For the best interest of the adoption, we're going to make our blog private by the end of this week. I tried to send an email to all the email addresses in my Outlook. If I don't have your email and/or if I missed you, and you want to continue to view the blog please leave a comment with your name and email address. Thanks so much for praying.
We believe our facilitator is going to register our dossier in the next day or two. After that it will be officially submitted (maybe next week), and then they will give us a travel date. Please pray for God's perfect timing in this! Thanks! Jenny
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Letter
We mailed a letter Monday to various friends. In case we missed you, a copy of the letter is at the end of this entry. If you received the letter and are just now aware of our endeavor to help the Lord rescue 3 orphans, you can read more about the initial journey by scrolling to the bottom of the page and looking on the right at "blog archive". From there you can click on the 2008 entry. That gets you started.
About the letter, we originally sent our first letter at the first of November. We felt the Lord was wanting us to do that in hopes of getting the word out for prayer and financial support. Obviously there are various ways to fund an adoption. Some can afford it, some borrow the money, some solicit individual help and others plan various fund-raising events. Again, we prayed over all of this and did feel like this letter was what we were to do. It's been really amazing to see the support and the encouraging words that have come from the first letter. Many have said that they were moved to seek the Lord themselves after reading the letter. It wasn't anything special and I'm sure many of you could write a "better" one, but I believe it is an example of the Holy Spirit's guidance and the Lord using what He wants to speak to His own. With the paperwork being finished, again we felt we needed to send a letter updating everyone. While we certainly pray that there are those who feel led to support us prayerfully and financially, I really feel that the Lord wants to use this letter to encourage others to wholeheartedly seek Him.
It is only divine providence that I'm studying Esther right now. The whole book is filled with God's providence and God-ordained destiny, though the name "God" is not once used in the book. The study has been such an encouragement to me that this whole adoption is certainly part of my destiny. I'm so thankful I said yes to God. We always have a choice. It's not always easy making the choice God has for us, but it is ever worth it! I do pray you will, as I know many of you already are, seek the Lord and ask what His plans are for you. We have to continue doing that. I know this adoption isn't "it" for us, but just a part in our destiny, the great and unimaginable plans He has for us.
I don't think there's anything I love more than witnessing and experiencing the movement of God. It's amazing to me how He changes us and grows us when we allow it.
Ephesians 2:10 (Amplified Bible)
"For we are God's [own] handiwork (His workmanship), [a]recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live]."
February 23, 2009
Dear Friends,
Hope all is well. We’ve hit a milestone in the adoption process, so we figured it’s a good time to update you. We have finished all the paperwork needed and it is in the Ukraine. Whoo-hoo! We are now waiting for the Ukraine government to accept the paperwork and then give us a travel date.
You may have received a letter in November sharing with you about the adoption and asking you to consider participating in this journey through prayer and/or financial help. Since then we have learned that many people we sent the letter to never received it. If you are one of those, we are sorry. Please take a moment to get a little history at our blog, www.bordenadoption.blogspot.com. If you are aware, and have been praying and supporting us we humbly and graciously thank you.
In all of this we give all and absolute praise to God. When we entered into this process it was on unsteady knees trusting that God would provide if He wanted this to happen. Ultimately, we had to trust God to do some mighty acts to get this journey started.
We are amazed, sitting back so often in tears of gratitude and wonder. Here are a few of the highlights thus far:
1. Countless people have committed in prayer for this adoption. I dare say Makc, Alona, and Natasha have never had such a crowd of saints praying for them.
2. $21,875 of the $40,000 needed to provide Makc, Alona and Natasha a family has been given.
3. Another family encouraged by what God was doing began their own adoption proceedings in the Ukraine.
4. The body of Christ has gone above and beyond in support, encouragement, and offers to serve: painting the kid’s rooms, tutoring the kids, watching Keely, Max, and Izzy while we travel, on and on.
As a result, our faith and love for the body of Christ have grown. It is an awesome sight to see the body of Christ working together to rescue the poor and oppressed. This is God’s work!
This we know, God is faithful. He will continue to provide for the needs throughout this journey. Please know whether you’ve given $20.00 or $10,000 or anything in between, we appreciate and value your support so very much. If you are led to help, we still need $18,125 before we travel which could be as soon as the end of March! If you would like to send a tax-deductible donation, please mail it to: God’s Waiting Children, 1865 Herndon Ave, Suite K-125, Clovis, CA 93611. Please note “Borden adoption” in the memo of your check. To make sure we receive your gift, it needs to be there by March 15th. Once we travel, our agency is not allowed to send us that money.
