The fundraising video. Bringing Michael home.

It's Thursday.  It isn't any particular Thursday, but it is special to me because we are launching our fundraising video to help with the expenses of bringing Michael home.  Getting to this point has been hard for me because I don't like asking for money.  I just want to be able to do it for myself.  Yet, God has given peace through His Word, through the Holy Spirit working in me, through conversations with friends. . . oh our God is so very good!  Mucho thanks to our friend Sarah for helping put this together.  Shanda ain't the best with technology.  :)

What we are mostly asking for is prayer.  Please please pray.  We have already felt the attack of the enemy and we know that as we get closer there will be more to come.  We are reaching some critical points with our paperwork.  Michael begins school soon.  We have big bills due.  We need to think about childcare when we are gone. . . all these things and more are open for attack and we need prayer cover.

In regards to the fundraising, here are the nuts and bolts.  Adopting from China will cost around $35,000.00. This is money well spent because I would pay lots more for any one of my children.  If you have questions about this amount or want to see a breakdown, feel free to ask.  I'll gladly give you the details.  My e-mail is at the end of the video.  Feel free to ask any questions or give comments.  We welcome them.  Gary and I have an emergency fund set aside and this is an emergency, so we are going to use these funds as well.  Our church is hosting a fundraising event (Live Mannequin Night with brownies sundaes) on September 7 and you are all invited!  The goal is to raise $1,500.00 for us that night.  WOW!  We've already received over $400.00 from friends and family.  It just brings me to tears.  Thanks.  

Gary and I are also very committed to tithing what we are given.  We are so very grateful for the work that International China Concern is doing with Michael and with other special needs kids.  God is using them in marvelous ways in China.  We will be sending them a tenth of what has been given to us regardless of how much we still need.  We want to bless God for His goodness!  (If you want to check out what ICC is doing in China or perhaps sponsor one of Michael's friends, please visit http://www.chinaconcern.org/).

So here it is.  Watch and here how the Holy Spirit stirred our hearts to add Michael to our family.  If God moves you to help us financially (He might ask you to give elsewhere--awesome!) we would be so grateful.  We thank you for your encouragement and prayers thus far.  I'm a little teary just thinking about it. You are welcome to share this with others if you feel led.  We are going to give this to God and see what He does through others.  Bless Him!

Are you ready?  Want to see more of our sweet son?  Are you sure?  Then click play and enjoy meeting our beautiful son Michael.

Thanks.