Scarves ARE fashionable!

I tend to wear a lot of scarves. There isn't another accessory that allows me to dress us the same white t-shirt (or grey...I'm versatile, you know) day after day while having a different look. This is especially true when I'm in Ethiopia and the good news is, scarves are easily accessible to buy in Ethiopia. The bad news is that my scarf addition can't be fueled, then, when I'm here in the States. I'm always surprised at how much scarves seem to cost and of course I would prefer to support fair trade companies, but I'm trying to save for an adoption, too. That typically leaves me in a dilemma.

Until I came across fashionABLE. I don't remember how I stumbled on them, but they sell scarves made by Ethiopia artisans that are so beautiful and versatile. As with many fair trade companies, they have a great business model that they call a Transformative Cycle. You should hop over and see for yourself what I mean.

I have my eye on these gems right now.

Which do you like? Are you a scarf-wearer like me?

Ideas for Caring for the Orphan

Good morning Give1 family! I was thinking this morning about all of you who read this blog. Chances are you have a heart for the orphan and disadvantaged, taking James 1:27 to heart, “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.” but I am assuming not all of you can adopt in your current life stage. I thought I would share a few different ways you can get involved in helping the very people James was talking about.

Sponsor a child – child sponsorship works out to a little over a dollar a day and can drastically change a child’s life (and that of their family as well), you get the benefit of receiving letters from them throughout the  year and often the possibility of visiting them if you want. Plus, there are some Christian organizations that are committed to sharing the Gospel with the children in their programs (side note: just because an organization says they’re a Christian organization doesn’t mean they’re spreading the Gospel). Some great organizations are: Compassion/Compassion Canada, Children’s Hope Chest, and Gospel for Asia.

Foster a child – every state/province that I’ve ever heard fostering stats from has always had a great need for foster parents, and you usually get to choose your range of acceptance as well as if you want to provide emergency, short-term or long-term care.

Volunteer at church – many churches (especially those in inner-cities) have programs for the children in the area. Some of the children may be orphaned, fostered, or possibly just from troubled homes and would love some positive, stable adults in their life.

Big Brothers/Big Sisters – another good way to volunteer with children who need a mentor in their life (you can usually just Google Big Brothers and your city name and you’ll be directed to the website for your area).

There are so many other ideas . . . help out or organize a Vacation Bible School (VBS) in your area, volunteer at a local shelter, check out to see if local schools need help with before and after school programs, volunteer to baby-sit for a family who has just adopted, the possibilities are endless.

Do you have any ideas for caring for the orphan and disadvantaged? I would love to hear them!

Phillips Update

Trey and Ashton Phillips are adopting 2 precious babies. A son from the US and a daughter from the Congo. Haven't watched their video yet? Do it now and then give them a dollar or 2 or 3.   They already have one sweet boy, Kipton--he's going to love his new brother and sister!
The Phillips' would love to raise $500 this week as our featured family. We can do that, right? Right. Since most of us won't be able to make any of their baby showers, let's shower them now! Giving and sharing is what we're all about!

Want to know more about Trey and Ashton? Follow their blog!  Thanks, all!

Love Times 2

Hey guys! Beth is in Ethiopia right now with her sweet little man!! Oh my, is he handsome!You know who else is hoping to get to their babies soon?? This week's family, the Phillips!
They are adopting not 1, but two little bundles of joy. Can you imagine their excitement??

Donate your dollars to help them out. You're awesome that way.  Have you seen their video yet? You can scroll down the page and read more about their journey.You will love them!!
Thanks for sharing their story on your pages.....FB, Twitter, your blogs.  The more the merrier! Let's blast their paypal today in true Give1 fashion!

Double Blessings!

Good morning everyone! I'm Tonya, and I handle the Asia page. BUT, since Beth is in Ethiopia as we speak loving on her sweet baby boy,  I will be introducing our new family this week.

It's the first day of school for us!  My boys both started new schools. There were a few nerves floating around our house this morning. How about you? Are your kiddos ready??

Let me introduce you to our family of the week...

The Phillips family are adopting not one, but 2 sweet babies!! They are adopting domestically and from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Isn't that exciting? Watch their VIDEO...

You'll love this sweet family! You can DONATE to the Phillips family as they prepare for a new baby boy AND a little girl! How fun!! Follow along on their BLOG , too.

Thank you for stopping by and have a GREAT week! Check back during the week for an update on the Phillips!

Toys...Toys....TOYS!

My life is all about toys these days. Organizing them, cleaning them, tagging them. Sound familiar? Next weekend is the semi-annual children's consignment sale we participate in. These sales seem to be all the rage these days as parents use them to make a little money selling their children's used (or even sometimes new) items while others save a bundle by shopping used.                                                                                  

A few pictures from the Northern Colorado children's consignment sale we participate in, Forever Trendy Kids.

The funny thing is that I don't have children yet (oh please, government official in Ethiopia, change that for me!), yet I'm preparing many items to be sold. Most of our friends have children and have been so great enough to pass them off to us to sell. While this takes time (and I mean some serious time!), we are so appreciative to have the chance to use this as a way to fundraise for our adoption.

I know so many that are scared off from adoption because of the overwhelming financial commitment. Fortunately, there are endless ways to work towards raising that money, one dollar at a time (thank you, Give1Save1!). For us, this has included having booths to sell Ethiopian items at local orphan awareness 5K events, participating in consignment sales, applying for grants, completing t-shirt and coffee sales and of course times when we just downright and with a humble heart ask people to come alongside us in the journey. And without fail, this Give1 community is stepping up every week to help each other out.
                                                                                                                               I would highly suggest pulling out your creative genes when thinking about tackling this large adoption bill. That doesn't have to mean creative as in you can paint stunning artwork like we all know Beth does around these parts, but the options are endless. I found some great encouragement in the book Adopt Without Debt by Julie Gumm. We know of families who have dinners, silent auctions, movie nights and open Etsy shops. Find what fits with your strengths and what works for your family. It really does look different for all of us.                                                                                             
What I think is important to remember through this whole thing is in Philippians 4:19: "And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus." This Give1 crew is doing just that. Keep up the good work and donate to the Hauschildt Family adoption fund this week! I just love supporting one another through this journey.

The Power of Prayer

Hello fellow lovers of adoption! It is Wednesday which means Beth is heading off today to see her son!!! We are all so excited for her!

As I was thinking about the journey Beth is about to embark on today and the countless others who are in various stages through the adoption process I thought a lot about prayer. I would love it if we could all take some time out of our day or multiple times throughout the day to say a prayer for Beth and her family, as well as anyone else you know going through the adoption process.

The Bible has a lot to say about prayer but here are a few verses that have been jumping out to me:

 “I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.”
1 Timothy 2:1

 “The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.”
James 5:16

“So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way you live, and you will be honored along with him. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ.”

1 Thessalonians 1:11-12

Prayer is a powerful tool. Let’s surround Beth, and other families we know, with our prayers today.

Lord,
We know you are the ultimate Father. Surround Beth with your love and comfort as she waits for the moment to meet her precious son. Lead and guide her in the path you have mapped out for her, and give her the strength to face any struggles that are ahead. Help prepare Jude for the changes that are about to take place in his life, and help him to love his new family as much as they love him. May you bless them as a family throughout the years. Amen.