Thank you and Ordinary Hero for your generosity! You are all "Ordinary Hero's" and we are grateful!!! Here is the link for the contest winners:
Thank you!!!!!
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Ordinary Hero Winners Again!!!
We did it again......more like YOU did it. You purchased merchandise under our name through Ordinary Hero during the contest and not only did you contribute 40% of the sales but you helped us win the contest and get an additional $500 towards our adoption!! YEAH YOU!!! Give yourself a high five or pat on the back (and take video 'cause I wanna see you doing that)!!
Thank you and Ordinary Hero for your generosity! You are all "Ordinary Hero's" and we are grateful!!! Here is the link for the contest winners:
Thank you and Ordinary Hero for your generosity! You are all "Ordinary Hero's" and we are grateful!!! Here is the link for the contest winners:
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Guardian Angels
As I was filing out applications for grants this week, I took a break to get the mail and found yet another way that God has spoken! We received a kind note of love and prayers from one of our guardian angels that included this scripture:
But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired. Isaiah 40:31
This incredible woman has been declared our guardian angel because she was a stranger who listened to our story with an open heart (in the consignment store as I searched for the right size to fit a orphan who was going to be our son), who sent us our very first contribution, who shared our story, who left a gift card for the sale day at that same consignment store, who shared our story again (and again), who sent contributions from those who she shared our story with, who contributed again, who continues to pray for us and who believes in us.....and she didn't even know us before this! Ohhh, I don't know, an all around special woman who -without physically being there- seems to be there at the right time every time!!! Thank you "AS" for your prayers and the prayers of your daughter and your friends. Thank you for the scripture that renews our strength when ever we might need it - at that moment!
And there are others who we declare guardian angels....there is one special "dude" friend who continues and continues to share our story whether it be an Amazon conversation or a hey, by the way I've got these friends who could use some help.....a shout out to you "PL" for not only always sharing our story with others but listening to it with us!
Then, hello??....the crazy t-shirt orderer who I told to put the credit card down because she just donated and then went an ordered a bunch of t-shirts (I say bunch, but that's not the right word because she has this great big beautiful family with 4 kids)! Another guardian angel delivered right from God himself! Can't wait to see you "JE" in MN!!!
Of course, "M" lands on the guardian angel list again because she jumped first thing on that Ordinary Hero merchandise contest morning and before I spoke to her that first day of the contest she had already ordered sweatshirts and was waiting to see what we wanted! And "D" also joins her are he and his ordered t-shirts for the grandkids too! Thanks to my "M&D" guardian angels for always supporting me in whatever I did!
Another special guardian angel who I know has continued to pray for our "cause" and just called after listening to our broken hearts and offered not only volunteering help but our biggest donation yet! This guardian angel "JS" was delivered by God just when we were falling and needed a boost up!
Then "NR" putting together our first fundraiser when I was in panic time....again delivered when needed. Did I mention that with every guardian angel delivery, we get to breathe?! Even while preparing for a move from one home to another she is still on top of it! I think the most special part was her words on how her and her husband decided to help.....they realized how lucky they were in having their two beautiful children and they wanted to help us who have not been blessed in that way but in another way. Breathe....
WOW, you don't realize how many guardian angels are really out there until you take a moment to call them that and say THANK YOU. We have tons more too! We have golfers and basket sponsors already signed up! Then we have anonymous donations or donators we don't even know. We have people who ordered merchandise during the contest and we don't even know who you are yet. Others ordered t-shirts even way before! Those who make the extra effort to go to our blog before going onto Amazon! Then the Ordinary Hero grant that had a bunch of guardian angels hands in there whether they chose us or donated to the cause! Wow, tears fill my eyes as I think about how many people -family, friends, acquaintances, strangers, friends of friends, etc - who have touched our hearts in so many ways! Thank you....THANK YOU!!! You are the inspiration!! You are our strength that we know has been delivered by God personally!
