Thanks again...

The donations are slowly trickling in!
Thank you "SF"
Thank you "LL"

Here is a copy of the letter I sent to our family & friends.

Family & Friends

Each time we add a child to our crew we are humbled and a little bit overwhelmed. This time rather than a pregnancy announcement it is an adoption announcement! Wesley and I are honored to have these sweet spirits in our home and consider it our greatest honor and asset that we are being blessed with more.
Let me tell you a little bit about Melvin. Melvin had a severe medical need when the group from “Global Orphan Outreach” found him and brought him to the USA on an emergency medical visa. He was diagnosed as severely malnourished (24 lbs at 4 yrs old) and had Malaria and other urgent medical issues. Melvin was cared for by a very special family in Minnesota that covered all of his medical needs and physical needs while in their care. Melvin is also deaf, the remainder of his medical needs have been addressed and he is growing stronger.

Here is where our family steps into the picture. We have the privilege to offer respite care (foster care) for Melvin while we paper chase to adopt him from Liberia. In normal adoptions, the family spends time doing the paper work, and then fundraising and finally brings their child home. In our case, we are starting backwards.

The Dr’s who treated Melvin in Minnesota have said it is a death sentence to send him back to Liberia, where malaria is rampant, they felt his body was too weak from his multiple issues to withstand another infection. Melvin’s Medical Visa is being renewed until August, when we as a family must return with him to appear in the courts to petition to adopt him. We have from now until May to raise $8,000.00. Then we will have until August 2012 to raise the remainder of our expenses (including travel ) estimated at $8,000.00 Total fees will be $16,000.00.

This is where you come in!
We have planned several opportunities to participate in a fundraiser, and we appreciate your support. If there is a certain skill or idea YOU have, we appreciate the help in implementing those ideas.

Here is a list of what OUR family is doing to raise the money for his adoption:

-Walk/Run for Melvin: Hosted by Dee Dibal in Lenexa, Kansas (goal is $4500.00)
Each participant will pay $5 to participate and we will have T-shirts designed to sell for $15.00. You need not be a runner/walker to purchase the T-Shirt. (and designs for the shirt welcome and appreciated)

-TUPPERWARE Fundraiser Hosted by Various team leaders (we mean YOU) (Goal is $4000)
April 17th KICK OFF April 27th CLOSING party/event
We have catalogs or web orders available if customers order from the Tupperware fundraising catalog we get 40% of the money, if they order from the full catalog online we get 25-30% of the money. If you are willing and able to be a team leader we will do an orientation on what it takes to help (pass out flyers/catalogs, collect money, and then take shipment of orders in your area).

-Spaghetti dinner & Dance Hosted by Bear’s Aloha Grill (Goal is $5000)
June 8th 6 p.m. suggested donation $8.00 per plate or $50.00 per family
Looking for entertainment for this evening, singers, bands, etc cabaret style. If you have a talent you are willing to share, please volunteer. We also need people; to donate some of the foods, to help arrange a program and of course SPREAD THE WORD.

Of course if you do not feel like you have the skills or time to donate, we also have a PayPal account set up to accept donations. If you go to our family blog : http://gordonfamilyupdates.blogspot.com/ , there is a “donate via PayPal” button . It goes directly to the savings account we have started for Melvin’s adoption.

Please do not feel bad if FUNDS are not available to donate, we are asking for your support as well as donations, there is no way we can pull this off without help, Thanks For EVERYTHING you do!

The road we have started is a long one and has many twists and turns. Already the 6 weeks since we have decided to adopt have been a HUGE roller coaster. We appreciate your SUPPORT and PRAYERS as well as any other ways YOU feel like you can help our efforts. Any POSITIVE feedback appreciated (since we are WELL AWARE of the hurdles we have to face).
Much love and appreciation!
Wesley & Deanna Gordon & Family.

A countdown

We have a date!

Tuesday March 20th Melvin will arrive with his host mom.

I am thrilled, excited, nervous, anxious.

Overwhelmed.

We had thought that we could easily raise the funds for travel and the adoption expenses by August. Now we are being told that we need to have all our necessary documents in Liberia by June. Two months before we were planning.

I am feeling the pressure. Paperwork galore, and the fees that go along with it are adding up quickly.

Seeing his sweet, mischievous face....it is all worth it.

When I met Melvin, I took him to the Sea Life Aquarium at the Mall of America. here is a few photos from our weekend together.

So amazing...

I HAD to adjust the funds thermometer THREE times today! tomorrow I will wait for the end of the day. that way it may seem...more dramatic! ;)

Thank you "S"
Thank you "A"
Thank you "L"

Our First Donation!

So Exciting.

Thanks to those who have responded in support.

I have been trying to think of more ways to help you feel connected. So i figured I would make a running tally of the expenses thus far.....

Trip to Visit Melvin in MN
Gas $250.00
Hotel$187.00
Food $112.00
Museum $55.00

Background Checks
MO State $35.00
AK. State $55.00
FBI$ 48.20(x3)= $144.60

Home study
Home study Fee $1395.00
Travel expenses for Home Study Worker TBD


TO DATE SPENT: $2350.60

What next...What now?

One year.

What can change in one year? You can gestate a new life in less than one year.

You can build a home in 1 year.

You can change your habits, therefore changing your life, you can create new traditions.

So much potential in a year.
Last year I had a goal, I was intensely focused on, and I was working SO HARD to accomplish my goal to obtain my CPM.

There was a trade off. The hours are brutal and the expenses involved were draining.
I was in love with the women I worked with, considered it an honor to call them my friends & comrades.

I still love these women. they are an inspiration to me.

This year is different.

Change is good.

Life is change.

And for now I re-group, re-assess, and pray that my heart will accept the path that is set before me.

I adore my life, I am in love with my husband, I am honored to parent my wonderful children.
And I accept the challenge to follow this path wherever it takes me, do not pity me, for I choose this path. I accept all that it entails, I know it will not be easy, but that which is easy seldom produces excellence.

The LEAD program I have been developing for years will continue to be developed, I will seek out opportunities to encourage the youth and the downtrodden, i love to see hope ignited in the eyes of those who felt there was no hope.

I enjoy seeing the potential of youth pushing beyond the norm and reaching for that which will bring them freedom, and peace, and their own definition of success!

Success for me is knowing that my children feel loved, supported and challenged.
Success is seeing my husband feel cherished and supported.
Success is knowing I have pleased my Father in Heaven with the work I put forth.
Success is feeling the love of those around me.
Success is sharing my testimony in word, deed and action.

Success is knowing that today I am closer to my goal than yesterday, it may not be as rapid as I originally scheduled, but a step in the right direction is still right.

And so I slow my pace, I evaluate what is Good, what is Better and what is Best.

My best is supporting my family and my Savior.
My best is praying earnestly for the courage to do what is necessary.

I AM NOT GIVING UP.

I am living, loving, learning to be adaptable, to be obedient, to be humble.

Pray for me. As I pray for you.