On July 6, when we first put out the plea for items to sell in a garage sale, we never imagined how big of a response that would bring.

Up until the Tuesday before the garage sale, we had only planned on doing a one-day sale. That Tuesday, when we began sorting what had already come in, knowing there was still more to come, we realized that there was enough there for a two-day sale instead. We changed our plans, or better yet, God did!

By the time Thursday rolled around, we had 2 clothes racks and 10 tables completely FULL of items – above and below! There was so much stuff that we couldn’t even fit it all in the garage. The front porch was even full too.

Needless to say, we are overwhelmed by the support of so many friends! If you donated items, THANK YOU!

We are also extremely grateful for the physical labor volunteered by some very special people. We could not have done this garage sale without their help in sorting, pricing, setting up, tearing down, and running the garage sale. Joseph and Magda Plagge, Beth Schaeffer, Corey Meloy, Sara Harris and Aaron Shipp, you all were true life-savers, and we thank you for showing such selfless love by investing your time and energy to help. Another big thank you goes to Trinity Baptist Church and the Schaeffers for loaning us tables and Donna Hall for loaning the clothes racks.

In those two days, we were amazed that we raised $1,358 for our adoption fund! We know that this garage sale was not a success because of anything that we did. God’s fingerprints were all over it.

We saw Him provide immeasurably more than we could have asked or imagined. First, our planned one-day sale, turned into a two-day sale. Then at the end of the second day, we realized there is still enough left for a THIRD DAY! We’ll be back out there again on Saturday to sell what is left.

We felt God’s love coming through those who volunteered to help and through their encouragement in the process.

We saw Him confirm to us that we are on the right track during the garage sale. At least 3 different ladies, who we didn’t know, encouraged us by sharing the story of how they had adopted a child and what a wonderful experience it was.

We always knew that a garage sale was a lot of work, but we didn’t know that it could also be a great opportunity for growth. In addition to seeing God move, I (Joyce) have been humbled by the entire experience as I’ve reflected on how selfish I have been with my time the past few years. The people who came to help were also “busy” people, but they made time to come and help in spite of their schedules. I expressed a few doubtful statements along the way when preparing for the garage sale, and I have been convicted that I need to have faith and not doubt! Along the way, one couple gave sacrificially when they found out what we were doing, and that was a big challenge for me to always be sensitive to the promptings of God and to trust Him with the bottom line. They weren’t kidding at Adoption Orientation when they said this process would grow your faith!