Quick Update

     I wanted to take a moment to give you all a quick update.  As we all know, this journey we have started on is a long one, but I hope to keep friends and family in the know as much as possible.  We are so grateful for you continued prayers and support. 
     We are getting ready to send off our home study application this coming week.  The home study involves gathering documents and completing paperwork that must be compiled in order for the adoption process to continue.  We will also have a couple of visits from a social worker and have some education on how we can best meet the needs of our child.  We look forward to the next leg of our journey and welcome your prayers and encouragement.
     Our coffee sales continue to rise thanks as word is getting out about what we're doing.  Thanks to everyone that has purchased some and thanks to those who have been selling it for us!  We continue to have handmade jewelry for sale at Missions Pottery and More and at our coffee shop, Perfect Blend.  We have a few fundraising things in the works for after we finish our home study.  Once we finish the home study we will be able to apply for grants and some of those grants are matching grants.  In other words, if we receive the grant they will double whatever we make at our fundraiser up to a certain amount.  So we're trying to plan some larger fundraiser soon!  We are hoping to have a BIG yard sale where all proceeds will go to the adoption.  If you are getting ready to do some spring cleaning, we will take your cast offs =)  Also, we are planning to have a fundraising night at the coffee shop with a silent auction.  If you or anyone you know owns a business or could get an item donated, that would be awesome!  We also have some friends and family that are helping to plan a benefit concert.  Through this process, we are definitely finding out how much we are loved and how much our little one is already loved (even though no one has even met them yet).  I can't wait to tell them of stories of how VERY wanted they were and how a family and community came together to bring them home!

If you have any items for the yard sale or any silent auction items, you can e-mail me at
mprevatte113@gmail.com

       

A Bit About Uganda

I realized today that although many people know we are adopting from Uganda, there may be some that would like to know more about the country of Uganda and where exactly we will be traveling to in the country.  So, I thought I would do a blog post giving some info about Uganda and the city where we will be traveling.

Uganda is a small landlocked country that rests on the banks of the beautiful Lake Victoria.  Uganda is known as the "Pearl of Africa" for its beautiful landscapes, lakes, and mountain rims.  It is considered a tropical climate with average high temperatures 77-82 degrees year round.  The national language in Uganda is English along with the local language of Luganda.  The capital city of Kampala is where we will be traveling.  It is a more modernized, bustling major city with museums, theaters, government buildings and schools.

There are approximately 2 million orphans within the country of Uganda and it is considered to have one of the largest populations of orphans in the world.  The need is great, but many people within the country and around the world are reaching out to help these children.

Below, I have added a map of Uganda, with the capital city starred.  I have also added some pictures of some wildlife and beautiful landscapes of Uganda.  These images were found on the public domain of "The World Factbook".

The shore of Lake Victoria

                                  

Part of the Nile River

Sets the Lonely in Families...

I came across this verse when perusing some adoption stuff on....where else? Pinterst.  It really struck me:

 "Sing to God, sing in praise of his name, 
   extol him who rides on the clouds; 
   rejoice before him—his name is the LORD. 
A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, 
   is God in his holy dwelling. 

 God sets the lonely in families"  Psalm 68:4-6a

"sets the lonely in families".....that is absolutely amazing.  God loves my baby more than I could ever imagine loving him or her.  He wants them and all other orphans to have a family.   He literally sets them in their forever families.  What a beautiful picture of love.  Oh how He cherishes each of His children. And how humbling it is to know that this adoption is not about us...it is about God doing a miracle and forming a family by placing our baby into our lives.

New Stuff!

