Baby Steps

Since the last post, there have been several baby steps forward.
The home study made it to me on June 16th with all its signatures - it just needs to be authenticated in Texas and then go to the China Consulate in Houston.

As of June 12th my application to immigration was received in Texas. I had fingerprints done at the FBI office this morning. I pray that within the next 3-4 weeks I will have immigration approval and all of my documents that make up my dossier will be sent to China. This will be a GIANT LEAP forward!!

I learned yesterday that my little one's file is at the China welfare and adoption office where it should be. The officials have decided to hold it back instead of giving it to my adoption agency. This means that they are waiting for my dossier to get to China so that they can match his file with mine as soon as they can once everything is there. This is GREAT news, as it may mean that things will go a little faster once on the China side. Once I finally get my letter of acceptance, I can FINALLY publically share his name and picture on the blog and the fundraising site!

I am in the process of applying for grants to help raise money - unfortunately all of them take considerable time and funds begin to dwindle as the year progresses. I will continue, however, to apply and pray that some come through.  My next fees include $185 to get the last 2 documents authenticated and through the consulate and then $1550 to get the dossier sent to China.

I have a new fundraising site, would love for you to check it out! Even if you are unable to assist at this time, please share on your social media! https://www.adopttogether.org/worthyofmuchlove

There is also another t-shirt fundrasier! I would LOVE for everyone to be able to spread the word about international adoptions!
https://www.booster.com/worthyofmuchlove

WE HAVE MOVEMENT!!!

I received word today that my immigration paperwork was filed by my adoption agency!!
This means that the homestudy is complete and headed my way.  The next step includes waiting for the immigration paperwork to go through the proper channels and then the immigration approval and the homestudy will go to the China Consulate in Houston, TX to be approved.

Once ALL of that is completed, then all of the documents that have been collected will go to China and go through all of their processes. We're moving ... one step at a time!



Be on the look-out for the next t-shirt fundraiser ... there are some ideas floating in my head ... :)

God is Great!!

Some of you know, and some do not, but I have been collecting therapy supplies for Sunshine's Foster Facility in China. God provided in a big way for these kids!! I am so thankful for all the companies that have donated so far!!

After getting all of these supplies, I contacted the Foster Facility and mentioned that I wasn't sure how I was going to get it all to China ... the director's comment was, "well, my husband will be in the States in 2 weeks, do you think you can ship the items to him?" Well, yes!!! I then asked where  in the country he would be and the response was, "Broken Arrow, OK" ... are you kidding me?!!!

After having several conversations with her husband I found out that he was actually planning on spending some time at Grand Lake, OK ... literally an hour and 15 minutes away from me ... God is at work here!! We set a date to meet and I got everything prepped.

I was able to pull together all of the children's clothes that did not sell at the Adoption Rummage Sale, get them all washed, folded and placed into a very large tub. Knowing some of the Foster Facility's needs, I was able to send out a request to Facebook groups that re-sell and donate used therapy equipment .. This is where God started showing off ...

I sent out the request for a Feeder Seat (a supportive seat that sits on the floor), if anyone would be willing to give me one that their child had outgrown. I got a response from an amazing woman in Kansas who had a trucker friend who may be able to get it to me - a week later the plan was set up and things began to be set in motion. I was able to meet the trucker just 10 miles south of my home at a truck stop. It was quite a sight to see a specialized medical chair being taken out of a huge 18 wheeler!! The trucker said, "I used to come down to Springdale from Kansas frequently, but it has been quite a while since I have been here. I was contacted last week by a friend to see if I could bring this chair down, but I told them that it had been a while since I towed anything down this way. Wouldn't you know it, the very next day I was contacted to haul a load down here to Springdale!" ... WOW!!! If that wasn't God at work then I don't know what is!!!

I was able to get everything sent over to China last week with the Director's husband and got these AMAZING pictures back!!

These sweet kiddos were able to utilize the HipHelpers that were donated!! I am sure that they will begin to thrive in their therapy sessions!! 

This sweet little one was fitted with a new hand splint! I am so THANKFUL to Benik for donating their amazing products to these little ones!! 

This amazing boy was able to utilize the compression vest sent by Benik - helping him calm himself and be more aware of where his body is in space!! 

And, last but not least, the AMAZING chair!! When I received it, I was a little worried that it was going to be too small for this sweet girl (she is the reason I searched for one) ... but I should have never doubted - God had it all under control and it fits her perfectly!!! 

