Sunday, October 6, 2013

The Grande Finale????


The concert ended last night.
 
The music hall is empty now.
 
I'm just walking around picking up programs.  Trash.  Putting away stands. 
 
It was a strange concert. 
 
Amazing, yet completely unpredictable.
 
The ending was the strangest part. The music rose to a crescendo - all the instruments playing with a beauty that rivaled the angels.  Above it all you could hear the voice of one of the boys rising in joyful song above the music.  Our hearts were beating loudly with the music, longing, waiting, ready to cheer and clap and break out in wild applause.   But just when everyone was expecting the Grande Finale - waiting for the other boys to join in with the one - the music just stopped.  The Conductor lowered his baton.  The instruments went silent.  Everyone sat.  Waiting.
 
  Then the violin section got up and quietly left.  The percussion section left.  The strings.  They left.  The brass and woodwind sections.  Gone.
 
All that was left were four members of the boys choir.
 
Just four ragamuffin boys in ill-fitting clothes and out of place shaved heads.
 
They stood there standing on the stage.  The audience watching them. 
 
The Conductor placed his baton on his stand, picked up the final un-played score of the symphony and walked over to each boy.  Quietly he placed his hand on each of their heads.  One by one.  His gentle hand blessing each boy as he passed. 
 
That was how it ended.
 
The boys choir left standing.
 
They were supposed to sing at the end.  The music called for songs of joy from each boy.  But only one sang his joyful song.
 
The Symphony was a huge success.
 
Thousands upon thousands of dollars raised.
 
But as I clean up the trash and straighten up the stands I'm left feeling sad, forlorn.  I missed the Grande Finale.  I missed the best part.  The score that was taken away.  The singing from the boys.  Its music not yet heard.
 
We have so much to clap wildly about.  So much praise to offer to the Conductor.  So much testimony to offer.  And for all of this I am thankful beyond words.  God blessed what we did beyond our wildest dreams.
 
But I am still left with a feeling of sadness and loss.
 
I wished we could have heard the boys sing.
 
I wished we could have heard ALL the boys sing.
 
I can only pray that one day soon their music WILL be heard.
 
Pearson  Dagmar  Porter  Grady
 
30520132428 30520133548 Porter 2013 30520133224
 
I don't know how to say it any better.
 
They can't sing song of joy inside sheds.
 
They just can't.
 
Though I am overcome with joy at the music we just heard.... though I am grateful for all that God did in this Symphony... though I would like to give every single one of you a hug for pouring into the families and the boys... though I am overcome that we not only matched the grants but went over by thousands and thousands... though I am jumping up and down that Brenton found a family before it was too late.... I have to be honest.... my heart yearns deep within me to hear the joyous sounds of these boys.
 
ALL of  the boys.
 
This Symphony will always be unfinished until that day...
 
I wished we could have heard ALL the boys sing....
 
 


IT WAS A SEPTEMBER SYMPHONY....

WE HAD $20,700 IN MATCHING GRANTS..

WE NEEDED TO RAISE:  $16,700.00
(To match the 20,700 in matching grants being offered)
 

WE  RAISED OVER: $44,600.00
 
(This includes the matching grant and the money for the Rowes, Dobrovits, Tam's, Deutsches and Brenton that was over and above the matching grants.  It does NOT include the hundreds of dollars that has been donated to the Hortons, Taylors, Unroes and Grace Knuth)
 
This is how much each family/orphan received when you add in the matching grants!

PEARSON - Raised $3,166.00

PORTER  - Raised $3,006.00 

GRADY   - Raised $3,024.00

DAGMAR  - Raised $3,036.00 

BRENTON -  - Raised $4,643.00

 Janice and Tim Rowe - Raised $7,824.00
 
 Renee and Steve TamRaised $8,146.00
 
 Val and Bill Deutsch - Raised $5,872.00
 
Carla and Paul DobrovitsRaised $5,833.00
 
 
 
The Heroes of this Symphony....THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

