Virtual Coffee Date

Hello all! It has been a while since I have updated everyone on our adoption process. Grab a cup of coffee and cozy up. I'll tell you all about it. 

Full disclosure: This photo was provided courtesy of a Google search. 

Thanks Google! 

If we were having coffee, I would tell you that I'm tired of completing paperwork and responding to e-mails. That's a bummer though because we haven't even scratched the surface of everything that has to be completed before we get to meet our kid/kiddos. In general, I am not the promptest responder, so it has been a struggle. That being said, all of the detailed questions have sparked great conversations between David and I regarding parenthood, traditions, discipline, and just how different our lives will look when our family of two expands. By no means do we have it all figured out, and I'm not sure that we ever will. We are at peace with uncertainty. The joy is in the journey. 

If we were having coffee, I would tell you that there is an abundance of literature laying around our home. I have been reading books on adoption, financing adoption, memoirs of individuals raised in India, and Indian culture. Most of these books have only been partially read, but I'm working on it. I want to be able to foster love and respect for Indian culture while introducing American culture in our home. Although I'm not sure what it will look like, I am hoping that aspects of each culture will be incorporated into our lives and daily activities. 

If we were having coffee, I would tell you that, although I have been educating myself on adoption, parenthood, and culture, I have been spending a large majority of my time strengthening my faith, beliefs, and community. In our opinion, the most daunting aspect of parenthood is spiritual. Fostering an independent thinker that thirsts for God and relies on Him is a great task that cannot be taken lightly. As of now, the best way we know to do that is to lead by example and surround them with a strong, dependable community; however, we realize that, at times, we will fail. We have been diving into the Word headfirst, and working on strengthening and developing Spiritual Disciplines. As a family, our hope is to leave the world better than we found it while bringing all glory to God along the way. 

If we were having coffee, I would tell you that although I haven't updated the blog regularly, I have updated the thermometer on a regular basis. As of today, we have raised $8,200, including our personal savings. A portion of this has already been given to the adoption agency, AWAA, for application fees and the home study fee. We are so excited for upcoming fundraisers including the puzzle piece fundraiser and selling hand lettered art prints (photos to come during upcoming weeks). For the puzzle piece fundraiser, we have decided to use an art print from Mercy Ink (www.mercyinkblog.com). 

This is the image being used to create a 500 piece puzzle. Each piece is $5. An individual may purchase one or more pieces of the puzzle. On each piece, the name of the purchaser will be written on the back. When the puzzle is assembled, it will be framed with double sided glass, so that all of the names can be viewed. If you would like to donate towards the puzzle piece fundraiser, please either donate through PayPal using the link to the right of you can contact us directly. If you choose to donate using PayPal, please indicate that you wish for your donation to go towards the puzzle piece fundraiser in the comments section of the Pay Pal transaction. 

If we were having coffee, I would tell you that I am truly thankful for all of the support, encouragement, and prayers that we have received. We have truly been blessed with a wonderful community of people, both in our own city and thousands of miles away. Thank you for keeping us an our children in your prayers, and know that you all have been in ours. 

Love and blessings, 
Jordan