THE Christmas Challenge

To all the awesome Christmas sponsors - if you are shipping your presents direct, please let me know when they go out. I'll update this post as the gifts are shipped. Thanks to you ALL for taking care of the babies and getting so much of this shipped out early. Since there's only so much room on the plane each week, getting everything out early will ensure it arrives by Christmas.

The original Christmas challenge will post as soon as all the gifts ship. As we wait for that post, I'd love to hear what you all think the real meaning of Christmas is. Please respond to this post with your answer.

Here are the updates:

SHIPPED! Rivaldo: November 2008, Male - Alyssa T

SHIPPED! Mack: Feb 2008, Male - Courtney P/Erin N

SHIPPED! Odelande: October 2008, Female - Anna P

SHIPPED! Irlene: August 2008, Female - Betsy M

SHIPPED! Joshua: May 2006, Male - Betsy M

SHIPPED! Pierre: December 2007, Male - Carol P

SHIPPED! Nickensly: March 2009, Male - Kris S

SHIPPED! Wadney: December 2008, Male - Amber Teal & Amanda Thalacker

SHIPPED! Jackson: November 2009, Male - Betsy M

SHIPPED!Mickenson: August 2007, Male - Meghan Forney & Joelle Evenson

SHIPPED! Jerry: July 2009, Male - Kris S

SHIPPED! Frandley: April 2009, Male - Allison Quinser & Katlyn Moes

SHIPPED! Wedly: March 2009, Male - Onka

Wednaldy (Eddie): May 2009, Male - Lisa and Cedric

SHIPPED! Wilson: August 2008, Male - Jordan Rodgers

SHIPPED! Magdaline: September 2009, Female - Deb T

SHIPPED! Guerlande: - Erin N

SHIPPED! Anel: July 2008, Male - Kathy O

SHIPPED! Jedson: November 2009, Male - Andrea Cizabar & Becky Grimme

SHIPPED! Ericson: December 2009, Male - Hannah Anna Banana

Lou: Feb 2010, Male - Cedric and Lisa

SHIPPED! Rodney: April 2010, Male - Jaclyn

SHIPPED! Robert: April 2010, Male - Jaclyn

SHIPPED! Davidson: November 2009, Male - Amanda & Liz Kriz

SHIPPED! Dalenka: Feb 2009, Female - Sofia G

SHIPPED! Eventz: Feb 2009, Male - Alyssa T

SHIPPED! Kenlove: October 2009, Male - Henry G

SHIPPED! Natalie: December 2008, Female - Kathy O

SHIPPED! Rosemerlin: June 2009, Female - Kristy M

SHIPPED! Theo: April 2009, Male - Kris S

SHIPPED! Ashka: November 2008 - Erin N

Daniella: May 2010, Female - Rainee

SHIPPED! Chelie: - Hannah Anna Banana

SHIPPED! Sammy: - Melissa C

SHIPPED! Issaha (Isaiah): September 2010, Male - Carol G

SHIPPED! Assmessi: September 2010, Male - Deb T

SHIPPED! Djolande: April 2009, Female - Mandy T

I need a bigger vehicle

Sundays are starting to be my favorite day. It seems each time I go to church there are bags, and totes, and all sorts of goodies people are donating for the babies. Today was crazy!! I didn't make in the door before getting a tote of clothes. As soon as I walked in the door I was notified that there was a bag of shorts in the office. Then I followed someone to their car to get blankets. The back of my car was half-full, and I still had to make a stop on the way home to pick this up:

Courtney Peterson and the lovely Theta ladies sponsored MANY of the babies for Christmas. When I saw what I needed to pick up, I thought, "I need to buy a bigger car!" What an awesome problem to have!!

The momentum is going strong, and I LOVE IT!! I love going to church and having people load my car. I love getting emails and voice-mails from people asking what the babies need. I love how compassionate and giving people are.

One short trip. One little postcard. Look at what's started!!

Stay tuned folks. The next Christmas challenge is about to post...

Sweet Children and Clearance Racks

This past Sunday the kids at our church put their handprints on bags for Children of the Promise. They use these bags to deliver supplies to the hospital when babies are admitted. If you remember my post from when I was in Haiti, the hospital provides only medical care. No food, linens, diapers, bathing. Just medical care. COTP has a nanny at the hospital for 72-hour shifts to care for the babies who are there. As you can imagine, they go thru a lot of these bags!

Here's a picture of my baby, putting her loving touch on one of the bags.

I'm so excited to ship these down. The kids had fun painting them. Even though they don't know where Haiti is, and maybe the don't understand what they'll be used for, having them help is planting the seed for future giving.

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It's been beautiful here in WI/MN, so I took a short break at lunch to get outside and enjoy the weather. My break took me to Target, where I was going to purchase Christmas presents for the babies my kids are sponsoring for Christmas. In my quest to find cute outfits for them both, I hit the mother-load of shorts on clearance. Don't tell Jason, but I bought about 35 pair. I've never been so excited to spend money on something that I'll never use in my own home or with my own kids. It's a new purpose.

