Sunday, November 30, 2014

Anchor Me Red Rose Wrap Auction

Anchor Me Red Rose Wrap



Starting Bid $8 (includes shipping)
Retail $16

Pink Chevron Rose Wrap Auction

Pink Chevron Rose Wrap



Starting Bid $8 (includes shipping)
Retail $16

Purple Passion Rose Wrap Auction

Purple Passion Rose Wrap



Starting Bid $8 (includes shipping)
Retail $16

Teal Leaf Bib Auction

Teal Leaf Bib
Handmade bib with a gray felt back with a snap closure.



Starting Bid $10 (includes shipping)

Navy Tree Trunk Bib (Pink) Auction

Navy Tree Trunk Bib (Pink)
Handmade bib with a gray felt back with a snap closure.




Starting Bid $10 (includes shipping)

Navy Tree Trunk Bib (Green) Auction

Navy Tree Trunk Bib (Green)
Handmade bib with a gray felt back with a snap closure.



Starting Bid $10 (includes shipping)

Teal Flower Bib Auction

Teal Flower Bib
Handmade bib with a gray felt back with a snap closure.



Starting Bid $10 (includes shipping)

Navy Tree Trunk Bib (Light Blue) Auction

Navy Tree Trunk Bib (Light Blue)
Handmade bib with a gray felt back with a snap closure.

Starting Bid $10 (includes shipping)

"A Few of Leslie's Favorite Things" Part 2 Auction-The Rules

THIS AUCTION IS CLOSED.




We are starting another auction called "A Few of Leslie's Favorite Things" Part 2.  I know you are impressed with the title.  It features bibs (handmade),  headbands (handmade), a 30-minute massage, and a pair of sunglasses.
The Rules
This blog auction will last for exactly one week starting Monday, December 1st and ending on Monday, December 8th at 9PM.  There isn't much time to bid on your favorite item(s) so make sure that you don't let your first bid be your lowest bid, just in case time does run out.  Also, make sure that you post your final bids exactly on or before the deadline of 9PM CST.  Comments made even one second or longer after the deadline will not be considered.

Each item has its own post in order to make bidding easy.  I have started the bidding of each item which includes the cost of shipping.  Every item will be shipped since it makes life easier for the both of us.  No bids will be considered if posted on this post.  Make sure you post your bid on the item's post in order to be considered.  Links to each post are listed below.

Make sure when leaving your bid price that you leave an email address as well.  If you win the item, this will be the way that I contact you to work out the details of receiving your item, payment, etc.

The Items
This auction will feature 6 handmade bibs by a fellow China mom friend, 3 handmade headbands by Vintage Rose Wraps, a 30-minute massage by Beth Box, LMT, and pair of Wayfarer sunglasses by Subsidy Shades.  The craftsmanship of each item is beautiful!  You will not be disappointed in these items or service!


Anchor Me Red

Starting Bid $8 (includes shipping)
Retail $16



Starting Bid $8 (includes shipping)
Retail $16



Starting Bid $8 (includes shipping)
Retail $16

Handmade bib with a gray felt back with a snap closure.



Starting Bid $10 (includes shipping)

Handmade bib with a gray felt back with a snap closure.



Starting Bid $10 (includes shipping)

Handmade bib with a gray felt back with a snap closure.



Starting Bid $10 (includes shipping)

Handmade bib with a gray felt back with a snap closure.



Starting Bid $10 (includes shipping)

Handmade bib with a gray felt back with a snap closure.



Starting Bid $10 (includes shipping)

Handmade bib with a gray felt back with a snap closure.



Starting Bid $10 (includes shipping)

Subsidy Shades has generously donated a pair of their Black Gloss Wayfarer Adult Sunglasses.  This is a fantastic company founded by an adoptive mom.  She and her husband are currently in the process of adopting their 2nd child.  She founded the business to help families with the cost of adoption. Check out my blog post about Subsidy Shades for more details about the company and products.  You will NOT be disappointed!  


Starting Bid $6 (includes shipping)
Retail $12
Black Gloss Wayfarer Sunglasses 
#adoptionislove

Beth Box, LMT has graciously given a 30-minute massage for this auction.  She is located at Performance Fitness in Trussville, AL (4901 Deerfoot Pkwy Trussville, AL 35173).  The certificate will expire 3 months after being issued.

You do not want to let this great gift pass you by!  Check out her Facebook page for more information about her services and times to schedule your very own massage.






