#steffenfamilyadoption #giveaway #3333

I'm so excited about this. I'm excited because it's the first real giveaway on my blog, but more than that, I'm excited because it benefits an adoptive family that I love.

Meet the Steffens:


My sister Molly, her husband Jarod, and their two children, Marlee and Miles. Molly is not only a beloved sister, she's one of my very best friends. I could do a whole post on what an amazing example and friend Molly has been to me, but I'll save that for another time. For now, I want to focus on their upcoming adoption of a child from Colombia.

About a year ago, Molly and Jarod felt God leading them to bring another child into their family. They both realized that while they didn't desire to have another biological child, they had plenty of love to give. They were drawn to Spanish-speaking countries and found that even though adopting from Colombia had specific regulations (age, number of kids) they qualified perfectly. Thus they began the process of adopting a child age 1-4, boy or girl, from the South American country of Colombia.


Oh man, we can't wait to lay eyes on this precious little soul who The Lord ordained to be a part of their family--our family!

Something I've really appreciated about Molly and Jarod is their approach to paying for an international adoption. They are trusting God to provide. And not only that, I've watched them make personal financial sacrifices to accommodate the adoption expenses. I guess you could say I'm impressed with their dedication and stewardship. That being said, I would also love to help them out because I feel so strongly that they are doing a great thing by bringing an orphan into their family. So here's what I'm doing, along with my sisters, to raise money to help fund their adoption and bring their sweet child home...

It's simple really, if you make a donation of any amount (every bit helps!) to go towards the Steffen adoption, you'll be entered in to win one of FOUR AMAZING PRIZES! All you have to do is make the donation online or by check and then comment on this post or email me that you donated. Also, if you donate AND promote this giveaway on your blog or facebook, you can be entered in twice!



To donate, click the box above linked to the Lifesong for Orphans donation page. Fill in your info and then use #3333 for the family account number and Jarod/Molly Steffen for the family name.

You can also mail donations and put Steffen #3333 in the memo line.
Mail to:
Lifesong for Orphans
PO Box 40
Gridley, IL 61744


And now for the prizes... 

Myself and each of my sisters chose one thing to donate. Here's what we came up with:

Laura purchased these awesome Aveda products and will mail them to the winner! If you haven't used Aveda products before you are in for a treat! If you have, you understand why winning this prize would be so good. :)


Sara is donating a TOMS gift card! She will have the gift card mailed to you or email an e-card. So you'll have $50 to go towards shoes or eyewear! And as always, any TOMS purchase you make sends one of those items to someone in need.





Betsy bought this amazing messenger bag for the giveaway. And get this - it's called the Molly Messenger Bag - how cool. This is such a great company too - read below for more info!
Better Life Bags employs immigrant women (mostly from Iraq, Yemen and Palestine) in the Detroit, MI, area, who otherwise couldn't work. Also 10% of their profits are microloaned to entrepreneurs worldwide. More info: www.betterlifebags.com



















And finally, I'm entering in what I call the chocolate extreme package! DeBrands is a local chocolate factory that makes THE BEST chocolate. I'm serious. I dare you to find a better truffle! If you're local, I'll give you a gift card to use and if you're not, I'll mail you many delicious treats!




I told you these prizes were good!
Don't be a martyr! If you donate (or donate AND promote), let me know! Comment on the post, email me at emilygutwein@gmail.com, or message me on facebook. By the way, feel free to specify if there's a prize you would prefer or one you wouldn't want.

Thanks so much for blessing this great family and a child that might already have been born in Colombia and is waiting for a family!


*Giveaway runs until Wednesday, March 27! We will tally everything up and draw for prizes on the 28th and announce the winners on the 29th!

32 comments:

Sandra said...

this is pretty cool!! I had no idea Molly and Jared were adopting??? Where have I been??
How far along are they? On a wait list yet??

leah said...

yay! this wil be fun! :)

Amber said...

I also had no idea they were adopting but am so excited for their family. And while it would have been a joy to support them anyways . . .the giveaway makes it extra fun. : ) And from our own journey, I know having people like you, Em, to come along and encourage and walk the journey alongside them is such a blessing. It can feel so beyond you and satan loves to come and bring doubt . . .but God has humbled us with His provision from the body and I am confident Jared and Molly will see His same faithfulness. We'll be praying for them!

emilykate said...

