I LIED.. My last post was not my last one for the year (that's the lie)!! :-) I have never been so happy to have to go back on something I said! We are ecstatic to to announce that we have been given a new referral of a little boy!! He is 4 years old, and is in the Ashanti region. We have an AMAZING POA in Ghana! I get to talk to him everyday, and he holds our adoption close to his heart, we are very blessed! So WHAT HAPPENS NOW?????
As you know we are doing this independent now. So the next thing we must do and ASAP is file our I-600a. That is where we will go to Louisville and do our biometric finger prints. That is the light at the end of the tunnel. From what i understand this is will take about 30 days to get the prints back. Once we get it back we compile everything into our dossier and send it to Ghana. We only need I-600a, Tony's and Bri's birth certificate for the dossier. I have already gathered all the other documents needed. Once we send him our dossier he will set a court date and appear in court for us. Then we will get an apt to come file our I-600.This will be our first trip and when we get to meet our sweet little boy :'-) Then hopefully about 6 weeks later we will get to travel back and bring him home with us :-) OH HAPPY DAY!! This is an extremely rough timeline and I know to expect bumps in the along the way, but we are very prayerful that this will happen soon and smoothly
The only thing that is preventing us from traveling to Ghana the first week of Febuary is money. Once we get the funds needed we will be traveling. It is going to move very fast. Since we are doing our adoption independent we can not apply for grants. (If you know of any that fund independent PLEASE LET ME KNOW!) So I will be thinking of way to earn money. Don't forget if you want to help bring our little man home we would love donations. SO how much is it going to cost now? It will cost us 7,500..... THAT'S IT!!! Of course that does not include travel. So including travel about 12,000. The impression I got from our POA is we will be traveling as soon as we get our prints back. Other ways you can help is by donating airline miles to us. So keep that in mind, airfare will be the majority of our travel cost. If you can donate airline miles that will be a huge, GIGANTIC BLESSING!!
Our God is an amazing awesome God!! I have no doubts or worries about funding this adoption. It may not happen as fast as I want but I know it will happen. Please pray for me to have patients and not get discouraged.We plan to use our tax money for the majority. Hopefully we will only have to fundraisers and earn about 6,000. I am very optimistic and I know it can be done. We have an awesome support system that can't wait to bring this little guy home.
PSALM 28:7 THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH AND MY SHIELD; IN HIM MY HEART TRUSTS, AND I AM HELPED; MY HEART EXULTS, AND WITH MY SONG I GIVE THANKS TO HIM
QUICK NOTE:
I have been asked: Are you going to tell Bri? Are you going to get attached before he gets here? I have been told DO NOT do either of the above, that we are setting our self up for heart break, b/c we COULD loose him too. MY RESPONSE: If you were my friend I would tell you the same thing! However it is IMPOSSIBLE! Attachment happens whether you want it to or not! Our family is growing and Bri knows. We are not getting her as involved yet. We are being more reserved with what we tell her, but she knows and has saw his picture. When you find out your pregnant you immediately start loving that child, and want to tell everyone as soon as soon as you find out. You wouldn't keep it to yourself b/c you might have a miscarriage....see what I am saying? God has a plan, who are we not to trust him? We are putting our hearts on the line, I feel like if we don't go all in we will miss out. Its not possible to work so hard and go across the world without falling in love. I wouldn't do these things for just any boy but I will move mountains to make this little boy our son and bring him home as soon as I possibly can! BE PREPARED I have my drive and passion back and I will do whatever it takes to get the money to bring my sweet little boy home! THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND PRAYERS
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Let go and Let God
Well, as this year is coming fast to an end I thought I would give you guys one last update, although, not much has happened. As I said in the last blog we have decided to do our adoption independent now. That means I find a POA in Ghana that helps us find our son. I do all the paperwork, and lots of fundraising as I do not know of anyone who gives adoption grants to families doing independent. I have been talking to a few POA's one gave us a referral but didn't end up working out. So we are still waiting to find that special little boy to join our family. So if you are reading this and you know a POA or of a little boy 6 years old or younger in Ghana let us know. Our homestudy is complete and we plan to be able to file our I-600A soon that was when we find our little guy we will be ready for the next step :-)
We have said from the beginning God has had his hand on every step of this process, I still believe that this is true. Not long after we found our Noah he lead us to a family in Alabama who knew our Noah. They gave us pictures, told us stories, shared their memories, gave us comfort in knowing that he was being taken care of at his orphanage, and went all in with our adoption process and barely new us. If you have adopted you know how much these things mean and how they are truly a gift from the hands of God. I have no doubt this is why it was so easy for us to accept him as ours from the beginning and so tough for us to let go at the end! After we lost Noah's referral someone who they know, that helps Noah's orphanage out ALOT went to Ghana to check and see how things were going with all the projects they are doing over there. Of course while he was there he ask about Noah. He was able to find some things out for us. After discovering it was his aunt an uncle who him, he was able to find out where he is now living...HE WAS ABLE TO GO TO NOAHS HOME! The first time he went he was not home he had fallen at school and was at the Dr. (PRAISE GOD HE IS IN SCHOOL AND HIS FAMILY WAS ABLE TO TAKE HIM TO THE DR). when he went back a few days later he said that Noah was happy, clean, and was being taken care of. PRAISE GOD!! Another gift straight from the hands of God! I know of many families who have their referral and they are just left hanging with no answers. We are blessed beyond imagination to be able to find this out! When I read that I cried and cried and cried some more! This time it was a different cry, more like a happy cry, a cry of relief. It was as if a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. What a blessing....Thank you to the family and the man who found this information out and shared it with us. You will never EVER understand the peace you have brought to me. I can sleep at night now, I no longer have the urge to need more information, we are ready to move on <3
Bri still talks about Noah all the time, then she remembers hes not coming to be with us so we thank Jesus Noah found his family and pray for the little boy he is going to add to ours. If anything our process has to taught us to let go and let God do the work; he never fails us...EVER! I can't lie its difficult explaining to Bri why her mommy can't get a baby in her belly and why Jesus hasn't found her a brother yet either. My only explanation to her keep praying baby: just like you choose the perfect flowers to pick or the best vegetables out of our garden in summer Jesus
is waiting to choose the very best brother you! Now that I have complete peace with Noah, it will be easier to let go of my worldly troubles and let God continue with his perfect plan with our family!
We have said from the beginning God has had his hand on every step of this process, I still believe that this is true. Not long after we found our Noah he lead us to a family in Alabama who knew our Noah. They gave us pictures, told us stories, shared their memories, gave us comfort in knowing that he was being taken care of at his orphanage, and went all in with our adoption process and barely new us. If you have adopted you know how much these things mean and how they are truly a gift from the hands of God. I have no doubt this is why it was so easy for us to accept him as ours from the beginning and so tough for us to let go at the end! After we lost Noah's referral someone who they know, that helps Noah's orphanage out ALOT went to Ghana to check and see how things were going with all the projects they are doing over there. Of course while he was there he ask about Noah. He was able to find some things out for us. After discovering it was his aunt an uncle who him, he was able to find out where he is now living...HE WAS ABLE TO GO TO NOAHS HOME! The first time he went he was not home he had fallen at school and was at the Dr. (PRAISE GOD HE IS IN SCHOOL AND HIS FAMILY WAS ABLE TO TAKE HIM TO THE DR). when he went back a few days later he said that Noah was happy, clean, and was being taken care of. PRAISE GOD!! Another gift straight from the hands of God! I know of many families who have their referral and they are just left hanging with no answers. We are blessed beyond imagination to be able to find this out! When I read that I cried and cried and cried some more! This time it was a different cry, more like a happy cry, a cry of relief. It was as if a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. What a blessing....Thank you to the family and the man who found this information out and shared it with us. You will never EVER understand the peace you have brought to me. I can sleep at night now, I no longer have the urge to need more information, we are ready to move on <3
Bri still talks about Noah all the time, then she remembers hes not coming to be with us so we thank Jesus Noah found his family and pray for the little boy he is going to add to ours. If anything our process has to taught us to let go and let God do the work; he never fails us...EVER! I can't lie its difficult explaining to Bri why her mommy can't get a baby in her belly and why Jesus hasn't found her a brother yet either. My only explanation to her keep praying baby: just like you choose the perfect flowers to pick or the best vegetables out of our garden in summer Jesus
is waiting to choose the very best brother you! Now that I have complete peace with Noah, it will be easier to let go of my worldly troubles and let God continue with his perfect plan with our family!
Sunday, November 4, 2012
NOW WHAT?!?!?
Hello everyone!! It has been a while since my last post, but we haven't had to much to say. A few things have happen that are exciting but I have been a little bummed still. Of Course you all know that we lost our sweet Noah (we called him Chase on blog). Since then, our homestudy has been 100% completed. It now lays on my computer desk, waiting on someplace to go. I feel like I rushed, rushed, rushed, to now just wait. It being complete is a very big accomplishment that I am proud of.
I guess I should reassure everyone we are still going to adopt, and still from Ghana (unless our great god says otherwise). While our agency director was in Ghana at Noah's orphanage a few weeks ago, we were introduced to Independent adoption. Which is normally not common in international adoption but Ghana allows it. I have been holding out hope that while our agency director was there they would find that Noah was still there. I received an email from our agency confirming that Noah was not there and they were unable to get any additional details. With that information we told them that we have decided to pursue independent adoption. She however reassured me, if something happens that Noah goes back to the orphanage she will let us know.
WHAT'S THAT MEAN.......
Now we have chosen to do independent adoption. What does that mean? Independent adoption has a great deal of pros and cons. I am not going into all of them, but basically it means we find a POA that finds us a child (boy) that is available for adoption. We will work with him directly to file all our paperwork on the Ghana side and here on the US side the responsibility is 100% mine if something is done incorrectly it will be my fault (a lot of pressure). We have been blessed with a lady who has started a group called Hearts4 Ghana. She has a POA that she has put us in contact with that and she is here to help walk me through every step of the way. With her I am very confident I can do this. The fact that doing it independent will be close to $15,000 less in cost is a great motivator. The con to that is i am unaware of any grants that provide to independent adoptions. So that means i will also be fundraising like crazy. I will post a new cost sheet on a different blog. I still believe with all my heart that all of this is in Gods timing and is in his control. I know he funds what he favors.
