Hopeful Heart Giveaway

Isn’t hope an unusual thing?  I find it peculiar in so many ways and also absolutely necessary to survive.  Life is just bumpy and wild and sometimes completely unpredictable.  And when you think life is hard, sometimes something comes along and you think…maybe life wasn’t that hard before.  Loosing my mom was crazy hard…still is.  It’s a constant battle and I know everyone heals and deals in their own way, but for me it’s been a battle.  I choose to fight daily on behalf of myself and my joy and my family.  I tell myself a lot…be brave Laura…just be brave.

I have a new obsession with boats and ships and vessels…or whatever you would like to call them…and hearts.  Two weeks from today our family will venture out into more uncharted waters.  Amon will be having open heart surgery to try and repair a rare heart defect he has.  The surgery is estimated at 6 hours long and he’ll be in the hospital around 2 weeks for recovery.  I hope you’re ready for some blog posts about hospital food.  At this point the doctors have no clue if this will be the only surgery or if there will be more to come…like I said, uncharted waters.

A while back The Reinard Family emailed me and asked if they could send me one of their adoption tees.  I do love a good t-shirt, so I was super thrilled about the offer.  I had completely forgotten about it until Friday when a package showed up in our mailbox.  I was actually pulling out of our driveway and I jumped out to check the mail.  I got back in the van and opened the package immediately…I love mail and am pretty impatient when it comes to mail with my name on it 🙂  I sat right there in our van and had a good hard cry.  I love this shirt.  I love the verse and the hope that is embedded in the words and I love the little heart balloon.  He IS doing a new thing…He IS making a way.

So I am a bit on the nervous side, but I know God went before us throughout our entire process to Amon and I am holding onto BIG hope that He’s just not quite done yet.  Sometimes I do want to curl up in the fetal position and cry and rock myself back & forth, but I quickly realize…what good will that do myself, Amon or anyone.  So instead we’re taking great joy in the fact that Amon is home and that we have access to amazingly amazing doctors who are going to do their best for our boy.  That is truly something to celebrate.  And we’re holding onto hope…big, big hope.  And if you wouldn’t mind praying just a bit more for Amon, oh how we would so appreciate it.

So two weeks from today we will be starting a new journey…heading out into some new unknowns and braving the high seas, but I feel like our boat is pretty darn strong…and our captain, well, He commands the waves.

Today is definitely a hopeful heart kind of giveaway and up for grabs is this 11×14 Hold Onto Hope canvas and one of the Reinard family tees…winner can choose their shirt size and the canvas and tee will be mailed directly to you.

Here’s how you enter:

Please leave a separate comment on this post for each entry.

Entry #1 Head over to the Reinard’s Family blog…take a look around, leave a message of encouragement, buy a tee or just make a donation.  The tees are so very rad…I highly suggest you purchase one.

Entry #2  Leave a comment…any ole’ hopeful comment will do.  Maybe something you are holding onto hope for or a time when you were…or even a hopeful scripture.  Surprise me…I love to hear your stories.

Entry #3 Subscribe to PPA to receive posts by email.  Check out the right side bar and enter your email address under Email Subscription

Entry #4 Share the giveaway on your personal Facebook status or become a fan of PPA on Facebook HERE

Again, please leave a separate comment on this post for each entry.

Giveaway will end this Friday, August 31st at midnight and I will announce the winner on Saturday.  Goodies will be mailed directly to the winner.

Thank you again for all your love and encouragement you have showed our little family.  And even more, thank you for the prayers you have prayed on behalf of Amon…”Thank You” really just seems so inadequate.

Happy Wednesday!

499 Comments

  1. I’m hopeful that we can make things work long term since resigning from my job! 🙂 xoxo

  2. Fb fan of PPA!

    (wow, am I really comments #1 and 2? Those rarely win, darn!) I’m still HOPEFUL!! 🙂

  3. Just visited the Reinard’s blog 🙂 Sweet family!

  4. Subscribe to PPA via Google Reader! 🙂

    *SUPER* hopeful I could win 🙂 I am usually too late to order a custom from you or you’re closed when I think about it again and I loooove this piece (I love all of your pieces though, ha!). Lots of hope going on here for this today :)!!

    Will be praying for sweet Amon and you guys too during surgery! Praying the Greatest Healer has His hands on Amon and the surgical team. xoxo

  5. We’re holding on to hope that Good can still work my nephew’s death into something good for those of us who love Him. And that He’ll bring some our little guy from India SOON.

  6. Chrissy vAS says:

    Singing, “My hope is, in you, Lord. All the day long, by Aaron Shust right now in my head! http://youtu.be/ugD0i5Y3cw8 God is so much bigger than Amon’s tiny little heart that needs repair. Praying

  7. sara just says:

    just saw their blog…great shirts…I too love the verse and the balloon.

  8. I subscribe to your emails. Should be really helpful for keeping up with prayer for Amon!

  9. sara just says:

    praying for your sweet ace of hearts….he is precious inside and out. thank you for sharing and now we can all cover you with prayers! your heart is beautiful laura.

  10. I am already an email subscriber 🙂

  11. I worked for Samaritan’s Purse for years and they have a program called Children’s Heart Project (CHP), where children from other countries are brought to the U.S. for life-saving heart surgery. It isn’t their biggest project by far, but it was always special to me. I loved praying for each of those sweet kids getting surgery, and I’m honored to pray for Amon, too. Keep being brave, Laura. Those kiddos are blessed to call you Mama.

  12. I’m a FB fan, but can’t share because my only internet is my phone and there isn’t a share button on my app.

  13. Amanda Powell says:

    Thank you for such an inspiring blog every single week. Reading your blog gives me hope in several ways in my life. I will be praying for your family and Amon. God is good!

  14. Chrissy vAS says:

    Cool blog and adorable little guys! The Reinard’s are in my prayers as well.

  15. sara just says:

    just shared on my page.
    look shauna niequist up. she is new writer have found and think you will love. she has short chapters in her heart-sharing, god seeking books that i think would be great for the hospital. i am reading “bittersweet “right now.
    you will love it.

  16. i leave in nine days for uganda to get my son. i am scared. like really scared. i leave behind four amazing kiddos . here is the kicker. i have to be there for over 2 months. and i am scared. but i am trying. trying to be brave. i really am. but this is hard. sorry…just needed to say it. mama’s get scared too.

  17. Checked out their blog! Super cute family.

  18. Hopeful comment for you: I think you are going to be blown away by the outpouring of love and support you will see as Amon goes through his surgery.

  19. Shared the giveaway!!

  20. been down that surgery road several times with my littles– we’ve got 2 cleft palate kiddos and 3 hep B kiddos and 1 with kidney issues– so i know the inside of the surgery well and I know what it’s like to see your kiddos in REAL pain.
    Psalm 121 just came into my mind for you– it begins with “I lift my eyes to th e hills- where does my help com from? My help comes from the LORD the maker of heaven and earth……”

  21. Encouraged the Reinards!

  22. I am hopeful that I will be able to find a job with good hours soon, so that my family can stop living with the fear of not being able to pay for bills and groceries. I haven’t been able to find work since we moved last Dec.
    We will be thinking about your family during Amon’s surgery 🙂

  23. just shared the giveaway on my FB

  24. Praying for your family extra during this next month with Baby A. Jeremiah 29:11 and Hebrews 6:19.

    And I love the canvas piece, especially with the anchor (;

  25. And i get emails from PPA:) (PS– we’ve got 2 surgeries next month– so we’re in the same both with ya!– not open heart– and not 2 week recovery- so maybe i’m in a tugboat right behind ya!

  26. I am holding on to Hope that our almost 11 year old daughter will get better since finding out she has an Immune Deficiency. She is so brave and been through so much.

    I am also holding on… just yesterday after sharing some of your awesome posts with my husband…we started talking about adoption!! So this might be just the beginning but holding on! Thank you for sharing your family with us! 🙂

    I am also hopeful

  27. visited their blog– love the Tee– wish i had creativity like that!!! love seeing families with a huge heart for adoption.

  28. So encouraged every time I read your blog:)

  29. Cousin Rhonda says:

    I checked out the Reinard Family page. . . .nice family. Is that beard for real??

  30. loving my life with my 3 littles. So crazy blessed 🙂

  31. Visited their blog

  32. Sometimes hope comes in ways we cannot expect or anticipate. I am hopeful that one day the fear that now resides within me will be taken away. I am hopeful that one day the confidence of who I am and what I am created to be and do will return. Hope it is a battle and yet I am hopeful that our Great, Amazing Jehovah will come and build a renewed strength within. I am in unchartered territory and yet I know that God has a tree of life awaiting me and will not let me drown. Hope…it is beautiful.

