We have TA!!

We received TA (Travel Approval) today!  The next step is to apply for CA (Consulate Appointment)  which only takes a couple of days to receive and then we can book our flights and go!  We can expect to leave in 1-2 weeks after we receive our CA or even as early as a few days after.  At this point we are not fully funded but we are still fundraising and working on getting the remaining expenses paid so we can bring Emma Kate home. 

Specific prayer request:
~ God to prepare Emma Kate and the rest of our family for this transition
~ God to comfort our two older boys and keep them safe as they will stay here while we travel
~ Safety for Robert, Carter and I as we travel around the world
~ Provision for the remaining funds needed
~ Peace for me as I am very nervous about the trip (This will be my first flight EVER!!)

Now please remember, I'm very anxious about traveling so please do not approach me with horror stories about flying as this will only increase my anxiety :)

TA is on the way!

We received an email today that our TA (Travel Approval) will be here soon.  It is mailed from China and should be here next week.  This means our agency will request our CA (Consulate Appointment) and we book flights and leave for China within a couple of weeks!  We are still about $11,000 - $12,000 short of having the funds to go, therefore Emma Kate is just waiting on us at this point.  Please pray with us for provision so we can bring our sweet daughter home.

Waiting on TA!!!

Just received an email from China stating that our Article 5 is ready and we are now waiting on TA (Travel Approval)!!!  TA usually takes 2-3 weeks but many families are receiving it in less than 2 weeks.  We can travel as soon as 1-2 weeks after TA.  We are so close!!!!  Please pray for provision for the remaining $12,000 needed before we can leave.  Thank you for your support.

Win an American Girl Doll of your choice!!!

We are giving away one American Girl Doll of your choice!  You may choose any one American Girl Doll (value $110), Bitty Twins (value $115) or a Bitty Baby plus accessories (value up to $115).  Or you may choose accessories to equal $115! 

We had a give-away for an American Girl Doll last year and we were able to make one little girl's Christmas special so we are doing it again!

We will be taking entries now through November 4th.  The winner will be announced on November 5th.

We will be traveling in November to bring Emma Kate home and me must raise $12,000 for the remaining expenses before we can go.  Proceeds from this give-away will go toward our adoption expenses.

To enter:

Click on the Donate button on the top right of my blog and make a donation.  Or you can give me your donation in person or mail a check (this will prevent paypal fees:).  Please email me at jpannell76@gmail.com or message me on facebook for my mailing address.  If paying through paypal, please be sure to include your contact information and "American Girl Doll"  in the notes section.

You will receive one entry for a $10 donation, three entries for a $15 donation and five entries for each $20 donation. 

We will have a drawing on November 5th and the winner will be contacted immediately. 

Once we contact you to let you know you have won, you will be able to choose the doll you would like and it will be ordered and shipped directly to you in plenty of time for Christmas!

If we are lucky enough to receive more than 150 entries, we will draw for two different winners and give away two dolls!! 

 Please share this fundraiser with everyone you know and don't forget to ask grandparents to enter!

If we do not have enough entries to cover the cost of the doll, we will refund all donations received and cancel the giveaway.

Give 5 Change A Life

We are in the process of adopting our daughter from China.  We are expecting to travel in mid November but we can't go until we raise the remaining funds needed to cover all adoption and travel expenses.  We currently need $13,000 to be fully funded.  Please prayerfully consider helping us through this give 5 fundraiser.  Any amount you give will be greatly appreciated.  To donate, simply click on the donate button on the right side of this blog.  You can also email me at pannelladoption@gmail.com for other ways to donate without a fee.  Thank you for your support!

New pictures!!!

We sent a care package to Emma Kate last week and today we received five new pictures of her!  The last update we received was about seven weeks ago.  Emma Kate's hair has grown out a little and I'm happy to see her standing in these pics.  She is getting a little belly so I guess they are feeding her well.  I am one happy mama this evening :)

Matching Grant

This road to adoption is full of many joys and challenges, the greatest joy being the inclusion of a child into our family and the greatest challenge being finances. The costs of adoption include the expense of a home study, adoption agency, lawyers, travel expenses, etc., with the total cost ending up somewhere around $32,000. Through fundraising and personal savings we have raised approximately $10,000 but we still have a long way to go.  Our estimated time to travel is 2-3 months from now. 

 

We were recently awarded a matching funds grant to help with the expenses of our adoption through Hand in Hand Christian Adoption, Inc. a non-profit private operating foundation. Hand in Hand will match any funds that are donated through our friends and family for the expenses of our adoption. All funds received through our friends and family will be matched dollar for dollar by Hand in Hand up to our awarded grant amount.  Our grant amount is $8,000, which means that Hand in Hand will match up to $4,000.  All donations are tax-deductible. If you feel led to do so, we are asking you to prayerfully consider giving financially to support us in this process.

You can find out more about Hand in Hand through their website at www.handinhandadopt.org.  You may also contact Hand in Hand Christian Adoption, Inc. with any questions you may have. They can be reached at 913-248-5015 or by e-mail at handinhandadopt@gmail.com.

All donations must be received by Hand in Hand or postmarked no later than October 3, 2013 in order for us to benefit from them.  Please send all donations made payable to "Hand in Hand Christian Adoption" postmarked by October 3, 2013 to: (for tax purposes please include our name on the outside of the envelope only…do not put our name on the check itself)

Hand in Hand Christian Adoption, Inc.
Robert and Jennifer Pannell
18318 Mimosa Court Gardner, KS 66030

Thank you for your prayerful consideration in helping a child find a "forever" family.