A Christmas Miracle

Hi Everyone! Happy Monday from Lilly and her Mommy!

We are dreaming of a Christmas Miracle....will you help us?

Lilly Grace KeXiu 

Born in China January 16, 2007

United with her forever family December 2, 2007

First a little about me, Lilly's mom: I live in upstate New York. I have been married to Scott for just shy of 20 years! We have three biological children. Joshua soon to be 19, Heidi 16 and Gregory 15. In December of 2007, Lilly Grace KeXiu joined our family. Lilly was born in China and we were blessed to adopt her. We are now dreaming of adopting more children. This time we are planning to adopt two biological sisters from Ethiopia.

I have long been dreaming about a way to help people overcome the financial burden of adoption. The other night I prayed that I would be shown a quick and easy way to make this happen. I prayed on my knees at the side of my bed as my grandmother taught me when I was a child. I prayed to be able to provide for our next adoption as well as our dear friend who is waiting for her referral of a little girl in Nepal. I also prayed that the idea would be big enough to help another family I had yet to meet. I sensed this family would have an urgent need for funds in the next few weeks. I have long believed that if you want something you first must find someone else who wants it too and help them get it. In this process, miracles happen and everybody's dream comes true.

Here is one of my dreams come true!

Soooooooo.............I awoke the next morning to this idea before I even opened my eyes...compile an electronic book with the stories of families who have adopted. They would each write their own story. I would tell 'The Story of Lilly' as well. The stories would be sold in e-book format for $10.00. With social media this idea could spread far and wide and fast. the goal would be to inspire others with the stories. Inspire them to adopt, sponsor a child, pray or donate money. The funds would then go to help people adopt. It seems that money is so often the thing that stands in the way for people. MONEY SHOULD NEVER BE THE REASON CHILDREN DON'T HAVE A LOVING AND FOREVER FAMILY.
That is just crazy to me! Yet, I know $20,000 - $30,000 is daunting to many. We received some loans from some kind hearted individuals while preparing to go to China. We were incredibly grateful for this but it was a big burden when we got home and had to find a way to pay it all back. I kept dreaming of a way to help others with the GIFT of money. No strings attached.

Should a face like this have ANY strings attached?

We are ALL called to care for the orphan. You may not be called to adopt but you are still called to do something. How about purchasing a $10 book and changing the course of many lives. If we can get this to spread like wildfire than we can place more children in families than we can even imagine.

And this is the Christmas Miracle.

Lilly Grace on Christmas day 2007. She had been living in an orphanage just two weeks before.

Now part of a circle of family and friends who adore her.

FOREVER

I am putting the call out for stories. Your story. Stories of adoption, how you were inspired, the dreams, the fears, the finances (notice how I put money right after fear...hmmm), the miracles, the LOVE, the joy...............just your story and how it has changed you. We aren't talking about award winning literature here............whatever pours forth when you sit down to share your story will be perfectly perfect. If you are adopted and have a touching story about that and how blessed your life has been as a result than share that too!!!!

So this family with the urgent need showed up via my new friend Kristi's blog .
This family  needs to raise funds by 12/15. I would call this urgent! I have e-mailed with this lovely Mom for the past 24 hours and she is totally on board to tell the story of their previous adoption from China in an effort to get their son home from Nepal and help others as well.
The stories are pouring forth and the ones I have tomorrow night - December 8 at 6pm - will be in the book.
The idea is growing into doing this each Christmas season....bringing as many Christmas Miracles as God allows. After all.....Christmas is all about the birth of a baby!!!!!

Joy to the World!!!!

So what do you think?
Would you be willing to share your story with others?
Would you be willing to help spread the word?
Would you be willing to buy the book and ask your friends and family to do the same?
Would you be willing to use Facebook, Twitter, E-mail and Blogging to help spread the word?
What are YOU willing to do?

By the end of the week there will be a paypal link here and you will be able to purchase and download the book. In the meantime send your stories to kimberlyannholmes at gmail....I hear this is the way to type email addresses to prevent spam. Sorry for the inconvenience on that one.

How far can this idea spread? How many miracles can happen?
Will you be part of it?
I can't wait to find out!
Look at that sweet face above....how many of those faces can we match with a forever family?

With Abundant Love, Great Expectation and Infinite Trust,
Kimberly and Lilly