Help with my niece's adoption costs
Donation protected
As some of you know, Jared and I have been on a Mystery Trip. While we wanted to tell everyone from the beginning what was going on, our adoption story has had so many ups and downs that we wanted to vet this whole “new” thing before we really started talking about it.
Before I get to the new things, I will tell the little I know about V. We have confirmation that she was taken into Russia at some point. Our government has, so far, seen no foul play in the situation, therefore, as of now, the case is closed. The reality is that she is probably going to end up back in an orphanage, unless her family has decided to care for her. Our prayer is for the later and all we can do is pray. I am still continuing to try and meet with the Ukrainian Ambassador. His schedule has not worked with mine as of yet, but when I am able, I will meet with him and see what help he can be in the situation and what help he can be in my continued efforts to speak on the behalf of these Ukrainian orphans. We will grieve the loss of V our whole lives. We love her and pray for her every single day.
Now, on to the new stuff. About two months ago our social worker called us to let us know about a little boy in the Caribbean that she had been made aware of. They were looking for a family for him and wanted some parent files to look at. Our social worker wanted to know if we wanted to be considered. I was very flippant about it. “No one has chosen us to be parents yet, so whatever. They won’t choose us, but sure.”
This process, because it is a small island, is very homegrown. Adoption officials look at files of families and then choose who is best for the specific child in mind because they know the children personally.
Long story short, they chose us. Shock. S.H.O.C.K. Complete Shock.
The officials wanted us to visit him right away for one whole week, and last week was the only one we had available due to our work schedules. So that’s where we were, on an island, visiting a little boy in an orphanage.
God shifted us drastically, and at first I was against this change in direction. The details are falling into place, and it is quite different as in previous adoption attempts. In the past, we have sought after a specific child. This time rather, we were chosen for this little boy. After spending a week with him, it is clear that the officials really care about the wellbeing of these children, and we are honored they would think Jared and I are the best fit for this child. They sincerely put the child’s best interests above all else… something I NEVER experienced in Russia or Ukraine.
I have laughed and been so snarky about the fact that the process (paperwork wise) to get him is not even one fourth of what Eastern Europe had us go through. I am such a pessimist because I have been through so much turmoil.
I had thought this adoption journey had to be the fight of my life, and in many ways, it has been. However, God dropped this in our lap. He gave me a healing balm to rub on the wounds I felt He asked me to keep open for so long. This new process and this little boy are soothing to my broken spirit.
We are cautious to be jumping for joy because of the pain we have experienced, but we can say, we are smitten. He is the most joyful little being.
His name is Aiden. He will be 4 years old November 22, 2014. He has an infectious laugh and the sweetest spirit. Our week with him solidified that we couldn’t imagine not going back for him. We want to bring him home. If all goes as planned, and God provides the financial means, we hope to bring him home in April or May.
So now, we move forward. We still need quite a bit of money to finish this adoption and God has given us a couple ways to complete this. I am sure I will brainstorm a few more things but for now there are two things:
1. I am an Ambassador for Noonday Collection {a fair trade jewelry and accessory company that uses networks of women in the US to keep families out of poverty around the world} Now is a great time to buy Christmas gifts {check out the link below} or if you want to host a Noonday Collection party with me, you get all kinds of perks and goodies for it and then the money I make goes straight to our adoption. I am doing a few traveling shows so even if you are out of town from me, feel free to ask because I would love to come see you.www.krystalribble.noondaycollection.com
February 23 at 9:57pm · Edited
We spoke to Aiden last week briefly. He is doing well and definitely ready to see us again. smile emoticon Just wanted to put a quick note on here for everyone to pray this week. The board at the Child Protective Authority in Grenada meets this week to review our paperwork and then move it on to the next board before we are approved to come back. Please pray that all goes well and moves swiftly. I hope to know something in the next couple weeks in regards to when we may go back to get him.
Also please pray we raise the money we need to go on the trip. We have been a little quieter about fundraising since we have raised money for almost 3 years now. Our other attempts and our failed adoptions have all cost money we never got back. But a lot of what we raised got us this far and we are so grateful for that! We often feel we have tapped out all the people we know and we feel bad about that. We still have quite a bit to reach financially before we go. I pray all the money comes in and the timing is perfect and I know that God will orchestrate that. {It's just a little nerve wracking!} Thank you all for following this journey to our little boy. We love you all.
