We have a BIG Surprise!

 

 

Amelia was born on November 19, 2013 in Poland with ten fingers, ten toes, beautiful blue eyes, and Down syndrome. Her file says that her parents "did not accept a sick baby" and she was placed in an instituition when she was just weeks old. She is now 16 months old and has been waiting far too long for her forever family. Well, we are finally HERE!

Please help us bring this sweet girl home and SOON. She desperately needs access to therapies, better nutrition, and medical care as soon as possible.

A special needs adoption looks a little different than a typical, international adoption simply because there aren't many families willing to adopt children with special needs - the children are the ones waiting to be matched, not the parents. Because of this, Amelia is already "ours" and we can bring her home as soon as we can get all of our paperwork approved by both countries and have all of our  funding. Of course we ALL want that process to be as quick as possible so we are moving ahead at lightning speed, our social worker told us that we completed the fastest home study she has ever seen and we are on track to do the same with our dossier. We attribute it to a lot of hard work but there was also a whole lot of favor! There's just not much else to help explain how we were able to complete a 3-4 month process in just 2 weeks. 

One of the scariest parts of stepping out in faith is that first step! It feels much like walking off of a ledge without being able to see if there's anything there to catch you. It takes a lot of faith, a really deep breath, maybe even a squint of your eyes, and a JUMP. We are confident that God is calling us to bring little Miss Amelia into our family and we are excited to watch Him make it all come together in a way that only He can. We "stepped off the ledge" by committing to be her family, she is no longer listed for adoption and she is counting on us to see this through. It isn't easy for anyone to ask for help but we believe that because God is calling us to step out in faith, he is also stirring the hearts of people to come alongside and help us. We cannot do this alone. 

The road ahead is full of paperwork and fundraising, the cost of Amelia's adoption will be close to $35,000. We have already paid a good portion of that in application fees, preparing documents, payments to our agency, and on our home study. We have about $30,000 left to raise. That is the only downside to a quick adoption, there is less time to fundraise so we absolutely need your help to get this done as quickly as possible so we can get this girl home. 

Ways you can help:

- Prayer: Pray that we would have favor with our government and theirs and that the adoption process would go smoothly and quickly. Pray that our faith would remain unwavering.

- Donate to our FSP (Family Sponsorship Program): Donations are completely tax deductible, you will receive a receipt and be able to write 100% of your donation off on your 2015 taxes! The link to our FSP page on Reece's Rainbow is: http://reecesrainbow.org/89467/sponsorhowell-3 (if you aren't familiar with our family story, use this link to find out more about our family as well). We will be making some pretty artwork to hang in Amelia's room that will contain the names of everyone who helped bring her home!

Please note: Donations made via PayPal will incur a 3% reduction in the donation toward Amelia's adoption to cover those Paypal fees. Donations made via check  are given at 100% (Checks should be made payable to Reece’s Rainbow and mailed to PO Box 277 Monrovia, MD 21770. Be sure to write that it is for Mimi/the Howells). Also, we will not be able to see who has donated until later in the process (they give us one big list after all of the donations are in) so, if you'd like us to know that you donated, please send us a message so that we can say thank you!

- Help us with fundraising: Do you have an idea for a fundraiser? Do you have a product or service to donate for either a giveaway or an auction? Are you willing to ask for donations, either monetary or items for a giveaway or auction (we are happy to provide you with a request letter)? Do you have a project that we could help you with or a job that we could do in exchange for a donation to our FSP? [Again, as long as payment is made through our FSP, all donations are 100% tax deductible!]. Let's get creative!

- Share our Facebook/Blog posts: Help us spread the word! You never know who might see a post that you shared and be willing to donate, pray, or even just continue the cycle of sharing.

Things that aren't helpful:

- Saying things like "I don't know how you're going to do it.": Keep it positive. There is an enemy and he loves to stir up confusion and doubt. We need to hear things that are faith-building. We don't know how we are going to do it either! Instead say something like, "You are going to make great parents for this little girl. When things get hard, I will be right here to help."

- Saying "Please let me know what I can do" (anyone else agree that this phrase should be removed from our vocabulary?!): If your heart is stirred or you feel like God is calling you to help in any way, we graciously accept! There is no "wrong" way to help, it is all a blessing and we (and Amelia!) appreciate it very much. 

Finally, we have to be VERY careful with the use of Amelia (Mimi)'s pictures and name.  If you'd like to include her name or images in a post, blog, etc.  PLEASE ask first.

THANK YOU for taking the time to read about our new journey!  We are beyond excited. Our hearts are longing to meet her, to hold her in our arms, and to finally bring her home.  Thank you for coming along for the ride!!!!

"Be strong in the Lord and never give up hope.

You're gonna do great things

I already know

God's got his hand on you so 

don't live life in fear

forgive and forget

but don't forget why you're here

Take your time and pray

These are the words I would say"

-Sidewalk Prophets

"Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders

Let me walk upon the waters

Wherever You would call me

Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander

And my faith will be made stronger

In the presence of my Savior"

-Hillsong United

<3 The Howells