A Very Special Evening

Many have asked about our fundraising dinner and silent auction.  I've still been processing it so wanted to take some time before I wrote.  

From the beginning planning stages, I felt that this was something the Lord prompted us to do... and that it wasn't supposed to just be about us or our adoption journey. I wanted it to be about adoption in general and a night where God would be glorified and where He would use the stories of others to prompt some to consider adopting. I don't know whether or not the latter happened, but I definitely think it was God-honoring.  

A room full!

Like all big events, not everything went according to plan.  There were 2 families we asked previously to share their stories who weren't able to swing it.  Then, a few hours before it started, one of the families that was planning to come to share their story called and said they wouldn't be able to make it.  Many others were kept from coming due to sickness, work and traffic.  We didn't follow the timeline exactly.  Some moments of me in front of the microphone were definitely awkward.


But, overall it was super-encouraging!  The food was delicious thanks to a great deal from Sticky Fingers, who also hooked us up with the great location... the grand ballroom at the Holiday Inn, Mt. Pleasant. The room was beautiful thanks to some special ladies who decorated!  

 

 

Kathie and Theresa... decorators extraordinaire! 

What made it incredible was all the people who were able to make it.  We had friends from all different seasons of our lives in the same place, and that is always special.  It was even more special because these people were gathered together in support of our future child.  Just the presence of so many people (around 70) meant more than we could have imagined.  We are not alone in this journey, and this past week proved that. 

Everyone enjoyed music from a friend, Brian Vanoy.  And our friends, the Hyatts, shared about adopting their son Will from China.  We also had some new friends, the Fischers, share about doing foster care and adopting through the state.  I'll never forget their stories... 

The Fischers have had over 30 children in their home through Foster Care and have adopted 4!

Also, we weren't planning on sharing about our adoption at all, but there were many new faces and some had never heard about our adoption process... so we did end up sharing.  Actually, Matt shared out story, which is incredibly touching to me because of how much he has changed towards adoption.  Hearing him share his heart in front of the folks gathered did something in my heart that is hard to explain.  I wish we had recorded the whole evening! 

The Silent Auction part also went well.  We didn't make anything off the dinner portion, but we made about $1,500 on the Silent Auction (with possibly more still coming in).  Though it didn't finish off the final adoption costs as we had hoped, we are very thankful for the wonderful evening we shared with so many people who are special to us and who already love Baby Flagler. 

 

Aunt Valerie, Aunt Laura and Uncle Steven hard at work!

Thank you so much to everyone who came and made it such an unforgettable evening!  And we missed those of you who couldn't make it.