ICPC Approval

Happy May!

When I got the phone call from DHS in January that we had been deemed the intended adoptive family for our little girl, and then getting another call saying we would have to wait until May for the possibility of bringing her home -- May could not come fast enough. And now it is here. And I am wondering how on earth that happened so painfully slow and crazy fast at the same time. The odd and eery time warp that is parenthood I guess. It is May and although our adoption journey is far from over, I breath a deep sigh of relief.

We have survived winter.

It is M A Y.

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It occurs to me that I have not updated ya'll on our progress lately!! Maybe because every time I sit down to do so I get another phone call or email that changes it all again. Seems there is always something going on, but nothing really happen...until NOW!

Our ICPC has been approved!

An ICPC (Interstate Compact for Placement of Children) is a contract agreement between two states or agencies when dealing with state-to-state placements in foster care. It's an agreement between the child's state of origin and the new placement state (MN) stating that MN and our agency will take responsibility for the child and will facilitate post-placement supervision and visits.

Let me just tell you this: It's a HUGE step completed and moving in the right direction. . Piles of paper work filled out, completed, sent in, filed and finally APPROVED.

And...We are currently preparing for our third trip south for some visits and an important court hearing. Prayers are greatly appreciated.

If you have not yet seen it, we have launched a new fundraiser through giveforward.com. You can visit our fundraising page here. I have also included a link to the right. If you can't give anything financially right now, that's okay! Please so think about taking a few moments to click the SUPPORT button to drum up some more traffic for us! Thanks!

. : T H A N K : Y O U : . {again and again}

I don't even know how to begin this post. So much love shared and felt...showered on and stood in awe. Undeserved kindness and support, mountains moved and a village made.

When we took the leap onto this path, hand in hand facing unknown and giants, we had no idea the wonderful, beautiful we would encounter, even in the darkest corners and deepest forest.

And amazingly...

HOME STUDY PAID

and what's more?

  

we are

  

 HOME STUDY APPROVED

.     .     .     .     .

Can we just take this moment to scream and cheer and cry and faint because, people, this is HUGE! And I am breathing a lot easier these days...

Family, friends -- new and old, friends of friends I've never met, and complete strangers who stumbled upon us and our story: we could not have done it without you. All of you. From the penny found in the driveway to the first and most mind-blowing donation -- each stops my heart and roots my belief deeper and deeper that adoption is a community event.

We didn't know what we were doing when we started and adoption fundraiser. Really. We wondered if anyone would respond. We wondered if people might think us rude, or at least inappropriate, to air our "private" business and have the audacity to mention money. I was seriously scared, with no idea what might happen.

But as I filled out the application and shared my dreams of fundraising, I felt a sense of urgency and the weight of truth:

We, children of God, have all been adopted. And as believers we all can relate to the orphan, alone and forgotten, the need for family. And the fact of our adoption only brings to light the fact that adoption is God's plan.

And all this trinkled down to reassure me, bring me hope -- when there is an orphan, a child in need...they will come. The village will surround.

To  simply say that the village did surround is a gross understatement. The village, YOU, did more than surround. You encouraged every day, supported every step, cheered every victory, even the small; groaned with us when we needed to vent, and gave comfort when we were all but defeated. You offered your time, your projects and even opened your homes! And you prayed. You PRAYED. And we are still in disbelief of the miracles seen last fall. 

Together. we + you = completed a home study, raised enough to completely cover the cost of it all, PLUS the post placement visits!

Thank you, those two simple words, seem to be less than enough. I want to hug each of you, bring you a favorite drink, jump up and down with you all! Thank you. THANK YOU!! We are so grateful for you and none of this could have happened without you!!

I wrestled with the idea of sharing the breakdown of raised funds. Is it appropriate? Is it bragging? Is it too personal? But you know what, I don't care about all that. As we said when we started out on this journey, you are all apart of bringing this family together. And we want you to see what you have so generously and selflessly, cheerfully accomplished!

 Funds Raised                                                   Adoption Fees

Online Fundraiser      $1585                       Home Study    $3000

Checks in mail              450                 Background Studies   140

Photography                 265              Post Placement Visits  1400
Bird Bath Sales             225                          Total:        $4540
Garage Sale #1            1751
Garage Sale #2              350
               Total:      $4626

Can I just tell you that, honestly, I thought we might raise...$1000?

We raised 4 times that. I am still spinning. 

So there it is: the majorly-overdue-awesome-news-filled update. With the home study completed and approved, and paid for, we are onto the waiting. People call it the fun part, but as a large portion of my adult life has been spent waiting, I'm not entirely thrilled by it. 

