Utter Gratitude

This morning, around 6:30 a.m., Robin texted me.  She said (to me and to all of us), "Thank you soooooo much.  I will never have the words to adequately express what you've done for our family."

Best text ever.

Tying Up Loose Ends

Hi guys!  Ok, I'm back, with an update on Hailey.  If you're new around here, just scroll down and read the previous two posts to find out what we're up to.  In short, Hailey is a five year old little girl with a life threatening disease of the brain.  She's qualified for a drug trial that is VERY expensive, and so we've been fundraising to help her get the treatment she needs.  We here at MQF* raised $1,000 to help her!  SO COOL!!!

Just tonight, I was chatting with Robin (Hailey's mom) and there is still a small shortage.  Robin was already counting a few pledges that had been promised but not actually donated, and those have not come in...  so they are still $274 short.

Guys, $274 stands between Hailey and a treatment that could save her life.  Robin has no plan B.  Her family has exhausted every resource.  There is nothing else.

I know we thought we'd finished.  I know it's frustrating when there's a hiccup in the road.  But imagine Robin.  Imagine that's your little girl.  We can't stop now.  $10 at a time, we can do this.  It's just $274 measly little dollars.

Please pray.  Please give $10 or more if you can.  Please spread the word.

And THANK YOU in advance!  You guys are the Church in action.

Love,


*MiQueridaFamilia.com

P.S.  I'll continue to update here, on Facebook and on Twitter, so follow along!

UPDATED AT 12:30 a.m. Friday morning:  Ok, I think we're down to under $200!  I haven't heard from Robin...  hopefully because she's sleeping, but that's my best guess as to where we're at.  (Not all donations are coming in through this blog, so that's why it's not all reflected in the Chip In widget.)

UPDATED AT 4 a.m. Friday morning:  And now, I KNOW we're done!  You can see on the Chip In widget we've met and exceeded that last little bit needed!  WOW!!  I LOVE how the Lord moves in the hearts of people!  I will keep it open, so that if you still want to donate, you can. The Visbal family has a LOT they are enduring right now, and if the Lord has moved you to give above and beyond, that will certainly bless them and help to alleviate financial stress. ...Goodness, thank you doesn't seem like enough.  I am so overwhelmed with your generosity and faith!  Through you, God has poured out to overflowing!  And with that... I'll head back to bed.  ;-)   Love, Renee

You guys are AMAZING!!!

I am floored.  Just floored.  Not only did you all come through with all $1,000 that Hailey needs for her drug treatment, therefore making all other donations gravy and extra for her family in this very difficult time... but you did it with two days to spare!

My Dad said this in the comments section of the "Ten" post:

The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’  God is glorified today!

You know, when we as earthly parents encourage their children, I believe we give them a glimpse of our Heavenly Father's love for them.  When I read this comment, I knew that my earthly Dad was saying, "well done," to his daughter, but I also knew in my spirit that the Heavenly Father was saying (through my Dad), "well done," to all of us who have gathered to lift up Hailey.

Friends, in lifting up Hailey, you have lifted up Jesus.

Would you all please continue to pray for Hailey and her family and spread the word about her?  Let's pray for peace and strength for her family and for the complete success of this drug trial! I will leave the donation button up so if any of you didn't get a chance to give who wanted to, you still can.  The button shows our goal is met, but you are still able to donate if you wish.

And just because this is what has been resonating in my spirit towards you all for the past 24 hours...  thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you!

Thank You!

Ten by Ten by Ten

Meet Robin.  Robin is a sister in Christ.  She is a sister Mary Kay consultant.  She's a fellow mom.

Meet Hailey.  Hailey is 5 1/2 years old.  She's Robin's little girl.  Robin says, "She's smart, funny, kind, outgoing, loving and caring.  She loves her baby brother and anything pink. She is amazingly strong and courageous and is my hero."

Hailey has something called Episodic Encephalopathy. Simply put, this means "disease of the brain". In her case, the doctors don't know what's causing it or how to stop the episodes. The encephalopathy has progressed to the point that it's causing irreversable brain damage and is now killing her brain and therefore, killing her.

Hailey has qualified for a drug trial that truly is the only thing left between her and death. Without this special treatment she will likely not survive more than a year. The doctors/treatment cost covered. The drugs are going to cost $3600. All but $1,000 of the costs have been raised.  The deadline to pay for the trial is this Friday, so we have until Thursday evening, the 25th.

