He loves Lanie and He loves me.

If you've read my blog at all the past couple months, you know that I've been raising money for a little girl living in Eastern Europe named "Lanie". . . during Reece's Rainbow's Angel Tree.
So many people showed love for this little munchkin, her 1k goal was met before the end of December.
I was amazed by the love that people showed for Lanie through monetary donations, prayers, and word of mouth. So if you're one of the people that helped Lanie this Christmas season, thank you. If you 're interested in donating and would like some bracelets, donate to the link that is the photo's caption and email me your receipt at loveforlanie (at) gmail.com

http://reecesrainbow.org/36282/lanie-l

During the first week or so of fundraising for Lanie I would say things like, "Good thing I'm not funding a whole adoption soon" . . . "Glad I don't have to do this for a living."  "This is hard!"
I had a quite a few bouts with frustration.
Then people happened, so many people united with me to help Lanie.
Jesus made it clear how big He is, how much He loves the orphan and little ol' me.
I knew it didn't end with Angel Tree.

So in the midst of advocating, something happened.
I started to feel a slight tug in the deepest part of my heart. . . to go to Eastern Europe.
After much prayer, I've decided that I will be going on an adventure to Eastern Europe early this summer.
To serve, to learn, and to become the best possible advocate I can be for these precious ones.
So after Angel Tree. . . my adventure begins.
In coming weeks/months I'll be posting more details about my trip. . . (cost, fundraisers, trip location, and what I'll be doing.)
But in the meantime, please keep me in your prayers.

Merry Christmas friends, I love every last one of you.

Daughters.

As many of you know, I've been raising money for a little girl named "Lanie" for Angel Tree this Christmas. 

Reality hit me the other night when I was praying for Lanie . . . 

This Christmas, Lanie won't be surrounded by her family.

She sits behind orphanage walls. . . She won't receive hugs and kisses from her family, there won't be a carefully stuffed stocking with her name on it. Lanie won't get to wear a pretty dress with tights and shiny shoes for family pictures. 

My prayer is that before this time next year, she'll be someone's daughter. 

 I'll smile (and probably cry) when I see a picture of her standing in front of a decorated tree with her family. 

Love will win, I just know it.  

A year ago, my friend Natalie's daughter Sara spent her Christmas in an orphanage. 

This year she is a beloved daughter and is learning new things every day. 

Spend five minutes with this little gal and she'll capture your heart. 

Love won. 

Me, Natalie and Sara.
Check out Natalie's blog at:
http://nataliekeller.blogspot.com/

Sara meeting Santa.

Here are some precious little girls waiting for their families. 

Little girls that would look precious in pretty dresses while wearing shiny shoes. 

These girls need to be seen, they deserve to be loved. 

 Could one of them be your daughter?

http://reecesrainbow.org/36282/lanie-l

http://reecesrainbow.org/40489/kimberley

http://reecesrainbow.org/24193/gina

http://reecesrainbow.org/64331/lynda

http://reecesrainbow.org/24244/tessa

http://reecesrainbow.org/38595/lene

Love for Lanie! (Angel Tree 2013)

I've been excited for today for awhile, today begins the start of my first year doing  Angel Tree!

I'm so excited about this opportunity and would like to tell you more about it and some of the fundraisers I have planned. 

But first things first, you need to meet Lanie. 

But first. . . . here are some things about Lanie. 

Lanie is seven years old. 

She is currently living in an orphanage in Eastern Europe. 

Lanie is quiet, deliberate, and plays well by herself. 

According to her records she has a moderate level of hearing loss.

Lanie loves playing with dolls and uses imaginative play. 

From the first time I saw this little girl's photo, she captured my heart. I bet if you look at her photo for more than a second she'll capture yours too. 

I'm taking donations for Lanie during Angel Tree. 

Feel free to share this blog post, I want the world to see this sweet girl. 

Show sweet Lanie some love friends. 

****Some of the fundraisers I have planned so far****

**There will also be an online Paparazzi jewelry party, dates pending**

**Bracelets should be in stock between 11/14-11/16 but you can pre-order yours today by emailing me at loveforlanie@gmail.com**

                                        

***Will be taking catalog orders and online orders***

....more fundraisers TBA. 

Angel Tree!

**So I know Christmas is a few months away, but I'd like to tell you about something that I'm going to be doing in these upcoming months. So all of you can get excited with me! **

I remember when I was little, the way my heart would skip a beat when I saw wrapped boxes under a tree.
I remember singing "Away in a Manager" with my children's choir at church.
I remember eating Christmas cookies until I was nearly bursting.
But thing I remember most of all have nothing to do with presents or traditions. . . family.
Jesus surrounded me with family, I was loved.


This year through Reece's Rainbow, I get to help a very precious little girl get closer to finding her family.
Every year Reece's Rainbow does a HUGE fundraiser called Angel Tree.

Meet Lanie. This is the little lady I've committed to raise funds and awareness for. Isn't she beautiful?! Look at that little button nose and her tiny glasses. I just want to squeeze her!

Lanie is seven years old and she's living in an orphanage in Eastern Europe. 

She's waiting, waiting to be a daughter. I can't imagine the joy she'll feel when she finally gets a long-awaited hug from her papa and kiss from her mama when she's scared. This precious girl needs the love that only comes from being in a family. 

I've got some really neat fundraising ideas in the works for Lanie during this holiday season. (Including the auction of some one of a kind art pieces!) But I'm open to any ideas you may have.

 Lanie is loved by many people here in the states and I want to urge all you to continue posting her photos and telling people about her.

LANIE IS LOVED. 

I can't wait for the day that I see pictures of her with her future family, safely in her mama's lap. 

***Angel Tree officially starts November 1st. . . If you'd like to have your own Angel Tree child this holiday season or would like to help me in any way email me at emmyxjoy@gmail.com and I can point you in the right direction***