Cutting for a Cause - Follow Up

On January 15th, 2012 friends of ours at Progressive Image Day Salon held an adoption fund raiser for us called Cutting for a Cause. We made $1500 towards our adoption costs from 2-6pm that day.

Debbie Jones (co-owner of the salon) had asked to change their usual partial ad in Forsyth Woman magazine for their business to include a promo for CFAC. The editor found our story so compelling that they chose to give us a full ad that described our adoption story in great detail, along with Progressive Image's efforts to assist. We were so honored...and somewhat embarassed by the exposure. BUT, God used this to bring folks in the door for the event that would not have otherwise, and He connected us with new friends and resources.

Fast forward to the beginning of June...
We had been home with our boys for about a month (arriving here on May 8th). Carolyn Peterson from FW contacted us about a follow up. Jo Anna did an outstanding job explaining in further detail our story and they included some wonderful pictures of our new family. Here is the link to this month's issue. Our story is on their page 46. http://www.forsythmags.com/backoffice/Web%20Pdfs/07-12WEBpdfs/FF07-12Book.pdf

We have been blessed to adopt, though you may say the boys have been blessed to be a part of our family. Jo Anna and I were called to adopt, after we had been adopted into God the Father's family through His Son, Jesus Christ, sealed with the Holy Spirit unto eternal life. As my lovely wife said in the article, not everyone is called to do so. BUT, if you are a Christ-follower you have an obligation to do something. I personally feel honored to be a part of the Together for Adoption organization, involved with exhibitor planning and on-site coordination for the conferences. "We believe the theology of Adoption is transformative on so many levels: for the Church, for churches, for Christian experience, and for mobilizing and empowering long-term engagement in the global orphan crisis." Our national conference is coming up this September 14th and 15th at Cross Pointe Church in Atlanta, GA. If you want to learn more about how you can get involved, this is an excellent place to learn how you can do so. Or, maybe you are feeling the 'tug' to adopt or be engaged in foster care - I can't think of a better place for you to be that weekend. Visit the website by clicking on my first badge on the left for more details. Thank you for partnering with us as we are living in THE story!

Scott

Cutting for a Cause

Lord of all the earth/we shout your name, shout your name/filling up the skies with endless praise, endless praise/Yahweh, Yahweh...we love to shout your name, Oh Lord!    

- excerpt from "At Your Name" by Phil Wickham

We are human. Yep. I know this is a surprise. I hope you were sitting down for that one. We get discouraged...we get beat down (especially by a certain employer who will remain nameless, though it might sound kind of like Beavis)...and we get exhausted, especially in the adoption process.

All kidding aside, we are in awe over the way God has blessed us in regards to the adoption -- in His time, in His way -- and the event announcement below is another example of that. We had a successful poinsettia sale, raising nearly $1,200! For that we praise He from whom all blessings flow. That leaves us with around $3k to travel. For that, we also praise Him. Why? Jesus Christ gave everything for me -- for you -- on the cross, why would I believe He is going to abandon us now? I don't. His grace is greater than any problem I have, and He loves me like I am His own...because God adopted me into His family in 1994. Please check this out...

Progressive Image Day Salon and Day Spa in Winston-Salem is sponsoring "Cutting for a Cause" an another means of assisting us with the remaining funds. For a minimum donation of $15 you will receive a shampoo and haircut by one of their professional stylists. They are located at 3538 Vest Mill Road, 27103. and the phone number is 336-760-1292. The event will take place on Sunday, January 15th from 2-6. Please contact the salon for more details and to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins are welcome, however. We hope to see you there!

The Crawfords