tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18326782107577707772024-02-19T19:29:24.443-06:00The Johnson's Adopt: Ethiopia!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1832678210757770777.post-60633097354904356822013-06-25T23:30:00.003-05:002013-06-25T23:32:00.398-05:00Update for June 2013Well, June is almost over and I'm still typing up details about getting our referral. We've been busy, busy, busy! Plus, the internet at our house is horrible, so getting the blog to load is a challenge.<br />
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We had been hoping to have traveled by now (or at least know when we will be traveling) but it is moving much slower than we had anticipated. </div>
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First off, I just realized that I hadn't even shared basic information about him. His name will be Beck. We are keeping his Ethiopian name as a middle name. He's a whopping 28 lbs, but looks much older than what he is.</div>
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My original prayer was that we could spend Beck's birthday (June 10th) with him or at least shortly after. But, that didn't happen. We baked a cake and got him a couple of presents. It was a hard day for us.....there are so many things that run through your mind when your child is living in an orphanage 7,750 miles away. Thinking of his birth family and grieving for the loss that everyone has experienced. It was tough. But, we made sure to celebrate him and take pictures to put in his scrapbook. We bought him a couple of "gifts" although he wont know that they were birthday presents when he gets here. We got him a car rug (with all of the roads and towns on it that you play with matchbox cars on), a couple of play boats, a baseball bat & ball, and some train tracks. The girls made him a card and Lilly drew him a picture of our family (complete with dad's mow hawk!)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCiozyR68kOz4WpaG8OzVeBcmMyga9s0_7EZYuPQV0LKMaJfi4FXyafqZx3KHUSIp5WPWM86I-9VQ4SlLaxFVz1uKtiCRkht3D5fs3yfZ4F31Os4KtqR86P-uxHLazssP3GgVU0Z0WEvly/s1600/Beck's+B-day-2+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCiozyR68kOz4WpaG8OzVeBcmMyga9s0_7EZYuPQV0LKMaJfi4FXyafqZx3KHUSIp5WPWM86I-9VQ4SlLaxFVz1uKtiCRkht3D5fs3yfZ4F31Os4KtqR86P-uxHLazssP3GgVU0Z0WEvly/s320/Beck's+B-day-2+copy.jpg" width="212" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8AYWTpAaEWsyUG3gOLyJpbeK6WE0XX33xPEb-ovORTyTR-GZR_kcAO7tbuvm5ZfnrZFQ8vmZ2-G0rwI9ATw8eu_MmpdLmfC30D1HOw7cj_8pgktMvU-a4P5OTgxA7qk-dZM4NbVeR-0CH/s1600/Beck's+B-day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8AYWTpAaEWsyUG3gOLyJpbeK6WE0XX33xPEb-ovORTyTR-GZR_kcAO7tbuvm5ZfnrZFQ8vmZ2-G0rwI9ATw8eu_MmpdLmfC30D1HOw7cj_8pgktMvU-a4P5OTgxA7qk-dZM4NbVeR-0CH/s320/Beck's+B-day.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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We recently found out that the courts will close for the rainy season on August 6th, so we need to have our court date prior to then. If we don't, the courts probably wont open until sometime in October. They are also implementing a new court process when they re-open, so we don't know what that means for our case. (I'm trying really hard to give the positives and not focus on what *could* happen)</div>
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We just found out today that next Monday, 7/1, will be the first court date, which requires the birthparent or "finder" to appear before court. After that is successful, we will probably travel about 3 weeks after for our court date. (If everything goes ok) So, we will probably be cutting it close, but we will hopefully make it over prior to the rainy season.</div>
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So, I guess, I'm asking you to pray first and foremost, for our son.</div>
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Also, that the person who is supposed to attend court on Monday shows up.</div>
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Then, that we get a quick court date so that we can get our court date prior to August 6th.</div>
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Thanks so much!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1832678210757770777.post-24419797096724893512013-03-31T18:28:00.001-05:002013-03-31T18:28:31.520-05:00We got THE CALL!!!!My hope is to come back and share all of the details in a couple days, but until then, here are the basics.<br />
On Friday, March 22nd (9 days ago) at 11:42 am, we received our referral for a 3 year old little boy. We aren't able to share pictures of his face (or give "identifying information") anywhere publicly on the internet, so until he is in our custody, we wont be able to show his face. But, I can share Sidney & Lilly's reaction to the news.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtxtLT4w0mQhL7l_5Lk55tnNHJS9nDDVSHFyrkafQszAcK9AfLHVZ6thdFB9Evw5xA_1sfwkgRQbi9M0kHs3bcei8uEZmxtT_KYKGoCXuxCXCM5A_7dGj_bsfHWXUc84bDgM6IM2KWvsmW/s1600/Sid+&+Lil+Announcemet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtxtLT4w0mQhL7l_5Lk55tnNHJS9nDDVSHFyrkafQszAcK9AfLHVZ6thdFB9Evw5xA_1sfwkgRQbi9M0kHs3bcei8uEZmxtT_KYKGoCXuxCXCM5A_7dGj_bsfHWXUc84bDgM6IM2KWvsmW/s320/Sid+&+Lil+Announcemet.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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You may be asking why we waited to "go public" with the info. Well, we wanted to surprise our family with the news, and it took over a week to do that. It was so hard to not tell anyone (ok, I slipped a few times!) More details to come soon!</div>
