One man's junk

The reality is that international adoption is expensive. Or as a friend of mine says, adoption isn't that expensive but the shipping and handling are killers. There are some costs along the way that make sense and there are others that make you wonder. The bottom line for Steve and me is that we firmly believe it isn't our money anyway. God has proven his faithfulness to us again and again and yet again. He has called us on this journey to Kinley. The first time through it may have been better described as pulling us through the mud but this time we are both going through the pre-adoption process willingly.

Last time around, we held a garage sale fundraiser. People donate their "stuff" that was otherwise headed to somewhere like Good Will but instead graciously give it to us. We then hold the sale and receive the money to put towards our adoption expenses. However, my family will tell you I have an anxiety about events like this feeling pretty confident that no one will come despite all our hard work.

My anxieties paid off when our girls graciously offered to hold a garage sale and to do ALL the work. Lauren took the lead and did research, organized donations and coordinated receiving the items. Jenna baked cookies. made home made cards and was the clothing coordinator. It seemed we were off to a good start until 6 days before our sale...

The girls persisted taking a 'snow day' but then kept with the preparations. The whole family pitched in the day of the sale and several friends and neighbors helped the day run smoothly. When the day was done, God yet again had proven how He has been with us every step of the way. It was such a blessing to talk with so many people that day who had themselves been touched by adoption. One sweet woman was so taken back with our plans that she went to get her husband and then made her teenage son get out of the car. She shared how she herself desired to adopt. Let's just say her husband and her teenage son didn't appear to be quite as ready as she was just yet but a seed was definitely planted.