Sharing of heart. Part 1

In 2000, my husband and I had heard of these twin 10 month old girls from Haiti (Isabella and Grace), who were  waiting for a forever family.  A missionary who was there at the time, had heard of us through a fellow preschool teacher of whom I worked with at that time.  When Les and I saw the picture of these twin girls, we both fell in love immediately.  Although, it wasn't meant for us to be their parents, it did create a desire in us to adopt.

As is was meant to be, our journey took us elsewhere and in 2001, God's plan unfolded in an extraordinary way and we received our son after 7 long years of infertility.  Looking back, we could not imagine it any other way.

Our hearts were set in motion again years ago.   We had talked about international adoption off and on for many years.    We always hoped for three children.  We have said, and still say today, that someone is missing.  Years go by, businesses get established, and day to day living keeps you busy.   Many times, you pause and think about that third child and wonder when and if it will come to be, or not.  Another year passes by.   

About two years ago, we decided to go and talk with an adoption agency.  Once our kids learned of our desire to adopt from another country, they got excited and started asking questions.   After our meeting with the agency, we talked on our way home and agreed we both thought that China would be where we would adopt from.  We were comfortable with our decision at that time; however, it seemed like our conversations became more seldom and the timing didn't seem to fit with what we had going on in our lives at that time.

I started  to wonder if we'd ever have that third child we so wanted and hoped for.  Maybe our family was complete as is.   As hard as I tried to let my mind deal with regular daily routines, my heart was still longing.   

I also got scared when I learned of how much it would cost to adopt internationally.   It truly stopped me in my tracks and made me doubt.    How in the world could it be possible to raise over $30,000.  It seeemed impossible and then.....

Some friends of ours had recently brought home their daughter from China.  I had followed their blog/journey from the beginning and shared in their joy when their daughter was home.  My heart tugged even harder.  I talked to my husband more during that time, and we started opening up more about pursuing adoption to China.   Our kids were talking about it more and asking when are we going to bring home our brother/sister from China.  

   

With the support of our entire family,  encouragement from friends, we are moving forward and trusting our entire journey to GOD.    It takes many hearts to complete this journey and God knows the desires of our hearts and He loves to make His plans known in ways that surprise us.  I love that.  

Stay tuned.  

Our GO FUND ME campaign and some NEW NEWS!!!

 UPDATE!
The paperwork has left my hands and is at the post office! EXCITING!!!

 Also wanted to make sure you all had the link to our GO FUND ME campaign. Any little bit helps friends! Thanks so so much!

GOD BLESS!
-The Rowlands


CHECK IT OUT! ---------->

http://www.gofundme.com/rowlandsadopt 

The 5 for FIVE challenge

People who know me, know of my heart to help others.  It's never a question for me to give to others, period.
  On the other side, one of the most difficult challenges I am facing during our adoption process, is asking for financial support to bring home our son/brother.  I feel more comfortable being on the other end.
I've been constantly thinking about creative ways to get people wanting to support with little investment but BIG results.
We have decided to post on our Go Fund Me campaign the amounts needed at that time in our process.   Currently, our home study cost is $3000.00

I came up with this 5 for FIVE challenge.  

Here's what I am hoping happens.

We are asking that people who want to donate, can give $5 and then SHARE our story/blog/go fund me campaign with 5 of their family/friends.  If those family/friends can SHARE IT FORWARD, then think of how fast those $5 contributions will add up!  

My ultimate goal and hope would be that we can raise above and beyond what our family needs and give the rest to another family in their adoption process!   That would be amazing and it is so possible.  

Thank you in advance and please:

SHARE IT FORWARD

-The Rowland Family (soon to be 5).  

Letter from Sissy

My 11 year old daughter is posting a little message today.

I am looking forward to meeting you and inviting you into our family as now, a family of 4. I have lots of stuffed animals for to both to play with as we are together. We are as of now, trying to build a play house for you and me to play in together, also used for a secret hide out for just us. Right now in our adoption process we are getting ready for fundraisers, and if you have any suggestions, just leave us at message on our blog.

Thank You 

Sincerely, Madelyn Rowland

Paperwork part 1 of ?

Someone recently asked me, "why do you have to fill out so much paperwork? "   Why all the tests, research into childhood, financials, and everything in between?.  I can only respond by saying, we are traveling TO CHINA, to bring a child HOME TO U.S. from CHINA.   It is required, it's part of the process to bring him home, and it just is what it is and we are following all the rules, domestic and foreign.  (:

We are now working on completely our home study packet of paperwork.  Things like screenings (criminal records, abuse , fingerprints, physician reports immunization records, family history, training agreements, insurance forms, tax returns, marriage and birth certificates), to name a few.

We are nearly complete, just waiting on a few more reports to get back and then it is sent to our adoption agency.  We will then be contacted for our first home visit, where a social worker will come to our home, to ensure our safe environment and witness our family harmony.  LOL  

As a family, we are all anticipating each step forward and we remind ourselves that this is God's story unfolding and we are ready to trust in His plan throughout.  Please continue to join us in praying for this little boys life and thousands of others in waiting for their forever families.  

baby steps

 Receiving this letter was just preliminary , but what an exciting step for us.  I loved seeing the word:  APPROVED.   There is more "approvals" to come, but this was the FIRST one.  So exciting.

To say the least, there are many baby steps in this journey of international adoption.  I remember praying about the right timing to get started.  I wouldn't say that we can pick the right timing , rather  I say that we had to take time to trust that the journey would just begin and we would have faith to follow through it.  People that know me, would say that I've talked about wanting to start for years.  My husband and I have longed to welcome another child into our family and as each year passed , I can be honest and say that I fell into an attitude of , "it's just not going to happen for us I guess".  

One of my biggest concerns was the finances involved in international adoption.  I remember about two years ago,  I had emailed a friend and asked about their journey as they had recently returned with their beautiful daughter.  I was beyond happy for this family and knew that my heart was being tugged really hard at that time.  I asked the big question of how much it costs, saw the numbers, and then asked, "how much did you start out with?"  The answer was $0.   My biggest fear was the $.  I had then read an adoption blog and the very first words said, "never let your decision be lead by your worry about the cost of adoption. "    Story after story shared had the same message.    Have faith and TRUST.  God knows our hearts and He loves us more than anyone.

Indeed:  He knows my heart and the desires of it.  His plan will unfold as it's meant to be and my husband and I both trust in that.


.....more to come.   Thanks for reading along.

The beginning....

The beginning steps started with filling out a preliminary application, and then a formal application.  Once the formal application is accepted, which ours now is, then we start more paperwork for our home study.  The home study time period takes aboutt three months to complete.  We are currently filling out forms and hope to have our first home visits starting in about a month.

I will lay out more specifics throughout this week as I get my thoughts organized and can start sharing how our story began.   We are ready to get this journey moving and dream of the moment we can meet our son and the kids can meet their little brother.

-Les , Sara , Ben and Maddie.