SO NOW WHAT.....
Now what? Now we wait for a boy. Our homestudy states it has to be a boy 6 years of age or younger. With it being our first adoption we do not want to adopt older than our bio daughter. In the mean time while we are waiting we need to file our I-600a this is the last big step, this says we are approved for international adoption. This is the light at the end of tunnel, after this its safe to say you will will bring home a child. So we need to do this asap. Once this is done WHEN we are matched with a child our process should move extremely fast. So my goal is to earn the money to file the I-600a in the month of November COST $900. I don't know how, or what kind of fundraiser we will do yet but of course I will let everyone know. Also we need to finish gathering documents for our dossier. I only have a few other things I need for that since I have been gathering all of our "originals" from the beginning.
HOW CAN YOU HELP....
Pray!! Pray that God will guide us to the little boy, he wants to join our family. Pray that we will find the funds to file our I-600a, and I also ask that you will pray for me that I will be able to fill out the paperwork correctly so that our process moves smoothly and quickly as possible. If you want to donate to help us file our I-600a you can mail a check to:
Irwin
4705 Springlane Dr
Owensboro, Ky 42303
THANK YOU, some of you have prayed, praised, cried and questioned this process with us from the start. Adoption isn't easy or for everyone, you must have trust in God without fail. Adoption is emotional and a lot of hard work; I'm sure the pay off will be the most rewarding thing I will ever do in my life.
ROMANS 8:28
AND WE KNOW THAT FOR THOSE WHO LOVE GOD ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD, FOR THOSE WHO ARE CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE.
I guess I should reassure everyone we are still going to adopt, and still from Ghana (unless our great god says otherwise). While our agency director was in Ghana at Noah's orphanage a few weeks ago, we were introduced to Independent adoption. Which is normally not common in international adoption but Ghana allows it. I have been holding out hope that while our agency director was there they would find that Noah was still there. I received an email from our agency confirming that Noah was not there and they were unable to get any additional details. With that information we told them that we have decided to pursue independent adoption. She however reassured me, if something happens that Noah goes back to the orphanage she will let us know.
WHAT'S THAT MEAN.......
Now we have chosen to do independent adoption. What does that mean? Independent adoption has a great deal of pros and cons. I am not going into all of them, but basically it means we find a POA that finds us a child (boy) that is available for adoption. We will work with him directly to file all our paperwork on the Ghana side and here on the US side the responsibility is 100% mine if something is done incorrectly it will be my fault (a lot of pressure). We have been blessed with a lady who has started a group called Hearts4 Ghana. She has a POA that she has put us in contact with that and she is here to help walk me through every step of the way. With her I am very confident I can do this. The fact that doing it independent will be close to $15,000 less in cost is a great motivator. The con to that is i am unaware of any grants that provide to independent adoptions. So that means i will also be fundraising like crazy. I will post a new cost sheet on a different blog. I still believe with all my heart that all of this is in Gods timing and is in his control. I know he funds what he favors.
SO NOW WHAT.....
Now what? Now we wait for a boy. Our homestudy states it has to be a boy 6 years of age or younger. With it being our first adoption we do not want to adopt older than our bio daughter. In the mean time while we are waiting we need to file our I-600a this is the last big step, this says we are approved for international adoption. This is the light at the end of tunnel, after this its safe to say you will will bring home a child. So we need to do this asap. Once this is done WHEN we are matched with a child our process should move extremely fast. So my goal is to earn the money to file the I-600a in the month of November COST $900. I don't know how, or what kind of fundraiser we will do yet but of course I will let everyone know. Also we need to finish gathering documents for our dossier. I only have a few other things I need for that since I have been gathering all of our "originals" from the beginning.
HOW CAN YOU HELP....
Pray!! Pray that God will guide us to the little boy, he wants to join our family. Pray that we will find the funds to file our I-600a, and I also ask that you will pray for me that I will be able to fill out the paperwork correctly so that our process moves smoothly and quickly as possible. If you want to donate to help us file our I-600a you can mail a check to:
Irwin
4705 Springlane Dr
Owensboro, Ky 42303
THANK YOU, some of you have prayed, praised, cried and questioned this process with us from the start. Adoption isn't easy or for everyone, you must have trust in God without fail. Adoption is emotional and a lot of hard work; I'm sure the pay off will be the most rewarding thing I will ever do in my life.
ROMANS 8:28
AND WE KNOW THAT FOR THOSE WHO LOVE GOD ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD, FOR THOSE WHO ARE CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE.
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Everything happens for a Reason
Where to begin? Typically when I sit down to write these blogs I have something exciting to share, kinda feels weird not having any "news" to write about. Friday we had appointments to go get our shots for over sea travel, because of the event that unfolded we decided to wait on them. We went to Alabama anyway and enjoyed a nice quiet weekend with the family. I must say it was a very nice weekend, the entire time down there I couldn't help but think about all our new friends we met b/c of Noah. I pray we can still keep contact with them.
After our initial shock and heartbreak baby girl has been the hardest to explain things to. Surprisingly she took it very well. Wednesday night during bedtime prayers I didn't pray for Noah. She said "mommy you forgot somebody!" I said "Noah? Mommy has something to tell you about Noah. Every night we pray Jesus will let Noah know he has a mommy, daddy and sister that loves him very much, right? Well, something cool happened!" Her face lite up and she said what?!?! I explained to her that Jesus found Noah's mommy and daddy. The lady that carried him in her belly. That they took him home so that they could have their little boy. That our prayer helped Noah find his mommy and daddy. Her face dropped and big crocodile tears came down her face and she said so hes not coming to be with us? I said no but right now as we say our bedtime prayers Jesus's is finding you a new brother. I said do you want to pray that he finds you a new brother? She said, "no thank you," gave me a goodnight kiss, rolled over and went to sleep. That as hard, her heart was broke!!!! Through the weekend we prayed Jesus would find her a new brother, but tonight she got me again. Before we started bedtime prayers she told me she wanted to pray for her picture she colored at school. I said OK what do you want to say about it? She said "that it comes true, that it will be me you and my brother all at baby Lucy's. I said "It will come true we just have to be patient. I bet Jesus already has you a brother picked out, and i can not wait to see him can you?" She said well mommy..I REALLY MISS NOAH! Her eyes started watering again. All I could say was me too, and continued with her bedtimes prayer. Tonight though she prayed Noah was happy and safe with his family, and that Jesus would find her brother soon. That's little girl has a pure heart of gold, everyday she amazes me!!
Great thing about road trips is you have time to think and talk about whats on your mind. Which this trip we had a lot to think and talk about. After a lot of thinking and talking to my husband and other families this has happen to by the same orphanage I have many concerns. This is not easy to get over. His little face keeps popping up everywhere in our house, car, computers, pinterest, phone..everywhere! It's hard to move on when you see that adorable smiling face everywhere, but I am at peace with knowing there is not a single thing that i could have done to change what happen. I have done something everyday since we found that sweet little boy to make sure we could bring him home as soon as possible. I very much so believe everything happens for a reason. I believe this reason is to bring attention to what is happening at that orphanage with the people who spend so much time and money there supporting it. Maybe they can be the change that will help other families from the heartbreak of loosing their child.
I would say back to square on one but I don't guess that would be right. I'm not sure what is the hold with our homestudy being completed but it should be complete any day now. Now i have to finish getting things ready to turn in with our dossier and wait for a new referral. Since all the hard stuff is over once we get one, it should move pretty fast I would think..but then again I have no idea what the good Lord has up his sleeve for us next! Our motto for our process has been "Gotta have Faith" from the start, and it will continue to be. We are not giving up or backing down because things got tough, If god sees us to it he will see us through it! I know with all my heart God has a plan for our family and I can not wait to see his master plan reveled <3
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
HEARTBROKEN but KEEPING FAITH
Some of you will immeditally know the pain our family is going through others may not, and I pray you never do. Tonight I was playing on my phone when I got a "Noah-tifcation" special sound when our agency emails us. First thing I read "Updates on D***** N*** my heart began to race..YES!! FINALLY WE WERE GETTING SOME UPDATES ON OUR SWEET BOY!! It defienitly was not the news that I wanted or I ever imagined that I would read.... " It is with great sadness that I write you today to let you know that one of D____ N___ parents have returned to him. They have removed him from the orphanage and he is currently in their care." I had to reread it a few times to make sure I wasnt day dreaming. I am heart broken.. Mostly all of you that read this will know I will do anything for anyone. Most of you do not know I guard my heart with a 10ft tall wall extremly cautious to comes in. I will admit I was very hesitant at first on letting this little boy in. I prayed and prayed and felt god gave me what I needed to let me know it was ok to let him in, so I did. This little boy has not been "some kid in Africa." He has been our Son and Bri's brother from the beginning. From the start we have loved him like our own, and prayed for him every night, with that love growing each fundraiser, donation given, or bit of precious information we learned about him from our friends in Alabama. As heartbroken as we are, we are trying to stay positive. We do not know how the sweet boy got to the orphange. There is an unkown number or possibilities that could have brought him there. I pray him being reunited with his family is a good thing, and I will continue to pray for him and his families well being each night! He will always be in my heart!Thats what happen...
WHATS NEXT?!?! ARE YOU STILL GOING TO ADOPT?!
The first question I asked our agency was "WHAT IF HE COMES BACK?" If by some chance he ends up back at the orphange he is ours. He will not go on any website or be referred to another family. We get the opprtunity to bring him home once again.
YES WE ARE STILL GOING TO ADOPTING!! God has always made me aware that he wants me to adopt. At this point I have no idea what Gods plan is for our family, but I do know he has a plan! We can cry and be heartbroken all we want but we can not loose faith! I am a firm believer if God brings you to it, he will bring you through it. If N___ is ment to be our child he will be brought back to us. There must be a little boy or girl that needs us more. God will lead us to them when the time is right. I have no doubt God's timing will continue to be perfect. That does not make this any easier.
