Bucket Tipping

When Rob and I were considering doing the stew this year - I had a million reasons why we just could not do it.

 

Actually - more like a trillion reasons....

 

But...

On the top of the list for reasons why we SHOULD do it were two needs.

 

1.  A boy named Jenson with Cerebral Palsy whose picture was on my desktop.  He was desperate for a family as he is aging out this year.  I had his picture on my desktop for months and months. 

 

 

 

2.  A family adopting a sweet little medically fragile boy named Jack.

 

 

Considering everything in our lives right now I seriously didn't know how we could do the stew.

 

I debated and debated and prayed and prayed and debated some more. 

 

But Jenson was aging out and I had the agony of seeing his picture on my desktop every single day and Jack's family was fundraising and fundraising and fundraising and they were getting absolutely nowhere despite all their efforts.

 

I don't often share negative thoughts on here.

 

I try to season this blog with grace and kindness.  This world is way too filled with ugliness - I just don't feel the need or have the desire to add to the misery.

 

But there are times when my frustration gets the best of me.

 

This is one of those times.

 

I watched that family do everything they could to raise the funds for their adoption.

 

They are getting a very very needy child who is medically fragile and needs out yesterday. 

 

 

 

He has a skin condition that is rare and serious and he desperately needs GOOD medical attention.

 

I watched them and it hurt my heart that they were not being supported.

 

They had a giveaway last month with a host of AMAZING prizes worth well over $1,000.00 that they themselves donated.... they had 2 donors give. TWO.
 

Their Giveaway included an iPad and a Nexus 7 tablet.
 

AND THEY RECEIVED TWO DONATIONS???

 

I could say a lot of words but I won't.

That need tipped Rob's bucket.  He told me that we just had to do a stew to help them.
 

 I love love love my husband!!

 

What tipped my bucket??
 

What sealed the deal for us to do the Stew this year??
 

Despite all the struggle they had raising funds for Jack....

 

THIS FAMILY JUMPED AN EVEN HIGHER CLIFF AND COMMITTED TO JENSON TOO...

 

 

Jenson

 

 

 Wow!! I never saw that coming and it most definitely put me over the stew cliff!!!

 

Two beautiful boys.

Two amazing reasons why my bucket got tipped right over...
 

 

TWO BEAUTIFUL REASONS WHY WE BEGAN COLLECTING INGREDIENTS FOR OUR STEW POT.

 

Two beautiful reasons.

 

They were the first family invited even though they are the last to be seated.

 

Angela and Jon - Pull up some chairs.

 

I stand and applaud your faith, your efforts, your hearts.

 

We are soon going to feast!

Praying that God pours out the blessings on the seven families seated at our table and the 11 orphans....

11???

Oopss....

Sorry...

FORGOT TO SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOPS!!!

ALEXEI HAS A FAMILY!!

And his family was already seated at our table!

THE MARRS ARE GETTING ALEXEI!

When God gathered Sasha in His arms - the Marrs knew that their call to adopt was not over. 

But they struggled with who they were going to adopt.

What tipped their bucket....

Why Alexei??

They discovered that Alexei and Sasha came from the same babyhouse.

They grew up in the same building.  They may have had cribs next to each other.

They were transferred to the same back woods facility out in the middle of nowhere.

They shared the same extra chromosome.

They were both orphans and they both needed rescue.

So our tears of sorrow are mixed with cries of joy.

Out of the darkness - light always comes!

Alexei has a family!

PRAISE GOD PRAISE GOD!

So we now have 7 families and 10 orphans......

Plus 110 Lost Boys who are hidden away in a village out in the middle of nowhere....

We cannot and will not forget them!

Our table is set.

Our families are invited.

Our orphans are waiting.

Our Mulligan Stew is starting on Monday.

I'm taking the day tomorrow to pray.

PLEASE PRAY WITH ME!

Ask God to pour out His blessing on each of these waiting children... on each family... on our Lost Boys.

Pray.

Unless the Lord builds the house our work is in vain.