Post by guest blogger and host mom, Lindsay Hill

A year ago, today, I was a very different person. I struggled with fear and with what people thought about me.  I worried constantly about doing enough, being enough, finding enough to be truly happy. The abundant life, the peace, the joy I was promised seemed elusive. Things were, you know, fine. But I didn’t feel full of purpose. I had dreams that didn’t seem to make sense, and I felt a bit resigned to an ordinary existence.

And then I stumbled across a crazy, far-fetched opportunity: invite a child into my home for four weeks. Open up my heart to a child without a mother and show her love. Step out of my comfort zone to show care for someone without comfort. Dig down deep to the bedrock of my beliefs to see if I trusted God enough to make this happen. Challenge my perception of the world, of my God, of myself.

Well, they don’t exactly advertise life transformation on the New Horizons for Children website.  But when I started to read about how you could host an orphan in your home for four weeks at Christmas, I was immediately hooked. I read through that entire website–every page, every link–in one night. I was overwhelmed with fear but also with excitement. I KNEW this was something that God brought to my attention. He hadn’t given me a fascination with Eastern Europe for nothing. I was the child who had written a research paper on the fall of the Russian Romanov dynasty in sixth grade, after all. I had the chance to travel to Russia twice in high school and in college on missions trips.

And God had been awakening my heart to the needs of the people in the former USSR ever since. Two years before, I bawled my eyes out while reading Adopted for Life–of two little boys being carried out of their orphanage into the sunlight for the very first time in their lives. Their new parents tried to reassure them they would be safe and cared for, but they knew nothing but the dirt and stench and neglect in a Soviet-style institution. The year after that, I sat in the women’s conference at church, hearing about the horrors of human trafficking, astonishingly prevalent in Eastern Europe.

And ever since that day, one year ago today, that God showed me how to make a difference in the world, I have been different. I can honestly say that in this last year, I have prayed more prayers, fasted more meals, dug deeper into Scripture, and experienced more miracles than I ever have in my life. I found a divine purpose in my life: to change the world by changing the life of a girl from the other side of the world.

Now, a new chapter lies before us: another step, a greater challenge. Although fear and worry threaten to overwhelm me at times, I look at my life a year ago today, and I say,

“Lord, I will go where you lead me.”

I want to be the person God created me to be–someone completely dependent on Him, totally trusting in His grace and love, willing to step out of the boat in “the great unknown, where feet may fail.”

I pray a year from now, I can show you all a picture of M, not simply visiting, but home. For now I cannot imagine life without her!

“But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, ‘Abba, Father.’” (Galatians 4:4-6)

It’s hard to believe, but Christmas is coming.
Don’t think so? Just go to WalMart.

The staff and volunteers of NHFC are elbow deep in the matching process for the upcoming winter hosting programs. We are now serving orphans from FOUR countries- Latvia, Ukraine, China and most recently, The Philippines and they’ll ALL be here for Christmas.

The good news: We’ve matched quite a few kids with host families. We’re REALLY excited about that!

The bad news: There are still A LOT of kids who need (yes, I said NEED) a host family this Christmas.

Matching for China and The Philippines ends in 2 weeks, Latvia and Ukraine a couple of weeks after that.

So what’s the big deal? It’s not like bringing an orphan over for Christmas is going to change the world, right? It’s a happy kind of life experience for them… presents, Christmas trees, caroling, cookies, maybe some snow….

Why should I pay for them to have a sweet little vacation when my kids are growing so fast they need new clothes every other week, the car needs new tires and we just had to replace the hot water heater?
Besides, we tithe at church, support the youth group as well as other local charities.

These kids are half a world away- why are they MY problem?
Where are THEIR paren……oh.

I can’t afford to send MY kids on a European vacation. Why should I spend my hard earned money on some kid I don’t even know?
If they’re so needy, where is their chur…… oh.

Look, our schedule is CRAZY over Christmas. We’ve got school concerts, parties, gift exchanges, family to visit plus family coming here. I just don’t see how we have time to spend on an orphan.
If they’re so lonely, where is their fam….. oh.

