Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Profile View
Monday night Ryan and I viewed the profile of a waiting child in Ethiopia. He'd fall right between Scott and Bethany in age. Not sure that it will go anywhere since we have lots of paperwork and training to do before we can be matched with a child. It was exciting to look. And who knows, maybe he will become part of our family.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Process
I just got off the phone with the branch representative for our adoption. A while back we signed up for the waiting child program and last week asked to be duel enrolled in the regular program as well. The rep just called to give me a run down of the process that we'll venture through in the near future:
Stage 1:
They'll send us forms for the background check, an invoice for the remainder of our application fee ($250), an invoice for our homestudy fee ($2900, we'll pay the mileage later), the international service agreement and the duty form.
We'll fill out our forms and send them the last 3 years of tax returns, photos of the exterior of our home, photos of our family, copies of our birth and marriage certificates and some cash.
They'll send letters to our individual references.
Stage 2:
They'll send us forms for medicals, more detailed financials, personal data forms.
We'll have to finish the first 4 hours of Hague required training before our homestudy is completed. This occurs in LeGrand Iowa on a Friday night and Saturday morning.
We didn't get any farther than that in the process. So far, not too bad. Let's pray that God perfectly orchestrates the details of the above mentioned process as we seek to love a child(ren).
With Windows Live, you can organize, edit, and share your photos. Click here.
Stage 1:
They'll send us forms for the background check, an invoice for the remainder of our application fee ($250), an invoice for our homestudy fee ($2900, we'll pay the mileage later), the international service agreement and the duty form.
We'll fill out our forms and send them the last 3 years of tax returns, photos of the exterior of our home, photos of our family, copies of our birth and marriage certificates and some cash.
They'll send letters to our individual references.
Stage 2:
They'll send us forms for medicals, more detailed financials, personal data forms.
We'll have to finish the first 4 hours of Hague required training before our homestudy is completed. This occurs in LeGrand Iowa on a Friday night and Saturday morning.
We didn't get any farther than that in the process. So far, not too bad. Let's pray that God perfectly orchestrates the details of the above mentioned process as we seek to love a child(ren).
With Windows Live, you can organize, edit, and share your photos. Click here.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Fill A Need?
I just read a friend's blog where she gave a brief update about their adoption. There is a great need that I think we can meet but let me give you a little background.
About a Child facilitates adoptions in Ghana. Their connection is through a local Pastor. He's doing amazing things for God as he meets children in need of a family and connects them to families. In the recent months (Janel, correct my where needed on this story) the Pastor's office was broken into. Of the items stolen, his laptop was inlcuded in that. As the Pastor seeks to communicate with various villages about the children in need, there are a few critical tools he needs. One is a lap top. The other is a motorcycle. If he had these two items, he would be better equipped to visit the villages and communicate back with the adoption agency and families.
It sounds so simple doesn't it. It is. In America. Unfortunately this need is in Ghana and its not so simple there. I mentioned to Janel that we should pray for those specific items (something I learned to do again while in Mexico). As I take time to pray for these items, I also wanted to ask if you would be able to help fill a need. How many of us use a computer for 3 years only to determine its too old and too slow and get a new one? In fact, I read a friends blog today where she mentioned that very issue. Because we're not in Ghana, gifting an actual motorcycle might be difficult but a lap top might be easier to send over. Would you pray with me? Would you let me know if you can donate a lap top or a financial gift for this ministry?
About a Child facilitates adoptions in Ghana. Their connection is through a local Pastor. He's doing amazing things for God as he meets children in need of a family and connects them to families. In the recent months (Janel, correct my where needed on this story) the Pastor's office was broken into. Of the items stolen, his laptop was inlcuded in that. As the Pastor seeks to communicate with various villages about the children in need, there are a few critical tools he needs. One is a lap top. The other is a motorcycle. If he had these two items, he would be better equipped to visit the villages and communicate back with the adoption agency and families.
It sounds so simple doesn't it. It is. In America. Unfortunately this need is in Ghana and its not so simple there. I mentioned to Janel that we should pray for those specific items (something I learned to do again while in Mexico). As I take time to pray for these items, I also wanted to ask if you would be able to help fill a need. How many of us use a computer for 3 years only to determine its too old and too slow and get a new one? In fact, I read a friends blog today where she mentioned that very issue. Because we're not in Ghana, gifting an actual motorcycle might be difficult but a lap top might be easier to send over. Would you pray with me? Would you let me know if you can donate a lap top or a financial gift for this ministry?
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
What an Experience
Yesterday I read on Janel's blog about how God perfectly orchestrated them seeing the homecoming of a family who'd just adopted. It was so cool and I was a bit emotional reading that. I'll never forget the day that I picked up my Pastor and his family at the airport when they brought their daughter home from China.
Today, I had an experience similar to Janel's. Just 30 minutes ago I was driving through town with my boss on our way back to the office from a meeting. As we passed the court house I saw a group of people with baloons. There were several children around and I thought it was sweet that someone got baloons for their birthday. As I paid closer attention I saw so much more than birthday baloons. My boss noticed it as well and questioned what the balloons were for. About that time it hit me that a family had likely just finished their re adoption process at the court house. I explained that to my boss and he acknowledged that it made since considering the family that was out there is the family in town who adopted from Ethiopia recently.
