thank-you

Ahhh...that's how I feel after a really big week. But I couldn't be more thankful for all the wonderful people who helped us with the garage sale! It brought in around $2500 for our adoption! Amazing!! I was overcome more than a few times (I am tearing up as I write this) at the community around us. Our church family blew me away. I am so blessed to be able to say that we go to a church that is not just a bunch of people we see on Sunday - they are our family. They donated, baked, worked, brought tables, folded. The Crossing knows how to love and serve and I love you guys so much. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I wish everyone could experience that kind of community and support because I'm pretty sure that's the way Jesus intended it to be. I couldn't say enough to thank you. Thank you for loving our family and supporting us in this.

A special thank you too to our moms. Nancy and Nancy. They helped tremendously with the kiddos and we couldn't have done it without them. We have the best moms in the world. They love us unconditionally and support us in any way they can. And they are completely adored by their grandchildren!!!

The best part of the week was all the conversations I got to have with people. Not only my friends who came to help (a garage sale is a great way to build community!) but with the countless people who saw our sign that said "Adoption Fundraiser" and were so excited about adoption. Most people had some sort of connection to adoption and it is so clear that God is moving mightily on behalf of the orphans. I talked to adoptive moms, grandparents, sisters, friends. I talked to two different birthmothers who told me they had a child they gave up for adoption and they were so excited about what we were doing. I didn't even know what to say. These women are amazing. I had a few "grandpa types" come up to me while their wives were looking around the sale and they gave me a donation for our adoption. Those were the ones that brought me to tears. These sweet men who looked me in the eye and said, "I felt like I was supposed to give you this." I am overwhelmed even as I write this. They reminded me of my dad. He would have done something like that too.

I just can't express how thankful I am. I just can't think of the right words. I see God's Hand in this. I believe He loves us through the good times and the hard times. Thank you Mom F., Mom V., Grandma Lorene, Anika, Cherish, Char, Aunt Marcia, Sarah, Majesta, Katarah, Jaime, Angela, Daniel, Regina, Natalie, Celeste, Liz, TJ, Traci, Joel, Desire, Cass, Marin, Sheri, Shannon, Noah, Ellen, Abigail, Michelle, Sheena, Heidi, Emily, Xanady, Roo, Sheri, Mindy, Jamie, Summer and so many others for showing us His love. We love you too.