Our donation amount is currently $2595 with our grant from OH. We were discounted a little more from our Agency ($500 off the already reduced $3000 to $1500 US processing fee now $1000) -another guardian angel without a doubt! We are waiting to here on a few other grants -one even through the home study agency- and we will let you know as we hear (then we will update a cost breakdown again).
There are guardian angels out there and although we aren't "out of the woods" just yet, we know that God's hand is in this and he will continue to open doors and turn hearts our way. Thank you for reading our story here and for sharing it there!!
We can't wait for you (and us) to meet our son:
But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired. Isaiah 40:31
This incredible woman has been declared our guardian angel because she was a stranger who listened to our story with an open heart (in the consignment store as I searched for the right size to fit a orphan who was going to be our son), who sent us our very first contribution, who shared our story, who left a gift card for the sale day at that same consignment store, who shared our story again (and again), who sent contributions from those who she shared our story with, who contributed again, who continues to pray for us and who believes in us.....and she didn't even know us before this! Ohhh, I don't know, an all around special woman who -without physically being there- seems to be there at the right time every time!!! Thank you "AS" for your prayers and the prayers of your daughter and your friends. Thank you for the scripture that renews our strength when ever we might need it - at that moment!
And there are others who we declare guardian angels....there is one special "dude" friend who continues and continues to share our story whether it be an Amazon conversation or a hey, by the way I've got these friends who could use some help.....a shout out to you "PL" for not only always sharing our story with others but listening to it with us!
Then, hello??....the crazy t-shirt orderer who I told to put the credit card down because she just donated and then went an ordered a bunch of t-shirts (I say bunch, but that's not the right word because she has this great big beautiful family with 4 kids)! Another guardian angel delivered right from God himself! Can't wait to see you "JE" in MN!!!
Of course, "M" lands on the guardian angel list again because she jumped first thing on that Ordinary Hero merchandise contest morning and before I spoke to her that first day of the contest she had already ordered sweatshirts and was waiting to see what we wanted! And "D" also joins her are he and his ordered t-shirts for the grandkids too! Thanks to my "M&D" guardian angels for always supporting me in whatever I did!
Another special guardian angel who I know has continued to pray for our "cause" and just called after listening to our broken hearts and offered not only volunteering help but our biggest donation yet! This guardian angel "JS" was delivered by God just when we were falling and needed a boost up!
Then "NR" putting together our first fundraiser when I was in panic time....again delivered when needed. Did I mention that with every guardian angel delivery, we get to breathe?! Even while preparing for a move from one home to another she is still on top of it! I think the most special part was her words on how her and her husband decided to help.....they realized how lucky they were in having their two beautiful children and they wanted to help us who have not been blessed in that way but in another way. Breathe....
WOW, you don't realize how many guardian angels are really out there until you take a moment to call them that and say THANK YOU. We have tons more too! We have golfers and basket sponsors already signed up! Then we have anonymous donations or donators we don't even know. We have people who ordered merchandise during the contest and we don't even know who you are yet. Others ordered t-shirts even way before! Those who make the extra effort to go to our blog before going onto Amazon! Then the Ordinary Hero grant that had a bunch of guardian angels hands in there whether they chose us or donated to the cause! Wow, tears fill my eyes as I think about how many people -family, friends, acquaintances, strangers, friends of friends, etc - who have touched our hearts in so many ways! Thank you....THANK YOU!!! You are the inspiration!! You are our strength that we know has been delivered by God personally!
Our donation amount is currently $2595 with our grant from OH. We were discounted a little more from our Agency ($500 off the already reduced $3000 to $1500 US processing fee now $1000) -another guardian angel without a doubt! We are waiting to here on a few other grants -one even through the home study agency- and we will let you know as we hear (then we will update a cost breakdown again).
There are guardian angels out there and although we aren't "out of the woods" just yet, we know that God's hand is in this and he will continue to open doors and turn hearts our way. Thank you for reading our story here and for sharing it there!!
