JUST LOVE COFFEE FUNDRAISER

We found this awesome website a few months ago and knew we wanted to use it as a fundraiser for our adoption.....

 

 

 

 

Now that the yard sale is over, we finally got around to setting it up!  It's a pretty simple, but great concept...you buy some coffee, and part of the proceeds go toward our adoption!  It's a win-win situation! :)  The company does all the work, other than us marketing our "store front" on the website.  So, if you are a coffee lover (really, who isn't?!?), please consider trying some coffee from Just Love Coffee.  You can follow the link below and it will take you to our store front on the website and you can start shopping!  Or, you can click on the Just Love Coffee Button on the side of our blog and it will get you there as well.

  If you aren't into coffee, would you please share this blog post to let more people know about our fundraiser? 

https://justlovecoffee.com/about/beneficiary/hisgloryourjoy/

 

Thank you all so much for your support and help in this process!  God is using it to teach us so many things, and a lot of it is through people who are so eager to be a part of this and encourage and help us as we take this journey!  If you do buy a bag or two of coffee, while you sit back and enjoy a cup, we would greatly appreciate it if you would say a prayer for our family...all 5 of us! :)

 

 

 

OUR GOD IS SO BIG.

I finally have some time to sit down and write a post to update on the outcome of the yard sale.  Now that we can finally park in our garage again and life is semi back to normal.  I could have done it sooner, I'm sure....but I wasn't sure what all to say.  So, this will be my attempt at explaining just how big and strong and mighty our God is.

 

You know the kids song....

"Our God is so BIG, so strong and so mighty, there's nothing our God can not do!"

I've always believed that song, and had fun singing it with my kids, but boy, did He prove Himself much bigger, stronger, and mightier than my mind can fathom the weekend of our yard sale.

 

We got started with this idea for a yard sale fundraiser after I read a few adoption blogs that suggested it...most said it was their biggest fundraiser (up to $2,000).  That sounded awesome to us, so we started asking people for donations.

 

And donations we got.  So many donations, Eddy decided it would be nice to make $4,000.  I still thought $2,000 sounded like a lot.

 

We were overwhelmed with the amount of donations.  Thankful, but very overwhelmed.  We tried to keep things orderly and have a little bit of an idea as to what we were storing in our garage.  But when it got to the point that we had to start storing things in our basement, then in a shed beside the church, then asking people to keep things at their house until the day of the yard sale...we kind of lost track...we really had no idea what we were going to find when we unpacked all of it for the sale.

 

(I did know there was a very scary clown mask and a stuffed monkey that shrieked so loud when you squeezed it that it made Quincey cry....I will admit, it was kind of fun sorting through those boxes.)

 

Anyway...the day before the yard sale, we started taking loads of STUFF to the church.

LOADS AND LOADS. 
We had so many people come help with setting up.  It was awesome.  They were awesome.  We really couldn't have done it without every single person who came and helped. 

 

We started unpacking things around 1:30 on Thursday.  We had everything set up and ready to go by 9:30 or 10:00 that night....I cant remember for sure...I was delirious by that time.  Eddy slept at the church that night on a couch that was for sale.  Good nights sleep, I'm sure. 

My mom took our kids home for a sleepover, which was awesome, considering I had to get up way early the next morning to be at the church and they would have been a little scary to wake up bright and early after such a long day.  

 

 

 

 

 

So the morning of the yard sale...people again...show up to help.  I cannot say enough about our friends and family who showed their support by offering their time, baking skills, muscle, and whatever else we needed. 
We truly are very blessed to have each and every one of you in our lives.

 

We started the yard sale at 8am, praying with a group of friends beforehand that the day would be successful, fun and that God would be glorified.  And from then until at least noon there was not a break.  We had a huge line of people most of the morning waiting to pay for their things.  I went into this thing doubting that we were going to be able to make it worth it, worried that about what in the world we were going to do with all of this STUFF.  By the end of the day Friday (it was a whirlwind of a day), we were exhausted.  I was sad that I didn't get to have any of the amazing cupcakes from our bake stand, but glad they sold out. 

(My very thoughtful aunt sacrificed one that she bought and brought it to me the next day though!) 

We started cleaning up and counting up money. 
And I had to ask God to forgive me for doubting and worrying.  For underestimating His ability to provide.  For not really relying on His faithfulness.  For not being able to trust in just how big He really is. 

 

When the money was all counted up...we were shocked.  Wayyy more than what we had hoped for.  Like thousands more.  And by the end of the next day...even a few more thousands more.  So many people went above and beyond in giving.  It took days for it to sink in and realize just how much God showed up at that yard sale (or flea market, as some people were calling it.)