In Mary Kay, we do more than just hold each other up in business.  We hold each other up in life.  We let fellow consultants, who would otherwise be strangers, sleep in our guest bed if they are in need.  We pray for each other.  We stand in the gap for one another.  I am one of ten women, who are willing to contribute $10 and find ten more people who will also contribute $10. Would you be one of my ten people?  (Or, actually?  Can we blow this thing out of the water and come up with all $1,000 and let what everyone else raises be extra for her?)

If you'd like to read more about Hailey's condition and her story, just click here.  The Visbal Family is going to need lots of strength, peace, endurance and finances.  I'm asking you for three things:  (1) Prayer. (2) Give just a little bit. Just $10. (3) Spread the word.

Thank you my friends, for being the Church in action.  I love you all and I'm truly thankful that I can reach out to you all.  We've gathered together in the past.  We've blessed Sarah and Beth.  Now let us lift up Hailey.

In His Love,

Sunday

I really haven't been super busy the last several days...  Actually, I think I just have so many things to blog about that I'm sort of overwhelmed with it all...  so when that happens, I just usually throw it all into one random post and call it something completely nonsensical like "Sunday." 

How's that for a classy introduction?

Actually, although I haven't been very busy these past couple of days, I am preparing to be very busy for the entirety of January - starting Thursday, that is.  Alejandro is headed to California for three weeks to do a huge job out there.  So I get to do the single-mom thing here for the duration.  I'm a big fat wimp about it.  I'm not even gonna lie.  I mean holy hostess cakes, I have one child.  So, I know I'll survive.  But I've been doing all kinds of lining up babysitters and planning each day in half hour increments - yeah, like that's gonna go as planned - and jotting down all the crock-pot meals I can think of so that I can keep cook time to a minimum.  Yeah, like I said... I'm a wimp about it. 

I do have high hopes to get the house clean.  ...uh, right... 

But none of this was what I actually sat down to tell you.  

Aren't they just adorable?  That was at 11:45 this morning right after church - which was really good.  Danny plays hard in Sunday School, while we worship hard, so we come home pretty hungry and sleepy.  Our pastor has had me thinking all day over this question - Am I a person who welcomes the fullness of God into my life?  Hmmmmm....  It's got me thinking.

But that's not what I sat down to tell you either. 

My mom sent me these pictures of the family at Christmas this year. 

Isn't Danny's cousin Kaila just the cutest thing EVER?

Yup.

Coming soon to a blog near you (ahem, this one) is a new look, a new header and an 18-month Danilo post.  I'm excited.  Oh and I've got all kinds of recipes to post on Mi Cocina.  

Oops!  I just realized that the Mi Cocina buttons on my blog weren't  actually taking you over there, so I just fixed them.  So sorry!! 

Alright, that's enough horsin' around.  The real reason I wanted to write tonight was just to celebrate the completion of our

When I got this email in the mail...

I totally squealed like a little girl!

Congratulations everybody! You really made this happen!  Thank you from the botton of my heart for stepping in and lifting Sarah in prayer, in support on her blog and financially.  I know it makes a difference to her.  A big one! 

This and That

Let's see...  what's buzzin' around in my brain tonight?

Well, the Love-A-Thon for Kingdom Twindom is almost coming to a close.  We are at 96% with only $37 to go.  I just can't even believe it!  I am so honored that you all would step up and bless Sarah so much.  The Bible speaks over and over about how we as a church are to take care of widows and orphans.  I believe single moms and their families fall into that category, and I am so amazed at how this little blog community has become the living, breathing, blessing, praying and supporting Church.  Ya'll are just awesome. 

(There's that ya'll word comin' out of my Southern California mouth of mine...  sigh. I just can't help it.)

As promised, I have posted the recipes for our Christmas Eve dinner over at

There, you will find Costa Rican style pork shoulder, a link to Pioneer Woman's creamy mashed potatoes, and the breakfast strata we enjoyed Christmas morning.  I haven't managed to extract the recipe for the rice from my husband's brain yet, but when I do, I'll be sure to share.  :) 

Tomorrow one of my closest friends - she became really close rather quickly in the last several months - is undergoing major surgery.  Would ya'll pray for her please?  I've really got my undies in a bunch over it tonight.  I know.  I know.  I just posted about Freedom the other day.  I'm a work in progress, people.  I certainly don't have it all together.  Anyway, your fervent prayers would be greatly appreciated by her, me and her family. 

