Pampered Chef Fundraiser

Just a few updates.  This is a sticky post so scroll down for newer posts.

Pampered Chef party at my house TODAY  - December 3rd at 7pm.   

Please come and bring a friend if you want!

If you would like to order online, go to this site.  Please make sure that I'm listed as the hostess.  We will close this show on Monday 6 Dec

www.pamperedchef.biz/30mintdinr

Thank you for your help!  If you have questions, please ask!

Blessings

Leslie

Adoption

This has been a hard post for me to write.  I've been working on it for days.  I think sometimes I feel like it's not really something I should be talking about - adoption.  Its not like I've adopted, so who am I to talk?  I figure too though that there are probably a lot of people in the same position as me.  Even though I'm not adopting, I can still make a difference.  And so can you!

It's National Adoption Month.  Its being talked about in a lot of places now.  Adoption.  What does the word conjure up for you?  For many it is a word filled with emotion - exciting, frightening and overwhelming.  I think the sheer numbers alone overwhelm us.  147 million orphans.  Can you even wrap your head around that number?  I know I can't.



It hurts my heart to think of so many children without a mom and dad.  With no family.  I can't imagine how hard that must be.  I look at my own life and know how very much my own family has blessed me and helped to shape who I am.  They have given me hope, encouragement, courage and lots of love.  I've always been thankful for my family.  Learning about orphans though has given my thankfulness a whole new dimension.



I have learned recently that some people think we adopted Eliana.  (These are obviously new friends.)  I wasn't sure why until one friend said it was the bumper sticker on my car.  (One for Reece's Rainbow.)  Another friend said it was because I had talked about it.  (I love to advocate for Reece's Rainbow.)  In case anyone reading wonders - she isn't adopted.  As a sweet friends says, she is "home-grown".



Though Eliana isn't adopted, it was her life that opened my eyes to so many things - including the need for parents to adopt special needs kids.

I found Reece's Rainbow after Eliana was born.  We participated in the first Angel Tree the year she turned 1.  That was 3 years ago.  I've seen this ministry grow and flourish in that time.  It's truly exciting.

Still there is such great need.  For many families, money is all that stands in the way of them adopting.  Will you join me in praying for these children and the families working to bring them home?  If you are interested in finding out more, you can visit the Reece's Rainbow website.  Over the next month, I'm advocating for  Anya.  If you would like to donate to her fund, you can do so by clicking on the chip-in button in the right side-bar.  Any gift is tax deductible.

I truly want more people to know the joy of having a child with Down syndrome in their lives.  I remember being so scared of the diagnosis at first.  I wish I had known then what I know now.



I know though that I had to learn it myself - and some of it through great trials.  Her first year was filled with so many challenges.  And yet, the joy is also unmistakable.  I've learned to slow down and to let go.  I've learned to look at things differently.  I know I have much yet to learn.



Her eyes.  It was that feature that first told me that my daughter had Down syndrome.  I didn't know when I first gazed at her eyes, that mine would be changed.  I didn't know all that was in store for me.  I had no way to know of the joy that was to come.



If you want to read a poignant and stirring blog post on adoption, please visit No Greater Joy Mom and her post called Reckless Abandon.

I want these children around the world to know the joy of a home.  Of a family.  Of kisses from a mom as she tucks them in bed.  Of hugs from a Daddy that help them feel secure.  Every child needs to be loved.  Every child has gifts to give.  Every child is a blessing.  Please join me in praying for these children that need a family.

Blessings

Leslie

Answered prayers

Its been almost 4 years ago since sweet Eliana joined our family.  I had no idea of all that was coming - but the name we chose for her might have been foretelling.  Her name means "My God answers with Joy".  I didn't see the answer to my many prayers for her right away, but God has opened my eyes and caused me to see things differently.  He took me through much pain and heartache during her rocky first year, but also gave abundant love, laughter and joy in order to mold and shape me in new ways.  To help me to understand His heart a little better.  To change my focus and priorities.  To live life with fewer worries and greater peace.  (Now, not that I've *learned* this and do it all well - it's a process!)

