Financial Update! PLUS 2nd Edition of Thursday Thank Yous

We have a really special THANK YOU we want to absolutely SHOUT out this week! This one left Paul and me speechless. We've been met with lots of love and support along the way, so it was no surprise when Paul inadvertently discovered the youth leaders and teens from our church were secretly collecting pop cans to raise money for us over the summer. He shared with me his suspicions and we both thought it was really sweet. As the summer went on, Paul realized they were still collecting. We thought, "Wow, these kids are serious! They might even raise $1000 for us!" Which, would be amazing, but...

They kept collecting. And collecting. And thanks to COVID-19 shutting down Michigan recycling collections for quite awhile, it turns out a lot of people were happy to donate their stockpiled cans. So, they JUST. KEPT. COLLECTING!

They spent hours and hours of their summer not only collecting the cans, but standing in lines - LONG LINES - to deposit them.

September came around and the mountains of cans were all deposited. The youth group was ready to "surprise" us ;)

Our family was summoned to the church gym after service one Sunday. We stood before the group and were promptly handed a box of money. Like, A BOX. Not a dinky envelope, a BOX, STUFFED with cash. Can you guess how much they raised? $8000.

Nope, that's not a typo. Eight, followed by three zeros...dollars.

From pop cans.

To say we were truly and genuinely surprised is a giant understatement. We had walked into the gym, feeling a little smug that we already KNEW what the surprise was. HA! We had no idea!! My jaw is still recovering from the shock! I want to brag on these guys because it's so easy to dismiss teens and young adults sometimes. They get a bad rap in general. But this group only brings 1Timothy 4 to my mind. The one where Paul tells Timothy, "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity." (1 Timothy 4:12)

Our family is so moved by their consideration, hard work, and generosity. Their example is humbling to me. So they didn't have a lot of funds to start with, but they knew they wanted to help; they came up with an idea and not only saw it through, but knocked it out of the absolute park!! We are so proud and know that their families and our church family is too! THANK YOU!!! That brings me to our fundraising update. As of tonight, 10/8, we have $32,000 raised and in the bank! That is mind-blowing! Financial gifts from people all over the country, running little bake sales, a garage sale, Mary Kay and Usborne parties, a comedy show, our church silent auction...it is adding up!! We are overwhelmed - and we are feeling the love <3 We still have a way to go. This week, we are wrapping up an online auction that is comprised of items 100% donated to us! I am so excited to see our final result Friday night! In just 2 weeks, Paul will tackle his 100 mile run, which has drawn in many sponsors and even a couple of crazy runners and cyclists! If you would like to sponsor him by the mile, just let one of us know. As you give, pray, donate, sponsor, bake, shop, volunteer, or encourage, please know that you are a vital part of our story - and our child's story. God is using you to answer prayers. Thank you! - Beth and Paul