His Name ~ Hudson Arthit

The very first thing we learned about our son was his name.  His name "Arthit" in Thai, means "Sun", and that is his current "play name" which most Thai kids have, like a nickname.  

We did not know if we would give him a new name or not, but after learning he is so young, we decided we will.  We have had some possible names in the mix for the past couple of years, so we revisited those first.  And after learning his play name is "Sun", we definitely wanted to incorporate that.  But we also love names ending with "s-o-n" because we want his name to be a reminder of his identity.  (And it sounds the same at the end so hopefully will be an easier adjustment for him.) 

We all loved "Hudson" the best and thought it fit him the most compared to others we like.  We also like the meaning and immediately thought of Hudson Taylor, a pioneering missionary to China.  And because it is the name his first mother gave him, we will keep his Thai name as his middle name.
So, he will be Hudson Arthit Flagler.  

Meaning of Hudson: The name Hudson is the transferred use of an Anglo-Scottish surname originating from a medieval personal name “Hudde” which itself has three possible origins. One, it’s widely thought to be a pet form of the Old Saxon name Hugh which comes from a Germanic word “hug” meaning ‘heart, mind, spirit.’ Secondly, Hudde is also thought to have formed as a nickname for Richard which also has Germanic origins meaning ‘power, strong, hardy.’ Lastly, it could be derived from the Olde English personal name “Hūda” with uncertain origin but which gave its name to places like Huddington in Worcestershire. The surname dates back to the 13th century in Scotland and England. 

Tyndall's name is also an Anglo-Scottish surname.
And Hudson Taylor's name is actually James Hudson Taylor, so there's another brotherly connection with the name.
On other websites, we read that Hudson can mean "power" which is a strong family connection with Matt's "Powers" family--and middle name.  
Tyndall James's name reminds us of William Tyndale who translated the Bible into English, and Hudson Taylor translated most of the New Testament into Chinese.  

So, it all seemed to fit, and as we decided throughout the rest of the day, it stuck. 

A verse we are associating with his name is 2 Timothy 1:7, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."

Funny side note:  As I was researching multiple websites about the meaning of names, I read that Hudson was mostly used as a surname.  It took me a minute to make the connection that my best friend Ginger married a Hudson in 2015, so it's now the last name of my dearest friend.  So, even though it was not the reason we chose the name, it definitely was not a deterrent.  And she promised me it wasn't too weird.  

Hudson Arthit, you are loved! 

All I Want for Christmas

Can't believe Christmas is less than a week away!  What an exciting season!

Yet... there is a yearning this Christmas that has never been so strong.  5 Decembers ago, we had a (surprise!) miscarriage.  There has been a special place in my heart ever since then for Baby Flagler. 

Especially this year: we've come SO FAR in the adoption process.  Lots more paperwork, doctor visits, fingerprints, home visits (x4!), fundraising, final approval, and w a i t i n g. 

Are there things that I want for Christmas?  Sure. 
But there's ONE thing that I really, really, really, really, really, reeeeeeaaaaaaaally want!

Any guesses?

Source

In Mariah Carey's words:
I don't want a lot for Christmas
There's just one thing I need
I don't care about the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
I don't need to hang my stocking
There upon the fireplace
Santa Claus won't make me happy
With a toy on Christmas day
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is you
You baby

In all seriousness, in this Advent time of anticipation, I'm anticipating... that phone call or email that will change our lives forever.  It's a very special place to be in this season of celebrating Christ's birth.  Jesus was a miracle baby!  And we're waiting for our own miracle to arrive!

We've been praying for a 2012 baby.  As there are only 12 days left in 2012, we are starting to realize that God leading us to pray so specifically might not have been so we would see our prayers answered... it might have been for our faith to grow through these prayers. 
God has definitely been drawing us closer to Himself, and for that, we will always be thankful!  Whether or not our prayers for a 2012 baby are answered, we know that God can do it, if He chooses... but even if He does not, our faith in Him will not waiver. 
(The passage from Daniel 3 illustrates a similar confidence in the ability of God and surrender to His will... God's taken me to this passage several times recently.)

I want to focus on Christ during this season... not my yearning, my anticipation, my desires.  Not on our future child(ren) or our calling to adopt.  This is the celebration of Jesus's birthday. 
I will choose to celebrate HIM!  Can you help me if I get distracted?  Seriously. :)

Source: google.com via Mari on Pinterest

Red and Yellow, Black and White...

