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It takes a Village...

It takes a village, and ours is the sweetest one.  


We began our adoption journey exactly one week ago today, and in a single week God has shown up in the mightiest ways! This time last week, Ben and I were staying up all night brainstorming fundraisers, researching grants, and staring wide-eyed at the daunting price tag that accompanies adoption. Each night we have resisted the urges to give into fear and doubt, and each morning God has shown His glory and His faithfulness to us, and provided.

 

His hand is in this, and I hope as you’re following along, you feel it too. 

 

We began asking for yardsale donations on Monday, and by Thursday, our garage was busting at the seams! We literally had boxes stacked to the ceiling, and didn’t know what to do! The perfectly planned “yardsale” I had orchestrated wasn’t scheduled until the first weekend of SEPTEMBER, buuuuuuut God had other plans (I totally should’ve seen that one coming). We decided Thursday evening that we’d do a spontaneous “sneak peek” yardsale, and had one day to throw it all together.  

                                       

I have a difficult time doing things “half way.” I have an even more difficult time asking for help. Thankfully our tribe, our village, our people, our fr-amily doesn’t wait for me to ask, they jump right in and sometimes have to pull me in with them! Some brought donations, some sifted through the junk and the treasures, some priced, some brought tables, some brought food, some gave me sweaty hugs when I felt like I was going to lose it, some stayed all night, and some were there at the crack of dawn. The point is, they all walked in with a smile on their face, said “I’m here for you guys,” and proved it. 



Our "sneak peek" yardsale couldn't have been a bigger success! It was hot, and exhausting, and a heck of a lot of work, but seeing our friends and community love on us and pour into our adoption journey filled us with so much JOY! We reconnected with old friends, made new ones, met adoptees, and listened to stories of God's love through adoption from so many families. It was truly incredible! 





                  


One week in, and we are feeling so much love and support from near and far! Let me give you a quick recap of what’s happened in the past 7 days, and how you can help, if you feel the Lord leading you to do so. 

 Fundraisers: 

·Jackie Blue Handmade "Waymaker" Bracelet: https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.jackiebluehandmade.com%2Fproduct-page%2Fwaymaker%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR2_QxxL55WsdHqf9EHfPbhWxELazS46K_iZKygrD_4ZcOrPZgEKf_Salag&h=AT1zuu05GEb5ccu6s0TF9RqPD664DCNY4jq48oNF6IDhBhBfhkd6HGcligHPEBj85kP8RX57E9CROer0DGWOWjWdatmBWIzxSoSb4vHcXCZAD4zwk28ucEuXgFvaNBL5BnFlrxmh

·Donation Based Yard Sale (next one is scheduled for September 4-5, unless God laughs at us AGAIN):  https://www.facebook.com/events/2414993125465549?active_tab=about


·“Freezer Pleaser” Raffle: 5 cubic foot chest freezer packed with a month’s supply of freezer meals! (Drawing will be September 6th) 

   To Enter: Venmo: @Mary-Alexia-Howard OR Paypal: gregory1howard@gmail.com

"Mystery Hostess" Beautycounter Adoption Social: (hosted on my Beautycounter page) https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.beautycounter.com%2Fmaryalexiahoward%2Fpop-ups%2FA9NytHvjCovZq2dULGs3%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR2cN0f5euwD_Bg4c-Rpfu1CYRLlbkN6kZxGVFL35virJ5v-DgfFaGfyyh4&h=AT1nLGaGRWAr-ET2eCw_3Oz29uanFupeDuNFuT3KTkRt2BC4EU5VwpAYVkakeD4B9k0P5z78jvzv8Sr_KsLvrP3cHzTLfQypFeM6V5xwUQWTXbCU87szMVhpmVmc03GXamBl5lQM


·Adoption T-shirt Fundraiser: (hosted by my lovely friend, Laura Spencer Murphy) *variety of colors and styles available* https://howardadoption.itemorder.com/sale?fbclid=IwAR3TTIeIukxJx4uWXoX2iG0RY_2GhW0MowABqYtz3tVFiVAH6VBWw9eFukQ

Pure Barre Pop-Up Donation Classes: 

                Thursday, August 13th at 6:30 pm behind Elite Air on the corner of Carlton Drive.                                        

                               Saturday, August 15th at 8:00 am 201 Saint Ann St.     


·Go Fund Me: (hosted by my true Fr-amily: Madison McEwen, Lauren Layson, & Jane Ann Vincent) https://www.gofundme.com/f/ben-amp-mary-alexias-adoption?sharetype=teams&member=5028868&pc=fb_co_campmgmt_m&rcid=r01-159501316271-c50eee328e5e4003&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=p_lico%2Bshare-sheet%2BexpWdC&fbclid=IwAR3TTIeIukxJx4uWXoX2iG0RY_2GhW0MowABqYtz3tVFiVAH6VBWw9eFukQ


We have several more fundraisers in the works that I am so excited to share with you all soon! As always, we are open to any fun or creative ideas that you all have, and aren’t scared to put in the work! 

Please keep the prayers coming. We feel God near, and know that He is working to bring us our precious baby! 


xo, 

Mary Alexia

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