And that, I think, is it for tonight.  I'm going to rest this little head of mine. 

Love,

 

P.S.  Oh! I almost forgot.  This blog is gonna get a minor makeover in the next couple of days I think.  Any suggestions, requests or (dare I say) complaints? 

On My Mind

I'm thinking about the

Did ya'll know that we are only $322 away from our goal of sending $1,000 to KingdomTwindom?  That's SO close!  That's only 11 donations of $30!  You guys just rock my socks off.  That's all I have to say about that. 

If you're just now catching up with us, I'll try to sum it up, but you should read her story here.  Sarah, aka Kingdom Mama, is the mom of 5 kiddos, 5 years old and under. Four of them make up two sets of twins. Now pick your jaw up off the floor. Sarah and her husband, Brian (aka Papa Bear) have fought against all odds to allow Jesus to redeem their marriage. For several years it seemed that God had accomplished the miracle He promised. However, in the midst of great expansion of their ministry to other couples also struggling in their marriages, they came under attack of the Enemy and Papa Bear decided to leave. Now, Sarah and her close friends stand in faith and belief that God is doing an incredible work and that the miraculous redemption of their marriage is still to come. That's why I launched a Love-A-Thon, which is fitting because it was actually was Sarah's idea first, when she and Mandy launched one.

At the risk of being repetitive, can I just remind you of the three goals of this Love-A-Thon? 

First, to INUNDATE  her household with prayer.  Pray pray pray pray pray for what she wants and desires so much - which is to see Papa Bear reconciled and completely in love with Christ, hearing the TRUTH of the Holy Spirit and living in Joy.  Can we pray for that?  Can we also pray for Sarah's heart to be encouraged?  This is SO important and it's an on-going battle.  Until the day Papa Bear returns home, these prayers are needed.

Second, to tell her so by clicking over to her blog and leaving a comment on any ol' post and just letting her know you are lifting her in prayer.  This will accomplish two things at once.  First, it will encourage her and second, it will send income her way.  You see, the income from her blog is based on clicks to her website, so the more you click, the more it helps!

Third, let's raise the last $322 to send to the Kingdom Twindom household!  While money doesn't help reconcile their marriage, it does help to alleviate stress that compounds and complicates all other issues.  The Love-A-Thon will last through Christmas, but please don't wait if you don't have to. 

Lastly, can I just take a moment to thank you all for the encouragement you've been to me?  So many of you have stopped by and come back again and again and I can't tell you how much that means to me.  It's kind of scary to step out and ask for money, no matter how noble a cause.  So thanks for bolstering my courage. 

With that, I'd better get to sleep... 


G'night ya'll,

An update on our

I'm cookin' writin' up a blog about cloth diapers - finally.  But right now, I'm just stopping by to remind you all not to forget about the Love-A-Thon for Sarah.  We're almost half-way there... actually, there is a donation or two that I know of that are not showing up correctly in the "chip-in" widget, so we are closer than ever to the half-way mark!

I really don't want this to fizzle so would you all please repost*, tweet and post on Facebook about it?  I am so excited about us meeting our goal.  Speaking of meeting the goal... I have a thought or two about it.  I know.  Surprise. Surprise.  Me with a thought.  That I would want to share.  Ahem.

Anyway, here's my thought about us meeting our goal:  Right now we're sitting somewhere just under $500.  Which is REALLY good!  Raising $500 among all of us in less than a week is something to speak of and says volumes about how the Lord works through His church.  Especially because that came from a couple dozen of you all working together. 

I'm just shootin' in the dark here, but I'm guessing that none of you are really rich out there and giving from a great abundance of your pocketbook.  It's tough times right now and none of us are giving without feelin' it.  ...without having to think about what will have to go in the budget in order to make room for what else needs to fit in.  Every single gift given, with the exception of one, was under $30.00. 

I think that is phenomenal. 

It means that if all of the ordinary people pitch in, we can all reach out and cover those in need.  We don't need some uber-rich philantropist to step in in order to give extravagantly and bless beyond all of our expectations. 

So even what we have accomplished so far is plenty to be proud to be a part of. 

But I really think we can make it all the way.  I'm not asking any of you to give again.  I'm asking for your help in spreading the word.  Click on Sarah's blog and continue to support her in prayer and with encouragement.  (I am asking you to do that again.)  Then share her story today.  Share it with three people in conversation.  Share it on Facebook. 

