This past week we received a $4000 grant from ShowHope!! We feel very blessed and affirmed that the Lord is providing, and will continue to do so.
Now, lest you think this process is all roses....let me set you straight...I have had to take a part-time job, and for the past eight months have been juggling homeschooling/caring for 5 children, and working 3-5 nights per week...this has been for the most part, miserable!! We knew that we needed the extra income for the adoption, so I said I would do it...God provided Kohl's...I jumped and......I have felt so attacked by the enemy, that I can't even explain it all...... I have felt depressed a lot...wondering whether or not we're doing the right thing...why is this so hard..etc.... Let's just say that I am soooo thankful to be a stay-at-home mom!! And I can't wait to come home!! I'm a terrible working mother!!! I am grateful for the extra money for the adoption, but the enemy is doing all he can to beat me up in this process..
So, why do we go through all of this..it's not necessary you know... Because somewhere in Eastern Europe, in a tiny country called Bulgaria, is a tiny little girl waiting for us to come for her...and we can't do that without paying the cost..and traveling this road we're on... We can't give up now, we're too close!!
They key is staying close to the Savior...in His word...in His presence...among His people!! Lord may I surrender to being in your presence more often!! Give me strength for the day, and keep our daughter safe as she waits for us.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
Let's Rewind....
Today I'm going to give you some info about adopting in general...just in case you want to know...
There are 143 million orphans and waiting children around the world...500,000 in the U.S.(I think..)alone.
A relatively high number of couples consider international adoption, but don't go through with it because of the cost...it costs about the same to adopt domestically as internationally..
There is a tax credit of over $11,000 from the federal government for every completed adoption, domestic or international. That means you get a dollar for dollar tax credit up to $11,000, for any adoption related expenses. There are MANY grants, no-interest loans, fundraising ideas, etc. available to adopting couples to help with costs.
There are reduced fees for those open to adopting a child with some special needs(even mild-moderate ones).
It is FREE(virtually) to adopt from the foster care system...although the process can be difficult and emotional...O.K., this is true for every adoption, just in varying degrees..
So....why did we choose international... Well, it's simple...it is what God placed on my heart.. We considered all options actually, but for us(with 5 children already), the domestic route would have been impossible(approximately 30-40 couples wait for every 1 newborn..most are childless). We considered foster-adoption, but would have to adopt out of birth order and felt that wasn't wise... We really felt the greatest needs were in other countries....where children languish(is that the right word) in poorly run orphanages(very few countries have foster care systems), with little attention, or hope for a family to come for them...where children with special needs are put in mental institutions with little hope for living to the age of 10!! It was something I just couldn't ignore...
So, what is like in Bulgaria?? Well, for the Roma(gypsy) children(over 80% of orphans are Roma), it is pretty hopeless...they are considered no better than dogs by the Bulgarians(although not all feel this way I'm sure). In fact, our program coordinator went to pick up her son several years ago, and while sightseeing, was basically asked by someone why she would adopt a "dog". They are a minority and are not usually adopted by Bulgarians.. Children over 8 are put in orphanages with older kids up to 18..their childhood is pretty much over at that point. It is changing though...the new Ministry of Justice lived in an orphanage till the age of 5, so she understands the plight of these children and is doing a tremendous job in making sure orphanages are better supervised and that adoptions from international adopting families continue!!! We feel blessed to be in this process with her as a leader in our adopting country!!
So, are we on a quest to change the world and make grand social changes to the childcare systems in foreign countries?? Yes, and No....We are following God's commands to care for orphans, and we have chosen to do that through adoption. We could just send money, and that IS GREATLY needed, but what they ultimately need is a family to love them and teach them about Jesus (changing the world...). We are PRAYING for government officials in these countries who are ethical and care about these children, not selling them to the highest bidder...as well as keeping up with important legislation that makes adoption more "friendly"(grand social change..). We are encouraging every Christian family we know to be involved in orphan care, no matter what form that takes(grand social change...). Through all these things, we pray for God to work on their behalf, in mighty ways, and for him to be glorified through us..we are willing to be used...that's all...
