FREE SHIPPING!

I received two packages in the mail today, and I just can't wait to tell you about it. This is a really last-minute thing, but I want to at least give you a chance to take advantage of it!
You probably remember how my sister and bro-in-law have been making crosses to sell to benefit organizations in Africa who work with orphans. Well, they have invited us to partner with them by helping them get the word out! They sent a bunch of their inventory down to us in Kansas. So, here's the deal!

Heat-finished crosses: Aren't they beautiful!

If you need any last-minute Christmas gifts. . .(think husbands, wives, pastors, teachers, small group leaders, friends, grandparents, parents, etc.). . . here is an easy way to take care of those loose ends while helping orphans in Ethiopia. All proceeds will go straight to orphans who are being cared for by Drawn from Water. Chris and I were able to visit their orphanage, and we are so impressed by what God is doing through them. We would love to further support them.

If you live in Wichita, I can hand-deliver!

To sweeten the deal for all of my adoption friends all over the U.S., I will give free shipping if you order before Friday (December 17). That is just three days away, so let me know soon!I would just love to have people all over get these Africas and crosses. They really are beautiful, and the pictures don't do them justice. Just trust me!

Crosses range from $10-30, so let me know what you like,
and I'll let you know how much it costs.

These bronze crosses (above) are my favorite!
They are gorgeous. Seriously. (They are $25.)
Well, o.k. These little Africas are probably my ultimate favorite.
They would be perfect for a husband's desk.
Chris has already informed me of this!
(Little Africa = $30)

Remember, all proceeds go directly to the orphans at Drawn from Water, and I will pay the shipping if you order by Friday. Let me know ASAP so I can try to get it to you before Christmas!

A Crazy Week

This week was a crazy week. It started off with some minor surgery for Isaiah. He had developed a large cist on the top of his head, so the doctor wanted to take it off. It ended up being a big pocket of puss, so she had to put a tube in the top of his head to drain it off. We are not sure what caused this in the first place, but we are praying it doesn't return.Then, Chris and I went to our church's leadership party. We got "all dressed up" to fit in with the Redneck theme. :) It was fun, especially when we arrived to see the redneck weddin' cake! We entertained ourselves with toilet seat horseshoes and spam-carving games. :)
Tonight, we were sooooo excited to go greet Brenda and Elias at the airport. They were getting home from Ethiopia. (Amanda, I loved the posters so much that we re-used them!)

Sydney and Jackson holding the posters!

Isaiah and Jude getting acquainted. (Yes, both from Ethiopia!)

The crowd getting ready for the grand appearance!

Here they are!

Isaiah was hogging the camera! (You can see the drain on top of his head.)

Talking to my sweet friend. I am so glad she is home--with Elias!

Our Ethiopian population is growing here in Wichita!

Christmas Gifts and GIVAWAY!

I am lucky enough to have a sister and brother-in-law who have a passion to help orphans with their talents. They are making these amazing metal pieces, and they give all earnings to organizations that take care of the "least of these". You can check out their blog to read about their latest endeavor to raise money for Drawn from Water.

Please take a look at these pieces. Oh, I just love these stand-up Africas!

If you want, you can even enter their giveaway for this free piece! It is easy. All you have to do is link to this post from your facebook page or blog, or become a follower, and get the word out that they are taking orders for Christmas. Remember that all proceeds will go to help others this Christmas who have no mom or dad to care for them, much less give them a gift.

There are so many opportunities to shop for items this Christmas that "give twice". I just love it! Here is one more option! Pass it on if you can!

Thanksgiving Review

Yesterday was a sweet day. We had a brunch with Chris's mom and brothers. Yummy! Then, we had the bigger family over for the traditional turkey dinner--at supper!

It was a full and blessed day.

Catching up and Thankful

Boy! This month is flying by! Here's a quick re-cap:
Isaiah had his first haircut. We celebrated Chris's 39th birthday.

Isaiah started eating with his own spoon.

We got our first great picture of all four kids!

Oh, I am thankful!!!

