O Come Let Us Adore Him

~ sevenhooksandaline ~ Leave a comment

It’s been a while since I’ve come on to share. This year has brought changes upon changes. Most of them you’ve heard or seen from first-time parents or experienced for yourself. And many times, I’ve thought I should write something – but then, to be honest – I chose to sleep instead. But tonight, there is a conviction in my spirit to share a reflection that has been on my heart these last few days.

But first, I should preface this by letting you know I will share something that might sound a bit weird to many of you. I want you to know that it was weird for me, too. Which, in many ways, is why I’ve not shared too much about this experience before. I think there’s a fear I’ve had of what some people might think. But it’s been a year since it happened and well, I think I need to share it.

As we draw closer to Christmas, we think about the story of Mary. Mary, a virgin chosen to be the mother to Christ, the son of God. We think of Christ, the King of Kings, born in a stable, and laid in a manger. The gathering of Kings, Wise Men, and lowly Shepherds – all equal before the newborn King – equally humbled, equally honored to be present, equally moved to adoration. But last year, I started to really think about the understated presence of who we know mostly as a good man – the adopted father to Jesus Christ – Joseph.

We know Joseph was visited by an angel during a dream. He was told that he would give the baby the name Jesus.

A year ago, I was trying to convince Steve that if a boy was placed with us that we should include Joseph in the name. Mostly because of my grandpa Joe – but I kept adding in – also, Joseph, you know, the adopted father to Christ! C’mon, it’s perfect. While my motives may not have been pure, they did direct my thoughts to what Joseph must have thought or felt as he waited for Mary to give birth. Would Joseph best understand some of the questions that swirled our minds around adoption?

A year ago, I felt quite lost. We were waiting for the state to approve our home study, and we were fully invested in this journey of adoption. But I felt this sense of despair. If there is a child out there who is meant to be ours – how do I find him or her? There was no search party to set up. Instead, we created a little book about our family – and we waited. Waited for a birth mom to choose us. We were the ones who needed to be found -and that made me feel absolutely helpless.

A year ago, I felt this sense of impatience. I just wanted to be a mom. I wanted to know that the child God intended to be ours would be safe and sound in our arms soon. Waiting was the worst, and I was becoming this worried, anxious mess.

Last year, Steve and I attended the Christmas Eve service at Church. As we parked, I could feel my emotions like a live wire. I remember taking a deep breath and telling myself – “Get it together.”

Worship was beautiful. As we sang Christmas carols celebrating the birth of Christ, I started to feel my emotions rise and my mask fall. Trying to put aside all those feelings, desires, and anxieties was backfiring. So, I stopped singing and closed my eyes to try and stop the coming tide of emotions.

But when I closed my eyes, an image of warm amber, reds, oranges flooded my mind. And I heard Him clearly:

I am with them.

I opened my eyes and my body started to shake a little. I closed my eyes again. And saw the flashes of warm colors again.

I am with them.

I sat down and just submitted to keeping my eyes closed and leaning into this moment that initially felt so weird and startling. I have told you before that God has spoken to me through all sorts of things, from a song to a sunrise. But never anything like this. And it humbled me. And all I could do was enter into the purest moment of worship I’ve ever experienced.

I was raised always to take what someone says they “heard” from God and test it against what God teaches us through scripture. So I’m going to tell you what I knew at that moment:

  1. God didn’t say He was with him or her, but them. I knew He meant not just the baby, but also Birth Mom. Because He loves her dearly too. And wanted me to begin to think about her. Who knew what she might be feeling in that moment, the fears she may have been having – But God was with her too. In the same way that He was with Mary and Joseph, when there didn’t seem to be anywhere to turn. He provided – sometimes in unique ways. But He gives mercy, grace, and love in mysterious ways.
  2. There existed a birth mom who would someday choose us, maybe even within the next nine months. And just like God chose Joseph and bestowed on him the gift of giving Christ his name. we would also be chosen – someday. This  affirmation that fortified my faith that we were on the right path.
  3. Last, but not least.  I may have felt lost, but in no uncertain terms, this child was not lost to Him. He was the King of Kings. Lord of Lords. He counted every hair on Riley’s head and formed his little joyful spirit as every little cell flourished and grew. He was with them. He was reassuring me to not be fearful or anxious for them. To trust Him.

The same God that sent an angel to Joseph, the same God that brought men from all walks of life together, the same God that gave us His only son, was taking time to tell me what I already knew intellectually but needed to know in my core – He was with —both baby and birth mom. And, He was also with me.