Should you choose to help in some small way financially the donations will go to help my niece Krystal and her husband Jared in the adoption of Aiden. They live in Nashville, Tennessee and I live in South Carolina.
Before I get to the new things, I will tell the little I know about V. We have confirmation that she was taken into Russia at some point. Our government has, so far, seen no foul play in the situation, therefore, as of now, the case is closed. The reality is that she is probably going to end up back in an orphanage, unless her family has decided to care for her. Our prayer is for the later and all we can do is pray. I am still continuing to try and meet with the Ukrainian Ambassador. His schedule has not worked with mine as of yet, but when I am able, I will meet with him and see what help he can be in the situation and what help he can be in my continued efforts to speak on the behalf of these Ukrainian orphans. We will grieve the loss of V our whole lives. We love her and pray for her every single day.
Now, on to the new stuff. About two months ago our social worker called us to let us know about a little boy in the Caribbean that she had been made aware of. They were looking for a family for him and wanted some parent files to look at. Our social worker wanted to know if we wanted to be considered. I was very flippant about it. “No one has chosen us to be parents yet, so whatever. They won’t choose us, but sure.”
This process, because it is a small island, is very homegrown. Adoption officials look at files of families and then choose who is best for the specific child in mind because they know the children personally.
Long story short, they chose us. Shock. S.H.O.C.K. Complete Shock.
The officials wanted us to visit him right away for one whole week, and last week was the only one we had available due to our work schedules. So that’s where we were, on an island, visiting a little boy in an orphanage.
God shifted us drastically, and at first I was against this change in direction. The details are falling into place, and it is quite different as in previous adoption attempts. In the past, we have sought after a specific child. This time rather, we were chosen for this little boy. After spending a week with him, it is clear that the officials really care about the wellbeing of these children, and we are honored they would think Jared and I are the best fit for this child. They sincerely put the child’s best interests above all else… something I NEVER experienced in Russia or Ukraine.
I have laughed and been so snarky about the fact that the process (paperwork wise) to get him is not even one fourth of what Eastern Europe had us go through. I am such a pessimist because I have been through so much turmoil.
I had thought this adoption journey had to be the fight of my life, and in many ways, it has been. However, God dropped this in our lap. He gave me a healing balm to rub on the wounds I felt He asked me to keep open for so long. This new process and this little boy are soothing to my broken spirit.
We are cautious to be jumping for joy because of the pain we have experienced, but we can say, we are smitten. He is the most joyful little being.
His name is Aiden. He will be 4 years old November 22, 2014. He has an infectious laugh and the sweetest spirit. Our week with him solidified that we couldn’t imagine not going back for him. We want to bring him home. If all goes as planned, and God provides the financial means, we hope to bring him home in April or May.
So now, we move forward. We still need quite a bit of money to finish this adoption and God has given us a couple ways to complete this. I am sure I will brainstorm a few more things but for now there are two things:
1. I am an Ambassador for Noonday Collection {a fair trade jewelry and accessory company that uses networks of women in the US to keep families out of poverty around the world} Now is a great time to buy Christmas gifts {check out the link below} or if you want to host a Noonday Collection party with me, you get all kinds of perks and goodies for it and then the money I make goes straight to our adoption. I am doing a few traveling shows so even if you are out of town from me, feel free to ask because I would love to come see you.www.krystalribble.noondaycollection.com
February 23 at 9:57pm · Edited
We spoke to Aiden last week briefly. He is doing well and definitely ready to see us again. smile emoticon Just wanted to put a quick note on here for everyone to pray this week. The board at the Child Protective Authority in Grenada meets this week to review our paperwork and then move it on to the next board before we are approved to come back. Please pray that all goes well and moves swiftly. I hope to know something in the next couple weeks in regards to when we may go back to get him.
Also please pray we raise the money we need to go on the trip. We have been a little quieter about fundraising since we have raised money for almost 3 years now. Our other attempts and our failed adoptions have all cost money we never got back. But a lot of what we raised got us this far and we are so grateful for that! We often feel we have tapped out all the people we know and we feel bad about that. We still have quite a bit to reach financially before we go. I pray all the money comes in and the timing is perfect and I know that God will orchestrate that. {It's just a little nerve wracking!} Thank you all for following this journey to our little boy. We love you all.
Should you choose to help in some small way financially the donations will go to help my niece Krystal and her husband Jared in the adoption of Aiden. They live in Nashville, Tennessee and I live in South Carolina.
Organizer
Mitchell Gainey
Organizer
Union, SC