  33. My hope is in God . . . knowing His way is the best way!

  34. Cousin Rhonda says:

    I have shared the giveaway on MY facebook page and ALSO on Timberlake Animal Hopital’s FB page. . . .does that mean I get an extra entry? 🙂

  35. Wow, I had no idea Amon needed surgery. You are definitely on a great big rollercoaster of emotions! I will keep you all in my prayers 🙂

  36. I checked out the Reinard’s blog.

  37. I subscribe by email, too. 🙂 Oh, and I wanted to tell you that I have twins (a boy and a girl) that are almost 3 months old, and I see a lot of the same stuff on Amon. They have the same car seat and my boy has a lot of the same clothes – mostly from Target. 🙂

  38. I just wanted you to see what I wrote to the Reinard Family:

    I just want to thank you for the reminder found in Is 43! I was on the PPA blog today and Laura had a beautiful picture of your shirt. It’s not about adoption for me but about the reality that God is calling me to forgot the things in the past that have caused so much pain and doubt within myself. God is doing new things and has brought me out of the wasteland…a dry horrible dead wasteland.

    I just wanted to say thanks for sharing your shirt with Laura…thanks for being faithful to who God has called you to be….thanks for sharing your story….thanks for providing a word of encouragement to me today.

    Amanda

  39. I subscribe to PPA by email, and I’m so excited when I get a new one! I hope you realize how touching your words are – so full of love and hope 🙂

  40. I shared this giveaway on my FB. It’s a beautiful piece of artwork! Thanks for the all the kindness you show your readers!

  41. I subscribe to PPA

  42. subscribed

  43. I checked out the Reinard’s blog. Beautiful Family!! (and will be getting a shirt as soon as it is pay day!)

  44. I checked out the Reinard family blog. I especially liked the flag post!

  45. I am hoping that one of my friends will turn her eyes to the Lord….

  46. I subscribe to your emails. 🙂

  47. I try to remember to not only to be hopeful but to be thankful. There is so much good and joy … even in the challenging times. You’re rocking it! Love the art work. Will keep thinking good thoughts for Amon and your family.

  48. I am holding onto a lot of hope today as I venture on an unchartered course tomorrow. Hopeful for a new me!

  49. I am holding on to hope, that God will heal my mom from Ovarian Cancer.

  50. Elizabeth says:

    Praying for your family. Praying that the Dr’s have swift hands guided by above!!

  51. Cousin Rhonda says:

    Love your blog. I love the pics you post of the wee Kelleys, and that baby boy is just too stinking cute!

  52. Kim Cleveland says:

    Visited the Reinards blog – love the tee!

  53. Cousin Rhonda says:

    I am already subscribed to PPA to receive emails

  54. Heather Stennett says:

    I just checked out the Reinard family’s blog! Such an amazing family!

  55. Prayers for that beautiful baby! His heart is full of love and is surrounded by it. I pray he has a smooth recovery. You guys are such an inspration to me. God speed!

  56. Kim Cleveland says:

    Read this encouraging verse yesterday – maybe it will be of some encouragement to you: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

  57. Kim Cleveland says:

    I subscribed to you via email!

  58. Kim Cleveland says:

    I’m a fan on facebook!

  59. I subscribed! 🙂

  60. I follow you on FB too.

  61. We are waiting on the Lord with some circumstances in our current adoption. I am hopeful that He who holds all things togehter has got it all covered by His sovereignty and goodness!

  62. Heather Stennett says:

    As I was getting ready this morning the verse Psalm 23 has been with me. “Even though I walk through the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” Also, the quote, “Sometimes you have to forget about what you feel and remember what you deserve”. These bring such hope to me because I deserve death. The only reason I’m alive is because Jesus paid for my sin. I have so many things to be grateful and hopeful for! My family is healthy, I have the privilege to be a wife and a mommy, and I serve a God that is in control of ALL things in my life!

  63. Heather Stennett says:

    I am a subscriber to your lovely and encouraging posts through email!

  64. Heather Stennett says:

    I shared this on my fb!!

  65. I checked out their blog. Oh, their two boys are cuteness. The bow ties and cheesy grins… 🙂 excited for them to be adopting again! Always a leap of faith!

  66. I am praying for sweet sweet Amon. I know that our Captain will take great care of him. Who knows, you might even begin to love the hospital food before you leave 😉
    Many thoughts and prayers!

  67. I checked out and posted on the Reinard blog. What an adorable family. Seriously those boys are so so sweet!!

  68. I subscribed to emails 🙂

  69. Shared your giveaway on Facebook.

    Seriously, your family is the most adorable!!

  70. You have to be the strongest woman I know: a strong mother, strong in your faith, in your spirit. Truly encouraging! I pray for you often and will continue to lift you, Amon, and his medical team up! Blessings to you, Sweet Lady!

  71. I shared your page/blog on FB! :0)

  72. Just bought one of those great shirts!

  73. jen willison says:

    Sitting waiting for our fingerprints to be taken… hoping it goes quick & smoothly ~ then we will be off to the police station for our local clearances. Hopeful this process proceeds smoothly! Love your work ~ we already have 1 piece.

  74. We pray for you and your new journey. It brings me joy to read each of your posts.

  75. We are hopeful about our Ethiopian adoption….although it seems such a long way off, we trust in His timing. Praying for Amon and for the rest of your family! His hair is amazing! 🙂

  76. I subscribe to PPA. Your blog is my fave!

  77. Also a fb fan. One day I WILL own one of your art pieces! 🙂

  78. Kelli Belt says:

    Oh Laura, you are so incredibly BRAVE!!!!! you are an inspiration to so many trudging through grief and Hope and Joy.

  79. “You have this faith and love because of your HOPE, and what you HOPE for is kept safe for you heaven.” Colossians 1:5 I love knowing my Jesus holds my hopes safe in heaven.

  80. Praying for you and little Amon!!! Cling to that awesome Hope Laura! I know I do all the time with parenting and life! Hugs!

  81. Lauren Durbin says:

    Praying for Amon!

  82. Kelli Belt says:

    Checked out the Reinards blog, love to hear stories of how God is working in peoples lives! Love their Shirts!

  83. Just visited the Reinard’s family page, and they are too cute! I love the daily pictures she posts of the boys. I’m going to need to frequent her site!

  84. It’s easy to be swallowed up by fear when we are in waiting, but I encourage you to continue in your unwavering faith with this verse:

    Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
    Hebrews 4:16

  85. In quietness and in trust shall be your strength.

  86. Subscribed via email. 🙂

  87. Hi Laura, I’m a prospective adoptive parent in Nashville, on the waiting list to adopt from Ethiopia – I appreciate you sharing your story, art, and insights so much! You and Amon and the family are in my prayers 🙂

  88. Kelli Belt says:

    I shared the link!

  89. Shared on Facebook.

  90. Visited the Reinard Family site!

  91. Nita McAdoo says:

    Peculiar hope? Well, we are a peculiar people (1 Peter 2:9) If we aren’t peculiar we must be doing something wrong.
    My anchor scripture is Psalm 34:4
    I sought the Lord and He answered me. He delivered me from all my fears.
    I prayed that Psalm through a very scary health issue a few years ago and He was with me every moment of every day.
    I pray that deliverance for your family!!!!
    Thank you for allowing me to pray for you.

  92. I am a fan 🙂

  93. Laura, I look forward to reading your posts everyday! You are such an inspiration! You and your family continue to be in my prayers! God bless you all as you continue to be his faithful servant.

  94. You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word. Ps. 119:114 Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord. Ps. 31:24 Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from Him. Ps. 62:5 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. Heb. 10:23
    Lord, thank you for your word that reminds us that you alone are our hope.

  95. I subscribe!

  96. I know that your vessel will make it through these huge waves with glory and flourish on its path… Chin up as god only gives us what he knows we can handle. This is part of the path …Amon, you, and all the kelley’s will make it through… Just remember all these life jackets of prayer that are being said in support, love, and hope for you all…

  97. I’m so encouraged by this post! Thank you for being so honest and real! I’m hopeful that the house my husband and I are building will be done soon. We are ready to get out of our rental property and just be settled. I’d hang this piece in our new guest bathroom!

  98. Visited the Reinard family’s blog. What a great testimony to stepping out in faith and following God in obedience!

  99. Amy FUgate says:

    Love reading your posts. Thank you for sharing your world with us and know that we are praying for your whole family. You are such an amazing person and an inspiration to so many.

  100. Many prayers for Amon and your family as you go through this time!

    Left a comment on the Reinard’s page.

  101. I adore the canvas. Hope is a big part of our lives right now. I was diagnosed last year with ovarian cancer, and we continue to hope that I will live long enough to parent my children. Our verse for the year is Jeremiah 29:11. For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord; plans to prosper you and not to harm you; plans to give you hope and a future.

    If you ever open for orders again, I am absolutely ordering a canvas with this verse!

  102. Nita Reid says:

    Visited the Reinard Family Blog. Beautiful Family, and soon to add one more!!!
    Look forward to reading your Blog Post daily. Will be praying for sweet little Amon, and the family. Praying for God to be with the Dr.’s and all the medical team caring for Amon during his surgery. Love and Blessings

  103. I subscribed to your email notifications 🙂

  104. I enjoy and look forward to your post daily. You are such an inspiration to so many, you give me hope to be a stronger more positive person. Although unchartered waters lie ahead for you and your family, knowing you have the best captain a ship could have is amazing. HE will be there for you every step of the way!