WHATS GOING THROUGH MY HEAD:
If they don't know who brought him or any of his background history..how do they know it was his parent that came and got him? If God has made it so easy, why has God taken it away? Is this going to happen again, with our next child? How do we tell Bri? DO WE tell Bri? It breaks my heart in billions of little pieces to think that he will never know how much he has been loved by so many people that he doesn't even know exsist! <--- That is the hardest part...he doesn't even know we loved him so much!!
As I have said 100 times we are heartbroken, the more i think about it i am mad! I know that we are not the only ones this has happen to. There should be a better way to make sure these kids a truly available before they are referred to families or put on websites, but we are not discouraged. I can not lie I am selfish I want him here with us, our God is Great and will provide the comfort and answers we need. With all of that being said I DO NOT need or want to hear any negitive comments. If you do not have anything nice to say do not say anything at all! I am serious no "I told you so", or "hope you learned your lessons." You will not discourage or change our mind about adopting again. We work on Gods time, he will guide us straight to our next child when the time is right just like he lead us straight to our sweet boy. I will continue to pray that i will understand gods reason for taking him away..
WHATS NEXT?!?! ARE YOU STILL GOING TO ADOPT?!
The first question I asked our agency was "WHAT IF HE COMES BACK?" If by some chance he ends up back at the orphange he is ours. He will not go on any website or be referred to another family. We get the opprtunity to bring him home once again.
YES WE ARE STILL GOING TO ADOPTING!! God has always made me aware that he wants me to adopt. At this point I have no idea what Gods plan is for our family, but I do know he has a plan! We can cry and be heartbroken all we want but we can not loose faith! I am a firm believer if God brings you to it, he will bring you through it. If N___ is ment to be our child he will be brought back to us. There must be a little boy or girl that needs us more. God will lead us to them when the time is right. I have no doubt God's timing will continue to be perfect. That does not make this any easier.
WHATS GOING THROUGH MY HEAD:
If they don't know who brought him or any of his background history..how do they know it was his parent that came and got him? If God has made it so easy, why has God taken it away? Is this going to happen again, with our next child? How do we tell Bri? DO WE tell Bri? It breaks my heart in billions of little pieces to think that he will never know how much he has been loved by so many people that he doesn't even know exsist! <--- That is the hardest part...he doesn't even know we loved him so much!!
As I have said 100 times we are heartbroken, the more i think about it i am mad! I know that we are not the only ones this has happen to. There should be a better way to make sure these kids a truly available before they are referred to families or put on websites, but we are not discouraged. I can not lie I am selfish I want him here with us, our God is Great and will provide the comfort and answers we need. With all of that being said I DO NOT need or want to hear any negitive comments. If you do not have anything nice to say do not say anything at all! I am serious no "I told you so", or "hope you learned your lessons." You will not discourage or change our mind about adopting again. We work on Gods time, he will guide us straight to our next child when the time is right just like he lead us straight to our sweet boy. I will continue to pray that i will understand gods reason for taking him away..
Sunday, August 19, 2012
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Happy Sunday Everyone!! This weekend we finished our dvd's!! When we give our social worker the last of our paperwork our homestudy can be complete! PRAISE GOD!! But for once this blog isn't about our adoption. Its something that I have thought about many years.
During Christmas time I have always felt a little guilty for all the gifts I get and now all the things we buy our daughter. Don't get me wrong I love it, but in the back of my head I have always wished there was a way to help others that have nothing around the world. Last year our church introduced Operation Christmas Child to me. This is exactly what i have been looking for since i was a girl! Operation Christmas Child is a program that sends a gift to a child that is less fortunate around the world. The gift is a shoebox filled with gifts that we take advantage of here in the U.S. and our children would probably be upset if they got. So many American children are spoiled and ungrateful and I am just a guilty as you of making them this way. Not something I am proud of but it is true.
So I know so many of you have bought new school shoes for your children or even yourself during the great sales that have been going on. I have a favor; SAVE ME YOUR SHOE BOX!! Last year I wanted to send a shoe box but i missed the deadline and was literally heartbroken and have thought about this program all year. I WONT MISS THE DEADLINE THIS YEAR :-) That's all i need from you is a shoe box, most of you can help with that.
Do you want to help too? I hope this pulls at your heart as much as it does mine! So if it does this is what you do. 1.) Get an empty shoebox 2.) fill your box..below is a list taken from the OCC website. 3.)Include a $7 donation for shipping. 4.)Find a drop off location near you. For those close to me you can bring your filled or empty box to me and I will make sure it get where it needs to go! This is something that everyone can do. Encourage your children to save their allowances and fill a shoe box. You can get most of these things at the Dollar Tree. I also encourage you to write the child a letter. By making your donation online using a credit or debit card you will receive a special shoe box label included in your e-mail receipt. Print or copy the label as many times as you need to attach to each of your boxes. Your specific barcode is connected to your e-mail address, so it’s important to use the same label on each of your boxes. The barcode on the label enables us to track each shoe box gift. You will receive an e-mail telling you the destination of your gift, along with information about Operation Christmas Child in that country. If your boxes go to more than one country, you will receive more than one e-mail. This is an inexpensive wonderful way to share the gift of Christmas with a child that has nothing..possibly no one!
learn more at:
https://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/followyourbox/
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Working Mom Found a Free Time!!
Hello everyone!! I am so sorry I haven't posted anything in a few weeks. I have been CRAZY busy! I went from being a full time mom and house wife; to working full time and still being a full time mommy and wife. I have a new found respect and appreiation for my mom who; worked more than one job, went to school, took care of her parents while they were sick and dying and still was an A-M-A-Z-I-N-G mom to my brother and I, while never missing a baseball game or practise. I don't know how you did it, and I am sorry for not understanding sooner.
While I have been working many hours, have no fears our adoption is still my # 2 priority (Bri being 1st). Any and every sec that i have down time between phone calls or faxes, I'm working on the adoption. It may be selling a T-shirt or filling out paperwork or emailing our agency. While we did forget about a few things for the homestudy, we should have EVERYTHING we need turned in for our homestudy by next Friday. I am praying that our social worker will be able to have our offical completed homestudy by the next Friday. I got really bummed and disappointed in myself for letting it drag out for so long when we were so close to being 100% a few weeks ago. I quickly snapped out of it and thank god for it moving so fast. A friend I have met through the Ghana group said it took them over a year to complete their homestudy, others I have read that it has taken 3-6 months...WE ARE BLESSED AND I AM THANKFUL!! I have to remember we are working on gods time..we must not be impatient.
So while we are wrapping up the homestudy I have moved on to getting the documents we need for our dossier. We have to get Tonys passport thats the big thing that is needed for it. I have everthing else, or I have ordered everything else :-) Our agency has also sent me the offical letter to apply for our I-600A and to do our biometric fingerprints!!! Of course can't be done until we have to completed homestudy and our next fee of $890. I'm thinking that cookout that got rained out in July would be a great way to earn this set of fees :-) Since we already have everything ready to turn in, this next step should go super fast. I have to remember we are working on Gods time. We have also set up our apt to get our shots. We go Sept 21. Some great friends put us in contact with a Dr. that will file with our insuarnce and what insurance don't pay for he will only charge us at "cost" This is truly a blessing what was going to cost close 1,000 each is probably at most going to cost us 300 total!! Again, WE ARE BLESSED AND I AM THANKFUL!!
I just want to say "THANK YOU!!" to everyone who has supported our adoption so far. Thank you for the prayers, the sharing of our blog and story. Thank you if you have bought one shirt or help sell 5-50. If you donated one dollar or 500 you are AMAZING and we couldn't do this without you. Any and everything that you have done is bringing us one step closer to bringing the cutest little boy in Africa home!
While I have been working many hours, have no fears our adoption is still my # 2 priority (Bri being 1st). Any and every sec that i have down time between phone calls or faxes, I'm working on the adoption. It may be selling a T-shirt or filling out paperwork or emailing our agency. While we did forget about a few things for the homestudy, we should have EVERYTHING we need turned in for our homestudy by next Friday. I am praying that our social worker will be able to have our offical completed homestudy by the next Friday. I got really bummed and disappointed in myself for letting it drag out for so long when we were so close to being 100% a few weeks ago. I quickly snapped out of it and thank god for it moving so fast. A friend I have met through the Ghana group said it took them over a year to complete their homestudy, others I have read that it has taken 3-6 months...WE ARE BLESSED AND I AM THANKFUL!! I have to remember we are working on gods time..we must not be impatient.
So while we are wrapping up the homestudy I have moved on to getting the documents we need for our dossier. We have to get Tonys passport thats the big thing that is needed for it. I have everthing else, or I have ordered everything else :-) Our agency has also sent me the offical letter to apply for our I-600A and to do our biometric fingerprints!!! Of course can't be done until we have to completed homestudy and our next fee of $890. I'm thinking that cookout that got rained out in July would be a great way to earn this set of fees :-) Since we already have everything ready to turn in, this next step should go super fast. I have to remember we are working on Gods time. We have also set up our apt to get our shots. We go Sept 21. Some great friends put us in contact with a Dr. that will file with our insuarnce and what insurance don't pay for he will only charge us at "cost" This is truly a blessing what was going to cost close 1,000 each is probably at most going to cost us 300 total!! Again, WE ARE BLESSED AND I AM THANKFUL!!
I just want to say "THANK YOU!!" to everyone who has supported our adoption so far. Thank you for the prayers, the sharing of our blog and story. Thank you if you have bought one shirt or help sell 5-50. If you donated one dollar or 500 you are AMAZING and we couldn't do this without you. Any and everything that you have done is bringing us one step closer to bringing the cutest little boy in Africa home!
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Homestudy Report...
Hello everyone, I feel like its been forever since I posted a blog! Since our last post we have had our homestudy I have started a full time job and my daughter has been talking about her brother everday!