We can't wait for you (and us) to meet our son:
Friday, March 22, 2013
Ordinary Hero - Reminder
Hey out there,
Today is the last day for the Ordinary Hero affiliate contest (not the last day to ever order, just the contest where the top 3 affiliates get $500). So please at least peek at the sight and maybe you'll see a nice gift for someone special. I just love the saying "I'm gonna change the world" especially for kids! The sports bag is only $10 - GREAT inexpensive gift to put aside for someone later!
http://www.ordinaryherostore.org
Don't forget to pick "Kim Pellegrino" as the affiliate after the billing address!
Thanks everyone!!! (We don't see who made purchases so PLEASE let us know if you did so we can send a huge thanks!
PS...Thanks Mom!!!!
Today is the last day for the Ordinary Hero affiliate contest (not the last day to ever order, just the contest where the top 3 affiliates get $500). So please at least peek at the sight and maybe you'll see a nice gift for someone special. I just love the saying "I'm gonna change the world" especially for kids! The sports bag is only $10 - GREAT inexpensive gift to put aside for someone later!
http://www.ordinaryherostore.org
Don't forget to pick "Kim Pellegrino" as the affiliate after the billing address!
Thanks everyone!!! (We don't see who made purchases so PLEASE let us know if you did so we can send a huge thanks!
PS...Thanks Mom!!!!
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Just Love Coffee Roasters
Monday, March 18, 2013
Sweatshirt raffle winner!!!
We have ten donators and one winner!! There was a total of 69 entries between the ten people. Thank you for all of your donations!!!
And the winner is:
And the winner is:
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Ordinary Hero Contest
Thank you for those who have ordered through Ordinary Hero on our behalf for the below contest....please let us know if you did order so we can send a big THANK YOU as they do not share any information with us (same thing for Reece's Rainbow). Thank you again!!!
Next Grant Giveaway March 15-22, ending at 11:59pm Central!
Top 3 Selling Affiliates With Highest Earnings Will Be Granted $500 Each On Top of Their 40% Affiliate Earnings!
Don't Miss This Great Opportunity To Fundraise!
If you are here to support an adoption, mission trip, or Ordinary Hero, we thank you! For your donation through the OH Store, you will not only be receiving products that you select, but you are directly impacting, and helping to CHANGE THE WORLD FOR ONE, one child at a time.
Please Note** If you are donating on behalf of an affiliate, you must click on the Affiliate's name in a drop down menu during check out to ensure the affiliate receives credit for your donation. Thank you for helping our affiliates reach their fundraising goals through your donation to Ordinary Hero through this Ordinary Hero Shopping Cart.
Click the Ordinary Hero icon on this blog or
http://ordinaryherostore.org
This is the BEST time for you to get great merchandise and HELP BRING OUR LITTLE BOY HOME!!!!
Thank you!!!!
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Choice to Fundraise for Adoption
Since we began our journey for our second adoption it occurred to us that there were many many people out there that do not agree with fundraising to extend a family....I thought I should finally address this thought......
To start, it wasn't an easy decision and in fact there was a time very early in the process that we were going to walk away from the process, the worries and most importantly the child. We painfully did make the decision as husband and wife together without input from anyone else. The decision caused a hurt that was just unexplainable. We realized that this decision wasn't one that could be made without the input from anyone else. We realized that we needed input from the greatest source ever known to us, our Lord (if you look back to a post that simple asked for prayers). We got down on our knees that night (as I call it, the old fashion way) at our bed holding hands and we prayed out loud. We asked for PEACE, peace in whatever God had in store with us whether it be to pull out of the adoption or move forward knowing we would have to humble ourselves and ask for help. I don't think I ever felt more refreshed any other morning in my life. I was truly at peace and I knew Eric had the same thought. We looked at each other the next day and said "That's our son". We were back and in full swing.
