BBQ fundraiser turnout!

The day dawned with the most beautiful sunrise. Steve was awake all night tending to the meat with some faithful friends who stayed up for the night with him. We had no idea what to expect. We had many conversations leading up to placing the order for the meat that went like this "how much meat should we smoke, do you think?" " well, I'm not sure, we don't know how many people will come...and will they order in bulk? Or sandwiches? And how many ribs should we get in relation to the pork and brisket? And should we get more brisket or pork or the same of both?" We had decided on an amount to order, but then this week after the news article, we debated again..."how much meat should we smoke, do you think?" " well, I'm not sure, we don't know how many people will come...and will they order in bulk? Or sandwiches? And how many ribs should we get in relation to the pork and brisket? And should we get more brisket or pork or the same of both?" Yes it was the same conversation all over again. We decided last minute to get a second smoker, double the # of ribs, and increase the brisket to the same amount as the pork, for a total of 300lbs of meat, with two packed smokers.

A very close friend and mentor wisely encouraged us that it could only be a success, no matter the outcome. Either we would sell out and raise a lot of money, or we wouldn't but we would still have an incredible story to tell Tavin one day. He encouraged us that all we could do was to be faithful with what we COULD do and trust the results to the Lord, whatever they would be.

Somewhere in the midst of setting up I sort of lost my mind thinking I had locked my keys in the car (we really should get a spare!!) and frantically looking for it, until I finally found them...where I left them, in my purse in the exact spot I put it. Also a moment of panic realizing we had both failed to get cash from the bank for change (!!!) and a friend ran to get it with not much time to spare. Phew! 

By 11:15 we had a line to the door.

 

  It didn't stop until we ran out of meat less than two hours later! And the incredible thing was that we ran out of all three within about 3 orders of each other. Only God could have orchestrated so perfectly. If we had another 200lbs I think we could have sold it.

We met so many amazing people...many who just saw the sign outside and came in, many who had followed our facebook page but we hadn't met, friends, friends of friends, and people who saw the flyer. Everyone was incredibly sweet and encouraging. Truly an incredible day that we will never forget. I've said it before, and I'll say it again.. this community is incredible. People continued to trickle in even after we took the signs down, and many still gave a donation and took time to encourage us. Such a blessing.

Our friends and support system are more than we could have ever asked for, and we are so grateful. I'm sort of at a loss to express how we felt when the day was done. Elated, humbled, exhausted, emotional, full of joy. We started out unable to wrap our minds around how we would possibly raise the money needed for an adoption in several years time, much less in 4-6 months. Time and again God has whispered that we simply must be faithful in obedience, and trust Him with the outcome. And again He showed himself faithful. We are less than 4 months in right now.

So everyone has been asking how much we raised. Ready? Ok. drumroll please......after expenses we raised $3450!! We were blown away! THANK YOU! This puts us with only about $2000 left to raise till we are FULLY FUNDED!

Wow. Thank you thank you, thank you to all our friends who volunteered their Saturday to help out, everyone who came to show support and love, who took the time to tell us they were excited for us, praying for us, who shared their adoption stories, for the smiles, hugs, handshakes, and additional donations. It was overwhelming in the best possible way. 

Please pray with us now for fast submission for travel dates, for no paperwork issues on our end, or for Tavin's paperwork in country to be in order. Please pray for his health and safety. 

Thank you so very much.

~Chrystal