HOMESTUDY- The homestudy went AMAZINGLY well! Our social worker came in and made her self at home. I thought I would be a nervous mess and say the wrong things. I was wrong as soon as she walked in the door a calmness came over me and i felt like I was talking to a friend. We talked about what school B** would go to, her daughter and whatever else came to mind. When the actual homestudy start we had individual interviews. I was so nervous about this. Come to find out we had nothing to be nervous about all the questions she asked us we had already answered in the packet she gave us. What a relief! The questions were about our life growing up, and our family history easy stuff! After our interviews she did a quick walk through of the house and B** showed her doll house her bed and "Chases" room. She told her that she was her sister and Tony and I were his mommy and daddy now. MY baby girl knows how to melt anyones heart! Before she left she said "You Passed!" tears of joy!! She told us that we need our pysicals and to do the video training and once that was turned she had 2 weeks to get our report written and for it to be complete! PRAISE GOD!! We could not have asked for a better social worker or homestudy all that worrying and cleaning was for nothing :-)
I just want to share a conversation B** and I had tonight. As I was fixing dinner she said " Mommy I can't wait to meet my brother!" ME: Me either baby! B**: "Mommy there are other kids with "Chase" right?" ME: Yes, baby why do you ask that?" B**: Mommy they don't have a mommy daddy or a sister either. ME: No baby girl they sure don't! B**: Mommy can we be their sister, mommy, and daddy too? They need us just like "Chase"! ME: Well, baby girl I think thats a great idea, but you know there are some Mommy and Daddy's that dont have any kids. We should just get "Chase" home and give someone else a chance to have a son or daughter. B**: Yeah, Cause we should share! ME: Thats right baby! Maybe after we get "Chase" home if there are boys and girls left that still dont have a mommy daddy or sister we can ask Jesus to find us another one join our family! What do you think? B**: Or brother..if they don't have a mommy daddy sister or brother cause "Chase" will be with us remember. ME: Exactly right baby B**: Sounds like a great idea to me!! I bet Jesus wants us to have a sister next...
WOW!! My daughter is 4 years old, and has more compassion and a bigger heart than most adults in this world! This coversation made me proud, and my heart almost burst! I guess we're doing something right. She's 4 years old...and worried about the other kids that dont have a mommy daddy or sister! I pray that her heart never changes and that she will stay full of love and compassion. It really just blows my mind to think of all the way our great God is connecting dots and making this adoption possible and filling our families heart with his glory and allowing this adoption to make us better Christians. Through out this entire process I have thought I am so thankful and feel so blessed how do I say thank you to God? Then when I went to the Light Church they played a song by Steven Curtis Chapman titled Listen to our Hearts. It is exactly how I feel I encourage you to listen to it but here is my favorite 2 verses:
But words are not enough To tell You of our love So listen to our hearts....
So if You listen to my heart Every beat would say, "Thank You for the Life, thank You for the Truth, thank You for the Way."
Read more: STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN - LISTEN TO OUR HEARTS LYRICS http://www.metrolyrics.com/listen-to-our-hearts-lyrics-steven-curtis-chapman.html#ixzz224cKHJ5B
Copied from MetroLyrics.com
HOMESTUDY- The homestudy went AMAZINGLY well! Our social worker came in and made her self at home. I thought I would be a nervous mess and say the wrong things. I was wrong as soon as she walked in the door a calmness came over me and i felt like I was talking to a friend. We talked about what school B** would go to, her daughter and whatever else came to mind. When the actual homestudy start we had individual interviews. I was so nervous about this. Come to find out we had nothing to be nervous about all the questions she asked us we had already answered in the packet she gave us. What a relief! The questions were about our life growing up, and our family history easy stuff! After our interviews she did a quick walk through of the house and B** showed her doll house her bed and "Chases" room. She told her that she was her sister and Tony and I were his mommy and daddy now. MY baby girl knows how to melt anyones heart! Before she left she said "You Passed!" tears of joy!! She told us that we need our pysicals and to do the video training and once that was turned she had 2 weeks to get our report written and for it to be complete! PRAISE GOD!! We could not have asked for a better social worker or homestudy all that worrying and cleaning was for nothing :-)
I just want to share a conversation B** and I had tonight. As I was fixing dinner she said " Mommy I can't wait to meet my brother!" ME: Me either baby! B**: "Mommy there are other kids with "Chase" right?" ME: Yes, baby why do you ask that?" B**: Mommy they don't have a mommy daddy or a sister either. ME: No baby girl they sure don't! B**: Mommy can we be their sister, mommy, and daddy too? They need us just like "Chase"! ME: Well, baby girl I think thats a great idea, but you know there are some Mommy and Daddy's that dont have any kids. We should just get "Chase" home and give someone else a chance to have a son or daughter. B**: Yeah, Cause we should share! ME: Thats right baby! Maybe after we get "Chase" home if there are boys and girls left that still dont have a mommy daddy or sister we can ask Jesus to find us another one join our family! What do you think? B**: Or brother..if they don't have a mommy daddy sister or brother cause "Chase" will be with us remember. ME: Exactly right baby B**: Sounds like a great idea to me!! I bet Jesus wants us to have a sister next...
WOW!! My daughter is 4 years old, and has more compassion and a bigger heart than most adults in this world! This coversation made me proud, and my heart almost burst! I guess we're doing something right. She's 4 years old...and worried about the other kids that dont have a mommy daddy or sister! I pray that her heart never changes and that she will stay full of love and compassion. It really just blows my mind to think of all the way our great God is connecting dots and making this adoption possible and filling our families heart with his glory and allowing this adoption to make us better Christians. Through out this entire process I have thought I am so thankful and feel so blessed how do I say thank you to God? Then when I went to the Light Church they played a song by Steven Curtis Chapman titled Listen to our Hearts. It is exactly how I feel I encourage you to listen to it but here is my favorite 2 verses:
But words are not enough To tell You of our love So listen to our hearts....
So if You listen to my heart Every beat would say, "Thank You for the Life, thank You for the Truth, thank You for the Way."
Read more: STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN - LISTEN TO OUR HEARTS LYRICS http://www.metrolyrics.com/listen-to-our-hearts-lyrics-steven-curtis-chapman.html#ixzz224cKHJ5B
Copied from MetroLyrics.com
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
T-SHIRT TIME!!!!!
TA-DAAAA!!!
So here they are!! the much anticipated T-shirt design! Almost a month late...anyone that truly knows me, know that's totally out of the norm.. :-) <---- Insert sarcasm LOL!!! But they are being made and will be done we are told by Tuesday July 24, 2012..AWW that's mine and Tony's Anniversary! Married 8 years..WOW...BACK TO THE T-SHIRTS!! I think they were very much worth the wait I couldn't be happier! This is it! This will be our major fundraiser, (we will continue with the smaller ones because every penny literally counts). I say this is the big one because we have signed a fundraiser contract to sale 300 shirts! 300 shirts will cover the next set of fees and all the little things that we keep forgetting about. THEN once homestudy is complete we can apply for grants..FINALLY!! yay!! YEP.. I know that's alot and I hesitated at first but God has done some A-M-A-Z-I-N-G things for us so far with him leading the way I think we can do it!
If I'm going to buy something i want to know where exactly my money is going. So I'm going to tell you exactly what we need and what exactly you are helping pay for. This fundraiser was originally set to pay for the homestudy. However, that has changed...after having to cancel our last cookout due to rain (Thank you Jesus our crops need it) and reschedule our homestudy because we were unable to come up with the funds to pay for it in full. I was bummed, but knew everything would be OK that T-shirts would be here soon. I just couldn't bare the thought of our Sweet, sweet "Chase" sitting over for a min longer with no snuggles, nomommy or daddy, and no sister because I didn't earn the money. My heart was broken, but I (like always) put on my smile, reached in the pit of my stomach and found encouraging words and remained positive to everyone. ( it was OK God has a better plan). Then I received a phone call HMM.. I was very anxious to answer. I don't know why I knew nothing bad would come from the conversation. A friend called and said "not to worry about the hometudy cost, they they had it taken care of." I was speechless.. literally.. she thought I hung up on her! lol! I didn't know what to say my eyes teared up! I thought she was kidding but immediately took back that thought, that would be a mean joke. But I confirmed anyway "Are you kidding?" She reassured me and said "reschedule that homestudy apt!!" LOL! Good God almighty.. ARE YOU SEROUS!!..EVERY TIME I HAVE A DOUBT GOD SEND SOMETHING OR SOMEONE TO TAKE MY WORRIES AWAY!! E-V-E-R-Y-T-I-M-E! It gave me goose bumps, these awesome people who have gone above and beyond to help someone they barely know! I honestly don't even know how to say thank you to something like that. For something like this, all the work they put into gathering the money, thought, effort..it's priceless and Thank you will never be enough <3
SOOO Since the homestudy is now taking care of we are moving right along. Our next set of fees which are:
Administration fee, homestudy review, and dossier preparation fees 750
Agency fee 2000
Orphanage support fee 100 per month
Tony's passport 150? (est)
TOTAL: 3000
If we sale all 300 of these shirts at $20, it will give us a profit of $15 per shirt! We will make our next set of fees and then some!! ACTUALLY... WHEN WE SALE THESE SHIRTS IT WILL COVER THE NEXT SET OF FEES ALSO :-) :-) I DID NOT FREAKN REALIZE THIS WOW!!
Not only will it cover the above but it will also cover:
I-600A filling fee 720
biometric fingerprints 85 p/p
AWESOME!! I am super excited now! Let' get these t-shirts sold! Every single one of you talk them up! This will be super easy to help us and you get an awesome looking shirt! WOW..I CAN'T BELIEVE I DIDN'T REALIZE THIS SOONER!! This is awesome because after we complete our homestudy plus if we get approved for a grant that will put us over our half way mark for total funding...almost 1/2 WAY TO TOTAL FUNDING.. NOW THAT'S SOME MOTIVATION!!
