Garage Sale

It was still dark when we started setting up, carrying everything from the back yard and the garage into the front.  We had received so many donations from our friends, much more than we had anticipated.  What a blessing.  My friends, Kathleen, Mindy, and Sylvia came bright and early to help out.  Our neighbor, Alan, came over to drop off some seriously awesome donations, and then got roped into heavy lifting - thanks Alan! 

This sweet little three month old baby, Alejandra, was crying while her mama tried to shop so I offered to hold her, and amazingly she settled right down in my arms.  I kind of didn’t want to give her back!

Later in the morning our friend Kate showed up to shop with her mom and two of her kids, Josie and Silas.  Kate and her husband have adopted domestically and internationally and have been a big inspiration to us over the years.  Josie and Silas each came with their own money, ready to hunt for some treasures, but they also brought cards they had made for me, with a donation inside. 

Dear Mrs. Kelly, Thank you for adopting Rose. Thanks for finding a happy home for her. Use this money to help bring her home. From, Josie

   Hope you get Rose. Enjoy this 8 bucks.

 Oh my heart… yes, the tears came.  And the laughter.  Their own money, given to help bring our Rose home.  These are some parents who are doing something right.  Teaching their children about what really matters in life.  That there is joy in giving, in helping others who are less fortunate.  I wish all children were able to learn that kind of compassion that is moved to action.  And Silas, you crack me up.  

We had a great sale and in the end we made… $1,160!  Just from stuff lying around our house and other people’s houses that we didn’t want anymore.  Thank you to all who donated.  We will be having one more sale soon with some of the left over stuff, and will work to reach our goal of $2,000.

Tomorrow is our big event… Casino Night!  We are so excited for this fundraiser.  So many people have donated such amazing prizes, I cannot even wrap my head around it.  As I type this I can smell the food that Aaron is prepping.  YUM.  We hope to see you there!

Working on it!

We had our first home study visit and it went great.  We came home from church and ran around for 30 minutes making beds, putting toys away, wiping the counters, running brushes through hair, and we were ready.  Our caseworker arrived and had the kindest demeanor, instantly putting us at ease.  Chloe was happy to be his tour guide, proudly showing him her room, her garden, her dress up wardrobe.  It only took about fifteen minutes and once he was sure we were pretty alright people, he took off.  We have one more visit with him in two weeks and shortly after that our home study will be DONE!  For anyone wondering, a home study is a big packet of information all about us.  Our background, finances, medical evaluations, letters of reference, views on punishing, reasons why we are adopting, all of that.  Basically, to make sure we are not psychos.  :)

We are having a BIG garage sale this Saturday.  What we thought was going to be a small task, has grown and taken on a life of its own.  We have been busy driving all around town, picking up loads of stuff, people have dropped off boxes, and we have been trying to keep up on sorting through it.  The garage is packed and it’s now spilling over onto our lawn in the backyard.  Our girls think Christmas has ARRIVED.  Every day, something new, something fun to explore and play with.  What a tremendous blessing to have so many people pitch in to help. 

We are SO EXCITED about our big fundraising event coming up on June 28^th.  My amazing friend, Kathleen, a.k.a. Party Planner Extraordinaire, has been working on a really fun casino night with food and drinks, raffle and silent auction items.  So many friends have either donated things themselves, or gotten some awesome things donated by local businesses.  There is jewelry, luxurious hotel stays, great restaurant gift certificates, professional hair services, tickets to Sea World and Legoland, couture baby gift baskets, karate lessons, dance lessons, a paintball package, and MORE!  We can’t wait for this amazing night.  If you are reading this, we would LOVE for you to come and share in our fun and be a small part of Rose’s story.  Of her journey to getting a family of her own.  Because she is worth it.  Because every child, no matter their age or where they live, deserves to not be alone in this life. 

Learn to do right; seek justice.  Defend the oppressed.  Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow. –Isaiah 1:17

Our Exciting News!

Over Christmas we hosted an orphan from the Philippines in our home for one month.  Her name was Rose and she was 12 years old.  The purpose of hosting an orphan is to just shower them with love, to tell them they are special and worthy, that God loves them, and to show them that someone cares.  And after the month is up, they go back home to their regular life.

We had a wonderful experience with Rose and when it was time to say goodbye, we all cried.  Aaron and I started praying and seeking God's will about the possibility of adopting Rose.  We loved her, she was sweet and full of joy.  But having a one and a four year old, it was scary to think of having a twelve year old, besides the huge amount of money it would cost to adopt from the Philippines- money we don't have.  So we prayed for God to show us his will, and friends prayed for us as well.  And slowly, God started showing us through his word, what he wanted us to do.

In Bible Study Fellowship this year we studied the book of Matthew.  We read about not worrying about what we will eat or drink or wear because God knows what we need and will provide it.  We read about seeking his kingdom first and storing our treasures in heaven, not on earth.  And my heart began to trust that God would provide the finances.

But then I was worried about the time and energy that adding another child to our family would take.  And I worried that I was already drained at times with just my two.  Would I have enough to give to another?  And did I really want to sacrifice the little time I did have?  But then we read in Matthew about taking up our cross because it's in losing our life that we really find it.  And that whoever welcomes a little child in his name welcomes Jesus.

We read the parable of the talents and how one servant buried his talent but another one was faithful with his.  I realized that I've been given talents - as a mother, and how much I want to hear someday, "Well done, good and faithful servant".  And then we read about how when we welcome one of the least of these, we are welcoming Jesus.

So I realized that I had wanted a big sign - a burning bush in my backyard would've been nice, or waking up to manna on my lawn.  But God was speaking to me through his word.  And little by little, each week, my heart was convicted.  At the same time, God was working on Aaron's heart as well, and we both became sure about what we should do.

So...

We are going to have a twelve year old.

just joy

I share this with you not to say how great I am, but how selfish I am.  How difficult it's been for me to obey.  How much I crave an easy and comfortable life, but the Holy Spirit is changing my heart through his word.

If you would like to help us bring Rose home, we would be forever grateful for the piece of the puzzle that you will be in giving Rose a family.  You can see and donate to our fundraiser here:  http://www.youcaring.com/adoption-fundraiser/bringing-rose-home/174965