For today’s Random Act of Kindness Advent were suppose to be shopping for a family for Christmas. We actually did our shopping earlier this week. Before Josh and I had kiddos we would always pick a kiddo from the Angel tree, but then about 4 years ago we started helping a family at my SIL Jen’s school. We love Jen’s school and we felt honored to be able to help a local family out at Christmas. My mom would always help with this as well, so we definitely wanted to keep up the tradition.
I love in the picture above how it looks like Chad is cutting Huddy and Jen is very surprised by his choice to do so 🙂
Last night we had a little wrapping party with Jen, Chad, Cooper and Campbell and we got our wrap on. I even gave Cooper Wrapping 101. He did pretty well.
And today we delivered all the goods. Again, I was impressed with Huddy’s upper body strength.
Tomorrow we will be…
giving away books. We purchased some of our most favorite books today…some holiday, some not and we will be giving them away to some kiddos tomorrow.
Also today we are finally having our 12 Months Waiting Art Giveaway. We have a giveaway each month on the 15th to celebrate another month being on the wait list for our sweet boy. We had to delay our November 15th giveaway due to my mom’s health.
This is the first piece I have created in about 4 weeks. That is quite a long time for me. I miss my mom terribly and it has changed my feelings and emotions and even my personality on some levels. I canceled all orders that were still waiting to be created because I just didn’t know when I would be up for it. I finally got the itch the other day and it needed to be scratched.
This piece is a 11×14 canvas with a quote from Bittersweet by Shauna Niequist. I read this book a little before my mom died and this quote stuck with me…hard. I adore it. God was definitely preparing my heart for what was to come when I read this book. Such an amazing read…I highly recommend it.
God is good, the world He made is extraordinary and His comfort is like nothing else on earth.
I made this piece not only with our little boy in mind, but my mom also and the current state of my heart.
So here’s how to enter.
Please leave a separate comment on this post for each entry.
Entry #1 Leave a comment…any ole’ comment will do.
Entry #2 Leave a comment about something you are currently hopeful for or something you are anticipating.
Entry #3 Share the giveaway on your Facebook status
Entry #4 Share the giveaway on your Twitter status
Again, please leave a separate comment on this post for each entry.
Giveaway will end Monday, December 12th at midnight and I will announce the winner on Tuesday.
I added this last part “Make A Difference” because of my mom. I can’t even begin to explain the outpouring of people who have sent texts and emails and Facebook messages and letters and cards about how my mom touched their life. It has floored me. I knew she was good…I knew it, but my word, the amount of others that knew it too has blown me away. I want to be that person too and I want to encourage others to do the same.
Happy weekend!
**GIVEAWAY CLOSED**
Pitter Patter Art 
Love seeing your random acts daily. I want to implement this in my family
LOVE the piece, love your random acts of kindness, and love your attitude. I really, really admire you…and I don’t even really know you. 🙂
I am hopeful that God will give us another baby one day.
Simply beautiful.
Something I am anticipating…. When you being taking orders again so I can get. Bunch of inspirational art for my bakery!!!!! Can’t wait!!
Shared on my Facebook status.
Shared on my page
Shared on my bakery page too:)
shared
Love to see your acts of kindness
Your page caught my eye when a friend of mine made a comment to you about praying for your mom. I always (being nosey) click on and read when someone says “pray” and “mom” (or dad, sis etc) to see what’s going on with someone’s family member, even if I don’t know any of these people. Family is so dear and I will always read on FB about prayers needed for family and I am ON IT! I DO believe in the power of prayer and want you to know that I even though I don’t know you, I prayed for your mom and am still praying for you. I only began the journey with you right before your mom passed away, but I will continue to lift you up in your struggles, sadness and journey of missing your mom. Sounds to me she’s left a fabulous legacy though! God bless you and your family.
thanks for living it out!!!
I am currently anticipating (with hope AND fear) moving our family of seven back across the ocean for furlough in the United States.
Such a precious post, Laura. I see your mom in you in so many ways; you are like her. I am so glad you were able to “scratch the itch” with this beautiful piece and hope you draw my name…LOL!! Have a happy weekend…
Your random acts of kindness have inspired me. I will be doing this soon with my children. I pray your family has a great Christmas.
I love your artwork and your blog! The random acts are inspiring!!
Thanks for everything you and your sweet adorable family do! You are an incredible inspiration Laura. Praying for you.
I look forward with anticipation to each new day and what it will hold in our lives. God alone knows…
Love your work and all the special things you and your family are doing for others. Hope you get your little boy soon, you deserve something good right about now.
I am anticipating the travel date to go get our son… after 16 months of waiting, we should know our travel date by the end of next week and travel just after Christmas (praying for this anyway!)
I absoluetly loooove your work!!! Beautiful.
I will be sharing on my facebook page…can you tell I really do like this piece?? It is special…
Shared your link on my facebook page.
I am anticipating the arrival of my new sister! My parents are adopting a 10 year old girl from the Salish-Kootenai tribe, right in time for Christmas. They are 57 and 60 years old; aren’t they cool? 🙂
This is beautiful in so many different ways. Thanks for sharing your random acts of kindness too. Stay strong pretty girl!
I am so inspired by your random acts of Kindness – it reminds me to give more.
Entry # 1 for me!! Still looking forward to your blog every day!! Love the Random Acts of Kindness. Still praying for you.
Shared on Facebook!
I am hopeful for a peaceful Christmas & anticipaing what God is going to do for me & my family in the new year. He is so amazing & is doing some awesome work currently in our marriage & our home. Your blog always makes me smile & inspires me to be more creative!!
Entry #2 I’m hopeful that in this new year my husband and I can spend more time studying God’s word together.