I am thrilled to be onto the next adventure our Good and Great Father has in mind for us. 

If you are still interesting in helping us out as we get closer to bringing our family together, we are continuing to use GiveForward to raise funds for travel expenses, when the time comes. Our new fundraiser page is here. 

Thanks for reading, as always...
and thanks again for all your prayers, support, and encouragement.

Leaps & Bounds Closer

How, really how can I explain to you the amazing things we have seen this week? We have seen long lost missed friends show up to give, to encourage and reconnect. We have seen lifelong friends give generously and unexpectedly, to our shock and pure excitement and gratitude. We have seen complete strangers excitedly run up to the garage, "Is this the sale I heard about on facebook?!" And buy a few things and give a few dollars, or just give! We have seen our expectations blown out of the water, completely exceeded. 

Most of all, we have seen God moving in our hearts, holding and molding and changing and softening, and in the hearts of others. We have seen with our own eyes the amazing things that happen when a community comes together with a common goal, covered in prayers, when God is faithfully working. He fiercely loves those in need, especially our little ones who are waiting to come home, and we have seen how powerful that love truly is. 

I have repeated a simple mantra to myself at times throughout our marriage -- in school, in unemployment, when bills arrive in the mail -- "God is bigger than numbers. God is bigger than money. God is bigger than circumstances." 

And this week I believe and know this with all my heart. Like the Israelites waiting in Egypt, wanting to believe that God was faithful, to the Israelites who live in the promised land who have seen with their own eyes the faithfulness of the Father, we can now say to each other, just as Moses did: "Remember when God arrived, and lead, and saved, and provided, and blew our minds away? Yeah, he's going to do that again, so why don't we trust Him now?!" 

This week we braved an unexpected heat wave with temps rising to the high 90s, something of legend in the north woods. We braved a fierce and mighty storm that nearly drenched all of the clothes for sale (had it not been for my wonderful bro's awesome help!) and did succeed in taking down the screen tent (which I held up as potential shoppers watched in their cars while Mom pulled up to help and later commented, "You looked like a drown rat! Ha. ha. ha.") 

And I survived a chaotic morning during which I did not have sale signs and had to drive around town to locate the vehicle that stored said signs, and forgot my cash box at my sister's apartment and needed to run to the bank and McD's to get cash and change -- all between 7:30 and 8:15! We also survived an injured and sick sister for whom I ran to get a bucket before the third day of the sale. And if you remember my previous comments about Bean's nonexistent experience in puking, you'll understand how dire the hour was. 

So all in all it was an adventure like no other, in both crazy fun stories to share for years to come, and the amazing ways in which God showed up and provided immeasurably more than we had asked or imagined.

.     .     .     .     . 

Drum roll please...

GARAGE SALE FUNDRAISER TOTAL: $1751
(my sister paid her bill of $3 after we made the sign!)

More than triple what we had hoped to raise!!!

Total Raised To Date: $3401

Which means...we have raised enough money to pay for and complete our home study!! Once the home study has been approved, we can officially apply for grants! 

We will continue fundraising as grants will cover some but not all of our adoption fees. 

We are only $1599 away from our first goal of $5000! 

I am in shock. Complete shock. I took the money to the bank to make it more manageable as a pile on ones is difficult to contain, and it hits me, like a ton of bricks, that we are within walking distance to our completed adoption. We are steps away, and I have to catch my breath every time it hits me. I get chills and am now bursting into tears at random moments. But unlike my puddles of tears left in baby aisles at Target and the mall, these tears are of pure joy, excited anticipation, and incredible unbelief as to how amazing the Lord has been, others have been, and my community has just loved on us throughout this entire process. 

Our home study will be completed when we move, between October and November, so anytime after that we could get a placement -- we could potentially have a child in our home before the end of the year!! Can you hear my screams and squeals?!?!

THANK YOU to everyone who donated, visited, gave extra, shared on facebook, told your friends, and supported us in spirit. We would like to thank a few special people that wet above and beyond to make this fundraiser possible, to whom we are forever grateful and joyful. 

