Sunday, December 19, 2010
Skype
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Invoice
Well I got my 2nd invoice today from the Agency for a little over $11,500 and we DON"T have that to pay. I'm going to trust in God that he is going to give it to me. I don't know how its going to happen weather I'm going to do it through fundraising (I've been working so hard) Or if its going to be $1 at a time.
Jonathan said he has to think about it this way if 115 people will give us $100 we will have it. It makes it so much easier thinging about it that way. LOL. We were so blessed when we started this chapter in our life, my parents got us started with a Large Sum of money, but it goes QUICK... Jonathan and I are taking every spare dime we have and putting it to the Adoption and I have been Fundraising... Fundraising... Fundraising. I know were going to get this money and were giong to get it quick. I don't know how soon the Agency has to have it but I'm going to believe we will have it before the first of the year! I don't think they can continue with the paperwork in Haiti without this money.
Please help me pray that the money will come our way. I'm not asking for it to fall out of the sky. What every God wants me to do to get it I will do!!! A Precious friend at my church gave me the first $100... We are down to 114 people to pledge $100 to us.
Thanks for letting me put my feeling down in a Blog. I don't know if anyone even reads this or not, but it does make you feel a lot better when you can just put things down, kinda get them off your heart. My heart is very heavy because I know this Christmas my kids in Haiti won't get the things all the kids here will get for Christmas. I'm blessed with my family here, I just know how wonderful it will be once our family is ALL together. ALL of us.. Jonathan, Michelle, Sasha (Phil), Caleb, Kerby and Kerlandy.... OUR FAMILY
Jonathan said he has to think about it this way if 115 people will give us $100 we will have it. It makes it so much easier thinging about it that way. LOL. We were so blessed when we started this chapter in our life, my parents got us started with a Large Sum of money, but it goes QUICK... Jonathan and I are taking every spare dime we have and putting it to the Adoption and I have been Fundraising... Fundraising... Fundraising. I know were going to get this money and were giong to get it quick. I don't know how soon the Agency has to have it but I'm going to believe we will have it before the first of the year! I don't think they can continue with the paperwork in Haiti without this money.
Please help me pray that the money will come our way. I'm not asking for it to fall out of the sky. What every God wants me to do to get it I will do!!! A Precious friend at my church gave me the first $100... We are down to 114 people to pledge $100 to us.
Thanks for letting me put my feeling down in a Blog. I don't know if anyone even reads this or not, but it does make you feel a lot better when you can just put things down, kinda get them off your heart. My heart is very heavy because I know this Christmas my kids in Haiti won't get the things all the kids here will get for Christmas. I'm blessed with my family here, I just know how wonderful it will be once our family is ALL together. ALL of us.. Jonathan, Michelle, Sasha (Phil), Caleb, Kerby and Kerlandy.... OUR FAMILY
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Dossier DONE
Well a lot has happened since my last blog. I thought Jonathan was going to write something so that’s why I kinda held off for a while. I’ll try to catch up without making it too long.
We finished out Dossier (WOO HOO) (Dossier—a collection or file of documents on the same subject, esp. a complete file containing detailed information about a person or topic.) That was a big day for me. I had worked so hard on that thing and I didn’t think I would ever finish. But its finished and on it way to Haiti.
After we got back from Haiti in August I started working very hard on getting the Dossier finished. We had to have so many documents included in it. This is my Dossier list....
Adoption Home Study, Marriage Certificate, Letter to IBESR (Haitian Social Services), Power of Attorney, 3 reference letters, Police Clearance letter (one for each of us), Employer letter (one for each), letter from our Bank, letter for Psychologist (we passed were NOT CRAZY), Letter from our Dr., Medical Lab results (BLOOD WORK) for each, photo copy of 3 forms of photo ID, copy of driver’s license of each on separate paper, Tax returns for past 3 years, three bank statements, 8 passport pictures for me, 8 passport pictures for Jonathan, both birth certificates, Photos of the home, bedrooms, park, yard and a pic of us. We had to have fingerprints done in Nashville and several other things before all this was done. WHEWWW I’m glad that’s done!!
After I mailed that to the Adoption Agency, they sent it to Chicago and then to France to be translated into French. When they got it back they finally sent it to HAITI. It should be there by now. Now we have to wait on them. From what I have heard they don’t get in any hurry. So we just need to pray that everyone who touches our paperwork gets everything done fast. I have heard it could take 18 months from the time they get it in Haiti, but were not going to accept that!
