Fundraiser Friday: FacePie

No, I didn't mean to type FaceBook.

FacePie: Pie specifically made or bought for the sole purpose of being smashed into some crazy orphan lovin' individual's face.

Um, ok.... let me start over.

When we were in Ukraine adopting Liza I got the chance to play with this little guy a couple of times.

Don't you just LOVE that smile!

His name is Andriy and he has a family waiting for a travel date to go and meet him and start the process to bring him home. His Mama, Amanda, has been working her tail off to bring him home and part of the last fundraiser she's put together has included several people taking a pie to the face once Andriy's ransom reaches certain dollar amounts raised.

Renee went first. See....

Mmmm, coconut creme.... hehe

Then it was Gretchen's turn.

Pumpkin pie IS one of my favorites.... :D

And the fun doesn't stop there. Wanna guess who's next?

That's Catherine. She says she's hoping for a chocolate pie. I think chocolate pie sounds pretty good.

But, I have really been craving a Starbucks Salted Caramel coffee. So, for my pie I think I'm gonna try to find a recipe that will taste similar to that. Wish me luck!!

AND, go and donate $10 or more to see me get FacePied, or whatever you wanna call it. You'll also get a chance at an Ipad2, or a Nook, or a Kindle, or a couple other cool prizes. So, if I've ever ticked you off, got on your nerves, or made you wanna choke me - here's your chance. You can see me get pied, you don't even have to tell me that you helped make it happen, and you feel better about whatever it was I did. I know my kids wanna donate, and my mom, and.......

Fundraiser Friday: A Lilla-Rose Giveaway/Fundraiser for Maxim

*Announcement - The winners of the giveaway are Eidmon and Megan. Please contact Linda and look thru her site to choose the clip you would like to receive. Congrats to you and thanks for playing!! :) *

Maybe it's not right for me to plug "my own" fundraiser on Fundraiser Friday, but technically it's not "my" fundraiser. It's for Maxim and Linda is the one providing the goodies - I just happen to be the one lucky enough to share it with you all. So, I'm making this my FF post for this week and that's all there is to it ;o) 

 

So, if you remember how this works, there was a winner drawn yesterday for last week's part of the fundraiser/giveaway. That winner is "Eidmon". So, Eidmon if you'll email Linda at mrsmenk at menk dot us or leave her a message on either her personal Facebook page or her Lilla-Rose page she will get you your free clip. Congrats!!

 

Ok, now for those of you who have not entered the giveaway yet, you still have time and there's a good chance you could be the winner of a free clip. It's SO easy. All you have to do is Like Linda's Lilla-Rose Facebook page and leave a comment here letting us know. Then you get extra entries for sharing on your blog, your Facebook page, or even twitter - then come back here again and leave us a comment letting us know. REALLY easy! And don't forget, 15% of all sales goes into Maxim's grant fund.

 

And can I beg? PLEASE, PLEASE do this! WE had hardly any interest this last week and it's broken both of our hearts, because we want to see M's grant fund grow and we'd love to see his face get seen by someone who might decide they love him so much they want to bring him home. So, share everywhere you can with everyone you know. Come on, I need something to make me smile - trust me.

A Lilla-Rose Giveaway/Fundraiser for Maxim

Remember him? You know I couldn't let you forget!

Just recently Reece's Rainbow has made it possible for the older children (6+) to have their own grant funds again. I was so excited about this for one main reason, and his name is Maxim. I plan to build his grant as high as I can so that when his mom and dad find him money won't be standing in their way. Thanks to a friend of mine I've been given my first opportunity to do that.

Linda Menke has recently started her own business with Lilla-Rose. They are the most beautiful hair clips I've seen in a while. I've already picked out this Celtic Knot clip for Liza. Linda has offered to donate 15% of all sales for the next two weeks to Maxim's grant fund. In addition to that she will be giving away one Lilla-Rose product each week by random drawing. To be entered into the giveaway see the bullet points below (cause, remember, I get confused).

