Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Gifts

"Every gift was given for a reason. We can't chose which ones we get, only what we do with them." How will you use your Christmas gifts to further the Kingdom of God this year?

Here are some of the gifts I got, and what I am going to do with them!
  • a Walmart gift card - to buy yarn to raise money for Sergey
  • tshirts - I requested tshirts that supported adoptions, and that's what I got! Part of the money used to purchase these shirts was donated to adopting families, and I will also use these shirts to advocate for the cause of the 147 million orphans around the world.
  • My little brother! Yes, I count him as a Christmas gift! He is the second best gift I received even if he is a little late! - I am going to love on him and give all the love he didn't get from us in the three years in the orphanage!
  • And the Best Gift of all - God's Son! Jesus came down to earth as a tiny baby on the first Christmas. He left all the splendor and glory in heaven and came down to a stinky old smelly stable to save us from eternal punishment in hell. For me, that is THE BEST GIFT I will ever get! He gave me the gift of life, so I am going to live me life for Him!
I love what one of my friends did - she didn't ask for any Christmas presents from her parents, but instead for money for an orphan on Reece's Rainbow. Now the hard part for her is choosing which one to donate to! :) Love you girl!

Remember that there are orphans who spent Christmas lying in a crib, with nothing for Christmas. Not even a family. They are just lying there, with no stimulation, in a room with lots of other cribs. No toys. No nothing. You can give them a present next year. The gift of a family. If you aren't their family, you can help their family bring them home. But, remember, time is running out for them. They soon will not be on earth anymore, they need YOUR help!

My God is Lord: Days of Elijah Day 26 - GOTCHA DAY!!!

Monday was the day we looked forward to ever since we started this process back in July. It was the day my mom busted my little brother out of the orphanage gates, never to return again. Never. AND, in 31 hours hours (yes, I'm counting!), I will meet my little brother for the first time... WOW... 31 hours... I CAN NOT WAIT!! Check back Friday for pictures!

(Actually it is 30 hours, and 32 minutes, and 30 senconds... hee hee)

My God is Lord: Days of Elijah Day 26 - GOTCHA DAY!!!: "WOOHOO!!!!!! Elijah is OUT! Out of that orphange FOREVER and EVER and EVER! :-) PRAISE GOD for His absolute faithfulness a..."

Monday, December 27, 2010

Merry Christmas

From our family (which now includes Elijah!) to yours!

Friday, December 24, 2010

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Craft Sale Pictures!

I forgot to include pictures with this post, so here they are! :)







This one was at the end of the day.

Craft Sale Saturday and Sweet Sergey

I posted a couple Fridays ago, on the 3rd, about my Craft Sale on the 4th. The Craft Sale went well! I didn't sell as much as I had hoped, but that's ok! I was able to tell quite a few people about Reece's Rainbow and show off pictures of my new little brother! ;) My friend (not little sister!), Rachel, sat with me, and also brought the awesome headbands and a scarf to sell! Thanks Rachel! All of the things we sold were dish cloths, but I luckily I didn't sell the one I wanted to use as a Christmas present! ;) (I "hid" it under the other ones!) All of the money I raised from this craft sale went to Sweet Sergey.

Meet Sergey...

Sergey is a little angel boy who is at Elijah's orphanage, and he has stolen my heart. I am now raising money for him on my other blog - Handiwork for Sergey. Below is Sergey's information from Reece's Rainbow -

Sergey (9)

Boy, Born October 15, 2007

This little monkey has a whole host of medical complications, but he is so darling and will surely perish if he is not adopted. He will end up in an institution, bedridden for his very short life. Please consider Sergey!


From his medical records: secondary post-hemorrhagic obstructive internal hydrocephalus, spastic tetraparesis, convulsive disorder, mental disorder as a result of organic affection of brain, additional chord of the left heart ventricle, partial optic atrophy, congenital nystagmus, crossed eyes, delay of physical development


Regrettably, this orphanage is one of the poorer ones, with very little outside aid and very little hope. All of the children are tiny and undernourished. These children are immediately transferred at 4, and have little chance of survival where they are sent. All of our waiting children need families, but these have a critical need. Please consider one of these children soon!!