What many of you don't know about Sarah is that her story is extraordinary because she has fought so hard for marriage - both for HER marriage and for ALL marriages.  It has been her calling, her passion, and her ministry for years.  And now, against all odds against the Enemy's waged war, she has not left that calling.  If Jesus returned today and if the story of Papa Bear and Kingdom Mama ended today, I believe it would still be a happy ending because she has perservered. 

Someone encouraged me today and said: 

Never tire of doing what is right. 

Never tire of doing what is right.

Never tire of doing what is right.

Never tire of doing what is right.

Never tire of doing what is right.

Never tire of doing what is right.

Never tire of doing what is right.

Never tire of doing what is right.

Never tire of doing what is right.

That's a whole lot easier said than done when you get to the end of your good mood, the end of a good pep-talk, the end of a long tired day, the end of your wits, the end of yourself, the end of everything you've ever known and you step out into what seems to go past the end of even the unknown into the territory of

total and comlete blind faith

in the only One who sees the future. 

Sarah has not tired in doing what is right.  So I want us to see this Love-A-Thon through to its finish and not tire of doing what we know is right, but to see it through to completion.  Let this be the way we show her that we are by her side in this marathon and we're in it for the long haul with her. 

I love you all more than you can know.  Thank you for being here and for reading.  Thank you for the way you allow God to work through you. 

In Him,

*You have my permission to copy and repost any of my own words with regards to this Love-A-Thon for Sarah at Kingdom Twindom.

Oh Look...

...My office moved itself to the changing table. Oh, the things we do as moms. You gotta do what you gotta do, right?

Well, I have to just say, YOU guys are AMAZING!!! And by "you guys" I mean my readers, Sarah and her readers, Ellyn and her readers, and Mandy and her readers. I am just blown away! It's been only about 36 hours since we launched the Love-A-Thon and we're already almost a quarter of the way to the goal of $1,000 for Kingdom Twindom! Paypal was down last night (horrible timing!) and I imagine some of you were wanting to give and couldn't, so I'm sorry (not that I had any control over it) and thank you for your patience!!

PLUS, Sarah had over 20,000 clicks to her site yesterday alone! Wow! (I don't think she'd mind me telling you that. After all, part of my goal was for her to have lots and lots of clicks, as that helps to support her financially too.)

More than anything, I am so grateful to you for the encouragement you've been to her and I truly hope that YOU are blessed by watching reading her story unfold.

In these last 48 hours, God has pressed on my heart the urgency with which we need to fight for our marriages - not just our individual marriages, but for marriages in general today. That's why last night after one of our epic grocery-shopping trips (we grocery shop for two weeks at a time and don't shop or eat out in between), I hung out with my husband before he fell into bed (long day of hard work) rather than getting online to update you all here. That may seem minor to some, but it's a choice I don't make often enough - putting him before stuff in my life.

I am SO very grateful for people like my friend, Michelle, who serve at FamilyLife and for how she and her team pour into marriages in the U.S. and around the world. (Sorry, that was really a random thought, but this is kind of a random post anyway, and I've been wanting to share about FamilyLife.)

I've also been thinking about what I write here. I have wished many many many times that I could share with you all the journeys God has taken my husband and I through in our marriage. He and I both come from families where brokenness and divorce go back several generations and we have become passionate in our fight to stop that generational pattern of divorce in our family. We've drawn a line in the sand. With us, there is a new heritage to pass on.

I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands. (Exodus 20:5-6)

A wise man leaves an inheritance for his children's children's children. (My paraphrase of Proverbs 13:22)

It's not easy when we've each learned lots of wrong habits. While it is not my calling (at least not now) to share very openly about God's work in our marriage on this blog, I want you all to know that WE ALL struggle in our marriages. If you are there, you are NOT ALONE. There is hope. With Christ in your life, your marriage CAN survive and be strong and there are others who have walked that path before you. Reach out. Find help and accountability and trust your future to Jesus.

Thank you, again, for stepping out in prayer and warring for Sarah's marriage.

I'll be back soon (I really will this time!) with the Christmas transformation that's been going on at our house!

Love,

It's time for a...

