Houston...we have a fundraiser!

Throughout this entire process, God has provided for us every single step of the way.  For every single need, He has opened doors, windows and moved mountains.  He sold our house, helped us buy the new house, and guided us in buying both of our vehicles.  So, why do we need to do any fundraising, you ask?

When we actually decided to step out in faith and begin this process to adopt, it was January 2012.  I (Elizabeth) had been feeling the call since October 24, 2010.  From that point, I tried to avoid the subject with God during my prayer life.  I didn't even think of mentioning it to Chris.  But He continued to press on and nudge me.  After a year of nudging, I spoke to Chris about it.  In January 2012, we wrote our list of things God had to do in order for us to adopt.  We listed all of the HUGE mountains that God needed to move (because we could not in our own power move them).  Well, in a year and 6 months He single handedly moved those HUGE mountains from in front of us.  What an amazing God we serve!!!!  He is so cool!  During that time, we trusted that God would complete the tasks.  We also knew that WE had to do OUR parts in the process.  We struggled.  I never once doubted that God was going to complete the tasks, but I definitely doubted that I would be on the other side once they were completed.  You see, humanly, it was hard.  There were many days and weeks of really big ups and really big downs.  The world and Satan fought hard against us.  Thankfully, we have close family and friends who kept us focused on the end result.

Questions keep being asked and so I'd like to take a moment to answer them.

• The main question that is asked most frequently is, Are you really getting 2 more kids?  The answer is, if that is what God wants to give us, YES!  When we began the process, we said, NO!  WE said, we would only take 1.  But throughout the training and seminars, we have listened to God's voice and trusted in His message and we have heard Him loud and clear.  He wants us to be WILLING to take siblings between the ages of 1-5 years old.  That doesn't mean that is what DSS will give us, but we are willing to accept the calls for siblings in those ranges.  
• Another question commonly asked is, Why those specific ages?  Well, through lots of research on our own children, as well as adoption, we have decided that it would be best for our family to add to the end of the family line so as to not disrupt the birth order of our biological children.  We feel a peace about this decision and trust that God will place the exact children with us that need to be placed here.
• Have you specified boys, girls, or ethnicity?  No.  When God placed all 3 of our bio children in my belly, we didn't know, nor could we request that they be a specific gender.  So, we are not specifying which gender we would like to receive this time either.  As far as ethnicity goes, no.  We are not specifying that either.  We feel God will only give us what we can handle.  

So, why fundraising?  Why now?  Well, we have felt very strongly that God was calling us to enlist friends and family to help out in a small way (shirts are $20 each) that will be a HUGE blessing to us.  What are the reasons to need the fundraising?  I have been asked on numerous occasions, Why do you need to spend money, I thought DSS was free.  Well, the process is.  BUT, we had to get to the point where we could take the children in (new house, new vehicles, etc).  Then, we had to travel for all of the training, plus lunch at each one and gas to get there.  Finally, we have things that have to be done to meet the fire inspection and the DSS inspection.  At the end, when we receive our children and go to adopt them, we have to hire a lawyer and pay the lawyer.  DSS will reimburse us for the legal fees after the adoption is final.  But we have to pay those costs up front.  We have that part covered but need help with the "little" things right now.

So, we are asking that each family prayerfully consider how many t-shirts you would like to buy.  They are very nice shirts.  I designed them.  They are Gildan 50/50 Ultra Cotton.  I have inserted the proof for the shirts.  If you want to order a shirt or 5 shirts, please send the correct amount for the shirts to my Paypal account: fowlerfamfive@gmail.com and in the description, put the sizes and amounts needed. If you are local and would like to just get me the money for the shirt(s), that is great.  Please send me an email, text or facebook message stating the size(s) you would like and number of shirts. 

Our totals for this weeks fundraising are:  

20 shirts pre-ordered (we need payment for the shirts ordered by this Friday (9/6/13)).  We have payment for 3 so far.  

We have $70 in donations.  

We need 30 shirts pre-ordered and paid for in order to place the order for the shirts.  

Total amount needed to be able to complete the projects and have the house ready to receive possibly 2 children into our family......$1475.00!

So, we are $1345.00 away!  This is very attainable!  I will also be doing an online yard sale on Facebook soon.  Watch for that!  Clothing for women, boys and girls, and household items.  

Thank you for praying and supporting us on this journey.  We are so blessed and thankful for each and every one of you!  Be safe today on this Labor Day.  

In His Grip!

Chris and Elizabeth