Risk The Ocean

Hi everyone,

I wanted to give you an update on the adoption process.

Do you ever have times where you can't see or understand when you are in a situation?  When it feels like it's taking forever, that nothing is moving or getting anywhere?   Two days ago I was filing my quarterly taxes for Steampunk Funk.  I decided to go back and see what I had made from 2011's 4th quarter and compare it to the first quarter of 2012.     Just to be clear, the 4th quarter of 2011 was a crazy busy period, orders coming in left and right.  I was blown away by how the business had taken off in a boom.

The first quarter of 2012, I made more money and completed more orders than the Christmas crunch, 4th quarter of 2011.   I had to look twice to be sure that I hadn't misread the numbers.   While I couldn't see it while I was in it and while if felt like nothing was moving or getting anywhere,  taking a step back and looking made it very clear, something bigger than me is moving in a great way.   At the rate my sales are currently,  I will have made enough by the end of December 2012 to pay fully for the adoption.  

When we first started this journey I wasn't sure where the money would come from.  I had faith it would come but really had no clue how I would make enough to get her home anytime soon.  I am happy to say we are very close to being able to submit and pay for the first big chunk of the agencies fees ($4000)  I didn't anticipate paying for that until later this summer and it looks like I might be able to get it by May.

I personally believe that is a direct result of prayer.   I have no other explanation for it.

Around our house I have drilled into my kids head that Mom would walk through fire for them.  I would do whatever it takes to keep them safe, I will go to bat for them any day. If there was ever a time I could offer up myself in place of them I would do it without another thought or question, those kids are my whole world.   The thought came to me, I've always said I'd walk through fire for them, but what do you say when it isn't fire that is separating you from your child?  What do you say when it's an ocean that is between you two?

Here's a little fact about me that only close family and friends know...I'm terrified of sharks.  It's silly I realize, I'd much rather face a bear than a shark.  I prefer my bum in the sand at the beach then out in the water, you couldn't pay me enough to go out in the middle of the ocean and jump out of boat.  Here's the deal though, if you told me I need to swim across shark infested waters to get to my kids I'd dive in head first and start hauling it to get to them.  I'd risk the ocean.  For this child of mine that is separated from our family by a massive body of water I will risk the ocean.

This new bracelet does not leave my wrist.  It reminds me what is separating us from our girl, and what we will have to do to get to her.   I have put out a challenge to all who purchase it, to post pics on my Facebook page of every mountain it climbs and ever ocean it risks with you.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Steampunk-Funk/193725820639712

 I'll be posting mine on mountains here in Juneau but ultimately in Ethiopia, with a very special little girl.... 

Lawlar Crew Member #4

By purchasing this bracelet or donating you are helping me risk the ocean and I thank you so much for your support.   Let the adventure begin!