Minus1Orphan...Dinner/Silent Auction Benefit

In awe...

...that is what sums up my feelings after last weekend's benefit.

The thought started many months ago...a lunch date between me and Joan Toppen. Joan had graciously offered to help us in our pursuit to raise funds for our adoption. She suggested a dinner and silent auction. Months of conversations and planning...the thought came to fruition.

Lots of ideas and discussions. Lots of brain storming and reaching out to others for suggestions as well as donations and help. Yes, a LOT of hard work! While in the midst of trying to figure things out, my sweet friend Penni offered to help me out of the blue. Penni is an extremely creative woman. God has given her a gift to use her hands to decorate and make things. She said she would take care of decorating the tables for us. And, in actuality, she did way more than that. She got us additional tables from another church to borrow and assisted with ALL of the decorating the night before the event. In addition to Penni, Jade, Laura, Jen, Joan, Dan, Dana, Kayci & Doug also assisted with the decorating &/or clean up. AND...we had 5 awesome young adults from our church body that volunteered the entire evening as well. What a HUGE help they were...Katie, Justin, Jordan, Andrew & Andrew. We could not have pulled things off with out them!

The evening began @ 6pm with the silent auction review. At 6:30, our awesome MC, Jason Scott, had everyone seated and the first video played. It was a video created by my dearest friend, Jen Tiller. The video was based on facts on orphan awareness as a whole in addition to Ghana. Audio Adrenaline's song, "Kings & Queens" played in the background. It was superb! Dinner began and then the final part of the evening began...

Kim McGhee shared a video with pictures on the "Faces of Ghana" and shared about her missions in the area. It was awesome to hear her speak. Her love for the land and the people was so evident as I watched her speak. And, it was beautiful to see others hear and understand just a little bit more about Ghana as a whole.

Afterwards, Holly Scott shared briefly about being adopted and the love she has always felt by her parents...as she was always told about Christ's love and the importance of Him being center in our lives. Her husband, also the MC, Jason then spoke. Some about being married to a woman who was adopted, but more importantly, took some time to share the Gospel with others. How as Christians we are ALL adopted as sons & daughters in God's family. He painted a beautiful picture. It was our hearts all along that someone in the audience would be touched in a new way. Maybe to adoption, but also maybe just open their hearts to Christ and the call that all of us have in our lives. It is different for each one of us, but important nonetheless to seek what it is God has us on this Earth to do during our very short time here...(a big, big thanks to Jason for ensuring our night was smooth from start to finish!).

Our adoption video was played and then we spoke...

Snodgrass Adoption Video

...correction, Scott spoke. I am so not one to speak in public. It made my heart race just to walk in front of everyone there (which was a little over 100 people). Scott was heartfelt as he expressed our thanks to so many people who helped us make the night a success. 

The silent auction ended & items given out. Words cannot express our gratitude to SO many friends who donated items/services for the event.

If not for Joan, this night would have not happened. She is a wonderful woman with a BIG heart that I have been blessed to become friends with ...thanks to God's provision.

Yes, I am still in awe. God has been so good to us and we are so very grateful...

1st Garage Sale = Success!!!

Ephesians 3:20-21

English Standard Version (ESV)

20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.


This verse has been ringing over and over again in my head today. Actually, starting yesterday.


I asked around when looking for ways to fund raise for the adoption and a garage sale seemed like a "no-brainer". No out of pocket cost, just a little sweat, right???


Ummmm....kinda.


More like a LOT of sweat! ;)


Many, many families donated tons of items to us. Items they could have donated elsewhere or even sold, but they opted to give them to us just for this particular sale. If you came over, you would think my basement looked like an episode from hoarders. There was SO much "stuff". But...what may be one person's junk, is another person's treasure, right? At least that's how the saying goes. And honestly, that saying is quite true.


Several friends from my Lot Family graciously offered to help me sort and price items ahead of time. Thank goodness. I was completely overwhelmed looking at everything and didn't even know how to begin. Anne, Amanda, Liz, Amy, Megan, Dana, Jade, Becky, my cousin Georgia and another Amanda were so helpful. A few came back for another round and/or the day of the sale to help. I could NOT have done it with out them! Not to mention Carla that showed up the day of the sale to shop and ended up staying to help clean up! Oh, and Jamie did the same too! God has surely blessed us with some wonderful, loving friends who have hearts to serve others. We are incredibly thankful.


The morning of the sale, it was booming. People coming left and right. The garage started to thin out - you could actually see under the tables. LOL! It was crazy packed in there! We had tables everywhere - in garage, driveway, the yard.


I had no idea what to expect. It was my first garage sale. But, I am extremely happy to report that the Lord blessed us abundantly.


I can get caught up thinking of how things will work out, if they will work out. My God is able. He shows me over and over again. Lord, forgive me for my doubts, but most importantly, thank you for constant reminders in my life.




Onward bound to Minus1Orphan!