Email from a friend

I mentioned, in yesterday's post, how it seems like amazing things are happening every day with Daniel and his story.

This is an email that I received last night from a friend. Just the mere possibility that Daniel's story might help people such as these?  Thoroughly warms my heart...

"Just had to let you know that when I was on the cruise last week, I "happened" to be sitting next to a lovely couple at dinner and somehow we got to talking about losing a child.  I honestly don't know why that happened - we were on vacation for goodness sakes, so that's kind of a strange turn of a conversation!  Turns out they had adopted a boy from Germany when he was very little.  He ended up with some emotional problems, and felt the need to return to his homeland when he was 17.  Shortly thereafter he died in a car crash.  

I mentioned your book to them, I thought it might help them.  Turns out they were already aware of it!  Your message - Daniel's message - is spreading!  They weren't from Florida - they were from the mid-West somewhere.  But when I told them the title, they said they thought they had read a review somewhere.  I didn't know how much publicity the book has received, but I wrote the name of it on a napkin for them, and I'm sure they will look it up.

Now what's the likelihood of this happening?  I think you already know the answer!"

The struggle

I feel like, these days, the most amazing things are happening with Daniel's story, and I'm so grateful for it.

Today, as I strolled down the street with Charlie, I ran into a neighbor. Frank is a very insightful and kind man. He has always taken every opportunity to say hello to the kids, Daniel included, and he and his wife even showed up for our fundraiser for Charlie's adoption. They are good people with compassionate hearts. And you can sense that Frank is special after spending only minutes in his presence. I'm sure we all know that type of person.

I handed Frank a card for the book and proudly announced our accomplishment of the book's release. He asked me how much the book costs, and I awkwardly told him the price.

He smiled at me and said, "And now it's time to recoup your investment."

I was stunned. It was as if he could see right through my eyes and straight into my heart.

Without hesitation, Frank whipped out twenty dollars and handed it to me.  And I gave him a great, big hug.

You see, every day, I struggle with the monetary. Because I want so badly to GIVE this book to EVERYONE we know. Even to people that we don't know!

I want everyone to have a chance to know Daniel without a price attached to it. But that isn't the case, because of our choice to self-publish. Should I have waited?  Held Daniel's story in my clutch and chased publishers in pursuit of a good contract?  I think not. All along, I felt a strong desire to get God's message out there. As soon as possible. And that, my friends, unfortunately came with an investment.

And so I realize that I must put the brakes on. Especially if we want to reach our goal of giving to charity in Daniel's memory.

So, while we can't dispense this story as freely as we'd like to, we will continue to trust God's guidance, and pray that Daniel's story gets into the hands that need it.

And we thank you so, so much for your support along the way.

We Have Books!

Have I mentioned that this is all new to me?  At least a couple of times, I know...

Well, I finally set up a Pay Pal account here on the website for those who wish to receive a signed copy (I know...sounds strange to me, too...but some of you silly people have asked for them:)

And I finally ordered a nice, little supply of books. Which arrived over the weekend!

So...all of you local friends, if you have been waiting to buy a copy?

Now I can deliver one to you! Or at least meet you somewhere to get it into your hands!

Just email me: lisa.michelle.murphy@gmail.com with your order.

Thank you so, so much for your continued support! It is so rewarding to see Daniel's reach, and I hope and pray it only gets better!

Oh...I should also mention that we have some exciting opportunities in the works, which I will share as they fall into place:)

Go, Daniel, Go!

All worth it

I know that some of you have ordered the book. But I haven't received much feedback yet.

At this stage of the project, my type-A (and sometimes insecure) mind begins to wander about the impact (or lack thereof) of our story. Then on Friday, a friend and very eloquent writer, happened to share a quite fitting quote on her blog:

"God does not supply grace for our imagination."

(You can read the whole post here: http://www.lorimccary.com/2012/09/the-right-to-choose.html)

Ain't that the truth? I sometimes have to remind myself that this is not about "me," and there is no room for my insecurity here!  But as if to fulfill my "need" for a scrap of validation anyway, the Holy Spirit answered, and we received three beautiful notifications on Friday--all from very special sisters in Christ, that they'd received the book that very day and could hardly wait to dig into it.

News that filled my soul.

But today, I received the most I could ask for. An email from a friend containing these words that totally filled my heart:

"I want to adopt again and I want a closer walk with Jesus everyday." 

Those are two out of my three initial hopes and goals for Daniel's story!  

To know that our son's story has made an impact on at least one person?  

No words, my friends. That's the feedback that makes this project all worth it.

Daniel at work...

Last night the Holy Spirit prompted me to reach out to a couple of Yahoo adoption groups to share Daniel's story.