I have $5000 in my grant fund towards the cost of my adoption!

If you would like to make a donation to Sergey's account, please click here, and click donate. Any amount will help, even if it is just $5, Sergey will then be $5 closer to finding a family! Also please feel free to go to my blog and browse the items I have available. I don't have very much on there right now, but I have lots of things made which I will be listing over the next week. Sergey is close to being transferred and once transferred, he has a 85% chance of dying with in the first year he is living there! Please consider helping him, or get the word out about him using the share buttons below each post on my blog.

Thank you, and have a Merry Christmas with your family!
Don't forget that Jesus is the Reason for the Season! Keep Christ in Christmas!
Sarah

One Last Christmas - Matthew West

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

This Christmas - Toby Mac

Be sure to listen to or watch this awesome video! When one of the adoptive blogs I follow posted this (Thanks Melissa!), I was suprised I hadn't heard this song before. I knew that Toby Mac and his wife Amanda had adopted domesticly, twins in 2002, but I didn't know he had any songs about it! This is now one of my FAVORITE Toby Mac songs! :)

Monday, December 13, 2010

5 Cajuns and a Fundraiser: Sinking

Please read this amazing post by an adoptive mommy...

5 Cajuns and a Fundraiser: Sinking: "For some reason tonight two things have been on my mind. Two things that have absolutely nothing to do with each other so forgive me w..."

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Special Olympics Scarf Project 2011

Although I will not have time to participate this year, I wanted to let you all know about the Special Olympic's Scarf Project 2011! I took the information below from the website, so please visit it here to find out more! Along with my new little brother having Down Syndrome, and our family has a special friend, Corrin, who also has Down Syndrome, and has participated in the Special Olympics before! People with Down Syndrome are not people to be afraid of - they are very SPECIAL people who just were blessed with an extra chromosome. It would really mean a lot to someone if you made a scarf for them to keep them warm!

What is the Scarf Project??
Handmade scarves donated as a result of the 2011 Special Olympics USA Scarf Project will be a symbol of unity, support, compassion and empowerment, as the Special Olympics athletes, coaches, families, volunteers and supporters wear them with pride in knowing they have become part of the Special Olympics family.



The idea for a scarf project resulted from an opportunity to provide a gift of welcome for the athletes of the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games held in Boise, Idaho. A call went out for 5,000 Red Heart delft blue & white scarves, and by Games time nearly 60,000 scarves had arrived from every state in the U.S. and from 12 countries around the world. (watch the video)


Special Olympics Idaho, then, carried on the tradition with their own state scarf project in 2010, and again the knitting and crocheting communities opened their hearts and put their needles and hooks to work. Over 2,100 Red Heart cherry red and grey heather scarves arrived from 48 states in just five weeks for the Idaho State Winter Games, and the celebration of unity began as they were presented to the athletes, coaches, families, volunteers and supporters during the Opening Ceremony – for all to wear throughout the Games.

Now in 2011, the Special Olympics USA Scarf Project is spreading its wings and going national! You can now choose any of the 33 participating Special Olympics Programs to support! Our goal is to give knitters and crocheters the power to select which Program they want to support and help create an unprecedented sense of unity, support and community for the athletes and the Special Olympics Movement as a whole.

For more information on official colors, deadlines and participating Special Olympics Programs, visit the Scarf Project Guidelines page, or please refer to Frequently Asked Questions.

You can also visit their Free Patterns Page. Please make sure you use the two colors they want you to use though - Red Heart Super Saver 886 Blue, and Red Heart Super Saver 512 Turqua! Deadlines will differ by state but I do know that there isn't much time left so go find your hooks and needles!

Thank you for considering to make a scarf or two or a hundred!! :)

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Help Please??

I need help from all the crocheters and knitters out there! My hands, especially during the winter when I am wearing warmer clothes, get sweaty, and that makes it hard to keep a good grip on my crochet hook or knitting needles. Normally I just wash my hands and hook/needle with soap, and that works pretty well. But, does anyone else have this problem?? And does anyone else have any good solutions or ideas to prevent it? I would appreciate your input, and hopefully you can help not just me, but other crocheting (and knitting)  maniacs like me! :)

Friday, December 10, 2010

Block Party 2011 Report #2!

