Movement

Finally movement . . . With our agency shutting down in July, we were forced to continue our adoption as an independent adoption.  It means that we have to do all the paperwork, gather documents, pay money, contact Embassy, etc. on our own.  We don't have an agency to ask questions about filling out our paperwork, what documents we need to file our I600, how long it takes to get CONA, etc.  We have relied on other adoptive parents in the process, our lawyers in the Congo, the orphanage director, and the lady that translates our documents.  Now, we see what a blessing it was for our agency to shut down.  (not the taking our money part lol)  We are getting pictures of a healthy Camden, meeting people that are taking care packages to him, making connections with drivers/translators for our trip, and finally seeing movement in our case.

In the last 2 weeks, we have received several documents for our next step but we are still waiting on 2 documents.  In the process of receiving these documents and talking with our lawyers, our previous agency never sent our dossier (paperwork) to the court system.  They had been "on hold" because the agency never paid our lawyers.  So, our dossier has been sitting on a desk in the court for over a year with no movement.  I am so thankful that now we have movement and all kinds of people are helping to make this happen. 
We have some decisions to make concerning the I600 (next step) so be in prayer that we follow the Lord's leading and not our selfish desires. 

BIG NEWS:  Our sweet, precious youth group surprised us the other night with fundraisers to help bring Camden home.  I was in tears as they shared their hearts with us.  They have been on this journey with us and they want him home NOW!!!

Fundraisers:
1.  Chic-fil-a Family Night (on Bethel's campus) - Thursday, September 11th from 5:00 - 8:00 - They will donate a percentage of their sales to the Allison Adoption Fund.  How awesome is that!  Come eat at Chic-fil-a and support us at the same time!

2.  5K for Camden - Saturday, October 25th - Registration start at 8:00
                                 1 mile Run/Walk starts at 8:30 - Fee $20
                                 5K Run/Walk starts at 9:00 - Fee $25
Everyone participating will receive a free t-shirt.  All proceeds go the Allison Adoption Fund.

3.  "Bring Camden Home" T-shirts - They designed a really cool t-shirt that you can purchase to help bring Camden home.  They are $15 each.  I will let you know when we start selling them. 

4.  Noonday Collection Trunk Show - Our friend, Krista Taylor, is hosting a Noonday Collection Trunk Show on Saturday, September 13th from 9:30 - 11:30 at the FBC Parsonage.  She is donating a percentage of the sales to the Allison Adoption Fund.  Everyone is invited to attend and bring a friend with you.  We are so thankful for her willingness to help bring Camden home.   

Be looking for more details about these awesome fundraisers in the coming days!  :)