Maybe one day I'll find a chunk of time big enough to catch up on all of our photos . . .but until then I've had an idea brewing in my mind and had to finally bring it to life.
For a while now, I've been brainstorming how to combine two of my favorite things:
and
Many of you are already familiar with Lifesong for Orphans. We love this ministry that not only has been a huge blessing to us in our own adoption journey but helps countless other adoptive families with their own financial hurdles to adopt. More importantly, they serve orphans all across the world with many incredible programs in numerous different countries
One program, Lifesong Ethiopia, is special to us for obvious reasons. Here's a little explanation, taken from Lifesong's website, that describes their program there.
"In Ziway, Ethiopia, children need an education to break free from gripping poverty. Public schools are lacking, so kids are left behind without the hope of an education or a future. Our current Lifesong School is not only giving hope, but also feeding 350 hungry children two meals each day. We have a critical need to build a 12 room expansion to the school. Please join with us to make a difference in a child’s life."
Here's the incredible part!
Lifesong has been offered a matching grant UP TO $130,000 from now through December 31st. This incredibly generous donation will help Lifesong expand their program to help meet the needs of even more children. I've seen what a blessing Lifesong is to so many and learned about many of their programs more specifically. I can't say enough about how deserving they are of our support.
Lifesong is offering a fabulous way to gift the teachers in your lives this year that I jumped at for our own family. How many Christmas mugs can they really use?! : )
Yes, I've now told every one of our teachers what they can expect for Christmas now.
You can read more about it here.
But I wanted to find a way to help spread the word.
So here's what I'm going to do (and we're operating on an honor system here : ) ).
I'm offering a few incentives to help YOU spread the word so Lifesong can try to maximize the full matching grant. There's no "minimum" amount - every dollar becomes TWO so every little bit helps. All you have to do is visit here to see how to make a donation. Just a reminder, if you're wanting to gift a teacher, they do request a minimum $10 donation.
For every donation you tell me you have made, I'll put your name in my "grand prize" drawing. That's one entry for each of you already! : ) You don't have to tell me how much and it can be $1, $20, a $1000 or more! : ) Every little bit helps.
For sharing about this opportunity on facebook, you get 2 entries.
For sharing about this opportunity on your own blog with a link, you get 3 entries.
For having someone else come to my blog and telling me they donated after hearing about this from you? You EACH get an entry. : )
Hopefully that all made sense!
Here's what I'm offering up:
4 copies of the book "Kisses from Katie." It's the story of a young girl who obeyed Jesus until it hurt and the people who were blessed as a result. Read it yourself and be changed. .. or give it away and impact the heart of someone you love. This book convicted, challenged and inspired me. Now THERE'S a good teacher's present: a donation card from Lifesong Ethiopia AND the book Kisses from Katie.
OR
One item of your choice from the Ordinary Hero Store
What I love is that my giveaways each help support a great cause all of their own!
But here's my final commitment: for every single entry I get, I will donate my own additional dollar to Lifesong. It may be a lot or a little but I love that every dollar becomes two.
You have until midnight on Dec. 6th - one week!
So surprise me. . . : )
