Happy Fall! The Chittenden's are so excited to be experiencing fall for the first time in two years. This Sunday the low temp will be 32 degrees...what?!?!? Despite that, we are loving the fall colors, the pumpkins, the mums, college football, chili and apple pies. It is such a treat...
At this point we have reached our 1/3 mark in our adoption fundraising...$8,000! A large chunk of it was a surprise response from Tim's work who graciously sent money to our adoption agency to cover some costs. We are so thankful for that.
But, we will for sure say, equally thankful for every little bit. It's funny to hear people say "Here's a check, but it's not much." Those "not much's" add up to lots!!! We are often overcome by the generosity of people around us...friends, family, acquaintances, strangers.
If you have not read the two recent newspaper article about the boys efforts with their snack stand here are links to them:
http://blogs.roanoke.com/theburgs/features/2012/09/08/bringing-johanna-to-blacksburg/
http://www.collegiatetimes.com/stories/20414/when-johanna-draws-a-family-she-draws-us
One sweet story. During that last football game, a little guy, just five years old, walked proudly up to Gobble Goodies with a Tupperware full of change in his hands. He has been saving for a trip to Disney but after his mom told him about what the boys were doing he decided he want to share some of HIS savings with us! What a sweet little guy! It brought me to goosebumps and tears on and off all day. What can we learn from children? Overwhelmed.
Tim, the boys and I often talk about if we had the $25,000 sitting in a bank account from the beginning of this adoption process. Sure, we'd be less stressed but, wow, look at the opportunities to watch God work this out and teach everyone around us what is means to be part of something outside themselves. Blessed beyond measure.
But there is more to raise so today we are launching our partnership with CoupAide, an fundraising organization. With CoupAide, for just $20 people can purchase a $50 restaurant.com gift card. For every card sold, Room At Our Table will receive $10. Simple. The link to OUR CoupAide account is at the top of our blog and will remain there ongoing. The only suggestion I would make before you purchase is to check out which restaurants accept these gift cards in the area surrounding the people for whom you are purchasing the cards. I found the Monmouth County New Jersey and the Raleigh area had MANY restaurants that accepted the cards but I do know it varies area by area. So check that out first. Here are some ideas for using restaurant.com gift cards:
- Coaches end of season gifts! Do they really need another Dick's Sporting Goods card???
- Employee gifts! Who doesn't need a night out with the wife or hubs??
- Teacher gifts!
- Out of State family gifts! No shipping costs...got to love that!
- Gift for yourself! I mean, a $50 meal for $20. I was an art major but even I can see the value there!
- Client gifts! Do they want another crystal vase or stainless steel water bottle???
As you can see, the options are endless! LOL!
Thank you all for your support, prayers and love. Next blog post: Adoption Update. Lots going on...need time to coagulate those thoughts.
