As I have explained to people that we are hoping to have Sibyl home in 6-8 months, the same comment has come up many times: “It must be so hard to know she is there waiting for you and to not be able to go get her yet.” In a nutshell, the answer is “Yes!”
This excerpt is from my journal yesterday morning. I felt compelled to share it since it touched so specifically on a moment in the process of waiting.
To answer another common question (or set thereof): “How much does it cost to adopt from China, and where does the money go?” Below is a generalized breakdown.
1. Application and Processing Fee Phase 1 = $2,550.00 [PAID]
2. Home Study Fee = $2,500.00 [PAID]
3. Dossier Process Fee = $2,900.00
4. Assignment Fee = $5,325.00
5. China Fees = $8,000.00 (includes Orphanage Donation and Paperwork Fee)
6. Estimated Travel Expenses = $7,700.00
7. Additional Expenses = VARIES but realistically at least several thousand dollars
Some fees are set, some are slightly variable, and we can’t always account for contingencies. However, we would very much like to round out the whole thing to about $30,000.00 total.
This is an area where we are taking some large steps of faith! We’ve already been blessed by a donation that was given to us exactly when we needed it and in the EXACT amount we needed. My awesome Papa is building (and has sold 2!) amazing birdhouses to help bring Sibyl home. I have an ongoing Online Sale on my Facebook page (including occasional FREE items), and the proceeds go to our adoption fund. So we have a start.
There are many ways to work on funding an adoption. Savings and regular earnings have been and will continue to be a part of that. Fundraising and donations are another blessing that can help substantially. As soon as possible (usually once the dossier and home study are completed), I will be applying for any and all grants that we qualify for. And knowing that the international adoption tax credit will be coming (with next year’s tax filing, most likely), we are willing to take out a small adoption loan that we can repay with the tax credit once we receive it.
In the meantime, if you are feeling led to be a part of our adoption financially as well as prayerfully, we have set up a dedicated account at U.S. Bank . . . 100% of donations will go to adoption costs! You can deposit any gifts through U.S. Bank, and you can also hand a gift to us in person, if you wish.
This excerpt is from my journal yesterday morning. I felt compelled to share it since it touched so specifically on a moment in the process of waiting.
But there are pieces to put into the puzzle that this process is before I get to go get her. Steps to take; obstacles to deal with; plans to make.I woke up with a heartache this morning – an ache for a 20-month-old halfway around the world. Last night, for the first time, I dreamt that she was here. I was able to hold her and hug her and talk to her. Then I woke up and she wasn’t here. My arms felt empty for her. I hugged her sisters and brother, but a piece of my heart was still missing. Waiting for me.
I think God gave me the dream to quicken my heart. In the shadow of mountains of cold, sterile paperwork, it is easy to lose hold of the heart of a warm, living little person who is waiting for us 16 hours in the “future.” Not so now. I want to jump on the next plane and bring her home!
To answer another common question (or set thereof): “How much does it cost to adopt from China, and where does the money go?” Below is a generalized breakdown.
1. Application and Processing Fee Phase 1 = $2,550.00 [PAID]
2. Home Study Fee = $2,500.00 [PAID]
3. Dossier Process Fee = $2,900.00
4. Assignment Fee = $5,325.00
5. China Fees = $8,000.00 (includes Orphanage Donation and Paperwork Fee)
6. Estimated Travel Expenses = $7,700.00
7. Additional Expenses = VARIES but realistically at least several thousand dollars
Some fees are set, some are slightly variable, and we can’t always account for contingencies. However, we would very much like to round out the whole thing to about $30,000.00 total.
This is an area where we are taking some large steps of faith! We’ve already been blessed by a donation that was given to us exactly when we needed it and in the EXACT amount we needed. My awesome Papa is building (and has sold 2!) amazing birdhouses to help bring Sibyl home. I have an ongoing Online Sale on my Facebook page (including occasional FREE items), and the proceeds go to our adoption fund. So we have a start.
There are many ways to work on funding an adoption. Savings and regular earnings have been and will continue to be a part of that. Fundraising and donations are another blessing that can help substantially. As soon as possible (usually once the dossier and home study are completed), I will be applying for any and all grants that we qualify for. And knowing that the international adoption tax credit will be coming (with next year’s tax filing, most likely), we are willing to take out a small adoption loan that we can repay with the tax credit once we receive it.
In the meantime, if you are feeling led to be a part of our adoption financially as well as prayerfully, we have set up a dedicated account at U.S. Bank . . . 100% of donations will go to adoption costs! You can deposit any gifts through U.S. Bank, and you can also hand a gift to us in person, if you wish.
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