Phew!! It's EXHAUSTING to try and explain what's going on in your heart!!!!
There are 143 million orphans and waiting children around the world...500,000 in the U.S.(I think..)alone.
A relatively high number of couples consider international adoption, but don't go through with it because of the cost...it costs about the same to adopt domestically as internationally..
There is a tax credit of over $11,000 from the federal government for every completed adoption, domestic or international. That means you get a dollar for dollar tax credit up to $11,000, for any adoption related expenses. There are MANY grants, no-interest loans, fundraising ideas, etc. available to adopting couples to help with costs.
There are reduced fees for those open to adopting a child with some special needs(even mild-moderate ones).
It is FREE(virtually) to adopt from the foster care system...although the process can be difficult and emotional...O.K., this is true for every adoption, just in varying degrees..
So....why did we choose international... Well, it's simple...it is what God placed on my heart.. We considered all options actually, but for us(with 5 children already), the domestic route would have been impossible(approximately 30-40 couples wait for every 1 newborn..most are childless). We considered foster-adoption, but would have to adopt out of birth order and felt that wasn't wise... We really felt the greatest needs were in other countries....where children languish(is that the right word) in poorly run orphanages(very few countries have foster care systems), with little attention, or hope for a family to come for them...where children with special needs are put in mental institutions with little hope for living to the age of 10!! It was something I just couldn't ignore...
So, what is like in Bulgaria?? Well, for the Roma(gypsy) children(over 80% of orphans are Roma), it is pretty hopeless...they are considered no better than dogs by the Bulgarians(although not all feel this way I'm sure). In fact, our program coordinator went to pick up her son several years ago, and while sightseeing, was basically asked by someone why she would adopt a "dog". They are a minority and are not usually adopted by Bulgarians.. Children over 8 are put in orphanages with older kids up to 18..their childhood is pretty much over at that point. It is changing though...the new Ministry of Justice lived in an orphanage till the age of 5, so she understands the plight of these children and is doing a tremendous job in making sure orphanages are better supervised and that adoptions from international adopting families continue!!! We feel blessed to be in this process with her as a leader in our adopting country!!
So, are we on a quest to change the world and make grand social changes to the childcare systems in foreign countries?? Yes, and No....We are following God's commands to care for orphans, and we have chosen to do that through adoption. We could just send money, and that IS GREATLY needed, but what they ultimately need is a family to love them and teach them about Jesus (changing the world...). We are PRAYING for government officials in these countries who are ethical and care about these children, not selling them to the highest bidder...as well as keeping up with important legislation that makes adoption more "friendly"(grand social change..). We are encouraging every Christian family we know to be involved in orphan care, no matter what form that takes(grand social change...). Through all these things, we pray for God to work on their behalf, in mighty ways, and for him to be glorified through us..we are willing to be used...that's all...
Phew!! It's EXHAUSTING to try and explain what's going on in your heart!!!!
Thursday, June 18, 2009
FINALLY!!!
O.K., it has been a while, I know....but it's finally happened..we are officially registered with the government of Bulgaria to adopt a little girl!! We are praising God and praying for grace to wait...O.K., and a miracle or two to help pay for everything!! For He is able to do exceedingly, abundantly more than all I could ask or think according to HIS power...Renae's paraphrase..I'm leaning hard on this verse now...
It's so different than being pregnant...you know she's in your tummy, growing..and you bond with her even then...but now we just wait and trust that even though we can't necessarily feel it, God is filling us with all the love we will need to bond with and love her.
Please pray with us for Baby Ava's safety, health, and specifically for someone in the orphanage to give her all the cuddles and kisses that we can't yet...and also, please pray for a quick process that is blessed by God!!
Renae
It's so different than being pregnant...you know she's in your tummy, growing..and you bond with her even then...but now we just wait and trust that even though we can't necessarily feel it, God is filling us with all the love we will need to bond with and love her.