In 2007, as Eliana neared her first birthday, we became involved with Reece's Rainbow.  We gave money to sponsor a child on the Angel Tree as a gift to some of our family.  Little did I know of what was to come.  I watched as some of the children got families, but many more were still waiting.  In 2008, we chose another child to sponsor.  We chose a child with no money in her fund.  Someone that had not yet captured the hearts of her parents to be.  We chose "Tonya".



Rebecca started our fundraising by choosing to have all of her birthday presents that year be gift money given to Tonya.  We continued our tradition of giving to Reece's Rainbow in lieu of gifts for family.  The more we prayed for Tonya, the more our hearts grew to love her.  As her 4th birthday started coming closer, I began to panic.  I wanted her to have a family so badly.  I cried for her and prayed for her and pleaded for God to find her a family.

By the Fall of 2009, there was still no family for Tonya and we chose again to sponsor her for Christmas, though in reality, we had never stopped.  There is a long story in the midst of this that I'm not going to go into (but can point you to a post if you want the details).   In December 2009, a family came forward for Tonya.  I began writing to the Mom and she has become a sweet friend.  Once again, God's answer wasn't exactly what I had planned, but as time went on, I came to understand that His plan was best.

On September 17th, Tonya came home to be with her forever family.  Thank you God!!!  (This still brings tears to my eyes!)  I'd love for you to meet Totiana.



Isn't she just beautiful?



Oh I look forward to the day when I can give her a big hug!



She also came home with a precious little sister - Adalyn.



Could she be any cuter?!!!



I'm so grateful that God's plans for these beautiful girls was to join a wonderful family!  I'm so thankful for my sweet friend Nicole and her dh and their willingness to follow God's plan for their family.  I'm thankful too that I'm able to be her friend.  I'm thankful for the many pictures I've gotten of these two gorgeous girls.  I'm thankful for the opportunity to continue to pray for them.  I'm also really hoping that one day we'll all be able to meet in real life!

I still have prayers though that are waiting to be answered.  Sometimes God's timing can seem so slow, can't it?  Its only in hindsight that we can see that He is never late.  Sometimes we are even treated to seeing the "why" in difficult times to see that God has had us in His hands the whole time and that what we thought was for our harm was really a blessing in disguise.

This prayer isn't exactly new though.  It's just one waiting to be answered.  Would you join me in praying?  Meet Anya.



Last year we sponsored a fundraiser for Anya.  She is still waiting.  Waiting for someone to bring her home.  She is getting close to her 4th birthday.  Her birthday is just 2 days before Eliana's.  She is just a tiny little girl waiting for someone to hug her, put bows in her hair, kiss her sweet face and call her their own.

I've started a chip-in if you would like to donate to helping raise money for Anya's fund.  For many families, money is a huge barrier standing in the way of adoption.  I'd love to take this obstacle away - or at least make a dent in it!  If you contribute $35, you will receive an ornament with a photo of Anya on it.  This would make a great gift too!  You can pay via paypal through the chip-in in my sidebar which is completely tax deductible.  You can also send a check if you prefer.

I know this is a tough subject.  I know it is uncomfortable.  I also know it is a huge blessing to care for those that God loves so dearly.  I'd love to have you join me.  There are many more children on the Reece's Rainbow site if you want to visit and see more adorable children.  I know God has a plan for these little ones and my heart's desire is that each will be placed in a loving family.

Thank you for reading this far.  Please join me in praying.

Blessings

Leslie

And the winner is ...

For the accordian scrapbook



The winner is ...  REBECCA

For the numbers scrapbook



The winner is ...  KENDRA

Thank you to all who entered.  I'll try to get this to you as soon as possible!

Blessings,

Leslie

Scrapbook Giveaway for Tonya

For those of you who have known me (here or IRL for at least 6 months), you are familiar with precious Tonya.  She is a beautiful little girl living in an orphanage in Eastern Europe waiting for her forever family to come get her.  I started praying for her in the Fall of 2008.  Rebecca wanted to sponsor a child for her 13th birthday in lieu of getting gifts.  We looked over the pictures and chose Tonya.  She was getting older (3+) and there wasn't a family interested in her (that we knew of). 

Rebecca donated her money and we began to pray for her daily and to support her fund all in hopes of helping her to find a family.  As we did this over many months, we fell in love with this beautiful child.  While I had hoped that she might join our family, this was not to be.  Another precious family has committed to bring her home.  I'm blessed that Nicole (Tonya's mom) and I have gotten to know each other via email.  I'm thrilled to be able to be a small part of her life - and do hope that we'll be able to meet in real life one day! 