And, of course, EVERYONE wanted to try out the new chair!!! 

As for Sunshine and this adoption process, I really have no new news to report. I am still in a holding pattern. I am currently holding 2 fundraisers that I REALLY need everyone's help with...

Once my home study finally comes through, I will have to pay another round of fees. I have $2000 in prep for this, but another $3000 is needed in order to pay the fees that will need to be paid before my documents can go to China. 

The first fundraiser is with the Humble Bee Project.

The second fundraiser is with Premier Jewelry. 

If you are not local, you CAN still help!!! 

If you get your friends, family, church members, etc. together and receive $150 total in orders, you will get this free necklace!!! 

If you have any questions - please email me: worthyofmuchlove@gmail.com

Any little bit will help!!! 

Praises: 

  GOD performed miracles in getting all of the much needed therapy items and clothes to the sweet children at Sunshine's Foster Facility. SO many children will benefit from the donations!!! 

Prayer Requests: 

That funding is found for this next round of fees. Even though I am currently still in a holding pattern, fees will come due quickly and I want to be as prepared as possible. 

Stagnant

Well, it has been a bit since I have updated here ... mainly because there is really nothing new to report. I STILL do not have his fille (supposedly will take 6 weeks to get his file translated, but I have no idea when the 6 weeks started) and my homestudy report is still not complete. SO .. for the time being, I am stuck.

Being stuck is not a good feeling .... it puts you on a wild rollercoaster of emotions. Being stagnant sends waiting adoptive families into a craze. All of the fears you have for your child, for the process, for the future ... they all start to float to the front of your consciousness.
- Is he going to be eligible for the surgery he so desperately needs?
- What will his future be like - will he ever be able to walk, talk, sing, jump, run, play without constant assistance?
- Will the funding to continue this process be available when it is needed?
- Will I be the mother that he really needs?
- When I go to China, will I have everything he needs?
- Do I actually try to take a wheelchair to China when I finally get to go get him?
- If I take a wheelchair, how will I transport it around the country without it being broken?
- Will I be able to find foods that he likes once we are home?
SO, yes, my mind is in overdrive ....

In order to help support this process, I have been working 6 days/week ... but I constantly feel like it is not enough. Working 6-10 hrs. Monday - Saturday week in and week out begins to wear on a person, but it is a necessity. Being single in this process is not for the faint of heart. It's not like buying a car where you have 3-5 years to pay it off ... this is handing over $35,000 in 1 year, broken into 3-5 payments, some are larger than others.  I am praying that the upcoming fundraisers will be profitable as funding is scary in this process ...

I have gotten 3/4 of his room painted in preparation for the Dr. Seuss amazement. I still have 1 more wall to finish and a few finishing touches, but I really am excited about it. I can't wait for it to be finished and put back together.
 


For those interested, I am having a Premier Jewelry Party locally at the beginning of next month and I would love to see you guys there (specific details will be posted soon). For the people outside of NW Arkansas, you can participate as well and earn some free jewelry! If you collect $150 or more in orders, you will receive this beautiful necklace:

Please let me know if you are interested and I will get you the information/catalogues/order forms, etc. This jewelry is great quality for low prices and there is something for everyone! Please consider sharing this with your close friends/co-workers/family, etc because every little bit helps! :) 

Other things in the pipeline: Possible raffle for a Lillebaby Essentials baby carrier, possible online auction, Painting for a Cause night (details to be released soon), Cookout and Wacky Olympics. 

Prayer Requests:

- That Sunshine's file is FINALLY ready, translated, give to my adoption agency and I can finally request to be matched with him.

- That my homestudy report be finalized so that things can begin to move forward and I will no longer be "stuck"

- Sunshine will continue to thrive and remain healthy 

- That I will find peace with all my worries and concerns, giving them to Him to be my rock.

FILE PROGRESS

LADIES AND GENTLEMAN, SUNSHINE HAS A FILE!!!

Thank-goodness!

I started this morning on this high of knowing that his file has FINALLY made it to the Chinese Government ... but then it was kinda thwarted finding out that it will take 2 months to get translated and given to my adoption agency. However, I am so very thankful and happy that it is FINALLY moving forward. MAYBE we will both be ready and in China at the same time.

The final tally for the Rummage sale was $2,175.27!!  I am so, so very thankful for everyone who helped and donated their items, time and/or money!! My words can really not express enough how I feel!

