Shari's Bump Party

11:30 AM

 

UPDATE UPDATE....

 

ANOTHER 15,000 HAS BEEN ADDED TO THE BUMP PARTY...

 

AT THIS POINT WE HAVE HAD 11 BABES GO OVER....

 

37 MORE TO GO!!!

 

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This little cutie has a secret admirer...

 

Someone who loves her very very much!!

 

They don't want to see her sitting under the $1,000 wall so they have issued a challenge....

 

Get her over... 

 

 

Get sweet Shari OVER the wall and then they will start a fun bump challenge...

 

Every time we get the child at the TOP of the wall over... they will bump a child at the BOTTOM of the wall!!

 

Did you read that??

 

We get the EASY part... they get the HARD part!!

 

One child at a time....

 

We all work together...

 

Working off the top to get them over!!

 

18 rounds.... 36 children to be bumped... over the wall....

 

THIS IS GOING TO BE FUN!!

 

Shari goes first....

 

Then we start from the top!

 

ON YOUR MARK... GET SET... GO!!!

 

CLICK HERE TO GET TO THE ANGEL TREE!

 

 

 

 

The Impossible

Did you see??

 

When you woke up this morning did you see??

 

2013 Angel Tree

 

On Saturday morning a few of us were given a choice.  We had a bump grant on the table and we had to decide what to do with it.  Talk about agonizing!!

 

We could do the easy.... use it to get the top kids over the wall... 

 

We could do the moderate... use it to get some of the bottom kids moved but in a way where we would most definitely come out shining.

 

We could do the crazy.... use it to get all the bottom babes over the 500 wall.

 

Honestly. We agonized.  We went back and forth. I talked to Rob.  We agonized some more.  Getting the bottom babes over required the MOST amount of money needed.  The easy was so tempting.

 

But God doesn't call us to do the easy.  And the bottom babes were crying out for us to LOVE THEM.  CARE ABOUT THEM. 

 

55 for 55. 

 

Crazy.

 

We chose the hard.

 

On Saturday night we wondered.  Did we choose wrong.  We questioned each other. Worried.  Second-guessed our decision.

 

I prayed through the night. 

 

Sunday morning.  17 babes were over.

 

38 left.

 

That was a HUGE number. 

 

But I serve a Living God who loves the orphan and who loves that we are trying in our feeble and simple ways to love them too.

 

All day yesterday I had the pleasure of watching Him tap hearts.

 

And little by little those 38 babes climbed the wall and went over.

 

Not in big chunks.  But in tiny bits.... one at a time.  A tap here on this heart.  A tap there.  5's, 10's, 20's came in.  Little chipping that put them over one at a time.  Slowly.  Steadily.  Each one a victory.  Each child named.  Each child noticed.  Each child cheered. 

 

With the bump grant over 22,000.00 was raised in two days.

 

110 children were blessed.

 

A Huge Victory!

 

On this Monday morning I shout Hurrah to the King.

 

Are we done?

 

No. 

 

172 children still need to climb the $1,000 wall.

 

200+ babes need families.

 

They need to be seen.

 

It would be so easy to sit back and let the 55 for 55 be our victory for this year! 

 

It would be so easy.

 

Right now there isn't another bump grant on the table.

 

And I gave away most of my prizes on Facebook last night that I brought back from my trip so unless I cross the ocean really fast... I'm almost out of giveaway stuff.

 

Something like 80,000 needs to be raised in two days.

 

Impossible.  Yes.

 

Yes.

 

Absolutely.

 

I'm not quitting.

 

Every single child over the $1,000 wall in the next two days is a Victory to the Impossible.

 

Every single one.

 

From now until New Year's Eve...

 

We will shout praises each time a child jumps the $1,000 wall. 

 

Will they all get over???? No idea. 

 

But some will. 

 

Maybe a lot.

 

 

And I'm going to be in the front row section cheering each one on.  Naming them.  Praying over them.  Shouting for families.  Believing that what we are doing is good and right and holy.

 

Will you join me?

 

Join me in praying.  Shouting.  Loving.  Sharing.  Giving.

 

Join me and shout victory each time a little one is noticed.

 

I will be on Facebook shouting.

 

Believing the impossible.

 

Content to watch God at work.

 

Because the rewards are immense....

 

They look like this....

 

Heath... Under the tree this year... surrounded by presents.... Loved.  Wanted.  Adopted.

And this....

Joseph Igor under the tree this year... Treasured.  Cherished.  Adopted.

 

And this...

