It is better to give...

So we have these friends that we truly love. When we met them they had 4 children also, very similar in age to ours. They are an awesome family and they step out in faith without batting an eye. I really feel like it is a one-sided relationship. I feel that they do way more for us than we do for them. They introduced us to our church and some amazing people, they are so good to our kids and don't even blink when the little man says something crazy. They are just good, fun people to be around and our lives have been blessed immensely by knowing them. Chrissy even coined the term "Jackelope" and she is the ONLY one allowed to call him that. Just ask him. You can't use it. He won't let you. "Jackelope" is a Miss Chrissy exclusive!


They brought 3 siblings home from Ethiopia about a year ago and we were lucky enough to watch vicariously as it all happened......and they are doing it again! This time there are 5 siblings. 5 sweet children that didn't ask to be orphaned, but have been all the same. And they need a home and a mommy and a daddy to love them and lots of siblings to fight play with! 


Yes, they will have 12 children when they are all home...Am I surprised? No. Do I think they are crazy? No. Do I think they can handle it? Yes. But really, why does it matter? This is what they are supposed to do. It fits for them. And guess what??? It is okay. Really. It is. Trust me.


So why am I writing about this? Well, today I watched as a miracle happened.  I know, I know, people throw that word around all the time, but today......truly. A miracle. They set up a fundraising web page yesterday evening...go here      http://www.acharityproject.com/f/7for7tickets  to see. They needed $10,000 for plane tickets home from Ethiopia for 2 adults and 5 children! So, $7 for 7...catchy, huh? My friend, she's  clever like that. I made the off-hand comment to Jeff that "oh, they'll have it by tomorrow afternoon" and by 9:00 pm last night, they were at the $10,000 mark!  That's like, just over 24 hours! HOURS people! Haha! See, a MIRACLE. Don't say that it isn't, cause that is the only explanation.


So, yeah. Amazing stuff. God showing off and letting us all know that when it comes to His children, He shows up. And He shows up BIG!  And I think it is nothing but cool! But they've reached their goal, so why am I blogging about this now? Because I want it to keep going. I want to blow the doors off this fundraiser. I want people to know for an absolute fact that there is no other way that this happened than but for the grace and awesomeness of a God who loves His children. Especially "the least of these".


 Adoption is hard, expensive, emotionally draining stuff. Jeff and I know....we are starting our adoption full force with engines blasting in January. I won't lie...we are scared. We don't have enough money yet.....January is going to be a stretch for us having the funds for even our homestudy. But we are starting, because we know we are supposed to start. The fact that a few months ago Jeff was still at the "I don't think so" phase and we are now starting is ah-mazing! We know a little of what we are in for because we have seen what our friends have gone through with their first adoption and with this adoption. She is my "go to" girl for adoption info! I know she gets tired of my endless, ridiculous, mind-numbing questions.....but she answers them with a smile and a slight roll of the eye any way.


I hate that money is the thing that stops most people from pursuing adoption. Money is what has been in our way of adopting for a loooong time. It is the reason Jeff has said no for so long. And I don't want my friends to worry about the money part of it. I want them to worry about going over there and bringing those children home to their siblings so they can know the love of a family. A FOREVER family.  The kind with kisses and hugs...going to bed with a full tummy, a kiss on the forehead and a "I love you sweet baby"...knowing that mommy and daddy are just down the hall if you wake up scared and will be right there for you if you should ever need. That kind of family. The kind every child deserves.


So please, forget your double tall, super gi-gundo, mocha-frap-u-what-ever you were planning on getting on the way to work, don't eat that calorie-ridden, your pants-ain't-gonna-fit-if-you-keep-eating-like-this-for-lunch, fast food...skip your "it's winter anyway, no one is gonna be looking at your toes" pedicure and do something that will make you feel good for a lot longer than ANY of those things will!


$7...that's all I'm asking.  If you can't do $7, do whatever you can, or heck, if you can do more, please...DO! 


But please...
Just. Do. Something.


It will honestly change a life...14 lives, in fact.










Read my friend's blog at   www.paulandchrissy.blogspot.com    
She's super funny and I love her...you will too!