• For one entry go to Linda's Lilla-Rose Facebook page and "LIKE" it. Leave a comment here on my blog to help us confirm.
• For another entry place an order of a product from Linda's Lilla-Rose website. Then leave a comment here. Remember 15% of all purchases will be donated to Maxim's grant fund.
• Or go to Linda's website and choose your favorite piece and leave a comment here telling us what it is.
• For one additional entry post to your own Facebook or Blog about this Fundraiser/Giveaway then come back here and comment with the link to your post.

Please make sure to leave a comment or comments HERE with every thing that you do that would  earn you an entry into the giveaway. Linda will be keeping track of the likes on her Facebook page and I'll be tracking comments and posts here, and we just don't want to miss anybody. Thanks!!

Fundraiser Friday: Honoring Derek L and Bringing Liam Home

This FF post is a little bit different than most. There are no prizes to possibly win for your donation, except the feeling of knowing that you honored a good man's memory and helped a wonderful mom get her little boy home. And isn't that really good enough? We're talking about bringing a little boy from the reality of an institution to the much more awesome reality of a loving family. Specifically a loving mom and four awesome brothers. All the prizes you could possibly win just have to pale in comparison to that.

Derek Loux was an Intercessory missionary at IHOP-KC who was passionate about orphans and adoption. He would have been 39 yesterday and his family has chosen to honor him by helping Amy Lucas and her family bring Liam home.

I'll let you read what his Sister-in-law, Tracie, wrote and ask that you consider giving in honor of Derek. It will possibly be the greatest thing you have the opportunity to do today. (All content below copied directly from this blog post, A Birthday Gift for Derek Loux.)

 A Birthday Gift for Derek Loux

Today would have been my brother Derek’s 39th birthday. (Forgive me for dropping the “in-law” part. I’ve always hated that little tag.)

This is the letter that I will place on his grave tonight.

Derek,
I can’t even believe we are here celebrating another birthday without you. The ache in our hearts seems to just grow. The reality of the space you are no longer here to fill just seems to get deeper. I miss you so much, my brother, my friend.

This year I am incredibly sad that you were not here to met our newest son, Matthias. I hold him sometimes and think of you, knowing that you would  just gobble him to pieces. You’d be so proud of Mattie. He’s a fighter. He’s so strong and courageous. Much like your little Josiah, he’s melting hearts left and right with his killer smile and endearing little expressions. Oh how I wish you could have met him. He’s your kind of guy.

I can’t tell you how many times this year, thoughts of you and remembrances of words spoken, have spurred me on in this journey we’re now on.

You’d be so proud of your brother. He’s laid down so much for his family this year and he’s done it with joy. He’s an amazing Dad. I know if you were here, you’d be cheering him on and taking him out to check on his heart. I wish so much that you were here to do that.

And your wife. Well, you knew it all along, she’s a one of a kind treasure. You don’t need me to tell you that she’s amazing, but I’m telling you anyway. She’s walked this journey so well. Hurting deeply but loving completely, giving passionately, and serving selflessly.

I tell you things you probably already know just because I miss being able to talk to you.

I miss you. Life is just not right without you.

Love,
Tracie

Because I believe that gifts are important as we celebrate birthday’s,  I would like to ask that on behalf of the entire Loux Family, you consider being part of giving Derek an incredible birthday gift today.

I don’t need to tell you that Derek was a fierce champion for justice and was deeply passionate about the church rising up for the cause of the orphan. So today when I asked the Lord to show me how we could GIVE as we celebrate Derek’s life, one family came to mind.

Amy Lucas  is a single Mom to four sons. Amy’s oldest son Jimmy (24) was born with Down syndrome and Amy’s life was changed forever. After Jimmy’s birth, Amy was inspired to become a special education teacher. She is currently a middle school special education teacher, a job that is so rewarding for her. Amy’s next son Ben is 19 and he and Jimmy are very close. When Jimmy turned 18, Amy had the desire to adopt. She had always wanted to have more children and decided now was the time. In 2005, she adopted Caleb 8(then 2 years old) from Russia. Caleb also has Down syndrome and he is the firecracker of the family. He has added so much love and fun to the family, that Amy just had to bring another little one with Ds home. In 2009, Amy adopted Elijah 4 (then 2) from Russia. Raising children with Ds is the best part of Amy’s life. They bring more joy into her life than she could ever have imagined! Even though Amy thought her family was complete, her heart ached for the orphans left behind. And then God spoke to Amy by placing another little boy on her heart, and Amy is more than excited to begin the process again to bring another son home. Although the financial piece of adoption is great, Amy has faith that God will provide.

