A few misnomers……

     1. We are almost at the end…. Not so much.

Our last home study visit is Monday and while we are excited to get this part of the journey checked off, there is still much more to do to get this little one home.

Once the home study is complete the rest will look a little like this:

·         Home study report, could take 2-3 months to get back as they wait for finger prints and such

·         *Apply for immigration- Cannot do this until we have a completed home study report. ---*Takes 6-8 weeks, although we are praying for a shorter time.

·        * Get papers ready for China (During immigration process)

·        * Immigration approval, send documents off to China

·        * Wait, wait, wait wait some more for a referral. 6-8 months.

·         *Travel sometime within 4 months of getting the referral. (A day we long for)

In the meantime, we have many things going on around here. We are headed to China on July 18^th or so for a service trip at an orphanage and an English camp. Please be praying for us during this time. We will be doing some awesome things. This will be Michael’s first trip to China, I am so excited to show him a place that I love and feels like a second home.

So as, you can see there is still much to do to bring her home. The paperwork alone, would make anyone go insane.

     2. We are rich…. Not.

We are not rich because we are adopting. Michael and I work in middle class jobs. So, there isn’t the thousands of dollars it is going to take grow our family. But we are trusting in his provision. But here are some of the things that we are doing……..

Saving- Like mad people. We are scrimping everywhere that we can in order to put away more and more every month. We do not have new cars (In fact they are old), we do not have the latest technology or have the fanciest house. This is all in the name of having a family.

Fundraising- We have some fun ideas to get folks involved. Currently we are collecting stuff for a yard sale. We are going to tie this in with a bake sale and all proceeds are going to benefit the adoption. (If you got some stuff you want to be gone, please call us, we will take it) I am also planning a dessert night (Both gluten filled and gluten free) in an effort to raise some funds through baking this winter. So, keep the change, Spare Change Dessert night is coming in September.

Over time- Michael is trying to catch overtime where he can

Scholarships- Once we have a completed home study, we will be able to apply for some scholarships in order to help with bringing her home.

Coffee- We have hooked up with Just Love Coffee. It is a fair trade coffee company in which we have made a web page. For every bag that is bought with our link (See right) we get $6 towards the adoption. We got our first check in the mail last month!

Amazon- This is pretty stinkin cool. If you use our Amazon link (Again to the right)  we get 4% of the purchase that is made. You still sign in to your Amazon account like you normally would, the web page is encoded for us. This is an easy opportunity to help out especially if you order from Amazon. And if you know anyone who orders off of Amazon, please pass it on.

There are some other things that we are planning as well, to be announced later.

So that is where we are at. Once the home study is complete, I will write all about it. It has been a neat experience.

We have also started a journal for her. It sits out in our living room and is available to anyone who wants to write to her. (Of course you have to come visit) But it is a way for her to know where we are at, pray for her and such. I think it is going to be a pretty special part of her story. Feel free to ask for it when you come over.

More to come, got to clean, we have a visitor on MondayJ

Jennifer