Okay, so this week is the start to many important appointments and meetings in regards to our adoption. I wish we could be more detailed about it all, but trust us when we say, we will as soon as we can. We’ve pretty much moved past the initial paperwork phase, although anyone that knows anything about adoptions, knows that the paperwork is NEVER done. BUT we’ve submitted the important applications, agreements, information packets, financial statements, etc. so that means we are now on to some of the “funner” stuff! 😉

So that also brings up our first big mountain to move………The first big chunk of finances needed for our adoption. Now, can I just stop right there for a second? If you know me, you know I HATE talking about money. Good or bad, I just have always felt money is a private thing. However, God has shown me through Cady’s adoption and through my involvement with other people’s adoptions and financial needs that when people give, it blesses them too. I also realize that it is really hard to give to something you don’t understand or know what it’s for, SO I’m just going to be very candid and vulnerable right now with where we are….

Let me start by saying that we believe that God will provide for ALL of our needs, according to His riches, because we believe He called us to this. So we are in constant prayer for wisdom, direction and God’s provisions throughout our adoption regarding every mountain that needs to be moved. We had already begun saving and pulling from various sources we have so that we would have some of the finances that are needed, but the money we have saved up will be exhausted very quickly. Yes, we can take out credit cards if need be, but we don’t believe God wants us in debt in order to fulfill what He has called us to do. So this next week, we have our first homestudy visit and at that time, we will have $1,500 due. Following that, our next big financial phase will be $3,500. That’s $5,000 in a very short time. Mike is working hard to bring in more real estate deals and get them closed in time and I am trying to sell my shirts and get new clients for my graphic and web design business, in addition to working still. We are also planning some fundraisers and applying for grants, but the time-frame for those to fund can vary.

Now I know it’s hard to remember, when looking at the dollars (because it is for me too), that this is not just about “us”. It’s about a child. So we aren’t asking you to just help us grow our family, we are inviting you to make an immensely, incredible difference in a life. We want you to be part of our story. A story that we believe reflects what God has done for us and reminds us that we are all adopted and given a chance at life.

So with all this in mind, we are asking you to pray. First, just pray. Please pray! Pray for us in this adoption. Pray that we are sensitive to God’s leading and His voice EVERY step of the way. Pray that He meets our needs, in whatever way He wills it. And then……..pray for direction for yourselves. Pray to see if God is asking you to act in some way. I know this is a big request and I do it from a deep place of heartfelt gratitude that you would even consider supporting us in this way. We don’t take it lightly. Maybe you say you can’t give any monetary amount, but you would love to help us fundraise……..if so, we would be incredibly grateful for such a sacrifice! Maybe you have others way you could help us in our fundraising efforts that we haven’t even thought of, we invite you to share those with us. We are expectantly waiting to see the unbelievable ways that God provides for this adoption because we know that He loves to wow us. 😉

So after you have prayed, if you would like to donate, please visit our support us page. There is a link on there to our youcaring account, which will allow you to donate. Please know that any amount is appreciated, it adds up quickly and every little bit counts! If you have some ideas or advice to share with us in our fundraising efforts, please send us a message at My Email. And lastly, thank you. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for following on this journey with us. Thank you for praying, for caring, for supporting. And for loving us enough to partner with us. We know God can move mountains in this adoption and we are excited to share our praise reports with you as He does….