Paused

I was eagerly expecting to mail the i800a, $890 check and 2nd agency payment tomorrow but our social worker's supervisor has found some discrepancies in the home study so instead we will need a new employment letter for Luke, two blank spaces to be filled in on the medical forms (the date blood work was collected) and possibly an additional letter clarifying prescriptions we do/did take.  I know it doesn't seem like a lot but its going to add days or even weeks to the adoption timeline.  We are moving as fast as WE can to meet Sadie and this doesn't make a Mama's heart happy!  I'd appreciate if you could pray for favor as we quickly do our part to resolve someone else's mistakes.  This is frustrating but I know there must be a silver-lining...right?! We do want everything submitted to China to be correct and truthful.  We know it's God's plan and not ours that will be fulfilled.

At A Standstill, Sending A Package

We're still waiting on the home study to be finalized/approved and have been notified that our agency representative will be out of the office all week-so that means another week before there is any movement.  I hate waiting!  I am generally pretty impatient and when it comes to a precious child's expense I hate it even more.  So while we wait I have been packing a shoe box full of items to send to Helen in Beijing, China.  She will mail it in-country for $20 and hopefully Sadie will receive everything from us in February.  We would sure appreciate it if you'd pray for our daughter while she waits.  I know that God's timing is perfect unlike my own selfish ways and motivations.

Update: I was able to pack in a pair of shoes, lots of socks, more toys and a Taggie lovey.  It costs $58 to mail Priority International but only weighed 4 lbs-ouch!  Hoping Sadie receives it before Chinese New Year but after we hear the good news about the home study approval and i800a submission. 

The Home Study

The home study and all associated requirements are completed as of yesterday!  Here's an overview of some of the recent activity and fees:

December 10 Ordered clothes, shoes, socks, hat and gloves + stuffed panda for Sadie (below) $108

December 12 Visited the local police station in Tallahassee for background checks/letters $20

December 15 1st visit from social worker/home inspection

December 29 2nd visit with social worker-met in Chipley, FL

January 1-5 Completed 4.5 ours of pre-adoption training videos and workbooks

January 13 Started the t-shirt fundraiser

January 14 3rd and final visit from social worker at our house

On the horizon-the second agency payment of $3,138.75 due when the home study is approved later this month and then submitting the i800a application to USCIS with a $890 check.  Lots of money talk and we don't want to focus too much on that-I feel confident that God will provide in different ways, last time we adopted we were able to use all our savings, received two grants, opened a home equity line of credit and received many generous donations. 

T-shirt Fundraiser

We are now selling Hope For Sadie t-shirts to help with the adoption costs. Designed by the talented Wendy Hudson Martin and printed by Fund The Nations, the short-sleeved shirts are $20 each and $3 shipping (local free delivery to Tallahassee, Macon & Cumming). Available in adult sizes S-XXXL, the shirts are 100% pre-shrunk cotton

To purchase please either comment below, PM me or Luke Hopkins or email hopkins_sc@yahoo.com We will be selling these for the next few weeks and hope to order and deliver in February. You can pay with cash, check or money can be sent thru PayPal to either of us...it's all going towards the adoption anyway 

THANK YOU to everyone that considers purchasing a t-shirt in support of Sadie's adoption! Fundraising is NO fun but helps ease the financial burden ahead

*If you don't want another t-shirt but still want to contribute we'd LOVE that too

She smiles!