What I would have said...

Probably the most terrifying thing about this adoption journey is the cost. I am a person who likes a definitive plan...and so going into something totally blind is killing me. When I feel the panic start to rise in my chest(almost daily) I have to remind myself of the certainty that we felt that this child belongs to us. And that Heavenly Father is going to make this happen. Originally we had written a brief letter...it was how I planned to shock the world with this announcement. So here you are...the big announcement as I thought it'd be:

We believe in fairy tales. And love at first sight. And…. In we believe in answered prayers.

And this is how it all started.

Not too long ago my husband and I considered life to be almost perfect. We are raising 5 very healthy, very lively, sometimes naughty, but always entertaining children. And we’re abundantly rich in the only way that has every really mattered to us. We pay our bills every month, and our savings will get us through a minor disaster. And we are perfectly content with that.  But we realize now that there is a plan at work that we didn’t seek out…one that definitely found us. 

We have spent many teary moments in prayer and have enjoyed many moments of quiet confirmation.  And we believe in a God who answers our prayers. So, we pray He’ll keep on doing so.  Our journey in this process has been filled with anxiety, fear…and excitement and joy!  We KNOW that we’re headed in the right direction, but we have NO idea how to make this work.

Meet “Claire”.

 http://reecesrainbow.org/4340/claire26ha

You’re smiling (and probably caught a bit off-guard).

We realize there are some who would criticize our decision; that is okay. Those who would argue if we can’t afford it, we can’t do it. Believe me when I say that we’ve had this discussion. We have literally thought and prayed of little else lately.  Yet reality is that adoption is not financially possible for most people, for us included. It is incredibly frustrating.  In Claire's case, she will need upwards of $35,000 in adoption fees. And that isn’t something we can do. Alone, anyways. 

The organization that lists her profile is working with us to apply for grants, and has explained we can ‘fundraise’. In part, this means we can advocate for our family and friends, and their family and friends, to help us bring her home. We are applying for EVERY grant that can be found.  The faster we do this, the faster she has 3 sisters, 2 brothers, and a mom and dad who can NOT wait to be her eternal family.  So, help us if you can. And then help us again by reposting this and sharing this with everyone you know, encouraging them to help.  The money donated to her link on Reece’s Rainbow goes directly into an account for her adoption costs. It’s a tax deduction for you….and an answer to prayers for us.

We know that God had led us on this journey. It is the most terrifying and exciting thing we’ve ever considered. We trust in Him. But we NEED you to help bring her home.