I am anticipating life change in my co-workers in the coming year, as I pray for them to know The saving Grace of Jesus.
Entry #3 …shared giveaway on FB. I’m rockin this today. 🙂
Shared on FB!
Wow I even love to read what your followers are writing you are soo amazing and you just keep touching someone’s life. You are your mother and she has instilled in you her generous and caring heart!!! How could you not share that with others! Keep it going Laura!!! I can’t wait to see what you write tomorrow! The healing has begun!!!!
I am hopeful that I will meet the guy God has in store for me in 2012!
I love reading about your random acts. My husband I used to do the angel tree. Unfortunately this year we are squeaking by and did good to get our daughter something. I hope to be able make up for it next year!
I love reading your stories about your mother. I know she was very dear to you. You bring me hope and your faith is simply amazing!
On a side note: I follow you in Pinterest and I love see all the mustache things you post! They make me giggle cause I can only imagine how excited your kids are when you guys do crafts!
Shared on face book! jasjs@cox.net
I look forward to reading your daily Random Acts of Kindness Advent and am going to “steal” this idea and use it next year with my boys! 🙂 My family has been praying for you and your family over the loss of your mother.
This is a beautiful piece, so glad you’re creating again!
#1 I would love to win this piece! I adore your work!
I’m hopeful: that my little foster baby will be happy in his new home. We’ll miss him, terribly, but I’m hopeful it’s the right move for him!
Something I am anticipating….our move acrosd the state of SC next Wednesday for my hudband’s new job
#2 I am hopeful that I WILL be more present with my kids and family, enjoying the here and now, versus always worrying about the future and the next “thing” that has to be done. God has been so good to us, I need to revel in that every. single. day.
I am anticipating going home to be with my family for the holidays soon. My grandmother who lived with us for the last five years of her life died just before your mom. Your acts of kindness inspire me to go forward each day.
#3 Just posted to Facebook!
Glad you got an itch to make a new piece. I always look forward to seeing your next creation.
Cant wait to do our shopping for others this weekend! So fun!!
I love reading about your random acts of kindness. I am so sorry about the loss of your mother. I’m so thankful the Lord is your comfort and that He is encouraging you with His goodness.
Shared the giveaway on Twitter
Shared the giveaway on Facebook too!
I am anticipating my trip to Ethiopia next week to meet our 2 year old daughter (we leave on Thursday). I am hopeful that God will heal her and transform her from an orphan to a daughter. I would love this picture for her room, because it matches her birdie bedding.
My 3rd baby boy is due in March, so I’m definitely anticipating his arrival and wondering how in the world I’m going to manage 3 boys ages 4 and under! I know that God has a plan and His timing is perfect, so I’m relying on his faithfulness!
I so admire you and you are that person like your Mother. I have sat silently without a reply or response to your current siuation because I cannot find the words to express how I feel. I am around about your mother’s age and have two daughters about your age, with 3 grandchildren around your children’s ages. Although we are miles apart the situation is so similar. I read your every post and was so shocked at the outcome of your Mother’s surgery. I am so sorry for your loss. It’s very hard as I have experienced the loss of my own Mother. I pray your sadness with time, will turn in to the best memories of your Mother. I know she was a wonderful Mother and Grammy.
SHared on Facebook!
We are anticipating our court date and getting meet our daughters hopefully soon.
Love the artwork. And I love the random acts of kindness. . . it has inspired us to do our Christmas giving a little differently this year and it is oh so much fun!! 🙂
I’m so glad to see that you have put your heart and feelings back into your work…God Bless you, and my daughter just found out yesterday that she has another ruptured disc at the age of 25…Praying that they will find another way to fix her problem since this would be her 2nd surgery for this in four years..
I am looking forward to seeing the look of pure joy on my children’s face on Christmas morning when they see not what Santa has left, but that their sweet grandparents and great grandfather are traveling here to be with them! So thankful for family.
LOVE reading your blog and getting to
look at all your art!! 🙂 Praying for you daily!
Laura,
I love this. I love that you are starting to get back at it. Please know not a day has gone by without a prayer for you all, especially you. Rather a whispered prayer or added to the kiddos bedtime prayer…..I hope the comfort of God’s hand and love is surrounding you
Hope to do this kind of advent tradition with my kids someday!
Also shared this on my Facebook. 🙂
Pick me!
I’m looking forward to being blessed by God in unexpected ways in 2012!
I am anticipating some snow for this winter!!
I love this creation!
I shared this on Twitter as well… I haven’t been on my Twitter account in ages! I am behind the times. 🙂
I am posting about the giveaway on fb!
Hey Laura! 🙂
We, too, bought gifts for someone in our church and I am hopeful that they are helpful to that family!
This is BEAUTIFUL, I think you can “feel” the love that went into it from your son and your mom!
I hopeful that God intervenes and works things out without having to go to court over visitation with my husband’s children. And I’m hopeful He gets us out of our financial mess and our cup runs over with love, peace, and joy.
I’m hopeful for God stirring someone dear to me’s heart!
I love following your blog. You have been so encouraging to me.
Amanda
I look forward to reading what fun random act of kindness you have done that day with your kiddos! You are an inspiration and so brave!
I am anticipating the arrival of our baby as well. We are adopting too and waiting, waiting, waiting….
Amanda
I love that book!
Posted on Facebook, I really love this piece.
Any ole comment. 🙂 I know that I do not even know you, but I feel like I do from reading your blog. I brag about your sweet family and your incredible strength to people all the time. You really do inspire me.
