Another one bites the dust!!!

Please help!!!!  We leave in 9 1/2 days!!!!!
This week has been a very crazy stressful week and I know in a few weeks this will be a distant memory. I booked my flights on Sunday, booked my train tickets on Monday, and today had my matching grant met and matched on the Reece's Rainbow site! BUT....On Friday my agency urged me to apply for a last minute Christian Adoption Loan and so I did. My very last chance to fund this adoption! I was DENIED because I am SINGLE (another loan denial), It said it right there in the email.  I am so very worried that I will not find the funds now that my last hope has been denied. I never expected to be turned down so many times from places that say they are for the well being of the children but do not support single adoptees!!  :( I am pleading with you...PLEASE share our story, our fsp, our blog and help us bring this beautiful, sweet boy home so he can be loved, cared for, and get the help he desperately needs.
Thank you all who have donated and supported us so far.

http://www.youcaring.com/adoption-fundraiser/barrett-family-adoption/238217

http://reecesrainbow.org/72960/sponsorbarrett

Brennan's Orphanage

I wanted to share some photos of the orphanage where my son is.

Please help him come home. We still need to raise $9525. We leave in 10 1/2 days!!!!

http://www.youcaring.com/adoption-fundraiser/barrett-family-adoption/238217

http://reecesrainbow.org/72960/sponsorbarrett

        

          

            

                

                                

                               

                                   

                                          

                                       

                                        

                                             

                                              

                                                     

Buy plane tickets - CHECK!!!!

I bought my plane tickets today!!! 

Itinerary: I leave on Oct 10th at 5:20am and arrive in China on Oct 11th. I will meet Brennan on Oct 13th (when you wake up that Monday morning I will have already met him so look for pictures). I sign official adoption papers on Oct 14th. We have his Consulate appointment on Oct 20tt. Get his passport on Oct 21st. I will return on Oct 22nd at 10:35pm (I know most of you who planned to welcome us at the airport probably won't be able to because of the late time...sorry)

So much to still do!! Book round trip train tickets from Hong Kong to GZ, Hong Kong hotel, pack, etc...

We still have $10,000 to raise before we travel in 11 days!!! Please share, donate, and pray!
http://www.youcaring.com/adoption-fundraiser/barrett-family-adoption/238217

http://reecesrainbow.org/72960/sponsorbarrett

How did you come to adopt?

        When I was young my parents were Foster Parents. We welcomed many children into our home as our brothers and sisters. They still hold a special place in my heart. When I was old enough I would spend summers with my Aunt and Uncle a few states away. My Aunt was Vietnamese and moved to the US when she met my Uncle, a soldier in the war. I loved her stories, culture, learning how to cook the meals of her culture, and so much more. I had always known growing up that I wanted a large family and had hoped to adopt. I was a single mother to four biological children and loved every minute of it. Their father had passed away and our lives continued. My children were my life and I knew God had planned it that way. My oldest daughter was seriously injured in 2007. She was bedridden for over half of a year and then in a wheelchair for over 3 years. During this time I lost my job (so that I could care for her 24/7), my house, and most of my friends but I did find the open arms of our church. We had been members for many years but they paid my bills, helped with my other children while I took her to Dr appointments, etc. I learned that God brought me to this place so that I could be a stay at home mom for my children because He had bigger, better things planned for my future. I had 3 special needs children now; one with Autism, one with Tramatic Brain Injury, and one who had spinal issues and was in a wheelchair. I felt God talk to me and I would lie awake at night and ask myself “What would happen to my children if something were to happen to me. They were labeled special needs. Who would take on 3 out of the 4 special needs children.” But my children weren’t special needs…they were beautiful, loving, caring, sweet, smart, and amazing children. Why would such a label keep my children from finding a home…AND how many other children in the world are burdened by such a label that is keeping them from finding a home. Then God spoke to me and showed me my son and daughter. In 2011 I began visits with these two children who were in the US Foster Care System. They were biological brother and sister, separated at birth, and never lived together. They were both medically fragile and in special needs care. We fell in love with them. In Oct 2011 they moved into my home and the adoption was final in Jan 2012. I knew God wasn’t done with building my family. In April or May 2013 I was planning my second daughter’s graduation The school would not allow any children at the graduation ceremony.  I had never left my two younger children with a sitter. So I reached out to our county special needs group and asked if there was a fellow mother who was experienced in special needs children who are adopted. Within minutes everyone had mentioned one ladies name and she asked me to come over to meet with her for half hour. I went over and met her and her 3 beautiful boys that she had adopted from Ukraine. Four hours later she mentioned she had to go to a friend’s Ice Cream Social that she had to raise funds for her adoption. She invited us and we all went. I met some amazing families and felt God speaking to my heart. Over the next few months he put several other adopting mother’s in my life and showed me that He was not done building my family.  I didn’t think I would qualify to adopt from China but He paved a way this entire year. He showed my sons face to me on a very special day in my life, my ex-husband/children’s father’s birthday. God has shown Himself in the whole process of this adoption and I know that He has great plans for my son to come home and love Him. My family loves this little boy so very much. God has also moved my heart and I advocate for older aging out children from China on a website I manage. I also started a Christian Family adoption support group in my town that meets monthly and is an amazing group of families. I will forever be grateful to God for building my family through adoption. 