The Niemiec family has been working to raise funds to bring Tonya home.  This is a tough and daunting job as the cost of an adoption often costs $24,000 or more.  Will you join me in helping to bring Tonya home?  I know she will thrive and grow as a part of the Niemiec family.  They hope to be travelling soon to get sweet Tonya. 

Here are the rules for the giveaway.  If you would like to donate money to their fund, you can do so in one of two ways - chip-in or check sent in the mail.   

1.  You will be entered into the drawing 1 time for each $5 donation you make.  The minimum donation using chip-in is $10.  If you want to make a donation smaller than $10, please mail a check to the following address:

Reece’s Rainbow

PO Box 4024

Gaithersburg, MD 20885

The reason for this is that the paypal fees for donations under $10 is 30 percent!  We want as much money as possible going to help Tonya and not paid as fees!  If you do mail a check, would you let me know so that I can enter your name in the drawing?  Also please note that it is for Tonya for the Niemiec family

2.  If you share this giveaway on your blog or facebook page, you will get an entry for that too.  Just post a comment here letting me know what you have done that so I can enter your name.

3.  The giveaway will be open until June 30 at midnight! 

Any donation you make is tax deductible!

Now for the giveaway.  I'm going to be giving away TWO handmade scrapbook albums.  All donations will be entered into the drawing for both albums.

FIRST ALBUM - This is a three ring binder with 5 chipboard pages measuring 5.5 x 8.5.  The paper is a great outdoorsy collection with navy, greens and reds.  It is designed as a "counting" book.  You can count anything - birthdays, favorite somethings, Top 10 things you love about someone, the ideas are endless.  If you have others ideas and would like me to post them - please share. 

Here is the cover.  I would be happy to personalize it with whatever words you would like.



The first page in the album.  All of the pages have room for a photo and space for journaling (writing something down).



Following are pictures of the rest of the pages in the album.  If anyone has questions, please post them.  I haven't done anything like this before and could be easily overlooking a lot of details!



These would make great gifts!  I love giving small albums to people (filled with pictures) as a gift from my heart.









SECOND ALBUM - This is an accordian-style album with a front and back cover and six inside pages.  The paper is a cheerful collection of prints in red, garden green and buttercup yellow.

Here is the cover.

This is a view from the top.



Inside pages.





This is the back cover and the two pages on the back side of the album.  Not a great photo, but hopefully you can see a little bit. 



jkljkl

And the winner is ...

Well, first a little more information. 

Thank you to everyone who donated!  I'm thankful for each gift and am praying that it will be used to bless this little girl and to help her find a family.  The total amount of money raised in both the chip-in and in checks sent it was ...

$405

We are very excited!  We had wondered in the beginning if anyone would donate.  I know times are hard and there are so many needy and worthwhile causes.   (Can I share too that Rebecca donated over $100 - all the babysitting money she made this month.  Her first month of babysitting.  The first monies that she has earned.  All of it.  I love her heart.)

We put all the names in a bowl this morning for the drawing. 



There was a drumroll for special effect.



We had Eliana choose the name.  The winner is ...



Laura Kenkel! 

Congratulations!  I hope you'll enjoy it and we'll get it to you as soon as possible.  I wish that I could have given this to each one of you! 

Thanks again for your gifts.  Please say a prayer for little Anya and the many, many other orphans waiting for a family.

Blessings

Leslie

Necklace Giveaway - Ending soon!

There are a few more days left in the giveaway!  Please go to this post (or scroll down) to read more. 

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LeslieNelsen/760302/

Thank you to those who have posted and donated.  We do appreciate it. 

Here is the necklace we are giving away.  It was made by Rebecca.

We are donating all the money given to Anya, an orphan in Eastern Europe who needs a family.  We chose her because she needed someone to help raise funds for her.  She has been listed for over a year and has very little in her sponsorship fund. 



For more  pictures and the details of the giveaway, please go visit the previous post.   The giveaway will end on Janu 31 and we will draw a winner on Feb 1st.

