Immigration Approval--CHECK!

You GUYS.

We received the immigration approval today!!!  This is happening super fast.  Whoo!! 

So now our case is headed to the National Visa Center--I think to alert them that she will need a travel visa to the US soon.  Our agency will be filling out an application for us.  Then these two things will go to Georgia where they will run an Interpol check--seriously, if you don't trust us with your kids by now, surely this will clear our names 😜...and then our case goes on to the court system!

We still have no idea when we will travel...but it seems to be coming up faster than we expected.  I've been working my way through the house room by room organizing, rearranging, and prepping for a home study inspection (three weeks from today).  Once everything is in order, I'll start on Eliana's room--EEEK!!!   I'm going to have a conversation with Matthew's principal tomorrow about what it will look like for him to miss a few weeks of school...cause we hope to bring him with us!

I just can't believe how things are moving along!

There are just no words to describe God's goodness.  Soon we will meet.  How many times have I reminded myself that all her days were written before one began...that God knows the day we will meet.  And that day is coming! 

I don't feel like I can even form coherent thoughts right now.  Too much happy.

Pray for our little one!  She is so precious, you guys.  The exciting days ahead for us will be difficult for her for a bit, so please cover her little heart in prayer!  Continue praying for her foster family as they care for her.  And pray for us!!! 

I'm gonna try to sleep now!  Wish me luck... 😉

Speechless

You GUYS!!!

I can't even wrap my head around this.  I posted the last update less than 24 hours ago and already the goal for the matching grant has been met!  I am in shock and tears over here, trying to comprehend your generosity!  

I can't even find words.

Thank you!!

I've already heard from several people who want to contribute but have not had an opportunity.

If you would still like to give toward travel expenses for bringing Eliana home and helping with the expenses that will come along with her surgeries, we have a PayPal link on the righthand side of the blog (when viewed from a computer).  Or you can click here to access our donation link.  Donations made to the PayPal account will not be part of the matching grant and will not be tax deductible.  If you would prefer to send us a personal check, send me a message through Facebook and I will give you our address.

This photo is a screen shot from my favorite video of Eliana Faith.  She smiles and chatters and blows kisses as she plays with some little stuffed animals.

Eliana has a cleft palate which will require surgery pretty soon after we get home, and likely in coming years as she grows (I'm guessing some of you will ask--the cleft is only the palate, not the lip--that's why it can't be seen in the pictures).  After we get home we will visit an international adoption clinic where the doctors are familiar with needs of children who have been adopted from another country.  There she will be evaluated to find out if she has any other needs that will require medical or therapeutic intervention.  

Truly, I am stunned by your generosity.  We are so so blessed to have such a community of people both near and far supporting us and loving a sweet girl on the other side of the world.

Fundraiser/Matching Grant Update

**UPDATE: You GUYS! In less than 24 hours you have met the fundraising goal! 😭😭😭I'll be posting an updated post in a few minutes with other ways to give if you still feel led to donate!

Hi wonderful people!

I am just loving summertime!  It could be because I have resigned my teaching job and I’m not spending my days making plans for next year…

It could be because of vacations and having more time to see friends and family…

Or it COULD be because I’m looking at this picture all day, every day…

Sorry, I can’t show you the whole picture, yet!

In the meantime, we’ve mailed off our immigration request and are waiting for the approval.  Also--after encouragement from many of you to open ourselves up to the opportunity for others to join in on our journey once again--we filled out paperwork for the grant and have officially been offered a $4,000 grant!!!  That’s about $4,000 more than we expected.

The organization that is providing the grant is called Brittany’s Hope Foundation (www.BrittanysHope.org).   Brittany’s Hope Foundation helps unite families and children through the gift of matching grants through their Seedling Gift Program.  Brittany’s Hope Foundation has a mission for helping children with special needs both abroad and being placed for international adoption. They are able to accomplish these goals through corporate donations, the public’s generosity and their Seedling Gift Program.

The way the grant works is this:

We have to raise $2,000 to be donated directly to Brittany’s Hope.  Once $2,000 has been raised in our names, Brittany’s Hope will send $4,000 to our adoption agency to be used toward our adoption fees and travel expenses.  It will also enable us to save some of our adoption funds to use for surgeries Eliana will need after we bring her home.

It’s that simple!  

So many of you have already called, texted, and asked us in person how you can help.  Well, here it is! By donating to this fundraiser, you will be helping Brittany's Hope as they work tirelessly to bring awareness to these precious children who wait and wait and wait.

Every dollar donated by you will be matched through the Seedling Gift Program, making your gift multiply and grow, bringing more children the gift of a “Forever Family”---including our Eliana Faith.

Ways to give:

*Online: Follow this link to donate online:  https://www.brittanyshope.org/seedling/kelley/

*By check made payable to Brittany’s Hope.  You can either give these to us in person and we will mail checks or you can send your check directly to Brittany’s Hope: Brittany's Hope Foundation, 1160 North Market Street, Elizabethtown, PA 17022.

***After making a donation, you will receive a thank you note from Brittany’s Hope to use for tax purposes***

With our travel dates being so up in the air, we’d like to have our “ducks in a row” as soon as possible so that we can be ready to go at the drop of a hat.  Because of the uncertain timeline, we’d like to finish up the fundraiser over the next month. If you would like to help us bring Eliana home, please make your donation sometime before August 12!  I will update you guys every week or so on the fundraiser total so you can see our progress!

I can’t tell you how much your support over the years has meant to us.  So many of you have already given so much toward this long and twisty adoption journey--both financially and through emotional support and prayers.  There have been days when we were too tired to continue and yet God sent us encouragement in the form of YOU asking, praying, giving. It is humbling to look back on these six years and know that we could not possibly have made it to this point without the support system we have both near and far.  There truly are not words to express our gratitude. I’ll have to stick with--Thank you.