 

Vika, Leo, Yana... surrounded by brothers and sisters this year...Safe.  Protected.  Adopted.

 

 

And this...

 

Levi (Frank) allowed to be a little boy.. Enjoyed.  Prized. Considered a Delight.  Adopted.

 

And this....

 

The Johnson children... Four adopted treasures.  Adored. Admired.  FAMILY. Adopted.

 

YES.

 

THE REWARDS..... They are worth the effort!!

 

Join in!

 

There is  room in the front row section for everyone!

 

Let's have fun together!!

 

WATCH THE IMPOSSIBLE HAPPEN!

 

 CLICK HERE TO HELP A CHILD ON THE ANGEL TREE GET OVER THE $1,000 WALL!!

 

Pray. Shout.  Share.  Give.

 

Every single child over is a VICTORY!!

 

 

P.S. All matching grants... bump grants....  etc etc etc are happily accepted.

 

covenantb@yahoo.com

 

P.S.S.  It will take a good part of the day for the bump grant to get the 55 lowest children over the 500 wall... Donating into their accounts now will allow the bump grant to go even farther so please don't hesitate to keep helping those babes!!!

 

 

 

38 for 55

 

17 babes jumped the wall yesterday.

 

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HELPED GET THOSE BABES OVER!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We have 38 babes to go.

 

Impossible?

 

Maybe. 

 

As I lay in bed last night not sleeping (typical when I'm stressed and YES this challenge is stressing me) I was brought back again and again through the night that it is GOD who moves in hearts.  Not me. All the strategy.  All the antics. All the gimmicks and games.  None of it compares to when the Holy Spirit whispers.

 

I believe strongly in supporting the babes on the Angel Tree.

 

I'm passionate about it.

 

I care.

 

Deeply.

 

So deeply that I struggle to look at the pictures on there without grieving each and every time.  I've seen where many of them will end up and it breaks my heart. 

 

It hurts to see the familiar faces.  I think that hurts the worst for me.

 

Two years ago Mark was part of a Giveaway I did.  One of the first.  Those chosen that year were the PASSED OVER BABES... the ones who had been on the tree the longest.  Yes.  That was two years ago.  We raised 1,000 for him two years ago.  Since then he had a family commit to him but lost them.  Since then he has been diagnosed with leukemia.  Leukemia.  Cancer.  Mark. 

 

He breaks my heart.  And he is stuck down near the bottom of the tree.  Along with the other 92.  Just one picture among many.

So many.

Each with a story. 

Stories that should be told.  Need to be told.  Are screaming to be told. 

They are children.

Stuck in orphanages and mental institutes across the globe.

So I yell. 

 

For Mark.  And for the other 92.

 

CLICK HERE TO GET TO THE ANGEL TREE

 

Reminder:  We are trying to eliminate the 250-499 category on the Angel Tree.  We have been given a challenge that if we get 55 babes over then the other 55 will be pushed over by a donor.  So far we have pushed 17 over the wall.  38 are left.  Help us.

 

THANK YOU!

 

 

55 For 55

IT'S A 55 FOR 55 CHALLENGE!!
 

There are 110 babes who are currently under 500 on the Angel Tree!!
 

 

The GOAL....
 

Get all 110 babes over that 500 wall!!
 

HOW??
 

A donor has stepped up and has agreed to get FIFTY FIVE of the babes over.
 

Half of them.
 

WE JUST NEED TO STEP UP AND GET THE OTHER 55 OVER FIRST!!
 

It's a 55 for 55 challenge!!
 

WILL YOU HELP??
 

Any donation to any child under 500 will help them crawl up that wall.
 

I'm at the very bottom of the tree!!

We don't want to leave any behind!!
 

PLEASE!
 

And if you donate... there is a GIVEAWAY going on that includes some cool prizes!
 

55 OVER THEN THE OTHER 55 WILL GO OVER!!

 

 

They matter.
 

I'm at the very bottom of the tree!!

The little ones on the bottom.
 

The ones who are constantly being left behind.  So many are the same ones from last year.  And the year before.  And some even the year before that.  Little ones who need families.  Little ones who need to be under a tree not hanging on it. 
 

They matter.
 

Help them get over the 500 wall.
 

 

 

LET'S TEAR IT DOWN!!!!
 

JOIN IN!!
 

I've been on the Angel Tree for too long!!

We have until Sunday night - Midnight.
 

55 for 55!!

GO!!
 

CLICK HERE TO GET TO THE ANGEL TREE
 

As a reminder - 10% of all donations goes to the Voice of Hope fund!
 

