One Sought Me

God is so good!!! Let me tell you a story... We are continuing to raise funds for the adoption as several costs have tumbled in during this extended process for us.  What once was proposed as a 12-18 month journey to adopt has turned into 2.5 years and counting. Updated paper work, fingerprints again, new appointments, mailing documents, etc. Each month we support Tarik's care while he is in the foster home of $350 a month.  With the latest movements in our process too, we have fees associated with those costs that are  $650.  It all is adding up as one month runs into another past our anticipated funds. ( See our 2014 Fundraising Report here .   And our latest needs here. ) Just as I sit down and start to wonder how tight are things going to get, I get an email that another necklace order needs filled. And guess what? It will cover our next fee!  So thankful and once again just in awe of God's provision just when we need it! Then a friend asks to ho...

Recently, I came across some Scripture that really reminded me of how pleasing it is to the Lord when we, as His people, help each other, help those in need, and bring help to the poor.  We will look at those in a moment, but as I read, I was reminded of all the giving and generous hearts who have deeply helped our family, other adoptive families, and this support for adoptive families is focused on helping the orphaned child, the oppressed, poor, and lonely.  For this, for helping the 'least of these', God is well pleased.  He sees a giving heart as an offering! The following is the 2014 Fundraising Report for orphan care!  As you can see, some fundraising was directed to helping other adoptive families during our One Sought Me Walk event, Foster Home in Ethiopia Medical Project, Erin's mission trip to Alex's House orphanage in Haiti, and donations to our Vogtman family adoption's additional expenses. One Sought Me Walk 2014 for the Stickley Family's Adop...

Are you ready for this?!?!? Psalm 34:1-5a, 9 "I will praise the LORD no matter what happens.  I will constantly speak of His glories and grace.  I will boast of all his kindness to me.  Let all who are discouraged take heart.  Let us praise the Lord together , and EXALT His name .  For I cried to Him and he answered me! He freed me from all my fears.  Others too were radiant at what HE DID!! If you belong to the Lord, reverence Him, for everyone who does this has everything he needs."  We are jumping up and down and shouting from the house, praising and singing songs of thankfulness to the Lord for He has guided us through this process in amazing and miraculous ways that we couldn't possibly handle on our own! The impossible, made possible by the touch of God. People all over have rallied around us to join part in what the Lord is doing and going to do through the adoption of these two precious, chosen children that will join our family. Hum...

In efforts to reach out to other prospective adoptive families or currently in-process adoptive families and to help them reach their financial goals towards their adoption costs, we'd like to brainstorm with you to share our ideas (or ones we have found) and pass them along! Raising funds for an adoption or any cause that is dear to your heart takes time, resources, organization, marketing, creativity, and did I mention time?  Now, you might not be the most creative, the most organized, or the best at marketing your ideas, but you don't have to be a super star at all these things!  Just great at one thing, and that's taking the time.  Some of that time includes time on your knees in prayer trusting the Lord to provide and show you ways where He is working!  Would you rather Him follow your ways or you follow His?  Trust me, follow His plans and you will be blessed every time. Important: We truly and completely give God all the glory and all the credit for...

We are ever so grateful and blessed for the support of friends, family, and new friends who have joined us in this adoption journey!  New to the blog?  Visit here to read all about us and thanks for stopping in! Adopting Internationally (read here ) - A journey it truly is as there are many steps to the process and in turn, many fees along the way.  God has touched our lives in a deep way when He has faithfully provided for our needs over and over again.  Through His people and the kindness of strangers we have been coming closer and closer to our financial goal of $45,000!!  This costs includes costs to the U.S. for their requirements for adopting families, costs to Ethiopia foreign fees, and costs for travel.  It is a requirement for us to both travel twice to Ethiopia so flight costs are nearing 1/3 of our total expenses. To view past months fundraising reports visit here .  And to read more about the adoption costs visit here . June's Dona...