Finally, as we are learning to embrace the calling God has before us, we encourage you to seek God with your whole heart as to what He is calling you to. The past few months have required sacrifice, but we are experiencing an exciting journey that we never could have dreamt for ourselves! In Beth Moore’s Esther study, she wrote “In the times of greatest struggle when you make the Godward decision over convenience, earthly comfort, or carnal pleasure, you too have come to a critical moment in the fulfillment of your destiny. A defining moment. A war is being waged over your head in the unseen realm, and a great cloud of witnesses is cheering you on. You have no idea what’s at stake.”
Dear friends, “who knows, perhaps you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this.” Esther 4:14
About the letter, we originally sent our first letter at the first of November. We felt the Lord was wanting us to do that in hopes of getting the word out for prayer and financial support. Obviously there are various ways to fund an adoption. Some can afford it, some borrow the money, some solicit individual help and others plan various fund-raising events. Again, we prayed over all of this and did feel like this letter was what we were to do. It's been really amazing to see the support and the encouraging words that have come from the first letter. Many have said that they were moved to seek the Lord themselves after reading the letter. It wasn't anything special and I'm sure many of you could write a "better" one, but I believe it is an example of the Holy Spirit's guidance and the Lord using what He wants to speak to His own. With the paperwork being finished, again we felt we needed to send a letter updating everyone. While we certainly pray that there are those who feel led to support us prayerfully and financially, I really feel that the Lord wants to use this letter to encourage others to wholeheartedly seek Him.
It is only divine providence that I'm studying Esther right now. The whole book is filled with God's providence and God-ordained destiny, though the name "God" is not once used in the book. The study has been such an encouragement to me that this whole adoption is certainly part of my destiny. I'm so thankful I said yes to God. We always have a choice. It's not always easy making the choice God has for us, but it is ever worth it! I do pray you will, as I know many of you already are, seek the Lord and ask what His plans are for you. We have to continue doing that. I know this adoption isn't "it" for us, but just a part in our destiny, the great and unimaginable plans He has for us.
I don't think there's anything I love more than witnessing and experiencing the movement of God. It's amazing to me how He changes us and grows us when we allow it.
Ephesians 2:10 (Amplified Bible)
"For we are God's [own] handiwork (His workmanship), [a]recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live]."
February 23, 2009
Dear Friends,
Hope all is well. We’ve hit a milestone in the adoption process, so we figured it’s a good time to update you. We have finished all the paperwork needed and it is in the Ukraine. Whoo-hoo! We are now waiting for the Ukraine government to accept the paperwork and then give us a travel date.
You may have received a letter in November sharing with you about the adoption and asking you to consider participating in this journey through prayer and/or financial help. Since then we have learned that many people we sent the letter to never received it. If you are one of those, we are sorry. Please take a moment to get a little history at our blog, www.bordenadoption.blogspot.com. If you are aware, and have been praying and supporting us we humbly and graciously thank you.
In all of this we give all and absolute praise to God. When we entered into this process it was on unsteady knees trusting that God would provide if He wanted this to happen. Ultimately, we had to trust God to do some mighty acts to get this journey started.
We are amazed, sitting back so often in tears of gratitude and wonder. Here are a few of the highlights thus far:
1. Countless people have committed in prayer for this adoption. I dare say Makc, Alona, and Natasha have never had such a crowd of saints praying for them.
2. $21,875 of the $40,000 needed to provide Makc, Alona and Natasha a family has been given.
3. Another family encouraged by what God was doing began their own adoption proceedings in the Ukraine.
4. The body of Christ has gone above and beyond in support, encouragement, and offers to serve: painting the kid’s rooms, tutoring the kids, watching Keely, Max, and Izzy while we travel, on and on.
As a result, our faith and love for the body of Christ have grown. It is an awesome sight to see the body of Christ working together to rescue the poor and oppressed. This is God’s work!
This we know, God is faithful. He will continue to provide for the needs throughout this journey. Please know whether you’ve given $20.00 or $10,000 or anything in between, we appreciate and value your support so very much. If you are led to help, we still need $18,125 before we travel which could be as soon as the end of March! If you would like to send a tax-deductible donation, please mail it to: God’s Waiting Children, 1865 Herndon Ave, Suite K-125, Clovis, CA 93611. Please note “Borden adoption” in the memo of your check. To make sure we receive your gift, it needs to be there by March 15th. Once we travel, our agency is not allowed to send us that money.
