Can we talk money???

As most of you know adoption is expensive. I wish in some ways it was easier for people to adopt but there is real cost to the whole process and we feel convicted that the cost is worth it- because…. a child always is. And for these past few years we have been truly supported in all ways through our adoption process spiritually, emotionally, physical needs and financially. We have watched God’s people feel the same conviction regarding orphans and caring for them in this world come along side of us and play a huge role in helping bring one home- by contributing to our adoption financially. I have been repeatedly humbled and overwhelmed by the community and support and unity we have felt by this. I have loved being a part of something bigger than ourselves and watching how God truly uses all of his people in such unique and varied ways to accomplish his kingdom building work on this earth. Some days I have wished (alright, most days) that God would just drop the large lump sum in our laps saving us the stress, worry, and work that comes from funding international adoption. But then if I look back over the last 4 years some of the biggest lessons I have learned and some of my greatest spiritual growth has come in waiting on him and trusting him for his provision. AND THEN seeing him provide for his purposes through the generosity of his people. It has played out 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 for us:

“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.  There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.”

So here we are adopting again. Very soon after bringing Noah home. And the cost is still huge. And seriously money (or help in all sorts of ways) is just not something we are very comfortable asking for from other people. And yet God has opened our eyes to the plight of the orphan, we have seen and held them in our arms, and the drive to see his kingdom come on this earth and his glory magnified as we pour out love and care for the most vulnerable on this earth…. well that drive pushes us out of all comfort zones and money and the need of it is just one of them. Amazingly we have not had to just “ask” anyone. We have prayed and over and over and over God has worked through another person to provide. We have tried to educate and inform people of the crisis in the world and what we believe the Bible says in regards to our response and well God has convicted others and urged them to join us using their gifts and resources. We have and continue to try and earn and save in a variety of ways. 

I wanted to take a minute to lay out some of the ways we have in the past and currently tried/trying to earn extra income or fundraised to bring our children home. 

• We have cut corners and stripped down our monthly budgeted items. 
• Sold stuff… like lots lots and lots of stuff! Craigslist and online garage sales have made this possible over the years for all kinds of items and to keep it a  pretty regular thing. 
• Garage sales (much to Dan’s dismay) 
• We have sold bracelets (from artisans in Haiti- some of the proceeds went to them and some to us) 
• Used the majority of our savings
• Just saved out of our monthly income specifically for adoption 
• collected our change (funny but it adds up!) 
• Our last church created an adoption fund that people regularly gave to
• We have partnered with Adopt Together to create an easier way to give with a tax benefit
• We have sold tee shirts
• We attempted to sell coffee (for Just Love Coffee) that never really took off
• I am planning now (with a friend) a dinner/movie fundraiser night for later this summer
• I joined Rodan and Fields (skin care products) as a consultant to try and earn some income while still being home
• Dan started a rural paper route once…. (which ended quickly when we realized the timing of it all…. delivering papers from 1 am to 4 am doesn’t work well when trying to preach later that morning… or just work your regular job during the week!) 
• I have applied for an online for an organization that tutors Chinese students teaching them English. I have gotten an interview and waiting to schedule that now. 
• I’m working on and will announce soon a really AWESOME way for lots of people to care for widows AND orphans in one mission type service project through an organization called Lifesong for Orphans Both Hands project! (more to come soon on that) 
• Applied/applying for MANY MANY adoption grants. 

So while some of those things are just behind the scenes small ways we have tried to accomplish the task we believe God has called us too MOST of those ways they would have been pointless if YOU all hadn't brought our junk at our garage sales (or cleaned out your own own and brought your own things to sell!) , bought bracelets and tee shirts, or contributed generously to the funds set up to go to our adoptions. We have had people just walk up to us and hand us a check or we have opened our mailbox to find a check. And the most amazing part about each time money has come in…. the day it came and the amount that came has almost always been for the EXACT amount we need at that very moment!! I am not exaggerating at all when I say more times than we can count we have gotten a front row seat to these miracles. Truly miracles. So many times an agency fee is due and we begin to scramble and sell things and move any money we can around and pray. Then suddenly a check arrives or someone hands us money or an unexpected refund comes and it is for almost- to the penny-  what we needed right when we needed it. Like manna. 

God has sustained and carried this plan out with provision given in increments…. only what was needed for the moment it was needed. Like Israel forced to trust God in the desert we have been forced to live by faith believing he will provide for all he calls us to.  And so many of you got to be his hands and feet to carry all of that out! To supply this monetary bread…. to sustain the work of bringing children into families. 

So I thank you. Again and again and again we are grateful and humbled and excited by the whole process. This bigger than ourselves journey God has called us on and your joining it makes the story so much more beautiful. 

Currently we are doing these things:

1. I am selling Rodan and Fields skincare products. Selling things is not my forte. Its not something that I’m super comfortable with. I use these products now and have seen hundreds of other people’s results and because of that I do believe in them and know them to be quality products. I have a few regular customers and monthly I am bringing in some income. If you are in the market for new skin care or interested in giving Rodan and Fields a try anyway…. buying from me will support our adoption. 100% of what I make goes to our adoption. 
2. I am applying for MANY adoption grants. I applied for more than 10 last time and received money from 3. So I’m trying to apply for as many as I can because most of them have fairly limited funds and there is no guarantee that we will actually be awarded any money. 
3. I am working on a fundraiser dinner/movie night for those who live locally. 
4. I will be announcing soon an opportunity for churches or groups living anywhere in the country to do a service project that helps both widows and orphans….  James 1:27 in action! 
5. We have partnered again with Adopt Together a 501 (C) (3) organization that helps families by having a place for people to give to someone’s adoption and get the tax benefit of giving to a 501 (c)(3) 
6. And of course saving monthly. 

If you are feeling led to participate in adoption and caring for orphans and specifically our adoption those are a few ways you can! And as always we would love your prayers for fruit to come from each of these efforts! 

I love Paul’s encouragement to those give:

“Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!”

2 Corinthians 9:10-15