Fundraiser update

Thank you to everyone who came out for the Mountain Mike's fundraiser!  It was so encouraging and FUN to catch up with so many people who love us and care about our new child.  Thank you for your support!!

*drum roll please*
The grand total from the pizza fundraiser was $500!
We now have $4500 of the $6000 we need to get on the waiting list!  Please know how deeply grateful we are to each and every one of you who has helped us along our journey.  We could not bring our new baby home without you!

Some of you have asked how you can donate to our adoption fund.  While we know its easy to set up an online account, we would rather have 100% of your donation go to our fund than a portion of it pay for the ease on online payments.  We would be happy to send you our mailing address if you are burdened to donate.  Please know that we also covet your prayers and really truly need that protection and encouragement even more so than any financial contribution.  Thank you!

Also wanted to update you on the two other items are currently working on.  First, we continue to create our family profiles.  This is a 6 page "scrapbook" about our family and is the booklet our potential birthmother will look through to choose us!  Rather than cut and paste 8 copies of the same scrapbook, Ashley is creating a digital album with Photoshop.  Such a blessing to have access to wonderful technology!  Pray for us as we carefully (and PAIN STAKINGLY!) choose the pictures to include.  We are thankful that our letter is already written out, but sorting and re-sorting through all our pictures seems just a difficult right now....ha ha ha ha ha!

Second, we are filling out the application for an interest-free loan through the ABBA Fund.  This is a wonderful "covenant loan" program specifically designed for adoptive families.  Our hope is to qualify for $10,000 to pay for the legal fees due when we are matched with our birthmother.  We should be able to pay the loan off quickly with our $10,000 adoption tax credit.  While we are waiting to be matched, however, we will still continue our fundraising efforts to "bite off" bits of this remaining fee.

Our hearts are heavy to meet our new child.  We truly ache to hold him/her in our arms and pour out our love!  It breaks my heart (Ashley) when 3 year old Ethan sighs and asks, "When is our new baby coming home, mama?"  I know that God is doing a good and perfect work...but the waiting and working wears you down when you see its effect on your children. Nevertheless, we trust in our all-powerful God and cling to the truth we know: He is GOOD and He loves His children.

Thank you for sharing in our joys and praying us through our struggles.  Thank you for helping us in big and little ways....we are so thankful for you!