*~*FACT: EVERY EVERYONE ON MY FRIENDS LIST BOUGHT OR HELPED SALE 2 SHIRTS OUR GOAL WILL BE REACHED* IF EVERYONE ON MINE AND TONYS FRIENDS LIST BOUGHT 1 SHIRT WE WILL HAVE TO ORDER MORE AND WE WILL BE HALF WAY TO OUR TOTAL FUNDING!!!*~*
If I'm going to buy something i want to know where exactly my money is going. So I'm going to tell you exactly what we need and what exactly you are helping pay for. This fundraiser was originally set to pay for the homestudy. However, that has changed...after having to cancel our last cookout due to rain (Thank you Jesus our crops need it) and reschedule our homestudy because we were unable to come up with the funds to pay for it in full. I was bummed, but knew everything would be OK that T-shirts would be here soon. I just couldn't bare the thought of our Sweet, sweet "Chase" sitting over for a min longer with no snuggles, nomommy or daddy, and no sister because I didn't earn the money. My heart was broken, but I (like always) put on my smile, reached in the pit of my stomach and found encouraging words and remained positive to everyone. ( it was OK God has a better plan). Then I received a phone call HMM.. I was very anxious to answer. I don't know why I knew nothing bad would come from the conversation. A friend called and said "not to worry about the hometudy cost, they they had it taken care of." I was speechless.. literally.. she thought I hung up on her! lol! I didn't know what to say my eyes teared up! I thought she was kidding but immediately took back that thought, that would be a mean joke. But I confirmed anyway "Are you kidding?" She reassured me and said "reschedule that homestudy apt!!" LOL! Good God almighty.. ARE YOU SEROUS!!..EVERY TIME I HAVE A DOUBT GOD SEND SOMETHING OR SOMEONE TO TAKE MY WORRIES AWAY!! E-V-E-R-Y-T-I-M-E! It gave me goose bumps, these awesome people who have gone above and beyond to help someone they barely know! I honestly don't even know how to say thank you to something like that. For something like this, all the work they put into gathering the money, thought, effort..it's priceless and Thank you will never be enough <3
SOOO Since the homestudy is now taking care of we are moving right along. Our next set of fees which are:
Administration fee, homestudy review, and dossier preparation fees 750
Agency fee 2000
Orphanage support fee 100 per month
Tony's passport 150? (est)
TOTAL: 3000
If we sale all 300 of these shirts at $20, it will give us a profit of $15 per shirt! We will make our next set of fees and then some!! ACTUALLY... WHEN WE SALE THESE SHIRTS IT WILL COVER THE NEXT SET OF FEES ALSO :-) :-) I DID NOT FREAKN REALIZE THIS WOW!!
Not only will it cover the above but it will also cover:
I-600A filling fee 720
biometric fingerprints 85 p/p
AWESOME!! I am super excited now! Let' get these t-shirts sold! Every single one of you talk them up! This will be super easy to help us and you get an awesome looking shirt! WOW..I CAN'T BELIEVE I DIDN'T REALIZE THIS SOONER!! This is awesome because after we complete our homestudy plus if we get approved for a grant that will put us over our half way mark for total funding...almost 1/2 WAY TO TOTAL FUNDING.. NOW THAT'S SOME MOTIVATION!!
*~*FACT: EVERY EVERYONE ON MY FRIENDS LIST BOUGHT OR HELPED SALE 2 SHIRTS OUR GOAL WILL BE REACHED* IF EVERYONE ON MINE AND TONYS FRIENDS LIST BOUGHT 1 SHIRT WE WILL HAVE TO ORDER MORE AND WE WILL BE HALF WAY TO OUR TOTAL FUNDING!!!*~*
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Connecting the Dots
I know it's late but are back home from an A-M-A-Z-I-N-G weekend! I met some of the most AMAZING people. I have been a lot of places met A LOT of people, NEVER have I walked into a total strangers house and felt 100% comfortable or 100% welcome. I cried so many happy tears, that I ran out, LOL! Sounds silly I know, but it's true! I was so blessed to go to the Light church that goes on mission trips every year Ghana. I was even fortunate enough to meet a few people who are from Ghana...BLESSED! Nothing less we are BLESSED! God is connecting all the dots for us, all I need to do is sit back keep faith and trust that God is in control. I can not wait to see to what god has in store for our little man. I can't help but think he's going to do big things and change this world. We haven't even met him and he's changed ours <3
Wednesday I was having one of those days, I was stressing out about money again. Perhaps we should have thought this through more. Such as deciding on adoption, saving money to get us through the beginning cost, then finding a child. I just don't guess that's the way it was meant to be (me thinking out loud). ANYWAYS... during my stressing and praying and trying to figure a way to come the next set of fees. I received a phone call, it was the bank!! They FINALLY called me back I started today (Thursday) I know it's not going to give enough before the homestudy, but again our great god is providing yet another way of funding this adoption. As long as it doesn't rain on Saturday our cookout is still on 12-? How awesome would it be if we raised the $1500 that we needed for the homestudy?!?! Like I have said before even if you don't have the funds to help, by sharing our blog getting the word out that we are adopting and praying is helping us! So many people surprisingly still don't know we are adopting!
Hes a few ways you can help financially:
-Donate to our agency make sure you give our name. They will email you a receipt with tax deduction information on it.
- Or go to our adopt together account it also emails a tax detectable receipt.
http://adopttogether.org/irwin/
-Private message me and I can give you our address so you can mail check
Thank you all for you support! I'll leave with one of my new favorite verses...
"God can do anything you know-far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request, in your wildest dreams! He doesn't do it by pushing us around but by working within us, his spirit deeply and gently within us."
POWERFUL HUHH?!?!
Wednesday I was having one of those days, I was stressing out about money again. Perhaps we should have thought this through more. Such as deciding on adoption, saving money to get us through the beginning cost, then finding a child. I just don't guess that's the way it was meant to be (me thinking out loud). ANYWAYS... during my stressing and praying and trying to figure a way to come the next set of fees. I received a phone call, it was the bank!! They FINALLY called me back I started today (Thursday) I know it's not going to give enough before the homestudy, but again our great god is providing yet another way of funding this adoption. As long as it doesn't rain on Saturday our cookout is still on 12-? How awesome would it be if we raised the $1500 that we needed for the homestudy?!?! Like I have said before even if you don't have the funds to help, by sharing our blog getting the word out that we are adopting and praying is helping us! So many people surprisingly still don't know we are adopting!
Hes a few ways you can help financially:
-Donate to our agency make sure you give our name. They will email you a receipt with tax deduction information on it.
- Or go to our adopt together account it also emails a tax detectable receipt.
http://adopttogether.org/irwin/
-Private message me and I can give you our address so you can mail check
Thank you all for you support! I'll leave with one of my new favorite verses...
"God can do anything you know-far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request, in your wildest dreams! He doesn't do it by pushing us around but by working within us, his spirit deeply and gently within us."
POWERFUL HUHH?!?!
Monday, July 2, 2012
TIMELINE
Hello Everybody! We go for our first homestudy apt. this Thursday. Continued prayers for a speedy homestudy are appreiated. We have been told from other adoptive families this is the hardest part. Anyways, this blog is just an informative blog. Our agency sent me an email today with a timeline of events and I'll add expenses to it.
1.) Homestudy $1,500 (ASAP) 2-3 months
FEES: admin fee, $750 (ASAP)
Agency fee 1 $2,000 (ASAP)
2.) Apply for (I-600A) when homestudy is complete
FEE: I-600A Filing fee $720
Biometric Fingerprint fee $85 per adult
3.) Send completed dossier to Ghana after (I-600A) approval
FEES: In country processing $4,000
Agency Fee 2 $2,000
Child doc. and legal $3,500
Shots b4 travel p/p $1,000
4.) Social Inquiry report Investigation (2-3months)
FEES: In-country costs $1,000
Charitable donation $1,500
Agency Fee 3 $3,000
5.) FIRST TRIP TO GHANA (12-14 days) THIS IS WHERE WE WILL MEET OUR SWEET SWEET BOY AND ATTEND COURT DATE!!
FEES: P/P travel expenses $3,000
6.) In-country coordinator applies for Birth Certificate
7.) Family can schedule I-600 apt. when Birth Certificate is received. Family returns home when I-600 is submitted. (takes up to 60 days to receive I-600 approval.)
8.) Visa packet and child medical exam takes place after I-600 is approved.
9.) SECOND TRIP TO GHANA TO GET OUR SWEET LITTLE BOY!! 1 WEEK STAY.
FEES: P/P TRAVEL EXPENSES $3,000
10.) WELCOME HOME BABY BOY, WELCOME HOME!!!! YOUR NOT AN ORPHAN ANYMORE!!
Of course the length of time and costs can change without notice at anytime. I'm going to assume it will be pretty close to accurate. I don't think I have left anything out. If I did its because I don't know about it. THANK YOU all for your support and prayers. We couldn't do this without you and we are forever thankful for each and every one of you!
Here is the link to our adopt together account. ANY amount you choose to donate 100% comes directly to us. Once it is complete you will receive a email with a tax exempt reciept. Thank you again.
http://adopttogether.org/irwin/
1.) Homestudy $1,500 (ASAP) 2-3 months
FEES: admin fee, $750 (ASAP)
Agency fee 1 $2,000 (ASAP)
2.) Apply for (I-600A) when homestudy is complete
FEE: I-600A Filing fee $720
Biometric Fingerprint fee $85 per adult
3.) Send completed dossier to Ghana after (I-600A) approval
FEES: In country processing $4,000
Agency Fee 2 $2,000
Child doc. and legal $3,500
Shots b4 travel p/p $1,000
4.) Social Inquiry report Investigation (2-3months)
FEES: In-country costs $1,000
Charitable donation $1,500
Agency Fee 3 $3,000
5.) FIRST TRIP TO GHANA (12-14 days) THIS IS WHERE WE WILL MEET OUR SWEET SWEET BOY AND ATTEND COURT DATE!!
FEES: P/P travel expenses $3,000
6.) In-country coordinator applies for Birth Certificate
7.) Family can schedule I-600 apt. when Birth Certificate is received. Family returns home when I-600 is submitted. (takes up to 60 days to receive I-600 approval.)
8.) Visa packet and child medical exam takes place after I-600 is approved.
9.) SECOND TRIP TO GHANA TO GET OUR SWEET LITTLE BOY!! 1 WEEK STAY.