Starting Bid $10
Retail $25

Teal Stem and Flower Bib Auction

Teal Stem and Flower Bib
Handmade bib with a gray felt back with a snap closure.



Starting Bid $10 (includes shipping)

Wayfarer Sunglasses Auction

Wayfarer Sunglasses
Subsidy Shades has generously donated a pair of their Black Gloss Wayfarer Adult Sunglasses.  This is a fantastic company founded by an adoptive mom.  She and her husband are currently in the process of adopting their 2nd child.  She founded the business to help families with the cost of adoption. Check out my blog post about Subsidy Shades for more details about the company and products.  You will NOT be disappointed!  


Starting Bid $6 (includes shipping)
Retail $12
Black Gloss Wayfarer Sunglasses 
#adoptionislove

30-Minute Massage Auction

 30-Minute Massage
Beth Box, LMT has graciously given a 30-minute massage for this auction.  She is located at Performance Fitness in Trussville, AL (4901 Deerfoot Pkwy Trussville, AL 35173).  The certificate will expire 3 months after being issued.

You do not want to let this great gift pass you by!  Check out her Facebook page for more information about her services and times to schedule your very own massage.






Starting Bid $10
Retail $25

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Subsidy Shades: #adoptionislove

Since we began our quest to bring our daughter home, we have discovered a lot of cool companies who use their profits to help adoptive families.  One of these companies is Subsidy Shades.  How cool are their shades?  And one of the best things about their shades is that they are very inexpensive.  Who doesn't love spending a few bucks for a great product while supporting a great cause? 

PLUS they have contributed a pair of sunglasses for our 2nd blog auction. 

Don't worry.  I was stopped completely when this picture was taken.
 

Aviators
Retail $12


To top things off, Melissa, the founder and owner, is an amazing person.   Her life resounds with the phrase "people helping people".  And she is doing just that in her personal and professional life.  She and her husband are close to adopting their second child.  She started this company as a way to help other families with the cost of adoption after she and her husband adopted their first child.  You don't find many of these people in the world.

If you are in for a new set of shades, make sure you check out the many styles.  They even sell shades for kids!  Don't forget to check out their great Black Friday specials:  50% everything plus free shipping and no codes needed! 

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Monday, November 17, 2014

turn your "less" into "more"


"...'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.'" Matthew 16:24

This past year has shown us how faithful God is when we put our worries aside and follow Him.  For me the "deny themselves" portion refers to my constant stress and worry.  If there is one thing about me that most people know is that I am a worrier.  I have been since I was a small child.  In elementary school, the teacher would assign 1-35 odd Math problems for homework.  I would end up doing all 35 problems, because my OCD of not knowing 110% that the teacher said odd and not even problems would get the best of me.  Or maybe I was that big of a nerd that I enjoyed doing extra homework problems.  At any rate, worry is my middle name.

So when Daniel and I started talking about adoption this exact time last year, I immediately saw dollar signs.  A LOT of dollar signs.  Adoption isn't cheap no matter if it is domestic or international.  Granted, domestic adoption is cheaper than international since there is little to no travel (typically) and only one country's government involved.  Domestic seemed like the logical and "financially safe" route to go according to this Worry Wart with a BSBA in Finance. 

Then God answered back.  Our hearts just weren't with domestic adoption.  He was calling us to travel...to the other side of the world.  Insert my many freak-outs and meltdowns here.  And I mean good ones too with tears.  They were hardcore and full of questions.  "Why, God?  Why do you want us to travel THAT far?  Can't we just stay here and find our child?  There are a lot of kids that live in Alabama that need a forever family.  Can't we just go that route?  It would be easier for us.  More convenient.  Less expensive.  Less stress."

But God isn't into giving us "less".  He is in the business of giving a "more" abundant life.  He doesn't like the word "less".  "Less" makes us doubt Him and His plan.  So I have learned to turn my wants for "less" into "more for Him".  I'm learning to deny myself, my struggles of worry, and trust Him.  God has called Daniel and me to adopt internationally.  He has given us a heart for Asia, more specifically China.  It's a good thing too, or else this entire adoption would be completely worthless.  God is the foundation of bringing Paisley home and it shows.

We are asked quite often how much it costs to adopt from China.  Roughly $35,000, which includes agency fees, government fees, medical fees, travel costs, and various other fees and expenses along the way.  As overwhelming as $35,000 sounds, it looks a lot more overwhelming broken down on paper, as you can see the reasons for my breakdowns. 

