More Christmas Shopping and a Giveaway!!!

My gal pal, Elizabeth, is very creative.  She has some really cute things over at Elizabeth Engelhardt Creations (click here or the button on left hand side to go there).  She is awesome and has a heart of gold for the orphan as well as the trafficked.  She is selling bookmarks grab bag style, for $5, baby books, scrapbook pages, as well as a homemade cards.  If you live in the Austin area, she will be happy to do cakes or cupcakes for you.  Check out her line of products today!!!

On top of all that selling, this precious one is doing a giveaway of an Advent Calendar as well as ALL 4 of Tom Davis's books.  How exciting is that?  To add to it, Mr. Davis, has signed them all!!!  So, go here, and get in on the action!!!  Help Elizabeth bless the Indian Rescue Mission  through Children's Hope Chest.  It's all a good cause and think what treasures you are storing up in heaven!!! 

I will tell you, as we head into the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season, my family's heart is in a very different place.  The things that we desired last year, don't hold a light to what God is showing us this year.  The orphan, the widow, the desire to rescue a child from indescribable nonsense is where we are desiring to put our money towards.  So, please, pray, consider getting in on this giveaway. 

Blessings to you all today.
STWTHE,
Laurie

Just gave $100 away!!!

We are excited to announce that we gave our first $100 away to our fundraising family.  The Skoda Family is getting ready to leave this week for EE to get their daughter!!!  We are so excited about that.  What an amazing journey they have had.  Heartfelt and full of lessons.  God is faithful in His ways and His promises.  So, we would appreciate you all covering their journey in prayer as they prepare the next few days to travel.  That hearts will be prepared both here at home and at the other end of that plane ride, for smooth court dates, for travel, for safety for their children and those taking care of them as well as for mom and dad as they are away, for favor in every situation and anything else you can think of.  I know they will appreciate all of the prayers. 

Thank you all for buying and participating in this event.  I loved doing for them and am thankful to all of you who helped by purchasing.  Many hands made the work light.  May God bless all of you for it!!!

STWTHE,
Laurie

Fabrics for the Girl's Bucket Bag

These fabrics are ONLY for the bucket bags.  As most of them are remnants there is not enough for the purses you see on the other pages.  Buy a bag and help bring a little girl home and just maybe you will get your favorite combo!!!  These bags are reversible so you can have two different looks for the price of one!!!  How's that for economical?  They are great for birthdays and Christmas gifts for the girls in your life.  You can use the bag as a gift bag that can be used everyday!!!!  It can be used as a small bible bag (depending on the size of your Bible - my youngest daughter uses it with one of hers). 

REMEMBER:  $5 of every bag bought goes to the Skoda Family!!!

You can use the chip in up at the right hand corner and leave the Skoda's name in the message to me or leave me a comment with your info and I will contact you with my info if you want to pay by check.  All comments are moderated and I WILL NOT post your info on this blog.  Your info is safe with me.

Thank you for blessing this family and us!!!  GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!!

STWTHE,
Laurie

Reversible Bucket Bags Fundraiser

I have a friend who is adopting a little angel from EE.  Looks like they will be traveling sometime in November.  They are trying to raise the funds to go get their angel girl.  You can go here and read their story.

So, here's the deal....

For every bucket bag sold at $8.00, I will give the Skoda's $5.00.  You will not get to pick your bag.  It will be the first one that is pulled out of a bag that you will recieve.  If you have bought a tacky headband from Because Every Mother Matters then you know what I am talking about.  :)  I will eventually have some pictures of the ones made so you will know what  I have available.  I love these little bags.  They are perfect to use as an original gift bag.  The little girl who recieves this can have a purse as well as the goodies you decide to bless her with when you fill it. 

So, are you willing to help a family get to their little girl?  Jana has been waiting awhile now and so has the Skoda family.  It's been a  long road.  One that has tested their faith, yet they have not grown weary.  Can we help bless the socks off of this family?  Help them get to their daugher $5 at a time?  $5 really does make a difference. 

STWTHE,

Laurie

Quick update on Yulia and a little help needed

Most of you probably already know this but I'm sharing it anyway. Yulia (button over here to the right top of the page), now Julia, as found her forever family. They are working towards going to get her. God has not left her as an orphan. How cool is that? He heard the cry of two sweet women's hearts, moved on another and it was done!!! God is soooo Good and Amazing. I love to watch Him work and I love to see His people move to make a difference for His glory.