A couple weeks ago, my friend Rachel and I got together and sewed together 2 blankets with the squares I have already received. We then layed out another one which she took home and sewed. A few days later I layed out another one, and she also sewed that up for us!! Thank you Rachel!!!! And great job!!!

P.S. You can see the first Block Party Report for 2011 here.
All the squares from my great aunt's friend before we started sewing.
 
The first one we layed out - all the short seems were sewn in this picture, I just has to finish up the long ones while Rachel started on the next blanket.


The second one we layed out, still in progress.


I can't exactly say I like this picture of me and Rachel... but it shows us with our work. :)

The last one I layed out for Rachel.

And... The finished product!


Here is the one we sewed together

Sorry bad picture (and yes, that is my foot...), but here is the other Rachel sewed! Good Job!
  
The other one we both sewed


PANEL PARTY!!!

Awhile ago someone from our 4-H club gave me these knitted panels, I have no idea what from, and told me to use them for whatever. There were six so I sewed them together to make blankets.

Sorry for the bad picture again - the brown in the bottom left hand corner is where I had to crochet ion the gap where there was no knitting. The loops were still hanging there when I got it, the needle was just pulled out, and that panel was shorter than the others.
The other blanket - All the panels were a really pretty design.





Thank you to - Dorothy for making all the squares!!!
Rachel for helping me make two blankets, and making two more!!!
Whoever donated the panels that I used for the block party!!!

These blankets went over to Elijah's orphanage with my mom, and all of the other ones will also go there!

My God is Lord: ONE LESS ORPHAN!!!

I have a new little brother now!!! Please go visit my mom's blog for pictures!!! :) Today I became a big sister for the 5th time!! This doesn't even seem real that my parents are on the other side of the world and I have a new little brother! YEA!! SO happy!

My God is Lord: ONE LESS ORPHAN!!!: "We are extremely grateful to tell you that this beautiful boy... IS AN ORPHAN NO MORE!!! Introducing ELIJAH JOSEPH BIRSCHBACH Born Septe..."

Friday, December 3, 2010

Craft Sale Tomorrow!

Tomorrow, I have a craft sale that I will be selling my items at! It is from 9am to 1pm at the Municipal Building (same building as the library, across the street from the post office) in the town I live. I will have Christmas dish cloths, and lots of other dish cloths, along with other things I've made. And I will have these awesome headbands that my friend Rachel is making for me to help raise money for orphans! (I'm hoping I get one for Christmas... hint hint...) Please consider stopping by and helping one of the many orphans in the world find a family! This is the same craft sale that I did last year which I posted about here and here. Ok, now that I have this post done, off to make more dish cloths!!! :)

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Awesome Pictures! :)

 A couple of weeks ago, I saw Toby Mac, Third Day, Michael W. Smith, Jason Grey, and Max Lucado in concert for the "Make a Difference Tour 2010". I went with some friends and stayed the night at their house. Thanks guys!!! I was looking forward to seeing Toby, and I wasn't disappointed! I had a great time and had lots of fun! I have been listening to a lot of Toby Mac music since (I love it!!!).

The other day I was watching/listening to a YouTube video with his song "I'm for You", and I saw these awesome pictures! Pictures of Toby with a CROCHETED hat!! ;) Below are the two best pictures I could find, unfortunately on both, the top of his head is cut off. I guess it looks cooler that way.... From what I can see of the hat, it is a single crochet hat, with the top flipped up so you can see the reverse side of the single crochet and it kinda looks like it is made with 5-ply yarn, not fancy yarn like homespun, but other thicker yarn.

 Now what I really want is a picture of Toby crocheting, but I think this is closest I'm going to get. :) Maybe I'll find a picture of him with a crochet vest. ;)

Some Early Christmas Presents!

Since my mom and dad will need part of their Christmas presents for their adoption trip to Eastern Europe, I decided to give it to them early. (They are flying out on Saturday!!!) And no, I am not ready for Christmas, because it hasn't even snowed yet here, but I have started Christmas presents! (Ok ok, there hasn't been any snow that has stayed on the ground, but I have friends that would argue that is has snowed...) ;)





Update: I typed this awhile ago, but the pictures wouldn't upload so I am posting this now. And...  now it has snowed, it snowed a lot yesterday, but now it is all melted, but still freezing out! Brrr... Below is a really cool picture that one of my friends took yesterday. (By the way, this is the same friend that would argue with me that is has snowed like I said above.)

