Merry Christmas to you! 50% off!

OK friends! This week all the items in my Christmas Fundraiser are 50% off!!! What? Yes!!

 Check it out!! 

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2699796531052.152480.1140827312&type=3

Luke's Christmas

Even though Luke doesn't have his own family this Christmas he is living in China with an amazing group of people. Luke is very fortunate to be at Shepherd's Field Children's Village where the family style homes create a loving and caring environment for their 80+ children. 


This week Shepherd's Field has been celebrating Christmas with the children. Fun! 

Smiling for the camera while decorating the houses for Christmas.

Luke with the Samaritan's House residents.

Cute smile Luke! 

Luke with his best buddies Adrian and Shane.

(Aren't they cute!?)

Luke with his new housemates at Zachary House. 

(He was recently moved to another house on the compound 

to make room for new babies with heart problems). 

Luke with one of his Christmas presents. 

So excited to get a toy car!

Adrian, Luke, Kennedy and a staff member Sara

(Showing off their presents, new stuffed puppies and cars!) 

I absolutely love seeing the joy on Luke's face this Christmas! I am so happy that he is able to experience that joy and be with his precious friends in a warm loving home! 

However he still needs a family of his own! What child doesn't deserve the priceless love of a mother and father and siblings? 

I'm prying that next Christmas Luke will have a family!

Will you join me in prayer for Luke? 

This wouldn't be possible without the support of the child sponsors! Please consider sponsoring a child (or more than one) this Christmas! What a blessing they will be in your life! Please go here to sponsor a beautiful child at Shepherd's Field in China. There are at least 50 children who still need sponsors!

*pictures by Jamie, Sara Z., and Timothy Baker (Thank you!)

New Items Added to My Fundraiser!

Can't eat cookies? Don't need any more ornaments? Then, check these handmade canvases out!

Ornaments Canvas (10x10)

Price: $10

Shipping (*if not local): $5 

*If local: I will gladly deliver it to you personally if you would prefer. :)

Snowman Canvas (8X8)

Price: $10

Shipping (*if not local): $5 

*If local: I will gladly deliver it to you personally if you would prefer. :)

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2699796531052.152480.1140827312&type=3

Missing It...

"Though you may leave Africa, Africa will never leave you. It's a very specific relationship that way, one endlessly rich in its specificity." 

Jesus Friend of Sinners

November Is Over!?

November was National Adoption Awareness Month. If you read  this post you know that I (along with so many other people) participated in the "Pray Down the Number @ 1:47 pm" Event. And it was even more amazing that I thought it would be!! Each day I chose an orphan or an adoptive family (or anything to do with orphans around the world) and lifted them up to the Father. It wasn't hard at all to think of someone or something each day. Each day it seemed that God would put a child a family or a subject in my head and I went with that. It was an honor to pray for them during the whole month of November. The fact that I wasn't alone in praying each day was also a great encouragement. There are 176 people in the facebook group and even if all of them weren't actually praying at the same time it was still amazing to know that each one of them was lifting up orphans all over the world at some point each day. This was an awesome event and I can't wait to participate next year! God really moved, prayers were answered, and God showed up in these lives. 


Just for fun, here is the list I kept:  
(You may or may not recognize some of these names) :)

1st: Liberty and William
2nd: JJ and family
3rd: Will Perry and Ankerich family
4th: Blossom (SFCV)
5th: Luke (SFCV)
6th: Older orphans who struggle with depression
7th: Sharon (SFCV)
8th: Grady (SFCV)
9th: Ruby and Saunders family
10th: Kennedy (SFCV)
11th: Josiah's family (SFCV)
12th: Smith Family (and Derrick)
13th: Stella (Uganda)
14th: Jordyn and Rist Family
15th: Henry (Uganda)
16th: Kira LaTorre
17th: Brookie Leahy
18th: Kayley's sisters
19th: Josh and family (SFCV)
20th: Stoiber family
21st: Joseph (SFCV)
22nd: Phiona's work with orphans
23rd: Orphans in Uganda
24th: Orphans in China
25th: Orphans in Russia
26h: Orphans in India
27th: Orphans in USA
28th: Kiraboo Seeds
29th: Esther and Stonebrook family
30th: Older orphans left behind

*(SFCV)= Children from Shephard's Field Children's Village

Pure Love Giveaway

This Giveaway is absolutely amazing! There are 20 awesome prizes, nothing worth less than $10!! And the best part is every bit of the money raised goes to making 2 less orphans!! How great is that?? 

