Down Syndrome Awareness T-shirt Fundraiser

Front view

Back view

October is National Down Syndrome Awareness Month so I decided that it would only be fitting for it to be the focus of our final adoption t-shirt fundraiser.  With the addition of Greta, Felix, & Romeo, we will have seven (7!!) children with Down syndrome!!  Our family revolves around Down syndrome and part of OUR JOB is bringing awareness to not only our children, but also to countless other individuals with Ds.  So why wouldn't this be a GREAT idea for a t-shirt?!?

After hours of thinking and playing around with various designs and wording, I finally hit the jackpot ~ the Golden Ticket ~ of bringing the message of Ds awareness to a simple t-shirt.  At least in my mind it was...!!  So, TA-DA (as Teague would say) here is the jpeg image of the design I came up with:

Front of the t-shirts

Back of the t-shirts

   








Pictures of the actual t-shirts are at the top of this blog post.  I hope you like them as much as we do!!  Adult sized t-shirts are $20;  Women's Fitted t-shirts are $22;  Youth t-shirts are $16;  Long sleeve t-shirts are $24; and Hooded sweatshirts are $37.

The fundraiser ends on 11/9 and we MUST sell a minimum of 50 t-shirts in order for the fundraiser to actually go through.  If we fail to sell the required minimum, the t-shirts will not be printed and the fundraiser will be scratched. (Credit cards ARE NOT charged until we reach the minimum of 50 sold so there will be no transactions completed until then.)

If the fundraiser is successful by having sold at least 50 t-shirts by 11/9, the t-shirts will be printed and shipped about 2 weeks after.  Let's pray that this is the case!!!  And, with any luck, we will sell more than 50!!

Greta, Felix, Romeo, Silas, Teague, Trenton, & Mackie REALLY REALLY REALLY want 50 (or more!) t-shirts sold so that they will be able to wear their shirts and bring awareness to Ds so that the world will:

KNOW THE TRUTH

Individuals with Down syndrome are

BEAUTIFUL

Will YOU help them to get a chance to wear their t-shirts?!?  Will YOU help us make Greta, Felix, & Romeo Orphans No More by purchasing a t-shirt?!?  100% of the proceeds from the sale of each t-shirt and hoodie goes directly to our adoption fund.  We GREATLY appreciate you helping us to bring our precious children home and making our family complete!

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO GET MORE INFO AND ORDER YOUR T-SHIRT!!  Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!!

Receiving the Spirit of Adoption as Sons

14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.  15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!”  16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God.  Romans 8:14-16 ~ NASB

A Forever Family for Kiril, Dell, Gene, & David

I had the sweet honor of meeting a fellow Reece's Rainbow family in 2011 when David and I committed to adopting Teague,Trenton, & Maclayne.  This family had both biological and adopted children.  They were like us in that they felt led by God to travel to Eastern Europe and adopt orphans with Down syndrome.  The mom's and my shared passion for these precious children made us fast friends!

And, their support of special needs orphans did not just stop at the adoption of their own children.  It has continued through their commitment to help other precious orphans find forever homes and through their support of families desiring to adopt special needs orphans.  Their selfless commitment has manifested itself in hours upon hours of prayers lifted to God for these orphans and families.  And, it has also come though the family's generous monetary donations to adoptive families in need.  My own personal family has benefited from this family's generosity.

Therefore, I am beyond honored to help this family in any way that I can.  Can YOU help?  Can YOU find it within YOURSELF to help get these precious boys home?  Friends, it's time we step up and repay this family for their generosity toward other adopting families & orphans desperately wanting a forever family.  I just donated, will YOU?

These boys have waited for a long time for a family of their own.  They've waited a long time for a mama & a papa to love them.  Just look at their precious pictures and tell me that they are not worthy and capable of so much more...

Kiril

Dell 

Gene

David

NOTE:  This family will be able to go public with their names and information once they have had court for Dell, Gene, & David.  They have had contact with these three boys and both the mom & dad report that they are already head over heals in love with Dell, Gene, & David.  And, most importantly, THE THREE BOYS ARE EXCITED TO HAVE A FOREVER FAMILY OF THEIR OWN!!!  It just doesn't get any sweeter than that, folks!  Praise God for His continued design of this beautiful family!!

DELL, GENE, & DAVID WILL BE HOME WITH THIS FAMILY ~ THEIR FOREVER FAMILY ~ VERY SOON!!!!!!!

The family is still journeying to bring Kiril home.  And, believe me, they are doing all they can to bring their precious boy home.  Once news of Kiril's journey home becomes available, the family will be able to make it public.  In the meantime, please pray for Kiril and the family's journey to adopt him and make him An Orphan No More.

NOW LET'S GET THESE BOYS HOME!!!!!!  WITH GOD'S GRACE WE CAN DO IT!!  IT TAKES A VILLAGE, YOU KNOW...

Click HERE to find out more about this family and to make a tax deductible donation today!  Even a $5 or $10 donation will go a long way ~ I PROMISE!!  This family needs just under $5000 to be fully funded!  It may seem like a huge mountain to us, but with God it is only a small bump!!

GOD GIVES MOST:
10 Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness;  11 you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God.  12 For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God.   13 Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all,  14 while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you.  15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!  ~ 2 Corinthians 9:10-15, NASB

Reece's Rainbow ~ five5five for families

In 2011, Reece's Rainbow graciously provided thousands of dollars for our adoption of Teague, Trenton, and Maclayne.  The adoption grant was made possible by PRECIOUS generous donors who saw the potential in our children.  This time around, RR will be providing thousands of dollars from NUMEROUS precious donors in order for us to bring Greta, Felix, and Romeo home.  Because of these lifesaving gifts, SIX orphans have a forever home and know the love of a family.  Teague, Trenton, and Mackie are flourishing in our love and we cannot wait to watch as Greta, Felix, and Romeo flourish!

