Adoption FUNds….

Many people have asked us how we raised our adoption funds.  We smile a knowing smile… because WE didn’t raise the money, God did.  He funds what He favors!  Adoption is expensive… domestic AND international.  Personally, I don’t think it should be expensive, but that’s another story for another day.  We didn’t have nearly enough cash to adopt from Colombia, but we had some “seed money” that we planted and waited for God to harvest. Our dream of adoption came from the Lord so we relied on Him to show us where the adoption money was hiding.  It was a huge step of faith! Huger than any we’d taken previously!

When our adoption process began, we had faith that we would be one of the QUICK families…. not so.  It took us 10 months to get our dossier together (we had to work with two Canadian provinces and five American states!) and then we waited three months until we were approved.  THEN a 34 month wait for our referral. From the referral to us kissing our girl’s soft cheeks was eight days.  Eight days of FLURRY, scurry and hurry!

The 34 month wait was when we put our noses to the grindstone and searched hard for adoption funds.  I applied for 10-12 grants, and we received only one from Show Hope (MaryBeth and Steven Curtis Chapman) right at the beginning of the journey.  It was the sweet priming for the fundraising pump that we needed!  Thank you, MBC and SCC!

We also sent a letter to friends and family far and near telling them of our expanding family and asking if they felt the Lord nudging them to help bring a child home.  The monies from that one pink letter came in over four years.  It brought me to tears time and time again. Faithful friends, doing their part!  Thank you, if you were one of those loving people.

My sister-in-law, Jennie, came up with this fabulous idea to sew purses and carrier bags from recycled and donated fabric.  She nick-named our daughter Zaza, and Bags for Zaza was birthed!  The sewing escapades went on for over a year with six or seven contributing seamstresses (with three solid contenders).  She auctioned them online and it went over brilliantly…. 10 times more brilliantly than Jennie originally hoped for!  Thank you, Jennie!

While searching other adoption blogs and fundraising sites, I learned about having a Media Drive.  Great idea!  Ask all your family, friends and enemies to donate unused, dust-collecting media….. I gathered books, CDs, DVDs, videos, games, collector cards, plus more.  The valuable ones I was able to sell on eBay and the less valuable ones I sold at a local used book store.  This really encouraged me as friends far and wide donated boxes and boxes of stuff!  It made me feel great that there was a way everyone could contribute to helping an orphan…. it wasn’t just people with extra cash.  Everyone.

I also looked around our house and decided we didn’t need all this stuff that had accumulated over the last 20-something years.  I started selling everything: furniture, clothing, sports equipment, household trinkets, silk trees, books, lamps, you name it.  I sold most of these items on Craigslist.com.  There is one in your area!

Our neighborhood group decided to have a “Large Item” garage sale for us…. held at our house.  More than 20 families donated large items for this day and it was a great success. Thank you, neighborhood groupies!

Right when I needed another idea, a flyer was squeezed into our front door crack telling about a children’s clothing consignment sale.  I sent the word out for friends to donate kid’s clothing.  I gathered, ironed, tagged, hung and delivered over 200 items!

Most unique of all: Matt’s Meals with a Mission.  A high school grad in chef training (friend of daughter’s) set up MMM to raise money for different causes.  So, our adoption was one of the causes he supported by cooking meals for different families for special occassions.  We were so amazed by his giving heart, generosity and cooking! Thank you, Matthew!

