And the winner is...

Jessica

of the Seven Sisters!

(entry #4)

Congratulations, Jessica! Thank you so much for entering the give-away!

We'll be sending you an email shortly. :)

{Winner determined using Random.org}

Little Tait's Preemie Fundraiser: A Beautiful Success!

Isn't it wonderful to be a child of God?

To pray and then sit back with a smile, knowing that He Who owns the cattle on a thousand hills has heard your petition because of Christ and looks favourably upon His children?

A little less than a week ago, I learned that Tizzle Top decided to donate all proceeds to Little Tait's Preemie Fund. I remember wishing there were a way we could help. I wandered down the hallway to ask Marmy if we'd be able to purchase a little something from Tizzle Top. She handed me some bills as she answered, "As a matter of fact, your Daddy wanted you to send this to the Zimmermans."

Thrilled, I rushed the cash to the bank. Well, Lord, this is what You've allowed us to do. I'll continue to share about the fund and then let it rest in Your Hands. I know that You're able.

Once I returned home, Marmy was still going on about what a great concept Tizzle Top had in donating proceeds from a home business to useful causes—what a great way to advance the Kingdom! I thought it all over as I washed the dishes, pondering my father's words regarding the fund: "This is where the Church should be." I agreed.

If the Church put money where her mouth was; if She was willing to forego little luxuries in order to fully bear the burdens of the members of the Body—perhaps then we could win this war against socialist humanism. This is the answer, I thought as I replaced the lukewarm dishwater with a fresh, piping hot stream. And He can do this thing. He can provide through His Church. And I believe He intends to.

"For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king." {1 Peter 2:15–17, emphasis mine}

ObamaCare won't be defeating by making jokes about our president. No, the first step to overcoming socialist health care is to exercise our freedom to take care of our fellow Christians through private, voluntary, God-glorifying means. The first step to overcoming socialist health care is to refuse pushing our monstrous bills through Medicaid {thus forcing our fellow countrymen to pay for our medical expenses at gunpoint}, but to instead bravely trust the Lord to provide. 

That's what Tait and Lauren Zimmerman chose to do.

A week ago, they still needed to raise over $20,000. Doubt played at the edges of my mind. After eighty-something days of fundraising, one would think they might be scraping the bottom of the barrel as far as contacts go. This campaign had been going for a few days shy of three months and they still needed $20k. How?! I began to think through my own contacts. Who did I know that had that kind of money and would be willing to give it to this family, for the cause of Christian liberty in privatised welfare?

I blushed a little when I considered my own question. I certainly do know Someone. I asked Him if there was anything He'd like for me to do?

There was. Ideas for the give-away began to flood. I had to be careful not to break the plates as I dried and stacked them, eager to begin. Cauley donated the necklace of my choice. Madison {Dolly Madison Designs} was online. Would she like to donate a product to the give-away? Oh! She'd be willing to offer her graphic design services as well? Splendid! She jumped in wholeheartedly with a host of ideas. This little effort couldn't have happened without her. She tirelessly worked late into the night with me as we got everything together. Shiloh {Lilla Rose} and Hannah {Damsel Made} donated two beautiful prizes. Our give-away was shaping up quite nicely. 

The order of business on the following day was to promote, promote, promote! Only life kept getting in the way. As Maddy was busily getting the word out from her corner of the web, I was struggling to prioritise. Could I watch Noah for a little while? Gracey needs a snack. The phone is ringing. What were we getting the twins for their birthday? Company's coming tomorrow—would I please clean our room?! And could I do so-and-so a quick favour?

Baby Noah {Little Man}

My natural tendency is to stress out when life collides with my plans. Wasn't this fundraiser a Kingdom-advancing pursuit? Yes. But so is my home—and my family is my first responsibility. You orchestrate all things. You control the cash flow. I can do nothing, but Your very Name is Almighty. Once again, I surrender my schedule to You. I know that interruptions are Divine appointments. Order my steps, by Your grace.

Yes—I am supposed to be actively working towards the goal as I pray. But sometimes, the Lord brings me on detours that I wasn't quite expecting. Running headlong into the battle that I see stretching out gloriously before me, I trip on a load of laundry. Immediate, mundane duties demand my attention. Will I grumble at the pressing duties described in Proverbs 31:13,14,15,16,17,18,19,21,22,23,24,25,26&27 because only the ministry work described in verse 20 sounds very fulfilling? 

