We've had lots of adoption related conversations at home and I love hearing my girls' curiosity and excitement about the idea of new brothers or sisters. We've even been blessed with many adoption related conversations outside of the home - particularly from those who know about our upcoming garage sale.
Some of the re-occurring themes from friends, family and even strangers have been why and how much. One of the unexpected blessings in this adoption adventure is how it has allowed me to talk openly about my faith. So often we are asked why we would choose to adopt from the DR and that allows me to answer with "that is where God has told us our kids are." Let's just say this makes room for some great conversations. But, in all reality, this is why we are adopting from the DR. I firmly believe God will help us every step of the way and He will provide the resources (monetary, emotional, time, wisdom, peace, etc.)
In regards to the "How much?" part of this adventure it is hard to put a firm number on it all... There are lots of minor incidentals (fingerprints, background checks, postage, etc) and we can't fully estimate the cost of living in the DR since we are not sure just how long we will be there (at least 60 days for all of us, closer to 6-9 months for me until everything is finalized). HOWEVER, I do know the cost of the actual adoption, both U.S. end and DR end. Our agency here in the U.S. will cost around $10,500 and the law firm in the DR has a set fee of $6,500 per child ($13,000 if we adopt two children, $19,500 if we adopt 3). So... that puts us at a total of $30,000 for agency/law firm expenses if we adopt three children into our family. (The planner in me would rather have the amount for 3 children even if we only end up adopting 2 kiddos and any extra money can be put towards our living expenses while we are there/loss of our salaries.)
With the garage sale coming up in just over two weeks I have been praying over it quite a bit, advertising for it (http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/dak/gms/3940280926.html) and wondering what the outcome will be. I honestly do not have an expected amount we will raise. I am praying that God will use the overwhelming blessing of the amount of items that have been donated for our sale and bring the right customers our way. I am trusting in His provision and continue to be amazed by his presence in this whole adoption adventure so far.
