Friday, October 3, 2008

Two neat kids

A little over a year ago I sent out an email to friends and relatives, announcing our plans to adopt Ava, and requesting donations for our fundraiser garage sale (which raised over $2,000 by the way).

The most precious donation we received that Saturday was from this brother and sister pair, Alden and Lilly. Their mom had told them about our family's plans to adopt and they both wanted to help bring a little orphan girl home to her forever family. I really tried hard but was unable to hold back my tears that day as they both emptied their piggy banks onto the table to help our Ava make her way home.
What made this gesture particularly emotional for me is the fact that Alden and Lilly's daddy unexpectedly passed away just weeks before Lilly was born about 5 years ago. Knowing that Alden and Lilly would have loved to have a brother or sister of their own, and yet seeing their loving sacrifice towards our family instead, was so meaningful and touching to me.

Well today I had to fight my tears back again (I didn't do so great) as I took some donations to their garage sale. You see, even though their mommy hasn't remarried, Alden and Lilly are going to have another brother or sister after all. They are raising money to welcome an orphan from Hong Kong into their wonderful, sweet family. I am so proud of my friend Justine for following the passion of adoption that God has laid on her heart, despite the circumstances that she never would have chosen for herself. She is an amazing woman, loving and dedicated mother (she even homeschools her children), and I know she is going to be a wonderful adoptive mommy. I am so proud of you, my friend! I can't wait to meet the newest Foster! Thank you for letting us be a part of it.

(By the way, I asked the kids about the little crosses under their tree in their backyard. It is where their cat "Oreo" and their pet turtle "Red Ear" are buried. How sweet is that?)

5 comments:

Pan Cratius said...

Those two little kids have a MARK upon them, and blessings will FOLLOW them, goodness and mercy. May the Father in Heaven watch over their every step. Their story and your response touched me VERY deeply

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful story. I hope that you know how much Ava's story has touched me and my family. Obviously, I am not the only one. I can't wait to start our journey towards adoption.

Stefanie and Bill said...

I followed your blog while you were in Ukraine adopting Ava and it deeply touched me and more importantly, moved me. Your willingness to stand up and say "Yes, Lord" is very touching. You could have remained comfortable with your beautiful, healthy and happy biological children, but you fought your fears, selfish desires and the "what ifs". Your faithfulness challenged me to step out of my comfort zone in my adoption. I am in Kiev completing the adoption of 3 young boys ages 7,4 and 2 We could have remained very comfortable with 1 or 2 children total, but we felt led to open ourselves up to 3. Thank you for your example of trust that encouraged me to say "Yes, Lord".
Stefanie
P.S. Ava is beautiful and her progress is remarkable.

Rebecca Rovenstine said...

Those kids are so precious. They are more generous than any adult I know, I can't think of one that would share their entire savings.

WheresMyAngels said...

That has me crying! What an amazing family.