The day started off at the hotel where the family had been staying for about 4 days. The kids went swimming and the mamas watched babies and chatted. I just love catching up with old friends, don't you?
After being greeted with cheers and a huge banner, we all put on our "booties" everyone piled into the house. We crowded into corners and hallways trying to get a glimpse of each room and the family's reaction to it. There were new appliances galore, and so much more. The smell of fresh paint and new carpet was amazing. The home they had lived in for so long truly was brand new inside. Laundry that had been left at the house was washed, dried, folded, and put away. Little things like broken dresser drawers were fixed. There was a huge rain storm that prevented the outside painting and landscaping from being done on time, but given only four days, what these generous people accomplished was astounding. There will be new carpet and fresh paint in the basement in the next day or so.
It was touching to see the kids excited to see their "new" rooms complete with chalkboard painted walls and new furnishings. Danielle and David received new bedroom furniture and an appliance set for the kitchen worth thousands. Also, there's a new roof. Brand new windows will be installed soon. There were new sinks, towels, cabinets, hooks, shower curtains, window curtains, drapes, bedding, storage shelves, and on and on. This is going to mean a more worry-free life for this precious family and their kids.
I especially like the way the team sectioned off parts of the basement for each of the big kids to have their own "room" in the big space. This was one of my favorite features because it did something special for the biological kids who make sacrifices in this situation too. Danielle told me that every time they get a call to take in another child, they first sit down and ask their own kids, "What do you think? Are we done doing this? Do we have room for another one?" The kids have never said no.
There's a school room for Danielle too, who home schools her kids, on top of everything else she is responsible for. The beautiful new washer and dryer will save hours and dollars as well. I loved David's response to the washer and dryer, "This is so fancy, I don't know if I will be able to run it!" No excuses David, no excuses! Also, one of the foster kids responded at one point with, "I wish this was our house!" So funny! She didn't even realize this was HER home! Another great feature was the new-to-them dining table with much more seating.
One of my favorite photos, is of the people standing in the rain, staring through the windows! These were the volunteers that had done the work just waiting to see Danielle and David's reactions to the effort they had put in. It was an overwhelming day full of so many great moments. Danielle had an interview with a local news station and expressed how truly humbled and blessed she felt over it all. A few times throughout the day, I heard David and Danielle say, "I don't think we deserve this." I thought about that statement on the way home.
Here's what I think: God asks all of us to do things that are hard. Even if we do them out of an obedient heart, we don't deserve to be rewarded. But that's what is so great about God. He rewards us, shows us love, grace, and forgiveness when we don't deserve it. He cares so much for this family. Yesterday was proof of that. I will treasure it always.
Shoes at the hotel. This wasn't even all of them...
Snacks after swimming
The banner and all the workers!
Seeing the kitchen for the first time! So exciting!
Love this.
Re-finished crib. For their adopted son...
His room is a monkey theme. He even has a swing!
Awesome fan in the monkey room!
Chalk board for creative hands.
Abi's room
New bed for Abi
Didn't get a good shot of Abi's new bed, but here is her chalkboard painted wall! FUN!
Master bedroom
New furniture!
Looking into the master bath
Ahhh...... new washer dryer!!!!!!!
The boys checking out the potty!
OVEN.
DISHES!
Hannah is enthralled with the freezer
A table for a huge family! I see many happy hours spent here.
Interview time
BOYS!
Being silly in Isaiah's room
Sweet ABI!
Main bath
Cute little finishes
Adah Belle really wanted to take that rainbow towel home!
All the booties!
Is this for real!?
What a love story they have!
Thank you Keller Williams!
