What's Next for Francis Chan? A Conversation with Mark Driscoll and Joshua Harris from Ben Peays on Vimeo.
Monday, August 30, 2010
What's next for Francis Chan...
If you have followed the life and ministry of Francis Chan in any way, this video below might be of interest to you.
What's Next for Francis Chan? A Conversation with Mark Driscoll and Joshua Harris from Ben Peays on Vimeo.
What's Next for Francis Chan? A Conversation with Mark Driscoll and Joshua Harris from Ben Peays on Vimeo.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Garage Sale Fundraising Tips
To all the other families out there who are in the process of adopting and don't have the capabilities to write a $25,000 check to complete your adoption, a garages sale/community sale/etc. is 1 of many great ways to help raise awareness and funds for your adoption or someone else's adoption.
If you are thinking and brainstorming ideas of what to do, we thought we'd just share a few things we found helpful in our case.
1. Surround yourself with people who love you, will stay up late with you, get up early with you and blister their feet (literally) with you and for you.
2. Have multiple items to sell. Of course lots of garage sale items, but also sell drinks, freezer jam, donuts, pizza, etc. People like variety.
3. Make clean, clear signs giving good information. I know one thing for sure...whenever I see a yard sale sign I usually can tell from the look of the sign what type of sale it is going to be. If the sign is sloppy and throw together at the last minute, I can almost guarantee that the yard sale will be arranged and ordered in the same manner. Seems like a small thing, but it isn't. Also, make sure the signs are big enough for people to read from 40 feet away.
4. For us, we decided to do a 1 day sale. This had more to do with our location, etc. but it worked out ok for us.
5. Advertise in the appropriate spots. 1) Good signs in a lot of places 2) Craigslist 3) Facebook - make it a noteworthy item for people to talk about and spread 4) Newspaper - people still actually read the newspaper for yard sale information. I made sure I talked with people to see how they heard about our sale and a few of them said the newspaper...so I guess it was worth it.
6. Have a Donation Box.- We had several people put some extra change/bills in there. Our message was being communicated and their hearts were stirred by our story. We don't take any credit for that...it is simply the graciousness of the Lord to provide in this manner.
7. Have a sheet with information about where to send Tax-Deductible Donations.
8. Expect rain - I think it is something the Lord allows to make sure our dependence is on the Lord and not in circumstance & pray that it doesn't
9. Be amazed at how God works.
If you are thinking and brainstorming ideas of what to do, we thought we'd just share a few things we found helpful in our case.
1. Surround yourself with people who love you, will stay up late with you, get up early with you and blister their feet (literally) with you and for you.
2. Have multiple items to sell. Of course lots of garage sale items, but also sell drinks, freezer jam, donuts, pizza, etc. People like variety.
3. Make clean, clear signs giving good information. I know one thing for sure...whenever I see a yard sale sign I usually can tell from the look of the sign what type of sale it is going to be. If the sign is sloppy and throw together at the last minute, I can almost guarantee that the yard sale will be arranged and ordered in the same manner. Seems like a small thing, but it isn't. Also, make sure the signs are big enough for people to read from 40 feet away.
4. For us, we decided to do a 1 day sale. This had more to do with our location, etc. but it worked out ok for us.
5. Advertise in the appropriate spots. 1) Good signs in a lot of places 2) Craigslist 3) Facebook - make it a noteworthy item for people to talk about and spread 4) Newspaper - people still actually read the newspaper for yard sale information. I made sure I talked with people to see how they heard about our sale and a few of them said the newspaper...so I guess it was worth it.
6. Have a Donation Box.- We had several people put some extra change/bills in there. Our message was being communicated and their hearts were stirred by our story. We don't take any credit for that...it is simply the graciousness of the Lord to provide in this manner.
7. Have a sheet with information about where to send Tax-Deductible Donations.
8. Expect rain - I think it is something the Lord allows to make sure our dependence is on the Lord and not in circumstance & pray that it doesn't
9. Be amazed at how God works.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Our current stage in the adoption process
Lately, we have received a lot of questions regarding where we are at in the process of our adoption. Thus, I thought I would share a quick timeline so it is clear that we didn't just start the adoption process a month ago and are now on the waiting list.
November 2008 - Filled out initial paperwork for application to adopt with CWA.
January 2009 through June 2009 - Filled out Dossier, Mailed Dossier, Dossier sent to Ethiopia and translated.
July - August 2009 - Officially on the waiting list to adopt. At this same time we find out that Heidi is pregnant. Our agency's policy (which we feel is a good policy) is to have pregnant couples go on hold with the process until 6 months after the birth of the baby. But, because we already had our dossier in and were on the waiting list, we were told that when the time came we could 'get back in line' where we left off.
January 2010 - Camille is born
July 2010 - We call CWA and let them know we'd like to get back into the process.
August 2010 -- CWA took our case before a review committee and approved us to get back on the waiting list. We had our garage sale Fundraiser and it went incredible.
August ---- whenever - Officially on the wait on the Lord list of a boy under 3 from Ethiopia, probably sometime between mid-September through December.