I admire what you’re doing, I really do. But it’s just not for me. I don’t think I could “love” a stranger. Especially one who doesn’t speak English.
This is someone else’s job. Not mine.

Besides, we kind of had plans to take a big family vacation this next summer. We can’t blow that money on a kid we don’t know. I mean, sure… if a friend really needed the money, I’d lend it to them… but they’d pay me back. And even if they COULDN’T right away… that’s different. It’s a friend.

I’m not here to cast stones.
I’m not here to lay a guilt trip on anyone.
I’m not asking you to blow your budget.
I’m not here to step on toes. Well, maybe just a little.

We have kids on the photolisting from all four countries who NEED to come for hosting. I can’t say it any plainer than that.

They NEED to come.
They NEED to be loved.
They NEED to see Jesus.
They NEED to be accepted.
They NEED to be blessed.
They NEED to be covered in prayer.
They NEED to be well fed and clothed.
They NEED to be safe.
They NEED to be chosen.
They NEED to be a part of a loving, functional family

Even if it’s only for 4-5 weeks.

Hosting is not for everyone.
But we have families who are ready and willing to host who can’t afford it all on their own.

Could you offer a partial scholarship on a waiting child to help get them hosted?

Could you sign up now for our monthly giving program and start building a scholarship fund for the summer 2014 host program?

Could your church or small group choose a child (or two or three) to place a partial scholarship on?

Hosting may not be for you.
Or it may not be for you RIGHT NOW.

Either way, you can still make a tremendous difference.

Don’t assume someone else will give.

You just may be the “someone else” God has in mind to help work a Christmas miracle.

post by guest blogger and host mom,  Lindsay Hill

“WHO is on the other side of your obedience?” Nancy Alcorn

Here is how some simple steps of obedience have impacted the lives of others:
Our family signed up to host because another family was selling books on a home school forum to raise money for their hosting fees.
That same mama was praying that Anya would be hosted.

She was a part of the answer to her own prayer.

When we signed up to host, I started praying that other families in our area (and specifically from our church) would host.
There was another mama from my church whom I had never met, who couldn’t host last Christmas, but she was praying that other people from our church would host.
Her family hosted this summer.

We were part of the answers to each others prayers.

There was another mama that saw Anya’s picture and wanted to host her—but we signed up first! She continued to pray for Anya, that God’s will would be done in her life. Her family hosted another little girl this summer because of Anya. I met this mama by “chance” via Facebook.

Now we are both praying for two little girls on the other side of the ocean.

Today yet another mama emailed me and said her family had signed up to host this Christmas because of a blog post I had written.

None of these actions in themselves are overwhelmingly earth-shattering. But when we take a step of obedience, God steps into the miraculous.
We give our loaves and fishes to Jesus, and He satisfies thousands.

As fearful as being obedient can be, I am more afraid to NOT obey—what miracle might I miss?

I want to lean in close and hear my Father’s heart beat.

New Horizons for Children is excited to offer a new way to give!

We’ve been so very blessed by our many supporters – those who have been with us for a number of years as well as those who are just learning about NHFC. We’ve served thousands of orphans since 2002 – which would not have been possible without your prayers and financial support. As we continue to grow and expand, your continued generosity is more important than ever before.  We know there are a lot of choices when it comes to charitable giving, and we want to make it easy (and rewarding) for you to continue to support our mission.

It’s easy! Just fill out a simple online form and we’ll take care of the rest. Whether you are only able to give once, or can commit to donating on a monthly basis, egiving.com makes it easy, safe and convenient for you to support your favorite ministry… US!!

Click here to sign up now!   https://connect.egiving.com/agape-fund/new-horizons-for-children-inc

Any who choose to sign up for the monthly giving program at any amount by November 1st will receive a thank you gift of our choosing. Thank you!

