Counting the Cost

One of the things people ask when they hear we’re adopting internationally is “Isn’t it expensive?” Short answer “Yes” Longer answer “Yes very!” According to our agency it will cost approximately $24000-29000 (this includes most fees, donations to the orphanage and travel expenses) to adopt 1 child from Ethiopia.  We’re hoping to adopt siblings…so at least 2… That will not double the cost as some expenses are a one time thing like home study (actually not calculated in the above estimate) and fingerprinting, but some things are like passports, visas and airline tickets per child. So our tab will end up being more than the estimate.  Like most people we don’t have that kind of money just sitting around. We’re not entirely sure where it’s all going to come from. What we do know is that our God has led us on this journey and that he will provide as he sees fit.  We also know that He has a heart for the orphan, that we are commanded to care for them and this is how we feel led to do so.  We have started saving on our own and cutting back here and there.  I’ve opened an Etsy shop and we’re selling Just Love coffee through our blog.  We’re planning on doing some fundraisers like selling shirts and once our home study is done we’ll be applying for grants through ShowHope and Lifesong.  I've added a paypal donation button to our blog so if you feel led to donate to our adoption fund it will be easy to do so.  It’s hard to ask for help….John and I have gone back and forth on that aspect of our adoption….it boils down to a pride issue. We know we can not do it on our own.  John met someone recently who had adopted siblings from Rwanda and he told him his biggest regret was not asking for/allowing people to help them financially.  As believers, we are all called to care for the orphan, for some that means adoption, for others that means orphan care and for others that means helping financially.  Your prayers are greatly appreciated!

Adoption update...or lack of one

A friend asked me recently "So what's going on with your adoption because you haven't posted anything lately" Basically we're still in the middle of paperwork. We've gotten our physicals done and have the paperwork to the boys' pediatrician so that can get filled out. I've requested several documents and am just waiting for them to get here. We're working on our autobiographies and then there are getting our reference letter info sent out and drawing out the floor plan of our house, emergency evacuation plans and financial info. My original goal was to have most of it done by the end of July...well...this summer we've been enjoying having the boys out of school and just hanging out. It'll all get done...eventually.

It's been amazing to see how God has been working. Since we announced our adoption He has led us to several new friendships and a new support network. He keeps placing people in our paths that just continue to encourage us on this journey.

The boys are still excited about the whole thing and pray often for "our children in Ethiopia" We've had a lot of talks lately about some of the hardships orphans face...even those who find new families and it's been sweet to hear them talk about ways to help and love them through it all.


We appreciate your continued prayers. Please also pray for the adoptive families and their waiting children affected by the courts closing in Ethiopia during the rainy season and delays with the American embassy.

Happy 4th of July!

We're having a relaxing day today. Just enjoying being together as a family. Will head over to my parents later for a dinner of hotdogs and hamburgers. Just thinking about the freedoms we have that started on this day so many years ago...Grateful to live in a country that allows us the freedom to worship the one, true God openly. Grateful for the sacrifices of those in the military who have provided all the freedoms that we have. Grateful for a God who gave us the ultimate freedom from the slavery of sin through His Son.

Please pray!

Please be praying for Sonia and her family as they are trying to bring home their 7th son home from China. Little "J" has severe heart conditions and needs to get home soon to receive treatment.  Sonia just welcomed home 2 boys from China in January. She's the only person I know that has more boys that I do ;-) and has a great outlook and sense of humor (living w/ lots of boys, you need it!) Please pray for this family, little "J" during this time, that the finances will be there quickly to get him home, that he will remains as healthy as possible while he waits.

My Etsy Shop

I've opened a shop on Etsy to help raise money for our adoption. Right now I have a few glass pendant necklaces for sale and hope to add more items soon. My seller name is WrittenOnMyHeart. I hope you'll check it out!

I'm linking to Kelly's Show Us Your Life.

Yummy Recipe

I'm always on the lookout for new recipes that will appeal to my family. I've gotten several from Mary, who is mom to 10--6 adopted, 4 from Ethiopia. One of the latest ones I've tried from her site is Ethiopian Sloppy Joes. It's easy, inexpensive and 4 out of the 6 (and E will eat it, it's just not one of his faves) of us love it...that's a win for me ;-) As we go down this adoption road we're trying to learn more about Ethiopia and that includes the food. Here's Mary's recipe:
Ethiopian Sloppy Joes

Preparation Time: 50 minutes

Serves 6

• 2 large onions
• 6 potatoes
• 1 pound ground beef, already browned
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 2 cups tomato sauce
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1 to 3 tsp cayenne pepper (add gradually, to taste) (I use 1/4-1/2 tsp for our taste)
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tsp salt
• 4 cups water (I usually start w/ 3 then add more if needed)

Cook ground beef in a large heavy skillet and set it aside.  Wipe excess grease from skillet .  Peel onions and puree them in a food processor (or mince them very fine). Peel and mash garlic. Peel and chop potatoes into 1 inch cubes.
Heat oil in a large skillet and add pureed onions. Cook over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onion begins to brown a little.  Add garlic, tomato sauce, water, and potatoes.  Add the ginger, turmeric, cayenne, pepper and salt.  Mix well. Add cooked ground beef.
Stir and cook over medium-low heat for 20-30 minutes, stirring every 3-5 minutes.  The mixture will look a little watery at first, but water will gradually evaporate as potatoes cook. Add the butter during the last few minutes of cooking.  If potatoes stick to the bottom of the skillet even after adding butter, add another 1/2 cup of water and turn down the heat a little.  Dish is done when potatoes are cooked through.

A couple of notes: I just finely chop onions and garlic and do not add the butter at the end.

It's yummy on buns w/ fruit on the side. Enjoy!

Blessed!

Our family was blessed (again!) today by the birth of my great nephew...my sister's first grandbaby. While I'm sad I'm not able to be there with them to hug on my sweet niece (She was a trooper! It was a long, hard labor.) and kiss on that yummy newborn, I'm rejoicing that God has chosen to once again bless our family with a new life.  My Mama told me recently that her "wealth was in her family". I love that! She understands what blessings children are and what a privilege it is to get to raise them. She started off as mom to 3 (2 for a while...I was a late surprise) became mom to 8, grandmother to 25 and great-grandmother to 11 as of today (#12 is due in December). We're looking forward to the day when we get to add more blessings to the total...