Be the Village....please :)

In TWO weeks I will be in China!!! Please help us raise the remaining funds to get there. It takes a village to raise a child... be the village...Brennan will always know the love of family and friends that helped to bring him home.

You can do one of 5 things to help...
1. Go to our Bucks for Brennan site and buy something (https://www.facebook.com/groups/790715917640575/)
2. Make a tax deductible donation to my agency (Lifeline Children's Services - mark Barrett Family in donation)
3. Make a donation through paypal (ask me for the email)
4. Make a donation through tax deductible Reece's Rainbow account (http://reecesrainbow.org/72960/sponsorbarrett)
5. Make a donation through YouCaring site (http://www.youcaring.com/adoption-fundraiser/barrett-family-adoption/238217)

Many Thanks

I would like to take this time to thank those that have helped with any current or past fundraisers we have had, our auctions, Bucks for Brennan shop, Barn Dinner and Dance, youcaring donations, etc...



Bauer Family
Quinn Family
O'Quinn Family
Nociti Family
Richey Family
House Family
Aske Family
Lovett Family
Monier Family
Wylupek Family
Jackson Family
Squires Family
Lawrence Family
Secker Family
Carwile Family
Lourash Family
Werner Family
Wessley Family
Noll Family
Penny Family
Brook Family
Wetherington Family
Komada Family
Ellis Family
Allen Family
Coccimiglio Family
Woodall Family
Rubenstein Family
Bolin Family
Maxwell Family
Dockery Family
Sotolongo Family
Werner Family
Thomas Family
Eason Family

Eby Family Roberts Family Wangerin Family Casebier Family Peake Family McKinney Family

Zimmerman Family Karol Family

Stich Family Falvo Family Nelson Family Howell Family Keno Family Magana Family Chambers Family

Lackaja Family Wanless Family Ellsbury Family Fromme Family Lemmon Family

Rogers Family Frazey Family Marcordes Family Smith Family

Cameron Family Peterson Family Weaver Family Yonkura Family Lee Family Fitzpatrick Family Smallen Family Hixon Family Ashe Family Maxwell Family

Spitz Family Foster Family

And SO many more...

From a friend...

A friend of mine posted this today on my facebook page this morning and it brought tears to my eyes. Thank you so much Rebecca. You are a real friend and I am glad God has brought us together. 


Friends! Please read this in it's entirety!   PLEASE SHARE!!!!!

Adoption is the heart of God. Adoption is a miracle born out of tremendous loss and suffering. Adoption is Ashes traded for a crown of beauty. 

Adoption is NOT a popularity contest. Adoption is expensive. Adoption is Redemption. Adoption is WORTH it.