Cyber Monday Deal!

Check out this post for an awesome deal on the "Send Me" Christmas Fundraiser!!

Fill Their Stockings

A few details on how our “Fill Their Stockings” event will run…

- Suggested donation is $5. More entries will be assigned based on size of donation. But if you don’t have $5 to donate, that’s okay too… An Orphan’s Wish will be blessed by any amount you would like to give. To enter without donating, leave your name, email and mailing address in a comment on this post.

- To donate, simply use the button below and you’ll be directed to AOW’s PayPal page. All donations go directly to An Orphan’s Wish.

- You must have a shipping address in the US to win.

- The Brave Love Necklace giveaway will end at 11:59 PM EST on Tuesday, November 29th. The winner will be chosen at random from all entries and announced shortly thereafter.

So be sure to check back soon – not only see if you’ve won, but to see what delicious donation is going to be featured next. New items will be posted here every Monday, Wednesday and Friday through December 23rd.

Go to Stephanie's blog to see the first prize: 

It's Cyber Monday!

I'm extending the Black Friday sale through today for Cyber Monday! 


As you know I've started a fundraiser to raise funds for my Training with YWAM next fall. And I have some awesome handmade items for sale. 

                 Check out my last post or my fb photo album to look through all the items for sale. 

*Cyber Monday Deal*

25% off any one item

*Offer is only valid through midnight tonight. Only for followers! (If you are not one yet, you can do so). Message me (or leave a comment) letting me know what items you want and which one you want the deal on. Once you get a confirmation message back from me, you can purchase it. Payment is through paypal (you will see my paypal button at the top of this page). 

Thanks!! 

"Send Me" Christmas Fundraiser

This is my first fundraiser for the YWAM Missionary Training School I will be attending next fall. All proceeds go towards my tuition and outreach costs. This is a 6 month training course focusing on children at risk around the world. For 3 months I will be learning in a classroom setting (in Wisconsin) and for the remaining 3 months i'll be overseas (Asia or Africa) doing outreaches with my classmates. 

Please consider purchasing any of these awesome handmade ornaments or the delicious cookie and brownie mixes. Under each picture you will find the prices. If you're interested in purchasing any of these items please leave a comment or shoot me an email letting me know what you want. 

(Beach Ornament)

Price: $5 

Shipping: $2

(Stars and Ribbons Ornament)

Price: $3 

Shipping: $2

Mixes in a Jar

(Availible: Oatmeal Raisin Mix, Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix, and Brownie Mix)

Price: $10

Shipping: $5

(Pictured: Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Mix)

Payments are made through PayPal (you'll find the "donate" button on my sidebar). 
[Although, I will take checks if need be.] 

All items are made to order so please allow 1-2 days for processing (and 3-5 days for shipping). 

Please let me know if you have any questions!

Thanks so much for your support! I am so excited for this next phase of my life! I have no doubt that God will provide, because He always equips those He calls. If you are not able to participate in this fundraiser for whatever reason, it's totally OK. I'll be working on many more over the next 10 months. 


Isaiah 6:8
"...'Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?' And I said, 'Here am I. Send me!'"

Giveaway!!

These are awesome pendents! You can win one here:

http://k6comehome.blogspot.com/2011/11/beautiful-pendantsfor-purpose.html

Time For Fundraising

As most of you now know I am moving to Wisconsin next September to take part in Discipleship Training School with YWAM!! I am so excited, but of course the anxiety is setting in now that it is official! I know I totally need to be trusting in God for provision, but at some points my flesh shows up and reminds me I have a lot of work to do. 