Their paperwork has been submitted for a couple months so they're waiting. They anticipate a referral In a year or maybe less! I guess they haven't been talking too much about it yet so understandable that you wouldn't know!

Linda said...

Thanks for doing this girls :) Great prizes!

L, Ann and boys said...

Oh yeah! Put me in that drawing. I've only used the Lifesong link, so one entry so far...unless I get two for starting the comment with so much jubilation over the prizes. ;)

Christen Leigh said...

What a great idea! :)

J Gutwein said...

Yay.. I love Molly!

Daveana said...

This so exciting! :)

sarah.flyingkites said...

LOVE this idea, this post, this adoption, these prizes!! So fun!

You will be hearing from me soon :)

lisajanelle said...

Love the update on Jared and Molly. I'm excited for the addition.

-John and Amy said...

This is so exciting! John and I looked at adopting from Colombia for a short period of time.

We donated!

Matt & Jess Braham said...

First time visiting your blog, Em. : ) What a great idea! The prizes definitely fit each of your personalities--love that.

Unknown said...

I saw this on Sarah F's blog (Flying Kites) and was excited to donate! My sister and brother-in-law went through Lifesong for their adoption ... they are in the Marshall Islands right now picking up their little girl!! What a great idea to do a giveaway! I wish we had thought of something so creative! My prayers are with your sister and her family.(If by chance my name is drawn, I would love the chocolates or the bag! =)

Raquel said...

found this through sarah's blog and wanted to help you in your adoption! blessings!

Jon y Amy said...

Hey, great idea! I posted and we gave.:) Love this initiative.

Nichole said...

What a great thing to do for your sister :) I posted on my blog, as well as facebook. Love to share the news!
nicholeinantwerp.blogspot.com

L, Ann and boys said...

One more entry for me, I finally got it posted on facebook. :)

The Ringgers said...

Found this link on Sarah F's and Amy G's blog. This is a great idea and I'm sure they appreciate the support! We are excited for their family! I'm sending in a check today.

Kate Levy said...

Such a fun idea! Love being able to help them bring their third child home!
I just mailed a check!

Mindy said...

Yay for Jarod and Molly!! I didn't know they were adopting either! SO exciting!

I just donated!

Mindy said...

And I shared on facebook. :)

Molly said...

Jarod and I are completely humbled and so grateful for everyone's kind words - both said and spread! It is a huge honor to have such wonderful friends and family...with blogs and face book accounts:). Thank you so many times over!

Becca said...

I don't know Jarod or Molly but read about them on Jon and Amy's blog. God has something great planned for their wonderful family! I both donated and shared on facebook.

Heather Leigh Furrer said...

Yay! Didn't know they were looking to adopt, but so happy for them! They are amazing parents and any child will be so lucky to have them help guide them through this world. I also shared on my fbook page to help spread the word. Good Luck!

J and M said...

Hey Em! This is such an awesome idea! I just love everything about this. I'm sending a check today from Jeremy and I and will post on facebook as well since that is where I found the post.

alisonsutter said...

This is so great! You probably don't know me, but Jarod is my husbands first cousin...and we love their family! I posted it on FB as well as donated toward this great cause. Thanks for doing this! (And I'm drooling over the Toms card...)

Anonymous said...

We will send a check to Lifesong for Jarod and Molly's adoption. We are excited for the Steffen family and love your blog post give-a-way idea Emily.

Julie said...

Mol has been--and continues to be--one of my dearest friends:) I agree with you--I could say a lot about all she's taught me:) Jarod and Mol--we can't wait to meet your newest son/daughter! Much love from SC.

We donated:)

And Em--now I need to try to catch a glimpse of your cute kid in older posts:)

Julie said...

Em--your little guy is so darling:) Congratulations!!

Tonya said...

Emily - Love this idea!
I posted on FB and just got done donating... Can't wait to meet the newest Steffen, and will be praying for your family! Love being able to be a part of this, even in just a tiny little way.

Amber said...

Posted on facebook and donated. : )