Jesus loves the little children,
All the children of the world.
Red and yellow, black and white,
They are precious in His sight,
Jesus loves the little children of the world.

I grew up singing that song... did you?  

It's a nice song to sing, but it's even more important to believe the words in the song. 

When we started this adoption journey, 2+ years ago, we were open to lots of things, but pretty limited when it came to the type of ethnicity we would 'accept'.  It never felt right, but we knew there were members of our family who would have a serious problem with a child 'of color' being in our family.  And we want our children to be loved as much as they possibly can... from us and from our family members and community. 

A few months ago, things changed.  We had gotten several emails about children available, and they were different races than us.  We didn't respond to those first few emails.  But in June, there was an email about an African American boy.  Something was different, and I knew we were supposed to respond.  I called Matt (who was up at Liberty for school that week), and we discussed it and agreed to spend some time praying and we would talk about it when he was finished with school that week. 

On my way to meet Matt, I literally saw 4 trans-ethnic families.  (You know how you notice things more when you're looking for them or thinking about them?)  At the restaurant we met at and came to our decision, there were 3 other trans-racial families in our view.  In a small way, it was like God was saying, "it's not as different as you think."  We both came to the conclusion that we would respond to that email.

We texted our immediate family members, and they all responded in very appropriate ways.  Some with joy and excitement, others with concern.  None of their responses were wrong... they are entitled to feel how they feel.  For the most part, we know they are looking out for us--and even for our future children.  

Ever since then, we've joyfully responded to almost every email, no matter the type of skin the children have.  (The only ones we haven't responded to have been if there are significant extra costs involved...) I'm so glad the LORD changed our hearts.  I'm so glad He reminds us of the truths in the lyrics in childhood songs. 

This is 2012 (almost 2013).  People are people, no matter what kind of skin they're wearing.  Children without families need families... whether they're red, yellow, black or white.. green, purple, or tie-dyed. 

More importantly, the Lord has been placing people in our lives whose families don't necessarily share the same genetic material.  We know plenty of families who represent different parts of the world, and we're getting to know even more.  Our children will have some hardships (all children do).  But they won't be alone in their struggles.  No matter what color our children are, they will be LOVED... by us, by our family, and by a community of believers who already love them.  

 

LoveGave Hope

$100,000 in 58 hours?!

The LoveGave organization, which is awesome in itself since it's a collaboration of multiple churches in the Charleston area is taking on a cause that's dear to our heart this year... the fatherless. 

PLEASE take time to check out LoveGave Hope between now and December 8th.  If you're local, you can go to the West Ashley or Goose Creek Wal-Mart to be part of it.  You can also always watch online (always entertaining!) as they are live-streaming, and you can give online as well.   

Our goal is to raise $100,000 in 58 hours to provide hope for the orphans in our area. You know what?!
God can do it.  

Will you be part of it? 

God's Trying to Teach Me Something...

I haven't done a great job at the daily posts about adoption, but that's okay.  Life continues, and it's a little tricky to blog daily without internet access at home.  

Anyway, without going into any details, there's a lot happening on the adoption front.  Lots of emails.  The kind that say "are you interested in this baby" and we respond "of course we're interested" and then we hear back "____ families are interested in this baby".  Then we wait.

It's a beautiful and maddening thing.  It's soooooo wonderful that there are other people who want to be families for these children.  It's a beautiful thing that these precious lives are soon going to have families who love them and dream for them.  Maddening because we want to be the family.  

I get really caught up in emails.  Matt and I both do... it's probably comical to observe us these days... constantly checking emails, texting each other, calling each other for updates (depending on which one has email access at the time).  

But I had a good reminder today.  Something I KNOW but needed a good smack in the face with, to be reminded of...  

God is not giving us a child through an email.
It has nothing to do with how many other families respond and our 'odds'. 
HE has chosen our child(ren), and these are just the means
of getting us to him/her/them...
God has already designed our family.
Not the agency.  Not the waiting list.  Not a system. 

I was re-reading my friend's blog earlier, and I ran across this: 

You see, it was never about probability or circumstances or anything else. It was about God's plan. These girls were ours, are ours. It didn't matter how things played out....they were ours either way. And what a blessing to know that. We didn't become our girls' parents by default; we also didn't become their parents because their birthmom chose us. We became their parents because God chose us. He chose our family; He chose us for each other. (And not because we deserved it, but because He is SOOO good to us:))

Timely, wouldn't you say? 

By the way, if you're coming to our BBQ & Bids Fundraiser, you'll get to meet the family above and hear their story. 

