We are moving along in our adoption process! Our first step was our homestudy, which we were somewhat dreading! We ended up with an AMAZING social worker, who has held our hand through every step of the process. She helped us move right through that part of things, and we appreciate her so much! If anyone ever needs a social worker, I'll be happy to send Tonya your way! We wouldn't be where we are if it weren't for Tonya!
Since the homestudy was complete, our next step was sending off our I-600 for approval. It's basically giving preapproval for Julia's visa! It typically takes about 5 weeks to get the approval, but can take more or less time! We are praying for the less! It's now been 2 weeks since we sent this off, and we are awaiting our fingerprint appointment! While waiting, we are starting all the Ukrainian documents, which there are a good many of, and they have to be done exactly correct in order for the Ukraine to accept them!
We have also started our fundraising! As many of you know, adopting is not a cheap thing! It's kind of sad, b/c you are giving a child a family and a home! But then I think of the price that was payed for my salvation. Jesus gave His life that I could live forever with Him in eternity. That is the highest price anyone could ever pay! So no, this adoption isn't cheap, it isn't easy, but God has called us to do it! Over and over again He has confirmed that all He did was call us to adopt, yet He will provide all that is needed!!
I have been overwhelmed at the love and support that we have received with this adoption! When we first announced our journey that the Lord has us on, we received some wonderful financial blessings. To date we have received $3545.00 in gifts! To date our total expenses have been $3006.00. Every need has been met as it has come up! The total that we need for the adoption is approximately $25000.00, so we only have $22500.00 left to go! This is exciting for us! We know that God will provide! I have tried very hard to figure out how this is going to happen and how in the world we will come up with that much money on a tight budget!! But God is already doing this!
We have fundraisers in the works, and know that blessings will come in unexpected ways! We are expecting, and when God provides, we aren't surprised, for He promised this!! God willing we will be going to Ukraine towards the end of May! No one has told us that definetely, but in my figuring of time frames of documents, etc, that is my guesstimate! That only gives us a little over 2 months to raise the money! Now, I've had my weak moments of the flesh wondering how in the world this will happen.....but God has gently reminded me that He's got this!
None of this is happening without the Lord's hand on us. We couldn't make Julia say yes, that she wanted to be in our family.....that was God moving in her heart! We couldn't make the first money come in.....which we needed to get the process started. None of this would take place without the hands of the Lord blessing this! All He asked us to to was answer His call to adopt. We said "yes", so He is working all the other things out!
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