Adoption. It is something that has been on my heart for most of my adult life. I have considered foster parenting as well. The timing just never felt right. I ultimately didn’t have the confidence to move ahead.
Now I am a single, empty nester with time to consider what I have done and what I still can do. As I have considered where I am and what I still want to do in life, I have continued to chew on adoption and foster care. I started to inquire what this could look like for me, and I have had doors close. Then I had one open in a most amazing way.
I just brough two beautiful girls home from Belize! But now I need to bring home my son!!
It is a long story. I will try to keep it concise.
Some of you may remember that Kristin spent a year in Belize working at Laugh Out Loud Children’s home. Just after she got there a large sibling group arrived. Kristin was one of their primary caregivers and individual tutor for that year. I met them back in 2014 when visiting Kristin. Fast forward to 2020. I was inquiring about foster care once again and ultimately decided that I couldn’t do it because I couldn’t care as a mom and then give them up. Shortly after deciding foster care wasn’t for me, I learned about Kendra and Alicia. They had become available for adoption! (Marvin was not eligible at that time. I would not have broken up a sibling group… and not sure I would have considered adopting three!) Fast forward almost 2 years, Kendra and Alicia are here and I'm now trying to bring home their younger brother, Marvin.
Fast forward to today. I have been working with two adoption agencies (One for Colorado home study and one who works with Belize.) I am starting over with the home study and we are now starting the process with Belize. Here is where I need help. International adoption is not cheap. I already have about $40,000 invested but I will likely need about $20,000 more, plus I will need to finish a room in my basement. I am starting to pursue grants to help cover some of the costs associated with the adoption, but I really need to seek other help as well. The timing is tight. I need to raise money quick because Marvin is quickly approaching the age where he will no longer be eligible to be adopted.
I have witnessed God's provision in the adoption process of Kendra and Alicia and believe that God will provide the finances to adopt Marvin, but I am having to trust Him in a whole new way! I don’t know exactly where the finances will come from. But I know that God loves these kids and so do I!
So, thank you for helping me bring Kendra and Alicia home! I am asking, would you like to partner with me in prayer and maybe financially to bring Marvin home? Please let me know if you have questions. I would LOVE to talk more with you about this exciting journey we are on! It’s exciting! It’s scary! It’s moving fast!
Thank you for your support!
I got home with Marvin on March first and we are quickly adjusting to our new life together. The kids are so happy to be together again! It’s a beautiful thing!
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
We are getting so close! I am hoping to travel next month in order to be able to bring the girls home in time to start school August 8th!
Please pray with me that all the final finances come together...
Pray that Hannah & Adam's wedding is wonderful (July 10th) and the I can come home from that and pack to go!!
My I-800 has been approved which is one of the final milestones needed before I get travel dates, I think! YAY!
