Yes, adoption is expensive. It cost 1000's and 1000's of dollars to adopt from China. And with us adopting 2 little Chinese sweeties our cost is going to be close to $45,000~!
I know that amount sounds huge. But God is bigger than that and His heart is for orphans being cared for in this world. I have no doubt He will provide the funds. Jays has been working overtime whenever possible, at least a few hours each week, which all helps. I have been starting to post things on Craig's list hoping to sell some things.
But the big project we are working on the last couple weeks is for a huge garage sale. I don't mind garage sales, I love shopping them! However, they are a ton of work. I am so thankful for all the donations we have been given.. Over 20 families have put their used items in our sale. I am so thankful for a hard working husband, who just had knee surgery 2 weeks ago and has been helping so much, even moving furniture. I am so thankful for my eldest son who helped his dad pick up the furniture. I am so thankful for my daughter-in-love and 2 oldest daughters helping me with all the sorting and pricing, but especially helping to keep me sane. They are also baked some goodies to sell.
I am so thankful for my younger kids who are so excited to be helpers at the sale, including manning the homemade lemonade stand.
So we went ahead and had the first day of the garage sale last Friday, in spite of the first freezing cold temperatures of the season. Just a couple days before that, the weather was gorgeous. There wasn't as many shoppers as I had hoped for, but there was as many as the Lord wanted. While we did freeze for 6 hours, it paid off as we made $370 dollars, plus a I sold some gently used cloth diapers on Craig's List for another $70. It wasn't the $1000 that I prayed for, but I am choosing to rejoice in what God did provide. We did not do the second day on Saturday as the weather was even colder and had some flurries as well. Although nothing did end up sticking to the ground. We are praying to finish our garage sale next Saturday the 13th, as the weather is looking good for the 7 day forecast. God is in control of it and I can trust His plan for our sale. We have lots of expenses for this adoption coming up this month, about $5,000, so please pray we are able to save that in God's provision.
Just in case you thought we might "buy" babies (I have really heard that before) with our adoption fees or wonder why does it cost so much; I am going to break down a little bit what it costs and why.\
Homestudy Reports: (includes initial report, education, and post adoption reports for 5 years per child)
$6000
Adoption Agency Fees: (includes all adoption services in finding our children, being the liaison for us with China, translating files and updates, planning our travel , authenticating documents, holding our hand with all questions and much more)
$7800
US Government Fees: (including passports, Immigration, certificates like marriage and birth, visa, authentication fees)
$2000
Travel Fees: (including out of country flights, in country flights, hotels, food, Guide for adoption work, driver, small bit of sight seeing, orphanage visit)
$12,000-$15,000
China Government Fees: (including orphanage donation for 2 children, Visas, Medical check ups, Log in paperwork to process the adoptions)
$12,000-$14,000
So there you go, that adds up to almost $45,000. It really is all necessary. Sure things could maybe cost a little less, but we all know they just don't anymore.
Truth be told, many people in our country don't think twice to buy a car that sells for that amount, or even just spending half that on a nice vacation that lasts only a couple weeks. Those things are nice sure. I have had them before, maybe not for that cost, but still enjoyed many material things that I didn't need.
Though today, I want to bring home two precious little ones that are living in an orphanage and need a Mommy and Daddy; along with lots of brother and sisters to love on them. Oh, how my heart is full of love for these orphans, whom God has called me to take care of. I want to build a legacy in these children through Christ who lives in me. I want to give them His unconditional love. People adopt for different reasons and I am not interested in debating Jay's and my reasons. It is because it is God's heart and we want to live like Christ, plain and simple.
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