Friday, April 12, 2013

Aaron's Art

Our house is not fancy.
 
The vast majority of what we own we were given or we obtained at yard sales or thrift shops.
 
If you come to visit you will see holes in my couch pillows and unmatched furniture except in our bedroom because we inherited our dresser set!
 
You will be served on mismatched plates unless we go fancy and pull out the Currier and Ives plates we received from my Mom's estate. 
 
We live simply and like it that way. 
 
I don't care much about furniture or fancy dinnerware or cool curtains or throw pillows.
 
But I do cherish family pieces. I'm loath to part with those things that tell a story.  I won't let Rob sell his saxophone even though he doesn't play it anymore.  I just can't bear the thought of selling a part of his childhood.
 
 I have all of the boys G I Joe and Star Wars collections.  Our shelves have Lego Creations gathering dust.  I am a sucker for holding on to my kid's bears and other cherished items. 
 
That is why what I am doing is absolutely going to tear my heart out!!
 
I'm Giving Away four of Aaron's drawings.

 
You have to understand that I cherish every single one of them.  I do NOT throw them away.

 
BUT....he drew these drawings special for me so I could raise money for the children who don't have Mamas and Papas.
 
Even though he drew them FOR this purpose... I still have battled inwardly over whether I would actually part with them.  How can I part with them?? 

 
Aaron's drawings are precious precious.  He can't grip a marker so he has to weave it between his fingers.  He is missing muscles and tendons in his arms and hands which makes what he does on paper rather amazing. He uses the muscles in his shoulder to work the pen.  He LOVES drawing.  He LOVES coloring.  He will spend hours and hours with the pen woven between his fingers creating his masterpieces. 

 
He cherishes his markers and pens.  They are precious to him. His caretakers at the institute made sure we knew that he drew with a stick in the dirt with his feet.  He drew in the dirt because he didn't have paper and pencil.  He drew in the dirt because it was all he had.  He drew in the dirt to keep his mind occupied.  Amidst the chaos and groaning and moaning around him.... he  drew creations in the dirt.

 
Parting with his drawings is hard on this Mama.
 
But our Mulligan Stew babes need these drawings more than I do.
 
So I am GIVING them away.


THE TRACTOR



Anyone who donates to any family or child within the next four days will be put in a separate drawing for one of Aaron's drawings.


MAMA'S VAN

 I will be giving away ONE picture a day.

Three of those pictures are in this post

The last picture will be seen on Monday - the last day of the Giveaway.



 
Aaron is excited that his drawings are going to help our kids find families.



AARON'S HOUSE


I'm already grieving their loss.....

TODAY'S GIVEAWAY PICTURE IS AARON'S HOUSE!!



AARON'S HOUSE




From now until the end of the Mulligan Stew on Monday night - It is a free for all.  You can donate to any family or waiting child sitting at our table.  There is no minimum and you don't have to donate to two to be entered.  Sharing gets you more entries.

If you have already donated... donate again in order to be entered to win one of Aaron's drawings. 

I'm praising God that Darren met his 2,000.00 match.  I was really nervous about putting such a HUGE matching out there but God stirred in hearts and it was matched.  Darren is going to be ripped out of the only world he knows in just a few short months and put in an adult mental institute.  He is the only babe in the stew who hasn't already been transferred.  I want to hold back the waters for him.  Keep him from being carried away and into a place of weeping and wailing and sorrow and pain.  For all you Moms and Dads out there... consider how traumatic change is for your wee ones at home.  Most of them who slept in the cradle next to your bed need reassurance after reassurance when even the slightest change takes place in their lives.  The world is scary and children need loving parents to navigate it safely for them. 



Darren doesn't have that. He has no one to whisper words of reassurance in his ears.  When he is ripped from all that is familiar - he will do it alone.  I know we can't save all of the orphans in the world.  But we can do something for sweet tender-hearted Darren.  Thank you for pouring into him.  Thank you.

I have another large matching grant on the table.

It is for Jon and Angela who are adopting Jack and Jensen.



It is for $1,300.00

They are going through some rough times right now and seriously need this money matched.  It is one of those grants where they get whatever we match.  If we match it all - they get it all.  Please please help me get this match for them.  It will not only take a little more of the 30,000+ price tag off but it will be a healing balm to their hearts.  We have until Monday night to match their grant.

