a couple things

  I wanted to share that Paypal is offering to match 1 % of all donations to charitable events now through the 31st! How awesome!! Organizations must have a 501(c)3 to qualify. A few favorites of ours HeartCry Missionary Society, Gospel for Asia, Lifesong for Orphans, and Sole Hope. Or, if you're interested in supporting 'locally', the MICAH Fund is also qualified and can be designated to support our adoption. So, make the most of this offer and support where the Lord would lead. We certainly are going to.
  ... have you heard about the law passed in Russia? President Putin signed a bill that includes measures to ban all Russian adoptions by Americans. Heartbreaking to think of, especially after reading about the conditions in orphanages there. And the families that are in the process of bringing their children home... Much prayer is needed for all.
  It's disheartening to hear the callous responses to the news. People stating this is a good thing, now we (Americans) will start taking care of "our own", adopting domestically instead. Or the only reason adoption from Russia is popular is because the children will be blonde and blue eyed. So wrong.  Judgement should not be passed on what the Lord's will is for an adoptive family. Just as He ordains what child is born into a family, He does for a child that is adopted. If the child He has for a family is across the ocean, then we trust in His perfect plan. The other argument falls through as well; American international adoptions are mostly from China followed by Ethiopia.... definitely not seeking blondes and blue eyed babies from those areas of the world.
  After hearing these responses, I remembered a story by an adoptive parent. They had been questioned why they went so far away to adopt when there are many children in the U.S. that need a home. He asked the questioner if her convictions about American children had led her to do anything about the need. She dropped the issue after responding "no".  If we belong to the Lord, we have a heart for the things He does. Orphans- no matter if they are born in the U.S., in the foster system or a distant land. How we demonstrate His love will look different for each of us. But they all have a need and we all can bring it before the Father who created them and loves them more than we can imagine. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son..."

more good news

At times, we viewed the financial obstacle in adoption as insurmountable. We stepped out in faith, knowing that if this was God's plan for our family, He would provide. And each step along the way, He has given us drops of mercy through provision~ increasing our faith in Him who is faithful. Pathways for Little Feet has approved us for an interest free loan for adoption costs. A large loan. Enough to decrease our goal through donations to The MICAH Fund by 70%. In simple terms, reduced our need from ten thousand to just over three thousand.  Since The MICAH Fund is a matching grant, we only need half of that amount donated to have our need completely met.

That. Is. HUGE. Can you see the smiles on our faces and in our hearts?

Join us in praising Him for His goodness. "But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him" Psalm 103:17

Support letter

The MICAH fund asks its families to send out support letters to let people know about our grant. As we wrote ours, I felt there are a couple parts that needed more recognition. For instance, black American mothers have fewer options than white American mothers for potential adoptive families. Meaning, more prospective adoptive parents are white, hence more are open to white infants than those of color. And, ready for this?  Nearly half of black American babies are aborted (cdc.gov). These facts alone deserve attention in prayer. And on a more personal level we have a few prayer requests : health and safety of birthmother and baby and when the time comes, grace to show Christ’s love to the birthparents as they grieve the loss of their child.

Answered prayer

Last night we had our interview with The MICAH Fund and they have decided to support us with our adoption plans. We are so grateful this financial need seems to have provision. Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  In His timing and His will....