Congratulations to our first prize winner, Kristina L.!!!!! She chose the $100 gift card as her prize.
2nd place is Jamie P. who wins the Keurig brewer and K-cups!
Thank you all for donating, praying and sharing about Sergei! His Angel tree fund is up to $2529! This brings his total adoption fund to $7925!!!!!!! That is such a good start for a family when they decide to commit to him! Please keep praying that his family will step forward soon!
Have a Merry Christmas!
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Soar
I had some thoughts a few days ago about Isaiah 40 in the Bible, where it says "But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles." I had always interpreted this to mean a restful time of being carried by God, similarly to ,"he lays me down in green pastures and leads me beside still waters" (paraphrase of Ps.23).
One place I have recently been experiencing this is with a mom named Julia and her Passed Over Babes giveaway HERE. Chad and I had a sum of money that we had been saving up for a few months in order to donate to Sergei during the Reece's Rainbow Angel Tree fundraising event. I desperately wanted Sergei's adoption fund to be large so that somebody would be encouraged to adopt him without the fear of having to raise the full $20,000. I had prayed and prayed about how best to use that money to draw awareness and money toward this small boy.
What if I flopped?!
Me on the metaphorical ground.
My money blown away into the ocean.
Me on the ground.
Birds soaring.
Money wasted and cast upon the water.
Well, God sees things differently! Ha! He wants me to soar!
13 Passed Over children sitting in an orphanage rotting while their picture is hanging on someones tree. 3 more years of being overlooked and unwanted.
Well, her fundraiser has raised over $5000 in 9 days! Talk about a good return on an investment!!!! We cast our money upon the water and it has surely returned to us in the form of helping Sergei plus 12 other children! People are seeing their faces. People are giving to them. People are praying for families for these children. There is NO WAY my little blog could have drawn so much visibility to so many children. There is NO WAY I could have made my initial sum of money grow exponentially!
I started with ONE lump of money and a heart for ONE orphan. God turned that money into a huge lump of money that is helping 13 children. 
Well, my new thoughts were that in order to ever soar on wings like eagles, a person must first fly.
In order to fly you first have to jump off a cliff!
In order to experience the exhilaration of flying and the peace of soaring you have to accept the possible terror of plunging to the ground, of being whipped off course by the wind and of not knowing where you are.
Trusting God with both joy and heartache.
In order to fly you first have to jump off a cliff!
In order to experience the exhilaration of flying and the peace of soaring you have to accept the possible terror of plunging to the ground, of being whipped off course by the wind and of not knowing where you are.
Trusting God with both joy and heartache.
When I really thought about this, I felt scared. I don't like life dramas. I really can do without any sort of drama in my life, both terrifying and exhilarating. I'd be perfectly content to walk along on a flat surface my whole life and have things be "all right", rather than risk exposure to the bad parts (this is because we've had such a difficult 3 years and I never want to experience that again).
But I think God wants us fly for Him. To jump off the metaphorical cliff and risk falling to experience the peace and exhilaration of soaring in Him, on wings of eagles.
But I think God wants us fly for Him. To jump off the metaphorical cliff and risk falling to experience the peace and exhilaration of soaring in Him, on wings of eagles.
One place I have recently been experiencing this is with a mom named Julia and her Passed Over Babes giveaway HERE. Chad and I had a sum of money that we had been saving up for a few months in order to donate to Sergei during the Reece's Rainbow Angel Tree fundraising event. I desperately wanted Sergei's adoption fund to be large so that somebody would be encouraged to adopt him without the fear of having to raise the full $20,000. I had prayed and prayed about how best to use that money to draw awareness and money toward this small boy.
Julia had recently written on her blog that she regretted not having extra funds to buy prizes in order to hold a big fundraising giveaway for the orphans on the Angel Tree. The idea popped into my head to donate our money (our hard earned, good-sized sum of money! Yikes!) to Julia. Julia, who has a widely read blog. Julia, who has an untempered passion for orphans as well as for Jesus. If I gave her my money, perhaps she could use it to raise money for Sergei along with other orphans of her choosing.
Here came all my doubts. My rational fears against jumping off the cliff. It felt like a huge risk. I've read Julia's blog for almost two years, yet I didn't know her in real life. She seemed famous to me in the cyber orphan arena. Why would she even respond a complete stranger? Should I donate the whole amount, i.e. put all my eggs in one basket? What if her fundraiser didn't even break even with the amount of money we put in? What if Sergei's fund didn't increase and every other childs' did?
What if it flopped?
What if I flopped?!
Me on the metaphorical ground.
My money blown away into the ocean.
Me on the ground.
Birds soaring.
Money wasted and cast upon the water.
Well, God sees things differently! Ha! He wants me to soar!
Ecclesiastes 11:1 says to cast your bread upon the water and you will find it again after many days. So this is what I did: I cast our money, wait!, God's money, to Julia and she set up the Passed Over Babes giveaway (Read her side of the story HERE). She used the money God prompted Chad and I to donate, to raise money for 13 children that have been on the Angel Tree for 3 years, including Sergei!!
13 Passed Over children sitting in an orphanage rotting while their picture is hanging on someones tree. 3 more years of being overlooked and unwanted.