There is currently $6000 is Ivan’s Adoption Fund. Amy still needs to raise $7500 to be complete this adoption and her dossier has already been mailed and she is waiting on a travel date.

We are asking that you mark each donation “Happy Birthday Derek Loux”- I would love to report to Renee by the end of the day that this entire $7500 was raised in celebration of Derek’s life!

The donate button on her blog with the Reece’s Rainbow symbol allows you to give tax-deductibly, knowing that every penny given will go directly to Ivan’s Adoption Fund.

Please give and help get this sweet little boy home to his family. Give $10, $50, $100, $1000, I don’t really care how much, just give!

CLICK HERE TO GIVE!! (under Ivan’s picture on this link, click the DONATE button)

Fundraiser Friday: Good Grief and One for MANY

This week I have two different fundraisers that I just couldn't choose between so I decided to feature both.

Gentry and Luis Zuzunaga are adopting Maria. They have already made one trip to visit her and are waiting for their next trip for court and then to bring her home.

Check out that Smile! How can you resist?

The Zuzunaga's have been given the opportunity to giveaway an E-book to raise the money for Maria's ransom. Good Grief was written by a friend of Gentry's, Erica McNeal, who has experienced real periods of grief in her life. These are her words to describe her book, 

"fills in the gap between people who are hurting that don’t know 

what they need and their loved ones who don’t know how to help!"

Here's how the giveaway works:

• Every $15 or more donation to the chip-in in their sidebar is a purchase of the book. All proceeds go to their Reece's Rainbow grant fund.
• At every $100 milestone they will draw a name and that person will receive a $20 Starbucks card. It'd be like getting the book for free and winning a coffee to sip as you read it :)

Go and check them out and get yourself a possibly free book. 

Then there's Amanda and David Burlingham, they are adopting Liza's orphanage "brother", Andriy.

When I met him I never saw a smile like this.
He has been moved to a very nice place,
 but soon will be in an even better place, a FAMILY :)

Amanda has a giveaway going on her blog that she's calling One for MANY. The idea is to benefit not only her family's adoption but five other families as well. They have some amazing prizes to give away over there. Isn't it amazing the creativity we Mamas come up with to get our babies home?

These are the other families that will be blessed when you enter:

• Jenn Abell
• Gena Moore
• Shannon Shpak
• Sarah White
• Rachelle Evensen

Just a little sample of what you will find when you go over to Amanda's blog to take a look:

• Nook Color
• Nintendo Black Wii Console w/Mario Kart

• Apple iPod touch 8GB With

  Ematic 11-in-1 Accessory Kit for iPod Touch (4th Generation)

  
  
  She also has tons of great Etsy items to giveaway. 
  
  

  

  This is just a small sample. There are so many more beautiful items.
  You have to go see for yourself.

  This is how it works:
• $5 = 1 chance
• $10 = 3 chances
• $25 = 10 chances
• $50 = 30 chances

Please go and check out both of these awesome fundraisers, donate for a chance to win something, and help bring these kids home to their families.

Fundraiser Friday: Changing Realities

I listened to Randy Bohlender's podcast speaking on funding adoptions this morning and felt like he was sharing my own heart but so much better than I could do. I shared, in a blog post I titled Reality and Fundraising, how I feel about fundraising for adoptions. And I'll just say it again, it's not about a family gaining a new child, it's about a child/children getting a family versus the reality they currently live in.


Since I don't have a fundraising family to focus on today I wanted to share Randy's thoughts and re-post what I wrote back in June. Finances should never be a hindrance to a family who wants to adopt or a hindrance to a child being placed in a loving family. Please listen to Randy's podcast. He says it so much better than I can, and really goes in depth to the heart of what adoption is really about and why the Church needs to be involved.

Reality and Fundraising

Ever wondered why folks fundraise for adoption? You think, "why should I help them "have a baby"? Because it's not about that family gaining a new child, it's about THAT CHILD getting a family versus the reality they currently live in. That's truly the bottom line. Unfortunately changing these kids' realities costs a lot of money :( Thank you to ALL who gave to help change Liza's reality!

