When we were told a photographer was going to come take a picture of us for the article in the Daily Herald, the wheels in my mind started turning. I realized how almost instantly our story would become much more public than it had already been.
I have to admit that the current size of our family was not something I wanted to divulge at first. I was sure that people would look at our family of already six children and would be uninterested in helping us bring two more into it. We are in a position where we have to rely so much on the generosity of others and their time and resources that I was afraid to turn anyone off to our need.
My wise husband, however, helped me realize that though some people might say, "Why you?" the answer should be, "Why NOT us?" If we are willing and anxious to make a difference in the lives of other children, why would we not do it? Just because we can bring our own, natural children into the world doesn't mean we can't make the world better for other children?
Our friend, Lonny, said he thought this adoption was bigger than just Nastiya and Ruslan coming into our family. When I learned the article ended up on the front page and that the reporter had chosen to focus on the idea of a perpetual adoption fund, I suddenly felt that he was right.
There are children of God in need in this world. "Where much is given, much is required." We have been given a loving, wonderful family and the joy of bringing children onto the Earth. Now, it's time to share that gift and perhaps make a difference in the world. And if that requires countless hours of effort, work and sacrifice, we will do it. All we have is only on loan to us from a God who is waiting to see how we use it.
Now, if you'll excuse me...I have three more fundraisers to prepare for this month. But, first, I have to answer the door. There are two adorable little men in muck boots and pajamas standing there. They have harvested pickling cucumbers for the shelves and sunflowers for the girls. With all this joy, how could the Lord not require us to share it?
Why not us?
--
Notes from the editor:
Join the Perpetual Adoption discussion at www.perpetualadoption.blogspot.com
See the Daily Herald story about the Morfords here: http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/south/genola/article_7a002867-7f3f-5afe-a34e-e89692963b9d.html?mode=story
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Onion Days...An Onion?
I'm sitting here in my lovely little booth at Onion Days in Payson. What an incredibly BEAUTIFUL day!! The temperature is literally perfect in the shade and I actually have time to sit down and write a blog post.
It's not easy for me to have, find or make time to write because, well, I homeschool six children on a little farm and the words "leisure time", "spare time", "quiet time" and any other adjective that can be used to describe time that is anything other than "full" or "busy" are just not included in my vocabulary.
So, here I sit in the loveliness of the oncoming fall and I have plenty of time to sit, think and type. The funny thing is...I don't want the time to do it. The only reason I have it is because nobody is here...no children, no dishes to do, no animals to care for...and no customers. *sigh* We seem to be on the wrong side of the street. The realty chant "location, location, location!" is ringing in my head. I think I may have given away more stuff to cute children who were begging their parents for a giant Pixy Stix or a cool Ring Pop than I have sold today.
So I have to wonder...will Onion Days turn out to be an onion??
Oh, I have had wonderful friends stop by...friends who unfailingly come to every single fund raising activity we've had and always seem to find money to buy something. And other friends whom we know through our parents came by to cheer us on and get treats for the grandkids.
Then, there was a group of three teenagers (whom I've never seen before) that came up and handed me three dollars...I offered for them to take some junk food in exchange, but they refused. "We just want to give this to you," they said.
Another friend, with pregnant belly and four children in tow, came with limited funds and supported us by buying some of our soap.
"Heidi" came by, too. She went out of her way to cross the street to our booth because she saw our "Adoption Fund Raiser" sign. Her husband was adopted from Korea and others in her family were adopted, too. It meant something to her to support us...and she gave us all she had left after a day at the celebration.
Oh, and some lovely ladies just dropped by and handed over $10 for the cause, leaving these items to be "bought my someone else". What selfless gestures so many people have given me today.
Onion Days isn't over...it's only 3:30 in the afternoon and we still have Labor Day left. There still may be hope that we will make a little more with this event.
While I've been sitting here fixing my signs and straightening my displays just to have something to do, I've had time to think. Time to think about that fact that all of this is an act of faith. I have made a pact with myself that I will take every fund raising opportunity that comes in my path. I am bound and determined to give the Lord ample opportunity to bridge the cavernous gap we face. He is all-powerful and fully capable of giving us all the money we need if He wanted to do that. But, as my husband said, He will test our fortitude, our dedication, our endurance.
So, it doesn't really matter if we bring in a lot of money with this event. In the big picture, we're proving to the Lord that we will do what it takes, we will do whatever is necessary, we will work so He can work in our lives. A wise man once said, "People die in bed and so does ambition."
So Onion Days, no matter what happens from this moment on, is not and can never be "an onion". We're here and the Lord is in charge.
With that, I will go back to enjoying the lovely weather and the quiet, leisure, spare time I have been blessed with today. And I might just sneak a cookie, too. (Shhh...don't tell my kids!)
So, here I sit in the loveliness of the oncoming fall and I have plenty of time to sit, think and type. The funny thing is...I don't want the time to do it. The only reason I have it is because nobody is here...no children, no dishes to do, no animals to care for...and no customers. *sigh* We seem to be on the wrong side of the street. The realty chant "location, location, location!" is ringing in my head. I think I may have given away more stuff to cute children who were begging their parents for a giant Pixy Stix or a cool Ring Pop than I have sold today.
So I have to wonder...will Onion Days turn out to be an onion??
Oh, I have had wonderful friends stop by...friends who unfailingly come to every single fund raising activity we've had and always seem to find money to buy something. And other friends whom we know through our parents came by to cheer us on and get treats for the grandkids.
Then, there was a group of three teenagers (whom I've never seen before) that came up and handed me three dollars...I offered for them to take some junk food in exchange, but they refused. "We just want to give this to you," they said.