I am hopeful for Christmas break–definitely looking forward to a break from my students! But, I am also hopeful in the long run for seeing God’s hand at work–he is good, and he is at work in ways I will never understand!
Oh I NEED this piece! Please let it be me!
I love reading your blog! I feel like I know your whole family even though we’ve never met!
I am anticipating GRADUATION! I will graduate with my Bachelor’s in Elementary Education in May 2012, and I am too excited to enter the real world and get a “real” job.
Shared it on my facebook!
I’m looking forward to nailing down a decision on an adoption agency in the next couple of weeks.
I am anticipating seeing my girls in all their Christmas joy this year. It will be the first year both are really into it and into giving. Lights up my heart!
I shared the giveaway on Facebook.
Posting on facebook
Your family is blessing so many people this Christmas…y’all are awesome! Thanks for sharing it with your blog readers!
I am hopeful that we’ll have a referral for our son by next Christmas! 🙂 Hope you’ll have yours MUCH sooner!
I just tweeted about the giveaway. @GoldenGirl815
I have been so inspired by your posts. This quote is amazing and the piece is more than amazing…. stunning.
I am VERY HOPEFUL for referrals from Ethiopia to happen for you and for me!!!
Such a beautiful piece! Love that your mom is “part of it”. 🙂
I am hopeful that our finances will become stable in the near future 🙂
Loving following your acts of kindness advent…brainstorming for next year! Cont to pray for you and your family during this hard time.
Hoping for being done w/ our adoption paperwork..the bulk of it anyway…so we can get our home study scheduled!
Laura~ you are such a huge inspiration to me! I feel like I know you personally through your blog & I think you are a wonderful mother, might woman of God, & so talented 🙂 You inspire us to be a better person & have a greater out look on life!
For my “any old comment” I wanted to tell you that your kids are just precious. I love seeing the giving hearts that God is cultivating through you and Josh. I love your advent idea and will try to adopt it next year.
Giveaway has been shared on my FB page 🙂
Anticipating….my next (and first “official”) ultrasound, on the 20th. When I went in for my first “Hey, I’m pregnant” appointment, I asked my doc to do an ultrasound to calm my worries and make sure everything was okay. She did, and found a strong heartbeat…and then another one. 🙂 So I can’t wait to go back and see both those little heartbeats again.
yea! love it!
hopeful for God to do great things through our new and old house!
this is so amazing i love it
I am hopeful for Gods stirring in my life to cause me to share Christ like never before and to produce the fruit that comes from being his Child.
I love love love this piece. It would be an honor to win it and have it in my home. 🙂
This is one of my favorites.
I am HOPEFUL that the day my 8 year old trusts/accepts Jesus will be here very soon!
I am anticipating sticking with our Random of Acts of Christmas Kindness right along with you Kelleys. 9 days in and we’re still going strong! This has made an amazing difference in our Advent season this year and we have you to thank for it. ❤
I love watching your Random Acts of Kindness Advent…you are an amazing person! I would love to try to do this next year!! Praying for you!!
I love the Random Act of Kindness Advent! What a great idea! Thanks for the chance to win!
I am looking forward to seeing how much money will be raised on my blog for Charity: Water! This year I’ve asked that all of my gifts be given to my campaign and that others would give of themselves to bring clean water to those who don’t have it readily available. I’m excited about the well that will be built and the people that will be blessed because of it! 🙂 Thanks again!
I got a copy of Bittersweet about a month ago when I saw that you were reading it. I started reading the opening last Sunday and could not stop thinking and praying about how applicable it may be to your life right now.
Your piece is beautiful. Your spirit of giving is beautiful too.
You are such a inspiration! God is good, the world He made is extraordinary and His comfort is like nothing else on earth! I love this and have since I saw your recommendation for “Bittersweet” back in October…. Still need to pick it up!!! Thanks for sharing your life w/ us!!! I love it!!
Would love another Pitter Patter Art original!! Love your guts!!
We are anticipating the arrival of our niece and nephew…twins due in Marxh.
I am currently anticipating…. this giveaway!!!! Love this… and all your random acts of kindness!!! You are making such great memories for your children!!!
Shared on FB!!!! 🙂
I admire your strength and advent example during such a hard time of your life!
I hope your sweet child comes home soon! I bet your Mom will help that along.
Pinned and posted on FB
Laura-Continuing to pray for you and your family.
I love your tradition of buying gifts for a family!! Would love to win your wall hanging!
I shared on facebook!
This piece is lovely and I love the quote. My daughter was born in Nashville! It reminds me of her.
I am anticipating my oldest son’s wedding in a few months!!
That is a beautiful piece and a beautiful quote!
Loving your posts and pictures of your random acts of kindness!
Anticipating being in TN for New Years.
Am going to attempt to share this on facebook. . . . .
I have read your blogs for the past few weeks…you have inspired me! By the way, I got the Jesus Calling book 🙂 You have a big heart ! And and a great mother! This truly is what Christmas is all about!
I look forward to reading your posts every day. Sending well wishes your way!
I look forward to reading your posts every day! Sending well wishes your way!
At this time tomorrow, I will be wrapped up in layers and blankets, cheering for my husbands team at the semi-finals hopeing for a good turnout and another week to play! GoRILLAS!!
I really appreciate your random acts of kindness!!!! Something I would love to begin with our crew….so excited!
Shared on Facebook!
I love the Kelley advent! I will be stealing your idea eventually 😉
We have gotten legal guardianship of our precious daughter in Uganda. We are anticipating and trusting the Lord to provide her a VISA to enter the U. S. We are now just waiting. For He is good even when things don’t make sense. And His comfort engulfs in time of need.