It's true I have a lot of money to raise and a lot to think about and plan before next fall, but I know God will provide! He always has before! 

So, as I prepare to begin my own fundraisers I wanted to ask for some insight from my readers. If you will let me know what fundraisers worked and what didn't work for you or someone you know. All comments appreciated! 

I am working on a few ideas for Christmas. 
So, be watching for them in the next few days.

Thanks. 

Who doesn't love a giveaway?

And one for an adoption is even better! 


Check out this blog and participate in this FREE giveaway. 

Here's the scoop:

"We need to broaden our blog readership in a big way.   So we want to reward you for helping us.  This package - 1 of our custom adoption t-shirts, 1 copy of Matt's book "When You Come Home" and one copy of "Lovesongs and Lullabyes" can be yours!  Here's how.

1 chance for simply becoming a follower on our blog
1 chance for doing a facebook post referencing our blog
2 chances for putting our blog button on your blog
2 chances for sharing on your blog

Please email us at mmeadors23@yahoo.com or send us a facebook message to let us know you've done these things so we can give you credit.
We will be randomly selecting a name on November 14.  Let's get this party started!"


*from M. Meadors blog

I Heart Faces

Photo Challenge// Black

http://www.iheartfaces.com/

Changes Part 2

If you read my post Changes back in September, you know there is some big news I was waiting to share! WELL, Saturday I received the email I've been waiting for! 

I was out with my sister at the mall when I looked down at my phone and saw that I had a new email. After seeing the title I knew I didn't want to open it just yet. I wanted to wait until I got home and was by myself so that I could focus on it. 

When I lost my job (and also graduated college) back in August I really started to think about what was next for me. Even though losing my job was really hard, God was teaching me a lot through it. One of those things being I needed to focus on my next step for Him. Ever since I came back from Africa last year I knew I wanted to do more mission work. And I knew I wanted to do something more long term, because that's what I felt God leading me towards. So, as I was thinking about my next steps God suddenly put YWAM on my heart. I looked it up and got as much info as I could. I soon found a link to a "Children at Risk Discipleship Training School" that I really liked. So, after thinking it over for a couple days I decided to apply. 

As I said I got an email Saturday that confirmed that I was accepted! YAY! 

Next September is when I go! It is located in Madison, WI (which just happens to be very close to William and his family!). This is a 6 month program (3 months in Madison, 2 months overseas, and holiday breaks). 

Here's the breakdown: 

"The Children at Risk Discipleship Training School will focus on the needs of children around the world and the issues that put them at risk — sex trafficking, poverty, AIDS, abuse, child soldiers, and broken families. We will also focus on the heart of God who promises to be a “Father to the fatherless, who sets the lonely in families.” (Psalm 68:5,6)

For three months, we will examine strategies to help these kids and pursue ways to assist poor communities around the world. And then we will go, spending two months overseas. Past Children at Risk DTSes have gone to India,Thailand, Myanmar, Uganda and Kenya. On outreach, we will work with street kids, AIDS orphans, slum communities, sex slaves and refugees, as well as reach out to people of all ages through evangelism."

For more info visit these websites: 

http://www.ywammadison.org/dts/

http://www.ywammadison.org/dts/kids-at-risk/

Win an ipad 2!

Consider donating to this awesome giveaway for a family who is adopting a 5 year old girl from Eastern Europe (she has CP and is running out of time at the baby home).

Donate and share this blog with others and you will be entered into the giveaway for and ipad 2 and many other amazing prizes (artwork, a mini camera, etc.).

http://textgeorge.blogspot.com/2011/08/seeing-stars-first-huge-giveaway.html

Cry of the Orphan 2011-Jim, Yolanda and Baby Jayne

Cry of the Orphan 2011 - Jim, Yolanda and Baby Jayne from Hope for Orphans on Vimeo.

