The Sparrow Fund and Kenyan Jewelry Fundraiser

This fundraiser is now closed! Thank you all so much. We raised money for the women of Kenya and for Talia! Should you want to purchase more jewelry please visit the Sparrow Fund's Etsy Shop. http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheSparrowFund

The Sparrow Fund (http://www.sparrow-fund.org) is an amazing and compassionate organization that helps couples just starting the adoption process with grants for medical reviews. Their most recent venture is to help fundraising families while helping women in Kenya adopting children as well.

Their motto: ONE MORE child with a forever family and ONE LESS orphan in the world.

We are so lucky to partner with this organization and this week every item that sells on my blog, Talia's fund gets 50% of the amount. I will only have this listed until Thursday, May 10th so if you would like to purchase please e-mail me at mjpost32@gmail.com with the item or items you want and I will then give you options on how to pay. We are still working towards our matching Brittany's Hope grant where you will receive a tax deductible receipt https://www.brittanyshope.org/seedling/Youngerman-Postiglione You can also leave a comment with your e-mail address and order should you choose instead of e-mailing me.

The super lightweight bags are perfect for the beach, pool and any summer excursion! And the jewelry -- well the pictures speak for themselves...beautiful and fun! Plus how cool is that it benefits women in Kenya as well as Talia?! These are perfect gifts for Mother's Day, friend's birthday, end of school year gifts or a treat for yourself this summer. They even come with a little card about how the item was made.  Let me know if you have any questions! Sorry no returns as each item is handmade.


Price List
Earrings: $6
Bracelets: $15
Necklaces: $15
3 piece sets: Necklace, bracelet and earrings: $36
2 piece set: Necklace and earrings: $21
Bags: $20
Shipping and handling is additional : $2.50 for total up to $18
                                                          $3.50 for total up to $49
                                                          $5.50 for any amount beyond $50

The beads seen in the jewelry were created by refugee women currently living in Kenya, women broken from war and HIV, caring for orphans in their community, but made whole together. The individual hand-rolled paper beads made from recycled magazine and calendar pages and take approximately 15 minutes each to roll and varnish to make a unique bead that no one believes started as paper. The varnish makes them durable and water resistant. However, keep them away from water as much as you can, and they will stay in perfect condition for a long, long time.


Your purchase not only gives you a beautiful and unique piece of jewelry, you can wear it with joy knowing that the total proceeds from your purchase supports Talia and women like, Mary, mentioned below.

Pictures will be labeled with numbers! Just e-mail me mjpost32@gmail.com with which number or numbers you would like to purchase! Remember every piece is unique, one of a kind and special just like each child that waits for a family. I will put the word "sold" for things that have already been purchased! 

Wrap Bracelets-$15 each

Piece #1-SOLD

Piece #2

Piece #3

Piece #4-SOLD

Piece #5-SOLD

Piece #6-SOLD

Earrings-$6 each

Piece #7

Piece #8

Piece #9

Piece #10

Piece #11

Piece #12

Piece #13

Necklaces-$15 each

Piece $14

Piece #15

2 piece sets (earrings and necklace: $21 a set (I can break up a set)

Piece #16-SOLD

Piece #17-SOLD

3 piece sets (earrings and necklace: $36 a set (I can break up a set)

Piece #18-SOLD

Piece #19-SOLD-earrings still available

Piece #20

Bags: $20 each

Bag #1

Bag #2-SOLD

Bag #3-SOLD

Bag #4

Bag #5

Bag #6-SOLD

Bag #7

Bag #8

Bag #9

Bag #10

And just to see the size of a few of the big bags here is my cutie pie model, Harper Lily!

Kindle Fire and 2 year warranty Giveaway! 1 day left!

$1175 God is so great and can imagine more for us then we ever could! Thank you everyone for the big rally today! 

Hang on Talia- Mama and Baba are coming! 

      Just under 30 hrs. left until our Kindle Fire winner is picked!  All entries have to be in by 8:00 pm, tomorrow night, Monday, April 16th!  Our goal for this giveaway was $850 and we are only $250 away now!  How amazing is that?  Thanks for sharing our blog!  What a great week this has been.  We are so appreciative of each and every donation!  Remember my last two giveaway winners were last day entries!

Here are all the details! Just click on the donate button and you can enter via paypal or with a credit card.

•$10 for 3 entries
•$20 for 7 entries
•$35 for 14 entries
•1 additional entry for posting on facebook
•1 additional entry for posting on your blog

     You can also enter here via our Brittany's Hope grant. If you don't want the Kindle or just want to help join our cause Brittany's Hope Foundation is matching donations received through them.
https://www.brittanyshope.org/seedling/Youngerman-Postiglione


    All donations help to bring our little Talia Mei home! Just a few more steps and she is ours forever!

LOA-Check, I-800 Check, Halfway to our Kindle Giveaway Goal, Check!

