The Big Night

I can't believe the big fund raiser is tomorrow night.  My mind has been spinning with making sure everything goes off without a hitch.  I know I am doing something right as the enemy continues to try to get me down and tell me it is not going to work.  God is trying to teach me something--patience?  Faith?  The fact that I cannot do everything on my own?  It will all make me a stronger person.

Three weeks ago, I went into panic mode.  We had only sold 15 tickets and I wanted to sell out our deck of 120.  How in the world, can I get 105 more people in three weeks time?  I contacted the boat that we are using for the fund raiser and asked if we could move to the lower occupancy deck with an occupancy of 80.  This would save us money and reduce some of the stress.  They agreed to switch, a win-win for everyone, they can sell more tickets for their deck and I can pay less money for the other deck.  I was praying for 60 people. We are one day away and it looks like we will be close to 75 in attendance!!!

Last Thursday afternoon I went to order the flowers that I had seen on the COTSCO website. It was such a great deal and they would deliver them to my office on the day that I desired.  "Please read the fine print thoroughly before completing your order."  The fine print proceeded to tell me that I must order the flowers 7-10 business days before the event.  That means that I won't get 18 bouquets all complete delivered to my office ready to put into the vases.  I have to learn flower arranging in the next week!  My mom graciously offered to do the flowers for me and will pick up the vases today and deliver complete bouquets to the boat in time to set up.  THANKS MOM!

Another panic set in Monday morning when the boat emailed me to say that we would have to reschedule our appointment for layout from Wednesday to Friday as the boat was not going to be arriving back from routine repairs until Friday morning.  WHAT THE BOAT IS NOT ARRIVING UNTIL THE MORNING OF THE EVENT???!!!!  I quickly responded letting the individual know that this made me extremely nervous especially since two weeks ago the boat was to arrive back on Tuesday morning and that already had me in a panic.  Someone reminded me that there is a contract in place and that if the boat did not arrive in time for the event that friends and family would be supportive and the boat would be in a world of hurt with a breech of contract.

Wake up Tuesday morning, not feeling so hot--congestion, headache, couldn't warm up!  I can't be sick, get everything done, and see my clients.  Daughters wake up not feeling well, no one was going to work or school and I had extra time to sleep and get things done.  Tuesday evening I received a phone call saying we had received another donation--two cases of olive oil.  What is one to do with 24 bottles of olive oil to raise funds when you have three days before the event?  If you have any ideas, please pass them on.  There is a possibility that the donor will be attendance so another thing that must be kept in mind.

So here we are 37 hours from the event.  Things are coming together.  The deck is almost to capacity.  I have many wonderful donations of wine, silent auction items, raffle items, and monetary donations.  The perfectionist in me is trying to make sure everything is together and nothing is forgotten.  The dreams in the middle of the night remind me of things I still have to check on and pull together.  I am feeling much better than Tuesday.  Praying for clear skies and a safe arrival for the BRIGHT Secretary as she flies from Indiana.

This has been a learning experience in many ways.  It brings me closer to going and trying to make the day brighter for the children in the orphanages until their forever families can find them.  It gets me one day closer to sharing the potential of each child and his or her value in the world and to God.  It allows me to be one moment closer to making a difference.  Thank you, Lord, for what you are teaching me and showing me the way.

Please continue to pray for the success of the fund raiser and the first trip that is just six weeks away.