November 2008 - Filled out initial paperwork for application to adopt with CWA.
January 2009 through June 2009 - Filled out Dossier, Mailed Dossier, Dossier sent to Ethiopia and translated.
July - August 2009 - Officially on the waiting list to adopt. At this same time we find out that Heidi is pregnant. Our agency's policy (which we feel is a good policy) is to have pregnant couples go on hold with the process until 6 months after the birth of the baby. But, because we already had our dossier in and were on the waiting list, we were told that when the time came we could 'get back in line' where we left off.
January 2010 - Camille is born
July 2010 - We call CWA and let them know we'd like to get back into the process.
August 2010 -- CWA took our case before a review committee and approved us to get back on the waiting list. We had our garage sale Fundraiser and it went incredible.
August ---- whenever - Officially on the wait on the Lord list of a boy under 3 from Ethiopia, probably sometime between mid-September through December.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Giving Thanks...Adoption Fundraiser Update
Saturday was a flurry of activity:
To bed on Friday night at 1:30 am, awake at 4:40 Saturday morning.
Begin setting up at 5 am and shoppers starting come at 7 am Saturday morning
We saw the Lord answer countless prayers and are so grateful to everyone who helped us in countless ways.
Here are some answers to prayers:
* Between items sold, generous people contributing toward our adoption and selling our Change Your World For One designed shirts, the Lord brought in $5,375 which all goes directly toward the remaining costs associated with our adoption of our son Hudson.
* People understood why we were doing this and thus didn't barter much. They were excited to buy stuff that they needed, especially knowing that it was helping an orphan and his family get united. Several people even paid more than the cost of the items...absolutely unheard of in the world of garage/yard sales.
* When we left our house at 5:00 am, it was beginning to rain. (First rain in probably 3 weeks) As we set up, put tables out, the weather was extremely threatening, but it cleared up and turned out to be a fabulous day. Not too hot, not to cold...it was perfect.
* Tons of helpers. We are so blessed to know and be loved by the greatest people in the world. If you ever decide to do an event like this, make sure you are surrounded by people who would die for you...and blister for you. There were several families who were at the Sale all day long and got very tired, hungry, sore, and they continued to serve in the strength & joy of the Lord. A special thanks to our growth group/community group from church who have given so much as we have gone down this road of adoption!!!
* Tons of items to sell. There was no shortage of items to sell. Tables after table after table after table of stuff to sell. We had a steady stream of helpers who would move things around, rearrange items, and helped customers.
* People who came to the sale. There was steady activity from 7:30 am through 3 pm and people still came between 3 and 5 pm. Seeing that we are toward the end of summer, we were wondering if we'd get people because a lot of people would be getting their last summer activities taken care of before school starts. There was somewhere between 500 and 800 people who came to this sale.
* Location of the sale. My broker's at Windermere were extremely gracious to use their building and parking lot for the sale. In real estate, the phrase 'location, location, location' is used regularly...same is true for a big sale like this.
* The church across the street that was having a HUGE Rummage sale at the same time...so that boosted the activity. When we chose the date of the sale (about 2 months ago) we had no idea of this. Friendly surprise and the Lord answering prayer before we even were praying for it.
* WE SOLD A LOT OF STUFF. When the sale was over, we only had about 1/8 of the items to pack up and move back to our house.
* Union Gospel Mission volunteered to come and pick up the items that didn't sell.
* There was only 1 big heavy item that didn't sell...which at the beginning of the sale, there were about 8 big heavy items. There was 1 lady who said she would have bought it, but it couldn't fit in her house...but SHE GAVE US $80 to put toward our adoption. Amazing.
To bed on Friday night at 1:30 am, awake at 4:40 Saturday morning.
Begin setting up at 5 am and shoppers starting come at 7 am Saturday morning
We saw the Lord answer countless prayers and are so grateful to everyone who helped us in countless ways.
Here are some answers to prayers:
* Between items sold, generous people contributing toward our adoption and selling our Change Your World For One designed shirts, the Lord brought in $5,375 which all goes directly toward the remaining costs associated with our adoption of our son Hudson.
* People understood why we were doing this and thus didn't barter much. They were excited to buy stuff that they needed, especially knowing that it was helping an orphan and his family get united. Several people even paid more than the cost of the items...absolutely unheard of in the world of garage/yard sales.
* When we left our house at 5:00 am, it was beginning to rain. (First rain in probably 3 weeks) As we set up, put tables out, the weather was extremely threatening, but it cleared up and turned out to be a fabulous day. Not too hot, not to cold...it was perfect.
* Tons of helpers. We are so blessed to know and be loved by the greatest people in the world. If you ever decide to do an event like this, make sure you are surrounded by people who would die for you...and blister for you. There were several families who were at the Sale all day long and got very tired, hungry, sore, and they continued to serve in the strength & joy of the Lord. A special thanks to our growth group/community group from church who have given so much as we have gone down this road of adoption!!!