PLUS...

We still have two families who need to get over the $2,000.00 wall - the Deutsch family (Estelle and Gerard) and the Collins family (Sutter). 

We still have six babes (Hanson, Jason, Porter, Bobby, Aubree and Frank) who need to get over the $1,000 wall.

It seems big. 

I just showed Rob how much we still need to raise to reach our first goal for everyone. 

I don't want to be overwhelmed but I am.

I want the Deutsch family and the Collins family CARRIED OVER THAT WALL.

I want Angela and Jon to get their match.

I want our babes seen.

I want families.

Oh Dear Lord.... send families!!

The bare minimum of what we need is almost $5,000.00.

That's big.

We have four days.

Praying. Praying. Praying!

OUR 2013 MICAH SIX EIGHT MULLIGAN STEW GIVEAWAY!


"A Common Stew for an Uncommonly Good Cause!"

There are more than 100 items simmering away in our stew pot. The total value of all of these items is well over $5,000.00.

Now we just need YOU to help us care for the orphan.

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'"
 
 276 people have donated so far...

Annie, Joni, Nicole, Erin, Katrina, Micheala, Kim, Andrew, Leah, Kathy, Daniel
Anne, Debbie, Amy, Lori, Christine, Katie, Pam
Deanna, Hansina, Nakia, Rob, Julia, Kaitlyn, Traci, Monica, Christine, Lisa, Mrs. H.
Debby, Brooke, Amanda, Jason, Erin, Tamara, Trina, Patty, Tracy, Deborah, Alynn
Lisa, Stephanie, Mel, Alissa, Elizabeth, Cathy, Kim, Laura, Beth, Ivy, Sally, Sue
Melanie, Brenda, Crystal, Jed, Karla, Christina, Deborah, Joy, Gina, C.W.
K.B.  Tina   Candee  Amber   Joni   C.H.    Rebecca  Kelly   Jenny   Christine   Katie   Pam
Joni, Jason, Jane, Nicole, Amanda, Rebecca, Kami, Lynettte,  Jennifer, Candice, Francine, Lisa, Liz, Layna, Osborn, Courtney, Ivy
Pam, Amanda, Candice, Erika, Gretchen, Elizabeth, Amanda, Tanna, Susan , Cathy, Kelli
Natalie, Chelsea, Tania, Jolene, Beth, S.D., Val, Kalia, Gina, Morgan, K.B.
Pam, Cassandra, F.M., Amy, Ryan, Vanessa, Christine
Kim, Erika, Lisa, Lisa, Sarah, Stori, Gwen, Karla, Carolina, Jo, Virginia
Kim, Sharon, Sandra, Debbie, Carolyn
Annette, Sara, Katie, Kristen, Amber, Connie, Erika, Luba, Kim, Lynn, Tamsin
Candice, Kim, Amy, Loree, Michele, Megan, Nicole. Connie, Cassie
Cheryl, Eric, Sierra, Lauren, Christine, Jamie, Katie, Carol
Jane, Sarah, Lori, Lisa, Paula, B family, Jenny, Andrea, Sarah, Lindsey
Ernie, W family, Kimberly, Michele, Martha, Megan, Patricia, Anon, Kelli, Katie, Beth Ann
Naomi, Kelli, Katy, Cheryl, Mandy, Alle, Kelsey, Thomas, Travis, Mark, Kalia, Theresa
Carolina, Darlene, Susanna, Joy, Erin, Ben, Dave
Kelly, Kerri, Tiffany, Vanessa, Kim, Ivy, Robin, Anna, Stephanie, Kathy, Jamie
Kira, Francine, Casey, Lorri, Sharon, Erin, Anon., Sherri, N. family, Kelly, Alexis
Ohilda, Cathy, Patricia, Deb, Kayla, Brooke, Mandy, Alicia, Erin, S. family, Jaime
Eliana, Denise, Cathy, Allison, Peggy, Lynn, Virginia, William, Debby
Laura, Julie, Lisa, Sherri, Amy, Kelli, Jen
Tonya, Cassandra, Jenny, Kayla, Lisa, Sonya, Julie, Laura, Sam, Steph
Jill, Nevin, Laurie, Jacquelin, Michelle, Brendan, Kalia, Simon, Liam
Kelly, Kirsten, Rachel, Aaron

 
 
We have raised $34,060.00 so far in this Giveaway!!

