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Friday, March 27, 2009

GOLD PARTY LIVE ... all day long

The day started off with a speaking engagement to a group of middle school students at my hubby's fabulous school (FRA) ... They were very receptive and I pray I planted some seeds that God will take and grow into amazing service for Him ...

I have cleaned, cleaned, cleaned ... A trip to target in my cool "Orphan Awareness" shirt w/ my Uganda necklaces caused a few new conversations and me handing out my card ... I love how God brings people to you ... And even though the girls where running around me in a circle and screaming for icees God still used me ...

Off to begin organizing the house for the Cindy (GOLD LADY) to set up ... Do you know how excited I am ... I have watched God over and over the past 3 months open up the flood gates of heaven for our adoption ... I get excited each day when I go to the mail box because there is always a chance that there is check in it for our adoption, I love answering the phone and hearing how someone else has shared our story and lead someone else to partner with us, and I love watching people's faces light up when I tell them about Joseph and Abigail ... Lord you have richly blessed the Oatsvall Family !!!

STAY TUNED FOR MORE ON THIS SAME POST !!! P.S. Necklaces are going FAST !!

3:15 ... Off to pick up boys from school .. have sold 10 shirts and 3 necklaces today just while getting ready for the party !!! GOT A CALL FROM AMANI TOO (BUT THAT IS A WHOLE OTHER POST ) ... don't you like how I keep you on the edge of your seat !!! hee hee

Guest post...Grace here...there's so much to take in..there's a gold table behind me with four professional "gold sorter people" sitting sorting all sorts of gold...one person has already gone home with $300, another with $700, and 14 necklaces are left out of 80!!! Gwen is running around trying to keep things in order..there are 10-15 kids running around with balloons down stairs (about 4 or 5 have been popped all ready). But upstairs, everyone is just hangin' out, eating and chatting, and picking out shirts and necklaces...the shirts and necklaces are just as popular as exchanging the gold!! (if you haven't gotten yourself a shirt or necklace yet, they are SOOOOOOO cute!!! go to www.shopoatsvallvillage.blogspot.com to see all the great things being sold to raise money to bring Abigail and Jospeph home!!! (Mallory and I both have the blue and red short sleeve t shirt, the first white long sleeve, and the Ugandan necklaces, but we brought ours home from our trip to Uganda last week... out blog is www.joiningthejourney.blogspot.com ...there's a button on the sidebar!!) Well, people just keep arriving..gotta go help out and occupy some little kiddos...stay posted to hear from Mallory later!

Grace


Guest post... Mallory here...
Most of the kids have left so I am trying to sit down real fast and post although Emily keeps jumping in and out of my lap. People are still in and out and the gold sorteres are begining to pack up. I think many people have walked out with alot of money! Necklaces are also flying out the door!!! Its gone from 14 to 7 necklaces!! The shirts are still being sold and gwen "owes" many people some because there are not enough sizes! She even has her white board set up that says all the prices. She says she has set up her own little shop... but of course with kids in the house the white board has been drawn on by several little kids!! haha.

More later,
Mallory

Gwen here ... Everyone has left (except Grace/Mallory ... they are spending the night because they are the coolest 13 and 14 yr olds EVER !!! ) ... DRUM ROLE PLEASE .....

Total taken in today including my gold, my profits from party, and all sold items ... $2360 !!!! Can you see my best funky girl HAPPY DANCE ??? Can you hear my best Kirk Franklin voice "DO YOU WANT A REVOLUTION" ???

God you are amazing ... Thanks to everyone who came, donated to our adoption and just showed up to give support, love, and encouragement !!!

