Giveaway Results

This year my family got to be a part of something amazing for Christmas and New Year's. We were "Angel Tree Warriors". :) It was our first year to do this so it was a learning experience. There are people that have been doing it for several years and they have such open hearts for these children. They answered questions, gave fundraising ideas and let the world know about these kids.  And together these "warriors" raised so much money and awareness for orphans with Down Syndrome and other special needs. These are truly wonderful people, there are no limits to their love for these kids (seriously - heads and eyebrows were shaved, water was jumped into, hair was dyed...) and they changed the lives. Some of these children were found by their families during the Angel Tree and I know more will be due to the exposure. God moved in so many hearts through this. Maybe you think "changing the world" just isn't something you can do but by donating and sharing - you did. Thank you! Don't let it end with 2012, allow God to use you and move in you in BIG ways. He uses all of us, if we allow Him into our lives. So, I'm going to challenge you to find someone to help every. single. day. of 2012. Even if it's in a small way. I'm a stay at home mom and Reece's Rainbow is a cause that captured my heart and allowed me to help from home. You don't need any special training or to be an eloquent speaker or even have lots of money. Ask Him to use you and then be open to the journey He will lead you on. It will be amazing - I promise!!

Now, for the fun part!! The giveaway winners! Thank you SO MUCH to the authors who donated these great books!

Kindle Fire - Mathew 

Waldorf Doll - Christine F.

Stori - Until We All Come Home by Kim de Blecourt 

Kristi - Adopt Without Debt by Julie Gumm

If you won an item please email me at orphanwarrior@gmail.com

One more thing, please continue to pray for the adoption ban to be lifted in Russia and that the amendment for special needs children passes. These kids are already loved by so many of us but they deserve to be loved by a family of their own. I pray God blesses each of you this New Year!

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! :)