Reece's Rainbow is a 501(c)3 Adoption Grant Ministry that provides money to families who are adopting orphans with Down syndrome and other special needs internationally.   (To read more about RR, please click on this link:  Why Reece's Rainbow?)  RR relies on the generous donations of people like YOU!  Their new campaign, five5five for families, kicked off a few months ago and directly benefits five different families each month who are in the process of adopting an orphan (or orphans) with special needs.

From the RR website:  "After 8 years, $7 million in grant funding disbursed, and more than 1500 orphans have found forever families, you KNOW how far your giving goes collectively through Reece’s Rainbow! Set up an auto-bill-pay donation from your bank, or through the PayPal link, to give just $5 a month for our adopting families!"

I just set up David's and my $10 recurring monthly donation to benefit these families and their CHOSEN children.  Although this is not a huge amount, it can be MULTIPLIED if more people will join us.  If you aren't able to do it each month, a one-time donation will also be greatly appreciated!!  Your amount does not have to be $10 ~ it can be more or it can be less.  Please give what you can.  I promise you, God will USE YOUR GIFT!!

WILL YOU PLEASE JOIN US?????

What are you waiting for?!?  Click on this link to find out more information and donate:  five5five for families

So, on behalf of Reece's Rainbow:  "Thank you for your donation to the children of Reece’s Rainbow. Your gift is truly the gift of LIFE, HOPE, and a FAMILY for an orphaned child with Down syndrome [and/or other special needs].  Your support for this organization throughout the year is greatly appreciated.  Should you have any questions, or need to provide us with any additional details about your donation, please do not hesitate to write [or email].  Be sure to browse our website, and discover all the amazing ways you can be a Voice of Hope for our waiting orphans!"

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GOD GIVES MOST ~ 2 Corinthians 9:6-15

6 Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.  7 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;  9 as it is written,

“He scattered abroad, he gave to the poor,

His righteousness endures forever.”

10 Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness;  11 you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God.  12 For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God.  13 Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all,  14 while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you.  15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

Adoption Update

First let me apologize that I have not posted on my blog since May.  All I can say is that I have been super busy on the adoption paper chasing trail and with taking care of Maclayne's medical needs.  With that being said, I hope it is enough for you to forgive me.

NOW, let's get to the exciting news at hand...

THE END IS NEAR in regards to our adoption!!!  Through many months of literal blood, sweat, and tears, I have COMPLETED ALL of our adoption dossier documents!!!  Let me shout it again, even louder:

ALL OF OUR ADOPTION DOSSIER DOCUMENTS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED!!!!!

When I faxed our last document to be checked & approved by our stateside facilitator, I fell on my knees in a heap of full-bodied sobs.  Don't get me wrong, it was a huge relief full of joy, but it was, at the same time, a very gut wrenching emotional relief.

Romeo

Months of frustration, questioning, and longing for my three beautiful children was sent along with that fax to Nancy.  It was a release, a beautiful release that renewed my hope and commitment to precious Greta, Felix, and Romeo.  In the still small voice I heard God confirming, once again, that He has called David and me to adopt these three special needs orphans from Eastern Europe.

I am now sorting and double checking all of our paperwork that is making up our adoption dossier so that I can get it shipped to our in-country facilitators in Eastern Europe.  This "paper baby" should be shipped within the next couple of days.  (I will add it to our adoption timeline on the left of this post once I send it.)  Once it reaches our facilitators in EE, they will begin translating all of those documents ~ that is not a light undertaking and we are extremely grateful to them!

We are still awaiting approval from Homeland Security/Customs & Immigration (USCIS).  Once we have our approval (the Golden Ticket known as the I-171H), we will forward it to our facilitators in EE and they will submit our full adoption dossier to the Department for Adoptions (DAP).  From there, the DAP will extend an invitation for us to visit their country for the purpose of adopting and our first travel date will be issued.

Felix

So, once again, please allow me to shout:   ALL OF OUR ADOPTION DOSSIER DOCUMENTS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED!!!!! and THE END IS NEAR!!!!!

Would you please join us in praying that we receive our USCIS approval ASAP??!!??  The immigration officer I've been dealing with is not the kindest person on earth.  However, I am extending the officer the grace I have been receiving from the Lord and I am treating the officer with the utmost kindness and respect.  I desire to keep my witness in Christ strong because it is through Him that this adoption is even taking place.

Secondly, would you join us in praying that God provides the remaining funds needed to bring Greta, Felix, and Romeo home?  We are about $4,000 short of being fully funded.  I am in the process of starting two fundraisers ~ another t-shirt sale (it is a very COOL design!) and a game that can be played by everyone.  Details will be released next week.

Greta

In the meantime, if you feel led, you can make a tax deductible donation to our Reece's Rainbow adoption grant fund.  100% of your donation will go directly toward our adoption.  (A 3% PayPal fee will be taken out of donations made by credit card.)  Believe me when I say that even $10 donations MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE!  Click on this link to be directed to our RR grant fund:  Team Barnett Adoption 2014.

Thank you for following our beautiful journey to bring our precious children home!  Your support is truly humbling and we are beyond excited that you have chosen to join us on our family's journey. THANK YOU!!

24 For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees?  25 But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.  26 In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;  27 and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.  28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. ~ Romans 8:24-30, NASB