 

We were amazed, overwhelmed, and just so speechless...hence the lack of updates on the yard sale until now.  God used that yard sale for more than a fundraiser.  It was a faith builder for us.  To see Him provide in a way like that was just awesome.  To realize just how much He wants to bless this was amazing.  God used it to touch other people's lives.  We heard from numerous people how He revealed something in their life when they saw this huge thing...a community coming together to help with one family's call to adopt.  It touched people...people who don't attend church.  People who aren't a part of something like what we have at Freedom Fellowship.  A church family.  God uses things for so much more than we can see.

 

We came away from the yard sale much closer (almost half way) to our goal for funding this adoption.  We also came away from it with changed hearts.  Seeing the generosity of people, seeing their excitement to be a part of this...to get this child home, made us want to be more generous.  God stirred in our hearts to give more toward things like this.

 

Like I said before...I went into this doubting.  I walked away from it with a much clearer picture of just how much God is in control and a heart full of trust and dependence on Him.  He got us half way there in two days.  I am not worried about the other half.  He will provide. 

My favorite part about the entire thing is the fact that in no way can we take credit for any of it.  God led us to adopt.  He blessed this fundraiser.  He provided.  He proved himself....His sovereignty.  He was glorified.  He was made much of.  Exactly the way it should be.  Nothing that we did or have done or will do made this happen.  He brought us to this place and

HE MADE HIMSELF SHINE.

The Mighty One, God the Lord,
speaks and summons the earth
from the rising of the sun to its setting.
Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth.
Psalm 50:1&2

We are trusting Him to continue leading us through this adoption process.  We really have no idea what we are doing!  Each step is new to us.  But it is such a comfort to know that He sees the end.  He sees our third child in our arms, running and playing with their brother and sister.  He sees the hard times it will bring and the good times. 
And it is good to know that we can trust Him in all of it. 

lemonade stand!

 

earrings!

 

awesome friends!

 

my sister and cousin manning the lemonade stand!

 

our garage getting emptied out the morning of the sale!

flea market!

two cute helpers!

 more stuff!

yes...there were bunnies at the yard sale...and we somehow ended up bringing two home.

 

lemonade man!

 

Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all.
1 Chronicles 29:11&12

 

 

 

 

A LITTLE UPDATE! AND A LIST OF YARD SALE ITEMS!

Well, it sure has been awhile since we last posted anything on here!  Just wanted to update everyone and let you all know our adoption process is moving along....slowly, but surely.  We just had our first ever home visit with our social worker.  Talk about nerve wracking!  I couldn't find a good balance between cleaning up our house so it looked presentable or cleaning up so much that it looked like I tried wayyy too hard.  So, I was kind of running around like a crazy women for an hour or two before our social worker came after I decided it definitely needed to be cleaner.  And my wonderful husband headed to Grant's room to clean up train tracks and race car tracks and Legos and Matchbox cars...I don't know if he did this out of the kindness of his heart or just to avoid me in my crazy mode.  Probably a little bit of both, but either way, it was helpful and I appreciated it.  Most of what I did was completely unnecessary considering our social worker didn't seem to notice or even care about things being in place and clean, but hey, our house is clean...and organized....and I like that feeling whether a social worker is coming over or not! 

 

Anyway, the meeting went well, I think.  I was kind of dying to know what was being jotted down on the social worker's paper as Grant and Quincey zoomed around the house with a big beach ball, throwing it against the wall and bouncing all over the place.  I'm hoping she was thinking, "Wow, this home is just so kid friendly, yet the kids are disciplined and under control and everything is sooo clean!"  :)

 

 

As far as where we are at in the process and what our next step is...we are finishing up some initial paper work for our agency and after that is complete...

 

MORE PAPERWORK! 

 

And more paperwork.  Did I mention paperwork?

 

I can get frustrated thinking about how long this process is, but am reminded often to use this time wisely and be content in the waiting.  God knows the day that our third child will come home, and until then, He is preparing our hearts, and working out all the little details.  At this point, I am mostly just excited that He has brought us to this place and is allowing us to go on this journey. 

 

I try not to be impatient.  It doesn't always work....but...

 

GOD IS GOOD AND HIS TIMING IS ALWAYS PERFECT.

 

 

Jumping into another topic...I wanted to post a partial list of yard sale items.  So here goes...

 

-antique tool collection

-entertainment center

-queen size mattress and box springs

-kitchen table

-small kitchen table
-kitchen stand

-primitive cupboard

-pottery
-treadmill
-mini fridge

-couch / chair

-rocking chair

-3 red upholstered chairs

-3 dressers / 1 night stand

-great condition comforters

-NEW handmade quilt

-Willow Tree Angels

-kitchen appliances, utensils, etc.

-snowboard, snowboard boots, roller blades

-misc. furniture...small end tables, desks, coffee table, etc.

-televisions

-shelves

-house décor

-holiday decorations (tree stands/xmas décor, easter, fall, etc.)

