Monday, November 14, 2011

I Am George Bailey


I WON THE GRANT!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't believe it!!!  I was 2nd place so the $500 grant + 40% of my sales = over $1200 going to Joaquin's adoption expenses!!!  WAHOO!!!!!!
There are no words for the amount of love I have felt over the last week!!!!  Fundraising is hard because it stretches you and humbles you in the best way.  This journey has had so many highs and lows and this grant contest ranks near the top (behind getting the final news that I can FINALLY go get my babies!) so much so that it really reminded me of one of my all time favorite movies.  I watch It's A Wonderful Life every Christmas.  And every time I watch it, I cry.  Every. Time.  There's something about human compassion that just gets me.



Every day I checked my balance with Ordinary Hero only to find it moving up, up and away!  More and more people would msg me and let me know they bought something.  And then there were the silent givers :)  Every single one of you has blessed me and Baby Joaquin immeasurably!  I can't wait until he's old enough to understand all of the miracles that happened in order to bring him home.  I also got in on the action and scored some cute gear for them.   The next time you see these, there will be two sweet faces wearing them HOME!!!


I can't express enough how thankful I am for all of the support I've received.  THANK YOU!!!

"...For God loves a cheerful giver.  And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." - 2 Corinthians 9:7-8

Monday, November 7, 2011

In it to WIN it!!

I'm feelin' the love!!!  My sales so far are at $867 and there's still 6 days left of the contest!!  Woo HOO!!!!  I'm in serious running to win this grant!!  Here's my product blast of the day:

http://www.ordinaryherostore.org/On-The-GO/Stainless-Travel-Tumbler-p152.html


This is for all you java lovers out there!  How cool is it that everywhere you go, you will be showing people that you changed the world for one?  And, it is on sale for just $13.95!!!  Your $13.95 purchase could really help me win the $500 grant!  Go on and get your java on!!!

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Orphan Sunday 2011

Today is Orphan Sunday 2011.  There are 163 million orphans in the world.  YOU can help change the world for one by purchasing something through the Ordinary Hero store.  40% of the sale goes directly towards my Congo adoption!  AND I am in the running to win a $500 grant!  The top 3 sellers each get a $500 grant that goes towards my adoption expenses!!  Here are some really cool necklaces that are handmade by ladies in Ethiopia.  They would make some great stocking stuffers!  Make sure you select my name from the affiliate pull down menu during checkout or else I don't get credit for the sale!  And remember, you are changing the world for one - Baby Joaquin!!  
http://www.ordinaryherostore.org/Accessories/Necklaces-Handmade-from-Ethiopia/Brown-7-Bead-Design-p188.html


Saturday, November 5, 2011

Fundraising Grant!!!

Hello All!!

Well,  Ordinary Hero is doing another $500 Grant give-away and guess what?  I am in the top 15 sellers!!! They've added a bunch of really cool stuff to their store!  Your $20 or $30 purchase could really, really help me win this grant!  Plus, 40% of all sales go to my adoption fund- it's a win-win situation!  You get a bunch of really cool gear and I get help with my adoption expenses!  There are 7 days left for me to win this Grant- PLEASE help me win!!

I just purchased this cool t-shirt:
http://www.ordinaryherostore.org/Women-s-Apparel/Aqua-Change-The-World-For-One-Tee-p147.html

and this awesome hoodie:
http://www.ordinaryherostore.org/Mens-Women-s-Unisex-Apparel/Eco-Fleece-Zip-Hoodie-p27.html

And they have a bunch of cool jewelry too.  Do you need ideas for Christmas presents?  Well, go to the Ordinary Hero store and check it out!  I'm sure you will find something awesome!

When you are checking out, you need to make sure that from the affiliate pull down menu, you select my name, Kristen Williams or else I won't get credit for the sale.

We can do this!!!

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Why didn't I think of that?

I saw this little number, laughed out loud and thought, "Dude- I'm with you on that!"  If only I could've been that clever ;)

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

I am an Elephant


Elephants are pregnant for 22 months.  My "paper pregnancy" is hitting that mark.  At least I can take comfort that I'm not going to deliver a 230lb baby!  I'm still #12 in the Congo line, although my caseworker said she hopes that I will be moving up soon.  This waiting thing is not all it's cracked up to be.  I'll be honest, I've been frustrated.  I *know* that God is working behind the scenes and in other areas of my life to help me become the best mom I can be for these kiddos.  There are good days when I'm completely fine with this and trust that things are going to happen at the perfect time.  And then there are the bad days.....

I am really struggling with Sofia's case.  It's driving me crazy that she is just sitting over there in an orphanage and has no idea that there's a mom WAITING TO LOVE HER!!!   I was praying about this, confessing my frustrations and asking for some patience.  Then God gave me this verse:

"The Lord says, 'I will give you back the years you lost....and you will praise the Lord your God who does these miracles for you.'"  Joel 2:25-26

I have been clinging to this verse because it physically hurts my heart that I have already missed out on her first 5 years.  I don't want to miss out on any more time with her!

So if I come across your mind, please pray that I will have patience and more importantly, comfort while I wait and trust that she will indeed come home at the perfect time.