I recently created a special gift called "The Loyalty Lock". It is a very pretty antiqued charm that comes with a 26" cord of black leather and a 40 day promise to pray written on what looks like a weathered piece of scroll. I designed it so it would look good on both guys and girls. If I sell 1800 Loyalty Locks in the next two weeks, I will be able to give $8,000.00 ($2,000 each) as a Christmas gift to 4 different and amazing organizations who support the special needs community:
1. Best Buddies of Tennessee
2. Reeces Rainbow
3. The Down Syndrome Association of Middle Tennessee
4. The Therapeutic Boarding School where my sister currently resides
As a big sister to 2 little rays of sunshine who have Down syndrome, I am constantly looking for ways to get the word out about the special needs community. About the value of these incredible individuals, about how they have unique qualities and gifts, and about how much they add to the world just by being a part of it. That has been my goal, my mission, and my calling in life.
But recently, my mission became much much larger. In addition to Hope and Charlie, I have another sister who is 15. My parents adopted her when she was only 3 from a very abusive orphanage in Russia. Throughout my entire life, she was my very best friend. When Natalie turned 13, though, she began to suffer with lots of issues. She started stealing, lying, harming herself and others, throwing tantrums, destroying property, and she also became extremely paranoid....she even started believing my family had stolen her from Russia. There was a time when I thought I had lost my sister forever.
My parents looked for help, but help was almost impossible to find. My mom started talking about it and blogging about it and found out there were many other parents struggling with this same issue. And like my family, those families were having a difficult time finding help. My sister was finally diagnosed with Reactive Attachment Disorder which is a good thing. We were so happy for the diagnosis, because it meant she could finally receive help. She is now in a therapeutic boarding school that is making a huge impact on her life. She is making progress. It is taking time, but she is getting better and better and better. I even get to visit her next week.
This experience with Natalie has shown me that the special needs community reaches all the way to mental illnesses too. These are people I didn't even know existed until my sister was diagosed with RAD. There are thousands of teenagers who are just like Natalie, and those people need support and should never be forgotten or left out. Ever. So this is the newest part of my mission. I want to help this therapeutic boarding school grow so more kids can get the help they need.
So, basically I need to sell 1800 Loyalty Locks in 2 weeks to meet my goal. The Loyalty Lock makes a great stocking stuffer or Christmas gift, and since it comes with a 40 day promise to pray, it is a gift that hopefully produces lots of miracles. Maybe even 1800 miracles! Prayer does change things. And God still works miracles. So if you want to be a part of this Christmas miracle, go to http://www.loyaltylock.org/ and purchase yours today. They are $14.99 each with a flat shipping rate of $2.00 (to make things simple). My mom and I are shipping these things out of Franklin, TN every single day, so getting yours by Christmas will not be a problem if you order SOON!
May you ALL have a wonderful Holiday season filled with Joy, Joy, and more Joy!!! My Christmas wish is to give these organizations the $8,000.00 gift this year. I'm expecting a Christmas Miracle! Thank you for helping me be a small part of helping others!!!
http://www.loyaltylock.org/
Love,
Lydia Hollis
(From Melanie Hollis (Mom): Natalie continues to improve....we are so thankful for the hard work she is putting into getting better. Her school work has especially improved by leaps and bounds which is allowing her to feel more confidence and better about herself. Sometimes it is the little things. We visit her next week and cannot wait to see her face to face. We will be bringing loads of Christmas gifts with us for her to enjoy. To all the moms who have contacted me about issues and struggles you are having at home with your own children...know I pray for you, I think of you, and I am here for you! Thank you (as always) for all of your prayers and support for Natalie, Hope, and little Charlie-man!)
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