Finally, as we are learning to embrace the calling God has before us, we encourage you to seek God with your whole heart as to what He is calling you to. The past few months have required sacrifice, but we are experiencing an exciting journey that we never could have dreamt for ourselves! In Beth Moore’s Esther study, she wrote “In the times of greatest struggle when you make the Godward decision over convenience, earthly comfort, or carnal pleasure, you too have come to a critical moment in the fulfillment of your destiny. A defining moment. A war is being waged over your head in the unseen realm, and a great cloud of witnesses is cheering you on. You have no idea what’s at stake.”
Dear friends, “who knows, perhaps you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this.” Esther 4:14
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
It's all here!
I was beginning to think the day would never get here, but we received the immigration approval form Friday! Tomorrow I'm going to pick up the last form needed, get them all notarized, get the notary approval, then get them apostilled...all to say it's a lot of signatures and driving around, but then it's done! After the driving around, I'll make 2 copies of the whole kit-and-kaboodle and the dossier (or mound of paperwork) will be off to be translated and on to the Ukraine.
I hope the dossier will be in the Ukraine next week. At that point, it's up to the Ukrainian government (and I know, ultimately God) to give us a travel date. We have no idea when the travel date will be. It could be March or it could be October! Of course, I'm hoping it's as quick as can be. We've gotten a few reports from a family adopting at the kid's orphanage that the kids seem to be getting a little anxious and discouraged. Please pray for them to continue to have hope! I can't imagine how slow these past 5+ months have gone for them. Through a translator that sweet family adopting emailed me little notes from Alona and Natasha. Here they are:Dear Mother,
I would like you to come to me very much. I love you and Father very much. I love all the family!
Love,
Alona
Dear Mother,
Come and visit me. I want to see you very much. I will write a letter for you. Father, how are you doing? I want to see you very much. I love all of you!
Love,
Natasha
We are continuing to be amazed at how God is providing and showing Himself in each step of this. Oh how I love Him! We will be working on a letter to update everyone with the latest big news. Praise the Lord, the completion of this paperwork is a huge thing! With love, Jenny
I hope the dossier will be in the Ukraine next week. At that point, it's up to the Ukrainian government (and I know, ultimately God) to give us a travel date. We have no idea when the travel date will be. It could be March or it could be October! Of course, I'm hoping it's as quick as can be. We've gotten a few reports from a family adopting at the kid's orphanage that the kids seem to be getting a little anxious and discouraged. Please pray for them to continue to have hope! I can't imagine how slow these past 5+ months have gone for them. Through a translator that sweet family adopting emailed me little notes from Alona and Natasha. Here they are:Dear Mother,
I would like you to come to me very much. I love you and Father very much. I love all the family!
Love,
Alona
Dear Mother,
Come and visit me. I want to see you very much. I will write a letter for you. Father, how are you doing? I want to see you very much. I love all of you!
Love,
Natasha
We are continuing to be amazed at how God is providing and showing Himself in each step of this. Oh how I love Him! We will be working on a letter to update everyone with the latest big news. Praise the Lord, the completion of this paperwork is a huge thing! With love, Jenny
Monday, January 5, 2009
God's loving-kindness
Do you ever recognize the loving-kindness of God in your life? I love the idea and theme that travels through the Scripture that we are favored by our merciful God! There are so many examples of "little" acts of kindness that God has been blessing us with. I see no other way to describe such acts except examples of God's loving-kindness showered on us.
Here are a few:
1. A precious couple is spending hours daily at the orphanage where Makc, Alona and Natasha are as they are waiting to adopt a boy there. They have sent us pictures of the three kids along with stories of their interactions.
2. Today the couple was at the orphanage with a translator, and I was able to talk to all three of the kids. It was amazing to realize they were on the other end of the phone. The translator kept saying they were so happy to be hearing my voice. They had huge smiles on their faces she said. I also got to hear Natasha's voice for the first time. She sounds like a sweet baby girl! I can't wait to hug her!
3. The orphanage director, who is going out of her way to be amazing, mailed us pictures that the kids drew for us. They just showed up in the mail last week.
4. The home study is now complete and at immigration. I'm praying BOLDLY that it will not be a minimum of 45 days for them to approve as it normally takes.
5. We continue to receive generous monetary donations. With it come stories of people who are faithful to our Lord! What testimonies!
6. We learned last week that dear friends of ours are starting the process to adopt. They sought God regarding their place in adoption, and felt Him clearly call them. They are willing to step out of their comfort zone and take their family on a walk in faith.
I'm just amazed by our God! Friends, let's allow the Lord to show us His loving-kindness today! With love, Jenny
Here are a few:
1. A precious couple is spending hours daily at the orphanage where Makc, Alona and Natasha are as they are waiting to adopt a boy there. They have sent us pictures of the three kids along with stories of their interactions.