Still knowing that some people didn't agree with fundraising for a family, we knew that this boy needed a family. We weren't asking for money to go on some fancy vacation or buy fancy clothes but we were asking for money to give an ORPHAN a home (it's amazing what other things people do fundraising for or donate to).We don't splurge but cut mounds of coupons (like most middle income families) and only buy what's on sale with a coupon. There are millions of orphans in this world and many many of them will NEVER have a family unless people like us step out of their comfort zone and ask for help. Many adoption prayers are answered through donations, purchases and even more prayers! There aren't too many families our there that have $30,000 sitting in a bank account and wake up one day and say "Hey, I'm going to use that money to give a child a home (and hey, who cares if that child is special needs and is considered an outcast by some cultures)". There are so many references in the Bible that encourage you to support the orphans, the fatherless, the poor, the helpless...God provides Miracles, both big and small, for those who do as he asks, for those who take in an orphaned child, both big and small!
Fundraising isn't easy. It is humbling. It makes you look at the world differently somehow. You realize that you have too much of all this other stuff when all you really want is to provide a home for a homeless child...a kid for crying out loud! You want a family like everyone else. So sometimes it may seem easy to ask for donations with a smile and other times it's extra hard. Sometimes fundraising families see a large donation here or there, but mostly they are small ones that add up and up and up. They all matter, both big and small (many people don't even realize that something, anything is better than nothing). We try to find products that people might like to purchase so they get a little "something" extra for giving a little something as some people like that. We try to find people to help us with events. We have mounds of grant applications we are working on. We just keep trying and trying.....a people can ignore the tries if they choose to. They don't have to give a dime (or a damn) or they can choose to share (or care). That is their decision just like it was our decision to bring a second adoption into our home. We questioned the resources for funds the first time as well, but it worked beautifully and without fundraising. So this one is going to require more work and more hands but it will give one more child a home and isn't that all that matters.....
Prayer for the day: Thank you Lord God for the many blessings you have bestowed upon our family. Thank you for the plan you have for us, we trust in you with all our hearts. Please bless all of those who read our story. Please help open the hearts of many as they hear the cry of orphans around the world. In God's name, Amen.
Fundraising isn't easy. It is humbling. It makes you look at the world differently somehow. You realize that you have too much of all this other stuff when all you really want is to provide a home for a homeless child...a kid for crying out loud! You want a family like everyone else. So sometimes it may seem easy to ask for donations with a smile and other times it's extra hard. Sometimes fundraising families see a large donation here or there, but mostly they are small ones that add up and up and up. They all matter, both big and small (many people don't even realize that something, anything is better than nothing). We try to find products that people might like to purchase so they get a little "something" extra for giving a little something as some people like that. We try to find people to help us with events. We have mounds of grant applications we are working on. We just keep trying and trying.....a people can ignore the tries if they choose to. They don't have to give a dime (or a damn) or they can choose to share (or care). That is their decision just like it was our decision to bring a second adoption into our home. We questioned the resources for funds the first time as well, but it worked beautifully and without fundraising. So this one is going to require more work and more hands but it will give one more child a home and isn't that all that matters.....
Prayer for the day: Thank you Lord God for the many blessings you have bestowed upon our family. Thank you for the plan you have for us, we trust in you with all our hearts. Please bless all of those who read our story. Please help open the hearts of many as they hear the cry of orphans around the world. In God's name, Amen.
For Him......
(I stole that from a kind gentle man at Olive tree who reminded me that many times we make it about so many other things when it all points right to Him)
(I stole that from a kind gentle man at Olive tree who reminded me that many times we make it about so many other things when it all points right to Him)
Monday, March 11, 2013
ORDINARY HERO GRANT AWARDED...
...TO US!!!!!
Yeahhhhhh, I can't believe our very first grant!! Even before this, I absolutely loved Ordinary Hero, what they stand for, their merchandise and their people AND NOW I really, really love them. We are honored to receive this grant that was made possible because of an incredible woman who continues to watch over orphans while she is with our Lord. Thank you Ordinary Hero, State Farm and especially Michael Venable...peace to you and yours!Below is the introduction to the grant. Thank you for your continued prayers and don't forget to connect to our store on this blog at Ordinary Hero especially March 15-22nd ---- SEE BELOW!!!
As you know, adoption is near and dear to the heart of Ordinary Hero and we are passionate about orphans finding their forever families. We also care about helping families raise the money necessary for adoption, which is why we have our OH affiliate program.
