For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ ~ Matthew 25:35-40

Maybe you have read in the news that Russia has signed a bill to stop US citizens from adopting Russian orphans. You can read about why this is happening here. Like many, I have been following this closely in the news, and I have read several comments along the lines of, "well that's sad, but why not just adopt in the US, there are kids here that need homes." (paraphrasing.) I have to say, I am really saddened by that. I don't begrudge anyone for adopting in the US or in a foreign country. I believe that God calls each person on to do certain things. Many to adopt from their home country and many to adopt in foreign countries. (And many to do things totally unrelated to adoption.) But the plain truth is, the children in foreign countries, especially those with special needs, are "the least of these". They are forgotten. They are unloved. They are alone and they have no voice. That is why I have chosen to advocate for them. Because in this very small way, I am serving Jesus. I am not advocating or trying to raise money for Oscar or any other child for any reason other than that. These kids have a need, and I have a voice.

I have mentioned before that Oscar is the same age as my son, so I ask you this. If this were my son, would you donate $2, $5, or whatever you could afford? Would you share with everyone you know about the need to get him home? Well, Oscar is mine... and yours. The other children, they are ours. Take a moment to look at the Angel Tree I have been talking about here. There are still 120 kids that have not met there goal. We have just two days tp get them to that goal. Sound hopeless? It's not. We serve an amazing God.


I am reaching out to you this morning and asking for your help for the "least of these". Please, join with me over the next two days in serving these children. Be their voice, talk to others about Reece's Rainbow, share on Facebook, Twitter, a blog, in your church, with your family or friends. Donate if you can. Maybe you think your $5 doesn't make much difference, but I promise you it does.

I have a few giveaways so pay close attention cause I'm going to change the rules a little...

Julie Gumm is the author of the book "Adopt Without Debt". And she graciously donated a copy of her book to help out! Any Dave Ramsey fans out there? Check out Julie's website here to see what he has to say about this book. When Oscar reaches $600 I will give away her book. Comment below once you have donated to be entered.

Kim de Blecourt, also an author, donated the book "Until We All Come Home" about her family's struggle to bring home their son from Ukraine. I read the sample of this book and was literally on the edge of my seat. You can read about it here. When Oscar reaches $700 I will give this one away. Just comment here on my blog once you have donated and I will enter you.

If you donate to *any* child below the $1000 goal on the (Angel Tree <----- Click to meet our kids,I urge you to take time to look at their sweet faces.) I will enter you to win a Kindle Fire. Mix it up if you want. Split your money up and donate to as many different children as possible. We want them ALL to meet their goal. I will draw for this on New Year's Day.


One last giveaway. Donate to any child below the $1000 goal on the Angel Tree and I will be giving away a handmade Waldorf doll. I will make the doll in whatever skin/hair/eye color you choose. If you've never heard of these dolls you can read about them here. This will also be drawn for on New Year's Day.


Be SURE to comment below and tell me which giveaway you would be like to be entered in. (Ex. Jane Jones $10 Kindle, Larry Jones $5 doll) Everyone who donates and comments will be entered in the book drawings.
As always, sharing gets you entered. Remember to comment though! It's late and I'm tired, so if I've left anything out, feel free to ask questions! :)

And HERE is a link to some really great gift card giveaways!

Love bottle cap hairbows and jewelry? Look HERE!

Remember these giveaways ALL help orphans with special needs!! We are trying so hard to get all of our kids there. PLEASE help us if you can!!!

One last thing. Even though the Russian ban on US adoptions has been signed, there is a chance that children with special needs could still be adopted to US citizens. This is HUGE. There are many families already in the process of adopting, some are only days away from going to pick up their children. Pray that this amendment passes. And pray that hearts are softened and this ban will be reversed. Don't underestimate the power of our God.

