Change for China, part 1
The adoption process is in full swing and really picking up speed. Like a kid rolling down a grassy hill, we will hit bottom before you know it, and I am just praying that all goes well when we do!:)
There are lots of changes going on around the Secrest house as we ready our hearts, our dossier (paperwork), and our home for "Little Sister!" Here are a few things we have been up to just this week!
Paperwork
- We have been working through the final hours of our required education and only have about 2 hours left to complete before our final interview on September 23rd!
- We recently added two new kittens to our family and they received proof of Rabies vaccinations this week, which are required for the Home Study.
Meet Peaches and Daisy - Yesterday we began the tedious process of grant applications. I am happy to report that my earlier discouragement with the process has turned to encouragement! Please pray that our efforts in these applications are very fruitful!!
Fundraising
- On Monday we had a very successful first "Adoption-ade stand", which brought in $565! What a blessing, and what fun!
- We are continuing to sell our "Team Secrest" tshirts. Sales have been great so far but we hope to make several more before September 30 when we turn the order in.
T-shirts are $20 - We are also selling tickets to the Comedy Night, which we are really looking forward to!! This fundraiser has the potential to bring in a couple thousand dollars if we pack out the house at Comedy Caravan. Please pray with us that it will be so!
Tickets are $15 each. The show is October 16th at 7:15pm - We are gearing up for our "China-themed" Mary Kay event this Thursday. Ladies will be able to try on new products, but friends and family may also order online.
Okay, Autumn promises that our make-overs won't look anything like this!;)
On the Home Front
September has been an incredibly busy month for our family as Larry gets moved into his new office at the church, back-to-school activities are in full swing, we are heading up a major fundraising event for the PTA at our kids' elementary school on October 1st, and trying to finish up the home study! In addition to this we are doing some things to prepare our home for some changes...and our family for some much needed rest!
- This week we have done some cleaning out of future yard sale items and started cleaning out our guest room. This involved moving a queen sized bed out of the house and re-doing Mackenzie's room with a full-sized bed, suitable for guests! One room make-over down, 4 more to go!!
Mackenzie moved from a twin bed to a full-sized bed! - We are planning to do some major renovations on our lower level, which includes changing all the carpet to Pergo wood flooring. After 8 years, 3 cats, 2 kids and a dog, it was time for a change!!! This week we purchased 47 boxes of flooring. It took Larry three trips with the minivan to bring it all home. Thanks to a couple of neighbors who helped haul it all in!
Out with the queen sized bed and in with the flooring boxes!
We still have the pretty tapestry of our babies hanging up though! - I started thinking forward to Fall break, which falls right after the Hike-a-thon fundraising event we are planning. We had intended to go tent camping this Fall, but decided we needed more of a vacation. We are super excited that we booked our first cabin this week!!! Rest and relaxation, here we come!
Thanks as always for following our progress and for holding us up with your prayers, your encouragement, your presence and your finances! We could not do this without your unending support. May God richly bless you on this brisk, Fall day!
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, to him be the honor and glory forever and ever, amen." Ephesians 3:20
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