Speaking of new purpose, I'm amazed as I watch others become passionate about providing for the babies. The postcard is so clear to me. This is such a God thing. One short trip and others have become inspired to give. It's such a joy to sit back and hear all of the excitement as people are purchasing Christmas presents for the babies. You go God - look at what you're doing!!

Thanks to you all who are out shopping for the babies, and those who have given additional items. My prayer is that this continues long past Christmas.

My question of the day - are you coming to Haiti with me next summer? Just askin'.

THE WISH LIST IS HERE!!!

I'm so excited - the wish list came today!! I was VERY hard to stay focused at work after receiving the list. I'm going to post the entire list, along with the sponsor name. If I've missed anything please email me: karen.gigure@yahoo.com

Couple of things to remember:
* I need the items the FIRST week of November to get them shipped in time. If you want to ship the items yourself, feel free. :-) Please write "Christmas Presents" on the outside of the box so Agape Flights knows it needs to arrive before the end of December. Here's the address:
Bud and Jan Bonnema
Agape Flights CAP--11952
100 Airport Ave
Venice, FL 34285

* Due to customs in Haiti, items cannot be wrapped. You are welcome to send sheets of wrapping paper. (tubes will be too hard to send) They will wrap all gifts when they arrive.

* If you're sponsoring multiple kids, please separate the gifts using plastic bags or labeling the items with post-it notes.

* It's HOT down there. If you are buying clothes, please keep it short-sleeves. Long-sleeved items do not get used down there.

* Remember my mantra, just because it's Haiti, just because it's third world, do not mean these kids deserve anything less that what we'd give our own kids.

Email me or post here if you've got questions. And THANK YOU for taking on this huge task of showing the kids a wonderful Christmas celebration!!

Karen

p.s. If I've screwed up, please let me know!

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Christmas List

Rivaldo: November 2008, Male - Alyssa T
-2t clothes
-Size 4 crocs
-Finger Paint
-Out door toys
-Balls
-Magic board (you draw on it with magnets and can move the bar to erase it)

Mack: Feb 2008, Male - Courtney P
-2t clothes
-size 5-6 crocs
-tonka trucks
-Gear builders
-Bubbles

Odelande: October 2008, Female - Anna P
-2t clothes
-size 5-6 crocs
-Dolls and doll accessories
-Pretend kitchen food and accessories
-Books
-Elastics and fine toothed combs for her hair

Irlene: August 2008, Female - Betsy M
-2t clothes
-size 5-6 crocs
-Dolls and doll accessories
-Pretend kitchen food and accessories
-Books
-Elastics and fine toothed combs for her hair

Joshua: May 2006, Male - Betsy M
-3t clothes
-size 6 crocs
-Special needs toys

Pierre: December 2007, Male - Carol P
-3t clothes
-size 6 crocs
-Special needs toys

Nickensly: March 2009, Male - Kris S
-2t clothes (need to button all the way up to fit over his head as he has hydrochepulus)
-size 4 crocs
-Special needs toys

Wadney: December 2008, Male - Amber Teal & Amanda Thalacker
-2t clothes
-Size 4-5 crocs
-Toys or cars you can push (no small parts)
-Finger Paint
-Chalk
-Magnetic toys

Jackson: November 2009, Male - Betsy M
-2t clothes
-Size 5-6 crocs
-Inflatable pool and pool toys
-Plastic dinosaurs
-Books

Mickenson: August 2007, Male - Meghan Forney & Joelle Evenson
-2t clothes
-size 5-6 crocs
-Tonka trucks
-Balls and outdoor toys
-Rythm sticks or musical insturments
-Chalk

Jerry: July 2009, Male - Kris S
-18 month clothes
-size 3-4 crocs
-Drums or toys you can bang on
-Inflatable pool and pool toys
-Bubbles

Frandley: April 2009, Male - Allison Quinser & Katlyn Moes
-18 month clothes
-size 4-5 crocs
-toys or cars you can push (no small pieces)
-Rhythm sticks or musical insturments
-pretend tools

Wedly: March 2009, Male - Onka
-2t clothes
-size 4-5 crocs
-toys you can stand and push
-Tonka truck

Wednaldy (Eddie): May 2009, Male - Lisa and Cedric
-18 month clothes
-size 4-5 crocs
-Tonka truck
-Balls

Wilson: August 2008, Male - Jordan Rodgers
-3t clothes
-size 6-7 crocs
-Special needs toys (sensory toys that can help with fine motor movement)
-Large cars or toys to push around
-Balls

Magdaline: September 2009, Female - Deb T
-12 month clothes
-Size 3-4 crocs
-Dolls and doll accessories
-Clothes for a dress up box
-Elastics and fine toothed combs for her hair