To our special friends, we love you and truly appreciate your generosity and support:

Laura & Joel Boyd

Alex Boyd

Kristin Boyd

Lindsey Brimmer

Robin Gunnerson & Girls

Audrey 

Olivemae Gebhart

Leslie Beckrich

Cindy Stapleton

Tammy Ranso

Marilyn Isaac

Linda Hagen

Nancy Grossman

Carry Hopkins

Tom & Barb Adams

Joyce Sjostrand

Shelly Lambert

Amanda Butterfield

Sandy Hubbart

Naomi Hoard

There are many others who have helped in the background by quietly sharing and spreading the word, and those who have helped anonymously. If I forgot to mention you, please forgive me. In this whirlwind of a week it has been hard to keep track of my laundry let alone the details of this experience. 

One Giant Step Closer...

An Update on our First Day of the Garage Sale Fundraiser:

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. 

Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, 

for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9

Let me just say that the good man and I walked into this fundraiser knowing that this would not raise the bulk of our needed funds. We planned auctions, donation pages, planned to bombard facebook and churches with our story. A "goal" for the week was to be happy at $400. That's $100 a day. Doable. Realistic. Yet, making a difference. 

I need to explain these expectations and assumptions so that you can see, along with me, how God blew them completely OUT OF THE WATER. 

Day One Total Raised: $843

Let me just say that again. Eight. HUNDRED. and Forty. Three. DOLLARS

More than DOUBLE our hopes for the week...in one day.

Our total raised to date: $2533

We are halfway to our first goal of $5000 -- to cover the home study and post placement visits.

.     .     .     .     .

I pull up to the house, the home I was born to, learned to walk in, the yard I played in, skinned my knees in, ventured with Bean and Ro' in. The garage, inside the walls I learned  to hammer nails, learned to love the smell of sawdust and my dad's handiwork, hard work. And how blessed we are to come home to home.

A car crammed with selfless love and encouragement: donations from family and friends spoken over with calls to courage, reminders of His provision, and hopeful expectations. I ran to say hi to Mom and Dad -- and took a breath before getting to the work. Boxes unloaded and sorted and cleaned and priced and organized, rearranged and backs stretched again and again. 


A smile breaks out, wide and bright. Bean arrives and the hot, sticky day, and all the work, seems so much more doable. I love my mom and dad, but there is something so wonderful about my sister walking in, strolling in, on a late August night, because she finally, finally, lives here again. And really, what would I do without her in all this?

More clothes sorted and folded and priced. And as the sun sets, we move into the garage and the boxes of...everything. Sorting, organizing, cleaning and it is late and dark and still the heat is building and we are tired. 

It's almost midnight. The neighborhood quiet and dreaming, snoring. The brother and the dad have long since retreated to their beds. And the three women work on. Bursts of laughter erupt into the night air, down the street and into the wood. Countless boxes and endless things displayed, with loving care. This work is common, the goal is rare. We are working for a baby and we are all silently aware. And doing what we know best -- laughing, goofing, making each moment count.

.     .     .     .     .

The signs are out and the door is open. Vans and trucks and bikes arrive. It's early morning and already the heat is well above 80, soon climbing into the 90s. And still they come, with their friends and sisters and children and alone. Family friends, long time friends, and strangers flock. Some just happened to drive by, others saw ads, and still others walk up and ask, "Is this the adoption sale? We've been waiting all week!"

There's something for everyone and most do find a treasure. $5, $10...the totals are tallied. And on more occasions than I could count, a twenty dollar bill was offered, and change was waved away, "You keep the rest." My heart overflows, overwhelmed and made speechless. I choked back tears and learned the simple art of nodding gratitude. 

A woman searched carefully through every table, every box, every corner, finding nothing. And still she walks my way, opens her wallet and smiles. "Couldn't find anything, so you can have it all." And slips the bills, secretly into our donation jar -- blue mason wrapped in twine borrowed from the wedding with a new sign (old, new, borrowed, blue -- because you're always building, creating family. It never stops at two.) 

A family friend, who walked along side band concerts, graduations, birthday parties, weddings, births, and everything in between, shared meals, stories, jokes, late night laughter and prayers -- an unexpected large sum donation and the sunglasses must go on. Tears are shed in disbelief, humbled and covered in love, and realizing that this community is here -- waiting in joyful anticipation, for these babies, theses little ones they love completely and have yet to meet. 

A little boy running wild while his mom asks the questions I eagerly answer -- about home studies, and future children, and fundraising, and all the exciting goings on. And this little boy finds a penny. And runs, full speed, to my side, "A penny! I found a penny, because every penny counts!" And I gush with honest and sincere gratitude for a penny. And I am so aware that I have never in my life been more thankful for a penny. Because, yes, little running wild boy, every penny is closer to our goal: 500,000 pennies. 

