Another good friend, Debbi, had a spaghetti dinner at her home and collected donations for us.
We are selling Entertainment Books for the southwest Florida area - some great deals! We also sent out flower bulb catalogs to family and friends. We are waiting to see how that goes.
Last night we had a spaghetti dinner at our church. Honestly, we did not have as many people as we hoped. However, we were able to visit with everyone who came and met some very nice people. One lady we met has adopted 5 boys with special needs and 3 are from Russia. We exchanged information and Don and I look forward to talking to her. Others came because they received fliers at our yard sales. It was a very enjoyable evening and we made enough to pay for 1-2 hotel nights! Can't complain about that!
Don and I have started to look at the finances needed to bring our Angel home in bits and pieces. So, instead of thinking we need $25,000 to complete this adoption, we look at what we raise in fundraising as: this will pay for our Angel's visa; a hotel night in Moscow; an outfit for our Angel; etc.... It makes it seem more manageable.
We've often talked about our faith and that we believe God wants us to bring home this little girl (see archived postings). Today, I was asked this question, "Is there anything that you have doubts about related to the adoption?" I thought a moment and said, "No, nothing!"...."I've not even thought about stopping the adoption because we don't quite have the finances. I strongly believe this is what we are supposed to do." Don and I really do believe that God has directed our adoption and He will make it happen. Of course, it will be in His time not ours.
Our fundraising experience has really made me think. I am beginning to realize that it is not always about the money. Honestly, sometimes I can get a bit obsessed with money - is money my idol? Sounds like another blog topic. Anyway, I came across a book at one of our yard sales and began reading it during down time. The book is The Prayer of Jabez for Women: Breaking Through to the Blessed Live by Darlene Wilkinson.
Our adoption has truly helped us become more committed Christians. Don and I can apply the Prayer of Jabez to our adoption process and our growth as Christians:Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain! 1 Chronicles 4:9-10
- We see God's blessings in our lives daily - Oh, that you would bless me indeed....
- Our fundraising has placed us in various situations where we have been able to witness to others as well as talk about adoption as a ministry - ...and enlarge my territory....
- We learned that we cannot do life alone nor our adoption alone, we need God. We learned to cry out for His help, blessings, guidance, provisions, and to glorify Him through our accomplishments - ...that Your hand would be with me....
- As we have increased our committment to adoption and moved along in the process, we noticed more challenges and struggles. It all makes sense - we are a threat to Satan! The more committed we are and the further we proceed in the adoption process, the more territory we are taking from Satan! Satan doesn't want us to commit to the adoption, Satan doesn't want us to start an adoption ministry, Satan wants us to lose faith and give up! Satan wants to tempt us to sin!- ...and that You would keep me from evil....
- We know that the consequences of sin can consume us and those around us. With God's hand with us, Christ in the center of our lives, and being filled with the Holy Spirit we will sin less. If we sin less, we will cause less pain to ourselves and others - ...that I may not cause pain!
I just love practical applications of the Bible! I thank whoever donated that book to be sold in our yard sale. We didn't sell it, but I believe God wanted me to read it!
Blessings,
Elizabeth
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