Well, her fundraiser has raised over $5000 in 9 days! Talk about a good return on an investment!!!! We cast our money upon the water and it has surely returned to us in the form of helping Sergei plus 12 other children! People are seeing their faces. People are giving to them. People are praying for families for these children. There is NO WAY my little blog could have drawn so much visibility to so many children. There is NO WAY I could have made my initial sum of money grow exponentially!
I started with ONE lump of money and a heart for ONE orphan. God turned that money into a huge lump of money that is helping 13 children.
I am soaring!
On wings like eagle's!
Soaring is kinda cool! You just watch and look around.
God does it ALL.
Except for the jumping!
The hard part is jumping and trusting!
He asked me to do that and I'm SO glad I did!
God does it ALL.
Except for the jumping!
The hard part is jumping and trusting!
He asked me to do that and I'm SO glad I did!
Will you please take a small jump and donate to Sergei and to some of these other kids?
Will you please take a small jump and tell your family and friends...people you know in real life?
It's scary to ask for money. It's scary to bring up heart-breaking topics like orphans with Down syndrome.
Take a little jump and you might catch a little air. God may work through you if you let Him!
Arina
In case you forgot, here is the info about my December giveaway:
Same rules as last time except that the prizes (so far) are a brand new Keurig Elite Brewer + 5 (24ct/box) boxes of K-cups.
and a $100 gift card to anywhere of your choosing! (think Amazon, WalMart, Target, Best Buy, etc.)
$5 = 1 entry
$10= 2 entries
$35 = 10 entries + an ornament
$40 = 11 entries
Bonus Entries: Anyone who donates has the added option to gain more entries by posting about this giveaway on their blog, Facebook, or Twitter. You will get an additional entry per post/FB/Twitter, per day, once a donation is received. Please comment or email me (sweetsergei@hotmail.com) to tell me about your cross posts!
I will draw a winner on December 16th, 2011 via random.com and will post the results on December 17th.
Addition Info:
Click Sergei's picture on the right to get all the Angel Tree info from Reece's Rainbow.
As for information on my fundraising for Sergei, all the money donated through the white Reece's Rainbow donation box(Online Paypal) goes directly to Sergei's adoption fund. I never come in contact with the money and
PO Box 4024
Gaithersburg, MD 20885
Thanks for helping Sergei!
In case you forgot, here is the info about my December giveaway:
Same rules as last time except that the prizes (so far) are a brand new Keurig Elite Brewer + 5 (24ct/box) boxes of K-cups.
and a $100 gift card to anywhere of your choosing! (think Amazon, WalMart, Target, Best Buy, etc.)
Every donation of $5 will give you 1 entry into my giveaway. A donation of $35 will qualify you for 10 entries plus Reece's Rainbow will send you an ornament with Sergei's picture on it!
$5 = 1 entry
$10= 2 entries
$35 = 10 entries + an ornament
$40 = 11 entries
Bonus Entries: Anyone who donates has the added option to gain more entries by posting about this giveaway on their blog, Facebook, or Twitter. You will get an additional entry per post/FB/Twitter, per day, once a donation is received. Please comment or email me (sweetsergei@hotmail.com) to tell me about your cross posts!
I will draw a winner on December 16th, 2011 via random.com and will post the results on December 17th.
Addition Info:
Click Sergei's picture on the right to get all the Angel Tree info from Reece's Rainbow.
As for information on my fundraising for Sergei, all the money donated through the white Reece's Rainbow donation box(Online Paypal) goes directly to Sergei's adoption fund. I never come in contact with the money and
I need you to email or comment to let me know you've donated.
If you'd prefer to donate by writing a check, please make it out to Reece's Rainbow, put a notation that it's for Sergei G. on the Angel Tree, and mail it to:
Reece’s RainbowPO Box 4024
Gaithersburg, MD 20885
Thanks for helping Sergei!
Friday, December 2, 2011
December Giveaway
Congratulations to Melissa W. for winning the Kindle Fire!! It is ordered and on its way to your house!! Yahoo!
Now, onto December's giveaway. Same rules as last time except that the prizes (so far) are a brand new Keurig Elite Brewer + 5 (24ct/box) boxes of K-cups.
and a $100 gift card to anywhere of your choosing! (think Amazon, WalMart, Target, Best Buy, etc.)
$5 = 1 entry
$10= 2 entries
$35 = 10 entries + an ornament
$40 = 11 entries
Bonus Entries: Anyone who donates has the added option to gain more entries by posting about this giveaway on their blog, Facebook, or Twitter. You will get an additional entry per post/FB/Twitter, per day, once a donation is received. Please comment or email me (sweetsergei@hotmail.com) to tell me about your cross posts!
I will draw a winner on December 16th, 2011 via random.com and will post the results on December 17th.
Addition Info:
Click Sergei's picture on the right to get all the Angel Tree info from Reece's Rainbow.
As for information on my fundraising for Sergei, all the money donated through the white Reece's Rainbow donation box(Online Paypal) goes directly to Sergei's adoption fund. I never come in contact with the money and
PO Box 4024
Gaithersburg, MD 20885
Thanks for helping Sergei!
Now, onto December's giveaway. Same rules as last time except that the prizes (so far) are a brand new Keurig Elite Brewer + 5 (24ct/box) boxes of K-cups.
and a $100 gift card to anywhere of your choosing! (think Amazon, WalMart, Target, Best Buy, etc.)
