I can't even believe it...

Back in April when we started brainstorming for fundraisers, we debated doing a large puzzle. I had heard about other families doing the puzzle fundraiser and it just seemed daunting to me. It required lots of donors, lots of money, and potentially, lots of time in order to complete it.

But we decided to go for it and I have to say, the first few days after we announced it, I was encouraged. Lots of people joined in and were generous, but then it dwindled.

Over the months, we would go long stretches without a donation but then a friend mentioned us on a blog and we had some donations from folks we didn't even know. The last couple of months have brought us much support and large donations. Some one would hand us a donation (some didn't even know about the puzzle, but their names went onto puzzle pieces after donating - some asked to be anonymous). Anyone who has given to us over these months - whether for puzzle pieces specifically, or just a donation toward the adoption from then til yesterday - got puzzle pieces.

Yes, my good news is that WE ARE DONE...THE PUZZLE IS COMPLETE!

PRAISE GOD that through your very GENEROUS gifts...we have raised $5000.00 through the puzzle. Wow...amazing.

In the next weeks, amid the hustle and bustle of Christmas preparations, we will be trying our best to complete our puzzle, get it framed between two pieces of glass, and hang it in a prominent place in our home. Our family is now from all the ends of the earth and a map of the world is so fitting.

Thank you to all who have donated.  We have left our "chip-in" on the blog for any who still would like to donate, as we are still raising necessary funds.

In other fundraising news:  Thank you to all who worked so hard to help pull off our Holiday Market - still waiting on numbers to announce to you how much we raised there.

Thank you, also,  to all who are saving loose change for us in our Cha-Ching for Ting banks. We received a huge bag of change from a very special-to-us family yesterday... such kindness. I will one day post the total on that fundraiser once all the banks come in...

As you bring your Cha-Ching Change in, I will add your name to the bottom of the blog. I want you to know how thankful we are! And if you missed out on the puzzle and want to help our little girl in some way, save up some loose change in a jar for us. Every little bit helps!

Adoption is not cheap. One day I will break down the expenses on here. Although we are able to afford to raise another child, the money for the adoption and travel costs are not just sitting in our accounts. That's where we had to just trust God and proceed anyway. We determined that at the onset we would need to fundraise for half the costs (that comes out at roughly $15,000).

Thankful to GOD and to YOU doesn't begin to tell you how we feel.