God's Puzzle Pieces

It is so amazing as a mother to watch how God works in the lives of her children.  Karleigh talks so much about going to Ghana and her faith is so strong.  It is so cool to watch how her puzzle is growing.  It's such a faithful symbol and reminder to her of God's faithfulness.  This is just so neat to watch and observe the relationship building between her and God. I know I must be rambling on but it's so amazing that's hard to describe. 

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for placing the love of Ghana into Karleigh's heart.  I know she is going to be your hands and feet when she is there.  She is excited to go and pour some love into children.  It's all because of YOU and as her mother, I thank you for choosing her.  In your name only, Amen!

Ghana - Be a Piece of the Puzzle

Karleigh is 2 weeks away from being fourteen years old.  Jarett and I talked about offering Karleigh her first mission trip to Ghana.  At the time, we were expecting our tax refund to pay for her trip.  Well, the IRS has decided to "hold on" to our refund until we send in copies of receipts from our 2008 adoption of the twins.  This didn't only happen to us, but to many families in this adoption world.  Luckily, we have the receipts, but once we send in the copies, the IRS has 45 days to review the receipts and decide to give us our adoption refund (from back in 2008).  With the time line of the IRS and when Deborah "should" be able to come home, we won't have the money for Karleigh to go.  We will barley have the money for me to go and bring Deborah home.  We gave Karleigh the challenge of raising $1,000.  If she can do it, then she will be able to go.

So............................. 

Karleigh is holding her own fund raiser called "Ghana - Be a Piece of the Puzzle".  She has the opportunity to go to Ghana with me to bring Deborah home in hopefully late May.  She is also planning on going to visit other foster homes of children who are in need of families, either due to poverty stricken of the parent(s) or death of one or both parents.  She has talked about adopting children from Africa when she gets older.  So this would be the perfect trip for her to see first hand the place where her sisters have come from. 

She has a 100 piece puzzle of a giraffe (she LOVES giraffes).  She is looking for sponsors to buy 1, 2, 3, or as many as you would like for $10 each.  She will be writing the names of the people/families who sponsor her.  You can even buy a piece or more in honor of someone.  There is no limit.  :) When her puzzle is fully completed, she will be gluing all the pieces together so she can display it on her bedroom wall.

This is a huge opportunity for her to travel to Africa and witness a place that is close to her heart.  She now has 3 sisters from there and as a family we will continue to do work and serve in Ghana.  I strongly believe this is God planting a seed for her to blossom even more. 

If you would like to help her, you can use the "chip-in" button on the right.  It will direct you to PayPal.  In the comments, please write the name/family name you would like on the puzzle piece(s).  Thank you in advance for your support (either through prayers or buying puzzle pieces).  It is definitely appreciated!

<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/22222302" width="400" height="300" frameborder="0"></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/22222302">Waka Waka Dance</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user6695681">Karleigh Baxter</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>

Thank you so much!

Our Paypal account is new so I am having to wait to confirm deposits made into it.  I created a new account just for her trip so any donations made will only go towards her.  The donations that have been made so far towards Karleigh's trip are there, but looks like it will take a couple of days to show up on the "Chip-In" button. 

Two Passports Ready

This was a week of good news:

We got Deborah's passport this past week.  Now we are in the process of getting the visa packet picked up, filled out, and turned in.  I feel for Deborah because I believe she will have to get an "injection".  OUCH!  But it is probably preparing her for the many she will need to get once she comes home.  I am sure we will have many more trips to McDonald's to get milk shakes.  That's usually what we do once we have to go to the doctor's office to get shots.  I don't know why we started that but since everyone was little we have just been doing it!

Karleigh's passport also came in the mail.  We are hoping for her to go with me on the next trip to Ghana.  She is trying to raise $1,000 for her trip.  She has a plan to teach children at the homes in Ghana a couple of dances.  She loves music and dances really well.  She wants to bring fun and love to them.  I just love her heart for children, especially in Ghana.  I think this will be the BEST experience for her.  I really believe that God has lots of plans for her and this is just ONE of them! Any money that is above and beyond her amount, she is planning on buying soccer balls, freebies, and scooters for the children.  She is hoping to take them with her.

If you feel like you would like to donate to her trip, you can use the "Chip-in" button.  I am hoping I set it up right.  If you happen to have any problems, please let me know.  They said it was easy and it seemed easy, but.....way too easy!  :)