Monday, August 13, 2012

Twenty Seconds to Make a Difference

Thursday 8/16 update:

Heath won!!!!!
Thank you everyone for helping out our boy!!!!!!
Yippeeeeeeeeeeee!
(lots of exclamation points...I'm screaming on the inside)  :)

The Starfish Story 

Original Story by: Loren Eisley

 
One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed
a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean. Approaching the boy, he asked, "What are you doing?"

The youth replied, "Throwing starfish back into the ocean.  The surf is up and the tide is going out.  If I don't throw them back, they'll die."

"Son," the man said, "don't you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can't make a difference!"

After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it back into the surf.  
Then, smiling at the man, he said
"I made a difference for that one."


I love that story.  It never gets old.
When I look at  all the faces on Reece's Rainbow it's easy to feel overwhelmed by all the need.  At times it can feel almost pointless to try, because I know there are so many thousands of faces that aren't listed...faces that are hidden away in cribs, the world moving along without them.  


Then I remember this story.  Then I remember that God hasn't asked me to "save them all".  He has called me to be obedient to the next thing He asks of me.  No step of obedience is insignificant.  When it comes to saving lives, no fundraiser is a failure- because it matters to that one.  I won't give up on trying to save one, just because I can't save them all.  :)  
(But I sure know The One who can!!)

"Do not fail to do something because you cannot do everything."
-The Hole in Our Gospel

God is the one who will save these children.  He alone is their Savior.  
And He asks us to be his hands and feet here on earth.  He asks us not to be paralyzed by the enormity of the need, but to step out in obedience to do the next thing.  
Because it matters to that one.

Heath is "that one" for our family right now.  God has asked us to step out and do whatever He asks to help find Heath a family.  

Wanna help?  :)

I have an easy-peasy way you can help Heath.  Listen up!

Every year Reece's Rainbow has a huge fundraising event called "The Angel Tree".  During the months of November and December all the orphans with Down Syndrome ages 0-5 who are listed on Reece's Rainbow are put on the Angel Tree.  The goal is to raise $1,000 for each child on the tree.  Why raise money?  Well, simply because adoption is expensive!!!  If we can get money into these kiddos' grants, then once their family finds them it is that much easier to get them home without delay.  Each person who donates $35 or more to the Angel Tree receives a beautiful Christmas ornament with the child's picture on it.  Cool eh?


The Angel Tree is a fantastic opportunity to grow a child's grant and to get their face out there so their Mama and Daddy can find them.  The thing is, it's only for kiddos up to the age of 5....until now!!!!!  This year the older children get their chance to get on the tree...but only if we vote!

Reece's Rainbow chose a select few older children and gave us a small window of time when we can vote for who gets on the tree.  Guess who is one of the lucky few???  HEATH!!!!!!

WAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!  THIS IS HUGE!!!!!

If we can get Heath's grant up I KNOW he will have a family.  I just know it.  This is a fantastic opportunity.  It literally takes 20 seconds.  I told you it was easy-peasy.

So, please, pretty please click on the picture below and vote for my boy.  Then don't stop there!  Tell all your friends and family to vote for him too!  Right now he's in the lead, but not by much.  The voting ends Thursday, so we have no time to waste.  

Click on the picture below and it will take you to where you vote!!!!


 Because it matters to this one. 

 

6 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Of course you did! You're just awesome like that. :)

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  2. I have been feeling overwhelmed lately with the number of kids needing more in their grants, families desperate for funds, children dying while they wait, etc. so I really appreciated reading this post today. I'm trying to stay focused on raising funds for Heath and a couple other waiting children and it's helping me keep perspective and know that what I am doing does matter.

    Sue H.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I totally get that Sue. Me too!!! It can be super overwhelming. Every prayer, every penny...all of it matters so much. Simple obedience is all we are commanded to do. Listen and obey. :)

      We can help remind each other! God's totally got this.

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  3. A vote for Heath! Bless you for throwing his starfish back!

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