March Update

As of March 6th, we will be on the wait list for 22 months (in process for 28 months)! The rumor is that we should anticipate a referral within the next few months! We are so excited. Hopefully, by the end of summer, our newest addition to the family will be home adding to the excitement of life in the Thomas house!

As far as finances, now we are just saving up for our travel expenses. The estimated total travel expenses (according to our adoption agency) is $5000-$8000 per trip. So, we are needing to get that money together pretty soon. Lots of friends and family have been asking how they can help recently, as everyone is aware we are getting closer!! We do have a few fundraisers that are on-going and one NEW one…

FUNDRAISERS

Ordinary Hero: This is a non-profit organization that does mission trips and promotes orphan awareness. They have some awesome products for sale and we receive 40% of items purchased online. Check them out! They have lots of products for both men and women (some adoption-themed, some not). Shop here: http://www.ordinaryhero.org/Ordinary_Hero/Store/Store.html. Just make sure you click on  'Thomas, Jennifer' as the fundraising affiliate from the drop-down during checkout.

Just Love Coffee: $5.00 to us for each bag of coffee sold www.justlovecoffee.com/TheThomas. The coffee is DELICIOUS!!

Adoption Bug T-Shirt Fundraiser: You can order t-shirts from this site: www.adoptionbug.com/thomasadoption. You can order and pay on-line and the t-shirt(s) will be shipped directly to you. We make anywhere from $5-$10 (depending on the t-shirt) per shirt sold toward our adoption. Check it out! They have some cool, high-quality shirts for sale!

TAX DEDUCTABLE GIVING: Lifesong for Orphans: Make a tax deductable donation. They will accept donations in our name up until we travel to bring home our child. Make checks payable to ‘Lifesong for Orphans’. In memo section: ‘THOMAS #1855 ADOPTION’. Send to Lifesong for Orphans  PO Box 40  Gridley, IL  61744.

PRAYER REQUESTS

-          First and foremost for our future baby – who is probably born by now. For his or her health and development in these first few months of life (see page 2 of this letter).

-          For our future baby’s biological parent(s). In some way and for some reason, this baby will have to be relinquished for adoption. That has got to be THE most difficult and selfless decision someone can make. We ask for prayers for their hearts.

-          Finances to continue to come through and successful fundraisers.

-          Patience and faith for both of us in this process.

-          Jaden working on recording his first album (all proceeds earned to go toward the adoption). He is working hard. He is putting the finishing touches on the CD – so that he can press on and finish up with God’s perfect timing.

Thank you all so much! We are very blessed by each of you!

The Thomas Family

I am a Whiner.

The other day, I was listening to my kids and I couldn't help but think, 'Wow, I'm raising a pair of whiners.' Their talking was kinda like this, "Mom, can I have some candy? No? I want chocolate milk. What? We're out of chocolate syrup? But I don't like white milk. Can we go somewhere fun tonight? What about a movie night with popcorn? But mom, I just got home from school, you're supposed to be nice to me..." And on and on it went. Meanwhile I was cleaning the kitchen and making dinner. Wanna know what the voice in my head was saying (no, you don't)... 'Ugh, maybe I could get the kids to do some chores around here and help me keep this house clean. CHOCOLATE. I have high cholesterol (why me, God?) but I still need a daily fix of chocolate! I wish my hubby got home earlier to wait on the kids while I cook and clean in quiet. I don't want to take the kids to swimming lessons tonight, I'd rather take a bubble bath in TOTAL QUIET...' Get it? Yep, I've rubbed off on them. I AM A TOTAL WHINER. ;(

It dawned on me that, in the birth country of my future child, THIS is what they live like...

Shoeless - and yet look at those smiles!!

Traveling miles for water and carrying it on their backs - yet I can have bubbles in my hot bath whenever I want -- or at least after the kids are sleeping.

And three of us whining over a lack of chocolate when many people in Ethiopia live on one meal per day.

I just don't want to live like this. Don't get me wrong - I still intend to whine a bit (after all it's only natural, right?) but I am hoping to, in the next few weeks, limit the whining that is spoken in MY head and aloud in this house. I don't want to take for granted these gifts (chocolate, shoes, education, water, money) God has given my family, our community, this country. I want to spend less time complaining and whining and more time devoted to prayer for the least of these - or those with less than me.

I know my whole world is about to be shaken up when I get to go to Ethiopia twice in the (hopefully very near) near future. I can feel myself and my family being prepared in little bits for this - and I guess I'm starting with admitting that I am a whiner - working on whining less. ;)