Birthday Blessings

This is my first blog post of 2012. I've been very busy with many things this month. All the while, all I have been able to think about is Nana. The sweet angel on Reece's Rainbow that I raised money for over the holidays.  Every day I tell myself that I need to post a blog about her birth and then I run out of time and literally fall into bed.

Well, tonight I have inspiration. I just received a touching comment on my blog from a complete stranger. In fact, she is a teenager who felt moved to let me know that she appreciates what I have done for Nana. Friends, I needed that message from her. Trust me, I needed it. Over the past two months I have loved that child and wondered why no one else loves her. This young woman has been praying for Nana, blogging about Nana and raising money for her for much longer than I have. I can tell that she, also, loves Nana. I believe that she was inspired by the Holy Spirit to send me that message tonight, because I needed it.

This month, January, is the month that Nana was born...3 years ago. January 2009. I do not know the day of her birth, but I have told her Happy Birthday every day this month so that I will not miss it. If only I could tell her in person.

This beautiful child is 3 years old this month. Though, no one is celebrating. The glorious day of her birth has never been celebrated on Earth, but I'm certain that God celebrates her every day.

No cake in three years.
No presents in three years.
No party in three years.
No family in three years.

I weep at these words as I type them.

I just took a moment to think about what I was doing in January of 2009 when Nana was born. Wow. I just surprised myself. I remember clearly that in January 2009, my husband and I decided that we would add another child to our family. In October 2009, we had Logan. Wow. What a significant connection to me.

My Christmas Warrior duties are over, but the need to advocate and raise funds for Nana is not. I am going to ask, once again, for donations to Nana's fund. Celebrate her birthday with me. Give her the gift that she so deserves. A family. I yearn for this to be her last birthday as an orphan. I pray that next January her family will throw her an amazing 4th birthday party that will make up for all of the birthdays that she spent in the orphanage...not even knowing that it was a special day.

I have faith. Sometimes its only that of a mustard seed. But I have faith.

Happy Birthday Nana. You are loved. I hope that you feel that love someday. I pray that you meet your Mommy and Daddy soon.

If you are able to, will you give Nana a birthday present this month? A $5 present. A $10 present. A $20 present. A prayer that this will be her last birthday as an orphan.

Please visit Nana's page here and give if you are able to. I would love to see her grant grow over $4000, over $5000 or more. What a way to celebrate her birthday and her life.

Blessings,

We Did It!!!

I just had to update everyone on the progress of fundraising for Nana! The $1000 goal has been exceeded and $1295 has been donated for her since November 1!!! I do not know all of the donors, but I am so thankful and pray that they are blessed for giving. If you helped achieve this goal either through giving, sharing or praying...thank you so much!

I have been blown away by watching amazing things happen with Reece's Rainbow over the past two months. There has been a lot of money raised to help these children become part of a family and the greatest part is that as of today 15 of these children have families who are committed to bringing them home!

I have to say that I was nervous when I signed up to raise funds for Nana. Everyone knows that I keep my plate very full and this year it has been overflowing. However, I feel like I am blessed beyond measure and my eyes are truly open to the importance of giving back. Because the Lord has opened my eyes and my heart to these children, I am a changed woman. I honestly think about these children every single day and I believe (and hope) that will not change - ever. I will always think of and pray for and advocate for these children. They are all good and perfect gifts who are blessed with 47...just like Logan and they deserve a family and a chance to develop to their full potential...just like Logan. 

If you donated to Nana or any other child please know that I am so thankful and I am praying that you be abundantly blessed for caring for the orphan as we have all been commanded to do. The fundraising for these babies will likely never end since everyone cannot see the blessings of Down syndrome the way that many of us do. It does not end here as countless children still remain in orphanages. The Angel Tree fundraising continues through December 31st, but the need for funds will be ongoing.

I don't plan to stop fundraising now that we have exceeded the goal. If you meant to donate or feel a desire to do so now, please click here and select Nana or any other child that tugs at your heart.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for making a difference!

Blessings,

And the winners are...

Thank you to everyone who participated in my giveaway! I was touched by those who donated and we ended up at $620 at the close of the giveaway. I even had a 13 year old girl donate $10...how sweet is that??

Remember that the first name drawn will get to choose their prize and so on. So here goes (I'm drawing names as I type)...

1st winner...Dana Jakubczak Ewer
2nd winner...Dawn Kaufman
3rd winner...Kari Blenderman
4th winner...Caryn Carroll
5th winner...Emma Haltom

Congratulations to all of the winners!!! Please take a look at the prizes and let me know what your first choices are. Dana gets to pick her prize first!! If I don't know you personally, please send me a message with your address as well so I can ship your prize out right away!!

If you would like...Dana please start by commenting on this post so everyone will know what prize you selected and so on.

Thank you all again for participating. It means the world to me and it means even more to Nana!!

God's Blessings to you all!

Christmas Video

Friends ~ In case you wonder why I am raising money for Nana or why it is important to me to care about these sweet orphans with Down syndrome across the world ~ I would be honored if you would watch this video. If you are touched or moved at all by the beautiful images you see here please consider donating to Nana's Angel Tree fund or to any of the children that you see here. This video shows the beautiful side of what can happen when adoption funds are available. Some of these children need a family and you can see some that have been rescued and now know the love of a family. Many do not end up with such smiles on their faces. Trust me, there are other videos...that you should see, but probably don't want to.

To donate to Nana or any other child please click here. Don't forget that I have a giveaway going on until Sunday. To read more about it, please click here.

Blessings,

Fundraiser GIVEAWAY Announcement

I am extending the fundraiser through Sunday in hopes of 

reaching my goal of $1000 for Nana!! 

I am more than half way there with only $410 needed to reach $1000. 

Please consider donating and enter to win one of these prizes!

Your generosity and kindness will make a difference

in this little girl's life!!!

I am so excited to announce a giveaway for Nana's adoption fundraiser! It's the holiday season so we could all use a chance to win great prizes and help to save an orphan too! All of the orphans listed here deserve to have a forever family rather than a short life in a mental institution.

If you donate to Nana's Angel Tree here (make sure to click on "Angel Tree" and donate to Nana for it to go toward the Angel Tree Fundraiser) or share this post with your friends you will be entered into a drawing to win one of these great prizes:

Kodak ZX3 Playsport Waterproof 1080p HD Video Camera

With 4x Digital Zoom & HDMI Connectivity!

You choose the color (blue or black)
This is a factory refurbished camera

   Super Soft Fleece Hello Kitty Blanket 

56" x 42" 

Super Soft Fleece Cars Blanket

56" x 42"