Family Pic Nov 2015

Family Pic Nov 2015

Monday, June 4, 2012

My Birthday Hope

We had a great turn out for our Thrivent BBQ fundraiser for Marina's adoption.  We couldn't have asked for better weather.  Sunny, upper 70s, and low humidity.  It was a beautiful day!  We praise God that we have such supportive friends and family who helped us put this event on AND donated so generously.  We do not know the exact total yet, as we are not sure of how many donations may have been mailed in. We are also going to leave it open for more donations for a little while longer. But from what was donated at the BBQ, we received $8,180 (including the matched fund of $500)!!  We are in awe of God's provision in our lives in so many ways!  Some of the children even donated their own personal earnings.  This was very heartwarming.  And a family whom we had never met, read our blog and decided to come!  They are currently in the process of adopting from the same EE country and happen to live an hour south of us.  This was awesome!  Having the opportunity to make new friends who are on the same journey was an added blessing.

You may have noticed we took the chip in button off of our blog.  We have decided to take this down for a couple of reasons.  When there are multiple ways for donations to come in, we think it makes it more difficult to accurately show how much money is needed on an ongoing basis.  And it seems that people are preferring to donate through Marina's Reece's Rainbow (RR) grant fund, which is just fine with us.   And all donations are tax deductible this way.  So we will continue to have this be the primary way to accept donations. 

As of now, we have $9,960 towards Marina's adoption.   This means we have $10,040 to go.  Today is my 37th birthday.  And my birthday hope is for each of you to prayerfully consider donating just $37 towards our soon to be daughter's grant fund.  This is one dollar for each year old I am now.  I know that WE personally feel the heartache for so many children who don't have families.  And we are aware of the financial hurdle that so many committed families are trying to get over to bring their children home.  I'm sure there are times when we all have felt a strong pull or desire to donate larger amounts because we obviously feel like we are making a bigger difference.  Especially when so much money is needed for so many children and families.   But there are also times when many people can pull together and give a LITTLE and it lessens the burden on each of us while still making a HUGE impact.  

If 272 of you donate just $37 over the next 6-7 weeks (before we travel), we will have what we need.   We would be fully funded.   My prayer is that as each of you view this post, to please pray over whether you are to be part of making a collective AND significant difference in THIS little girl's life.   

18 comments:

  1. Happy birthday, I hope your donation dream comes true. I did my share. Xxx

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  2. I just read the post to the link you sent me. Wow!! That is so neat. God is so perfect! Even down to exact dollar. Thank you for sharing that with me : )

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  3. Ok...I have to admit, I have been a blog stalker of yours since your adoption of Julia and Aaron. I am so blessed and encouraged by your posts. Your love of children and heart for orphans has fanned a flame in my heart. Happy Birthday! The 5 of us in our family each send $37.

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    1. Oh my gosh, that was so generous of you! Thank you very much. I got a kick out of you calling yourself a blog stalker : ) I hope you continue to enjoy following our journey with Marina!

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  4. Praying for everything to work out in His honor!
    From a Prayer Warrior from Jacksonville, Florida!

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    1. Thank you so much for your prayers. We couldn't do all we do without them. We most definitely feel them.....keep 'em coming!!

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  5. On my way to donate....love your heart for orphans and the difference it has made in Julia's and Aaron's precious lives!!! Happy Happy Birthday to you Carey!!! (((BIG HUGS))) and prayers from RI!!!

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    1. Thank you for your donation, birthday wishes and prayers! I'm from CT....went to UCONN! We were neighbors once : )

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  6. Happy Birthday & prayers for you Carey! I am a young adult with not much of a job right now but praying for your adoption of Marina.

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    1. Prayers are even more valuable than donations. Thank you and keep the prayers coming! God's blessings on your life that lies ahead of you.

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  7. Hi Carey, I just turned 49 on Sunday so I am donating that amount to Marina's fund! Also, I have an adopted nephew from Vlad and I work with children who have special needs! Happy Birthday! I can't wait to see Marina transform like Julia and Aaron! :-) God Bless!

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    1. Thank you for your generous donation. It has helped so much! I like your take on my age idea : ) And thank you for the birthday wishes. I can't wait to share Marina's story with you. God bless you as well.

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  8. Is this Aaron on the TEAMworks website?
    http://www.teamworksukraine.com/2010/05/miracles-and-moments-6/

    If so, I am sure you have already seen it, but I just wanted to share!!

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    1. Hi Katherine! I have seen this, but thanks for sharing in case I hadn't. I had been in contact with one of the therapists before we went over there. She was so happy that we were adopting Aaron. In the article you just posted, they were so excited about the wheelchair they had brought over and gave him. Sadly, during the 6 weeks I was visiting him in the orphanage, I did not once see that wheelchair :(

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  9. Happy Birthday even if it is a couple of days late. I sent 37 for you today. My birthday is next week. I'm a little (LOT!) older than you and I'll send my birthday dollars to you on my day. I've also been a blog stalker since you committed to Julia and Aaron. It has been sheer joy to watch them become much loved members of your family. We are unable to adopt but help every family we can. I also am a fairly close neighbor. We live in Wichester, just a little north west of you. Blessings to you and your beautiful family as you go on another journey. We will continue to pray for you all. Sonja

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  10. That is very sweet of you. Thank you! My husband's sister and her family live in Wincester. I appreciate the continued prayers.

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  11. Hi Carey,
    Happy Birthday to you! (Just seeing this now...) I will continue to pray for you all as you draw closer to bringing sweet Marina home!
    I don't have a great deal (on disability right now) but I WILL donate something within the next day or so. Going to check my budget and see what else has got to come out of it and then going to prayerfully make my donation! Lori (Maine)

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