I have two pieces of news ... brace yourself, because we are in need of some major PRAYER ... Maggie's nurse called and they have booked her an OR for Monday to possibly remove the tissue expander ... We will see the doctor at 8 am, but she is pretty positive that he will want to remove the tissue expander because it is still exposed ... TO SAY I AM DEVASTED is an understandment ... So I want a miracle for Maggie and I am calling on all you to pray along side of us for it !!!! 2NDLY ... Amani called today with a name and a face for us to pray about ... He has a physical special need and would like for us to consider him ... Of course I feel in love with the face and will be waiting for the doctor reports .... Scott and I will be in prayer for what God will have us to do ... The thoughts in my head right now are overflowing, exploding, and crashing into each other , so we will just be still and pray !!! Won't you join me ...

Thanks guys ... Love You All ... Pictures of party will follow when I have 5 minutes to spare ...



27 kind words.:

Kim said...

YOU ARE AMAZING..
Love ya..

Kristi J said...

hey, you forgot your favorite part of your target trip...running into to me!! :) Ok, off to make desserts for ya...can't wait until tonight...so fun!! kristi

emily said...

Can't wait to follow along. Wish I could be there in person. Don't sell my necklaces. :)

Know we are all going to be amazed after tonight- not that we aren't already!!

Julie said...

Gwen,
I stumbled upon your blog from somewhere, and have enjoyed your posts and your sweet heart. I see the Lord working in you and your family. Love it.

So excited to see pics of your referral soon..hopefully and hear about your sweet children from Uganda.

I am hoping to have news that we have a court date soon..so we can go get our sweet 3 week old Ethiopian Princess!!! I'll be posting on it as soon as I hear something...waiting upon our Sovereign LORD!!!

Julie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Heather said...

Oh Gwen, how do you do it all, girl! You amaze me! And, why must you leave us hanging? I am so waiting to hear about that phone call from Amani.

Good luck with the gold party tonight. I will be thinking about ya! (& of course, following along!)

The Ferrill's said...

WHAT?? A CALL FROM AMANI???????

Oh PLEASE save me two necklaces...I sent the check yesterday! ;) And for shirts too...you'll see my order.

Your story of God's provision brings back so many memories of when we adopted our two toddlers...He literally opened the floodgates of Heaven...

Praising the Lord with you today!

Debra said...

Gwen,
I received my shirt and necklass today. My goodness you are quick! I love them!
Thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of your next two children coming home.
Blessings,
Debra

emily said...

keep updates coming!!!

Blessed Mom of Four AND More said...

Praise the LORD for His provisions! I'm looking for big things from my BIG GOD, as we prepare to go on our mission to South Africa. I don't know where the money will come from, but HE does.
Blessings,
Robbie

The Stums said...

Terrific news about your gold party, now could you get back to the Amani part???

From Merica... we met when trying to get Katie to Cleveland, TN. Now I'm just your blog stalker! :)

Jewels of My Heart said...

This is so fun! So exciting! I am dying here! Oh, I hope and pray that you bring in thousands of dollars to help bring your babies home!
Is it wrong to just want everyone to hand over their gold to you. lol
WHAT DID AMANI SAY????????
That is cruel and unusual punishment woman! Did they find Abigail?
I don't like surprises and I don't do suspense well! hehee
Hope my little bit helped.
Love ya sister and I am praying for your sweet Maggie.

Michelle R Photography said...

Congratulations on such a successful fund-raiser!! I am saying a prayer for Maggie and the decision that lies in front of you. May God reveal His plan to you!

The Ferrill's said...

Praying Praying Praying...For little Maggie and little man...
You will know what to do in just the right time...

Kim said...

YEA.. I am sooo happy for you..
I had to get a necklace.. can't wait to see it..
I will be thinking of my Maggie girl..
And CONGRATS.. now bring on Abigail...
Hugs..

Diane said...

Going to bed praying for Maggie.

Knowing that God loves her so much, and, knowing that He will provide Maggie and her Mama exactly what you both will need. And...yes, lifting up both Abigail and Joseph, sweet faces, only known to God right now:-) But, patiently praising Him through this time of waiting. Waiting on our sweet Maggie girl to heal, and, waiting for the day of rejoicing when Joseph and Abigail join the Team:-)

Love you all...praying for Maggie.