Orphan Sunday Live Event Tonight!!

Looking for a good way to spend this Orphan Sunday night? You should totally watch this Live Webcast!! This is an annual event and I really look forward to it every year! Here are the details from the website:

http://orphansunday.org/live-event/

"Join David Platt, Jedd Medefind, the Desperation Band’s Jon Egan, members of the IHOP team and Christian leaders from around the globe via LIVE from Kansas City! This one-hour webcast event will unite believers worldwide in GUIDED PRAYER for the fatherless and WORSHIP led by IHOP’s Jon Thurlow and Jon Egan. LIVE from Kansas City will be webcast live on this webpage on Orphan Sunday, November 6, 2011 at 6 PM Central Time."

So excited for this!! Starts in 15 minutes!! 

If you happen to miss it, I am sure it will be up online at some point after tonight. I'll post details for sure when I find out. 

Happy Adoption Awareness Month!

For those of you who don't know, November is 

Adoption Awareness Month. 

There are several things we can do to "celebrate" it. 

I came across Gwen's blog a few days ago and was really impressed by her idea! 

There are about 147 million orphans in the world today! That is a huge number and if you are like me you want to do something about it! 

Anything. 

Well, here's our chance:

For the whole month of November (sorry this is a few days late) we are going to "pray down the number". 

At 1:47pm everyday this month people all across the world will be joining in prayer for orphans. 

Here is how Gwen explains it:

"Where ever you are just stop and lift up orphans to the FATHER - pray for friend's adoptions, pray for the orphan who is hungry, pray the for the orphan that is sick, pray for the families sitting on the fence about adoption, pray for orphan/adoption ministries, pray for those serving orphans, ... WHATEVER GOD LAYS ON YOUR HEART ABOUT THE FATHERLESS - pray pray pray!!!"

"Put in on your calendar, make it an appt. on your phone, write it on your hand, put a sticky note on your mirror or do them all ... LET'S ALL STAND TOGETHER, WATCH OUR FAITH GROW AND THE NUMBER GO DOWN!!!"

You can also join the facebook group:

"1:47 pm- Pray Down the Number [147 Million Orphans]"

If you will please join with me in this challenge! And leave a comment so that I know! Thanks!

(I'm going to be keeping a list of who or what I pray for everyday this month and sharing it here at the end of November. 

Feel free to do the same!)

"The orphan crisis is not a quick fix, but a long hard journey with the LORD trusting him and loving his people !!!"

Welcome To Shepherd's Field Children's Village

What to learn more about Shepherd's Field Children's Village? 

(The foster home my sponsor children Luke and William live/lived.)

Check out this awesome video!

Welcome to Shepherd's Field Children's Village from Christina Tsuei on Vimeo.

Stella Update

Back in June Tonya LaTorre traveled to Uganda to do mission work with an orphanage and a school in Kampala. She took care packages to the children from their sponsors and get updated pictures and information. She also was able to meet with each child at school and go to each of their homes to meet with their family.

I got these pictures in the mail a few weeks ago and I was so excited to see all of them! Stella looks to be doing really well and she is smiling big in all the pictures. I am so glad she liked all the little things I sent her. I love shopping for other people, so it was so much fun to get to see her reaction in these pictures. 

Here are the pictures that Tonya took:

Stella with her beautiful smile

This must be the teacher or head master of Stella's school

Opening the care package I sent for her

Her new shirt

Look at that smile! She sure is letting her love shine!

Her new dress

Opening her birthday present

Stella holding up the pictures I sent her

The sign for Stella's school

Stella's neighborhood

The house Stella lives in with her sister and nephew

Stella's sister

Stella's sister and nephew

Stella also wrote me a letter (with a cute little drawing). It is such a joy to hear from her and know that she is doing well and enjoying her time at school. I am so excited to get to know her better through future letters. 

Stella you are loved! 

I am praying and thinking of you often!

Your sponsor sister, 

Sharon