Author Archives: heather
Tomorrow!
Katelyn’s Fund Orphan Ministry is so excited about our BIG DAY tomorrow! We are celebrating Orphan Sunday with several events planned at First Reformed Church here in Sioux Center. Speakers, fellowship, music, WORSHIP! I personally am so eager in anticipation that I can hardly type! If you live near to us, please consider joining … Continue reading
COC Fee Increase
Attention parents: On November 23, 2010 the fee for an internationally-adopted child’s US COC (Certificate of Citizenship) will increase from the current cost of $420 to $600. If you are able, and if this is something required for your family, you may want to file sooner rather than later! You will need to complete form … Continue reading
National Adoption Awareness Month
On the prowl for some simple activities our family could enjoy throughout this special month, I came across this amazing calendar. The ease of most ideas combined with the meaningfulness behind them will provide wonderful ways for my husband, our 4 kids, and I to commemorate how we’ve been blessed by the gift of adoption. … Continue reading
The Eyes Have It: Older Child Adoption
I admit, I am an adoptive parent blog stalker. I soak up those stories of preparation for a child through adoption, of the journeys taken until that very first meeting, of the moments and days and years following. When we were waiting for our son, I found encouragement from others walking paths that resembled ours. … Continue reading
Countdown
In preparation for National Adoption Month in November, and for Orphan Sunday on November 7, I want to alert you to some great, easily-accessed resources. My family is working through a 40 Days of Prayer guide focusing on orphan awareness. You can find, review, and download it HERE. The various Katelyn’s Fund teams started the … Continue reading
If What
I’m notorious for my worrying skills. Many of us worry about things that never happen, but my husband has gone so far as to tenderly point out my worrying over diseases that don’t even exist. My beloved Grandma Lizzie worried more than any adult I ever knew… until I became one. During our adoption … Continue reading
Tackling 3 Claims About Intercountry Adoption
One of my favorite sessions at the Christian Alliance for Orphans Summit in Minneapolis was a rather impromptu lunch seminar on International & Domestic Adoption the U.S. Three agency heads lead the discussion which wound up to be standing-room-only. Tom DiFilipo from JCICS attended as well as Chuck Johnson of the National Council for Adoption … Continue reading
A Crown of Joy
During our adoption process, I often prayed through scripture for attributes I needed to survive the wait. A few examples of this are: - a garment of praise (inspired by Isaiah 61:3) - wisdom & patience (inspired by Proverbs 19:11) - faithfulness to my Master (inspired by Genesis 24) God was and is gracious … Continue reading
Why We’re Here
Like Julie, I am moved and saddened by the case of the adoptive mom sending her son back to his homeland because of attachment difficulties. I have tried numerous times to be fair — to put myself in her shoes, to "try on" the emotions she may have encountered as she contemplated her next move(s). … Continue reading
Adoption Tax Credit Update
Joint Council is pleased to confirm that the Adoption Tax Credit (ATC), which was scheduled to expire in 2010, was extended for one-year (through December 31, 2011). The highlights of the ATC are; The maximum credit was increased from $12,150 to $13,170, The ATC is now retroactive to January 1, 2010. This represents a potential increase of $1,000 for adoptive families. The ATC was made … Continue reading