Saturday, August 20, 2016

Dossier!

We received an anonymous donation today and the funds to pay our next agency fee are covered!!!!!! This means that our dossier (many, many certified documents) will be submitted to Poland THIS WEEK without any delay. We are blown away by God's goodness and the generosity of our family, friends, and even strangers <3!

Thursday, August 18, 2016

They Know!!!!!

Today, we got to tell the kids that we are adopting them!!!!!!!!!  It was magical.  They said that they were "jumping for joy" and sent us about 1000 heart and smile emojis <3.

Before today, we were strictly forbidden from saying anything about adoption because the officials in Poland want families to be far enough along in the process that there is certainty that everything will work out.  The kids have been asking us if we would adopt them, even apologizing for things as if they thought that we hadn't mentioned adoption because they disappointed us somehow... it has been heartbreaking.  Yesterday, we got the "okay" to tell them and then we had to wait patiently for them to get online... I hardly slept ;).  We wrote and re-wrote our announcement about 300 times and had it proofread by our facilitator so that it would be perfect.  These last 18 days have been hard knowing how heartbroken they were. We are so so so happy that the kids are finally going to bed tonight with smiles on their faces and hope in their hearts!!!!  

Because our dossier was completed so recently for Amelia's adoption, we were able to "re-use" everything! This is wonderful because the process is moving quickly but it leaves us with very little time to come up with the needed finances. Currently, we are working as quickly as possible to raise $9,145 so that we can submit our dossier (certified documents) to Poland. We have $2,600 left to go and then those documents will be translated and submitted.  Other than frantically fundraising, we just get to wait while our documents go through the process of being approved by all of the necessary agencies.  We expect to be traveling in 4-5 months to bring our kids home :).

Thank you for supporting us and for continuing to cover us all in prayer!

Monday, August 15, 2016

LuLaRoe Fundraiser


Just in time for back to school shopping, join us for a LuLaRoe party! Our generous host, Andrea, is donating 100% of her commission to the Howell family to help bring their kids home from Poland.

LuLaRoe: where style meets comfort.  Although, famous for their "buttery" soft and fashionable leggings, LuLaRoe also carries beautiful (and comfortable!!) tops and dresses for girls and women, as well as items for men.

Join the party here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1765829070369171/.  The sale will start on August 22nd at 5pm PDT and over 700 items will be posted for sale!  In the meantime, we will play some games and have some giveaways!!!  Please join the party now and help us spread the word.

Thank you for supporting the Howell family!

Saturday, August 13, 2016

Coat / Backpack Hangers


Just in time for back to school!  Custom, hand-painted coat/backpack hangers.

Customize with family names or a favorite word or quote.  E-mail codihowell@gmail.com to choose size, number of hooks, color of stain, and personalization.   **local orders only please**

Donations can be made at: https://www.youcaring.com/the-howell-family-615422.

In your e-mail, please include length (ones pictured are 4' long), number of hooks, stain color, customization (names or quote and paint color), and hardware color (silver, bronze, or black).
Stain colors:

Thank you for supporting us!!

Wednesday, August 10, 2016

Quilt Raffle

Our generous and talented Aunt Holly has made this gorgeous quilt (66"x78") and is raffling it off as a fundraiser for our adoption!!

For every $5 donation, you will receive an entry in the drawing.

First, make your donation here: https://www.youcaring.com/the-howell-family-615422 AND then forward your e-mailed receipt to her at ghmom600@gmail.com. Don't forget the second step, that is how you will be entered in the drawing. She will choose the winner on September 15th at noon PDT.

Thank you Aunt Holly and thank YOU everyone for supporting us!!!!!


Sunday, August 7, 2016

Garage Sale


Skate Night and Silent Auction

Please invite your friends! 100% of proceeds for both skating and the silent auction will go directly to the Howell family!!! Let's work together and get these kids back home to their family.

If you'd prefer to pay with a credit card, you can pay for your skating in advance on the families' donation page: https://www.youcaring.com/the-howell-family-615422. Please forward your receipt to codihowell@gmail.com so that we can be sure to add you to the "pre-paid" list! Payments at the door will be cash only.

If you have an item to donate for the silent auction, please contact Codi at codihowell@gmail.com

For more information about the Howell family and their adoption visit their blog at http://siblingsforthehowells.blogspot.com/ Also, you can make donations by visiting https://www.youcaring.com/the-howell-family-615422.


Thank you for your support and the role that you are playing in changing the lives of these children forever!! <3

Stroller and Car Seat Tags

Receive a large, double-sided and sturdy stroller and/or car seat tag for your medically fragile or special needs child while supporting the adoption of three siblings from Eastern Europe!  The Howells have three daughters with special needs (one is already in heaven) and the youngest of the sibling group that they are adopting also has special needs.

Tags easily attach to your stroller or car seat with a metal chain and clasp. Tags are laminated!

Cost: $7.50 for 1 or $5.00/ea for 2+, shipping is included.
Full customization (text, clipart, colors, size, shape) available. Additional donations appreciated!

To order, first make your donation here: https://www.youcaring.com/the-howell-family-615422
and then forward your receipt with description of your order to: codihowell@gmail.com.
Your order will ship in 1-3 business days.

Thank you for the role that you are playing in changing the lives of these three beautiful children!

Saturday, August 6, 2016

Local YogaFaith Fundraiser [Two Dates!]

