A Very Happy January

January 1^st was the last birthday that Elijah has to spend alone without a family. Now on January 1^st we will not just be a celebrating the New Year, but also our son’s birthday.  Our family is so honored that so many of you chose to help us celebrate our son’s birthday this year.  I know I have said it before, but we honestly could not bring Elijah home without your help.  Adoption is expensive and we used our savings and borrowed from our 401K to bring Gabi home.  Her life cannot have a price put on it.  She has a family, she is loved, she is learning to communicate, she is learning to pray, and she has a future.  These pictures are from Gabi in January 2013 and from today January 2014.  Amazing!!

 Our hearts were broken for orphans when we were China.  The need is so great; so many children need and deserve families.  When I saw Elijah I KNEW he was my son.  Andy, trying to think with his head and not his heart, said we CAN’T start another adoption right now.  We still have debt from Gabi’s adoption, we are emotionally spent, and we are adjusting to a two year old.  Through many tears and prayers the heart won, love won.  The truth is Elijah has spent 10 years in an orphanage and in that time not one family has said yes to him.  At the age of 14 children are deemed unadoptable in China.  Can you image a scared child wondering why no one wants him, why no one is coming for him?  Yes our hearts won, because we know we serve a great God and He will provide.  We could not leave this young boy to simple exist in an orphanage and to be put out on the street with no one to care for him.  Do we have the money?  Not even close.  Are we scared? Absolutely.  But what we know is that he is worth it, and he deserves a much better life than where he is at!  Our adoption is moving quickly and we don’t have the funds for the orphanage donation.  We can’t do this alone, and so many of you have shown us that we are not alone.

As of today our dossier is translated!  Next we will be waiting to hear that we are reviewed and then match reviewed.  We are hoping and praying that Andy can travel to bring Elijah home in April.  We will continue our puzzle fundraiser until we go to China or all 750 pieces are spoken for.  I am still selling Origami Owl if you would like to order for yourself or someone special (guys I can help you put together a locket for your wife for Valentine’s Day).  We are also looking for a few more fundraiser opportunities so stay tuned.  We thank you, we love you, and we are excited for this path God has set us on.