Ordinary Miracles

For the past couple weeks, Kris and I have been completely overwhelmed with emotion by the kindness and generosity of others. When we started out this journey, coming up with the money was one of our biggest concerns, especially because we hated the thought of having to turn to others for help. We were almost dreading it and now it has turned into something very special to us, and has forever changed us.

Our new found friend, Heather, who is also adopting a little girl through Reece's Rainbow, said EXACTLY what we have been feeling:

"Your dollars have become sacred to us. The first thing we feel when a donation comes in is a little guilt because we know it caused that family to have to give something up during tough times. We think of each person or family and know it wasn't easy to give what they did.

Then the Spirit reasurres and reminds us that this is much bigger than dollars and certainly much bigger than us. And the guilt is replaced with gratitude.

Gratitude for abundance. Gratitude for friends, family and even people we have never met, who are loving Kareen along with us.

As gratitude finishes settling in, joy comes along for the ride. We're that much closer! "

We are that much closer to being able to shower her with kisses, to read her bed time stories, to tickle her back and sing her a lullaby as she falls asleep, to take her to the park, to teach her about princesses, Minnie mouse, and Dora, to wrap our arms around her and tell her she IS Loved and she IS worthy of love!

The day I saw Kareen's picture on Patti's blog, was the day I knew she was meant to be ours. I sat there with tears rolling down my face as I sat looking into Kareen's big beautiful eyes, and the song playing on the playlist was "Ordinary Miracle"by Sarah McLachlan. This road to Kareen has already been filled with MANY Ordinary Miracles. The chorus says:

"It's just another ordinary miracle today".......

an ordinary miracle that through the internet, a story about a girl with down syndrome in an orphanage around the world, can bring friends, family and strangers together in an act of pure love

an ordinary miracle that a woman would advocate, pray, and raise funds for our girl, even before we knew she was ours.

an ordinary miracle that a 10 year old girl and a 13 year old boy would rally their family together and collect money for Kareen, and then hand deliver it to us, with sweet signatures from each child

an ordinary miracle that a family who has been without a job for 2 1/2 years would give what they had

an ordinary miracle that as one young man brought us his moms donation, he pulled out his wallet and added his own $20

an ordinary miracle that two dear friends would pray for inspiration on what amount to donate and they would both come up with the same VERY generous amount

an ordinary miracle that a woman would give the only $2 she had

an ordinary miracle that a high school wrestling team would give half of their profits from their concession stand

an ordinary miracle that dear friends and family and complete strangers would be willing to give; whether it was $10, $100, or $1,000 it is all sacred to us

an ordinary miracle that close friends and family, and strangers would so passionately share our story with their own friends and family, asking for help

an ordinary miracle that a sweet woman would share this story with her donation: "I'm jealous of your ambition. My husband and I always wanted a DS baby. I worked with them a lot in High School and have an aunt who has it. They are the sweetest angels, indeed. We always thought we would have one because of our desire to have one. But I guess it wasn't in our cards, bummer. So instead we'll help you help Kareen. "

These are just a small portion of the MANY ordinary miracles we have witnessed and EACH one has moved us and left us wanting to be better people as we have witnessed the goodness around us!

As we finished up the iPad giveaway, we were already so overwhelmed of this outpouring of love, and it just keeps coming. Last night another friend of mine, Kathy, emailed me. Kathy has so generously put together a fundraiser called "Scentsy is teaming up to bring Kareen home". Kathy's friend, is a consultant for Scentsy and has so graciously volunteered to donate 100% of her profit for the month of February to Kareen. Kathy's comment to me today through email, when she learned that some of the consultants under her friend also want to join in and donate their profits this month, was this "I wanna fly to Europe and tell Kareen, "baby girl we are bringin you home!!!""

Kathy, these were my thoughts exactly!!!! I pray every day that Kareen will hold on, and that she will feel of the love of all these people who are helping to give her a home, a family, and a life.

For more info about this fundraiser and to place an order, go HERE

Watching all this fundraising unfold, is another testament to us that Heavenly Father is guiding our path to Kareen. He has touched SO many peoples hearts to be a part of this miracle with us. We know he loves Kareen and we know he is mindful of her and what it will take to make this a reality. We took a giant leap of faith when we committed to bring Kareen home, and the Lord has blessed us every step of the way so far, reassuring us that this is what we are supposed to be doing.

"We are all a part of the ordinary miracle today!"