Happy Birthday Selah!

I know this has nothing to do with adoption, but I wanted to share a little about my daughter.  My sweet girl turned 5 years old this week.  Today we celebrated with friends and family at her My Little Pony themed party.  It was a great reminder of how much love and support surround my children.  

This past year has been an incredible year of growth for her.  She entered preschool last Fall very timid and reserved.  She stood on the sidelines and observed while everyone else played and participated in the activities.  By the end of the school year she was communicating and engaging very well with her teacher and classmates.  A good example of the transformation that has taken place is the experience we had at the nursing home visits at the beginning of the school year and again at the end.  The first visit was filled with tears, wailing actually, and being very clingy to me.  We had to leave part way through the singing, because she was having such a hard time.  Fast forward to Spring, and you would have seen my precious daughter right up front, in the middle, singing as loud as she could.  I have to admit I got teary eyed, and I was so proud of her.  Her teacher and I talked afterwards and she said she too had tears in her eyes, because of the dramatic changes that had taken place in Selah.  She has grown to be a more confident girl for sure.  I am thankful for my closest friends lifting Selah right up to the throne of God in prayer.  I love those ladies.  I know that the Lord will continue to grow in Selah.

Some of what I love about Selah is that she is very encouraging and compassionate towards others.  If Eli is upset about something she will hunt all over the house for his Elly or special blanky to help him feel better, without being asked to do so.  She easily gives compliments after someone has completed a task.  She continues to do well in her role as big sister, and plays so well with Eli.  They do have their moments of contention, though.  We've talked about how important her role is as the big sister and that we want her to set a good example for Eli to follow, as well as for baby bro/sis when they come home.  Selah is also very creative.  She makes up new lyrics to a familiar tune.  She most enjoys drawing or coloring, and will sit for a long period of time making new pieces of art to give away.

I Love you, Selah!  

Reaching a milestone

We have now completed the first phase of paperwork!  This Friday we will meet with our social worker for the first home study visit.  It is a bit intimidating...okay a lot intimidating.  The thought of someone coming into our home and analyzing the functionality of our family, critiquing the way we parent is making me nervous.  Imagine if everyone had to go through the same processes in order to have a biological child.  I am not saying I would want that kind of control or intervention, but we would probably have a lot less orphans in the world.
Please pray that we can just be genuine and real, and not try to put on a show and be the people-pleasers we try to be sometimes.

We are trying to come up with some new fundraising ideas.  Have you or anyone you know participated in a fundraiser that was successful?  I am pondering the idea of preparing meals or baked goods for others.  I thoroughly enjoy cooking and baking, food of any ethnicity, and would be willing to prepare meals or baked goods for whomever in exchange for a donation or flat fee.  If you or anyone you know are interested in this fundraising idea let me know.
I am also making hair clips for little girls to wear.  I sold quite a few at the yard sale.  I am selling them for 1.50 each or 2.50 a pair.  Here are a few I have made for Selah:

Here are a few of the ribbon choices I have:

Let me know in the comments section if you would like to purchase any.  If so, leave the following information:  how many, favorite colors, and if you want any little jewels, bows, or resin appliques added on (I have ladybugs, cupcakes, flowers).  Or if you want me to just surprise you I can do that too. ;)

I hope your summer is awesome and you are having a blast in the sunshine just like we are.

Blessings,

Sonja 

Yard Sale

We held our yard sale last Saturday to help raise funds for our adoption.  We were blown away by how many people donated their unwanted items for our sale.  As a result of your generosity we were able to raise $605!  Thank you again for coming alongside us and being a part of our adoption journey.

The Great Paper Chase

The stage we are in has been dubbed as "The Great Paper Chase" by many adoptive families.  The process is long.  It's a hurry up and wait kind of situation.  By the time our dossier (dos-ee-ey) is sent to Ethiopia, that is a package of all the necessary documents,  we will have been fingerprinted 3 times, 3 background checks (local, state, and with the FBI), logged over 30 hours of education, two doctor's appointments for us and one for the kids, home study with a social worker, plus numerous other stops along the way to ensure we will be the best fit to bring a child into our home.  Every document has to be a notarized original, placed in the proper order, and free from any and all errors.  It is definitely overwhelming and has caused me to quietly doubt this is the path we are supposed to take.  However, I have found this quote and verse to be good reminders, "Don't worry about high costs or long wait times.  If God has given you a heart for adoption he will open the right doors at the right times," and Deuteronomy 31:8 says, "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."  I know that the God of the universe goes before us and prepares the way.  As I look back I can see his footprint on certain events that have lead us here.  So, we go forth, putting our trust in God and asking that He grant us peace.

