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After 600+ days in the foster care system my 3 little girls & I are officially on our way to becoming a forever tribe! I AM ADOPTING!!!! YAY.  I've had numerous people ask how they could help show their support regarding my foster care adoption. I 100% believe in the message that "it takes a village" to raise children, whether biological, foster, or adopted. I designed this shirt as a thank you to the many supporters who have come along side my girls and I in so many different ways...praying for us, dropping off diapers and other items, anonymous checks in the mail, cards of encouragement, Christmas gifts, childcare, game nights, respite care, a hug, a high-five, a "hang-in-there" when the going gets tough, celebrating the breakthroughs and joyous mountain moments... and so many other ways we have felt support throughout the last 1 1/2 years. YOU ARE THE VILLAGE THAT MAKES MY TRIBE POSSIBLE. 

Now here's the most exciting part of this campaign. My life motto & something I repeat on a regular basis to my girls is "Work hard. Play hard."  I'm here to tell you, these little girls have worked so extremely hard this past year & 1/2. They have had to work through past trauma and neglect that children shouldn't have to go through. They continue to work hard. They are courageous & brave little girls with fierce minds & hearts. It's been my greatest joy to walk alongside of them in their healing. At times it's been gut-wrenchingly hard. Other times there was such a grace present that could only point to the Lord. In all times it has been MIRACULOUS. God is so good. The journey isn't over yet. But I sit here in happy tears knowing whatever we may face, we will conquer it together as a forever family.

Now, we PLAY HARD. I want to share with you our story. Before these girls were placed in my home as a foster placement, they spent a weekend here for "respite". (They were in another foster home)  I was leading worship that Sunday morning and found myself on my knees crying. In my heart I heard God tell me that these were my girls. I told only a couple family members/friends about this because it was such a deep feeling, I feared looking CRAZY to just announce "I'm going to adopt 3 little girls who aren't even 'up for adoption''. The girls returned to their foster home for another 3 months. During that time, I still had that 'knowing' that these were my girls. Waiting, praying, dreaming, preparing. During that time, I made up in my mind that to celebrate the adoption I would take the girls to Disney World. Simplest way to explain it...I had a word from the Lord and I was already making plans to celebrate the fruition of that word! December 2015 the girls were placed in my foster home. In late 2016, the girls became available for adoption.  Mrs. Karen, from the Ramp, where I graduated from their school of ministry in 2015, always says “You never know what’s behind your yes.”  Although I didn’t know it at the time, when the Lord called me to become a foster mama in 2015, THREE LITTLE GIRLS were standing behind my YES. OH HALLELUJAH!! HE SETS THE LONELY IN FAMILIES!!! I am currently waiting on the adoption court date, which could be 3 weeks from now or 3 months from now. Shortly after the finalization, this mama and her tribe are headed to DISNEY WORLD, "The most magical place on earth!" We are celebrating becoming a forever family. We are celebrating that they're no longer "foster kids". It's the beginning of their new life and what better way to start it off than with a once-in-a-lifetime dream vacation where they have no worries, no tears but happy tears, and get to experience the magic of just being KIDS. The girls have NO idea we will be taking a vacation. *So shhhh, it’s a surprise!*

So here’s where you are invited to share in on our fun. I’ve never been one to ask for money, because I know God has all our needs covered. Going to Disney is NOT a need. This fundraiser was created as a fun way to help with the cost of our first “Forever Family” vacation, but most importantly, as a way to allow family, friends, and those afar to share in our big day…Adoption Day. Once ordered, your shirt will arrive prior to our court date to finalize the adoption (UPDATE- ADOPTION DAY IS JULY 5, 2017). This is a HUGE day for us…it marks a new beginning & it’s sure to be one of the most memorable days of my girls’ and I’s lives. We couldn’t do it without you, our village. Wear your shirt on our Adoption Day, snap a pic and use the hashtag #teamforevertribe so we can see who all celebrated with us! I’m teary-eyed just thinking about all the support we have received along our journey. Gosh, Y’all are amazing. 

Share with your friends and family! They don’t have to know us directly in order to celebrate with us! Everyone needs a tribe and everyone belongs in a village! =) 

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

Abbie & the girls (who have been given new names)

Delaney, Grace, & Lucy Phillips