I have been an underachiever with Mary Kay, Creative Memories, and anything else that involves asking people to spend their money. It’s just not in my nature to ask for things. I think that’s one of the biggest reasons that Rhyan’s Hope has been a little nerve-racking. I believe in the cause. I’ve seen the miracles. But, even asking for a dollar was difficult. It wasn’t until yesterday that I understood more clearly. Rhyan’s Hope isn’t just about raising money to provide cochlear implants. It’s about our story.

We had business cards printed up for Rhyan’s Hope, and I handed them out to people that I care about at the YMCA that weren’t on my email list. They are people that have known Rhyan as a baby, took care of her with her hearing aids, kept watch over her and made sure she was extremely careful while playing in the weeks following her surgeries. They are people I love. I handed my first card to one of the child watch workers, and she asked, “Do you want my money now?” I was so taken aback. I immediately said, “No, I just want you to read her story.”

Rhyan’s Hope is definitely about helping little ones get cochlear implants. It will take funds. But what I want more than anything is for every life to be changed by what they read, and what they see God accomplish. When I say that it’s about our story, it is. It’s about Rhyan, Matt, Evynn, me and our family. But it’s about you, too. This is your story now. Thank you so much for the part you’ve played.

We love you to pieces.

Just a few days after my last post, we received a letter in the mail regarding our TIN. All I had to do was call the IRS and we had it over the phone. So, God didn't make us wait after all! He continues to amaze us in our walk through this.

I can't even describe how I felt when I hit the 'send' button today to tell our loved ones about Rhyan's Hope. I felt like everything that we had been through was somehow all worth it. God gave purpose to our devastation. I have to admit that I was putting stress on myself about it all, especially with our unveiling in the middle of Thanksgiving and Christmas. I keep listening for His still small voice to tell me that He's in control. That the good to come from Rhyan's Hope will be beyond my imagination. And I hear Him ever time I listen.

In the middle of writing this, I got our first online donation from my sister-in-law, Brittney. Shortly after, I got our second donation from a friend of someone in my email address. I cried. I really just sat here and cried. It was just the encouragment that I needed. He uses you all to speak to me of His love. If you are reading this right now, please know that I am just so unbelievably grateful for you!!

Last Tuesday we filed on-line for our non-profit inc. We have approximately 4 weeks until it is finalized, but we then apparently have to apply for our TIN and 501(c)(3) separately. This is so unbelievably new and crazy strange for me, so I'm learning minute by minute in most cases. I thought we were done and ready to go once we filed and received the confirmation of the incorporation. I was a bit disappointed to learn that we still had more to do before we could get started. But, I am determined to remain in God's will and I know without a doubt that His timing is perfect. If we have to wait, I choose to be faithful and patient. I am still in awe that He desires to use us in this way. I am humbled and excited and I want more than anything to make Him proud.

I emailed the hospital last week to obtain an exact dollar amount that we'll need for the surgery. I'm going to follow up with a phone call tomorrow. We are continuing to work on the website. I am also finished with our mass email going out to loved ones. That will be our first and most important email for our fund-raising.

God is working. I can see it, I know it and I can't wait to see where He takes us! He is so good.