Stay tuned, I will be announcing another fundraiser soon - there are gifts to be earned based on who raises money ... and it involves bling ... :)

The next BIG expenses include:
$3,250 for Adoption Agency Fees #2
$1,550 for Submitting my Dossier to China (all the paperwork to apply for the Adoption on the China Side)
$5,400 Orphanage Fee to be paid to China

Every little bit helps, and any fundraising ideas you may have, I would love to hear them!!!




I am so thankful for everyones help and prayers!!!

much love and thanks!!!


The Lord protects the strangers; He supports the fatherless and the widow
Psalm 146:9

Thankful and Future Endeavours

This past weekend was the rummage sale ... it was a HUGE success!!! We were able to raise just over $2000 from generous donors (both those who donated items and those who came and purchased things).

I am so very thankful to EVERYONE who came together to make it a success, specifically my Mom who came in town for 4 days to help me prepare.  I also have to thank all the friends who came over several times last week and during the rummage sale to help me price, arrange and sell the items that were donated.

I still have MANY items (over half a garage full) left over from the rummage sale. I will be having another garage sale THIS Saturday & Sunday afternoons ... feel free to stop by if you were unable to come out this past weekend!! :)

I found out last week that the foster facility that Sunshine is currently at is going to open a new location and I am so thrilled!! This means that they will be able to  help and serve more children who have medical needs!! I have graciously been given the opportunity to travel to China in the summer with another therapist from John Hopkins to help train new therapists, further the education of the therapists already working and to visit local orphanages .... I cannot wait for this!!!

I have already begun collecting needed medical items through donations from various companies. I am so thankful how receptive these companies have been to the cause, willing to send their products free of charge! We are currently looking for corporate sponsors to help us with the costs of flights, cost of staying in China during this adventure and shipping all of the donations to China.  If you happen to have any leads on companies that would be willing to help (donating clothing, toys, medical equipment, liquid thickener, cover shipping needs and/or providing grants), I would greatly appreciate it!!

I cannot explain how amazing this experience has been so far or how thankful I am for being provided with the opportunity to give back to the facility that has literally saved my son's life ... no amount of volunteering, gathering donations or facilitating sponsorship for this amazing organization will ever be enough to repay them!!

Praises: The rummage sale went amazingly well and I am SO thankful for all the support I have gotten.

Prayer Requests:
 - That the finishing of the rummage sale this coming weekend will go well.
 - That we WILL be able to find corporate sponsors to help us get to China in the summer
 - That paperwork will continue to move forward smoothly for the adoption process (written up home study report should be completed soon)

Welcome to My Home

Well, I must say that this week has been a little crazy!

Tuesday was my 31st birthday and I can't begin to explain how blessed I was!! Friends brought me breakfast and treats at work and the day ended with a huge cookie cake!

Wednesday was the beginning of my home study, which seemed to go well. My social worker was at my home from 6-6:45 pm on Wednesday and 10-1 on Thursday. I am very happy that it is over, I now just have to wait for the write up, which make take 2 months or more.

As things move forward, I get slightly more excited, anxious and confident. I am so incredibly excited to have Sunshine in my arms, to hold him, hug him, kiss him and comfort him. I am anxious about how much longer it will be, all of the fundraising that needs to be done between now and then, about his file being made and if Sunshine will be eligible for the surgery he needs. I am confident that this is what I should be doing, not waiting until I am in a "different stage of life", waiting until I'm married, or waiting until something else is "falling into place". I am stepping out in faith and praying that things will be come together at the appropriate times.

Since Thursday I have been sorting through donated items for the rummage sale. People have been SO generous and words cannot begin to explain how thankful I am!! If you have any items you would be willing to donate to the Adoption Rummage Sale, please let me know You can email me at worthyofmuchlove@gmail.com if you need me to pick up items for the rummage sale!

PLEASE PLEASE share the following info with your friends and family in NWA:

April 16, 2016         6am -??        

Corner of John Rollow Dr & SE 28th St.

Bentonville, Arkansas

Praises:  The Home Study is on it's way to being completed!! This is a huge step forward!! 

Prayer requests:

 - The Rummage Sale has a good collection of things for people to choose from

 - That people are able to volunteer the day of the fundraiser to assist throughout the day

 - That the rummage sale is successful

 - That Sunshine remains healthy and happy, knowing that he is loved.