A lifelong friend swings by, again, having already shopped and bought and donated, to take orders for iced coffee because, lo and behold, Caribou just happens to be having a coupon day. So in the heat of the afternoon when we are at our last bit of sanity, our friend, who decorated at my wedding, who prayed with me in college, who is one of the most selfless people I have ever known, again, comes to the rescue. And we are oh, so grateful. My heart overflows again and I wonder how many times this can happen in one day?

.     .     .     .     .

After the sale, after tallying all the proceeds of the day, I rush to meet a dear friend, longtime friend, practically family. I am still in shock. I counted and recounted and counted again. And told myself, "Count again, correctly! You went to college! You have a degree!" And after the fifth time, it finally occurs to this girl of little faith that the numbers are correct and God has just stopped by to show off. Because, after all, it was never our sale, it was His. My heart overflows with love, joy, gratitude, humility. And I have an answer: a heart can never overflow enough. 

She asks how it went and I melt into tears. Unbelievable. Unimaginable. And He whispers, there in the cafe, "...Him, who is able to do immeasurably more than you can ask or imagine..." And we talk of adoption, and infertility, and babies, and life, and God and everything under the sun and whatever parts of me were worried or doubting or afraid or scared or anxious...are gone and what is left is overflowing with love. 

.     .     .     .     .

This was the first day of a simple sale to raise money to finish one step. 

One step closer. And I feel like I am running now, to my kids, our babies. And we are finally close. 

Thank you. To everyone who donated, brought a table, came, shared, liked, spread the word, bought, gave beyond the price, and gave simple words of encouragement and love. To those who are just as excited as us, who celebrate along with us. 

Thank you for joining us on this truly, amazing journey. I hope you see, just like me, how God is moving. 

And when asked why we are fundraising, making this usually private process so public, so out there, I will answer: "How could we not?"

How could we keep these adventures, answers to prayer, lavishing of love and care and community to ourselves? We'd later wonder, how selfish are we? And now you can see, adoption is not just an answer to infertility, a means to an end. Adoption is an adventure in trusting God, letting Him show off...because NOTHING can stand between Him and is kids. 

To those who are waiting with us, we ARE one step closer. thanks to you.

Garage Sale Time

GARAGE SALE FUNDRAISER: North Edition

Northern Minnesotans! A huge, massive, wonderful, treasure-filled garage sale is coming your way...and for a good cause!

Wednesday, August 28th - Friday, August 30th 

8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Saturday, August 31st

8:00 am - 1:00 pm

1608 SW 1st Ave : Grand Rapids

One block south of McD's on Pokegama Ave

.     .     .     .     .
All proceeds from this garage sale will be going toward our adoption home study and placement fees! 
.     .     .     .     .

We are still accepting donations. Message me or comment for more information on where to drop your unwanted things.
.     .     .     .     .

Men, Women, Children's clothing; books, music, electronics, handmade crafts, toys, housewares...pretty much a mix of everything, so you will definitely find something.

Bring your wallet. Find some good deals and hidden treasures while bringing a family together!

. : s h a r e : .
this info with your friends and family, because you never know who will be impacted and how far it will reach! 

 -       -       -       -       -

We are still planning to have a sale in the metro area. Let me know if you have anything to donate and we can make arrangements to pick it up. Thanks!

Because you never know who...

We have recently set up fundraising pages on a couple fundraising websites. These websites are free for us to use and create a mass sharing effect to get our need and mission to those who might otherwise never hear about it. 

There are always individuals and groups who desire to serve others and support a cause looking through the pages on these websites. Anyone who wishes to leave an encouraging comment, verse, or prayer can do so anytime. This in itself is a blessing for us. Encouragement from complete strangers just when we need it. 

And there are donors who desire to help others, to create change, who are looking for the cause, ministry, mission, or family that they feel called to support. We know that God works in miraculous and mysterious ways. Even through complete strangers. We want to create a venue for that possibility. 

Also, more than anything, we want to get the word out about adoption. We want as many people as possible to see that adoption is not just an option for the infertile, for the uber spiritual or missional. Adoption can be for anyone. Creating more awareness creates more willingness -- to adopt, to support, to give -- even if those made aware do not give to us, but others. 

We appreciate your excitement and joy with us as we grow closer to bringing our little ones home, finally. Please join us in this new bend in the road on our journey. 

How Y O U can help:

SHARE these links on facebook. EMAIL the links to family and friends. TELL your friends, coworkers, neighbors, church community. 

JOIN our team. Become a team member through giveforward.com. You are invaluable and we are so grateful if you feel inspired to join! 

