"And out of small things...

proceedeth that which is great" (D&C 64:33).  This is the scripture that drove Sheri and I to follow through with a last minute adoption walk.  Although small, we had a turnout that tripled our expectations.  In a town of 185,000 people, 45-50 of them participated.  Like I said, small.  If we had planned this with numbers in mind, it would have been for the wrong reason.  For one, we felt an urgency to just do it and it was last minute - like last week kind of last-minute!  We knew our turnout would be meager.  In our interactions with other adoptive families and researching other organizations and possible advocacy opportunities, we found NONE.  If anything were to take place in our community, we were going to do it.  I had someone tell me to wait until next year so I'd have time to make it bigger and better - "No point in doing something half-_____(insert vulagirty)."  SERIOUSLY - I was told that!  Why would we wait until next year just to "save face"?  A year is a long time to get started on something that can't wait and can be done without a production.  We are talking about children. Every great thing, every turning point, every shift in community support starts somewhere AND starts out small. So, we were anything but disappointed.  We were thrilled!  The families that participated had an energy about them that seemed eager to be unleashed.  They had gratitude that they had something that THEIR families could celebrate proudly, that they could share knowledge by their very presence.  They were excited to be gathered together with others that just know (not sure what I mean?  Visit link).  One of the adoptive fathers said to me on the walk, "Each year we'll gain momentum."  EXACTLY! 

When I spoke before the walk, I stated that our goal is/was to let our community know that adoption is a LOVING choice and that if one person considers adoption as an option because someone they knew attended the walk or they saw it in the paper or heard about these families, then we were/are successful.  Here are some moments captured from yesterday:

I don't think that it was coincidence that yesterday was sunny and 60 degrees - in November!

Sheri (the FSA Chair and my friend) and the other happy supporters.

CUPCAKES!  I ordered 200 knowing it would be too many and hoped it would not be enough.  Of course we had too many.  We sent them on to the homeless shelter by suggestion from a very smart supporter.  Wal-Mart donated 75% of the cost of these cupcakes and did the little red hearts on top just for us.  If you ever have a good cause that you need help funding, I'd be happy to tell you how to get Wal-Mart to help you.  It is surprisingly simple! 

My girl hovering over the cupcakes that she waited ever-so-patiently for.  This event was important for her too.  She knew she was going to be with children that shared something special with her and some of them are her very good friends. 

I love this picture because Sheri got me on board with FSA and it has been the best thing I've ever been involved with second to my church.  I love adoption and adoption advocacy.  We have done so much together in the short amount of time we have known each other and volunteered together.  Thank you Sheri!  I will miss you when you move!

Sue Scott (our local newscaster) and I.  She is an adoptive mother and a family friend.  We were excited that she came to support.  She also offered to help us plan next year's walk, which means more awareness on a larger scale - YAY!

This says it all.