Michelle Barrett is all too familiar with the costs and joys of adoption. She is a single mom to six children, 4 grown and 2 littles at home that she adopted domestically. Michelle, a children's pastor in Florida, took a leap of faith when God called her to adopt a three year old special needs boy in China. He has a sensitive special need that has been surgically addressed in China, but he will require ongoing medical intervention and testing to see if the repairs were adequate. Her son seems to have declined in health from the initial reports to the final update. This boy needs to come home ASAP.

Michelle and her older children have worked tirelessly to raise the funds to bring "Brennan" home and give him the love of a family that EVERY child deserves to know. She has budgeted most of the adoption funds from her own income by scrimping, sacrificing, and doing without. In addition to paying the expenses out of pocket, they have done garage sales ($500 for the first one and $218 for the second), T-shirt sales (a design that Michelle created with her children), she has made handmade jewelry and handmade blankets with her middle daughter and sold some, an online auction ($38 for the first one and $588 for the second), a candle fundraiser ($62) a Barnraiser (Barn Dinner & Dance - there was a torrential downpour, I know because I was there), and they have sold personal items too. Even though Michelle is employed by a church, the church has not been supportive of her adoption and will not allow her to do any fundraisers there.


Michelle is like most single moms I know....strong, independent, courageous, and self-sacrificing. I know because she is a friend. She is all too familiar with giving, giving, and giving more of herself. She gives advice to struggling moms, she runs a FB travel group for those who are preparing to travel around the same time, and she organizes spreadsheets to keep everyone informed of where they are in the process.

She isn't comfortable with asking for help or accepting it. But, FRIENDS, she NEEDS our help to bring this boy home ASAP. She is supposed to leave for China in TWO weeks (October 8, 2014) and she is short on funds, despite her valiant efforts to raise the funds to bring Brennan home. She has applied for numerous grants and loans and been DENIED. She reluctantly asked for help from family and the help was there until an unexpected medical issue became a financial burden and they weren't able to honor that commitment. As a last resort, she reached out to her agency to plead for some assistance and once again she was turned away and told to find another way. She has prayed, prayed, and prayed some more....believing in faith that the money to complete his adoption would be there. But it still isn't. YET.


That is where WE get to bless her and be the hands and feet of Jesus TODAY. We know that God wants this child to have a family and grow up learning about Jesus and wearing cowboy hats and boots (Michelle lives in a cute rural town). We also know that SATAN will do anything to prevent it. Friends, GOD won! God can move this mountain, BUT WE have to step up and be His hands and feet in order to get that mountain moved. Today, the financial burden feels like a mountain to Michelle. But, WE can make it crumble and fall.

Some may ask, if Michelle cannot afford this adoption, how can she afford to raise Brennan? That is a fair question and seems to be the first question people ask. Simply, put...an adoption from Ch*na costs about $30,000.00 to $35,000.00. How many of us have 30k sitting around that isn't earmarked for something? Not me. Michelle has paid/raised about 20k thus far and needs $9,673 for in country costs and $1950 for airfare to travel and bring Brennan home. This includes the orphanage "donation", the airfare (which is cut in half thanks to a generous friend who has offered her Buddy Passes), Consulate costs, Brennan's medical visit, Brennan's Visa, Brennan's passport, hotel, and the China adoption paperwork and notary fee. Michelle has a modest income and lives conservatively. She can afford to provide for Brennan from her income. Subsidies from her domestic adoptions allow her to provide for the children that she has previously adopted. Her older kids are self-sufficient. She only needs help with the hurdle of bringing Brennan home.


Devastated, Heartbroken, Defeated. That is how Michelle feels today. But, we have the opportunity to BLESS her and help be part of a complete MIRACLE. Friends, will you please prayerfully consider helping Michelle chip away at this mountain???? No Amount is too small to give. Please SHARE this and encourage everyone you know to just give, even if it's a small contribution.

