When we first started our adoption process, we were working with an agency called Children Concern.  Children Concern handled the adoptions for ACFI.  For whatever reason, Children Concerned and ACFI went their seperate ways.  ACFI has been in search of a new agency to take over on the American side to handle their adoption cases.  This has really been a roller coaster for us and lots of uncertainity about what was going on.  Through it all we have prayed earnestly, asking God to guide us on this adventure that He has called us to.  We knew that Samuel, Jeremiah and Joel were the chosen ones for our family, so we kept pressing forward!

Just this week we found out that the new agency has been chosen and ACFI and the new agency have worked out all the details on the transfer.  The new agency is called Plan Loving Adoptions Now, Inc. and they are located in Oregon.  We have heard nothing but wonderful things about this agency.  They have in the past worked with ACFI and have been doing Liberian adoptions for quite some time.  Through PLAN we are supposed to have a quicker turn around time.  I have heard from some that they can happen as quickly as 6 to 8 months.  This would be so great!!! 

Of course, with this change, comes additional fees.  This is from the memo that we received from ACFI:

PLAN has many years of experience and commitment to working in Liberia.  With this experience comes the knowledge of the importance of helping families prepare to welcome these children into their adoptive families.  PLAN has prepared a course, tailored to address some of the issues of institutional children from a war torn country. PLAN’s preadopt course costing $150.00 is required or families must give proof of other pre-adoption education.

3)      The out of state agency fee to PLAN is $3,800. An additional fee of $2,000 per child will be charged. These fees will go directly to PLAN and includes help filing the I-600, ongoing support, all communication and coordination with the adoption personnel in Liberia and expenses to finish the legal process in Liberia.  These fees do not include travel or escort fees.

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         There are still some things that we need clarification on, but from what we are understanding, we will be having an additional $10,145 in fees (this includes the $195 application fee).  This really took us back at first, but then when we started looking at the scheme of things, we realized that it still isn't too bad.  The entire adoption will cost us around $25,145 plus travel expenses.  That is for 3 children.  That is typically the cost of adopting one child in China. 

While we were tallying these new costs, we were starting to have some doubts cross our minds.  Just questioning and wondering what we were supposed to do.  A friend on a Liberian loop that I am on, said to me,  "What is $10,000 to God?! "  God knows what He has called us to do, and He will bring in the money!!  That was a big wake up call for me!  I was starting to get anxious and let worry set in.  Another friend gave me this verse and it was just what I needed to hear:

This comes from Isaiah Chapter 41:

I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you.  I said, 'You are my servant'; I have chosen you and have not rejected you.  So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you;  I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (versus 9-10)  For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. (verse 13)

Oh, the sweet words of our Heavenly Father!!!  He so knows the words I need to hear during different trials in my life!  God has called us to be His servants.  He has called us to go to the other side of the world to bring home three beautiful boys.  Boys that He has specifically chosen for us!  We are not to fear because He is right there with us.  We are not to be dismayed because He is our God!  My God will give me strength to get through the finish line.  We are not to fear any of this because this is just another hurdle to leap over and to walk through in faith!  And to top it all off, He says, "I will help you."  You see, this adoption is all about my God and how we can give Him glory through out the entire process!  God is so much bigger then that additional $10,000!  He wants us to see that!

I am filled with such excitement as I read over that passage again!  Is God not AWESOME!!  Some times I forget who is in control, but God always straightens me out.  I hope that you can take these words from Isaiah and apply them to your life and the different trials that you may be facing in your life.  God is always there for us.  But so many times we tend to turn to Him as a last resort when all else has failed.  I challenge you to try just the opposite.  Let God take the lead.  Let Him have control over your life and your fears.  He wants to help you and be there for you.  It says it right there in His Word.  Read that passage again and pray it to God.  Allow Him to take the lead in your life.

Thank you again for all your prayers and support!  We love all of you!