First–there are very few things that take my breath away–but I just had to hold it for a bit on Saturday at the Wiphan Warthog Waddle. The day started with RAIN–and I was sure few would come out. BUT to my surprise MANY did. I was taken back again when one a regular racer and one of the coordinators said to me, “You know this rarely happens–UNLESS there is a cause that the crowd believes in.”
WOW!
I am SO thankful to the many who signed up to race and the hundreds that put on their rain gear AND STILL came out to show their love and support of the 450 orphans of Wiphan Care Ministry!!! Now…if THIS isn’t a way to spend your rainy Saturday–telling your kids WHY you are running the rain…I don’t know what is! Less than 4 years ago Wiphan’s children were SITTING in the rain to LEARN! We were taken back that they would COME to school IN THE RAIN to LEARN! SOOO…although we were bummed to see the rain, maybe it was fitting. And maybe our running in the rain will mean even more to them when they see all the pictures!
THIS IS HOW MUCH YOU ARE LOVED SWEET CHILDREN AND WIDOWS OF WIPHAN… (please click on center to start the slideshow)
Families weren’t the only ones who joined us folks! I was so surprised to see COLLEGE students who joined us…and three girls who found out about the race on my blog drove here from a college about 3 hours away to support Wiphan!!! I LOVE their hearts and that they came out to support these kids! They were such fun…and made me feel like I was in my 20s again;)
Amanda (far left) is taking off this summer with Visiting Orphans to Uganda and I may have Elizabeth (far right) considering joining us on a Wiphan trip this summer. Also…Amanda JUST got engaged and I love that she spent this weekend supporting Wiphan and THEN hunting for wedding dresses:). Thanks for coming out sweet friends!
NOW…it’s time to share the TOP FIVE Wiphan Waddle Winners!!! Here is the top 5 (actually I think it may be top 6 coming in)…so if this is one of you CONGRATULATIONS!!! (I signed up to run…but it didn’t quite happen! I think it was best for both me and the nurse on duty!)
And now–to see the SWEET SWEEPER!!! Frank ran the ENTIRE race…did I already say that?? He did NOT want a stroller…but instead he’d say “Frank RACE!” SOO…if you sponsored Frank–you should be PROUD! Before I post the video I just want to thank his SWEET SPONSORS!!! Seriously–my kids aren’t quite old enough to have done many things where they actually get sponsors–so these people mean the world to me that they would sponsor Frank! THANK YOU! Thank you Frank and Rebecca Stegall, Gina McCarn, Christy Davis, Brittany Burtch, Dan and Shelly Owens, Amy Stavnes, Rachelle Boone, Deborah Lee, Virginia Liverman, and the Morgan Family!! (If I missed someone…PLEASE let me know! This was just the list they sent me…so I want to be SURE I didn’t leave anyone out!)
We drew a NAME of one of his SPONSORS to win a Wiphan T-SHIRT! The lucky winner is Frank and Rebecca Stegall! Congratulations and thank you to ALL of Frank’s sponsors for sponsoring Frankie baby to run!
Frank, indeed, ran QUITE the race!!! Here’s the video to prove it! I just LOVE how he purposely runs in the puddles…and I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the cheers he gets as he comes in to complete race day!
Isaac wanted to give a little shout out too from his part in race day! He chose not to run…or waddle for that matter! He just parked it in the foyer and greeted all the runners as they came in for some carbs and drinks! How cute is our little man…and I have to say THANK YOU to anyone praying for us during a rough time–we have FELT your prayers and we feel like we have turned a corner! GOD IS SO GOOD!!!
(Above…Isaac trying to keep a conversation with Aunt April (Carlock) and Addie Bowen. He was giving them a play-by-play of Frank’s run!)
Now…ONE last fun drawing before calling it quits for the night! Last week I shared about the Empowered to Connect Conference here and anyone who shared about this AMAZING conference got entered to win an amazing adoption care package! The winner IS…Kristen of www.calledtotrust.blogspot.com!!! Kristen, please email me your mailing address so I can send these books your way!!!
We have probably one of THE most busiest weeks in our family this week! SO…I may be in and out…but please keep us in your prayers as we juggle quit a bit this week! Thank you so much for all of the encouragement you all bring us! It is a JOY to do life with so many of you!!!
LAST but not least…A MUST SEE ‘GOTCHA DAY VIDEO’!!! This is my dear friend Shelly Owens’ family. AND I just have a heart for toddler/child adoption…AMAZING to see the LOVE of this family…(Now…if you have made it this far in my post without crying–NOW is the time to go get some tissues…BEFORE hitting play for THIS!…it will BLESS your SOUL!)
Now if THAT doesn’t get you off to a great week’s start I don’t know what will!!! We are SO BLESSED to have these two little ones now in our adoption fellowship group! And so THANKFUL they are finally HOME!
XOXO!
Andrea
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