Thankful Day 8-9

Thankful for our support systems (family and friends). I remember how hard it was for me to receive from others, it is so much easier to give but very humbling to receive. I learned this lesson when I was in college and continue to learn this. For me it was probably pride and just the way I grew up.

This adoption is another teaching/learning situation for me. When we started our adoption we didn't want to ask friends and family for financial support, so without going into too much personal information we made sure we had the money before we started. However, God's plans aren't our own. We started in one country program (Ukraine) and then switched to Bulgaria. When we switched we lost some money and we have now had to update our paperwork numerous times (homestudy, fingerprints, extentions, notarizing, apostilling, medicals etc) so we 'lost' some money in the process. We decided we would apply to different organizations that help families with adoption costs. We were turned down by one organization because they had too many applicants and not enough funds. The question they all ask is ' have you asked friends, family and your church?' We applied to another organization that works with your church and we received a matching grant from them. However, we had to send a letter to friends and family requesting they join us in our prayers and fundraising. We mailed out 50 letters and received help from 10. It was very difficult for us to send those letters, and we felt so blessed by what we received. We met our match from ABBA so we received our money which has gone towards our international fees. Now as we get ready to accept a referral, soon hopefully, we will need to think about what we will be taking with us to the give to the orphanages. I mentioned I was going to start knitting hats and a friend from our last church donated some hats and sweaters to take with us when we go. I have also put aside some clothes and bought a few things to take. Once we do receive a referral and travel, I believe our agency will give us a list of possible donation items such as vitamins, money for diapers, diaper cream, and shoes.

So thank-you to our friends and family who have been so supportive during this long journey. We covert your prayers most of all and are thankful for you all.