Puzzle

Since September 18th we have sold 112 puzzle pieces!  Several months ago when my children started the puzzle fundraiser, they sold 29 pieces.  That leaves 359 pieces left to complete this beautiful puzzle!  Our goal was 400 pieces by September 30th.  While we still have time it doesn't look like we will meet that goal.   I am ok with that.  It is all in God's timing and I am trusting fully in Him.

I do ask that you continue to share our blog and pray for our family on this journey.  Thank you to all those who have donated thus far.  Your generosity means the world to us and to two precious children, it means a life.

Once again, I cling to this verse:

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1

Faith

Now FAITH is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  Hebrews 11:1 KJV

This seems to be the verse of the day on facebook.  It could not have come at a more perfect time for me.  This whole adoption journey has been about us putting our COMPLETE faith and trust in the Lord.  It has not always been easy.  Lately it has been extremely difficult. 

Many of you know that we were turned down for two precious little Korean girls last year and one precious little girl we felt we had to say no to.  One of those girls has come home to her forever family, another one will be home in a few weeks and I am sure the last one will be home sometime in November.  It has been bittersweet following their journey while we wait and wait and wait. 

From the time we started this process we have always had the funds we needed, by God's grace.  It was always in the bank before we needed it.  This time it is not. 

Faith.  I hoped and prayed for the Lord to show us who are child was.  It took a while but He answered and showed us TWO!  Faith.  Just over a week ago I published a blog literally begging for money.  In that time we have received over $1000 in donations and an opportunity to serve our church.  No, it has not happened in my timing and we have not reached the goal that I have set but I have FAITH.  You see, I serve an AWESOME God. He knows when we will be traveling to Ghana.  He knows when my children will come home.  He knows!  Today I am once again giving it to HIM.  My complete trust and faith rest in my Heavenly Father, for He knows best.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. 
Jeremiah 29:11 KJV

Yep, He knows and the end will be exactly what I expected, my children will be in their forever home.

330 TO GO

That's right!  We have sold 70 puzzle pieces in the last couple days.  Thank you for your support...donations, shared links, and prayers are all appreciated! 

Our goal is still to come up with $4000 by September 30th so that we can send our agency a check for the full amount owed and get our dossier sent out. We are also working on selling some stuff (keep checking under our "for sale" link) and we are also trying to sell one of our vehicles.  Unfortunately, Hawaiians don't seem to be interested in our 4 wheel drive, gas guzzling beast of an SUV. :-)  As one friend reminded me today, God is in the business of performing miracles.  May not be on my time but it will happen.

Some of you may have seen the measurements I posted on facebook.  Our Ghana girl is, guesstimated, to be turning 5 this November.  She has finally caught up to my 2 1/2 year old in height at 37 inches and weighs approximately 30 lbs.  Also the same as my 2 year old.  Our little guy, who was on the brink of death when he arrived at the orphanage, is 31 inches tall and approximately 25 lbs.  He is reportedly turning 3 next month.  On top of that our daughter needs to have tests run to see what her viral load is (among other things) concerning her HIV.  She is not receiving any medical attention regarding her disease right now.  So, you see the urgency in getting this dossier sent out to get the process moving again. 

Our hearts are full of gratitude for all of your support, no matter what form it comes in.  We have been so blessed by this process and grateful the Lord chose us for this journey that will forever change our lives.

Crumbling mountain

Slowly, but surely, God is moving the mountain!  I am so grateful for my wonderful facebook friends.  A good portion of them I have not even met but we share a very special connection.  ADOPTION.  Please don't misunderstand me, I am extremely grateful for all my friends and family but I have watched this adoptive parents community rally around other families whom they have never met but support in every way possible.  It is a beautiful thing.  Two Bible verses come to mind when I think of the adoption community and their love for one another.

John 13:34 says, "A new commandment I give unto you, thay ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another."

Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose."

Since yesterday we have sold more than 21 puzzle pieces (some people are sending a check so I am unsure of how many pieces they are buying) and we have received a very kind donation on $350.  We still have a ways to go to meet our goal by the end of this month but I have been amazed and humbled at how God works. 

Just to clarify the reason we are asking for help at this point.  Our home study was officially completed (with update) on July 12, 2012.  In order to apply for grants or adoption loans you need a completed home study.  So, prior to that we have used our own funds and have done fundraisers through our church to pay the fees.  To date we have paid in approximately $10,000 total.  We have received one grant in the amount of $500 and were declined for a grant.  We currently have 3 grant applications being processed and about 3 more to be mailed out shortly.  Most grant organizations have certain times when they process and award grants.  Just so happens that we wont hear back from any of the organizations until late October through December.  Meanwhile, our dossier sits, almost completed, on the desk of our very sweet social worker until we can pay the next fee.  We cannot move forward until this dossier is sent.  At that point the Ghanaian government will look at it, prayerfully decide we can adopt these children and then a court date will be issued.  This should take approximately 3 months.  So, you see our dilemma.  The longer the dossier sits, the longer my children wait for their family.  Please understand that it is VERY difficult for us to ask for help, especially financially.  God has provided every step of the way so far and I know HIS timing is perfect.  If it takes another month or so to get this money then I know it is HIS will.  We are just trying to do everything possible to make it happen.  If you don't feel comfortable or are unable to give towards our adoption then please know that we also, more than anything, covet your prayers. 

Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
James 1:27

While you may not be able to visit the fatherless (orphans) this is your chance to help two of them come to their forever home.  To help one of them receive the medical treatment that can take her disease from terminal to manageable.

Thank you again for your kind support in both prayer and donation!

On our knees begging and pleading...

OK, so here is the deal.  Our home study took FOREVER to be completed.  In order to apply for grants you must have a completed home study.  I have about 10 grant applications almost completed.  Yes, almost.  For those of you who have not adopted or have never filled out a grant application, I assure, it is no easy task.  There are no two applications alike.  It is a long and arduous process trying to gather all the necessary paperwork.  Another issue is that it takes time to hear back from these organizations.  In the meantime we are once again at a standstill.  Up until now we have been held up due to "red tape".  There was nothing we could do about it.  Now, it is finances.  It is all in our hands (actually, HIS hands)!  We have received I600a approval and the next step is to get our dossier to Ghana.  Unfortunately, our agency needs our latest fee in order to send off the dossier. This is where the begging and pleading comes in.  We owe $9500 right now...actually, like yesterday!  Our dossier will be completed as soon as we get the last couple pieces of paperwork sent in this week.  Then it will sit and wait.  My children are sitting (ok, maybe not sitting) but definitely waiting.  We are tired of sitting and waiting.  Right now we are short about $6000.  We are trusting in our AWESOME SAVIOR to move this mountain and bring us another step closer to getting our children home.  Would you be willing to help us? 

My children started a puzzle fundraiser to help them purchase plane tickets to Ghana when we go for the "pick up" trip.  They have graciously agreed to give us the puzzle fundraiser so that we can get this process moving again.  The kids sold 30 puzzle pieces and that money will remain in their account.  That gives us 470 pieces to sell for $10 a piece.  Our goal is to have this by the end of the month.  Would you like to have a "piece" in bringing our children home?  If so, just click on the donate button to the right of this blog and in the comments let us know the names you would like to have put on the back of the puzzle pieces. If you would prefer to send a check please email me at travstac5@msn.com for our address. Once the puzzle is complete we will glue it together and hang it in our home as a constant reminder of God's provision in providing for "the least of these".  Thank you in advance for your support!