Only a year later, and I will enter our house of worship in a few days holding my son. My beautiful, joy-filled, and precious eight-month-old son. Holding my answered prayer. My calling to be someone’s mama is fulfilled. I will hold my son, whose birth mom chose us and gave us the greatest privilege of being his parents. Our relationship with her has become beautiful – and even when we navigate the awkwardness at times of this experience, I remember His words and know that He chose us to love and honor her too. I think about how awkward Joseph must have felt at times, raise the son of God and remember we’re doing just fine.

There are a couple of songs that are extra special to me these last few years as we have been on this journey to growing our family.

There is a part of the song above that simply says “Our affection, our devotion, poured out on the feet of Jesus.” I could sing this over and over when I think about the gift He gave us with Riley. The gift He gave me last year with words that just reiterated the truth of the Gospel – that He is with us. This Christmas, when worship songs bring images of the newborn Christ, join the shepherds, kings, and wise men—and our family—in pouring out our affection.

Courageous Grandpa King

~ sevenhooksandaline ~ Leave a comment

I’m not even quite sure where to begin. But the world has turned upside down for the Duffys – in the best way possible!

A month ago, I went into the office after hearing that a birth mom that had looked at our book was leaning towards another family. Still, I wanted to keep my phone nearby – just in case. The night before, when our social worker called to tell us about the situation – I had a good feeling about it. That night I talked to one of my best friends about it and cried about having that feeling – because I’d been here before. And having hope, but not too much hope was a balancing act, I know every woman who is trying to get pregnant or waiting for an adoption placement knows. You hold back your fear of disappointment AND you hold back your hope that this might be the time it works out!

I walked in to work kicking myself – my good feeling was just proving the advice of others to not get the cart before the horse. Fifteen minutes after sitting down at my desk, I panicked realizing my phone wasn’t out of my bag. Missed calls and urgent texts to call back ASAP.

Steve was the one tell me. “We’re going to be parents.” (Steve was literally in the middle of a job interview when he got the call!)

I called my mom. I freaked out about all the things I needed to do. There was a group gathering outside of my office – so when I walked out – all I could say was that a birth mom picked us. I kept adding – but “It’s not official. Things could still change.”

The next couple of hours flew by from racing home, calling colleagues and supervisors to tell them I needed to leave abruptly, finding dog sitters, packing for the unknown adventure awaited us in Tucson. To needing to decide on a name – our social worker called and asked us if we had decided. We had not.

Steve then added “There’s a name that keeps coming up for me. Riley.” I liked it. I looked it up and one of the meanings (Irish) in origins was ‘Courageous’. One of the things we talked about was the courageous act of his birth mom – so Riley was perfect.

I added Joseph – after my Grandpa Joe. The best grandpa. A kind and loving man.

We decided this gave our soon to be son, lots of options for nicknames and names. Riley, Riley Joe, RJ, and of course, Duffy. We loved it. It fit perfectly.

We got to Tucson and walked up to Riley’s birth mom’s door – and waited. She had been through a lot – a hard labor and emergency c-section. We understood when we were asked to wait and that she needed more rest.

Without going into all the details, that week would involve a lot of waiting. A lot more of holding back emotions – hope and fear and joy and sadness. But at the end of the week, we got to witness how God takes something brutally hard and can make it beautiful. We left Saturday after spending time with Riley’s birth mom – someone we love and will always honor and celebrate in our family. We hope to have a beautiful relationship with her going forward.

Riley’s birth mom had one big request – that we include the name Reyez as a middle name. It means ‘King’ and carried a lot of sentimental value to her family.

We came to Tucson as a couple, but left as a family – with our little sweet faced, healthy, baby boy. Our ‘courageous grandpa king’ as Steve’s best friend dubbed him.

We cannot end this update without saying Thank You. We were very open about our process for adoption. Without everyone’s help – we would not have been ready to put our match book before birth moms by April! Your donations, cupcake orders, yard sale shopping, eating tacos and engaging in our various raffles – along with the matching grant we received from LifeSong helped limit how much we had to borrow to pay our agency and other fees.

We cannot wait for Riley to hear about how this family and community came together to help us bring him home! We also cannot wait to share pictures, but we are waiting until our court date in July before posting! Stay tuned!!!

