*reposting this from last year's "What If" giveaway...
What if?
What if by some cruel twist of fate I woke up one morning to find that the tables were turned, and my beautiful and perfect Lily were lying in an orphanage, somewhere in Eastern Europe?
What if she had lived out the past 16 months of her life with no mommy and daddy to love her, no brothers and sisters to dote on her every day?
What if instead, she spent most of her waking hours in a crib, staring at the metal slats and playing with only her fingers or feet for comfort? What if she cried herself to sleep at night, because there was nobody who cared or had the time to attend to her when she woke up scared or lonely or sad?
What if she didn't eat when she was hungry, go to sleep with a full belly, or have her basic needs met with loving care?
What if my Lily stayed in that orphanage for many years, never leaving it to see the world around her? What if the only connection she had to the outside world was an occasional trip to the playground on the orphanage grounds...but for the most part she was locked away, an outcast of society?
What if she never received the help she needed through therapy with her beloved Karen, never had the opportunity to develop skills, to grow, to learn...
What if Lily never got the medial attention she needed when she was first born, had attention given to that tiny hole in her heart that doctors watched so carefully...what if she survived simply because she existed, devoid of any quality of life?
What if she were never celebrated for the treasure that she is, never nurtured or praised or adored? What if there were no parties or gifts or songs to commemorate that beautiful day she made her entrance into the world, nothing that distinguished that day from any other day of her secluded and monotonous life?
What if, after being shut away in that orphanage for five years, she woke one morning to find herself being whisked away from the only home she'd ever known- however stark or isolated- to the horror that is the Institution? What if, because of the inability of any five year old, let alone one with cognitive delays, she could not comprehend what had happened to her? What if there were no one to explain to her why her head was being shaved, her tiny arms tied to a crib, or where her friends had gone, and why no one was coming back for her to save her from the nightmare that was now her life?
What if that were my Lily's fate?
What would I do?
In the words of a dear friend.....
I would beg, borrow, and obsess myself to make sure she knew love and felt valued and wanted. If Lily were alone on the other side of the ocean, I would find her and rescue her no matter what the cost or how much dignity needed to be compromised.
Albina is my Lily.
She's no more deserving of the fate that awaits her than my child.
Or yours.
She is a beautiful and precious treasure, waiting for someone to recognize her value.
Pure and genuine religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. James 1:27
If you're new here, Albina is an orphan in Eastern Europe. Because she was born with Down syndrome, she is considered a burden to her society, an outcast to be hidden away.
I don't want money to be the thing that stands in the way of Albina being given a chance at a normal life.
and finally, the GRAND PRIZE.....
Oh yeah, baby!
Renee Tam's world famous toffee. I don't think there is a price you could put on this stuff. For reals.
There are MANY ways to enter this giveaway. Leave a comment saying what you did to be entered (donated, shared, etc.) You do not have to specify your donation amount- paypal keeps track of these, and Jonana will total your entries.
*donate to the Jolly Family via the paypal gadget on my sidebar
$10 = one entry
$25 = 5 entries
$50 = 20 entries
*one entry PER DAY for sharing the giveaway on FB (status must be updated each day for each entry)
*one entry PER DAY for blogging about the giveaway (please include your blog link in your comment.)
*my wonderful friend, Deanna is co-hosting this giveaway with me. Become a follower of Everything and Nothing From Essex and leave a comment (there) saying you did so for an extra entry.
*twenty entries for getting this giveaway talked about on a radio station. It's never happened yet, but hey, it's worth a try ;)
Our goal is $18,500. I realize that's huge. But I just watched God work a $17,000 miracle for Charlotte last month, and I'm just crazy enough to pray He'll do it again.
Giveaway ends March 30th, and winners will be drawn and announced on March 31st.
Ten days to watch a miracle happen.
What if it Albina was rescued...because of you?
What if?
What if by some cruel twist of fate I woke up one morning to find that the tables were turned, and my beautiful and perfect Lily were lying in an orphanage, somewhere in Eastern Europe?
What if she had lived out the past 16 months of her life with no mommy and daddy to love her, no brothers and sisters to dote on her every day?
What if instead, she spent most of her waking hours in a crib, staring at the metal slats and playing with only her fingers or feet for comfort? What if she cried herself to sleep at night, because there was nobody who cared or had the time to attend to her when she woke up scared or lonely or sad?
What if she didn't eat when she was hungry, go to sleep with a full belly, or have her basic needs met with loving care?
What if my Lily stayed in that orphanage for many years, never leaving it to see the world around her? What if the only connection she had to the outside world was an occasional trip to the playground on the orphanage grounds...but for the most part she was locked away, an outcast of society?
What if she never received the help she needed through therapy with her beloved Karen, never had the opportunity to develop skills, to grow, to learn...
What if Lily never got the medial attention she needed when she was first born, had attention given to that tiny hole in her heart that doctors watched so carefully...what if she survived simply because she existed, devoid of any quality of life?
What if she were never celebrated for the treasure that she is, never nurtured or praised or adored? What if there were no parties or gifts or songs to commemorate that beautiful day she made her entrance into the world, nothing that distinguished that day from any other day of her secluded and monotonous life?