We have been continuing with all our fund raising. Selling T-Shirts, took our church group to Trinity City in Hendersonville, Tenn., if you have 50 or more they will give you $1,000 (waiting on that check), and I am cooking supper every Wednesday night at church, with the help of Becky Johnson, it is lots of fun and people don’t have to cook and I make some money for the adoption, I think we have made $100 almost every week. Were still short $11,500 on our funds, but I know its going to come it!!!
I hope to sit down and figure all my time line where some day I can blog about the step-by-step procedure, maybe it could help someone along the way.
Please remember all the people of Haiti in your prayers. They need it!!!! God bless.
We finished out Dossier (WOO HOO) (Dossier—a collection or file of documents on the same subject, esp. a complete file containing detailed information about a person or topic.) That was a big day for me. I had worked so hard on that thing and I didn’t think I would ever finish. But its finished and on it way to Haiti.
After we got back from Haiti in August I started working very hard on getting the Dossier finished. We had to have so many documents included in it. This is my Dossier list....
Adoption Home Study, Marriage Certificate, Letter to IBESR (Haitian Social Services), Power of Attorney, 3 reference letters, Police Clearance letter (one for each of us), Employer letter (one for each), letter from our Bank, letter for Psychologist (we passed were NOT CRAZY), Letter from our Dr., Medical Lab results (BLOOD WORK) for each, photo copy of 3 forms of photo ID, copy of driver’s license of each on separate paper, Tax returns for past 3 years, three bank statements, 8 passport pictures for me, 8 passport pictures for Jonathan, both birth certificates, Photos of the home, bedrooms, park, yard and a pic of us. We had to have fingerprints done in Nashville and several other things before all this was done. WHEWWW I’m glad that’s done!!
After I mailed that to the Adoption Agency, they sent it to Chicago and then to France to be translated into French. When they got it back they finally sent it to HAITI. It should be there by now. Now we have to wait on them. From what I have heard they don’t get in any hurry. So we just need to pray that everyone who touches our paperwork gets everything done fast. I have heard it could take 18 months from the time they get it in Haiti, but were not going to accept that!
We have been continuing with all our fund raising. Selling T-Shirts, took our church group to Trinity City in Hendersonville, Tenn., if you have 50 or more they will give you $1,000 (waiting on that check), and I am cooking supper every Wednesday night at church, with the help of Becky Johnson, it is lots of fun and people don’t have to cook and I make some money for the adoption, I think we have made $100 almost every week. Were still short $11,500 on our funds, but I know its going to come it!!!
I hope to sit down and figure all my time line where some day I can blog about the step-by-step procedure, maybe it could help someone along the way.
Please remember all the people of Haiti in your prayers. They need it!!!! God bless.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Carnival for Kids
Saturday was the Carnival for Kids in Westmoreland, Tenn., Lakeside Church has an adoption ministry and they choose us to receive the money this year from the Carnival. This was the 3 year they have done the carnival and have chosen a different family each year. I can't wait to help them next year and bless another family like they have blessed us.
We had beautiful weather and a great time. They had a lot of fun games for all the kids to play, a hay ride, little train ride, blow up jumping castle, a wonderful man from my church brought 2 horses for the kids to ride, bake sale and a concession stand with all kinds a good food.
I got to meet several new friends who are either in the process of adopting or have adopted, it is so encouraging to hear their stories and to share my story with them. It's almost like you become instant friends, with a common goal in life, not only do we have a heart for these children, but we want to make everyone aware of all the hurting kids in the world who crave for someone to LOVE them.
There were a couple of special friends and family members who came by and volunteered to help and I can't express how grateful I am to them for taking time to help us and show their unconditional love for children. Thanks Shelley, Leah Jo (my cousin and her daughter) not only did they stay late Friday night and help me bake all night for the bake sale and cake walk, they stayed all day Saturday and helped with the carnival. Thanks to Becky and Beth, they are the BEST! Beth made 550 Bible markers and worked so hard at her little table selling them, Becky worked so hard and helped me set up my table and has become a great friend. Thank you Lucy for taking time from your family to come and help my family, I loved the heart she painted on my face. Thank you Michelle (my BFF), not only did she stay all day and help she is the one who is there for me day in and day out! Thank you Bro. Charles for bringing your horses for the children to ride, they all loved it. Thanks to Susan and Gabe, my next door neighbors, who came and helped with the games and brought some wonderful homemade baked goods Gabe sells at the Farmers Market. Thanks to my sister-in-law Lyndy, who made the wonderful Oreo balls (YUMMY) and also took pictures of the event so I can have the memories forever!
A special thanks to my daughter Sasha and her husband Phillip, who were clowns and did such a wonderful job. I think they have missed their calling, they were so fun and good wit the kids.
