Fundraising Dinner & Silent Auction

Thursday, November 29th 6:00pm

at Holiday Inn, 250 Johnnie Dodds Blvd, Mt. Pleasant, SC

$15 per ticket*

includes full BBQ Dinner 

catered by Sticky Fingers, 

live Music,

Adoption Stories,

and a Silent Auction

 Purchase your tickets here by 11/26. 

Get Your Tickets Here!

 * Free ticket if you donate an item for the Silent Auction.

National Adoption Month, Day 1

Have you heard that November is National Adoption Month? 
My Facebook feed is FULL of reminders, and for that, I'm thankful.  

I'm going to try to do something adoption-related on this blog each day of November.  Shouldn't be too hard since most of my life is consumed with adoption these days anyway. :)

To start, I'll share with you that our story was shared with a very special community--the Alumni of Focus on the Family's semester long leadership program.  I am a proud Spring 2003 graduate of the program, then known as "Focus on the Family Institute", and many special friends were made that semester.  MANY special friends from that season have been part of our fundraising so far, and we are eternally grateful for that.  

You can read our story here.  (Highlights below)

Tricia's Story

Adopting has been something I've wanted to do ever since I attended the Institute in 2003. After knowing several families with adoption in their stories, it also always seemed like such a practical way to live out the Gospel. When we got married in 2007, adoption was something that Matthew and I knew we would do 'someday' when the Lord led us.
After a year of marriage, we were living in Thailand teaching at a Christian school for Thai children, and the idea of adoption strongly gripped my heart, but Matthew wanted to grow our family the 'old-fashioned way' first. After two more years without a child the 'old-fashioned way', and many prayers and discussions, we finally decided to pursue adoption.
In September 2010, our adoption journey began. It took over a year and a half to get home-study approval due to some health-related issues and our messy finances. Now, two years later, we are home-study approved and waiting for the child that God has chosen for our family.

How have you seen God at work through your adoption journey?

The adoption community is like no other. With all the variations—international, domestic, foster-care, family and special needs adoptions—adopting creates a wonderful opportunity to learn about how God is at work being a "Father to the fatherless" (Psalm 68:5).
There are countless blogs, organizations, orphanages and families who have felt God's call to "look after orphans" (James 1:27). It has been eye-opening. We have been humbled by God's financial provision but also heartbroken and overwhelmed by all of the need that exists. We know ours is just one story of the millions God is writing. It's so much bigger than us.

Also, you can learn about two other Alumni who are passionate about adoption, Thea Ramirez and Katie Overstreet.

Coming Up! Can You Help?

Save the Date!

Here's what we know so far:

• Thursday, November 29th, starting at 6:00
  
• Catered by Sticky Fingers
• at Holiday Inn, Mt. Pleasant (250 Johnnie Dodds Blvd)
• You'll get to hear others' Adoption Stories
  
• We'll have Christmas Music (hopefully LIVE)
• We'll have lots of items to auction off (with online pre-auction starting Black Friday) that will make perfect Christmas gifts for your friends and family
  
• We are excited!!! 
• We need help... can you help us make this happen?  
  

We need Auction Items!  Here are some ideas:

• Gift Cards for Any Amount (Target, Best Buy, Restaurants)
• iPad/iPod
• Kindle
• Hotel Room Stay
• Etsy Shop or other online gift certificates
• Amazon.com Gift Certificate 
• Craft Items
• Gift Baskets 
• CDs
• Anything that you would want to get or give for Christmas

Any businesses/persons who donate will receive ample recognition unless otherwise requested. 

Even if you're not local, you could make a special donation here and make a note that it's for us to buy an auction item (and what it's for if you have a preference).  We appreciate ANY help!

Middle of the Night Musings

I have not slept much the last couple of nights. 

So many things on my mind like our next fundraiser, starting an adoption grant agency, orphan care in general, different paths to adoption, different families who have adopted recently or are in the process of adopting.  

This is so much bigger than our current adoption!
God won't let me let it go.  The trick for me will be praying through all these things instead of just thinking and planning.  I'm better at the latter but learning about the former.  

A new friend who I've made through this adoption journey, Rachel, recently posted about a family doing a giveaway fundraiser like we've done... Which led me to their blog and their story.  Another story of God setting the lonely in families.  This couple has now started an organization that seeks to be a voice for orphans around the world.  They also take care of an orphanage in Uganda.  Huge way to tangibly live out James 1:27. 

You see, I keep learning about all that God is doing through other people, and it grips my heart.  It makes me wonder what He has planned for us.  Multiple adoptions, special needs adoptions, waiting children adoptions... Then I look around and realize we are limited for now.  We can do what He has called us to do for now.  We can be faithful to what He has called us to do now.   We/I don't have to worry about doing it all.  

Then I read this post.  I hope it's as encouraging to you as it is to me.  "Whatever" we do for the least of these, we do unto Him."

Thank you to everyone who is on this journey with us.  Thank you for "whatever" you are doing!  

30.

Yep, I've entered into a new decade. 

Lots of people have asked me if 30 was a big deal for me, and I can honestly say no.  I can understand how it is for some people, but it hasn't been for me.  

I've actually felt 30 for awhile. ;) 

Celebrating 30 was fun, and my friends and family helped make it very special.  We had our housewarming/birthday party on the 20th.  During that weekend, I had some quality time with my sisters, best friend who came to town from West Virginia, Mom who came down from North Carolina, my husband, and everyone else who came to our party.

With my honey at movie night.

On my actual birthday, I got to worship with Matt and Ginger at our church.  It had been about 2 months since I had been able to be in the service, so it was extra-special.  (Though I probably should have stayed and helped fill in all the gaps in the children's area... but that's another post.)  After the church gathering, we had family dinner at Grandma's with homemade birthday cake, cards and presents from family. My mom even joined us which was a treat!  

Thanks for birthing me 30 years ago, Momma!

Then, we ran some errands and spent some of the gift cards I'd gotten.  I'm not really much of a shopper, but I do like using gift cards.  Got some clothes and some stuff for the house.  Then we went home and watch The Interpreter which I had been wanting to watch. After that movie, we packed up leftovers from the party and took them to Mark & Steph's for movie night.  Mom met us over there again which was wonderful.  We watched World Trade Center and used their internet to check for Facebook wishes.  Birthdays definitely have changed since Facebook. :)  Ginger also made a fruit pizza which we had with the party leftovers at movie night.  It was delicious! 

After movie night, I enjoyed being able to go home and not worry about having to get up early for work.  Ginger and I had a breakfast date at Bear E Patch the next day then ran some errands before she had to leave town.  But it was a great way to end a wonderful weekend.