Hopeful that God will open a door for us soon! That or close it and send us in another direction!
sharing on facebook. 🙂
I love reading your blog! You are such an inspiration and even through the hard times, God has proven Himself faithful:)
I am hopeful for a quick recovery. I had major surgery and am still recovering.
Just adore this!!! I look forward to everyday when I can read what you and your family has done for the day:) Very inspiring!!! You have a big heart!
love it! praying for you(even though we do not know each other)…..reading about the events of the past month have touched my heart!
I’m so happy to have found your blog. We have some things in common…I’m a crafter, love God and lost my Dad recently…so your blog has been a blessing…blog blessing, ha.
I love this art! I love this blog!
Can’t wait til you can hold your little guy! Love the new piece. Glad to see you back at your talent.
I am anticipating and hoping for our own sweet little babe to be home very soon from Ethiopia!
I am hopeful for a fourth child………..even if my husband says we have enough, even if I no longer can deliver, even if adoption fees again seem unattainable, even if the world says 3 is enough. I am hopeful for a fourth so another orphan has a mommy.
I made a random acts of kidness advent calendar after seeing yours. I felt so crafty. Our only son is almost 3 and we modified a bit so that he would understand. So far my favorite thing has been when he told me that he’d like to take his stickers to school to share with all of his friends. He said it would be “so sweet mommy and make my friends so happy!”
I’m currently hopeful regarding what God has next for our family. He’s stirring in our hearts regarding our next adoption and I love anticipating what He has planned!
Thanks for all the inspiration.
Im trying to get over my breakup…
Love this!!!!!!!
I am hopeful that we will adopt another sweet baby this year!!!! And hopeful to return to Uganda very soon 🙂
shared on facebook!!!!
I love this, and I love u! It’s beautiful.
hugs to you laura– God’s smilin’ to see you makin’ art again:)
would love to add this to my wall!!!
something i am anticipating…..
meeting our newest son, Matthew, next summer in China:)
shared on facebook:)
You inspire me!
I am looking forward to what God may have in store for our family. I sense big changes!
Shared on Facebook
I love your heart for others. Giving me some ideas on how my family can reach out to other families during this beautiful season of giving.
Shared on facebook!
I am hopeful for success with my business so one day I can stay home with my children instead of going to the office every day. I would love to be able to make the change right this moment but I need to replace my income first. Praying and trusting in the Lord each day to guide me.
I am anticipating finding out if my next grand-baby is going to be a sweet baby girl or boy!
Laura, your new piece is beautiful, and such a loving tribute to your Mom. She did make a difference, a beautiful difference, in so many lives as you are doing as well! You have both been such an inspiration for our family! Love you!
Shared the giveaway on facebook
I love your blog and I am encouraged each day by your random acts. I love it!
I am hopeful for the future of our family. And we are eagerly anticipating our first Christmas as a family of three!
Shared on facebook. 🙂
My daugther found nail art mustaches on Pinterest! Thought of you…
I am anticipating the Christ Child this advent and hopeful my dear friends find out about their Ugandan sibling adoption.
Lovely
I love your artwork and I would be so excited to win!!!
Something I am anticipating or hopeful for: My husband and I started our church 5 1/2 years ago. We have been meeting in schools for the past 5 1/2 years. We always said if we were to ever have a building of our own God would have to drop it in our lap. He pretty much did. We have found favor w/ the owner of a building, we have found favor w/ builder/contractors to up-fit building to what we need. We have challenged our church to give a sacrificial gift December 18th, & commit to give above & beyond regular tithes & offerings for 6 months. We are hopeful and anticipating to raise the $$$,$$$ for the building and be in the building Easter 2012.
Laura, I think you ARE already that person…
Love, Angie
Love this piece…and what it means!
I am currently hopeful for the day I get to be home with my babies again and begin the adoption process!
You have an amazing talent and your artwork is really just amazing!!
Our family is hopeful that our foster son will be able to be part of our forever family soon and I’m hopeful that we will also be able to continue with our second adoption from China.
Posted to facebook.
It’s a beautiful quote. Thanks for the opportunity.
I’m hopeful my husband will agree to adoption some day should we get the opportunity.
The quote is so true and so touching. I just found your blog and I think it is wonderful. I love your random acts of kindness. What a great idea.
I am hopeful that things will start looking up for us both financially and emotionally.
continuing to pray for you. your work honors your mom.
Hopeful: we are 6 months waiting for our child through adoption.
shared on fb
Your advent activities are not only gifts to others but a wonderful gift to your children. Teaching them kindness and selflessness is a gift that will benefit them for the rest of their life.
I love the message and I have really enjoyed reading about each random act of kindness. It has been inspiring!
I shared the giveaway on my FB page!
To leave a quote about something I am hopeful for…a better year in 2012! 2011 was not one of my best years!
Sweet Laura,
I’m looking forward to seeing you next week…and those sweet kids! Love you!
my hope is that grace surround you this christmas…..
I have loved reading about your kind acts every day! Thank you for continuing to inspire others while you are going through such a hard time…
sharing your creativity on facebook…
I am hoping & praying that we get to move back to FL soon, to be closer to our family so our 7 month old triplets can get to know their grandparents and aunts and uncles and cousins. And so that I am not alone in caring for them everyday while my partner works 12+ hours a day.
Also you have been such an inspiration to my family. Next year, when our boys are a little older & can help & hopefully learn from it, we will be implementing your random acts of kindness advent. I love the idea & wish we were in a position to do it this year, but I am stuck on the 3rd floor of an apartment building with no elevator & no way to get 3 babies out by myself :o)
This is my “any ole’ comment” 🙂
Shared on facebook… off to open a twitter account…
I love your random acts and even add a few to my list 🙂
I discovered your blog through my SIL, and I love your heart! Thank you so much for sharing your life!
