Matching grant!!!

In my last post, I referred to a HUGE BLESSING--a matching grant....here is a little update on this! We applied through a group called Lifesong for Orphans and are so excited that they have offered us a grant up to $2,000!! This is HUGE news for us, this could make such a difference in helping to fund our adoption and we are so grateful for organizations and supporters like you all that are fighting for the babies out there that don't have parents and the families that desperately want to bring one or two of these sweeties home. I can't think of a better mission in life-and I hope to advocate for organizations like this both now and after we get Z home. Here is a link to their website for anyone that is interested http://www.lifesongfororphans.org/

So, how are we going to raise this money to take advantage of the matching grant? We are doing what is called a "Both Hands" project. Here is a short explanation of this amazing opportunity from the Lifesong/Both Hands organizers:

Our family finds a widow in need of help around her home. We assemble a team of friends to complete a Both Hands Project. Then the team (including us) sends out letters to family and friends asking them to sponsor us for one day, as we work on the widow’s home. All funds received will go toward our adoption expenses. It’s just like asking someone to sponsor you for a 5K race.

Here is a short video clip that gives a good explanation as well (get the tissues ready).
https://vimeo.com/threadandfilm/review/102788071/7a509a4f3d

They have already sent us a paypal button that you will see on the sidebar of our blog =====>>>
It is set up so any donations made through paypal with this button go directly to our lifesong/both hands project--which means any donation you make is tax deductible AND it is doubled through the grant we have been awarded!  

I know this may seem like we have already asked of all of you. And you are right, we have. But, we will never stop asking for what our boy needs. We already feel the direct relationship parents feel to their children-no matter how they come into the family. We will fight for him and love him and give him every opportunity we can.

Again, we are so thankful and proud of all the people we know who have shown love and support and prayed to help us on this journey. We are halfway to being fully funded for our adoption and we know this is a direct reflection on all of you who are fighting for a child who has no home, no parents, no family. We are so joyful to be able to be this for him in 4 short months, but we know we have not done this alone.

A little reminder of the adoption timeline

Some other BIG news from just today---we have a "log in date" or LID for our dossier-today 4/15/15!! This is such a big deal because it is one more step of China combing through our dossier and hopefully soon approving us so we can get our visas done and get to travelling so we can hold this boy in our arms and show him what family means!!

A few pictures to share with all of you before we sign off...we are so proud of how our older kiddos have handled all of the changes and sacrifices we are making as a family. We could not love them more....

Abby made Titus a birthday cake- so sweet!

A paper Hallie brought home from school--makes me have a little tear!!