We have had 13 matching grants offered...

Barton met his match
Frank met his match
Bobby met his match
The Taylors met their match
The Unroes met their match
The Johnsons met their match
The Collins met their match
Simon met his match
Porter met his match
Darren met his match

Angela and Jon need $1,300 to get their full matching grant of $1,300
Frank still needs $82 to meet his match
Hanson still needs $91 to meet his match
 
 
THESE ARE OUR EIGHT FAMILIES
 
Our FIRST goal is to raise AT LEAST $2,000.00 in each grant account!!
My deepest desire is to double that!!

These two families still need $1050.00 to meet our first goal!!! 
 

THE DEUTSCH FAMILY - Adopting Estelle and Gerard RAISED $1678.00
THE COLLINS FAMILY - Adopting Sutter Raised $1272.00

 
JON AND ANGELA-Adopting Jack and Jensen RAISED $3138.00 (MET OUR FIRST GOAL!)
 
WHEN JON AND ANGELA'S ACCOUNT REACHES $8209, THEY WILL MEET THE MATCHING GRANT AND AUTOMATICALLY RECEIVE ANOTHER $1,300.00!
 
THE BAKER FAMILY - Adopting Emmitt RAISED $2163.00 (MET OUR FIRST GOAL!)
THE JOHNSON FAMILY - Adopting FOUR brothers! RAISED $3095.00 (MET OUR FIRST GOAL!) 
 THE TAYLOR FAMILY - Adopting Samuel and Sara RAISED $2100.00 (MET OUR FIRST GOAL!) 
THE UNROE FAMILY - Adopting Matthew, Jonathan, and Charity RAISED $2429.00 (MET OUR FIRST GOAL!)

 THE MARR FAMILY - Adopting Alexei RAISED $4264.00  FULLY FUNDED!!!!!

THESE ARE OUR ELEVEN WAITING CHILDREN.... THEY ALL NEED FAMILIES!!

Our FIRST goal is to raise $1,000.00 in each of their grant accounts.
My deepest desire is to double that!!

THESE CHILDREN STILL NEED $2363.00 TO MEET OUR FIRST GOAL!!

HANSON - RAISED $505.00

WHEN HANSON'S ACCOUNT REACHES $3279, HE WILL MEET HIS MATCHING GRANT AND AUTOMATICALLY RECEIVE ANOTHER $250! He still needs $91.00
 
PORTER - RAISED $884.00 
JASON - RAISED $425.00
BOBBY - RAISED $617.00
AUBREE - RAISED $581.00
FRANK - RAISED $625.00

WHEN FRANK'S ACCOUNT REACHES $3623, HE WILL MEET HIS MATCHING GRANT AND AUTOMATICALLY RECEIVE ANOTHER $100! He still needs $82.00

SIMON - RAISED $1036.00 (SIMON HAS REACHED OUR FIRST GOAL!)
BARTON - RAISED $1343.00 (BARTON HAS REACHED OUR FIRST GOAL!)
IRIS - RAISED $1544.00 (IRIS HAS REACHED OUR FIRST GOAL!)
CASEY - RAISED $1248.00 (CASEY HAS REACHED OUR FIRST GOAL!)
 
DARREN - RAISED $2484.00  (CASEY HAS REACHED OUR SECOND GOAL!)


CHECK THIS OUT!!!!

LOST BOYS - RAISED $2530.00

THESE ARE THE RULES:
Simple Math - Every five dollars donated earns you one entry into our giveaway!!!

To enter, here's what you have to do:

FIRST.... Donate to any family or waiting child!! 
 
SECOND... You have to leave a comment WITH YOUR FIRST AND LAST NAME letting me know who you donated to. Make sure to give me the total amount donated. Because I always moderate my comments, I will be able to keep this information private if you ask me to leave it private. if you prefer not to leave a comment, you can e-mail me at covenantb@yahoo.com
 
THIRD.... You will also earn one entry for each additional family and/or waiting child you donate to. For example, a $50 donation spread among 3 families and 2 waiting children earns you 15 entries: 50/5 = 10 entries for the money, and 1 entry each for the families/children! So spread the love around!!!!

