Lifesong Grant & USCIS being processed!!!!

Today and yesterday have been super exciting! Today almost $900 came out of our checking account and I've never been so excited!  Our check for immigration went through, which means it's being processed.  We can't get our referral until USCIS approval comes, so we are thrilled that it's moving along. 

Yesterday we received a call from Lifesong for Orphans informing us that we have been given a $2,500 matching grant from Highview Baptist Church!!!  I'm not a cryer, unless I'm pregnant (which I'm not), and I cried when I listened to the message.  This is such a blessing because it does several things.  First, it involves our church, family, and friends in caring for an orphan.  Not everyone is able to bring an orphan into their home, but this allows everyone to help participate.  Second, it provides extra motivation since it's a dollar for dollar match up to $2,500.  If we can get 100 people/families to donate $25, it would double to give us $5,000!!! That's sooo huge. 

In case you are wondering about costs and how it works, let me break it down for you.  We are estimating that the whole adoption, including travel is going to cost close to $35,000.  We don't have that laying around.  As of today we have spent $10,012.69 of money we had saved and got back from taxes.  This covered agency fees, home study, dossier, authentication costs, and more.  We have given all we have. When we receive our referral, which we are anticipating(and praying!) late May or June we will have ten days to accept and pay the referral fee of $13,000.  If we do not have the funds, we cannot accept our referral.  This is where my anxiety level increases.  But as I give it over to the Lord, He is so faithful in showing me He will provide.  Like yesterday, through Lifesong for Orphans.  We are so grateful and thankful for this blessing.  After the referral fee is paid I can breathe a sigh of relief.  The rest of the costs are mostly travel related (which can be put on a credit card).  There will some other fees like medial exams, visas, and possibly another immigration form if our kids aren't siblings.  But nothing as comparable to the large referral fee.  Lifesong also provides an avenue for tax-deductible donations.  So if anyone knows a billionaire who needs to get a tax break, feel free to pass along my information :). 

Obviously, not everyone is able to give.  Times are hard and the economy is poor.  So, it also provides an avenue for us to let our family and friends know what we are doing and ask for prayer.  We desperately need our family, friends, and church to partner with us in prayer.  If you would like to pray for specific things, this is what we are praying:
      *Pray for our children that are not home yet, that they are being loved on and cared for.  That God will keep them safe and healthy while they are waiting to come home. 
       *Pray for us and for Bella Kate and Claire to be prepared to have two more siblings.
       *Pray for the Ethiopian government and MOWA(the ministry that controls when we get a court date).  There are still changes being made.  Pray our process will go smoothly and that our children will not have to stay in an orphanage even one extra day due to delays. (Just a note, a friend got her court date today, so I am celebrating for her and super encouraged for our process!!)
        *Pray for God's continued protection and provision over our family through this process.

If you or someone else you know would like to make a tax-deductible donation to help bring our kids home and have your donation doubled thanks to Lifesong, there are two ways you can do so.
 1. Make a check payable to Lifesong for Orphans and write "preference Jenkins #1981 adoption" in the memo section.  Mail the donation to:
Lifesong for Orphans
PO Box 40/ 202 N. Ford St
Gridley, IL 61744
2. Use paypal to donate online by clicking this link: http://www.lifesongfororphans.org/donation.html

All donations must be received by May 26, 2011

We are so grateful for our church, family, and friends who are surrounding us with prayer, encouragement, and support.  We are blessed to be a part of a church who has a heart for adoption and partners with Lifesong to provide us this grant.  What a blessing the adoption ministry at Highview is in so many ways.  We love you and are thankful for you!