*posted as my FB status

I wonder just how many adoptive families have faced these types of questions and attitudes? Unfortunately too many that I know have and it really breaks my heart. Not just for them but for the kids who wait while those who want to come and bring change are stifled by those who can't see past the dollar signs. Because really, isn't that what the problem really is?

Why are people offended that we are asking for help to pay the ransom needed to change the reality for these children? Would they be just as offended if a mother whose child was abducted asked for help to raise the money to pay the kidnappers in order to get her child back? What if my child was severely ill and we needed to raise the funds to pay his medical bills. Would that offend you? 

Maybe you'd say those scenarios aren't really the same and I'd have to ask you why you don't think so. 

• Is it because the child I want to adopt isn't "mine"  yet? Well, that may be true but that same child is God's child. You would have to be able to tell me that you don't believe that HE wants you to help me pay the ransom to change HIS child's reality or if you can't do that to be supportive in some tangible way. 
• Is it because you don't really believe that the reality orphan children live in is anything like a child living with a severe illness or a child being held against their will by those who care nothing for them?
• Have you read Carrington's story? What about Theo's? And now there's also Victoria. If you have, do you still think their stories are nothing like that of a child who's seriously ill? Or a child who's being held against their will by people who don't care? Is their former reality the kind that a child should have to live in just because we might be offended that someone is fundraising in order to make a difference for them?
• Or maybe you're ok with giving to a family raising money to adopt a waiting listed child, but a family adopting a newborn is different? But how is it? Why is it different?
• If you call yourself Pro-Life then adoption is something you ought to be supporting in SOME way, and the best way if you can't or aren't willing to adopt yourself, is to support those who are whether the child they hope to adopt is born or unborn. 
• Mothers who want to place their children for adoption need the assurance that there are families waiting to adopt their babies when they're born. Those families need our help to stand in the gap. The alternative reality for those babies is foster care or life in an orphanage. Do you want to tell that mother that's the reality for her child because you just can't support adoption?

These families are hoping to adopt children who need families. Children who may be born and waiting in foster care or orphanages or children who are unborn, whose mothers are hoping for just the right family to step forward. They need our help to stand in the gap and help them reach these children. But honestly, it's not about them - it's about the children whose realities they are desperately trying to change. When you consider giving think of the children first.

Brooke and Michael Annessa - Adopting a (hopefully) soon to be born infant they will name Adelyn.

Renee and Steve Tam - Adopting a little girl with DS they are naming Paisley. They hope to travel soon!

Amanda and David Burlingham - Adopting a little boy who was once Liza's buddy and happens to be blind. I got to hold this little guy and can't wait for him to meet his family!

Amy Lucas - Adopting Liam, a little guy with DS who will be her 5th son :) Gotta love little boys! Moving fast so she would really appreciate the support.

Ann and Jason Plummer - Adopting Barbara and Matthew, 2 little ones with Down Syndrome.

Jenn and Chris Abell - Adopting Olga, who I had dubbed "Liza's twin" when she was waiting :) They look some alike and have that same mischievous gleam in the eye, oh and the same extra chromosome!

Fundraiser Friday - Paisley and the Tam Family

Love those brown eyes!!

Renee and Steve Tam are adopting Valeria, who they are calling Paisley. They hope to travel to meet Paisley for the first time in September and are hard at work raising the last of the money needed to be fully funded by that time. Their giveaway is awesome and I have dubbed Renee "The Fundraiser Queen" .

She's not sure if she accepts that title but I can tell you she definitely is the "Toffee Queen" and if you enter the giveaway you have a chance at finding that out for yourself. Because for every $1000 they raise in this giveaway three donators names will be drawn and will win some of Renee's amazing white chocolate toffee AND the recipe for the famous toffee. I think that's quite a prize on it's own and it's just a little extra incentive to give generously and tell your friends about it!

Renee's World-famous toffee.
Just LOOKS mouth-watering, doesn't it?
It is! Trust me.

