When we first heard about Baby Boy #2 our reaction was "of course we will adopt J's brother." The most daunting thing for us however was the tag line of the email which said "if you decide to proceed with this placement the cost will be $20,000 agency fees plus $6000 medical." With Jeremiah we had time to save money for his adoption. We did need to take a small loan to pay his medical bill but we had planned to pay that back with our adoption tax return. We were blessed with gifts from friends and some adoption grants. When we got the news about Baby #2 it was the furthest thing from our mind to be entering into another adoption. I had just cut back to part time at work so that I could stay home with J. In order to accept the placement we needed to send $10,000 to the agency. The problem was we didn't have that kind of money. We dipped into our meager savings account and were able to send $5000. Then we were able to get a loan from a family member for the rest. The next financial hurdle to cover was our home study update. Yes, we had just completed one last year but we needed to redo our background checks, have another social worker visit, and renew our references. This all totaled $3120. (thankfully our agency is letting us pay monthly until our bill is covered with them) Adoption is not cheap. We are trusting the Lord to provide the $17,000 +travel expenses that we will need to complete our adoption of baby #2 We have applied to some grants and are in the process of a few more applications. I put this information out there to inform you of the cost and ask if there are any that may be willing to shoulder this burden with us. A gift to our adoption truly is a gift that changes lives. Our lives have been so enriched since folding Jeremiah in our family. He brings much joy and laugher to our family. We know that his life has been changed for the better as well. We ask that you consider how you may partner in bringing our family more joy this holiday season.
As an incentive to help you give we have received a MICAH fund matching grant. This is a matching grant that will match up to $2000 worth of gifts dollar for dollar. This means that your gift of $20 would become $40. This is HUGE for us. If we could max out this matching grant we would almost be 1/3 or the way toward covering the remaining cost. The other bonus is that your gift is tax deductible when you give through the MICAH fund.* Would you please consider giving today? If you are are interested, checks can be mailed to the MICAH fund at 2112 Broadway St. NE, Suite 100, Minneapolis, MN 55413. You can also give online through pay pal (www.micahfund.org) using your checking account or credit card (just note that credit card companies take 3% of your donation). If you are mailing in a check just attach a small note stating that this gift is for the Ivy adoption. They ask that for tax deductible purposes you not write our name on the check.
Thank you to everyone who has encouraged us during this crazy thing called adoption. We know that the next few months are going to be crazy town here in the Ivy house and it's a comfort to know that we have so many around us praying for us, encouraging us and loving our boys.
Thank you also for putting up with my plea for donations. We really do appreciate your consideration and your gifts! It's a HUGE blessing to us. We have a peace that God cares about adoption and most of all that He loves our new little son more then we ever could and therefore He will provide for all that is needed but we also are realistic that $17,000+ in 5 weeks is no small amount to raise.
-Christi
*According to IRS regulations, gifts are not eligible to be tax deductible if legally controlled by the donor. This means that once your gift has been received, you may not recall it or demand it be applied to the grant of your choice. The MICAH Fund makes every effort to honor the suggestions of these gifts, and would be happy to discuss these issues with you further if you wish. The MICAH Fund’s number is 651-636-5255.
