Fighting for Life

Will You Join Us?
Be sure to right click on the box below and then select all.


<center><a href="http://nogreatergift.blogspot.com/2009/10/fighting-for-life.html"><img width="100%" src="http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s62/WilliamtheOutlaw/fightforlife2.gif" /></a><br />Join Us!<br /><a href="http://nogreatergift.blogspot.com/2009/10/fighting-for-life.html">Grab This Button</a></center>

Fighting for Life...that's what this is and so that's what we'll call it. The call to save lives. The call to rescue and love the fatherless- to bring them into families who accept them and cherish them forever.

A couple of years ago I came across a Bible verse that screamed at my heart. It has been the verse I try to live by ever since. You'll notice it at the top of my blog-

Once our eyes are opened we can't pretend we don't know what to do. God, who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls, knows that we know, and holds us responsible to act. Proverbs 24:12

And now our eyes are open. We are being held responsible. How can we just turn the other cheek?

As most of you know, Ruslana is being transferred. There is nothing we can do to change that-it is out of our control. I wish I could just call over to the orphanage director and ask her to wait, but I can't. What we CAN do is raise awareness. We can band together to try to save her. #1- We can pray. Call out to our Father. Again and again and again I say "His plan is perfect". We may not be able to bring her home. He may not allow us. But we WILL make a difference through Christ. He has called us to that and so we follow.

We have saved money for Ruslana's adoption. We have so many friends, family and complete strangers who have invested in Ruslana's life through financial gifts. We hosted 2 yard sales with huge amounts of donations from those in our community which raised a combined total of around $3,500. We don't know what our future holds, but we need to be prepared. Maybe it's to spend a little extra time in R's country working to bring her home. Maybe it's to lead us to a different child...a child God has intended for us. NO- we are NOT planning that ourselves! Please, know that. Right now our focus is on Ruslana and getting her home.

In order to be financially prepared for the unknowns in the very near future, several things will be going on on my blog over the next week and a 1/2.

1. We will be hosting a giveaway in hopes that we are able to raise additional funds for our journey. This giveaway will end Saturday, October 17th. Again, we feel the responsibility to be prepared. The giveaway will include several things.

For each $10 donation, you will be entered into a drawing once. If you are willing to donate $25, you will be entered 3 times. So, $10= 1 entry. $20= 2 entries. $25= 3 entries. That will continue for as many entries as you like.:) Just click on the "Chip In" in my sidebar to enter.

First prize is a technology bundle. Yes, the winner will win not one, not two, but ALL THREE items listed below.

32GB iPOD Touch

Samsung BlackJack in red wine

And the Kodak EasyShare V1003

Second prize is 2 stunning items from Shaping Lives Pottery (our beautiful red head's pottery). The items up for grabs are both a personalized initial pendant and a cross in your choice of colors.

And third prize will receive another Kodak EasyShare V1003 in purple.

2. The most amazing red (orange) head we know is hosting a sale. For those of you who may not have heard, our oldest began Shaping Lives Pottery several months ago. She wanted to help support and raise awareness to the orphan crisis in our world-specifically to those children with special needs. She began Shaping Lives as her way to use her gifts to help bring Ruslana home. With each piece she sells she gives 1/2 to our adoption fund.

One day soon we will not have a "Bringing Ruslana Home" fund. When that day comes, we pray that God will give her the wisdom how to use the proceeds from her pottery sales to benefit orphans. Maybe she'll continue to support a committed family in the process of adopting a special little one. Maybe she'll contribute her earnings to a specific child waiting for his forever family.

Until this Saturday only (10/10/09), Shaping Lives Pottery is hosting a sale. For every 2 personalized pendants you order, you will receive one free. Each pendant is $10 and you may choose any letter and color you wish. Send me an email to place an order- nogreatergiftmom@yahoo.com.

3. Grab our fundraiser button- "Fighting for Life". It was a beautiful gift from my friend Lu. Pick it up in the right sidebar.

Spread the word. Post the link on your blog, Facebook, anywhere you hang out. Send out an email to your friends, Bible study buddies, church families. I know so, so many of you continue to pray for our family and our girl, and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We have received so many heart warming notes of encouragement. I can only imagine how many people are praying for our girl.

If you feel inclined, host another "24 Hours of Prayer for Ruslana"!! And let me know when you do. The power we felt during those 24 hours last week was overwhelming. God IS working!!

I know all of this is alot to process. I wanted to include everything in one post so the word can begin spreading. Thank you again for the outpouring of love you have shown us. WE LOVE YOU GUYS!!

In Him,

E