Jacquelyn, Tiny, Andi, Cathy, Cathleen, Arnie, Kenlyn, Andrea, Jennifer, Robin, Kim, Guy, Nicole, Christina, Gentry, Theresa, Cortney, Pamela, Laura, Tiffany, Holly, Amanda,  Rebecca, Penney, Sherry, Cheryl, Nancy, Samm, Hannah, Alex, Susan, Jennifer, Amy, Jamie, Leah, Victoria, Debbie, Pam, Robin, Kathryn, Lisa, Tina, Carolyn, Pam, Nicole, Rob, Julia, Annette, Ivy, Stori, Deanna, Hansini, Elizabeth, Michelle, Trish, Neil, Christine, Katherine, Jennifer, Renee, Janice, Carla, Amy, Frankie, Brooke, Tanna, Christina, Elizabeth, Brooke, Jessica, Christine, Sonja, Sara, Edith, Beth, Beth Ann, Missy, Csilla, Sue, Jessica, Nancy, Tracy, Andrew, Ben, Kim, Emily, Kim, Molly, Trina, Katrina, Tea, Constance, Rosie, Amy,  Christina, Mama, Andrea, Cindy, Martha, Emily, Erin, Robin, Laura, CareB, Salem, Frankie, Kayla, Coll, Heather, Elizabeth, Jamie, Carrs, Lynette, Deborah, Cheryl, Lisa, Amanda Amy, Amanda, Emily, Lisa, BB, Michelle, Naomi, Amanda, B family, Brooke, Rebecca, Jessica, Kelly, Karla, Deb, Teresa, Kim, Beth Ann, Jenny, Dee, Ryan, Luba, Sierra, Eric, Benjamin, Emily, Kayla, Crystal, Corina, Alicia, Karen, Lisa, Emily, Susanna, Corina, Jenny, Julie, Stephanie, Sonja, Ben, Heather, Angela, Lance, Nicole, Kari, Ann, Alyssa, Naomi, Kim, Andrew, Valerie, Celeste, AnneMehgan, Lisa, Deborah, Naomi, Holly, Cynthia, Katie, Julie, Jenny, Judy, Jennifer, Stephanie, Emily, Lori, Greg, Wendy, Lindsay, Natalie, FatCat, Jennifer, Sandy
 
 
AND NOW....
WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR....
OUR WINNERS!!!!
 
We drew names using Random.org.

Everyone received entries based on the amount they donated plus the number of families/children/extra giveaways (Hortons, Taylors, Unroe, Grace Knuth, Tam)  they donated to.  We also gave entries for the number of shares/blogs/tweets etc.


We started at the top of this list and drew down.

Winners need to e-mail me at covenantb@yahoo.com - PUT WHAT YOU WON IN THE SUBJECT LINE OF THE E-MAIL.  Then put your address and any other instructions in the e-mail itself.  Please don't send me facebook messages or leave the info in comments.  With 31 prizes I am trying to do this in the easiest way possible!  Make sure to check through the entire list as some people's names came up more than once!

Winners need to claim their prizes by Monday, October 14.  Prizes not claimed will be redrawn and new winners will be announced!!

 
A 2nd GENERATION IPAD
16 GB
PLUS a  BRAND NEW OTTER BOX
$412.00 Value for iPad
89.00 Value for Otter Box
Total Value $500.00
THIS PRIZE WAS DONATED IN HONOR OF HENRY DOBROVITS...
Alyssa Herr
His music lives on.... 
 
$500.00 GIFT CARD!!!
THANK YOU Deanna
Stephanie Becker
 
Canon Power Shot SX50 HS Digital Camera
Value $369.00
Thank You Renee!!
Pam Rogers
IPAD MINI
16 GB With WiFi
$329.00 Value
THANK YOU TRISH!!
Angela and Lance Rogers

 
 
WINNER CHOICE OF EITHER...
 
A Kindle Fire (159.00 value)
OR
Nintendo 3DS (178.65 value)
OR
150.00 Pick a Child or Family on Reece's Rainbow
Thank You R.
Emily Streeter
 
 
 
Used Kindle Keyboard WiFi 6"
PLUS... All three BIBLIOPLAN COMPANION e-books for a free download
$180.00 Value

Deborah Pasho

 
 
 
Très Riches Heures (Months of the Year) 04
"April"
Limited Edition 1992
Mounted & Framed
The Quintessa Art Collection
Value $125.00
Thank You Sandy and Carl
Jennifer Kahl
 
 
A HENRY DOBROVITS ORIGINAL
This is a RARE FRAMED work of art done by Henry himself on the ipad!!
VALUE - PRICELESS!
Stephanie Becker
 
A Gold-Leafed Framed Musical Score
A print of an 18th Century engraving by G Bickham Sculp
"The Chace"
An English Fox Hunting Scene
The musical score is for piano and flute!
Thank You Sandy and Carl
Ryan Franz