#2: I am hopeful that God will expand our family and allow my husband and I to have children. On a cheeky note, I am hopeful that I will win this gorgeous piece of art! 😉
I was just thinking the other day had odd it is that though we’ve never met I am beginning to think of you as a friend because of your blog. Which lead me to think about my other “best friend” whom I’ve never met–Shauna Niequist. So this is a funny colliding of worlds of women that I admire for their art, their honesty, and their intentional thoughtfulness about life. Thanks for being an inspiration in my life. (I promise I’m not a stalker.)
Tweeted!!!
As to things I’m anticipating–of course Christmas with my family. We only see my sister and her sweet familia about twice a year so this is a big deal. But thrown into the mix this year is a move so I’m anticipating some major life changes…from Bend to Boring, from working to not, from crazy schedule to no schedule, from working at church to searching for a church and all in a new year. 2012 is gonna be big.
Shared on Facebook.
Shared on facebook!
Praying for your family. Know that your random acts of kindness has open doors for me to share about the Reason for the Season to a friend that I am not sure if she is a believer.
This year we are excited to celebrate our first Christmas as husband and wife! I also told my husband about the Random Acts of Kindness and he agrees it will be a tradition that we do each year. Again, my heart has been broken over all that has been going in your family. Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers!
I love your art! I’d love to have a piece for my new home i’m moving to in February!
I am waiting for a great job offer for my husband! He is currently out of work and seeking a new job to better provide for our family. I am hopeful that the Lord has the perfect place lined up for him and trusting it will be able to support our family of 4.
I love your advent ideas. Seriously, wonderful. thanks for your inspiration. Also, I haven’t said this yet as I am more of a lurker, but I am sorry about your loss.
May God continue wrap his arms around you and surround you with many blessings
Praying and antipating that in the coming year we will begin our adoption adventure!
Shared on FB!
So admire your work, your heart and all that you do! Glad to see your back at creating, blessings….
I am anticipating our move to Kenya…..we are packing and loading a container along with 15 suitcases (not counting our carry-ons)….it’s always fun =)! I am hopeful that we will get it finished in time and be able to relax and enjoy our family for Christmas!
I shared the give away on FB! =)
I don’t have a twitter acct (did I just post that)? =) Merry Christmas to you and yours!
I love this! I’ve been reading all your blogs and praying for peace for your little family.
I am hopeful that my mom’s brain tumor will not just stop growing, but that God will completely heal her of it!
I shared this on my facebook 🙂
I don’t have a twitter, but if I did I promise I would share this!
leaving a comment-any old comment. 🙂
looking forward to christmas with a 2 1/2 year old. fun to see him really enthusiastic this year about it all!
What a beautiful piece and a beautiful story to go with. Praying for peace for you.
My husband and I are anxiously awaiting the arrival of our twins – due March 4!
I would be honored to win this & hang it in my home. It is just such a special piece filled with such love & hope.
I am hopeful & looking forward to a season of giving & remembering the True reason for Christmas.
I’m glad you felt like getting back into your crafting. Your items are inspirational.
I am hopeful that around March 24th my husband and I have a healthy baby and that baby’s big brother will adjust well.
I adore your art, love reading how you are being used by God, and cant wait to see your new precious addition to your family!
Shared your giveaway on facebook.
You are such an inspiration to me… and I don’t even “know” you. Your attitude, your passion for your children, your heart for the Lord, your creativness… I keep thinking… i need to meet this gal 🙂 I love your random acts of kindness… I will definately be implementing with my 4 small ones next year. Thanks for being you and giving me something good in the world to look forward too!
May His peace become tangible to your heart. May the words that you read leap off the page and bring you His hope. Love your work. Sorry you had to take time off to grieve, but it’s good.
I am hopeful to find a passion in life again.
sharing to FB!
I am hopeful for my parents to be able to see and feel God’s love for them. They are coming to town this weekend from Arizona. We have been praying for their salvation for a long time. We are anticipating God will do something amazing through their granddaughter’s Christmas play next weekend!
I look forward to winning this.
I shared on facebook
This is beautiful, and it’s even more beautiful when you hear the story behind it. 🙂 I think it’s be cool to see that quote and be inspired to “make a difference” every day. in some way
My heart has been so sad for you as you grieve the sudden loss of your mom. What a beautiful piece created with the quote and her in mind. Praying for you and your family.
Hmmmm…what I am hopeful for or anticipating…I am hopeful for an uneventful and peaceful C’mas celebration with my husband’s family. We haven’t seen his brother and SIL for a couple years and they live with very, very, VERY different guidelines for their life than we do for our’s. It is often a struggle to be around them. God, have mercy and help my heart love as You love. Amen.
I love this quote!!
I am hopeful that the hubs and I will be able to get pregnant very soon!
I am anticipating my 40th birthday on Tuesday…wow I still can’t believe it!
Your RAK has definately inspired me. Next year, G will be old enough to better understand advent and giving and we will be doing this!
I’m hopeful that there will be some movement in our adoption waitlist this month. Last month, going backwards just hurt
Shared on facebook, too!
Praying for you and your family. 🙂
Beautiful! Have a Merry Christmas!!!
Hopeful for a great future. Thankful for my family.
[…] don’t forget our 12 Months Waiting Art Giveaway will end this Monday at midnight. CLICK HERE or scroll to the post below to enter to win this […]
love your random acts of kindness!
shared on twitter too 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing your random acts of kindness. You’ve got some great ideas and I’m taking notes for next year when my kiddos will be old enough to do this with!
