July 18, 2015

Today is going to be a full post because our internet has been out for awhile with all the amazing storms we've had! I need to catch up, since a lot has been going on with our adoption lately!

Last Sunday at church our pastor spoke with inspiration from Genesis 22: 1-18. He emphasized that if you obey God, he will bless you! But you have to be willing to say God, here I am! I'm yours..... Boy, is this true. When we start to feel overwhelmed or stressed about our adoption is when we stray from prayer and remembering that this entire adoption process is in HIS hands. We have to stand for him and he will bless this process as much as possible. We continue to find little blessings along this journey whether it be a donation, a nice gesture, or even extra money seems to find it's way into our checking account. We know that we stand for him and that he is and will continue to bless us through this process and help us overcome all the obstacles that stand in our way.

We hosted our small group over for a prayer night for Burundi because of their upcoming election. We prayed for Burundi's government leaders, Mugisha Children's home, and the future of adoption in Burundi. The election has been postponed again until later this month. We just pray that the election happens soon and the citizens of Burundi find peace in the outcome no matter what!

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7

Our paperwork coordinator from All God's Children International really believes that we're on track to submit our completed paperwork to them by September 14th. Wow! I can't believe that we might actually complete all these tasks in 4 months! If we are able to make this happen financially then after immigration and the Central Authority in Burundi accepts our application to adopt the waiting begins!!!!! We may only have to wait 8-9 months from that point which would be about a year from now that our little one would get to join our family!

Please continue to pray and help us spread the word regarding our puzzle piece fundraiser! Each piece gets up closer to our $12,000 that's needed for our next payment! 

Thank you again for everything!

                  Love,

            Jim and Kelly 

July 7, 2015

Good Afternoon!

Jim and I are excited to show everyone pictures of our first puzzle that has been pieced together thanks to all the wonderful donations. We truly appreciate everyone that has opened their hearts to help us make this adoption possible!

 Front of the Puzzle

                                          Back of the Puzzle

I can't wait to hang this and two more puzzles in our child's room! Thank you again to everyone that has sponsored a piece of our puzzle!!!!!

                     Love,
               Jim and Kelly

June 30, 2015

Back to Reality after my 12 day trip with students and families from Goshen High School to Europe. We traveled through Eastern Europe. It was an amazing opportunity, and one that I hope Jim and I can provide to our future son/daughter someday! I foresee trips to Disney World and the Grand Canyon in our near future, post adoption! Oh, those will be the days!

We have been working hard today to continue the paperwork journey. We accomplished a lot today and hope to get more completed tomorrow. We officially have 1 of our 3 puzzles put together as well. I will post a picture once it's sealed next week! :)

We want to thank everyone for their continued support and prayers! This is one of the most rewarding yet exhausting processes, we've ever been through.

        Pause thinks she's helping with the paperwork!


Love, 
Jim and Kelly

June 12, 2015

Today Jim and I went to have our medicals and local background checks completed. Our goal is to get the first round of paperwork to our Home Study Agency before I leave Tuesday on a 12 day trip with students and families from Goshen High School. Jim always loves an opportunity to get shots and have blood drawn, so you can just imagine how much he enjoyed himself today! (Insert Sarcasm)
I will tell you that it's the little things that get you along this journey. The wonderful news of our adoption is beginning to spread throughout Goshen! I love being able to share our journey with family and friends. Today we went to the Goshen Police Department to get our local background checks completed. As I was getting my $14.00 out to pay for them, they continued to tell me that there would be no charge. It just made my heart smile. Every penny counts at this point as we are saving for our next HUGE payment of $11,000. Goshen is such a unique community and definitely an excellent place to grow a family! The picture below truly describes the place I love Goshen, Indiana.



           Love,
    Jim and Kelly 

June 3, 2015

Good Evening everyone, today our adoption process really got REAL! Jim and I traveled to Indianapolis today for our home study orientation with St. Elizabeth/Coleman Pregnancy and Adoption Services. Then on the way home, we had a conference call with All God's Children International in the car to discuss our dossier process. Wow, we certainly have a lot of work ahead of us! Our social worker at St. Elizabeth/Coleman called this our paperwork pregnancy, and trust us she's not lying! We went into these meetings with an open mind knowing that there would be a lot to complete. Their goal is for all of our paperwork and next payment to be submitted by September 14th. That is a bit stressful, but we love their optimism. Ultimately, this part of the process has to be completed by November 14th. Our next payment is $11,000 not counting our home study fee and other expenses that will come up during the paperwork process. Jim and I need to start spreading the work regarding our puzzle fundraiser. If you feel led to help us with this, please contact Jim or I. You can email us at kwhittker217@gmail.com or jwhittake727@gmail.com 


Love,
Jim and Kelly

May 31, 2015

Most of you like Jim and I have never heard of Burundi, Africa until our adoption process started. Well lately, Burundi has been making headlines. The citizens of Burundi are upset because Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza placed a bid for a third consecutive term. This has sparked weeks of civil unrest. The presidential election is set for June 26th. Our contacts in Burundi through our adoption agency are stating that this normal in a 3rd world country around election time. They do not see this ultimately having any effect on our adoption process. All we can do is pray for the country of Burundi and our little one that is living there waiting for us! 

       Love,
Jim and Kelly 

May 25, 2015


Operation Organize and prepare for our home study officially began this weekend! We took time to organize and downsize as much as possible. I know it's early, but I'm excited for the day when we can paint and prepare the little ones bedroom! It's fun to purge and organize when there is a purpose of another human that will be joining your family! The journey of Operation Organize is not complete, but the goal is to have it completed by the time I leave for Europe this summer with Goshen High School. We shall see!

                                 Love,
                                Jim and Kelly