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"God sets the lonely in families" - Psalm 68:6



Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Immigration Approval!


This week we received the exciting news of Hailey's I600 approval and we are starting to get the baby room ready!  The I600 approval from The Department of Homeland Security allows orphans permission to immigrate to the United States.  Now that we have received the US approval, we must wait for Korea to process Hailey's emigration paperwork, which gives her permission to leave the country.  For details on that process, visit:

www.forthesechildrenihaveprayed.wordpress.com/2011/06/24/korean-adoption-process-post-referral-summary-part-1/

Our estimated travel from this point is approximately 5-7 weeks!  When everything is approved in Korea, we will receive our "travel call" and will need to travel within two weeks!  Of course anything can change with international adoption, but it's possible that we could travel at the end of August or some time in September. We are thrilled that the moment when we will finally hold Hailey in our arms is approaching and we continue to trust God's timing.   This week we have been researching airlines and housing in Korea and it is starting to feel real!

Since we are close to our travel date, Show Hope is processing our $2,000 adoption grant. THANK YOU SHOW HOPE!!!  Show Hope was founded by Steven and Mary Beth Chapman to provide support to adopting families, and to care for orphans through orphan advocacy.  We are so grateful for their support of our family!  We are also grateful that we made the decision to downsize our home this spring and decrease our monthly rent.  We have been blessed to use the savings to help cover adoption costs.

After much prayer and discussion, we feel strongly about bringing Jordan and Aidan to Korea.  The trip will provide a once in a lifetime opportunity for them to visit Hailey's country of birth and we hope that their their silly faces, playtime and laughter will help Hailey to bond quickly with our family.  We will be covering their travel costs personally.

We still need to raise close to $12,000 to bring Hailey Jane home.   Here is breakdown of the remaining costs:

$8,000 loan due to a family member (which helped to cover the adoption agency fees)
$6,000 travel costs
$1,125 post-adoption social worker visits
-$2,000 Show Hope grant
-$1,150 in donations

$11,975 NEEDED

If you feel moved to support our adoption costs, you can donate online through our Lifesong for Orphans account (info on the upper, right side of blog). Donations are tax deductible.

Here are a few urgent prayer needs as we wait to bring Hailey home:

(1)  Please pray that the boys' passports are processed quickly.  We renewed their passports on July 22.

(2)  Please pray that Hailey will attach quickly with our family.  We know that she will experience grief as she leaves her Korean foster family and will be surrounded by strange faces, smells, noises and experiences.

(3)  Please pray for Hailey's health (she will have an extensive medical review before her emigration approval) and pray that she will travel well on the 11 hour flight home.

(4)  Please pray for our finances.  Our goal has always been to complete our adoption without going into debt.  We lost over $15,000 in our failed adoption in El Salvador and have been amazed by how God has provided for Hailey's adoption!

(5)  Please pray for the timing of travel as we coordinate our trip with Mike's work schedule and the boys' school schedule (their first day of school is Sept 5).

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The Vision

God spoke this vision regarding our adoption journey to Barbara Lange on March 26, 2010...

"Jenni,


I have made the decision to speak our boldly when God speaks to me. Last night as I was washing the dishes I received this "vision" of you. I hesitate to use the word "vision," but what I saw was a slide of your life. As I watched the show in my mind I began to cry because I was so touched by what I saw. You and I have shared many tears these last couple of years, both sorrow and joy. The attachment is what I saw.

FRAME 1

Jenni sitting at the South Coast Community Church reception desk with the photo album of her courtship and engagement to Mike.

FRAME 2

Jenni performing the gospel message in mime at New Harvest Community Church, showing her heart for the lost and oppressed. Jenni performing the gospel in mime on missions trips everywhere she is able to go. Her Father rejoicing at her obedience and passion.

FRAME 3

The anguished look of a woman desperately wanting to have children. Unsuccessful fertility treatements.

FRAME 4

God watching over His daughter, His heart breaking as tears flow down her cheeks. He whispers in her ear, "My child, I know how broken you feel, but I have a great plan and purpose for your life. This anguish, this heartbreak, this pain will subside. Joy is on its' way. I needed you to suffer in this way because of My plan is for you. You are going to be an advocate for international adoptions. You are going to spread my gospel this way.

FRAME 5

The births of Jordan and Aidan! At last a MOM!

FRAME 6

Having experienced the heartbreak of infertility, Jenni's passion for adoption grows.


FRAME 7

Jenni's passion for missions and adoption begin to fuse.


FRAME 8

The Ramseys start the adoption process for a daughter.

FRAME 9

Jenni goes to Washington DC and connects with adoption leaders. Relationships follow, teamwork begins. Jenni begins a new chapter in her life in the intl. adoption network.

FRAME 10

The slow adoption process is agonizing to the Ramseys.

FRAME 11

Jenni leads a missions team to El Salvador and learns sad news about El Salvador adoptions and specifically their own plans. Heartbroken again, but resolved to press on.

FRAME 12

More networking with intl. adoptions, hope for their daughter and another trip to El Salvador. Jordan goes to El Salvador. The orphans are overwhelmed and ecstatic that Jenni returns. Jenni and Jordan build "forever friendships and family" in El Salvador. Jenni's passion increases.

FRAME 13

Jenni prepares for third trip to El Salvador in one year. Amazing things happen.

FRAME 14 - THE FINAL FRAME...

Mike and Jenni, standing now, older, graying hair, surrounded by their sons and their wives, their daughters and their husbands and their grandchildren. Below them are thousands of children joyously celebrating Jenni's life. Her passion to follow her Father's call and purpose on her life is fulfilled. These thousands of children represent all of the orphans, adoptions and ripple affect of her life's work.

A work that could not be accomplished without the pain, suffering and brokeness she endured trying to become a mom.


Well done, my good and faithful servant."

A Heartwarming Adoption Story.... the Howerton's Miraculous Haitian Adoption Journey

God's Heart for Orphans...

An Incredible Video...

"Cry of The Orphan" - Thoughts on orphan care from some of my greatest heroes!