In addition, the first 25 supporters who choose a monthly donation of $75 or more, we would like to offer one of the following thank you gifts (your choice):

• Thomas Kinkade Limited Edition Charity Print, “Sunset Over Riga, Latvia” (16″ X 20″)
• Sterling silver Starfish necklace and earrings set
• Hand painted Chinese scroll adorned with Biblical scripture

We have the following options in place so you can direct where your donation is used:

• General scholarship for China, Latvia or Ukraine
• General scholarship for a sibling group
• Where most needed (we will use the funds where the need is greatest)

For all scholarship donations, we will place the money on a child (or children) who might otherwise be overlooked for hosting because of age, special needs or other circumstance. Time and time again it has been proven that the children with scholarships have a greater chance of being chosen than the ones who don’t. Our goal is for ALL of our offered host children to experience the love of family and the love Christ – and with your monthly donation, you can help us reach that goal.

Something you may not know about NHFC is that we’re involved with far more than just our own hosting program. We support other important missions around the world as well. Below is a short list of where we’ve been, where we are and where we’re headed.

We hope you’ll prayerfully consider taking advantage of this new way of continued giving.

The Lord is truly doing amazing things through New Horizons for Children and we have a lot to be thankful for.
Thank you for being His hands and feet and partnering with us!

by guest blogger Veldorah Rice

Every day at 10am, I find myself in a different online world. Facebook no longer matters…well, not the American version. I log into the version used in Soccerboy’s country. And then I wait. And wait.

He is just coming home from school.

How was your day? Are the teachers nice? Ja, ja. Lots of emoticons. Kisses. Pictures of cars.

I’ve been trying to connect over Skype with him, but trying to get an account name from a nine-year-old is proving to be rather difficult.

He’s not there every day. He’s not always interested in spending a lot of time talking with me. He’s nine, after all.

And I can’t be there every day either. But the more we talk, the faster the emails fly, even when we are offline.

Building relationships across an ocean is hard. Two languages. Lots of translating and clarifying. Rules about access to computers that I don’t understand.

Some of my friends are lucky—their host children have cell phones. But even then, communication can be difficult. Some call the orphanages and foster homes. I haven’t done that yet. I sure would like to hear his voice, though.

And others of my friends face different challenges. Their host children can’t read or write. Communication isn’t possible to certain orphanages. They send gifts and hope they are delivered, but may never get confirmation.

And I am finding that even my American Facebook isn’t so American anymore. My wall is filled with statuses about a successful chat or a message that needs to be translated or a terrifying fear that needs prayer.

“My host daughter ran away from her home and won’t go back. She says she’s really hungry.”

“My host son’s phone broke and I can’t reach him.”

“I chatted with my host children today and they asked me how long until Christmas.”

“What does this message mean?” –-“I miss you and I dream about you.”

“My host son has his interview for a student visa and he is nervous. Please pray. Update: he’s coming! Next week!”

“To —- : my host daughter told me to let you know that your host son got his gift and loved it!”

And so, so many posts about adoption. Failing. Succeeding. A child who says no but might say yes if they were hosted one more time. A child who says yes, but her sibling says no. A no that, with a message of “come get me,” is suddenly a yes.

I have always known the scripture “Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep” and have applied it in many different circumstances. But I have not known its richness until now. From one status to the next I am weeping and then rejoicing.

It is hard to explain what this world looks like to those who are not in it. I don’t know how to be in social situation and say, “I’m so sorry, but I cannot speak right now without crying. My friend’s host son is contemplating returning to his abusive father. My dear ones are hurting because their host daughter is running from everyone who wants to help her.

My heart is not here. It is an ocean away today.”

And I stand alone, knowing that perhaps it looks odd. Perhaps they don’t understand how a child I’ve never met is overcoming my heart. How my friends across the country, friends whom I may also have never met, are the ones who have my attention today.

And tomorrow, I may jauntily break into a smile, because other friends are packing their suitcases for a trip to bring a soon-to-be-daughter home.

I began this journey nine months ago, hoping to expand my world and reach out to people—children, a child—outside of my little corner. I wanted to make my space bigger. I wanted to do what I could within the boundaries of my everyday to live with an eye on something eternal. I knew I was hexagonal and I wanted to celebrate that. Joy in the not-fitting.