And last update – on July 12th, Riley will have his first court appearance in Mesa, Arizona. Where our petition for adoption will be finalized! If you’re interested in attending or watching (there is a link that can be used to watch online!) – just contact me or Steve.

Big Blessings, Big Family Dinner, and Big Debut of our Cook Book

~ sevenhooksandaline ~ Leave a comment

It’s been an exciting few weeks! We got big news! We received a matching grant through Lifesong for Orphans, in partnership with Highlands Church! Back in January, a friend shared one of our posts and someone they knew reached out to us to tell us about the matching grant and encouraged us to apply! What a tremendous blessing that has turned out to be!!!!

Now every dollar given to us via Lifesong is doubled up to $8,500!!!! And those giving, can get receive a charitable donation receipt because the donation will go to a 501c3 organization (Lifesong!) It is just mindboggling for us how generous everyone has been! We are feeling truly blessed. (Info on how to give is below!)

And in the midst of that, we were preparing for our big family dinner – where we showed off some family traditions with Okie Tacos, my Aunt Hazel’s carrot cake, Mom’s banana pudding, and some awesome St. Patty’s day themed cupcakes (Gluten Free no less!). We also had a great turnout of friends despite the prior day storm that caused a minor panic that we might have to cancel! But the sun and our friends show up and it was just a really sweet time!

The last few weeks were extra busy as my sister Cherilyn and my mom put together a collection of family recipes to finalize our family cookbook. And just like that we are officially taking orders! Just contact me at amanda.rossiter@gmail.com for details! And if you’re in Tulare, my sister took back several copies so be the first to contact her and avoid extra shipping costs!!! We are asking $20 – you’ll get great family recipes and know that all profits are going towards bring baby Duffy home!

Screenshot

And that brings us today. Tired, but feeling so blessed. A big thank you to everyone who came to or participated in our Dinner and Silent Auction! For us, it felt like just a family dinner – with a lot of laughter, good food, and fun! It also reminded us of just how bless we have been to have such supportive friends and family! And friends of friends and strangers – who just want to help adoptive parents, birth moms, and kiddos in need!

Reminders on how you can help:

Please continue to pray – specifically for the birth mom and child that we know and trust is our perfect match!

Order Cupcakes – AZ only – too hard to ship butter cream 🙂

Order a Seven Hooks and a Line Cookbook! Just email me at amanda.rossiter@gmail.com.

Give online : https://give.lifesong.org/lifesong/10893-ff

Submit a check made out to Lifesong for Orphans. Just write in the memo line “Preference: #10893 Duffy” and mail to: Lifesong for Orphans, PO Box 9, Gridley, IL 61744.

Okie Tacos – what the heck are those?

~ sevenhooksandaline ~ Leave a comment

Every family has staple dinners that you regularly had growing up in the rotation. Our staple dinners in rotation ranged from enchilada casserole, Frito boats, or Frito pies depending on where you grow up, to burgers, chicken and Caesar salad, tri-tip and corn, and potato soup to name a few. But nothing was more “Rossiter” than Tacos. Growing up in Tulare – we always had to clarify that it was Okie Tacos – not traditional Mexican tacos or even Americanized tacos. This fully embraces our redneck way of tacos. They might sound crazy, but they are comforting and delicious. And always best eaten with large gatherings of family and friends!

Today – I will walk you through their construction and I hope this entices many of you to join us for our Taco Dinner and Silent Auction on March 16th, 2024 (BTW- have you RSVP’d – https://forms.gle/1KdyhqTbJtF9hjtB6)

First Step – The Tortilla is key. There are different opinions about the best taco vehicle – corn or flour tortillas. There’s a lot to consider – different texture, size and capacity. I personally land in the camp of Flour first – and corn later (I actually like the corn tacos the next day as leftovers. Hard to explain, but facts.)

Second Step. We take some hamburger meat and smash it in to half of the tortilla. These will now get fried…carefully frying and cooking the meat side and folding the tortilla into the taco shape during the frying process. The splatter situation is serious – so in our house you kept a paper bag from the grocery store to protect yourself!

