People in Idaho: Disney Ticket Raffle

Welcome to the People in Idaho series! Idaho Mom Bloggers will be featuring people who are making a difference in the state and around the world.

Jessie Gunderson is an Idaho Mom of 5 who lives on a farm in Northern Idaho.

She's passionate about Jesus, likes zz-top, and she's had every kind of pet you could imagine (including a tarantula).

I'll Never Get My Life Back

by Jessie Gunderson

I've never thought of myself as the mothering type. I was the girl making mud pies and riding horses. The delight I experienced once I started having kids surprised me but I still longed for a day when they'd be grown up and I'd get my life back.

One day I was thinking about God's profound love for us and how Jesus gave up his life so we could live and I began to change. I realized I couldn't love God and despise His creation. I prayed for Jesus to show me how to love people.

I've been a mother for eleven years now, learning how to love, surrender my agenda and the perfectionist tendencies, and grow to a place where I no longer want a different life. Isaiah 58:10 says to spend yourself. And as I studied God's selfless character, I realized that's how I want to be.

I delivered a little boy, my fifth child, at our home in the woods and I knew our family wasn't complete. God put it on my heart to grow our family. We're currently in the process of adopting a 5 and 7 year old brother and sister from Ethiopia. She wants to be a judge when she grows up and he wants to be a runner. The journey toward them is immense and the heart change has taken me a lifetime, but I no longer want out. I want to surrender to Christ's strength and lean on Him so I can spend myself loving the least of these.

Jessie needs to raise $25,000 to bring her kiddos home. She has a store on her site and is also offering a chance to win a Pair of Tickets to Disney Land to anyone who donates! There are more prizes just for sharing her post.

Please go to Jessie's Website to Enter to Win!

Hurry raffle ends 2/28!

Do you know a great Idahoan? To nominate yourself or someone else please contact info@idahomombloggers.com.

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What to do in Idaho: McCall Winter Carnival

If you are looking for what to do in Idaho, something fun is always happening in McCall. They have everything; lakes, mountains, hot springs, forests, and more. No wonder people in Idaho look forward to the McCall Winter Carnival!

This year marks the 47th year of the nationally recognized community event that unites the city and leaves a lasting impression on it's guests. The celebration starts Jan. 25th to Feb. 3rd. So, if you are looking for something fun to do this winter, then check out this fun family getaway!

Things to do in Meridian: Children's Winter Festival

Kick off the Christmas Season in Meridian with a day of fun activities for your kids!
This Community event benefits the Meridian Food Bank and is held at Meridian City Hall on 33 E. Broadway Ave on Saturday, December 1st 10am-3pm

Bring a food donation of any size and participation in all these events is Free:
Gingerbread House Contest
Trolley Rides
Pictures with Santa
Letters to Santa
Meet Rudolph
Cookie Decorating
Wooden Toy Building
Christmas Crafts
Face Painting
Hot Chocolate and Coffee
Prizes and More!

For more information Contact the City of Meridian

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Things to do in Meridian: Christmas Tree Lighting

You probably have heard about the Meridian Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in the Generations Plaza, downtown Meridian. Have you heard about the free festivities?

Source

Join KTVB News Channel 7, Starbucks and Krispy Kreme on the Corner of Main and Idaho to celebrate the start of the Christmas Season.
Event will be held on Friday, November 30th 6:00pm
Activities include:
Free Donuts, Hot Chocolate and Coffee
Free Carriage Rides
Meet Rudolph and Santa
Local Children's Choir Performances
The Marines Toys for Tots
Showing of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" Cartoon at 6pm
Ceremony starts at 6:30pm
Official Countdown 7:15pm

For more information Contact the City of Meridian

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Idaho Events: Melissa and Doug Online Giveaway

One of our Idaho Mom Bloggers are having a Giveaway!
What's so great about local blogger giveaways?
There aren't as many people entering and that means your chances of winning go way up!

Melissa and Doug Toys are classic - the kind of toys that you never want to throw out! For Christmas Shopping I love looking at their Terrific Twenty list that includes the top toys of 2012, for all the kids on my list.

Some of my daughter's favorite toys are Melissa and Doug, like their Mini Dollhouse. That is why I am so excited to bring you this Melissa and Doug Giveaway!

Everyday, they will be giving away one of the toys from the Terrific Twenty list on their Facebook Page. So be sure to head over there to enter between Nov 6th-Nov 26th. Here's the exciting part; they are giving ME and my friend Mama Miss more toys to give away to YOU, True Aim Readers! To enter just complete the simple steps below. There are 2 prizes total. Good luck! This giveaway ends 11/26/12

a Rafflecopter giveaway

For even more Melissa and Doug Giveaways visit these other amazing blogs:
Living Life Intentionally

Note: Only people with a U.S. address can enter. If you have any questions please email me tulip(at)trueaimeducation(dot)com.

Disclaimer: I received a Melissa and Doug product for review. However, I never recommend products my family doesn't love and use.