"Fun"draising and "Up"dates :: Oh My!

Hello friends and family! I haven’t really posted an update as of late about our adoption adventures, so I’m making some time to fill you in on the scoop. A few weeks ago we sent out letters to close friends and family -and- started The Baby Rowe Giving Tree fundraiser. For those of you who didn’t get the letter, it was simply to tell our IVF and Adoption journey and rally up prayer and, if possible, financial support. I have to admit that the first week those went out — we received different responses — and some weren’t good. Another test of our faith. I had to keep reminding myself (and Steve) that those letters were sent with good intentions and no expectations. If we got additional prayer warrriors on our behalf, our mission was accomplished 🙂 Offending friends and family was never our intention. So, as you can see, it’s been quiet on the blogging front for a reason. I started my new job and then ‘stuff’ happened. I even made myself physically sick {sigh}. However, today is a new day — and God continues to bless. Over the weekend I sat down to evaluate where we were and PRAISE THE LORD, we have around $2100 in the bank. Our little ChipIn widget (see right column of blog) only reflects on-line giving. We have received checks in the mail and, of course, Steve and I are doing our part in saving. I’m trying to take pictures and keep momentos of this journey to share with Baby Rowe about our journey of love to bring him/her home. Here is a picture of the night I was working on the mailer.

The paperwork is coming along very well. Steve dropped off a massive pile of paperwork on Monday {yee-haw}. We still have our fingerprinting/background checks, CPR training, a very lengthy Family questionnaire to answer {smile} and our required reading. I ordered those books last week. I’m starting with Should You Adopt by Christine Field. It’s been a great read thus far. I appreciate knowing that others have faced the same questions/desires/concerns that I seem to battle with.

We also heard from our friends and family that they’ve received our personal reference documents from Bethany, so this journey is well on it’s way. I remember when I got one facebook message saying that he/she had just finished the paperwork — my heart kind of skipped a beat. It was like ‘this is really happening.’ I have to admit that I am getting more excited and feeling less anxious every single day. Praise the Lord! It’s hard to explain, but while this process is super duper exciting — it carries with it a great deal of stress and, for me, a box of kleenex. Thank you for your continued support and prayers. Steve and I are truly blessed and continue to stand on His promises. For everything there is a season… (Ecclesiastes 3)