Dec 3, 2008

Hope Giveaway


We just hit over 30,00 blog hits and the 200th post. Those two milestones have me thinking about this blog and what it represents. It started as a way to keep our friends and family up-to-date on our life in China. It has grown to so much more... in fact, I think most of our blog readers (or at least the ones who comment!) are people I've never met in "real life." But, your prayers and friendship sustain us.

A lot of good has come from this blog and the people who read it... for example, we've had people sign up to sponsor kids or make financial donations to the foster home after learning about us through the blog. We've had people send the kids presents! We've even had someone decide to come and volunteer at our foster home who first learned about our work through this blog. I can see how God is using this to really bless the children we serve in lots of different ways, and I am so encouraged by that. In the last few weeks, I've been challenged to go out on a bigger limb and intentionally reach out to more and more people through the blog -- sharing our story and hopefully encouraging more people to jump in and get involved as well.

So, to that end, I'm copying the ideas of others and hosting a GIVEAWAY!

I'm giving away a simple charm necklace. This sterling silver necklace says "Hope" in Chinese. Hope means so much to me. I named the blog "Signs of Hope" because I want this blog to communicate that we don't have to be overwhelmed and immobilized in the face of suffering. We don't have to drift into apathy because we "can't really help them all." By choosing to focus on the signs of hope all around us, we can push back the darkness that threatens to engulf and bring more restoration and redemption into the lives of the hurting. Friends, we are His plan to bring more signs of hope to this broken world. We can use our skills, energies, talents, and time for so much more than ourselves! We can use them to usher in His kingdom on this earth; right here and right now.

So, when I look at orphans, I don't see sadness, despair, and the forgotten. I see possibility and potential. I see unrealized dreams. I see beautiful futures.

I see hope.

-----------------------

So here's the deal... I'll do a multiple-entry-in-the-drawing type giveaway*, like I've seen others do.  To get...
  • One Entry: Leave a comment on this post with your blog address, or email address if you don't have a blog.
  • Two Entries: Make a post on your blog linking to this post, and leave me a comment pointing to it.
  • Three Entries: Add our blog to your blog roll and leave me a comment or email me pointing me to it.*
  • Four Entries: Add our button (see it on the side there?!) to your blog, and leave me a comment or email me pointing to it.*
If you've already added the button or us to your blog roll in the past, just email me to remind me and I'll give you the corresponding number of entries. :) Oh, and since we'll be going home for a few weeks and my blogging will be at a minimum, the contest will close on December 26! Everyone needs a little day-after-Christmas fun.  So, you have a whole month, but why wait?! Enter now, friends... enter now!

*I really struggled with this shameless act of self-promotion. Jacob and I even discussed it. In the end, we felt like perhaps the good that can come from more readers finding our blog is worth it. (i.e. - new sponsors for the kids, volunteers, etc.) Anyway, I hope you don't think poorly of us for doing this, but our intentions really are good! We just want more and more people to have the opportunity to get involved in this incredible journey!

35 comments:

Ashley said...

I will rejoice in the day I can look at orphans always with only hope and no tears! I am getting closer.

Step I
www.manyspaklinggems.blogspot.com

keelstar said...

What a great idea! I love that you are willing to put yourself out there in order to bring more awareness to the orphans you are serving! I am adding all 4 of the requested items to my blog! Blessings, Keely www.savannahsmilesguatemala.blogspot.com

Jill W said...

This is such a great idea to get the word out. I posted a link on my blog and added your button to my side bar. You guys just amaze me at what you have done and still do. Have a very blessed Christmas Season!

www.waalahouseoffun.blogspot.com

RamblingMother said...

http://glenysluckymama.blogspot.com/2008/12/ministry-of-hope-in-china.html
here is my link for post and the button is also on the side bar after the intro to the blog. I got rid of the blog roll on the blog but do the follow links and favs on the side bar.

Ohilda said...

What a wonderful way to bring hope to those who may never know a family.

Ohilda

Catherine said...

What fun! I so enjoy reading your blog.

jeanette said...

hey there friend!
I'm doing all but adding you to my blogroll-only cuz I don't have one right now! If I get one going I promise to add ya! :)
love the "button" to add to my blog!

Jen & Rob said...

Wonderful. Here you are and God bless!
Jenny G.

www.inhonorofheritage.blogspot.com

Somewhere In The Sun said...

Hi, I found your blog through Janette. I think it's a wonderful idea to bring attention to your cause.

~Lynn

Mom 2 six said...

All 4 done- anyway to spread the word !

Jill said...

What a great idea!!! Count me in for the giveaway. Your blog is definitely an inspiration to many.

ww said...

I've definitely learned a lot from your blog and hope that I can help again in the future. Your blog is very inspirational so hopefully this giveaway will help reach even more people! Blessings, Wendy (You already have my email address.)

The Byrd's Nest said...

Your so silly with that fine print at the bottom of the post. Everything you do is for the orphans and the "least of these" in China. I love your heart and I am one whom has never had the pleasure in meeting you.

JShannon said...

