Yesterday the girls and I joined Aunt Bop and Grandma for a special Children's Christmas party.

Emme was excited to have "My Bella" join her as her guest!  The girls had such a fun time..  When Santa arrived, Emme grabbed him by the hand, and said, "Come on!!"  The whole morning was full of fun things for the kids to do..  Inga the Reindeer, Santa, face painting, ornament decorating, ginger bread houses, and more..   After they whirled through all of the activities they took over the dance floor!  It was a great way to get in the Christmas spirit!!

As I type this post, the snow is coming down..  It is definitely beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Merry Merry!!!!

Two nights ago Ainsley was working on a devotional assignment where she had to pick a verse, and do a powerpoint about it.  She had to say what the verse meant to her, why it was personal, and challenge her classmates to see if God was speaking to them.  The verse she chose all on her own was,

John 14:18, "I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you."  Obviously, Ainsley can relate to this verse.  In her words, she has seen the difference a family can make.  We found a quote from the adoption ministry at our church she shared..  "How many adults does it take to make the difference in the life of an orphan?"  The answer, "Just 1!"  She went on to share a few pictures from our trip to Emme's orphanage.  Including the one of the children saying goodbye.  I/we will never forget it.  She challenged her class to pray for the least of these.  And, to be thankful for their families and for the people that care about them.  You see, Ainsley has seen, held and loved on a few orphans in her life.  Three of them she is blessed to call sisters!  I look forward to seeing where God calls Ainsley one day!

Ainsley in Yangzhou with one of Emme's friends

Jeff with the precious little boy that raised his arms up to him, and said "Baba?"

I will never forget leaving these sweet babies behind...

I guess the point of this post is that you too can do something.  You don't have to go to China to support an orphan.  There are needs across the street as well as around the world.  The orphan crisis is heart breaking..  I represent just one small organization trying to make a difference in the lives of a child.

I understand that it is the season for giving.  We are all being asked to give.  We at PRO are only $1600 away from our goal.  Three Mom's you all know have worked hard to make a difference.  I ask that you take the time before the last bundle closes next week to make a difference too..  Whether your donation goes to Pearl River, An Orphan's Wish, or Half the Sky, it doesn't matter to me. (I am praying we all achieve our goals!)  I am just asking you to share a little, so that we can make a big difference!!  $25 pays for a birthday cake and a gift at Pearl River..  Every child deserves that and so much more!!

I can't thank you all personally for your generosity....  But, please know that I appreciate you!  I wish each and everyone of you could experience the love of a once orphaned child on your lap.  Your heart will be forever changed.  God does not call all of us to go.  But, he does call us to make a difference in the lives of the least of these!  ~James 1:27

I leave you with this picture..  This is Joseph.  He is in our Hengshan program.  Joseph is 5 years old.  He entered our program after the tragic death of his mother.  One he witnessed at the hands of another.  This was almost three years ago.  When he came to us the pain in his eyes was heart breaking.  Terrified he was placed in to one of our foster homes.  Month after month I wondered if he would ever be able to forget..  Would we ever see him smile?  Eventually the sad layers began to peel away and we started to see a sparkle in his eyes..  With the time and love of a foster family, and his best pal Jamison, he started to emerge as a precocious little boy.  All because he has learned to trust and love.  I am thankful to be a small part of that!

Tomorrow Bundle #5 closes at 11:59pm.  I am hoping to raise another $745 before the clock strikes midnight!  We can do it!  That would leave us with $1000 for the last week.  It is achievable!  I was reading a quote from Lysa TerKeurst at "Proverbs 31 Ministries" this morning..  The title of her post, "When God Asks You to Give."  She reminded me that we just have to trust when we ask.  It is our job to give, sit back, and watch God Move!

I look forward to watching God Move at Pearl River Outreach because of you!

Congratulations to Kimberly Silar for winning the "Bundle for Her!"

Enjoy all your awesome gifts!!

On a separate note, don't forget that "The Sweet And Sassy Bundle" runs until Friday.

Thank you for your support today!!  So excited to be over the $3000 mark!!

**********************

Donated by the Lokey Family
*************

Donated by Baby Bobo
***********

Donated by the Sammons Family
***********

Donated by My Adoption Websites
**********

Donated by Andrea at Blogging Mama
*************

Donated by Jazmyn Hammett at Not Your Average Grandma
****************

Donated by Valerie Almquist from Fuffled Feathers Company
*************

Donated by Sophia Jane Boutique
*************

Donated by Sweet and Sour Clothing
***********

THANK YOU for supporting our children at Pearl River Outreach!!  You are a blessing!