Every donation of $5 will give you 1 entry into my giveaway. A donation of $35 will qualify you for 10 entries plus Reece's Rainbow will send you an ornament with Sergei's picture on it!
$5 = 1 entry
$10= 2 entries
$35 = 10 entries + an ornament
$40 = 11 entries
Bonus Entries: Anyone who donates has the added option to gain more entries by posting about this giveaway on their blog, Facebook, or Twitter. You will get an additional entry per post/FB/Twitter, per day, once a donation is received. Please comment or email me (sweetsergei@hotmail.com) to tell me about your cross posts!
I will draw a winner on December 16th, 2011 via random.com and will post the results on December 17th.
Addition Info:
Click Sergei's picture on the right to get all the Angel Tree info from Reece's Rainbow.
As for information on my fundraising for Sergei, all the money donated through the white Reece's Rainbow donation box(Online Paypal) goes directly to Sergei's adoption fund. I never come in contact with the money and
I need you to email or comment to let me know you've donated. If you'd prefer to donate by writing a check, please make it out to Reece's Rainbow, put a notation that it's for Sergei G. on the Angel Tree, and mail it to:
Reece’s RainbowPO Box 4024
Gaithersburg, MD 20885
Thanks for helping Sergei!
Thursday, December 1, 2011
November Winner!!!
Thank YOU!
First, Thank you so much to the 28 people who donated and spread the word about my fundraiser for Sergei! You all are so wonderful and helped to raise $1829 for Sergei's adoption fund!
GREAT JOB, FRIENDS!!!
The winner of the Amazon Kindle Fire is.............................
Melissa W.!!!!!
Hooray!
Don't forget to visit Julia's blog about the Passed Over Babes (of which Sergei is one), and you can be entered to win over $1600 in prizes!!
Also, I will post later, but I am hosting a 2nd fundraiser for Sergei in December. Prizes include a new Keurig Elite Brewer + 5 boxes (24ct/box) of K-cups
$100 gift card
(to anywhere of your choice, like Amazon, Target, Walmart, etc.)
Stay tuned for details!
Monday, November 28, 2011
Last 3 Days!
Only 3 more days to donate to Sergei's fund to be entered into the Kindle Fire giveaway!
Please email or comment on the blog when you donate so that you can be entered. Giveaway closes at midnight on Wednesday the 30th! Giveaway details are HERE
Please share with your family and friends, let me know and you can receive extra entries!!
Also, Check out this huge fundraiser that includes Sergei and 12 other forgotten Babes on the Angel Tree. Spread the word about and donate to these precious children!! PLEASE!!!
Thanks!
Debby
Please email or comment on the blog when you donate so that you can be entered. Giveaway closes at midnight on Wednesday the 30th! Giveaway details are HERE
Please share with your family and friends, let me know and you can receive extra entries!!
Also, Check out this huge fundraiser that includes Sergei and 12 other forgotten Babes on the Angel Tree. Spread the word about and donate to these precious children!! PLEASE!!!
Thanks!
Debby
Friday, November 18, 2011
Sergei Week 3
Hello!
Just want to remind you that there are only 12 more days to donate to Sergei in order to be entered into my Kindle Fire Giveaway. I will draw the winner at midnight 11/30 and announce the winner on Dec. 1st! $5 = 1 entry, $35= 10 entries + an ornament of Sergei from Reece's Rainbow. All donations are tax deductible and go directly to Sergei's adoption grant at http://reecesrainbow.org/682/sergei-g
Thank you so much for the many generous donations Sergei has already received! His Angel Tree account is at $1293, as of today, which puts his total adoption grant at over $6000! That's all from you guys! From last years' fundraiser and this years' efforts. We are doing great! Let's get him a huge grant so that somebody will not stumble (or choke) over the monumental cost of adoption. We will be helping a family step forward and be brave, if money is the only object holding them back from welcoming this sweet child into their family. Please consider spreading the word AND donating to Sergei.
Meanwhile, don't forget that I am also getting ready for my December fundraiser. It starts December 1st and so far one of the prizes is a brand new Keurig Brewer with 4 boxes of Kcups. There will be more prizes added to the December drawing, but you'll have to wait and see what they are!
Donate securely using PayPal through the Reece's Rainbow donation box. Email, comment or message me with your donation amount if you'd like to be entered into the drawing.
YOU can make a difference in the life of an orphan with Down Syndrome!
Just want to remind you that there are only 12 more days to donate to Sergei in order to be entered into my Kindle Fire Giveaway. I will draw the winner at midnight 11/30 and announce the winner on Dec. 1st! $5 = 1 entry, $35= 10 entries + an ornament of Sergei from Reece's Rainbow. All donations are tax deductible and go directly to Sergei's adoption grant at http://reecesrainbow.org/682/sergei-g
Thank you so much for the many generous donations Sergei has already received! His Angel Tree account is at $1293, as of today, which puts his total adoption grant at over $6000! That's all from you guys! From last years' fundraiser and this years' efforts. We are doing great! Let's get him a huge grant so that somebody will not stumble (or choke) over the monumental cost of adoption. We will be helping a family step forward and be brave, if money is the only object holding them back from welcoming this sweet child into their family. Please consider spreading the word AND donating to Sergei.
