Submitted to Court!!

Yesterday, we were submitted to court in Ethiopia!! This is a huge step!! It means that we stand a chance (maybe a slim chance – but I’ll take it) of getting to Ethiopia to meet our little girl and pass court there before the court closures on Aug. 6^th. There is a TON that has to come together to make that happen, but we know that God can do a TON and we are praying for that!! If we don’t travel for court on/before Aug. 6^th, or if we don’t pass court by Aug. 6^th, we are looking at not getting there for our first trip until October or November (courts close for 6-12 weeks). The thought of that wait just breaks my heart, so I am praying for the best but expecting the worst, so as to try to protect my heart. In a few weeks, we should receive an update as to how the process in Ethiopia is going. I will update you all then.

As far as finances, I am totally BLOWN AWAY by people supporting us in this process. As you will see from the information below, we are ready!! We only have about $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.

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 little baby girl! She is doing as well as can be expected since she is in the care center. And did I mention she is ADORABLE?? For her health and development in these next several months.

-        -   For our baby girl’s first family. We ask for prayers for their hearts.

-          -   Finances to continue to come through and successful fundraisers.

-          -  Patience and faith for both of us as we wait to travel.

-          -   Jaden is about to release his first album!! Stay tuned for details coming soon! And check out his website: www.jadenthomas.com and his facebook: search “Jaden Thomas Music.”

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	5/9/13
Post Placement Fee – LSS	$1,300.00	Ready	6/24/13
Trip 1 to Ethiopia	$7,000.00 (estimated) (this went up $1000 from last month because flights in July/August are SUPER expensive).	Ready	Upon Scheduled Travel Date $6000.00 grant from Show Hope
Trip 2 to Ethiopia	$7,000.00 (estimated)	NEED	Upon Scheduled Travel Date Have $2750.00 toward this total.