From one of the group moderators, I received a less-than-warm welcome.  In fact, I was actually denied membership to the group.  Yep, it hurt. Because that's my son you're rejecting.  But I need to accept that not everyone is going to "get" our mission.  Move on.

The second group is comprised of adoptive families from the province where Daniel was from (Jiangxi), and the group moderator greeted me with with open arms and accepted our story with an open heart. I woke up this morning to read the most beautiful comment on the blog that he had written at 4:38 in the morning.

This kind man offered to help spread the word about the book and also divulged the ages of his daughters, who are both adopted from China. Their oldest is from Jiangxi, as Daniel was. He included a link for their blog, so I decided to take a peek. I also intended to find an email address, so I could thank him for his kind words.

While on their blog, I noticed that they are followers of the blog Praying Adam Home. To me that was a fascinating discovery. Because Adam was in Daniel's travel group in 2010! We traveled with Adam's amazing family to bring Daniel home!  What a small world!

I immediately sent the moderator an email of appreciation and acknowledged that he follows our friends blog.  Are you ready for this?  Turns out that these two families traveled together to adopt their daughters in 2006!

Talk about full circle.  I think I can safely say that Daniel made us a wonderful introduction.  What are the chances??  That little angel never stops...

Spread your wings and fly

I have searched my heart for the perfect time to launch With an Open Heart.

And then today at Mass, we heard that beautiful passage from James 1:27

"Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world."

A Sunday seems quite appropriate to share our news with you. And maybe I read into things a bit, but it's the 22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time, and Daniel's birthday was 2/2.  And this passage from James? It is included in Pamela Cope's (Author of Jantsen's Gift and founder of Touch a Life Foundation) endorsement on the back cover of With an Open Heart.

I'd say today's a fine day to launch a book.

And so you, our bloggie friends, will receive our news first. Because you've followed all along, through thick and thin.  You've been through it alongside us.

So...here we go...

It is with much joy we announce--that after two years in the making--our book about our precious, departed son Daniel is finally LIVE and ready to go out into the world! 

As we sit here and digest this accomplishment--that Daniel's story will indeed be shared--today we humbly ask you, despite your busy daily lives, if you could possibly take time to recommend Daniel's story to those in your life who may need it. Perhaps to someone who struggles with the loss of a child or loved one. Perhaps to a friend who struggles to find their faith. Perhaps to a couple who might consider adopting a child who needs a home, making one less orphan in this world.

Our son's body died in 2010, but it is our strong belief that Daniel's true mission on earth is alive and just beginning. So now our real work begins. And we would be eternally gratefully for your help to make that a reality. If you happen to think of any ideas to help us share this story (book clubs, book stores, organizations?), we would truly appreciate them!

With an Open Heart is now available for purchase through Westbow Press, and the website link is: http://bookstore.westbowpress.com/Products/SKU-000540105/With-an-Open-Heart.aspx

Since this is a self-published title, it means that books are printed "on demand;" therefore, you may experience a delay with shipping. We apologize in advance for those of you hoping for instant gratification!

We invite you to share this link, and it is our hope that you do. It is our mission to keep Daniel alive by sharing his story in this world, and it is our intention to give back in his memory. We continue to pray for God's guidance to steer us in the right direction.
 
Forgive us for our blatant redundancy as you see this post on various social media networks. For we wouldn't want to leave anyone out. 

Again, we thank you for opening your hearts to this labor of love. It means so very much to us.

A Quote to remember

After Daniel passed away, my Mother (known to Madi and Charlie as "Bubba") made a beautiful photo collage as a tribute to her Grandson.

On this photo collage was a tiny, little quote (written by Abraham Lincoln) with a very large meaning.

It read, "And in the end, it's not the years in a life, it's the life in the years."

So true.

This Summer, before Bubba and Grandpa headed back to CA, they were kind enough to watch the kids for a night so that Jimmy and I could have a night to ourselves.

The two of us ventured about an hour north to Hutchinson Island. On the way over, we spotted a quaint little downtown area with some shops that were just...ahem...irresistible.

We aimed straight for the best looking gift shop on the block and oohed and aahed over all the cool stuff they displayed. It's been a while since I've been in a gift shop, especially sans two little children at my ankles.

After a while, Jimmy looked up and said, "Wow...those are cool."

I looked up and noticed what he had seen.  They were these giant tags with memorable sayings on them.

And what do you know. When my eyes met that sign, I knew it was mine.

The day that we returned home and looked for the right place to put our new piece of art, we noticed a sticker on the back from the designer.  It kinda took my breath away. 

Danielson Designs

No kidding.

This special quote now sits on the ledge in our living room amongst our collection of large, beautiful photos of Daniel. It's also mentioned in the book:)