Hello Family & Friends, 4/8/13
As of April 6th, we have been on the waitlist for 23 months! If my
numbers and process of elimination serves me correct, we are about #3-4 on the
waitlist as of today. We were also emailed an update from our agency today
stating that they got lots (I can’t really give the specific number) of
children released to them recently. I am certainly hoping and praying that our
next child is within that group. I am hoping that we will receive our referral
within the next month. I am thinking that I am being realistic with hope.
That’s all the good news I have for you though. I do have some
not-so-good news. Recently, Ethiopia changed their court procedures. It is
meant to make the process more transparent and prevent any unethical activity,
so I get it, but it’s still not easy to hear. It used to be that, once you
received your referral, you would travel to Ethiopia for the 1st
time just 3-4 weeks later and go to court. Now, there are a number of steps
that need to be completed before your court date and so that process is now
estimated to take 3-4 MONTHS. ;( So, if we get our referral in late April/early
May, we would probably make our first trip to meet our child in July or August
and then bring him/her home in Sept. or October. Ugh. One step forward and two
steps back. The thing that makes me the most sad about this is not another few
months before we get baby home, but rather another few months that our baby
will be living in an orphanage. But, God’s mighty hand is on this, and for
that, I really can’t let it get me too down.
As far as finances, I am totally BLOWN AWAY by people supporting us in
this process. We have recently received a few donations to our Lifesong for
Orphans account that have put us much further ahead in terms of finances. We
are so grateful and have spent lots of time lately talking about (and crying
about) what a blessing that is to us on this journey. 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…
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).
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.
-
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). Stay tuned for details!!!
It should be available for purchase in MAY!!! Yayyyy Jaden! I gotta say, I’ve
gotten a sneak preview and – my husband rocks – for real!! ;)
Thank you all so much! We are
very blessed by each of you!
The Thomas Family
|
Step
|
Cost
|
Date Paid
|
Due Date
|
|
Application Fee – LSS
|
$420.00
|
10/25/10
|
|
|
Application Fee – Holt
|
$300.00
|
10/27/10
|
|
|
Home Study Fee – LSS
|
$2,780.00
|
1/14/11
|
|
|
USCIS
|
$890.00
|
2/2/11
|
|
|
Program Fee – LSS
|
$1750.00
|
5/20/11
|
|
|
Dossier Fee – Holt
|
$3,000.00
|
5/6/11
|
|
|
Dossier Update Fee – Holt
|
$255.00
|
6/28/12
|
|
|
Program Fee – Holt
|
$9,890.00
|
Ready
|
Upon Referral (have $6,000 in Show Hope Grant for this).
|
|
Post Placement Fee – LSS
|
$1,300.00
|
Ready
|
Upon Referral
|
|
Trip 1 to Ethiopia
|
$7,000.00 (estimated)
|
NEED
|
Upon Scheduled Travel Date
Have $3920.00 saved for this.
|
|
Trip 2 to Ethiopia
|
$7,000.00 (estimated)
|
NEED
|
Upon Scheduled Travel Date
|
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