Sea of Fees

Hey everyone!

Well, we’ve come to one of the hardest parts of this Adoption Journey…. “The financial aspect”. Now that the adoption is taking off, we have jumped into a sea of fees. Currently, some of the fees we are facing are mandatory parenting classes for International children, certified birth/marriage certificates, criminal history checks/fingerprints, visa Passports, immigration filing and International Agency service fees. In order to complete the requirements above as well as, the home study, foreign document preparations, etc…we must submit payment ASAP. Once the requirements have been met and courses/paperwork completed (which is roughly around 3-4 months) we begin the wait for our baby referral.

Some of you have asked how you can help in the adoption process. If you feel as if the Lord has led you in the direction of helping financially, that opportunity is certainly available at this time. Currently, outside of prayer, this is the most pressing need. Jeff and I are going to open up a checking account tomorrow for adoption donations. All donations will go into that account and will be used for adoption fees only. So, if you would like to donate, we would be glad to accept your donation! I would like to note that once the Home study has been completed and is approved, we will then be eligible to apply for grants!

To help you see our needs and to help you pray through any amount the Lord might be leading you to donate, I have posted a donation tracker on the blog, which will list “current fees to-be-paid” as well as, how much has been donated to-date. The tracker will also serve as a visual for you, in knowing how to pray for us! I would encourage you to check the blog for updates and or subscribe (if you haven’t already) so that you can join us in this journey and witness how the Lord is meeting our financial needs and goals. Please know that we are not just looking for “big” donations. Every dollar counts for something in this process so whatever the Lord lays on your heart is greatly appreciated!

In addition to the tracker, I have also created a tool for you to use to help us with spreading the news of our adoption and financial needs. There is a button on the right side of this blog, which can be added to any blog and or web page. Simply copy the HTML code and paste it on your blog site and or web page. This button will link anyone who clicks it directly to our site and will allow them to get involved.

BTW….if I haven’t told you yet and you haven’t already seen the button; you’ll notice that Jeff and I have picked a first name! (We decided we needed another “B” name in the family since I am overrun by “J’s”!)

Thank you so much for your love, support and prayers for us in this journey. It means so much to us. We can’t wait to see how God brings it all together!!

Blessings,