My oldest daughter brought me all of her change the other day and told me she was giving it to Oscar. She counted it all up and had $5 to give. When I asked if she was sure she wanted to give it all away, she didn't hesitate. The next day, my five year old came sneaking into the kitchen and waited til I had my back turned then laid down two pennies and a seashell and asked if she could give that to Oscar. Then my three year old, following in the footsteps of his sister brought me a plastic heart for Oscar, and told me I could have all of his money. (He has no concept of money, but does a pretty good job of sharing.) I love that they watch each other, and learn from each other, and give their all. I learn so much from them. Sometimes fear grips me and I hold back. Even when I feel God nudging me, I hold back. They step out in faith, knowing God will take care of them. When they talk to God, it is so simple, so trusting, so pure. And such an example to me. Are there children in your life to show you simple faith? The kind of faith Jesus spoke of when He was here? I hope there are. But if not, maybe there should be. Sometimes we hold back because we wonder what others would think... fear. Sometimes we hold back because we don't think we have what it takes... fear. Sometimes we hold back because there is no money...fear. But sometimes, we need to walk forward... in FAITH.

Maybe it sounds crazy but have you ever thought of adopting? Of giving up and giving all? There are so many kids around the world that need families, and you know what? Families NEED these children too. 

Tonight, I need your help. We only`have twelve days left to reach Oscar's goal and we are still $432 short. Remember if you donate OR share you are entered. Click here for the rules. Please, please share!! 

Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. ~ Matthew 18:3  

  

So, Um, Twitter

Tried it out for the first time last night and I have tweeted every celebrity I can think of to help these sweet kids!! Rodney Atkins retweeted!!! Yay and thank you! I'm getting a little worried that they might ban me from Twitter, but I'm going to yell for these kids til I have no voice.  :D

Only THIRTEEN days left to reach the $1000 AngelTree goal. You can help AND win a Kindle Fire click here to learn how to enter! 

Please don't foget about Benji (<---Click on his name to donate to him.)

And Kolya! (<---- Click on his name to donate to him.)

He is twelve years old and such a sweet face. Twelve is still so young and I pray he doesn't get lost because of his age. Donate to him and I will enter you to win.

And as always, share one or all of these sweet faces and you are entered!!

Drawing will be on New Year's Eve. Remember to comment here if you donate to Oscar, Benji, or Kolya so I can enter you in the giveaway.  Please share! Many of you have done so much already, but we still have a ways to go!


**** Edited to update, apparently you CAN get banned from Twitter. Ask me how I know. :P On the plus side Aaron Watson retweeted about these kiddos!! If you haven't heard of him click his name. Great guy! We got to meet him a couple of years ago in the pouring rain when I was pregnant with J. He made my nephew cry and then spent about ten minutes trying to make him smile. :D

Kindle Giveaway Take Two

You might already know about the Kindle Fire we gave away last Tuesday . But - did you know the winner donated it back to help get Oscar to his goal?!  How great (and selfless)  is that? It's up for grabs again but we're going to change it just a little.  My little sister is now an advocate for baby Benji, also on the  Angel Tree.   

Isn't he sweet?

And since she's coming in  a little later, we want to help her out so here are the rules:

   $5 to Oscar or Benji = two entries.

$10 or more to Oscar or Benji = five entries

(Or split your donation between the two boys!)

Share on Facebook, blog, twitter...= three entries.

You can get to Benji's donate button by clicking here and then click on the donate button. After that don't forget to comment and let me know you shared or donated to one of the children in the comment section below. That's all there is to it!! And don't forget, if you donate between now and December 31st I will send you a thank you gift! Share, share, share!!! The more people know about these sweet children, the closer we are to getting them home. :) 

Birthday Wish

Sometime this month "our" Oscar will turn three years old!! My birthday prayer for him is that next year on his birthday, he will have a family and know the unconditional love of a mama and daddy. Will you help us get him home? Share his story and share his picture and maybe you will be the one to connect him with his family.

Once his family finds him, it will be a long process to get him home and the cost of international adoption is staggering. When you donate to Oscar, you are helping a family raise money to get him home. And his family is out there!

My super sweet mother-in-law made these beautiful candy cane ornaments while she was recovering from knee surgery. She gave them to us for Oscar, and we would love to share them with you.  My kids each bought one to put on our tree - they look so pretty. :) Since we don't know the exact date of Oscar's birthday we will celebrate him all month!  From now until December 31st if you donate to Oscar we will give you a little gift...

