2 Years and Counting...

As of today, we have been on the waitlist for 2 years! What a process the past 2 years have been! We have prayed, cried (lots), and educated ourselves about Ethiopia and adoption. I am fairly certain we are about #2 on the waitlist today, and our agency is estimating 20-24 months on the waitlist – so we could seriously get “that call” an minute of any day. We are anxiously awaiting that call!! I have had to change my ringtone for our agency on my cell phone to TRY to prevent my heart from skipping a beat every time the phone rings (I said try – that doesn’t mean I’m successful).

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. As you will see from the information below, we are ready!! We only have about $3000.00 - $4000.00 left to save for this adoption to be 100% paid for. We can’t even begin to put in to words our appreciation for each of you and your support and encouragement over the past 2 and ½ years!!

Here are the fundraisers that are still going on:

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.ordinaryherostore.org/. Just be sure to choose “Thomas, Jennifer” as the Fundraising Affiliate at checkout.

Thirty-One Bags: We are also having a ThirtyOne bag fundraiser. We will earn 25% of the money from the items purchased through this fundraiser. Orders due: June 1^st. https://www.mythirtyone.com/331985/. Just go to ‘My Parties’ and click on Jennie Thomas.

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 late May or early June!!! 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	$6,000.00 (estimated)	Ready	Upon Scheduled Travel Date
Trip 2 to Ethiopia	$7,000.00 (estimated)	NEED	Upon Scheduled Travel Date Have $3000.00 toward this total.