This Christmas I am really anticipating seeing my dad and his family. I haven’t seen him in over 2 years and he’s never met my youngest son.
Shared on my Facebook page : )
I don’t have a twitter accout, but I shared on my Facebook fan page (as well as my personal page)!
Love your work! What a great way to prepare for the celebration of the birth of Christ with random acts of kindness!!
Shared of fb!!
I am anticipating the laughter that each day brings!
You are a complete stranger to me, but I am grieving right along with you. I never knew you Mom, but she reminds me of my Mom. Praying for you! Numbers 6:24-26 “The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; The Lord turn His face toward you and GIVE YOU PEACE.”
this is beautiful.. hoping to win
Im hoping for more family time this year
I love this quote! 🙂
I am hoping to be more organized this year (and actively working toward that ;). Our whole family would benefit from this!
I shared on FB.
im hoping that one day we will be able to have another baby. and im also hoping and praying along with you for your littl guy to be in his mommas arms.
Hi Laura…. You know I want to win this piece because I love your art and I love you and I love your mom. So this is my first official entry. ……More entries to come….
Entry #2. And what am I hopeful for? Wow. Anything I’m hopeful for seems small compared to you losing your mom, and just everything about Sandra not being here anymore. There is not a day goes by that I don’t think about Sandra and you and the kids and about my mom and aunts and Roy and how things won’t be the same without Sandra around. But I guess I’m hopeful about 2012 and I pray that I am a better person in 2012 than I was in 2011. And BTW. That cake Josh made for you looked really good. Is the recipe in The Dining Halls? And no, cakes and sweet are not for celebrations only. If they were, I would never eat any! Which might be a good thing for my waistline….. 🙂 Love you!
Laura, I LOVE this piece of artwork and really hope to win it. 274 comments says so much about how much YOU and your work are LOVED.
I shared this giveaway on FB. I hope your son comes home SOON!
My heart is still aching for you! Keeping you in my prayers! Love the artwork!
SHared on my facebook page!
I am anticipating seeing my Dad next weekend! Can’t wait for food, fun, family, and fellowship!
Thanks for sharing your heart!
love this!
I am currently hopeful that the Lord will bring healing to our hearts and continue to carve a new path in our marriage. He is at work. It is hard, but I know He is doing a new thing.
love the acts of kindness!! Great idea…
I’m anticipating enjoying the rest of this Christmas season with our new children we JUST brought home from Ethiopia making us a family of 6. What a joy to watch life through their precious eyes.
shared on facebook
I would be so geeked to win this and honored to have it hanging on my wall.
Love it!
Anticipating the JOY in the Advent season.
Beautiful
I’m hopeful for another child soon!
Love this and thank you for sharing your heart through your gift of art!
I love this piece and all that it means.
Shared on Facebook!
A few days ago I returned from a trip to an orphange Ive worked at before in Honduras. I am Heavily Anticipating the moment where God calls me to move and live there fulltime. Also I am heavily anticipating the moment where I get to hold my child I plan to adopt from that country for the first time.
I am about to move to Atlanta and a piece like this would be great in my new home. Im moving from Nashville so the message on the piece is great and includes my hometowns newspaper The tennessean!!!
I shared on my twitter, too! Love it!
I am praying for a blessed week of vacation at Christmas that is filled with Jesus!
check this out!!!
Beautiful piece of art!
My entry #1
I am currently hoping for or anticipating a proposal! 🙂
So sorry for the loss of your mom. I appreciate your testimony and love your artwork!
We too are in the adoption process, so lots of hoping and anticipating going on here! 🙂
Just shared on facebook.
love it & your random acts of kindness
Comment # 1…praying for you! What a great quote, thanks for sharing!
entry # 2) hoping….just turned in our ET application, very excited about FINALLY starting this journey:)
Thinking of you and your sweet family! Blessings to you all!
Susan M
Would LOVE this piece, for so many reasons.
I told your momma I was anticipating a BIG GOD STORY, I still am! Love you.
Sharing on FB now…
Wow! That is an incredible quote. So thankful to God’s work in your life to bring you reminders and comfort to see you through each day, one day at a time. So glad your hands and head are creating! Very thankful, will continue to pray for you and your family
Love, love, love the Random Acts of kindness for Advent…hope to do this with my kiddos next year!
Anticipating the completion of our home study in the next few weeks…thankful to be nearing the waiting period in our first adoption!
Posting to FB…love your work!
[…] Waiting Art Giveaway ends tomorrow night at midnight. You could win this 11×14 canvas. CLICK HERE to enter to win or scroll down to the December 9th + Giveaway […]
You are actually grieving very gracefully if you ask me. Keep on looking up literally, figuratively., and spiritually. 🙂
many blessings to you and yours!
You are truly inspirational. May you continue to find comfort in this trying time.
and p.s., i just threw away my pumpkins 3 days ago…not rotten! (we painted ours as well!)
I am currently anticipating a realization of why God saw it fit to place me in my current job when I feel so out of place.
hopeful for a 2012 filled with happy hearts, peaceful minds, and a patient self.
Sharing on my Facebook.
I am praying for you and your family. I lost my grandfather (the only dad I ever had) almost a year ago due to a medical mistake and the pain is still very real. I can relate to your pain. God is still good even when I can’t understand. Your artwork is beautiful and inspiring.
I am so sorry to hear about your mom. I love this new piece of art!
I am anticipating Christmas…I will get to see family that I haven’t seen in 2 years 🙂
I am anticipating my life changing even more in the next year as my daughter and son in law prepare to go to the Dominican Republic as International Workers (missionaries). I know God is big enough to help me handle these changes but ii am still anticipating a lot of emotions.
