I’m on a hot streak.
And, for me, a hot streak is enough to make me feel like I just drank a pot of coffee–which is good right now since I fell asleep at the computer the other night and didn’t wake up until morning (big editing job on my plate right now)
Tuesday morning, I got an email from one of the ladies at One Mango Tree. They had hosted a giveaway for the month of November that was for $100 at their store for the winner and $100 for the winner’s friend. Entry? Write a 250 word little dealie telling them why my friend deserves a gift.
So, a few days before the giveaway ended, when I was waiting up at night for the Cyber Monday American Girl doll sale to start, I wrote about my kindred spirit, Stephanie, and emailed this in —
Christmas just got a bit more fun for my friend Stephanie.
After struggling to become pregnant, miracle baby number #1 arrived 3 ½ years ago and turned this couple into a family. Wanting to grow their family again, they were called to adoption and traveled across the world to China in June 2010 to bring home a little girl born with cleft lip/cleft palate. Lots of adjustments and some surgeries too. But, confirmation all along that they were right where they were supposed to be.
Then, something happened. They learned of a baby girl in a remote city in a country many people have never even heard of who was also born with cleft lip/cleft palate. And, she needed a family.
Unsure and a bit anxious, they took steps forward to discern if this little girl was their little girl. And, every step led to an open door; every open door to the next step.
On Black Friday, while most mothers were running around the mall, this mama was on a plane with her husband and her new baby girl. While we were eating turkey dinner leftovers, they were uniting 3 sisters for the first time.
Christmas is going to be interesting for them this year. Two international adoptions in less than 18 months = a lot of money spent. But, I have a feeling they won’t be worrying about how many or how few gifts are wrapped under their tree this year. They’ve got 3 precious gifts to celebrate.
So, the email I got from them Tuesday? We won. Super fun to call Stephanie and tell her she can have a mini-shopping spree for Christmas gifts or to get her self some goodies from One Mango Tree as a pick-me-up as she settles into their new normal as a mommy to 3.
I was still pumped about that when I got another call which put me a bit over the top (some screaming, some jumping up and down, lots of laughing–for those of you who want to know what Kelly “a bit over the top” looks like).
A store at the mall called. I had thrown my name into a box to enter a drawing for one of two American Girl dolls.
And, yup, my name was drawn.
Just like a pot of coffee, people.
I took my girls over to the mall last night and surprised them as we were handed Cecile WHO we learned is their character who lives in New Orleans in the 1850s and volunteers in an orphanage.
Can it get any better than that?
I have never bought a lottery ticket in my life. But, this might be the week for a first.
I’m feeling very thankful despite the dark circles under my eyes for the sweet blessings to me, my family, and my friends. During a week of high stress and late nights, these blessings that I did not deserve are sweet encouragements from Him to keep plugging away.
GREAT story!! What a blessing you are to you friend, and this post was a blessing to me tonight! Merry Christmas!
Aww, that is a great story! Congratulations to you, your wonderful friend and your beautiful girls.
xo
Oh Kelly…you so deserve every bit of all the “God’s wink” blessings you are experiencing. When you reach out–and lend a hand–and work tirelessly for anyone and everyone opening their hearrts to orphans–He is listening. He really is–and I just know all these windfalls of material things–as much as they really mean nothing in comparison to the reward of seeing orphans get families and families transformed by new additions–hearts changes and moved–people all around you learning the new meaning of words like love, family, suffering, comfort, gratitude…the list is too long to write. These rewards are few–for such a huge heart–so willingly giving back–deep into the night.
The other night I was looking at the stats on my blog–thinking it might be time to make it private. Still haven’t decided on that one. Something odd was there–it was a funny post that I wasn’t sure why it got the next to highest number of hits–upon further investigation–I discovered–and had no idea (although I had read this post on your myoverthinking blog–but with a couple clicks realized–you were advocating for a little boy–and were sighting examples of other families God had used you to bring them together–ok you called it something like watched–I say God used you. And we were one of those blessed families. OK–choking up here–cause you played a very special role in our journey to Izabella–and for that–I am eternally grateful and in Awe of how God works through you–though us to perform miracles everyday.
So….bring on the winnings my friend–and the amazing little beautiful signs–that it is God’s hand in every little thing that happens.
Love and God Bless you and your precious family this holiday and always!