More Progress...

Three and a half months ago, we went back to the Atlanta Airport to say "see you later" to our little Warrior, not knowing when we would see him again.  Now it's May, and we're very close to seeing him again.  Our USCIS approval is a huge milestone in this process!  Now that we have that, we are waiting for our referral from the Lat^ian Ministry.  This will come in the form of an email from our agency.  This will have a ton of info about Warrior.  We'll be asked to officially accept this referral.   Once we accept it, we will be given our travel dates.

The kids passports are here, and they are excited beyond belief.  I did have to lock up the passports in a safe deposit box.  If I didn't do that, I could see them misplacing them the day before we travel!

We have had several people offer Skymiles to us.  But the problem with this is there is a huge transaction fee to transfer miles to another Skymiles account.  Plus, there are limitations on how many miles can be transferred in a calendar year.  However, this past weekend, we had a friend of the family step up to offer Skymiles for our first trip!  This person said that he has many many Skymiles and will never use them.  In order for this to work, we will need to sit with him while we make the online ticket purchases!  He has offered to come to the house this weekend with his computer.  We'll sit down and see how we can make this work - even though we don't have our specific travel dates.  This will be a practice run for the actual ticket purchase!

AMAZON!   Please share our link with everyone.  We are getting more and more people making purchases through this link.  We now get 6% of the purchase price!  http://www.amazon.com/?&tag=briourwarhom-20&linkCode=wsw&

Yardsale:  May 3rd and 4th.  We have had many people donate items, so many items, that our garage is completely full!   These items aren't junk either.  There are some really nice items that we plan to sell.  The girls will be selling their necklaces, cookies and bottle water.  If you're in South Atlanta, please come by Friday or Saturday to see us.  Email me if you need the address.

“We learned that orphans are easier to ignore before you know their names. They are easier to ignore before you see their faces. It is easier to pretend they’re not real before you hold them in your arms. But once you do, everything changes…” – David Platt, “Radical”

Thank you everyone for continuing to use our Amazon link on the right side of this blog.  We now get 6% of your purchase price.  Even the small purchases help!

Numbers

143,000,000 ...... Orphans in the world.
56 .............. Orphans adopted from Lat^ia to American families in 2012.
28............... Days our Warrior stayed with us during hosting.
4 ................ Hard-boiled eggs our Warrior ate most days he was with us.
45 and growing .............. Number of guppies in our 30 gallon fish tank.
42 .............. Days for our government to approve us for adoption.
4/3 ............. Ratio of girls to boys in our family after Warrior is home.
$22,954 ..... Amount of money left to fund our adoption.
$1,026 ......  Raised in less than one week!

USCIS Approval and $1000 of Donations

Today, we received the long-awaited approval of our I-800A by USCIS - exactly 6 weeks after they received it!  After some back-and-forth between USCIS and our agency about a special Georgia clearance, the issue was resolved and USCIS mailed us our approval.  I'm glad we have a great agency working on our behalf.  Next, we will have the approval appostilled by the state of Georgia and it will be on its way to Lat^ia to complete the dossier.  After that, we will wait for a referral from Lat^ia.

Thank you to those that have supported us via Give1Save1 Europe and in other ways!  This week, we have raised exactly $1000 as of Wednesday at 10:30 PM!  Please continue to Pray-Give-Share!

Give1Save1 Europe

We are the feature family this week at Give1Save1 Europe.  In just a few short hours, we have received several donations  Be sure to check out "Our Adoption Story" video.  Thank you to the ones that have already supported us! Your support means a lot!

Adoption IS Hard!

I am writing this post perhaps to encourage you and also to let others on the outside looking in know some of the hard times we face during our adoption journey.  This is just a glimpse into our personal journey in bringing home Warrior forever.

Now I know what some of you might be thinking: How in the world would I know adoption is hard when I haven't officially adopted yet?? There are a few things I do know so far through our short journey.  In December and early January, Matt and I were able to get a little sneak peak into what it will be like when we get our Warrior home forever.  Let me just be honest, it wasn't always pleasant.  It was downright hard and frustrating at times. I can only speak for myself, but I know I questioned what we had gotten ourselves into.  Matt and I did not go into this hosting experience expecting to adopt, but God had other plans.

There are many (and I was one of them) who paint a beautiful picture of adoption.  You imagine rescuing this  poor orphan child from his/her harsh circumstances, give them a loving home and the rest is history. I think a lot of us forget there is another side to this story:  the orphan's side.  Our Warrior will be leaving behind ALL he has ever known.  The orphanage and his caretakers ARE his family.  He is also living in another country with another culture than the one we will be bringing him into.  This part of the adoption process is hard on the child and the family who is adopting.  Pray for the adopted child(ren).