With the support of State Farm Insurance, through the Beth Venable Memorial Fund, we are offering a ONE TIME adoption grant of $1,000 to an adoptive family who is an OH affiliate. Online applications will be accepted February 14-28 and the family who is selected to receive the grant will be notified by March 10. The recipient will be selected by the Ordinary Hero staff as well as Michael Venable.
Here's where Ordinary Hero posted our winning entry/story:
YEAH!!!!!!
WE NEED YOUR HELP,
THERE'S MORE TO EARN:
Next Grant Giveaway March 15-22, ending at 11:59pm Central!
Top 3 Selling Affiliates With Highest Earnings Will Be Granted $500 Each On Top of Their 40% Affiliate Earnings!
Don't Miss This Great Opportunity To Fundraise!
If you are here to support an adoption, mission trip, or Ordinary Hero, we thank you! For your donation through the OH Store, you will not only be receiving products that you select, but you are directly impacting, and helping to CHANGE THE WORLD FOR ONE, one child at a time.
Please Note** If you are donating on behalf of an affiliate, you must click on the Affiliate's name in a drop down menu during check out to ensure the affiliate receives credit for your donation. Thank you for helping our affiliates reach their fundraising goals through your donation to Ordinary Hero through this Ordinary Hero Shopping Cart.
Click the Ordinary Hero icon on this blog or
http://ordinaryherostore.org
This is the BEST time for you to get great merchandise and HELP BRING OUR LITTLE BOY HOME!!!!
Thank you!!!!
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Home Study is done!!
Yeah!!!! Lots happening here! We picked up our approved home study yesterday and sent it out to USCIS so it gets to the lock box by March 20th (by doing this we were able to just extend and adjust our old I-800a which saved about 1-2 months). A big thanks to our social worker Margie for getting it done!!! We are a big step closer to our little boy (who by the way still does not have a name yet, yikes)!
Now that our home study is finished, we can start applying for grants. We did apply to about 3 so far (haven't heard anything) but many others require our home study to be finished first. Our home study agency is working on a grant for us that could be $1250! That would be unbelievable. We will keep you posted!
What else is happening? Glad you asked! You Amazon shoppers ROCK!!! Keep shopping (hey you were going to shop there anyway and if you weren't going to now you have an excuse to shop)! So far you earned us $39.85! That is AWESOME!!!! Thank you!! Remember to tell anyone and everyone to log onto Amazon through our blog. It doesn't cost you anything and it helps bring a little boy to his forever family!
*****RAFFLE: ONE MORE DONATION NEEDED FOR AS LITTLE AT $10 to raffle off the sweatshirt (March 20th & Feb 15th posts)!
DON'T FORGET TO REGISTER FOR THE GOLF TOURNAMENT in anyway that you are comfortable with - you don't have to golf either (see Feb 26th blog)!!!!!
Now that our home study is finished, we can start applying for grants. We did apply to about 3 so far (haven't heard anything) but many others require our home study to be finished first. Our home study agency is working on a grant for us that could be $1250! That would be unbelievable. We will keep you posted!
What else is happening? Glad you asked! You Amazon shoppers ROCK!!! Keep shopping (hey you were going to shop there anyway and if you weren't going to now you have an excuse to shop)! So far you earned us $39.85! That is AWESOME!!!! Thank you!! Remember to tell anyone and everyone to log onto Amazon through our blog. It doesn't cost you anything and it helps bring a little boy to his forever family!
*****RAFFLE: ONE MORE DONATION NEEDED FOR AS LITTLE AT $10 to raffle off the sweatshirt (March 20th & Feb 15th posts)!
DON'T FORGET TO REGISTER FOR THE GOLF TOURNAMENT in anyway that you are comfortable with - you don't have to golf either (see Feb 26th blog)!!!!!
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Wanted: TWO more people to donate for first raffle!!