       This might be a first in all of China adoption history but our LOA and our I-800 approval came the same day.  Due to the mix-up with our LOA the I800 was still being processed and I guess they don't care about a misspelled name so when I called the USCIS office today they happily informed me that I was approved.  The USCIS office typically  does not like to be bothered so I always hold my breath and say a prayer before I call.  I hate to tell them they are on my speed dial from this past fall when we waited 3 months for our I800A.  They might just think I am a stalker and have nothing better to do with my time! So off we go to the next step NVC.  Okay and if you aren't part of the China adoption world you might wonder what all this lingo means well the LOA is the big letter of acceptance that China feels we are qualified to make Talia our daughter and the I800 certifies that the United States feels the same way!  Thank goodness...ha!
      In addition to all of this great news we are halfway to our current giveaway goal today! So if you haven't entered and would like to just click on the donate button to the right. The giveaway ends on Monday night, April 16th at 8:00 pm.

• $10 for 3 entries
• $20 for 7 entries
• $35 for 14 entries
• 1 additional entry for posting on facebook
• 1 additional entry for posting on your blog

     This tablet is the latest model for Kindle and we are also including a two year warranty for this giveaway. If you don't want a new Kindle Fire or don't have the funds to enter can you please help spread the word and pray for us. We need this giveaway to be a huge success....thank you so much! You can also donate via our Brittany's Hope grant here https://www.brittanyshope.org/seedling/Youngerman-Postiglione/

     Little Miss Talia Mei is coming home soon:) I told Harper the good news when she woke up from her nap!

      And just in case you forgot how cute Talia is! Here is a picture of Talia with her foster family in China. We are so grateful to them for their dedication and love they have shown our daughter as she waited for her forever family. We are eternally grateful to them and Grace & Hope-the foster care organization that sponsors Talia in Yulin, Guangxi. (This picture was taken last May-She is the child on the right.)

    On a spiritual journey note I have been listening to a series, entitled, "Rubble to Rejoicing" by Dr. Michael Youseff. Here is his webpage http://www.leadingtheway.org. I love his sermons! He talks about suffering, timing, challenges and ultimately finding gratitude for our circumstances. Oh how thankful we are for everything surrounding our little girls lives, no matter how devastating, it seemed it was part of God's perfect plan and in His perfect timing we will meet our newest daughter. Today was an all day happy crying fest for me from my over the top emotional high! I am sure the passengers in their cars at stop lights were probably wondering what I was listening to on the radio...ha! Little did they know all of my good news today! 

March Madness Fundraisers!

   It's time for some new spring and summer entertaining items!  Or maybe a new grill item for Father's Day or a new bag for Mother's Day? You can shop for at Pampered Chef and Thirty-One this month and 20% of all orders goes to Talia's Brittany's Hope Grant where the money gets doubled! How cool is that? Three ways to be a part of the March Madness. 
Both of the online events close on Monday, March 26th. 

    Feeling extra motivated and want to run a catalog party for Talia? You could also qualify for free or discounted products.  Just let me know and I can send some catalogs your way this month for the office or a group of friends!  

1. Pampered Chef-I know many of you have been waiting for this party! The Charlotte friends will be getting an invite to this event. Check out all the grill items-perfect gifts for the men for Father's Day! My favorite picks include: their bakers and bamboo collection! Anyone can order via this link. Just copy and paste it into your browser. 

 http://www.pamperedchef.biz/timothyhales?showId=3569531

2. Thirty-One-So many new patterns just released for the spring! I love their lunch bags and thermal totes! Perfect for days out, road trips, baseball and soccer games, or carrying dinner items to a friend's house! Harper uses the little thermal tote we received as a gift for doctors visits or b-day parties when she has to carry her own milk free desserts! This month's special for every $31 you spend you can order the the mini utility bin for $8-a savings on $12! There is no limit on the number of customer specials. So $62 in purchases qualifies for 2 customer specials specials, $93 qualifies for 3, etc.! It makes a cute mail organizer at the bottom of the steps, tote for baby or bridal shower gifts, holder for remotes, garden tools, etc. Another favorite item is their customized stationary showcasing your family...adorable! 

You can place your order here:  http://www.mythirtyone.com/AnneLittle/  

Click on my "events" and then Postiglione/Youngerman fundraiser. Then click on shop now. 

3. We have been given a $3000 matching grant via Brittany's Hope! Basically what that means is we raise $1500 and they match $1500!  The money is then given directly to our agency, which in turn, reduces our agency fees. Don't need any gifts or new items but want to donate for a tax free donation? You can donate online at: https://www.brittanyshope.org/seedling/Youngerman-Postiglione/

Or you can send a check made Paypal to: "Brittany's Hope Foundation"

Their address:

Brittany's Hope Foundation

1160 North Market Street

Elizabethtown, PA 17022

    

In the memo line write: Youngerman/Postiglione adoption and send a note with it saying this is for the Youngerman/Postiglione adoption grant. Your will receive a letter in the mail confirming your taxable donation. 

     We are estimating another 3-4 months before all our paperwork is finished and we get the "okay" to travel. This has been an incredibly hard wait and by the time she is in our arms we will have had her file for over year:( Please continue to keep Talia in your thoughts and prayers! Little Harper keeps asking where she is and in her little demanding voice says, "Talia home now, mommy, now!" 

