Help Bring Dmytro Home

Today I when I got the mail, I had a letter from one of my neighbors in my mailbox. They are a wonderful family and are truly making a difference.

The letter read:

Every child deserves a home. Currently, there are more than 120,00 children in orphanages in Ukraine. Approximately 120,000 more live on the streets. Few of these children have any chance of being adopted and most will never succeed in society after they leave the orphanage. It is estimated that 90% of the girls will turn to prostitution and over 80% of the boys will turn to gangs and a life of crime. The Ukrainian government estimates that 60% of these orphans will commit suicide within the first 5 years of independent life.

Our story began three years ago as my husband walked up the stairs of our home one night. Turning off the lights, he looked around and commented "Every night when we go to bed we leave half of this house empty. One day I think we will be held accountable for that." That is where our journey to Ukraine began. We began the process to adopt one little boy. While we were getting ready to go to Ukraine, we found a group of five sisters in need of adoption. We knew right away that these children were meant to be our daughters and off we went to bring them home.

We arrived on the very day the government had decided that the hopes of keeping them together had ended and they would all be separated. We had not seen photos of them and had little information. Upon arriving at the orphanage, I was introduced to what I fondly referred to as "my five little savages". Four of their heads had been shaved due to lice. The were malnourished and some had scabies. Their teeth were rotted. They had suffered abuse at the hands of their "parents" and even at the orphanage. My husband gathered them in his arms and said "Aren't they beautiful."

Getting them was difficult the expense was high, we have not recovered from it yet. Was it worth it? What value can you place on a life - or five? They are smart and loving and ever so grateful to be here. Recently we hosted a 9 year old boy from Ukraine. His mane is Dmytro. His story is typical for a child in an orphanage. He was beaten and burned by alcoholic parents. He was placed in a hospital, then a shelter and then an orphanage. He was sponsored by the Save a Child Foundation, to come to our home for a visit. This is how we met. He came and stayed with us for two and half weeks. He fits in great with our family. We asked him "if he would like us to adopt him?" He simply said "yes" That's all it took. Our girls were very sad for Dmytro to return to the orphanage, because they best of all knew what his life was like there.

We have five birth children and five adopted children. What in the world would cause us to adopt another child? When you look into Dymytro's eyes how could you not?

This is where we need your help. We need help in raising fiances to bring Dmytro home. Any donations are welcomed. They can add up and together we can do it. We need to raise approximately $30,000 to go and get him. We are told the doors to adopting in Ukraine are closing and time is of the essence. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

After reading this letter my heart went out to this amazing family. That is why I am doing this post and asking for help. Not all of us are able to adopt a child. Although by donating we can make it possible for others to adopt, and we can all make a difference!


Please help us get Dmytro into a good home where he can be loved and cared for.

If you are able to help out in any way you can send donations to my pay pal account karenpetersen26@hotmail.com all money will go directly to the adoption process.

Thanks for making a difference and Giving Big or Little.

A "Priceless" Give

I did my first photo shoot (of kids that are not my own) for my sister-in-law. This is her darling little new born baby. All the pictures turned out really great. I was happy I was able to get such great pictures. My husband will be taking them to her tonight.

I am so excited for her to see them!!!

"There is nothing like a new born baby...

They are truly priceless"

Service

"Faith is the first factor

in a life devoted to service.

Without it, nothing is possible.

With it, nothing is impossible."

-Mary McLeod Bethune-

K.I.S.S.

My two girls went to an Activity Day's party, where they learned about serving others.  I thought this was such a cute idea I just had to share it.  They were given several frogs with the word K.I.S.S. stamped on it, and a bag of Hershey Kisses. They were supposed to little acts of service and then leave the frog and the Hershey Kiss in it's place.  The K.I.S.S. stands for 

          Keep 

          It 

          Secret 

          Service

It has been so much fun to find these little frogs in a clean kitchen, or on my bed that has just been made.  They have had a lot of fun doing some secret service.  What a great Little Give! 

Touching them All!

This is an Awesome story about an amazing Little Give.  

Take a few minutes to view it.

http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/video/videopage?videoId=3380875

Each of us is a being in himself and a 

being in society, each of us needs to 

understand himself and understand others, 

take care of others and be taken care of himself.  

~Haniel Long

Just Jewelry

I went with Karen and Carson tonight to a Girls Group Home.  We scheduled an appointment to make bracelets with them.  We were their for about an hour and a half.  The girls all seemed to enjoy making their bracelets, we let each of them make two.  They were all really nice and appreciative.

As we were leaving we stopped and talked for a while before getting into our cars.  We all felt so overwhelmed by the circumstances of these young girls.  I told Carson and Karen, that I felt like this really didn't make a difference, they all have so many trials in their lives, and after all this is just jewelry it really isn't going to change anything for them.  

Karen said, "Maybe it won't change anything but at least it is a fun distraction for them during a hard time in their life."  I know that she is right, but it still doesn't seem like enough.  I wish that I could do more.  We are going to try to go and do this once a month.  This will be a nice Little Give, even if it is Just Jewelry.

"The smallest good deed is better 

than the grandest good intention."

