Friends, family turnout to help couple wishing to adopt | Community Spirit

SALISBURY - Dozens of friends and family members of Russ and Angela Robbins turned out Sunday at a fund raiser to help the couple with the expenses of adopting a child from China.

The event was held at the Salisbury Academy.  Vendors set up booths in the school gym and each vendor donated a portion of their daily sales to the Robbins.

In a note given to each guest, Angela Robbins wrote the following:

Thank you for coming to our adoption fund raiser and allowing us to share part of our adoption journey with you.  It was about twenty years ago when i sat in a middle school social studies class and learned about China.  Thoughts of China adoption would continue to weave their way into my heart as I grew into adulthood, and I would find out years later, that it did for Russ as well.  It was on our second date, when Russ casually asked me, "So how do you feel about adoption?  I feel like that's something that God has called me to do."  Praise God for the way He brings two people together with a single vision for the future!

We set out on our adoption journey on September 20, 2010, and it has been a much longer journey than we anticipated.  There are many unknowns!  Boy or girl, individual or siblings, physical or emotional special needs, even the possibility of waiting another year - we are thankful that God is working out these details as we wait on His timing.

We treasure your prayers during this time!  Pray for our baby's health and safety, that someone will hold them while we wait, and that our application will be approved once it reaches China.  Some families are turned away very late in the process.  And pray for us and our social worker to have wisdom as we see long lists of children in need and try to determine which of these precious orphans God has chosen for us.

We have been so humbled by the outpouring of kindness from our church family and community, particularly in regards to fund raising.  The cost to complete adoption paperwork, both internationally and domestic, is around $30,000; a huge number for almost any family.  We are so grateful for your kindness in attending today and helping us reach that goal.

We look forward to sharing our good news with you when our child finally comes home!

Vendors at the Sunday event included Premier Jewelry-Stacey Deal, Serendipity - Kim Edds, Creative Memories - Elizabeth Goodson, Thirty-One - Martha Goodson, Tupperware, Me Graphic Designs - Misty Kearns, Write Phyllis Keels, Stella & Dot - Lauren Kinglsey, Touchstone Jewelry and Partylite - Melissa Lilly, Mary Kay - Christian Melvin, and Pampered Chef - Angie Ward.