These are the ways you can help today:

You can make a contribution to her YouCaring site -http://www.youcaring.com/adoption-fundraiser/barrett-family-adoption/238217

YouCaring is the preferred way to donate because the site does not charge fees.

You can visit her Bucks for Brennan site where she is selling some jewelry, special order blankets and special order T-shirts -https://www.facebook.com/groups/790715917640575/

If you would prefer a tax deductible way to contribute (win/win, especially if you are looking for a tax deduction this year!), you can:

Make a donation directly to Michelle’s adotion agency , BUT notate very BIG that it is for the Michelle Barrett adoption at : http://lifelinechild.org/

Lastly, there is an account set up with Reece’s Rainbow that is also tax deductible. However, it is funded through paypal donations and there may be fees associated with using paypal.
https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_flow&SESSION=CPm8AJJ0hE0m25x393yRqEPOa9nYUgvQMKWEJubKU18onNCbK3TWHGY2Uvm&dispatch=5885d80a13c0db1f8e263663d3faee8dbd0a2170b502f343d92a90377a9956d7

Please pray for this family and follow their journey to Brennan at:

She has a blog that you can follow her journey to bring him home atwww.bringinghomefamily.blogspot.com

Thank you for being the hands and feet of Jesus!! 

News!!!

I received my Travel Approval on 9/16, my approved Consulate Appointment on 9/17, I get to meet my precious son on 10/13, sign final adoption papers on 10/14, and have my Consulate appointment on 10/20. I will return home only a few days later.

I have a friend of a friend who has agreed to help us with Buddy Passes!!! So happy since I was suppose to purchase my tickets last week. Now I just need to come up with the $2000 for airfare tickets for myself, my daughter and Brennan to return home. This is great news and will save us almost $3000 but I still have to come up with that money.

I now have a YouCaring account for everyone to donate also so that this money can be used for plane tickets. We are still a long way off from being fully funded but I feel this is one big step closer :)

Please help us! Donate to our YouCaring page, share our information and ask others to donate!!!

http://www.youcaring.com/adoption-fundraiser/barrett-family-adoption/238217

Waiting for Monday

I told myself I would write every day so that those following our journey would know where we are at. Yes, I did start it late but better late than never. I don't even know what to write about tonight as this was the roughest weekend I have had in many years.

Last night I was offered a $400 matching grant! When my fsp with Reese's Rainbow reaches $2413 we will receive the donation. I really appreciate all of the support I have received so far from RR and can not thank you all enough. With each wonderful donation from each of you I am one step closer to bringing my beautiful son home.  Please donate and share!!!
http://reecesrainbow.org/72960/sponsorbarrett

I had a rough start to my day this morning. It is so hard to take but it will pass. I can feel Satan trying so very hard to tear me down and make me feel defeated. I am doing my best to trust in Him and know that this will pass. I have really seen my friends come through for me through facebook and text. I appreciate all of the prayers and thoughts.

I can't wait to see all of the beautiful families on gotcha day tomorrow in China!!!

Tears

I have been an emotional wreck the past week. I have said it before so many times that I am overjoyed that we have gone through the whole process to adopt and I am finally at the end.

I got TA very late in the day on Tuesday. I was actually sitting at the eye doctor for my two little ones since they both failed their eye exam at school. I was in shock but so very happy. My mind just started running... I have so much to do. I have to apply for Visa's for my daughter and myself. I couldn't apply before now since I work in the religious field, I am the Director of Children's Ministry at our church. Then I kept thinking I have to get flights booked, finish packing, finish getting everything I need to travel, let my boss know the dates, let my family know, and so much more. I was so excited. Then...it hit me. I am leaving in less than 3 weeks. I am scared... I have raised every bit of funds up to this point through the grace of God but now that I am at the end... I still have so much to come up with and it isn't coming. I have been a single mother for many, many years and raising 6 kids. I am tough, I don't cry, I don't show anyone when I am upset, I can fake it really good. There are only 2 people in this world that can read me like a book and they are my two oldest daughters (that might be because we are all so much alike). I have been crying and wondering why has God brought me this far just to not be able to finish? I do not see how I can raise the rest of the funds in time to travel. Should I cancel my Consulate Appt and move it? I can't...my son's health is going down hill and he needs to come home and get help. He will have to have corrective surgery in Cincinnati and week long testing. My daughter who is watching my other younger children that are not going with me is not able to watch them in Nov/Dec because that is her busy time at work and her husband will be working in Nov/Dec also. So, now what?