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~Katie</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1832678210757770777.post-52372007360365571042012-08-31T12:32:00.003-05:002012-08-31T12:32:54.787-05:00Here's a bit of our summerWe spent most of the summer going to gymnastics and swimming. Here's what most of our days looked like:<br />
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXYVW_iflmqVg342U5NFSQUH_pPNOTXpAIOiGT1DwoPg1l6xmh0aYvUb0ClCmMh7a6nuGwDsjr2v5T9o7FqdYaEY9p4fIPEjZZ_2K9S-5i8uUtfTi3iYl6UC1d8I1XhPKMip_SaoQfp_Wa/s1600/summer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXYVW_iflmqVg342U5NFSQUH_pPNOTXpAIOiGT1DwoPg1l6xmh0aYvUb0ClCmMh7a6nuGwDsjr2v5T9o7FqdYaEY9p4fIPEjZZ_2K9S-5i8uUtfTi3iYl6UC1d8I1XhPKMip_SaoQfp_Wa/s640/summer.jpg" width="640" /></a> For Father's Day, we got our dads tickets to the Packer Family Fun Night. Katie's parents brought her niece and nephew and we had a blast. It was a great way to end the summer!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeQ-EfdrsolRvyrSfZlVvasSzPEUQ8BBhglAaR003khyphenhyphenklUlQ6sVn-wDoUATnkGNElcm47wm0MFTTjK4epVh_UFpeBCuhmnOE_og6OvE1BB73JBMe5v8AjU8stq2ASw0xHXQGvzzKVF2HV/s1600/Packergameblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeQ-EfdrsolRvyrSfZlVvasSzPEUQ8BBhglAaR003khyphenhyphenklUlQ6sVn-wDoUATnkGNElcm47wm0MFTTjK4epVh_UFpeBCuhmnOE_og6OvE1BB73JBMe5v8AjU8stq2ASw0xHXQGvzzKVF2HV/s640/Packergameblog.jpg" width="640" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1832678210757770777.post-72952939097382063562012-04-17T13:24:00.000-05:002012-04-17T13:24:46.376-05:00April 2012...not so much of an updateWell, its been 7 month since I've updated. We have still not received our referral (match with a child/ren). Our agency did have a slight pick up in referrals Dec-Feb, but then they only received 1 during March. They told us that we should receive our referral right around the one year mark (end of May/begining of June) and their most recent update says 12-14 months. That means the end should be in sight.<br />
I'm tired of waiting. I'm tired of doing paperwork. This is whole process is so emotional, and it is multiplied with all of the political issues that took place. Yet, I know that God's hand is in this and I shouldn't complain. So, I won't. I'm going to keep looking at it as an opportunity to learn patience. (I obviously failed at His previous attempts to make me grow in this department, so I'm REALLY paying attention now!)<br />
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I guess that's about it. When we do get our referral, I will let you know!<br />
~KatieUnknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1832678210757770777.post-80017655772610527842011-09-13T10:09:00.000-05:002011-09-13T10:09:23.520-05:00We have news......kinda.<br />
While we are still waiting for our referral and haven't heard much from our agency lately, we did get good news from another source!<br />
We heard from <a href="http://www.showhope.org/">ShowHope</a> last week and we found out we were selected to receive a LARGE grant from them. Larger than I had prayed for/hoped for/expected! With that news, and with all of the various ways we've been trying to raise money, we have the remaining fees covered for a referral for one child!<br />
We are now saving for travel (2 trips to Ethiopia, lodging, meals, etc...) and in case we get a referral for 2 children.<br />
Our agency announced a couple weeks ago (as did other agencies) that they are closing their Ethiopia program to new applicants until things speed up. Like any other speed bump we've encountered in the past 6 months, it at first makes you panic, but then I realized that our agency does this anytime a wait is longer than they feel comfortable with. Every once in a while, they have to do this with their Korea program (which is their largest and most successful program) because the wait is longer than they prefer. Like every other situation that has occurred, we're trusting our agency and God 100% in the situation. Yes, we're bummed things are going slower than we hoped for, but the end result is going to be completely worth it!<br />
In house news, we are still only able to use/live in 2/5 of the house, but we do have a new, beautiful, non-leaking roof! We're just waiting on insurance to get the rest of the house live-able and then we'll have an almost brand new house! I'm anxious to get things put away and have a nice, clean, organized place, but it will come hopefully soon.<br />
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I think that's it! One of these days, I'm going to post pictures, but the computer that I need for that is packed away somewhere. <br />
Thanks for checking in!<br />
~KatieUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1832678210757770777.post-9638918318254948772011-08-08T10:30:00.000-05:002011-08-08T10:30:26.807-05:00Adoption UpdateWe still haven't heard anything. But we are making headway in our fundraising, and I have no doubt everything will work out.<br />
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I've been struggling with trying to explain what is going on with Ethiopian adoptions right now, but it's hard to explain. Then, I was given this article and I thought it explained it perfectly. <a href="http://www.worldmag.com/articles/18357">http://www.worldmag.com/articles/18357</a><br />
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Its very interesting! Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1832678210757770777.post-14761656597146244412011-07-12T12:29:00.000-05:002011-07-12T12:29:22.556-05:00I can honestly say, we have been busy!<br />
In early June, we were blessed with the opportunity to make breakfasts for the Fireside Cafe at church on Sunday mornings. Usually the youth mission teams do this, but since they're all on their mission trips, nobody was available to do it. We will continue doing this throughout the summer (and maybe a bit longer?). We have found out that so many people in our church have some sort of tie to adoption and/or Ethiopia and we never would have known had it not been for this opportunity. <br />
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Over MuskyFest, we had a bake sale to raise money for the adoption. <u><b><i> Thank you to all who came out to support us!!!!!</i></b></u> The first day,we made about $200 and the second day, we made about $125. We put the money in our adoption jar to be deposited the next banking day. When I went to go count it for the deposit, there was $425 in there! Yes, we counted all of it multiple times, but the numbers were all the same.....we had an extra $100 in there when it was time to make the deposit. {The Lord will provide!}<br />
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The next weekend (1st of July) we had a bad storm come through our area. Our house got hit and we need a new roof, our privacy fence got torn down, and some other things got damaged. We're thankful for our insurance!<br />
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We decided to postpone our yard sale (from the 8th & 9th to the 15th &16th) so we would have extra time to clean up the mess. Since our roof is so steep, we had to rent a lift to get up on the roof to nail tarps down. Owen had gotten about 40' up in the air, over the middle of our yard when the lift died. He was stuck up there for quite some time before we could find the emergency button. We (or I should say Owen) eventually got the tarps over everything. He spent from 10-3 working on it.<br />
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That leads me to this upcoming weekend-<br />
we are having a big garage sale on Friday and Saturday in the garage of the Christian bookstore (2nd & California). 3 families are going together on it and there will be lots of stuff. Right now, our house is torn apart with getting everything ready- I can't wait to get it all out!<br />
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I have an adoption related post coming up soon.<br />
Thanks for checking in!<br />
~KatieUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1832678210757770777.post-55595809615403973542011-06-12T01:01:00.000-05:002011-06-12T01:01:54.174-05:00Wow! I can't believe it's been almost a month since I've updated.<br />
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I was hoping to have an official waiting list number for you, but our worker told us we don't have a number. I guess they don't do a "number list" anymore, which really wouldn't have made a difference for us anyways, but is looking to be about a 7 month wait for (she did say there were about 80 other families before us). Since we are open to an "older" child, a possible sibling group (2 children), and either gender, it cuts our wait time down.......which makes me panic.<br />
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Kind of like you're pregnant, but not only do you not know if you are having a boy or a girl, but there's a possibility of having twins and they might not be infant, but walking & talking toddlers! And then, you find out that you don't have maternity insurance, so you have to pay OOP. (which by the way, I've been told that the costs are about the same for adoption as delivering at a hospital). So, panic attack is about to be full blown.<br />
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And then I think of the past year and that He has provided every step of the way. There's no other way to explain it. Through pop cans, yard sales, photo shoots and necklaces; and a lot of blessings from the big guy above, we are doing it! We're 1/2 way there!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1832678210757770777.post-39675132530537755462011-05-17T18:32:00.002-05:002011-05-18T16:40:41.302-05:00Dossier Complete!After our exciting Mother's Day news, we went to town getting the final items for our dossier finished Monday (a week ago) We spent some time at my dad's office getting everything organized, and had the final items notarized and everything assembled and in the "mail" by Monday afternoon.We had our dossier completed and sent off within 24 hours of getting our I600A approval!<br />
Here's some of our first, official adoption pictures!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thanks for checking in!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">~Katie</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1832678210757770777.post-69920971577364947252011-05-09T07:36:00.006-05:002011-05-09T07:36:00.520-05:00Mother's Day updateOne of the perks of having a PO Box is that you don't have to get your mail everyday. One of the perks of not getting your mail everyday is going to the mailbox on Mother's Day and finding out you have a letter from USCIS (immigration) in it.<br />
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Our I600A is approved! So now, our stack of notarized, certified and original documents will be sent to Ethiopia!!! We will have an official number on a waiting list and are that much closer to bringing our child home.<br />
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Getting that letter was the perfect end to a perfect day! <br />
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Thanks for checking in!<br />
~One Grateful MomUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1832678210757770777.post-87452820754346276942011-04-06T10:49:00.000-05:002011-04-06T10:49:09.461-05:00Biometrics updateYesterday couldn't have gone better! Thank you to everyone who was praying for us.<br />
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We made it there super early (note: if you are looking for a federal building, don't bother searching for a street address or sign in front.....it's etched at the top of the building. I'm sure we looked like fools trying to figure it out) and realized that they had meter parking in their parking "lot", so we <em>had </em>to run to the starbucks down the street so we could get <strike>coffee</strike> change.<br />
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We made it back at 7:45 and nervously went into the beautiful building. Just on the inside of the doors, we had to go through security (just like the airport, but we didn't have to take off our shoes). I was nervous when we got to the office we needed to go because not only was I unsure of what we would be doing, but there was also a "No Food or Drink," a "No Cell Phone" and a "No Electronics" sign all hanging on the wall when you walk in. AND, to top it off, it said not to bring extra people with because space was limited. Oops- I had my coffee, my phone, my kindle AND my husband with with. There was one guy filling out forms, so I figured the "extra person" could stand outside in the hall with the contraband, if needed, but there were at least a dozen empty seats.<br />
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I went up to the counter and gave the guy my papers. I told him my husband had an apt at 10 and they were able to get us both in right then! All we had to do was get digital fingerprints, so it was quick, easy & painless. Everyone was so nice and were excited for us when they saw what we were there for. Even the security guard wished us luck as we left. We were out of there by 8:15 and after a few errands, we headed home. <br />
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Now, we wait again. On the way home, we realized we got in at the perfect time because had it beeen a week later, we'd probably be pushed back quite a while if the gov't shuts down. We're not sure how that will affect our process, but it's all in God's hands.<br />
Thanks for checking in!<br />
~KatieUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1832678210757770777.post-59793390069038074852011-03-31T10:42:00.000-05:002011-03-31T10:42:14.266-05:00I600A updateA couple days ago, we each recieved letters from the United States of America. Yup, that's what the name on the return address said. Owen opened his (not thinking it was adoption stuff) before he told me about them. He yelled to me that we got our I600A stuff and his apt was at 10 on Tues (the 5th). I came running out and asked him what time mine was.....he opened it and started laughing. 8 am on the 5th! The place is about 2 hours away, so that means we have to be out of the house by 6 am. I am not a morning person-so much so, that Owen muttered "they don't know what they're getting themselves into." Oh well, I can do it {Thank you, Lord, for creating coffee!}<br />
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The cool thing is that the 5th is our 8th anniversary. So, we get to a) be together and b) be one step closer to getting our child!<br />
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Can news: We brought a load of cans a couple weeks ago to the recycling place. We made $35!!! <em>{Thank you Marks & Gates families!!!}</em> We have another load ready to go, but they are now frozen into the ground as we got about a foot of really wet snow last week. I'm hoping we can get them to the recycling place this weekend, but if not, we'll go next weekend. It's amazing how fast we've been accumulating cans. <strong><u>Thank you everyone for saving them for us!</u></strong><br />
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Necklace News: I've been selling necklaces like crazy! I have been so busy that I haven't even been able to post the new designs up. Luckily, I have been able to keep up and I'm very greatful for the pace (not too fast that I can't keep up, but not too slow that they aren't selling). <br />
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We've made some neat connections recently with other families who have James 1:27 on their heart. It's so nice to have similar people who are going through similar things. I love how each one of us has unique stories yet, they are so similar.<br />
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thanks everyone!<br />
~KatieUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1832678210757770777.post-77690176478867734672011-03-22T09:53:00.000-05:002011-03-22T09:53:39.931-05:00A baby step forwardWe received a letter from USCIS (immigration) over the weekend. It basically stated they received our application and we were being scheduled for biometric fingerprinting. No news, but a tiny step forward....I'm just glad they didn't deny us right away as they laughed their butts off at us. {My fear so far during every step of the adoption}<br />
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A class at the local Christian school is helping us collect cans for a school project! They are a small class but with God, it doesn't matter how big their class is. He'll work in ways we may never know. {Thank you Mrs. Welch's class!}<br />
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On the necklace front, things are going great. I am sold out of one design already, but the pieces I need from the company are backordered. The good news is that I have some new styles in, and will hopefully be able to post them this week.<br />
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Thanks for checking in!<br />
~KatieUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1832678210757770777.post-46708129241128590162011-03-16T21:50:00.000-05:002011-03-16T21:50:53.718-05:00Ethiopian Adoption UpdatesWhat a roller coaster these past 2 weeks have been. I mentioned it in the prayer requests, but not on here because I wasn't going to get worked up over it. I didn't even tell our families about it because I knew God was in control and it wasn't worth stressing everyone out about it.<br />
About 2 weeks ago, MOWA (the part of the Ethiopian gov't that processes adoptions) announced they would be cutting the number of adoptions the judges see by 90%. There were even rumors of Ethiopian adoptions closing completely. Thanks to our agency, we get updates every day telling us if there is any new news. {One thing I like about our agency, they only inform us when they are sure about something. If they can't confirm or deny some of the rumors going around, they will say they don't know. I'd rather be the last to hear the rumor and have it be true, than be the first to hear it untrue.} Well, the MOWA person who decided to cut the adoptions was fired and we heard they were possibly revamping the program.<br />
Today, we got good news. A conference call between the Dept. of State confirmed that there is no slow down of adoptions. I heard that another very large agency even sent out an email to their clients stating that over the next few weeks, there will be major staffing changes and transitions. But, once everyone is settled into their new positions, there will probably be an increase in cases!<br />
This is such a relief! Talk about an answer to 10,000+ families' prayers.<br />
~KatieUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1832678210757770777.post-65291788901004404902011-03-15T21:28:00.000-05:002011-03-15T21:30:19.411-05:00Custom NecklaceThis is a custom necklace I made for someone. The outline is the country their 2 children are adopted from and the 2 B's are the first initials of their kids' names. I love how it turned out! For more information on my necklaces, visit my etsy store<a href="http://etsy.com/shop/calledtoadopt"> here.</a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfxNTfymhmnGdwQSM2EZLQesheW8kSLci3zVLpGUolHt-MLv0SdWnLwjdoK6hnn-8XSqZQL4okOhwnxJBVzcS907EZVLYi-TI8SRnYYjJQ2U5dlN9ep-YZjCih7KocWDgdyedXTc67hTML/s1600/custom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfxNTfymhmnGdwQSM2EZLQesheW8kSLci3zVLpGUolHt-MLv0SdWnLwjdoK6hnn-8XSqZQL4okOhwnxJBVzcS907EZVLYi-TI8SRnYYjJQ2U5dlN9ep-YZjCih7KocWDgdyedXTc67hTML/s320/custom.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1832678210757770777.post-35408100046904684332011-03-13T21:58:00.000-05:002011-03-13T21:58:36.334-05:00Tabs<i><u><b><a href="http://johnsonsadopt.blogspot.com/p/necklaces.html">Necklace Tab:</a> </b></u></i>I have recently started making adoption inspired necklaces and selling them online. My idea behind this is two-fold. First, it was a unique idea that allows me to create something that will {hopefully} raise money for the adoption.<br />
Second, I noticed a lot of families adopting were selling t-shirts as fundraisers. I would love to support them, but there is no way I can spend $100 on t-shirts for every family that I know of selling them. I even have a hard time justifying $25 when it could go towards our own adoption. {I also knew that if I couldn't afford it, how many other families couldn't.} So, I decided to offer my necklaces to families in the process of adopting so that they can, in turn, sell them and have an affordable option towards fund-raising.<br />
To learn more about my necklaces, <a href="http://johnsonsadopt.blogspot.com/p/necklaces.html">click here</a> or on the tab at the top labeled NECKLACES.<br />
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<a href="http://johnsonsadopt.blogspot.com/p/aluminum-cans.html"><b><i><u>Aluminum Can Tab:</u></i></b></a> This is the tab that gives information on our pop can drive. We are currently collecting aluminum cans to help raise the money for the remaining adoption fees.<br />
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<u><i><b><a href="http://johnsonsadopt.blogspot.com/p/prayer-requests.html">Prayer Request Tab:</a></b></i></u> This is where we will post prayer requests. I wanted a specific list that we can not only write our prayer requests, but we can write the answers to prayer.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1832678210757770777.post-20576438527329165502011-03-11T18:55:00.000-06:002011-03-11T18:55:57.770-06:00One step closer!We got word today that we are one step closer. Very exciting! We are now waiting for our USCIS (Immigration) approval. Once we get that, we will have an official number on the waiting list to be matched with a child. Our wait will probably go quicker than most people since we don't have the specifics (age, sex, etc...) that many people have.<br />
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Please pray for us.<br />
Thanks!<br />
~KatieUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1832678210757770777.post-84945207875702772102011-02-28T15:50:00.000-06:002011-02-28T15:50:53.681-06:00HoltThe adoption process is often a waiting game. {The words adoption and quick are rarely in the same sentence} That is where we are at- waiting. <br />
We have officially signed on with <a href="http://www.holtinternational.org/">Holt International</a>, who is one of the founders of international adoption. To this day, nations still look to them for their expertise in this area. They are faith based, but it's not an "in your face approach." They are looking to change the world for orphans. <br />
James 1:27 tells us to care for the widows and orphans. Many people think that means to adopt- it doesn't. God may call me to adopt, but he doesn't call all Christians to adopt- he calls for us to <i>care </i>for them. Holt is taking children who are orphans, abandoned, or vulnerable and they find sponsors for them....<i>they <b>care</b> for them</i>. The children all have "lost their parents or are at risk of losing their families due to illness, poverty or other hardships". Not only do they have a child sponsorship program, but they allow people to donate items that can change lives. Livestock, medical care, school supplies, etc... are all items that, for the poor, will help to end the cycle of poverty that affects so many families.....<i><b>caring</b> for them</i><br />
A unique thing about Holt is that when they receive children to be placed for up for adoption, they don't allow families to place their children for the sole reason of poverty. If a family comes to them and truly loves their children, but can't provide basic necessities, Holt provides them with what they need to help get a fresh start. Whether it be a cow or chickens, vocational training, or just fresh water, they come alongside the poorest of the poor to provide the education and items needed to change their lives......<i><b>caring</b> for them.</i><br />
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And <i>THAT</i> is the reason why we chose Holt.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1832678210757770777.post-5799821334064995302011-01-22T00:02:00.000-06:002011-01-22T00:02:04.192-06:00Can you help us?After seeing my kitchen sink full of empty pop cans {a result of the Packer game last Sunday} I had an idea. Why not collect cans to make some money for the adoption? After talking Owen and then to my brother & sister-in-law, we decided it was worth a shot.<br />
So, this is where I ask for your help. <u><b>Would you consider donating your empty cans to us?</b></u> <br />
We have figured out 3 different ways to do this:<br />
1) We provide you with a garbage can (or rubbermaid bin depending on the size you think you'll need). When it gets full, get a hold of us and we'll come and empty it.<br />
2) We provide you with a garbage can/bin. When it gets full, you can swing by our house and exchange your full can for an empty one.<br />
3)We can pick up (or you can drop off) your full bags.<br />
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We will rinse out & crush the cans. We will pick them up (locally). <br />
<u><i><b>We will do all the lifting and sticky work. </b></i></u><br />
<u><i><b>All we request are your used cans!</b></i></u><br />
If you're willing, please contact me (leave a comment, email okjohnson@charter.net , call or facebook us) and we will get it set up. All money received from the cans will go into a designated adoption account.<br />
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<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">THANK YOU!</span></i></b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> ~Owen Katie Sid & Lil</span> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1832678210757770777.post-78916410414276124882011-01-19T13:13:00.000-06:002011-01-19T13:34:51.030-06:00<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Johnson's Adopt: <strike>Jamaica</strike> Ethiopia!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">Yes, you read that right. Ethiopia!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">The past 2 weeks have been filled with every emotion under the sun. I've been so overwhelmed with the situation. Heck, I've even stayed up most nights arguing with God, coming up with reasons to stay with Jamaica. Coming up with every reason to NOT adopt from Ethiopia. But His answer was always the same: Ethiopia. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">The biggest thing we were struggling with (like always) was money. If we were to switch "programs," we'd have to pay quite a bit more money than Jamaica- money that we don't have. At one point during my prayers, I admit, I even asked God to just put a certain amount of money it the adoption account. Yup, I stooped pretty low. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">So, on Sunday, we went to church. The night before, I pleaded with God to show us what we were supposed to do. Just for an answer and a way to get to that answer. We got to church and realized that <a href="http://dreamscomingtrue-calebashley.blogspot.com/">Ashely & Caleb</a> were giving the message. I prepared to have tears- their story is amazing. But, I wasn't prepared for what God had in store for us. At the same exact time, Owen & I heard our confirmation on what we were supposed to do. One sentence was all it took to know that our prayers were being answered. We left that service in a hurry- I wasn't sure I would be able to hold it together if anyone talked to me. I couldn't even make eye contact with anyone. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">We came home and started making the phone calls & emails and did research on what this meant. The biggest concern was can we do it? Everything came back better than we expected (including hearing from our social worker who gave us 2 thumbs up) and now, we are officially adopting from Ethiopia!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">We still don't know where a large portion of the funds will come from, but I'm not going to worry about that. God has already made it clear. He WILL provide.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">~Katie</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1832678210757770777.post-66987509792967396352011-01-17T23:17:00.000-06:002011-01-17T23:17:41.202-06:00Changes all around us!As you may have noticed, our blog has changed. So has our adoption! We can't say anything yet, but we will be making an announcement soon. In the meantime, we're asking for your prayers for us to make the correct decisions and that the Lord will provide.<br />
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Sorry for being so cryptic, I wasn't going to post anything until we were 100% sure, but we could really use your prayers.<br />
Thanks!<br />
~KatieUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1832678210757770777.post-42884366680120454882011-01-10T10:35:00.000-06:002011-01-10T10:35:38.764-06:00Nuts & Bolts updateWe have our stacks of paperwork ready to go to Jamaica. We're waiting on one letter (that needs to be notarized) so we are hoping it comes any day now. This packet of paperwill will then be overnighted via Fed-Ex to the Adoption Board in Kingston, Jamaica. From there, who knows what happens.<br />
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On the US side of things, our I600A application is submitted. Some people who have adopted from Jamaica have said that is putting the cart before the horse, but somewhere in the Jamaican paperwork they said we neeeded to provide a copy with the I600A approval. They weren't clear if we needed that right now or if we needed it after we accepted the child referral. So, we're submitting both the Jamaican paperwork and the I600A and have the faith that the Lord will work it out.<br />
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Right now, we are really asking for prayers that this all goes quickly and smoothly. They are currently slowly updating the Jamaican system, so our paperwork from them has been changed multiple times (including applications, list of required documents, etc...) plus, Jamaican time is SLOW!!!! I can't really explain this sense of urgency (especially since we're doing this as God provides for us) but it's there- in both Owen & I. I've never seen him like this when we were expecting Sidney & Lilly (and Lilly was expected to come very early). We were talking about it the other night and he said he can't explain it, but it just feels like we need to get ready and get ready now. <br />
So, we'd greatly appreciate your prayers.<br />
Thanks for checking in on us!<br />
~KatieUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1832678210757770777.post-75324924113889466252011-01-05T10:35:00.000-06:002011-01-10T10:54:22.707-06:00Another "God thing" updateSo, I left you with our Christmas story. God worked out these amazing details of providing us the remaining money that we needed to finalize the homestudy (it was finished, but it had to be legally finalized and we didn't realize there were extra fees thrown in there too) Not only did He provide the money we needed, but He provided the money to pay for the VISA paperwork too.<br />
So, all this happened and I was floating on air. Then a situation arose and it got me discouraged. Not about the adoption, but about life in general (It has nothing to do with me or our immediate family, but a family member.) How quickly things can change! One minute, I'm in happy tears and the next, I'm disgusted with pretty much all humans.<br />
