It is in Giving That We Gain!

So I wish each of you could look over my shoulder and read the e-mails I've been getting.

 

I'm serious about buying stock in the Kleenex company!

 

Here is just one of the many reasons why I am working my way through tissues...

 

Yesterday, one of the families who is in our stew donated to another one of the families. 

 

In their comment to me this is what they wrote....

 

"No need to enter me in the drawing. Make sure as many people as possible get a chance.  I'll just  head over to Eastern Europe this year and pick up my prizes directly."

 

DID YOU READ THAT???

 

Do you realize that this family is sacrificing everything to go get their treasures yet they are digging into their pockets to help ANOTHER family get across the ocean too.

 

 

And you want to know what??? That family they just blessed.... They too gave to ANOTHER family.  And THAT family also gave.

And you want to know what else????  A whole host of adopting families who are NOT IN THE STEW and who are scrapping pennies to cross the ocean for their own babes have poured money into this fundraiser.

 

DOES THAT NOT MAKE YOU WANT TO GO GET SOME TISSUES??

 

Does that not humble you beyond words??
 

Each of these families is trying desperately to raise thousands and thousands of dollars yet somehow they are grasping a truth that too often is missed by too many.

 

It is in giving that we receive.  It is often when we pour ourselves out that God overwhelms us with His blessing.

Here is a sad sad truth...

 

I know too many churches who are terrified to give to a family who is adopting.

 

Why?? 

 

 Because giving to that family may take away from the church offering.  Giving to that family may mean less money to cover churches expenses.  Giving to that family might encourage another family to adopt and that family might want the church to help them too.  That might mean even more money out of the church offering.  Even less money for church expenses.

 

HELLO!!!

 

IS ANYBODY OUT THERE???

 

Do you really believe that if your church were to pour itself into orphan care that you would have LESS?  Do you really believe that by helping a family bring home one of the Least of These that your church wouldn't make budget? 

 

Do you realize that churches who PRACTICE orphan care are the most ALIVE and HEALTHY churches out there??  Do you realize that when you GIVE and POUR YOURSELF OUT that God pours out His blessing?

 

Jesus said:  Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

 

 

God doesn't abandon those churches who care for the widow and the orphan.  He just doesn't. 

 

And you know why I know this??? Because churches who care for the widow and orphan understand God's heart.  And they are willing to pour themselves out.  They are willing to sacrifice everything.  They are willing to forgo the fancy buildings and the beautiful furniture.  They are content with the simple in order give and give again to those who need it the most.  Their little bit offered is multiplied time and again.

 

It is in giving that we gain.

Our families understand that...

Many of you understand that too...

Now if we could just get the churches to understand that...

2 Corinthians 9: 6-11
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly,



and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.



Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.



And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.



As it is written:

“They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor;
    their righteousness endures forever.”

 

 

Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.

 

 

You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

 

 

 

 

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.'"

 

 253 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
 

 

We have raised $31,186.00 so far in this Giveaway!!

We have had 12 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

Frank needs $100 to meet his match
Hanson still needs $214 to meet his match

Porter still needs $92 to meet his match

Darren still needs $1206 to receive his FULL $2,000 matching grant!

 

CHECK THIS OUT...

 

Frank has been offered another $100 matching grant!!!!

 

WOO HOO FRANK!!!

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 families still need $1314.00 to meet our first goal!!! 
PLEASE HELP US!!
 

 WOW WOW WOW!!!

 

THE MARR FAMILY - Adopting Alexei RAISED $4264.00

FULLY FUNDED!!!!!

 

THE DEUTSCH FAMILY - Adopting Estelle and Gerard RAISED $1668.00

THE BAKER FAMILY - Adopting Emmitt RAISED $1923.00
THE COLLINS FAMILY - Adopting Sutter Raised $1095.00

 

JON AND ANGELA-Adopting Jack and Jensen RAISED $2871.00 (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 $2096.00 (MET OUR FIRST GOAL!) 

