Is This Our First Hurdle?

G'day, G'day,

Even though my post title is 'Is This Our First Hurdle?' I realize that we have already jumped over many hurdles - and for that I am so thankful, the difference with this hurdle is that we are not really sure how we are going to jump this one. Allow me to explain:

Now that we have finished the Home Study, next on the to-do list is apply to the U.S government to adopt internationally, complete paperwork for the Dossier and send it in to our agency and pay an Agency fee. Too easy lemon squeezy? Well, aside from the mountain of paperwork each step involves a payment. The application to the U.S government - $890. The Dossier - $1,400 and the Agency fee - $8,400. Bam! Oh yeah, which is a total of $10,690. Now the reality of the $40,000 cost of the adoption is starting to hit home.

The amazing news is that from the t-shirt fundraiser, our JustLove coffee fundraiser, a couple of local markets that I sold things at and some very generous people we already have $4,510 of that. So, all we need is $6,180 to jump over our first real hurdle on this journey. We are not able to move ahead with anything without this money.Will you help us? No donation is too small. Believe me, every little bit counts and slowly chips away the $40,000.

I am also in the middle of writing a number of grant applications, so as soon as I get the Home Study document in my little hand I will be off out of the gate in this area.

You are all so kind to read this and share the journey with us. We are so thankful for the many words of encouragement and excitement that come our way. We are thankful to our God who is able to do more than we could ever imagine.

If you would like to make a contribution to our adoption fund, copy and paste into your browser:
http://smallworldadoption.com/faq-2/payment-2/
In the Description line, write: 'For the children to be adopted by the Clausing family'.

Till next time,

Taryn (& Cam)