We have started getting some snow tonight and the children are so excited!  I do hope that we'll get more in the night and that there will be plenty to play in tomorrow!

I also wanted to share a few pictures from our museum trip yesterday.  I didn't get many.  It was a crowded day there.  Isaiah was so good about helping Eliana to enjoy the exhibits.  I thought is was really sweet and cute too.



The children really enjoyed seeing the fish.  I love that they have it down low for a better view for the kids.



No words needed.  Just too cute!



Thank you!

Leslie

Beautiful Necklace Giveaway

All of us have things that move our hearts and spur us to act.  All of us have passions and things we feel like we need to do.  Since having Eliana and learning about the plight of orphans with Down syndrome, I've felt called to make a difference.  For our family, that has mostly involved lots of prayers and donating our money.  This month, we thought we would try something different. 

Rebecca has made a beautiful necklace to use in hopes of raising some money for Anya.  I know, the title says Giveaway.  You don't have to donate anything in order to be eligible to win.  We are hoping though that some of you will be encouraged to give just a little (or a more) in order to help this sweet girl find a family.

This is Anya.



We want to give her a chance to live in a loving home.  The cost of adoption holds back many families.  By helping to raise money for a grant for her, we hope this might encourage a family to step forward to make her their daughter.  Won't you help us? 

Here is the necklace from several views.  I also wanted to show it on different backgrounds as well as some close-ups.   The lights sometimes reflects and catches it in different ways.  It is silver though it can appear gold in the photos.  Isn't it lovely!













Here are the rules:

1.  You will be entered into the drawing 1 time for each $5 donation you make.  The minimum donation using chip-in is $10.  If you want to make a donation smaller than $10, please mail a check to the following address:

Reece's Rainbow

PO Box 4024

Gaithersburg, MD 20885

The reason for this is that the paypal fees for donations under $10 is 30 percent!  We want as much money as possible going to help Anya and not paid as fees!  If you do mail a check, would you let me know so that I can enter your name in the drawing?

2.  If you share this giveaway on your blog or facebook page, you will get an entry for that too.  Just post a comment here letting me know what you have done that so I can enter your name.

3.  The giveaway will be open until January 31 at midnight! 

That's it.  Please help spread the word and prayerfully consider making a donation.  There is a chip in on the right side of my blog in the sidebar.  Thank you!

If you have questions about this, please post them.  This is my first time doing this and I've probably missed something big. 

If I'm slow in answering, I"ll get back to you as soon as I can.  I will be taking some of the children this week-end to a Family Diabetes Retreat while Roger is home with the rest of them.  We are excited about this opportunity and I'll share more when we return.

Blessings

Leslie

New Year Warrior - Anya

I know, I posted just a couple of days ago that I was going to post new info on Ashleigh.  Well, I do have information to share on Ashleigh ...

a family has committed to her!!!

So very exciting and what an answer to prayer!  Since she has a family now fundraising for her, we are going to turn our efforts to another little girl.  Anya.  She is in the same orphanage as Ashleigh. 



Isn't she cute?  I've been told that she received money during the Angel Tree last year and again this year, but nothing in between.  Her grant is small and we would love to do what we can to change that!

Anya just celebrated her 3rd birthday.  Just two days before our little Eliana.  Here is the information listed on the reecesrainbow site about Anya.

Girl, Born December 14, 2006

 

Anya is a pretty little girl with unique facial features.  She was born with a minor defect of  interventricular and interatrial septum.  A family visiting with her felt she may have some autistic tendencies, but it is also possible she has adual diagnosis of Moebius Syndrome.  We are trying to confirm this.  http://www.faces-cranio.org/Disord/Moebius.htm

There is no blood test to confirm Moebius, so it is diagnosed on clinical symptoms such as a lack of facial expression

and a uniquely shaped nose. 

 

I've posted a new chip-in in my sidebar if you would like to donate.  All money will go directly to Reeces Rainbow and is tax deductible.  Rebecca has made a lovely necklace that we will be posting about in a few days that we hope to use to raise some money. 

 

 

Please join me in praying for Anya and the others like her that would love to be living in a home with a family.  Please consider helping to make a difference in the life of this little girl.  Due to paypal fees we've been asked that donations be at least $10.  Sorry about that.  If you would like to donate a smaller amount you can do that by sending a check.