And I’ve found that through this process, I have been revealed. All of my corners are coming into sharper relief–both the good and the bad. I am less good at pretending to be round. I have lost some of the holes I used to squish myself into.
Praying.But I am more myself, too. And I’ve found others who are discovering their own spaces, too. None of us know where it will end for each of us, what stories we will have to tell from the journey. But we keep working, pushing forward. Hacking. Discarding. Embracing.

It’s a lonely business, this straddling of two worlds. Painful. The losses can be terribly debilitating some days.

But it’s rich business, too. Rewarding. The faith-building can be overwhelmingly amazing some days.

And so we live here. And we fear. And we rejoice. And we cry. And we hope. And we persevere. And we despair.

But through all of it we love. We love across an ocean.

We love with a love that knows no height nor depth. Some days, it feels so small and so weak. But it is enough.

It has to be.

We love.

We must love.

It is the one thing that will always cross oceans and carry us all.

Written by guest blogger, Dorah Rice

Yesterday, I went to the county fair with some good friends. While waiting for our boys to get off a ride, my friend’s 11-year-old daughter was entertaining us. Speaking with a spot-on Eastern European accent, she was saying all the favorite English words of the boy I hosted this past summer.

And then we all joined in. Imitating his enjoyment of ramen noodles, his dislike of ice water, his obsession with bananas and all things monkey.

We were in stitches. The 11-year-old is able to get all of his inflections and mannerisms just right. And it’s bittersweet to see the shadow of this boy I love flicker across the face of another.

But the joy. The celebration of what a little boy did in our hearts. The happiness that existed there, standing in a muddy field next to a cheap carnival ride with the alternating wafts of funnel cakes and the cow barn tingeing the air.

And my friend looked at me, and laughed, and said, “If anyone heard us right now, they would think we were crazy!”

And I thought: I don’t care. And I knew that she didn’t either. Because we were missing someone, and in that moment, reminiscing about him reminded me how changed I really was.

It’s hard to believe that just eight months ago, I was in the same place as many of you reading this right now. I saw the need of so many children, so many hurting souls. I wanted to do something. But what?

I knew the statistics for Eastern European orphans. I knew 60% of the aged-out girls fell into or were forced into prostitution; that 70% of the aged-out boys ended up involved in crime; that 15% of them would attempt suicide before aging out because of what they are facing. And that when they said “aging out” they were talking about 16 year olds. Babies.

But what could I do? I was just one person. I had limited resources, but a heart ready to see how God could use me. Was that enough? I told a few people about this program, and they encouraged me to go for it. I knew I would have to fundraise, but I was convinced I needed to step out in faith.

And then I took that next step and looked at pictures. And I saw him. Nine years old. His sweet face. His mischievous smile. I should have known then my life would never be the same.

Months of anticipation and preparation commenced. I did do fundraising, and when I needed the money, it was there. My faith was built with each step I took.

Then he arrived. And it was awkward those first few days. It wasn’t quite what I expected.

It was better.

That little monkey was a performer, and at times keeping up was exhausting. It wasn’t easy. He didn’t fit into the picture of my life the way I thought he would. But he filled it with more color and texture than I ever thought possible. Every day was an adventure. One of his favorite things to do was to loudly sing American music. There’s nothing quite like a trip to the grocery store with a boy hanging off your cart who suddenly breaks out a “You Can’t Touch This!” solo for the old ladies in the aisle. And the laugh at the end…the laugh he couldn’t contain because he was so happy to be singing. That was the best part. Well, that and the looks on the faces of the old ladies.

I remember the first day he felt free to sing. That moment in my kitchen when he said with “Gangnam Style” that he was ready to be himself. How I laughed. How his dance moves became more exaggerated with my every expression of joy in him.

Some days were harder than others. He and my biological son (also nine) would bicker terribly at times. Trying to mediate a fight when both boys are dramatically miming how near to death they came at the hands of the other was both highly amusing and terribly trying, depending on the day.