  105. hoping little amon’s surgery goes well!! <3

  106. Cousin amy says:

    “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness,
    I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name
    On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand…”
    Words to an old song we sang growing up – quite certain your mom sang as well:) Do you remember this one? Might want to google the other verses:)

  107. Praying for you.
    Praying:
    Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe [in Him] so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13 HCSB)

  108. Nicole Turner says:

    I subscribed to PPA. Love your art =)

  109. Lindsey Thomas says:

    Our church is starting a new group called hopeful hearts for women facing infertility, miscarriage, or infant loss. This art is perfect way to start the group of right.

  110. Nicole Turner says:

    Hebrews 6:19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain. I have this tattooed in a banner on an anchor on my forearm. Love this scripture, and anchors.

  111. Lindsey Thomas says:

    Checked out the awesome tees and blog.

  112. Lindsey Thomas says:

    Facebook fan

  113. Love the anchors. And every time I see them, I am reminded of the old hymn, and I end up sining it whilst I read your blog.
    And it holds, my anchor holds:
    Blow your wildest, then, O gale,
    On my bark so small and frail;
    By His grace I shall not fail,
    For my anchor holds, my anchor holds.

  114. Kari Petersen says:

    Beautiful …
    Posted your giveaway on my Facebook status.

  115. I’m a fan on FB.

  116. Praying hard for little Amon.

  117. For years I was holding onto hope that God would bless us with children. I knew we were going to have a family, it just wasn’t by my timing (it never is). Now today we are blessed with two beautiful little girls. Some days I still want to pinch myself to make sure this is all real. 😀 Praying for sweet Amon.

  118. I will pray for your beautiful, precious boy.

  119. Therese Schulle Stokes says:

    Visited the Reinard Family blog and left a comment!

  120. Therese Schulle Stokes says:

    Already receive your email updates!!!

  121. Therese Schulle Stokes says:

    Shared on my fb page: Best mom blog ever . . . Cute giveaway now thru Friday!!! Good luck ladies <3

  122. Therese Schulle Stokes says:

    Something I have been hoping a lot lately and praying about, too . . . With new baby’s arrival (baby boy #4 is 8 weeks old) that I will be the best mom that God intended for my precious boys!! I hope I make them proud!!

  123. Laura. This reminds me that throughout our adoption of the boys, I had two theme songs, first, Sanctus Reals’ “something heavenly” then later Addison Roads “Hope Now” Everything rides on hope now, everything rides on faith somehow, when the world has broken me down, your love sets me free!”. Love and prayers for all of you :0)

  124. Praying for you and sweet Mr Amon! Check out wholehearts.org for great info and support for CHD. Good friends of ours had a surprise heart baby…who’s almost 3 now and doing fantastic…they’re very involved in helping people find good support groups in your area.

  125. Shared on FB!

  126. I’m hopeful as we continue to wait for our next baby to come home, that God delights in putting the lonely in families and will do so for us again.

  127. Love both of these items!! Thanks Laura for sharing your heart and family with us!

  128. commented on the Reinard Family blog… How precious are they????

  129. Posted on Facebook 🙂

  130. subscribed to emails 🙂

  131. I’ve been holding onto hope to have a child to call my own for awhile now. Although we were trying, my husband and I were not having any luck getting pregnant, so we started looking into other options, and decided to give foster care a whirl. Four days before Christmas, we were blessed with a placement of three precious boys. Although they brought some major behavioral issues with them, they blessed us beyond belief, and made our house a home. We found out they were leaving, and we were heartbroken. Those boys had become our life, but we had hope that God had our baby, or babies, out there. A week before the boys were moved, we found out we were expecting! God is great! The verse that got me through was John 11:40, Then God said, “Did I not tell you, that if you believed you would see the Glory of God!” Love it!!

  132. Shared on fb!!

  133. Ashley Mills says:

    I am holding onto hope for friends and family that are going through hard times right now. I am trusting that God will see them through.

  134. Jami Shull says:

    We have been on the adoption journey for 7 LONG years. I told my husband last week that I was ready to close the door on that journey BUT little things (like your blog) have given me renewed HOPE that HE will make a way!

  135. Jami Shull says:

    Shared on FB!

  136. Jami Shull says:

    Liked PPA on FB!

  137. Visited the Reinhart Family’s site. Loved their t-shirt.

  138. Jami Shull says:

    Encouraged the Reinard family on their blog!

  139. Praying for your son

  140. Ashley Mills says:

    Visited the website!! 🙂

  141. Praying for your sweet Amon. Thanks for your honesty – it is refreshing. I know the Lord has your little guy wrapped up tight in his arms and will not let him go. I pray that you and your family have a peace that surpasses all understanding and the enemy would not steal your joy. The Lord has prepared you for such a time as this. He is your anchor of hope in these new unchartered waters.
    As for me, He remains my hope & my strength during this time of waiting for our son and two surgeries coming up in the next couple months for my two youngest ones. On depend on His strength everyday!

  142. Plugging you on Facebook!!! I really do love your work.

  143. Heather Stephens says:

    With two surgeries this year and one more to go I would love to hang this in my childrens art room to remind us all, to always have a hopeful heart!

  144. Love the artwork and the belief behind it…be brave and hold on to hope!

  145. Hold tight to hope… Habakkuk 3:17 and 18 tell us, “Though the cherry trees don’t blossom and the strawberries don’t ripen, Though the apples are worm-eaten and the wheat fields stunted, Though the sheep pens are sheepless and the cattle barns empty, I’m singing joyful praise to God. I’m turning cartwheels of joy to my Savior God.” (MSG version) God can and will answer your (and my) prayers for Amon! He is our Great Physician. Prayers for your son and your family.

  146. Diane Clark-Faggs says:

    Prayers of hope to you & your family <3
    “Hope can be a powerful force. Maybe there's no actual magic in it, but when you know what you hope for most and hold it like a light within you, you can make things happen, almost like magic.”
    ― Laini Taylor, Daughter of Smoke and Bone

  147. Diane Clark-Faggs says:

    Just checked out the Reinard Family’s blog – such an amazing story! I was adopted myself, so I love hearing stories like that. I know I am so blessed & loved by my adoptive family AND my birth family.

  148. Diane Clark-Faggs says:

    I think I was already subscribed to PPA, but I subscribed again just in case!
    I always love receiving emails from you; I first fell in love with your artwork but also with your family! I am saying a special prayer for sweet baby Amon.

  149. lisa wall says:

    I am a teacher having a really hard begining of the year… but I am hopeful! Good luck to you!

  150. I just checked out the Reinard family’s blog … those shirts are pretty awesome!

  151. i now follow PPA on facebook! :]

  152. i LOVE LOVE LOVE that hold onto hope canvas … love! and your precious Amon is adorable!!!

  153. Diane Clark-Faggs says:

    Liked PPA on Facebook and shared the link for the Hopeful Heart Giveway!
    Ephesians 1:11-12 “In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.”

  154. and now i’m a subscriber. :]

  155. I am hopeful for a chance to live in Africa next summer – God is starting to put together pieces, but I am hoping He continues to move in big ways for it to happen!

  156. I am also a subscriber through RSS feed 🙂

  157. … and a facebook fan…

  158. and checked out the Reinard family’s precious blog!

  159. Buffy Poole says:

    We can’t like your facebook page again, because we already do.. But please keep smiling!

  160. Buffy Poole says:

    Shared on facebook!

  161. Buffy Poole says:

    When times are hard, keep smiling, praying and the faith. Your strength is amazing for us. As an Mother that has adopted 2 children, it is the hardest thing, but you are so blessed.

  162. kim fournier says:

    visited the Reinard’s Family blog. LOVE the t-shirt.

  163. kim fournier says:

    HOPE is powerful. and oh so essential. i fight for it every day… as we wait to receive a precious kiddo through adoption – as i surrender to the Lord in order to be free – as i long for heaven and to be held by the Father.
    Go Team HOPE! =)

  164. kim fournier says:

    i already subscribe to PPA.

  165. kim fournier says:

    i’m a fb fan and shared on my page.

  166. My husband and I are memorizing Romans 5 right now. On Sunday we were discussing verses 3-5 which are about hope. This is a hard concept for me right now because hope is so closely tied to trusting God and that is way difficult for me right now. So thanks for the reminder/ encouragement to put my hope in Him – and I hope I win the artwork 🙂

  167. I checked out the Reinard’s Family blog!

  168. We lost our third child right before you lost your mom. I was just 16 weeks pregnant. It was obviously a very difficult time for us and not a day goes by that I don’t think about him. Your blog has been a huge encouragement to me, so thank you! One verse that God gave me right after I left the hospital was Psalm 3:3 “But you, Oh Lord, are a shield about me; my glory, and the lifter of my head.”

  169. Stephanie Gentry says:

    Love, love, love reading your blog! Your family is such a huge inspiration and encouragement to me. Amon is one beautiful little man and I am so happy you’re waiting no more. Praying for you all everyday. Thanks for your obedience and story. 🙂

  170. Stephanie Gentry says:

    I left a comment on The Reinhard Family’s blog. I wish it were more…but they’ll be added to my prayers.