FOURTH.... You also get entries if you donate to the Lost Boys through Harvest International. Directions are below!

FIFTH.... You can also earn entries into the giveaway for SHARING! So share away. Share on Twitter. Share on FB. Share on your blog!!
 
When our Mulligan Stew Giveaway ends, we'll choose a winner for each prize by drawing random numbers from random.org. The more entries there are beside your name, the more chances you'll have to win something great!

THESE ARE OUR FAMILIES
 
Sutter

THE JOHNSON FAMILY
Adopting FOUR brothers!
D. V. Little V and Baby K!!
NEEDS $26,160.00 TO BE FULLY FUNDED

JON AND ANGELA
Adopting Jack and Jensen
NEEDS $32,000.00 TO BE FULLY FUNDED

THE TAYLOR FAMILY
Adopting Samuel and Sara (brother and sister)
NEEDS 25,210.00 TO BE FULLY FUNDED
21121204900 (1) 21121205037


THE DEUTSCH FAMILY
Adopting Estelle and Gerard
10825232256 10825233124

THE BAKER FAMILY
Adopting Emmitt
NEEDS 15,800.00 TO BE FULLY FUNDED
Emmitt 2013 (1)

THE UNROE FAMILY
Adopting Matthew (Thad) Jonathan (Carson) and Charity (Presley)
NEEDS 20,000.00 TO BE FULLY FUNDED
Thad_sm
 Carson_Aug2012 Presley
 

THESE ARE OUR WAITING CHILDREN

WOULD YOU PRAY AND CONSIDER??

 JASON 
$1096.00 available for my adoption!!
Jason (1) 
 Casey has until June 2013 to find a family
$1862.00 available for my adoption!!

 BARTON
Barton has until December 2013 to find a family
$1443.00 available for my adoption!!
barton-1



FRANK 
$3541.00 available for my adoption!!

DARREN
$3861.00 available for my adoption!!
darrennov2011-5-cropped

$3211.00 available for my adoption!!


 PORTER
$5894.00 available for my adoption!!


SIMON
Simon has until October 2013 to find a family!
$1453.00 available for my adoption!!
  BOBBY
$4098.00 available for my adoption!!
 
 
IRIS 
$12,126.00 available for my adoption!!
  

AUBREE
$4710.00 available for my adoption!!


OUR LOST BOYS!

BECAUSE I CANNOT LEAVE THEM OUT.... You can donate to the Lost Boys through Harvest International. Click on THIS LINK and designate your gift to Alyona and Slavik for the Lost Boys. All donations to Harvest International are Tax Deductible.
PLEASE DON'T FORGET TO DESIGNATE YOUR GIFT TO ALYONA AND SLAVIK FOR THE LOST BOYS.

 



WOW WOW WOW!!

THE LIST OF PRIZES!!!





$500.00 Gift Card
IPad Mini - $360.00
Wii U - $250.00 Value
KINDLE FIRE - $199.00 Value
Cross of Loops Necklace with Pearl - $280 Value
250.00 PICK A CHILD
BEAUTIFUL HANDMADE QUILT $175.00
BEAUTIFUL HANDMADE SURPRISE QUILT $175.00
Retired Lladro Shepherdess with basket, value approximately $130
$100.00 Value - BOG BOOTS
$100.00 Amazon Card
100 dollar gift card
$100.00 Target Gift Card
100 Chevron gas card
100 Chevron gas card
$100 BiblioPlan year for a family….
$100 Restaurant Gift Card

