Matching Grant Information July 18, 2011

Dear Family and Friends,

As many of you may have already heard we feel that God has called us on a new journey to provide a “forever” family to a child through the process of adoption.  We have started down this path of adoption and will be excited to bring a child into our home within the next six to twelve months.  We have felt led to pursue a child from the United States and are now waiting for the specific child God has for us.

This road to adoption is full of many joys and challenges, the greatest joy being the inclusion of a child into our family and the greatest challenge being finances.  The costs of adoption include the expense of a home study, adoption agency, lawyers, travel expenses, etc., with the total cost ending up somewhere around $40,000.

We were recently awarded a matching funds grant to help with the expenses of our adoption through Hand in Hand Christian Adoption, Inc. a non-profit private operating foundation.  Hand in Hand will match any funds that are donated through our friends and family for the expenses of our adoption.  All funds received through our friends and family will be matched dollar for dollar by Hand in Hand up to our awarded grant amount.   All donations are tax-deductible.

We can privately e-mail you a copy our grant award letter if you so wish, it has our private information on it, therefore, the letter will not be displayed here.  You can find out more about Hand in Hand through their website at www.handinhandadopt.org. If you have further questions about the Hand in Hand matching grant program please feel free to give us a call or e-mail us at matthewsmaynard@yahoo.com You may also contact Hand in Hand Christian Adoption, Inc. with any questions you may have.  They can be reached at 913-248-5015 or by e-mail at handinhandadopt@gmail.com.

Please send all donations made payable to “Hand in Hand Christian Adoption” postmarked by August 25th  to: (for tax purposes please include our name on the outside of the envelope only…do not put our name on the check itself)

Hand in Hand Christian Adoption, Inc
Matthew and Jennifer Maynard
18524 Juniper Street
Gardner, KS  66030-9147

Thank you for your prayerful consideration in helping a child find a “forever” family.

Walking Hand in Hand,

Matthew and Jennifer Maynard
matthewsmaynard@yahoo.com and azwildcat2001@gmail.com

4 weeks! July 11, 2011

I know that I have not posted in awhile. Its just been to crazy busy. If you don’t know we were matched two weeks ago to a birth mother due August 8th! She is having a baby boy!. Essentially, we’re “pregnant” for six weeks! We’ve been going full tilt trying to get ready for the baby. We’re in the process of putting the nursery together, hopefully that will be mostly done this week.

We are just so awed by God’s moving and timing in this. We are so thankful that our dreams of starting a family are coming true. Mostly like any pregnant couple we are expectantly waiting the coming of our new family member. We have the following prayer requests. 1) Pray for the matching grant, we should be hearing about that later this week. 2) Continue to pray for finances, in general 3) Pray for Jennifer’s school work, its really hard to concentrate on school in the midst of this rapid transition. 4)Pray that God will provide all the basic needs for the baby. 5) Pray for the birth mother that she is healthy, would make good choices, and that she would be at complete peace about her decision.

People have been asking how they can help. Mostly, we need people to give once the matching grant comes through. Another need that we have is that we have decided to cloth diaper, the up front cost is substantial but it is better financially in the long run, and it is healthier for the baby, and its much less wasteful. If you want to help purchase cloth diapers or help with other needs please see our Amazon baby registry

Final Note: We are so thankful for all your prayers and support. If you have to decide between buying a gift for giving to the adoption fund, please consider giving to the adoption fund.

Matthew and Jennifer

Adoption Blog Launch! May 12, 2011

My husband and I are pursuing domestic adoption. We are in the middle of the home study process. We’ve been fingerprinted, examined by a physician, and asked friends to write letters about our fitness to be parents. There is something slightly intrusive and scary about the home study process. We are being measured, and every insecurity inside of you worries that you’ll be found wanting.

A social worker is coming to our home, and while I’ve been assured by many that this is more a formality than anything, it is still daunting to ask a stranger into our home. However, in the end you know it is necessary. You know that there needs to be an assurance that a child is placed in a stable and loving environment. In the end, Matthew and I will hold a little baby boy or girl in our arms, and welcome them home.  I hope you are encouraged, educated and maybe even entertained here.

The purpose of this blog is to keep our family, friends, and acquaintances updated as to what is going on. This will also be the place to go find out how you can help. When all is said and done this adoption will cost 20-30K! (No, an international adoption is not really any cheaper!) Matthew and I would sincerely covet your prayers that these finances will be covered. Later we may ask for your help, as we raise the money for this adoption, but for now your prayers are greatly appreciated.