$5 Friday

Posted on November 15, 2013 by Jonathan Snow

Good morning everyone! It’s been a long, but good week. We’ve had revival services at church all week long, and while it lifts our spirit, it wears on us a little bit physically. We’ve enjoyed and gotten help from the preaching!

Another good thing going for us this week is the Tupperware Fundraiser. A friend of ours who sells Tupperware suggested the fundraiser and she got it all set up. 40% of purchases during this fundraiser will go toward our fund.

Speaking of our fund, it’s $5 Friday again. We’re humbly asking you to give $5 for a puzzle piece if you’re able. Share this post and the rest of our blog with your friends, and encourage them to share it with theirs. We’re nearing $8,000 raised, and it feels more and more like the goal is in sight.

Thanks most of all for your continued prayers for us. We are truly humbled and very thankful for what God has done through all of you so far.

Tupperware Fundraiser!

Posted on November 13, 2013 by Becky Snow

Hey y’all! We have something new going on. We have a friend that sells Tupperware, and she has offered to have a fundraiser in our name for our IVF fund. 40% of your purchase will be donated to us, and you will get to have some nice new things from tupperware. We are thankful to her for doing this for us. What a blessing that she can use her business not only for herself, but the Lord has used her to be a help and blessing to others as well!

Below is a flyer with a little more information on it including my name and number, and also Mrs. Christy’s. You can call if you have any questions or if you want to place an order by phone. Or you can click here to shop online. I will also have brochures and order forms with me all the time so you can order that way also if you would like.

Of course, we are still selling puzzle pieces, and puzzle piece charm bracelets! I ordered more stuff yesterday for making more bracelets so stay tuned for a post about those as well. Thank you again to everyone who has already given! It feels good to be getting so close to the end of what we need! There is no way we could have done this without y’alls help. Also, keep watching for another fund raiser that will be coming soon with Premier Jewelry!

Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. 2 Corinthians 9:15

Happy Friday Y’all!

Posted on November 8, 2013 by Becky Snow

Another week has come and gone and it’s friday again! As usual we want to share our blog with everyone as a reminder to please be praying for us. The other day Jonathan added the new total of what we had to the right. When I saw it I realized we need just a little more than $200.00 of having $8,000 saved. This is so amazing to me! We crossed the half way point and the end is finally in sight. I told someone the other day that we were almost down to just having to raise about another 6,000 and they looked at me like I was crazy to be excited about that, but I don’t think they realized the full amount that we needed. Once I explained that their eyes got really big and they replied with a “No wonder why you are so happy!” It was then that the door was opened for me to tell them how good The Lord has been to us in supplying the need and He used all of you to help with that.

Of course though today is Friday so we are looking to y’all again. Every little bit helps and so if you have it to give then we would really appreciate it but if not, the greatest thing you could do for us is just pray. It’s the greatest blessing knowing that we have the love, prayers, and support of our family and friends! We don’t take for granted all that y’all do for us! I pray God will bless each of you for the blessing you’ve been to us. 🙂

Woo hoo! It’s Friday!

Posted on November 1, 2013 by Jonathan Snow

Another week comes to a close, another Friday rolls around. Fridays are like the downhill sprint at the end of a long race of school or work. We made it to this day and are ready for it to come to an end so we can enjoy the weekend!

But to Becky and me, Fridays have taken on a new meaning for us. It’s the day we reach out to you, our loyal readers, friends and prayer warriors to help us get our story out and ask for contributions.

If you haven’t yet read our story, I encourage you to. It isn’t a very long read, and it will go a long way to let you know about our situation and our hearts’ desire.

To those of you who have contributed, we thank you so much! To those of you who are praying, we thank you! Please help us get our story out to more people!

Puzzle Piece Charm Bracelets

Posted on October 26, 2013 by Becky Snow

We have something new to share. Jonathan and I have always wished we could think of a way to give something back to everyone who gives a donation to us, but have not been sure on how to go about doing it. A few months ago I was doing some shopping and came across these sweet puzzle piece charms and I immediately wanted one so I could make a bracelet for myself. I just couldn’t pass it up! Then that gave me the idea to share them with others that we know.

My original thought was to use pink and blue ribbon, but I was given the idea to do the ribbon in all different colors because that way people could choose whatever they want. Whether it be a solid color or print. This one is a sheer ribbon, but I could do satin or gross-grain ribbon also. I even have one that I am about to make for my Mom that will have orange and white ribbon on it for the University of Tennessee. So, for all of the sports fans out there I can even do ones with ribbon for your favorite team! Of course team colors may not be perfect but I will get it as close as possible. Since this is such a new idea, I’ve only made a few to give this a try. If you are interested in purchasing one for yourself let me know and I can make it for you and then send it through the mail if you do not live here locally. We are selling them for $15.00 and as it has been up till now whatever is given through these bracelets will go into our IVF fund, and you will have a cute, sweet bracelet to wear. I hope when you wear it it will also be a reminder to continue praying for us! I realize that there might be some who would be willing to give, but may not be interested in the bracelet so we do still have the Paypal account that you can give through with buying the puzzle pieces and we will also continue the $5 Friday posts that you can give through. This is another way that you can give, but also receive something in return! I hope you all will like them as much as I do. 🙂

Smile… Because It’s Friday!

