VISA Gol! and Random Acts of Kindness

Oi Bebes, Friends and Family,

Our fundraiser was a success! I’m so happy to tell you that with the help of family and friends I have reached the goal of the fundraiser – to secure the funds for your visas! This fundraiser has been such an amazing journey. People helped, folks I never would have imagined lent a hand in my effort. It has made me realize how blessed I am to have such amazing friends. There were some glitches along the way but they taught me a thing or two about myself. They also magnetized the beauty of my friends who lent even more support at the 11th hour.

After we got rolling the day just got better and better. I had faith that God would’t let it rain on our parade and it didn’t, figuratively and literally. I also had faith that I would make my ‘visa goal'.

Expecting to have good weather and expecting to reach my goal I thought I had all my bases covered. What I didn't though was to have tears in my eyes sooo much! Here's why:

First, Aunt X donated the space to us and I got teary eyed;

Then the woman running the flea market donated another space to us but because of some glitches we couldn’t take advantage of her offer. She then told me that instead she would make a donation in our name to the Schneider’s Children Hospital, and again, I got teary eyed;

Then a woman heard why I was there at the flea market and bought a little angel from me at full price! She told me that every time she looks at the angel she’ll say a prayer for my kids – again, I got teary eyed;

Then came the waterworks -- John "Oscar” my old friend I referenced in the bog titled “Strangers and Strollers” came by with an amazing gift (as if he hadn’t done enough already) from him and another old friend who coached my childhood softball team, Kevin. These two really helped me reach my visa goal that’s for sure. This time though, instead of getting teary eyed I just broke down. John and Kevin’s act of absolute generosity touched my heart in a way that I have never experienced before.

Then, I felt an overwhelming urge to call my mom, your Grandma Rosie with the good news. I sat down for a minute and felt that feeling in my chest, you know when you miss someone so much you kind of lose your breath for a second. I then noticed a book called Holy Days in a box under the table. I couldn't figure out how it got there, especially that I didn't put it there. I picked it up and remembered that the summer before my mom died she was reading it. It was an enthnography about a Hasidic family in NYC. I began flipping though it and found a bookmark made from a Mother Theresa prayer. I knew it was hers. At that moment I had realized that my mother was once again, there, the whole day watching over us and I smiled. My mother comes through in so much I do, it is really unbelievable.

And so I’d like to thank, first my yet unknown children because without you I would never have experienced tears of joy; to all my friends and family for giving me support and encouragement throughout this endeavor and because without you none of this would have been possible. Finally to all the strangers that I have come into contact with, for your random acts of kindness. I know I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again, I am truly blessed to have each and every one of you in my life!

So, here’s a special thanks out to Mary Beth for all your PHYSICAL LABOR and GIANT TRUCK DRIVING ABILITIES on little sleep!

Muito Amor Mommy Patricia

Saturday April 26, 2008 Fundraiser

Oi Bebes,
It seems like only yesterday I sent out an e-mail to my friends and family regarding our fundraiser at the flea market. Below is a copy of the original e-mail:

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 19:37:33 -0800 (PST)
From: "Patricia" View Contact Details Add Mobile Alert
Subject: Got Stuff? Adoption Fundraiser
To: pjsafina@yahoo.com

Hi All,

My dearest and oldest friend and I are participating in the Forest Hills/Kew Gardens Flea Market in an effort to raise money for my adoption costs. It's on Saturday, April 26th, just in time for SPRING CLEANING. If any of you have anything (and I mean anything!) you'd like to get rid of, from old books to clothes that no longer fit, shoes, gym equipment, golf clubs, fishing poles, pots, pans, furniture, dishes, trinkets, knick knacks, toys, games, cd's, dvd's, anything and again, I mean anything that is cluttering your home, garage, kitchen or kid's rooms please donate them to me for the flea market. All that stuff you've been meaning to get rid of, give to me! I will gladly pick them up at your convenience. You'll be relieved by less clutter and you'll be doing me a great favor at the same time. Remember, every single dime will go towards helping a child out of an orphanage and into my arms!
Much love,
Patricia
p.s. If you've got friends that you think might have some stuff they want to get rid of, please forward this e-mail! Every little bit helps!

Best,
Patricia

Well KIDS, I want you to know that my friends forwarded this e-mail to their friends and so on. In the past couple of months I have had the wonderful opportunity to reconnect with some excellent folks, some I know from 1st grade! Thanks to them I have a house load, car load and garage load of 'stuff'. But not normal stuff, GREAT STUFF! I have GREAT STUFF because it came from GREAT PEOPLE!

I am soooo thankful to all my friends and family for lending a hand in this endeavor. In times like this you really know who your friends are!

Wherever you are, say a little prayer that we have good weather and cross your little fingers that we make some great money! But I have to tell you, even if we come away with 50 cents it was all worth it, witnessing the goodness of friends, family and strangers really taught me just how lucky I am in this life.

