Home Study Round One

So excited to say our first Home Study visit is complete and it went great! Our social worker (and newly retired agency director), Kat, was a wonderful resource and I think we passed with flying colors. Our house is already ready for a new little addition since we have a four and two year old. No child proofing needed:) Her biggest concern...over stimulating our little girl who may have never been exposed to toys with too many. We got asked some tough questions, but nothing we hadn't already addressed in our autobiographies or discussed previously. Kat gave us a little better idea of our timeline...although, it is just a guesstimate and we won't know for sure until we are matched. BUT, she said our dossier would probably get logged in in China sometime in September and we could possibly be matched by the end of the year. Which would have us traveling sometime in the New Year. We are in no rush and really trusting God's perfect timing on this one. I just keep praying for our little girl, who based on the timeline above has probably already been born...her mom has probably already made the decision to let her go...and she is probably already living in an orphanage. OUR LITTLE GIRL...praying God's protection over her FOREVER and especially until we can get to her!

Back at it!

Just another reminder about our upcoming fundraiser! Please let us know if you are in by signing up at eventbrite or emailing Nick (NAPeterman83@yahoo.com) so we can plan accordingly.

In other news, our Home Study is set for THIS Thursday morning. I haven't had a second to think about preparations or anything else for that matter. My childhood best friend's mom has had some major health problems in recent months and passed away this past Tueday...needless to say, my mind and heart have been distracted. My heart is broken for Natalie as her momma was also her best friend. The hardest days are yet to come for her I am afraid as life is supposed to get back to "normal" and Natalie's "normal" will never be that way again. I loved Pam Gourley as well...but know Jesus loved her as well and she loved Jesus. Today she is with Him and is in pain no more...therefore, we have HOPE! Still doesn't change our sorrow here in this broken world.

Natalie and her Momma, Pam Gourley, who read this blog and was so excited for our plans to adopt. Mrs. Gourley you will be missed!

Answered Prayer

I think it is sooooo cool when God answers a VERY specific prayer! I have been praying for "friends" to go through this adoption journey with. God clearly answered that prayer by putting Teresa Altman, Karen Foster, and now the Juliano family in my life. I have known Karen for years now, but she is a new adoption resource blessing. A couple months ago (after only a week or two of praying for friends) my parents were randomly introduced to Teresa in my home town. Teresa is just a few months ahead of us in the adoption process. Her family is adopting a SN little girl from China with CCAI (our agency too) and also FUNDRAISING...how's that for an answered prayer! The story of our connection to the Juliano's is complicated and God orchestrated! And yesterday, I met their family for the first time. What an incredible, incredible blessing they are!

We spent the afternoon and evening with the Juliano's. I cannot say how thankful I am for this new friendship! We had a GREAT time getting to know them and seeing their little Lily who is just too precious for words!

Gavin and Lily became instant friends and I can't explain how amazing it was to see them form a bond. Now Gavin can understand just a wee bit better about his sister from China:)! And I am already looking forward to many more adventures with our girls (and boys).

Lesson learned-no prayer is too big or small or silly for God! It is important to share this journey with people who "understand". God knows that and I am thankful!

Poker for a Purpose

We don't really waste time around here! One fundraiser down...another one planned! This one is all Nick...I am just the promoter! Please consider some poker fun to help get us another step closer to our girl!

YARD SALE FUN!

What a awesome fundraiser! Our Adopt Without Debt book said garage sale fundraisers are great to raise a big chunk of money, but they are really tough...and that is true! There is NO way we could have done with without the support of so many.

Gavin and Ethan were the biggest supporters:)! They made sure all the toys were in working order. As I priced and packed them, they unpacked them and played with them.

Nick was our heavy lifter and pick up man! Of course he had some help with loading and unloading...Gavin and Ethan were so helpful as they ran up and down the ramp. We were very blessed to use this trailer and truck. Dustin and Brooke Janney you ROCK!

My mom will kill me for this one, but it gives a good idea of how hard we worked. This shows the almost fully loaded and priced garage. She was a queen at organizing! Thanks mom...also Brooke, Emily, and Melissa who organized and priced!

I was touched by all of the donations...so many of you gave to us! Some I never would have expected. Some I didn't even know. This rocking chair donation was one of the most touching. Shelley Knickle saw our need and though she didn't know us GAVE so much for us to sell including this rocking chair she hand painted for her girls nurseries. 

My sweet crew-Ginger, Andrea, Ginny, and Stella...you gave up your entire Saturday for us! And for that matter for a GARAGE sale. I think now how much has changed since college...our days of deciding what mall we should go to are long gone. Now days are filled with kids, kindness, and support! We have been through a LOT together...a garage sale should seem meaningless, but your support of us and this cause means more to me than I will ever be able to say. THANK YOU!

It was a great day! We raised over 1600.00. Between saving and fundraising we have enough to pay our next agency fee which will be due very soon and our USCIS filing. Thank YOU to all those who donated...without your donations this would have never have been possible. Thank YOU to all those who priced and organized...I can't even imagine how I would have tackled the completely filled garage alone. Thank YOU to all those who helped set-up...Blanca, Linda, Paul, Rich, April, Ginger, Heidi, Brianna, Dad...7:00 am comes very early on a Saturday morning we realize this task wasn't on your list of top fun things to do on a Saturday which is why we appreciate you even more. Thank YOU mom and dad for helping with the sale and most importantly with the boys so we didn't have to pay for a sitter! We are so incredibly blessed to see giving in action...it is difficult to be the "receiver." We are so humbled and grateful!

One dossier photo down...7 more to go!

Another dossier photo accomplished! Love my sweet family!

147 Million

At one time it was estimated that there were 147 MILLION orphans in this world! 147 MILLION!!! In recent research it is estimated that there are currently approximately 143 MILLION orphans. I mean, either number you look at it's seriously alarming!

The truth is that the 143 million orphaned children and the 11 million who starve to death or die from PREVENTABLE diseases and the 8.5 million who work as child slaves, prostitutes, or under other horrific conditions and the 2.3 million who live with HIV add up to 164.8 million needy children. And though at first glance that looks like a BIG number, 2.1 billion people on the earth proclaim to be Christians.

The truth is that if only 8 percent of  the Christians would care for one more child there would not be any statistics left.-Katie Davis Kisses from Katie

Only 8 percent of Christians need to act...we need education...we need to know that we can make a difference! This needs to be shouted from the roof-tops...in churches, in homes, in schools! But it is not...and that is discouraging! But still, we have the power to make a difference...only 8 percent of us who proclaim to be Christians have the power to put an end to these statistics. In James we hear over and over we need to not just be hearers of the word, but DOers!!

I have said over and over that Nick and I are changed! God has not only given us a heart for adoption but a serious burden for the helpless and needy children of this world. We WILL be one of the 8 percent that makes a difference for one. Although, I already acknowledge it won't stop with one:)!

So, all this to say you can help us make a difference for one and for many at the same time! We have teamed up with http://www.147millionorphans.com/ to help fundraise for our own adoption. In addition to helping us, by pre-ordering a tee-shirt or other merchandise from us, your purchases will help feed other orphans throughout this world. And MORE importantly, call awareness to this epidemic!

Here is what you need to do-
-Check out http://www.147millionorphans.com/
-Decide what cute (or handsome) shirt you might want to wear
-Email me at KatieSLP83@yahoo.com with your selection
-I will order and deliver to you

How blessed is he who considers the helpless.Psalm 41:1