Because...you never know who might see it and how they might be touched! 

It's simple. Visit each of these links. Copy the URL. Share the link on facebook. And tell your friends to share it with others. We're not asking you to give, unless you feel called. Simply, share. Spread the word. 

It takes a village to raise a child. It takes a community to bring an adopted child home. 

Growing In Our Hearts @ giveforward.com

Growing In Our Hearts @ youcaring.com

Thank you all for your wonderful support and encouragement throughout this entire process. We could not to this without the love and joy we have experienced from family and friends!

.     .     .     .     .

. : Adoption Progress Update : .

We have completed our first home study visit with our case manager, Anita. We truly love Anita and are so grateful that she is part of the journey and the process. One of the reasons we chose GCAA was because of her passion for children and view that adoption is a ministry and calling. 

Her excitement and joy for us and with us is so evident. She is allowing us to continue with the home study even though we do not have all the funding in as of yet. She wants to keep moving forward and, like us, believes that God will provide the necessary finances at the right time! 

Next Step: More Paper work. Second home study visit.

.     .     .     .     .

. : the miracle : .

I promised you a miracle and you are getting one! Seriously. I have goosebumps and it brought me to tears. I just have to share it RIGHT NOW!

So I'm updating this post. It's scheduled to be published later today so I'm finished off a few things. Writing the adoption progress portion. And...okay. Seriously! This is what happened. 

I'm feeling a little down beecause we don't yet have any money raised. I've scrimped and saved like $50 by not going to Starbucks. But we're just getting off the ground so I try not to be too hard on myself. 

I type the words, "She wants to keep moving forward and, like us, believes that God will provide the necessary finances at the right time!" and look up at my other tabs. A message in my inbox. I check it:

Congratulations Jenna! Anonymous donated $1000 to your fundraiser Growing In Our Hearts and left you some words of encouragement

Unbelievable. 

Speechless.

Humbled.

Feeling the love of God and all His faithfulness pouring over like waterfalls, reassuring us..."I will do this. Get ready. We're going on an adventure, a wild ride." And I just cried and think I will carry this moment everyday of my life. 

"We know that God works in miraculous and mysterious ways. Even through complete strangers."

Bam. Miracle. 

Seriously. This really happened. Just now! 

BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHO...

He's moving in your life too! Are you ready?

...And on to the next...

A little something we received last night:

"Jason and Jennifer,

I have received and reviewed your application and we would be honored to partner with you, as you experience God's miracles and provisions of adoption." - God's Children Adoption Agency

Happy dancing with jazz hands, spins and kisses. 

Our next step is to begin the home study process. And as this is moving forward rather quickly, we are still looking for garage sale donations, and an official location. Send me a message on facebook or comment below if you are interested. Also we are hoping to set up a paypal button located somewhere over there --> for those of you who would like to donate but live far away. Know we truly appreciate any and all donations, no matter the size, and all prayers. 

There are still a few details to be ironed out before we do begin the home study. Our placement address is a big one. We are most likely moving but, as every aspect of our lives goes, the details are up in the air for the moment. We also have some classes to attend but we are hoping that our foster care classes might count for some of those. *hoping and praying*

And even in the midst of so much unknown and uncertainty we are constantly reminded of the Lord's faithfulness and love. Every detail is coming together exactly as it should, even if we expected it to look slightly different. We know He is faithful, able, and in control of it all. 

Just recently we received a huge answer to prayer. We had been planning to purchase the good man's grandmother's home, many of you are aware of this, but had been told that it might take longer than expected -- six to twelve months longer. So we were freaking out a little bit. Not just because we were unsure of where we might be living come winter, but because this effects the home study process, which effects our journey to adoption! After we regrouped and gave each other pep talks, we decided to move forward despite the uncertainty. A leap of faith and shaking in our boots/flip-flops. Two days after the application was mailed grandma got a call about an available apartment! And even though we envisioned the next step, the home study, to take place in our apartment, it is looking like it will probably take place in our new home! God is good and ever faithful. He is able. Never failing. 

We can never know what the future brings, but our Father holds the future and we know He works all things out for the good of those who love Him. 

Here we go again, walking together down this road...

Join us. Walk along as we uncover joy and count all as grace and gift in this unexpected life. And see how the Father takes care and goes before.

Thank you so much for all of your thoughts and prayers. We are grateful for each one of you, even those simply reading, as you are walking with us in our journey and sharing our heart for orphans and adoption.

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Application completed and mailed: CHECK!

Application accepted: CHECK!

BEGIN HOME STUDY...