Battle Lines Are Drawn!! And a God-Blessed Event

First things first.

I can hardly even keep up with all God had been doing! You all just HAVE to read this post. As Susanna says, the battle lines have been drawn! Its time to go public about that orphanage. Please read and pray, pray, PRAY!! This is the long-awaited moment in time that all these tiny, powerless children have been waiting for. Satan will surely fight back. He doesn't want these children to be released from His grip. He doesn't want the LORD to be glorified. But armies of angels are battling mercilessly on behalf of all 240 children and the enemy WILL NOT WIN!! Please consider joining with families adopting from Samantha's orphanage as we fast and pray tomorrow. THIS IS IT!!!

And what perfect timing...again! Right when this battle was reaching epic proportions, Susanna was writing the blog you just read, and I was sharing the story of that orphanage to hundreds of faithful, tenderhearted Christians who gathered together to worship and to celebrate the LORD's impending VICTORY! What a blessed night it was. 

Here are a few highlights:

A schnazzy display made by friend, Tenise.

My beautiful nieces, pictured for the first time with their cousin, Samantha!

People pouring in to hear the story!!

The altar area, decorated and ready to go!

Richard, a dear friend, came all the way from Ord, Nebraska to talk about God's heart for the orphan. Please keep Richard and his wife Tenise, and their girls in your prayers as they are now in the beginning of the adoption process themselves! Love you, Bogus family!

I hadn't seen my friend, Ben, for a few years, but ran into him a just weeks before the event. After hearing about he and his wife, Renee's recent adoption of two little girls from foster care, I just knew they needed to be included in the Love's Ransom Event. Thank you so much for sharing!

And then it was my turn to share what God has been doing for me and Samantha.  I love that He is receiving glory for the miracles He is doing over and over again to bring Samantha home.

After the event we had a reception downstairs with booths where people could talk to experts about foster care and adoption. Thank you Katie for coming and representing Lutheran Family Services.

This is part of the foster care table, picturing my friends (and neighbors) who have adopted 5 special needs kiddos from the Nebraska foster care system. Shout out to Daniel for the lolly pop tree!

Another beautiful display by Tenise featuring the stories of many adopting families, and calling for prayer and support for them. 

Reece's Rainbow table!!! Featuring the faces of many beautiful children waiting for families. Who can resist these precious children of God!

My mom, dad, and sisters all worked together to create a BEAUTIFUL display of these pink cupcakes in honor of Samantha's 7th birthday.

One of the highlights of my evening was when 4 little girls (sisters) donated money from their own piggy banks for Samantha's care fund. SUCH a beautifully touching moment. And 4 beautiful little hearts. Please keep this family in your prayers as they are in the process of adopting a little girl from India. They are praying that they will receive good news THIS Wednesday. Please pray along with them. Their little girl has been waiting a long time and needs to come home to her family!

I also need to say thank you to friends Esther and Jared for leading us in worship. Boy were people singing along with you! What a sweet sound. I know this was a foretaste of the feast to come.

Thank you also to friend, Bethany, who gathered volunteers and worked hard and long to decorate, set up, and generally keep things running smoothly.

AND, last but not least (and I'm sure I'm missing people!!!) a BIG THANK YOU to the people of Jacob's Well. You were the hands and feet of Jesus yesterday. Thank you for serving us. I feel so incredibly blessed by you. 

Ok, one last thing...and this really is the last one! THANK YOU friends and family! You have been such a tremendous part of the miraculous story that God is weaving together. Thank you for your generosity. Thank you for loving me and Samantha.

Love to all of you.