Our Next Goal.....

So our first adoption fundraising goal was met by many wonderful friends and family and a large loan we took out to cover the $7500 we didn't meet with our fundraising.  Our goal was $9000 as that was the first lump sum payment, however we found there were so many more expenses that you don't think about.....the cost of tee shirts to sell, the cost of all the multiple, expensive mailings (I think the cost of these surprised me the most!!), the passport fees, the expedite fees, and so on.  Thankfully the $9000 was covered by the loan and the other expenses we didn't count on were covered by all the donations from others.  It is neat to see how God knew we would need those extras to cover the extras we didn't think about or weren't on the list.  We are now working diligently to raise the funds for our next lump payment (see next paragraph) and then we will work on paying off the loan as time goes by.

Our next goal or payment of $5000 is due in a few short months when our homestudy is complete and we receive our FDL (favorable determination letter) from the USCIS (immigration).  This next payment covers the International Service Fee of $4500 along with $300 in document authentication and $200 in translation fees.  My guess or best estimate is that all this will be done and due by the middle of May.

Please pass on the news to friends and family alike.  We are still selling t-shirts, bars of soap, and coffee.  Once the weather warms up, we will begin holding lots and lots of car washes!!!

In closing, please join us in praying that God will stir hearts toward giving.  We know that God has lead us to this decision, which means He will help stir hearts into giving toward the cause so we won't be doing it alone.  That reminds me of that verse in Philippians, 1:6  "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it onto completion..."

Thanks for praying and for passing the word onto others you know.

Deanna