Happy Thanksgiving

What we did last night

I love free entertainment!

Balloons are Funny!

Tonight, Sydney and Raegan started blowing up their little water balloons. They quickly found out how funny the balloons are!

5th Grade Band

Last week, Sydney had her first band concert. She has been playing clarinet for almost three months. Of course, the concert included "Twinkle, twinkle, little star"! She is in the second row on the right side of the band. I know--you can't see her. Oh well!

This is what Isaiah thought of the masterpiece. (He loves music!)

Orphan Sunday

Tomorrow is Orphan Sunday. Unfortunately, half of our family got sick tonight, so we could not host our event. We will try to reschedule soon!

Several years ago, I never would have thought we would adopt. The financial implications of adopting scared us silly, and I just never thought we needed to adopt. But God had other plans. He showed us that we did need to adopt. Just because we had been able to have three biological kids and we had a "picture-perfect" family (at least we thought we did!), our hearts needed to grow to know more about God's love for us. We needed to put our faith into action. We needed to learn to trust God for more than what we control. And, a little boy named Isaiah needed a family. So now, I want to just post another video that highlights the need for orphan care. It is emotional, and some might argue that it plays on people's emotions. That is probably true. But, the issue is emotional. And, we can do something to help. All of us are not called to adopt. But, we are all called to do something. And, who knows, maybe you are being called to adopt. Or foster. Or support someone else who is adopting. Or sponsor a child who will grow up in an orphanage. Or mentor a fatherless teen in a local middle school.

Hope is Fading – Orphan Sunday from Allan Rosenow on Vimeo.

Happy Birthday Aunt Melli!

A birthday message to my amazing sister from several of her adoring nieces and nephews:

We all love you and can't wait to see you in a little over a month!
We hope your day is a special one!

Orphan Sunday Event--on Saturday!

Why Love Orphans? from Christian Alliance for Orphans on Vimeo.

This Saturday, Chris and I will be hosting an Orphan Event to recognize Orphan Sunday. We would love to have you join us Saturday from 6:00-8:00 p.m.

We will have cookies, a video, and a time to pray for orphans across the world.
Anyone is welcome. If you can, just bring cookies to share. :)

Alaska to Africa

My sister and her husband, Melissa and Pat, are some of the most talented people I know. What makes it even sweeter is that they have a passion to use their talents to help others.

If you are looking for a great Christmas gift for someone, consider these amazing crosses they make. They are beautiful. They also make amazing metal Africas (and other countries). Here is ours! To make this even more fun, if you help them spread the word by linking them to your blog or facebook, you will be entered into a contest for this free cross! FUN! So, go to their blog, http://teakells.blogspot.com/, to link and order!

All proceeds go to help those in need in Africa. I love it!!! Make your shopping a little more meaningful this holiday season.

Trick-or-treating

Here are our Ethiopians, after trick-or-treating. I think Isaiah likes this whole walking-around-to-houses-and-getting-candy thing!

Pictures of Life

This past week has been fun. The kids were home for most of the week due to parent-teacher conferences, so we had a lot of time to spend together.
The girls and I had a crazy hair day.Isaiah figured out how he could better communicate that he was ready to eat! He has started setting the table when I am cooking.
The older kids had fun spending more time with Isaiah. They were great helps in entertaining him!

Friday night, we got all dressed up to go to the Fall Festival at River. Aren't all of our Ethiopians adorable?!Then Gram took the older three to the corn maze.
These things are a lot tougher than you might imagine! :)
Each day seems to be easier and easier with Isaiah. He really does seem like a normal kid. He has woken up a few times at night this week, but he is getting about a tooth a night, so I guess I can't blame him. :) Like I said, he seems pretty normal. We have pretty much slipped back into "normal life" already. I think we have had a very quick adjustment. I don't want to give the impression that everything has been seamless (I will post about some of the tough things soon), but we have been home only five weeks. Considering this, it really has been a very smooth transition.

Thank you, everyone, who has been praying for us. I know that is the reason things have gone so well.