2. Today the couple was at the orphanage with a translator, and I was able to talk to all three of the kids. It was amazing to realize they were on the other end of the phone. The translator kept saying they were so happy to be hearing my voice. They had huge smiles on their faces she said. I also got to hear Natasha's voice for the first time. She sounds like a sweet baby girl! I can't wait to hug her!
3. The orphanage director, who is going out of her way to be amazing, mailed us pictures that the kids drew for us. They just showed up in the mail last week.
4. The home study is now complete and at immigration. I'm praying BOLDLY that it will not be a minimum of 45 days for them to approve as it normally takes.
5. We continue to receive generous monetary donations. With it come stories of people who are faithful to our Lord! What testimonies!
6. We learned last week that dear friends of ours are starting the process to adopt. They sought God regarding their place in adoption, and felt Him clearly call them. They are willing to step out of their comfort zone and take their family on a walk in faith.
I'm just amazed by our God! Friends, let's allow the Lord to show us His loving-kindness today! With love, Jenny
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Financial Update
Hello everyone! It’s been a few weeks since I posted an update about the financial part of the adoption process. Like so many other parts/pieces of this adoption, the blessings of God regarding the finances are in a simple word – GREAT. Through God’s blessings, He continues to confirm to us that we are living in His will regarding this adoption. He is working in others to give so generously to helping bring Natasha, Alona, and Makc to our family. It is awesome to witness God at work in providing the necessary finances daily. I praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Give generously, for your gifts will return to you later. Ecclesiastes 11:1 NLT
Let me try and give you some idea of what the estimated total expense is, what we have received from numerous friends and family so far, what we have been able to pay from these generous gifts, and what expenses are left and when.
The total estimated expense to bring Natasha, Alona, and Makc home - $40,000
Monies given so generously as of 12/29 - $14,725
Monies still needed - $25,275
Here is how the cost breaks down:
$5,500 agency fee paid!
$1,500 home study paid!
$850 immigration paid!
$1,250 dossier preparation money in account!
$18,000 foreign adoption fee $12,375 still needed
$8,000 airfare $8,000 still needed
(2 adult roundtrips / 3 children one way)
$5,000 in country expenses $5,000 still needed
(lodging / food / in country transportation / misc.)
We need the $25,275 to be in hand before we travel. March is the soonest we could travel because of the children’s availability for international adoption. Please join us in this prayer – God, please provide the remaining $25,275 before March 1, 2009.
Thank you for your prayers and generosity, they are needed and appreciated! If you would like to help us get Natasha, Alona and Makc to our home so we can continue to share the love of Jesus with them, you can send a tax-deductible donation to:
God’s Waiting Children
c/o Borden Adoption
1865 Herndon, Suite K125
Clovis, CA 93611
Please make sure you write “Borden Adoption in the memo of your check.
Blessings <><,
David
Give generously, for your gifts will return to you later. Ecclesiastes 11:1 NLT
Let me try and give you some idea of what the estimated total expense is, what we have received from numerous friends and family so far, what we have been able to pay from these generous gifts, and what expenses are left and when.
The total estimated expense to bring Natasha, Alona, and Makc home - $40,000
Monies given so generously as of 12/29 - $14,725
Monies still needed - $25,275
Here is how the cost breaks down:
$5,500 agency fee paid!
$1,500 home study paid!
$850 immigration paid!
$1,250 dossier preparation money in account!
$18,000 foreign adoption fee $12,375 still needed
$8,000 airfare $8,000 still needed
(2 adult roundtrips / 3 children one way)
$5,000 in country expenses $5,000 still needed
(lodging / food / in country transportation / misc.)
We need the $25,275 to be in hand before we travel. March is the soonest we could travel because of the children’s availability for international adoption. Please join us in this prayer – God, please provide the remaining $25,275 before March 1, 2009.
Thank you for your prayers and generosity, they are needed and appreciated! If you would like to help us get Natasha, Alona and Makc to our home so we can continue to share the love of Jesus with them, you can send a tax-deductible donation to:
God’s Waiting Children
c/o Borden Adoption
1865 Herndon, Suite K125
Clovis, CA 93611
Please make sure you write “Borden Adoption in the memo of your check.
Blessings <><,
David
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Quick Update
Thank you for praying regarding the home study. So many of you asked about it and let us know you were praying. I could tell! It went wonderfully well. We will meet the social worker again next week to wrap up. The social worker is delightful and said she will try to get the home study complete by Christmas. (The social worker is in the final process of adopting twin 3-yr-old girls from Ethiopia). The next step will be to mail it to immigration and pray immigration moves quickly to give approval. We've heard of some quick turn-arounds lately, but it can take around 8 weeks for immigration to approve. So, please thank God for the home study moving along so well and start praying over the immigration employees :)!
