When we were deciding how we wanted to raise awareness for our adoption the #1 thing on my mind wasn't that we had to raise the 30K. We really do need all the help we can get, but we know God will provide the way financially. My biggest desire was to simply put a bug in everyone's ear for adoption in general. I have loved telling our story because it's so exciting to be a part of such an amazing miracle. It's hard not to talk about it. It's kind of like when you're engaged, all you want to do is talk about dresses and flowers and cakes and photography and the honeymoon... And when you're pregnant all you want to talk about is BABIES and cute clothes and the nursery and names...
Well right now all I can think about is ADOPTION. It's on my mind constantly. This little girl who is on the other side of the world is not kicking and punching inside my womb, but inside my heart, and I can't wait to see her face to face. It really is going to happen!
We were humbled and amazed by the outpouring of some of the people in our lives: Neighbors, Clients, family, church friends, and just good "old faithful" givers. Have you ever noticed that it's always the same people who give? Some clients of Matt's moved downtown to minister to a certain community a few years back and they emailed us last year telling us of a large Haitian family whose house had burned down in the middle of the night. We scurried the next day to get together as much stuff for them as we could find. I sent out a mass email to everyone I could think of, asking for help. Many people responded, but many did not. I was sort of shocked and irritated. I remember talking to one gal who told me that she literally had nothing to offer. Seriously? Not ONE little thing??? We American's have so much. I could go through my house daily and give things away. We all could.
Many of those same people who gave to that Haitian family poured out their generosity on us as well. I was not surprised. Once you learn to give you can't stop. You realize that life is full of paradoxes and one of the biggest of all is the realization that when you hold onto everything, you have so much more to lose and you never have enough. Once you learn to let go, you receive a treasure of satisfaction and fulfillment that is so gratifying. Nothing can top it. Being a giver is the greatest gift and it's two-sided. We are eternally grateful for those who reached out and gave to us. Big or small, it all adds up. That being said, we raised a total of $1,050.00! We still have SO MUCH STUFF and it keeps on coming. We are going to extend the garage sale to this weekend and then donate the things that don't sell. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers and kind emails.
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| The Dukes Family came in a minivan with 5 kids and a huge truck with LOADS of stuff! |
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| My amazing mother-in-law, negotiating with a man over a set of golf clubs. It was so funny. |
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| Ansley and Addie, selling lemonade and muffins and donuts. |
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| Me and my sweetie |
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| Grandpa & Grandma were amazing. They had just driven all night from Canada and came to help out. |
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