Wow.
A little over 2 months ago we launched Known By Heart, having no idea what the Lord would, or would not, do.
1554 shirts and $37,440 in donations later, and we are done.
So many sweet comments left, verses shared and photos posted by y’all – encouraging, supporting and just loving the stuffings out of our family and, most of all, Miss Magnolia.
Can not even count how many times I have smiled over seeing so many sweet ones wearing their Known By Heart on behalf of our girl. Little loves – now home with their forever families – joyfully representing one who has yet to come home.
I think I have a whole new set of laugh lines.
What a story I’ll have to share with Magnolia one day about how very loved she was, even before we were able to squeeze her teeny-tiny self for the first time.
Loved.
Prayed for.
Known by Heart.
Words from a sweet friend, Stephanie, after she gave her grandkids their Known By Heart shirts:
“I loved getting to talk to my grandkids about how we were helping to #bringmagnoliahome and encouraged them to pray for her every time they wore them.”
And from another precious friend, Kim:
“Last night as we were praying for Magnolia and your family, I told Kate about the good news (on your LOA). She gasped with utter joy and excitement. She was as happy as if it were her own sister. So, I know that the t-shirts are primarily a fundraiser but they are really SO much more. You have a huge community of people who are praying and hoping for you all too. Plus, the other day an elderly man behind me in the grocery store read my shirt and said…. “what a beautiful verse on your shirt.” I told him of Magnolia’s story while we were waiting and he was so moved. Ripple effects of God’s love everywhere.”
Enter more laugh lines.
And, because it’s fun and wonderful and all His doing, I wanted to share the numbers. Because not only have y’all blessed us in our journey to bring Magnolia home, you’ve blessed Morning Star, too. (Please take a moment – and any other moments you can find – and pray for Lilah Lu at Morning Star.)
The numbers:
cost of shirts: $11620
prayer cards: $90
shipping supplies: $205
shipping fees: $2631
paypal fees: $1300
——————-
total costs: $15846
total raised: $37440
total costs: $15846
——————-
total net raised: $21594
total net raised: $21594
20% (for Morning Star!): $4312
——————
net raised to bring Magnolia home: $17282
We have additionally been wildly blessed by three private donations totaling $5000 (!) which puts our fundraising total at $22282. Ohmygoodness, y’all. Our fundraising goal was to cover travel costs for Magnolia’s adoption (pre-travel expenses, airfare, adoption fees, hotel, and in-country expenses) which are estimated for this trip to be $22000.
Which means we are fully funded.
Some kind of wonderful.