Meanwhile, don't forget that I am also getting ready for my December fundraiser. It starts December 1st and so far one of the prizes is a brand new Keurig Brewer with 4 boxes of Kcups. There will be more prizes added to the December drawing, but you'll have to wait and see what they are!
Donate securely using PayPal through the Reece's Rainbow donation box. Email, comment or message me with your donation amount if you'd like to be entered into the drawing.
YOU can make a difference in the life of an orphan with Down Syndrome!
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
ChipIn is on the Fritz
I have received all the donations, just they weren't displaying on my blog. Please donate using Reece's Rainbow's donate button.
EMAIL or COMMENT with your contact info and amount of donation if you'd like to be entered into the drawing. I cannot see who donates when ChipIn isn't working. You don't need to contact me if you've already donated prior to now. I have your info. Sorry for the confusion!
==========================
GIVEAWAY RECAP: here are the GIVEAWAY details for all those people out there who like the idea of 'winning' a sweet Christmas present to either keep or give away, there's an added incentive in giving to sweet Sergei.
I am donating a brand new Amazon Kindle Fire!!!!!
Every donation of $5 will give you 1 entry into my giveaway. A donation of $35 will qualify you for 10 entries plus Reece's Rainbow will send you an ornament with Sergei's picture on it!
$5 = 1 entry
$10= 2 entries
$35 = 10 entries + an ornament
$40 = 11 entries
Bonus Entries: Anyone who donates has the added option to gain more entries by posting about this giveaway on their blog, Facebook, or Twitter. You will get an additional entry per post/FB/Twitter, per day, once a donation is received. Please comment or email me (sweetsergei@hotmail.com) to tell me about your cross posts!
I will draw a winner on November 30, 2011 via random.com and will post the results on December 1st. The winner will have a brand new Kindle Fire mailed to you directly from Amazon!!!!
There will also be another drawing starting on December 1st and running through December 31st. I will post details about the sweet prizes as time gets closer!!! There may even be small weekly giveaways to keep you enticed!
Addition Info:
Click Sergei's picture on the right to get all the Angel Tree info from Reece's Rainbow.
As for information on my fundraising for Sergei, all the money donated through Chip-In (Online Paypal) goes directly to Sergei's adoption fund. I can see who donates, but I never come in contact with the money. If you'd prefer to donate by writing a check, please make it out to Reece's Rainbow, put a notation that it's for Sergei G. on the Angel Tree, and mail it to:
Reece’s Rainbow
PO Box 4024
Gaithersburg, MD 20885
Thanks for helping Sergei!
EMAIL or COMMENT with your contact info and amount of donation if you'd like to be entered into the drawing. I cannot see who donates when ChipIn isn't working. You don't need to contact me if you've already donated prior to now. I have your info. Sorry for the confusion!
==========================
GIVEAWAY RECAP: here are the GIVEAWAY details for all those people out there who like the idea of 'winning' a sweet Christmas present to either keep or give away, there's an added incentive in giving to sweet Sergei.
I am donating a brand new Amazon Kindle Fire!!!!!
Every donation of $5 will give you 1 entry into my giveaway. A donation of $35 will qualify you for 10 entries plus Reece's Rainbow will send you an ornament with Sergei's picture on it!
$5 = 1 entry
$10= 2 entries
$35 = 10 entries + an ornament
$40 = 11 entries
Bonus Entries: Anyone who donates has the added option to gain more entries by posting about this giveaway on their blog, Facebook, or Twitter. You will get an additional entry per post/FB/Twitter, per day, once a donation is received. Please comment or email me (sweetsergei@hotmail.com) to tell me about your cross posts!
I will draw a winner on November 30, 2011 via random.com and will post the results on December 1st. The winner will have a brand new Kindle Fire mailed to you directly from Amazon!!!!
There will also be another drawing starting on December 1st and running through December 31st. I will post details about the sweet prizes as time gets closer!!! There may even be small weekly giveaways to keep you enticed!
Addition Info:
Click Sergei's picture on the right to get all the Angel Tree info from Reece's Rainbow.
As for information on my fundraising for Sergei, all the money donated through Chip-In (Online Paypal) goes directly to Sergei's adoption fund. I can see who donates, but I never come in contact with the money. If you'd prefer to donate by writing a check, please make it out to Reece's Rainbow, put a notation that it's for Sergei G. on the Angel Tree, and mail it to:
Reece’s Rainbow
PO Box 4024
Gaithersburg, MD 20885
Thanks for helping Sergei!
Monday, November 14, 2011
Does God Chew Gum?
I gave Zeze his first piece of gum this weekend! I kept explaining that he shouldn't swallow the gum, but to just keep chewing it. He was really excited to try adult candy and kept telling me how he was a big boy and knew to chew the gum without swallowing. So cute! Later he came up to me and asked me, "Does God chew gum?". I told him that God didn't chew gum and he replied, "Oh. He probably swallows it." :-)
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Sergei G's Christmas Angel Tree Fundraiser
Hello, Friends!!!!
Some of you may remember my attempts last year to raise money for a little orphan with Down syndrome during Reece's Rainbow's Christmas Angel Tree fundraiser. See here He is called Sergei G. on the Reece's Rainbow Waiting Children page.
