Who the Players Are?

Here's the scoop on who is involved in this bizarre and over the top adventure:
Home Study Agency: EuroAsian Adoption Consultants
www.euroasianadoption.com
Adoption Agency: Arise Adoptions, Inc. in KY
www.ariseadoptions.org
Orphanage in Ethiopia: Kingdom Vision International
www.kingdomvisioninternational.org

The Cost of Our Adoption

Some people have asked...so here it is...all broken down and jawdropping!We are working with Arise Adoptions, Inc.

Application Fee - 250

Stateside Case Management, Home Study Review & Dossier Prep - 4200

International Case Management, Translation, Child Care, Medical Testing/Care, Court Representation & Humanitarian Aid - 9000 (paid in three 3000 installments)

USCIS fee (immigration) - 670

Fingerprints - 240

Home Study fee (done by EuroAsian Adoption Consultants) - 3950

Child's Visa - 450

Fees for Certifications, Authentications & Couriers - 200 to 300

Airfare per Adult - 1700 to 2300 each

Child's One Way Airfare - 1000 - 1500

Monetary gifts to Orphanage Workers - 200

And....NO....I don't want to total it up.....I know it is MORE that my brain can handle right now. I am fully aware of the BALLPARK figure...and I am praying God will show us where HIS money will come from.

Stolen thoughts

Here are some things I found at the bottom of a wonderful friend's email to me. I hope it makes you think and squirm and pray and ACT!

Once our eyes are opened we cannot pretend we do not know what to do. God, who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls knows we know and holds us responsible to act.

Proverbs 24:12 (Oh my! What DO you know?! More than you actions reveal, I bet.)

"Sometimes I’d like to ask God why He allows poverty, famine and injustice in the world when He could do something about it.But I’m afraid God might ask me the same question."

If only 7 percent of the 2 billion Christians in the world would care for a single orphan in distress, there would effectively be no more orphans."

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world." -Mahatma Gandhi

Matthew 25...in the language of 2009!

"For I was hungry, while you had all you needed.

I was thirsty, but you drank bottled water.

I was a stranger, and you wanted me deported.

I needed clothes, but you needed more clothes.

I was sick, and you pointed out the behaviors that led to my sickness.

I was in prison, and you said I was getting what I deserved."

Excerpt from The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns, U.S. President of World Vision

Tough stuff...

Thrilled to have my son home...

He went on an inner city missions trip to Indianapolis. They were randomly chosen for different jobs. My 2nd of five kids ended up working in a PRESCHOOL the whole time. The little kids loved him so much they did not want to let him leave. Glad they did, though....'cause his family was missin' him somethin' awful. I think his older sister was the worst.

I love summer haircuts!

They are glad I talked them into these "graduated bobs." No one misses the ratty, tangled look.

I cannot change the channel anymore...

Today, 6,500 people will die as a result of AIDS.

6,000 of those people will leave behind children.

Those children will join the already 15 million children who have lost parents to this treatable disease.

2.3 million children are infected with HIV world-wide.

Most pediatric infection occurs in mother-to-child transmission - the virus infects while the immune system is immature, making it easy for the virus to disseminate through the body.

It is estimated that, without treatment, 50% of HIV+ children in resource-poor settings will die by the age of two.

http://www.fromhivtohome.org/

I miss my big kid....my cartoon impersonator!

Kane has only been gone for one week on a inner city missions trip to Indianapolis and it's crazy how much we MISS him. He is so much fun....so funny...and such a quick wit! I have often told him he sets the tone for the whole family's mood. When he does all his King Julian lines, how can we NOT be happy.....?!

On second thought...I disagree

Someone once told me:

"The need does not necessarily justify the call"

in an attempt to make me feel better about rushing ahead of God.

Well, I don't agree with that for the most part.

143,000,000 orphans?

The need DEMANDS the call to respond...SOMEHOW!

- no matter what your religious beliefs may

or may not be.

http://www.facesoftheforgotten.org/

It's Not Okay to do NOTHING...

Have a heart for children?
Have a heart for adoption?
Have a heart for the children left behind?
Have 10 bucks in your pocket?
Let’s join together and make a real difference!

Maybe you have already endured the long journey to adopt your own child. No doubt you have been bothered by the sheer numbers of children who need families, the incomprehensible number of children who will be left behind.

Maybe you have thought: “God called me to do something about this HUGE crisis – 143,000,000 orphans – to help ONLY ONE?!” Well, there IS more you can do.

Not every parent who pursues an adoption is willing to consider adopting an HIV+ child…but some ARE. Most of us are fully aware of the large financial obstacle that defines international adoption. Let’s band together to REMOVE that obstacle for families who are responding to God’s call to make these children – the least of these in the eyes of the world – a treasured part of their families.

Reece’s Rainbow and ProjectHOPEFUL (www.projecthopeful.org) have combined efforts to identify HIV+ children around the world who are available for adoption. Beautiful photos of these children can be viewed at http://reecesrainbow.org/angelhiv.htm. They are otherwise healthy children who can be adopted by parents willing and able to provide them with the love and medical attention they so desperately need.

Reece’s Rainbow has set up a grant fund to help adopting families offset the cost of their adoption. You may not be called to adopt again – or ever – but we believe ALL of us are called to respond…if even in a small $10.00 way…to the reality of 143,000,000 orphans.

The challenge: In the next 14 days, donate $10.00 or more to Reece’s Rainbow AND get at least 10 of your friends to do the same! Let’s watch that number rise. Our hearts’ desire is to hit $20,000 to $25,000…the average cost of one of these adoptions.

God created these children and they are adored by Him…and He is asking YOU to make a small sacrifice to save their lives. Up for it?

Got an extra 10 bucks…and a few kind-hearted friends?

will GOD DAMN US for our apathy?

Why are we not SCREAMING about this? And doing "SOMETHING" - anything! - about it? I am not one to condone swearing - but - I have to wonder: Will GOD DAMN us for our apathy?
What about those of us who claim to be Christ followers? Is He leading us on this path of affluence and comfort?! In my opinion, not unless there is a different Bible out there that I have not read yet.