First of all, I want to say how incredibly amazed I have been by the support that has been shown to us by both the adoptive community and by those who might not be adoptive families, but chose to support our fundraiser for Shepherd by entering our camera raffle. I can’t find the words to express how my heart was blessed to see such an outpouring of love and good wishes as we stepped out in faith. Neither Chris nor I were necessarily comfortable with fundraising for this adoption. But we both felt like that is what God wanted us to do. We were faced with the reality that there was a little boy, halfway around the world, waiting for us. However, we were also painfully aware that the money that was there for our three previous adoptions was no longer there. So we started off, knowing full well that God would show us what to do at the appropriate time. Scared, to be totally honest, panicked some days, but in our hearts, certain that He would provide. In the days that followed I was shown again and again that indeed, He wanted us to reach out for support. Ask for help? My cheeks flushed at the thought. As wonderful as I think it is to see other families do it, it was just way out of my comfort zone. But I witnessed one amazing family fundraise almost all the necessary funds, who started out with $5 in their pockets, and a whole lot of faith. I witnessed another awe-inspiring family accept the referral of a little one with an uncertain future, determined to bring her home without letting $ stand in the way of their commitment to be her parents. And I knew God wanted me to be as faithful and as brave. He wanted me to trust Him to rely on Him in a way that we had never had to before. He wanted my feet to follow my faith.
So off we went. I started gathering clothes and hanging and tagging them to sell. We began collecting items and organizing for a spring garage sale. We looked for ways other families had successfully raised funds and then the idea for the camera raffle was born. What was not to love? It was a bit scary committing to such a big ticket item, but we were excited at the prospect of watching to see what God might do. And boy, we had no idea what support we would get! Each passing day would bring more and more donations, from loved ones, friends and strangers alike, each one putting a smile on my face and gratitude in my heart. And everyone seemed so happy to give and excited about the drawing. I was finding myself more and more anxiously anticipating the day we would be able to pick the person who would receive the prize. Who would it be? I couldn’t wait to find out.
Then I got some bad news. Really bad news. Raffles are illegal in Georgia. Surprisingly, this is the case in almost all states, unless you are a non-profit organization. And that we are not. I was so sad, Chris was shocked, I mean, I see raffles everywhere!! It didn’t even dawn on us to check into it, how could it NOT be a good thing? I started to cancel the whole thing, but hesitated at the last minute. Did we HAVE to? I felt heartbroken, it seemed that God was SO at work, what was going on?! So we stopped. We talked. We prayed. We sought the counsel of godly friends and family. It seemed we weren’t harming anyone… I had not solicited any donations, all the $ was going to go straight to Lifeline… couldn’t we just continue? We decided to take time out, to pray, and ultimately decided we needed to put an end to the raffle. So there you have it, the raffle is no more. We can’t, in good conscience, continue with it, no matter how much it saddens us. It came down to believing that God would provide for us, in HIS way. Look what He has done for us through The Little Pearl Foundation! It’s awesome!! He has blessed us in a wonderful way, almost all of our agency fees will be completely covered!!! But it still leaves us with the orphanage donation. And travel costs. But we have every confidence that just as God provided for us through The Little Pearl Foundation, He will continue to provide for us through miraculous ways to help us bring our baby home.
So this is what we’re going to do. We will be emailing everyone who has sent us donations. We will email you at the address from your PayPal account, and you should receive the email by the end of the weekend. We want to be sure everyone who donated will know what’s going on, as I am certain that quite a few of the donations were from some wonderful folks who maybe don’t frequent our blog 🙂 So, after the emails go out, refunds will be on the way, in whatever form you choose. No more tickets for the camera fundraiser will be sold. If anyone does want to donate, feel free, we would LOVE it :), but no more numbers will sent out. Any donations that are received after this point will be oh so welcomed, but will not be given a number for the camera giveaway 🙂
And we will still be drawing for the camera on February 14. So hang onto your numbers!! I know, when Chris told me he wanted to do this I thought he was nuts. I reasoned with him.. “We’re sending all the money back! We’ll be $700 in the hole!!” But after thinking about it, it really is a fantastic idea. Most importantly it makes my heart happy to know we’ll still be able to send that camera to one very blessed person, whomever God chooses 🙂 And it will be with happy hearts that we continue on this journey, a bit more learned about the laws surrounding raffles, and that much more blessed for the love and support shown to us by all of you.