Posted on October 25, 2013 by Becky Snow

It’s $5 Friday again y’all! We are so thankful for what the Lord has done for us, and for all of you who have been so kind to help us. Many of you have been such a blessing to us whether it be through praying for us or financial support or both.

When Jonathan and I got married we knew that there was the potential for us to have some struggles, but I have to say I never thought we would be facing IVF because it was our last option. When we were told the approximate amount that we would need for this procedure we were completely overwhelmed. To us the idea of having to come up with possibly $20,000 just seemed unfathomable!

When we started raising the money about 10 months ago we knew that people would help, but I’ll admit that I didn’t think it would be like this! I don’t take for granted that we have what we have. What a blessing it is!

When we found out that we were not going to receive the grant I told Jonathan that while it would have been great to have help from the Cade Foundation that I thought it would be more special and meaningful to receive the total amount through our friends and family.

For all of you who do not know us as well as some others do, I hope that as you read our blog you will see our hearts desire is to have a family, but first and foremost is the desire to please the Lord. After all… He alone is the giver of life.

Thanks again to all of you for your love and support. Please continue to pray for us and if you are able, give.

I can honestly say first hand that I 100% agree with the small and simple promise found in God’s Word… For with God nothing shall be impossible. Luke 1:37

Friday is Here!

Posted on October 18, 2013 by Jonathan Snow

Another week, another Friday. We’re still amazed at how God has used you all to help us in our endeavor! He has been so good to us in using your giving hearts to push us closer to our goal!

Though we’re over halfway, we still have a few thousand dollars to raise. Please share this post with your friends and encourage them to read our story. If some can give just $5, it would mean so much to us! If some are unable to give, we would certainly appreciate the prayers for us – this truly means more to us than you can ever know.

Thank you so much for your giving and your prayers!

We’ve Reached Halfway!

Posted on October 15, 2013 by Jonathan Snow

On Sunday, our church took up an offering for our fund. Fellowship Baptist Church has been wonderful to us since we joined the church a little over 5 years ago. Ever since then, Becky and I have been so glad that God put us there. We’ve been helped in many ways, and God has chosen to use us there as well.

To be honest, there are no words to describe what our church family means to us. We’re pretty overwhelmed at this point at their gracious hearts. ‘Thank you’ seems to be so insufficient.

I’ve just deposited the money into our bank account designated for IVF, and as you can see to the right, our total has gone up to $7,455! We’ve been pushed over the halfway mark in only about 10 months!

Thank you all again for your giving and your continued prayers for us!

A New Friday, a New Opportunity

Posted on October 11, 2013 by Jonathan Snow

It’s Friday again! This is the first $5 Friday we’ve had since we got the news from the Cade Foundation and their news of declining us the grant. Honestly, we were bummed. But we accept that the Lord has a ‘Greater Yes’! We’re still excited and anxious to raise the funds we need to be able to pursue IVF!

If you notice, I’ve made a small addition there on the right-hand side. You see our total goal of needing $14,030, and we’re currently at $6,665, nearly halfway there! God has been so good to us through all of you!

Please share this post with all your friends and ask them to share it with theirs. Every little bit helps, and for that we are so thankful. We are more thankful for your prayers as we continue to seek God through this whole process.

A Baby With A Purpose

Posted on October 11, 2013 by Becky Snow

A few days ago I did a blog post and talked a little about the messages we heard preached on Sunday. I said I would do a separate post talking about that, so as promised here it is. I hope this will be a help to you like it was for me!

Sunday at our church we had a visiting preacher, Bro. Larry Wells. He preached a wonderful message Sunday morning about Samson. I was unable to be in the service due to working in the nursery, but I was able to listen to the message afterwards once we got home. I had more than one person tell me that I needed to listen to it. I quickly understood why… This message truly touched my heart! He talked about this baby having a purpose for his life. His Mother was barren, but God gave them a promise that they would have a son. (Stories like this hit very close to home for us.) In Judges 13:2 the bible tells about his parents. It doesn’t say much, but we know his father’s name was Manoah. However, his mother’s name is never mentioned. All it says about her was that she was barren. As Bro. Wells preached he talked about how being barren in those days was different from what it is now. In those days if a man’s spouse was barren, by law he could take another to bare children for him. I honestly cannot imagine that my husband would get another wife! I know it was their way and their custom, but in my mind I still can’t fathom such an idea!