Hello Carrie,
I have had your blog on my blog roll for quite some time now and I just added your button too. This is a great idea to draw more attention to your cause.

The Vinyards said...

I love your blog! I just did a posting & also added the button on our blog-
www.journeytoadopthope.blogspot.com

Love the Hope giveway too!
Jennifer Vinyard

awaitingmissemily said...

Hi,
I am going to add your button to my blog/ I love your blog, and such wonderful posts, they make me smile and cry!! How awesome that God gives us a heart for orphans!!
Becky
awaitingmissemily.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

I'm commenting, I added the button to my blog, and I added you to my blog list. I love your blog and your work, and I hope loads of people come by to get to know you.

Global Girl said...

I am so thrilled to have found your blog; I was in China at True Children's Home in July. I'll happily add your code to my sidebar.

-Kate

bufwilcord@aol.com

Don and Be said...

Great idea! I've been lurking for awhile and it takes a giveaway to come out in the open - we've been home from China with our little girl, Joanna Mei, for about 20 weeks now. She is a joy! She has underdeveloped fingers and toes and was in our agency's "Children of Promise" program. She does have a VERY promising future. Our blog is accessible with a password....drop us an e-mail and we'll send you one.
Meantime, we're covering all points on your entry requirements. Blessings to you as you reach out to the beautiful children of China.
Don

duoloco@cfl.rr.com

Amy said...

Love your blog Carrie....It is ALL about HOPE to me!!!!

Praying, Waiting, most of all HOPING!

Blessings,
Amy
mama to one China chickie...hoping for more...

Stefanie said...

Consider me entered for your giveaway... I'll be putting you on my blogroll as well :)
I so admire what you are doing to change the lives of orphans!

Aaron and Erica said...

I love the necklace! I just added your button to my blog...but it is private. I sure don't mind sending you an invite though. Should I do that? My husband and I are from Huntsville, AL. We have 2 bio boys and are awaiting our Travel Approval(which should be here any day now) for our daughter who is in a similar foster home in Guangdong (True Chilren's Home).

Thank you for what you are doing for these precious children, and thank you for hosting a fun give away!

Erica Hammond
ericaterryhammond@hotmail.com
www.aaronandericahammond.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

I put the button on my blog!
http://elwenstarmaid.livejournal.com/

Ladybugs' Mom said...

You're on my blog roll: http://mylifestreasures.blogspot.com/

Please enter me in the drawing! What a beautiful giveaway!

Ladybugs' Mom said...

I now have a button on my blog:
http://mylifestreasures.blogspot.com/

Ohilda said...

I have added you to my blog roll and am also putting your button on my sidebar.

Blessings,

Ohilda

Anonymous said...

how cool
Step 1 Afters@sbcglobal.net

SARA said...

I love reading your blog!
I would love to help you get the word out. Thanks for giving "hope" to others!
I completed all 4 items!
Sara
LID 2/27/06 - N*E*X*T

http://lanechinaadoption.blogspot.com/

Desiree' said...

I will add the button to my blog. Our first adopted daughter is named Hope. I have always checked in on the main site and am now glad you have a blog. God Bless

Welcome to The Nut House said...

Hi Carrie!
We have never met in person, but I feel like I know you through your blog. I think it is wonderful that you and Jacob have followed your hearts to China, even if it's not always easy. God didn't say it was going to be easy! I love what you guys are doing! I wish I could be there to be doing the same thing. I know sometime, hopefully soon.....I will be there. I will keep waiting on God and He will let me know when the time is right. I added your button to my blog and posted a link. Thank you for what you do!
www.nuthousefam.blogspot.com

Jennifer
St. Louis, MO

The Bolton Family said...

You've already given so many "hope." Thank you for all that you do!
Cindy

Sandi McCoy said...

I put a link to your blog on our website! Check it out:

http://www.mccoyfamilyadventures.com/McCoy_Family_Adventures/Blog/Blog.html

Thanks for all that you do. You are truly amazing!
Sandi

Sandi McCoy said...

I added your button too!

http://www.mccoyfamilyadventures.com/McCoy_Family_Adventures/Blog/Blog.html

Sandi

Anonymous said...

I know I am way late for the give-away! But, I have been exploring your blog for a couple of days now (see, I've even peered into the archives!) and, after reading this particular post, I thought I would leave a footprint here (a comment) just to let you know that you have found one more reader along the way and I added you into my side-bar just yesterday (not even the regular list where most of the blogs I try to keep in touch with are, but the top list where I only have the blogs that I follow very closely (like my little sister's blog or the blogs whose authors I have come to feel I actually know...or, in your case, simply a blog that is so interesting that I don't want to have to sort through the long list to find it when I am ready to click onto it to read the most recent post).

Anyway, just thought I would let you know that!

(I haven't grabbed your button out of the side-bar yet, but I will!)

Anonymous said...

(Oh...and I posted a link to your site yesterday in a post on my own blog, immediately after reading the first three installments of your story. I had stumbled onto the link to this from a link on one of my favorite blogs "Our Little Tongginator".)

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