Did I Mention We Were Fundraising?

I was looking at the calendar today and realized we could be leaving for Russia in about 6 weeks. We are not even half way to where we need to be with our fundraising. I started looking for more ideas for fundraising. Don is picking up extra work but my schedule is such that extra work outside the home is unrealistic.

Here are additional fundraisers we are embarking on:

• Recycling ink cartridges
• Selling online coupons
• Scrapbooking open house - decided not to have so much inventory

I even set up another website for some of our fundraising activities. It is still under construction but you can check it out at http://ejmurray.webs.com/ I am hoping to have it up by this weekend.

For those following our journey to get our Angel, you will note that our fundraising thermometer is starting to creep up! We just need it to jump up!

But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded. 2 Chronicles 15:7.

Faithfully,
Elizabeth

Here's the Scoop on our Benefit Dinner and Silent Auction

Well, plans are firmed up for our event. Don and I are both quite nervous about it. However, we are praying and trusting that God will provide.

I am one of those people who many perceive as outgoing and extroverted. I am here to tell you, I am not! Truthfully, I am very introverted and would rather spend time alone than in a group. I would rather stay home than go to a party. I am just not good at it. Until recently, I even had trouble returning something to the store - I've worked my way through that one.

Anyway, where I am going here is that to get this dinner off the ground, I had to do some foot work. I prayed and prayed and God told me what to do. Boldly, I called the Crowne Plaza hotel (they always advertise on Way-FM) and made an appointment with their banquet director. I told her exactly what we wanted to do but that we did not have the money to pay for anything. In other words, the event had to pay for itself. I also asked that they waive their room fee (which was $500-$800 depending on the number of people!). She said she would see what she could do and get back to me.

Several days later, I heard from her and she worked out a great price for us and even threw in a hors d'oeuvre pass during viewing of the auction items. It turned out to be a great deal! Now all we need are the auction items and people to attend. We sent invitations to about 200 people and we are hoping for 75-80 to attend.

We are still trying to get auction items, if anyone out there has suggestions or would like to donate please email us.

We are praying that our benefit dinner and silent auction will be a great success.

And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Phillipians 4:19

On my knees,
Elizabeth

More Fundraising For Our Angel

Well, we are racking our brains for more fundraising ideas. See our list to the right. We've done a lot of events but nothing big ticket! We've decided to have a benefit dinner and silent auction. We have some friends who said they will help us get auction items. Don's stepfather donated two beautiful water color paintings to start us off. So, it's a go. Now we have to find a venue and decide how we are going to pull it off.

Those of you following our journey, please pray for us that we can make this a success.

I have sought your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise. Psalm 119:58

Blessings,
Elizabeth

Determination - Firmness of Purpose

Webster defines determination as, "a determining or being determined...a firm intention...firmness of purpose."

Yesterday, I had one of those moments. I don't quite know how to explain it. It was the end of the day and I was walking back to my office after my class. Campus is quite nice this time of year and my walk took me by one of the small lakes. I saw several woodstorks on the shore - I looked for alligators but didn't see any. Usually, I see one or two sunning themselves. It was a very peaceful walk and I was quietly praying the Prayer of Jabez - my daily prayer these days.

But once I walked into my office, I flopped down on my chair and tears filled my eyes. I was overcome with a sense of "will this wait ever be over?... how much longer?... could we lose her?"I guess it was finally hitting me - I have tried to stay positive and faithful throughout the past few weeks but my footing was slipping at that moment. I was having a bit of a "pity party" because our little angel won't be with us for a few more months. Then, I reached over and picked up a scrapbook** I made of some of our time with her and started flipping through the pages. Soon my tears were gone and I could feel my determination return, my firmness of purpose return - we will raise the money, we will get back to Russia - it is not an option to lose her!

I started thinking about all we've been through over the past 3 years - see our blog archives if you have a few hours. Amazingly, Don and I have grown so much in our marriage and in our christian walk. Perhaps, that is what God wanted from us. Who knows, maybe we have a little more growing to do.
Thanks for stopping by,
Elizabeth

**Oh, by the way, I put a button to my scrapbooking website on the right side of the page. When you click on it, you will be taken to my secure website. You can shop online and have all items shipped directly to you.