With love and appreciation,
Chris and Stefanie
Stefanie & Chris,
I’m sorry that the raffle did not work out as planned, but I *KNOW* that everything will work out. The circle of faith that you have around you is so big and so strong that I have no doubt that it will all work out just fine. Olivia and I are happy to be a part of your journey to Shepherd and I’m sure that others feel the same.
Keep the faith…I can’t wait to see what happens next!
Maureen
Wow. This must have been a difficult post to write. If you check out my blog you’ll see that we’ve had quite a sad day. I will dedicate my donation to the person mentioned. I am honored to help your family so no refund here. Sincerely, Tricia
Oh Stefanie…I’m so sorry the raffle didn’t work out, but He sure does have His own ways of working things out for you!
I am already in it to help bring Shepherd home, so no need to refund my donation!
Hang in there! It WILL all work out magnificently!!
Patricia/NYC
Stephanie,
It wasn’t about the camera to me, it was about getting that precious boy home! You and your husband are truely amazing people who have hearts of gold! I believe God will show you that this adoption is just as much about “you” and your faith as it is about baby Shepherd. He wants to show us more than we can Ever Imagine!! I’m sure, through your faithfullness He will continue to Bless this adoption!! I can’t wait to see what He has in store for you guys! What an Awesome Journey!! ;0)
Love In His Name,
Keisha
You know how I feel :O) Just bring that boy home, and don’t even think about sending my money back!
No refund needed here. I’m just happy to help Shepherd come home!
Shannon
Stefanie-
Ditto to each of the wonderful people that have written already. If I could, I would send lots and lots more donations your way. It is about integrity and faith and bringing Shepherd home!
No refund here sister!!!
All our love,
Anna and Brian
As everyone has already said (and my email to you) I do not want a refund…..it’s about you all and Shepherd….not a camera! It’s about reaching out and helping a friend that is doing God’s work! I wish we had LOTS more to send…and we still will be trickling a few funds your way! So, rest assured that God will provide to bring your little one home!
DO NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT sending my DONATION back!!! Yes, I am yelling at you..LOL. But you know I love you. Just DONT EVEN THINK ABOUT IT!!! Now I have laryngitis. (and yes that is spelled right, might have looked it up on the online websters dictionary)Don’t make me have to yell again.
ALL will work out as GOD IS SO GOOD and he will provide. Even when we think we are suppossed to do one thing, and we find out he is leading us in another direction, that other thing leads to bigger and better things.
NO DOUBT he has a PLAN to bring Shepherd home. And boy do I feel so very BLESSED to be along to witness the journey.
GO GOD!
🙂
Amie
YOU GUYS ARE BLOWING MY MIND!!! I truly stand amazed at the incredible kindness and generosity shown to us by the adoption community!! How does one say “Thank You” for such a gift? Not only a monetary gift but a gift of the heart. I love you guys 🙂
Stefanie,
Your walking a walk that we all wish we could do. Stepping out in faith is a very scary thing. Your showing us all, that God is providing you with what you need. Shepherd is coming home, and we all are so excited to see him come home soon. Your so inspiring to me, and there will be no need for a refund here as well.
Chris & Stefanie,
So sad about the legal issues with the raffle. I’m sure most of the donations given had much more to do with blessing your family then winning a camera! I know very little about the adoption process, but one thing I do know is stepping out in faith always begins “Huge Results”…
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways, says the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth,So are My ways higher than your ways,and My thoughts than your thoughts. ” Isiah 55:8-9
No need for refund here! Actually we wish we could do more…Our family is looking forward to hearing how God continues to bless your family despite the legal system.