For most people who are adopting, one of the most stressful times is in the beginning with all of the paperwork.  Matt and I signed our names on so many pieces of paper and had fingerprints done 3 different times.  After the home study, paperwork and fingerprints, the fundraising phase begins.  Some of you may feel as I once did: "If you don't have the money, then why are you adopting?"  I realize now that God calls us to go out on faith and trust Him to be faithful to have the funds available at just the right time.  It is hard to have faith when you are staring at such a large number needed.  Who has $30,000 lying around?  Most people don't, which is where the faith comes in. Matt and I have already been amazed at God's faithfulness.  Yes, the $$'s are coming in slowly, but God can multiply them.  Our God is faithful!!!  We are so grateful for all of the donations, Warrior necklace purchases, yard sale donations for our adoption yard sale in May, prayers and support!  Pray for God to bless the people who give either through prayer, support or financially.  Pray also for all of those who are in the fundraising process.

Many people ask us where we are in the adoption process.  Right now, we are in the waiting stage.  The stage which for some can feel like an eternity.  We find ourselves daily checking our e-mail and running to the mailbox in hopes something relating to our child is in our inbox or mailbox, perhaps the approval of our I-800A form or better yet a referral.  It is hard when all you find is another bill or just a magazine.   For some this stage can last a few months, but for others it can be years. I keep reminding myself it is all in God's timing, not mine. Remember to pray for those who are in this holding tank.  This can be such a difficult time to wait patiently to bring your child home forever.  You want so much to rush this period, but you have to step back and remember who has got this covered:  God!

Throughout this adoption journey, there will be people who will not support you or who will be very negative toward your adoption because of their own bad experience.  I have found myself getting so upset at times from the words of others.  Sadly, there are people who are close to me who just don't get it.  They just don't understand what we are doing and why we are doing it.  My question to them is: Why NOT?  I have to remember why Matt and I are doing this.  We are adopting Warrior because God has called our family to do something SO much greater than we could ever imagine...SO much greater than we are capable of on our own!  "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." -Philippians 4:13 It is through Him I am able to have a heart like His and adopt a child who is unwanted by the world.  He is wanted by me and my family.  I count it an honor and privilege to be his mom.  He was born for me!! Pray for God to soften hearts towards adoption.

Adopting a child is not for the faint of heart.  While Warrior was here with us, I learned how much he longed for love and security.  He wanted so much to belong to a family. There are many things we do not know about our Warrior and many things we may never know.  While we hosted him, we did learn a few things about him.  We learned that his mother "left him somewhere" when he was really young, and his dad is not in the picture.  Another is that he has some medical needs.  Sadly, these are the children who are often passed over for adoption because of their special needs/challenges.  These children did not choose to be in the situations they are in.  When God adopts us (Christians) into His family, he doesn't sit around and say, "Well she has that problem and he isn't very good at that. Maybe I shouldn't allow them into my family".  Do you know what He does instead??  He accepts us right where we are.  He takes our good and our bad and LOVES us unconditionally.  That is what adoption truly is all about:  Loving the child right where they are and promising no matter what you will be there for them and show them God's love.  Just like I mentioned above, God doesn't turn His nose up at us because of who we are or the choices we have made.  HE LOVES US and welcomes us into His family if we choose.  Pray for the orphans and their protection.

Am I scared of the unknown? YES!!!  Do I know what the future holds for him?  No, but I do know our family will not go on this journey alone.  Again, I ask for you to continue to pray for our family and our Warrior.  Please also pray for those who are currently on this adoption journey. Remember this adoption journey doesn't end when the child comes home.  Families who are adopting will continue to need your prayers, support and encouragement long after this process is over.  Please pray for those who have completed the process and are home with their child(ren).

Because even one matters...

Warrior Necklaces

Orders for Warrior Necklaces keep coming in.  We're up to 57 necklaces sold to date, and total funds raised of $604!

Birthday Donation

This month, our Warrior turns six!  On the day of his birthday, we plan to have a birthday celebration in his honor.  Even, though he won't be here to participate in it, hopefully he'll know we're thinking of him.  In honor of his Birthday month, would you consider a $6 dollar donation?  ...or any amount with a "6" in it?  Please use the PayPal button below.  All donations will get transferred to a special bank account solely dedicated to Warrior's adoption cost.  Thanks ahead of time for your generosity!

Our Adoption Story

This week is a busy week.  I'm putting the final touches on our video for Give1Save1 fundraiser for the week of April 22nd. 

Adoption is NOT for me...

That's what I thought for many years. Once Matt and I started our own family, I think we both realized maybe one day we would adopt. Adoption was something Matt and I seemed to just joke about and toss the idea around as if it may never actually happen. Well, let me tell you adoption is for EVERYONE whether you realize it or not. God makes it very clear in the Bible how He holds the orphans and widows very close to His heart as we should ("A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows,is God in his holy dwelling.God sets the lonely in families..."-Psalm 68:5-6). Why did I not know this? To be honest, I did know this, but like many, I chose to gloss over those verses because at the time they really didn't apply to me. God has the amazing ability to see straight through our hearts and convict us of what we are doing wrong. What were we doing wrong? We were ignoring the orphans. It is very easy to ignore the orphans when you have your own family and all your needs are met. You can see them in a picture or on tv and think oh, that's sad and then flip the page or change the channel. But, when you welcome one into your home, you can no longer ignore there is a tremendous need for these children who are without a family. You can no longer pretend those verses don't apply to you. You can no longer believe these orphans don't matter. They matter to Him and they should matter to us!