Last month (April 2013) I posted ( Find it here ) about God's overflowing blessings and guidance that has been with us through our fundraising efforts! We are trusting and relying on God to help us to raise the estimated $45,000 costs for the adoption processes of two children from Ethiopia, including travel costs.  Whew! As you can read here , this is a huge leap of faith for us to take on this financial hurtle. But our God is in control, our God is faithful, and He will move these mountains! Well, last month's fundraiser update post was a popular one and several people commented that they liked seeing how the funds were coming along and how they have helped!! Talking about money isn't anyone's favorite subject, but when the talk gives glory to the great God we serve,  then the more we can show what He has done for us, the better! The heart-felt giving also reflects a great love that people have for others, for God's work, and especially their love for the li...

Oh wow, I'm just speechless and stand in humility and amazement at God's people tonight and how they came out to this benefit event!!  These people are the physical representation on this earth of Christ's love that He holds for us. Love one another. Isaiah 1:17 "Learn to do good.  Seek justice.  Help the oppressed.  Defend the cause of the orphans.  Fight for the rights of widows."  What a celebration of life and a joining of pure hearts in unity of the name of Christ.  Todd and I are so very grateful to all those who came out and enjoyed this beautiful evening with us.  Thank you for being there in encouragement and in support. Thank you for sharing your hearts with us. Thank you for sharing in gifts to the adoption of these precious children!  They are already loved so very much and have a huge family through the body of believers waiting for them here! Matthew 25:40  "I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the...

Where in the world are we anyway? If you have been stopping in lately, or visiting us on our facebook page, you will know where in the world we are in our adoption process.  Still, sometimes we feel like we are standing still smack in the middle of no-where with empathy for "Where's Waldo." Waldo was a children's book character who was hidden in overcrowded illustrations as the reader was challenged to find Waldo. We know how you feel brother Waldo.  Waldo knows his place in this world, but do we? We wanted to give a clear update on our adoption process, possible timetable, and finances as we currently stand. The Process: 1. We have completed our home study and are waiting for the final report to be here in our hands.  Our case worker is working as we speak (hopefully) and most likely is only days away from sending us the draft.  This will be reviewed by us, and then our placement agency before notarized copies will make it all official. 2.  After ou...

Wow, looking at our expenses proposed for the next steps in our adoption sent us into a spin of a discussion lasting well into the a.m. morning hours.  It was awesome!  Todd and I were sharing our fears of coming up with these costs and what risks we were taking at swallowing this chunk of money.  We challenged each other with some intense and deep searching questions like: "If we'd have to give up xyz in order to afford this, would you?" and I'm not talking giving up my sweet tea at McDonald's, I'm talking bigger.  But there wasn't anything we could do to convince each other to give up.  We tried to target each other where it hurt the most to get the other person to scream "uncle" (that's what we used to say in tickle fights when you quit!) to no avail.  There wasn't anything that could compare to welcoming a child(ren) into our family and ultimately following what God has called us to do.  We are reminded: "Don’t store up treasure...

Building Blocks Adoption Services just mass e-mailed this message so I am glad to pass it along! "We have great news!! The adoption tax credit has been approved and made permanent. This means the credit will not expire. This is great news for all of you who are adopting as you will now be able to take the adoption tax credit whenever your adoptions finalize! All the details of the credit have not been provided as of yet.   What we do know and have confirmed is:   •The credit for 2013 is set at a minimum of $10,000 per child. This amount may raise for cost of living and economic growth. Additional updates will      be provided once information on the credit itself is received   •The credit is available for special needs, international and domestic adoptions   •The credit is NOT refundable, the credit will be applied towards your tax liability, you must pay taxes to claim the credit.   Additional terms will be shared once received. For now ….cong...

The costs of adoption can be overwhelming but it's important for us to keep in focus that "if God is for us who can be against us?" and that as we are faithful, He will be faithful to provide.  We tell our children again and again that the costs that are involved are not for buying a person, but for the paper work.  The costs of adoptions and legal systems are there for the protection of the child in the process. Sadly, this is a corrupt world and people will take advantage of people, even vulnerable children.  The regulations, processes, and paper work trail, as lengthy as it is, stands for the best interest of the child when working with an ethical and reputable agency.  Many countries are sincerely reorganizing their adoption processes due the vast number of human trafficking problems and corrupt motives for adopting children. We have done our research, prayed about it, checked references,called for recommendations and reviews, and feel very comfortable with the ...