How do you make a difference?

Since we've had Sarah, we haven't had much spare time and we keep making excuses as to why we're not out there, being active advocates for orphans.

Today, I thought enough was enough. Maybe I don't have the time it takes to run a charitable organization (yet), the talent, or means to be the next Oprah or Angelina Jolie, but I do have fingers, a computer, and half a brain, and by golly - I'm going to use them!

So, as a baby step in the right direction, me and Mike have created a donation page for Shaohannah's Hope that we're going to ask everybody and their brother to visit and at least think about donating to.

For those of you who don't know the story, Shaohannah's Hope played a large part in bringing our family together. You see, the founders, Steven Curtis Chapman and his wife Mary Beth and their family, visited Hope Foster Home last year and found a little girl who needed a liver and a family. (See my January post in the archives for the complete story.) Once they learned about her condition and her chances of survival in China, Mary Beth sent out an email in hopes that someone could help her. The email was sent to the executive director at Shaohannah's Hope, Scott Hasenbalg, who forwarded it to a friend of ours, who told us about her.

A year later, Sarah landed in the U.S. and upon her arrival, cemented her place in our hearts and in our home! (See my April post in the archives for the complete story.)


Sarah in a recent stay at the hospital with one of her favorite nurses...

We have also had so many who have very generously given of their time and support, their prayers and even their pockets, when it came to helping us with Sarah. So many have rallied around us with such encouragement and love. We have been so completely blessed, we cannot keep it to ourselves! We are running over, full to the brim, with blessings and want to do what we can, little as it may be, to give back.

Which is where our donation page comes in - this is one little way we feel we can do that. For anyone who would like to help us make a difference in the lives of these children and in an effort to help other families the way we have been helped, we have created a page where our family, friends or anyone who just happens to be touched by her story, can go to donate if they feel led. Please don't feel obligated if you aren't compelled to donate! If you do want to donate, but can't donate a whole lot - don't worry - if your donation comes from your heart, that's all we ask.

If you would like to donate, please click on the link below:



For more information on Shaohannah's Hope, please visit http://www.shaohannahshope.org/.

For more information on Hope Foster Home, please visit http://www.hopefosterhome.com/.