Current financial aspect

Hello everyone!!!

Nic and I would like to update everyone on where we are with our adoption from a fundraising standpoint as well as where we are in the process and how those two go together.  Currently we are in the process of beginning our home study as well as completing the paperwork for our dossier.  I have updated our fundraising total to reflect the money we need to raise by December 2013. We chose December because once we submitted our first installment program fee, we were given a time line of 4-6 months to complete our dossier and home study. December will be the 6 month marker. Just a reminder, the dossier is the paperwork we have to compile, along with our home study that will be sent to Ethiopia. I understand now why the time frame of 4-6 months is given!!! There is so much to do! We have begun working on getting our paperwork together. Rather than looking at everything all at once, we have decided to work on a section at a time. This has made the total process seem less stressful. We know God has his hand heavily in our adoption and we know he will help us through the paperwork as well as providing financially. At this point, I would like to give everyone a break down of the $13, 889 we owe by December:

$300 initial application fee
$139 adoption class
$2500 1st installment program fee
$2000 2nd installment program fee
$800 translation of dossier
$1000 post adoption deposit
$150 courier fee
$4500 1st half of international program fee
$2500 estimated home study fee

In addition to the fees mentioned above, there will also be fees for background checks, finger printing, notarization, certification and authentication. However, I did not include those fees at this time as I am unaware of the costs.

I know the financial aspect of our adoption can be frightening to some, but we cannot put a price on a child's life. The reward of saving a child from a life of poverty and disease far outweighs everything else. Also God creates all things, so $26,000 to $36,000 is but of a spec of sand to our Lord. He is an amazing God and thru his strength and the prayers and support of our friends, family and strangers we can accomplish anything!!! Thank you!! God bless!!!!