I am so sorry about your mom. Praying that this holiday season will hold some good memories in the midst of you sadness.
forgot to post that i shared on fb!
Shared on fb
Like the little text balloon that you photographed next to your face (&*%#@). Maybe you should carry it around and hold it up when you feel like saying them. I am thinking that anger at this point is absolutely appropriate, and if it is like grief, it sneaks up on you at the strangest times.
Hang in there. You are doing well.
I am so hopeful for a new addition to our family to arrive soon! And I hope I win this beauty!!!
Today I am hopeful that one day I will be able to participate full heartedly in Christmas without the sting of not having my brother. This is #9 without him and I miss him terribly…he was such an amazing brother, friend, son, man. Wishing I lived back in Hendersonville where he’s buried so I could take flower to him or participate in candle light services.
I appreciate your honesty! I am continuing to bind you and your family in prayer ~ I love your art and as I looked at it on fb ~ read your story and what’s been happening in your life the past few months ~ YOU are being lifted daily by so many! Thank you for sharing with us!
I love what you are doing this year with your Random Acts of Kindness advent. I am going to do that with my 4 kids next year. You are amazing!
I so loving reading daily what you and the fabulous little Kelleys are doing for your random acts of kindness!! God is being glorified!
whitney pratt on FB
I am looking forward to spending lots of time this week with my brother and his girlfriend this week. They are in town from Portland for an early Christmas this week. We plan to be at my parents house as much as possible, drinking lots of coffee together, looking through the scrapbook i’m making of our old pics from growing up and hoping for lots of laughs and great conversations!
whitney pratt on FB
I love my key chain fob. Whenever I grab it I say a prayer for you and your family. God is at work.
I am glad you are doing your giveaways again! I have been so heartbroken reading your blogs. I have been and will continue to pray for you during this extremely difficult time. I recently lost a grandmother I was very, very close to. It is so, so hard, but I know it is nothing in comparison to what my mom is going through over the loss of her mom. I cannot imagine the pain, and I am so sorry you are going through it. God’s plan and His will are bigger and better than our own.. even when it isn’t what we would choose. I am praying that God’s grace for you will be so evident and present during this time. Praise the Lord you will see her again!
I am anxiously awaiting our family’s “Tennessee Christmas” in Gatlinburg this weekend!
I made a facebook status about the giveaway!
I just made a Twitter post as well! 🙂
I am deeply sorry for your loss. It is hard to loose a parent, trust me. I am interested in reading that book. My supervisor at work lost her baby son and is still greving, as my sister in the Lord I’m a source to her now. I would love to win this for her. May God continue to comfort you.
I am enjoying your RAK advent so much!! I also love the quote you used in this art piece!!
I tweeted about your giveaway! User name cmmama10!
Here’s my Facebook status
http://m.facebook.com/?_rdr#!/MamaBearKrissy?__user=771282627
I am so hopeful that God will allow our family foster another child soon! And one we can hopefully adopt!! I will miss our sweet Mia who we have had since July! PTL she will be going back to her mommy on the 23rd of this month!!
Entry #1: I love you Laura!!
Entry #2: I’m not currently looking forward to anything. I hate that, but I’m not. Just taking every day one day at a time!
I shared the giveaway on facebook!!!
Your blog inspires me to reach out to others more intentionally…
I am anticipating the great things that God keeps bringing my way 🙂
Love your random acts of kindness!!
So awesome!
Still praying for you and your family! The artwork for this giveaway is simply beautiful!
Praying for you sweetie!
I have enjoyed your random acts of kindness so much I plan to implement this with my family! Thanks for the inspiration!
I am prayerfully hopeful for a resolution to be met in my family this Christmas.
Laura, love what you and Josh are doing with your children and will be more organized next year to do that too, hopefully we will get in a couple “acts” yet this year. Continued prayers for you all.
Anticipating traveling to Ch*na in February to bring home a chubby cheeked cutie pie who will fit right in with her two big sisters! Praying your referral comes THIS month!
Karen D
your blog inspires me in so many ways! Thank u and im praying for u!
Love this canvas! Praying for your adoption!
We are waiting for our two little ones to come home from Africa….we’re hopeful it’ll be March!
Shared on facebook! 🙂
i stumbled onto your blog by way of pinterest. i love reading your blog even though it was a sad time in your life. you are still inspiring. love the random acts of kindness. can’t wait to do that with my children!
something i’m anticipating…moving back to my home town next year with my new family. i have a huge loving family and i miss them so much. it can’t come fast enough!!!!
shared on facebook! =)
shared on Facebook.
Thank you for being so open in how you are dealing with your loss. Keep depending on Christ!
I am currently hopeful that each member of my little family is on the mend & this is the last of the illness this winter! (ha!)
I tweeted your giveaway!
So glad you are feeling creative again! I know I don’t really know you but you have come to mind several times over the past 4 weeks and I have kept you in my prayers!
I am so very hopeful that 2012 is going to be a great (and better….best yet even) year for me. Praying it would be so.
I tweeted about your giveaway! 🙂
It is great to see you crafting again. 🙂 praying you experience peace & comfort.
I would LOVE to win one of your beautiful pieces to hang in my living room!!!!!!!
I am eagerly anticipating the arrival of our third child in the Spring. God is SO good!!!
This piece is gorgeous. It is my favorite of the ones I’ve seen so far.
Posted on my FB page.
Love it!!
My husband and I are waiting (im)patiently for our daughter to come home from Taiwan. We have been waiting for 8 months. It’s tough to think we may not get her in time for christmas.
Absolutely beautiful! Keeping you and your family in my prayers.