(She even made some of them Rainbows!!)

Once you donate, just send me an email where you would like it sent and I will get it in the mail. Email address is orphanwarrior@gmail.com  

Happy Birthday Sweet Oscar!!

Kindle Giveaway Results

A huge THANK YOU to all of you who donated to Oscar over the past two weeks. You raised $275 for Oscar's grant fund!!!  And you shared his sweet face with your friends and family - we are so excited about that!

Congratulations to Shiloh, she won our Kindle Fire giveaway (drawn by randompicker.com) - I will send you a message with details! We are still working hard to meet our $1000 goal by New Year's Eve, so please continue to share Oscar's story and picture.

Check back in a few days, I have something special coming up - you don't want to miss it! :)

Spilled Milk

A few mornings ago my three year old spilled his milk. He is so cute when he spills something because he immediately jumps up and says, "I am SO, SO sorry!!"  Even at three years old he has a very tender heart  and, although full of mischief at times, he really seems to feel other peoples sorrows. I told him not to worry about the milk and then used the  "No use crying over spilled milk" expression. That got the other kids attention and they asked what I meant by that. I gave them a quick explanation of not wasting your time being upset over something so small.

(Yes, my kids did look at me like I had officially lost it when I took this picture!)

After that I couldn't get the expression out of my mind and throughout the day I thought of the times that I have "cried over spilled milk". An unkind word from someone who was, maybe just having a bad day, hanging on to an argument with my husband, getting impatient or angry when something doesn't go as planned... You get the idea. I see so much of this in our society right now. Family members quit speaking to each other, marriages fail, mass shootings. And I wonder, if we took a little less time focusing on ourselves and a little more time focusing on the needs of others could we end some of our own heartbreak?? 

What can we do to step out of our own little world and meet the needs of others? Maybe you know a mom with a new baby, or someone sick or recovering from surgery  that could use a meal, an elderly person who no longer drives and might enjoy a trip out of the house - to the grocery store or lunch, someone going through a death or divorce, maybe they just need a listening ear (JUST listening, not advice. ;) ), volunteer at your local meals on wheels, or another local organization.  And that's not all, around the world the needs of others are staggering. There are so many organizations that you can help with. 

Here are a three that I love;

Click on Amazima Ministries to learn more about this amazing organization founded by Katie Davis. Or click on Compassion International to find out how to sponsor a child. Last, but certainly not least is the one I have been talking about for weeks... Reece's Rainbow.  In case this is your first time to check out my blog, my family is part of an Angel Tree Fundraiser for Oscar. Reece's Rainbow advocates for children with down syndrome and other special needs in foreign countries. They help provide grants to families adopting these children who would otherwise enter into adult mental institutions around the age of four or five. There is nothing wrong with these children, they were created differently and so their own societies have deemed unworthy of the most basic of needs. Love.  Let me introduce you to just a few, and I encourage you to click on their names and read the descriptions.

First  there is Emmit- I love the expression on his face - he just looks like such a sweet and peaceful little boy.  He is in an adult mental institution, instead of being outside or playing with boys his own age. Look closely at his picture, it looks like he's sitting in a crib next to another crib.

Next is Kolya, this adorable boy looks so full of joy, in spite of his circumstances. Read his description, it is obvious that this boy is special. :)

Then there is Gracelynn. The expression on her face makes me smile every time I look at this picture. She looks so full of mischief and fun!! She needs to be at home with her family learning and playing!

And finally, is "our" Angel Tree child Oscar.

 He's just too cute for words, in my opinion. And remember that three year old little boy of mine that spilled milk? He's the same age as Oscar. It literally makes my heart ache to think of my sweet son being tossed away into a mental institution because someone didn't think he was worthy. These children ARE worthy and they are someone's children. God created each of them and he has a family chosen for them. Could it be you? Maybe someone you know? Reach out in some way. Don't let the "spilled milk" in your life get in the way of doing something for someone else!!