Glass Wine Decanter with 6 glasses - $100.00 Value
$100.00 gift certificate to Caps for Causes:
$100.00 gift certificate to Caps for Causes
4 pack of ItWorks wraps. They are valued at $99
Original Photo on Canvas Print - $60.00 Value
16 GB Kingston Data Traveler Flash drive $60.00
Jessica Tote - $59.00
Baby/Lap Quilt (40" X 52") is valued at $50
$50.00 Target Gift Card
$50.00 Amazon Gift card
$50.00 Bloomingdales Gift Card
$50.00 Best Buy Gift card
50.00 Mobile Gas Card
50.00 Pencil Portrait
50.00 Pick a Child
$50.00 ANYWHERE GIFT CARD
$50.00 Custom book gift package
35 X 25 Rag quilt - $45.00 Value
Weighted Blanket - $40.00 Value
Thirty-One mini organizer in the minty chip pattern $30.00 value
Four Herbalife personal care products: Strengthening Shampoo (8.5 oz), Strengthening Conditioner (8.5 oz), Hand & Body Wash (8.5 oz), and Bath & Body Bar (4.4 oz). Approximate value $30.
Vera Bradley wristlet - 30.00
30.00 gift card to winner‘s choice
One dozen Cupcakes or cake balls from the "The Cupcake Patch" (winner’s choice) - $25.00 value
One dozen Cupcakes or cake balls from the "The Cupcake Patch" (winner’s choice) - $25.00 value
25.00 Amazon Gift Card
25.00 Visa gift card
25.00 credit to a scout shop
$25.00 ANYWHERE gift card <
$25.00 ANYWHERE gift card
25 itunes card
25.00 PICK A CHILD or FAMILY
Mama Bird Necklace - Value $25.00
Customized video $25.00 Value - Winner’s Choice
$25.00 in Amazon cards (five 5.00 cards)
$25 gift card to Maggiano’s/On the Border/Romano’s Macaroni Grill
EasyLunchboxes Set -- 4 containers and cooler (pink) - $21 value
EasyLunchboxes Set -- 4 containers and cooler (orange) - $21 value
Happier at Home book - $26.00 Value
Custom Made Crochet Hat $20.00 Value - Winner’s choice
Duct Tape set (2 hair bows and a wallet) Value 20.00
Duct Tape set (2 hair bows and a wallet) Value 20.00
20.00 PICK A CHILD or FAMILY
Montessori Wooden Rainbow Puzzle 20.00
Four Handmade Bars of Soap - 20.00 Value
Four Handmade Bars of Soap - 20.00 Value
Four Handmade Bars of Soap - 20.00 Value
Four Handmade Bars of Soap - 20.00 Value
Four Handmade Bars of Soap - 20.00 Value
$20.00 Multi-color print Owl purse
$20.00 Pink print Owl purse
$18 gift certificate for my crochet shop Hooked on Hope -
3 hair bows - 16.00 value
Personalized Pendant - $16.00 value
Rainbow Gnomes 15.00
"Heritage Lace" "Victorian House 13" x 20" Placement, Ecru" $15.00 value
$15 Jamba Juice Gift Card
Animal Lovie (bear) is valued at $12
Ancient craft book $12.00 Value
Medieval craft book $12.00 Value
Modern craft book $12.00 Value
$10.00 Bright turquoise Disciple cross
$10.00 Light pink Disciple cross
$10.00 Titanium Disciple cross
$10.00 4 wooden Disney puzzles
$10 Cold Stone gift card
$10 Target card
$10.00 Tortured for Christ book (gently used)
Autographed Blake Shelton CD $10.00
Devotional book - Jesus Calling 10.00 value
SIGNED COPY - $10.00 There's a Green Plastic Monkey in My Purse: And Other Ways Motherhood Changes Us by Jessie Clemence
Crayon People (5.00)
$5.00 Bible Card Games
THREE THEMED OUT OF PRINT WORKBOOKS
5.00 Crocheted headband
Crocheted hat
$25.00 Value Infinity scarf, Frosty Green Fleck with Amber Fun Fur & glass beads
$25.00 Value Infinity scarf/shoulder wrap, Homespun with Terra Cotta Fun Fur
Made with Love/Beloved necklace $15.00
Forevermore necklace 15.00
Worthy bracelet $15.00
Inspire/Believe bracelet $20.00
Chosen bracelet $15.00
Daughter bracelet $15.00
Wonderful bracelet $20.00
Pink ring $5.00
Set of matching red flower dresses with headbands $40.00
Set of matching powder blue dresses & headbands -$40.00
Set of matching blue/striped bottom dresses $35.00
Pink/Purple Dress with headband $25.00
Red/Black/White dress - $20.00
Two Pack Jam - Two equal sized bottles of your favourite jams (125mL). There are a few varieties to chose from!
Jam Sampler- 125ml bottles of brandied cranberry & orange sauce, bumbleberry jam, orange & lemon marmalade, raspberry jam, strawberry jam and wild blueberry jam.