Next – build the taco. And here’s where family members are going to get mad at me – because we all build them differently. I’m going to preface that this is just how I roll. But first, the players – the rest of the taco toppings include:

  • Ranch Beans warmed up in sauce pan
  • Cheddar Cheese – strong preference here: Tillamook always people! Don’t skimp on the Tillamook and shred your own cheese, it just tasted better.
  • Campbell’s Condensed Tomato Soup – it’s the soup can, but nothing else added to thin it down. Warm and Savory Tomato Sauce. Just trust the process.
  • Grandma’s Simple Salad – Chopped Ice Berg lettuce with tomatoes and green onions – mixed with mayo, salt, and pepper. It’s easy, simple, and delicious.
  • Salsa or Pico – Totally Optional

Now, here is how I build my taco:

  1. Take your taco, add a little dash of cheese.
  2. Scoop of Ranch beans.
  3. Little more cheese.
  4. Tomato Sauce.
  5. Depending on how I feel – salad on top or salad on the side!

Every member of my family will tell you a different pattern of building the taco, but the truth is that first bite with all these savory flavors will taste amazing now matter the order! YUM!!!

And side note for the vegetarians in the house – save some tortillas to build a bean and cheese burrito! Gluten Free – corn tortillas can be a great option, but they also make some great GF flour tortilla alternatives too.

March 16th – Adoption Dinner!

~ sevenhooksandaline ~ Leave a comment

When we started to plan our fundraising events, we wanted to do something that brought our friends and family together in a fun way to celebrate with family food traditions and highlight some of our friends unique talents and local businesses that we love!

We had been told that many people had success with a Silent Auction and Dinner – so after talking to my mom who quickly jumped on board – we plan to do just that with a meal that highlights one of our unique family traditions – Okie Tacos. There will be more to come on that, but it’s delicious! And multiple desserts will be offered of course.

So make sure to RSVP here: https://forms.gle/17dUAx5SMyeXbUer6.

You can pay in advance using:

Or just pay Steve or Amanda when you arrive.

1). We DO need folks to please RSVP so that we have plenty of food.

2). Be sure to invite friends and family too – just make sure to let us know how many are coming.

We really hope you can come – if nothing else you can be assured to have a great time of fellowship!

  • Adults – $20
  • Ages 5-12 – $10
  • Under 5 are Free

As for the silent auction, we are still collecting some of the items, but all items will be listed with links for bidding here. Get excited, because I am. From art, baseball, and theatre to creative writing, holistic remedies, and embroidered tea towels (thank you Grandma Ima Jean!) Bookmark this page and stay tuned – bidding will begin March 12th and conclude at 6:30 pm Arizona time on March 16th!

In addition to the silent auction, there will be fun door prizes for those who attend!

Duffy Adoption – Silent Auction

~ sevenhooksandaline ~ Leave a comment

Welcome to the online home for our silent auction! All proceeds from this action will go towards adoption costs and make building our Duffy family possible. These items were either donated or sponsored by friends, family, and local businesses that we love!

Auction Items and Links

  1. Bald Eagle Art Piece
  2. Opening Day Diamond Backs Tickets (Two)
  3. Hamilton at ASU Gammage (Two)
  4. Photography Session
  5. Moonlit Naturals Gift Basket
  6. Movie Gift Basket
  7. Cookbook and Kitchen Essentials Gift Basket
  8. Creative Writing Workshop
  9. “Tree of Life” – Reflections in Metal Art Piece
  10. “Stroll in the Forest” – Painting by Jackie Cano

How it works?

Register as a bidder using this form.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1nEtVG2UxDuwObTSJ_4MuJNgMFhzAZZouiNOzWRZI69s/edit

This will allow us to know exactly how to get ahold of each bidder to thank you and hopefully tell you what you win!

Check out the links below and make a plan for what you hope to bid on.

When bidding opens, go to your favorite item’s link for the form to enter your bid. Each item’s page will have a link to to the Bidding Sheet which lets everyone stay up on where the most current bid is.

Check your item’s Bidding Sheet regularly to make sure you don’t lose out on that favorite item.

Bidding closes at 6:30 pm (Arizona time) on March 16th. Those attending our fundraising dinner, can see some of the items in person and can continue to bid using their phone or personal device. All bidding will be done virtually.

How do I know if I won?

Winners will be announced at our dinner on March 16th. Winners who are participating virtually will be contacted per their bidding registration preference that same night! If you attend the dinner, you can go home with your prize. If you participate virtually, we will be in contact for delivery or shipping details.

How do I pay?

Belated Valentine’s Day

~ sevenhooksandaline ~ Leave a comment

Last week many people celebrated Valentine’s Day with flowers, cards, or maybe a sweet treat or two. Steve and I drove his truck and trailer around collecting the final pick-ups of furniture before our Yard Sale. Early in the morning we just decided that we would celebrate Valentine’s day – next week. And by celebrate, we just mean making a special dinner at home and maybe – just maybe Steve might bring me flowers.

