BBQ Fundraiser!

Hello Everyone!

We just wanted to say a HUGE thank you to everyone who came out to support us at our fundraiser! We had a great time and even though it was a VERY hot day, I think everyone was able to enjoy some good food, good company and beautiful scenery!

We do want to take a moment and thank everyone who helped make this day a success!

1) The Market at Grelen! They were beyond gracious, hospitable and kind the entire day and helped us more than we could say. They not only donated the space for us to use, but included tables, flowers, and centerpieces for no charge AND gave us a discount on the desserts! We can't thank them enough!

2) Smoked BBQ! Justin is the owner and let me just say that he is amazing! He gave us a TON of food (we're still eating left overs by the way) and all for a very discounted price. Everything was delicious and even the vegetarians ate some of his smoked pork! :) If you haven't been to his cart on the downtown mall, please go...and quick!

3) Chris and Kristin Helsley! These two were such a HUGE help to us in transporting food, setting everything up, serving and keeping the drinks refilled and fully stocked! They have been such a blessing in our lives for the last few years and it wouldn't have been a successful BBQ without them!

4) Jon and Becca Meadows! There's too much to say for how much these two help us on a daily basis. We couldn't have asked for better friends and the fundraiser wouldn't have been possible without their help. A big thank you to Becca for helping with set-up, artistic design and clean up and to Jonny for his awesome music, food transportation (sorry about the mac in the car!!) and tear down. You guys are the best!

In total we raised $2,800 which allows us to submit our home study packet! We were so blessed by the outpouring of love and we ask for your continued prayers and support as we continue with the paperwork process. It's been emotional, challenging and exhausting all at the same time, but totally worth every minute as it's one step closer to bringing our kiddos home! Thank you all again for your kind words and prayers and we look forward to continuing to update you with good news!!

If you weren't able to make it to this fundraiser, we will be having another on November 2 at Keswick Vineyards. We hope to see you all there!

Also, we have some "Stevens Party of Four" t-shirts left over if anyone is interested in representing our adoption... only $20! :)  

Our families wear them loud and proud!!

Thank you again! xoxo

Update and Support!

Hi Friends and Family!

We are happy to announce we have completed the first stage of our paperwork and are officially approved for our adoption! (It feels like 1,000 pounds was removed from our shoulders!) We are now moving on to stage 2, which consists of a tooonnn of paperwork and a whooollee lot of money! 

                    celebrating with ice cream cake!                         

The realization of needing $20,000 in the next few months is becoming very real to us. We know our God is faithful and we know He will provide, but our human brains are having trouble comprehending a number that large! 

With that said, please help us promote our fundraisers and get people there! We wouldn't be able to do this without you and we appreciate the continued love and support we're receiving. It has already been a trying and emotional process, but we know that all things work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. We are continuing to trust God in all situations and are excited about entering into the next step!

Thank you all again! xoxo

VERY IMPORTANT

Hi Everyone,

We wanted to thank all of you again for your outpouring of support in this process. It has already been very trying and emotional, but we're keeping our eye on the prize and continuing to press into God during this time.

I am writing because soon we will have to make our blog private for the protection of our adoption and our agencies.

If you still want to be a part of this journey, please e-mail me at bettina.stevens@gmail.com and I will give you the password and add you to our group e-mail list that we will use while traveling in country.

This change will go into effect in the next week, so please send your e-mails along! 

We hope you continue to follow along and we appreciate all the prayers and support!