Dossier

Dossier
This is the package that carried our hearts through Paris, Dubai, and on to Ethiopia :)

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Just wanted to give an update on funds raised this month for the adoption. Between the Adoption Yard Sale Event, the two day neighborhood garage sale at the Cady's, and donations from friends, family, and church family, the total comes to $4,574.00! Praise the Lord!
We are so excited about what God is doing in our lives through His people. He has provided for the adoption every step of the way, and we know that He will continue to do so! This adoption has changed our lives. We have cut back in ways we didn't think possible, and have really realized a lot of things we can do without! Our Jeep engine blew a few weeks ago, and that typically would have been devastating to us because of the price tag attached ($2,000 to fix, or more to get a different car). We were able to almost laugh about it, knowing that this is part of Satans plan to mean evil. Well, what Satan intends for evil, God means for good. We have decided God wants us to just wait. Shane has been riding his bike to work every day, and has quite enjoyed it! It's good exercise and good for his health, he gets fresh air, and we are saving money on gas. We should be able to continue on this way into the New Year, which gives us time to pray and see what God has in store next. God is good ALL the time. Thank you a million times over for your prayers, your support, and for loving our sweet little African boy.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Most Richly Blessed

"I asked for strength that I might achieve; I was made weak that I might learn to humbly obey.
I asked for health that I might do greater things; I was given infirmity that I might do better things.
I asked for riches that I might be happy; I was given poverty that I might be wise.
I asked for power that I might have the praise of men; I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things that I might enjoy life; I was given life that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing that I had asked for, but everything that I had hoped for.
Almost despite myself my unspoken prayers were answered; I am , among all men, most richly blessed."
-an unknown Confederate soldier

We may not have any clue when we will get to meet and hold our son, still have far to go financially with the adoption, and currently have only one functioning vehicle, but we are among all men most richly blessed.

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Blankets


This past summer during VBS, the children at our church made blankets to be used for missions in some way. As part of our garage sale, we were able to use the blankets to sell, but to also provide an orphan care opportunity! We promised that for each blanket sold, we would take one over to Africa to be given to an orphan when we go pick up Silas next year. We are happy to say that about 19 blankets were sold and we will be taking a suitcase full of blankets over to Ethiopia! Thank you to all of you who purchased a blanket or were a part of the garage sale in some way!

Monday, November 8, 2010

Adoption Yard Sale

What a CRAZY weekend?! This past Saturday, we held our massive yard sale! Over the past several weeks, we have had a ton of items donated to us from friends to be sold in the yard sale. Our shed behind the church was jam packed with things to sell. On Friday, Nov. 5th, we had an official 'drop off' time where we collected even more items that couldn't fit in the shed. You name it and I guarantee we had it for sale-from pool tables to weed-eaters; ninja stars to baby clothes.

Saturday morning began at 4am with a brave group of men to move tables and all the items into the designated area. It was 45 degrees that morning here in Orlando!!! Coffee was a must. By 7am, everything was out, priced, and ready to be sold! It looked like a Walmart with everything we had! The cold weather delayed the crowds until around 8am. We had a steady stream of buyers from 8am-2pm and even several people for 3 hours after the official end time. By 5:30pm, everything was cleaned up and packed away.

Our grand total from Saturday and some extra donations on Sunday was....

$3,517.30!!!

It was such an amazing weekend for us! We were thankful for the great team of friends who worked with us on Friday evening and all day Saturday. Summer's sister and mother flew in from North Carolina and Jamaica respectively to assist in the great adventure!

We still have a ton of nice items that we plan on selling this coming weekend at a community yard sale down the street.

Once we finish our dossier, we have a hefty payment that will be due that totals between $6,500-$7,500. Between this yard sale and other generous donations over the past week, we are expecting to be able to write a check for the amount due. God has been so faithful to us!