On another note, I have a friend who is needing some help. She's running a half marathon in 10 days and is seeking sponsors to raise funds to stop child trafficking through Children's Hope Chest. Her name is Elizabeth and has a heart for the LORD. She's looking for 224 people to donate $10. It's a great cause and she sure could use your help. You can click on the I run badge for... to the left to reach her blog, read about her effort and donate. Please consider helping her. You could help save a life!

Seeing The World Through His Eyes,
Laurie

Making progress

This wasn't the post I had in mind to do next but the truth is, I'm anxious, impatient and need to feel like I'm doing something. I need to feel like I'm moving towards a very large goal. So... Here I am. If you will notice at the top of this blog, there are a couple new pages you can visit. These are pages I'm hoping to fill with bags and purses and a few other things to help raise money for many things: adoption, to help stop child trafficking, water and feeding programs and who knows what else the LORD puts on our hearts. So check it out often. Just maybe you will find something for you or for someone else.

Seeing the World Through His Eyes,

Laurie

Ugandan Jewelry to help bring home a little China Treasure!!!

Ok, here is the last hoo-rah before my friends Holly and Tony go get their little Elaina in China. They have two and half weeks to get this stuff sold. Yes, you read that right TWO AND A HALF WEEKS!!!!! before they go to China to get this precious angel. I am soooooo excited. I have no words to express my enthusiasm!!! I am just giddy. All smiles for them!!!

So...

What can you do?

Go check out their stuff here. This will take you to her blog because she has a great post and some instructions for you if you are buying multiples. She of course has a link to all of the stuff that is available. All 199 pieces. (Ok, a few less than that because I did buy mine already!!)

Then be a jewel in this little girl's crown and purchase as much as your little heart desires!!! Even if it's a pair of earrings or a bracelet.

Next, blog about it!! Share it on facebook!!! Tweet it! Talk about it. What ever it takes to get this stuff sold so that they can get this girl home.

It's all so exciting to see as each family gets closer to getting their treasures home. So, share with me, so I can help spread the word. I love to help you all. Not just the ones I know personally. But all of you who are brining home little ones or big ones or any size and age between!!!!

Be blessed as you are a blessing!!!

Seeing the World through His Eyes,
Laurie

It's been awhile

I have to apologize for not keeping up with the blog. What's been going on here? Well, lots and nothing really.

We started school several weeks ago. It's going ok. We finally have all of our books so we are working out our schedule so that everyone has time with mom. There are days we all do it with a joyful heart as unto the LORD and there are days, well... not so much. Overall, I think we are getting into the swing of things once again and I am thankful for the opportunity, grace and mercy afforded me everyday to homeschool my kids. I love them dearly and wouldn't change this opportunity for the world.


On a personal note, God is pruning me some. I'm not quite ready to share what He's doing yet. To be honest, when GOD decides that it's time to do this, I shut down and let Him work. Let me just say, this one really hurts. I do want to share what I am learning and what God is doing, but I'm not ready to do so. The words have not formed, the concepts have not taken root in my heart yet and well, I just don't know if I can explain to you all of what God is saying to me. Well, that is except,"Be still. Wait. It's not time yet." That just plain ol' stinks like a rotten bag of potatoes (if you've never had the honor of smelling that - trust me it stinks!) Not to mention, be still, wait, be quiet, it's not time yet... all are really hard for me (and my dear man) to do these days. But it's all part of my family's prep time.

Question: Have you ever thought about your battle ground being holy ground? Now there's a thought to ponder if you have not.

There are many families out there doing fundraisers to bring home their little darlings from far away. Here are just a few:

Embracing the Least of these Kim and her family are working towards bringing home their little one. (Have to say I love this idea!! Will be buying at least one in the near future!)

Joy Unspeakable Selling Show Hope t-shirts to bring home their son - I so love t-shirts!! Really I do!!

Little Did I know Lisa has several things going on right now - coffee, handmade necklaces and an auction that ends tomorrow for one of three chances to win a t-shirt and book Red Letters by Tom Davis - there are a total of 3 sets so look for all three. Asking my dear hubby which coffe he wants (sorry Lisa, I am not a coffee drinker - but tea...that's another thing!) She and her three kiddos are waiting for their newest little darling.

Life A Bit Sweeter This link will take you to their fundraising page to donate or buy to bring home their daughter.

The Road Less Travelled are doing a Family Pack giveaway with a huge stash of stuff. It's amazing what's being given away. So check it out.

Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full-pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.
~ Luke 6:38, NLT

And I'm sure there are many more that I have forgotten but these are the ones running through my head right now.

