Financial Update for Those Who Have Asked

We have been asked to "Let the need be known" for our adoption.  I figured I'd stick it here in a blog post for anyone who is interested. 

So, here's the nutshell for those of you who want "Just the facts, Ma'am"
And I will give a more detailed account after that.

We need approximately $13,200

We owe about $21,900 coming up in the next few weeks. 

 

We currently have $8200 which has been donated to AdoptTogether

And we have approximately $500 left in our savings account.

 

We have invested $13,692 so far.

 

We have received $2650 from two grants, we applied for ten.

I want to begin by saying we have some of the best friends and family in the entire world.  Already, YOU have given about $10,000 (to AdoptTogether and personally)  That is TRULY amazing and we are so very blessed. 

Here is the breakdown if you are interested.

$11,400 Orphanage Fee Due 4/9  - ($5,700 x2)

$3,000 Airfare for Doug and I - ($1,500 x2)

$4000 approx. In-China travel (flights, hotels, food)

$1500 approx. Visas, Kid's passports, physicals, notary fees

$2000 Airfare for Kids coming home ($1,000 x2)

$5 eggrolls (for Doug) Kidding! ;-)


THANK YOU!  If you stuck with me to the end of this post!

And even bigger THANK YOU!!! to those who have given to us already.  We so appreciate your generosity.

If you know anyone who would like a proven, previously-loved, practical 33 foot travel trailer that sleeps 10 we would love to sell it! Contact me by email.

There are ways to give and I will tell you we are currently waiting to see if we can get a matching grant.  We applied in October, I called to follow up, they know our current timeline and are going to see if they can "do anything for us." I will post on Facebook and my blog when we hear back from them.

If you would like to give now, you can give to AdoptTogether.

So there ya have it folks, that's the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

We have a SPECIAL Birthday today...

Happy Birthday to You...

                        Happy Birthday to You...

Happy Birthday Dear....

ISAAC!!!!

 

 

Happy Birthday to You!

 

Dear Sweet Son,

 

Today you turn three years old.  You're becoming such a big boy!  This past year has held many changes for you and this year is going to hold even more.  Soon you will become an Audirsch and have a Mommy and Daddy and a bunch of siblings eager to love you and help you. Although the first three years of your life are full of questions, God knows those answers and He provided for you to be at a wonderful home where you were held and SEEN and loved that first year.  Your second year of life holds a little more mystery, but God knows that too and He promises that He is with you and He is a Father to the fatherless and a defender of the orphan.  In just a few weeks we will come for you and your life will change drastically again.  Our greatest hope for you is that you will come to know and love Jesus most of all. I pray that you are celebrated today. 

 

In the words of your godly grandmother:

 

Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you, may you find Jesus near every day of the year.  A happy birthday to you, a happy birthday to you and the BEST year you've ever had!

 

We love you son!!!

 

Mommy and Daddy <3



The FIVE Magical Questions

 

At this point in our adoption process our agency informed us that they will request updates from the orphanages in which our children reside and we can ask five specific questions.  No pressure, just pick the right questions.

Five.

Five questions of a million I have.  

Did anyone gaze into their newborn eyes with wonder or delight?

Did their Mama hold them close?  

Did she cry when it was apparent she would not be keeping her child?

Did she make this decision or was it made for her?

How can I step in this gaping hole?  Can I give them what they need?  Am I what they need?

How long was it before they stopped crying for their Mama?  

What is their favorite comfort? Does anyone comfort them?

What makes them happy or sad or afraid?

What makes their eyes light up?  

How big are they?

How much have they grown since our last update?

What do they eat?

What medicines do they take?

Who takes care of them daily?

Do they sleep hot?

Do they play with other children?  

How many words do they have?

Besides words, how do they communicate?

I could write questions all night long....

And then I found out  no one answers the questions you ask anyway.  They just tell you what they’re going to tell you and that’s it.  

So here’s what I know. I know GOD loves these kids. I know we will love these kids. I know He’s been with them all along.  I know He is a Father to the fatherless, I experienced that firsthand for the first nineteen years of my life. (I did have an awesome Mom though!)

We will pour love and prayer and delight into them.  We will partner with Christ as He does His work of redemption in their lives.

We will trust Him each step of the way, even with unanswered questions and impossible circumstances.  He’s teaching us that He kind of likes the impossible.

Oh Lord, prepare their little hearts as only You can do.  Amen.

We should be traveling sometime in the next 9-12 weeks.  There is an end in sight.  We may never have answers for them now, but we will discover the answer to all these questions and more as we journey together with these precious souls God has knit into our family.  He's so very good.