Fundraisers

**We are going to have a fundraising garage sale on July 21.
We would be so thankful to you if you had anything around your house to donate.  This is a great opportunity to get rid of your unwanted things, help a friend out, and you don't have to organize or tend the garage sale.  Yay!  All proceeds will go to our adoption fund.  Also, if you have large items that you cannot transport, let us know and we will find a way to come and get them.  Spread the word!

**We have set up our online coffee shop with Just Love Coffee Roasters.
Our specific shop is called, "A Whole Latte Love."
For every bag of coffee you buy $5 goes towards our adoption costs.  Again, spread the word!  If you purchase coffee for your office, consider purchasing from our store.  I am not a coffee drinker, but I have been told it is really good, and it's fair trade.  Can't go wrong with this one!
Check out our store's link here 
If the link does not work type this into your search bar up top: justlovecoffee.com/about/beneficiary/thenewcomerfamily/

I would just like to add that the intentions of the letter were not to solicit money from whoever received it.  We simply wanted to share our news and ask for support.  Support in prayer, support in having a positive attitude about it, support in participating in fundraisers we will have.
We plan on having a garage sale.  This is an opportunity that our friends and family can give us their "junk" and we can use the profit to go towards the adoption.
Another example is a coffee shop that gives part of their profits to adopting families (more on that later).
Also, if you are willing to donate frequent flyer miles, as we will be traveling to Ethiopia two times.
These are just some examples for now.  Please do not think that we want you to wire us money or send a check our way.  THAT IS NOT OUR INTENTIONS!
Please forgive my frankness, but we have already received two harsh emails regarding our decision and it  breaks my heart.

The beginning...

**For those that were not on our mailing list, below is our announcement.

June 6, 2012

Dear Family and Friends,

We write this letter to you with much excitement and anticipation, and maybe a little bit of crazy too, over the journey we are embarking on.  For a while now we have wanted to add to our family, and through God’s leading and example we have decided to pursue adoption.   We did not come to this decision lightly but are excited for where this journey will take us. 

We are working with an organization called All God’s Children International and have entered into the Ethiopia program.  Hopefully, in the next year or two we will bring home a sweet brown skinned baby boy or girl.  You may be wondering why we have chosen to adopt a baby that doesn’t “match” our family.  From studying scripture we know that we are called to take care of those who are abandoned and orphaned, and similar to our own adoption as God’s children we feel led to follow the Lord’s example.  As we embrace the Ethiopian culture and love a child that looks different from us, we know the journey will be difficult at times, but all together beautiful as we ultimately believe we find our identity in Christ not in our adversities or differences.

We are writing this letter to share with you our news, and to ask for your support:  

First of all and most importantly, we ask for prayer. We need to be lifted up in prayer for wisdom in our decisions, and for God to make our paths clear.  Also, pray for all of the hands involved, including our child who is waiting.

Secondly and almost as important, we would humbly like to ask for financial support. Adoption is very expensive, and when we finally bring our child home the total cost will be somewhere between $20,000-30,000.  We are confident that God will provide, as he always does, for our journey.

It is our hope that you will partner with us in this important mission. It is the calling on all of us as Christians, to care for widows and orphans. Not everyone is called to bring an orphan into their home, but it is our job to do what we can to care for them. There are many ways to do this- but if this is a mission, if we are a family, who you can believe in, then we would ask you to prayerfully consider donating to our family and to our child.

If you’d like to follow us on our journey, please check out our blog (dansonja.blogspot.com) for updates and additional fundraising opportunities we hope to organize.

“I have chosen you and have not rejected you.  So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” Isaiah 41: 9-10.

“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” John 14:18

Thank you again for your support and prayers.

With Love,

The Newcomer Family—Dan, Sonja, Selah, and Eli

Contact Information:

3168 SE Hampton Loop

Troutdale, OR 97060

dan.sonja@yahoo.com