Sergei G.
(His youngest picture- not sure of his age here)
(This is a current picture from Reece's Rainbow received on 11/23/10. Sergei is turning 6 this month!)
You may also remember that you and I helped raise over $3000 for his adoption fund!!!! WAHOOOOO!
First, before I get too carried away, let me give some background info for those of you hearing about Reece's Rainbow for the first time:
Reece's Rainbow is an organization that promotes the international adoption of children with Down syndrome in a way that seems very unique to me. They create accounts for each of the children on their 'Waiting Children' pages and people can donate to a specific child. When a family comes forth to adopt a child, the money in that child's account is used for the adoption fees. If the adoption falls through for some reason, the money stays in the child's account so that another family can make use of the money!
Here is some info that will SHOCK you! In Eastern European countries, right now, babies that are born with Ds are immediately put into orphanages. Their parents are told that their babies aren't capable of learning, loving or living a life and that they should be cordoned off from the rest of society. There are not options for Early Intervention therapy, doctor intervention or even schooling. Oftentimes the families of people with Down syndrome are shunned and find it difficult to find work and other necessities of life. Therefore these sweet sweet babies are abandoned to orphanages FILLED with all the other children that don't look 'perfect', that have some extra special chromosomes, or had a difficult start to life because their mama drank and drank throughout the pregnancy.
When these babies become grown and old, no wait, when they turn 3-6 YEARS old (!!!) they are transferred to adult mental institutions. Insane asylums. Locked up. Left in their cribs. Thrown a bottle of food and possibly given a diaper change. Most of these medically fragile darlings die within the first year due to neglect and horrible living conditions.
While Chad and I hope to adopt one of these angels in the future, it is not our time yet. So the least I can do is shout out for Sergei and try to find him a family AND get some more money into his adoption fund!!!!!
The goal of a Christmas Warrior is to commit to raising $1000 for a child on RR's Christmas Angel Tree. However, it costs $25,000 to adopt a child with Ds from an orphanage/institution so I set a CRAZY goal for myself, and for you all, to see if we can add $5,000 to his current adoption fund of $5396. That would be over $10,000!!!!!!!!!!
I am so excited to think you, my friends, can work together to give one boy a chance!!!! A chance of finding a family to love him! A chance to give a potential family a good financial head start toward the huge cost of international adoption.
Oh, please help Sergei find a family!!! Please tell your friends and family. Please go to Reece's Rainbow's Angel Tree kids and gaze at all of these Down syndrome beauties; gaze at their sweetness; their innocence. Do any of them touch your heart? Does Sergei touch your heart enough for you to repost on Facebook or to email my blog to your family? To donate?
I truly hope so!!!!!
Now here are the GIVEAWAY details for all those people out there who like the idea of 'winning' a sweet Christmas present to either keep or give away, there's an added incentive in giving to sweet Sergei.
I am donating a brand new Amazon Kindle Fire!!!!!
Every donation of $5 will give you 1 entry into my giveaway. A donation of $35 will qualify you for 10 entries plus Reece's Rainbow will send you an ornament with Sergei's picture on it!
$5 = 1 entry
$10= 2 entries
$35 = 10 entries + an ornament
$40 = 11 entries
Bonus Entries: Anyone who donates has the added option to gain more entries by posting about this giveaway on their blog, Facebook, or Twitter. You will get an additional entry per post/FB/Twitter, per day, once a donation is received. Please comment or email me (sweetsergei@hotmail.com) to tell me about your cross posts!
I will draw a winner on November 30, 2011 via random.com and will post the results on December 1st. The winner will have a brand new Kindle Fire mailed to you directly from Amazon!!!!
There will also be another drawing starting on December 1st and running through December 31st. I will post details about the sweet prizes as time gets closer!!! There may even be small weekly giveaways to keep you enticed!
Addition Info:
Click Sergei's picture on the right to get all the Angel Tree info from Reece's Rainbow.
As for information on my fundraising for Sergei, all the money donated through Chip-In (Online Paypal) goes directly to Sergei's adoption fund. I can see who donates, but I never come in contact with the money. If you'd prefer to donate by writing a check, please make it out to Reece's Rainbow, put a notation that it's for Sergei G. on the Angel Tree, and mail it to:
Reece’s Rainbow
PO Box 4024
Gaithersburg, MD 20885
Thanks for helping Sergei!
Lots of love,
Debby
Some of you may remember my attempts last year to raise money for a little orphan with Down syndrome during Reece's Rainbow's Christmas Angel Tree fundraiser. See here He is called Sergei G. on the Reece's Rainbow Waiting Children page.
Sergei G.
You may also remember that you and I helped raise over $3000 for his adoption fund!!!! WAHOOOOO!
First, before I get too carried away, let me give some background info for those of you hearing about Reece's Rainbow for the first time:
Reece's Rainbow is an organization that promotes the international adoption of children with Down syndrome in a way that seems very unique to me. They create accounts for each of the children on their 'Waiting Children' pages and people can donate to a specific child. When a family comes forth to adopt a child, the money in that child's account is used for the adoption fees. If the adoption falls through for some reason, the money stays in the child's account so that another family can make use of the money!
