Fundraising Bonanza!

     The speed at which God has opened the doors to bring Little One home has been...phenomenal to say the least. Laughable seems disrespectful, but I can't help at laugh at every record breaking event that has happened thus far. Old Testament Sarah laughed at the possibility of God performing a miracle; I'm laughing at how He is doing it! 

    Many people have asked about the cost of bringing Little One home and how they can help.  I won't lie, adoption costs are significant. With travel to China included, it will cost approximately $30,000 (paid up front) to bring Little One home.  This isn't much more than the cost of a natural pregnancy...but wouldn't you know it, health insurance doesn't cover adoption costs (I'll have to call my Congressman about that).  I'm working extra shifts & I've applied for eight different adoption grants and I hope to hear from those foundations by spring. With savings, extra work & potential grants it looks like the first $20,000 has been provided for. (Isn't that just incredible?!).

     Now that the word is out about Little One's arrival, there has been an AMAZING outpouring of support from friends two & three times removed. I'm chatting with people I didn't know I didn't know!  There are SO many wonderful people with a heart for adoption but aren't physically in a place where they can adopt into their own families...nearly all have asked how they can help.  Here are the ways that you can help bring our Little One home:

• Cassandra Hamilton Photography has generously offered a day of mini sessions with all the proceeds (plus any extra donations) to go toward to Little One's fund.  Saturday March 17th from 10am to 2pm, outside Northwest Church, will be the scene of individual portraits and small group portraits. I cannot say enough WONDERFUL things about Cassandra & her photography. Please consider this an amazing opportunity to be photographed by her.
• ($20 donation) The individual portraits are perfect for children, for you for your website or as a social media image or just because. You can choose black and white or color. The full resolution image will be emailed to you.
• ($40 donation)The small group pictures can have 2-4 people. Think you and your sweetie, siblings, you and your bestie, you and your child, you and your mom (then you can make it into a great print for Mother’s Day). You can choose black and white or color. The full resolution image will be emailed to you.
• More information can be found here at Cassandra's blog.

• Community garage sale.  If you have goodies worthy of another home or project, please consider donating to the Spring Adoption Garage Sale (date to be determined, pending Seattle weather). THEN, come peruse other people's goodies to see what would look good in your home! With what has already been donated I think $1,000 net is an easy goal.

• Online auction.  Doesn't this sound like fun?  BEAUTIFUL handmade goods & quality services have been donated just for Little One's welcome home.  More information to come in the next 10days!

• Direct donation. If you are not able to participate directly in any of the above events but would still like to donate, direct donations can be made either to myself or to Bethany Christian Services with my name notation. There is no tax deduction, but there is an awfully cute toddler who can give you a hug or a high five someday! Please feel free to email me for more information.

• Prayer.  Yes, prayer. There are many who have a passion for adoption but aren't able to invest in this type of ministry financially. That's okay!  God's movement does not depend on our paper currency; nor does our ability to obey.  I would ask everyone to continue to pray for open doors & favor, but to those who have the gift of prayer covering to offer...especially pray on the day of mini-sessions, the community garage sale, the online auction and over the pending grants.  

     I am resting in the promise that God is going to provide every nickle, dime & hundred dollar bill needed to bring Little One home. He owns the cattle on a thousands hills (Psalm 50:10), so $30,000 is chump change in His economy. (I just did the math: approx $1500 per cow x 42 cows per herd x 1000 hills = $63million.  We should be good.)

     THANK YOU for being a part of this incredible process.  I'll keep you updated on dates & totals as we go.