 

Reeces Rainbow

P.O. Box 4024

Gaithersburg, MD  20885

 

 

Thank you!

Leslie

He said No

I can't tell you how long I've dreamed of a different title to a post - "He said YES!".  I've hoped, waited and prayed for this for over a year. 

Last fall, while looking at the Reece's Rainbow site, Rebecca and I were looking for a little girl to sponsor.  One that didn't have much, if any, money in her grant fund and one that needed support and prayers.  We chose Tonya.



I loved the picture of this spunky-looking little girl.  She was already past 3 years of age and could be sent to an institution to live when she turned 4.  I really believed she needed someone to commit to her by Christmas.  I began praying for her daily, faithfully. 

I should mention that I've been interested in adopting for awhile and especially since we were blessed with Eliana.  Even a year ago, I dreamed of adopting a little girl with Down syndrome.  I must confess though that I probably wouldn't have picked Tonya because I though I'd like someone younger than Eliana.  It's funny what prayer will do to your heart though.  The more I prayed for Tonya, the more I began to fall in love with her.  I know it must sound silly to some of you reading and I can't explain it.  She feels like a daughter of my heart. 

Last Christmas I so hoped that my gift might be a "yes" to adopting Tonya.  As time passed, I continued to hope, and dream and pray.  My prayers began in just wanting a family for her, but as time passed, I also greatly wanted the family to be ours.  I can just imagine her here playing with Eliana, sharing toys, crawling up into my lap and just being loved.

Fast forward to this Christmas.  There is a family adopting from the orphange in which Tonya lives.  They took new photos of her.



This created a great interest in Tonya and much money has been donated to her grant fund.  I knew in my heart that her huge grant would cause someone to come forward.  I still hoped and prayed it might be us. 

Roger has also been praying about this decision for a long while too.  This week-end, we really committed to pray.  We were both praying and asking for a sign from God to let us know what we should do.  I was honestly scared that there would be no sign.  I was frustrated that I'd been praying for over a year and He had done nothing!  I was afraid of what would happen to my heart if nothing happened. 

Over the week-end, we prayed and talked like we haven't done in a long time.  It was much needed for our marriage and sweet as well.  It was something that happened because of a little girl in a far away country that we have never seen.  She was able to do for us something that all of the trials and tribulations we have faced with our children could never do - draw us closer to each other and to God. 

On Sunday night, Roger thought we should adopt her.  Almost immediatly I became sick and stayed that way through the night and much of the following morning.  I felt better by afternoon after talking with a precious friend.  We knew we needed to decide quickly if we wanted the decision to be ours.  We decided to say yes!  I was elated!

I emailed to tell of our decision and we began to talk details.  We knew that Roger's age was a few months past the limit of the country's requirements.  We'd been told that was something that could be worked around.  Then I was asked if I had income and told that was also a requirement.  I was devastated.  Crushed.  Of course, my answer was no, no income.  I'm a stay at home mom.  Was there anything that could be done?  I was told that they would ask the officials in country and get back to us.  Another night of many prayers. 

I was confused (and in some ways still am).  I didn't sleep much and just spent a lot of the night praying.  I was also sick again.  I begged God that if this was not to be the path for us (adoption) that He would close the door.  It seemed an easy thing to me.  He could not allow us to have a loophole and we would know what His will was in the matter.  It seemed clear. 

Again today, many prayers.  Many.  Early this evening, we heard back.  They could work around the requirement!  Hope!  Is this the sign we had been asking for?  I knew that a no would mean that the adoption could never happen.  Was this the yes?

Time for more prayer.  Asking God for peace, clarity and wisdom.  Also asking for Him to give us the same heart.  This has been my prayer for so very long.  Years.  During all of this time of praying, I also came to realize that I had to give my desire for Tonya to God.  She is His.  He loves her more than I can even fathom. 

As we prayed we talked about things from all angles.  I know all of the many reasons that we shouldn't adopt. 

*We don't have the money - though the large grant would help so much!

*My/our plate is full with the many medical/special needs we are already dealing with.

*It would be hard for some of our family and friends and thus hard for us without their support.

