We are in awe of the generousity and support from family, friends, community members, and complete strangers. Our Garage Sale for Adoption was a HUGE success. We cannot thank everyone enough---those who either donated items and goodies, stopped by to offer support for our adoption by purchasing items from our enourmous sale, or just plain offered a hug and a listening ear while we shared about our journey to Kalyn - then convinced them to buy some goodies!
So we are crazy! Here is how the last two weeks have gone. Yes it has been a whirlwind! It all started with a plan to ask church family and friends for donations of items they wanted to get rid of but didn't have time to sell on their own. We encourage people to drop items by our house and we would be happy to sell them - all proceeds to benefit Kalyn's adoption. A slough of families donated items. More than we expected and it was awesome! We also went through our attic, basement, bedrooms, closets, and kitchen-- daddy thought mommy might just sell him too! We sent emails and text messages to family and friends asking them to make baked goods, we ordered free "Square" readers so we could accept Credit Cards, mommy made some flashy signs, and we ordered T-shirts.
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| Grandpa Curtis & Grandma Meri showing off our "Love Crosses Oceans" T-Shirts and their new grandson! Thanks mom for your dedication to helping and baking for our sale. It wouldn't have been possible without YOU! |
Overwhelmed by the enourmous response we had so much stuff to sell for our Sept 13th sale. After the sale we decided that we had enough stuff (yep lots of stuff) to have ANOTHER sale on Sept 20th during city wide sales. It was like Jesus feeding the 5,000 from scripture; John 6:1-14. When Jesus started with very little, he then fed 5,000 and had leftovers - that's what it felt like after our first sale - we had even more stuff for the second sale. All things are possible through him who gives you strength. HAVE FAITH!
So the turnout for both days was amazing! Friends we knew, many people we did not, even folks who have adopted kiddos themselves, are thinking about adopting, or even those who know someone who has adopted. So many neat connections and amazing people that came just because it was a Garage Sale for Adoption! **Even a visit from a 90 some yr. old gentlemen who drove 35 miles to tell us about his three adopted children** GOD IS SO GOOD!
In the end - we had a small trailer of stuff (yep still more stuff) that we donated to a local charity, Community Health Ministry - so the items will go to those who need it. The Garage Sales were a lot of work, but the people we encountered, the quality time organizing items with grandma Meri, and all the friends and family to donated to make our sale a success --- PRICELESS and WORTH EVERY ACHEY BONE & MUSCLE!
We are so blessed and cannot express enough thank yous for those who have helped us along the way. You may view our FUNDRAISING PAGE to see all of the mini miracles and love that people have shown us through our many fundraisers.
We cannot express our appreciation for Everyone's Love, Prayers, and Support!
KALYN is LOVED by MORE AWESOME PEOPLE THAN HE CAN IMAGINE.
Praise the LORD!
"Praise, O servants of the LORD, Praise the name of the LORD. Blessed be the name of the LORD From this time forth and forever. From the rising of the sun to its setting The name of the LORD is to be praised..."
-Psalm 113:1-3
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Along the adoption front we are waiting the next approval, LOA. For China families matched prior to their Dossier (pernounced do-see-ay) this is the longest wait. The "Letter of Acceptance" confirms that China has officially approved our adoption application and approves our match to Kalyn. Daddy and Mommy have to sign it and send it back to China to confirm that "YES" we want to bring Kalyn home. Then we will travel to China between 8-12 weeks later. The LOA wait typically comes to families about 60-90 days after our Dossier arrives in China. We are on day 48. God's timing is perfect...we will wait for the next excitement. In the mean time - we are preparing to get VISA's for in-country travel to China, fundraising for our last bit of travel expenses and shop for gifts that we will give Kalyn's nannies, the orphanage director, tour guides, and drivers. So excited to share with you our LOA event!!! We plan to celebrate by launching Lanterns in the Sky...
Blessings to you all!