  171. Stephanie Gentry says:

    Subscribed to your email list!

  172. Stephanie Gentry says:

    Shared your giveaway on my Facebook page!

  173. Somehow you always do a post that lifts me on days i need it most! Amazing how that happens! Praying for sweet Amon. He is just a little doll! We are hopeful that we figure out another fundraiser for adoption soon!

  174. Visited the Reinhard family blog! I love the tee! What an awesome idea. We might have to try the tshirt fundraiser ourselves 🙂

  175. Subscribed to receive email notification

  176. Laura B C says:

    I am SO glad you’re back to making art that we get the chance to get 🙂

  177. Janna Conklin says:

    Subscribed to your email address.

  178. Janna Conklin says:

    Went over to the Reinhard blog and praying for their sweet family.

  179. Janna Conklin says:

    Posted your blog on my facebook page.

  180. Laura B C says:

    between y’all and the Reinard’s boys, there sure is an awful lot of Ethiopian cuteness going around!! (visited their blog)

  181. I’ve visited the Reinard’s blog and just love their t-shirt!
    Amanda

  182. You give us all Hope. Thank u!
    Amon is in my prayers.

  183. Praying for sweet Amon and his surgery! You are right, we do serve a BIG God who loves Amon with BIG love! And he has to be one of the cutest little boys on the planet! ; )

  184. My husband and I have been married 6 years and after much waiting and hoping, almost 2 months ago, we brought home our little girl, Cora Hope.
    Proverbs 13:12
    Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.

    Amanda

  185. Visited the Reinard’s blog. Their shirts are fantastic!

  186. holding out hope for a change soon!

  187. Janna Conklin says:

    Laura,
    We are praying for your sweet family. I feel like we are sisters even though we haven’t met. I have been praying for you along your journey to your sweet Amon and the loss of your mother. I am so sorry for your loss. My family knows open heart surgery very well as our sweet son Gavin had to have it in Taiwan two years ago when he was just a baby. I understand your feelings, anxiety, hope and prayers completely. And we are praying for your sweet family and sweet baby boy. He is absolutely beautiful. Scripture has become my everything this last year as I grieve the loss of my baby boy. Psalm 121 encourages us to lift up our eyes because we know where our help comes from. Praying you feel His mighty arms around you during this time. Hebrews 6 tells us we have this hope as an anchor for our souls firm and secure. I know you have this verse deep in your heart and soul. Thank you for sharing that verse with me at just the right time. It has brought me so much encouragement and hope. Kristen Mueller has a song out called “Homeward Bound” I know you are a runner as well and this song as become my hearts cry. Praying it can bring you encouragement too. Love your art work and our family also talks about being brave and full of hope each day the Lord gives us. Thankful for Jesus and making everything new. Many prayers for you friend.

  188. I so feel your pain and worry…Our Wes came home a year ago and we found out he’d need his brain/head surgery to survive…we were shocked and it was hard..i won’t lie. Maybe one of the hardest things we’ve been through in a while…but oh my..an 8 hour surgery later…the beauty of seeing him pull through..seeing him HEAL..seeing him grow strong and knowing we are stronger because we went through a week in PICU with our guy crying for him to heal each day. KNOW that God is with you..even when you are exhausted for your little guy to get better. A year out from our surgery now..Wes is a running crazy healthy 2 year old… I’ll be praying for you guys!!!! VAndy?? their icu was great..I got to know the place well 🙂 Hope i never have to return though 🙂 I’m typing with babies on me..forgive my typos 🙂

  189. Thankful for your heart and deep love for others. Praying.

  190. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May Your gracious spirit lead me on level ground. ~ Psalm 143:10

  191. I subscribe to your blog by email. Prayers for Amon’s surgery. Our newly adopted son is having a minor procedure on Friday and I’m very nervous! I can’t imagine how you feel. Praying!

  192. Visited the Reinard’s blog. Love the shirts!

  193. receive e-mails! thank you!

  194. let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess for He who promises IS FAITHFUL! – hebrews 10:23 !!!

  195. i follow you on fb! love your sweet heart. you’re an encouragement to me and my walk!

  196. Lisa Russell says:

    Praying for your family and especially sweet Amon!!!

  197. Lisa Russell says:

    I am a PPA fan on Facebook

  198. Lisa Russell says:

    I am subscribed by email to Pitter Patter Art!

  199. Just checked out the Reinards family blog… LOVE the shirts! Will definitely be buying some!

  200. Lisa Russell says:

    Visited the Reinard’s blog! I love the shirt designs!

  201. I hold onto hope everyday that my cancer stays cured! That the people who work on cures for Cancer (and other disease) are given the right tools to continue the fight. I hope for families who struggle, that the hope of people who truly believe reaches them and they can go on. I hope for more cute pictures of A too 🙂

  202. Dawn Post says:

    Now I love the Reinards and the Kelleys 🙂

  203. Dawn Post says:

    Laura~ Your post today rocked me a little…I had no idea! And then I thought “Wow God, you placed little Amon in just the right spot…with an incredibly loving family that would move the moon to get his heart fixed up just right.”

  204. Dawn Post says:

    Don’t know why I didn’t sign-up for email notifications a long time ago!

  205. Dawn Post says:

    Always HAPPY 2 share 🙂

  206. I subscribe to PPA posts by email.

  207. Just checked out the Reinard’s blog! Sweet family.

  208. Checked out the R family’s blog

  209. Glenda Joy says:

    2 of my favorite quotes…
    “They that go down to the sea in ships, who do business in great waters; these see the works of the Lord and His wonders in the deep.” Psalm 107:23
    and…
    “A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are for.” William Shedd

  210. Shared your giveaway on my FB page!

  211. Here’s the quote I’m using to hold on to hope for today… There are so many people out there that will tell you that you can’t. What you’ve got to do is to turn around and say “watch me” ~unknown

  212. Get PPA emails!

  213. Fan of PPA on FB too! Love the updates, keep your heads up! He looks like a strong and healthy boy who now has his forever family to help him through!

  214. Praying for your sweet Amon and his surgery. You have such a sweet family and your posts make my day! 🙂

  215. Praying for your sweet family through this time!

  216. Praying Laura, for Amon, for you and your family, for the surgery to come and the healing, and for your peace and comfort.
    1 Chronicles 16:11, “Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.” (NIV)
    Philippians 4:13, “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (NIV)

  217. I visited the Reinard’s blog. Love the shirt and will be getting one soon!

  218. Jeannine Brown says:

    Hi, I just left a message on the Reinard’s blog, LOVE their t-shirt design!

  219. Cousin hannah says:

    Jeremiah 29:11 is my favorite bible verse. It says “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for evil, plans to give you HOPE and a future”.

  220. Jeannine Brown says:

    Here is my encouraging message for you. Friends of mine from Knoxville, TN have a heart baby. Hutton is three and she is the youngest of five. The Johnson’s journey of faith has been so incredible to share in. I would really encourage you to read some of their Caring Bridge site; it has been encouraging and inspiring to me on many occasions. HuttonJohnson is, I believe how you search for her story on Caring Bridge. Also, her mama is Jill Jeffers Johnson and you can search for her on FB. Amazing family; amazing story. I will be praying for you!

  221. Checked out the Reinard’s blog & left a sweet comment!

  222. Jeannine Brown says:

    Hi, me again. I already receive your emails. Got one today!

  223. Here’s my hopeful comment…
    I am a junior in college & I HOPE & pray that one day the Lord will open the door for me to adopt a child internationally or domestically! OR BOTH! 🙂 And I HOPE for a husband who shares that desire!

    🙂

  224. Jeannine Brown says:

    Last time 🙂 I shared this on my facebook!

  225. Already a fan of PPA on facebook!

  226. Subscribed to recieve updates by e-mail! (but I also follow PPA on bloglovin!)

  227. Shared on Facebook wall!

  228. Jessica Johnson says:

    Hope… It’s exactly what I needed today! Thanks!

  229. kristen Jones says:

    I am hopeful we CLEAR EMBASSY tomorrow so we can go pick up our littel guy this weekend! Love this piece of artwork!

  230. kristen Jones says:

    visited the Reinards website and told them how great their shirt design was! It really is great!!

  231. I am hopeful
    -that Amon will be a healthy little baby soon!
    -that we too will welcome a new baby into our family through adoption!
    -that this storm that killed my power the first time I tried to post this will GO AWAY!
    God is Good!

  232. Checked out their blog and left a comment. Love the T-shirt design!

  233. I am hopeful and trusting that God will provide the perfect job and direct my steps.

  234. I subscribe to PPA by email.

  235. I shared this on Facebook!

  236. Just wrote this on my chalkboard this morning:
    “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear.” Psalm 46:1-2
    Facing uncharted waters of our own and so grateful for a great big God that isn’t surprised by it at all.

  237. Sharing on my facebook page.

  238. Kendra Christiansen says:

    I receive your emails 🙂 which now that student teaching is in full swing, I actually needed the reminder of the giveaway!

  239. Already subscribed to the email list. I feel the same way about my inbox that you feel about you mailbox. Love finding your posts there!