I don't know who reads my blogs. I write every day since I started but no one subscribes to updates so I don't know if I have followers. I don't know if anyone is praying for our family. I'm sure there is because I have some great adoption friends and family. I don't know if the money will come. I am told to trust in God and He will provide and I am. I don't know how I will get this all done but I WILL!

You can help by donating at http://reecesrainbow.org/72960/sponsorbarrett

You can shop our store at https://www.facebook.com/groups/790715917640575/

Decisions

Decisions are always there waiting for you. During the adoption process it seems families have to make many decisions, which agency, what gender, what age, what country, what special needs, how are we going to raise the money, what are we going to share with friends, will we take our other children or not, will both parents go or not, do I pay an expedited fee, do I redo the bedroom, along with so many other decisions...do we fix the one car we have to sell it and get a car with no payments so the money can go toward the adoption, do we move to a less expensive house so we can put the money toward the adoption, do we dip into our 401k or Life Insurance for the adoption. Not all families have the same decisions as each other. Everyone's story is different. Along the way in most families the husband and wife sit down to discuss the issues, options and make a decision. As a single parent there is no one to discuss with. It is all YOU! You make the decision every single time. Some of them are so hard but you do it because you have to. Some of them are easy. Some of them seem way too hard to decide on your own.

I have a friend who lives about an hour way, she is single, has other children in the home, is adopting from China, is picking up a 3 year old boy, and is traveling in Oct. Sounds just like me, right? Well, we met through facebook and she came to one of my adoption fundraising events (our Barn Dinner and Dance). It is important to have that other person to bounce things off of when you are making decisions or having a hard time. Last night we talked on the phone for almost two hours. It felt so great to be there for her when she needed me. I know God put us in each other's lives for a reason. I can not say the reasons but we know and we understand. Thank you God for the blessing. <wink, I will be your other half...lol>

I love supporting others, advocating for the little ones to find families, watching so many friends during their journey. I even started a facebook support group for those families that had LID in May. We are all in the same exact place in our adoption process but it doesn't stop once you get that child. I know several groups do a secret pal before their child is home but I suggested in my group that we do a secret supporter. After the child is home with the family you are matched up with you send monthly cards to your family supporting them and encouraging them. That is when they really need it to get through the new trials, routines, lack of sleep, doctor appointments, etc. I know I plan to send a card to probably everyone in my group each month. Support and encouragement are important.

I had to make tough decisions yesterday too. We were planning on leaving Oct 8th and staying in Beijing on hotel points but we decided yesterday that we would leave Oct 9th or 10th (depending on airfare and available flights) and go straight to Guangzhou. We would be skipping Beijing and leaving China on Oct 21st as late as possible arriving in FL on Oct 22nd in the evening. That cuts our costs by quite a bit of money. So that being said we now have to start pushing to raise the rest of the funds. Please consider helping us. We have to raise the InCountry fees of $12,500. Please share and help.

Emotional

Yes, that is the one word that describes me every minute of every day lately and during this whole adoption process. It is beautiful. I know the end result. I have adopted my youngest son and daughter. They are very much worth the emotions and hard fight to get them home. I love hearing their giggles every day and watch their excitement at seeing rainbows, and listening to them talk about their favorite things. I love it all. I can't wait to go get Brennan and be at the end of the pursuing journey and be onto his forever journey with him. I know that this whole process was orchestrated from above.

