So, at this point I was hoping to be able to tell you how the Allens liked all of their gifts, etc. Mike, Sarah and I took the gifts to their house (after getting turned around a few times...stupid MapQuest) a couple days before Christmas. We met Antonia (or Toni, as she introduced herself) and her kids, as well as a friend who seemed to be helping them out. We chatted for a few minutes, told them to let us know how they liked everything and if they needed to exchange anything, and we were on our way.
We never heard from them on how they liked their gifts, but somehow I know that it made a difference in their lives. Even if we never quite know how, we did something that a lot of people don't care about-meeting someone else's needs!
So although we may never know how this Christmas has affected the Allen family, we can be confident that we did what was right. Now we can let God do the rest!
Thank you all, again. Your generosity has blown me away and blessed me more than you'll ever know.
By the way, I've changed the url for this blog so I can keep it "Christmasy" for next year and added a new blog for daily life stuff. This url is now "trulyoutrageouslove.blogspot.com"
Friday, January 16, 2009
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Delivering Gifts
We will be delivering the gifts to the Allen family on Tuesday, December 23rd in the evening. Thanks everyone!
Monday, December 15, 2008
Whew! Shopping is about done!
Hello All!
Sarah, Mike & I completed shopping for the Allen family this weekend! Together we raised $395!! Here's what we were able to purchase for each family member:
Sarah, Mike & I completed shopping for the Allen family this weekend! Together we raised $395!! Here's what we were able to purchase for each family member:
- Antonia (mom):Black, dressy boots; $30 gift card to Kohls; Gladware set
- Stephen (15): Gift card to Game Stop for $50' Bronco's zip hoodie; Mike gave him 2 used PlayStation3 games & a signed picture of Champ Bailey
- Destiny (14): Sansa 4GB MP3 Player; 40-some odd piece make-up kit; make-up bag filled with spa items
- Marcus (6): Sports Action video game (similar to Wii games); Happy Feet DVD; Box of 120 Crayons & double-ended markers
We have about $45 left after all the shopping which we will put towards a goody basket and give them cash for whatever is left. We have a card that we will put everyone's names in, but if you'd like to pass along a special message, please let us know so we can put it in the card. We are planning on delivering the gifts between December 21st and 23rd.
Thank you SO SO much to all of you who were so generous! You are making a huge difference in this family's life this Christmas. Just know that wherever you are and whatever you're doing this Christmas, a family in Lafayette is finding out how awesome God is and that He hasn't forgot about them because of you!
A BIG THANK YOU to: Steve Onstott, Susan Onstott, Krissy Onstott, Sarah Onstott, Mark Onstott, Craig & Milissa Mills, Grandpa & Grandma Eberhart, Grandpa & Grandma Thaemert, Grandpa & Grandma Fisk, Dan, Cheryl & Nici James, Catie Cooney, Trella Chambers and Kelsey.
You all are awesome!!
Monday, December 8, 2008
Update On Outrageous Love
I got the chance to speak to Antonia Allen this weekend, and I have no doubt that we made a great choice.
Antonia has some health problems, and until recently, has had a feeding tube. The man she was with was helping support her and her children, but about a month ago he kidnapped her and beat her severely. She didn't go into great detail about the incident, but has had to move her family suddenly and basically start over.
She had asked for things for her kitchen & home (tupperware topped the list), but also said she'd love to have a good pair of dressy black boots.
Her oldest son, Stephen, loves video games (what 15 year old doesn't) and has a PlayStation3, but no games. We are planning on giving him a gift card to Game Stop as well as a Broncos sweatshirt.
Destiny, her 14 year old daughter, loves music and make-up. This weekend we bought her an MP3 player and a big make-up kit with a bag.
The 6 year old, Marcus, wants to play video games just like his big brother and loves drawing on his art pad. We bought him a video game similar to a Nintendo Wii that plays sports with a wireless remote and a big box of 120 crayons and double-ended markers.
We are still finishing up some shopping and working on putting together a breakfast basket and possibly something for a dinner.
If you still would like to donate, anything else we receive will go towards the meals and/or a gift card to King Soopers or Wal-Mart. You can still contribute online or you can give Sarah, Mike or me cash or a check directly. We haven't yet set a date to deliver the gifts to the Allen Family.
Thanks to everyone who has been so generous!! We are so excited to be helping out this family-just knowing that together we are making such a big difference in their lives is a huge blessing.
I'll keep you updated!
Antonia has some health problems, and until recently, has had a feeding tube. The man she was with was helping support her and her children, but about a month ago he kidnapped her and beat her severely. She didn't go into great detail about the incident, but has had to move her family suddenly and basically start over.
She had asked for things for her kitchen & home (tupperware topped the list), but also said she'd love to have a good pair of dressy black boots.
Her oldest son, Stephen, loves video games (what 15 year old doesn't) and has a PlayStation3, but no games. We are planning on giving him a gift card to Game Stop as well as a Broncos sweatshirt.
Destiny, her 14 year old daughter, loves music and make-up. This weekend we bought her an MP3 player and a big make-up kit with a bag.