FEES: P/P TRAVEL EXPENSES $3,000
10.) WELCOME HOME BABY BOY, WELCOME HOME!!!! YOUR NOT AN ORPHAN ANYMORE!!
Of course the length of time and costs can change without notice at anytime. I'm going to assume it will be pretty close to accurate. I don't think I have left anything out. If I did its because I don't know about it. THANK YOU all for your support and prayers. We couldn't do this without you and we are forever thankful for each and every one of you!
Here is the link to our adopt together account. ANY amount you choose to donate 100% comes directly to us. Once it is complete you will receive a email with a tax exempt reciept. Thank you again.
http://adopttogether.org/irwin/
Friday, June 29, 2012
It's a SMALL TINY world!!!
God IS AMAZING!! That needed to be said first! A few weeks ago our agency sent us "Chase's" (code name) information. It had the little medical we had on him which was nothing but his measurments, 2 pictures, and the orphanage he is at. Not expecting to find any information I google his Orphanage. To my amazment they had a webpage!! I searched all over hoping to catch a glimps of our little man, but i didn't see anyone who resembled him. I did however find something that made my heart race! I noticed that it saying that The Light Church in Alabama funded something at the orphanage (don't remember exactly). I don't remember where I read but i found that this church goes on mission trip to Africa TO "CHASES" ORPHANAGE EVERY YEAR!! This really made me excited...MY STEP SISTER LIVES IN ALABAMA!! Maybe we could send him a care package?! So I googled Light Church in Alabama. I sent an email to EVERY church that pulled up. No one responded.
Last night June 28, 2012 I couldnt get "Chase" off my mind. I just wanted to snuggle him, I knew that wasn't possible so I decided to go to his orphanages facebook page to see if by chance the church posted anything about when they were going on their mission trip. I didnt see anything about Alabama people or a mission trip but I did see that someone posted a link to the orphange blog, hoping to find a pic of our little guy I clicked on the link. I feel the urgancy to find something and I wasn't giving up until I did.
In big bold print I see THE ALABAMA CREW!! :-) I was onto something! First thing on the blog was a picture, immeditally spotedt "Chase" I couldn't see his face but i just knew it was him! He was snuggled around a young girl with long blonde hair. I read the blog, then went back to the top and started reading the comments hoping that maybe the girl holding "Chase" would have left a comment. I didnt see any pictures or names that seemed to feel right. Under comments I found a link, it said madison academy and "Chases's" country. My heart was racing I knew I was getting ready to find exactly what I had been looking for! I clicked the first set of pictures, A beautiful blonde girl on the first page! This was her I just knew this was the girl holding my sweet little boy! She was beautiful! I clicked faster, skimming her pictures hoping to see more of our sweet little boys face. Finally there he was! I just started crying, he was perfect! I was so happy to see that he looked happy! He did not look happy in the pics that our agency gave us. These pictures gave us an entire different view of him! So of course I looked at every picture from then until the end! He was with this girl in almost every picture! He loves her, and she loves him! You can see it in both of their eyes! I immeditally thought Wow, is he going to love us as much as he does her? So the water works started again! How is it possible for me to love a little boy so much that I have never met? I dried my tears and did more dectective work. I found her name on the blog, then found her facebook page..crap it was locked down tighter than fort knox! All I could do is send her a friend request, in my heart I knew she wouldn't accept me. She didn't know me and I didn't blame her.
Next, I goggled Madison Academy, the first picture that popped up on the page was them in Africa. THANK YOU JESUS!! It was late and i knew that no would be there but i called anyway and left a message. I also emailed them and went back to the blog and requested that anyone know her please have her contact me! So now that I knew what the school name was I did a mapquest from my sisters house to the school. HOLLY JEEPERS!! The school was only 30 mins from sisters house! I could not believe this!!!
Today a lady from Madison Academy called me while I was in bible school, she took all of my information and said she would have the girl in the pictures call me. I was in hysterics, I couldn't stop cring and I hadn't even talked to her yet! At the church my phone never gets reception, my phone beeped I had a voicemail I missed her call! I was so upset! I had my helper take over the bible school class and ran into the next room and called her back. As soon as she answered I started cring more and she started cring even harder! I talked to her for a few mins. Dont remember much other than she said she knew him, and they were close. Then when I got home her mom I talked to her mother for almost 2 hours, it didnt seem that long at all! She seemed like family and I was right her and "Chase" are very close. The entire family is very close to him. This melted my heart!
How AMAZING is our God?! I feel like he litterly held my hand yesterday and guided straight to their family. Only God can make me speechless! That is exactly what happened since yesterday, I'm speechless! I can't say it enough God is Amazing! We are going down to see my sister next weekend and we are going to meet for dinner with their family. I can not wait to hear all their special bonding moments with him. To find out about their mission trips, what his country is like, about him. We are so blessed to have found them. God brought us together for a reason, to keep them connected! How heart breaking would it have been for the mission group to go over there next year and him be gone and them not know where he was? The loved him first, I feel like they have every right to stay in touch with him! God would have never let us meet if that wasn't what he wanted! My promise to their family is pictures, emails, birthday invitations and a visit when we go to Alabama! I don't feel like I have found new friends Ifeel like we have gained an extended family! Did I mention that I feel soo blessed, and God is AMAZING?!?!
Last night June 28, 2012 I couldnt get "Chase" off my mind. I just wanted to snuggle him, I knew that wasn't possible so I decided to go to his orphanages facebook page to see if by chance the church posted anything about when they were going on their mission trip. I didnt see anything about Alabama people or a mission trip but I did see that someone posted a link to the orphange blog, hoping to find a pic of our little guy I clicked on the link. I feel the urgancy to find something and I wasn't giving up until I did.
In big bold print I see THE ALABAMA CREW!! :-) I was onto something! First thing on the blog was a picture, immeditally spotedt "Chase" I couldn't see his face but i just knew it was him! He was snuggled around a young girl with long blonde hair. I read the blog, then went back to the top and started reading the comments hoping that maybe the girl holding "Chase" would have left a comment. I didnt see any pictures or names that seemed to feel right. Under comments I found a link, it said madison academy and "Chases's" country. My heart was racing I knew I was getting ready to find exactly what I had been looking for! I clicked the first set of pictures, A beautiful blonde girl on the first page! This was her I just knew this was the girl holding my sweet little boy! She was beautiful! I clicked faster, skimming her pictures hoping to see more of our sweet little boys face. Finally there he was! I just started crying, he was perfect! I was so happy to see that he looked happy! He did not look happy in the pics that our agency gave us. These pictures gave us an entire different view of him! So of course I looked at every picture from then until the end! He was with this girl in almost every picture! He loves her, and she loves him! You can see it in both of their eyes! I immeditally thought Wow, is he going to love us as much as he does her? So the water works started again! How is it possible for me to love a little boy so much that I have never met? I dried my tears and did more dectective work. I found her name on the blog, then found her facebook page..crap it was locked down tighter than fort knox! All I could do is send her a friend request, in my heart I knew she wouldn't accept me. She didn't know me and I didn't blame her.
Next, I goggled Madison Academy, the first picture that popped up on the page was them in Africa. THANK YOU JESUS!! It was late and i knew that no would be there but i called anyway and left a message. I also emailed them and went back to the blog and requested that anyone know her please have her contact me! So now that I knew what the school name was I did a mapquest from my sisters house to the school. HOLLY JEEPERS!! The school was only 30 mins from sisters house! I could not believe this!!!
Today a lady from Madison Academy called me while I was in bible school, she took all of my information and said she would have the girl in the pictures call me. I was in hysterics, I couldn't stop cring and I hadn't even talked to her yet! At the church my phone never gets reception, my phone beeped I had a voicemail I missed her call! I was so upset! I had my helper take over the bible school class and ran into the next room and called her back. As soon as she answered I started cring more and she started cring even harder! I talked to her for a few mins. Dont remember much other than she said she knew him, and they were close. Then when I got home her mom I talked to her mother for almost 2 hours, it didnt seem that long at all! She seemed like family and I was right her and "Chase" are very close. The entire family is very close to him. This melted my heart!
How AMAZING is our God?! I feel like he litterly held my hand yesterday and guided straight to their family. Only God can make me speechless! That is exactly what happened since yesterday, I'm speechless! I can't say it enough God is Amazing! We are going down to see my sister next weekend and we are going to meet for dinner with their family. I can not wait to hear all their special bonding moments with him. To find out about their mission trips, what his country is like, about him. We are so blessed to have found them. God brought us together for a reason, to keep them connected! How heart breaking would it have been for the mission group to go over there next year and him be gone and them not know where he was? The loved him first, I feel like they have every right to stay in touch with him! God would have never let us meet if that wasn't what he wanted! My promise to their family is pictures, emails, birthday invitations and a visit when we go to Alabama! I don't feel like I have found new friends Ifeel like we have gained an extended family! Did I mention that I feel soo blessed, and God is AMAZING?!?!
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
F-U-N-D-R-A-I-S-E-R-S!! WE NEED YOU!!
To some it seems that this process is already seemingly taking years, to others (like Tony and I) it is going much faster than we anticipated. I'm not worried because I know we have an A-M-A-Z-I-N-G God and support group that will help us earn every penny we need. GOTTA HAVE FAITH! Yesterday, we got our agency welcome packet, lots of things to sign with a friendly reminder when you mail in the signed forms please include your first agency payment of 2,700 ASAP. WOZZERS!! So I'm not going to lie I'm stressing out bit. We need this on top of the 900 more to finish the homestudy. Not worried so much about the homestudy the agency we are using is allowing us to make payments and must be paid in full when its complete, THANK YOU JESUS! What about the grants, your wondering? Well, right now we are stuck in a big circle. We can't apply for grants until the homestudy is complete. Can't pay for the agency or home study until we do more fundraising since we cant apply for grants yet hints the reason for this blog...
I have have come up with monthly fundraiser we'll be doing to help with cost until we are finished with the homestudy. Each month I will give more details about each fundraiser.