Hey out there! We have EIGHT donators of $10 or more that are entered in our raffle for the adoption sweatshirt! These are any donations we have received sine the February 15th announcement. Each $10 gets one chance in the raffle. We need TWO more to give away this powerful sweatshirt to one winner! Based on the amounts we have received, we have 39 entries split between 8 people.....so you still have a BIG chance of winning if you enter now!!!!!!!
Thanks......catch ya soon!!
Thanks......catch ya soon!!
Saturday, March 2, 2013
First RAFFLE update
On February 15th's blog we announced our first raffle. The prize is a medium sweatshirt (seems like a large)with Bible versus in the shape of China and 147 Million Orphans written across the shape. The entries are only reserved for ten people. Each of those next ten donators from that date will get one chance per ten dollars to win it. For those who donate directly to Reece's Rainbow, we don't know who you are so please let us know by emailing us at kimmpell@gmail.com so we can enter your name with the right amount of chances (and say thank you too). I know you can buy this sweatshirt from CafePress for $50 but that doesn't come with the opportunity to help bring an orphan home. We don't have ten donators yet but we are getting close so get your donations in today for a chance to receive this powerful sweatshirt!!!
Thanks again!!!
Thanks again!!!
6 Month Gotcha Anniversary
So as continue to read "Parenting your Internationally Adopted Child" it has a short blurb on how the author doesn't like the term "Gotcha" day because it looks at the adoption from the perspective of the parent and not the child as recommended. Hmmmm, I don't know, you can look at it both ways can't you....didn't our son get his family too that day. I know ours did. (I do like the book but don't agree with all of it). So Happy 6 Month Anniversary to our family as we all GOT our family that day!
And on that day we met Claire who is the sweet daughter of our dear friends Leslie & Chris. Claire and Anthony were from the same orphanage although never knew each other (not surprising since there were 800 kids in that orphanage). Definitely not one of the better orphanages. Claire was 4 at the time she was adopted and she only weighed 15 pounds. Her palate was not repaired and from what we understand that orphanage did not take care of girls as well as boys. And there have been reports of multiple kids coming out of there with finger and toe nails that were cut too short (hence our visit to a Chinese clinic -with cats and all- and a Chinese hospital -with dried blood and all - with a boy we just met 2 days ago with an infected toe to the point that he had a red line going up his leg). It was necessary for us to travel with a person from the agency who was the most knowledgeable on the process because not only is the province a difficult one but the orphanage is very difficult as well. OUr agency just stopped working with them for reasons not announced. This is a heart breaker. Hopefully other agencies are able to deal with this orphanage and not just walk away from those kids.
OK....this is suppose to be a celebratory day!!! I can't believe it's only been 6 months. Then sometimes it feels like yesterday! And only six months and already signed up for more! Certainly a celebratory day as another child from China will get to join a family and have all of these reasons to celebrate (and with us, yeah)!
Thank you for checking in and have an awesome day!!!
And on that day we met Claire who is the sweet daughter of our dear friends Leslie & Chris. Claire and Anthony were from the same orphanage although never knew each other (not surprising since there were 800 kids in that orphanage). Definitely not one of the better orphanages. Claire was 4 at the time she was adopted and she only weighed 15 pounds. Her palate was not repaired and from what we understand that orphanage did not take care of girls as well as boys. And there have been reports of multiple kids coming out of there with finger and toe nails that were cut too short (hence our visit to a Chinese clinic -with cats and all- and a Chinese hospital -with dried blood and all - with a boy we just met 2 days ago with an infected toe to the point that he had a red line going up his leg). It was necessary for us to travel with a person from the agency who was the most knowledgeable on the process because not only is the province a difficult one but the orphanage is very difficult as well. OUr agency just stopped working with them for reasons not announced. This is a heart breaker. Hopefully other agencies are able to deal with this orphanage and not just walk away from those kids.
OK....this is suppose to be a celebratory day!!! I can't believe it's only been 6 months. Then sometimes it feels like yesterday! And only six months and already signed up for more! Certainly a celebratory day as another child from China will get to join a family and have all of these reasons to celebrate (and with us, yeah)!
Thank you for checking in and have an awesome day!!!
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