-baby and kids clothes...lots of name brand, great condition

(newborn up to 5T for babies and toddlers)

(size 6, 7, 8, 9 for older kids and xs and small...pretty much all sizes)
-crib bedding
-high chairs
-shoes and boots and lots of them!

-maternity clothing (all sizes)

-men's and women's clothing (all sizes)

-baby and kids toys...lots and lots of them!

-rocking horse
-train table
-kid's easel

-little tykes turtle sandbox

-kid's riding toys (john deere tractor with wagon / 3 wheeler)

-fish tanks

-outside chairs

-punching bag machine

-lamps

-printer

-shredder

 

craft table includes:

-homemade coasters

-His Glory, Our Joy homemade earrings

-beautiful crocheted hats donated by The Crocheted Dog

-scripture prints

AND MORE

 

We are also having a lemonade stand and bake sale!  Come early for some coffee and a cinnamon roll, come for lunch for a hotdog, lemonade and a dessert (pie, whoopie pies, cookies, muffins, cupcakes, rice krispie treats...take your pick!)

 

We really are excited for the yard sale and would love your prayers for a successful, fun day!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YARD SALE UPDATE

AFTER GIVING IT MORE THOUGHT, WE DECIDED WE DIDN'T WANT TO SPEND THE 4TH OF JULY ORGANIZING AND GETTING READY FOR OUR YARD SALE, SO WE MOVED THE DATE UP ONE WEEK.  WE ALSO HAVE THE LOCATION...IT WILL BE HELD AT OUR CHURCH...115 FREEDOM DRIVE, IN MIFFLINBURG.  HOPE TO SEE EVERYONE THERE!  COME HANG OUT...HAVE SOME LUNCH...WE WILL HAVE HOT DOGS, LEMONADE, AND LOTS OF DELICIOUS BAKED GOOD!

YARD SALE!!

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU

to everyone who bought anywhere from 1 to 8 pairs of earrings!  The fundraiser is still going on and I have plans for some more jewelry making, but I just have to say....wow!  I think I used the word "overwhelmed" at least 100 times last week.  I was so overwhelmed in such a good way by the response to the earrings.  God had His hands all over it, and blessed us so much through all of you....so again, I just have to say THANK YOU!

 

 

I also wanted to let everyone know that we are planning on having a BIG yard

sale this summer, once again, with 100% of the proceeds going toward helping with the cost of our adoption.  We are looking for donations, so if you are spring cleaning, moving, or just need to get rid of some things, we will glady take them off your hands!  We would like the items to be in good condition, but other than that, there are no rules on what we will or will not take.  Clothes, household items, outdoor items, handmade, homemade...we will gladly take it!  We are also planning a lemonade/food stand, so if there are any expert bakers out there, a donation of cookies, brownies or whatever you like to make would be a huge help as well.

 

 

CHOOSING GOD'S PERSPECTIVE

To be honest, I never thought adoption was for me.  Don’t get me wrong.  I always believed it was a wonderful thing.  I enjoyed helping other families who were going through the process of adopting and I certainly loved getting to know the children they adopted.  

I just didn’t feel like it was a calling for me. 

But, then there was my wife (the beautiful Mrs. H) who felt adoption was always something she wanted to do.  It was on her heart at a very young age.  

I remember in our first year of marriage, when she brought up adoption.  We knew we wanted biological children.  I wasn’t super receptive to the idea of adopting.  I thought we could do our part by sponsoring a child (I’m not knocking this idea – reputable child sponsorship programs/organizations do a lot of good).  

 If I would have been honest, all of the reasons why I wasn’t willing to adopt were based on fears and selfishness (I’ll expand on this later).  We sort of left it at, if we do adopt, it would be after we were done having biological children.   Two years later we had our first, G. 

 

It’s not very often that you get to experience a new feeling at the age of 24, but that’s exactly what happened when I first laid eyes on G.  I absolutely loved being a dad.  And I loved watching Lib be a mom.  It seemed so natural for her.  

And on top of motherhood being a natural gift, she worked hard at it.  

She was intentional about teaching and making quality time happen (she still does).  It was a blessing to watch and be a part of.  13 months after G was born, we decided to start trying for another child.  2 days later, we found out that Lib was pregnant.  And 8 months later, we were holding a beautiful little girl, Q.   

 

 

As much as having G changed my world, having a baby girl did the same all over again.  Fathers with little girls, you know what I mean. 

By the time G was 3 and a half and Q was almost 2, we decided to begin trying for another child.  As quickly as God blessed us with our first two children, we did not expect any problems as we tried for a third.  After 6 months of trying with no success, we started to worry.  After a year, we knew there was something different.  

After a year and a half, Lib was emotional drained; 18 months of believing that this could be the month, only to find out it wasn’t, had taken its toll. 

