Sweet Cody had his 7th birthday earlier this year. I was contacted by his mom because Cody wanted to do something a little different this year for his birthday. Cody wanted to forego birthday presents for himself, and instead ask for monetary donations to go toward our precious Edna's adoption. I was blown away. Seriously, could not wrap my brain around a 7 year old asking for NO gift for himself. Instead, wanting to bless someone else. Amazing. He had a goal of raising $100. A pretty tall order, if you ask me! We told him we would be thankful for $5; his thoughtfulness and heart were more than enough. Cody had a dream, but God had a bigger dream. A mother of one of Cody's friends contacted our local newspaper about what Cody wanted to do. Word spread. Big things happened. A man at one of our local banks offered to match Cody's $100 if he raised it. Cody did, then the man doubled his match! Amazing. Cody had a birthday party. At his party he had a money tree. All he asked was that people who came would add to the tree. He asked for NO gifts for himself! {i seriously CANNOT get over that!} When Trenner heard what Cody was doing, he was pretty amazed, too! He said we HAD to go get Cody SOMETHING for his birthday....{which, of course, ended up being LEGOS!} Cody collected all the money donated, we wrapped his gifts, and met with him at Hodson's Market on February 16th. We were so happy to meet with him. To tell him thank you face to face. To hug his mom and tell her what an extraordinary boy she is raising.
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| Notice the makeshift "Edna's Tree of Life" in the background? Getting very very full! We are so so thankful an d cannot wait to move those leaves to the tree in her room! |
Ya'll, I was blown away when he handed us all the money he raised! This sweet 7 year old boy with a dream of blessing us with $100, handed us $360! We had already received the $200 that the sweet man at the bank donated, so that brought the total Cody raised to $560! It's amazing how God can turn something so sweet, meaningful, and selfless into something so big! We felt, without a doubt, that we in return needed to use some of this money to bless 2 other families in the midst of adopting right now.
First, we were able to donate to the Schmidt Family. They are in the process of adopting 2 sweet ones from Ethiopia. Unfortunately, just like us, the Schmidts are no stranger to loss. The Lord is helping them turn their pain and sorrow into something beautiful. The redemption of 2 sweet children. Isn't he great?
The other family we have been super stoked to help is the Brink Family. The Brinks adopted their stud muffin of a son, Jackson, from the same orphanage our Solomon was from. I got to love on her boy while I was there meeting Solo for the first time. She was able to love on my boy while Trey and I were home waiting for our court date. I have never actually met either Brinks, but am happy and blessed to call them friends! They are in the midst of adopting a sweet sweet girl from Uganda. I cannot wait to see pictures of Jackson with his sister! {you can go see their little family story HERE}
{I know these two families would love prayer and support as well! So, please, feel free go on and send 'em some love!}
I am so thankful for Cody and his heart. I'm thankful he's been able to remind all of us what it truly means to be selfless. I pray we can all be a little more like him every day.....
xo,
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