blessing orphans--and being blessed back

One reason I am so bummed that I have not had time recently to blog is because there have been so many creative ways bloggers have been advocating for orphans and adoptive families, and I wish I had shared them with you sooner.

But there is no time like the present, right?  And just in time, too, since one of the blogs is having its most grand event to date:  a "Spectacular Surprise" over at the Fill Their Stockings With Hope event being held jointly on several blogs, including Ni Hao Y'all, which graces my sidebar.  These bloggers are working together to raise money for a family-style orphanage for special-needs children in China.  They are on their 7th day of some really fabulous giveaways (which is why I feel so badly that I never told you about it before), and today if you donate a minimum of $5 you can be entered to win a new iPad, or one of two $500 gift cards!!!!  (Technically you can enter without donating, but none of us would be that grinchy, right?)  So please consider visiting the blog and making a donation, and sharing word of the "Fill Their Stockings" event with others!

And if you are so full of love and joy and Christmas cheer and just want to bless others with no possibility of a financial reward, another blog on my sidebar, Treasured Pearls, is having an event called "24 Days of Giving" where they are featuring different families who are in various stages of adoption and could use financial help.  You can go check out yesterday's post here, to see one of the children who is in the process of being rescued and read what this event is all about.  I love the idea of using Christmastime as an occassion to share love and resources with those who are themselves trying to share love and resources with others--in this case, giving a small financial gift to people trying to give a home to a child who might otherwise never know a family.

If you want a moment to be reminded of what a blessing you could be to others, and why giving to families who are adopting can be so beautiful, so lifegiving, please visit this page.  Or this earlier one and scroll down to the pics at the end. 

That, my friends, is love in action.

And so, so, so much more worthy of $5 than a treat from my favorite coffeeshop.