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

May 20, 2015


Today is a day Jim and I are definitely relying on our relationship with God. The journey of adoption is full of ups and downs just as life is. Our process is still moving smoothly we are just in a situation where we need to make a big final decision. Prayers for peace of mind would be greatly appreciated!


Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.     Proverbs  3:5-6

                                              Love,
                                              Jim and Kelly 

May 10, 2015

Happy Mother's Day!  Jim and I want to continue to thank everyone for their support through this journey. We're thrilled and excited to be parents. I can't help but reflect on my excitement of becoming a mother on this special day.
                            
                                                              Love,
                                                      Jim and Kelly