Now am I saying everyone is called to adopt? NO, absolutely NOT!!!! There are people out there who shouldn't adopt and people out there who are being called to adopt, but aren't obeying God's call for their lives. I can admit that I was one of those until now. I can no longer be silent. I can no longer look at pictures of orphans and see them on tv and not be moved to the core. You might be reading this and thinking how can you help or you might be thinking I am just another crazy nut who jumped on the adoption train. Either way, there is something everyone can do to help. It is unacceptable to God to just sit around and do nothing like I once did. You can help by praying for those who are adopting and pray for the orphans who hope to be in a family one day.

Did you know before you accepted Jesus Christ, you were an orphan? Do you remember how it felt to be without hope and a family (the body of Christ)? I can't imagine living a life without HOPE! Everyday, these orphans face the reality they may never be in a family. Sadly, many of them will age out of the system before ever being adopted and turn to drugs, prostitution or even suicide. Where is their HOPE? Jesus is their hope and as Christians we are supposed to be the hands and feet of Jesus. PRAY for them! Pray for those who are adopting. This adoption journey is not an easy one.

Another way you can help is by donating to a family who is adopting. Not everyone is financially able to give money, but there are some who are and don't. Once again, I admit I was one of those. It just didn't apply to me and my life. How quickly (like many others) I forgot God's word and how I am supposed to take care of the widows and the orphans. I could have given, but I didn't. Are you able to give, but aren't? My dream one day (once we are debt-free) is to be able to fully fund someone's adoption. Unfortunately, many choose not to adopt because they can't afford it. Part of our journey is going out on faith God will provide our funding and last time I checked, God is a faithful God!

Did we choose adoption for our family??? The simple answer is no. I believe God chose adoption for our family and we are being obedient to what God has led us to do. This journey has been hard and at times I have felt like I just can't go any further. But, that is what Satan wants me to believe. He wants us to think we can't do this and we will never have all the money we need. These are lies and we will choose to stand on the truth!

As you go through your week, please take a moment and pray for us and our Warrior. He is only one, but he is one LESS! Thank you for all who have prayed and given so far. May God bless each of your families for your faithfulness to Him.

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." -James 1:27

Give1Save1 Europe

Don't forget, we're going to be the feature family the week of April 22nd at Give1Save1 Europe.   We're currently putting the final touches on our video that will be posted on Give1Save1 that week.  All blog readers are asked to give $1 via PayPal during that week. The idea is that if every viewer of the blog would give just $1, then financial barriers to international adoption would disappear.   All the money we receive that week will go straight toward the remaining costs for Warrior's adoption.

Here's a preview of our video...

Yesterday, Kristie and I had a date...in Atlanta...no kids...  We had our final round of fingerprinting at the USCIS application office!

Now, I can officially say that this adoption is 100% out of our hands.  No more forms, notaries, fingerprints, or medical physicals.  We will now wait for an email from Lat*ia with the date and time of our court appearance.  We will literally be given two weeks notice of the court date.

Both Encouraged and Discouraged

Today, I am both encouraged and discouraged.

I am encouraged that the process is moving along faster than we thought. We have our final fingerprinting in Atlanta this coming Friday afternoon, April 5th.  About one week after that, we should get USCIS approval.  The approval letter will be scanned and emailed to Lat>ia to complete our dossier.  We expect that 4 to 6 weeks after that, that we will get a referral email from Lat>ia (our 2 weeks notice of a court date in Riga).  In other words, I think we are seven to eight weeks away from travelling!  This seems to be happening way too fast!

However, that brings me to my discouragement.  So far we have not been able to raise the money that we had hoped, meaning that all of our expenses are paid for out of pocket.  While we have the money to pay for the travel and this adoption, I am concerned that we will drain our savings and as a result, this will put us in a really uncomfortable situation.  We have applied for two grants, but I am not optimistic about getting approved.  We are not eligible for most of the grants that I have found for various reasons.  Additionally, my employer doesn't offer any kind of adoption assistance.  I know that God will provide for us since we were led by Him to adopt.

On a more upbeat note, we found out today that the husband of Rebekah's soccer coach is Lat>ian!  Not only that, he has the same first name as our Warrior!  What are the chances?  We have known this family for several years, but never knew that he has a Lat>ian heritage.  I found out that his grandparents and father immigrated to America when the Russians occupied Lat>ia during World War II.