Fundraising - Bottle Banks

Adoption is expensive.  Whether it is domestic or international, it's usually around 18k.  (Of course, going through foster care is a different situation altogether.)  All programs and agencies are different but this is usually the ballpark figure.  Unfortunately, the Adoption Tax Credit of $12,500 is set to expire this December and there's no way our adoption will be final before that.  I just keep seeing this money mountain before me get bigger and bigger as the days go on.  From the beginning of this journey we knew that there would be no way we could afford it but we also knew that this is God's doing and he will provide as he sees fit.  There is no doubt in my mind that we will come up with all of the money.  Having said that, we do not intend on asking anyone for large sums of money.  It's our decision, our family and our responsibility.  However, a few people have already asked how they can help out and this is how I'm responding to their sweet offers of kindness:  Bottle Banks

We are huge change collectors.  Especially Justin.  He just dumps all of his change in any place he feels.  Once, we gathered it all up from the car, kitchen drawers, night stand, etc. and found that we had $120!!!  Who knew?  Since then we have collected change and cashed it in on a regular basis and it pays for dates and such.  You know, the extras in life.  Because we know that every little bit of change adds up to a lot, we have made "Bottle Banks."  They are a way for others to help contribute to our adoption without being a burden on anyone.  Just collect your change in the bottle and when it's full, return it to us.  If you want to continue doing it, let us know and we'll give you an empty bottle to fill again. 

This is just one simple way God is providing...through your 'extras'.  He has also shown me another idea, which I'll share some time next week.  Very cool.

This is what's keeping me sane today!  :)  God will provide.
25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:25-34