The above and beyond yard sale

I have to blog about the yard sale. We knew it was going to be successful...but WOW...Saturday was amazing.

Let me start by saying that Lee and I put one item, of our own, in the yard sale. One. And it didn't sell:). And yet, we loaded two vans, three trucks and a pull-behind trailer full of donated items and took it to our neighborhood-wide yard sale.

Between us and the neighbors, we had advertised on facebook, Craig's list and word of mouth.

We arrived at 5:20am to begin setting up. We knew it would take a while. At 6:20, seasoned yard-salers with their little flashlights began arriving and away we went! Cars were parked everywhere for several hours. I couldn't believe the turnout.

My mother-in-law had made these signs for us to display around our tables. It worked.

Complete strangers paid above what we were asking, and refused change. One sweet girl handed us an envelope that said 'extra giving', neighbors gave donations, other tables gave out of what they had earned that day.

There's no way to even calculate the amount of people involved in making that day as successful as it was. From the people who donated the items to sell, to the people who prayed, to the people who bought, to the people who gave. We are humbled. And we thank you.

We were hoping for $600-$700. We cleared $1,000.00.

Where's all the money going? PART II

The first time I posted this particular blog in September, we had $8,000 of the  "Travel Costs" listed below. Those have all now been raised and we are steadily working on Out-of-Pocket expenses. It's really cool to see how much has happened in less than a month!

 We forget how surprised we were at how much an adoption costs. When people ask us, we're reminded, by the look on their faces, that not everybody knows how much it costs to adopt a child. People are genuinely shocked by the amount.

Our estimated total is :$29,905.50

Our agency fees run around $10,500-they handle the home study, documents to China, and all the legwork between us, China, and both governments. THIS HAS BEEN PAID IN FULL!!

U.S. out-of-pocket expenses are $2,500-classes, fingerprinting, training, visas, certifications. THIS HAS BEEN PAID IN FULL!!

Travel Costs for China are $11,220.00-this covers official costs, hotels, guides, in-country flights and tips. WE HAVE RAISED $11,220.00 SO FAR..

Out-of-Pocket Costs run around $5,800 and include international flights, food, spending money.
 WE HAVE RAISED $3300 SO FAR...
I hope this helps to answer any funding questions. We were blessed to be able to fund the beginning of the adoption out of our own resources. Some families fund-raise every.single.dollar! That's amazing to me!!  Can you see how close we are?? Truly, God does not add dollars HE MULTIPLIES them together!!

Thanks for reading...

Heather's Gotcha' Day Jitters

Yesterday, our adoption agency hosted a webinar to walk us through our trip to China. It was quite an informative meeting...to say the least. I thought I'd share some of the process with you...

We actually go to the capital city of Ava-Yin's province. We stay there a week before traveling on to Guangzhou , which is the Ellis Island of China. All immigrants pass through Guangzhou.

I'm not really sure what I expected about Gotcha' Day (the day we are given our daughter), but hearing it verbalized put some butterflies in my tummy, for sure.

We go to the Civil Affairs building with our tour guide/translator. There, Ava-Yin is brought to us by one of her caregivers. While we are introducing ourselves to Ava-Yin, our translator will ask a list of questions to the caregiver, in an attempt to find out anything and everything he can about little Ava-Yin.

And that's it. We fill out some paperwork, say goodbye to the caregiver.  And off we go with Ava-Yin. Just the three of us.

 The thought puts a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes-to imagine how scared this little person must be at these strangers taking her away from her life.

I'm a little scared, too, Ava-Yin. But, finally, we can be scared together.

PART II: So what's the big hurry anyway??

The other reason we are in a hurry to get Ava-Yin home is she is special needs. She requires specialized medical treatment that is not available to her in China. The longer she waits for medical attention, the greater the potential for permanent damage to her little body.

But! Guess what??!...

We have an International Adoption Clinic just 20 minutes away from us, with a team of specialists and experts who help adoptive families with the transition of coming home. As soon as we get her here, Ava-Yin will be evaluated medically, developmentally and behaviorally. The medical staff will be the centralized team that will provide referral and coordination of her care. We will not be on our own when it comes to her unique special needs.

So much awaits her when she gets home! We can get her on the right track to a full and wonderful life. She doesn't have to be in pain and discomfort. Her body doesn't have to deteriorate. We can put a stop to all of it and get her healthy and well.

Your donations are ending a life of isolation and neglect and beginning a life of health and happiness. We cannot thank you enough.