Current Child Count

  • HOGAR DE AMOR I: 11 babies
  • HOGAR DE AMOR II: 6 boys
  • HOGAR DE AMOR III: 8 girls

Friday, July 24, 2009

200th post 230th post 1 year blog anniversary giveaway!

Welcome to the 200th post 230th post 1 year blog anniversary giveaway!


First a note...

I had the first "Homes of Love" blog giveaway planned for the 200th post. Well, I make my plans but God is sovereign. The 200th post ended up being unfathomable, about our baby Joel passing into the Lord's presence on May 28.

About a month later I planned to do it again, perhaps for the 230th post? That's when scarlet fever broke out and became the 230th post asking for prayer covering. I mean seriously, I couldn't make this stuff up!

Last weekend I realized I was nearing one year of blogging, and since no calamity other than a stomach virus* has befallen us this week, here's the one year anniversary post...and my first blog giveaway!

*And believe me, up to 21 babies with it coming out both ends is something to write home about!! Read a hysterical post
here on "vomitology" by blogging mother OCTAMOM. Because sometimes, all you can do is laugh!


I have been so blessed since "joining" the blog world on July 24, 2008. I've loved reading about neat people, how they raise their babies, train up and educate their children, what they do together as a family, and how they impact the world around them - whether they live in US suburbia or a far corner of the earth.

It helps me in several other ways, too. For one, as I am immersed day in and day out in the "Bolivian" way of caring for babies and raising children, it helps me remember how we do it in the US, keeping a high standard before me.

It gives me a taste of what life is like in the US, particularly for mothers of young children. I've commented on more than one of your blogs how fun it is to see the boutique clothing/accessory options you have! And don't even get me started on the cute, decorated nurseries....

I get so many ideas about taking good pictures of kids, or just about anything actually.

Some blogging mothers inspire me to eat healthy even with a busy life.

Those who have lost babies, have disabled children, understand the ups and downs of adopting - they, too, inspire me!

And I can't forget to mention: it's soothing to my soul to get a glimpse into happy, healthy families. I know the families I follow in "blog land" are not perfect, but they work through their problems and stick together, unlike the families we deal with on a daily basis. It's special to see how you love one another!

Oh, and of course it's a treat to read what's going on in the lives and missionaries of my friends in Bolivia and the states!

So with no further ado, as a thanks to those who read of our adventures here in Bolivia, here's the giveaway!



I love giving these aguayo fabric photo albums as gifts, with pictures inside. I'll also throw in the cute little pen of a girl dressed in traditional clothing.




How do you enter, you ask? The ways are many! Do any of these things and get an entry for each option:

~ leave a comment stating why you read this blog (the pictures? interested in life in a foreign land? adoption advocate? missionary wanna be? makes life with 2 kids seem easy?)

~ put our blog button on your blog or website and leave a comment telling me you've done so

~ leave another comment with a verse related to caring for the fatherless

~ write a post on your blog about this giveaway (and leave a comment so that I know you did)

The winner will be announced sometime in early August.




The albums and pen will be mailed to you from Bolivia. To add to the cultural flair, you know. (Just imagine those foreign stamps!)

And if it doesn't make it to you after a couple weeks, we'll go with Plan B...which would be something along the lines of sending it via a volunteer returning to the US in August.

So let the fun begin!

12 comments:

@ngie said...

What a fun contest! I am inspired. :-)

Here is my first entry:
http://www.angiewashington.com/trailblazers/

This is the most honored page on my blog. I had actually meant to put you there for some time now. This worked out nicely to get an entry in this contest. Yes! :-P

@ngie said...

Ok - second entry:

I read this blog because you are my friend. I also am extremely challenged by reading how you you run your homes. I get great ideas for our home. I love to read the way that you love the kids. You are just too cool!

Un abrazo!

@ngie said...

Third entry:

(This is fun!)

Ok, this is Psalm 10:14 in the Message:

But you know all about it— the contempt, the abuse.
I dare to believe that the luckless
will get lucky someday in you.
You won't let them down:
orphans won't be orphans forever.

@ngie said...

And #4:
http://www.angiewashington.com/2009/07/not-alone/

:-)

Mrs. H in Costa Rica 2023 said...

Oh my...

I´m NOT entering...

1. Because I already have one of those albums...

2. Because I could just go to La Cancha to buy another one...

3. Because it is very possible that I would be the volunteer trying to mail it from the States...

BUT I love the idea for a giveaway! And I hope tons of people that DO NOT already live in Bolivia enter!

Besides I think you already know why I read your blog and that I already have your blog button and a link on mine :)

Jennifer Beaty (Thompson) said...

Yeah...I'm starting to think stamps might not be needed, LOL.

Way to go, Angie, in starting this off!!

Love the verse, thanks!

Janis said...

Here's my first entry...I would LOVE to put your button on but haven't figured that out yet. First I need to switch to a format that has columns on both sides...anyhoo... I read your blog for several reasons: 1) God has placed a desire in my heart to help the fatherless-usually by helping those who are adopting. I'm not sure why He led me to you but we'll just wait and see. 2) God has also placed a desire in my heart to serve Him in another part of the world. How that will all play out is still unknown but I love reading about your boldness for now! Keep up the great work!

Anonymous said...

I found your blog via @ngie's...she was writing about you and your contest :) I am also a fellow missionary, over on the other side of the word, the Middle East. Kudos for all you do and the babies you love on!!! I would love to win one of your albums to be reminded of the work you do over there. :)

Blessings!
Maureen

trina said...

Hi. I read your blog because of Liz Lynch. She has a heart for these babies and the work you are doing in Cochabamba. I love seeing the pictures and hearing the stories, too, but it is because of Liz that I know about you.

Shauna said...

I would love to be ministering to those overseas who don't have easy access to the Gospel, but for now, God has given me a mission field here at home. I read your blog to remind myself of the challenges missionaries face and encourage myself to be faithful in prayer for you and others.

Jennifer Beaty (Thompson) said...

A little note:

To add our "blog button" to your blog (if you're a blogspot blogger)....

1) See the blog button on my blog? Right click on the html code box right under that and choose "copy"

2) Go to the dashboard of your blog, choose layout, then "add a gadget", then the "html/Javascript" option.

3) Paste in the html code and choose a title line if you'd like

3) Save it, then move it to where you want it on your blog.

It's really quite easy! =)

Laurel said...

I love your blog because I enjoy reading about how the Lord is using young ladies for His glory throughout the world.

I love your blog because it reminds me of the work my daughter is doing with children in Argentina. (And, she doesn't update her blog very often.)

I love your blog because I am the Mama of 13 ... and an adoptive mama who has a heart for orphans.

I love your blog because you shine with the LIGHT of Christ Jesus!

Keep up the good work!

Laurel :)