So true.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Why not to buy Crystalite Crochet Hooks...

Sorry for the blurry picture :(

This is why I will never again buy Susan Bates Crystalite crochet hooks in smaller sizes.... The metal ones might be tab bit more money but they are definitely a good investment! My friend Aubrey has trouble with her plastic hooks breaking all the time. I do use the larger size plastic Crystalite hooks and I love them! They don't break because they are so thick, and it's harder on my hand when I have to use a large metal hook, because it is heavy.

P.S. Don't feel bad for me for breaking my hook, it was kinda my fault, and I have at least 5 other hooks in the same size! :)

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Stitched with Love for a very loved little boy...

Rachel (12 mo old)

I made this hat and scarf for my little brother Elijah, soon to be home from Eastern Europe. I don't have a picture of Elijah with the hat and scarf yet, but I'm sure you won't mind this extra cute model! :)

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Orphan Sunday

October is National Down Syndrome Awareness Month, and November is National Adoption Month. And today is Orphan Sunday. Are there 147 orphans world wide?? The answer is no, there are not 147 orphans, the correct number is 147 million orphans. That number is a lot, but it probably won't make a mark in your memory. However, what probably will make a mark is the pictures of these waiting children. I am going to do what my missionary friend Andrea did for her Orphan Sunday post - show you pictures of some of the many orphans.

Orphans are easier to ignore before you know their names. They are easier to ignore before you see their faces. It is easier to pretend they're not real before you hold them in your arms. But once you do, everything changes.” - David Platt


Lucas (9)
BOY, born February 27, 2007
Lucas is a handsome boy who has just recently turned 3. He is HIV positive, but is said to be cognitively normal. he can be adopted with Steven or any other child in this same orphanage.
I have $0 in my grant!


Noah (9)


Boy, Born January 17, 2008
Noah is a sweet little munchkin who is waiting for his forever family. He has blonde hair and blue eyes.
From his medical records: Heart murmur, open arterial canal, hyperplasia of aorta, open oval window.

Regrettably, this orphanage is one of the poorer ones, with very little outside aid and very little hope. All of the children are tiny and undernourished. These children are immediately transferred at 4, and have little chance of survival where they are sent. All of our waiting children need families, but these have a critical need. Please consider one of these children soon!!
MORE PHOTOS AVAILABLE
I have $105 in my grant fund!

Anastasiya (9)

Girl, Born September 8, 2007

SIGNIFICANT RISK, PLEASE ADOPT ME SOON!!
Anastasiya is a darling little girl with brown hair and brown eyes. She is stuck in a crib for most of her life, and needs a family to get her OUT! Anastasiya does have an ASD (atrial septal defect) and an oval window that will need attention when she gets home. She needs to have surgery as soon as possible to correct this! She does has strabismus as well.
She is undernourished, and will blossom like a rose once home with her family.

Regrettably, this orphanage is one of the poorer ones, with very little outside aid and very little hope. All of the children are tiny and undernourished. These children are immediately transferred at 4, and have little chance of survival where they are sent. All of our waiting children need families, but these have a critical need. Please consider one of these children soon!!

I have $2135.5 in my grant fund towards the cost of my adoption!


Steven (9)
BOY, born May 30, 2007

This little one is SO cute! Wispy brown hair and giant brown eyes, Steven is HIV positive and has fetal alcohol syndrome. His records do not indicate any medical complications (thank goodness), but he does bear significant facial characteristics of FAS. Steven is described as a sweet and affectionate boy. he is perfectly mobile with no physical delays. He is still quite young, so academic/cognitive delays have not been documented as of yet.
For more info and parent support on adopting and raising a child with HIV, please visit www.projecthopeful.org
I have $0 in my grant!

Eddie (9)
Boy, Born August 23, 2006
Eddie was born with Cerebral Palsy. He also shows many facial features of a child with fetal alcohol syndrome. Eddie has an open oval window and an extra ventricular chord in his heart. He is said to have a moderate mental delay.
I have $0 in my grant fund!!
 
