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June Update & Fundraisers

Erica and I took the girls to the Carson & Barnes CircusSaurus event in Clovis a couple of weeks ago. It was a great night with acrobatics, elephants, jugglers, clowns and more under the big top; but the very best part for me was watching the wonderful awestruck expressions on my kids' faces. They were absolutely beaming and glowing and enthusiastic to tell everyone about it afterwards.
It also reminded me of the tightrope balancing act that we are walking these days. We have adoption fundraisers and grants to apply for and appointments to make and we are working on enclosing our garage to include an extra bedroom and schoolroom and a big enough dining room to fit 9 of us! It seems like every day results in more items added to the to do list and fewer items crossed off. We don't want to get so caught up in preparing for the future that we miss out on the meaningful moments today.

 These are the Summer Fundraisers we are currently working on:

1) Nesira has a drive-through lemonade and cookie stand on Friday/Saturday June 7-8. Stop by, purchase some refreshments, and contribute to our adoption fund. She is delighted to be able to serve you and help out with funds!
2) Watch for information about a CD sale later this month. A friend of the family has produced an album of instrumental hymns which will be for sale. She will donate a portion of the sale proceeds to our family adoption fund. We are so blessed by her creativity and generosity. Erica and I were planning to purchase a CD ourselves because we love her Christmas Album!
3) We have designed a T-Shirt for sale this summer as well. The shirt sales will be used for travel costs this Fall. The shirts are a very nice, soft cotton fabric. They are comfortable and wearable. $20 per shirt, $3 for shipping if we have to mail it to you somewhere, $2 for 2X-4X sizes. Erica has a handy ordering chart and you can contact either of us for information on how to get these.

Some other updates:

A) Our fingerprinting appointment for USCIS is scheduled for June 14. If that all goes smoothly we will be approved for our I-800A application by the end of July.
B) We are attended Lifeline Children's Service's Rooted in Love Adoption Conference the last week of July in Birmingham, AL. I'm really excited about that time of encouragement and education as we prepare for end of year travel and bringing our kids home.
C) We have been applying for grants and have a couple more to complete and submit this weekend. Lots of prayers for God's provision through Grants. These grant agencies do an amazing work in identifying needs and distributing funds.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for all of your prayers and encouraging words. We appreciate you and wouldn't have the boldness to pursue this adventure without your support. Please continue to pray for our little ones in Brazil. They are in a Group Home and we have not received any news about specific needs, just that they need a forever home and a loving family.

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