Love Abounds....

I am so overwhelmed by the generosity of others.  I am even more overwhelmed by the generosity and blessing of our Lord!  When we were selected to be the featured family on Give 1 Save 1 I had no idea what to expect.  I'm not even talking about the financial part!  I have been truly blown away by several things:

1.) Willingness to Share - I can not believe how many people shared our Give 1 Save 1 "campaign"!  We have spent the week catching up on all the "shares" to make sure that we have everyone for the giveaway.  I am also blown away by the amount of MEN who shared!  One of my neighbors, S, is a man's man - you have to be a really good friend to see the sensitive side of him - He shared!  I almost lost it when I saw that he shared!  I want everyone to know how much every share means to me  and I thank you so much!

2.) Repeat Donators - One of the reasons we wanted to do Give 1 Save 1 was to get out of our "circle" of past donators.  Wouldn't you know it that we have so many repeat donators.  A member of our church family who is adopting from Haiti, they have supported EVERY fundraiser we have done.  I was shocked and touched when I saw them donate to our Give 1 Save 1.  Another church family, who is dealing with a serious sickness of their baby girl - donated again.  I just can't believe how many people have been repeaters!  It is truly mind blowing and most definitely humbling.  My church is amazing!  The giving nature of all of these donators is amazing!

3.) Notes of encouragement - I can't believe how many people have sent us notes of encouragement and praises for what we are doing.  Let me stress, we are not amazing, we are not to be awed, we are plain, ordinary folks who are stepping out for Jesus.  That's all!  We fight, we love, we make mistakes, we yell at the kids!  We are not awesome people without flaw!  We are two people who have been deeply impacted by James 1:27:

Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.

I could not send Galvani to a state run orphanage.  I could not do it.  For the rest of my life I would have thought about it and what happened to him and regretted not helping him.  He's just a boy.  He DESERVES a family just as much as you or I.  I don't care about any "issues" he may have.  He is a boy who needs love and a Mom and a Dad.  That's it.  Seems pretty simple to me.

4.) Adoption Community - Can I just say WOW! WOW! WOW!?????  My friend Heather once told me the adoption community is so accepting and loving and supportive.  I knew that.....I now know I REALLY KNOW IT!  I feel like the adoption community ran their own "shock and awe" campaign on us!  You would not believe how many other adoptive parents that have given to us.  It is AMAZING!  Rob and I have decided that we are going to do our part to give back to the adoption community.  What better place to spend our money than on items to bring kids home into a forever family? Adoption friends - YOU ARE AMAZING!  Your heart and your willingness to give WHILE fundraising yourself is what inspires me!  Thank you so much!

Speaking of fundraisers!  Rob and I have decided that our Give 1 Save 1 Campaign will be our last fundraiser.  No, we do NOT have all of the money for Galvani's adoption.  BUT, I can tell you this:  What God has called us to do, HE is faithful to finish it!  We have received so many random reminders- almost daily - that I know without a doubt that God has this!  He is faithful!  Not sure how it will work out,but I know it will!!!!

Thank you for following our journey.  Thank you for your support.  Thank you for reminding us that we were created in God's image and we all have at least a piece of his goodness inside of us.

Have a blessed day!  It's Friday!

Christy