 

A Prayer

⁵ Yes, my soul, find rest in God;
    my hope comes from him.
⁶ Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
    he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
⁷ My salvation and my honor depend on God;
    he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
⁸ Trust in him at all times, you people;
    pour out your hearts to him,
    for God is our refuge.

^{~Psalm 62:5-8}

Lord, help me remember that YOU are my hope, where my soul finds rest.  As I woke up in a 'blah' mood, emotional and raw, I thank you for reminding me that YOU are my rock and my salvation, my refuge.  Lord, thanks for allowing me to pour out my heart to You. 

We've been officially 'waiting' 7 months today, Lord.  You know that.  You know what you have planned for us--the child, the birth mother and possible father that we will get to share our lives and Your love with.  I have NO control over any of this, so please help me to truly trust You and focus on all the wonderful things you've given us... the MANY things we have to be thankful for.  Help me not to wish away this time just waiting for what's next.  

Thank You, Lord, for knowing the beginning and the end... for being above time.  Thank You for not being affected by earthly timelines and expectations.  Help me to remember Your timing is perfect... 

*I don't normally write blog posts in prayer form, but I felt led to leave it this way AND actually hit "publish" on this one.   God knows the parts of this prayer that went unwritten as well, but I hope and pray there's a reason I'm sharing this.  Maybe it will be timely for others as well.   

Our Church and Orphans

Yesterday, Matt and I had the opportunity to share briefly about our adoption with our church.  Yesterday was orphan Sunday, so we were asked to share our story and spend time praying for orphans from stage.  (We were far down the line of people asked, but it was cool anyway!) 

I can't explain the JOY and passion that I felt while hearing Matt talking with the Lord about orphans, adoption, and the parts we play.  His heart has changed so much, and I'm beyond thankful!  It's further proof that GOD is doing this... not us.

We are so grateful to be part of this church.  There are 3 other families who have adopted in our church.  Of those 3 families, we've been in Community Group with two of them.  What a blessing!  And one other family (that we know of!) is starting the process.  It means so much that we have this support system... that our child(ren) won't be the only one(s) who don't look like Mommy & Daddy. :)

Even more awesome is that our church is doing a HUGE event in December to raise awareness and funds for local orphanages.  Check out the video below.

LoveGave Hope Trailer from LoveGave on Vimeo.

Sowing Seeds

In my last post, I wrote about why we are pursuing this particular path to adoption.  There are SO many options, and many of them less-expensive.  
I wanted to write a little about why the cost of a domestic infant adoption was never a huge deterrent for us.  

Let me start by saying that we are not millionaires.  We didn't don't have an extra $25k sitting in a bank waiting to be used for this eternal purpose. We have modest incomes and had a significant amount of debt when we started this whole process.  But we weren't worried.   We also weren't naive.


Before we were married, I was on staff with a college ministry where we raised our financial support.  I learned in that time that people want to invest in what God is doing.  Not everyone can live in a closed country and share the Gospel as their full-time job.  But, people can invest in that mission and be part of what God is doing in that country.  I had supporters of $5 to $200 a month who each got to be part of how God worked when He allowed me and my team to be on the mission field.  Without their prayers and financial support, we couldn't have been there as long as we were.  My supporters invested in sharing the Gospel with unreached people because they knew it was something God cared about.  He commands us to go, but not everyone can go.  Those who support the go-ers also get to be part of the go-ing. In the same way, not everyone is called to adopt, but people can still be part of adoption through giving and/or praying. 

Trusting God for the finances has been one of the best parts of this journey.  We knew know He will provide because He loves orphans.  We are pursuing something that is part of His character.  He is Father to the fatherless (Psalm 68:5).  Jesus Himself was raised in a family that was not completely biological.  James writes "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world" (1:27).  He "sets the lonely in families" (Psalm 68:6).  Adoption is something God cares about. He will provide. 

The remaining $10,000 or so needed for the adoption?  (*Our price is expected to increase once we get a new home study done if we haven't gotten a placement soon.)  We are still committed to adopting without debt.  We will continue to apply for grants, do fundraisers, work side jobs and put money aside.  We don't expect God to drop it off miraculously in our mailbox (though He COULD).  We will work diligently and faithfully.   And we will continue to invite you to sow seeds of investment into this part of God's story.  You may not be called to adopt, but you can still share in God's heart for adoption. You can be part of this story. Information on how to become part of this adoption is available here. 

Why This Road?