I pray all is well in your world. (I think I needed this. To spread the word for others to help bring home their little ones. Ahhhh, like a breath of fresh air. That's God. :)

P.S. If you are following one of my inner circle girls over at a Purpose Driven Family, then you are in the know about Elaina!! If not, they have posted her picture on their blog or check out the Beading to China button above. They will be travelling very soon to get that sweet little angel. I so wish I was going with them. Congrats Holly. Praying for continued provision and God's amazing grace and comfort. Love you!!!
Breaking news: Ok, maybe not so much breaking news but me not checking my dear friend's blog before posting on mine. Holly and her hubby are going to meet Elaina on October 17th!!!! How exciting is that?!! I'm jumping up and down for them. I am so excited!!!! I really am!! I so love the way God works!!!


Seeing the world through His eyes,

Laurie

Ramblings for today

So what does a person mean when they say...
"I believe in God and the Bible but not in church and being called a Christian?". This was said by a person who claims to walk with Jesus. Doesn't that make you a Christian?

Why is it when you talk about orphans, adopting, child trafficking, or anything close to it, you are met with strange looks, a"that's admirable" statement, and become more of an outcast? I have more to say on this subject but will refrain because I'm a bit peeved about it.

Though it's still six weeks away, or close to it, why am I so nervous about going to T4A? I'm having trouble deciding on the break out tracks I want to take. They all sound so good. Not going? Should pray and ask God if you should be there.

Really not wanting to start school next week.

Life is good.

Have a blessed day!

Seeing the World through His eyes,

Laurie

PS do you remember that giveaway I told you about here? Well, if you didn't get in on it, you missed out. You could have won instead of me. I so didn't do any of it to win and never thought I would. I received it this past Monday and have had fun playing with it. It's definetly not something I would have bought for myself. Thanks again Lori for the opportunity to support you and your family in your journey to your son/brother. Head on over to here to check out their t-shirt sale. Cute Show Hope tees on sale.

Women, women and more women... and another fundraiser

So, Friday night. It was an experience. Not a bad one. Bella and I went to our church for our "Girlfriends Night". It was pink and frilly. Very frilly. It was loud. It was sparkly. All of that could be handled. It was A LOT of women in one room. FOUR HUNDRED AND FIFTY. Yes, 450 women in one room. Can you say,"OH MY!!!" It was a bit overwhelming. We had MRE's (meals ready to eat), bedazzled desert camo BDU's (as those of us in the "know" know- it was very much de-regulation),our own set of dog tags, pink and brown all around and again lots and lots of women. We laughed, we cried and we listened to music. For those military wives out there, you know we have our own version of American Idol. Well we got to hear last years winner, Lisa Pratt. It wasn't that hard to get her, since she is married to our associate pastor's son. She does have a beautiful voice and sang some really great songs. Did I mention all of the pink and frill? We gave a love offering to the Armed Services YMCA since that was our chosen charity to help make a difference in our community for this quarter. Over $2500 was given. Not to bad. Not sure if I will do it again, though our next one will be in December and the love offering will go towards a charity that fights against human trafficking!!! A cause that is near and dear to my heart. Again, did I mention the pink and frill and over the top bedazzle? I know! GET OVER IT ALREADY!

On another note, my dear friend Holly is asking for prayer and is doing a fundraiser through HIP MOM JEWELRY. There is some really cool stuff there. I absolutely love it. If you make a purchase, please, use the code MCDAN10 in the discount coupon area so this family will receive 30% of your order to help bring home their precious little one. I do love this stuff. Take a look. If there's nothing you would like then all we ask is that you pray. Prayer is sometimes more important than anything else we could offer up. Either way, they and you will be richly rewarded.

Have a very blessed day.
Seeing the World through His eyes,
Laurie

Great giveaway!!!

You have just a few days to get in on a great give away. A fellow blogger is giving away an iPad over at Joy Unspeakable. You can click on her button to the left. Lori and her family are raising funds to go and adopt their son in China. They are working hard to raise the funds quick. This guy is another who has been in the orphanage way too long.

The giveaway is on Monday, August 9th so hurry to get in on the action. Even if you don't want to get in on the action, go check out the things her kids say. Bella and I love to read about them. Those teen boys of hers say the most hilarious things. Her girls are pretty cute as well.

Again, click on the Joy Unspeakable button to the left to get in on a chance to win!!!

BTW A huge thanks to all of you who joined in on the first auction at Beading to China. It was a success. I know another one will be coming soon so keep checking out my friend Holly's blog.

In the spirit of bringing one more home and Seeing the World through His eyes

Laurie