JULY = T-SHIRTS
AUGUST = 31 AND SCENTSY
SEPTEMBER= M&M
OCTOBER = PUMPKIN PARTY
NOVEMBER = COFFEE
DECEMBER = ORNAMENTS
On top of these things we will also be doing cookouts an other things around town. I am in the process of opening a Helping Hands. Helping hnands is a website that tells you how much we have earned and how much more we need. With this site all of your information is protected and it allows you to make donations to us. When you donate it will give you the option to print tax deductible sheet. I'll provided the detailed information when it is complete. Also you can call our agency directly Phone: (253) 383-1928 and make a donation they will give 100% of it to us, and also email you a tax deductible sheet. Also, you can send me a private message at aairwin1125@yahoo.com and I can give you are mailing address if you just want to send cash/ or check. I know several of you want tohelp but don't know how, I hope this blog helped. There is no such thing as a donation to small. Every penny counts for us, and for every penny we are truly thankful and appreciative. With pennies and prayers I know we can earn this 3,500.
I have have come up with monthly fundraiser we'll be doing to help with cost until we are finished with the homestudy. Each month I will give more details about each fundraiser.
JULY = T-SHIRTS
AUGUST = 31 AND SCENTSY
SEPTEMBER= M&M
OCTOBER = PUMPKIN PARTY
NOVEMBER = COFFEE
DECEMBER = ORNAMENTS
On top of these things we will also be doing cookouts an other things around town. I am in the process of opening a Helping Hands. Helping hnands is a website that tells you how much we have earned and how much more we need. With this site all of your information is protected and it allows you to make donations to us. When you donate it will give you the option to print tax deductible sheet. I'll provided the detailed information when it is complete. Also you can call our agency directly Phone: (253) 383-1928 and make a donation they will give 100% of it to us, and also email you a tax deductible sheet. Also, you can send me a private message at aairwin1125@yahoo.com and I can give you are mailing address if you just want to send cash/ or check. I know several of you want tohelp but don't know how, I hope this blog helped. There is no such thing as a donation to small. Every penny counts for us, and for every penny we are truly thankful and appreciative. With pennies and prayers I know we can earn this 3,500.
Friday, June 15, 2012
You Gotta Have Faith!!
This next series is a timeline everything happen so fast I didn't have time to post every day. But here is how it went down!
June 11, 2012
Every night before bed I check to see if any new child has been added again nothing screamed "that's my son!" So Tony decided to search himself. He wanted to see our "rainbowkids" and every other child that fit our age range. I went and did something in the other room. When I came back he was still on rainbow kids. He sad I keep coming back to him, and showed me his profile. I said really he was on there when we tried for RJ (Haiti boy), what makes him so special now? His response was I don't know but it feels right, this is him. First I checked the agency, so I could start reviewing yet another agency. Faith International is what i was researching. I joking said "Ha, Gotta have Faith" and immediately began researching. I could not find anything good or bad on his agency. That scared me, so I had a friend see if you could find anything. Again no results, this is very odd to me because everyone always has something bad to say! So I e-mailed the agency with a huge list of questions. Here is just a few 1.) Can we see more pics of "Chase" 2.) Can we get hi info before we actually sign with you 3.) Do you have references we can talk to I can not find any reviews on your agency anywhere.
June 12, 2012
The VERY NEXT morning I got a reply. The email had answer all 40,000 questions So over the next 2 days I continued to try and find reviews. I called and spoke with Kristen a few times. She was so nice and friendly. THIS WAS TO EASY GOING.. I typically believe if something is too good to be true than it is. So that night I went to bed and I prayed " Dear God I trust I you more than anything, I know you have brought us this far for a reason, but I simple can't sign with this agency without knowing that they are real. Please send us a review good or bad, if this child is real and belongs in our family. I know you will give us strength if this a horrible agency. Amen"
June 13, 2012
At this time I check my email on my phone as soon as my eyes open. Kristen had emailed me back answering more questions that I had asked but still hadn't provided me with a reference. I was totally bummed, but went on about my day. After praying about it all day, I guess you could say we took a leap of Faith and committed to "Chase" So I again emailed Kristen telling her we were ready to move forward. She emailed me back the Faith International adoption application and a list of homestudy agency's that we could work with. Still no references my mind is saying don't do it, my heart is saying practice what you preach and have faith. We filled out.
June 14, 2012
Again I checked my email before getting out of bed. Kristen had again reply this time she provided me with pictures, grant options to help us fund the adoption, what they had on him (which isn't much) and more. I was shocked to say the least. ANNNDDD A REFERRAL to someone that had used there agency. I didn't even need to call her. I knew my prayers were answered. So I printed the mountain of paperwork, and finished filling out the application. My mom came over picked up the check, and application so she could fax it the Faith at work the next day. Then we mail the original copies. She was willing but agreed this was going to smooth and easy! Too good to be true!
PRAISE GOD!!
June 15, 2012
Kristen received our fax!!! PRAISE GOD! "Chase" IS officially referred to our family! He is no longer on rainbowkids. When the agency receives our actual paperwork in he mail, they will contact the Orphanage and let him know that he has a family waiting for him! What a great day for him that will be. I pray he is able to understand how is life is going to forever change. I pray that God help us understand how this process and addin to our family is going to forever change our life also!
God Funds What He Favors!
Wow, We have had a lot of AMAZING things happen since my last post! To quickly sum everything up, we had or first fundraiser, found the little boy that is now called our son, sent in the application fee and now starting the homestudy! Wheww.. I know alot of great things right! Now to go into detail and show how God is working so greatly in our life.
Saturday June 8, 2012
As you know I we have been getting reviews and searching the crap out of agencies. I feel like I could work for a few of them. My goal was to have found an agency by the date of our first fundraiser. On Saturday 8th w had a yard sale. My goal for the sale was 300 dollars. The amount of the application fee of the agency I thought we would be going with. When I told my husband this he kinda laughed and said good luck with that. Annoyed with him I said " You gotta have Faith" We agreed if it was meant to be we would raise the money needed for our application fee. All the Friday before we picked up donations and got the sale ready. It was a lot of work! We had so much stuff! We had a few customers, nothing like I expected that we would have. Just when I was ready to tuck my tail and tell my husband he was right its not our time to do this. I got a phone call someone bought all of our baby stuff and donate more money. Then we had a couple of very nice donations. My heart was racing and I couldn't stop the tears. God was funding our adoption, IT WAS MEANT TO BE! Our first fundraiser provided enough for the application fee and HALF of the homestudy...A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!
REWIND
May 2012
When we first decided to adopt we joined rainbowkids. It is a website that shows you the pictures and information on "waiting children". I stayed up until 1:30 viewing all 1683 children's profiles. ANY child that interested me I saved as "my rainbowkids" The next day when Tony got off work he viewed my list of interests. We both fell in love with the same little boy. So I decided to contact his agency, as it turned out he was in Haiti and we did not meet Haiti's guidelines. We both were heart broken and didn't pay too much attention to the other kids I saved.
Sunday, June 3, 2012
If There is a Will, There is a Way!!
Just an update on where we are with all of this. Last weekend was a rough weekend for us. We have been so excited to share any and all information on our new adventure. Last weekend was a holiday and anyone who didn't know we were considering adoption does now. For the most part everyone has been very happy, supportive, concerned on how we will raise the money, and everyone has had a ton of questions all basically the same. So for those of you who have these same question and are afraid to ask I'll answer them for you here, Any others you can message me on Facebook or just ask. We want everyone to be as happy and supportive of us and this process. Needless to say after what seemed to be a beat down we questioned our reasoning and ability to do this and have somewhat been bummed. Then this morning I read an adoption blog, it had this verse "You will only see My power when I see your faith." That hit me hard! Why are we questioning what God has laid upon us to do? If I have as much trust and faith in God as I think I do I shouldn't and won't be worried from here on out. I know he has a plan!
First and most important question we have been asked and some statements that were also mentioned...
First and most important question we have been asked and some statements that were also mentioned...
WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS? YOU CAN'T SAVE THE WORLD! DO YOU REALLY THINK YOU WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE?(YES THIS WAS REALLY SAID TO US)
**** We both have always wanted to, me more so than Tony. We BOTH want this. We are doing this because we have tried for four years to have a second child, and it has yet to happen. God clearly has other plans for us. You are right we alone can not save the world, BUT we will do are part in making the world a better place! We can and will make a difference in the world and most importantly to an orphaned child. We will make a difference at least to one child. Here is a statistic for you.. If only 7% of the 2 billion Christians in the world would adopt a single orphan, there would effectively be no more orphans. HHMM...One person will make a difference!
WHY CAN'T YOU ADOPT FROM THE U.S.? ARE YOU TRYING TO BE LIKE YOUR FRIENDS?
**** I know that there are orphans in the U.S. that need good homes. I have thought about doing foster parenting for the past few months it doesn't seem right. Maybe now is not the time for us to adopt in the U.S.. In Ethiopia these children are in orphanages because their parents just can't take care of them due to illness and poverty. Most of these children have nothing and no one. Not even a government system to give them a foodstamp or medical card... NOTHING! I understand there are horrible situations here with orphanages and foster homes here. But at least we have a government that can and does step in to try and protect our children. They provide food and health care. We do have a friend that adopted and we followed their story very closely. It has brought us to be good friends with them. Tony saw how much love it has brought to their home and how happy the little boy and their family is. I would love to give all the credit to them by saying its because of them we have chosen adoption but that would be a lie. God has laid it on our heart to adopt. He has chosen now, the place and he already knows what little boy that is waiting for us. They are a great family to look up to. I can only pray that our story will inspire someone as much as their story did us. I pray adoption IS contagious and that one day there will be no more orphans.