It's now been two years since we've been on this adoption journey.  That's kinda crazy when you think about it.  And wow, it seems like a long time.  But, we have been so thankful for this journey.  

Many times in the last two years, we've been asked, "why?" 
Why domestic? 
Why private agency? 
Why infant?  

These questions have provided opportunities to dialogue with family, friends, acquaintances, and sometimes strangers about a bigger issue: orphans and adoption.  

Recently, we've watched friends celebrate children joining their families through other roads.  A family from our church started their adoption journey around the same time and has now had their son home from China for over six months.  Friends from Cru just went from a family of two to a family of four by adopting through the state.  It's been amazing to see the journey and to see these children get placed into their perfect, forever families. 

But of course, we wonder, when will it be our turn?  

Which brings us back to the questions above and why we felt called to and chose this particular road to adoption.  

International:  For us, international is a very natural choice.  We've both spent quite a bit of time in other countries, even for stints as long as 10 months.  We love other cultures.  We love learning about other cultures, and we love sharing the Gospel with those who may have never heard it.  We don't necessarily care that our children probably won't look very much like us.  International Adoption would make sense for us.  So why not International?

• International adoption is significantly more expensive, which was a deterrent for us this time around. 
• Most countries also have age requirements which one or both of us hasn't met yet.  
• Most countries are stricter with income levels which we don't meet at this time. 
• International adoptions have more strict guidelines for health of the adoptive families, which due to a history of anxiety/depression, we wouldn't be approved.  
• Will we pursue international adoption at a later time?  If God leads us to, absolutely. 

State Adoption:  This option would be significantly less expensive and probably shorter.  These kids need families, and we totally understand that.  So why not state adoption?  This one is harder...

• With state adoptions, it is normally older children. 
• These precious children typically (of course, there are exceptions) come from places of hurt, loneliness, and even harm.  We aren't quite sure that we have all the tools necessary at this time to give these children everything they would need. 
• Is state adoption out of the question for us?  Absolutely not. We fully expect to be in a better place down the road to be able to provide a loving, secure home for this type of child.  Just not right now.  

Why Bethany?:  

• We love Bethany's love for the birth parents.  
• We feel passionate about adoption being the better alternative to abortion and want to celebrate the choice the birth mothers make to choose life for their child. 
• We feel called to have a semi-open relationship with our child's birth-family.  We want to be able to build a relationship and show Christ's love to the brave woman (and the birth father and/or their families depending on the situation) who made the sacrificial choice of adoption.  
• They do a good job.  Though the cost is high, it's reasonable.  The services they provide to the birth family as well as adoptive families are done with excellence.  
• Before we chose Bethany, I wanted to 'research' what it was like to be one of their birth mothers. So, I went onto their website and started a chat with a pregnancy counselor.  I wanted to make sure the birth mothers were treated with respect, with compassion, with love.  I was satisfied.
• Our social worker has walked with us for two years.  Answered emails, phone calls, visited with us, trained us, and prayed with and for us.  For two years.  She has earned her salary.  
• Many people choose not to pursue a private adoption because they would 'lose' money they've spent along the way if they became pregnant.  With our agency, you pay for things as they come along.  Even if we decided to not do Bethany at this point, we would lose money that was only for specific services.  I am thankful they are setup this way.  We cannot get 'scammed' out of money this way.  They are an honorable, reputable organization. 

Do I love that we are one of 40 families in South Carolina who is in the same boat?  Waiting to be chosen by a birth mother or waiting to be matched with a child?  Not always.  Sometimes it feels like a weird competition.  When the emails come out about babies that are available, it brings a strange mixture of excitement/anxiety.  The constant wondering if somewhere there's an expecting mom looking through our profile, considering us to be her child's family.  That wouldn't happen if we were traveling down another road.  

BUT, we are confident that this is the road God has led us to, at this time.  Will we adopt later?  Probably.  Will we definitely go with Bethany?  Maybe not.  We are option to adopting however the Lord leads us.  It's His story, not ours. 

Compassion Children

The last weekend of August, I had the opportunity to volunteer with Compassion International at a Beth Moore conference in Charleston.  

I was soooo excited to go and get to serve in this way.  We have come to love Compassion and our sponsored girl, Gift, over the past 2+ years since we started sponsoring her.  

During a worship song that I snuck into the auditorium for.

There was something special about being at a conference with 9,000 (mostly) women worshiping God and learning more about Him.  It was also very special that the conference planners know that giving is a huge part of worship.  They had opportunities for people to give to other great organizations like Samaritan's Purse as well.  The worship leader shared about his heart for Compassion, how he has gotten to meet one of his sponsored children and how sponsoring a child helps him teach his children about perspective.  They also showed a video of lives who had been changed as a result of the ministry of Compassion. 