You can help any of these children by clicking on their names and donating to them. (You can donate to Oscar at the top left of my blog.) You can help them by sharing their pictures and stories on Facebook, around your community, at your church, with your best friend, - whatever!! And if you donate ANY amount to Oscar today I will enter you in my giveaway for a Kindle Fire!!  Share the picture of any of these children today and I will enter you in my giveaway!! Scroll down for the rules. This giveaway ENDS tomorrow night December 11th!

THANK YOU!!

Today I am celebrating! I am so thankful for those of you who have shared and donated to Oscar!! Two weeks ago we were stalled at $101. Today Oscar sits at $179!! How awesome is that?? And just as importantly - more people know about Oscar and the other children on Reece's Rainbow!! You guys are AMAZING!! I mention Oscar a lot because he is "our" Angel Tree baby.

 But there are others, many others. So today why don't you check out this link and meet some of the others. Not only will you be introduced to some beautiful children, she has listed a LOT of other giveaways that are going on right now. 

 And as a thank you, from now until Friday night, December 6th, you can enter my Kindle Fire giveaway for $1. That's right just donate $1 to Oscar and let me know you did it, either comment here or message me privately.  And don't forget  - sharing will always get you an entry - Facebook, Twitter, or blog post - just don't forget to tell me!! Again a big THANK YOU to those who have donated and shared - you are doing some amazing things in the life of this little boy!

...Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. ~Matthew 25:40

 In the United States, we celebrate differences. We embrace those who are born with a special need.  Over and over again, I have watched friends and family members rally around someone with a child born with a disability. Complete strangers raise money to benefit a family with a child who has daunting medical problems and large medical bills.

Did you know there is a place where children are unloved and unwanted? A place where little ones go to bed each night without a kiss. Did you know that in many parts of the world children are thrown away because they are considered abnormal? Their needs are not special in their society. They are unacceptable. Parents are told they cannot or should not care for these children. I will not pretend to know each circumstance or what causes them to walk away from their child. I just know they do. And in doing so these children are left alone. Many of them in horrid circumstances. Just like this sweet girl. Take a moment and look at Zoey. She is six years old and weighs TEN pounds.  Oh how this girl needs the love of a family.

Reece's Rainbow is an organization that helps finance families who are led to adopt children with special needs. I learned about this little girl through Reece's Rainbow. She doesn't have much time, as you can clearly see. The only way she can only find a family is if her heartbreaking story is shared.  Click on the highlighted words Reece's Rainbow and you can learn more about this amazing charity and the children and families they bring together.

As I have mentioned, my family is advocating for a sweet boy who is orphaned and has down syndrome. We are hoping to raise $1000 by New Year's for Oscar.

 Now I know Christmas is coming, so I decided to help with your Christmas giving by giving away a Kindle Fire. Wouldn't that make a great for someone you know?
There are a couple of ways you can win...

1. Donate $5 or more to Oscar. Just click on the donate box on the top right of my blog and donate.     Then comment here, or on my Facebook page or send me a private message through Facebook letting me know you donated.   $5 = one entry
                                $10 = three entries
                                $15 (or more) = five entries
2. Share Zoey and Oscar. Either through my blog post or a blog post of your own, or on your Facebook page. (Or any other way you can think of - be creative!!) And again, leave a comment here or on Facebook letting me know how you shared.


Doesn't get much easier than that, right?? And you are helping two children who desperately need us.   Drawing for this giveaway will be on Tuesday December 11th so it will make it by Christmas and I will be using Random.org to draw.

I just finished baking bread and now I have hot rolls rising and ready to go into the oven. Outside is sunny and warm with that little hint of fall in the air. Don't you just love days like this? I have been finishing up my list of Christmas ideas and I am so ready for this beautiful holiday season to begin! I love the joy of Thanksgiving and Christmas. I always have. When I used to daydream about being a "grown-up" and what my life would be like, I always envisioned lots of children at Christmas time. Noisy Christmas mornings with full of anticipation and excitement. Well, that wish has come true for me. (To be honest, most mornings are noisy and full of excitement. I love that.) This year my family has planned to something BIG for Christmas. We are going to take on the challenge of raising $1000 for a little boy named "Oscar". There is something so sweet about him, don't you think??

