An April Update

So I guess I am a monthly blogger? Sadly, it has been a month since I updated here. A LOT has happened in ONE LITTLE MONTH and I don’t want to forget any of it. It is so much easier to post little updated here and there on FB, but I really want some of the details recorded on the blog. Guess I better get to writing!

I can still hardly believe what has taken place on the financial side of things! In just one month, donations have come in for OVER $9000 through our adopt together account (http://adopttogether.org/thehammonds). Aaron and I are just in awe. We have had friends donate money, then donate again a few weeks later. We have had friends of friends donate money. We have had friends that we haven’t seen in 10 years donate! We have had family of friends donate. We have had strangers donate. And, anonymous donations have come in as well! Just this past Thursday an anonymous donation was made and the person said they would match everything that was given over a two day period to help us reach the $19,000 goal. We were so close already, only needing about $5000 more. And in 2 days, with that matching donation, $2700 was contributed! I do hope the anonymous donors will read this. I pray that they can sense our gratefulness. Thank you, thank you, thank you…to all of you! There is nothing I can do to stir someone’s heart to give generously. I believe this only comes from God. So He deserves all of the glory and praise! Great is His faithfulness!

Along with donations to the adopt together account we have had other financial contributions as well. Our online auction went really well and brought in around $1600. Our Panda Express fundraiser raised $329, and it was so much fun! I had people texting me pictures of the lines and I heard lots of stories of people talking about adoption while standing in line holding their flyer. Our Classical Conversations (homeschool group) put on a talent show for us, which raised over $800. This was also a night filled with many blessings as we watched these talented children perform for our sake and God’s glory! I mentioned children making paracord bracelets in a previous update, but this month a sweet student of mine made jewelry to sell for donations towards our adoption. It is overwhelming. We are in awe of the numbers of people who have supported us. Thank you Father!

Looking ahead…we have our very last fundraiser this Saturday. We are having a huge yard sale. We are thankful to our church, North Hills Presbyterian, for allowing us to use their parking lot for the sale. Please pray for good weather! And thank you all for the great donations! We have a TON of stuff! If you are in the area and love a good deal come see us any time from 6-2 Saturday. Here is a link to our church’s address…http://www.northhillschurch.net/?page_id=64

So there is the financial update. Now to a timing update. It is entirely possible that we could be leaving for China within 3-4 weeks. AHHHHH!!! It is so exciting I can hardly stand it! We were starting to think that it might be early June before we could travel because our daughter’s paperwork was several weeks behind our son’s. Their paperwork is now together though, and because the request for a medical expedite was granted the very last step before Travel Approval took 2 days instead of 2 weeks. This was huge, and ensures that we will be able to travel in May. We are grateful to a dear friend (and pediatrician) who wrote a letter for the medical expedite with very little notice AND on a Sunday afternoon. Thank you! We are officially waiting on our Travel Approval, which could come any day, but likely sometime next week. Then, it will be rush, rush, rush as we quickly secure flights and make plans for travel.

Another timing update, is that we just got word that our TIME IN CHINA will be closer to 3 weeks than 2. We knew this was a possibility, but I think I was expecting them to be able to expedite within at least one child’s province. This was a slight disappointment because we want to get YuanYuan/John Thomas home for surgery as soon as possible, and it will increase our hotel and food costs. But, we are confident that God has all of this under control as well! How could we doubt when He has guided us and provided for us in such amazing ways so far? One good thing about a longer stay is that we will not be as rushed while we are in each child’s province, which means we can see more of the sights and appreciate the uniqueness of each area more fully.

This will not be as hard on us as it will other families who have recently been told their trip will be 3 weeks long. We can withstand this lengthy trip, and even enjoy it, because we will all be together as a family. Although I know I will be craving some Chick-fil-a sweet tea and waffle fries when we get home! Please pray for a specific family that just received this news but will not be taking all of their children with them. It will be very hard for them to be separated for that long.

With our travel time getting so close, we are thinking more and more about how our children’s lives are about to change. Their little worlds are going to be turned upside down. Adoption stretches you. It is not always easy, actually, it is probably safe to say it is rarely easy. We will need extra grace and wisdom as we parent these new children and attempt to meet all of their needs. Please pray for them, and us. The love we have for these two new one’s is overwhelming. And we Praise the One who is allowing them to join our family!

Thank you for bearing with me this long! Love to you all!! And look for more exciting news in the coming days!

1 Chronicles 16:9 
Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.

Psalm 145:3 
Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.