 
A SECOND Gold-Leafed Framed Musical Score
A print of an 18th Century engraving by G. Bickham Scullp
"The Blind Boy"
An English Romantic Scene
The musical score is for piano and flute!
Thank You Sandy and Carl
Stephanie Carmichael

 
 
 
Beautifully Framed Original Chin*se Hand Embroidery on Silk
The pictures do NOT do this justice!!
 Thank You Sandy and Carl
Jennifer Wojcik
 


 
Beautifully Framed Original Chin*se Hand Embroidery on Silk
The pictures do NOT do this justice!!
 Thank You Sandy and Carl
Dee Long
 

 
 
 
Framed Oil painting
Bouquet of Flowers
signed by Birkin
Thank You Sandy and Carl
Amanda Shumaker



Set of Framed Vintage Floral Prints
Signed Carle
Print 1 Says:  Bouquet of Crown Imperial Lilacs and Roses No. 6
Print 2 Reads:  Stock, Ranunculas, Roses and Mallow No. 5
Value $80.00
Thank You Sandy and Carl
Rebecca Medvid
 
 
50.00 J.C. Penny Gift Card
Thank you Christine
Julie Rolffs
50.00 Visa Gift Card
Thank You Katherine
Brooke Kirk
 
25.00 Barnes and Noble Gift Card
Thank You Christine
Christina Schye
 
25.00 Visa Gift Card
Thank You Jennifer
Karla Akwa
 
AN "OUR ROOTS LIE HERE" MAP
18X24 Map of the World
No matter where your children came from - Love brought them home!
Thank You Renee!
  Deb Wielhouwer

 
Mint-Colored Bead Necklace
Second strand is removable and can be worn as a bracelet
Value $50.00
Thank You Janice
Christine Nichols
 

Faux Turquoise Necklace
Second strand of faux pearls is removable
Value $50.00
Thank You Janice
Penny Tucker
 
 
HANDPAINTED WOODEN KEEPSAKE BOX
Value $30.00
Thank You Carla
Angela and Lance Rogers
 
 BEATIFUL EARRINGS
Value $28.00
Thank You Janice
Jenny Pohl
 
 
 
Set of Matryoska Dolls
Purchased in Henry Dobrovits hometown!
Value $25.00
Thank You Carla!
Memories - Priceless!
Christine Nichols

 
 
All Chalked Up
Smaller chalkboard measures approximately 10" x 3" with rope hanger. Larger chalkboard measures approximately 12" x 7"; with a scalloped edge with punched tin flower design and rope hanger.
Value $20.00
Thank You Renee
Naomi Herr
 
MICAH SIX EIGHT NECKLACE
Value $15.00
Thank You Amy!
Kathryn Beckett
 
FOREVERMORE NECKLACE
Value 15.00
Thank You Amy
Sierra Hollister
 
$18.00 Hooked on Hope Gift Certificate
Thank you Frankie
Lisa Craddock
Photo: It's a Minion Hat!!  These are very customizable. One eye or two; tuft of hair or scattered; big smile, little smile or no smile. All sizes available. $18 for one, $15 each for multiple hats.
 
 
Adoption T-Shirt of your choice
"Hello My Name is Child of the One True King"
$16-$18 Value
Thank You Brooke
Brooke is donating these to OUR giveaway despite the fact that they are ALSO fundraising for their own adoption and still need a LOT of money.
Kim Buckley
 
 
Adoption T-Shirt of your choice
"Hello My Name is Child of the One True King"
$16-$18 Value
Thank You Brooke
Pam Doloski
 
Adoption T-Shirt of your choice
"Hello My Name is Child of the One True King"
$16-$18 Value
Thank You Brooke
Jenny Pohl
 
 
 
Winners need to e-mail me at covenantb@yahoo.com

PLEASE.....PUT WHAT YOU WON IN THE SUBJECT LINE OF THE E-MAIL. 

Then put your address and any other instructions in the e-mail itself.  Please don't send me facebook messages or leave the info in comments.  With 31 prizes I am trying to do this in the easiest way possible!

Winners need to claim their prizes by Monday, October 14.  Prizes not claimed will be redrawn and new winners will be announced!!

1 comment:

  1. Even if it didn't end the way you wanted it- truly, Julia, this is a job well done. Thank you for another spectacular organizing success. You have accomplished so much.

    ReplyDelete

Loving words from kind people make our hearts glad!