I haven't updated in ever so long because there has been nothing to update. However, we have the final tally on the fund raiser that my aunt and cousin organized. Are you ready for this?!? Drum roll, please . . . . the final total is $1,800!!! Yes, you read that correctly, one thousand eight hundred dollars!! Isn't God great!?! We are so excited because we can now send in the forms to USCIS (immigration) and get pre-approved to bring an orphan into the country. Those forms will be mailed later today or tomorrow.
So that's the latest! Thanks so much for praying for us during this journey. Please don't stop!!!
Showing posts with label Fundraising. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fundraising. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
No Doubt About It
If there was ever any doubt that the Lord was behind this adoption, there certainly wouldn't be now!! We got an update on the yard sale total last evening. We are now at $1,200 and counting!!! Is that a God thing, or what?!?!?!? I'm am blown away by all of this. I certainly didn't expect this to happen, but I shouldn't have doubted. Our God is a great God and greatly to be praised!! Amen!
Monday, September 24, 2007
Pictures, Finally
I've finally gotten access to a quick internet connection, thanks to my son's computer. So, I can finally update everyone with pictures of the yard sale. By the way, as of Friday evening, the yard sale total stood at $1,100. The greenhouse owners, my cousins, keep adding flowers to be sold and they keep selling!! Thanks so much Ken, Jon and Dan!! Your support of the adoption is overwhelming and greatly appreciated.
Okay, now for the pictures.
This gives you an idea of how we displayed the items for sale. Since the sale was basically inside the greenhouse, we needed a way of displaying the items. These carts are usually used for moving plants around. We just cleaned off the soil and put the items on them.
In the center we were able to set up some table for displaying books, puzzles and games and clothing. Behind the clothing table is our daughter, Johannah. She worked very diligently on getting the clothes organized.
The plants made a great impact on people as they drove past. They were just beautiful!!
Cousin Dorothy, the idea lady!! She suggested the idea for the yard sale fundraiser, and her mom, Aunt Nell, ran with the idea.
Ralph, my husband, is on the left and Uncle Russ is on the right. These guys "manned" the flowers and outside sale items (like the bikes in the foreground).
Other miscellaneous photos are below:
This pictures shows the carts as they are normally used.
I think that gives you an idea of the yard sale. What a blessing it has been for us!! Yes, the amount raised has been a huge benefit, but knowing that others are supporting us in our adoption (through their donations to the yard sale) has meant a lot to us.
With the home study finished, we are just waiting for police clearance and USCIS approval. When that's done, we then wait for our referral. It's an exciting time for the Ritter family!!
Okay, now for the pictures.
This gives you an idea of how we displayed the items for sale. Since the sale was basically inside the greenhouse, we needed a way of displaying the items. These carts are usually used for moving plants around. We just cleaned off the soil and put the items on them.
In the center we were able to set up some table for displaying books, puzzles and games and clothing. Behind the clothing table is our daughter, Johannah. She worked very diligently on getting the clothes organized.
The plants made a great impact on people as they drove past. They were just beautiful!!
Cousin Dorothy, the idea lady!! She suggested the idea for the yard sale fundraiser, and her mom, Aunt Nell, ran with the idea.
Ralph, my husband, is on the left and Uncle Russ is on the right. These guys "manned" the flowers and outside sale items (like the bikes in the foreground).Other miscellaneous photos are below:
This pictures shows the carts as they are normally used.I think that gives you an idea of the yard sale. What a blessing it has been for us!! Yes, the amount raised has been a huge benefit, but knowing that others are supporting us in our adoption (through their donations to the yard sale) has meant a lot to us.
With the home study finished, we are just waiting for police clearance and USCIS approval. When that's done, we then wait for our referral. It's an exciting time for the Ritter family!!
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Successful Yard Sale!!
I've been wanting to post an update, but we have been having some computer problems. I have pictures from the yard sale that will help you visualize what we were able to do in spite of the threat of rain. Hopefully I can get those up later tonight. In the meantime, the yard sale was a huge success as a fundraise. We were able to raise over $900 in the "pay what you think it's worth" sale. Didden's Greenhouse, where the sale was held, donated lots of flowers that were a beautiful attraction. We left those outside to help draw people in -- we figured that the rain certainly wouldn't hurt them. :-)
When I'm able to post pictures, I'll write more.
