My sister had told me about a website called Go Fund Me!!!! It's a way for people in a financial need to reach out to friends and family for donations. She has been bugging me for weeks to set up an account. I didn't want to do it! I was ashamed and embarrassed. The truth is we are in a financial mess right now. It's a tough time for everyone, I know :( Dave has carried our financial burden for some time now it seems. He let me in on it a couple weeks ago. I really had no idea. A little idea maybe, but I guess I was in denial. Dave is such a hard worker and an amazing father. When Lyla and I leave for Boston Monday he will be the soul caregiver for the kids, still work and take care of the house. This could be for 4 or 5 weeks. All of that with the stress of finances, well I was afraid he might just have a heart attack or something. He would never complain EVER!! Not for a second!!! He would keep trucking along like he always does with a smile on his face. He really is an Incredible one of a kind MAN!!!
The thought of the stress on him was making me NUTS!! I applied for a grant for families with children who require medical care out of state. Sadly, this very generous organization is out of funds. Even though they have no funds they found a way to round up 4 $25 gift cards to Walmart for Dave while we are in Boston. SO AWESOME!!!! We are so GRATEFUL!!! Huge Help!!!!
Well, I was still so worried about Dave. It was too much for anyone to handle never mind my tough as nails husband. So I decided that I would set up a page on the Go Fund Me website. I set it up and asked my sister to proofread. She is the grammar/spelling queen that you probably all know I am definitely not. Well she not only proofread it but she shared it on her Facebook page. And we received 2 donations. I couldn't believe it!!! I didn't want to put it on my facebook page. So many people have been so supportive in so many ways, how could I put that out there???? I really thought the website would be great if some super wealthy person was just looking for someone to donate to. That worked for me!!! My sister said "how can you not share it when my friends are sharing it for you and donating?". She was so right!!! How could I accept that but not be willing to share it myself??? So I struggled with the words to post. Asking for help is painful. So, the only thing that made sense was to just tell the truth. I did!!! I told the truth, admitting I was embarrassed but we were in a financial mess and help would be absolutely amazing. I wanted to block the people that always help and always give so they didn't and couldn't help us again. But I couldn't figure out how to do that. So I just posted it!!! I sat at the computer second guessing posting it! Over and over again. I don't want anyone to ever believe we think we are entitled to anything. I promise, we know we are not!!! We Love our Children and we would do anything for them, sadly that includes putting ourselves in very uncomfortable situations.
God must of felt my pain because with in an hour of posting we met the goal we had set for $3,000!!!! Can you even believe that????? WHAT??????????? I sat at the computer with my face in my hands just crying!!! I had been so scared that people would think we .......well, what ever bad things I could think of that people might think. And then we raise $3,000 in 1 hour!!!!!! One donor donated $2,950!!!! This person donated anonymously. I know who they are and I hope one day they allow me to share the most incredible story that only GOD could write!!! Their connection to our family and to Lyla is so significant!!!
So we met our GOAL and people continued to donate!!! $1,000 donated over our goal!!!! I still can't even think straight really!!! How in the world?????? We are so BLESSED in so many ways and the Blessings just keep rolling in.
We have decided to keep the page up even though we made our goal and we are so out of our minds grateful. In case we run in to a situation in Boston that is out of our control we thought it be best to just keep it open. I don't know. Maybe that is a red flag of GREED but we just think it's a good idea. Then if that super wealthy person I talked about earlier wants to donate well then He or She can. We have talked and talked about what to do with the money that might come in that is over what our need is. We can't figure out what to do. So we will keep the name of donors and ask them. We will honor what ever they decide.
I hope this makes sense. I hope that you don't think less of us.
Please Pray for Lyla these next couple days! Her testing starts in Boston on the 14th. We will know the 15th if she will be having her surgery on the 16th. She is so tough!!! She has come so far with your prayers, so please keep them coming!!!
We are so Forever Grateful to all of you!!!!
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
his love endures forever.
He is there, every time we really do NEED HIM!!!!
Summer, Thank you so much for telling us about your financial situation. There is no shame in it and we are grateful that you are allowing us to donate. I could only give you a small donation but gave what I could at this time. Safe travels and please keep us up to date.
ReplyDeleteThat was not a small donation Carol!!! We appreciate your generosity so much!!! Thank you so much for your kind words too!!! I will absolutely be keeping the blog up to date while in Boston!! THANK YOU!!!!
DeleteI suggest that you raise the amount of money you think you may need,one never knows what may come up.You can keep it aside so you have a safety net. Again there is no shame in asking for donations, we all know that you and Dave will put it to good use. If you keep the donation site open we can contribute from time to time.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Carol!!! We are so BLESSED to have your support!!!!
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