A special thanks to my daughter Sasha and her husband Phillip, who were clowns and did such a wonderful job. I think they have missed their calling, they were so fun and good wit the kids.
Thanks to those from New Hope who came with their children and grandchildren to help support us, I hope everyone comes next year to keep this wonderful event up and going.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Haiti Trip
Jonathan and I went to Haiti about a month ago. This was my 2nd trip and his first. He finally got to see the kids.
It was so great. When we got to Haiti Michelet was the first one to see us at the airport. We went straight from the airport to the Orphanage, I was soooo excited, as we pulled up in the truck (we ride in the back, nothing like here) the boys who help us at the guest house (Michelet, Jimmy and Bony) started yelling Kerby, Kerlandy... your Moma and Papa are here. LOL
After we got out of the truck I seen Kerby running toward me and grabed me and gave me a big big hug. As I turned around to introduce him to Jonathan he looked at me and said "Is this my Father"? It was the sweetest thing I have ever seen, Jonathan just about melted! Kerland came running when she spotted us and was very excited to see us and meet Jonathan. It was funny because he is so tall, much taller than anyone else. It didn't take long for them to just fall into place with him, just as they did with me. We didn't stay long that day but we did get to spend time with them everyday we were there, which was not near long enough, only 3 days.
On one day they got to come with us for the whole day, we went to different orphanages and they came along in the back of the truck with us, Kerby was such a big man, riding beside Jonathan with the other guys, sitting on the edge of the truck. He had my camera the whole time taking pictures and loved it!! Kerlandy was on my lap most of the time and I think she fell asleep everytime we would get in the truck and start off to a different place. We got some Haitian street food (chicken) it was sooo good. Oh we also went to one of the many tent cities and helped a woman and her children move into a very small apartment that Rebecca help her get. That was very cool, we gathered up all her stuff where 5 people lived in a tent barly big enough for 2 people and to see her face as we moved her into the apartment it was amazing. I think Kerby and Kerlandy thought that was cool, Kerby took pictured of course, I have them all on my Facebook if you would like to look.
While in Haiti we also got to go visit with some of the street kids, that was amazing. A man named Jimmy, who use to be a street kids, is taking care of them, helping feed them and someone seen all he was doing for the kids and purchased a house for him so the kids have a safe place to sleep. This man looked kinda scarry on the outside, but he has a heart of gold!
The day before we left we spent a lot of time with Kerby and Kerlandy at the orphanage, but it still was not long enough. The rest of the group left and went back to the guest house and Jonathan and I got to stay behind with one of the guys (Michelet) to help us get back. We needed to be back before dark, They don't want us out after dark. So we were going to have to walk about a mile to where we could catch a tap tap to get back to the orphanage and Kerby and Kerlandy walked a little ways with us before we had to say goodbye. That is so hard to tell them bye, I don't know if they fully understand that we will come back, but it will be a while. Everytime you leave them they keep asking, you come back tomorrow? We had to say goodbye and walk in different directions. I told Jonathan I was not going to look back, well I did.. and they were still looking at us waiving. It was so SAD!!! We were on our way to catch a tap tap and a guy (who knew the orphanage director) pulled up and gave us a ride to the guest house (for free)!! That don't happen much in Haiti (nothing for free).
We left the next morning early to come home. Thinking the whole time, when can we get back to Haiti. It can't come soon enough. I only wish Sasha and Caleb could come with us!!
Monday, August 9, 2010
Home Study
Home Study... WOW.. what an experience
First of all after we decided on using All Blessings (ABI) they send us a few emails to fill out and fax or mail them back.. NO big deal a few pages about 10 questions.. I thought wow this is a piece of cake. Little did I know the best was yet to come. One of the ladies from ABI sent me an email and said we had been accepted and we would get started with the home study and they would send me a packet in the mail, I should read and fill out paperwork and mail back. I asked why not email (I don’t loose stuff when its email LOL) she said well its a little to much to email. I knew I was in for it then.
A few days later the package arrived in the mail, about the size of a 5 star notebook, typed, front and back about size 10 font. We had to read it and fill out the paperwork and send in as much as possible. I had to send stuff off for background checks, State Police, Federal Police, FBI.. you name it we got it. We had to take the dog to the Vet, have him checked and a paper signed by the vet, we had to get 4 people to fill out a page about me and Jonathan, about our parenting skills. IT was CRAZY.. I know you have to do this because of crazy people out there but WOW.
