Broken Hearted

Throughout this journey to Ivy I have been trying my best to be honest and share all our adoption information with you.  My hope is for our friends and family to know how much love and work goes into ANY adoption.  This sharing however leaves me very vulnerable.

Since we are just 3-4 weeks away from our Log in date with China I have been more seriously looking at children's files.  Once logged in we will wait to be matched with a child on China's Special needs Shared list or Special Focus list.  Brandon and I recently fell in love with a child on the China Special Focus list. Children on the Special Focus list tend to have more serious or multiple heath concerns.  This little girl has some very serious medical conditions but we felt like we could handle her operations.  I thought she was my Ivy.                                                  

We spent the next week trying to get in touch with surgeons to get a better idea on just what she would need.  One of my favorite Neonatologists at work was able to get the medical file in to the hands of one of the best children's specialists in this field.  The diagnosis was not good.  It was not good at all and it is far more than our family can take on or afford.  I would drain my life savings, cash in 401 and do everything I could for this precious angel.  But I have to think about the two angels God blessed me with.  The two angels that I prayed for, pleaded with God, and promised to Him that I would take care of them.

"Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him." Psalm 127:3  

The reason I am sharing all of this is for your prayers.  I never imagined I would fall in love with a photo of a child so hard.  Please pray that God will mend her heart and her forever family will find her!  Please pray for us as we deal with grief, and guilt.  Please pray for Ivy and that God will surround her with HIS love!

Throughout this process I hope that our children will see our love for them, Ivy and God!

Please consider buying one of Ivy's Puzzle pieces if you have not already. Help us fill her puzzle with names of her supporters and show her your love!
Go to this link to get yours.  PUZZLE

"The purpose of having children and raising them to be self-reliant, compassionate, ethical adults is to ensure that there will be people here to honor God after  we are gone."  Wendy Mogel Blessing of a Skinned Knee

Brandon and I could not have imagined more beautiful children.  We thank God everyday for these blessings he has bestowed on us.

LifeSong for Orphans

Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means that we must care for orphans and widows in their trouble, and refuse to let the world corrupt us. ~ James 1:27

Our daughter has never known the embrace of a mother or the joy of a piggy-back ride from a father. She doesn’t know what it feels like to be tucked in and kissed goodnight, warm and safe in her own bed. She’s never received proper medical attention or proper nutrition. She’s never had a childhood that allows her to be a child in an environment where she can thrive and reach her full potential. Saddest of all, she has never been a part of a loving family.

We hope this letter finds you well. We are currently living in Birmingham where we are members of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. Brandon has been working for Norfolk Southern Railroad as an Assistant Train Master for two and half years. Heidi has been working as a per diem registered nurse in the neonatal intensive care unit at Northside Hospital in Atlanta for over five years. Heidi is also the Regional Coordinator for Nurse and Nurture in Birmingham. Thomas and Oliver are three-years-old and love attending St. Luke’s Day School 4 days a week.

Over the past year, we have been asking God to break our hearts for the things that break His heart. Asking Him to challenge us to step away from the ordinary and to open our hearts, hands, and abundance to God’s calling for our growing family. Through this process, our eyes were opened and our hearts broken for the millions of orphans worldwide. As we researched and prayed, we began to feel God lead us toward international adoption to rescue an orphan and make her our own. We are currently in the process of adopting a girl from China through a wonderful agency called Lifeline Children Services. We have requested a toddler with special needs.

The adoption process will take 15-18 months and is a true journey of faith each stop of the way. We have two fundraising goals. The first goal is to create a local and global community of family and friends who are excited to welcome our child into their lives as our daughter. Our other goal is to raise the funds necessary to complete this journey – $31,000 by December 15, 2013. Our adoption expenses include everything from document preparation and translation, to agency fees, travel expenses, governmental fees, medical fees, and orphanage fees.

We are greatly depending on family and friends to help make this adoption a reality. Therefore, we would like to extend an invitation to you and your family to joyfully partner with us financially to help bring home our Chinese princess. When you give financially you will become emotionally invested in this process and the future success of this child. While not everyone is called to adopt a child, we believe many will join us on our journey to rescue an orphan and make an eternal impact on this child’s life.

Please make checks payable to “Lifesong for Orphans”. In the memo, note #3932 / Setchel to assure it goes to the correct account. Please mail to Lifesong for Orphans, PO Box 40, Gridley, IL 61744. Lifesong has been blessed with a partner that underwrites all U.S. Administrative and fund-raising costs (TMG Foundation and other Partners). That means 100% of your donation will go directly to the adoption!

You may also give online at www.lifesongfororpahns.org/give/donate. Select “Give to an Adoptive Family.” Complete the online form and fill in “Family Account Number” (3932) and “Family Name” (Setchel) fields.

In following IRS Guidelines, your donation is to the named non-profit organization. This organization retains full discretion over its use, but intends to honor the donor’s suggested use. Individual donations of $250 or more and yearly donations totaling $250 or more will receive a tax-deductible receipt. Receipts for donations under $250 will gladly be sent upon. Lifesong is a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization.

This is not a faceless charity. This is our family. We hope He calls you to give and be part of our family as well.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Brandon, Heidi, Thomas, & Oliver