In May 2013 I had to find a sitter for my two little ones because my middle daughter was graduating from High School and the school was not allowing any little children to attend the graduation (for disruption purposes). Who do I ask? I have never left them with a sitter before. I know they were 4 1/2 and 5 1/2 but they have Special Needs and didn't trust anyone. So I asked on a facebook group for our county for special needs moms if there was anyone there with experience with SN kids who would babysit. Within minutes I had several families point me to this one mom. She gladly said she would watch them and I went over to meet with her. We scheduled about 45 minutes...we talked for hours. She had also adopted her children with SN within the last few years as I did. I adopted from the US Foster Care System and she adopted her 3 boys from Ukraine. Coincidence? NO! Then she told me that she was going to an ice cream social for another friend who was adopting. I called all my older children and said we were going to go get ice cream before dinner and we met there. She was adopting a little girl from China. I instantly felt my heart sink when I watched her video. I sent her a message the next day to ask her questions. She confided in me that they were also adopting a little boy along with the little girl but hadn't told anyone yet. Then I met several other adoptive moms all within one month time frame. Sooo by this point God was shouting at me because I was being stubborn and not listening. I kept arguing. Why? I didn't qualify. I'm single. I don't have the money. I already have 6 kids. I won't get support and can only imagine the comments from others. Oh, yes. I had every excuse you could imagine. Did He care? Nope. He kept telling me to TRUST. I did. I said at each step, if this is meant to be you will make it happen...because I didn't qualify (so I thought). He clearly has laid such a beautiful path for me during this process. His timing is so much better than mine. I kept asking...if this isn't going to happen in the end please stop it now...and if this is meant to be please show me a sign. He did every time. He asked me to be patient (still working on that one). He asked me to trust. I had a back up plan for the funds and a different one of someone offering to help buy our plane tickets but they didn't work out. Maybe because I was trying to control things and He just wanted me to trust that He will take care of it. Maybe He wants things to go differently but I am also so very worried and stressed over being this close to the end and still not being fully funded. He has provided the funds up until now. He has not provided me more than I need at that moment but He has provided every bit of money that was due up to this point. I moved to save money, I redid my whole budget and eliminated so much so that we could afford this adoption. I had yard sales, I did Tupperware fundraisers, candle fundraisers, I did online auctions, I did a Barn Dinner and Dance, I did Tshirt fundraisers and I am still doing Bucks for Brennan shop to sell items. So now I am at the end... I leave in 20 days and still don't have the In Country Fees. I do have my last paycheck of September and some money saved for spending money and food for my children here at home and for me to take with me. I also have enough to cover my 2 day layover in Beijing (my bank debit card reward points will be used for free hotel stay in Beijing). I am trying to raise the remaining $12,500 for In Country costs through my Bucks for Brennan shop on facebook and through Reece's Rainbow. Our RR account is now up to $1,880 but that is so far off from $12,500. My Bucks for Brennan shop is selling Tshirts, blankets, and other trinkets. I am still having yard sales and doing my best to raise every bit of money possible. I am asking everyone I know to help with frequent flyer miles or any other options to help. I am not sitting and asking others to just donate and help me...I am working, calling, making blankets, making jewelry, asking friends for any help they can (can you buy one ticket, donate frequent flyer miles, donate, etc). I am doing everything I know... I keep asking God if this was meant to be to please guide me and if it is not to please stop it now because there is so much as stake with the hearts of my children here at home who already love this precious little boy with all of their heart. God keeps opening doors every step of the way and moving the process. Brennan needs to come home and can not wait the extra time. He needs to get home and get treatment for a SN that may or may not have been corrected. If not corrected properly can be toxic to their system.

Yesterday was a very important and emotional day for me for many reasons. I was greeted by 2 rainbows that morning as I was waiting to put my son on the school bus. I know that those rainbows were a sign from my ex-husband and from God. I know he is up there watching over OUR children. At least now he can get to know them and watch over them. I know he is no longer in pain or sick and our children have missed out on so much but they feel closer to him than they ever have. Please continue to watch over our children. I will continue to share the stories they do not remember so they can always remember the good times and not mourn the bad or the missed times ahead. Last night we went out to dinner like we have done for 5 years to celebrate your birthday and they will all feel you close and need that. You will always be the one and only love of my life besides my children!!!