Bro. Wells talked about how it tells in vs. 3-5 that she would bare a son. It was a promise from the Lord, but he also told her things she was to do and not to do. She was to keep her life clean so that as she lived before her son she would be able to teach him and train him right. His Father was of course to do these things as well. The Lord told her that Samson would be a deliverer to the Israelites. He talked about how her name was never mentioned, but she was to have a son that would change the world! Can you imagine that…having a child that could have such an influence on so many lives? Could it be that the children we are praying for could have that kind of influence on our small community or maybe even more? It does not matter to me what our child might do in life as far as being a firefighter, pilot, scientist, construction worker, doctor, lawyer, preacher, teacher, etc… What matters to me is that God’s purpose would be fulfilled in our child’s life.

Bro. Wells talked about how Samson’s mother was what some might have called a no-name, but what a GREAT roll she played in the life of her son. I’m sure the ridicule she received and the snubbed noses and cold eyes from other people was almost unbearable all because she was barren. I can imagine the thoughts that might have played through her mind at times. Maybe feeling as if what was HER purpose in life if she could not have a baby?! I know the Bible doesn’t say that. I suppose that is just my own thought because in some ways I’ve felt that way too.

I’m definitely not gonna say things have always been easy! I’ve questioned what else would God want me to do…especially when that is all I have ever wanted? Feeling as if I was a burden to my husband, to my family, my church, and my friends. I’ve even questioned at times “God, where are you or are You even real?” I’ve gone through times of doubting my salvation because I would read the Bible and it seemed like there was no point. I’ve prayed and thought it was meaningless. I began to think…If I was saved then why can I not find any peace? I have felt empty and lonely while searching for a place to just be me, and not have to feel ashamed. I am who God made me…definitely not perfect, and coming to a point of having to realize my complete dependance on the Lord or I would never make it through! I’ve failed Him terribly, yet He still chooses to use me and bless my life!

Someone once told me that the most important thing was being HIS child and loving HIM no matter what happened. Can I be honest though and say that I did lose sight of that? I had bitterness in my heart… It was so easy, and the next thing I knew I was looking back and asking myself, “How did that happen?” Sadly…because of my bitterness, there was time that I lost with the Lord that I could have had, but instead I let so much bitterness and anger consume me. Yes, I’m ashamed of it. Thankfully though, I know He will forgive me and has. I KNOW He loves me! I’ve learned a little of what it means to be on guard more. I must keep myself in His Word and keep my eyes on Him. I KNOW my help comes from Him if I will only allow Him. He wants to help us, but He won’t force us to come to him!

It makes me think of Samson a little later in his life. God did tell his Mom that He was gonna use him greatly. God knew what Samson would be and the awful things he would do, and yet He still chose to use him. He still chose to use me. All I can really say is…

I stand amazed!

In times when I felt like I was at my lowest I have also found the peace and comfort that only He can give when you are facing heart ache. I HAVE found comfort in a secret place when I couldn’t even pray. He knew my heart and heard my unspoken cry. I HAVE found comfort through His Holy Word when nothing else could be said to help. Only His Words could speak to my brokenness. I’m not saying any of this to make any of you feel sorry for me or toot a horn. It is through this I have come to KNOW God has a purpose for the things we have faced. While I may or may not ever understand it while on this earth, there is a reason for everything HE does! I KNOW HIS WAYS ARE PERFECT even though we might feel pain. I realized that maybe my purpose was to go through this not because I did something wrong and deserved it as a punishment, but maybe it has been because God needed to test me to see how I would react? Would I trust Him through it all or would I let the pressure and hurt push me away from Him. I also realize that maybe someday there will be some other family that we can be a blessing to because the Lord has used this in our lives!

I know that I am not a Mom yet, but I still have responsibilities. While we are not responsible for the life of a child yet and teaching them and training them in the ways of the Lord, I am responsible for how I live. I want to make sure that I am doing everything now that I can. Don’t get me wrong… I am far from perfect and never will be, but I want to be striving to do right and live my life in such a way that when we do have children there will not be any question in their minds that their Mommy loves the Lord. I do love Him, I’ve not always lived in such a way that would show it, but I want to. I want to be so much in love with Him that I will be consumed by Him! I don’t think that is a bad thing, and I sure don’t think it is a bad thing to show our (hopefully soon to be) children. I know if we don’t show them then the devil will surely find a way to lead them astray. It makes me scared to think of it, but the devil wants our life and the lives of our children too. Knowing that there will be a battle between the Lord and the devil for our child’s soul makes me want to always be on guard! I want to be able to be a prayer warrior for our children and my family! My home is too precious not to… I want to be able to stand firm against the devil and his wickedness. I know it is only through the Lord and His strength that I can. I pray I can be what He wants me to be, and as I said in the blog post before, be happy in the place that He has put me for now.

I hope I’ve not been boring to y’all with such a LONG post again. I just found myself pouring out my heart after I listened to that message Sunday morning! Please continue to pray for us.