When I'm able to post pictures, I'll write more.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Sorry for the long overdue update!
It's been quite a while since I've updated. I'll just give you a quick update on our vacation. The trip to the museum was fun as always, but it was overcast and rainy. Fortunately the exhibits are inside and the only time we had to go out was to get from one building to the next. I'll try to get some pictures posted in the near future.
Our vacation ended all to soon, but we had to get home so that Edward could begin his college career. He started the Monday after we got home (August 27) with two days of orientation and then two days of classes. He is now in his 3rd week of college. He enjoys Western Civilization and NT Literature, but abhors College Writing and thinks that Pre-Calculus is boring. I think that he enjoys Logic, but I'm not sure. That's a 3 hour, Wednesday afternoon class.
That's enough about the rest of my life. Since this is supposed to be a blog about our adoption, I better update you all. Our homestudy is on Friday, September 14 at 11:00 AM. It's about a 3 hour process. Hopefully, I'll be able to post an update. On Saturday, my extended family is holding a yard sale as a fund raiser for us so we will be headed to Pennsylvania for that.
Our biggest news is that we have made a decision about which country!!! We have decided to go with Zambia for a number of reasons, the least of which are the finances. We weren't really country specific originally. We just knew that we wanted to adopt and didn't have a whole lot of $$. It looks like we should be able to have a completed adoption within 9-12 months. We are excited about this and really feel that the Lord has led us in this direction. This means changing agencies and that's the saddest part. I loved working with the people from Christian World Adoption -- they have been so loving and caring. I will miss them!! I have had contact with the director of the Zambian program at our new agency, Faithful Adoptions. She is a Christian and has also been a pleasure to work with. I look forward to our future relationship as we work together to bring our child(ren) home.
Please keep us in your prayers this Friday. The house is clean and we are ready to go! :-)
Our vacation ended all to soon, but we had to get home so that Edward could begin his college career. He started the Monday after we got home (August 27) with two days of orientation and then two days of classes. He is now in his 3rd week of college. He enjoys Western Civilization and NT Literature, but abhors College Writing and thinks that Pre-Calculus is boring. I think that he enjoys Logic, but I'm not sure. That's a 3 hour, Wednesday afternoon class.
That's enough about the rest of my life. Since this is supposed to be a blog about our adoption, I better update you all. Our homestudy is on Friday, September 14 at 11:00 AM. It's about a 3 hour process. Hopefully, I'll be able to post an update. On Saturday, my extended family is holding a yard sale as a fund raiser for us so we will be headed to Pennsylvania for that.
Our biggest news is that we have made a decision about which country!!! We have decided to go with Zambia for a number of reasons, the least of which are the finances. We weren't really country specific originally. We just knew that we wanted to adopt and didn't have a whole lot of $$. It looks like we should be able to have a completed adoption within 9-12 months. We are excited about this and really feel that the Lord has led us in this direction. This means changing agencies and that's the saddest part. I loved working with the people from Christian World Adoption -- they have been so loving and caring. I will miss them!! I have had contact with the director of the Zambian program at our new agency, Faithful Adoptions. She is a Christian and has also been a pleasure to work with. I look forward to our future relationship as we work together to bring our child(ren) home.
Please keep us in your prayers this Friday. The house is clean and we are ready to go! :-)
Friday, August 17, 2007
When It Rains, It Pours (in a good way)
I had no sooner posted about the 2 new fundraisers and we got an offer of an additional one. This is for all you scrapbookers out there. My Creative Memories friend, Debi Paratore, has offered to do an ongoing fundraiser. Just go to her website (see the blurb on the right side of the blog) and place your order. Be sure to mention that your order is to benefit the Ritter Adoption Fund. I'll be sending out a general email when we return from vacation.