The day before we flew to Colombia we received a phone call from a businessman we are acquainted with.  He asked how much we still needed and transfered the funds into our account that day.  It still brings me to tears, knowing that God had people lined up to take care of the needed funds.  We did our part and others did their part, as a body of believers and unbelievers alike, God used MANY people to bring our girl home. The blessing is spread far and wide.  Be encouraged if you are fundraising!  Be creative!  God funds what He favors!  Here’s our breakdown for you:

• Our Savings – 19%
• Show Hope – 7%
• Letter to Family & Friends – 23%
• Bags for Zaza – 16%
• Media Drive, Garage Sale, Craigslist, Consignment, MMM – 8%
• Last minute Donation – 27%

Weekend Report

Whilst I was away scrapbooking amidst the pine trees, my family and our home-group from CCV had a garage sale to help raise funds for our adoption.  They are SOOOO awesome!  I did sell some of the bigger items on Craigslist too… and there are four or five more things to sell, but we made over $1,200 so far!  My teenage daughter and I pulled out all the like-new designer kids clothing from the piles and piles that were donated and plan to consign them next week.  That should be another couple hundred dollars.  Whoooo HOooooo!

The best story from the entire weekend was from Saturday morning at the garage sale.  For those who don’t know, we live in Phoenix, AZ…. home to MANY illegal aliens…. who ALL shop at garage sales.  AZ is also the home to the infamous SB1070 bill that enables officers of the law to ask for identification from anyone they pull over, who happens to look like they could be an illegal alien.  (I would love it if Obama came to AZ and got pulled over and asked for proof of citizenship…. but I digress.)

Anyway, there is a man in our home-group who is a policeman who works nights.  He arrived home from his beat and dropped by the garage sale to see his wife and offer his support to our family.  Well, his presence in his uniform didn’t go over so well with the shoppers.  In fact, many dropped piles of chosen articles where they stood, slouched to their vehicles in the cul-de-sac and escaped without showing proof of citizenship.  When everyone figured out what was going on, Mr. Policeman’s wife sent him home to change his clothes… and to stop hampering business.  As soon as he left the cul-de-sac, six cars came right in and the shoppers resumed shopping.  It was hilarious!

Wacky Wednesday

Today is the first of hopefully many more Wacky Wednesdays at www.BagsForZaza.blogspot.com.  At 8:00 p.m. tonight there are several items being sold…. to the first lucky person to leave a message saying “Mine!” and their name.  The prices are set and postage is included.  There will be bags and other new items never before seen on Bags for Zaza.  I haven’t even seen them, and Jennie wouldn’t send me pictures…. so I’m waiting like the rest of you.  We will still have the “normal” carrier bags for auction soon.  Never fear, we just got bogged down with life momentarily.

Thanks again, you wonderful people, for supporting our adoption of Zaza from Colombia.  It has been over 14 months since we were approved and have been awaiting our referral call.  Bags for Zaza has been a tremendous success in raising funds to bring Zaza home.  Thanks for checking it out, telling others, bidding, leaving comments and for loving us.  You’re the BEST!

Bags for Zaza is Showing Off

There are two beautiful bags this week… ending on Valentine’s Day.  This would be a good blog to forward to your husband if you like these bags! 

My mom made the first one and my sister-in-law, Jennie, made the next one.  Doggone-it!  I can’t get Jennie’s picture to load.  Well, go see it in real time here:  www.BagsForZaza.blogspot.com.  All proceeds go to bring our little Colombian home to her forever family.  By the way, we have officially been working on this for 2 years, 2 months, 2 weeks and 2 days.  Whew.

The BAGS are BACK!

After of month vacation from the sewing machines, the Bags for Zaza seamstresses are back in action whipping up designer delights for your viewing, bidding and wearing pleasure!  Just a little reminder, the bags are eco-friendly, made from donations or purchases from second-hand stores.  It’s truly remarkable the treasures that can be made from pre-loved fabrics.  Each bag is unique and original.  There will never be another exactly like it.  So if you like something you see, bid now, or you’ll miss out.

Bags for Zaza is an adoption fundraiser started by my sister-in-law, Jennie.  Her and her husband are also in the process of adopting three children that have been in their family for over 7 years (I think!).  We are adopting a little girl from Colombia and Jennie had it on her heart to start some kind of fundraiser to help with our international adoption expenses.  It has truly been a blessing to all involved!  Bags for Zaza has raised over $4500 and is still sewing!  About 96% of the money raised is for Zaza’s adoption; the remainder is spent on thread and sewing needles.

