Monday, July 14, 2014

Sweet Summer with my Kylee Bean ~

Kylee Bean ~ Oh sweet sweet girl what a blessing and a treasure you have been to us this summer. 10 years ago when your mom told me she was pregnant for the 1st time I dreamed that one day you would come and spend the summer with us and with your cousins making memories to last a lifetime. And what an amazing dream come true this summer has been!
 Your love and patience with Teddy as you learned to communicate with him using ASL was beyond words for this mama heart to watch. You stepped into his life and loved him right where he was. You protected him, and laughed with him. You taught him games like UNO and Chutes and Ladders all while the 2 of you giggled and giggled the nights away.
 You and Tariku are cut from the same cloth - fiercely 1st borns - and yet you each found your way. You did countless hours of drawing and writing together. You went on more walks and adventures than I can remember and you swam like fish almost everyday.
 My sweet Kylee Bean I am soooo proud of you - you came to TN and jumped right into life with the Hammons House - camp summer sign everyday, soccer practices for the boys, Kylee and Auntie Courtney dates to lunch and the mall. You helped Uncle Kenneth build a swimming pool, you conquered roller coasters and waterfalls.
 My my what a summer it was. And now my sweet sweet girl it is wrapping up and I want you to know how much these last 8 weeks have meant to all of us. We couldn't imagine the joy that you would bring to our summer.
 So Bean I want you to ALWAYS remember the door is ALWAYS open for you to come and hang at the Hammons House! We love you and cannot wait for our next adventure together!

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

This post is part of Lifesong's Adoption Journey Series. See previous post, "Adoption: 3 Ways to Prepare for the Journey" here.

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While nearly two in five practicing Christians have considered adoption, only 5% have actually done it.* What keeps people from growing their families through adoption?

One of the biggest barriers to adoption is the cost. Depending on the circumstances, adoption can cost up to $50,000! It makes sense why many families who have a heart for vulnerable children, look at adoption as something they desire, but is just too hard to grasp because of the high costs.

There are families who have seen God perform miracles as they have stepped out in faithfulness to follow His call for their family...if it's His will, it's His bill. He will make a way to show Himself as THE Provider of all things. Don't let money stand in the way, when He has provided many avenues for families to bridge that financial gap.

Here are few tips and resources for funding an adoption...
  1. Save & sacrifice. It's never too early to start saving for adoption. Try to cut back your budget to set a portion of money aside each month to pay for some of the initial adoption costs, like home study and application fees. Make sacrifices as God moves you, maybe that's postponing a big purchase or selling some of your possessions.
  2. Learn from others. In her must-read book, Adopting Without Debt, Julie Gumm shares how to find extra money in your household budget, apply for grants, and fundraise in order to build your family without saddling it with debt. 
  3. Apply for Adoption Grants & Loans. Research and apply for national, state, and local adoption grants. A few favorites we direct families to are our friends at Show Hope & Abba Fund. See Resource Report for more grants & loans available and don't forget to check out our adoption grant & loan page.
  4. Think outside the box. The fundraising creativity of adoptive families continues to grow. Check out organizations like Both Hands, who help families fundraise for adoption while doing a service project for a widow. Other groups like 147 Million Orphans & MudLOVE provide jewelry, t-shirts, and other products you can use towards fundraising. 
  5. Don't be afraid to ask. Maybe the word "fundraise" and the thought of asking people for money makes you nervous. WATCH the video below to see how God moved in this couple's heart to show them adoption was so much bigger than their family.

I want to hear from you? What ways did your family raise money for adoption?


*from Becoming Home by Frames Barna Group & Jedd Medefind