Friday, October 5, 2012

Pancakes and Butterflies

It's already October and I don't know where the time has gone.  Our dossier has been turned in and now we wait.  During the waiting period we study up on adoption and parenting.  We fill out tons of grant applications.  And of course, we fundraise.

It has been amazing to see how God has provided for this adoption.  It leaves me speechless...and that's very uncommon.  But we still have more to go.  We are looking at another $20,000 left to raise.  Yes, I meant to put that many zero's in there.  Because we have to travel to Russia THREE, count them, THREE times we still have this large chunk left.  In case you didn't know...it's not cheap to fly two people to Russia three different times.  So I spend a lot of my time handing this over to God, begging his forgiveness when I take it back and grinning when he surprises me with yet another donation of some sort.  But back to the fundraising...

October means it's Pancake Breakfast time and I am frantically trying to get everything ready.  There's supplies to get, volunteers to organize and silent auction items to acquire.  It's a lot of stuff to do.  But so many of you have made it easy by donating items for the auction or providing our much needed supplies.  It has made a huge difference for me.  But I still have butterflies in my stomach.  You always wonder when you put on an event like this, "Will anyone show up?"  And that's when the butterflies start fluttering in my tummy.  (Notice my child-like language.  My parenting research is paying off)

So the question is, "Will YOU show up?"  If you do, here's what you can expect:


  1. Pancakes will be served from 9 am until 11 am.  You can come whenever you want.  You can come and NOT eat pancakes too!  The silent auction will be going on at the same time and you are not required to pay admission for that.
  2. Adults will be charged $5 and children $3.  Once you're in, it's unlimited pancakes for everyone.
  3. We kept it simple by just having pancakes, coffee and juice.  Sorry, we're just not fancy...or rich.
  4. This is not a programmed event.  Lenski will be the MC and talk at different points but we'd really like it if you all just enjoy your Saturday morning with each other over some delicious pancakes.  
  5. The silent auction will end at 11 am.  The highest bidder can take home their item if they are still there.  Otherwise we will deliver it to you.
  6. We will have our t-shirts for sale there.  If you haven't had a chance to get one you may want to bring some extra cash.  They're really cool and you're going to want one.  They're $20 each or 2 for $30.
If you're wondering if there's anything you'd like to bid on at our silent auction, here's our complete list of items that will be available.

  • Biggby package (sorry, no gift cards)
  • Tattoo gift certificate (Lenski would like to add that this would make a great gift for him)
  • 2 dual or couples massage gift certificates valued at $80 each
  • A one-hour interior design consultation with Deidre Interiors valued at $75
  • 6 one hour massage gift certificates for The Soma Center (Renee Green) valued at $50 each
  • A $50 gift certificate to One Girl's Treasure
  • 3 gift certificates for a customizable quarter sheet cake
  • A dozen of Art Green cookies in these flavors: Heath, Molasses, Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal Raisin and Sugar with sprinkles.  Valued at $15 / dozen.
  • Brand new home fencing that's 2 feet tall and 100 feet long
  • Homemade fudge
  • 2 retro silver lamps
  • Snoopy baby package
  • Brand new IKEA hammock valued at $30
  • Brand new IKEA pendant lamp valued at $20
  • $10 gift card to Koetsier's
  • Wine and cheese package with brand new wine glasses and salad plates as well as cloth napkins
  • A salon items package with Bed Head, Pureology and more valued at $120
  • Brand new wall clock valued at $13
  • A Magic Bullet set
  • Brand new wireless mouse
  • Brand new Calvin Klein hat, scarf and gloves set bought last year from Younkers
  • Ladies brand new watch and jewelry set valued at $35
  • Mens brand new watch, wallet and pen set valued at $35
  • Brand new solar charger
  • Brand new chocolate colored Moby wrap valued at $45
  • Brand new pedometer and pink yoga map
  • Brand new bathroom faucet valued at $39
  • Cooking set with 3 Rachael Ray cookbooks and a new set of stainless steel bowls valued at $70
  • No Greater Love 90-day devotional valued at $15
  • The Wounded Spirit by Frank Peretti valued at $19
  • Brand new Infantino 3-n-1 Shop and Play mat valued at $25
  • Summer Infant Cosleeper valued at $45
  • Samsonite laptop workbag on wheels
  • An authentic Amis made quilt valued at $500

So there you have it.  If you made it this far down I'm impressed.  We hope you will mark your calendars and join us at the pancake breakfast on October 13th from 9 to 11 am at Tallmadge Community Church.

Pancake Breakfast & Silent Auction
Tallmadge Community Church
0-1428 Leonard NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49534

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