Speaking of vacation, we are leaving Sunday after church. We'll be picking up our two children at Pinebrook along with one of Edward's friends, and heading to Indian Lake, NY in the beautiful Adirondack Mts. This is the 5th summer that we have gone there and it is the most peaceful, quiet, relaxing vacation that we could have. So, I won't be around to be posting any updates, especially since there won't be any! :-)
Have a blessed week. I'm sure that there will be lots to tell when we return (I may even post some pictures!).
Speaking of vacation, we are leaving Sunday after church. We'll be picking up our two children at Pinebrook along with one of Edward's friends, and heading to Indian Lake, NY in the beautiful Adirondack Mts. This is the 5th summer that we have gone there and it is the most peaceful, quiet, relaxing vacation that we could have. So, I won't be around to be posting any updates, especially since there won't be any! :-)
Have a blessed week. I'm sure that there will be lots to tell when we return (I may even post some pictures!).
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
A Few Fundraiser Options
God is truly blessing our adoption experience in ways that I never even imagined. I knew the the funds needed for the adoption were not available to us, but I also knew/know that God is in control and can meet those needs before I even ask or think. We have been blessed by offers of fundraisers from friends and family and people that neither Ralph nor I have ever met. Our first fundraiser was a success -- a Tupperware fundraiser raised about $285.
We are now beginning 2 new fundraisers: Avon and Silpada, fine sterling silver jewelry. You can click on the links on the side of my blog to get to the websites of the two ladies that are heading up these events. Details are posted there, too. And remember, I'm still trying to sell my retired Stampin' Up! stamp sets. Some of that will be going to our adoption also.
Our family, as mentioned in a previous post, has decided to hold a yard sale with proceeds to go toward the adoption. If you live near Hatfield, PA or near me and want to donate something for the yard sale, drop me an email at stamphappymomma and I'll see that the item(s) get where they belong.
My mind keeps whirling about ways that we can raise the needed funds. I keep trying to think of things that I could do at home to earn some extra money. I have some options that I'm considering and praying about. So, if you think of it, please pray that God would give me the right ideas and the right people to contact. Thanks!
Thanks for dropping by today. Don't forget to leave a comment or two. :-)
We are now beginning 2 new fundraisers: Avon and Silpada, fine sterling silver jewelry. You can click on the links on the side of my blog to get to the websites of the two ladies that are heading up these events. Details are posted there, too. And remember, I'm still trying to sell my retired Stampin' Up! stamp sets. Some of that will be going to our adoption also.
Our family, as mentioned in a previous post, has decided to hold a yard sale with proceeds to go toward the adoption. If you live near Hatfield, PA or near me and want to donate something for the yard sale, drop me an email at stamphappymomma and I'll see that the item(s) get where they belong.
My mind keeps whirling about ways that we can raise the needed funds. I keep trying to think of things that I could do at home to earn some extra money. I have some options that I'm considering and praying about. So, if you think of it, please pray that God would give me the right ideas and the right people to contact. Thanks!
Thanks for dropping by today. Don't forget to leave a comment or two. :-)
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Adoption Fundraising
We are trying to raise the funds to take the next step in our adoption journey. The church received 2 gifts today for the adoption fund. PTL!!
A cousin suggested an idea for a fundraiser -- a family yard sale at our picnic on Labor Day. We loved the idea! I'm sure that the family will help out in this area since we all have lots of stuff to get rid of.
One other way that I'm trying to raise the funds is to sell my retired Stampin' Up! stamp sets. If you are interested in seeing what's for sale, take a look at Stamphappymomma. You'll be able to click on each thumbnail to get a larger picture that will also show the price I'm asking. 50% of what I get for each set will be going to our adoption fund. The rest will help to pay off some bills.
A cousin suggested an idea for a fundraiser -- a family yard sale at our picnic on Labor Day. We loved the idea! I'm sure that the family will help out in this area since we all have lots of stuff to get rid of.
One other way that I'm trying to raise the funds is to sell my retired Stampin' Up! stamp sets. If you are interested in seeing what's for sale, take a look at Stamphappymomma. You'll be able to click on each thumbnail to get a larger picture that will also show the price I'm asking. 50% of what I get for each set will be going to our adoption fund. The rest will help to pay off some bills.
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