Monday, March 7, 2011

Triumph

HAPPY DANCING HERE!

We did it!  We reached our goal.  Tears of Joy!!  Shouts of Hurrah!  Praising the Lord in our house in the woods!

We raised $4177.00 for sweet Jonah. 

That means we will receive another $600.00 dollars in matching funds! 

God is so amazingly good.

We started with $5.00.  Five precious dollars from an eight year old girl who gave her Christmas money so that Jonah could find a family.  A meager offering by the world's standards but priceless in the eyes of the God of the Universe.

I will be completely honest - I did not think we would make it.   I struggle so much when it comes to fundraising.  I know some people think that it comes easy but it does not.  It rips me apart.  I agonize each time I bring another request.  I was so happy when we reached the first $1,200 in matching funds.  I was ready to sit back and relax.  Wait for Jonah's family to appear.  Focus my energy on advocating and praying for them.  THAT was where my heart was (and still is).  Then we had the opportunity to match the 3rd $600.00 and I worried.  I knew it was an amazing gift from God but the human, weak side of me hesitated.  I bit my nails.  I prayed.  I told God enough.  I didn't want to do it again.  And I have doubted this entire time.  The last week has been hard.  I barely wanted to blog.  This weekend I shared my struggle with several dear friends who prayed for me.  Helped me.  Came alongside and advocated with me. 

And this morning - when I woke up and saw that we had reached the matching $600.00 goal with $15.50 extra to spare I just wept.  I'm still crying.

Did I say God is good?

The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalm 18:2

And now - what you all have been waiting for... the pictures of Aaron and his Mama.

To me they are precious and definitely rare.







Thank you to every single person who has donated to help Jonah find a family.  Thank you!  We have 84 names to write on Jonah's puzzle.  I KNOW more people than that have donated so PLEASE let me know who you are so that Jonah will have the blessing of seeing who LOVED HIM HOME.  Donations will definitely continue to be accepted.  It costs around 24,000.00 to adopt a child from Jonah's country.  No gift is too small as we bring our little loaves and fishes and prayers to the throne.  It is God who takes our offerings and multiplies them.

14 comments:

  1. Does anyone else comment on how much Aaron and you look alike? I realize you were brought together by adoption, but seriously, God clearly designed this child to be in your family, because the two of you just plain LOOK like mother and son!
    Precious pictures, I'm so glad you shared!

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  2. LOVE the photos! You are beautiful, inside and out! Aaron is precious and PRAISE the LORD you reached the goal! You are a blessing!!!

    We just love you to bits!

    Blessings,
    Lu

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  3. How cool is that? And to think, one day his forever family will have to tell him all about the little girl who donated $5 and the mama who helped multiply that money.

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  4. God is so good. He multiplied that little girls generous offering...beautiful. Love the pictures of you and wow, I can't get over how much Aaron looks like you. AMAZING!!

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  5. Great Job! Wonderful Pics!

    (and lovely comment, Molly!)

    Blessings

    Melissa

    journeytoonemore.blogspot.com

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  6. you are BEEEEEEE-U-TI-FULLLLLLL, inside and out!

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  7. That is wonderful and I loved seeing pictures of you and Aaron. Your love for Aaron and Jesus shines through your pictures and your blog!

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  8. Praise the Lord:) Thanks for sharing the pictures, too, Julia. Absolutely beautiful:) Can't wait to share the news!!

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  9. YAHOO~!!! Praise the Lord!!! Beautiful photos!! :)

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  10. Wonderful photos, God bless you all.

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  11. You are just beautiful, Julia! While I understand the not liking to have photos taken, You photograph nicely! Let me say this: You truly represent your Lord Jesus in a Sweet, Sweet manner. There is a Gentleness, a Gracefulness, a Pureness that is Radiant. I always love when you can see a persons Heart, by looking into their Eyes. I just know how very proud HE is to call you, Daughter! Thank You!
    With Agape Love ~ Jo

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  12. WOW! Beautiful pictures of Mama and Son. So thankful God brought you together - praising Him for His awesome work.

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Loving words from kind people make our hearts glad!