  240. I haveSO MUCH hope that while this pregnancy is kicking my butt with 72 hr headaches and other AWESOME things I can’t mention… That it will disappear with trimester 2 and I can rest in knowing that God is building another awesomely beautiful baby inside me!

  241. Already subscribed 😉

  242. Reinharts have 2 beautiful boys and I’m so proud of their faith to move forward regardless of $$!! Such faith!

  243. Posting on fb boo!! PS I TOTALLY made the dessert the other day and it was a HIT with my family!!

  244. Subscribed to e-mail notifications!

  245. Checked out the Reinard’s Family blog and left them so words of hope. Thanks for sharing their page with us. Love their tee!

  246. Shared your sweet giveaway on FB.

  247. Kristy smith says:

    Shared on fb

  248. “All human wisdom is contained in two words: wait and hope.” ~Alexandre Dumas

  249. I checked out the R family blog. 🙂 added them to my prayer list

  250. Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and He will make your paths straight. Praying for you (especially) and your family as you trust in Him with your son’s heart.

  251. I already subscribe!

  252. I am hopeful that our dear friends will be blessed to bring their sweet daughter home from Ethiopia in the next few months, so that her first birthday will be celebrated with her forever family in her forever home.

  253. Michelle wray says:

    Just checked out the blog. LOVE the shirts!

  254. Michelle wray says:

    Subscribed for email notification!

  255. Michelle wray says:

    You have such a beautiful family and are truly blesses. I hope to get to know you guys better through Haley’s Hearts Foundation:)

  256. Thank you for living your lives before us. So thankful God chose your home for each of your children, and pray God’s blessings upon you!

  257. I looked at their blog. Cute boys, and love the t-shirts!

  258. I’m a subscriber!

  259. Knowing that God is steady and unchanging gives me hope. I’m grateful for having Him as my foundation. Love this song: http://youtu.be/T0ip40j82ws.

  260. I shared on facebook!

  261. Stephanie in NC says:

    Amon is a beautiful baby! I remember when each of my boys finally made it home. They are so precious! I will be praying for sweet Amon and his surgery.

  262. Lately I have been loving the Emily Dickinson quote that says, “Dwell in possibility.” I tend to be a logical thinker and will discount wonderful things that could happen just because I doubt they will, but I’m working on dwelling in all of the wonderful possibilities that God has for me!

  263. Stephanie in NC says:

    I visited the blog! Great tshirts!

  264. I already like PPA on Facebook! Thanks!

  265. Stephanie in NC says:

    I subscribe to your page.

  266. I receive the PPA email updates! 🙂

  267. Stephanie in NC says:

    I posted on facebook.

  268. JamiAnn Hannah says:

    I am hopeful for a potential job opportunity in the near future. I am trusting God and his plan for my career and his plan for my family.
    Visited the Reinard’s page – Great story & shirts!
    I shared on FB and subscribed to PPA via email.

  269. already FB fan 🙂

  270. Carol Short says:

    A poem by Helen Steiner Rice entitled “A Bend in the Road.”

    Sometimes we come to life’s crossroads
    And we view what we think is the end.
    But God has a much wider vision
    And He knows that it’s only a bend-
    The road will go on and get smoother
    And after we’ve stopped to rest,
    The path that lies hidden beyond us
    Is often the path that is best.
    So rest and relax and grow stronger,
    Let go and let God share your load,
    And have faith in a brighter tomorrow
    You’ve just come to a bend in the road.

    My mom was diagnosed with West Nile Virus 7 years ago which left her unable to walk. After months of therapy, she regained her ability to walk and she shares this poem in her testimony about God’s wondrous healing power!

  271. Carol Short says:

    I shared the info. about your giveaway on facebook!

  272. I am holding on to hope that this year in my teaching careers gets better. Having such rough waters to try and swim thru…..just keeping swimming, just keep swmming….

  273. I started following your blog as a passionate adoption social worker who LOVES your artwork. I ,too, knows the ache of a mother’s heart with a child facing a serious life-saving surgery. My daughter had brain surgery 2 years ago (in addition to many other medical issues). As I type this message, she is still fighting to get her life back and has been hospitalized 9 hours from home for a month now. She is being discharged this friday with HOPE!!! God, our anchor, has never left our side for a moment and He won’t yours either! Praying peace for your family and comfort and care for your sweet, precious Amon! I would love to win your anchor art piece as a reminder of what our anchor is, especially in difficult times.

  274. Already subscribed to PPA!

  275. Just became a facebook fan!

  276. Shared on FB : )

  277. Hopeful story/scripture: A family friend made it through a difficult pregnancy (months of bed rest) when having triplets (two needing surgery after their premature delivery)… by repeating Philippians 4:13…. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” — Some do believe it’s a commonly misinterpreted verse, but I thought I would share regardless. I will be praying for Amon during his surgery!

  278. Amy Collins-Buckner says:

    I subscribe to PPA already and I LOVE reading the blog! I can’t wait to see a new one! I really enjoy it!

  279. Amy Collins-Buckner says:

    I visited the Reinard Family’s blog!

  280. Amy Collins-Buckner says:

    I shared the giveaway on my FB page!

  281. Holding on to hope – we are foster parents to a sibling group of 3 who have been through so much in their short lives. We walk each step of our journey holding onto the hope that through this storm on the other side is healing, restoration, deliverance and freedom for them. One thing we know for sure – God is faithful, God is sovereign and God is on control! What blessed assurance that is!
    Praying for you, for sweet Amon and the rest of the PP clan as well 🙂

  282. Amy Collins-Buckner says:

    I am holding on to hope…maybe for myself? I don’t know… my one and only daughter is graduating HS this year and WOW is it ever hard! Some of those uncharted waters you are talking about?!? It is very hard! I’m so lucky to have been blessed with her but this change is going to be hard! I’ll be praying for your little boy and that all goes well!

  283. love the reinards blog! Will order a t-shirt.

  284. I am a follower of your blog!

  285. The Reinard’s look like a lot of fun!

  286. I am hoping to add to our little family, soon!

  287. I’ve subscribed! I’ll get email updates about PPA!

  288. I shared on FB!

  289. allison lohman says:

    Praying for your little boy and the doctors who will help him. God is great and will be there for you and your family and keep little Amon safe. Hoping you will find comfort in Him in the weeks and months to come.

  290. allison lohman says:

    I visited the Reinard’s site. I love the shirts.

  291. allison lohman says:

    Subscribed to get email notifications.

  292. allison lohman says:

    Shared the giveaway on Facebook.

  293. Laura-
    I have been following your blog for a while and you have gave me so much encouragement and can relate to you on so many things. Everytime I see an a anchor I think of you and your mom and how much it means to you. And now with the heart your sweet Amon you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. God bless you love tara

  294. Visited the Reinards!

  295. Shared on Facebook!

  296. I’m holding onto hope for my daughter. She is such a bright shinning light and I pray that nothing ever dims her.

  297. Holding on to hope that God is holding on to my future. Even when it doesn’t look like I had imagined it would, he’s got me.
    Psalm 27:13-14

  298. holding onto hope …that God alone will heal broken relationships….only God.

  299. Laura, I will pray for Amon…my husband was also born with a rare heart defect and wasn’t even expected to live. 33 years later he is still a walking talking miracle of God. I hope that brings you HOPE!!

  300. I shared on facebook. When you finally open up your store again I’ll be your first customer:) I need me some key fobs and some artwork…the brave one would be PERFECT for my son as that’s the life verse we chose for him.

  301. I have to tell you my not so short story of hope. My Lily, adopted from China, had open heart surgery while in China. We knew this…we were prepared…we were told EVERYTHING was corrected and there was NO need for medications any longer. My hubby had to travel alone (a tiny hope filled miracle arrived and was only 8 weeks old when it was time to travel). When he got there, he was in great despair. Things were not as we had been told. As we cried and ran up many phone bills, we knew she was meant to be ours regardless of what would happen. Should she come home to die (as was a fear) she would die in the arms of a mommy & daddy who LOVED her dearly!!! Praise the Lord, 4 years later, she is a busy little girl doing whatever she wishes to do. She knows when to take it easy due to her heart condition, BUT it seldom slows her down. We still have many surgeries in the future including open heart, but God is good! He is always by our side.

    I have recently read some very encouraging scripture. I encourage you to read it too. It reminds me how much my Lord loves me and wishes to be by my side and answer my prayers. Luke 18:1-8 “always to pray, and not to faint (lose heart)”
    “And shall not God avenge (protect) His own elect, which cry day and night unto Him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily.”
    Much love sister-
    Heather

  302. I visited their website! So awesome and so sweet. 🙂

  303. I’m subscribed to PPA! I can’t help but smile at every single one of your posts. Your joy is contagious…even through the internet! 🙂

  304. I’m a fan of PPA on Facebook! 🙂

  305. I know this isn’t a bible verse, but this Emily Dickinson poem describes hope beautifully. 🙂

    Hope

    Hope is the thing with feathers
    That perches in the soul,
    And sings the tune–without the words,
    And never stops at all,

    And sweetest in the gale is heard;
    And sore must be the storm
    That could abash the little bird
    That kept so many warm.

