Saturday, March 16, 2013

Our First Fundraiser!!!

Alex and I have been working on getting everything ready for our home study interview, but in the meantime, we are moving ahead and starting our first adoption fundraiser!! As many of you can assume, adopting a child is not cheap. But we also realize that many people are afraid of asking how much adoption actually costs without coming across as rude. Well, here is the breakdown of how our adoption fees are going to pan out. These numbers are the reality of the cost of adoption and why many couples who want to adopt are afraid or discouraged from doing so. We trust that God will completely take care of this financial burden whether it be through job security, me (Briana) getting a teaching job next year, generous donors, etc. He has placed this little girl on our hearts for a reason, and we trust that He will "see it through to completion." 

Application to Agency:  $250


Home Study:  $2,000


Home Study Review Fee:   $50


Agency Fees:   $4,000


Dossier Notary/Certifications:   $50 - $400


Authentication of Dossier:   $450


Mailing/Shipping Expenses:  $200 - $300


Translation of Dossier: $500


Communication:  $200


Foreign Processing Fee:  $9,900


Post-Adoption Service Fee:   $1,000 


Pre-Adoptive Education:  $30 - $150


Round Trip Airfare:  $1,500 - $2,500


USCIS:  $750


US Immigrant Visa for Child:  $380


Wiring of Funds Expenses:  $135


Lodging, Meals, Miscellaneous:  $1,000



Whew! It's hard not to look at that list and get nervous, but we know that anything is possible with God and that once this child is in our arms and in our family, these numbers will be such a small part of the overall process. Our God is greater than money, but I can completely empathize with couples that can't get past those numbers. I hope by the end of this journey that we will be able to share with others how God provided for us because He is the great Provider. 


Now on to the fundraiser!! Our first fundraiser is a Puzzle Piece fundraiser! Alex and I have purchased a 1,000 piece puzzle that we are going to put together to hang in baby girl's nursery/bedroom and we forever want to be able to look at this puzzle and remember all of the people that helped bring our little girl home. We will be selling puzzle pieces for $5 each and if you buy a puzzle piece, your name will be written on the back of that piece so that our daughter will know the name of every person that helped bring her into our family. Hopefully after the puzzle is completed, we will have raised $5,000!!! That is such a big number to me, and I wonder how we will ever sell that many pieces, but again, I trust that God will show up in a big way. This puzzle will be framed and hung in little one's room with a clear back so we are always reminded of those that were a part of our journey. A "piece of the puzzle." If you would like to purchase a puzzle piece, please click the PayPal button on our page and you will be able to purchase as many puzzle pieces as you would like! You can purchase one for yourself, in honor of a family member or loved one... we have lots of pieces to sell!! :) Once you purchase a puzzle piece, please send me an e-mail and I will send you a picture of your puzzle piece with your name on it. After we sell 250 puzzle pieces, Alex and I will formally announce where we are adopting from!! A few people already know (so "Shhhh") but once we sell 250, EVERYONE is going to find out! How exciting. :)



 

Also, if you do not have a PayPal account or do not feel comfortable using this type of donation method, you are more than welcome to write a check to Alex and I OR to our Adoption Agency at either of the addresses listed below. If you send a check to our agency, please send us a message and let us know because we want to make sure we get your name on the back of that puzzle piece! Here are the addresses...

{before June 30}
Alex and Briana McCall
518-A Valley Ridge Cir
Cold Spring, KY  41076

{on or after July 1}
Alex and Briana McCall
1891 Palladian Drive #1523
Florence, KY 41042

OR

Adoption Avenues Agency
Attn: Alex and Briana McCall Adoption
9498 SW Barbur Blvd. Suite 305
Portland, OR  97219

We honestly cannot wait for whoever God has in mind for our family to be home. We understand that this process might take a little while, but we will be patient and wait on Him and His perfect timing. Please keep us in your prayers as we are in the home study process over the next couple months. We have so many emotions right now and appreciate everyone who is supporting us and thinking of us during this time. THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS!!! 


1 comment:

  1. Thank you for spreading the word and supporting my Ornaments for Adoption. I love how it allows me to meet adopting families and get to follow their stories. I love these puzzle fundraisers. They're so meaningful and give you something you can always have. I just ordered 2 pieces through my paypal account, which is in my husband's name-Lee Hall. I hope you guys are able to finish the puzzle and continue to move closer and closer to bringing your daughter home. :)

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