shift

Dear Family,

We are thankful to write to you today and to tell you how we believe our God is working through our circumstances. Many of you have appropriately asked, "Is there anything we can do to help...?"

We have not had an answer to this question, until now.

Life can sometimes seem like a series of events that don't work out like we hoped they would. We are working to shift this event in our life into good.

When Ally and I found out that we were having a baby last February, I had just gotten home from Ethiopia. I had the opportunity to visit several orphanages while there and had several thoughts of adopting one or two of the 6,000,000 orphans in the country. After my trip, we found out that we were having a child of our own. The kids faces that I had encountered remained on my mind. Ally and I had discussed the possibility of having a shower, not for our child, but one that would benefit the children of Ethiopia. Those plans were halted on June 13th, the day we received our difficult news. As most of you know, the following two months were difficult for us, going from one specialist to another, and having regular visits to see if our baby's heart was still beating. When Ally went into labor on August 14th, a sonogram revealed that Glory's physical heart had stopped beating. After 10+ hours of labor, we got to meet our daughter. The minutes and hours that followed were surreal at best. It's difficult to explain with words. My thoughts betray me even still when I attempt to write you about it. (Hence, the delay in writing you.) Your mind issues one word sentences like "Life. Death. Beginning. End. Sorrow. Joy? Pain. Healing. Hope? Anger. Trust. Bitterness. Believe. Doubt. etc." I will say this though: Ally and I were both of the mindset from the beginning, that we refused to let the finality of death define this circumstance. We refuse to allow bitterness to take over and we refuse to let life be forgotten. While we believe that Glory is in heaven, we want her short life and death to mean something, and so we are determined to do all that we can to make this happen.

It is with great joy that we can announce that we have teamed up with The Gladney Center for Adoption, a non-profit organization that has a presence in Ethiopia, and are in the midst of planning an event that will benefit the children of Ethiopia. There are children there that come into this world with nothing but the love of a mother. We will be participating in a program that will combine this vital love with resources that will help these mothers keep their children. If we can do this for one family as a result of our circumstances, Glory's life would mean something. We are asking for your help.

Gladney has worked with the Ethiopian Government, with great success to this point, and the relationships that they have already forged there give us a great advantage in providing help for these families. Our goal is to do more than put food on the table. Our goal is to promote "family" to the people of this country. Single mothers often have to relinquish their rights to their children because of their circumstances. We want to see these children stay with their mothers, brothers and sisters. Our desire is to raise both awareness and funds for the people of this country.

You have been our partner during this difficult time. You have fed us, you have clothed us in prayer, and provided stability during tragedy. Would you be willing to continue your work and help us to feed and clothe, and provide stability to families in Ethiopia? We would be further humbled by your support.

Here is a link to our updates to this point and details of this event will be posted here as we approach the date. It will be held Wednesday, December 2 at The Cultural District Banquet Centre, home of B.K.'s Creative Catering in Fort Worth. (This space has been graciously donated.)  If you wish to receive updates on this event, click "Follow" on the home page. If you know someone who would want to participate, please feel free to forward this email. Invitations will be sent soon.

You have been a blessing to us. Will you join with us in blessing the people of Africa? We are excited about the possibility of continuing our partnership with you.

To God Be The Glory!

love,

Zeb & Ally
Romans 8:28