Edwin (9)
Boy, Born July 11, 2006


Edwin is a handsome little boy with dark hair and dark eyes. He was born with Goldenhar Syndrome. This is a very rare condition, and is accompanied by several additional medical complications for Edwin. His medical records indicate: congenital nervous system malformation – internal obstructive hydrocephalus, subcompensated form, rickets, mental delay, right micropsia, acoustic meatus atresia – Goldenhar syndrome, delay of physical development. This little boy needs SURGERY to relieve his hydrocephaly and a family who will love him and save him from certain death in a mental institution. He is already 3 1/2 years old, and is on his countdown to transfer And regrettably, he can not be adopted from the place he will be sent. Someone please save Edwin!
UPDATE: surgery for a shunt to relieve the pressure in his head is scheduled soon.
SIGNIFICANT RISK, PLEASE ADOPT ME SOON!!
***Due to the severity of Edwin’s needs, families interested in adopting this child in particular must be HOMESTUDY APPROVED before an official match or commitment can be made.***
I have $1105 in my grant fund!

Sergey (9) Boy, Born October 15, 2007


This little monkey has a whole host of medical complications, but he is so darling and will surely perish if he is not adopted. He will end up in an institution, bedridden for his very short life. Please consider Sergey!
From his medical records: secondary post-hemorrhagic obstructive internal hydrocephalus, spastic tetraparesis, convulsive disorder, mental disorder as a result of organic affection of brain, additional chord of the left heart ventricle, partial optic atrophy, congenital nystagmus, crossed eyes, delay of physical development
Regrettably, this orphanage is one of the poorer ones, with very little outside aid and very little hope. All of the children are tiny and undernourished. These children are immediately transferred at 4, and have little chance of survival where they are sent. All of our waiting children need families, but these have a critical need. Please consider one of these children soon!!
I have $5000 in my grant fund!


Camille (9)
Girl, Born June 4, 2007

Camille is a beautiful girl who deserves a life outside of this crib! She is diagnosed with hydrocephaly and CP. She has a precious smile (please inquire for more photos) and a will to survive and THRIVE!
From her medical records: hydrocephaly, symptomatic epilepsy, deep mental delay, kidny development pathology, extra right kidney, partical otrophy of vision nerve, flat feet
I have $0 in my grant!

Masha (9)


Girl, Born January 10, 2007
Photo dated Feb 2010. This beautiful muffin…..Masha struggles with many symptoms of FAS (fetal alcohol syndrome).
From her medical records: Diagnosis: mother had syphilis and was alcohol addict, congenital malformation of nervous system, encephalitis, secondary hydrocephaly, mental disorders as a result of organic affection of brain, chronic pyelonephritis, congenital malformation of genital system – reflex uropathy, crossed eyes. She HAS been tested for syphilis and is NEGATIVE, even though her mother was carrying at the time of her birth. This little one has so much potential, even though her records make her sound like she’s in a vegetative state (which she clearly isn’t!) My goodness, what a loving family can do for her, she will truly blossom!
Her strabismus has gotten worse, and at 3 she is still not walking. Masha needs a family to help her be all she can be!
If you are unfamiliar with FAS, please spend some time researching this condition. Just as with Down syndrome, FAS and FAE have a wide variation of effects on each child, both medically, physically, and cognitively. This is typically dependent on how long during the pregnancy the mother consumed alcohol, and of course, how much. There is no way to know this ahead of time.
Regrettably, this orphanage is one of the poorer ones, with very little outside aid and very little hope. All of the children are tiny and undernourished. These children are immediately transferred at 4, and have little chance of survival where they are sent. All of our waiting children need families, but these have a critical need. Please consider one of these children soon!!
I have $0 in my grant fund!