 

THE UNROE FAMILY - Adopting Matthew, Jonathan, and Charity RAISED $2399.00 (MET OUR FIRST GOAL!)

 

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 $3,177.00 TO MEET OUR FIRST GOAL!!

HANSON - RAISED $382.00

WHEN HANSON'S ACCOUNT REACHES $3279, HE WILL MEET HIS MATCHING GRANT AND AUTOMATICALLY RECEIVE ANOTHER $250!
 

PORTER - RAISED $427.00

WHEN PORTER'S ACCOUNT REACHES $5574, HE WILL MEET HIS MATCHING GRANT AND AUTOMATICALLY RECEIVE ANOTHER $250!
 

JASON - RAISED $389.00

SIMON - RAISED $901.00

BOBBY - RAISED $617.00

AUBREE - RAISED $505.00

FRANK - RAISED $602.00

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

BARTON - RAISED $1343.00 (BARTON HAS REACHED OUR FIRST GOAL!)

IRIS - RAISED $1540.00 (IRIS HAS REACHED OUR FIRST GOAL!)

CASEY - RAISED $1248.00 (CASEY HAS REACHED OUR FIRST GOAL!)

DARREN - RAISED $1291.00  $2,000 MATCHING GRANT - STILL NEEDS $1206.00

WHEN DARREN'S ACCOUNT REACHES $3,837, HE WILL MEET HIS MATCHING GRANT AND AUTOMATICALLY RECEIVE ANOTHER $2,000!

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.... You have to pick at least ONE of the families and make a donation into their grant account.

SECOND....You have to pick at least ONE of the waiting children below and make a donation into their grant account.

THIRD... You have to leave a comment WITH YOUR FIRST AND LAST NAME letting me know which of the families you donated to and which of the waiting children. 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

 

FOURTH.... 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!!!!

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

SIXTH.... 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

 

THE COLLINS FAMILY
Adopting Sutter
Click here to get to their family blog
Click here to get to their grant account

THE JOHNSON FAMILY

Adopting FOUR brothers!

D. V. Little V and Baby K!!
NEEDS $26,160.00 TO BE FULLY FUNDED

Click here to get to their Family Blog

Click here to donate to their grant account

JON AND ANGELA

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

Click here to get to their Family Blog

Click here to donate to their grant account

THE TAYLOR FAMILY

Adopting Samuel and Sara (brother and sister)
NEEDS 25,210.00 TO BE FULLY FUNDED

Click here to get to their Family Blog

Click here to donate to their grant account

THE DEUTSCH FAMILY

Adopting Estelle and Gerard

Click here to get to their Family Blog

Click here to get to their grant account

THE BAKER FAMILY

Adopting Emmitt
NEEDS 15,800.00 TO BE FULLY FUNDED

Click here to get to their grant account

THE UNROE FAMILY

Adopting Matthew (Thad) Jonathan (Carson) and Charity (Presley)
NEEDS 20,000.00 TO BE FULLY FUNDED

Click here to get to their Family Blog

Click here to get to their grant account

 
 

THE MARR FAMILY

Adopting Alexei
FULLY FUNDED!!

Click here to get to their Family Blog

Click here to get to their grant account

THESE ARE OUR WAITING CHILDREN

WOULD YOU PRAY AND CONSIDER??

 JASON 
$1051.00 available for my adoption!!

 

CASEY

 Casey has until June 2013 to find a family
$1763.00 available for my adoption!!

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

FRANK 
$3523.00 available for my adoption!!

DARREN
$2640.00 available for my adoption!!

HANSON

$3065.00 available for my adoption!!

 PORTER
$5482.00 available for my adoption!!

SIMON
Simon has until October 2013 to find a family!
$1316.00 available for my adoption!!

  BOBBY

$4098.00 available for my adoption!!

 

 

IRIS 

$12,126.00 available for my adoption!!

  

AUBREE
$4670.00 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!!!

CLICK HERE TO SEE PICTURES AND DETAILS

$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 Causes4 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 ClemenceCrayon 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