What if, after being shut away in that orphanage for five years, she woke one morning to find herself being whisked away from the only home she'd ever known- however stark or isolated- to the horror that is the Institution? What if, because of the inability of any five year old, let alone one with cognitive delays, she could not comprehend what had happened to her? What if there were no one to explain to her why her head was being shaved, her tiny arms tied to a crib, or where her friends had gone, and why no one was coming back for her to save her from the nightmare that was now her life?
What if that were my Lily's fate?
What would I do?
In the words of a dear friend.....
I would beg, borrow, and obsess myself to make sure she knew love and felt valued and wanted. If Lily were alone on the other side of the ocean, I would find her and rescue her no matter what the cost or how much dignity needed to be compromised.
Albina is my Lily.
She's no more deserving of the fate that awaits her than my child.
Or yours.
She is a beautiful and precious treasure, waiting for someone to recognize her value.
Pure and genuine religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. James 1:27
If you're new here, Albina is an orphan in Eastern Europe. Because she was born with Down syndrome, she is considered a burden to her society, an outcast to be hidden away.
I don't want money to be the thing that stands in the way of Albina being given a chance at a normal life.
Will you help the Jolly family go rescue their girl?
Will you help me get them fully funded?
How about some amazing prizes as incentive???
WINNER'S CHOICE (ONE OF THE FOLLOWING THREE):
1) NEW Apple iPad 16GB Wifi Tablet ***NEWEST MODEL JUST
ANNOUNCED***
ANNOUNCED***
• New Retina display for the sharpest text and graphics display
• New A5X high-speed processor
• 16GB storage
• Wi-fi connectivity
• 10 hours battery life with Wi-fi turned on
• 5MP camera built-in
• HD quality video recording
• Facetime (video chat)
• Support for thousands of apps in iTunes App Store
OR
2) Canon EOS Rebel T3 12.2 MP CMOS Digital SLR with 18- 55mm IS II Lens
• 12.2 Megapixel CMOS (APS-C) sensor and DIGIC 4 Image Processor for
high image quality and speed.
• ISO 100 - 6400 for shooting from bright to dim light.
• Improved EOS HD Movie mode with expanded recording [HD: 30p (29.97)
/ 25p], and with in-camera movie editing options.
• High speed, reliable 9-point AF system utilizing a high precision, f/5.6
cross-type center point.
• Enhanced metering with a 63-zone, Dual-layer metering system for
accurate metering between exposures.
• 3.0 fps continuous shooting up to approximately 830 JPEGs or 2.0 fps for
approximately 5 RAW.
• 2.7-inch wide TFT LCD monitor (230,000 dots) with Live View function for
improved viewing.
• Express your creativity with ease using advanced imaging features like the
new Basic+ function, Quick Setting function and Creative Auto.
• New Feature Guide offers short descriptions of each function and Quick
Control screen for easy operation.
• Compatibility with SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards.
• Compatible with the full line of Canon EF and EF-S lenses.
OR
3) $500 Amazon.com Gift Card
And a host of other wonderful prizes....
$100 gift card to Target !!!
(thank you, Kelly Dirkes !!)
Sock Monkey Hat (winner chooses size) from The3MonkeysBoutique on Etsy. Crocheted sock monkey hat. specify color- sock monkey brown/gray, pink, blue, purple, orange.
 |
Hot/cold packs from June 34 on Etsy Heat in the microwave to soothe sore muscles or warm up during cold night. Place in the freezer for a cold pack... great for boo-boo's for little ones!
Highly Fragrant Soy Candle in 8 oz. tin container by JubileeScents on Etsy - Sugar Cookie and Pomegranate (one of each) Approximate 40 hours burn time - Made in USA
Tutu- Made in any size and any color for the winner - Can also choose short or long skirt.
Vera Bradley inspired flameless LED candles - Choose any of the styles shown - Winner receives 2 candles
Ten bows (winner's choice) from Natasha's Hair Bowtique and one bow holder:
 |
| (bows hang from tutu ribbons) |
Darling Pink tutu, size 6 months
Baby Bluebird hat made with love by Sarah and Rachel at Handiwork for Lilly
Baby Bluebird hat made with love by Sarah and Rachel at Handiwork for Lilly
and finally, the GRAND PRIZE.....
Oh yeah, baby!
Renee Tam's world famous toffee. I don't think there is a price you could put on this stuff. For reals.
There are MANY ways to enter this giveaway. Leave a comment saying what you did to be entered (donated, shared, etc.) You do not have to specify your donation amount- paypal keeps track of these, and Jonana will total your entries.
*donate to the Jolly Family via the paypal gadget on my sidebar
$10 = one entry
$25 = 5 entries
$50 = 20 entries
*one entry PER DAY for sharing the giveaway on FB (status must be updated each day for each entry)
*one entry PER DAY for blogging about the giveaway (please include your blog link in your comment.)
*my wonderful friend, Deanna is co-hosting this giveaway with me. Become a follower of Everything and Nothing From Essex and leave a comment (there) saying you did so for an extra entry.
*twenty entries for getting this giveaway talked about on a radio station. It's never happened yet, but hey, it's worth a try ;)
Our goal is $18,500. I realize that's huge. But I just watched God work a $17,000 miracle for Charlotte last month, and I'm just crazy enough to pray He'll do it again.
Giveaway ends March 30th, and winners will be drawn and announced on March 31st.
Ten days to watch a miracle happen.
What if it Albina was rescued...because of you?
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