Saturday, March 29, 2008

A humble thank you

I am humbled beyond words right now. I don't know who, and I don't quite know when, but we have received $410 in donations so that we can adopt and bring home Dennis. I am in complete shock. I really didn't think anyone would help us.

It was very hard for me to even put up the donation links. I really feared being judged for having the audacity to even suggest that we are open to donations. We had opened ourselves up to comments the very first time we adopted our two girls from Russia back in 2005 by asking for donations. Even though the cost of adopting a child is tens of thousands of dollars, a few people made me feel that because we were choosing to adopt another child with our already large family, we were somehow wrong to ask for any kind of financial help because it was obvious that by us asking for donations it meant that we couldn't afford to raise another child once they were home.

Like the answer is to not adopt a child just because we can use a little help coming up with all of the upfront adoption related costs of just getting our child home. I just couldn't make sense of the hurtful thoughts and comments that people had about us and it seemed easier to just not put up the donation link. I struggled with my pride and felt the easier way out would have been to just scrimp and save, take all of our money out of savings....basically do whatever it takes to bring him home. With the falling dollar, we are still probably going to have to do that, but it is so worth it when I think about our little guy languishing in his orphanage because no one can see past his scarring. At this point we have committed to bringing our little guy home and we know that through God we will raise all of the necessary funds to adopt Dennis.

But then I was reminded of something. I was reminded that by taking this route, I was not trusting God to provide anything for this adoption. I was also assuming that everyone who knew us felt this way. I was also reminded that I was taking away the blessing from another person who may want to help out financially so that we could bring our precious son home. I was essentially being my own God, trusting only myself to provide for Dennis to come home.

Well when I checked out our donation page and saw that $410 had already been donated, I knew that the person who reminded me was right and I was terribly wrong.

I am so very thankful that someone has felt led to donate money to help out with the adoption related costs. I think we already have enough to cover Dennis's visa. That is one less expense. I wish I knew your names so that I could personally thank each and everyone of you.

Someone mentioned to us that they would like to donate something but felt more comfortable giving directly to us. Thank you so much. I may put up a fundraising tracker that includes all donations not just those given through the adoption ministry we are using. I just wanted to share with you a verse that brings me great comfort for I trust His word.

I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you. John 14:18

Lastly, please please please keep us in your prayers. Prayer for our paperwork to be submitted without any snags, prayer for a travel date, prayer for Dennis to make it through these next few weeks or months without us, prayer for childcare for our other children while we travel to get Dennis, prayer that our SDA appt. goes well, prayer for safe travels, prayer that our trip is quick and that our 10 days our waived. I know people doubt that the last one is possible, but with God all things are possible.

17 comments:

Dave said...

Praying for you. So cool that God has already provided $410!
Gina

Anonymous said...

I am so happy! We have been very blessed by the kindness of others during our adoption. It is such a blessing when God provides through His people.

crispy said...

It is true that it is a blessing for others to partner in this adoption with you. Praying for the funding to come rolling in. =)

Rachel said...

I am praying for your family and for your precious little Dennis. It is so neat how the Lord provides!

Courtney said...

Christine, I was on Reece's Rainbow the other day and came across Dennis' picture and story. That night, I was showing some other pictures to my husband and also showed him Dennis' picture. We linked through to the story of his soon-to-be parents and I found you guys! So excited for you AND him!! I love it when God gives us blinders of love and allows us to see a child's heart instead of their outer shell. I'll be praying for all of you!

Courtney

Kathy Cassel said...

Make sure you check out all the grant places like Brittany's Hope and others. We are not eligible for any because we aren't using an agency but I know there are a lot of them out there.

Tony and Dawn said...

I too find it hard to accept donations from friends for our adoption. It has been something that I had to really think about. Then I realize that (a) people really want to help, and (b) this is God working not only on their heart, but working with me and my weaknesses. Congratulations on your new son - yes I know court is still ahead, but God knew the plans for him before he was born.

Dan and Alicia Marlowe said...

The Bible clearly says that as we do it to the least of these we have done it unto Him. Also, it tells us, "Freely have you received, so freely give!" With those two thoughts in mind, joy wells up withing me whenever I am presented with the oppurtunity and the means to be generous as He is with me daily! We love your hearts and we are praying with you for all the details of Denis' adoption. He is a precious boy and we are so excited that he will have the Reed family to call 'home'! Thank you for choosing the harder life (11 rather than 2 children) and trusting God for the resources for the day to day. His grace and mercy can be seen in your family!

Connie said...

Maybe I should have asked you first.. but I am so happy for you all and very proud of what you are doing for my new nephew! :-) .. so, belatedly, btw, I have put up notices, linking to the donation website, on my MySpace page, my Facebook page, and my Blog. I don't have a lot of random traffic, but why not? I'm trying to figure out my email program to add to .sig too.

btw - to heck with those who criticize! Ignore them. Focus on the love :-)

Connie said...

(forgot to mention)
If you are not familiar with Facebook, the reason I thought I'd add a post there is that there are many people who support causes from their profiles, or, more often, spend actual cash to send virtual gifts to their Facebook friends, etc. I figure if someone will spend $1 on a virtual sticker, maybe they will have some for a real little boy too. Might as well try!

Anonymous said...

...add $65 more to that. We just sent it via paypal. Wish it were 10x more! But, we will do what we can as we are able.
Please don't feel the least bit guilty accepting donations...there are some of us who aren't in the right place to adopt yet - but you are and those children need parents NOW~ So, it is our pleasure to be able to do something so small to help you on your way.

Carey and Norman said...

What a generous donation. I think God is providing. You and your husband are providing homes for children and that is such a blessing. I think receiving donations is God's blessing to you showing you that you are faithful followers!!

God Bless!

Carey and Norman said...

I also wanted to say thank you for your inspiration as a mother. I just expanded my family to two and I have had a harder time adjusting than I thought (sibling rivalry and shared parental attention). Then, I think of you and it makes me realize that I'm worried about being perfect with just two. If so many mothers can do a wonderful job sharing their attention, love, and strength with more than two, I can do it too. It just may take time to balance it all!

adoptedthree said...

Christine, it is a blessing that you did receive the money. I would not be worried about asking for donations. Either someone wants to or they don't that is their choice.

I have done everything possible in order to adopt my children, and do whatever it takes to succeed. I have fundraised, taken second jobs, lived in an older home, etc...

We all do what we need to do to adopt. Don't let others make you feel bad. They don't understand.

Ashley said...

I also had a hard time asking for donations. God had to humble me in that area. We have raised $3,000 so far and it has all been through fundraisers or donations. God is providing and he will provide for you. We still have a long way to go to $25,000 but it will happen. It is sad that people can act that way. Yes, we can raise these children with no problem. That is not the issue. Not everyone has thousands of dollars up front and it shouldn't have to cost this much to give a child a home, but it does. I am so proud of you and you are such an inspiration to all of us with going on 11 children!

ArtworkByRuth said...

We found it hard to ask as well, but were also reminded that we were not allowing others to be blessed through their giving. So many people want to give but don't know where to give. Others worry that their little amounts go to some big organization and doesn't make a difference. So many of our givers expressed thanks for having a tangible face and story to know they are making a difference! YOU are such a blessing to all of us! May God continue to bless all that you do, financially as well!

Unknown said...

Praying for you, John, the kids and Dennis!!