This last weekend Cindy, some of our friends, (The Anglens and Amber Twigger) and I made a trip up to Fulton, Missouri for a Gospel Sing/Pie Auction/Raffle fundraiser organized by Cindy's parents, childhood friends, and church family. Even though attendance was small, God showed us how he can work in a mighty way, even in a small group of people! God really ministered to Cindy and I as the music groups sang about healing, peace in the midst of uncertainty, and allowing the joy of the Lord to be our strength. Cindy and I even sang a song that talked about when God has plans that are different from your own. Also, it was so special to have people who don't know us very well sing for us, and especially touching to see our Springfield friends sing for us and with us. Brother Larry, the pastor at Cindy's home church, also led a prayer for us that meant so much to us both!
We also auctioned off some of the best-looking pies we've ever seen! There was everything from "Ooeey Gooeey German Chocolate Pie" to the all-American staple apple pie. Yum! We even had an official auctioneer help us get rid of all the pie (there was easily more pie than people there! lol). We have never been part of a pie auction before, but had a blast watching and listening to the auctioneer! Who knew pies could be so much fun to auction off, and bring in such awesome donations?!
Finally, we sold raffle tickets and drew for some of the local prizes that had been collected. There were several gift certificates to local restaurants, bowling alleys, and movie stores. We still have bigger prizes to give away and that will happen at the end of the month. We're continuing to sell raffle tickets, so if you're reading this and would like buy a raffle ticket ($1 each or 6 for $5), send an e-mail to justjoshy25@gmail.com or justjoshysgirl@hotmail.com and we can get you set up! Prizes range from free meals, to Pampered Chef & Scentsy Products, all the way to a $100 Walmart gift card and a $150 gas card! Plus many, many more fun gift cards and prizes in between!
By the end of the event and by the grace/provision of God, we raised a little over $2,100 for the adoption fund. Praise the Lord!!! God continues to amaze us by His grace and undertaking for our needs. It just solidifies that we are on the right path and we will be Mommy and Daddy to a little one very soon!
We can't wait to update you more as we go through the home study process and as we complete our adoption training in August. In the meantime, we are continuing the raffle ticket sale and we are pre-ordering Baby Bennett t-shirts many have been asking for. We are selling them for $15 each. You can e-mail, Facebook, call, or text us if you'd like a shirt.
We just want to thank all of our Fulton friends and family: Cindy's parents, the Shawley's, the Feltner's, the Daro's and all of their friends & family, our church family from Richland Baptist, the Kerr's and the rest of the First Baptist Church family who allowed us to hold the event there, and several other people who I am sure we are forgetting. We wouldn't be able to bring home Baby Bennett without all of your hard work!
Here are some pictures of the event:
