My sweet cousins!

Hey everyone, sorry I haven't updated in a while, I have been waiting to hear about the news with Ethiopian adoptions. There was a meeting yesterday so I am hoping to hear something soon. We are trying not to worry and not to get stressed out, but I am so sad for all the families who are already on the waiting list for their children! I couldn't be as calm if I were in their shoes! I know whatever comes next for us will be what God wants so we are being patient.

The point of this post however, is to share with you about my sweet cousins who are raising money for our adoption. Since I first shared our news these girls (and their mom) have been so excited about our new baby and so generous spending their time raising money for us.

One afternoon, they took one of our baby bottles and our newsletter and went door to door in their neighborhood asking for spare change. They made $58, that's alot of change and probably alot of houses too!

They then decided they would have a lemonade stand for us! I loved this idea. Its so sweet that 3 girls their ages would spend their Saturday morning doing something to help others! I had to work so I didn't get to go, but John & Ivy stopped by and said the girls did such a great job. My cousin Gina, the girls mother, took a few pics for me....

We appreciate these girls so much! We are so proud of them and so excited to see what God will use them for throughout their lives. If they are already such cheerful givers at a young age, then I know God is going to use them to big things!

twist of sunshine

Hey Everyone, I just wanted to share a few pics of the jewelry from twist of sunshine...

She has some really cool stuff and it is a green company! If you order, just mention John & I!
Check it out- www.twistofsunshinedesigns.com

Thanks, Hannah

Jewelry Sale

Hey Everyone,
A sweet lady in Texas makes this custom jewelry and for the month of March she is donating 50% of sales to us for our adoption. You just have to put John & Hannah on your order form!  She has some neat stuff and keep in mind that Mother's Day is coming! Please check it out.


http://www.twistofsunshinedesigns.com/


Thanks, Hannah

Hello all...

Sorry I've been MIA for a few days, but we've been so busy and now I have strep throat! No fun, but I finally feel like sitting up for the 1st time since Saturday, so that is a plus!
Ivy is doing great, though she didn't really get why "momma's sick." She kept coming up to the bed and telling me to get up! John had to take her to school today and I was so worried that she was having to go earlier than usual, but when John told her it was time to go, she said, "I wanna go see friends." So I felt better about it; at least she enjoys it!
Friday we will have our 1st homestudy visit with our local case worker. She will be checking out our house & Ivy has to be present so it should be interesting!
On the fundraising front, I wanted to share our plans and some upcoming dates.
As you know, the month of March is the baby bottle campaign, and we still have bottles if anyone would like one or some.

From now through the next few months we are getting ready for a garage sale, so if you have some stuff you need to get rid off, let us know! We will gladly take it off your hands, and we will do our best to pick it up. We had a great donation this weekend from one of my coworkers cleaning out a condo!

April 10- I am SO excited about this... My amazing hair stylist, who I have used for 10 years, is donating her services to cut hair for free with all donations going toward our adoption! Andrea, and her coworker Leni will be cutting hair for free on Sunday, April 10. My friend Ashley is going to host this event at her home in Brandon. If you would like to make an appointment, email me- wallaclelc@aol.com, post a comment, or msg me on facebook.

May 15- This one is going to sound hilarious to those of you who know me, but I am serious! We are hosting a disc golf tournament! It is going to be tons of fun & we would love for all of our friends to participate! Currently, we are looking for some sponsors and just trying to get all of our ducks in a row. Our friends John & Sarah are helping us with all the terminology and logistics of the game!

So that's whats going on with us, thanks for all of your prayers and ideas. We appreciate them all! We love you guys and enjoy hearing from you!
Love, Hannah

Our 1st Fundraiser!

Hi everyone! This week we received our official acceptance to the Ethiopia Program through AGCI! So, while that is great news, it also lights our fire to get moving on fundraising!

For the month of March, we are providing our friends & fams with baby bottles and asking everyone to fill them up with their spare change.  Raising money for orphan care is as easy as emptying your pockets!

If you would like to join the change drive, you can comment on this post or send me an email and I will get you a bottle. If you have a small group or team that would like to participate, let me know, it will be a huge help! Wallacelc@aol.com

Thanks everyone! We can't wait to see how God blesses this fundraiser!
Hannah

Blessed like a Child

"And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them & blessed them." Mark 10:16

This verse is a comfort to me today, knowing that there are orphans suffering all over the world. One day, here or in eternity, children will be blessed by God. Soon there will be a child blessed to have a new family, and our family will be blessed to welcome a new member! It is very exciting to think about a new little person in our family, another little one to love on & a sibling for Ivy( so she can teach them everything she knows!)

We found out Monday that we are officially accepted into Ethiopia program so now we begin  setting up our home study. We have 90 days and we must about $7000 ready! So, needless to say the fundraising is about to kick off! I will post more info this week
We are so excited about all of the friends who have helped us with fundraising ideas, lending their time & talents! We are thankful for each you!

Thanks everyone, God bless
Hannah

We mailed our formal application today!

So, the process has officially started. We mailed our formal application in & we should hear in a week or so as to whether we have been accepted. Yesterday I started to freak out. I know that God has called us to do this & therefore He will provide but my human side is thinking, "this is crazy, & where are we gonna come up with the  money for this adoption!" Well, this morning, God calmed my nerves, my devotional was based on Matthew 6:25 & 33- Do not worry about your life- Seek his kingdom & his righteousness, & all these things will be given to you as well." God is good. Period. My faith may not always be, but He will always be. I know He will provide on His timing and I must be patient as to how and when!

Thanks to everyone who is supporting us through prayer! It means so much to us and we know that we will not make it through this without our friends & families!
God bless! Hannah