bodner003

I'd like to give you all an update on our funds, fundraising thermometer, and necessary payments as they stand. As you can see, we have increased our thermometer by $4155. We had 2 large payments due this week (our second Lifeline agency payment came due as well as our post-adoption fees to our Louisiana home study agency). Seamus and I withdrew the necessary funds from our savings account, in order to make these payments. This increase on our thermometer reflects our withdrawal from our savings of $3155. Between the $3155 from savings and $945 that has been raised through your generosity (which was already reflected on the thermometer), we are able to make these payments now. I have also reflected this on my "Breakdown of Adoption Expenses" page by highlighting the 2 payments made. Immediately after we adjusted, as described above, we received a generous donation from a very special friend for $1,000 (hence the extra $1,000 raise on our thermometer in addition to the $31...

"I don't know if I could love an adopted child the way I do my own biological children." These are the words a precious lady shared with me this morning, behind many tears. "Cindy" (we'll call her this to protect her identity) recently connected with my blog and was touched by our story. Cindy's husband has wanted to adopt for years but Cindy shared with me that she just wasn't there yet. I don't slight her for this. In fact, I admire her honesty, her humility, her vulnerability, and her ability to express her weakness. As Cindy and I parted, my heart stirred. I began having the same doubts, the same lies that Satan loves to tell me over and over again. As He always does, the Holy Spirit intervened... Love is a verb. And it's a choice. I promise, Cindy, that there is no adoptive parent on earth who didn't doubt their ability to love their adopted child. The truth is, we may never feel as emotionally connected with our adopted children as ...

Yes, you did see our fundraising thermometer increase by $3,000! A very special couple, who are really like family to us, has generously offered to purchase our flights to China. Our agency estimates the cost, for 2 adults to fly round trip to China, to be $3,000. This amount was factored in to our original fundraising goal of $32,000 so we are reflecting the donation in the amount raised. Needless to say, we were blown away by this donor's generosity. Besides their love for our family, this couple expressed their desire to be a part of something big. They are excited to learn more about adoption and the need itself. They are encouraging us to bring awareness to others and they shared some wonderful ideas for the future. To these dear friends... Thank you! (how inadequate that sounds) We are forever grateful for the overwhelming support you have extended. We love you to China and back!!!

Our adoption agency notified us Monday that the US Consulate in China has been closed until further notice. This is where immigrant visas are issued and where we will spend some time in the process of bringing Emily home. After reading news reports , it turns out there was a white powdery substance found and this is being investigated. All visas have been put on hold until the investigation is complete. Thankfully, no one has gotten sick and it seems to be a temporary situation. However, there are adoptive families there now who are in limbo and can't bring their children home until this is resolved. If you would, please join me in praying for these families and for the staff at the US Consulate in Guangzhou. UPDATE: US Consulate to reopen Friday, May 17th

For those of us who are called "Mom"... Here's a beautiful reminder that our labor is never in vein. Happy Mother's Day, sweet sisters!

I am excited to unveil our latest fundraising endeavor. Seamus and I had t-shirts designed to celebrate our adoption. If you came to our Adoption Doughnut Day, you may have noticed us wearing them. We will be selling these t-shirts to help with our adoption expenses. We are asking each of you to be a part of the trend! :-) Drumroll please.........  FRONT OF SHIRT, LEFT SIDE BACK OF SHIRT Here's my cutie modeling her shirt... The price is $20 per shirt and we have youth sizes (YXS, YS, YM) and adult sizes (S, M, L, XL) available for purchase. We are accepting orders until we run out of shirts. Spread the word and get your t-shirts now! To order through PayPal or credit card, please click on the "donate" button to the right. (mobile device users, scroll to the bottom of my blog and click on "view web version" to be able to see the "donate" button) Enter the cost based on $20 per shirt. In the message, please indicate the quantity , size ...

Thanks to all of you who helped us raise a good bit of "dough" through our Adoption Doughnut Day! We had so much fun seeing y'all... and scarfing down an obsene amount of sugar. It was great seeing familiar faces, meeting new ones, and hearing your own stories of adoption! God is so cool in blessing us with this community of support. This event gave us a refreshing sense of encouragement in our journey! We are thankful for the funds raised to help bring Emily Hope home but just as blessed for the hugs and encouragement received from y'all this day. It was fun watching our fundraising thermometer grow as we sold more doughnuts. Unfortunately, I think our tummies grew a bit as well. ;-) Here are some pictures from our amazing morning...  Kids Making Signs for our Big Event  75 dozen in the back of my mom-van From our (cholesterol-clogged) hearts to yours... Thank you, thank you, thank you!! Visit my blog tomorrow to be the first ones to hear abou...