We are in month number 12 of waiting for our referral call.  Over the Christmas holidays, we updated our homestudy raising the age of the child from 3-4 years to 3-6 years.  We never considered that our children would also be growing older as we waited!  Duh!  We’re hoping this speeds up our waiting time.

2009 is Zaza’s year to come home!

Become a part of adoption, bid on a bag: http://www.BagsForZaza.blogspot.com.

The Chips are Down, but the Bags are UP!

www.BagsForZaza.blogspot.com has some real beauties up this week, if I do say so myself.  In fact, I just did.  There is something for every gal on your Christmas list, young and old.  For those new to MSJ, this is an adoption fundraiser to bring our daughter home from Colombia.  It started as a family project and has blossomed as we found more people to call family. :o)

The bags and/or purses go up for auction on Tuesday and the highest bidder on Saturday night at 9:00 pm has a little bit more of their Christmas shopping completed.  Purses are the rage, in case you haven’t been out of the house lately.  Big bags, handy bags, cutesy bags and just plain versatile bags are IN.

BFZ has also become an addiction for many, but especially my mother.  I truly don’t know what she used to do all day long before she was designing award-winning bags… and checking the comments for every single bag dozens of times each day.  She took a sewing break last week, which we have all done in turn, but she had a difficult time knowing that she wouldn’t have as many comments to read.  Dad even put a computer in her sewing room, right next to the Singer, for easy access while stitching and ripping out and stitching the beautiful bags.  Such dedication. 

Seriously, how easy are we making your Christmas shopping for you?  It couldn’t get any easier.  You don’t even have to stay up on the auctions, if you choose not to.  Just pick out a dazzling Bag for Zaza for that special someone on your list, bid $175, and you will read your name up in lights on Saturday night.  It’s that easy.  (The bidding starts at $25….. shhhhhh!)

Thanks to all those who have donated fabric, trim and buttons.  Thanks to all who have bid and bid and bid, and STILL don’t have a bag.  Thanks to all of our models across North America for showcasing BFZ when you wear your bag.  Thanks to those special women who are spending their not-so-free-time sewing for Zaza.  Blessings upon you ALL!    (Only 72 shopping days until Christmas!  Don’t get caught in the MALL on the 24th!)

It’s Monday! (GMT) Happy 12th, AUS!

It’s actually still Sunday night here in AZ… we’re seven hours behind the WordPress time.  So I can still say Happy Birthday to my 12 year old son, Austin.  With a name like Austin Crosby, the natural nickname here at the farm became Aus Cros Buns.  We sing it too…. to the tune Hot Cross Buns.  He LOVES it!  I’m sure.  Aus is an amazing son with a bright future… so bright, he’s already wearing shades everywhere he goes (except at the skate park.)

Twelve years ago last night, I was pain free thanks to an epidural.  Little did I know that I was giving birth to Mr. Big Brains… and the six weeks ahead would be absolutely miserable.  The doctor actually blurted out, “That is the biggest head I’ve ever seen” and had the nurse measure it three times to be sure.  Then he looked at the proud papa and put his other shoe in his mouth, “Well, YOU have a big head.”  I think he may have been sucking on the oxygen mask when we weren’t looking.

Aus was born at the stroke of midnight, (Pumpkin Head would have been an appropriate nickname, but I never thought of it ’til just now) so the hospital staff let us choose the 13th or the 14th for the birth date.  We didn’t prefer Friday the 13th, and I got to stay longer in the hospital if we picked the 14th, so voila…. it’s the 14th.  He was a whopping 9 pounds 5 ounces, but because of a mark on his cheek he was admitted to ICU.  It was quite comical.  The tiny sleepers were less than adequate for my hockey player son who’s tummy peaked out between each burdened snap. Next to the preemies, he was mammoth.  After the epidural wore off, I felt like I delivered a wooly mammoth… horns and all.  We are proud of our boy tween and look forward to many more laughs and lessons along the journey.

