My Overthinking

Philly Area mom, Life forever changed by adoption

A Giveaway to Fund the Way

We are getting geared up in this house for some training, team building, lecture writing, and clever packing.

No, we’re not headed to college.

One of us is headed to China in about 6 weeks. And, he may not be coming home with a little one this time, but we’re still expecting some great things.

Days will be filled with teaching English and leadership at a university in Baoding, a city northeast of Beijing in Hebei Province, and connecting with students there on a deeper level. Good work will be done, no doubt. And, my husband gets to be a part of that.

What a privilege. For him and for our family.

I’m thrilled–and looking beyond the parenting-4-kids-by-myself-bit–because Kingdom work is a-happening here.

Vacation time is being used. Arrangements are being made. And the cost–a plane ticket (round trip, mind you, thank you very much) for $1,900 (egads!), visa, staying in China for nearly 2 weeks–needs to be paid.

And, since we have asked for funds from every Tom, Dick, and Harriet (Hello? Have we met yet? Let me tell you about what we do…) for The Sparrow Fund, we’re just sorta running with this China trip thing.

So, we thought we’d do something sorta fun to hopefully help out with that a bit. At least, we’re hoping ya’ll (in honor of my Southern friends) think it’s fun and jump right on in.

A big ole Chinese themed giveaway

See all that? 

Three children’s books signed by the authors
a Mei Mei Niu Niu doll, a smaller version of the Niu Niu doll from Jiayin Designs
a handmade Chinese rabbit also from Jiayin Designs
a children’s bracelet featuring a bead for every animal of the Chinese zodiac (also from Jiayin Designs…yes, there’s a theme here)
a Chinese headband from Beijing ready for any princess that will go perfectly with…
the amazing pink twirl skirt
which was donated by a mother of 9 (no typo there) soon to be 10 (she’s got a 13 year old girl in China who will be joining their family soon) who actually sews for the Atlantic City Ballet Company. 
Wow. 
The skirt is 13″ long, and Diane will customize the waist size for whatever little princess will be wearing it.

And, on top of all that, the winner will also receive a custom charm of their choice from Jiayin Designs. Get your child’s name, a special word, mother, grandmother, love, whatever your little heart desires.

Altogether, this giveaway’s value is…oh…about $250. 
(anyone else thinking this is fun?)
To enter, just click on that GIVE button over there on the right.
Giving $10 will get 1 entry for the giveaway;
$20 gets 3 entries;
$30 gets 6 entries;
$50 gets 10 entries.
AND, we’ve got another giveaway too.
A beautiful word art print of Luke 12:6-7 designed specifically for The Sparrow Fund by the warmest hearted Aussie ever.
A sweet Kenyan bracelet of your choice from The Nest
And, a kickin’ tee inspired by 1 Thessalonians 1:3 (read about the inspiration here and see them for sale here)
Enter to win those goodies just by sharing this link. 
Just that simple. Seriously.
Tweet it for an entry. Share it on Facebook for an entry. Blog about it for an entry.
And, leave a separate comment here for each way you share the link so I’ve got a record of it, k?
(note–you can do each of those twice if you’d like as long as they are a few days apart – it’s about getting the word out after all.)
Both giveaways will close up April 15th.
And, feel free to contact me if you want to learn more about Mark’s trip–the organization he’s going with, what all the team is doing, etc. We’re happy to share privately.
Xie Xie, folks. 
Mean it.

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Dear Lydia, two years later

Dear Lydia,
Today is a special day. I know you don’t remember it, but you know it well; you’ve watched the video over and over again, so many times you may think you remember it. 
I remember it very clearly, sweet girl. My heart was beating out of my chest as we crossed that street and entered a cold office building with great expectations of meeting you. I was nervous. I was scared. But, I wanted you so much. I was overwhelmed that day–you took my breath away when you entered the room in your ayi’s arms. And, I am not sure when I actually caught my breath again. 
Two years later, as I consider this day, I find myself thinking more about your experience of it than my own. Your life changed that day, Lydia Mei. You were the child God had called us to adopt into our family, the one we had planned for and dreamed about for years. But, I recognize that there is more to today.
You are young now, only 3 years old. Your days are filled with jumping, dancing, climbing, falling down, and laughing, playing with your brothers and sister, testing boundaries, and learning about how things work and why things are the way they are. We talk about China and what makes us different and what makes us the same. But, right now, you don’t care much about it. 
As time goes on, we will keep on talking about China and showing you pictures and dreaming aloud because I want you to know that when you do care about it, I’m here. When you have questions that are hard to ask and maybe even harder to answer, I’m here. I will be honest with you as I’m able, and I’ll be quiet and simply be with you when no words seem right. 
Two years ago today, we held you for the first time and started to get to know you as our beloved daughter. But, you were already a precious treasure before we met you, before we even knew your face. You are His masterpiece, Lydia, from the very beginning.
With a full heart,
Mama

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