 Throughout this whole time, I tried to stay positive.   The days that followed each negative pregnancy test were very tough.  It’s pretty evident that God wired men and women differently.  Not one better than another, just different.  For example, part of the way God has wired us as men includes what I call the “Fix-it Mentality”.  Tell us a problem and we’ll try and fix it.  So many times I would get myself in trouble.  As Lib was crying I would suggest solutions or try words of encouragement.  It took me a long time to realize that this wasn’t what she was looking for.  

She just needed my comfort.  

Why do I bring all of this up?  Because I am beginning to see the richness of God’s comfort.   

Earlier I mentioned that my reasons for not adopting were based on my own selfishness and fear.   I knew that adoption was expensive.  I knew that it would take a great deal of sacrifice.  I thought about dealing with the emotional struggles that adoptive children may have.  I went as far as thinking about the implications that adoption would have on my children’s inheritance.  All of this was self-focused, faithless, and weak.  

A few months ago, it hit me.  “Could you imagine if God would have this same perspective?”  Thank goodness He doesn’t . . .

“In Love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.  In Him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us” – Ephesians 1:5-8

My adoption as a child of God cost Him more than I could ever offer.  Any sacrifice on my part pales in comparison to His sacrifice.  He deals with the emotional struggles that I have, by addressing my doubt and reminding me that I have been given a new identity as His child.  He has lavished an inheritance upon me that is better than I could ever imagine (don’t just take my word for it – check out  1 Corinthians 2:9).  

God comforts me by reminding me, that this is not about me.  It is about Him.  What a great opportunity adoption is to reflect what He has done for us. And I pray that this will be all for His glory and not our own.

{E}

HOMEMADE EARRINGS....

Started selling these fun earrings to raise money to help with the cost of our adoption.  Contact me if you are interested! :)

 

GOD'S POWERFUL GRACE

ADOPTING FOR HIS GLORY AND OUR JOY

Well, here we are...starting a blog.  Something that kind of terrifies me.  Something I don't know much about.  Something else that God is having me do, so I can learn to rely on Him more and not myself. 

 

We are starting this blog mainly because in the last few months, God has shown us that our plans for ourselves are not His plans for us. 

 

 He has a bigger, better plan that we can't fully know or understand, something far beyond ourselves. 

 

Through a long process of trying for a third child, we have felt God pulling us toward adoption.  Adoption is something I have always loved, and felt I would do someday.  My wonderful husband, however, wasn't always so sure about it.  I remember talking about adoption as a teenager...I had watched a few people go through the process and felt drawn to it.  I remember talking to Eddy about adopting when we were first married.  Even after being blessed with two beautiful children, adoption was still something I thought about often.

 

 

 

 

I truly feel adoption is something God laid on my heart long ago.  And now he has laid it on my husband's heart as well!  We will be starting our home study classes in a little over a week.  I feel nervous...knowing that there is not a whole lot I know about the HUGE process of adoption, yet excited, because God has already shown us that it is where we need to be.

 

One reason for this blog is to keep friends and family updated as much as possible as we go through the process.  But another reason is to share how God works in our everyday lives...how he works in the smallest details of our lives...and to glorify Him because of it. 

 

A friend of mine sent me a message about adoption about a month ago.  I put it on my mental "to do list", knowing I wanted to listen to it at some point.  When we found out that our classes were soon starting, and decided to start a blog, I started trying to think of a blog name.  Eddy and I prayed about it, looked at  Bible verses and tried to come up with something catchy.  The only thing that kept coming to my mind was "His Glory, Our Joy."  I tend to over analyze and second guess myself, so I wasn't sold on the name.  I told Eddy about it and he loved it.  So we decided to go with it.  I made up a header for the blog (my lovely friend Katie did the rest, since I am clueless about such things.)  The next night, I remembered the message my friend had sent me and decided to listen to it.

 

One of the main points? Giving God glory and receiving joy because of it. 

 

I was working on editing pictures while listening and heard the phrase..."His Glory and our Joy."  I called Eddy out and told him to listen, and we both knew this was just a small blessing, a confirmation from Him.  He cares about these details.  And He wants to be glorified in them. 

He deserves all the glory.
  And we find joy in glorifying Him. 
 

 

 

 

{Please listen to it if you get a chance...it wasn't just a confirmation for us about our blog name, it is full of so much truth about God's relationship with us, and just the beauty in Him adopting us as sons and daughters.}

 

So, I hope you will stick around to hear about these little and big details that God is working on in our lives.  We would LOVE to have people praying for us...all of us...even the little one we don't yet know.  God knows our child.  And He loves them and knows exactly when we will know them as well.  We are praying that God will use the long process to prepare and transform our hearts.  To teach us and grow us.  To bring glory to Him.

 

 Until then, we will trust in HIS plans, HIS timing and HIS sovereignty.