Beard Of The Week | Ryan Jarrell

Happy Wednesday, ya'll!

It is our joy to introduce you to this week's Beard Of The Week.... Ryan Jarrell!

We know Ryan because we have worked with him for the past couple of years. He came on staff in 2010 as a Graphic Designer for The Village Church Communications Department and his mad design skills are what led him to our team in the first place! We first started talking with Ryan about ABFAB back in May. We were looking for someone to deign a logo for us and he gladly accepted the challenge.... and did a fantastic job at that! We absolutely loved his work and were excited to use it to brand our fundraiser. See for yourself.... Mad skills, we tell ya!

Following those conversations, Ryan decided to come on board as a Grower and we couldn't have been more excited. He always sports a beard anyway and he was happy to put it to good use... as were we! Ryan is awesome and so is his beard. Show him some love by sponsoring him or making a one time donation on his behalf. His beard won't disappoint, ya'll. I promise.

Additionally, please consider buying one of our t-shirts! Shirts are $20 ($25 for shipping) and proceeds will go towards our adoption fees. Not only is this a way to brag on Ryan and show off his work, but it's also a great way to advertise and help spread the word about our fundraiser (and adoption in general). They're soft and comfy and will make your heart happy. Do it!

Until next time,
The Hofs

Adoption is beautiful

Beard Grower, Jesse McKee, sent us this video several months ago when we first decided to pursue international adoption. We often think about the Dennehys and how we too hope our family will one day look like a United Nations meeting! There are so many beautiful quotes that can be taken from this video, but you would be best served to watch it yourself. It might just be the best 6.5 minutes of your day. Oh yea, and grab the Kleenex because you just might tear up. Or bawl your eyes out...whatever.




Love,
The Hofs

Beard Of The Week | Philip Hatter

It's Beard Of The Week day and this week's BOTW is Philip Hatter!

 

DJ and I do not know Philip personally, but have been so blessed by his participation in our Beard-A-Thon. He was one of the ten Stranger Beards who signed up after hearing about us on Bearded Gospel Men, but despite never meeting him, he is no longer a stranger. He is a faithful brother in Christ who is helping us bring our baby home. I love this picture of Philip because it captures his awesome beard and shows what I can only imagine to be an awesome personality. We love Philip and so should you!

Philip lives in Roanoke, VA with his wife and two boys (with a third on the way!). He is the founder and director of Thistledown Puppets, a family friendly puppet company. While he does like to perform, he now mostly builds puppets for companies and performers around the world. Guys, his puppets are amazing... go check out his work now! You will not be disappointed. 

Philip has a really great beard and has been so eager to grow for us. He is a fan of both manly facial hair and adoption, which he describes as "one of the most powerful pictures of the gospel in the world today". While he and his wife have not ruled out adoption themselves, in the meantime, he wanted to play a small role in making it a reality for someone else. And that someone else is us! Believe me, this is no small thing and we are beyond grateful for the role he is playing in our adoption journey.

Philip still needs sponsors, so log on today and show him some love! Not only will your sponsorship go towards bringing our child home, but it will help Philip as he competes for our July incentive: beard tonic from Austin Street Apothecary. It's a win-win situation so sponsor Philip and vote for his beard today!

With love,

the hofmanns

The Beard Bank

Hey there, Beard lovers!

DJ and I just updated The Beard Bank and wanted to give you an update on where we are at with our adoption funds. To date we have raised $13,211! Guys, the Lord has brought this money in in just 60 days. We are praising His name for His faithful provision and have full confidence that He will bring in the rest. Here are where things stand as of today:

• Total anticipated cost (including travel): $41,691.89
• Total spent thus far: $9,826.89
• Total Hofmann funds remaining: $7,621.40
• Total anticipated funds through A Beard For A Baby (including pledges): $13,211.87
• Total amount still needed: $11,031.73

Thank you all so much for your contribution to baby Hofmann. Whether you are growing a beard, sponsoring a beard, or giving one time donations, you are playing a huge part in our adoption journey and helping to give a child a home. We are forever grateful for you and could not do it without your help.

Please be praying alongside us for the Lord to bring in the remaining funds!

Grateful for your growing and giving,
the hofmanns

Beard Of The Week | Luke Baublet

Hey folks! It's that time again and this week's BOTW guy is Luke Baublet!

DJ and I have known Luke and Amanda Baublet for nearly six years. I first met them because they served in Kids' Village when I came on staff at The Village and oh, what faithful volunteers they were. They have since transferred over to the Missions ministry and are enrolled in our church's Sending Program as they prepare to go and serve Jesus by planting churches and making disciples in Berlin. Luke and Amanda love Christ and His bride and are humble, mission-minded people. The Lord has taught us so much through them.... that though they are in the throws of raising their own funds to go do missions, they would also become involved in our fundraiser and ask people to give to our cause too. Through them we learned what it looks like to be open handed with your money; when you trust that the Lord is going to provide for you, you are freed up to be open handed with the money He has given you. #convicting. We are thankful for the ways the Lord has both encouraged and challenged us through the Baublets.

Luke loves beards. He wrote about His involvement in our fundraiser here and his heart for beards, babies, and adoption shines through. It's well worth your read. Additionally, you can learn more about the Baublets heart for Berlin here. To be a part of what God is doing in Berlin, you can partner with Luke and Amanda through prayer and giving. Go, go, go!

And just for the record, Amanda loves beards too. She even makes bread beards for crying out loud. Bread. Beards. Babies. Life is good.

Stay bearded,
The Hofmanns

Beard Of The Week | Jesse McKee

Happy Wednesday! It's Beard of The Week day and this week's Beard is Jesse McKee!

DJ and I have been friends with Jesse for several years. We first met on staff at The Village because Jesse is the Video Producer for our church. He lives here in Lewisville, has been married to his pretty wife, Stephanie, for 3 years, and they just welcomed their first (precious) child, Henry Spencer, into the world back in April. Jesse and Stephanie became our close friends in 2010 when we were all in Home Group together. Our group experienced mountains and valleys together and through that season we all became like family. What stands out most from that season is that they walked with us through our miscarriages, listened to our cries, and brought us root beer floats to cheer us up like true members of the body of Christ do. We are truly grateful for the McKees and the role they have played in our life.

Jesse is creative and has a dry, witty sense of humor that leaves you both shocked and dying of laughter. He once cat-sat for us and his imitations of Marmalade that followed were pretty hysterical. But above all that, he really loves people so well. He sees their heart and is mindful of them in ways that most people generally overlook. We always joke that one day he should be a Care Pastor because he is more pastoral in nature than he gives himself credit for. He likes (and is really good at) woodworking, photography, videographing, cornhole, and climbing things. He enjoys a bit of facial scruff and was eager for the opportunity to grow his beard alongside all the other men in this crazy, awesome, ridiculous fundraiser. Overall, he's pretty great. We love him and you should too!

You can check out Jesse's awesomeness here. And, he still needs more sponsors! So show him some love by sponsoring him here. His beard won't disappoint you, guys. I promise.

Stay bearded,
Courtney