish forever." Psalm 9:18 NASB

This post is part of a Sharing Sunday blog link-up hosted by Jane!

Do check it out and consider linking up a post of your own!

Little David Needs Your Help!

Meet David

He looks like such a happy little guy!

Poor little David had a rough start in life...

He was born to an alcoholic mother...

He was born prematurely...

Spent his first year in the hospital...

And then...

Because he was unwanted...

And had nowhere else to go...

He was sent to a NURSING HOME!!!!

Missionaries gave him a chair so he could at least get some sitting up time...

But the staff don't have time to be with him while he's in it...

So he doesn't get to use it!

He spends his days in a crib...

He is three years old and weighs 17 pounds...

He has been to the hospital multiple times...

He needs a family to love and care for him!

To teach him new things...

To give him the opportunity to experience life and love.



This dear little boy is not listed on Reece's Rainbow or any other adoption site...

How will his Mama ever find him if she doesn't ever hear of his existence and need?

That's where you come in!

Can you share his story on your blog, or facebook, or with your friends?

I learned David's story from Adeye, an adoptive mom and wonderful advocate for orphans...

She blogs over at No Greater Joy Mom.

Please go to her site and read more about David!

She even has a video of him!

She learned about David from Missionaries in his country.

David lives in an Asian country...

Adoption is cheaper in his country than in some others...

Takes about 6-8 months...

Please click here for more details!

And please share David's story so his Mama and Papa can find him!

This sweet boy deserves a chance in life!



He deserves a life OUTSIDE of the nursing home!

A Mama to snuggle him and tell him how precious he is...

A Papa to protect him and read him stories...

Maybe even siblings to play with him and to teach him new things?

Thanks for praying for him and sharing his story!

This post is a part of the Forget Me Not Friday Linkup organized by Jane!

Please check it out here! And consider linking up a post of your own!