As I've mentioned before, our family is in the process of adopting a baby.

We've already made it through the first few stages--mostly interviewing and filling out forms, like applying for a job, but the stakes feel much higher.

We still have a long way to go. There are more seminars and workshops to attend, books to read, people to meet, and bills to pay. It's not unlike having a biological baby, except instead of going to doctor appointments and paying for prenatal treatments, we are going to seminars and paying for the adoption services. Of course, the end result is the same (a baby).

There are lots of stages in this process, but the part I have been dreading the most--the part that always makes me uncomfortable to talk about--is the fundraising stage.

I hate asking people for money. It makes me feel like I'm abusing my friendships or trying to trick someone into joining a pyramid scheme. It reminds me of that scene in Garden State when Zach Braff runs into a guy from high school and the guy says, "We all have dreams. I know I do. I'd like to talk to you about an exciting opportunity that people are talking about..." That's usually when people start pretending to get text messages and stop making eye contact.

But here we are--in the fundraising stage of the adoption process, needing way more money than we could ever find under the couch cushions (unless graham crackers count as money).

So we've decided to make this fun. Caroline has an Etsy shop, which gives her the opportunity to make stuff she would have made anyway and to let people buy those items if they choose to do so. I'm working on an eBook that I hope to release in mid-September, and all of the proceeds from that will go to the adoption (I'll post more about the book in the next few weeks. This project is also why I haven't posted any new content on the blog in the past few weeks. Writing a book is hard). We're going to have some fun events, beginning with a Corn Hole tournament in Roanoke, hosted by our good friends the Fritzels, who went through this same process a year ago. We also have t-shirts, which you will be able to purchase when they arrive next week. We also have a GoFundMe.com page for anyone who simply wants to donate.

If you can't or simply don't want to donate or participate in our upcoming events, don't worry about it. No hard feelings. I certainly don't feel entitled to anyone's generosity, and I don't want you to feel like you need to avoid me in the grocery store if there are other things you'd rather give your money to.

That said, to those of you who have already donated or plan to order a t-shirt, thank you. That's all I really know how to say. You have my gratitude. What you have done (or plan to do) is an act of grace--a kindness that could never be fully repaid--and that will never be lost on me.

Anyway, thanks for reading and for your interest in my family. I will keep you posted on further developments.

Grace and Peace.