Lots of Links

Do you like books?  Looking for a unique gift for one of your loved ones?  Wondering what to buy the person who had everything?  I have some links and recommendations for you!! I promise you won't be disappointed.

My sweet friend, Marci, wrote a family devotional, Advent: A Family Guide to Savoring Christ in Christmas
I've been looking for a good one for our family for years, so I'm really excited about trying this out this year. And it's not too late to start, especially since it comes in a downloadable version that you can have instantly.  Plus, here is the bonus... all of the profits go to help fund the two adoptions they completed this year.  I got to meet both of their children in Uganda.  It was a privlege to play a very small part in their adoptions and it warms my heart to see their family all together.



Marci and her family on  her recent homecoming with her baby girl. 
Don't mind the blurs... it's hard to get a pic of that many all being still and looking at the camera. ;)

My friend, Jodi, and her daughter, Agnes, just wrote a book about the ins and outs of older child adoption, Fasten Your Sweet Belt.  It's a great resource for those at any stage in the process.  Jodi and her husband adopted three children from Uganda last year.  Jodi has been a huge encouragement to me all through out our process and she is a huge advocate for adoption.  She is even the chairperson for "Orphan Sunday" sponsored by Christian Alliance for Orphans.  I count it a privelege to call her my friend.  Now go buy her book!

I love the idea of shopping with a purpose.  I love supporting small businesses, good causes, fair trade, and also picking up very cute and unique gifts.  I thought of doing a whole list of my favorite sites, but several of my friends beat me to it.  So, I thought I would instead just post links to their posts.  Plus they all have great stories and blogs that you should check out anyway.

First up is a list from Love.  She has lots of beautiful items on here that I would love to have.  Anyway, her blog must be cool, c'mon, her name is Love.

LoraLynn, though on bedrest, homeschooling, and caring for her 6 children, found the time to once again do her list of gifts that also help fund adoptions.  Check it out here: Home For Christmas 2011

I loved reading about how my friend, Kim, and her family challenged each other to give gifts with purpose. She's compiled a fun list with all different kinds of items and places where you can make a donation. If you are in the process of adopting, I also think you should check out some of her recent posts on their adoption.  Her writing is beautiful, her honesty is refreshing, and her love story with her son is a joy to watch.

My friend, Rachel, came up with her own list.  Actually two lists... here is the 2nd list..  Lots of great things on here to help people all over the world.  Rachel is a huge advocate for fair trade, so she really knows her stuff.

And Kristen at Rage Against the Minivan also wrote a great list.  I love some of the things on this list.

Do you have your own list or item for sale? Leave a comment with a link.  I challenge each of you this year to buy at least one gift with a purpose.  It's one simple way to add more meaning to your Christmas season this year.