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

 

   

 

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 Tam -  Raised $8,146.00
 

 Val and Bill Deutsch - Raised $5,872.00

 

Carla and Paul Dobrovits -  Raised $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!

 http://www.childreninspiredesign.com/content/world-map
Value:  $50.00

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

 

 

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!!