After we got the paperwork done we had to go to Owensboro, Ky., and have our first Home study meeting, it lasted about 3 hours and the lady was very nice. She then gave us another book a little thicker than the first that was mailed to us to read (front and back size 10 font). I don’t think I read this much in school. We were send home with a list of things that had to be done to the house. Child locks on cabinets containing cleaning supplies, meds locked up, fire extinguishers (up stairs and down), carbon monoxide detectors (up stairs and down), and of course we had to clean, clean, clean. She said that was not part of it, but I didn’t want someone to come into the house and check out every nook and cranny with out it being spotless. So we worked and worked on the house and getting all ready for her to come do the “HOME” part. She was there four like 4 hours, talked to Caleb alone, Jonathan alone and me alone, then went through the house. Then she said “Well all looks good”... woo hoo. The home study now is ready to be typed out and ready for approval... woo hoo.
Now we have to complete a 10 hour on line course.. WOOO and more paper work...(I don’t think that will ever end) and we have to have some blood work done and a physical, fingerprinting and who knows whats next....
I’ll keep you all posted on the next step we make and fill you in on our next Haiti adventures.
Michelle.
First of all after we decided on using All Blessings (ABI) they send us a few emails to fill out and fax or mail them back.. NO big deal a few pages about 10 questions.. I thought wow this is a piece of cake. Little did I know the best was yet to come. One of the ladies from ABI sent me an email and said we had been accepted and we would get started with the home study and they would send me a packet in the mail, I should read and fill out paperwork and mail back. I asked why not email (I don’t loose stuff when its email LOL) she said well its a little to much to email. I knew I was in for it then.
A few days later the package arrived in the mail, about the size of a 5 star notebook, typed, front and back about size 10 font. We had to read it and fill out the paperwork and send in as much as possible. I had to send stuff off for background checks, State Police, Federal Police, FBI.. you name it we got it. We had to take the dog to the Vet, have him checked and a paper signed by the vet, we had to get 4 people to fill out a page about me and Jonathan, about our parenting skills. IT was CRAZY.. I know you have to do this because of crazy people out there but WOW.
After we got the paperwork done we had to go to Owensboro, Ky., and have our first Home study meeting, it lasted about 3 hours and the lady was very nice. She then gave us another book a little thicker than the first that was mailed to us to read (front and back size 10 font). I don’t think I read this much in school. We were send home with a list of things that had to be done to the house. Child locks on cabinets containing cleaning supplies, meds locked up, fire extinguishers (up stairs and down), carbon monoxide detectors (up stairs and down), and of course we had to clean, clean, clean. She said that was not part of it, but I didn’t want someone to come into the house and check out every nook and cranny with out it being spotless. So we worked and worked on the house and getting all ready for her to come do the “HOME” part. She was there four like 4 hours, talked to Caleb alone, Jonathan alone and me alone, then went through the house. Then she said “Well all looks good”... woo hoo. The home study now is ready to be typed out and ready for approval... woo hoo.
Now we have to complete a 10 hour on line course.. WOOO and more paper work...(I don’t think that will ever end) and we have to have some blood work done and a physical, fingerprinting and who knows whats next....
I’ll keep you all posted on the next step we make and fill you in on our next Haiti adventures.
Michelle.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Agency or NOT?
Hello again.
This blog is about Agency or NOT?
After our family knew we were to adopt these children from Haiti the next step came with research, research, research!!! It seemed like every waking moment I spent on the computer trying to find out everything about international adoption and how to do it. I spoke with several people and some said to use an Agency, some said DON’T use an Agency! I found out right away there were pro’s and con’s with both methods. I started doing research on different agency’s, their success rate and the big question the $$$. Jonathan and I had then decided we were going to do this adoption as an independent adoption with NO agency.
Rebecca the wonderful lady who hosted us in my first trip to Haiti had also adopted several Haitian boys and was confident we could do this with her help. It seemed everyone Jonathan and I ran into for the next several weeks following that either were from Haiti or knew someone who had adopted internationally. It was crazy.
Well Jonathan and I just knew this was the way we should go “Independent” well that was until I contacted a local Adoption agency and began speaking with them about getting our Home Study done. You see the home study is the first step you have to take to begin your adoption. Haiti changed their laws since the earthquake and it is harder to adopt now and the chances of being successful with an Independent adoption are slim to none. But we still felt this was the way for us to go. So I signed on with this Adoption Agency to only do our Home Study and filled out some paper work and when they found out we were independent they would not even do our Home Study, they said the success rate was way to slim and their goal is to get these kids home.
Jonathan and I had a lot of praying to do and try to figure out what we should do. Going through an agency was going to cost a lot more $$ however getting our kids home was way more important than that. We had also met a family in BG who had adopted 3 children from Haiti (Independent) and it took them 5 years. I CAN NOT wait 5 years that would kill me!! So this my friends is how we decided to use the Adoption Agency “All Blessing International” out of Owensboro, Ky. So far they have been great!
