Matching Grant Goodness

Is anyone else enjoying this gawgeous midwest weather? We are soaking it up. Too bad my flowers didn't toughen up and fight off the intense heat last month---they would be loving this peaceful sunshine.They now reside in the garden beside the dead squash, and withering broccoli. Gardening has never been my friend. I started feeling bad about it, but then remembered: The weeds. The weeds have never left me! By my side, they will surely always remain.

This post isn't really about the weather or the weeds. I am actually writing about some really awesome organizations that are blessing us majorly, and we would love to give back to them someday.

A couple of weeks ago, we were very, very thankful to be notified that we were chosen to receive a $2,500 matching grant from God's Grace Adoption Ministry (501(c)3 ministry) in Modesto, California. We had been anticipating their decision, and were beyond excited to hear this awesome news. THANK YOU SO MUCH, God's Grace Adoption Ministry for being His hands and feet to us!

God's Grace Adoption Ministry will match every dollar (tax deductible) designated to our family sent to them up to $2,500, and if there is more than $2,500 sent to them that is specifically designated to our family, they will still send all the extra money to our family to put towards the expenses of bringing sweet A home. How awesome is that?

Going into A's adoption, we knew it was going to be very extremely expensive, but at the same time knew that we didn't want the fear of finances stand in the way of bringing her home. We hear time and time again that God provides, and it is true, we have and  are seeing His hand. We don't like to talk or focus a lot about the financial part, but it is very real, and very big. However. She. is. worth. every. penny. EVERY SINGLE PENNY. With that said, do we wish that adoption was more affordable? Yes, definitely.

Some of you may be familiar with the costs of adoption, while others may not.

A's adoption will cost approximately $40,000. Uh huh. Beyond her adoption, we know we will have numerous large medical bills to help her get the care and treatment she will need.

We were hesitant on how to start fundraising---because it is hard to ask. Then, some of our friends threatened us {you know who you are}, and said if we didn't do fundraisers they would start announcing for people to send us money in the mail because they wanted to help. Well, then.

With the recent news of God's Grace Adoption ministry grant, our garage sale, generous donations, HandinHand grant, JSC grant, and our personal savings, we are now about halfway funded for our adoption costs. Amazing. Praise God! We are still in awe.

I have posted a copy of the letter that God's Grace Adoption Ministry gave us to share with our friends and family. All donations are tax deductible. Yipee!  If you feel lead to donate to help with the costs of  bringing A home, you can follow the instructions on the letter, and write our names in the memo line of the check so their office will know the donation is for A.

Donations are anonymous.

We are so thankful we live in a community that cares for a little girl you have never met, being loving and supportive to our family, and most of all: Praying for A. We know she is precious to God, and we just can't wait to have her home.

Garage sale pictures coming soon!