Standing up with some pretty amazing people to help a family raise $100,000 as a testimony to the power of Christ through His Church sounds exciting. And it really has been. But while it is important to say "no" to socialist welfare—it is just as important to say "yes!" to familial welfare, if not more so. Just as it is important for the Church to put money where Her mouth is on a large scale by privately and voluntarily helping a family pay off a giant debt, it is important for this Christian to put her time and energy where her mouth is by cheerfully volunteering in the day-to-day household operations of providing private education, daycare, transportation, medical care, food programs, etc., to the members of her family. 

Daddy has been teaching me a valuable lesson: if Christians don't embrace their responsibilities with love for God and each other, God will not take their liberty-loving-lipservice very far. There has to be real obedience and self-government to truly empower our talk of Christian liberty. {James 2:14–17}

In other words: the Lord helped me to chill out and get my priorities straight. Every time I'd feel a tug-o-war between my responsibilities to my family and my desire to get back to the abounding opportunities in online ministry, I would surrender to the Lord of my schedule. There was peace and obeying Proverbs 31:26 became possible, by His grace. And I would learn, once again, that the answer to the epidemic of stress is not found in a fad diet or stealing away for a few moments of "me-time" or in anxiously protecting that perfectly laminated schedule that adorns the front of my homemaking binder. It's in saying "amen" to God, no matter what His plans may be. It's in embracing the responsibilities He's currently given me instead of whining about all of the If Onlys... 

So, I didn't have time for this, really. There were chores and errands and a fellowship lunch and a daddy date and babysitting and more errands and phone calls and freelance work and the twins' birthday party and meals to cook and dishes to wash and loads of laundry to process and grocery shopping to do and millions of little life-things in between. But the Lord doesn't need me to hold everything together. That's His work. {Colossians 1:17} I was called simply to obey and have faith.

I was called to stand fast at my post and diligently work at my responsibilities as I watched Him lead the battle at large. And now, I am blessed to join the cry of thanksgiving that has arisen from the Lord's Army this day as our King secured another victory! From LittleTait.com—

I first saw the news this afternoon as I was pushing a grocery-filled shopping cart toward the checkout line. My heart lept and my face beamed and the doxology filled me up.

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!

Praise Him, all creatures here below;

Praise Him above ye heav'nly host;

Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost!

With a song on my lips and a sleeping babe on my lap,

The Little Tait Give-Away is now closed.

Lord willing,

the winner will be announced tomorrow

and we'll have the vouchers sent out shortly.

A great big "thank you" to all who contributed, entered and shared!

Little Tait's Preemie Fund Give-Away! {Closed}

Have you heard about this little guy? His name is Tait Zimmerman Jr. He was born premature four years ago. You can read all about Little Tait's story here.

According to LittleTait.com—

Preemies are expensive. (But totally worth it, of course!) Just the cost of using a single bed-space in the NICU runs around $3000 a day. Little Tait was pretty much literally a “million-dollar baby,” before any reductions were made on his bills. At this point, by God’s grace, and through the help of so many people, all of his bills are taken care of … except the big one: the hospital bill.

Over the past few months, they have been working to raise $100,000 dollars. If they can raise this amount of money by Monday, the hospital will settle Little Tait's account. So far, they have a little over $77k. But time is running out.

There are only five days left to raise a little over $20,000.

Dolly Madison Designs and The Thinking Tree are teaming up to help the effort by hosting a give-away!

Do you need a new banner for your Etsy shop? A new blog header or sidebar button? What about a cover graphic for your Facebook page? Perhaps an advertisement of some sort?

Whatever your custom graphic need, I (Shelby) or Dolly Madison Designs will tackle the project* if you donate any amount to Little Tait's Preemie Fund and then comment on this post. You'll be able to decide which one of us you'd like to handle your project when you comment below.

Every single person who donates and then comments below will receive a voucher for one free custom graphic*.

Check out our portfolios:

Apparently, I enjoy teal. And red.

And now, enjoy perusing the work of my dear friend, Dolly Madison:

I love her work—especially that Vintage Treasures banner. Pretty, pretty.

If you donate to Little Tait's Preemie Fund, you can decide which of us you'd like to undertake your custom graphic project!

But that's not all!

Everyone who donates and comments below is automatically entered into a give-away to win an amazing bundle of prizes!

