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19

Feb

Families Can Assist with Affording Adoption

by Brittany Smith

International adoption requires the services of many professionals so the cost can be considerable. Families often turn to fundraising for affording adoption. Involving family and friends in an adoption is not only an important way to educate them about adoption but also a good way for them to offer both financial and emotional support. This will ...

17

Feb

Book Review: No Biking in the House Without a Helmet

by Angela Simpson, BSW

Every parent has had that moment where they have said something to their children and then they think, “Did those words actually come out of my mouth?” For example, I have said the following to my children: “don’t lick your shoe,” “don’t throw the cat,” “don’t ride the dog,” “don’t brush the sink with your ...

6

Jan

Engaged Education

by Caitlin Snyder

in MLJ Adoptions, Resources

Starting in January and going through March, each family that becomes an MLJ Adoptions’ client by making a first payment, will receive a free copy of The Connected Child. MLJ Adoptions is committed to supporting parents before, during and after adoption. One of the ways we work to do so is by preparing families as ...

9

Dec

Celebrate Your Adoptive Child’s Culture with these Crafts

by Brittany Smith

The holidays are just around the corner. Your time becomes filled with shopping to find the perfect present for that special someone that has everything. Your kids are playing in the snow, drinking hot cocoa and possibly driving you crazy because school is out. If you run out of things for them to clean and ...

8

Dec

What Not to Say When You Attend an Adoption Fundraiser

by Angela Simpson, BSW

Over the past few years, I have learned that when talking about adoption there are some things that you just don’t say or that you say differently so as not to unintentionally offend anyone. Already in our adoption process, many people have asked us, without meaning to be offensive, when we will be able to ...

3

Dec

What is a Lifebook?

by Karlene Edgemon, MS, LSW

A Lifebook is a connection to an adopted child’s past, a record of the child’s personal history and a valuable tool for helping a child understand the difficult transitions in his or her life. It is a detailed record of his or her life prior to adoption and a window into the child’s identity. Lifebooks ...

1

Dec

20 “Outside the Box” Ideas for Affording Adoption

by Michele Jackson, JD

Often adoptive families find themselves in a situation in which they need to fundraiser for their international adoption or domestic adoption. We have heard about the garage sales, bake sales, golf outings, auctions and grant options. However, there may be ways that bring in money for adoption expenses that we have not considered. The following ...

13

Nov

11 Tips to Write an Effective Adoption Fundraising Letter

by Camie Schuiteman

International adoption requires the services of a lot of professionals – social workers, attorneys, translators – and the expenses add up. Increasingly, prospective adoptive parents are turning to fundraising letters to raise these funds for their adoption. Below are 11 tips for writing an effective adoption fundraising letter. Clearly articulate your passion to adopt and ...

5

Nov

MLJ Adoptions To Host Affording Adoption Seminar

by Caitlin Snyder

For the employees of MLJ Adoptions, adoption is not just a profession, but a personal passion. Camie Schuiteman is the perfect example of how adoption is not only her day job, but also one of her favorite ways to serve others and advocate for the orphan. In addition to home schooling her children and assisting ...

8

Oct

Orphan Sunday

by Caitlin Snyder

Rooted in the Christian faith is the commandment to look out for those in need. Throughout the Bible, various scripture passages call attention to the importance of caring specifically for the orphan child. The Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO) coordinates a special initiative called Orphan Sunday. The first Sunday in November, across the globe, churches ...

24

Sep

Children’s Book Review: Chosen by Love

by Camie Schuiteman

Having just written a blog on “sacrificial saving” for your adoption, I confess my downfall is believing books are needs and not wants! So, when I discovered an adoption book for children that did not grace my bookshelf, I entered the EBay world. Chosen By Love, written by Tom Jaski, is a faith-based story about ...

3

Sep

Yes, You Can Afford Adoption!

by Camie Schuiteman

YES! You CAN afford adoption! “Sacrifice” according to Webster can be described as a “surrender of something for the sake of something else.” This certainly describes the adoption funding process. You have chosen to sacrifice for something precious – your child. Just as each child is unique, so are the families who adopt. This means ...

12

Aug

MudLOVE: Unique Opportunity for Adoption Fundraiser

by Caitlin Snyder

International adoption is expensive. Many families on their adoption journeys look for creative ways to fundraise and finance their adoptions. We are thankful to have had the opportunity to speak with an organization that has helped some of our MLJ Adoptions families make their adoption dreams a reality. Kristin Elsner is the Administrative Director for ...

6

Aug

7 Tips for an Effective Auction Fundraiser

by Ashlie Hartgraves

The journey to adoption is not an easy one. The financial aspect was an especially daunting obstacle we had when we started this process. Before we had even turned in our application to MLJ Adoptions, we had bought and read (three times) the book Adopting without Debt by Julie Gumm. It’s a great quick read ...

16

Jul

Perspective is Key to Overcoming Adoptive Parent Struggles

I will just be honest with you – there are times that it is truly difficult to love some of my children. I am so tired of feeling frustrated, of being angry and not being able to have a peaceful moment when they are all at home, feeling unappreciated, taken for granted and nothing is ...

9

Jul

Book Review: Journalist Describes Life in Kinshasa

by Brady McIntosh

in Congo, Resources

Stringer by Anjan Sundaram is a vivid first-hand account of a journalist’s time spent in the Democratic Republic of Congo surrounding the recent election of Joseph Kabila as president. A promising mathematics student, Sundaram had a change of heart while in college and decided to drop out to pursue a career in journalism in one of the ...

2

Jul

Simple Changes Make Affording Adoption Possible

by Lindsay Conner

With some changes to your everyday life, you can change your spending habits and essentially “raise” thousands of dollars by saving money for your adoption. Couponing: Do you clip coupons, or throw them away? Websites like Money Saving Mom and Coupon Mom will help you learn how to stack coupons in order to get many ...

25

Jun

Your Voice Can Make a Difference for Children

by Caitlin Snyder

When I was in high school, George Clooney won an award. In his acceptance speech, he said he’s made his life about challenging those with more power than him, and sticking up for those with less. I was sixteen at the time and I remember thinking, “Yes, that’s what I want my life to be ...

11

Jun

Father’s Day Gift Ideas from the Kids

by Jordan Kelly

Make Dad feel awesome this Father’s Day with these special gifts and fun craft ideas. I don’t know how it is in your house, but I know my dad enjoys being the “Grill Master.” He prides himself in being able to sear perfect grill marks and concoct a marinade bursting with flavor. If Dad is ...

9

Jun

Summer Provides Fresh Ideas for Affording Adoption

by Caitlin Snyder

Summer is here! The kids are out of school. Suddenly your family’s routine has been turned upside down. Checking backpacks for homework has been replaced by packing the pool bag for the afternoon’s adventure to the pool. The summer can provide your family with some new fundraising ideas for financing your adoption in addition to ...

28

May

The Importance of Self Care to Adoptive Parents

Recently, I was able to attend the Christian Alliance for Orphans Summit in Chicago and attended a breakout session that spoke volumes to me. The session was led by Deborah D. Gray, author of Attaching in Adoption, and was titled “It’s a Marathon, Not a Sprint: Your Self-Care and Why it Matters.” It didn’t take long ...

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