Anonymous said...

Gwen...good to see the great outcome of that party!!! WOW WEE!!

I must get a necklace and a shortsleeve tee!! This week for sure :) They are for your babies!!

Prayers will be added now and Monday for Maggie!!!

I wish I could have seen the video of you doing the happy dance :)

Anonymous said...

my comment :( it went away!!

Summary! I would liked to have seen the video of you doing the happy dance after that amazing party results you had..for your babies!!

I need a necklace and short sleeve tee!!! This week I will order mine!!

Dana said...

Wooo Hoooo, sister! Praise the Lord! Did you ever think that you would raise that much money? I am dumbfounded! God is BIG!

I still can't get me mind around what you're saying about Maggie. Is it infected? I promise to pray, pray, pray for God to be glorified and for Maggie to not have to go through that ordeal.

And you know we're praying for your Joseph. Let us know as soon as you hear something.

Blessings to you!

Leigh Ann said...

Praying for Maggie - hope you get good news Monday!

Congrats on the success of the gold party! WTG!!!!!

It was great talking with you yesterday, sorry we couldn't get together this week, but soon, I will be home for good:)

Praying for you and Scott...what a huge decision...love you guys!

Kristi J said...

yeah....it was so much fun!!! The food was my favorite..you made all my favorite dips :) yummy...so excited about your turn out!! and we love our new necklaces, kj

Intentional Living Homestead said...

"Dear Father in Heaven...We thank you for everything that you are doing for Gwen...thank you for helping to bring in amazing funds yesterday for this adoption...as we know it comes from you speaking through people and opening the hearts of friends, families and whomever else has participated in giving for these children to help bring them to their forever families...also God,we are in such a need of miracles for the lives of Gwen and her family. We pray father that you would bring complete healing to Maggie. Give the doctors wisdom to know exactly what to do this coming week. God you are the healer of everyone and we pray your power of healing over Maggie at this very time. Lord you say where two or three are gathered in your name you will answer...well, I know that are more than two or three, and we know that You are here in our midst and will do amazing things with Maggie. Also, Lord for the situation with the information from Amani...please Father pour out your spirit among this family as they have so many decisions to make...show them through your word what you are calling them to do. Show them exactly whatever it is that is facing them at the moment. We don't understand everything but you do and you will make a way. We commit this family and all their children into your arms and your care...Please make their path straight. In Jesus name we pray...Amen"

Kelsey said...

Hi! I got to FRA! I enjoyed your speech! One of my friends are trying to adopt from China. They've been waiting for 3 years!! They should be getting assigned a child soon. -K

Unknown said...

Aye! I'm so sorry to hear about precious Maggie. I will be praying for her and the doctors and her mama and baba too. I know this is stressful on your family.

Glad to hear about the money raised and the opportunity to hand out cards about the shirts! That's good news.

Nancy said...

Oh, Gwen! Praying for our sweet Maggie! Enough, Satan, get thee BEHIND us!!

Praying for that little person in Ethiopia, that God would give clear direction!

Love and hugs...nancy in CT (ShaoXi's mama)

Steffie B. said...

YOu know that the tribe is praying for Maggie and will continue to do so....we are also prayig for your sweet Joseph....I know how heavy on your heart this has been...I can't sleep lately....all I can do is think about my sweet Andrew....the language issue is starting to overwhelm me....I'm anxious and fearful....but I know that Od will get us all through it.....so need a visit with you....once school is out....the tribe needs to come for a visit....

Love ya sista....

Love said...

i'm so thankful to have found your blog!
we are at the very beginning of our adoption journey and have a heart for africa, so i wanted to "hear" from christian families that are on the same journey. i found you through a blog search.
i'm so excited for you and anxious to read some more of your posts. thanks for sharing some of your journey here! =)

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