HOW ARE YOU GOING TO PAY FOR THIS ADOPTION? DO YOU REALLY THINK PEOPLE ARE GOING TO HELP YOU COME UP WITH THAT MUCH MONEY? (WOW!! IT WAS REALLY SAID TO US)
**** We will come up with every penny that we need for this adoption. I have 100% faith in god and our friends and family! We are going to apply for grants, have sales, fundraisers, and hopefully get a few local businesses involved. If there is a will, there is a way. WE WILL FIND A WAY! We have narrowed it down to 2 agencies. The agency that we really like and are considering requires 4,950 up front. That's a lot of money to get started, double what we initially thought we needed. Once we pay that (if we choose this agency) they will email us letters of recommendation to apply for grants. Grants are what we are counting on for the majority of the funding. If we choose the other agency 4,950 will cover the application fee, homestudy and a few other things. So how can you help? This weekend we are having a yard sale at our home. This will be our first fundraiser. You can donate things to the sale. Also, we are going to have grilled burgers, hotdogs, chips and sodas for sale. If your out 'n about stop by and get an early lunch. ALL OF THE MONEY FROM THIS SALE is going towards our adoption. We are in strong prayer that we will have a successful sale and that by the weekends end we will be able to make a choice in agency and send in our first payment and officially get this adoption started.
I felt that this is very appropriate to us right now...
For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.
~ James 1:3
WHY CAN'T YOU ADOPT FROM THE U.S.? ARE YOU TRYING TO BE LIKE YOUR FRIENDS?
**** I know that there are orphans in the U.S. that need good homes. I have thought about doing foster parenting for the past few months it doesn't seem right. Maybe now is not the time for us to adopt in the U.S.. In Ethiopia these children are in orphanages because their parents just can't take care of them due to illness and poverty. Most of these children have nothing and no one. Not even a government system to give them a foodstamp or medical card... NOTHING! I understand there are horrible situations here with orphanages and foster homes here. But at least we have a government that can and does step in to try and protect our children. They provide food and health care. We do have a friend that adopted and we followed their story very closely. It has brought us to be good friends with them. Tony saw how much love it has brought to their home and how happy the little boy and their family is. I would love to give all the credit to them by saying its because of them we have chosen adoption but that would be a lie. God has laid it on our heart to adopt. He has chosen now, the place and he already knows what little boy that is waiting for us. They are a great family to look up to. I can only pray that our story will inspire someone as much as their story did us. I pray adoption IS contagious and that one day there will be no more orphans.
HOW ARE YOU GOING TO PAY FOR THIS ADOPTION? DO YOU REALLY THINK PEOPLE ARE GOING TO HELP YOU COME UP WITH THAT MUCH MONEY? (WOW!! IT WAS REALLY SAID TO US)
**** We will come up with every penny that we need for this adoption. I have 100% faith in god and our friends and family! We are going to apply for grants, have sales, fundraisers, and hopefully get a few local businesses involved. If there is a will, there is a way. WE WILL FIND A WAY! We have narrowed it down to 2 agencies. The agency that we really like and are considering requires 4,950 up front. That's a lot of money to get started, double what we initially thought we needed. Once we pay that (if we choose this agency) they will email us letters of recommendation to apply for grants. Grants are what we are counting on for the majority of the funding. If we choose the other agency 4,950 will cover the application fee, homestudy and a few other things. So how can you help? This weekend we are having a yard sale at our home. This will be our first fundraiser. You can donate things to the sale. Also, we are going to have grilled burgers, hotdogs, chips and sodas for sale. If your out 'n about stop by and get an early lunch. ALL OF THE MONEY FROM THIS SALE is going towards our adoption. We are in strong prayer that we will have a successful sale and that by the weekends end we will be able to make a choice in agency and send in our first payment and officially get this adoption started.
I felt that this is very appropriate to us right now...
For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.
~ James 1:3
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
WHO KNEW!?!?!
Wow, Who knew this would be so HARD? Who knew there would be so many decisions? I have had a constant headache for the past three days. THIS IS HARD!!! There is so much to this process. I never thought we would get pre-approved, so I didn't do much research before. Research on what agency we would choose, or where we would like to adopt from. We knew the age range we wanted, and we knew we wanted a boy, THAT'S IT! Choosing an agency is so hard!! Choosing the right agency is everything, it can make the process go fast, slow, easy or hard. The agency will be the hardest decision we will make! FEES, FEES, FEES: THERE ARE SO MANY FEES TO JUST GET STARTED, BEFORE YOU CAN APPLY FOR GRANTS!
I'm so overwhelmed!! Agency 1: Has several great reviews for Guatemala. People who have adopted from Guatemala can't say enough good things about them. Then they have reviews from people who have used them to adopt from Russia. They all have given horrible reviews on the same agency. They have no reviews from Ghana because they just started the Ghana program in Feb. We will be one of the first working with them in Ghana. The lady answers my phone calls and emails any time day or night within mins. She was the first one to write us back and the agency who preapproved us for Ghana. But from the start I have had an unsure feeling with them. Agency 2: The lady has been so helpful, she has sent me emails on how to fund the adoption, grants, programs, I feel comfortable with her and I trust her my heart tells me to choose this agency. HOWEVER: I have only found 2 reviews and they both were bad..REALLY BAD.
Agency 3: has a few reviews that are all excellent. BUT they are about $6,000 more than the others. To be honest I do not have any interest working them I feel no connection and the few times I emailed them i felt like I was being a bother.
Sooo..after a major meltdown and crying like my dog died for about 30 mins, I am going to email a lady that a friend referred me to at a different agency. This agency works with several countries, and provides a photolisting for all of the countries they work with. We don't have to agree to any country and wait for a child to be referred to us or only see children from one country. THIS EXCITES ME! Instead of being closed minded, and insisting on Ghana we are going to step back and let God lead the way. Perhaps this is why the process has already been such a challenge..Perhaps God has other plans and we aren't listening. I'm not going to stress and worry right now about Who, What, Where. Right now we have to start getting money saved and funding started. I have been told by all 3 of the above agency's and a good friend that we need 2,000 to start. That will be enough to file an application when god leads us to our child and enough for the homestudy. After we have filed the application and have a completed homestudy we can start filling out grants. Which I have been told, it will be down hill here from there. I have been reassured that this is the hardest part, to stop thinking so much and let God lead the way..
I'm so overwhelmed!! Agency 1: Has several great reviews for Guatemala. People who have adopted from Guatemala can't say enough good things about them. Then they have reviews from people who have used them to adopt from Russia. They all have given horrible reviews on the same agency. They have no reviews from Ghana because they just started the Ghana program in Feb. We will be one of the first working with them in Ghana. The lady answers my phone calls and emails any time day or night within mins. She was the first one to write us back and the agency who preapproved us for Ghana. But from the start I have had an unsure feeling with them. Agency 2: The lady has been so helpful, she has sent me emails on how to fund the adoption, grants, programs, I feel comfortable with her and I trust her my heart tells me to choose this agency. HOWEVER: I have only found 2 reviews and they both were bad..REALLY BAD.
Agency 3: has a few reviews that are all excellent. BUT they are about $6,000 more than the others. To be honest I do not have any interest working them I feel no connection and the few times I emailed them i felt like I was being a bother.
Sooo..after a major meltdown and crying like my dog died for about 30 mins, I am going to email a lady that a friend referred me to at a different agency. This agency works with several countries, and provides a photolisting for all of the countries they work with. We don't have to agree to any country and wait for a child to be referred to us or only see children from one country. THIS EXCITES ME! Instead of being closed minded, and insisting on Ghana we are going to step back and let God lead the way. Perhaps this is why the process has already been such a challenge..Perhaps God has other plans and we aren't listening. I'm not going to stress and worry right now about Who, What, Where. Right now we have to start getting money saved and funding started. I have been told by all 3 of the above agency's and a good friend that we need 2,000 to start. That will be enough to file an application when god leads us to our child and enough for the homestudy. After we have filed the application and have a completed homestudy we can start filling out grants. Which I have been told, it will be down hill here from there. I have been reassured that this is the hardest part, to stop thinking so much and let God lead the way..
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Finding A Way
Well, very few of you know but Tony and I are tring to adopt. We found out today that we were pre approved to adopt in Ghana. We have our princess and our hope is to bring the love we share with her to another child who has never experienced the little moments we take for granted everyday. By American standards we are considered to live in poverty, because we make less than 30,000 a year. We have a clothes, house, 2 vehciles, pets, and food on our table 3 times a day. We are richer than 75% of the world. We have money in the bank very little but we do that makes us among the top 8% of the worlds wealthy. Even on our sickest days we are healthier than 1 million people who will not survie this week! How on earth can we as American be classified as being in poverty? We may not have a lot of money but we are wealthy, and blessed beyond most of our understanding! I can remember sitting on my grandma's lap and telling her I was going to adopt kids at a very young age. God has always made me aware that this was his plan for me.
So lets be honest, us adopting a child from another country seems total unreasonable! Our checking account has very little money in it and we are behind a truck payment, why on earth would we even consider adopting a child right?!? I don't have an answer other than my heart i feel like it's time. Starting today there are things that must change in order to make this dream a reality and to bring this little boy home. I have no idea what I am doing or how this process even works, but with a great friend and God walking me through each step of the way I know we will do this. Money: It cost more than my husband makes in an entire year to adopt this child. We will have to be creative and save every penny (literally); have yard sales, fund raisers, bake sales, apply for grants, no careless shopping, ext. It will be a lifestyle change for us, to save enough money to bring him home. I know if its meant to be it will find a way, I am not worried. Im a firm believer that if God brings us to it, he will bring us through it. With him and everyones support and encouragement we can make this happen!
So lets be honest, us adopting a child from another country seems total unreasonable! Our checking account has very little money in it and we are behind a truck payment, why on earth would we even consider adopting a child right?!? I don't have an answer other than my heart i feel like it's time. Starting today there are things that must change in order to make this dream a reality and to bring this little boy home. I have no idea what I am doing or how this process even works, but with a great friend and God walking me through each step of the way I know we will do this. Money: It cost more than my husband makes in an entire year to adopt this child. We will have to be creative and save every penny (literally); have yard sales, fund raisers, bake sales, apply for grants, no careless shopping, ext. It will be a lifestyle change for us, to save enough money to bring him home. I know if its meant to be it will find a way, I am not worried. Im a firm believer that if God brings us to it, he will bring us through it. With him and everyones support and encouragement we can make this happen!
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