Please pray with us for Baby Ava's safety, health, and specifically for someone in the orphanage to give her all the cuddles and kisses that we can't yet...and also, please pray for a quick process that is blessed by God!!
Renae
Sunday, April 26, 2009
IT'S HERE!!!
Our I800A approval came this past week!! Yea!! And it only took a little over a month! So, to all of you waiting..it won't be long!! Now we have to do one more set of fingerprints(a repeat) and that should only take a couple weeks at the most. Then we're off to notarize/certify everything. It has taken us five months to get this far..I used to wonder why it took families so long during this phase of the adoption..now I know..you spend most of your time waiting on other people!!
My daughter prays every night for her baby sister...and she always wants to buy her stuff(she is so much like me!!). She has questions like, "Will her mommy be sad when we take her?" She thinks about this so much deeper than the boys. I hope through all of this that my children understand that they are so loved by God.. and that one day He is coming to take us home..just like one day(hopefully soon) we are going to bring Ava home, to her forever family. We love you already baby Ava and we know that Jesus is holding you tight!
My daughter prays every night for her baby sister...and she always wants to buy her stuff(she is so much like me!!). She has questions like, "Will her mommy be sad when we take her?" She thinks about this so much deeper than the boys. I hope through all of this that my children understand that they are so loved by God.. and that one day He is coming to take us home..just like one day(hopefully soon) we are going to bring Ava home, to her forever family. We love you already baby Ava and we know that Jesus is holding you tight!
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Waiting....
I'm so excited to start this blog! I have been reading so many others and we all have a story to tell. Right now we are in the process of adopting a little girl from Bulgaria(her name will be Ava). We are waiting for our I800A approval(which will be soon..they are really processing quickly these days!), and then we are off to be notarized/certified..well, not us, just the documents, hee hee!
We actually began this process over a year ago..the praying part..then we signed with our agency November 29, 2008. I can't tell you how scary, exciting, overwhelming, etc. this is for us. You see, we are not risk-takers, but when faced with the question of whether or not we would have another child..adoption was what God placed on my heart!! The burden for these children has become so strong that I know I will forever be in the world of orphan care and adoption...somehow.
We started this process knowing that these children are not only on our hearts, but the very heart of God..that's what keeps us going when timelines aren't met,etc. We wondered how we would pay for the adoption(and still do), but we also know that God "owns the cattle on a thousand hills"(Ps 50:10) and He can surely provide for us. For us it is about paying a ransom..Jesus Christ paid ours in full, with His own blood, to bring us, His orphaned children home..how could WE NOT pay the ransom for this precious orphaned child!!! Is there any price too high for a child's life and hopeful salvation?
Okay, now I'm preaching!! But, we want for you to read this and be encouraged that if you choose to follow the call to care for ophans in this way...HE will provide!!(Phil 4:19)
We actually began this process over a year ago..the praying part..then we signed with our agency November 29, 2008. I can't tell you how scary, exciting, overwhelming, etc. this is for us. You see, we are not risk-takers, but when faced with the question of whether or not we would have another child..adoption was what God placed on my heart!! The burden for these children has become so strong that I know I will forever be in the world of orphan care and adoption...somehow.
We started this process knowing that these children are not only on our hearts, but the very heart of God..that's what keeps us going when timelines aren't met,etc. We wondered how we would pay for the adoption(and still do), but we also know that God "owns the cattle on a thousand hills"(Ps 50:10) and He can surely provide for us. For us it is about paying a ransom..Jesus Christ paid ours in full, with His own blood, to bring us, His orphaned children home..how could WE NOT pay the ransom for this precious orphaned child!!! Is there any price too high for a child's life and hopeful salvation?
Okay, now I'm preaching!! But, we want for you to read this and be encouraged that if you choose to follow the call to care for ophans in this way...HE will provide!!(Phil 4:19)
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