Here is some info that will SHOCK you! In Eastern European countries, right now, babies that are born with Ds are immediately put into orphanages. Their parents are told that their babies aren't capable of learning, loving or living a life and that they should be cordoned off from the rest of society. There are not options for Early Intervention therapy, doctor intervention or even schooling. Oftentimes the families of people with Down syndrome are shunned and find it difficult to find work and other necessities of life. Therefore these sweet sweet babies are abandoned to orphanages FILLED with all the other children that don't look 'perfect', that have some extra special chromosomes, or had a difficult start to life because their mama drank and drank throughout the pregnancy.
When these babies become grown and old, no wait, when they turn 3-6 YEARS old (!!!) they are transferred to adult mental institutions. Insane asylums. Locked up. Left in their cribs. Thrown a bottle of food and possibly given a diaper change. Most of these medically fragile darlings die within the first year due to neglect and horrible living conditions.
While Chad and I hope to adopt one of these angels in the future, it is not our time yet. So the least I can do is shout out for Sergei and try to find him a family AND get some more money into his adoption fund!!!!!
The goal of a Christmas Warrior is to commit to raising $1000 for a child on RR's Christmas Angel Tree. However, it costs $25,000 to adopt a child with Ds from an orphanage/institution so I set a CRAZY goal for myself, and for you all, to see if we can add $5,000 to his current adoption fund of $5396. That would be over $10,000!!!!!!!!!!
I am so excited to think you, my friends, can work together to give one boy a chance!!!! A chance of finding a family to love him! A chance to give a potential family a good financial head start toward the huge cost of international adoption.
Oh, please help Sergei find a family!!! Please tell your friends and family. Please go to Reece's Rainbow's Angel Tree kids and gaze at all of these Down syndrome beauties; gaze at their sweetness; their innocence. Do any of them touch your heart? Does Sergei touch your heart enough for you to repost on Facebook or to email my blog to your family? To donate?
I truly hope so!!!!!
Now here are the GIVEAWAY details for all those people out there who like the idea of 'winning' a sweet Christmas present to either keep or give away, there's an added incentive in giving to sweet Sergei.
I am donating a brand new Amazon Kindle Fire!!!!!
Every donation of $5 will give you 1 entry into my giveaway. A donation of $35 will qualify you for 10 entries plus Reece's Rainbow will send you an ornament with Sergei's picture on it!
$5 = 1 entry
$10= 2 entries
$35 = 10 entries + an ornament
$40 = 11 entries
Bonus Entries: Anyone who donates has the added option to gain more entries by posting about this giveaway on their blog, Facebook, or Twitter. You will get an additional entry per post/FB/Twitter, per day, once a donation is received. Please comment or email me (sweetsergei@hotmail.com) to tell me about your cross posts!
I will draw a winner on November 30, 2011 via random.com and will post the results on December 1st. The winner will have a brand new Kindle Fire mailed to you directly from Amazon!!!!
There will also be another drawing starting on December 1st and running through December 31st. I will post details about the sweet prizes as time gets closer!!! There may even be small weekly giveaways to keep you enticed!
Addition Info:
Click Sergei's picture on the right to get all the Angel Tree info from Reece's Rainbow.
As for information on my fundraising for Sergei, all the money donated through Chip-In (Online Paypal) goes directly to Sergei's adoption fund. I can see who donates, but I never come in contact with the money. If you'd prefer to donate by writing a check, please make it out to Reece's Rainbow, put a notation that it's for Sergei G. on the Angel Tree, and mail it to:
Reece’s Rainbow
PO Box 4024
Gaithersburg, MD 20885
Thanks for helping Sergei!
Lots of love,
Debby
Friday, October 28, 2011
Stay tuned!!!
November 1st is the start of Reece's Rainbow's Angel Tree Fundraiser!!! I will again be raising money for Sergei G, in the hopes that someone out there may see him and decide that he will become their new son! When this happens, this new family will be given a good financial start for their adoption of him! Someone MUST want this sweet Sergei as their new son!!!
ARE YOU HIS NEW MAMA OR DADDY?
Stay tuned for some sweet giveaways that I will be holding throughout November and December! My goal is to raise $5000 and increase his current grant of $5396 to OVER $10,000!!!!! We can do it, friends, by spreading the word and donating to Sergei!!!
Go to www.reecesrainbow.com for more info.
ARE YOU HIS NEW MAMA OR DADDY?
Stay tuned for some sweet giveaways that I will be holding throughout November and December! My goal is to raise $5000 and increase his current grant of $5396 to OVER $10,000!!!!! We can do it, friends, by spreading the word and donating to Sergei!!!
Go to www.reecesrainbow.com for more info.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Going Home!!!!!!
Hooorray!!!!! Kirill is going home! The court overturned the local judges decree and said Kirill can go home with the Davis family in 5+ days!!!!! Here is Tesney Davis' blog
Thanks for praying, friends!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for praying, friends!!!!!!!!!!!
Monday, May 23, 2011
Kirill!!!!!!!!!
Do you all remember Kirill? The little boy with Down syndrome that an Eastern European judge ruled should not be adopted, for the sole reason of his extra chromosome? Well, tonight, while we sleep, the Davis family will be appearing before that country's Supreme Court to try to have the local judge's decree over-ruled. PLEASE PRAY that Kirill can get out of the institution and brought home to a family that already loves him!!!! read here for more info: http://covenantbuilders.blogspot.com/2011/05/in-garden.html
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Thursday, May 5, 2011
According to Kai
According to Kai: 'eye hair' is the name for eyelashes. :)
and Tears are also known as 'cry drops'. I like it!
and Tears are also known as 'cry drops'. I like it!
