The final piece of our application for an adoption grant is being sent via email today. We made it just under the wire – the deadline is Sunday. We should hear a final decision about the amount we are awarded (if any at all) by mid-June. Please join us in prayer. This is an enormous need for us. We still have over $20,000 left to come up with to have our adoption fully funded. So when I say that we need this grant I really mean it. We are praying big and asking God for the maximum amount they allot for families in our income bracket.
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(hanging on the wall above my office desk… thank you Wynne!)
There are so many reasons we long to be awarded the full amount offered to families who make what we do. I would love to have my time freed up. Currently I feel like I have little to no free time at all. Nap time is spent working on blog/ web design, planning/gathering/creating basket giveaways, researching grants, and brainstorming other ways to raise the funds we need. When Mareto goes to bed I find myself working on the same things or working on my book. Somewhere in there I fit in the dishes, laundry, housework, cooking, Bible Study planning, and more. What I’m trying to say is that fundraising for an adoption takes a lot of time and energy. I know full well that it is completely worth it in the end, but things are different this time now that we have a little one to love, care for, and devote our time and attention to. To be awarded this grant would free up my time and allow me some much needed rest.
This grant would also relieve the burden of our friends and family – so many of YOU. It hasn’t escaped me that most of those who donate to each of our fundraisers are doing it repeatedly. You who are funding are adoption are doing so over and over again. You are truly sacrificing. Many of you are doing so in spite of the fact that you are working to raise funds for your own adoptions, missions trips, or causes. I am blown away by your love and generosity. I am grateful, truly. But I would love to be able to stop asking. I would love to be the one giving more.
Fundraising for an adoption is hard, and I often feel like such a drain on people. To be honest, I’m tired. I’m worn out and I need a break. But I can’t stop – I won’t stop – until I know we have what we need to bring our littlest love home. I know those of you who give are doing so because you want to, but it still is difficult to ask over and over and over again. We are continuing to trust that God is going to provide every cent for this adoption. Would you please pray with us that He would provide through this grant?
Pray, pass this link along, and ask your friends and family to pray. We hear back in mid-June. I would love to have amazing news to share by then!!!
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28
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Kim - Oh boy, do I hear you on this, girl!!! We have paid over $34,000 and still have another $15,000+ before our kids are home (and only about 2 months to “find” it!). I am SO OVER asking people for money! But then when I think about our KIDS, I know that I would do ANYTHING to get them home (short of robbing a bank of course…), so I keep going. It definitely wears you out, though!
stacey [whatever is lovely] - you’re right, it’s hard, but you are NOT a burden. you are giving people the opportunity to participate in something God is doing and that is an honor!! i said a quick prayer right now for this grant, i hope you get it.
i can’t WAIT to see how God provides for this adoption!!
Kelly - Praying, praying, praying!
Lara - Oh, sweet friend. I remember that feeling SO well. Fundraising is some hard business. I’d be lying if I didn’t say that’s one of my fears of adopting again, coming up with all of that money. Now that I’m not in the adoption process and can afford it more, I consider it a JOY when we can give to other’s fundraising efforts. I just always wish we could give more. So keep in mind that those who love you consider it a privilege to give!
Wynne - Love you. Praying for the grant!!!!
Maria - Praying for you all!
Shelly Moorhouse - I said a prayer for you and your family, Lauren. Fundraising is tough stuff and very exhausting! Just keep those beautiful faces in mind and rest in God’s strength. Got my Love One Another tee today by the way, and I LOVE it!!
Brooke - Hey there!!! I don’t know what you applied for, but jscfoundation.org is an awesome place. Three people I know have gotten upwards of $15,000+ (one girl got $30,000). They will not pay travel fees, which is all we had left to pay when we applied. They are kind and really helpful. Just a thought. I will definitely apply again before travel when we adopt again…
Lauren - Brooke that’s where we applied!! So wonderful to know about the people you know who were awarded grants! I am so nervous waiting to hear from them! haha We should know in a couple weeks though!