Even more than money, we want to help this little boy find a family. You see, Oscar has Down Syndrome and in some countries children with special needs are tossed away. We found Oscar through Reece's Rainbow and he is one of many that we pray for. We are going to need a lot of help to get this job done, so I am going to challenge all of you and ask that you do what you can. Pray for him, donate to him, share him. You can donate to his fund through the box on the top right. And if you love Amazon as much as I do, click on my box on the right any time you shop and a portion of your spending will go to Oscar's fund. Sometimes sharing is the hardest part. But for Oscar, it might mean his next Christmas is spent with a noisy family of his own.

  Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27

It Does Matter

It matters to this one. I've read that statement hundreds of times (at least) over the past six months or so since finding the Reece's Rainbow website. And as I read it one more time today I think of the story of the little boy and the starfish. Usually, I am thinking about it from the boy's perspective. My heart always cheers him on as he tosses that one little starfish back out into the ocean. But today, I'm thinking about the starfish. How must he have felt to be out there out of water, away from his ocean home? I checked it out (and by checking it out - I mean I googled it.) a starfish can survive for five days out of the ocean and then it will die of dehydration.  Like the starfish lying on the sand so many of these precious children listed are living on borrowed time. They have only a little while until they are transferred to a mental institution, or until they die. That sounds so harsh. But it's true. 

One little boy in particular is weighing heavily on my heart today.  Alexander has a brain tumor and while that is heart breaking enough he has no mama to hold his hand or comfort him in his sickness. Who does he talk to when he's scared? Is this little boy going to die without knowing what it is to have a family? Take a few seconds to read his description. He is real, he likes to recite poems and sing songs, he likes to dance. Share this sweet boy's story today - maybe you will be sharing his story with his family. Maybe they have been searching for him too. Go ahead and pick up that starfish and throw it back into the ocean. It matters to this one.

AND... just as a little incentive, I will be giving away one of these beautiful necklaces to anyone who shares this on their own blog, facebook, etc. Or donate to his fund so when his family finds him they are closer to being funded to bring him home. (Click on the link and scroll down to where it says "donate".)  The donation amount is up to you. Leave me a comment so I know where you shared or that you have donated and I will enter you in the drawing. My sweet hubby's birthday is Saturday the 13th so I will be drawing then! 

When I was in college I would drive home in the summers and work with my dad on his farm. One summer in particular was busy. I would drive the truck through the alfalfa fields and pick up bales of busted hay that had been missed by the bale-wagon, freeing my dad up to do the "important stuff". Then we would work on whatever projects he had going on at the time, a broken-down bale wagon, pouring a cement floor for a friend's shop, un-sticking the pivot sprinkler, branding and vaccinating cattle... Well you get the idea . My dad is one of the hardest workers I know. He had the job of keeping the farm going, I was just a helper. And I loved it. I loved the feeling at the end of the day of having my muscles stretched beyond what I thought were their limits, I loved the feeling of the dirt sticking to my hands, and most of all I loved sitting in the quiet evening hanging out with my dad watching the sunset. I could feel his approval in that quiet, I could feel his gratitude for the help I'd provided. Even though the things I was doing were minimal - they were helpful.

At times I get overwhelmed by all the hurting in the world. Children are starving to death not daily, or even hourly, but every minute, they are abandon by parents, or hurt by adults. And that is just scratching the surface. At times I feel like giving up on the small things because, is doing something as minimal as sponsoring one child or praying for each orphan even making a difference? And then I realize, I want my life to be like those summers. I want to labor each day of my life, I want to stretch myself to beyond what I thought were my limits. When I stand before my Heavenly Father I want to know that I did my best for Him, that even though the things I did felt "small",  they were helpful.

So we are going to keep doing the small things around here. We are going to pick out orphans and learn their names and pray for them at every meal and bedtime. My kids are going to bug people past the point of insanity by telling them about yet another little one in need of a family.  And then this Christmas we are going to do something BIG!! I'm so excited and I can't wait to talk more about it, but duty calls. Laundry, dishes, help with schoolwork, bills to pay...