The 6 year old, Marcus, wants to play video games just like his big brother and loves drawing on his art pad. We bought him a video game similar to a Nintendo Wii that plays sports with a wireless remote and a big box of 120 crayons and double-ended markers.
We are still finishing up some shopping and working on putting together a breakfast basket and possibly something for a dinner.
If you still would like to donate, anything else we receive will go towards the meals and/or a gift card to King Soopers or Wal-Mart. You can still contribute online or you can give Sarah, Mike or me cash or a check directly. We haven't yet set a date to deliver the gifts to the Allen Family.
Thanks to everyone who has been so generous!! We are so excited to be helping out this family-just knowing that together we are making such a big difference in their lives is a huge blessing.
I'll keep you updated!
Friday, December 5, 2008
Our Sponsored Family!!
Together we have raised $300 so far!!! You all are awesome!!!!
We have chosen a family to sponsor...
The Allen Family of Lafayette
Antonia Allen (33) and her three children, Marcus (6), Stephen (15) and Destiny (14)
We will begin shopping this weekend. If you would still like to donate, please feel free!! We would love to be able to provide them with some sort of Christmas morning breakfast/gift basket too (muffins, pancake mix, etc.)!
We'll keep you updated on the gifts for each and when we plan on delivering the gifts to them. We will be making sure that everyone who contributed's name is on the card and be sure to pass along any message you'd like to give them.
Thank you to everyone who has so generously donated, and we look forward to be blessing this family!
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Hello all!
So far, we've raised $160 online and $205 total! Way to go, and a big THANK YOU to everyone who has contributed!!!
Sponsorship began this past weekend and there are LOTS of families that need a little help this season.What's even better about the Outrageous Love program is that it's not just a gift drop off, but a great way to have fun and connect with families! We get to shop for the gifts and deliver them in person; what a priceless gift to receive on both ends!! If you would like to participate in delivering the gifts to the family we sponsor, please let me, Mike or Sarah know. This is more than just giving your money to a good cause-it's really being able to show God's love and compassion to a family who may need to hear it now more than ever.
To learn more about how you can help, you can visit the Outrageous Love information page or read more on my previous blog entry.
So far, we've raised $160 online and $205 total! Way to go, and a big THANK YOU to everyone who has contributed!!!
Sponsorship began this past weekend and there are LOTS of families that need a little help this season.What's even better about the Outrageous Love program is that it's not just a gift drop off, but a great way to have fun and connect with families! We get to shop for the gifts and deliver them in person; what a priceless gift to receive on both ends!! If you would like to participate in delivering the gifts to the family we sponsor, please let me, Mike or Sarah know. This is more than just giving your money to a good cause-it's really being able to show God's love and compassion to a family who may need to hear it now more than ever.
To learn more about how you can help, you can visit the Outrageous Love information page or read more on my previous blog entry.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Outrageous Love
Since I've become a "grown up", each year at Christmas I try to come up with a new tradition. For a few years I would go to a restaurant on Christmas Eve and leave the server a huge tip, then wait outside until I saw their reaction. There's just something about Christmas that makes giving that much more enjoyable.
This year, Mike, Sarah and I want to start a new tradition. We are going to sponsor a family through a project our church called Outrageous Love. Nominated families will be paired with a sponsoring family who can help to meet the needs they have this Christmas! I have never had a Christmas where I didn't wake up to a sea of gifts under the tree, stockings full to the brim and a huge meal (or two) to look forward to. But there are some families who aren't looking forward to Christmas morning; some parents who are heartbroken that their kids won't have gifts to unwrap. This is a great way to celebrate the true gift that Christmas is all about-sharing the amazing love God has for us with others!
Sponsorship begins next Sunday, and we know that money is tight for everyone, including us, but we can't do this alone. We ask that you please consider helping us spread some Christmas joy, even if it's just a few dollars. If we can join together with a little, we can do SO much for a family who is really struggling. Thank you for your generosity!
If you would like more information on this project, click here.
For the ChipIn page for more information on donating, click here.
Thank you to those who have already donated so generously!!
This year, Mike, Sarah and I want to start a new tradition. We are going to sponsor a family through a project our church called Outrageous Love. Nominated families will be paired with a sponsoring family who can help to meet the needs they have this Christmas! I have never had a Christmas where I didn't wake up to a sea of gifts under the tree, stockings full to the brim and a huge meal (or two) to look forward to. But there are some families who aren't looking forward to Christmas morning; some parents who are heartbroken that their kids won't have gifts to unwrap. This is a great way to celebrate the true gift that Christmas is all about-sharing the amazing love God has for us with others!
Sponsorship begins next Sunday, and we know that money is tight for everyone, including us, but we can't do this alone. We ask that you please consider helping us spread some Christmas joy, even if it's just a few dollars. If we can join together with a little, we can do SO much for a family who is really struggling. Thank you for your generosity!
If you would like more information on this project, click here.
For the ChipIn page for more information on donating, click here.
Thank you to those who have already donated so generously!!
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