Also, exactly one year ago after our birthday celebration dinner I found my son's photo and exactly one year later from seeing his beautiful face I received my confirmed Consulate Appointment.

I have no idea what journey God had laid out for my family and this baby boy but I will trust in Him. 

I pray and if you can help donate and/or pray that would be very much appreciated.

My beautiful children and the very first photo I ever saw of my youngest son!!!


I LOVE all 7 of my children!!!

          

Flying

I have flown in the past but I am very particular in my flying. I have to be in the front because I get airsick easily. I can not sit by an open window (airsick). If there is turbulance....major airsick. I have to have plugs in my ears the whole time or I get major major pain (even with chewing gum and drinking water/soda). I have to hold on tight during take off and landing. So, why do I want to fly so bad? Because my son is in China and I am going to go get him and bring him home. Am I dreading the flight...maybe...am I already partially packed....yes....am I nervous about leaving my other children...yes....am I leaving in 21 days....YES!!!

My middle daughter, Chelsea, who is 19 years old is going with me. She has never flown before so I have no idea how she will do. We are both nervous about the flights but so very eager to go.

We received the phone call yesterday 9/16/2014 saying we had official Travel Approval in our agency's hand. We requested the Consulate Appointment that we have been hoping for (the soonest one after the Chinese Holiday shut down). Today we received our confirmed Consulate Appointment. That means we leave Oct 8, pick him up Oct 13, officially adopt him Oct 14, and have our Consulate Appt Oct 20, leave China Oct 22, and return to Florida Oct 23. Now I have to buy our airline tickets. We were hoping to use frequent flyer miles to fly or Buddy Passes. We have not been able to find anyone who has been able to help us out with this.

We are currently signed up with Reece's Rainbow to try to raise our In Country Funds of $12,500 that has to be wired.
I am a single mother who has 6 children. I have saved every month, has fundraisers and been working my tail off the entire last 16 months to raise the funds. I have made every payment!!! All agency, homestudy fees, USCIS fees, medical fees, application fee, fingerprinting fee, certification fees, etc. We are using bonus points through my debit card for a free hotel stay in Beijing but our agency requires we stay at the Garden but that hotel does not accept my points. I am trying to do everything possible to try to raise the only funds left... $12,500 for the In Country expenses and $5,000 for airfare. I thought I had airfare covered.

I have been asked several times why don't I wait to travel? According to China, an adoptive parent has 90 days from TA issuance (Sept 12, 2014) to travel to pick up the child....BUT...

Well...I don't think I can put it any better than this...This was put on on Facebook Reece's Rainbow page by a fellow adoptive mom that is so very sweet. He is sick and needs to come home. Please help us! We have to book tickets NOW and we have no funds for us to do so :(  We have gotten this far on our own but need a little help.

I am having a hard time wrapping my mind around things tonight.

Many of us step out in faith when we start our adoptions.

I don't know how other countries work, but for Ch*na, you pay a lot at each section of adoption. HS, 800A, DTC, LOA, TA, and then actual travel.

Imagine you have put all your heart, soul, and finances into your adoption........going after a little child in need of surgery to keep from getting a potentially deadly infection.........

You are working hard, saving all you can put toward it. You fill out all the grant and loan applications you can excited as you are each payment, knowing you are one step closer to your child. While you wait you are also helping advocate and fund for other children and families.

Finally you get close to the end. You've made the HS, 800A, DTC and LOA payments.........you've done all you can, still having faith that He is going to help you finish it.

Now imagine you have gotten this far and are now hearing from every one of this grant and loan applications. DENIED!

All you have left is TA fees and travel.....and you continue to save, but there is only so much time until you travel and you are over 11000 behind.

You continue to remember your child needs that surgery too......and you have learned that it is a very filthy unsanitary environment as well in his orphanage. He has scratches all over his body......just another avenue for infection and illness.

