For the Love of Abigail

Thursday, September 5, 2013

First Official Step...Formal Application Time!

Could it be?!?! It almost seems surreal that so many years after first making the decision to adopt, we are FINALLY applying to do just that!

As those of you who have been following our adoption journey already know, the only thing we've been able to do so far is fundraise and we still have plenty of funds needed! Fundraising has been and will continue to be, of course, a very important and crucial part of the adoption process!

I know we've said it a million times but, to each and every one of you who have contributed so far in anyway, THANK YOU! To the amazing friends that are showing true support and care, thank you! I know you probably get tired of seeing so much about us needing funds but this is a huge expense we just can't handle on our own. Honestly, I think God has shown us that He never intended for us to do this on our own anyway. I think He has shown us that by involving others in this process, it is becoming so much bigger than ourselves and touching so many more than we ever imagined! We couldn't realize this dream of adopting a precious little girl without you!

With all that said, Benson & I have decided to go ahead and submit our formal application for infant domestic adoption! We're not even going to wait to complete the training class first. Since we are already registered to take the required training class next month, we figured this will get us a step ahead! We still have lots of funds to raise but we know God put this desire in our hearts to begin with and will work that all out!

This is pretty exciting since aside from fundraising, it's the first real step in the process! We know this is only the beginning of a long roller coaster ride and LOTS of paperwork. But, we're thankful and excited! Please keep us in your prayers.

Some people have shown interest in the fees involved and since so many of you are helping to contribute financially, I've decided to post the agency fee breakdown so you can get a better idea of what the money goes toward!

Again, thank you!!!!

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Congrats to Jennifer Ford!

A big congrats to Jennifer Ford, the winner of our photo session drawing! Thanks so much for the support to those who entered!

We still have a ways to go and are a little stuck right now with getting the rest of the $8,000. Please pray with us that this would happen for us within the next month before our adoption training class in October!

Thank you!

Friday, August 23, 2013

Closing in!

Just a quick update & thank you!!

We're getting so close to that initial $8k needed to get rolling! Thanks to all of you for making that happen! We have about 2 months to close out this goal in order to be able to get started on the time line were shooting for!

We have a few awesome ways for people to contribute right now!

1) A chance at a FREE professional photo shoot from www.shaywhitephotography.com ! There is only one week left to enter! See the donate button in the link below to enter! 100% of the donation amount goes toward our adoption thanks to Shay's generosity!

2) Fall flower fundraiser is in full swing! Check out the link on the right that says "flower fundraiser"

We also have T-shirts, coffee and if you feel lead there is a straight donate link on the right!

Thanks to all of you who are helping us close in on this goal!!

Monday, August 19, 2013

Win a Portrait Session!

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

We're at 90% of initial goal!

Only 10% ($800) more needed to reach October goal!

We are SO close! As of today, we only need $800 (10%) more to reach our initial goal of $8000 so that we can get started on the adoption process in October of this year! It's so exciting to see how far God has brought us in the last year! We're so grateful to Him for enabling us to make contributions toward this goal and eternally grateful to those of you who are helping and praying for us!

Monday, July 29, 2013

Look at this jump!!!!

I feel like a broken record but we really do have an amazing support system of friends who are encouraging us and making our adoption journey unbelievable and enjoyable, even this early in the process! This weekend, thanks to an extremely generous donation from an amazing couple, we made a huge jump closer to the initial $8000 needed to get things rolling! We are now less than $1000 away from our initial goal. This means that so far we have raised $7075 through the support of friends and contributions that God enabled us to be able to make. That's just awesome! We really can't convey how much each and every one of you have encouraged us! And, on a practical note, we couldn't do this without your financial support so thank you so much! We pray that God will abundantly bless each and every one of you and return your generosity hundredfold!

Monday, July 22, 2013

God is good- all the time!

