This past week, as we were cleaning the venue, buying food, and fretting over every last detail. I began to see the parallels between the auction/fundraiser and a wedding....
~an event that is so important to you,
~an event you want to be memorable and touch hearts,
~an event where there is a collection of people you know from various points and places in your lives (and some you don't know at all because they know the other half hosting the event).
~an event where you spend so much time deciding the menu, but don't even eat a bite of it
~ an event you spend months planning and it is over in just a few short hours
The week leading up to the event was rather interesting (God likes to constantly remind me that I am not in control--a lesson you would think I would learn already)....
On Sunday, I was vomited on at church. On Sunday night, Chloe was sick with the stomach flu. I prayed that the rest of my family would stay healthy...that, at least, no one would be sick on Saturday. I prayed the hardest that I didn't get sick at all (selfish, I know, but seriously I had things to do everyday).
On Monday, it snowed 5 inches and was in the 20's all day long. I continued to pray for nice weather as the event was going to be held outside.
Guess what! God is so good. Only Chloe ever caught the stomach bug despite it going through entire families all around us. The weather was gorgeous....in the 60's, sunny, a bit windy, but still absolutely beautiful. We had around 190 people attend and raised about $15,000 (with more donations coming in) for the children in the DRC, Africa. That will feed plumpy nut to the severely malnourished and rice and beans to the rest of the children in the orphanage for over 8 months.
Thank you to all who donated items to the silent auction, donated time in setting up and planning the event, and came and supported the children of the DRC. I feel truly humbled and blessed by each and everyone of you!
