This week has been exciting for us. While we aren’t starting
the actual adoption process until after the first of the year, we’ve been
working on fundraiser projects and ideas for a little while now, and this week
we were able to see some progress. One of the things we’re doing is selling
bracelets. They’re blue with yellow writing of “Jeremiah 1:5” on them and we’re
selling them for $5 each. We’ve been fortunate enough to sell several of them
so far and in less than a week have already made a profit. We’re really amazed
that so many of you have chosen to help in this way. If you don’t have a
bracelet yet, just let either Ashley or myself know and we’ll make sure we get
you one.
There’s another project we’ve been working on this week and,
while it’s not necessarily a fundraiser, it’s something that is very exciting to
both of us. When we first started we realized that we wanted to have a way to
recognize all of you who have helped us along this journey. We were able to find
a picture online of a tree and, thanks to Ashley’s talented sister Stacia, we
were able to get it painted onto canvas (see attached picture). Our goal is to get
the thumbprint of everyone who has helped us on the tree in different colors.
Then each person will sign their “leaf” and, eventually, we’ll have a tree full
of names and thumbprints. We want to keep this picture in our child’s room so
he can see someday all of the people who helped bring him home.
The whole part of fundraising can be kind of difficult. It’s
not an easy thing to ask your friends and family to buy something from you. You
don’t want to guilt them into it, but you also don’t want to leave them out and
make them feel like you don’t want them involved. It’s a delicate balance that
I’m not sure we’ve figured out yet, or ever will. I also understand why people
might not want to be involved. I can understand why people might say, “Hey,
your adoption is your choice. If you can’t pay for it, don’t do it.” That’s a
totally valid point. The only thing I can say to that is this; you aren’t buying
us a kid, together we’re helping to save a child’s life. It’s estimated that
there are between 143-210 million orphans in the world today. This is a huge
problem on a global scale that can only be addressed by each of us taking part
in whatever way we are able. There’s a John Wesley quote I like that says, “Do
all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all
the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As
long as ever you can.” The challenge to each of us is the same. What is the
good that I can do? For us this means taking a child into our home. For you it
might mean volunteering or donating to a charity that works with orphans or
foster children. And, for some of you, it might even mean helping us along in
this adoption process. We can all do
some good, somewhere, for someone. None of us can solve the problems of 210
million orphans, but we can make the difference in the life of one. And to the
one you help, it will truly be a life-changing experience.
We hope that we don’t make you feel awkward if we ask you if
you want a bracelet or a t-shirt (which should be done soon!), but if you do
choose to buy one, we want you to know that we’re so thankful that this is the
good you’ve chosen to do. In this week especially, as we consider all the
things for which we are thankful, we put those of you who have helped in this
process near the top of our list. Your guidance, advice, prayers, gifts, and
friendship are things that we grow more and more thankful for by the day. From
our family to all of yours, may you have a very happy Thanksgiving.
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