Oh So Close!!

With the help of extremely generous family and friends I have 68% of the funds needed. After seven fundraisers, a grant, donations from amazing family and friends and my savings I only need to raise $14,000. I have applied for two more grants and would greatly appreciate your prayers regarding them. Everyone has been so generous, God is awesome!

Pancake Breakfast

Today about 100 friends served and eat pancakes at a fundraiser held at Applebee's.

Neighboors, fellow scrapbookers, church and UCM friends and even my two best friends from high school came to supoort the fundraising efforts. I am truly blessed with generous and amazing friends. Thank you all for helping raise $660.00 and helping bring me to 38% of my goal!!!

Car Wash Fundraiser

The University of Central Missouri baseball team helped with a car wash fundraiser on September 27th. We washed 73 cars and made $506. It was a great day and the UCM men did an awesome job!!

Topeka Garage Sale

My parent's Bible Study and Sunday School class graciously organized a garge sale on September 13th in Topeka, Kansas. I could not believe how much people donated. Inspite of two days of rain, they raised over $1,100.00!!! I really appreciate the amount of time they spent and the amazing dedication they demistarted to help me get several steps closer towards bringing my little girl home! They are wonderful dear friends.

Two More Fundraisers

Thanks to wonderful friends and generous co-workers we held a second garage sale this weekend. Even the neighbors little girl want to help by having a lemonade stand. The sales of the day totaled $750.00.

This week my boss completed the Blueberries for Baby fundraiser that she spearheaded. Thank you Deb and all those that purchased blueberries for bringing in another $100.00

At the end of this exciting week, I am almost 25% of the way there!!! God continues to prove Himself faithful.

First Grant

This week I received a letter from Shaohannah's Hope and am very excited to announce that they decided to give me an assistance grant in the amount of $3000.00!!! I also heard from America World that my paper work is now is Russia. Hopefully I will be assigned a region in the next couple of months. Thank you all for your continued prayers during this amazing adventure.

And We Have A Winner, Make That Three Winners

A big thank you to everyone that sold tickets, purchased tickets and made donations during the latest fundraiser! The raffle ticket sales totaled $1,042.57!!! Three winners were drawn today, and they are................

Jenne Vanderbout
Phillip Britt
Nick Krener


Thank you all so much, I am now 13% of the way to my goal!!!

Please Pray for Possible Fundraiser In Tennessee

Over the past several months, I have had the privilege of getting to know several wonderful people with a Christian company in Tennessee. Accelerated Christian Education produces Christian curriculum for home-schoolers and private schools. In May they held their International Student Convention at my college, UCM. To make a long story as short as possible, one of the ACE staff and his wife would like to hold a fundraiser to help others and me in the adoption process. They are beginning to pray and plan a benefit concert in Tennessee with hopes of holding it this fall. Please pray as they embark on this awesome undertaking. I am looking forward to seeing how God will bless many little children through these kind new friends!

Next Fundraiser

A great group of ladies that I play Bunko with have graciously volunteered to help with the fundraising efforts. For the next several weeks, we are selling raffle tickets for a chance to win one of three $100 cash prices. Our goal is to sell 1500 tickets. The price of the tickets range from $0.01 to $5.00 depending on the ticket you draw. The three winners will be drawn on July 9th. If you want to try your hand at this fundraiser email me at kirstib@charter.net

The First Fundraiser-Huge Success!!

A couple of weeks ago a few friends helped me brainstorm several fundraisers. The first fundraiser was organized by a couple of friends, Brenda and Erin. A garage sale was planned for May 4th. Brenda sent out an email to the University of Central Missouri community asking for donations for the garage sale. I was blown away by their response and generosity.

On Saturday several friends including my parents came to help set up and work the garage sale. At the end of a long day, we raised $1016.85. You read that right! I would like to thank everyone that donated items, paid extra for that treasured item and worked hours on the garage sale. God is awesome and I have wonderful friends!!

Thank You!

Several of you have been extremely generous over the past couple of months. Thanks to the generosity of wonderful friends and family I am 6% closer to bringing her home!

All the paper work was mailed to the adoption agency on March 14th. According to the agency, I will receive a referral in nine to twelve months. It is hard to believe that I will be a mother in less than a year!

Why Adoption??

In December of 2006 I listened to a sermon on the internet given by my pastor in Topeka, KS. "Let it be" was the topic of the sermon (Luke 1:38) and as I listened, I had this overwhelming desire to follow God's plan for me. I prayed that I would be willing to do whatever He asked of me. Within days of praying this, I was bombarded with stories, statistics, and sermons about adoption. One day, I verbalized to my brother Bob "is this crazy" and since then I have continued to feel led down this difficult journey. Although challenges arise, God has been faithful in opening doors for me. I know this is the path that God has laid before me. I've wrestled with the idea of being a single parent but I know that I have so much more to offer the little girl that God is allowing me to adopt. These orphans have no future, no hope to hear the Gospel, and no hope for a loving family. I don't know my little girl yet but my love for her grows every day. The odds are that she is in this world.... now I just need to be patient until we meet.

Why Russia????

For over a month I prayed about which country to choose to adopt from. One of the reasons I chose Russia is that this country is open to single parent adoptions. I also have friends who have adopted from Russian through America World and their experience gave me hope that the process would be smooth. Unfortunately adopting a girl from Russia takes longer, 9-12 months. It is a sad fact that girls are often kept by families only to be raised for the sake of prostitution in order to bring income to the family.

There are estimates of "over 700,000 orphans in Russia, the majority of which are social orphans whose parents are unable to provide for them. Most cities have several orphanage facilities, with baby homes holding children from birth to approximately 4 to 5 years of age. Other facilities, often referred to as boarding schools, house the older children. Russian orphanages normally hold between 50-250 children, with 5-15 children per caregiver."

How You Can Help!

Prayer:

• Her safety during this time and that she is happy, healthy, and cared for. There is so much trauma that these orphans may experience even as babies. Please pray that she is protected from all possible harm.
• For her parents. Russia has a high poverty rate and many parents choose to put their children up for adoption because they can't provide for them. If this is the case for her parents, please pray that they are able to make this difficult decision.
• For direction for those who are coordinating the process on my behalf. It is out of my hands and in the hands of those with America World and those in Russia to locate the child God wants me to adopt.
• The financial needs seem overwhelming but God is a big God and if He wants this little girl to be a part of my family then He will provide in ways that are beyond my imagination.
  

Financial:

• If God leads and you would like to contribute to an adoption fund I have established, you may send your donation to 1919 Country Ridge Drive, Warrensburg, MO 64093. If you have questions please feel free to email me at kirstib@charter.net Thank you!
• Post fund raising ideas that I or others can try to implement.
• Forward this link to your friends and family if you think they might be interested.

Guest Book

Thank you for your support! If you would like, please let me know your email address.

Home Study and Paper Mailed!

The past six months, I have completed what seemed like volumes of paper work, multiple finger printing, and a home study review. I mailed everything to the adoption agency and now begin waiting. They except it will take nine to twelve months before a receive a referral.