Trees of Glory Update!

The entire amount for the Livestock/Barn Fundraiser for Trees of Glory has been raised.  Thank you to everyone who donated to such a great cause.  The money has been wired to Ethiopia so the land is safe. I look forward to posting pictures of the progress as it is made and follow God's plan for the staff and children.

Thank you Jessica and Nick for doing such a great job heading the fundraiser up.  And a special thank you to the bloggers who posted links for this cause.

And because I like to add a picture to my posts, meet Mitiku.

He is a full orphan that found his way to Trees of Glory and the director has taken him in.  My niece's (Jessica) husband's (Nick) parents have become his sponsor family.  I think that makes him my great nephew now.  I love how my family continues to grow.   Check out this story of God's Timing and Plan. 

This will be my Wordless Wednesday Picture. 

(Except with words)

Have a blessed day.

                                                                        

Valentine Giveaway

One of my favorite artists, Johanna Parker, is having a Double Heart Giveaway.  Visit Johanna for your chance to win the adorable pair above.

A Barn, 5 Cows and Lots of Diapers

I thought I would post about two worthy causes.

First, I've been helping my niece,  Jessica, who is heading up a fund raiser for Trees of Glory to raise money for a barn and cows (as you may remember the "Christmas Trees of Glory" fundraiser).   It was very successful and thanks again for all of you who generously gave.  The goal is 5600.00 and in just a few weeks time all was  raised  except 270.00.     We are having a final push to hit the goal so that the land will be safe. 

To make a donation, go to http://www.hopechest.org/ (from the home page, click on the orange GIVE button on the far right side at the top of the page)

Under "Gift Information," click on "choose a fund" and select "designated gifts"

Then write in your gift amount .

Then (this is the important part) under the "notes field" be sure to add in the Trees of Glory Livestock Fund code which is "ET2119000 LIVESTOCK."

Finally, add in your info and follow the prompts to complete your donation.

Once you complete your donation, send me an email at jirvin79@gmail.com with your donation amount so that we can make sure that your donations went to the correct fund.

There is no amount too small.
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Second, I wanted to pass along a fundraiser from Kristi (a blogger who is such an inspiration to me).  She is asking for donations of  new or used cloth diapers.  The babies at the orphanages literally have no diapers and go all over themselves.  It would be so great to cover their little bottoms.  Please go to her blog and read about it. 

Thanks for taking the time to read about the two causes I'm highlighting for January.  Have a blessed day.

Thoughtful Thursday

I've decided to try a few new weekly posts to my blog (you can get some great ideas blog hopping).   One of those being Thoughtful Thursday.  This one in particular so that in the years to come when I look back, I'll remember what I was thinking about at this time in my life.   Like the journal I say I'll begin every new year and never quite get past  January 4th.

 Though today's words are not my original thoughts, they speak to how my heart feels when I have my grandkids around.  And, since I just had 5 days with grandkids .......


Few things are more delightful than grandchildren fighting over your lap.


- Doug Larson

Wordless Wednesday

Grandkids.

Makenzie and Brody (two of my grandkids)  were in town for a visit.  Oh, and their parents came along for the ride.  We had such a great visit.  They left me with wonderful memories and a cold.  (The cold was so worth it though). 

                                                                 Dylan and Makenzie 
                                                           (Can you tell they're cousins)

                              

                           Brody is the sweetest baby and always has a smile.

Makenzie's new "pet" turtle (formely known as our lawn ornament),  that she
 named Shirley Shelley Emerick.

                                     Makenzie asked Poppy to "take an action shot".  lol

         And this is Makenzie when she realized Daddy was loading up the car to head home.

         I miss them already.  Already looking forward to my next trip to Illinois in the next month.

                                 

M.L.K. Day

“I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.”   Martin Luther King, Jr.



Wise words.