First, from The Thinking Tree Store on Etsy—

Vintage Key Blessed Necklace with Clay Rose

This necklace, made classic with a vintage jewelry box key and handcrafted clay rose. Also, handmade ''Blessed'' charm placed on a bold dark brown leather cord. Simple and unique. 

Length:16'' with a 3'' extension

thethinkingtree.etsy.com
facebook.com/thethinkingtreestore

Next, from Dolly Madison Designs—

Sunshine Blossoms Polymer Clay Buttons (Set of Five)

So tiny! These adorable little buttons will bring a dash of cheer to all sorts of crafts and house decor! I love to use these as jar fasteners, but there are so many adorable ways to employ these buttons. Use them for decoration, appliques, quilts, purses, needle-books, and any matter of little whimsies!

Painstakingly handmade, these buttons are a one-of-a-kind work of art. No molds, patterns, or kits used. The average button set takes three hours in total of hands-on labor. Truly a one-of-a-kind treasure!

dollymadison.storenvy.com
dollymadisondesigns.wordpress.com

Dolly Madison Designs on Facebook
twitter.com/DollyMadisonD

Plus, we have from Hannah at Damsel Made—

White Knit Earwarmer/Headband/Cowl

This versatile accessory can be worn three different ways!

1) Wear it as a cute ear warmer over your hair, 2) or a charming headband underneath your hair, 3) or a mini cowl on your neck.  

Super cute, stylish and warm! Made out of 100% acrylic yarn in white. Measures approximately: 4" wide and 16" round (without stretching). One size fits most. Makes a great gift! Made in a smoke free and pet free environment.

damselmade.etsy.com
Damsel Made on Facebook

Finally, from my favourite Lilla Rose consultant, Shiloh Ariel—

Spring Bouquet Mini Flexi

Women who use the Flexi Clip say is is so comfortable, they forget they are wearing it. The beaded wire really does flex around the hair. Clients often declare how they are stopped by women asking, "Where did you get that beautiful hair clip?" Our repeat customers are singing praises about the strength and longevity of their Flexi Clips. 

Celebrate the brilliant colors of spring with this lovely bouquet of flowers. 2" clip.

lillarose.biz/ShilohAriel
facebook.com/LillaRoseShilohAriel
Lilla Rose ~ Shiloh Ariel on Google Plus

Step-by-Step Overview

1) Donate any amount to Little Tait's Preemie Fund: http://littletait.com/donations

2) Post one comment letting us know that you donated.

3) We'll need your email address in order to send you a FREE CUSTOM GRAPHICS VOUCHER*. You can leave your email address in the comments OR send it to ladylrae [at] gmail.com. If you don't give us your email address, we won't be able to send you your voucher.

4) By posting a comment, you'll be automatically entered into the give-away to receive the prize bundle which includes:

• Vintage Key Blessed Necklace {The Thinking Tree}
• Set of Five Sunshine Blossoms Polymer Clay Buttons {Dolly Madison Designs}
• White Knit Earwarmer/Headband/Cowl {Damsel Made}
• Spring Bouquet Mini Flexi {Shiloh Ariel at Lilla Rose}

How is that for an offer?

Why all of this for Little Tait's Preemie Fund?

To me, Tait and Lauren Zimmerman are two very courageous parents. Sending the humongous medical bills through Medicaid was an option, but they refused the socialist handout. They have faith that Christ can work through His Church to provide the funds necessary to pay the hospital.

Little Tait, age 4

Daddy has pitched in a couple of times over the past few months, and I've watched the fund-raising progress closely. Now, with only five days left to finish raising a little over $20k, I've finally had a chance to join the last hurrah. I'm very passionate about the Church putting money where her mouth by faithfully stepping up and showing the civil government that socialised welfare is not necessary.

That's why I'm doing this. Dear sisters in Christ, please join me. In addition to blessing the Zimmermans, you'll be able to work with the graphic designer of your choice on one free project and automatically have the chance to win a bundle of four great prizes. Whatchya waitin' for? Click here to donate.

*Shelby @ The Thinking Tree and Dolly Madison Designs reserve the right to decline graphics projects due to conscience. If for some reason we cannot help you with the first project of your choice, we'll work with you to come to another agreement. 

More efforts for Little Tait's Preemie Fund:

Click here for more great giveaways!
Like Little Tait's Preemie Fund on Facebook!

Give-away ends June 17th.

Due to shipping costs, only U.S. residents can enter the give-away.