this is not for you, it is for someone who can't help herself

This morning I said a special prayer for the forgotten children of the world with my own children at my side. I know God has not forgotten them, but the world has. I haven’t, BUT [enter all the reasons we use for not doing something]. Immediately following that prayer I had a thought, an inspiration, an idea.

WHO:

Here is who I thought it could benefit. There is an adorable little girl named Livvy Mae. She has Down syndrome and will likely live a life of nothingness if not adopted. There is a family looking to make her their own but short on funds. [Of course they are short on funds!! These adoptions cost anywhere from $25,000-$55,000. Insane, right? It is. But until that changes, this is how it goes.] So the Herrington Family needs you and Livvy Mae needs you and these 4 girls running http://4girls4christ.blogspot.com/ need you.

These are four teenagers who are trying to raise money for someone they don’t know. I’ve been keeping an eye on their blog and I’m a little annoyed that their progress has been so slow. I mean, for $10 you can get entered into a drawing for one of the prizes they bothered to solicit, you can help save a life and bless a family AND support TEENAGERS who are actually DOING something outside of their own little sphere. I mean, come on, when was the last time you went through that much trouble for a stranger?

 They have a goal of $2000 by the end of March (it used to be the end of February, btw). They are at $320. A blessing yes, but come on people. When was the last time you blew $10 on a new shirt or a few lattes. I’m not saying you shouldn’t buy the new shirt or the fancy coffee, but as you’re passing by, could you drop $10 into the Livvy Mae bucket as well? Or bake something?

WHAT:

Let us have a bake sale. No, not just me. I said “us”. So, um, that means you.

HOW:

Here is how I thought it might work.

1)      Create a sign up sheet asking for people interested in purchasing a baked good from you. Include what you are tempting them with, the amount of slots you are willing to fill (like, I can bake 4 loaves of bread at a time, so I would probably do 4 slots) and the date you plan to deliver on your end of the bargain.

2)      Collect $5. Yes, $5 is a lot for a dozen cookies when they are $3 at the store, but, um, that’s okay, it is for charity.

3)      Then go ahead and bake away!

4)      Deliver yummy stuff.

5)      Donate the money to http://4girls4christ.blogspot.com/p/livy-mae-giveaway-donateprizes.html

THE OTHER HOW:

I know. I know. Believe me I KNOW!!! You work full-time, you’re a single parent, you have a new-born, you don’t get any time to yourself as it is, you go to school, you’re pregnant, you don’t bake, etc.

How about taking a sign up sheet into work and getting a few commitments? Have your kids help you make the bread/goods (mine do). Strap your sleeping baby to you while you add, stir and bake, bring a sheet to school with you to ask for commitments to this cause and yummy stuff. If you’re so pregnant that your belly gets in the way, stand on a stool while you knead dough or stir something up. If you don’t bake then there are these amazing things called no-bake cookies. Give them a shot.

Stuck on what to make? I have an muffin recipe I’m happy to share. I have a few really good cookie recipes I’ll type up. I make a yummy cinnamon bread if anyone’s interested in doing bread.

WHEN:

Well, when you can before the end of March, but let’s shoot for next week. Or the week after. Set a date for yourself and do it.

So, I can’t do this all on my own. Aaron and I have already donated to Livvy Mae through these girls. I need your help and you need to get in the kitchen and do something. I really am asking this of you and I really am expecting it. Sorry, but I am because it is so important. If you don’t step up to the plate this time, I’ll be hounding you next time, I promise. I promise I'll hound you and I promise there will be a next time.

*If you’re in need of some motivation and you’re interested in learning about the kind of life Livvy has to look forward to where she is, contact me.

** Their donate button does not show up on mobile devices (smartphone, iPad) for whatever reason.

*** I’d love to hear how your baking goes. Remember, it’s not for you. It’s for someone who can’t help herself.