 THIS GIVEAWAY ENDS APRIL 15, 2013


 
 
 
 








 



16 comments:

  1. Dear Julia and family,

    Andrew is pleased to tell you that he would like to personally make sure that Hanson gets his matching grant! Andrew has been spreading the word about Hanson and Reece's Rainbow. He has raised $50 in donations and his parents generously matched it. So we donated $100 to Hanson.

    I also promised Andrew that if he raised $100 that I would donate $25 to a family and he had a bet with his sister that if he raised $100 that she would donate $25 to a family of her choice. We both chose Sarah and Samual's family.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wow! I have to share this on my Facebook page! Tell Andrew he is amazing!

      Delete
  2. Galit Schwartz donated $10 for Hanson and $10 for Jason.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Katie Beth

    I gave $20 more to the Unroe family. Can't help it - I've met them, I love them. I also shared on Twitter. And RR retweeted it! :)

    Don't you worry about those babes getting what they need to meet their goal. Around here, when we say 'no child left behind', we actually MEAN it! They'll get there if I have to beg and push and scrap and save them there myself! Just watch though, I'm willing to bet big things start to happen for them within a day or so.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi There!!! I remember a family who was adopting "Charlie", a boy who was at the same institution as Olsen and Everet, I was following their journey to their children , but I lost the Blog page!! What about them ? I remenber that Charlie had so many health problems. Can you tell a Little bit about them? Or give the blog page??

    THanks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Their blog has gone private at this point. The kids are doing well. That is all I know.

      Delete
  5. Hi! I donated $20 to the Taylor Family (Sam and Sara) and $20 to Jon & Angela (for Jack and Jensen). I also shared the Mulligan Stew on my FB page! Thanks for doing what you do Julia and Rob! I am not an adoptive parent now, but I hope to be some day.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I donated $10.00 each to the Baker and Taylor Families.
    Jessica Brown

    ReplyDelete
  7. Gave 12 to Jon and Angela. I loved Aaron's art!!!!!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Something happened to my last comment, so I hope this one comes through safely! I'll know it did when I see the names added to the roster of givers. : )

    I am making more donations today, but on behalf of other people. My children's teacher gave each of them $10 to give to a child in the stew! How sweet is that?! So I decided to match the donations, and my children really were blessed to look at the many faces, learn about their stories (and potential futures) and choose. Could you please use their names and not mine in the roster to give credit for the donations? Thank you! I am sure they would be thrilled to see their names in print. ; )

    Gwynneth gave $20 to Casey
    Meredith gave $20 to Simon
    Bronwyn gave $20 to Hanson
    Evan gave $20 to the Johnson family
    and Terry (the teacher) gave $20 to Jon & Angela.

    I love giving, and loved my kids giving, and our teacher giving to us so we could give to them! So much love and joy going around!

    (And much as I hate for you to part with Aaron's art, I hope one of us wins it, so we can give it to our teacher!)

    Blessings on you this day, Julia!

    ReplyDelete
  9. For Frank the $100 to complete the matching grant as promised.
    Whoo Hoo!

    Please please keep my name private if you please. Karla

    ReplyDelete
  10. We donated $10 to the Johnson family and $10 to the Unroe family. (that makes $20 in total)
    We also shared on our mom's facebook page and on her blog: www.childrenpreciousinhissight.blogspot.com

    Haylee and Naomi Adamson

    ReplyDelete
  11. First of all, thanks so much for doing this. Secondly, I am so thankful that anonymous a few posts up asked about Charlie's family's blog. I've been looking for it too!
    Thirdly, I donated:
    10 to Sutter
    5 to the Johnson family
    5 to Hansen
    5 to Porter
    and 25 to the Lost Boys through the Harvest Intl. page.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oh, I also shared on FB. :) Corrie Johnson

    ReplyDelete

Loving words from kind people make our hearts glad!