Friday, March 25, 2011
Kirill and Kameron
I need to highlight two other families that desperately need help.
The first is the Davis family who is trying to adopt a sweet little boy with Down syndrome in Eastern Europe. They met in that country's court last week and the judge said that they could not adopt Kirill because he has Down syndrome and he is better off in an institution!!!! They are taking it to that country's Supreme Court and apealling the decision, as there was no other reason the judge declined the Davis family from adopting from that country. Here is the Davis' blog. PLease pray that the court will grant the appeal, in which case it goes back to the original judge to be tried again. The judge told the Davis' that if the appeal was granted and sent back to her court she would not fight it.
Here is a link (here ) that talks about Kirill and his family in case you want to read more than the tiny bit I've posted.
This is a video of sweet Kirill meeting his mom, Tesney, for the very first time along with a second link telling more about their first visit together.
Kirill was the first Reeces Rainbow child that I was drawn to, prayed for and donated to. I've always had a special place in my heart for him and have been praying for the Davis' during their looooong process to adopt him. Also, there are 2 more families waiting to go to the same judge to try to adopt 2 other children with Down syndrome. If Kirill's appeal and 2nd trial fail, then these families most likely won't be granted adoption of their sweet kids! A lot is at stake here!!! Please pray!!!
The second family is the Beamish Family. They are adopting a little girl named 'Kameron' and are leaving this Sunday to go get her!! They've already raised $7000, but still need about $8000 more to pay for their trip. Here is a link that tells their story and tells about being able to win a Kindle and an IPad. Please pray that they can raise the money to actually bring their little girl home and please donate if you feel lead.
The first is the Davis family who is trying to adopt a sweet little boy with Down syndrome in Eastern Europe. They met in that country's court last week and the judge said that they could not adopt Kirill because he has Down syndrome and he is better off in an institution!!!! They are taking it to that country's Supreme Court and apealling the decision, as there was no other reason the judge declined the Davis family from adopting from that country. Here is the Davis' blog. PLease pray that the court will grant the appeal, in which case it goes back to the original judge to be tried again. The judge told the Davis' that if the appeal was granted and sent back to her court she would not fight it.
This is a video of sweet Kirill meeting his mom, Tesney, for the very first time along with a second link telling more about their first visit together.
Kirill was the first Reeces Rainbow child that I was drawn to, prayed for and donated to. I've always had a special place in my heart for him and have been praying for the Davis' during their looooong process to adopt him. Also, there are 2 more families waiting to go to the same judge to try to adopt 2 other children with Down syndrome. If Kirill's appeal and 2nd trial fail, then these families most likely won't be granted adoption of their sweet kids! A lot is at stake here!!! Please pray!!!
The second family is the Beamish Family. They are adopting a little girl named 'Kameron' and are leaving this Sunday to go get her!! They've already raised $7000, but still need about $8000 more to pay for their trip. Here is a link that tells their story and tells about being able to win a Kindle and an IPad. Please pray that they can raise the money to actually bring their little girl home and please donate if you feel lead.
Thank you so much!
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Spreading the word on Fundraisers
Hey Everyone,
I want to spread the word about two Reece's Rainbow families that are trying to bring home their soon-to-be-adopted daughters. While I don't know these families 'in person' I have been following blogs and their stories on the RR Yahoo group. They are working hard to raise money, so I thought I'd put a shout out to spread the word and give you a chance to be entered into their awesome give-aways! I won't deny it, I want to win an IPAD2 or some sweet jewelry!! Hehehe!! But you all know enough about me to know that even more than wanting 'things', I want orphans with Down syndrome to have a family and have a home!!! So it's kind of a win-win. They get more $$ and awareness for their adoptions; and I get to help out a cause and children I love by donating my money and by spreading the word.... and MAYBE I'll get a sweet prize too!!
One family is the Green family trying to bring home Angelina
http://helpsaveangelina.blogspot.com/
The other family is the Tam family trying to bring home Paisley: http://chasing-moonlight.blogspot.com/
Thanks for reading!
I want to spread the word about two Reece's Rainbow families that are trying to bring home their soon-to-be-adopted daughters. While I don't know these families 'in person' I have been following blogs and their stories on the RR Yahoo group. They are working hard to raise money, so I thought I'd put a shout out to spread the word and give you a chance to be entered into their awesome give-aways! I won't deny it, I want to win an IPAD2 or some sweet jewelry!! Hehehe!! But you all know enough about me to know that even more than wanting 'things', I want orphans with Down syndrome to have a family and have a home!!! So it's kind of a win-win. They get more $$ and awareness for their adoptions; and I get to help out a cause and children I love by donating my money and by spreading the word.... and MAYBE I'll get a sweet prize too!!
One family is the Green family trying to bring home Angelina
http://helpsaveangelina.blogspot.com/
 |
| Angelina |
The other family is the Tam family trying to bring home Paisley: http://chasing-moonlight.blogspot.com/
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| Paisley |
Friday, February 11, 2011
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Time for a new post.