You grow more concerned about his health every day.

And all that you want and need to do is get on that plane!

Instead of being excited about being close though, you are terrified that he may have to wait........so you can hopefully raise the rest of the amount within the 90 day TA limits.

What would you do? How would you feel?

Well, This is the Michelle Barrett family plight.
They've even had matching grants offered and have no movement in the fsp.

Please take a moment to step back and consider all this. She didn't come and ask for help for the entire adoption. She got this far without grants or other aide.......and now she only has 22 days until travel...........she's seeing movement in a lot of other fsp ' s and though she's thrilled for them, she can't help but wonder and worry about if she will be able to travel, now or even later before the TA would run out.

http://reecesrainbow.org/72960/sponsorbarrett

We have what???

We have Travel Approval!!!!

Yes, it was issued on 9/12/2014 and I got the call today!! My agency called me and they are applying for me to get him on 10/13, final adoption paperwork filled out on 10/14 and consulate appointment 10/20.

I found my little boy on my agency's waiting child listing on 9/17/2013 and committed to him that night!!! How ironic that I got travel approval (phone call) on 9/17/2014 (China time...lol)!!! Exactly one year!!!

We LEAVE in 22 days to go get my baby boy!!! Brennan mommy and sissy are coming!!!

We will have to pay the $4500 for airfare within the next week. We do not have the funds for airline tickets yet. PLEASE, if you know anyone who is able to donate any frequent flyer miles they would be so very much appreciated!!!

My heart!!!

I have a heart for the orphans of the world but what can I do? I can't adopt them all. I can go where God leads me to and I can advocate for the others. I can help put their beautiful little faces on my blog for others to see and hope that I have at least helped one family to find their child and one child to find their family. I have advocated for over a year for the orphans that tug at my heart. I have helped friends who are looking for children. There have been a few that have been on my heart for over a year that still have not found their families. These girls have had my heart for over a year!! I would love for each of them to find their family. They have been waiting so very long and all have the sweetest faces.

Let me introduce you to "Laura". She is on the shared list where she has been for over 4 1/2 years. She just turned 10 years old last month and has Cerebral Palsy. She has several videos of her speaking and walking (with a walker). She is extremely soft spoken and has the most amazing dimples you might ever see. She is listed on Reece's Rainbow and has a grant for others to donate to.

http://reecesrainbow.org/75647/laura-3

         

Let me also introduce you to "Prudence". She has been listed with Reece's Rainbow for over a year. She will be 9 years old in December. She has Down Syndrome and a Congenital Heart Defect. She has almost a $4000 grant with Reece's Rainbow.

http://reecesrainbow.org/55806/prudence-2

             

Let me introduce you to Regina. She has been listed with Reece's Rainbow for over a year. She will be 10 years old in December. She has Down Syndrome and a Congenital Heart Defect. She has almost a $2000 grant with Reece's Rainbow.

http://reecesrainbow.org/57284/regina

           

Let me introduce you to Tara. She has been listed with Reece's Rainbow for over a year. She will be 12 years old this month. She has Down Syndrome. She has almost a $6,500 grant with Reece's Rainbow.

http://reecesrainbow.org/4186/tara

                              

Here is my advocacy website

www.journeytoaforeverfamily.com

Brennan AsaMing Jachin Barrett

I hope everyone has had a great weekend!! I just got home from family game night with my whole family and saw that one sweet friend has just offered a $200 matching grant and another sweet friend has also just offered a $50 matching grant for my little boy. I am a single mother, I have soft TA, I will be traveling in 3 1/2 weeks and am still $11,000 short on funds. We have started a blog so you can read about our family! Please help us reach $1465 so we can get the two offered matching grants!!!

http://reecesrainbow.org/72960/sponsorbarrett

If you would like to donate any frequent flyer miles to our family from Delta, Southwest, United or American Airlines please let me know? We are really hoping for some help with airfare.

                                                                                       

Bucks for Brennan Shop https://www.facebook.com/groups/790715917640575/