  

 

 

P.S. - THIS IS WHY WE ARE DOING WHAT WE DOING....
 

So that next year... these babes can be in a video... safe in the arms of love!!
 

Just FYI... Aaron is in this....at the 2 minute mark!!
 

Christmas Eve - Angel Tree Dollars

 

Oh My Goodness Gracious.... The babes are moving up the Angel Tree quite nicely!!

 

 

With SO MANY on the tree this year you kind of wonder how we are ever going to get all of them to their $1,000 goal.   But they are moving and that is COOL to watch.  If you are looking for something FUN to do after Christmas - join in and watch the 200+ babes climb the Angel Tree. 

 

 

 

I've heard some say that they would rather donate to families adopting instead of to the waiting children because the need of the families is so great.

 

For me.... My heart is with the waiting children.  It is trench work.  It is harder.  It is a battle for each and every one.  But it is the essence of Reece's Rainbow.  Find the babes.  Advocate for them.  Raise their grant account.  Find them families. 

 

Here is the honest truth.

 

The price tag that comes with adoption scares off willing families time and time again. 

 

Waiting children are waiting too often because families don't have the funds needed to adopt them. 

 

 

Don't get me wrong.  We rally for the families all the time. 

 

On Sunday one of the Reece's Rainbow families was in desperate need.  They leave on Friday to get their son who is aging out at the end of the year. 

 

I'm in a group of RR warriors called the Anonymous Angels.  Okay.  Sharing that means I'm not anonymous anymore but this story is worth sharing!  We raise matching grants for families.  We pool our 5's, 10's, 20's together and offer families who are close to traveling and who are desperate in need, matching grants to give them a boost and to encourage them. 

 

We were taking a December break. 

 

A breather.

 

We've provided a whole lot of matching grants this past year!  Our pocket books are suffering BIG TIME because of it!

 

But last week the needs of this family came up and many of us were agonizing over how we could fill up their cup at the last hour.

 

So on Sunday the Anonymous Angel leaders asked us if we would be willing to do a last minute matching grant.  I saw the question early on Sunday morning and immediately responded with a LOUD YES.  DO IT.  So what if we are broke.  There is a boy who needs to come home.  Then I went to church.  Then I went to Elijah's show.  I was gone all day.  I checked e-mails once in a while and saw they were going for it.  I did a fist pump to myself and went about my day.  I would throw in our two bits when I got home. 

 

But I didn't have a chance. 

 

By the time I got home the matching grant of ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS raised by NUMEROUS ANGELS had already been offered to the family and it was already being met.  My two bits went to helping MEET the grant!  Wow!  By Monday afternoon the entire amount was raised and the family was funded.

 

WOW!!

 

WOW!!

 

 That's cool.

 

Helping families out is amazing and wonderful and I am right there to do it.

 

But my heart..... It is with the waiting babes.

 

 

 

BECAUSE IF WE DON'T FIGHT FOR THEM..... NO ONE ELSE WILL.

 

 

If we don't give them a voice.

 

Then they lay silent in their cribs.

 

 

If we don't raise their grant accounts - then Papas will look at the price tag and turn away.

 

So this morning - Right before I wrote this post - I bought our ANGEL TREE dollars.

 

 

They are going in our stockings.

 

Tomorrow during our family Christmas time... between putting baby Jesus in the manger on our Advent Calendar, reading the Bible story and opening presents... we will each pick an Angel Tree babe and donate money into his/her account.

 

Trench work.

 

 

 

So very worth it.

 

Hard.  Heartbreaking.  Exhausting.

 

 

 

 

 

But so very worth it.

 

 

 

Join in.

 

If there is still room in your child's stocking... consider adding in Angel Tree dollars. 

 

And after Christmas, join in as we shout for the 200+ babes to find families.

 

It's trench work.

 

But they are worth it!

 

 

 

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P.S.

 

Brooke K, Molly, Jennifer, Anna H. and Sheri - You each won a bag of candy!!  E-mail me at covenantb@yahoo.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They Are Not Home

I watched this video on Friday morning.  In the quiet of my office.  With my littlest sleeping upstairs in his bed.  I watched with tears trickling down my cheeks. 

 

I watched and grieved.

 

I watched and prayed.

 

Over 25 families are featured on this video.  Over 25 families who crossed the ocean and met their child.  Over 25 families who whispered love into their ears.  Promises that they would return.  Promises that soon.  Soon.  Mama and Papa would be back to take them home forever. 