But what I found was that he quickly became part of our family. His comfort in sharing both excitement and complaint showed how much he felt at home as well. And our time together was filled with many firsts, lots of hugs, a few tears, but much laughter.

And it was hard to send him home, not knowing when or if we would see one another again. But I wouldn’t change it.

It turns out that it wasn’t about making his life better. It was about coming alongside him and entwining our lives together so that we would all be better, and stronger, and kinder, and more loved. He changed us as much as we did him. That’s what love does.

And the best part of it was that I discovered that it wasn’t just my immediate family that was affected. I found a whole community of like-minded people in NHFC. The support in the organization is remarkable. Some families had a dream hosting. Others struggled. And there were cheers for the joy, encouragement in the struggle, and friendship freely given.

I thought MY family was reaching out to this ONE child. And that happened. But through this community, I was part of the story of so many other children as well. I was not alone.

And because of that, I was able to reach out to my own local community. Other families I know are considering hosting, or are supporting those of us who are financially. Suddenly it’s not just little me facing a terrible problem, feeling helpless. It’s an army, standing against the broken things in this world, stretching out their arms in love to children who may not have seen it in a family before.

It’s two crazy ladies laughing at a county fair as an 11-year-old channels a little monkey who lives an ocean away.

This Christmas, my friend is hoping to host the same little boy that I did. His energy touched a woman who had never considered hosting or adoption before, and she was captivated.

As the winter matching season begins, consider being captivated. Consider loving someone you don’t know yet. Consider being entwined. It is work. But it is work that harvests joy.

I’ve heard more than one wise person say, “Your perception of your Heavenly Father is greatly influenced by the experience you had with your earthly father.” I believe it to be a true statement in many ways. Countless abandoned children are unable to place their trust in a Heavenly Father for fear He might leave them, let them down, not have their best interest at heart, or not really love them or value them. After all, this is what so many children experienced from their earthly fathers.

Host Fathers have the incredible, amazing opportunity to give a child a tiny window into how their Heavenly Father truly loves them. Host Dads have a profound and incalculable impact… dare I say even more so than host moms. Most orphanages and schools have workers and teachers who are all women. Men are just not around as much. Being showered with the love of a Dad is a precious gift. Fathers have the chance to re-write the script and paint a new picture of what God’s love actually looks like.

So on this Father’s Day, we would like to recognize the past, present, and future Host Dads who step up to the plate and love these kids. They are our heroes, and we are so proud and honored to serve alongside these amazing men.

Thank you, Men, for being willing to father the fatherless and live out the unconditional love of God to your host children.

This video is a tribute to the amazing fathers of New Horizons For Children…

Here is a great way to further support the mission of New Horizons For Children and help spread the word of what we do! The shirts are also what your host children will travel in both arriving to the USA and when flying back home! It is really cool for the host families to consider ordering shirts that match their host child!

All Hosting T-Shirts proceeds go directly back to helping bring more orphans on a trip of a lifetime to America to live in a functional family and learn about our savior Jesus Christ. Fill out and submit the form below, the order will be prepped and sent once payment has been received.

Checks should be made out to “New Horizons For Children” and sent to: New Horizons For Children 3950 Cobb PKWY, Suite 708 Acworth, GA 30101

Click here to submit an order online!

It has been a frenzy of activity here at NHFC as we have reached the signup deadline for the Summer 2013 hosting season!

Now that 4 months of signup, child matching, phones ringing off the hook, and a frenzy of paperwork are winding down, I find myself looking through the list of amazing families and the precious children they have chosen to host who are about to have a life changing summer. I just can’t wipe the smile off my face as I learn of the stories of these families and children! I want to share a few with you so you can see what I can CLEARLY see… the unmistakeable sovereign hand of God Who is actively working out His will on this earth through willing hearts.

Maksims and Dmitrijs have been offered for hosting MULTIPLE times and never chosen. It was very heartbreaking. But after speaking to the family who saw them and chose them this season, I am truly convinced God was waiting for this perfect match. I can’t wait to see what will unfold!

