"Stuff"-Mart

Most of you who know me well know that I have an extreme love for, bordering on obsession with, organizing my home and keeping it free of "stuff."  I like to purge our possessions frequently.

I like it even more if I can talk about the purging of said possessions

in front of my sister, who really hates the word "purge."  Heh.

Anyhoo, most of you also know that we are hustling to raise funds for our ongoing adoption process. I have purposed to really contribute creatively toward those fundraising efforts. And the Lord has graciously provided. That little Adoption Jar is filling regularly! I am working a part-time job babysitting for a friend's two little ones. I have done some editing and some proof-reading for a couple folks. I have participated in consumer survey projects, with both big and little pay-offs attached. We have re-adjusted our budget with an eye toward tighter belts and cash-only spending. I have sold countless articles of furniture and clothing on cr@igslist and an online yard sale community I joined recently. And I have scoured sidewalks in local neighborhoods and sold stuff that other folks just put out for the trash pick up. I can't believe the stuff folks put out for trash pick up.

Oh, man, I found a coffee table that was so gorgeous,

it was super tempting to keep it for our family room!

But the Lord blessed us with a sale of $45 pure profit

over that one and I'm so glad He led me to it. 

Which brings me to the point of today's post. Because bringing home our mei-mei is going to be a HUGE focus of these early months of 2012. And I think some of you might be able to help. Especially my fairly local peeps.

I know that typically after the holidays, many folks get the bug to clean out their attics, garages, closets, toy boxes and more. And I know that most of the stuff that gets pulled out ends up in a big bag or box for the local Goodwill or Salvation Army, etc. I wonder if you might rethink that choice this purging season, on behalf of the Gang's adoption jar?  I wonder if you might consider "donating" that same stuff that you pulled out of your home so that I can sell it and further contribute to the efforts to fill up that little Adoption Jar o' mine?

I'm more than happy to work out delivery and/or pick-up. I'll do my best to make it as convenient as possible for anyone who is generous enough to give up their "stuff" for the efforts. I only ask that it be stuff that is "sale-worthy" to maximize the opportunities to add to the jar. Otherwise, my living room will start to look like the Stuff-Mart frequented by Madame Blueberry and her very veggie and fruity friends... which would seriously defeat the purpose, eh?

If you aren't local, then I ask again for your long-distance prayers. This adventure is a big one (which many of you know first, second, and third hand...) and we can use all the support we get as we keep stepping forward in faith. In the coming days, I hope to summarize for you all exactly where we are in the paper-chase, so that you might pray for us more specifically!

I thank you in advance for your considerations. You, my faithful readers, are some of the very best benefits of this journey we are following again! We feel so humbled and grateful for those of you who have become friends and family along the way.