As you pray for our kids and situation, please remember and pray for the 7 families from this summer's hosting program who are in Ukraine as I type adopting! Other families are in the paperwork process as we are. What amazing work God was doing this summer (and continues to do)! God is alive and active! Plans are already underway to bring another group of orphans to our area this summer for hosting.
We love you! Jenny
As you pray for our kids and situation, please remember and pray for the 7 families from this summer's hosting program who are in Ukraine as I type adopting! Other families are in the paperwork process as we are. What amazing work God was doing this summer (and continues to do)! God is alive and active! Plans are already underway to bring another group of orphans to our area this summer for hosting.
We love you! Jenny
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Prayer regarding home study
We have our appointment with the social worker Monday. After this meeting, we will meet one more time with her, and then hopefully our home study will be complete. I spoke with the social worker on the phone and she seems delightful! Please pray it all comes together quickly. We need the home study complete to send on for immigration, another piece of the paperwork pie.
I just have to share a little epiphany I had in the Taco Bell drive-thru yesterday. I know this blog is designed to keep you updated on the adoption. I don't mean to indulge myself with other reports, but these posts are part of the adoption for me. God is teaching me so much through this. I pray as I share it, you might be blessed. Anyway, for the past year or two I have often paid for meals of those behind me in drive-thru lines and Chipotle lines (I've spent a lot of time in a Chipotle line :)). I usually just buy the meal, and tell the person or ask the clerk in the drive-thru line to tell the customer that "Jesus loves them". I've had some AMAZING experiences doing this! God has blessed me like crazy with this. I seriously could write a quite interesting book just on my Chipotle-food-buying experiences! My friend Tonya could testify as she has been with me most of the time!
Lately I haven't been eating out as much. I found myself in the Taco Bell drive-thru and a car pulls up behind me. Immediately I think, okay I need to buy their meal. Next thought is that I can't do that because I need to be careful about spending money. We are in need of like $25,000 and that's just getting started right?! Then I'm reminded by the Spirit that all I have been given is given by God. Surely He's not going to stop giving because I am seeking to show someone He loves them. I was reminded that you "can't outgive God". I don't know who to credit with that quote. I think my husband has said it several times, but maybe I heard it in a sermon??? Anyway, the point is God gives in abundance. Look what He's given us! He wants me to give abundantly! He is an abundant, extravagant giver. I know it because I've experienced it. Why would I want to possibly keep someone else from knowing that (for like $2.80)?? Shame on me. End of the story...I bought the meal, I looked in my rear view mirror to see this 20-something year old kid with a HUGE smile on His face. Not to mention the 50-something year old clerk's expression when she was like why would you do that and I said "just tell him that Jesus loves him." Oh how I pray that you and I will live the abundant life Jesus has for us! With love, Jenny
I just have to share a little epiphany I had in the Taco Bell drive-thru yesterday. I know this blog is designed to keep you updated on the adoption. I don't mean to indulge myself with other reports, but these posts are part of the adoption for me. God is teaching me so much through this. I pray as I share it, you might be blessed. Anyway, for the past year or two I have often paid for meals of those behind me in drive-thru lines and Chipotle lines (I've spent a lot of time in a Chipotle line :)). I usually just buy the meal, and tell the person or ask the clerk in the drive-thru line to tell the customer that "Jesus loves them". I've had some AMAZING experiences doing this! God has blessed me like crazy with this. I seriously could write a quite interesting book just on my Chipotle-food-buying experiences! My friend Tonya could testify as she has been with me most of the time!
Lately I haven't been eating out as much. I found myself in the Taco Bell drive-thru and a car pulls up behind me. Immediately I think, okay I need to buy their meal. Next thought is that I can't do that because I need to be careful about spending money. We are in need of like $25,000 and that's just getting started right?! Then I'm reminded by the Spirit that all I have been given is given by God. Surely He's not going to stop giving because I am seeking to show someone He loves them. I was reminded that you "can't outgive God". I don't know who to credit with that quote. I think my husband has said it several times, but maybe I heard it in a sermon??? Anyway, the point is God gives in abundance. Look what He's given us! He wants me to give abundantly! He is an abundant, extravagant giver. I know it because I've experienced it. Why would I want to possibly keep someone else from knowing that (for like $2.80)?? Shame on me. End of the story...I bought the meal, I looked in my rear view mirror to see this 20-something year old kid with a HUGE smile on His face. Not to mention the 50-something year old clerk's expression when she was like why would you do that and I said "just tell him that Jesus loves him." Oh how I pray that you and I will live the abundant life Jesus has for us! With love, Jenny
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