    We thank you for your generosity and kindness. Each donation and every order, no matter the amount, does add up and gets us closer to our daughter.  Please e-mail me with any questions or product details and help spread the word! I would love to knock our goals for each fundraiser out of the park! 

A Time for Giving and Receiving

 

In order to hear the song you have to put our playlist below on pause.

 Here are the words to this beautiful Christmas song.

Merry Christmas -Third Day
There's a little girl trembling on a cold December morn
Crying for momma's arms
At an orphanage just outside a little China town
Where the forgotten are
But half a world away I hang the stockings by the fire
And dream about the day when I can finally call you mine

It's Christmas time again but you're not home
Your family is here and yet you're somewhere else alone
And so tonight I pray that God will come and hold you in his arms
And tell you from my heart I wish you Merry Christmas

As I hang the tinsel on the tree and watch the twinkling lights
I'm warmed by the fire's glow
Outside the children tumble in a wonderland of white,
Make angels in the snow
But half a world away you try your best to fight the tears
And hope that heaven's angels come to carry you here

It's Christmas time again but you're not home
Your family is here and yet you're somewhere else alone
And so tonight I pray that God will come and hold you in his arms
And tell you from my heart I wish you Merry Christmas

Christmas is a time to celebrate the holy child
And we celebrate his perfect gift of love
He came to earth to give his life
And prepare a place for us
So we could have a home with him above

It's Christmas time again and now you're home
Your family is here so you will never be alone
So tonight before you go to sleep,
I'll hold you in my arms
And I'll tell you from my heart, and I'll you from my heart
I wish you Merry Christmas

      Next year our baby will be home and I will be adding her "Chinese Stocking" to our mantle!  For now we are surely missing having her here with us and we pray that God continues to keep her safe and she can feel the peace and joy that we are sending to her on this cold December day.  It seems the cold illnesses are spreading throughout my house and while Harper got antibiotics, orange juice, a warm bed, frozen treats to ease her sore throat and cozy pj's to make her feel better, my mind can't help but wander to Talia and all the other children without these items when they are sick. Moreover, my heart sinks to think about the kisses and hugs they are missing out on.  Can you imagine to never have felt your mother or father's love when you were sick?  I remember growing up thinking my parents knew everything and could totally fix any problem, including when I had a stuffy nose or sore throat.  That homemade soup seemed to do the trick every time! Unfortunately, many children don't even know that type of affection exists.  They sit tied to cribs all day long longing for food or even a look from a nanny in the orphanage.  They would give anything just to be touched or smiled at.  I read a book a few years back that described a scene out of a typical orphanage in China.  The orphanage could only afford medicine for one child and three were terribly sick.  They had to decide who they felt would live and survive and that child would then be granted the small bottle of medicine. Can you imagine trying to make that decision?  

     Since we have been married, Todd and I have made giving back to various charities as part of our financial picture. We live off of one income and a good portion of our yearly income goes to charity. In fact it is our first item on our budget. In addition, we make Christmas donations (yes even though we are fundraising we still do this!)

"Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” Luke 6:38

    This year we cut out all Christmas gifts and put it towards our adoption expenses but still kept our Christmas tradition of supporting adoptive families and orphans. Here are a few of the charities I would like to showcase this year. Of course everyone has a charity that is dear to their hearts so please add to the comments section the charities you supported this holiday season (even if it was just through prayer) and also include a link! Let's bring back the true meaning of Chritmas! I know with each donation we receive for Talia's adoption we feel enriched in God's grace and tremendously blessed by the love and support of you all! Thank you.

1. Brittany's Hope Holiday Gift Guide: https://www.brittanyshope.org/Gift/
-$15 donation sponsors a child in Vietnam for medical check-up's for the entire year
-Harper's pick: $10 donation to give to an orphan in Ethiopia for their first Christmas present. Can you imagine the joy on their face when they see something just for them?!
2. Brittany's Hope-surgery for an orphan This child is in extreme pain and needs emergency surgery. See Asalafew's story here.  http://www.brittanyshope.org/Projects/Medical/Asalafew/
3. Madison Adoption Associates: Our amazing adoption agency
http://www.madisonadoption.com/Donate.aspx
-In the the notes section tell them what you would like your donation to be used for. Examples include: Where most needed, set of coat, hat and gloves for an orphan in China, Toys for orphanage in El Salvador or Bulgaria, Clothing for orphans in the Philippines. $10 may not mean a lot to you but it can mean the world to an orphan.

No matter how hard things may seem for everyone in this economic climate it is even tougher for those that wait with no food, clothing or a mommy or daddy to call their own.  I never thought I would quote Brad Pitt but his words oh how they ring true!

"Let us be the ones who say we do not accept that a child dies every three seconds simply because he does not have the drugs you and I have.  Let us be the ones to say we are not satisfied that your place of birth determines your right to life.  Let us be outraged, let us be loud, let us be bold."

Through his holy name we can make a difference this holiday season.

Harper's first view of the newborn king, baby Jesus (Dec. 2010-her first Christmas home)