Today has been a heavy day in our little blogging community... to say the least.  If you haven't put it together yet, my post in which I cried out to God why was written right after I got off the phone with my friend Kingdom Mama, who has had her world seemingly fall to pieces around her.  Her husband - our good friend - has left her.  My heart has hurt deeply for her these past couple days and I have been praying for her without ceasing.

Then Mckmama poured out her heart and Ellyn took bold blogging to a new level and really got me thinking.  Finally at 6 p.m. I handed my son to my husband, thankful that I can do so, and went upstairs to weep in my sanctuary.  And to hand it all back to the King one more time.  The hardest thing about all this  for me is that I can't fix things.  As much as I wish I could.  I'm sure you all wish you could too.

I know we are all praying.  But I also know that we all want to reach out and help Sarah and her five little ones during a Christmas season that will be much different than she expected it to be.  One of you asked me today to set something up so that we can help her, and I thought a Love-A-Thon would be just perfect.

It's perfect because, well... it was Sarah's idea first! 

Here's the vision...  (there are three parts) 

First, to shower...   No, FLOOD...  Rather, INUNDATE  her household with prayer.  Pray pray pray pray pray for what she wants and desires so much - which is to see Papa Bear reconciled and completely in love with Christ, hearing the TRUTH of the Holy Spirit and living in Joy.  Can we pray for that? 

Second, to tell her so by clicking over to her blog and leaving a comment on any ol' post and just letting her know you are lifting her in prayer.  This will accomplish two things at once.  First, it will encourage her and second, it will send income her way.  You see, the income from her blog is based on clicks to her site, so the more you click, the more it helps!

Third, we are going to raise $1,000 to send to the Kingdom Twindom household!  This would help pay December's bills for their humble mountain-town cabin, as well as allow her to do some extra special things for her five under six for Christmas.  If fifty of us donated $20 each, the goal would be accomplished.  I'm keeping the Chip-in box open through the 25th, but if we can send her this Christmas blessing early, she'll get to use it before Christmas day. 

Won't you join me?  Please help me spread the word!  Be-friend me on Facebook.  Follow me on Twitter and tweet at me about the Love-A-Thon and I'll follow you back.  Blog about it... in fact, if you'd like to re-post this on your own blog, email me and I'll send you the html code for it.

Thank you thank you thank you in advance!  I have seen the Church, as it was originally intended, lived out in a more Christ-like fashion in this little bloggy community than anywhere else.  Thank you for letting me be a part of it. 

With Love,

**For some reason, the chip-in widget is delayed... as of 2:45 pm, we're at 14%.  Yahoo!!  Keep spreading the word!

It's part II of our...

If I had to pick one single all-time favorite blog... well, this one would be it. 

Her story surpasses that of any other blog I've ever read.  Her age, her courage, her determination, her passion, and her bull-dog stubborn refusal to relent Challenge. Me. To. The. Core. 

Katie is 20 years old.  She has lived in Uganda for several years now.  She dreamed up and started her own non-profit ministry through which she feeds and helps to provide schooling for hundreds of Ugandan children daily. 

 
And as if that weren't enough - because in her eyes it isn't - she has adopted and is a single mother to 14 beautiful girls. 

You really gotta' meet them all individually, though, so take a minute and peer into the shining eyes of each of them right here. 

Katie writes on her blog only every one to three weeks because she's kind of, um - busy.  As you can imagine.  But when she does write, I am amazed at the talent God has gifted her with and her ability to cut to the heart of the issue and challenge me to really think about how I live life and if I really love people around me or if I just think I do in my American middle-class rich protected cushy soft easy and convenient sort of way. 

I've wanted to get involved and draw together as a blog community to support Katie and her babies for a while... and then Sarah came up with her brilliant Love-A-Thon idea last month.  (I still just think it's SO cool how a bunch of mommy bloggers came up with $2400 in a couple of weeks to help Ellyn keep her house!)

So anyhow, this month we're raising $1,000 to send to Amazima Ministries.  Since 42 cents provides a Ugandan child with 3 meals, I'm excited about the BIG impact we're going to have!  There are ten days left in the month.  Please consider giving to Amazima Ministries! 

Official Love-A-Thon rules:

1. One donation entitles you to enter any and all of that month's Love-a-thon giveaways.  You enter by commenting, so be sure to comment here (without your gift amount) and check MckLinky on Sarah's blog for all of the giveaway posts.

2. $1 is as important as $100; we think that everyone should be able to get involved. Check your heart instead of looking around the room; it's the attitude of the giver that counts!