My next blog will be about the “Home Study”
Thanks and God Bless,
Michelle
This blog is about Agency or NOT?
After our family knew we were to adopt these children from Haiti the next step came with research, research, research!!! It seemed like every waking moment I spent on the computer trying to find out everything about international adoption and how to do it. I spoke with several people and some said to use an Agency, some said DON’T use an Agency! I found out right away there were pro’s and con’s with both methods. I started doing research on different agency’s, their success rate and the big question the $$$. Jonathan and I had then decided we were going to do this adoption as an independent adoption with NO agency.
Rebecca the wonderful lady who hosted us in my first trip to Haiti had also adopted several Haitian boys and was confident we could do this with her help. It seemed everyone Jonathan and I ran into for the next several weeks following that either were from Haiti or knew someone who had adopted internationally. It was crazy.
Well Jonathan and I just knew this was the way we should go “Independent” well that was until I contacted a local Adoption agency and began speaking with them about getting our Home Study done. You see the home study is the first step you have to take to begin your adoption. Haiti changed their laws since the earthquake and it is harder to adopt now and the chances of being successful with an Independent adoption are slim to none. But we still felt this was the way for us to go. So I signed on with this Adoption Agency to only do our Home Study and filled out some paper work and when they found out we were independent they would not even do our Home Study, they said the success rate was way to slim and their goal is to get these kids home.
Jonathan and I had a lot of praying to do and try to figure out what we should do. Going through an agency was going to cost a lot more $$ however getting our kids home was way more important than that. We had also met a family in BG who had adopted 3 children from Haiti (Independent) and it took them 5 years. I CAN NOT wait 5 years that would kill me!! So this my friends is how we decided to use the Adoption Agency “All Blessing International” out of Owensboro, Ky. So far they have been great!
My next blog will be about the “Home Study”
Thanks and God Bless,
Michelle
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
How it began
Hello, my name is Michelle Carver, I have been married for 24 years and have 2 children, Sasha 22 and Caleb 18. After the earthquake in Haiti I felt I should go and help in any way I could. I felt that is what God told me to do.
After talking with a friend of mine she had the same feelings and we were then on our quest to go to Haiti. We ran into some difficulties, but we made it. Little did I know when I went to Haiti I would not only fall in love with the country and all the people in it I would fall in Love with a beautiful young man and little girl. Their names are Kerby (11) and Kerlandy (7). From the first day when Kerby and I became great friends I knew it was something special. I text Jonathan a Pic of Kerby that night and he asked me if that was his son.. Little did he know. God had big plans for that little boy and little girl. I got to spend several days with with the children, and went to several other orphanages and even though I didn't go to Haiti looking to extend our family, those kids found me and I have not been able to get them out of my mind for even a min. every since.
When I came home and talked to my husband and children we all knew this was God for us to adopt these kids, they also have an older brother Blondy, I'm not sure how old he is, however I would love to Adopt him too if he is young enough to do so and If we can raise enough money to get him too. I never knew adoption cost so much money. It's really not fair, Our family has to much to offer them and we have to much love and care to give them, but I know GOD will provide the money to us to be able to adopt.
We have started the adoption process (thanks to my parents and family for their help) in my next blog I will start telling about the whole process.. ITS CRAZY.
Love, Michelle
After talking with a friend of mine she had the same feelings and we were then on our quest to go to Haiti. We ran into some difficulties, but we made it. Little did I know when I went to Haiti I would not only fall in love with the country and all the people in it I would fall in Love with a beautiful young man and little girl. Their names are Kerby (11) and Kerlandy (7). From the first day when Kerby and I became great friends I knew it was something special. I text Jonathan a Pic of Kerby that night and he asked me if that was his son.. Little did he know. God had big plans for that little boy and little girl. I got to spend several days with with the children, and went to several other orphanages and even though I didn't go to Haiti looking to extend our family, those kids found me and I have not been able to get them out of my mind for even a min. every since.
When I came home and talked to my husband and children we all knew this was God for us to adopt these kids, they also have an older brother Blondy, I'm not sure how old he is, however I would love to Adopt him too if he is young enough to do so and If we can raise enough money to get him too. I never knew adoption cost so much money. It's really not fair, Our family has to much to offer them and we have to much love and care to give them, but I know GOD will provide the money to us to be able to adopt.
We have started the adoption process (thanks to my parents and family for their help) in my next blog I will start telling about the whole process.. ITS CRAZY.
Love, Michelle
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