 

Over 25 families expected that this Christmas would find their babes safely tucked in their beds on Christmas Eve. 

 

They are not home.

 

They are not home.

 

 

 

I watched this video and I wept for those 25+ families.  I watched knowing that for them - Christmas brings a deep sorrow - an emptiness.  Their babes are across the ocean. 

 

They are not home.

 

On December 28, 2012, the doors closed to adoption in Rus*ia. 

 

Closed.

 

Shut.

 

 

My littlest is tucked safely in his bed as I write this post.

 

Their little ones are sitting in baby houses, mental institutes or internats.

 

Locked away.

 

 

Please.  Watch the video.  Watch and pray.  Cry.  Grieve. 

 

These families need us to continue to stand with them.  Pray with them.  Their grief is real.  They HELD these children.  They kissed them.  They whispered promises in their ears.  They claimed them as their sons and daughters.  You cannot watch that video and not cry.  You cannot.  Knowing that every single child on there is stuck on the wrong side of the world.  Knowing that every single family is grieving right now as the anniversary of their loss comes up. 

 

Please watch.  Please cry.

 

Let your hearts be broken for the broken things in this world.

 

None of them are home.

 

They are not home.

 

 

 

The Sheep and a Giveaway

I watched my little guy last night and my heart was full.

 

 

He was so proud.

 

So very proud.

 

You have to understand.  Language has been hard for him.  So very hard.

 

 

But he stood up there last night and he said his lines.  With confidence.  Clearly.  Carefully.

 

 

 

And this Mama was very very proud!

 

Our little guy has come so very far!!

 

 

 

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No one is sitting in the audience watching them say their lines.

 

The 225+ babes on the Christmas Angel Tree.

 

 

They don't even have lines to say.

 

The Reece's Rainbow Angel tree is in full swing with more babes on it than any of the other years.

 

 

 

What saddens me the most when I look at the tree is to see so many familiar faces.

 

I DON'T WANT TO SEE FAMILIAR FACES ON THE ANGEL TREE!!

 

 

I DON'T WANT TO SEE MORE CHILDREN.

 

 

 

IT MAKES ME CRY!!!!

 

I can't look at the tree without wanting to cry.

 

I don't know why this year is harder than most.  I think partly it is because I haven't been able to do more than just watch and pray for the babes this year.  I wasn't able to do a Big Giveaway like I did the last two years.  I haven't been able to rant and scream and yell with the rest of the warriors over all the babes.  I am coming in late and dang it - seeing all those faces on there staring back at me....And recognizing so many of them as the ones we fought for so hard last year.... I just want to break down a bit. 

 

 

 

The Angel Tree is designed with several goals in mind... to raise the grant account of each child by at least $1,000.00.... to get the children SEEN .... to raise awareness of the plight of special needs orphans across the ocean ..... and to ultimately find them families.

 

THEY NEED FAMILIES!

 

  

 

I'm coming in late but I'm here.

 

When I was across the ocean I bought a bit of chocolate.....

 

Of course Carla and I had to test it all out first to make sure it was edible.

 

In our testing we stumbled upon these amazing toffees that we both seriously went nuts over.

 

 

We ate every single one.

 

So I went back and got more.

 

And we ate a whole bunch of those.

 

So I was forced to go back and buy Carla her own bag and I bought another bag for me.

 

I LOVE THIS TOFFEE...

 

Parting with it is going to be seriously hard but give it away I must....

 

SO....

 

I've made up several bags of candy from across the ocean.

 

Each bag has four different kinds of candy in it....

 

 

1.  Grand Toffee - MY ALL TIME FAVORITE!!

2.  An amazing Werther's Original type candy that is MY SECOND ALL TIME FAVORITE!!

3.  A Chocolate crunch that is absolutely delightful

4.  A sweet caramel candy that they used to give Aaron at his institute. 

 

Each bag contains TWENTY pieces of candy!!

 

I'M GIVING AWAY FIVE BAGS....

 

All you have to do??

 

Go on the Angel Tree and donate 10.00 OR MORE (please please please consider giving more) to the child ON THE BOTTOM of the tree.  Bump them up.  Then come back here and leave a comment to let me know you donated.  On Sunday morning I will draw names from all of those who donated and will give away FIVE bags of candy...

 

EASY.

 

CLICK HERE TO GET TO THE ANGEL TREE

 

FIVE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO WIN SOME AMAZING CANDY....

 

Just Saying!!

 

P.S. - If you want to be entered to win MORE prizes... then CLICK HERE and enter into this giveaway after you leave a comment on mine!!