As I prayed though, I was lead to a verse in 2 Timothy, where it states that God does not have a spirit of timidity, but one of love and power.  I thought of our fears and wondered if this was truly God cautioning us.

This is a huge decision.  A life-altering one.  We both wanted to do His will.  We both wanted to follow where He was leading.  We both wanted peace and to have the same heart.  I wish I could say that these prayers were all answered. 

As we prayed, I came to think that the door was opened due to the answer we got when it looked so very closed.  I know that God would bless us for stepping out in faith to follow.  I knew this would test our faith and would teach us much.  I was ready to commit.

When I turned and looked at Roger, I knew he was not feeling the same way.  He just said "I'm sorry." 

We told the children and Rebecca was also deeply saddened.  She has been praying for this little girl a lot too.  She has a heart much like mine. 

I would be lying if I said everything was fine.  I'm crushed and heartbroken.  For a brief time, we said yes and she was going to be our daughter.  I have hoped for this time for so long.  Something to be excited about, to look forward to. 

I'm thankful that there appears to be another family ready to adopt her.  I've prayed for this for a long time.  I'm not sure what God is going to do in our lives now.  My heart is feeling battered once again.  I feel crushed.  I'm thankful for the things He has taught me through this beautiful little girl.  My heart will never be the same for having prayed for and loved her. 

God bless you precious Tonya!  I know He loves you so much more than I do and that He has a plan for your life.  I'm thankful to have been a part of it.

With love

Leslie

All I want for Christmas ...

Have you heard this yet?  What do you want for Christmas?  If you have children, you've probably heard it or maybe even asked it.  It's not a surprising question.  When we are stumped we often want to know what will really please someone we love.  We want them to know that we hear their heart and understand.  It is a sweet thing to be known and understood. 

When I ponder on Christmas and gifts, I confess that it leaves me feeling a bit overwhelmed.  There are a lot of reasons - from money to time to even the need. 

When it comes down to my heart, there is really just one thing I want.  Now, before I list it, I don't want you to think that there aren't other things that I would be thankful to have or even see as a need.  There are those things too.  (A chair that need to be replaced before it falls apart, carpet that needs cleaning, a gift card to Panera to enjoy a little treat, etc.)  I would glad give up all that and more for just one thing. 

Those that know me well, will see this as no surprise. 

I want this precious little girl, Tonya, to have a family.  (And yes, I would love for it to be ours!)

I want her to know how much she is loved by someone who will wrap their arms around her and hold her tight.  I want to her feel kisses on her face and tickles on her toes.  I want her to see the joy and love for her in the eyes of parents and siblings.  I want her to have a family.

I've prayed for this little girl for over a year.  During that time, I've fallen in love with her - as much as one can from just a picture and lots of prayers.  There have been many tears shed for her.  Why?  Well, her fate is grim.  She is already past her 4th birthday which puts her in line for a trip to an institution.  A place where she will receive no stimulation, no affection, nothing.  Most children die within the first year.  It is a horrible fate.  It makes me weep.  It is all because she has Down syndrome. 

There are many children like Tonya facing a similar fate.  Far too many.  She is just the face of an orphan for me.  Will you please consider doing something?  Would you consider making a difference in the life of this child? 

If you donate $35 (it is deductible on your taxes) to Reece's Rainbow, you will receive an ornament with a picture of Tonya (or any child you sponsor) on it.  It makes a lovely Christmas gift.  Think of those who really don't need "more" or those who have a heart that would be blessed knowing that you have given to a child in their name. 

***I've added a "chip in" to the right of this post in the sidebar of my blog.  If you would like to make a donation to Tonya, you can do it right there.  These are tax deductible donations as well.  Thank you for considering this.

For many families, the cost of adoption is prohibitive.  It costs about $24.000 for an international adoption.  It's not in the budget of most people I know.  Yet, I've seen families do it.  I've seen many trust God to raise the funds so that they can make a difference.  I know I might not be able to make a difference to all these children, but maybe I can make a difference in the life of one child. 

For those who may be wondering, we are prayerfully considering what God is asking of us.  We would love for you to join us in praying for a clear sign of what God wants us to do.  We know that He has called us to care for orphans and there are many ways to do that from giving money to praying to adopting.  Just waiting to find out if God is willing to send us. 

Blessings

Leslie