Our Down Right Beautiful Life: Five Loaves and Two Fish

We have a very special story to share with you!

First a quick little summary for those who aren't yet familiar with our story. Our family is in the process of adopting a little girl from Poland. Amelia was abandoned at birth by her parents because she was born with Down syndrome and has spent her entire 16 months in an institution. Our heart breaks for her and the thousands of other abandoned children with special needs. We have begun working on some fundraisers to raise the $30,000 needed to bring Amelia home.

On Sunday, eight families came out to have their spring/Easter photos taken and 100% of the money for the pictures went to help bring Amelia home. The families were all very generous and two of the families we had never even met before! We were truly humbled and so blessed at the outpouring of love. But there was one special girl in particular that we wanted you to hear about.

Meet Madison, she's 8.

Sunday was the first and only time that I have met her and her family. She is a very sweet little girl. After her pictures were done, Madison handed me $25. Thinking it was for their photo session, I told her mom thank you. That's when she told me that the money was not for their photos but was a gift of Madison's OWN money that she wanted to give to Amelia to help her come home.

[Are you crying too? I still can't think about it without crying.]

I kept thinking about Madison and sharing with others about the sweet little girl who gave such a generous and thoughtful gift. Yesterday, her mom sent me a message with the rest of the story.

Madison (8), her mom, and her little sisters

On the way to the photo session, Madison's mom, Tara, was explaining to the girls where they were going and why. She told them about Amelia and how much money we needed to raise. Madison excitedly offered to give her money but it wasn't long before she started to feel discouraged as she realized that her gift, although very large to a little girl, was so small in comparison to the full amount that is needed. Her wise mom knew immediately what to do, she told her the story of the five loaves and two fish.

When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.

Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!”

Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”

Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.

When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.

John 6:5-14

That's when Madison, all on her own, began to pray over her money. That God would use her small gift and that He would multiply it to bring Amelia home. She took her gift and, although it seemed so small in comparison to what was needed, it was all that she had and she gave it with confidence believing with all her heart that God would multiply it.

[[If you weren't crying before, I bet you are now!!]]

I am so deeply touched by this little girl and her message. She reminded me that when we are faithful in giving God what we have, he multiplies it in a way that only He can and provides abundantly for our needs (with extra!). The adoption process is overwhelming, not only financially, but also mentally physically and emotionally, probably much like the disciples felt overwhelmed at the cost of having to feed five thousand people! I love that Phillip specifically says that it would take "half a year's wages," almost exactly what we are trying to raise for Amelia. If Jesus cared enough to provide for the crowd's hunger, surely He cares for Amelia [and the thousands of other children with special needs who have been abandoned] to find the love and care that she needs. It is such a fitting story.

Thank you Madison (and Tara), not only for your gift, but for reminding us to keep our eyes on Jesus. We will never forget Madison's gift and I can't wait to share the story with Amelia one day.

For those who would like to help multiply Madison's gift, our tax-deductible FSP link is: http://reecesrainbow.org/89467/sponsorhowell-3

And for those who haven't "met" Amelia yet, here she is (#bringAmeliahome):