After that section of the conference, we were very busy at the Compassion booth.  We got to help ladies find children with the same birthdays as their child, or children who were in a certain part of the world, or who had certain physical traits.  It was very special.  After my second shift, I learned that there were about 400 children who got sponsored that weekend... wow!  What a blessing!  

a small portion of the available children

But my mind was truly blown by just how many children still need sponsors.  Sponsors in places like America, where people pay $60 to go to a conference for 10 hours.  Sponsors who probably get to go on trips and eat out at restaurants while there are children in other places of the world without the basics.  We're talking basics, like regular food and clean water.

Click on this picture to be taken to the Sponsorship Page.

 

I'm not judging.  I'm just challenged.  I'm asking:  How do we balance the blessings we've been given with the needs of many in this world?  Would love to know your thoughts on this.  I am well aware that there's no one-size-fits-all answer.  What does Scripture say, and how does that fit into our modern-day culture?

I've been in a VERY similar hut.  This was not just for show.  It's reality for a LOT of people. 

Seriously... I'm asking. :)

Confession: "If God had meant for you to have children..."

Someone said to us last night, "If God had meant for you to have children, He would have given you children."

Please understand that this person didn't say it to be rude or mean-spirited.  I believe he/she was saying it out of a place of hurt in his/her own life.

To be perfectly honest, I have had that thought myself a time or two over the years.  Many times I have asked God if He wants us to be parents.  I have wondered if we have not been able to get pregnant because He doesn't have parenthood in His plan for us. 

I don't want to embark on this calling of parenthood without Him, so if He didn't plan it for us, I don't want it.  It has been a journey of getting to a place where I can say that. 

Thankfully, we KNOW we are called to be parents.  We know God has called us to adopt our first child.  Just like I knew I was called to be Matt's wife.  God has prepared us for this in many, many ways.  

Does it mean we make some sacrifices? Absolutely.  Does it mean life will look different for us than some other families?  Definitely.  Does it mean that this is not God's plan for us?  Absolutely not. 

God DOES mean for us to have children.  He is preparing a child for us right now.  And He's preparing us to be the parents we are meant to be.  Part of that process has been fully embracing our call to adopt instead of having biological children.   

Thank you all for your sweet comments and messages in response to my Facebook post.  God has used you to reaffirm what He had already written across our hearts.  He is good! 

[Also, we love having conversations about this process and this calling.  If you have questions, please feel free to get in touch with us.]

While I'm Waiting

You know how sometimes you've heard a song hundreds of times, but just ONE time it strikes you so very differently.  This happened this morning with this song. 

Here's the song with lyrics (thought the lyrics come up a little delayed.) 

Lyrics to While I'm Waiting :
I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience
While I'm waiting
I will serve You
While I'm waiting
I will worship
While I'm waiting
I will not faint
I'll be running the race
Even while I wait

I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it's not easy
But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve you while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting on You, Lord

Can you see why this might mean something special these days?  

Thanks, Lord, for the neat ways You speak to us!

Winner of the Portrait Session Fundraiser

Thanks to our friends, family, and their friends and family, we raised $615 towards our adoption with this Portrait Session Giveaway fundraiser.  Also, maybe more importantly, we have lots of new people praying with us and encouraging us along this journey. 

In my prayers throughout this Giveaway, I was impressed that maybe getting the word out like this was somehow going to reach the future birth parent of our future son/daughter.  I have no way of knowing that for sure, but wouldn't it be neat if it did? 

As we enter into this Valentine's Day, my heart is FULL of gratitude.  I'm humbled that God would allow us to participate in this journey.  THANK YOU to all who helped!  

Source

Now, without further delay...

Out of 270 entries, random.org selected #114.  

 Congratulations, Hyatt Family! 

Thank you for the many ways you have supported our adoption!  Now, you get to celebrate Will coming home with a Portrait Session with Valerie Schooling!  How perfect!  

More Adoption Perspective

Love this article here.  Have watched the John Piper video a couple of times.  Still processing it.  I'm so thankful we get to be part of another adoption story! 

 What are your thoughts? 

Fundraising for Adoption: Courage and Willingness

Just this week God has affirmed and strengthened our calling to adoption.  I love how HE works in His perfect timing.  