    I’ve heard it in the chillest land,
    And on the strangest sea;
    Yet, never, in extremity,
    It asked a crumb of me.
    –Emily Dickinson

  306. subscribed to your email updates!

  307. fb fan of pitter patter art!

  308. i’m putting my hope in God that He will take care of my college tuition and provide for my needs.

  309. I visited the blog. Oh, the waiting. We have so many friends who are waiting. It makes my pregnancy feel so so fast.

  310. I subscribe to PPA e-mail posts

  311. We would love to hang this in our home– a reminder that there is always hope.

  312. visited the Reinard’s website and love the t-shirt–I want to hang that on my wall! I’m sure you’ve seen this new fabric line, but if not check out Sarah Jane’s out to sea line. I think of you every time I look at it. http://sarahjanestudios.com/blog/2012/05/introducing-out-to-sea/

  313. Gina Hodges says:

    Checked out the Reinard’s blog! Love the shirt!!

  314. Gina Hodges says:

    Shared on my fb page!

  315. Gina Hodges says:

    So many things I am holding on to HOPE for….Romans 12:12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

  316. Amanda vetetoe says:

    Just visited the Reinard family blog 🙂

  317. Amanda vetetoe says:

    I just started my first semester of nursing school…literally in my first week and I’m already stressed to the max! I’m holding on to Hope that I make it through the semester with a passing grade…and my sanity. I know that God has taken me in this direction, now I’m just hoping and praying for the guidance and grace that I need to get through it!

  318. Amanda vetetoe says:

    shared on fb:)

  319. Amanda vetetoe says:

    subscribed to PPA emails 🙂

  320. Your story is inspiring and I pray for healing for Amon.

  321. Courtney Dorris says:

    I’m holding onto hope for God’s perfect timing. Praise the Lord for His will and not mine.

  322. Courtney Dorris says:

    I subscribe to PPA!

  323. Praying for sweet Amon and your family! This is just the beginning of a beautiful story God’s writing for you guys. Can’t wait to rejoice with you on the other side of this 🙂

    I couldn’t have children but clung to hope and God allowed me to adopt 2 of the world’s sweetest boys. Forever thankful!

  324. Checked the Reinharts blog- they are super sweet and those tshirts are so awesome!

  325. I already subscribe by email 🙂

  326. I just checked out the Reinard’s Family blog. Thank you for sharing it with us!

  327. I subscribed to your blog this morning. It is one of my favorite reads in the morning, and it will be nice to receive updates by email.

  328. I shared your giveaway on my FB timeline!

  329. I spoke to you at the Blockparty at church Saturday. Praying for all blessings to be poured out on you and your family! Hope is what gets us out of bed every morning!

  330. I posted on Reinard Family blog 🙂

  331. I also want to share my story of hope. My 6 y.o. son was in a car wreck when he was two and is paralyzed for the armpits down. I hold on to hope that he will walk again some day! Our God is the Great Healer!

  332. I may be telling you something you already know but there is a beautiful song by Amy Stroup called “Hold Onto Hope, Love” and it made me think of your family & Amon’s journey. You can listen to it online (link below). Hope you know many thoughts, prayers, and good vibes will be sent into the world on Amon’s behalf for these coming weeks!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhlh4wINzJE

  333. Praying for you all and that God will you and little Amon in his mighty arms. Do not be worried or dismayed God is with you wherever you go.

  334. Jennifer SMith says:

    My Mother passed this summer, I still have a lot of hope to hang onto. Hoping everything will ease with time. Your stories about your Mom touched my heart in many ways. Now, going through this myself, I see where so much of your inspiration came from, your positive blogs still linger, thank you so much!

  335. Sarah macintyre says:

    Visited and lefta comment for Reinard family their blog site.

  336. Sarah macintyre says:

    Subscribed!

  337. Jennifer SMith says:

    Checked out The Reinard Family, thanks for sharing!

  338. Jennifer SMith says:

    Shared on FB! Thank You!

  339. Praying for your SWEET family! Love your blog.

  340. Michelle wray says:

    Subscribed for emails:)

  341. Michelle wray says:

    Shared on FB

  342. I checked out their blog and hope to order a shirt…if I don’t win this one, of course. 🙂

  343. we clung to hope during the option of our 3 internationally adopted children…the processes were long and hard. However, God is the ONE constant in all of the unknown. He brought our children home in his timing. May God protect Amon and bring him through surgery completely healed.

  344. I added my email to the email subscription

  345. shared on my facebook status

  346. Visited the Reinard’s blog.

  347. One of my favorite hopeful verses is Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plan to give you HOPE and a future.” I am hopeful that everything will go well with Amon’s surgery and will be praying for all of you. You ROCK!

  348. I already receive emails from PPA!

  349. Shared the awesome giveaway on Facebook. Thanks for having such a giving heart!

  350. Hello Mrs. Laura~

    My name is Hannah. I am 15 years old. I have had many health problems. Before I was born the doctors told my parents that I had a great chance of being very sick. The doctors even told my parents that they should “terminate me and try for the ideal child later”. Thankfully, My parents are Christians and never considered that option. I was born and appeared to be compleatly healthy. 6 weeks later I became very Ill. After spending my first year of life in and out of the hospital the doctors sent my parents home “hopeless”. But my parents still had HOPE in the Lord that I would be healded. Well they got their miracle and i was healed, and seemed fine for years.

    In the fall of 2010 I started getting very sick again. I was having terriable headaches, they were so bad that I would just ball up on the floor and sob/scream. After many tests we were told that I had a rare condition called Syringomyelia, which are lesions (cysts) inside my spinal cord. I was then told that I had another conditon called Chiari Malformation (my brain was pressing too tight against my skull). I was starting to go paralized and I had no choice but to have brain surgery. We still kept our HOPE in the Lord.

    I had the surgery and then I was digionosed with many other conditions (a heart condition called P.O.T.S., which no surgery can be done for, Hypermobilidy syndrome, E.D.S, arthritis, feet/leg deformities).

    We have always been a very active family. I had been a dancer for 9 years and a Cheerleader for 6. I had to quit both of those things and I am at the point now that I can’t even go to school. For years we did everything the doctors told us to do and I still havent been getting better. I am now in a Hospital 9 hours away from out home and I have been here for a month. They are looking at dischargeing me on Friday (TOMORROW), which is a big answer to our prayeres.

    When I could no longer Cheer or Dance I started to paint. And you have been a great inspiration to me and I love your art work. We were going to buy some as a reminder of how much HOPE we still have in our Lord,but you are no longer selling any. Art has been something I can still do and I very much enjoy. I have HOPE that I will be better one day.

    We are praying for your son, Amon. I know that the Lord will take care of Amon and your family. Here are some of the Bible Verses about HOPE that have gotten me though the rough waters. I HOPE they help you as much as they have me…

    Romans 15:13 ♥ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with HOPE by the power of the Holy Spirit.

    Jeremiah 29:11 ♥ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you HOPE and a future

    Romans 12:12 ♥ Rejoice in HOPE, be patient in tribulation and be constant in prayer.

    Much LOVE, Hannah

    P.S.~ I also HOPE I win your artwork. (:

    Here is more about my story:

    Facebook: “Praying For Hannah Naylor

    Caringbridge: Under visit tab type in ‘hannahnaylor’ all lower case, no spaces

  351. Glenda Joy says:

    With an strong and sturdy anchor, a boat can go anywhere.

  352. This is my Mantra lately:
    Yet he (Abraham) did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what He had promised.
    Romans 4:20-21
    I just finished Beth Moore’s Believing God bible study and the Five statement pledge of faith is: 1. God is who He says He is, 2. God can do what He says He can do. 3. I am who God says I am. 4. I can do all things through Christ. 5. God’s word is active and alive in me….Just remembering those basics is such a comfort and keeps my hope alive. I will be praying for Amon’s surgery and for your peace of mind.

  353. Kristy smith says:

    I pray a hope that Amon’s surgery goes well and that his recovery is speedy. Love all the work you do!

  354. I love your art. The Sun Must Set sits on our kitchen counter so we can see and remember the message every day!

  355. I’m a facebook FAN!!!

  356. I am holding on to hope that there is a forever relationship in my future…but it gets more and more difficult. Love seeing the pics of your sweet Ace of hearts!

  357. Whitney Wymore says:

    Subscribed via email now! Woooohooo (: Remember what the anchor stands for, “the anchor symbolizes a strong relationship, stability and a reminder to stay grounded in whatever you do.”

  358. Whitney Wymore says:

    Checked out the Reinard family blog! The boys are so cute! Praying for them as well as you!

  359. Allison H says:

    Hopeful that we will start the adoption process this spring! This piece would look awesome in my newborn baby boys room!

  360. I’m hoping in the only thing that has never disappointed … that my name is written in the Book of Life.

  361. Whitney Wymore says:

    Also liked on facebook! Thank you so much for your reply to me the other day too! Nothing like getting a message from your role model! Made my week, or month, or something like that (;

  362. Checked out the Reinhard’s blog and cute shirts!

  363. Sarah macintyre says:

    We will continue to pray for your family. Keep holding onto hope that God’s wonderful plan will unfold and be more than you could have ever dreamed possible.

