Garage Sale Success!

Wow! Let me say it again...wow!! In two days at the garage sale, I raised over $1300 towards my adoption! I am utterly exhausted, but incredibly encouraged! Thanks to so many of you who contributed items--a ton of things--and to those who helped set up and sell. You are all amazing friends, and my little girl will be coming so much sooner because of all of your hard work.

And More Encouragement

I had written to Barbara, the Director of Sanyu a little while ago, asking what would happen if I got to Sanyu and there were no girls available. Apparently, I sounded somewhat panicked. Here is her sweet response:

Hello Melissa,

I pray for you and with God all things are possible. So am sure when you get at Sanyu, there will be a girl God has provided for you. So relax my dear and know that you will get a child.

Be blessed!

Barbara

Encouragement

My new online friend, Tanya, is at Sanyu right now to be matched with a child. She posted on Facebook today that they have identified an 8-month old baby girl for her! For all of the discouragement I've been handed about the rarity of little girls, I was reminded again that our Great God can do anything. Tanya's little girl arrived at Sanyu just one week ago! That means that while she was planning her trip, saving her money, getting her homestudy done--that baby girl wasn't there yet. God brought her to Sanyu just in time to meet her mama. I love that!!!

Garage Sale Fundraiser

My garage sale is scheduled for Friday, May 29 and Saturday, May 30. I have received a lot of donations...a big thanks to all of you!!

If anyone wants to help, I would still LOVE to have more people around. I really don't like garage sales, but if this helps bring my daughter home, then of course I'll do it! In all honesty I would love the company, so if you have any time to spare, stop by for an hour or two or three or four!

At this point I am about at the halfway point! I can't believe I've saved so much money in such a short amount of time! There is still a long way to go, but I know the Lord will provide every dollar I need. He is a faithful and loving God!

I'm also working on having t-shirts printed. I think the design is pretty neat, and I'm hoping some of you will want to buy them to support my fundraising efforts. Ideally you will want the shirt because you like it, and as an added bonus you'll be supporting me! Once I get the design finalized I will post it on my blog and you can order one if you'd like!

My new online blogging friend, Tanya, is in Uganda right now to be matched with her child at Sanyu! Please pray for a smooth visit and clear guidance for her as she steps out in faith. Like me, Tanya is single, a teacher, and a Christian! I am watching her journey like a hawk and am thrilled to be able to see her journey all the way through. It is such an encouragement.

It's very late, and I have to work tomorrow. I suppose I'd better go. I'll report back after the garage sale...
Melissa

Mother's Day

I wonder if this could be the last Mother's Day I will celebrate as a non-mom?

Happy Mother's Day to all my sweet family and friends who are blessed to be mommies! I am so thankful to have you all as role models of what it means to be a good mom! And especially, thanks to my mom. She really is the most amazing woman...so full of love, sacrifice, and devotion to each one of her kids and grandkids. We are a blessed family!

There has been no answer yet from Amani. I know it seems weird to be waiting for them to answer when I really feel led to work with Sanyu now. It may not make sense, but I'm really praying that the Lord would speak through the Board at Amani. It's been my prayer from the beginning, so it's still my prayer today. The silence may be God telling me to wait. As it stands, there are no little girls at either Amani or Sanyu who are "adoptable." That means my daughter is not there waiting for me. If she were, it would be a whole different story. But she's not there yet. She's not ready for me to get her.

Yesterday I got an e-mail from a woman I met through the blogging world. She told me that little girls are "very, very rare" at Sanyu. Surprisingly, I wasn't discouraged. If the Lord has a daughter for me, it doesn't matter how unlikely it is...He is the God of great wonders! With 2 million orphans in Uganda, it doesn't seem like much of a feat to get one of them to Sanyu in time for my arrival. Does it?

On a happy note, I counted all of the money in my "Adoption Fundraising" jar. I've kept all of my spare change, recycling money, and a few tubes of quarters from friends. I couldn't believe the total--I've put $619.75 in that jar in 3 months!!! Wow! If the Lord ends up telling me not to adopt, I'm going to have a nice chunk of change to do something with...I guess 'll either end up with a remodeled house or a daughter.

I vote for the daughter, Lord!