It's been awhile! I don't have much to say, but I want to jot down a couple of 'funnies' the boys have said recently so that I won't forget them.
The other night Kai said, "Mama, Jesus lives in my heart!"
Me: "You're right! It's so wonderful you know that, Kai!"
Kai: "I can feel Jesus in my heart at night when I'm in bed."
Me: "Wow! That is SO great Kai!" (Me thinking: Oh my goodness! Did Kai accept Christ and I didn't even know about it? Does he see angels and stuff? Do I start talking about sin and forgiveness and all that stuff with him now?!!!"
Kai: "Yeah, He goes 'bump BUMP, bump BUMP, bump BUMP' in my heart. He's very bumpy."
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We spent some time with my dad this past weekend and I suspect he was saying one of his favorite quotes to my boys, "Hi ho, Silver! Away!!!" I'm pretty sure I've never said that, and I know that my dad often said this when I was growing up at different silly opportunities, so I'm betting it may have come out of his lips while the boys were running around, back and forth all day. The reason I bring this up is because yesterday Kai and Zeze were running around the house yelling, "Hi, old slipper! Away!!"
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Zeze had a pile of vitamins to eat one morning and he says to me, "Mom, my vitamins are going to go in my mouth and watch a show. This pink one is the mommy vitamin and she is very nice. She let's them watch shows and take long baths with bubbles and toys." (I made him take a quick shower the night before without bubbles or toys and I didn't let him watch his show afterwards.) *sigh*
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It was an overcast morning and Zeze and I could look at the cloudy-covered sun and see its whole dim outline. When Zeze spotted it he shouted, "Mom, it's a shiny moon in the sky!!!!!" (I love his creativity!). I didn't want to crush him so I just said, "wow!", but he persisted. Because, like a dog with a bone, Zeze does not give up until I give him definitive answers about things....no vagueness allowed! He asked, "It's a shiny moon, right?" So I told him it was actually the sun that looked dim because of the clouds. Wanting definitive answers, yet always looking for an argument, coupled with thinking I am very stupid and that Kai is the be-all-end-all of earthly wisdom, Zeze confidently condescending says, "THAT is NOT the sun, mama! There are no lines coming out of it (like when I draw a crayon picture of a sun)!! It is a shiny moon!" We went back and forth a couple of times with me gently trying to explain, to no avail. At his last assertion that it was a shiny moon, I said, "Wow, Zeze!" He let it go at that. I'm not sure if my tactic made him reluctantly realize his folly, or more likely, he concluded that I actually AM the stupidest person he knows. I can't wait for the arguments we'll have when he's 13 and not 3 (sarcasm is dripping from those words). :)
---------------------------
The other night Kai said, "Mama, Jesus lives in my heart!"
Me: "You're right! It's so wonderful you know that, Kai!"
Kai: "I can feel Jesus in my heart at night when I'm in bed."
Me: "Wow! That is SO great Kai!" (Me thinking: Oh my goodness! Did Kai accept Christ and I didn't even know about it? Does he see angels and stuff? Do I start talking about sin and forgiveness and all that stuff with him now?!!!"
Kai: "Yeah, He goes 'bump BUMP, bump BUMP, bump BUMP' in my heart. He's very bumpy."
-----------------------------------------
We spent some time with my dad this past weekend and I suspect he was saying one of his favorite quotes to my boys, "Hi ho, Silver! Away!!!" I'm pretty sure I've never said that, and I know that my dad often said this when I was growing up at different silly opportunities, so I'm betting it may have come out of his lips while the boys were running around, back and forth all day. The reason I bring this up is because yesterday Kai and Zeze were running around the house yelling, "Hi, old slipper! Away!!"
------------------------------------------------------
Zeze had a pile of vitamins to eat one morning and he says to me, "Mom, my vitamins are going to go in my mouth and watch a show. This pink one is the mommy vitamin and she is very nice. She let's them watch shows and take long baths with bubbles and toys." (I made him take a quick shower the night before without bubbles or toys and I didn't let him watch his show afterwards.) *sigh*
------------------------------------------------
It was an overcast morning and Zeze and I could look at the cloudy-covered sun and see its whole dim outline. When Zeze spotted it he shouted, "Mom, it's a shiny moon in the sky!!!!!" (I love his creativity!). I didn't want to crush him so I just said, "wow!", but he persisted. Because, like a dog with a bone, Zeze does not give up until I give him definitive answers about things....no vagueness allowed! He asked, "It's a shiny moon, right?" So I told him it was actually the sun that looked dim because of the clouds. Wanting definitive answers, yet always looking for an argument, coupled with thinking I am very stupid and that Kai is the be-all-end-all of earthly wisdom, Zeze confidently condescending says, "THAT is NOT the sun, mama! There are no lines coming out of it (like when I draw a crayon picture of a sun)!! It is a shiny moon!" We went back and forth a couple of times with me gently trying to explain, to no avail. At his last assertion that it was a shiny moon, I said, "Wow, Zeze!" He let it go at that. I'm not sure if my tactic made him reluctantly realize his folly, or more likely, he concluded that I actually AM the stupidest person he knows. I can't wait for the arguments we'll have when he's 13 and not 3 (sarcasm is dripping from those words). :)
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