It Will Bless Your Socks Off!

This comment was made by my dear friend Joe and it could not sum up the night better!! Last night we had a tip night at the Orange City Pizza Ranch held for us and it was nothing short of amazing! There were a ton of people (not coming just for us, but to eat) and all of those who helped were kept hopping all night. The manager was surprised at how busy the place was and our family was just feeling so blessed. A big "THANK YOU!" goes to all our friends who helped: Joe, Becky, Micah, Caleb, Aaron, Chloe, Jada, Brian, Brent, Jamie, Jill, Austin, Tristan, and Bethany! And of course the people of Pizza Ranch! (Hopefully I didn't forget anyone!) My boys even chipped and and worked - Zach was doing dishes on and off for three hours! (If only he would at home!) For St. Patrick's Day, we felt we had the luck of the Irish and a true blessing from God!

I went in to the evening with hope that it would go well, but not knowing who would show up. A friend had asked how I felt about the Tip Night being held for us and I wasn't sure how to answer. The first thought/feeling being "awkward" - it is a bit weird to have a "benefit" being held for you, but when you need help, how else does it happen?? Then I talked to another friend/co-worker who had a Tip Night done for them, and she said her feeling was humbling and I couldn't agree more!! It is/was a truly humbling experience! To see love poured out like that is just WOW! I prayed before last night that we would have fun, a good turn out, and (selfishly) that I could keep my emotions in check for the evening. God answered prayer (As Always!) in a big way. We had a blast, the turn out was fabulous and I held my tears till I got home - when we did, the flood gates opened and it has been stop and go with tears ever since!! :)

This has been a week of ups and downs with the "ups" taking over fast and furious! We started the week by hearing that a group is heading to China the beginning of April and we are not a part of it. Tim and I were bummed, but know that God's timing is everything. Later we got an email saying that the early April group is actually leaving next week!! That would possibly make for another group to go by the end of April - hopefully we can be in that one!! After getting that tidbit of info., I received a call from a matching grant we had applied for and we were accepted! We had been turned down for one, disqualified for another, and losing hope. We are now applying for one more and we will see if it goes through. After last night the matching grant is on it's way to being fulfilled!

Thank you again to all who made this week wonderful and for all the prayers being spoken on our behalf. To all of you who are waiting, I am praying for you and your families - it is such a hard wait, but be patient. In His time: God will bless your socks off!!