After my father died on New Years Day 2012, I began seeking ways to honor him with my life. At his funeral, a co-worker of his told me that my dad had read an article I wrote for the adoption agency where I am employed. She said that he showed the article to everyone in his office, and after they read it he said, "That is what it's all about." This is a portion of the article:
Today, my heart belongs to children in foreign lands sealed behind the closed doors of institutions or governments hostile to international adoption, children who have no voice. I believe with all my heart that as a follower of Christ, I am to do as He does. He said, “I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you”, and so must I. It is for this reason, I enter the doors of Heaven Sent Children every day: to find a family for one more child, and to help a family realize their dream of a child. Along the way, I have learned the deep love and admiration I have for the women who give birth to these precious children. Beginning with the love I have for my own children’s birth mothers and then by working with some amazing women who have chosen to give their children the gift of life and a loving family despite the circumstances in their own lives. My daily prayer is that God will send the people He would have me serve across my path.
Another co-worker told me that he believed my life was a reflection of the gospel. Dad never told me this himself, but I saw a reflection of his love for me in his bedside table drawer the night he died. This newsletter article, along with a story I had written about him after his first heart attack four months earlier were in the drawer, where he kept valuable keepsakes.
This spring I received an invitation to go on a mission trip to Haiti, and the idea of starting this fund came to mind. My dad was always there to help and support me, and I know he would cheer me on to follow my dream of going on mission trips or aiding others to do so. I also have the idea to use this fund to help others who need financial assistance to adopt precious children from overseas. This is my way of honoring my father, his name, and memory as well as continuing to make him a part of my journey. I was, and will always be, a Daddy's Girl. This is my way of carrying him with me.
I have always liked fundraisers where the contributer receives something, and the item purchased directly benefits the people who produced it. The Just Love coffee proceeds help the coffee farmers, the Haitian bracelets benefit the ladies who made them. The Show Hope t-shirt proceeds further their work with orphans and adoption grants. I hope you will prayerfully consider donating to this fund, and in effect, others, in my father's name.