AAAAANNNNDDD, being Monday in England, the new Bags for Zaza are up!  (Well, they will be soon, if you’re reading this too early.)  We have no adoption news.  We are waiting impatiently.  Sewing bags, bags and more bags for the funds to bring our little Colombian daughter home.  Christmas is coming.  Shop online at www.BagsForZaza.blogspot.com.

Our Little Zaza… the wait continues

Disappointing news today.  Our adoption agency closed.  Bummer, dude.  So we need to find another one to pick up where we are and keep the ball rolling.  We’re not sure what all this entails at the moment, but it is another bump on the very bumpy adoption road.  We are learning that change is indeed the essence of adoption.  The good news is that this wasn’t a surprise to God.  Hold on, Zaza, we’re coming!

Bags for Zaza continues to amaze and raise…. with new styles, fabrics and bidders.  A sincere thank you to all who have been involved in one way or another.  We have raised over $1,900 so far and we’re still sewing.  www.bagsforzaza.blogspot.com  The perfect bags for school!!!

AND for those who are Steven Curtis Chapman fans, his family is being interviewed on Good Morning America on Aug. 6th.  At least that’s the last I heard.  Check out your local stations.  This is their first interview since SCC returned to the stage after the death of their little angel, Maria.  Should prove tear-jerking.  This family is especially dear to us because we received an adoption grant from their organization Shoahannah’s Hope.  What a great family with heart for God and adoption.  Don’t miss the show.  They are also going to be on Larry King Live and on People magazine next week.

Peace out!  Linda and the Crosbys

www.LindaCrosby.com

BFZ is Rocking the House

 

That’s Bags For Zaza… the sewing fundraiser my sister-in-law, Jennie, started for our adoption.  She also nicknamed our little girl Zaza for the time being.  Somehow, after all this, I think the nickname will stick.  Stick like glue.

Last week the bidding for the five bags went like gangbusters all week… right up ’til the last minute.  It was like eBay, but free on blogspot.  New bags go up on Monday morning, so go have a looksie and tell a few friends, and link the site, and write a blog about it, and bid and help bring Zaza home.

We’ve sewn until our fingers are poked and raw.  We’ve made new friends.  We’ve enviously mailed our bags to strangers new friends.  We’ve horded fabric.  We make up bag designs in our sleep.  All for Zaza.  Come and join the fun.  www.bagsforzaza.blogspot.com

P.S.  I’m off to kid’s camp tomorrow morning as a Dorm Staff  (read: referee for 5 eight year old girls.)  So keep me in your prayers and I’ll be back on Friday.  Not sure if there is wireless up in the mountains. BEWARE: Rick is threatening to blog in my absence.  I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE for what he writes.  :o)

NEW Auction Format @ BFZ!

Jennie, my talented and brilliant sister-in-law, has started using an auction format for Bags for Zaza, the fundraiser for our adoption.  What a great idea!  Please go check it out and help bring Zaza home.

www.bagsforzaza.blogspot.com

She put on four new bags for this week and the auctions will close on Friday.  They are beautiful bags.  Go have a looksie.

I spent my weekends working on the bags and I must say, it’s sort of like adoption therapy while we are waiting.  I feel like I’m actually doing something concrete to bring our girl home…. well, because I am.  Our tidy loft has been transformed into mounds of fabric, notions and trim that looks like a messy garage sale of an upholsterer waiting to happen.  My mom joined the fun and scooped up a gargantuan bag of matchy-matchy items just waiting to be transformed into chic bags for YOU.

AND, if that isn’t good enough…. a Bag for Zaza is being given away by Jennie’s sister, Leah, HERE: http://pluckymama.wordpress.com/2008/06/23/blog-giveaway./ Go and enter to win!

Bags for Zaza has raised $520 so far!  Wooo HOoooooooo! Way to go, Jennie!  Thank You!