Guest Post ~ Getting Your Verse On - With Wild Olive Tees!

I know I've been neglecting you all for the past few weeks and I apologize.  I've been spending a lot of time cleaning out the basement, closets, storage bins, etc. in order to make room for a few new projects I want to work on this fall.  Several months ago, I joined an online yard sale community (check facebook for yard sale groups in your area) and a couple of weeks ago, I was very happy to have met a fellow blogger.

After chatting with her for a bit, I knew I wanted Tracy to be Under the Big Oak Tree's first guest blogger!

I’m very excited about this opportunity to guest post here today. My name is Tracy, also known around my blog as The Gang’s Momma. I am a stay-at-home momma to five amazing kids. My oldest four kids came to our family the old-fashioned way, and range in age from 18 to 11. Our fifth child is a spunky, firecracker of a five-year old adopted from China in 2008. We are amazed every single day at the gift of her life and how it has enriched and expanded us all. In November 2010 my hubby and I felt there was one more little girl waiting somewhere in China to join our family, so we began our second adoption adventure. It’s not an easy road; there are plenty of twists, turns, and detours along the way.

Frankly, one of the biggest obstacles for most adoptive families is the financial aspect. In an international adoption, most of the expenses are incurred in the process of qualifying the adoptive family as fit to adopt. This includes local, state and federal documentation, all kinds of clearances, and home study interviews. In the adoption community, it’s affectionately referred to as the paper chase. As a second-time adopter, I am more than willing to subject myself to this paper chase because I already know the sweet little treasure I will get to bring home at the outcome of the process!

Thankfully, there are plenty of resources out there to help adoptive families these days. Shortly after I became connected in the on-line adoption community, I started following a couple “heavy hitters” in the blogging world. These women were full of purpose and passion, far beyond the privilege of building their own families by adoption. They were on a mission to participate in orphan care around the world. And they were committed to helping other adoptive families do the same. That’s how Wild Olive Tees was born.

I’ve been a huge supporter of this business since the beginning. They sell beautiful trendy tees that proclaim The Word of God in an artsy, hip message. I own several – I keep them at the top of my “gift ideas” list whenever the hubby is looking for something to buy for my birthday or Valentine’s Day or Christmas. He loves how easy I make it for him, and I love the message and the purpose behind their company.

As Wild Olive Tees has grown in size and reputation, they have expanded to include an Adoption Fundraising program for families like mine. We desire to add another child to our family. We are ready to become parents to a 6th child even with all the changes it will entail (Thankfully, our social worker agrees, after a series of intimate interviews and reference checks...) We are working hard to save and find creative ways to earn the money for the process as we go. But it’s still a lot of money and we don’t necessarily have $30,000 sitting in the bank. That’s where Wild Olive Tees comes into my story.

Since May we have worked with Wild Olive Tees as part of their Adoptive Families fundraising program. I’m so very proud to be associated with these women. They are generous, godly, and purpose-filled women who understand the importance of supporting and caring for orphans around the world. They know first hand the joy that adoption brings to every family who experiences it. Using their combined talents to share The Word in artistic expressions on beautiful tees that honor The Lord, they are fulfilling the purposes for which He formed their business. I’m very humbled that they would allow us to participate in this mission of theirs.

If you would like Get Your Verse On and share in our adoption adventure, please click on the button below. At the check-out, enter our family code WHITNEY407. A portion of your purchase of any of these Adoption Fundraising Tees will benefit our adoption journey.


If you are interested in fund-raising for your own adoption, please contact Amie at Wild Olive Tees. She will be more than happy to help you Get Your Verse On, with a purpose, too! Tell her The Gang's Momma sent ya! The Gang's All Here! http://whitneygang.blogspot.com