     Well, first of all, I just continue to be amazed by our Great God.  Not only are people generously giving to help us bring our baby home, but I have been so blessed by the stories of adoption that have been shared with me.  It seems that almost everyone's life has somehow been touched by adoption.....they were adopted, they rejoiced with friends who have adopted, or they have adopted children of their own.  Its so exciting to see people following God's calling.
     In other news, we are continuing to come up with more fundraising adventures!  We have a few big events in the works, but for now, we are trying to promote our Uganda coffee and now, my jewelry!  I have begun making handmade beaded jewelry to sell for the adoption.  As of right now, I'm selling it a Perfect Blend.  Also, a very generous local jewelry maker has donated some of her beautiful pieces to sell of our behalf as well.  Her jewelry is for sale at Missions Pottery (right beside the coffee shop on North Main St., Lexington).  I have posted some pictures below.  I have only made a few pieces, but there will be more to come! 
     Thank you all for your continued support, encouragement, and prayers!!!

Feeling Thankful

     First of all, I just want to express my sincere appreciation for all of the encouragement that we have received since my last post.  So many people have offered their encouraging words, prayers, and help to raise the funds we need to bring our baby home.  God has richly blessed us with a community that has wrapped us in their arms and expressed their love for us and our child that none of us have even met. 

     We are continuing to receive more information every few days regarding our next steps in the adoption process.  At this point, we are getting ready to send in our home study application and fees.  This part of the process will take a few months as we gather lots of information, have home visits, and compile the paperwork that is needed.

     Fund-raising has been going really well!  Coffee sales are rising as many people are offering to help us sell our coffee to friends, family, and co-workers.  If you're interested in some, let us know!  We are still in the process of working on a t-shirt design, and I am also working on a little jewelry project of my own (pictures coming soon!). 

    In the way of prayers, please continue pray as we work through the massive amounts of paperwork that must be completed.  It is an overwhelming task (as some of you know), but I know it will get done one sheet at a time.  Also, please pray for mental strength as we travel on this exciting roller coaster ride!  We can feel your prayers and appreciate them far more than you know.

     

We serve an AWESOME God, and the thanks goes TOTALLY to Him!  

1 John 4:9-10

This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.  This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

Annnnd...We're Off!

     Today we began receiving lots and lots (and lots!) of information and paperwork for the adoption.  It's definitely more than a bit overwhelming and scary....BUT we know our God is bigger than any overwhelming uncertainty we may face.  It's all starting to become real now.  For so long, I have felt the call to adopt, even in my early high school days.  Tyler and I have dreamed about the day that it would become reality and it is hard to grasp that the day is finally upon us.  Over the weekend, we both had that sort of "Oh my goodness-this is really happening" moment!  But we are thrilled and so so excited as we travel down this road that God has called us to.
     Soooo, along with lots of info and paperwork, we also received our first invoice to make our first installment payment for the adoption.  We are trusting God for this money and all the money that will be needed over the next few months so that we can bring our baby home.  I just wanted to let you guys know of a few options if you want to financially support our adoption process. 

• As I mentioned in our last post, we are selling Tyler's fresh roasted Ugandan coffee for $13 a pound.  You can get that whole bean or ground at Perfect Blend Coffee Shop (1 North Main St. Lexington NC).
• We are working on having adoption t-shirts printed to sell as well.  As soon as we get them, I'll post pics on the blog and Facebook.
• We are hoping to begin planning a fundraising night at the coffee shop that will include live music, yummy treats, and a silent auction.  If you or someone you know would like to donate any silent auction items, we would greatly appreciate it! :)
• There are other ideas bouncing around in our minds, but we are trying to go ahead and get a head start with these things.

     We ALWAYS welcome your prayers and words of encouragement.  Just as the saying goes, "It takes a village to raise a child"....it's going to take a village to bring our baby home.  Each and every part, great or small, that someone plays in this adventure means so much to us and our family.  THANK YOU!

^"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."    James 1:27

Approved!

Last night we received an e-mail telling us that our application has been accepted! We will be receiving more info soon, but we have been accepted in the Uganda program through our agency. Answered prayers!
Also, Tyler has been working on a fundraising project involving what else? Coffee, of course! He will be roasting and selling Ugandan coffee with all proceeds going straight to the adoption!