Help Sponsor Katelyn Hovis for Down Syndrome Awareness

September 17, 2011 we were blessed with the birth of our daughter Katelyn Noel Hovis. she was diagnosed with Trisomy 21 better known as Down Syndrome. Down Syndrome is a genetic condition that involves having 3 sets of the 21st chromosome and has nothing to do with anything the parents done, honestly we think of it as God gift to us, He chose us for our miracle baby Kate.

Anyone has a chance of having a child with Downs but sadly over 90% of children with DS don't get the chance to live due to abortions. The information that is given to expecting parents if their child in fact has a chance of having DS is in simple words horrible! Yes, with Downs there is a lot of other health issues that CAN come with the condition as far as mentally and physical delays, heart problems and more. BUT no information is given about how wonderful these children are... and how the spectrum is so wide in their abilities and personalities.

Each year the NDSS has Buddy Walks all over the US to help raise funds for Down Syndrome Awareness. After much prayer we have felt lead to start our own fundraisers to help share the joys of having a child with Down Syndrome in hope that other see how much of a blessing Katelyn is to our family and how life with a child with Special Needs really isn't has bad as everyone makes it out to be. We have decided that we will be dividing any funds raised between 3 groups, first 50% will go to the Sponsor Katelyn in the 2012 Buddy Walk, 25% will go to our local Down Syndrome Support Group and the last 25% will go to the Pregnancy Center in Meadville PA.

With all that said I am asking everyone to join us in our efforts first and for most please keep us, other families with children with Down Syndrome and parents expecting a child with DS in your prayers. Secondly I am asking everyone to please consider donating to sponsor our little girl. God gave her to us for a reason and a purpose, we have a responsibility to do our best for her and other unborn children like baby Kate.

We have a few different ways that you can help. Easiest way is go to our family blog http://raisingwarriorsforchrist.blogspot.com/ and make a donation of any amount through Paypal.

DONATION BAR TOP RIGHT

 If you would like to make a donation through mail please send to:

Matt Hovis
24814 Highway 408
Cambridge Springs
PA 16403

Next we will be having a huge family yard sale June 14th, 15th, and 16th and are accepting items donated to be sold. Please contact us at mmhovis1@gmail.com to get more information or to request a time to drop off your items.

Lastly we will be having a candle fundraiser selling Our Own Candle Company Candles. More information will come about this at a later date.

In advance thank you for all your prayers, donations and help! God Bless each and everyone one of your!

In Christ,

The Hovis Family

NOT what but how I want to be when I grow up!

In school this was one of those things that was asked many times, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" In the younger years it was something that changed just as much as you would change your socks. Some really did know for sure what they wanted to be.... others had no idea, actually some still don't at all and will spend a lifetime trying to figure it out.

For the most part growing up I knew I wanted to do something with business, I understood from a young age that God had given me talents in this area and that is what I wanted to use. After high school I when to college got a degree in marketing and management only to find out that God had an even more wonderful future in store for me. A bigger responsibility than even running my own business.... raising children! =0)

Now I don't look at what I want to be when I grow up BUT how I want to be... it honestly makes so much more sense to me now to think like this. God is the one whom I put my trust in and who's will I want to be apart of. I want to be used for His glory and honor!

So you ask HOW do you want to be when you "grow up"... well to start with I want to be a person that someone can count on, a Godly example, a light for the Lord, a mother who's children and husband raise up and call her blessed. Pretty much everything God wants me to be, reaching for the highest goal He has willed for my life.

Another big one is Lord Willing if God blesses us with grandchildren we want to be grandparents like my parents! My parents, Don and Sandy have scarified over and over again for our children. They love each of them for who they are. Even though they live 40 minutes away they take the time each week to come over to visit us at least 1-2 sometimes more times a week. They make it a point to call and talk to our children, love on them and share every special moment with each of them. Even for Zach and Wylie's birthdays which are two days apart and we had a bowling party on the day in between they came over to our house all 3 days just so that each boy would feel loved on their own birthday! What a blessing it is to have someone I can always count on to call and share my fears, joys and needs and know they will listen with understanding ears and willing hearts. I don't ever have to worry about help with appts. if I need a hand mom and dad are always ready even willing to change their plans to help me. Mom even has taken on the hard job of holding all of my children while they have gotten their shots just so I can love on them as soon as they are done! WOW I honestly could go on and on. We want to be a meme and papa like that, I pray our children always feel comfortable asking for help or things they need. I pray they consider us not only their mother and father but great friends like I consider my parents.

Yes this post is about how I want to be when I get older but also a thank you to my wonderful loving parents, who as I write this are watching our boys since Kate and I have had sinus colds and a dr. appt. today. I am so thankful for your love, friendship, example and help you offer us everyday and I want the whole world to know how blessed we are to have you as meme and papa to our 4 children! I love you mom and dad!