WE ARE ADOPTING!!!!!!

ITS OFFICIAL...well, sort of...

In January, we sent off our check and adoption application to Small World Adoption (or SWA) agency, and within five minutes, literally, we received our "preliminary approval" to begin our home study process. By the end of February, we (along with some help) had paid the necessary $3,200 to get the home study ball rolling.

We wanted to tell everyone because of what a large ball it is. Oh man! It is very overwhelming to look at it on paper. However, we're taking everything one step at a time and oh so very slowly. Once it is completed, we think that things will start moving along more smoothly and quickly. But, there are five million steps to the home study, and working on it while living abroad is not going to be an easy task. But, we're ready for it! After three miscarriages and a longing to be parents for a long time now, we're DEFINITELY ready for it.

We've pretty much narrowed the adoption country down to Ethiopia or Russia. Each costing over $25,000. But, honestly, we have a complete peace about the money. Sure, its more than what we made last year...sure its a big bite to chew...sure it seems daunting...but we have a peace. Other families that we have talked to, who have adopted internationally, have encouraged us to not worry about it. We know that the one true G0d is sitting on high and is in complete control of this.

So, we need help in a major way. Will you please consider helping us? We DESPERATELY want to talk to more people on a face to face basis. So, please call, email, or skype us. Lets set up a date! We are adopting!

We're asking for our church body to really come along side us in this...for our family to really come along side us in this...for our network of New Life Ranchers, college friends, friends of old, former employers...EVERYONE to come along side us in this. Because frankly, we can't do it without you.

So, right now, will you please pray and consider helping us? If you want to give directly to the adoption, we have instructions on how you can do that. If you want to give to us directly, please click on the link to the left.

Here is a list of a few upcoming expenses for the home study:

1. We must purchase a life insurance policy. Required for the adoption.
2. We must purchase health insurance. Required for the adoption.
3. We need to pay for travel expenses for our social worker from SWA to come visit us.
(But, as soon as the home study is completed, we'll be applying for grants that should and hopefully cover some if not all of the rest of the costs. However, we have to cover all the costs for the home study up front before applying.)
4. In total we will need to come up with around $21,800 to finalize all aspects of the adoption. If we go with Russia...its an additional $10,000.


Additionally...
1. Our annual rent is due in June.
2. Our visas are due in August.
3. We're coming to America for a furlough in late September and will need to purchase plane tickets and cover travel expenses.

Ball park, and in short: We need help...and we need help to come quickly. We need prayer to faithfully hear and obey the will of our Father in heaven. This is exciting for us! We hope all of you are excited with us! We are adopting!

Love,
Justin and Shelli