A combination of funds that Benson and I were able to put in our account along with a donation that came in this weekend have put us even closer to our initial $8000 goal! We now only have $1425 more to raise to reach this initial goal. Thanks again to everyone for your prayers and financial support! We know that God planted this desire to adopt in our heart's and that He will see it through! So many of you have already played such a great part in helping us work toward this goal! We thank you in advance for your continued prayers, encouragement and support!

We started feeling a tug on our hearts toward adoption many years ago and we started praying, researching and talking about it. Even though we felt we were being called to adopt a little girl (and even knew what her name would be!), we did not feel like we were being led to do it at that moment in time. Well...5+ years later the desire is still there and we feel confident that is because God is the one who planted the desire in us in the first place.

We'd love to say that everything has fallen into place perfectly (including the funds to adopt) but that's not the case. Regardless, we believe God is telling us it’s time to take a huge leap of faith and act on the desire He planted in us to adopt. We have no idea how it's all going to work out but we know we serve a mighty God!! Without a doubt, we can’t do it on our own and don’t think God intended for us to. So, with His help and yours, we hope to be able to introduce you to Abigail Grace in His perfect timing!

There are many ways that you can help. First and foremost, we ask for your prayer through this journey! We know that it is likely to be a long process. We need God's guidance and peace for as long as it takes and for any obstacles we may encounter.

Secondly, the simple fact of the matter is that we need funds to make this happen. In that regard, you will see a "Donate" button if you would like to make a direct donation which will be applied at 100% to Abigail's adoption fund. In addition, we have some great fundraising links that you will find here including SendOutCards, T-shirts, Coffee and Flowers. Please know that anything you can do is greatly appreciated!

Thank you all!

Love and Blessings,
Benson and Heather

When people ask us for marriage advice, the first thing we tell them is "Please don't assume we have it all figured out because we don't." But, there is one thing we know without doubt! God brought us together. He means for us to be each other's for life and we don't pretend to know better than Him. As anyone in a good marriage will tell you, it's not always easy but it's worth it. With God at the core of our relationship, we believe it will only get better as the years go on! And, we're looking forward to sharing future years with Abigail Grace in God's perfect timing.

Famous Adoptions: Lesson 3

Did you know that... Laura Ingalls on Little House on the Prairie, Melissa Gilbert was adopted at birth by Ed Gilbert and Barbara Crane, both Hollywood actors. Ed Gilbert died when Melissa was 11, and Michael Landon, who played her father on television, became a surrogate father to her. Melissa's brother Jonathan Gilbert, who portrayed Willie Oleson on Little House was also adopted. Melissa continues to act, mostly in made-for-TV movies, and she served as president of the Screen Actors Guild from 2001 to 2005.

Famous Adoptions: Lesson 5

Did you know that... Dave Thomas, the founder of fast-food restaurant giant Wendy's, was given up for adoption at 6 weeks of age. After his adoptive mother's death when he was 5, his father moved around the country seeking work. Dave spent time in Michigan with his grandmother, Minnie Sinclair, whom he credited with teaching him the importance of service and treating others well and with respect, lessons that helped him in his future business life. Thomas left high school in the tenth grade to work full-time at a restaurant. After a stint in the army, Thomas moved to Columbus, Ohio, where he opened his first Wendy's restaurant in 1969. He would later found the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption to promote adoption law simplification and reduce adoption costs in the United States.

Famous Adoptions: Lesson 7

Did you know that... Aristotle, son of Nicomachus, physician to King Amyntas II was adopted? His parents died when he was still a very young boy and he was brought up by a guardian, Proxenus, who sent him to Plato's academy in Athens about 367. He spent 20 years there and eventually founded his own academy. His writings have claimed a great place in the History of Western Philosophy and Science, and until the Renaissance they formed a major part of all European education. He was also appointed tutor to the future Alexander the Great. His first wife was Pythias, niece and adoptive daughter of his patron, King Hermeias of Atarneus and Assos. He later adopted Nicanor of Stagirus, Proxenus' son, who also married his daughter.