So, the next day, I go to work and about an hour later, Owen comes in with a huge smile on his face. I ask him 1) why he's not at work and 2) why does he have a huge grin on his face<br />
He just handed me 2 envelopes and kept grinning. The first one is from our adoption agency and is holding very important paperwork. The second one is a thick envelope from Jamaica!!!!! It was the paperwork that was supposed to have been mailed months ago! Not only that, but it was NEW & Updated!!!! (Meaning Jamaica is starting to overhaul their adoption & orphan care system. It is the first in a long process, but it is nice knowing that they are starting to fix some of the issues.)<br />
It was as if God was saying "See, I am going to provide the things you need in My time and you just need to follow Me. This is what you need to be doing and don't question it!"Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1832678210757770777.post-44368198320208708782010-12-27T13:50:00.000-06:002010-12-27T13:50:24.136-06:00Exciting News!Let me start off by saying I have some VERY exciting news, but you have to read the whole story to understand why it's so exciting.<br />
The past month, I have been pretty down about the whole adoption situation. Shortly (I want to say around a week) after I posted, our caseworker emailed me to say everything was in and they were sending our bill and once that was paid, our homestudy would be finalized (she said it in a much nicer way, but that was the jist)<br />
So, we have the bill sitting smack dab in the middle of our "catch-all" spot in our house. It seems like it has red arrows pointing to it. For the last month, it seems like the "catch-all" has never been cleaner, leaving that bill sitting there staring at me. It seems like all my clients are making payments, which got pushed aside over the holidays. The $1,200 would normally make me think, "OK, it's do-able, we'll figure it out" but without clients paying me when they should, it makes me panic. (And I now have to grow a backbone and tell my clients 100% up front)<br />
Ok, so the last month, I've been praying about this and giving it to the Lord on a daily basis. Nothing was working out. I felt so defeated.<br />
Fast forward to Christmas morning. As our kids were opening a couple presents, Owen hands me one and said read the card first. So I open it up and read this beautiful letter on how he's been spending each day out in the woods praying & talking to God about the situation. Then, I open up a couples devotional. It was touching, but I have to say, I was a bit confused, but when your husband wants to do a bible study together, you don't ask why. I tell him thank you and went to put the letter in the front cover and <i>out fell a check made out to the adoption agency for $1,200!!!! </i>(insert me sobbing here) The way he managed to get the $1,200 is seriously a work of God. I am not going to go into the details, but lets just say, we put our trust in Him and He provided. <i>Thank you, God. Thank you!!!!</i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1832678210757770777.post-29513903325203584782010-11-23T19:01:00.000-06:002011-01-17T23:54:25.654-06:00End of Nov update.......On Sat, we had a meeting with our caseworker and went over our file. Honestly, I'm disappointed. I shouldn't be- we're doing this in God's time, not ours, but I let myself/my heart get ahead of the process.<br />
The good news: our reference turned in the letter (that was due at the end of march!!!!) <br />
Our adoption agency is changing the process of things and we are required for our FBI background check to clear before our homestudy will officially be finalized. This will probably take 8-12 weeks. The silver lining (I'm looking at it that way so that I don't cry) is that there is a $1600 fee that we have to pay the agency to finalize the homestudy that I overlooked. We obviously don't have a spare $1600 laying around, so I'm glad we have 8-12 weeks to try to save it up/work some extra hours. (Nice silver lining, huh?) <br />
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Then, as soon as that is finalized, we have to pay UCIS for the pre-visa (I600A) paperwork. This will probably take another 8-12 weeks. Then, once that gets finalized, it will be another couple (up to 8) weeks before the visa (I600) is approved.<br />
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Somewhere in the 12-24 week mark should be when we get a referral, granted Jamaica doesn't hold things up (yes, that is everyone who has ever adopted from Jamaica laughing their butts off)<br />
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So, it will be close to 32 weeks before we get our baby home. (insert sigh)<br />
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I know there is a reason for this, but I really wanted to spend the summer with all 3 kids. When we thought things were moving along faster, I got excited. Plus, with the holidays coming up, I can't help but think about him/her. <br />
Would you pray for me (my attitude needs to change)? Would you pray for this whole process? Would you pray for finances and that the FBI checks come back quickly as well as the visa paperwork? <br />
Thank you!!!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2