Prepping for our big yard sale which meant early mornings and late nights sorting, pricing, and staging – our marriage felt tested as we both became tired, grumpy, and stressed at times – and our communication dwindled. We sat in Steve’s truck driving out to Chandler where we would pick up a beautiful living room set (Lazy Boy couch, love seat, and recliners in really great condition) – both exhausted and tired – and quiet. A friend of a friend, heard about our adoption fundraiser and wanted to donate the set. They previously had it staged at a local consignment store, but had made arrangements for us to pick it up. We pulled into the back loading ramp and out of the shadows a woman appeared – we didn’t expect the donor to be on site, but what a pleasant surprise.

Her generosity and encouragement lifted our spirits. As we drove away, I responded to a text she sent us telling her thank you. And how I couldn’t wait to tell our little one how so many friends, family, and friends of friends like her helped us to bring them home. Her response was simply this “This is a love story.”

I teared up thinking about how this might be the perfect Valentine’s gift.  People coming together to help Steve and I raise funds for our adoption. As we stood surrounded by our mini-thrift store spread across our lawn and our neighbors lawn Friday morning – I was overwhelmed with how much had been given to us. How many people had come around us to help from setting things up, moving items, storing items, spreading the word, and donating. It’s incredibly humbling. How loved we feel by all of your support. From the bottom of our hearts, we want to say thank you. And Happy Belated Valentine’s day from the Duffys!

Yard Saling is not for the faint of heart

~ sevenhooksandaline ~ Leave a comment

One of my favorite activities on a Saturday morning was getting up before sunrise and jumping into my Grandpa’s car for an epic adventure – the treasure hunt of yard saling (and is it saling or sale-ing – i’m not sure!)

My Grandpa Joe made this regular, common activity feel like an epic adventure. It all started with stopping at McDonald’s or Winchell’s if I was lucky. We’d go over the paper and at one point, he had a laminated map of Tulare, California. He had it ALL MAPPED OUT. The best places, how early we needed to get there. He would narrate the adventure of course, getting you amped up, and there was not more exciting than having the job of being “the lookout” for a good yard sale sign – one that wasn’t on the map. He’d turn the car so fast, you’d think you were chasing a wild animal down.

But my Grandpa turned pretty competitive the moment a yard sale was in sight. He’d trash talk about how he would get the best deals and not to get in his way. He’d even park you right next to a bush to slow you down as he sped walk over to the driveway where the goods were spread out.

I would giggle as I stumbled out of the car to race him – teasing him to not take anything I wanted.

We would arrive back at his house, where I was told ‘Now don’t get me in trouble with Grandma. She don’t like me going to yard sales.” And sure enough, she’d tease him “Joe – what in the world. You did not need another tool box!” He would respond with a long winded reason why he did, you always need more tool boxes, for all the new tools he is going to get from the next yard sale after all.

My Grandma Ima Jean would have a spread out for sandwiches (she always had the best sandwich bar spread with pickles (this is the best way to store pickles btw), olives, Cool Ranch Doritos, BBQ Chips, and if we were lucky – pie!)

Childhood bliss – watching my grandparents flirt and fuss about yard sales and pies, while I ate a sandwich at their kitchen bar. https://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/gms/d/mesa-huge-yard-sale/7716796045.html

I don’t know that I purposely did this, but every fundraiser for our adoption has brought up sweet memories of my childhood. Memories I hope to pass down to our child. I hope to tell them about how we held the largest yard sale EVER because people loved on us in such a big way and donated so much more than we ever could have imagined.

I can’t wait to tell our kiddo how my Grandpa Joe called me this last week to ask about what kind of stuff I was having at the yard sale and how, maybe he could shop from Texas and my parents could bring him some good stuff on their upcoming trip to visit them.

In the back ground, I could hear my grandma – “Now, Joe!”

The Awkwardness of Asking

~ sevenhooksandaline ~ Leave a comment

It’s been a strange thing looking at the cost of adoption, but also knowing it’s what we are called to do. We continue to be amazed at everyone’s willingness to help. Still, I for one, struggle with the asking part. 

It’s easy for me to ask for yard sale donations – “hey instead of giving your junk away, we can haul it off for you.” That being our first fundraiser, helped me get our feet wet in the whole asking for help exercise. 