Catrina says… “I had heard about NHFC but said it wasn’t for my family. Saw a picture of a certain boy and my heart changed. It has been reaffirmed he is the boy for us over and over again. Soon I get to meet a piece of my heart I didn’t know was missing!!!”

Sherri says… “6 months ago our 12 year old said he felt God calling him to missions, specifically caring for orphans overseas. He couldn’t fathom why he would sense this from God knowing his medical disabilities prevent him from flying, and he has a very limited diet that cannot be matched outside this country. We told him God knows what He’s doing and to be open and wait for God to show him the rest. So we prayed for God to reveal the rest and through multiple avenues God led us to NHFC. Here we are serving orphans from overseas right in our own living room!!! God is so cool!”

Danielle says… “Asking for help and donations is hard. It is humbling. I’m a person who loves to give, but it is hard for me to take or ask for something. I wrote an email with our hosting needs and sent it to a few friends. Within a minute I had a dentist call me to offer services free of charge. I had someone contact me about an eye Dr, and they are not only providing services but also a translator. When I told the person scheduling the appointment about what we were doing they started sobbing on the phone and thanking us for letting them meet this beautiful boy. And in the last two days I’ve had people I barely know, one who I just met this morning, provide gift cards to cover his needs while he is here. Humbled. Blessed. And so in love with my God right now.”

Mary Ann says… “We’ve been trying to become foster parents for over a year and a half, with still no license. We’ve prayed about it with our small group because I felt there was a reason God was putting up so many road blocks. My brother and his wife introduced us to NHFC, and we immediately identified not one but two children that touched our hearts. After a call to our coordinator she explained the siblings we chose were already selected for hosting….but, the family had called an hour earlier and could not host. The kids we available after all. With so many road blocks with the foster care system, God has opened the doors to hosting. Nothing has felt so right and I know it is God leading the way.”

Kristi says… “I’ve been stalking NHFC for a couple of years and always thought it would be something I would do when I was not ‘the overwhelmed mom of 3.’ I came to realize that we just need to DO it. Now we have a teen boy coming here this summer! We raised all the money we needed within 9 days of our first email sent. It is one thing to read all the amazing ways the Lord provides for orphan hosting and adoptions; it is a totally different thing to actually live through it yourself. We were overwhelmed, amazed, and thankful to watch the Lord work this out for us in a really spectacular way.”

70 Chinese orphans, 150 Latvian orphans, and 116 Ukrainian orphans are coming to spend the summer with a host family! So, in all God has provided families and funds for 336 orphans to come to the USA this summer! Keep in mind that most of them are either school age or handicapped children… who would otherwise go on living in anonymity and never be given this amazing opportunity to be known and loved by a family!

“Every number has a name. Every name has a story. And EVERY story matters to God.”

We are so thrilled to celebrate these 336 precious treasures and the host families who, I believe, are about to have a life changing summer!

Imagine all the things a mother does for her children…she feeds them, nurtures them, loses sleep over them, reads to them, chauffeurs them to and from activities, prays with them, snuggles with them, does their laundry, cheers for them at their sporting events, the list could go on and on.

In honor of all the precious little ones who wait for a mother to love them,  New Horizons for Children asks you to join us as we celebrate the everyday ways moms bless our lives. Each day, as we count down to Mother’s Day we will mention an amazing thing that Moms do for their children and share a way you can donate. Give in honor of your own mother, give to honor those without a mother, give to honor a special woman in your life who has “mothered” you! We have set a Challenge goal of  $1000 and need your help to reach it! Together our contributions will add up to BIG things for some precious ones who desperately need to be mothered!

** to make a donation to NHFC, look for the PayPal button in the right sidebar.

May 6- Today’s number is 72

Today all of us staff and volunteers received heartbreaking news when we found out that instead of only one week left to find host families for the remaining kids we only have days.

Today’s number is 72. There are 72 kids left on our list that need Moms this summer.

