April 14, 2013
Dear Family and Friends,
This past November, we felt prompted by the Lord to continue
to expand our family and adopt a third child, a baby from the United States. At
the time, the urging from the Lord surprised us. From a financial perspective,
we didn’t seem ready for a third adoption. We were still in the process of
rebuilding our reserves from Elijah’s adoption. However, something that our
adoption journeys for Nick and Elijah have taught us is: “In his heart a man
plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps,” Proverbs 16:9. Ready or
not, the Lord said “Move,” so we began…again.
After Elijah’s adoption, we knew that we were not done
adopting. However, God’s calling on us to adopt is more than about us having a
bigger family. Adoption is very much on the heart of Our Heavenly Father. Psalm
68:5,6 reads, “A father to the fatherless…God sets the lonely in families….” God
uses adoption to change a child’s story. Nick’s birth mom was an alcoholic, and
Elijah’s birth mom was homeless. Tiffany and I often wonder: Where would they
be without adoption? More importantly, where would they be without many of you?
If you are reading this letter, it’s because you have sown into both of their
lives in such amazing ways. Now, will you help us change another child’s story?
The biggest challenge facing us is the finances to bring our
third child home. We estimate the total cost for the adoption agency fees,
document preparation, and attorney fees to be $30,000. This is money we do not have
right now, but we know God is faithful and will supply all our needs. By God’s
grace, we have raised $10,000 thus far between our own funds, the generosity of
others in a TShirt fundraiser, and Jon’s employer reimbursement. Some of you
may be aware of another fundraiser that we attempted. It did not pan out as we
had hoped, but God told us to “rest in Him.” So, here we are.
Honestly, our family
is very humbled having to ask our family and friends for additional financial
support. However, God has called us to be in community within the Body of
Christ, and He has called us to make our needs known to fellow brothers and
sisters. We are so blessed by your friendship, and we would like to ask you to
pray and consider helping us in our adoption. There are two ways you can help
change another child’s story:
- Prayer – Please pray for our precious baby. Pray for a healthy
pregnancy for the baby and the birth mother. Pray for the birth mother
that God would give her peace and comfort as she prepares her heart to
place her child for adoption. Pray that God would prepare the hearts of
Nicholas and Elijah to have a new baby sister/brother.
.
- Financial Support – Please prayerfully consider making a tax
deductible donation to help us pay the remaining $20,000 to bring our baby
home.
Lifesong
for Orphans (www.lifesongfororphans.org) and Legacy685 have partnered together to
create a $2,500 Matching Grant on our behalf. So, whatever you give is doubled.
If you feel led to support us financially, please make
checks payable to: “Lifesong for Orphans” and write this information in the
memo line “preference Stewart #3546 adoption.” *Note. In following IRS guidelines, your donation is
to the named non profit organization. This organization retains full discretion
over its use, but intends to honor the donor’s suggested use.
Please mail checks to:
Lifesong
for Orphans
PO Box 40 /
202 N. Ford St.
Gridley, IL
61744
Thank you so much for helping us to change a child’s story
with your prayers and financial support. Investing in this child’s life is an
investment with an eternal return! (Matt 6:20). We will be sure to keep you
updated as our adoption progresses.
Resting in Him,
Jonathan, Tiffany, Nicholas, and Elijah Stewart
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