* People who came to the sale. There was steady activity from 7:30 am through 3 pm and people still came between 3 and 5 pm. Seeing that we are toward the end of summer, we were wondering if we'd get people because a lot of people would be getting their last summer activities taken care of before school starts. There was somewhere between 500 and 800 people who came to this sale.
* Location of the sale. My broker's at Windermere were extremely gracious to use their building and parking lot for the sale. In real estate, the phrase 'location, location, location' is used regularly...same is true for a big sale like this.
* The church across the street that was having a HUGE Rummage sale at the same time...so that boosted the activity. When we chose the date of the sale (about 2 months ago) we had no idea of this. Friendly surprise and the Lord answering prayer before we even were praying for it.
* WE SOLD A LOT OF STUFF. When the sale was over, we only had about 1/8 of the items to pack up and move back to our house.
* Union Gospel Mission volunteered to come and pick up the items that didn't sell.
* There was only 1 big heavy item that didn't sell...which at the beginning of the sale, there were about 8 big heavy items. There was 1 lady who said she would have bought it, but it couldn't fit in her house...but SHE GAVE US $80 to put toward our adoption. Amazing.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Adoption Fundraiser Community Sale - TOMORROW - Aug 21st
Today is the final day of preparation and tonight is going to be a full night!!!
We still have people dropping off donated items for the sale, which we are thrilled about.
We are going to move all the items (part of what you'll see in the video) over to the location of the sale tonight from 7 to 11 pm.
Then tomorrow, bright and early, we are going to be setting up from 5 am to 8 am and the sale begins at 8.
Here is the Link to the Craigslist Ad we have posted if you want to see more details of what we will be selling.
The Change Your World For One shirts are in and we will be selling them at the sale. We hope to have sold all 115 shirts by the end of the day. (Don't worry if you have already ordered, we will have your shirt to either pick up or we'll be mailing them to the out-of-towner's early next week.)
Again, the details of the sale are as follows:
August 21st, 8 am to 5 pm
9017 N. Country Homes Blvd.
Spokane, WA 99218
From our calculations today, we should have about $5,000 to $6,000 of priced items For Sale at the Help Hudson Home Adoption Fundraiser.
If there is anything unclear in this post or you have follow up questions regarding anything, please feel free to email me at dustin@changeyourworldforone.com OR call me at 509-435-1107.
We still have people dropping off donated items for the sale, which we are thrilled about.
We are going to move all the items (part of what you'll see in the video) over to the location of the sale tonight from 7 to 11 pm.
Then tomorrow, bright and early, we are going to be setting up from 5 am to 8 am and the sale begins at 8.
Here is the Link to the Craigslist Ad we have posted if you want to see more details of what we will be selling.
Again, the details of the sale are as follows:
August 21st, 8 am to 5 pm
9017 N. Country Homes Blvd.
Spokane, WA 99218
From our calculations today, we should have about $5,000 to $6,000 of priced items For Sale at the Help Hudson Home Adoption Fundraiser.
If there is anything unclear in this post or you have follow up questions regarding anything, please feel free to email me at dustin@changeyourworldforone.com OR call me at 509-435-1107.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
2 Days Until Garage Sale of the Year
- Picked up 2 more loads of items last night
- our neighbors graciously let us use their garage because our house is completely full. Good thing the weather is nice because the kids can play outside...no place to play inside.
- Picking up 2 or 3 more loads tonight
- Have 4 more loads of items dropped off at the location of the sale tomorrow.
- Will have a Frig to sell, Stand up Freezer to sell, 4+ desks, 5 televisions
- Kids toys galore
- Probably $6,000 to $8,000 total items to sell
- Anyone who has come to our house in the last few days has looked inside and said, 'OOOOHHHHHH MMMMYYYYYYY this is a lot of stuff'.
- Contacting News Companies
- Craigslist Ad going out tomorrow.
- Facebook Event going out later today
- First Church of the Nazarene is directing across the street from my Windermere office and will be having a Sale also that same day.
Thank you everyone for contributing, helping, supporting us and our family as we seek to raise the remaining $9,500 needed to bring our son Hudson home from Ethiopia within the next 3 to 6 months.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Garage Sale Update...4 days away.
- We continue to get lots and lots of stuff to sell
- Beautiful Ar-moire ( I really don't know how to spell that word)
- Several Desks
- A few tables
- Tools
- Kitchen ware
- Etc. Etc. Etc
- Fine China
- Christmas Trees
- Kids toys
- Weights
- More, More, More
- Strollers
- Tables and Chairs
- Our Garage is totally stuffed full of sale items
- Our living room is overflowing
- Our bedrooms are now getting filled up
- We Love it...we have several more people who are contributing items as the sale gets closer by the minute.
- This should be a great sale. We know the amount of people who come and buy is completely in the Lord's hand, but we are hopeful.
- August 21st, 8 am to 5 pm
- 9017 N. Country Homes Blvd. Spokane WA 99218
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| Full Garage - It will be organized |
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| Living Room |
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| Camille's bedroom |
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