Keller Williams Inspirational Breakfast.

I wanted to share about a recent opportunity for us to enjoy the company of our faithful Keller Williams friends at their first annual inspirational breakfast on Nov.19. We were invited to share the victory of Gates's story. We gratefully accepted. November being National Adoption Month we hoped for an advocacy opportunity or two.

Everyone made a valiant effort to be up early enough. Bridger and Aimee also joined us. Once we arrived, Bridger's presence and obvious familiarity with the limelight seemed to ease Gates's tension somewhat although the room full of white dress shirts, ties and slacks seemed to give him China flashbacks and he withdrew alarmingly into himself at first. Paul of course was the one to point out the sea of white shirts and aknowledge that as the source for Gates's obvious fear response. It didn't make it easier that we were to share our table with four gentlemen clad in such a way. Gates wouldn't touch his juice or food and seemed convinced that we were going to hand him over any minute. Poor baby.

We saw a familiar face in Cindy G. and others who had worked so tirelessly in helping bring Gates home. Although Gates hasn't had much opportunity to get to know them, the rest of us were thrilled. Cindy G., who had joined hand in hand with the Lord as he moved mountains and men on behalf of this child. She pleaded for donations and prayed for guidance with Gates's triumphant home coming already a reality in her heart and mind. She always called me and prayed with me on some of my hardest days as if she knew. Tom who had sweated over a hibachi in ninety degree heat every Thursday to facilitate hot dog lunch fundraising by provided five dollar hot dog, soda and chips to employees of KW and their visitors. On the day Gates came home, Tom was at the airport and he came up to me beaming and said, "I think I am as excited as you are." I believed him too. Joan whose office dissappeared beneath a pile of donations for Gates's community sale... for weeks, was there. She and Cindy and Tom had all stood there with us on that rainy day watching our first car wash fundraiser wash out. We were lined up along that 7-11 sidewalk flinching from the lightning together. I knew that day that they were really taking on the trials and challenges of rescuing this child alongside us. Faithful friends indeed.

Bridger began playing with a hot wheels car that he had brought to the table and he chatted easily with the Teen Challenge guys. Just like his Daddy, in a five year old kind of way. He asked one of the guys how old he was and he offered the part of his muffin where he hadn't bitten yet to another guy. Suave and direct. That's our Bridger. Gates started relaxing more as he and Bridger made a place to play under Mom and Dad's feet on the carpet. We were delighted to see our Pastor Mike there as well! I have a picture of Mike holding Bridger the week he came home five years ago. They hit it off even back then.

Before we knew it Paul and I were at the microphone. We took turns speaking and finished up with a hug from Cindy G. and courteous applause. Other speakers sharing their stories about how their lives were impacted by realtor volunteers followed. One lovely lady held up pictures drawn by her kindergarten class from a very poor school because Keller Williams Cares had provided for crayons and other supplies. Teen Challenge sang beautifully a capella, one of their guys shared God's glory in delivering him from addiction and positioning him to now lead others to the freedom he now has in Christ. Pastor Mike, who thankfully didn't wear a white collared shirt, spoke for the occasion. He shared the story of Joseph from the Bible. Joseph had done right and received wrong and throughout his most miserable days God's favor sustained him and brought him from last to first... and from failure to victory! Our Boys each got one of Mike's signature hugs to their delight and we left for home.

note: Gates was hopping and chatting after Sister Aimee had distracted him with a slide show of recent fun times on the viewer of her digital camera, while Paul and I were speaking. It was like he realized our speech was the reason for us being there and it wasn't related to him directly because when we came back to the table he was grinning all over himself. We were all inspired with the impact each of us can make individually and corporately when we put someone else ahead of ourselves.