  364. Sarah macintyre says:

    Liked on FB!

  365. olyce bennett says:

    Prayers going up for sweet Amon! May our great physician guide the hands of the drs. and nurses who will be caring for him. You are an inspiration to many people who love your work!

    Praise God you, too, have hope in the midst of this trial! God bless your sweet family!

  366. shared and subscribed. Prayers to you and your beautiful family 🙂

  367. I’m already an email subscriber. Praying for sweet Amon’s upcoming surgery!

  368. Nicole Turner says:

    Visited the Reindhart’s blog!

  369. Cara Griswold says:

    We’ve been singing a song at church lately that says “never once did we ever walk alone. Never once did you leave us on our own. You are faithful God, you are faithful. “

  370. I am hopeful that I can one day be as generous and organized as you!

  371. I subscribed to PPA emails!

  372. I shared the giveaway on my FB page!

  373. Nicki Burgess says:

    #1 – Visted Reinards blog!

  374. Nicki Burgess says:

    #2 – Praying for little Amon & your family.

  375. Nicki Burgess says:

    #3 – Already subscribed 🙂

  376. Nicki Burgess says:

    #4 – Shared giveaway on FB.

  377. We will continue to prayer for Amon and the rest of your family!

    He has you all in the palm of His hand. 😀

    Remember –

    The Lord himself goes before you
    and will be with you;
    he will never leave you nor forsake you.
    Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
    – Deuteronomy 31:8

    Ask and it will be given to you;
    seek and you will find;
    knock and the door will be opened to you.
    For everyone who asks receives;
    he who seeks finds;
    and to him who knocks,
    the door will be opened.
    – Matthew 7:7-8

  378. I am hopefully that the baby we have coming in December is healthy. 🙂

  379. Subscribed to get emails

  380. Fan of PPA on Facebook 🙂

  381. I find hope in the darkest of days, and focus in the brightest. I do not judge the universe.
    Dalai Lama

  382. Visited their blog…so precious! LOVE their shirts!

  383. Still so very happy that your family is together. LOVE YOUR STORY and am so blessed through your sweet words.

  384. I’ve been an e-mail subscriber for a long, long time. 🙂

  385. I get the email notifications! 🙂

  386. Facebook fan 🙂

  387. Going to their blog now…

  388. Listed for email posts

  389. Already a FB fan 🙂

  390. My favorite hope verse:
    Christ in you, the hope of glory

    That seed of hope in each of us for eternal glory. That part that cries out against injustice, or sickness, or death. The part inside that says this isn’t what I was created for. This isn’t “right”. It’s that part that holds onto hope with tight clenched hands. Hope in Christ’s Glory. In His sweet restoration. Where all will be right and good. <3

  391. Paula Bruhn says:

    Shared on facebook. I love your beautiful artwork and the beautiful messages they hold for us.

  392. Paula Bruhn says:

    Laura,
    subscribed
    Thank you for sharing your adoption and family stories with us all. It is a huge encouragement to hear your story and know that we can all help this world one step at a time. I pray Amon comes through surgery well and doesn’t require anymore.

    Love Paula

  393. I am a subscriber 🙂 and enjoy every single post.

  394. Visited their blog 🙂

  395. oh hope…hope goes with patience. quite well. I am writing Sunday school lessons right now on the fruit of the Spirit and today I tackled patience. Our Bible story is about Sarah and Abraham…God’s promise of descendants and great gift in Isaac. Can you imagine the hope they held after God Himself promised them a son?! In their 90s!
    I love Genesis 18:12-14 after Sarah overheard the three visitors telling Abraham she was expecting…”So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, ‘After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?’ The Lord said to Abraham, ‘Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’ Is ANYTHING too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.'”
    Our ultimate hope is heaven, and still in the meantime God chooses to gift us along the journey. And so we hope for health and well-being for sweet Amon. “Is anything too hard for the Lord?”
    Nope.

  396. subscriber

  397. FB shared

    thank you so much for welcoming us into your home and life. you are a blessing!

  398. I commented on the blog & am praying or the Reibard family!

  399. I always hope to be the winner of your art giveaways…but I trust God gives them to just the person who needs it at that time. I could actually use. Little hope right now so I would be extra blessed to win! 😉

  400. I am an email subscriber 🙂

  401. I am a fan of PPA on FB

  402. Vanessa in Texas says:

    I hope to have a great school year! I just read about Amon’s surgery. Your FB/blog fans are prayer warriors and will be super busing praying for sweet Amon.

  403. Vanessa in Texas says:

    I am a FB fan and a subscriber. 🙂

  404. Sarah MacIntyre says:

    Shared on FB

  405. Vicki Willcock says:

    Became a fan on PPA Facebook’s page.

  406. Vicki WillcocK says:

    I am at the tail end (hopefully) of a long a adoption process so this would be perfect for us.

  407. Holly mahnke says:

    I am holding onto hope as we are “stuck” in our Haitian adoption. Praying for movement and miracles daily!!

  408. Holly mahnke says:

    shared on fb!!

  409. Holly mahnke says:

    subscribed!!

  410. Holly mahnke says:

    visited Reinard’s blog and commented. Awesome shirts!!

  411. Susan Mello says:

    Praying for Amon, his surgical team, support team, his loving family and wide circle of friends. Bless you…
    Love
    Susan

  412. Laura once again I didn’t make it through your blog without tears. As I was reading and then seeing the Tshirt I immediately said I have to have one ~funny you have one to give away:) 1) because I am in love with anything hearts ~ can you tell by my email and 2) My scripture I have been standing on Isaiah 43:19 ~ God is doing a new thing in me ~ just this week there hasn’t been a day that someone hasn’t sent me this scripture ~ God does have a way of speaking to us ~The last several years have been especially painful but I have renewed HOPE for a future because HIS word says it ~ I believe it ~and it is so. Thank you Laura for being real ~ You are an ordinary Mom with an extra ordinary heart and it beats with HIS ~ God knew HE could entrust Amon to you. I will definitely be praying for Amon and your entire family in the days ahead for wisdom, guidance and God’s abundant blessings ~ I want to leave you with this thought ~ When God (HOPE) is all you have ~ then all you have (HOPE) is all you need. Blessings

  413. Laura I posted this giveaway on my FB page yesterday and will post again today as a reminder:) You are an ordinary Mom with an extra ordinary heart and it beats with HIS Blessings

  414. hoping i win this beautiful and encouraging canvas. my husband and i lost our little one a year ago and are praying that with this pregnancy we can bring our little bundle home!! <3

  415. April houston says:

    Thanks for sharing these tee shirts! So cute!

  416. April houston says:

    Subscribe to your blog & love it! Thanks for sharing your journey. It is a privilege to pray for your sweet family!

  417. I checked out the Reinard’s family blog and will continue following them and praying for them.

  418. Praying for your family, Laura! I know another adoptive family in your area that is going through this very same thing—open heart surgery for their 2 week old. They too are walking a difficult path but are holding hope to the Lord on High.

  419. I follow PPA!

  420. I paid a visit to the Reinards blog and left them some comment love!

  421. I get PPA updates in my email! I love reading every one:-) Also, I’m making those yummy Andes Mint cookies this weekend- thanks for the recipe!

  422. I am a fan of PPA on facebook!

  423. I am so hopeful that God will come pouring out of this tough season that we’re currently in. Big, unexpected changes for our family lately that are hard- but I want to see Him through it all. And I so hope others will see Him in me.

  424. Subscribed to PPA

  425. I am hopeful for our new beginnings!

  426. I hope and pray for your anxiety to lesson in these next couple weeks before Amon’s surgery. (So much easier said than done, huh?) But I am hoping and praying for you and your family that it will be so. My son had a little dental surgery when he was 2 and it made me so anxious to have him under anesthesia. I can’t imagine open heart surgery but know it is what he needs. So thankful he can have this procedure done soon.

  427. Just popped over to Reinards and left a comment on their blog!

  428. Meagan T. says:

    I am already getting your (fabulous) emails. Keep ’em coming!

  429. Kristen B says:

    You inspire so many people every day! Here is beautiful quote about hope that I love:
    “Never let go of hope. One day you will see that it all has finally come together. What you have always wished for has finally come to be. You will look back and laugh at what has passed and you will ask yourself… ‘How did I get through all of that?” ~unknown

  430. Meagan T. says:

    I follow you on FB already. I love, LOVE, LOVE! your artwork. I also have a thing for boats and ships. Maybe because I’m a Navy wife, or because I have 2 little boys who love anything that relates to transportation. Thank you for the opportunity to win one of your pieces. They are all so beautiful.

  431. Meagan T. says:

    Praying for your family Laura. I hope everything goes well with the surgery and that Amon will not have to have any further operations. Praying for strength, calm, and clarity through the journey. Although you may feel weak and helpless, you will all be stronger because of it. Blessings to you all and sweet Amon.

  432. Kristen B says:

    Shared on Facebook!