But, I've gotten a little ahead of myself. The toffee is great but, like I said, it's just an extra incentive. You can also win: 

• An Ipad2 32GB w/Wifi in black
• A Nikon D3000 SLR 
• A couple of really cute prints from Etsy
• A $50 Starbucks giftcard
• A $50 Target giftcard
• $50 to spend on Lisa Leonard jewelry 
• Two of the cutest wreaths made from BURLAP! (who knew burlap could be so cute?! it is...)
• Four really cute and colorful key fobs (you choose)
• $50 to use at Posh and Prissy (Liza has one of her bows. SO cute)
• A pair of squeaker shoes (dontcha love little kids in squeaky shoes?)
• $50 to use at Vera Bradley
• A basketful of beautiful homemade soap
• Three custom pillowcases

Whew, I think that's everything. Go over to Renee's blog, Chasing Moonlight, and check everything out. This is definitely something that you want to get in on. I still can't decide which prize is better the toffee or that Ipad2, or even those burlap wreaths :) Which one are you hoping for?

Fundraiser Friday - Phoebe and the Smith Family

Isn't she darling?!

Lisa and Matthew Smith are in the process of adopting Phoebe (and hopefully 1 more). They started this journey with hopes of adopting a precious little girl named Yana, but complications that could not be overcome arose. Instead of giving up they decided to move forward and are now waiting to go and meet Phoebe next month.

In the meantime, to raise the last bit of funds needed to complete the adoption they are having an American Girl doll fundraiser. Every little girl would love to own their very own American Girl doll, right? I know I would love for Liza to have one but honestly the cost of the dolls makes me cringe. That's what makes this giveaway great. For a $5 donation to their adoption fund you are entered once to win an American Girl doll package, and the package goes up as the amount donated on their chip-in goes up.

An example of prize package one (you choose your doll)
Check out Lisa's post for more example photos of other packages.

Here's how it works:

• 1st package Valued at $119 which includes doll, book and accessory package. 
• When donations reach/exceed $2000 winner receives $179 package which is the starter collection. If the doll you choose does not have the starter package you will get your doll and anything up to $179. 
• When donations reach/exceed $5000 winner receives the best friends package valued at $234. If your doll does not have a best friend then you will receive your doll and accessories up to $234.
• When donations reach/exceed $10,000 winner receives a world collection valued at $439. If your doll does not have this collection, we will give you a package at $439. 

So, if you want to win this prize it would be best for everyone (especially Phoebe and her mystery sister) if you share with everyone you know and donate for at least a few entries. They also have a couple of other prizes you could be entered for: Longaberger/Pampered Chef/31/Tupperware bundle or a Vera Bradley Purse and wallet bundle. Look for the chip-in in Lisa's post to donate and donate NUMEROUS times :) Let's help change Phoebe's and her sister's reality!

Fundraiser Friday (A little late) - Andriy and the Burlingham Family

This Fundraiser Friday post is really special to me because the little boy whose family I am spotlighting is a little one that I had the opportunity to hold and really get to know, even if just a little bit. Andriy has the sweetest smile and the most precious laugh. When I met him his smile seemed very shy and his laugh was quiet and didn't happen very often. His most favorite thing to do when I played with him was to hold my hands and rock back and forth just smiling his shy, sweet smile with his head down. My heart was captured and I am SO SO excited for him and for his family!

Amanda and David are soon to be Andriy's Mom and Dad and their newest fundraiser is one of the coolest I've seen lately. They are doing a Leaves of Love fundraiser, for each $10 donation made a leaf (w/donors name written inside) will be added to Andriy's tree in a lovely Fall color, and when he is home it will be a work of art that tells the story of all those who cared enough to help change his reality. They are also giving away chances at a quilt and selling puzzle pieces along with the prints that are added to the tree.