Love you guys,
The Giles
http://thegiles4.blogspot.com/
mlgiles@gmail.com
Is it too late to say, “Knock that poo-poo off yo’ shoe and just keep a goin’, girl”? 🙂 So sad about the raffle but overjoyed at your testimony of walking in faith…keep my money, woman. I love you and can’t wait to see what God is going to do next. Love, Lis
I am so sorry for the cancelation of the raffle. I must say that I came to your blog through KRJ a couple of days after you posted about the raffle and immediately chipped in. NO refund is needed here! I just can’t wait to see your lil guy home.
For me it is not about a Camera, it is just an opportunity to do something for all the right reasons!
Hi Stefanie and Chris, I was surprised by the email I just read, but I totally agree with the others…I DO NOT want my money back, and you can pull my name from the drawing of the camera. Can you return the camera? It’s a lot of money. Sheperd is important, not the camera or money.
What can I do to let you keep my donation (really it was very tiny-only 10 dollars)? because even if Paypal sends it back, I will resend it to you in pennies if I have to. (Hopefully not pennies)
So strange that something innocent like a raffle can be illegal.
Stef:
Thanks for the update, but PLEASE do not send me a refund. It’s money well spent and I want to do my part, however small it may be, to bring Shepherd home to his family. God bless you!
jana
Stefanie & Chris – To echo everyone else….PLEASE do not send my money back. We are thankful to help bring Shepherd home too! I know that your obedience to the Lord in this will be blessed in ways you cannot even imagine…that’s the way it is with trusting our Lord and following in faith and obedience…blessings overflowing!! HUGS!
Noooooo refund for us, ma’am! We just wish we could help MORE!
You are such an inspiration!
Bring that sweet baby HOME!
Hugs!
Sharon
http://www.ourfamilyourstory.com
Stefanie,
Just sent you a little donation – would have done this sooner but I could not remember my password! This is the perfect opportunity for me because I have received so much joy from reading your blog – it continually blesses my heart and makes me smile!
I was so surpised but also thankful when Shepard’s picture popped up … you have an amazing heart, and I love that you and Chris are so devoted to adoption and His plan for your family! May God bless this journey and continue to watch over all of your precious family! I pray that many others will be encouraged by your example because there are so many sweet children still wating for their forever families in China!
I know that God will provide all you need … and I am so thankful to be a small part of something so wonderful!
Charlene
see Stef..I told you…it isnt about the camera…it’s about SHEPHERD.
raffle smaffle
your slightly indignant friend
Hayley
Stefanie,
I’m sorry that the raffle didn’t work out – I was thinking how awesome it would be to do something similar when “our time” came to start getting “ready”. I know that God will provide for your faithful family. No refund for my *insignificant* donation. I wish it could be more & we will ALL be blessed when Shepherd comes home!
I am so sorry —I just came over here because I wanted tobuy a raffle chance or two. i have a blog buddy that would LOVE that camera and she is the most wonderful person i was hoping she would win:)
I know HE will find a way. How does on donate now?
Kim
I am sorry to hear this news. We will all continue to pray that your financial situation will work out as it has in the past! You guys CAN do it if anyone can!
Oh Stefanie-
I am in tears reading your blog and then all of the comments from your wonderful online friends!
Our God is FAITHFUL and He will make a way where there seems to be no way! With our China adoption, we had deployment money to start with, followed by the largest income tax refund we have ever and probably will ever receive to cover the next phase and then we got an anonymous money order in our MAIL BOX for $7,500! Yes, you read that right!!!! We are still in awe and are puzzled as to WHO could have done it- so MUCH money! All our friends are poor like us, ha ha and most are military- enlisted! We received 2 grants and both just in time! It was amazing to watch the hand of the Lord provide and MANY were attracted to Him as they saw His providence and His glory!! This time I am only SLIGHTLY concerned about money and that is just for the plane tickets- since we are adopting 3- that will be 5 plane tickets and tickets to Addis are around $2000+ each!! Yikes!!! Ah well- The FATHER owns the cattle on a thousand hills! Can’t wait to see how He provides for you. He loves Shepherd with an everlasting love and He will lead him HOME to you!
with love,
Holly in NC