I have heard this question many times since my last update. Starting 9 months ago with $0 and now being over $22,000 into this adoption doesn't make much sense. People seem to assume that we just have a lot of money sitting around. One of the most common statements I hear from others is,"You guys are so amazing! We could never afford to do what you are doing!"
Every time I hear this I get uneasy. I want to put my hands on people's shoulders and shake them while yelling, "But we're not! And we can't!" But instead I smile awkwardly and repeat my response of, "We're not the ones doing it." But the words just don't carry enough weight.
We are not doing anything amazing. God is. We have agreed to work hard, to move forward in faith, and to move beyond fear, but nothing we are doing feels particularly spectacular. Heavenly Father is the one bringing the miracle.
For those of you curious about what adoption finance looks like to a family with no money previously set aside, skim over this list:
change for china $18.50
cash donations $60.00
unplanned refund check $602.58
secretary of state check $25.00
ipad sale $150.00
Mary Kay party $91.25
change for china $26.09
budget savings $1750.00
change for china $22.51
garage sale $747.07
jewelry sale $209.00
donated jewelry $140.00
change for china 20.07
birthday cash $100.00
yard sale $620
change for china $19.07
honey-do-helpers $822.67
change for china $9.88
yard sale $227.70
honey-do-helpers $502.00
Chosen marathon $2503.25
Mary Kay open house $340.00
change for china $34.51
recycling $28.00
garage sale $293.49
honey-do-helpers $410.00
maxim respite care $90.43
recycling $35.00
change for china $21.44
This list goes on and on.
So far in this adoption we have had $3,662.26 in unexpected monies just "show up" in our mailbox. This includes things like a check from an overage in an escrow account, unexpected reimbursements, planned expenses coming in lower than expected, having something break under warranty and being able to replace it for less and contribute the difference, etc. These have all been what some people would call "tender mercies."
We have been able to sell personal belongings to the tune of over $600. We've been able to generate over $2,500 from making cuts in our personal budget over the past 9 months. And we've been blessed with over $3,800 of side business through our business Honey-Do-Helpers.
Our fundraising events have been successful and full of blessings. Garage sales and other events have generated over $2,500.
Participating in the Chosen Marathon generated over $2,500 for our adoption.
We are literally watching the money we need come in pennies at a time. Change for China was our very first fundraiser and it has contributed over $250 in pennies, nickles, dimes and quarters. Just a couple months ago I asked our family members to set aside their recyclables for us. Once a month or so I take the collection to recycle and watch as again, pennies, dimes, nickles and quarters add up. All together our 4 families have created over $77 just by not putting our drink containers in the trash for two months. I have learned in a very literal way that every penny counts.
When we began this adoption we did so on a leap of faith. We could plainly see that we "could not afford" another international adoption. But we knew this was what we were being asked to do. So we moved forward simply asking that He show us what to do. "Just bring us the work" was our prayer. We have stood ready and willing to do anything He leads us to. But He has done so much more.
We watch in awe as our friends, family and even perfect strangers unite around us to bring this little boy home. We have been brought to our knees by the faithful actions of our friends and family. We thought this journey was about our leap of faith and our own obedience. We have been awe struck to see the ways our Heavenly Father has brought so many others into this story.
We cannot afford international adoption. But God can.