A special thanks to all of our sponsors of Bundle #5 and to Stefanie and Lisa for sharing in this worthy fundraiser again with me!!!

*If you are unable to donate today, you can leave you may leave your name and mailing address in the comments section here for a chance to win!

CONGRATULATIONS to April Yarger!!!  The winner of the Apple-Licious Bundle!!!!!

So excited for you!!!!

Thank you for supporting "Fill Their Stockings With Hope" April!!!

Bundle #4 is posted and donations are being accepted for it until Saturday night at 11:59 pm!!

THANK YOU!

You can go back to our current Bundle for Her,  Here!

We have been blessed with some fabulous offerings for all of you this year!
Thank you to all of you who have donated a gift and who have donated dollars for the children thus far!!!  Lisa, Stefanie, and I truly appreciate you and your great big hearts for the Orphans still waiting for "Their Forever!"

Bundle #4 is geared toward that special Mom, Friend, Sister...!  Accessories, gift cards, jewelry..  A little love for that special gal!!!!  This bundle is going to be gone quickly!!!  It will expire at 11:59pm Saturday Night.  So you have just 3 days to make a donation to win!!


************************************



Donated by the Kessler Family
******************************



Anonymous Donor
*****************************



Donated by a Pearl River Sponsor Family
*********************************



Donated by Scarlett Threads:   Website
******************************



Donated by a Pearl River Sponsor Family
*******************************

Donated by "Jesus Loves Orphans"
*****************************

By now, most of you know the rules to play...  For every $5 you donate, you get one chance to win..  (Example:  $10 - 2 entries, $25 - 5 entries..)  You can also enter by just including your name and address in this post...  Of course we hope you will put in $5.00 for the kids!!  All of the proceeds donated at this blog, go directly to Pearl River Outreach.  My pals, Lisa and Stefanie are raising money for Half the Sky Foundation, and An Orphan's Wish..  All charities special to each of us!

Our winner will be announced 24-72 hours after this bundle offer closes.

If you have any questions, please email me at diana@pearlriveroutreach.org

THANK YOU FOR FILLING THEIR STOCKINGS WITH HOPE!!!!!!

It feels like a long time since I have blogged about what my girls are up to..  Seriously, it's December in 2 days...  How does that happen?  Perhaps I can blame it on the action packed days with four active girls!  I do believe I spend more time in my car than anywhere else during this season in our lives!

To bring you (and me) up to speed much has been going on..  Starting with The Pearl!  She made her first travel volleyball team!  Practices start Sunday.  We are looking forward to seeing her back on the court.  This time in Navy Blue!!

Thanksgiving was quiet here.  Mr Handsome took "The Big" and "The Little" on a little adventure.  Two states by air to visit his side of the family!  They had a great time..  Emme got to put her toes in the ocean for the first time..  The highlight for her, building a sand castle!  The Middles and I celebrated Thanksgiving with "Camp H!"  As always a special time with good friends and family!

The other big news, is that Aunt Bop is soon to be the President of Illinois College!!!  Yes, she will always be Aunt Bop to us, but soon Madame President to others!!  We are so proud of her!  And, we can't wait to visit her new campus in the fall for her official innaugeration!!



Yesterday, Sienna and Ruby had a History Fair at school....  Our little pilgrims put a lot of effort in to this day.  Sienna informed me she worked in a "tannery" while her sister was next door at the "hattery!!"  They are loving first grade!!!











As for me...  the halls are not decked, but I am working on it!  I finally ordered our Christmas cards yesterday!  And, tomorrow two of my favorite Mom's are coming to visit!!!!!  So excited to have a girls weekend with these special friends. On our agenda:  Dinner with Mr. Handsome, shopping, and the cabin!!  We may never get out of our PJ's this weekend!!

Thank you to all of you participating in "Fill Their Stockings With Hope!"  It's such a blessing for me to see us getting closer to our goal of raising $5000 again this year!  Our next bundle launches tomorrow.  But, it's a limited two day special!!

Lastly, we are giving thanks here not only for the way God has blessed our family.  But, for the joy in knowing that Ivy Joy is safely home where she is healing and being loved on once again by her amazing family!!

Have a great Wednesday!