UPDATE on Adoption Funds!

WOW! – we do not have the words to express our gratitude for the support we have received concerning our adoption of Jazhel (Isaac)!  So many have helped us, prayed for us and with us, and given generously toward our expenses.  Thank you for this amazing outpouring of love!

To date, we have just about $21,000 toward our total expenses!  Our fundraiser itself totaled approximately $8000 in gifts, and we have been receiving other individual donations since December.  The grant we received from Brittany’s Hope Foundation was $4000.  All these together have brought us to this amazing total.

We anticipate a grand total cost of $25,000 -$27,000 by the time all is said and done and he is officially adopted.  This includes upcoming travel expenses and also adoption lawyer fees once we have had him home for 6 months.

Our best guess is that we will be traveling to the Philippines in June – maybe late May, at best.  We are waiting for more information back from US Immigration, and Jazhel is currently going through his final Medical and Visa appointments so that he will be all ready to go and they can plan travel dates for us!

We are anxiously waiting to get a date and time for our first Skype session with him!

THANK YOU, Thank You, Thank You!!  We can’t say it enough!

****karen

Our Adoption Fundraiser

Friday, March 21 was our Adoption Fundraiser Event.  It was an amazing evening!  So many friends from our church and the commmunity, several family members (the few that are in Illinois), and even friends of friends came to show their love and support!

The food was incredible - it was all donated by friends; the fellowship was sweet.    So many helped plan, set up, serve, clean up, etc. and we are so thankful for their incredible help.

The evening included music of praise to God for His salvation and His faithfulness!  The band was two guitars, one banjo and a djembe - INCREDIBLE, as was the sound of praises raised to Him in one voice. 

We all (yes, adults included) enjoyed the Magic Show by the Amazing Dudley!

Thank you all for loving Jazhel (Isaac) in this way and for being part of God's plan to give him a forever family!

DID YOU KNOW? #3

There are over two million orphaned children in the Philippines alone. Once a child turns 16 years old, he/she is no longer available for adoption. These children live the rest of their lives with no family to love and care for them. Some children end up living on the streets, deprived of the basic needs such as food, clothing, shelter and medical care. 

 

http://inhishandsorphans.org/Default.aspx?pageId=655081

DID YOU KNOW? #2

33% of Americans consider adoption.
79% of those are concerned about the costs, the biggest deterrent.
Less than 2% adopt.

From:  www.abbafund.org

DID YOU KNOW? #1

Once orphans turn 5, they only have a 5% chance of ever being adopted. 

http://inhishandsorphans.org/Default.aspx?pageId=655081

March 21, 2014

A Quick Album for Isaac

We received a packet on Thursday, February 20 that had time-sensitive paperwork in it.  We had to sign a form and write a "placement proposal acceptance letter" and express mail it back to the office in Delaware so they could send it the quickest way possible back to the Philippines . . .all by February28!

The process for the Philippines requires that we accept their placement proposal within 15 days of the date of the ICAB's letter (Inter-Country Adoption Board).  Thus the reason for the hurry with this set of documents!

AND, they asked for us to send some pictures of our family, our home, and other people who would be significant in his life to help introduce him to his new life.  I used the afternoon to throw together a quick 9x9 "album" of our family - it is made out of only 3 page protectors to keep it as flat as possible.  Whew!

We hope to hear about skyping him soon!

****karen