Never doubt His plan.  When He promises, He will deliver.  He continues to provide.  To date, we are blessed to say that we have raised $15,037 through fundraisers and donations.  Add in our $5,500 from grants from Show Hope and Forever Families Foundation to bring our total to $20,537.  Can you believe that?!  And to those who have supported us financially, THANK YOU for following your heart.  You have answered God's command of taking care of orphans.  As the parents of an orphan, who won't be for much longer, THANK YOU!  We are completely humbled and overwhelmed by your selfless gesture. 

However, the work is not over yet.  We still have roughly $15,000 left to raise.  We are also waiting to hear back about one more grant from Hand in Hand, which will help decrease our funds significantly.  Please pray for this grant!

In the meantime, we still need you!  You are our greatest voice.  Help spread the word about our adoption and our fundraisers (Emerald Grande 2-Night Stay, Apparent Project bracelets, Bedsheets) to family, friends, and co-workers.  It's amazing how many people we have met who were once strangers a short year ago.  Feel free to share our Facebook page, blog, and our story.  We would love nothing more than to let people know that you don't have to be a minister or missionary for God to use you.  We are your average couple who God chose to use in a mighty way.  We are strictly His vessels in order for Him to carry out His plan.  We owe Him all praise and glory for this is His story about love.

Thank you for believing in our purpose.  Thank you for the prayers.  Thank you for the kind words.  Thank you for the support.  Thank you for helping bring our daughter home.

Sunday, November 2, 2014

Orphan Sunday. His Call. Our Response.


As written by Daniel...

When I first heard about Orphan Sunday several months ago, I knew that I wanted to write a blog post bringing out its awareness.  I began to pray about what I should say and what I needed to talk about.  Can I just tell you that I stink at this stuff.  I’ll be the first to tell you my grammar is not the best, and it’s hard for me to put down in words what I am truly thinking and what I am feeling.  However, that being said, I am not trying to impress anyone.  I am only trying to do what I feel like I am being called to do, which is to share my wife and my story and bring awareness to the estimated 153 MILLION ORPHANS around the globe. So anyways, here I go, hang on…

First, I would like to say this post is not a post with its theme being that everyone needs to go out and adopt.  I just wanted to share my adoption story.  When I accepted Christ when I was younger, I was then adopted as one of God’s children.  You see, adoption is an act of God whereby he makes us members of His family.  John 1:12 puts it like this, “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-“.  Wow, do you ever think about that? As Christians, we are CHILDREN of God.  Children of God, not cousins or brothers or those distant relatives you occasionally talk to, but children of God.  What’s awesome about that is God could have saved us without the privileges of adoption into his family, for he could have forgiven our sins and given us lawful right before Him without making us His children.  What amazing love God has shown me.  Romans 8:14, “because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.”  Come on y’all! Does that not fire you up!?!

I thought a few months ago that my adoption story started only when we began to adopt our daughter, Paisley.  Man was I wrong. I’ve since realized that I was the orphan who had no hope. I was that orphan who was thirsty and hungry and had no food or water.  I was that orphan who was spiritually dead. I was that orphan who was enslaved with sin.  Now I look at the cross.  Now the God of hope fills me with all joy and peace. Now I feast on the bread of life and drink living water that is Christ Jesus.  I was then dead but now I am promised eternal life and because of the cross, because Christ died for me therefore forgiving my sins. I am washed in the blood of the Lamb. I praise God for that! What love he shows and gives us.

So why adoption for me?  Because I was adopted first. My challenge for you is to pray about what God is calling you to do for orphans.  I don’t know what that is for you and your family, but what I do know is that it isn’t sit back and do nothing.  That Bible clearly states God’s call for orphan care. Start with James 1:19-27 and verses like Isaiah 1:17. What if we as followers of Christ began to stop using the Bible as a guide for when we need to be uplifted and only picking and choosing the things that we want to apply to our lives.  Instead, we should enter into these stories of the Bible that will shape our lives to be more like Christ.

I like how our agency puts the call of orphan care.  If you can’t adopt, foster; if you can’t foster, sponser; if you can’t sponser, volunteer; if you can’t volunteer, donate; if you can't donate, educate; and honestly above all, pray. And that is what I am asking you to do. Get into the word of God and pray about what He would like you to do to help out those 153 millions orphans around the world.

One Less.