Mila (9)

Girl, Born July 5, 2006
FAS and cleft palate
SIGNIFICANT RISK, PLEASE ADOPT ME SOON!!
Look at this darling little cupie doll! Mila was born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, and several complications from that exposure. Her medical records indicate cleft palate, oval window (heart condition), strabismus, and microcephaly (all common symptoms of this condition). But she is also friendly and happy, loves attention, and desperately needs a loving family.
From an adoptive family who visited with her in August 2010: “She was in a group with two other children. The two little boys were in the playpen. She was free to wander but she stayed in the little area for her group. When she would get a little too close to us, her caregiver would say something quietly and she would turn around and return to her group. I was impressed with her ability to follow instructions.”
“The afternoon before, I spied her playing and babbling by herself in a shady spot by the front drive. I did not see more than a few children with her. I have seen her playing with others on other days though. Truthfully, there are children here who are probably not going to fit in with a typical family. I don’t see Mila as one of those children. She is probably the height of a three year old but wirey, thin, skinny!”
If you are unfamiliar with FAS, please spend some time researching this condition. Just as with Down syndrome, FAS and FAE have a wide variation of effects on each child, both medically, physically, and cognitively. This is typically dependent on how long during the pregnancy the mother consumed alcohol, and of course, how much. There is no way to know this ahead of time.
Regrettably, this orphanage is one of the poorer ones, with very little outside aid and very little hope. All of the children are tiny and undernourished. These children are immediately transferred at 4, and have little chance of survival where they are sent. All of our waiting children need families, but these have a critical need. Please consider one of these children soon!!
I have $620 in my grant fund!
 
Tina (9)
Girl
FAS
If you are unfamiliar with FAS, please spend some time researching this condition. Just as with Down syndrome, FAS and FAE have a wide variation of effects on each child, both medically, physically, and cognitively. This is typically dependent on how long during the pregnancy the mother consumed alcohol, and of course, how much. There is no way to know this ahead of time.
Regrettably, this orphanage is one of the poorer ones, with very little outside aid and very little hope. All of the children are tiny and undernourished. These children are immediately transferred at 4, and have little chance of survival where they are sent. All of our waiting children need families, but these have a critical need. Please consider one of these children soon!!


Violetta (9)
Girl, Born September 11, 2007
This beauty was born with significant effects from FAS FAS, syndrome of movement disorders in form of two-sided pyramidal insufficiency, condition after surgery: abdominal incision, bowel resection (September 19, 2008), end-to-end abdominal anastomosis as a result of enterocolitis and serous peritonitis, examination stage and assumption of partial optic atrophy, slight protein-energy malnutrition, defficiency anemia.
I have $0 in my grant fund!




These are just a few children in Elijah's orphanage, but I hope these pictures made a mark in your memory, and please consider visiting my mom's Orphan Sunday post. Thank you for reading!!

Elijah, Tori, and Anastasiya

It's taken me a little longer than I wanted to get this post up, but I've been busy crocheting!! :)

You may remeber when I posted about my little brother we are adopting. If not, click here. On Octobeer 10th, our wonderful church family hosted the Elijah Joseph Packer Benefit. Even thought the Packers lost the game that day, we had a wonderful turn out. And, we raised a LOT of money to bring Elijah home. In fact we raised so much that we now have enough money to bring Elijah home!!! Thanks to many generous donations we raised $17,000!!! Don't we serve a great God??? You can read about the benefit here and here on my mom's blog.

So, after the benefit, I realized I needed to change my blog, Handiwork for Elijah because we had all the money we needed to bring Elijah home. I decided to change it to Tori (I posted about Tori here). Well, I changed my blog to Handiwork for Tori; but, with in 48 hours of me changing it to Tori, I found out she had a full grant!!! And a few days later I found out she had a family!!! Now there is a special thing about this family. They have adopted before, from Eastern Europe, and they adopted from the very same orphange/institution that I got to visit on my trip to Eastern Europe earlier this summer! How cool is that?

So I decided I needed to change my blog again. I had a hard time deciding between Noah and Anastasiya, both from Elijah's orphanage and listed on Reece's Rainbow. I decided to go with Anastasiya, and now my blog is Handiwork for Anastasiya. Please visit it here, and consider helping to bring Anastasiya home!!

My friend Genesis and I are also advocating for Anastasiya, and we started the blog Saving Anastasiya. Please visit and follow along on our journey to find sweet Anastasiya a family!!
Anastasiya
Tori

Elijah
Sorry this post didn't have much to do with crocheting but I hope you enjoyed it!! :)