A bit of emotion welled up inside of me as I thought through their day for them and could imagine the picture they took with the judge, the celebration in their family and how other family had gathered around. Like Janel, I was scheduled to be done with a meeting early and would have totally missed it but happened to drive through at just the right time. Thank you Jesus for such a simple but precious gift.
Today, I had an experience similar to Janel's. Just 30 minutes ago I was driving through town with my boss on our way back to the office from a meeting. As we passed the court house I saw a group of people with baloons. There were several children around and I thought it was sweet that someone got baloons for their birthday. As I paid closer attention I saw so much more than birthday baloons. My boss noticed it as well and questioned what the balloons were for. About that time it hit me that a family had likely just finished their re adoption process at the court house. I explained that to my boss and he acknowledged that it made since considering the family that was out there is the family in town who adopted from Ethiopia recently.
A bit of emotion welled up inside of me as I thought through their day for them and could imagine the picture they took with the judge, the celebration in their family and how other family had gathered around. Like Janel, I was scheduled to be done with a meeting early and would have totally missed it but happened to drive through at just the right time. Thank you Jesus for such a simple but precious gift.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Waiting
"Waiting is one of God's most powerful tools of grace. God doesn't just give us grace for the wait. The wait itself is a gift of grace. You see, waiting is not only about what you will receive at the end of the wait. Waiting is about wahat you will become as you wait." Paul David Tripp
What a cool quote to put things in perspective for me. I don't like waiting at all!
Get back to school stuff for them and cashback for you. Try BingT now.
What a cool quote to put things in perspective for me. I don't like waiting at all!
Get back to school stuff for them and cashback for you. Try BingT now.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Application Done
I'm embarassed and excited to say that we finally completed our adoption application for a waiting child. Embarrassed because God put adoption on my heart months and months ago yet it has taken me so long to finally apply through an agency. Excited because we're getting the ball rolling and have requested to view some information about a particular little girl and maybe some other children that would be a good fit in our family.Ryan also informed of how much we have saved up. When I shared that amount with my mom, her reply was that we haven't saved very much. Well, in the big picture of adoption, it isn't very much. In regards to our monthly budget, I'm excited that we've been able to save! I have a feeling that with starting the process officially, I will be more apt to tighten the belt on spending and save for the adoption.
Woo hoo!
and of worthy note: this picture is a huge over exaggeration of the application forms :)
Friday, July 10, 2009
FUNdraiser
As I've thought recently about using a more expensive agency, I've also thought in general about the money needed to fund an adoption. I've had a few little things in mind to craft and sell for funds. One project is still in its gathering and preparation stages and I've not made one item yet but have a bag of supplies ready. The second item came to mind as I searched over and over for a black baby doll for Bethany only to find one on the internet for way more than I can dish out and decided to make her one. I have made two to date but have yet to put faces or shoes on either of them. That will take time to perfect I'm sure.
The third idea I came up with is a Dinner and Auction. I'm hoping to get my divine food friend to help me out with the meal portion (she has done some amazing stuff with my Sweetheart Supper). Charge a few dollars over the cost of the meal for people to come in. In addition to that, there would be a silent auction in another room. The items, I hope, will come from donations. I made a list of the things I love - some of which are handmade items from friends/family and some of which are purchased. I'm hoping to get some of both. As I made the list I figured why not ask some local businesses (though they're not buddies of mine) to participate. The more I thought about it, the more I thought about doing an online auction so that friends and strangers abroad could participate.
Visiting with a friend about the idea, she suggested I start the auction online and the ending bids of that would be the beginning bids at the Dinner. That's an idea as well. I have yet to decide exactly what I'll do but I plan to ask friends and family and businesses in the coming two weeks if they'll participate. The donation part is critical. So, if you would pray for God to encourage people to participate through donations and then again through purchases I would appreciate it. Also, if you have something you would like to donate and I don't specifically ask you, please let me know. Thanks.
The third idea I came up with is a Dinner and Auction. I'm hoping to get my divine food friend to help me out with the meal portion (she has done some amazing stuff with my Sweetheart Supper). Charge a few dollars over the cost of the meal for people to come in. In addition to that, there would be a silent auction in another room. The items, I hope, will come from donations. I made a list of the things I love - some of which are handmade items from friends/family and some of which are purchased. I'm hoping to get some of both. As I made the list I figured why not ask some local businesses (though they're not buddies of mine) to participate. The more I thought about it, the more I thought about doing an online auction so that friends and strangers abroad could participate.
Visiting with a friend about the idea, she suggested I start the auction online and the ending bids of that would be the beginning bids at the Dinner. That's an idea as well. I have yet to decide exactly what I'll do but I plan to ask friends and family and businesses in the coming two weeks if they'll participate. The donation part is critical. So, if you would pray for God to encourage people to participate through donations and then again through purchases I would appreciate it. Also, if you have something you would like to donate and I don't specifically ask you, please let me know. Thanks.
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