3. Have fun!

Wanna know what I'm giving away?  My husband - who aside from being the love of my life is also an amazingly creative guy - carved and stained this beautiful wooden cross.  It is 6.25 inches tall, 4.5 inches wide and has a nail-hole in the back to easily hang in your home.  I wanted to wait for a really special occasion to give it away.  I can't think of a more worthy cause than Katie and Amazima Ministries. 

 

Love-A-Thon Prizes!

We did it!!! 100%  Yay!!!!! 

What a fun ride...  getting to watch the Church surround an amazing woman on her own, who has faith like a rock and who had a genuine need.

Thank you all for the privilege of being a part of
helping Ellyn keep her house!

And now... for the PRIZES!  ;) 

My handsome hubby helped me out...

Drum roll please...

Congratulations!!!

(note:  these are disqus profile names)

Ladies, you have a choice between this adorable
newborn hat hand-made by my mom...

...or your choice of one of these stylish hats for women...

... or one of my favorite Mary Kay products:

Extra Emollient Night Cream

For extremely dry skin. Helps maintain the natural moisture of the skin and replenishes hydration in especially dry areas by forming a protective shield to condition and seal in moisture.

You can use this on: paper cuts; inside dry noses to prevent bleeding; rim of nose when sick and the skin is chapped; chapped lips; cracked heels, knees and elbows; raw or cracked skin from nursing; diaper rash; children's dry red chapped skin; split cuticle overnight with a bandaid; prevent acne scarring on a scabbing blemish; exzyma; psoriasis; The list goes on...

Aren't they great prizes?!

Well, I  think so! 

Email me and let me know your first, second, and third pick for your prize! 

(Don't forget your address so I can mail it to you.)

The first one who emails me gets first pick! 

Thank you, ladies! 

And thanks to Sarah and Mandy, who hosted! 

I can't wait for the next one!

It's a...

This is not the big thing I was referring to yesterday, but this is just came to my attention last night and it's very important! I have never had the privilege of being directly involved in God's church coming together to support someone in need quite like this ever before. Let me explain...

Through this crazy space called blogland, I've been privileged to get to know a great lady named Ellyn. She's got quite a story.

She doesn't think she's strong, Ellyn (even after losing her precious Eli, raising funds to allow her deaf fourth-born to hear and surviving a divorce that was just finalized this week), but she's far too strong to ever ask for this kind of help. Well, that's what friends are for, right?! Sarah and Mandy thought up this brilliant Love-A-Thon and we're happy to ask on Elyn's behalf (and, by the way, she has no idea we are doing this)!

Well ok, she might now.

In order to stay in her home, the only home Seth has ever known, she needs to raise $2,400 by the end of the month. If you don't know her story, and why she is in danger of losing the family home, just click here. But we're warning you: you will fall head-over-heals in love!

To keep this little fundraiser completely legal, you will not be donating money in exchange for raffle tickets. Simply donate (any amount helps), and then comment to tell us you have done so. Mandy is giving away a blog makeover, and Sarah is giving away four (yea!) Jared Anderson CD's.

I am giving away this adorable newborn hat hand-made by my mom:

And your choice of one of these stylish hats for women:

And one of my favorite Mary Kay products:

Extra Emollient Night Cream

For extremely dry skin. Helps maintain the natural moisture of the skin and replenishes hydration in especially dry areas by forming a protective shield to condition and seal in moisture.

You can use this on: paper cuts; inside dry noses to prevent bleeding; rim of nose when sick and the skin is chapped; chapped lips; cracked heels, knees and elbows; raw or cracked skin from nursing; diaper rash; children's dry red chapped skin; split cuticle overnight with a bandaid; prevent acne scarring on a scabbing blemish; exzyma; psoriasis; The list goes on...

Aren't they great prizes?!

If you are interested in the blog makeover (and I know you are!), comment on Mandy's post. If you are interested in some rockin' praise music (and why wouldn't you be?), comment on Sarah's post. If you are interested in my prizes, comment on mine. If you're interested in all of them, comment on all of them!

Wanna help more?! Of course you do!

If you'd like to place this Chip-in on your blog and possibly offer your own prize to commenters, just let Sarah know. She'll put you on a list so that all Love-a-thon participants will have a chance to enter your giveaway as well!

We have two weeks to raise the necessary funds.

Let's see if we can do it in one!