Here's a rundown of what your donation could get you:
$5   One quilt entry

$10 One Leaf, 2 quilt entry

$15 One Leaf , 3 quilt entries, Your name on the puzzle

$20 Two Leafs, 4 quilt entries, Your name on the puzzle

$25 Two Leafs, 5 quilt entries, Your name on the puzzle

$30 Three Leafs, 6 quilt entries, Your name on the puzzle

Fundraiser Friday - Olga and the Abell Family

Jenn and Chris Abell are adopting the sweet girl above, her name is Olga. Isn't she just a cutie-pie? The first time I saw her photo I thought how much she reminded me of Liza - ok sure, it was probably just the blonde hair and fair skin, but then I read her description and it mentioned something about her being "determined" and that she liked to help the other children. Well, that really sounds like someone I know who happens to be cute, blonde, and a bit sassy. So, when I found out Olga had a family determined to come for her I was pretty excited for her and for them. Now, I have the privilege of sharing some of the fundraisers they are doing in order to raise the money needed to bring Olga home.

On July 16th they are hosting A Dinner for Olga in Port Orchard, Washington. They're serving pulled pork sandwiches along with some tasty side dishes and strawberry lemonade or sweet tea to drink. Sounds really good and if I didn't know they were all the way over in Washington I would think they were here in Virginia or a little further South judging by that menu (trust me, even here in "Northern" VA it's sometimes hard to find sweet tea!). If you're anywhere close to them and would like to actually attend Olga's Dinner you can purchase a ticket at their event page, and if you do go eat a little extra for me, ok? If you're out of town but want to donate you can go the event page purchase a ticket and then send Jenn an email letting her know you're not actually attending along with a message for Olga.

They also have a couple other fundraisers going on right now that you should check out. Jenn's friend, Stephanie, is hosting Christmas in July for Olga throughout July. She is calling it a "give-to" and here's how it works, she has these beautiful Christmas ornaments and for every $10 donation to the Abell's adoption fund she is giving an ornament to Olga along with a message sent by the contributor. Sounds like a great gift for Olga on her first Christmas with a family! Olga has also been chosen as the Jars of Hopes and Dreams child for the month of July. Who knew the change that could fill up a jar could be used to change the life of a child?

On top of all that the Abell's are sending everyone who contributes to any of these fundraisers a keychain to help you remember why you gave.

Front side

Back side

Please head over to the Abell Family's blog and help Olga come home to her family.

Fundraiser Friday (a couple days early) - Olga E's Puzzle

Monica lives in Norway and is committed to advocating and raising money for a little girl called Olga E. She is running a puzzle fundraiser to raise money for Olga's adoption grant and raise awareness so that her family can find her. We all know that the higher a child's grant is the more likely a family will step forward to adopt them. Because, adoption is expensive and the cost is what holds willing families back all to often.

Each piece is only $1 so go over and sponsor a few pieces and put Monica to the test as she adds the pieces to make Olga's puzzle come together.

(There will still be a FF post on Friday. I had a couple requests with fundraisers going on now and didn't want to miss any.)

Speaking of Fundraising/Fundraiser Friday - Charlotte's Chocolate Factory

Since I let my heart fall out about families, orphans, and fundraising the other day I can't seem to stop thinking about it. I really believe in adoption fundraising and have decided I want to support those who are in the trenches, so to speak, like I was at one time - and who knows, may be again someday (and no, that's not some super secret announcement). If you or someone you know is fundraising for adoption please let me know so I can highlight them one week. Email me at hismissionmine at yahoo dot com.

So, Fundraiser Friday is starting today featuring friends I made not long after Liza came home and had the pleasure of meeting, ironically, at another family's adoption fundraiser.

Charlotte (aka Charlie)
Who wouldn't wanna spend some time with this cutie? :)

Kelly and Kyle Dirkes are adopting Charlie, a sweet little muffin with the same extra chromosome that Liza has. I met Kelly and Kyle not long after they committed to Charlie and have found Kelly to be a good friend ever since that night. She's helped me with computer and picture issues, and offered valuable advice on IEP navigating. I am really looking forward to meeting Miss Charlie when she comes home. 

Kelly is putting her love of baking to good use through Charlotte's Chocolate Factory for the next week and is inviting you all to indulge yourselves and help Sweet Charlie come home. I have been told these treats are delicious! I can't wait for mine to get here - I'm hoping I can hide them from Rick and the kids... lol

I mean, really! Even the packaging is pretty.

Go on over and visit Charlies Chocolate Factory and hook yourself up. You get some yummy treats and the satisfaction of knowing that you're helping bring Charlotte home. It's a win-win, seriously!