The Yard Sale is OVER!

We had about 20 different families donate to our fundraiser yard sale (including some friends donate their house and yard for the sale!).  We had a ridiculous amount of STUFF!  I took 2 loads a day for about 5 days (in our VAN!) over to their house to get ready for friday.  It filled up 2 rooms and a hallway by the time we were done transporting all the items! It took hours and hours of set-up time (and I'm pretty sure a box or 2 never made it out to the sale).  We used and abused every space of their yard, and about 1/2 of the main floor of our friends' home.  Everyone was so generous to donate their things to our sale.  It was incredible!  We had so many people stop by (despite the weather on Saturday) and we were able to share our story, Jesus, and the importance of orphan care with so many people.  Thank you to everyone who donated, prayed, visited, and shopped.  Your generosity and love made a huge difference in our journey this weekend!

Drum roll please...

After selling some of the bigger items online before the yard sale, and counting what we made during that friday and saturday, we made over $1,100 at the sale!

This covers the last portion of our Bulgaria fee that was wired over about a month ago (we were able to pay for the rest with our Lifesong grant).  That is AMAZING.

So, thank you.  We truly couldn't do this without you, and we can't wait to tell N how many people loved him before they even knew who he was.  That little boy is entering a village that will fight for each other, and that's a beautiful thing.

Special shout out to the Hamm parents, our sweet Ellen, and the Frazier parents for donating so much of their time and energy this weekend.  It truly wouldn't have been possible without them, and our 2 kids would not have had the fun they had!  Also, to Lauren & Joel for donating up their home!  If you had seen their house while we were packing things in it and how stuffed it was, you would know how much of a sacrifice they made!

We love our circle.  And we are forever thankful for you.

Love Can Change the World

Ry was told on trip 1 that we were allowed to ask for an update on N once a month until our pick up trip.  So, on May 2, I eagerly sent our contact an email, asking for any information they could give us about how he was doing.

The orphanage's response made me tear up as I sat in the car reading the short email they blessed us with.  I can't share it all, but I wanted to share a portion of it with you.

"N was looking for him and expecting to have another visit... He was also seeking more physical contact in terms of hugs and being held.  The psychologist at the orphanage has shared that there is a positive change in N's emotional condition after the time he spent with Mr. Frazier..."

Cue water works.

N was looking for Ry, missing him.  Not nearly as much as he is missed here, but there was obviously a deep connection made that week, despite the language problems, despite the orphanage, despite the fear, despite the confusion.  This is what love looks like.  N was shown, if ever so briefly, what is was like to feel loved for exactly who he is.  He felt love, acceptance, and a sweet father's pride for the first time, and it changed him.  He now accepts hugs from others, and doesn't get as fearful if someone holds him.  Love breaks down barriers and builds bridges.

That was only a week.  A week of the sweetest love, given from an imperfect father to a scared little boy.  Can you imagine how perfect love from a perfect father can change his sons and daughters?  The Lord loves us all more than we can imagine, and that love has the power to change everything.

Please pray for N - that his heart continues to be poured into and softened until we can finally get him home.

-K