Uh...a short wait//IT'S A GIRL!!//We have $8300 to raise...FAST!!

So I promised you an update, I just didn't realize what the nature of it would be!

WE HAVE A REFERRAL!!!

As you know from our last post, we were placed on our agency's waiting list on Friday (the 23rd). We did not know how long it would take us to get a referral, but we figured it would happen fairly quickly. We just didn't realize how quickly!

We knew there was a healthy little 4 year old girl on the list of waiting children. She had been placed on that list because of her age, as there were no families waiting for a child over 3 yrs old. We saw her when she was placed on the list last month, and have waited to see if the Lord would move another family to change their age range and ask about her. We did not want to do anything ourselves until our paperwork was done and we were in a place to really do something. We trusted the Lord would place her right where He wanted her.

Well, when Friday came, and she was still on the list, we officially requested her file. And today, after much prayer, we let our agency know that we would like to adopt this precious little girl.

Her name will be...Abigail Lynne

Abby has been at the House of Hope since April, so several families who have traveled for their adoptions have met her, loved on her, and have been praying for her family. This fact alone brings tears to my eyes, and their loving words about her have given us a glimpse into the heart and personality of this special little girl that will become a part of our family. We are not able to post any pictures of her yet, but I can assure you, she is beautiful and precious, and her smile lights up her face.

So exciting, right?! As for timing, right now it seems we will travel for our first trip around the end of Oct, or early Nov, and then our second trip will be 6 weeks after that. There is a chance Abby will be home by Christmas...but probably no later than January of next year.

THE WORK AHEAD: Piecing Together Abby's Referral Fee

So here's what's next. We have a referral fee of $8300 due immediately (deadline of Friday, August 6th). We knew our process might go quickly, but we had no idea it would be this fast. We are currently being considered for several grants, two of which said we would be notified by the end of August. We had hoped these grants might be God's provision for the majority of our referral fee. However, our referral fee is due immediately and our agency cannot wait to see if we may or may not receive a grant. So we have to come up with the funds another way, and if the grants come in, they can be applied to other costs down the road.

So we are asking you to join with us and help us bring Abby Lynne home!! We are going to use a great idea some of our friends have been using for their fundraising, and piece together a puzzle as folks contribute towards our referral fee. Each piece will be $20, and we will write the name of each person who buys a piece (or pieces) on the back of the piece, and eventually frame the puzzle in a double glass frame. It will be a constant reminder, to hang on our wall, of those who came together to help bring Abby home. Below is the image of the puzzle we are putting together:

the White Umbrella by Sylvia Walker


500 pieces @ $20 a piece= $10,000 raised (if fully completed)

You can contribute towards our referral fee in a few different ways ways:

• Use the PayPal link to the right to donate any amount (Scroll back up & click the little image of the puzzle or the donate button...either way should work. **I have heard some are having problems with the link--I'm not sure why. So sorry--it's so frustrating! I can't figure out why it is working for some and not others. You can still donate through paypal, just designate my email: walserhome at tampabay dot rr dot com.)
  
• You may make a tax deductible contribution through our LifeBridge Church adoption fund. Make checks payable to "LifeBridge Church", attach a note that it is for Abby's Referral Fee, and mail it to: LifeBridge Church, P.O. Box 520, Largo, FL, 33779
• Shirts are still available, and 100% goes towards the referral fee! All the shirt details can be found here.
• "Hannah" and "Danielle" tu-tu's are available at Kathryn's etsy shop, and from now until Aug 6th, she is giving 100% of her profits toward our referral fee!!! (Thank you, Kathryn!)
  

For every $20 donated, we will write your name on the back of a puzzle piece, and Abby will forever know the loved ones who helped bring her home.

We have exactly 7 days, friends. We would be grateful if you would help spread the word by posting on your blogs or on facebook or twitter. (If you post, please leave a comment & let us know so that we can thank you!)

If you would like you can cut and paste this message on Facebook:

"Help piece together Abby's referral fee! The Walsers have 7 days to raise $8200~it's as simple as $20 for a puzzle piece! Be a part of bringing her home to her forever family! Go to www.lovewithabandon.com and donate today!"

This is a huge task ahead. It is alot to raise in a short period of time. But we believe that nothing is impossible with God, and it is His hurdle to jump, His sea to part, His mountain to move. We believe He has asked us to adopt this little girl who needs a family, even though we do not have the means, and we will trust Him to provide.

Thank you for all of your love and support and prayers! We are truly grateful! Let's watch and see what God can do in 7 days!!