We still have a $500 grant that is available to be used on one of the “E” children. We are asking God to please match that, and not just for one more child but for each single child and sibling set. We believe He can do the impossible! PLEASE consider joining us in prayer and giving. These kids are so worth it!

May 5- Today’s number is 153,000

153,000 REPRESENTS (ROUGHLY) THE NUMBER OF LICENSED/CERTIFIED/APPROVED KINSHIP AND NON-RELATIVE FOSTER HOMES NATIONWIDE. You don’t have to have biological kids to be called “mom”. So today we honor those women who daily love and care for the children of others’.  Whether you’re the foster mom of 1 or of 8… or you’re unofficially helping to raise kids who’s own parent’s are struggling; you’re doing a mighty work– and we’re mighty grateful! In honor of the “non-biological” moms countless numbers of us have, please consider making a $15.30 donation to NHFC. Together, our donations will provide scholarships for some very special children who have yet to be chosen for hosting; waiting to be chosen and waiting for an “unofficial” mom to show them just how special they are.

May 4- Today’s number is 12.

Touch is the first sense to develop in the womb and the last sense to leave in old age. It is essential to the health and well being of a person’s emotional, physical and mental development. It is so vital, in fact, that therapist and author Virginia Satir stated that human beings need four hugs a day for survival, eight hugs a day for maintenance and 12 HUGS  DAY FOR GROWTH. Today’s number is 12. Please consider a small donation of $12.00 to NHFC and remember how vitally important heathy physical touch is to our hurt children.

May 3- Today’s number is 16.9.

There’s some math involved here, so bear with me. 16.9 REPRESENTS THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF HOURS SPEND IN LABOR. (This mom had WAAAAY more than than, but who’s counting?!) In the US, the average # of kids-per-family is 2.6. For EACH child, a woman spent an AVERAGE of 6.5 hours in labor. So 2.6×6.5=16.9.  Regardless of how much time YOUR mom spent in labor, you can THANK HER by giving a small $16.90 donation to NHFC. That amount- multiplied by many- can help give an orphaned child  the summer of their life- with mom… who even though no “labor” was involved- will still love that precious child as her own.

May 2- Today’s number is 16.

 May 1- Today’s number is 12.

12 REPRESENTS THE NUMBER OF MONTHS IN A YEAR. No matter what the day or season, moms enrich our lives in countless ways. As a child, it could have been a summer picnic in the backyard or a winter snowball flight. Maybe it was taking a walk in the fall and crunching leaves along the way or exclaiming over the dandelions you picked, and putting them in a vase for all to see. As adults, maybe its a note in the mail, or a favorite childhood meal when coming to visit. No matter the age, no matter the stage– we ALL need a mom. In honor of the many, many ways moms make our lives better, please consider a small $12 donation to NHFC. That little amount- multiplied by many- can help an orphaned child thrive under the love, care, nurture and attention from a MOM that they so desperately need.

 April 30-  Today’s number is 8.

8 REPRESENTS THE RECOMMENDED HOURS OF SLEEP (PER NIGHT) A MOM TO SUPPOSED TO GET. Packing lunches, paying bills, checking homework, kids missing curfew, folding clothes or spending some much needed quiet time with the Lord- often that recommended 8 hours just doesn’t happen.  If you have a mom who’s ever stayed up past HER bedtime to make a last minute batch of chocolate chip cookies for the school bake sale; consider making a small $8 donation to NHFC. That little amount- multiplied by many- will give an orphaned child an experience they’ll never forget. Soft, gooey, oven-warmed chocolate chip cookies– with Mom.

April 29- Today’s number is 5.

5 REPRESENTS THE NUMBER OF MEALS (AND SNACKS) THAT ARE PREPARED WITH CARE BY MANY MOMS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY. Whether it’s a bowl of cereal and a hug, or a special note in a school lunchbox, it’s all served with a healthy dose of LOVE.  If you have a mom who made mealtime special, consider making a small $5 donation today to NHFC. That little amount- multiplied by many- will help an orphaned child experience many family dinners…. all served with LOVE.