Humbled

Wow! What a week!! We just wrapped up our week long auction on FB to raise funds for our adoption, and all I can say is that we are extremely humbled. We are not inherently fundraisers, and to be honest, asking people for money is not something we enjoy doing. But since we are trying to get A here as quickly as possible, we knew we needed to do something. We thought that by putting together an auction, at least the bidders would be getting SOMETHING in return for their donations. We started out the week with 12 auction items, from people that we knew had a heart for adoption. We never expected to end the week with 32 items up for bid!! As the days went on, we heard from more and more people that wanted to donate to our auction...several whom we have never met! Not only were people so willing to donate, but our friends, family, and people who have just heard about our journey but do not know us personally, bid so generously. 

We had no idea what to expect from this auction. But I can tell you that the outcome FAR exceeded what we thought we would raise. The total from the auction is $3,272!!!! Is that not so awesome?? Thank you does not begin to express the gratitude we feel towards each and every person that bid on the items and donated. We were also blessed this week with a generous private donation from a precious, precious couple. We feel so unworthy of the gifts we have received! We give God all the glory for moving His people to help bring our sweet daughter home! Our prayer remains that as more and more people become aware of our story, that they will also become aware of the need of so many other sweet teenagers like A that still need to find their forever families. And above all, we hope that every person that visits this blog, will see that our Savior is the author of this story. We couldn't have written this script in our wildest dreams, and stand amazed in His presence!

A quick note about the progress we are making on the adoption front:) We mailed off our dossier yesterday!! It should be headed to Ukraine next week to start the process of being translated. Once we get our approval from USCIS, we will forward that on. That is the last piece we need to formally submit our dossier to the Ukrainian government. 

I cannot leave this post without acknowledging that today is Good Friday. The death and Resurrection of Jesus is what our whole faith is based on. I can't put in to words the feelings I have about my Savior dying for someone as sinful and lowly as myself. Our Women's Ensemble at church sang a beautiful song last week, and I would like to leave you with the lyrics. They express my feelings perfectly. Thank you again for all of your love, thoughts, support, and prayers. We feel each and everyone of them! We thank God for you, and hope that each of you have a wonderful Easter week-end!

How wide is Your love
That You would stretch Your arms 
And go around the world
And why for me would a Savior's cry be heard

I don't know
Why You went where I was meant to go
I don't know
Why You love me so

Those were my nails
That was my crown
That pierced Your hands and Your brow
Those were my thorns
Those were my scorns
Those were my tears that fell down
And just as You said it would be
You did it all for me
And after You counted the cost
You took my shame, my blame
On my cross

How deep is Your grace
That you could see my need
And chose to take my place
And then for me, these words I'd hear You say

Father no
Forgive them for they know not what they do
I will go
Because I love them so

Those were my nails 
that was my crown
that peirced your hands
and your brow
those were my thorns
those were my scorns
those were my tears that fell down
and just as you said it would be
you did it all for me
and after you counted the cost
you took my shame, my blame
on my cross

those were my nails
that was my crown
that peirced your hands
and your brow
those were my thorns
those were my scorns 
those were my tears that feel down
and just as u said it would be
u did it all for me
and after u counted the cost
you took my shame 
my blame on my cross

after u counted the cost 
u took my shame, my blame
on my cross 

That You would stretch Your arms 
And go around the world
And why for me would a Savior's cry be heard

I don't know
Why You went where I was meant to go
I don't know
Why You love me so

Those were my nails
That was my crown
That pierced Your hands and Your brow
Those were my thorns
Those were my scorns
Those were my tears that fell down
And just as You said it would be
You did it all for me
And after You counted the cost
You took my shame, my blame
On my cross

How deep is Your grace
That you could see my need
And chose to take my place
And then for me, these words I'd hear You say

Father no
Forgive them for they know not what they do
I will go
Because I love them so

Those were my nails 
that was my crown
that peirced your hands
and your brow
those were my thorns
those were my scorns
those were my tears that fell down
and just as you said it would be
you did it all for me
and after you counted the cost
you took my shame, my blame
on my cross

those were my nails
that was my crown
that peirced your hands
and your brow
those were my thorns
those were my scorns 
those were my tears that feel down
and just as u said it would be
u did it all for me
and after u counted the cost
you took my shame 
my blame on my cross

after u counted the cost 
u took my shame, my blame
on my cross