Muito Amor,
Mommy

P.S. --If anyone plans on coming to visit our table we'll be behind Austin's Ale House off of Lefferts Blvd in the parking lot of the Long Island Railroad, across from the Kew Gardens Cinema, all day -- God willing!

Strangers and Strollers

Oi Bebes,

Last night an old time friend came by with some more things for our fundraiser. A female friend of his donated a strange and curious thing: a STROLLER!!!. She told him to tell me that I should keep it just in case.
HMMMM I never thought I'd need a stroller. HMMM. (For those of you that know the 'hmmm' face, I'm making it now) LOL.

Everything happens for a reason; there are no coincidences. One of you is going in that stroller I'm sure. I just hadn't thought about it but God certainly did!

Muito Amor
Mommy

First Docs for Dossier!/Prayer of the Faithful

Oi Bebes,

Just an update -- it's finally springime! I have a feeling you'll be around next year to experience srpingtime in NYC.

I went to request my birth certificates with exemplication on Thursday as well as my letter of Good Conduct. I had to be fingerprinted once again. It was kinda cool though because they were the computer kind, not the ink kind. I like the computer kind much better because it doesn't leave such a mess. Anyway, Aunt Betty came with me to keep me company and it was good. We didn't have to wait that long and it all kind of went quick. Again, let's pray that the word 'fast' is a theme in our process. I should get the birth certificates back in 3 weeks. We'll see.

Ok so this is such a sign: I'm watching the POPE give mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral and a nun just said the Prayer of the Faithful in PORTUGUESE! SEE BEBE'S, GOD's GOT OUR BACK! I have no doubt and we need no signs (although they sure are nice to have) all we need is our faith in Jesus.

Muito Amor com o Todo Meu Coração
Mommy

Tears of Joy/Lágrimas de Alegria

Oi Kids,

This is the FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE I've ever experienced tears of joy. I didn't even know what I was experiencing until someone told me. These tears of joy are amazing and they are because of you. Thank you bebes, for allowing me to feel a brand new emotion.

Amo-o ambos muito, você está no meu coração agora, onde você permanecerá eternamente.

Muito Muito Amor,
Mommy

Aprovado Para Duas Crianças!

Oi Bebes,

I told you I would write back tonight. The thing I was most nervous about is OVER. I've been officially approved for 2 so now there's no more guess work involved. I always knew it would work out as God intends and God intends me to have two of you!

I want to tell you that during the process I was smelling Grandma Rosie's perfume. I know she was there with me, at that table with me and the social worker, guiding the whole process along. I also know that because Grandma Rosie knows me best she will help God pick you guys for me. Remember, she's whispering in God's ear for us.

I'm going to be a mother, and you're going to be my kids. My dream is unfolding right before my eyes. God is good!

Remember when you say your prayers ask God to connect us! Ask Him too for a speedy process.

Muito Muito Amor
Mommy

Sitting Around Ready and Waiting

Oi Kids,

Today is Thursday April 10th at 3,55PM. Yep, home study day. I am so nervous right now and for no good reason, I know it will be fine and God's got my back without a doubt but still, it's kind of scary for me because I want you guys soooo bad. Somewhere along the way you both have become my TOP PRIORITY. Everything I do is for you, every move I make, every thought I have, everything I do is with you in mind. I am connected to you somehow and my prayers were answered -- in more ways than one.

After tonight I am one step closer to being your mother. Soon you will be my children and I will love you unconditionally.

OK -it's 4,01pm and I have to walk Jack and feed him. I will write after it's over.

xxxMuito Amor
Mommy

Wheatgrass Juice and Other Cool Things

Oi Bebes,

So it's one week that I have been juicing wheatgrass on twice daily basis and I feel great! It's giving me so much more energy which is really cool because I'm sure I'll need it when you get here! I hope you like the wheatgrass juice -- I'm practicing growing trays of it all over the house so we'll have enough for 4, I say 4 because Gramps likes it too! It's sweet and yummy but it makes your teeth green! That's only temporary though! If you don't like the wheatgrass juice I bet you'll like the fresh strawberry juice! It's really a great thing...

This week is my home study. While I know I'll be a great mother to you I have to prove it to someone else and that's making me a bit nervous. I'm getting a lot of great advice from Aunt Sandra (mom to your future cousins Tommi-Jon and Dylan). She's really down to earth and I'm sure you'll love her, ohh and TJ and Dylan too!

I'm running around cleaning up everything in sight in preparation for my home study (I'm told all adoptive parents do this to prepare, lol) and my friend Betty is coming over today to help with all the stuff for the fundraiser. Betty's great, she has two children a boy and a girl, ages 7 and 8, Christian and Berlyn that I'm sure you'll be hanging out with. Speaking of the home study I've been thinking of questions that I may be asked and of course the answers that I'll give. It's kind of nerve wracking wondering what the actual interview will be like. I'm sure to let you know when I'm done!

Again, as always, tonight when you go to bed, say a little prayer that God connects us.

Muito Amor,
Mommy