Guerlande: - Erin N
-12 month clothes
-size 3-4 crocs
-Dolls and doll accessories
-Pretend kitchen food and accessories
-Sorting toys
-Elastics and fine toothed combs for her hair

Anel: July 2008, Male - Kathy O
-9 to 12 month clothes
-Crib toys
- Rain sticks or other toys that make noise

Jedson: November 2009, Male - Andrea Cizabar & Becky Grimme
-12 month clothes
-Size 2-3 crocs
-Sand box toys
-Playdoh toys

Ericson: December 2009, Male - Hannah Anna Banana
-12 month clothes
-Size 2-3 crocs
-Sand box toys
-Blocks
-Cars you can push (no small pieces)
-balls

Lou: Feb 2010, Male - Cedric and Lisa
-9 month clothes
-Size 2-3 crocs
-Rain sticks or other toys that make noise
-Crib toys

Rodney: April 2010, Male - Jaclyn
-6 month clothes
-Crib toys
-Stacking toys
-Links
-Rattles/infant toys

Robert: April 2010, Male - Jaclyn
-6 month clothes
-Crib toys
-Stacking toys
-Links
-Rattles/infant toys

Davidson: November 2009, Male - Amanda & Liz Kriz
-9 month clothes
-Size 2 crocs
-Toys you can stand and push
-things that make noise when you shake them
-Balls
-Bubbles
-Chalk

Dalenka: Feb 2009, Female - Sofia G
-12 month clothes
-Infant toys
-Balls
-Rattles/infant toys

Eventz: Feb 2009, Male - Alyssa T
-6 month clothes
-Balls
-Stacking toys
-links

Kenlove: October 2009, Male - Henry G
-12 month clothes
-Size 3-4 crocs
-Sorting toys
-Sorting toys
-Balls
-xylaphone, drums, or other toys that make noise

Natalie: December 2008, Female - Kathy O
-12 month clothes
-Size 3-4 crocs
-Sorting toys
-Balls
-Bubbles
-Books

Rosemerlin: June 2009, Female - Kristy M
-9 to 12 month clothes
-Rattles/infant toys
-Links

Theo: April 2009, Male - Kris S
-18 month clothes (has to button up all the way so that it can fit over his head as he has hydrochepulus)
-Crib toys
-Toys that make noise
-Special needs toys

Ashka: November 2008 - Erin N
- 18 month clothes (wide neck is best)
- Crib toys
- Elastics and fine toothed combs for her hair

Daniella: May 2010, Female - Rainee
-3 month clothing
-Play Mat
-Infant toys/rattles
-Links
-Elastics and fine toothed combs for her hair

Chelie: - Hannah Anna Banana
-3 month clothing
-Play Mat
-Infant toys/rattles
-Links
-Elastics and fine toothed combs for her hair

Sammy: - Melissa C
-Play Mat
-Infant toys/rattles
-Links

Issaha (Isaiah): September 2010, Male - Carol G
-12 month clothes
-Size 4-5 crocks
-Drums or things you can hit
-Stacking toys

Assmessi: September 2010, Male - Deb T
-0-3 month clothing
-Play Mat
-infant toys/rattles
-Crib toys

Djolande: April 2009, Female - Mandy T
-12 month clothes
-Size 4-5 crocks
-Bubbles
-Dolls and Doll accessories
-Balls
-Elastics and fine toothed combs for her hair


Nanny Christmas list (65 employees)

-Tooth Brushes/Tooth paste/Dental Floss
-Bar of soap
-Wash Clothes
-Fine toothed combs
-Bras
-Sandals
-reusable grocery bags

In Memory of Josette

Here comes the Christmas challenge. Well, this is the FIRST part of the Christmas challenge. Consider this your PRE-Christmas challenge!! We are taking all of the babies for Christmas. Oh how I wish that meant they would be here for Christmas. Since that's not possible, let's bring Christmas to THEM!!

Here's your pre-Christmas challenge: adopt one of the COTP kids for Christmas. Buy them presents, fill a stocking, make their Christmas the best they've ever had.

I'll have a detailed wish-list posted next week. For now, you can go to the COTP website and pick which child you're like to adopt. I'll reserve their wishes just for you!! Email me at: karen.gigure@yahoo.com with the name.

Here's a BONUS challenge - include a pack of diapers (WalMart generics are cheap and great) along with a can of formula. Fill a stocking, fill their bellies...and then they'll fill a diaper! I think it's a win-win-win idea.

My Christmas present to you? I will pay to ship the items - at least for those of you who are local. Items must be received the 1st of November for immediate shipment. If you're out-of-state I'll get you the shipping information to Florida.

I'm asking you all to please do this in the memory of my sweet little Josette. I would give anything to have her home for Christmas. One day we'll meet again. For now, let's make the rest of the kids have a very merry Christmas.

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If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one.
Mother Teresa