NEWS: We Leave on June 20th, 2014 to Meet Ki!

“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” – Matthew 18:20  

 

Several people have asked us what they can be praying for, as we approach our travel date, so here is a specific list:

1. Preparing to leave our comfort zone and experience a new culture (exposing our boys to extreme poverty and trying to prepare them for what they will see)
2. Travel (4 separate flights over 4 days to get to Kampala, Uganda with 2 young children and multiple time changes)
3. Health for all of us
4. Transitions and attachment as we bring Ki into our family
5. Adoption process and paperwork in Uganda (favor from the Judge, Immigration and US Embassy) Currently, things are running fairly smoothly and things are being processed within 5-6 weeks so pray that this is the case for us as well.
6. Establishing relationships with the orphanage and caregivers as well as other adoptive families that are in country.
7. Finances (we paid all of our adoption fees and now just need to cover travel expenses and bills while we are gone!)
8. God to be glorified and His word to take root in the heart of the Ugandan people!

We are still learning what it means to trust God completely and lean into Him daily.  The process of adoption is not for the faint of heart, and we have discovered that being on our knees before the Lord is the only way we can bring our son home.

If you have any questions please ask!

– e

 

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ADOPTION UPDATE: Good News x2!

OK…so this is not the good news you may be thinking but we had two very encouraging things happen over the last week.

1. We just got our last “pending” approval from the powers that be. What this means is our finger print check via the US government was cleared and they have confirmed that we are who we say we are and that there are no red flags in our current or past history. This would have held up our return trip with K if an issue was to be found.

2. Through fellow adoption groups and my Facebook stalking skillz…we found the website and Facebook page for K’s orphanage! First off…for them to have a website and Facebook page is off the charts unreal! We did not find any pictures of K, but being able to see where he is living right now is a huge relief! Many of the below items are nothing like what we are being told in our adoption classes, as they, for good reason, prepare you for the worst. We feel grateful and blessed that he is being cared for in this type of environment. Here are a few facts we learned about the orphanage:

• It was established and the building was built in 2013.
• Currently, it is home to 17 children, and will only ever house 30.
• It has a Christian foundation and funding.
• It appears as though all children are well feed and in good health. (very plump…for lack of a better phrase)

Thanks for all of your prayers, support, questions on updates of our status, and for the continued financial support. We still have 1 more adoption agency payment, and are beginning to plan financially to live in Uganda and pay our bills here while we are gone. We will post more details around that soon.

much love
jbols

Vulnerability and Stewardship

Hey Friends,

This whole asking for money thing is really difficult and it becomes a little messy. We want to be completely honest with you about our finances and our need for this adoption, and we want to be held accountable for the way we steward our finances and the donations we have received. We have experienced what we like to call “adoption guilt” which is where we question every purchase we make because we feel guilty that the money could be going toward Ki instead of the coffee date that we had or the movie that we rented or the extra chocolate chip cookies at the grocery store.

Please know first of all that all of the donations we have received have gone directly to adoption expenses. We have been diligent to keep accurate records of incoming donations and outgoing adoption expenses. These expenses include agency fees, document fees, physical exams and travel vaccines.  Our total adoption costs are about $38,000.00 and we have paid $16,600.00 of this with $8,000.00 being from fundraising and donations.  We are budgeting and setting aside money every month to put towards future costs, as well as our tax return and profit-sharing from our employers, and we are applying for multiple grants to help cover our costs.

As many of you know, my dad passed away a couple of months ago and as a result my mom has moved in with us. She is currently occupying one of the kids bedrooms upstairs in our home, but we are planning to finish our basement so she can have her own living quarters. She has graciously offered to pay for the entire remodel.  None of your donations will be used to complete our basement (this is that whole vulnerability part, as I know some might question where this money is coming from).

Finally, just a short update on where we are in the process…WAITING! Yep that about sums it up. We are still waiting for a court date and are hoping to have one sometime in May. We have decided to take 1 trip and stay the entire time in country as a family to allow bonding time with Ki. If timing works out, then my mom will travel with us and help with the boys in Uganda.

Thanks for letting me be real and raw here and as always, thanks for your prayers and support. This is a long and hard journey, but worth every struggle, tear, and heartache to bring Ki home.

E

 

When People Believe In You!

This past Friday night, we hosted a spaghetti dinner and silent auction, was a night that our family will not soon forget! Our hearts were filled to the brim by close friends, family, neighbors, gym buddies, and strangers. We drove home that night knowing 100% that we are doing something God has called us to do. The support from these people was overwhelming to say the least. A thank you is not enough…but its all we know how to do so…thank you for believing in us, our family, and our hearts! That means more than any $$ ever donated!

thank you for believing in us!
-j

SNEAK PEEK: Silent Auction Preview (part 3)

Here are a few more of the 70+ items that will be available for purchase this Friday night!
RSVP yourself, friends, and family to our Spaghetti Dinner and Silent Auction Fundraiser by clicking here. 

Full Service – Priceless!
Take the routine out of your next oil change with this FULL SERVICE Package.  Justin will pick your car up and wait while Spradley Barr changes the oil and refills all your fluids.  Before returning your vehicle Justin, who wouldn’t trust this guy with their car, will make sure the inside and outside are dirt free.  Additional details may be negotiated at time of sale and some conditions apply.

                  

Children’s Redwood Picnic Table – $120 value
Hand built 100% redwood child size picnic table. This table would be a great addition to anyone’s patio and it gives the kids a space to eat without creating an eyesore! This table is finished with a stain to keep the water out and is made with galvanized screws that will not rust. All the screws are hidden on the inside of the table thus all you see is the natural wood. Perfect for ages 5- 12 years old.   2 ft H x 4 ft L x 4.25 ft W

from northen colorado woodworking

Remember bring cash or check to the Fundraiser Dinner this Friday night! RSVP yourself by clicking here.

see you tomorrow night!
-j

SNEAK PEEK: Silent Auction Preview (part 2)

Here are a few more of the 70+ items that will be available for purchase this Friday night!
RSVP yourself, friends, and family to our Spaghetti Dinner and Silent Auction Fundraiser by clicking here.

Enjoy this preview of some of the date night packages that have been donated and remember cash or check only!

BBQ Dinner + Hockey TIX
DATE NIGHT or MAN NIGHT! Take your spouse or a great friend and enjoy an evening of mouth-watering BBQ from Nordy’s BBQ & Grill and an exciting Eagle’s Hockey Game at the Budweiser Events Center in Loveland. *Game on April 12, 2014 at 7:05pm

                  

Concert + Overnight

Night OUT!  Two of you can enjoy an evening with two of the most influential singer/songwriters in country music.  TRACY LAWRENCE and JOHN ANDERSON deliver great country songs in an intimate, acoustic setting. PLUS don’t worry about a drive home, stay at the Fairfield Inn & Suites overnight and partake in their FREE hot breakfast. *Concert on March 22, 2014 at 730pm

                    

Keep Your Kitchen Clean Basket
After you’ve washed, dried, and scrubbed your kitchen with these handy products – keep it that way, just a little longer and enjoy these two gift cards for Austin’s American Grill and the Chocolate Café in Old Town Fort Collins.

 

            

You better bring cash or check to the Fundraiser Dinner this Friday night! RSVP yourself by clicking here.

more sneak peeks coming…
-j