Come enjoy an amazing, worshipful yoga class with us. Suggested donation of $10/person.

Two dates: Saturday, August 13th; 9am
and Saturday, August 27th; 9 am

Childcare is available (please RSVP if you need childcare so that there can be adequate coverage for the number of children).

Thank you!

Thursday, August 4, 2016

Amazon Fundraiser

Shop Amazon and 7.00% of your total purchase will be donated back to our adoption!!

Begin by clicking on this link FIRST: http://www.amazon.com/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&linkCode=ur2&tag=clairesch-20&linkId=3DRURNQPLRTWAWQN, then fill your cart and checkout like you usually would.

Thank you for supporting us <3.  Every little bit helps!!!

T-Shirt Fundraiser

For our first fundraiser, we are selling t-shirts! They are inspired by the song "Do Something" by Mathew West. The saying on the shirt can relate to ANY local or global cause or passion. Of course, for the Howells and many of their followers, they will represent adoption or foster care but they were designed this way so that they can be worn by anyone and everyone in support of the cause(s) that they are passionate about.

Please, please, please .... share, share, SHARE! You never know which of your family and friends might really like to have this awesome shirt.

"If not us, then who
If not me and you
Right now, 
it’s time for us to do something
If not now, then when
Will we see an end
To all this pain
It’s not enough to do nothing
It’s time for us to do something"
-Matthew West, "Do Something"

Place your order here: https://www.bonfirefunds.com/sibling-adoption-for-the-howell-family by 8/20/16. Shirts are dark gray and the styles offered are: men's tees, women's fitted tees, long sleeve tees, youth-sized tees, and hoodies!  Shirts will ship directly to your home around 14 days after the campaign ends.





DO SOMETHING: Laugh. Adopt. Shine. Stand up for the weak. Feed the hungry. Clean water for all. Love. Fight for justice. Uplift. Advocate. Show Christ's love. Smile. Comfort. Rebuild. Serve. Plant seeds of hope. Share the Gospel. Pray. Care. Act. Heal the hurting. End pain. Help others. Teach. Impact. Volunteer. Forgive. Console the lost. Listen. Be the one. Stand up. Love my neighbor. Hope. Support. Be kind. Hug. Champion a cause. Stop bullying. Encourage. ..............

General Donation Information

The ransom for three siblings from this particular Eastern European country is estimated at $39,814 by the Howell's agency, $10,000 of this is due immediately so that the Howell's dossier can be submitted.  In addition to these fees, the country that they are adopting from requires that the family spend about two months in country to complete the adoption. During this time, the Howells will not receive any income so they must prepare for that as well.

You can donate to the Howell's adoption here: https://www.youcaring.com/the-howell-family-615422
OR you can mail a tax-deductible donation directly to their agency: An Open Door Adoption Agency, Inc. PO Box 4 Thomasville, GA 31799. 

Thank you for your generous support!

About the Howell Family

Justin and Codi Howell are high school sweethearts who have now been married for nine years. Codi has wanted to have a large family and to pursue adoption ever since she was a little girl and Justin was adopted himself. Adoption has always been something that is close to their hearts.

The Howells currently have four children at home and one in heaven. Anna is seven, Levi is four, and Amelia and Claire are two. The couple adopted Amelia from Eastern Europe in 2015. She has thrived in their home and the Howells feel so blessed to be her parents. Both Amelia and Claire have Down syndrome. Their daughter, Emelyn, was born with a very rare condition and passed away due to complications in 2010.

Codi is a passionate advocate of adoption. She sends pictures and updates about orphans and other adoptive families to Justin almost daily. In May 2016, while scrolling through her Facebook news feed, Codi saw a picture of a sibling group that was available for summer hosting. Not knowing much about hosting but feeling an instant connection to the children in the picture, Codi sent the picture and summary to Justin who immediately felt the same connection. It was the siblings’ last chance for hosting and the couple had just one week to raise the full amount of funds needed for the children’s hosting fees / travel / visas / passports / etc. They prayed and God provided the full amount in just THREE DAYS! The couple hosted the children in their home for five weeks. Their love for them was instantaneous and all members of the family bonded quickly and easily … it was meant to be! Saying “goodbye” to children who so quickly became their own was one of the hardest things the couple has ever done. The Howells are working quickly to be reunited with their children.

Because they have already adopted from the same Eastern European country recently, many of the necessary requirements are already in place and the process is moving quickly. This is wonderful but it also means that their available financial resources are already exhausted and also, that they have to come up with the finances much more quickly. The Howells appreciate your financial support as they, once again, “step out of the boat” in obedience, believing that He is going to make a way where there seems to be no way.

The ransom for three siblings from this particular country is estimated at $39,814 by the Howell's agency, $10,070 of this is due immediately so that the Howell's dossier can be submitted.  In addition to these fees, the country that they are adopting from requires that the family spend about two months in country to complete the adoption. During this time, the Howells will not receive any income so they must prepare for that as well.

You can donate to the Howell's adoption here: https://www.youcaring.com/the-howell-family-615422
or you can mail a tax-deductible donation directly to their agency: An Open Door Adoption Agency, Inc. PO Box 4 Thomasville, GA 31799. Please note "Justin and Codi Howell" in the memo section of your check.

Thank you for your generous support!

The Howell family, including the children that they are adopting!