Adopting without debt is only possible if you are rich, right?
When we started this adoption all we knew was that God would provide. We knew the adoption of two children would cost more than we could save in years. The original estimate for the adoption of two children was $40-$50,000.
We prayed a lot. We knew without doubt God was leading us to Congo. So we just kept praying for God to provide.
We also believe that we need to work and do as much as we can to provide the money. Fundraising is hard. Fundraising is work, but it's also quite humbling to ask for money. But, when I saw the pictures of my children and other children that had been adopted, I knew it wasn't about me or for me. It was for them. And God loves them more than I do!
But, it's not just us, with Ava and Liam we needed to be sure that we weren't neglecting them or making them feel left out or not as important. Obviously the focus is on the adoption and they heard us talk a lot about money. They saw us spend a lot of time doing paperwork, extra work, whatever it was. We do not want them to resent that or feel like they don't matter as much. Our priorities are all the children. Somehow, you have to make it all work. And sometimes that means pretty big sacrifices for us.
So, adopting without debt:
We both set out to work extra jobs (small or large). We have done Art and Craft sales, taken custom orders, child care and Jeff has worked a lot of overtime
Fundraisers:
Garage Sales & Selling Misc. Items - $3000
Pancake Breakfast- $3000
Chili Dinner/Silent Auction- $4000
Golf Outing/Raffle/Craft Sale - $6000
Puzzle - $2000
T-shirts - $2000 (first round and then we kept selling them at craft sales and Etsy)
Grants:
Lifesong matching grant - $2500
Gift of Adoption - $2500
Hand in Hand matching grant - $2500
(another grant we received covered our first trip to Congo to file papers and meet them - $6000)
Although we have made sacrifices, we know we are not the only ones. We are so thankful to everyone who has so freely given time, money, encouragement and prayers. You have been an answer to prayer, not only for us, but for our children as well. There is nothing we can say to express our gratitude. The Lord has provided!
Please continue to pray for our adoption. The adoption is complete, the children are legally ours. The fees are paid and travel money is set aside. Please pray that we can bring them home soon.
Bless the Lord, Oh my Soul!
When we started this adoption all we knew was that God would provide. We knew the adoption of two children would cost more than we could save in years. The original estimate for the adoption of two children was $40-$50,000.
We prayed a lot. We knew without doubt God was leading us to Congo. So we just kept praying for God to provide.
We also believe that we need to work and do as much as we can to provide the money. Fundraising is hard. Fundraising is work, but it's also quite humbling to ask for money. But, when I saw the pictures of my children and other children that had been adopted, I knew it wasn't about me or for me. It was for them. And God loves them more than I do!
But, it's not just us, with Ava and Liam we needed to be sure that we weren't neglecting them or making them feel left out or not as important. Obviously the focus is on the adoption and they heard us talk a lot about money. They saw us spend a lot of time doing paperwork, extra work, whatever it was. We do not want them to resent that or feel like they don't matter as much. Our priorities are all the children. Somehow, you have to make it all work. And sometimes that means pretty big sacrifices for us.
So, adopting without debt:
We both set out to work extra jobs (small or large). We have done Art and Craft sales, taken custom orders, child care and Jeff has worked a lot of overtime
Fundraisers:
Garage Sales & Selling Misc. Items - $3000
Pancake Breakfast- $3000
Chili Dinner/Silent Auction- $4000
Golf Outing/Raffle/Craft Sale - $6000
Puzzle - $2000
T-shirts - $2000 (first round and then we kept selling them at craft sales and Etsy)
Grants:
Lifesong matching grant - $2500
Gift of Adoption - $2500
Hand in Hand matching grant - $2500
(another grant we received covered our first trip to Congo to file papers and meet them - $6000)
Although we have made sacrifices, we know we are not the only ones. We are so thankful to everyone who has so freely given time, money, encouragement and prayers. You have been an answer to prayer, not only for us, but for our children as well. There is nothing we can say to express our gratitude. The Lord has provided!
Please continue to pray for our adoption. The adoption is complete, the children are legally ours. The fees are paid and travel money is set aside. Please pray that we can bring them home soon.
Bless the Lord, Oh my Soul!