Fundraiser!!!

So it's just 3 days until our fundraiser, whew have we been busy. Who knew these things just don't happen! So much work, my friends and family have helped so much. this literally could not be done without them. This is just a small sampling of what will be available, note cards (look closely and you'll see Zinnia's contribution), handmade, locally sourced beeswax candles, tons of flowers lovingly started in the winter and tenderly cared for just for this fundraiser! And this is just a small sample of all the amazing gifts and goodies people have donated, it is truly humbling! In addition to the craft/plant/bake sale (wait till you see the fancy baked goods people are donating) Neil will be heading up the Kaiserschmarrn feed. Oh it's going to be so delicious, I feel pretty sorry for all of you out-of-towners! German scrambled pancakes with all the fun toppings! And a cool glass of organic lemonade finish it off. I will be posting all the post fundraiser photos next week. Remember, all you out-of-towners need not miss out altogether, we are taking donations and can mail anything to you excluding the plants and baked goods....And the Kaiserschmarrn! The donations from this fundraiser are going to our mandatory Orphanage Donation. Every adopting family is required to make a donation in the amount $5,500- 6,000, depending on exchange rate. This is part of the total $35,000 cost of adopting from China. And frankly, it's the most useful part in my opinion. This money goes directly to the orphanage where it can actually help the orphan, whereas a big chunk of the cost goes to bureaucracy,ugh. The lions share goes to our own government and the adoption agencies. China really gets just a small fraction. Here's another fun fact: adopting families have to carry that donation in cash, in crisp brand new bills....good times. I'm getting a money belt for my birthday! I will leave you with this story that just unfolded as I was writing this post. I'm in a lot of fb adoption grouos. One is a private group for our particular orphanage. Tonight someone posted an older photo of Elsie and some other kids around an ayi (a care worker). I posted "that's my girl!" and another woman posted that one of the boys was her son, home last October. She said that her son recognized Elsie and was very happy to see her picture and he kept singing a little Chinese song. I asked her to ask him what he remembered about Elsie and he said. .. "she wake up, she no sleep." Oh boy..... I'm going to bed...while I still can! Donations can be sent to Opitz Family 2522 N 66th Ave Omaha ME 68104 Prayer request: We are STILL waiting for that golden ticket, the LOA. Prayers for it to come soon. Please pray for the fundraiser to run smoothly. And please pray that Elsie likes sleep very much...! Good bless you all!