I also LOVED LOVED LOVED LOVED Bittersweet!
Random statement: you’re awesome!
I tweeted your giveaway.
And I am hopeful for an amazing marriage that will start this June! 🙂
I shared the giveaway on Facebook.
Love your work! Not only pretty and crafty, but thoughtful and truthful. 🙂
We are anticipating the arrival of baby #3 in May. 🙂
shared on facebook. 🙂
Shared it on Facebook!
Retweeted! @jstew51576
Sorry to hear about your mother, hope she is doing better!
I am anticipating spending the holidays at home with family. This is the first time in five years that we will be at my motherr’s house for Christmas Eve! She is super excited!
Laura, beautiful piece…as always! I have been praying for you and your family during this season. You may never know how many people you are ministering to on your blog. Thanks for sharing your world with us everyday! You are a gifted lady!
Shared on my Facebook Page. =)
We are also waiting to go get our boys from Uganda. We have only been waiting for 4 months but it is about to make me crazy!! I am not patient!
Just shared on FB!
Loved the piece! Your family and Marthas have been in our prayers. So hard to let go, give yourself some time and tears, and it does get better.
You do such amazing work!
You are an inspiration to all who read your post. Thank you. Your artwork is beautiful and touches many hearts.
Laura, Your blogs are so special to me. Thank you for bringing us on your life journey with you!
Hard to believe you’ve been waiting 12 months already. How awesome it will be when you finally have him in your arms and in your home!
Shared on Facebook!
Your artwork is inspiring!
I would LOVE to win your beautiful art!
I am anticipating family time over Christmas in the wonderful state of TN. We live in NC currently and I LONG for TN over the holidays 🙂
You have been on my heart and in my mind so much over the last few weeks. I have shared you blog with countless people, both before and since your mom’s passing. You story has caused me to consider how short life is, and how suddenly it can end. I am touched by the loving and close relationship you had with your mom. I am deeply saddened by the sudden end for it, for you and your beautiful family. And deeply effected by your strong faith and commitment to others despite loss and sadness. Much love to you and your family.
I put your giveaway on my facebook too!
My second entry is about the hope we have that our daughter’s adoption will be complete and she will be coming home with us after Christmas. She was supposed to come home with us in August and then in October. Then she was supposed to be home for Christmas. We just found out she will not be, so we will bring the family and Christmas to her. We come home on the 4th and pray that we will need one more plane ticket by then.
Entry #3, just shared on my FB page.
This art peice is beautiful! Yes, God is extraordinary, especially in our pain.
I am hopeful that I get to visit my Ugandan orphanage babies this summer! I am grateful that after cancer the Lord is making my dreams comes true!
Oh, this is such a fabulous canvas. When you’re taking orders again, I so want to order this. I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer this past year and this statement is so true. I also just wanted to say that I have prayed for you several times as I’ve read the posts about your mom. What a difficult journey.
I am hoping for a clear scan one of these days. So far chemo is not my friend.
Love the random act of kindness! Will have to do this next year.
We are hopeful that we will get our travel approval before Christmas so that we can travel to China in January to bring our son home!
Sharing on Facebook!
Thinking of you ❤
This is my entry #1 – I love this piece. And looking at it, in regard to the recent loss of your mom and all you have shared on your blog, this piece brought tears to my eyes.
I would love to win this for a family who is also waiting hopeful to bring their child home in march.
You and your story have so touched my heart.
Love your honesty and willingness to be real. Guess that’s why you have soooo many followers!
You are an amazing young lady who God is using in such a powerful way. Your words, wisdom, and actions impact lives daily. God has a plan for each of us and has provided us with special gifts. You have the gift of words and creativity. Sharing your life daily through the ups and downs has inspired, moved, and touched all of your followers in a positive way. Your kindness is contageous and your love of the Lord is unfaltering. God Bless you and your family.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5.
Entry 2- I am hopeful and look forward to the day I become not just a follower, but a winner of your amazing pieces. I never win anything, but am hopeful my time will come 🙂 DREAM BELIEVE ACHIEVE…Anything’s Possible!
Entry 3- I don’t have FaceBook, but if I did I would post it ! Does that count? 🙂 Well, while I’m confessing, I don’t have Twitter either!
You are such a blessing. I told my husband that I would like to grow and up and be you some day.
We are living every day in hope for our child to come home from Taiwan.
Raving about you on Facebook.
Laura, Your transparency during this time is both a challenge and a blessing to my life, as it is I am sure for others who faithfully follow your blog.
[…] 12 Months Waiting Art Giveaway ends in oh, about 2 hours. Check it […]
I anticipate God’s faithful blessing to shadow you as you continue to proclaim His goodness.
Facebook Compliant – 😉
I am hopeful that my plans of continued life improvement prove to be successful!
Loving the Random Acts…such creative ideas, hope to do this next year, we were thrown out of our routine with the birth of our second son 2 weeks ago. Love the giveaway and hope I win!
I want this.
I am hopeful that tomorrow we will get the results we are seeking on a test that our sweet baby boy has to have. My God is a good God and I know that his plan is perfect…it’s just sometimes hard to trust that, therefor I am working on changing that and being more hopeful. God Bless you and your family this Christmas season.
I know God hears my prayers…that gives me hope. Plus, I’m anticipating seeing you Saturday 🙂 . Love you guys…
I’m anticipating getting back to Iowa next week to see my mom who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. I’m hopeful in the truth that God has everything under control…even when I don’t understand.
Love your blog! Your family is so sweet, I love your acts of kindness advent calendar. I really want to start this up as a tradition!
[…] 12 Months Waiting Art Giveaway ends in oh, about 2 hours. Check it […]