I'm going to be completely honest: I've been a little insecure about this whole Fundraising for Adoption thing.  A few months ago, I got a random message from a long-distance friend about how she and her husband wanted to contribute to our Adoption Fund.  In many ways, that opened my heart to the possibility that God did, in fact, want us to Fundraise for this adoption--aside from the yard sales.  He wants us to ASK for people to come alongside us in this journey.  He wants us to humble ourselves and invite others to be part of this with us.  

I can be a little stubborn.  I can be self-absorbed in the insecure way.  But God is bigger than my misgivings and my fear of what people will think.  Matt and I are not perfect, and we have not made perfect choices with our finances in the past.  We are getting much better, though, and God is teaching us through this process.  We recently bought a car.  Some people may wonder how we have the nerve to ask people for money when we just bought a brand new car.  (There, I said it!)  We would invite anyone who has concerns or thoughts about that to talk with us directly.   The bigger point of the story is this:  God is bigger than the price of adoption.  It's not about us.  It's not about the cost of adoption.  It's about Him and the story He is writing for us and our future child(ren).  It's about us being faithful to what He's called us. He's still teaching us that through this process.  

Source

Reminders of His provision are everywhere we look!  Our friends have raised over $29,000 in the past few months on their journey to adopt Will from China.  God is able!  He is faithful!  Thank you for being on this journey with us and for the part you are playing in bringing home our future son or daughter.  

This article helps better articulate some of my thoughts about Fundraising for Adoption.  I've seen it all over the place over the past few months--another way God has reminded me it's about Him, not us. Pay special attention to the last sentence.


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Is It OK to Fundraise For Adoption?

Posted on 28 February 2011 by Kari Gibson

There are no two ways about it—adoption is expensive. Every adoptive parent has to face this reality. Some will make a substantial withdrawal from their savings or take out a sizable loan. For others, like my husband Joel and me, it means they will depend almost entirely on fundraising—yuck.

Asking other people for money is about as appealing as volunteering for an experimental medical procedure. If we approach it at all, we do it reluctantly. If you’re like me, thinking about fundraising brings up feelings of fear, dread, and even embarrassment. That being said, I am starting to think there is another side to the story worth considering.

Joel and I began fundraising for our Ugandan adoption about a month ago. Before we started, I had a fantasy that someone in our family or our church would escort us to a quiet corner and whisper that they wanted to write us a check for the entire amount. We would take a deep breath, express our gratitude, and get back to the real work of becoming adoptive parents. Like most people in our situation, we never experienced this scenario. I am so thankful.

What did happen is that we raised a whole bunch of money one donation at a time. We’ve had big donations and small donations—each one vitally important to helping us bring our baby home. More than one hundred family members, friends and complete strangers have responded to letters, blog posts, tweets and Facebook updates in remarkable ways. We have now raised about $14,000 toward our $20,000 goal, and it happened much more quickly than we expected.



After reflecting on our experience, I’ve come to believe that fundraising is worth doing regardless of the financial return. It has done so much more for our adoption and our community than simply bringing in dollars. Here are just a few examples:
1. Fundraising allows us to inspire other families
If my fundraising dream had come true—the one where a single big check took care of all of our needs—it would have been dramatic, but it would have done little to help ordinary families believe adoption was financially possible for them.
Our need makes our story relatable. My passion and my prayer is that God would use our story to inspire many other families to believe—maybe for the first time—that, if people like us can do it, then so can they. Adoption is not reserved for the wealthy, and it can be done without debt. That is the message of our fundraising story.
2. Fundraising grows our faith
Joel and I could never have brought in $14,000 in our own strength. It would have been simply impossible. Every dollar that comes in humbles and amazes us as watch God provide through his Body. This experience has taught me that we serve a powerful and generous Father, growing my faith in exponential ways. Knowing what I know now, I wouldn’t trade that for anything, not even for a $20,000 check.
3. Fundraising gives us a change to invites others into a bigger story
Most importantly, fundraising invites our community of family, friends and those we don’t even know, into a bigger story. Our story becomes theirs as they become invested in, and changed by, our journey.
Some will decide to adopt because they hear your story. Some will give. By God’s grace, many will understand more deeply the heart of Jesus and the Gospel itself as they witness the miracle and the metaphor of adoption through your story.

While the details of your story won’t be the same as mine, I pray that each of you, facing the daunting cost of adoption, will have the courage to believe that God will provide and the willingness to step into the adventure.

 

TWIT | www.twitter.com/meghmiller

BLOG | www.meghmiller.com