Another friend, with pregnant belly and four children in tow, came with limited funds and supported us by buying some of our soap.
"Heidi" came by, too. She went out of her way to cross the street to our booth because she saw our "Adoption Fund Raiser" sign. Her husband was adopted from Korea and others in her family were adopted, too. It meant something to her to support us...and she gave us all she had left after a day at the celebration.
Oh, and some lovely ladies just dropped by and handed over $10 for the cause, leaving these items to be "bought my someone else". What selfless gestures so many people have given me today.
Onion Days isn't over...it's only 3:30 in the afternoon and we still have Labor Day left. There still may be hope that we will make a little more with this event.
While I've been sitting here fixing my signs and straightening my displays just to have something to do, I've had time to think. Time to think about that fact that all of this is an act of faith. I have made a pact with myself that I will take every fund raising opportunity that comes in my path. I am bound and determined to give the Lord ample opportunity to bridge the cavernous gap we face. He is all-powerful and fully capable of giving us all the money we need if He wanted to do that. But, as my husband said, He will test our fortitude, our dedication, our endurance.
So, it doesn't really matter if we bring in a lot of money with this event. In the big picture, we're proving to the Lord that we will do what it takes, we will do whatever is necessary, we will work so He can work in our lives. A wise man once said, "People die in bed and so does ambition."
So Onion Days, no matter what happens from this moment on, is not and can never be "an onion". We're here and the Lord is in charge.
With that, I will go back to enjoying the lovely weather and the quiet, leisure, spare time I have been blessed with today. And I might just sneak a cookie, too. (Shhh...don't tell my kids!)
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Calling All Clothes!
Dear Friends,
One wonderful opportunity after another keeps falling from Heaven!
Yesterday, Marsh was visiting a doctor for his exam (that is required of both of us for the adoption) and called me on the way home. When I answered the phone he simply said, "It happened again." After we had just given thanks for the incredible generosity of anonymous friends, he had left for that appointment and called to say that the doctor didn't charge him for the visit...as a donation to our efforts to bring Ruslan and Nastiya home.
Then, this morning, a new friend who found us at the yard sale a weekend or two ago offered for us to participate in her consignment sales over the next two weeks. She jointly owns Second Chance Charm, a consignment business that will have sales in Springville and Midvale over the next two weeks. She has offered for us to not only include items for sale but is allowing us to do a bake sale outside the shop as well. She and her business partner are taking less of an income off of our items, specifically, to allow us to receive more funds!
I am convinced...there are angels everywhere, acting as the Lord's hands. Alma 37:6 reads, "Now ye may suppose this is foolishnes in me; but behold I say unto you, by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and by small means in many instances doth confound the wise." It may seem a simple thing for this friend to call and offer this opportunity or for someone to donate a few dollars or an article of clothing. It may seem foolish to consider that one little act of kindness can change anything in this world. But, I am learning day after day with this experience that one person really can make a difference, that every act has impact...and I don't think I ever truly believed that before!
Now to the title of my post! I learned that the items for this consignment shop are childrens' clothing up to age/size 18; men's/women's clothes; maternity clothes; baby furniture (strollers, bouncy seats, high chairs, etc); toys in good condition with all working parts; gently used kitchen items; costumes; seasonal items.
If you have anything that fits into these categories and are willing to donate them, I will happily tag them and submit them to the consignment shop. If they don't sell it there, we do have the possibility of selling them at the yard sale on the 24th of September.
We will happily come pick up any items you have to donate. Thank you for your help and please spread the word!
By small and simple things are great things brought to pass! ;)
One wonderful opportunity after another keeps falling from Heaven!
Yesterday, Marsh was visiting a doctor for his exam (that is required of both of us for the adoption) and called me on the way home. When I answered the phone he simply said, "It happened again." After we had just given thanks for the incredible generosity of anonymous friends, he had left for that appointment and called to say that the doctor didn't charge him for the visit...as a donation to our efforts to bring Ruslan and Nastiya home.
Then, this morning, a new friend who found us at the yard sale a weekend or two ago offered for us to participate in her consignment sales over the next two weeks. She jointly owns Second Chance Charm, a consignment business that will have sales in Springville and Midvale over the next two weeks. She has offered for us to not only include items for sale but is allowing us to do a bake sale outside the shop as well. She and her business partner are taking less of an income off of our items, specifically, to allow us to receive more funds!
I am convinced...there are angels everywhere, acting as the Lord's hands. Alma 37:6 reads, "Now ye may suppose this is foolishnes in me; but behold I say unto you, by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and by small means in many instances doth confound the wise." It may seem a simple thing for this friend to call and offer this opportunity or for someone to donate a few dollars or an article of clothing. It may seem foolish to consider that one little act of kindness can change anything in this world. But, I am learning day after day with this experience that one person really can make a difference, that every act has impact...and I don't think I ever truly believed that before!
Now to the title of my post! I learned that the items for this consignment shop are childrens' clothing up to age/size 18; men's/women's clothes; maternity clothes; baby furniture (strollers, bouncy seats, high chairs, etc); toys in good condition with all working parts; gently used kitchen items; costumes; seasonal items.
Now is a great time to de-clutter!
If you have anything that fits into these categories and are willing to donate them, I will happily tag them and submit them to the consignment shop. If they don't sell it there, we do have the possibility of selling them at the yard sale on the 24th of September.
We will happily come pick up any items you have to donate. Thank you for your help and please spread the word!
By small and simple things are great things brought to pass! ;)
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