"I Really Lived"

"I REALLY LIVED" by Marjorie Hinckley

"I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails.  I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp.  I want to be there with grass stains on my shoes from mowing Sister Schenk's lawn.  I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbor's children.  I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's 

garden. I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder.  I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived."

Sharing Mothers Day Love

Yesterday I went to Bath and Body Works. They were having there soap sale, 5 soaps for $10.00. I found a printable coupon online (spend $30.00 and save $10.00) I printed out 5 extra coupons to give to people who were Mothers Day shopping.

Everyone was very excited to save a little extra money. One lady in particular was very grateful. She was doing her own Little Give. Her mother is in a nursing home so she and her husband were buying soaps to give to all the ladies in the nursing home. They were thrilled that they could now purchase more soaps to give away with the money they saved.

It felt so good bringing smiles to others by doing a friendly gesture. I wish I had printed more, I guess there is always next time!

My Sister, My Little Giver

My cute sister Jenny came over and helped all my scouts make beaded key chains for their Moms for Mothers Day. She is the best little giver I know.

She had back to back activities scheduled and was a little nervous that she would be late for the Primary party. Right after she explained to the scouts how to make the key chains, it wasn't even 5 minutes before the first scout was finished.


The last time she made key chains it was with a group of 8 year old girls, she said "It took them almost two hours before she finally said "hurry up, it's time to go home!" Oh, the difference between little boys and little girls.

Thanks Jenny helping me out with scouts today!!!

"A sister is the nicest thing that can ever happen to anyone."

-unknown

Mind Blogging

It is not that I haven't been trying to do a little give each day, I have.  It is just that The Little Give seems to be a lot easier than the blogging.  I wish I could do mind blogging.  What is Mind Blogging you ask?  This means that as I am driving children around the valley thinking of my next post, it would simultaneously appear on my blog.  Wouldn't that be cool!  I know, I am a little weird.  

I did want to share a really cute Little Give idea with you.  This is from my Aunt Rebecca.  She bought three rose plants, they were 3 for $10.00.  Then she said that she gave them away to totally random people.  She said that all of the people were so happy.  One of the little ladies, (a neighbor that lives down the street) has told her thank you about 5 times.  

I thought this was a fabulous idea.  This is a great time of the year to find flowers on sale.  I will definitely be stealing this idea!  Hope your day is happy!

Wicked

I finally picked a new inspirational song for the week, unfortunately it is the end of the week.  So I will leave this song up until I find a new one, which could possibly be even longer than a week.  Doing this blog has helped me to realize that I wouldn't do very good with deadlines.  I guess I would have to be a freelance writer.

I really love this musical.  I have not read the book, and don't intend to (I heard it wasn't very good).  Yet, the musical is absolutely wonderful.  This is one of the songs sung at the end of the play by Glinda (the good witch) and Elphabai  (The Wicked Witch of the West).  You wouldn't know it unless you have seen the play but they are old freinds.  They sing this song together.

I'VE HEARD IT SAID
THAT PEOPLE COME INTO OUR LIVES FOR A REASON
BRINGING SOMETHING WE MUST LEARN
AND WE ARE LED
TO THOSE WHO HELP US MOST TO GROW
IF WE LET THEM
AND WE HELP THEM IN RETURN
WELL, I DON'T KNOW IF I BELIEVE THAT'S TRUE
BUT I KNOW I'M WHO I AM TODAY
BECAUSE I KNEW YOU...

LIKE A COMET PULLED FROM ORBIT
AS IT PASSES A SUN

LIKE A STREAM THAT MEETS A BOULDER
HALFWAY THROUGH THE WOOD
WHO CAN SAY IF I'VE BEEN CHANGED FOR THE BETTER?
BUT BECAUSE I KNEW YOU
I HAVE BEEN CHANGED FOR GOOD …

How does this relate to the Little Give, you ask?  Well in the words of the song it says: 

IT WELL MAY BE
THAT WE WILL NEVER MEET AGAIN 
IN THIS LIFETIME
SO LET ME SAY BEFORE WE PART
SO MUCH OF ME
IS MADE OF WHAT I LEARNED FROM YOU
YOU'LL BE WITH ME
LIKE A HANDPRINT ON MY HEART
AND NOW WHATEVER WAY OUR STORIES END
I KNOW YOU HAVE RE-WRITTEN MINE
BY BEING MY FRIEND...

To me this song talks about how we sometimes lose touch with truly important people in our lives.  So this week I want to challenge everyone to look up an old friend.  Someone that left a hand-print on your heart.  Try reaching out to them and letting them know how much their friendship means to you.  I am really excited to hear your stories, and I can't wait to share mine.

Stick It!

Our family woke up to fun little notes on all of our doors.  My eleven year old decided to tape a note on each persons door.  What a great way to start the day, it made me so happy!  This gave me a great idea for a little give challenge.  I want everyone to "stick it", you heard me right.  

*This weekend write a note to someone and "stick it" to their door. If you are unable to hand deliver it then "stick it" with a stamp and let the post office take care of the delivery.  You can do it, be a little giver!

Help!

I need help! I need a few ideas for the inspirational song of the week. Can you suggest any fabulous songs that inspire you? If you help me out on this you can count is as your "little give" ha ha! I can't wait to hear what ideas you have, just post a comment and let me know!