Then there is the process of filling out forms for national grants that give money away to adoptive parents! These amazing organizations do just that. If you’re looking for ways to give long term – consider these organizations. Show Hope, LifeSong and Gift of Adoption

But last Saturday, I bit the bullet and did the thing I’ve been anxious about. I wrote a letter, made a flyer, and went to downtown Mesa to visit businesses that we frequent regularly.  We are asking for donations for our silent auction and/or the simple favor of putting our Yard Sale flyer in their window or community board. 

For those of you extroverts and salesmen – easy peasy. I’m introverted, awkward, and unsure of myself. I tried to make Steve be our point man, definitely more in his wheel house – but he was called to multiple trips to pick up yard sale donations with the trailer. So divide and conquer was the best plan. But ugh, I just don’t want to. 

And then I remembered this, I’m not an extrovert or a salesmen, but I am going to be a mom. A mom who right now has this anxious, impatient feeling that there is a child and birth mom out there – and I don’t know where they are. I feel a little lost in the unknown of it all. I pray every day they are safe for God to bless them. I pray to find them soon. 

So while going up to strangers is not like me, I’m becoming a mom. Mom’s get things done for the children. I wasn’t asking for me. I asked for our future child. I took that anxious energy and boldly drove to downtown Mesa. Walked in and awkwardly explained to about a dozen stores why I was there. I often added “I’m sorry for being awkward about this. . .” and just embraced it. 

I was met with so much kindness. Most of the managers and owners were not on site, but helpful staff listened to me and offered to pass on our letters. As I walked back to my car, I was thinking about how much I love Mesa. I loved my old house and neighborhood too. But downtown Mesa, feels like a little hometown. Today there was a festival honoring Mesa as an All-American City. Kids ran around, an older man walked his happy husky around greeting everyone, a live band played, a clown made balloon animals, and bubbles filled the air.

I can’t wait to share these kind of events – small town hospitality, businesses that are friendly, walking downtown with people yelling out “Duffy” (which happens every where because Steve knows so many people). I can’t wait to get breakfast at Worth or Cookie Monster Ice cream at Novel.

It Takes a Village

~ sevenhooksandaline ~ Leave a comment

Hey this is Steve (guest blogger!), and first I want to say THANK YOU!!! To everyone who has donated to any of our fundraising efforts. I think I can speak for Amanda when I say we are blown away by how friends new and old, coworkers, and a few strangers have been supporting and blessing us as we begin the fundraising process. We still have a big hill to climb but in just a few short weeks we have almost hit 10% of our goal, still a long way to go but we are well on our way.

If you don’t know me that well, know I typically like to do things on my own and am not one to ask for a lot of help. Over the years I have just gotten used to doing things on my own. However, this project is changing my outlook and breaking down some of the pride I took in doing things on my own. God works in ways you never expect.

I am realizing that people want to help especially if it is for a good cause. As soon as we announced what we were doing my messages started blowing up with people offering ideas, saying that they had stuff for the yard sale.  From that one post, we have 2 trailers full of stuff to sell on Facebook Marketplace and at our yard sale on Feb 17th – and more still to pick up. One of Amanda’s friends from college reconnected with us, turns out they bought a farm and were getting ready for a hog to go to butcher this spring.  They felt led to use that to help us and set up a raffle for ½ of the pork – like a $800 value. I was able to reach out to a friend who has a large shop that is letting us store the yard sale items there, saving us storage fees. Another friend donated his commission from one of the estate plans that he sells (let me know if you need something like that and I will get you connected).  We are doing a silent auction in conjunction with a benefit dinner. We already have a photography session donated and this cool art piece Amanda’s dad has offered to auction. We are just two weeks into this adventure and feel so loved and have been confirmed yet again that this is what we have been called to do.

If you would like to help, here are some easy ways.

  1. Simply pray for the birth mom and child. There is a good chance we will be matched with a child and birth mom who could be facing a challenging situation. Pray for safety and protection for them and that God would give the birth mom a sense of peace and comfort about the situation.
  • We are still taking donations for the yard sale. If you need something picked up just call or text Steve @480-363-0979 or DM on social @stevenduffyazre

But we also might need to borrow tables for the sale and advertising to get buyers! Share the word with folks looking for a deal!

  • If you have a business or service and would build out a gift basket or contribute to one for the silent auction that would be amazing.
  • Buy a ticket for the Pork Raffle and like flipflopfarmsaz on Facebook and Instagram