  433. Heather Bennett says:

    I’m so happy for you guys! Glad you have your little one home!

  434. Tara Shipp says:

    I signed up for your emails!

  435. Tara Shipp says:

    I shared your giveaway on my facebook page.

  436. Tara Shipp says:

    I have been following you for many months now. Praying for you as you venture into this new territory of heart surgery. Praying for God’s peace and comfort on your heart and His hand of healing on Amon’s! God bless!

  437. Tara Shipp says:

    Went to the Reinard’s page and looked around. Thanks for sharing their blog. I love reading these wonderful adoption stories! I tried to leave a comment, but not sure if it took or not!

  438. amanda hill says:

    Wishing the Reinard family gets to fill in their missing puzzle piece soon!

  439. olyce bennett says:

    I signed up for emails!

  440. amanda hill says:

    Laura – Again, I am completely amazed at your strength. Even if there are tears, you always put your big girl pants on and deal with each and every thing with strength and put your trust in Him. I am sending all kinds of thoughts and prayers to Amon, to his doctors and medical team and to your family.

  441. Karen phillips says:

    I love this art piece, Laura! You are an inspiration! Phil. 4:19 has been a source of encouragement and HOPE to me recently…And my God will supply ALL your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus…I remind myself frequently that it says ALL, not SOME…they may not be met in my timing or in the way I think I need, but He is faithful. Thanks for sharing your sweet family…I love reading about y’all and wish we cousins could hang out in real life soon:)

  442. amanda hill says:

    Giveaway shared on Facebook.

  443. Love the t-shirt! Ordered! Can’t wait to get it! It is a blessing to see how God is providing for each of His precious children! Love the Reinard’s story!

  444. Forgot to leave a separate comment for each post! Whoops….
    Shared on FB…

  445. Karen phillips says:

    Shared the giveaway on fb!

  446. Visited the Reinard’s blog….

  447. Subscribed to PPA via email….

  448. Hang in there Laura. Praying for you and yours.. and especially little Amon for broken heart repair. Keep the Faith.

  449. shared on facebook…

  450. catheRine says:

    Praying for you sweet baby boy. Please know our thoughts are with your precious family!

  451. What an awesome journey you are on with Amos! A few weeks ago I had the privilege of walking alongside a very cute 3 yr old Honduran boy and His mom as he went through heart surgery at Vandy. He had been brought over by Children’s Heart Project (great ministry). The docs, nurses, child life specialists, etc… were just amazing! Very caring, professional, eager to serve!
    “But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel (Kelley) after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their HEARTS. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”
    Jeremiah 31:33.
    Holding up Amos and the whole Kelley family before the Lord as you walk forward!

  452. BETH STANFORD says:

    Praying for Baby Amon <3

  453. Happy to get email updates. Are you planning to set up a CaringBridge site? Great, easy way to keep people informed on Amos’ progress.

  454. Ashley Mills says:

    Just shared on Facebook!! 🙂 Love my best friend and all of her children!!! 🙂

  455. So sorry! I meant Amon, not Amos!
    Like PPA on fb!

  456. Samantha Spain says:

    Visited the Reinard’s family blog. Super sweet family!! Praying for them on their journey!

  457. Just “liked” on Facebook. 🙂

  458. Samantha Spain says:

    Praying for your sweet Amon! He is adorable and I’m so happy to hear he is home!

  459. Samantha Spain says:

    Subscribed to receive blog posts from PPA!

  460. Samantha Spain says:

    “Liked” PPA on Fb page!

  461. Amon is so precious, as are you, and your art. Thank you for doing these giveaways! I recently got a hopeful takeaway from Beth Moore at a Living Proof Live and that was that “the battle belongs to the Lord.” The reminder of the Lord’s sovereignty and power definitely gave me hope.

  462. I held on to Hope when waiting during our adoption of our little girl. Well worth the wait and Hope is what is hold on to.

  463. “Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer.” Romans 12:12

  464. Patricia christiansen says:

    love your family and your blog! Praying for your family too!

  465. Your blog gives me so much hope! We are praying that we’ll get the call soon to go pick up our little one from DR Congo 🙂 PS I’d love to send you a shirt also!

  466. Aunt Tootsie says:

    Laura, I think you should take a yellow legal pad to the hospital and write a book, think it would be a best seller. Praying for Amon and the rest of you.

  467. I am hopeful and pray that things go smoothly with my job and salary cuts without too much turmoil. I enjoy my job as it allows me to be with my daughter in the summer.

  468. Have to hold hope! Our foster son left and then came back to us, so after a goodbye we are heading to adoption!!!!!!

  469. Erin MArtin says:

    i always get excited about reading your blogs and i have to tell you, when i read about you getting to go actually get amon, i cried! 🙂

    here’s to having a great surgical team for amon and a quick recovery for the whole family!

  470. I’m a heart surgery survivor myself (Corrected PDA at age 14) so this is near and dear to my (literally) heart. Amon will be in good hands and I will be praying for the entire surgery team to correct his heart defect.

  471. Checked out the Reinard’s family blog….Love the shirts too!!!

  472. God is the ultimate healer and so very grateful that your Amon is home with you and has such great care by you and the Doctors.

  473. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12

    We are holding hope that my sweet husband’s MRI will be 100% clear after his entire chemo/radiation plan is complete. Trusting in God completely 🙂

  474. Subscribed through e-mail!

  475. and happily shared on my Facebook 🙂

  476. My husband and I are holding onto the hope that the Lord will provide for our adoption!! He is able!!!

  477. Shared on Facebook! I randomly stumbled on your blog once upon a time and have been a follower ever since, hopefully more will as well!

  478. Praying for Amon’s health and his upcoming surgery. I’m a big fan (FB as well). I look forward to your blog every day. Prayers and hugs!

  479. Love this piece! Amon is beautiful!

  480. Lindsey doyle says:

    ~ visiting their blog and praying ~

  481. Lindsey doyle says:

    ~ have gotten your emails for months….prayed for your boy to come home now praying for his heart ~

  482. Lindsey doyle says:

    ~ shared your journey ~ He is the one true hope ~ love your reminders.

  483. Rebecca Childree says:

    Just signed up for the email subscription!

  484. Three out of four of my family members have been sick for over a week. I’m hopeful we’re all on the mend.

  485. Rebecca Childree says:

    Shared your giveaway on FB!

  486. Jill Dupras says:

    Glad I’m not too late to enter. I am hopeful that each day my family feels more like my family and it brings me great hope even when things are hard knowing that God brought us together. I love seeing your family together.

  487. Rebecca Childree says:

    From Tommy Walker’s song, “I have a Hope.”

    I have a hope, I have a future I have a destiny that is yet awaiting me My life’s not over, a new beginning’s just begun I have a hope, I have this hope.

    God has a plan, it’s not to harm me But it’s to prosper me and to hear me when I call He intercedes for me, working all things for my good Though trials may come I have this hope

    Chorus I will yet praise Him, my great Redeemer I will yet stand up and give Him glory with my life He takes my darkness and He turns it into light I will yet praise Him, my Lord my God

    Thank you so much for sharing your story. It is such an encouragement to me. I hope we will wknd bringing home treasures one of these days.

  488. Rebecca Childree says:

    Just checked out the Reinard’s blog. Thanks for sharing it!

  489. Enjoy the email updates! 1Peter5:7… Cast all your cares on Him because He cares SO much for ALL of the Kelley family!! Prayers are with you as you continue your journey!

  490. Laura I did visit the Reinards site ~ They are an awesome family ~ I do plan on purchasing a T from them just as soon as I can ~ I love anything with hearts on it:) I am also already subscribed to your email for some time now. I have Amon and your entire family on my prayer chain ~ Just today we stood & agreed(Matthew 18:19) in prayer for a precious 10 year old little girl who was diagnosed with cancer during her first year in school ~ they suspected the cancer had returned so today was spent with Doctors running tests ~ PTL she was given a good report ~ Laura God is still on the throne and is GREATER than anything you face. Just remember When GOD (HOPE) is all you have ~ then all you have (HOPE) is all you need. Blessings

  491. I almost forgot to enter! I checked out the Reinard’s family blog. Will be buying a shirt for sure 🙂

  492. I also am already a subscriber 🙂

  493. Just about every time I read all of the comments, they bring me to tears. It is so wonderful to see the flow of love and prayers, and support coming your way. Your family is in our prayers and my kids LOVE the pictures of yummy Amon. They are a little confused and bummed that we aren’t near you to be able to meet ( and squeeze) him ( all of you actually) in person. They especially wanted to be close for that bake sale once they saw all the goodies 🙂
    My hopes are for Amon to breeze through surgery, and for all of your children to know and feel all the love coming their way 🙂

Trackbacks

  1. Sweet Heart says:

    […] still enter to win the 11×14 Hold Onto Hope canvas…either scroll to the post below or CLICK HERE to enter.  Giveaway ends Friday and I will post the winner […]

  2. […] and our Hopeful Heart Giveaway ends tonight at midnight and I will post the winner tomorrow.  Up for grabs is this 11×14 […]

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