We've had a major-ish bump in our adoption fundraising journey. Our savings account has gone from almost $4,000 to $144.58. The problem is that when we bought our house 8 years ago, we did an 80/20 mortgage package to avoid paying the mortgage insurance (technically it was an 80/15 package since we put 5% down when we purchased it). Made sense at the time and seemed like a good move. But after 11 months of unemployment and a move out of state, we had to attempt a short sale on our home. We had a buyer lined up for Bank of America, and our wonderful realtor wrote up a 17 page report documenting how our asking price was the fair market value of the property. Unfortunately, Bank of America turned the offer down and priced the house way out of the market.
So we had no option but to foreclose on the house. Communication with Bank of America was atrocious. We couldn't get in touch with anyone, and the "contact person" didn't return any of our numerous calls. Eventually we found out through
our realtor that the house was slated for foreclosure while it was still on the market for a short sale. It sold on May 7th of this year. We never heard from Bank of America.
Until last week.
We got a phone call out of the blue telling us that we were still responsible for paying off that "20" portion of the 80/20 mortgage. Because technically that portion is a "line of credit" or "note" and not a "mortgage," a loophole in Georgia law allows Bank of America to go after borrowers to pay that amount, even after the collateral (house) has been reclaimed by the bank. This move is illegal in some states, but not Georgia. Slimy, slimy.
I am so, so thankful that we bought a house under our means back then and had been working to pay it off early before Sean was laid off. The balance on that mortgage, excuse me,
note, was $10,151. The amount Bank of America wanted was $10,700, and they wanted a payment within ten days, "To keep the account here at Bank of America instead of sending it to collections or litigation," we were told. Lovely.
Yesterday Bank of America called again and told us that after reviewing our hardship letter and tax returns, they were prepared to settle for a lump sum of $3,579.01. Why do they bother with the one cent at the end of that amount? Who knows. I won't complain about a seven thousand dollar discount.
So yesterday we watched our savings (slated for adoption costs) go from $3723 to $144. I won't lie, it brought tears to my eyes. It was like watching Abraham drift further away from us.
But being the optimist that I am, it wasn't long before I found the sunny side of things. This is yet another way that adoption blessed our family! I can say with 95% certainty that we would not have had that money "lying around" if it weren't for our adoption. God provides! He gives us what we need, when we need it. And while it's (very) disheartening to have to start over and set our fundraising thermometer from $11K to something in the $7K range--the amount we've already paid for adoption expenses and fees so far.... He helped us save it up the first time and I have no doubt He will help us save it up again.
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| Help us with a share or $5? Or both? :) |
That leads nicely into an update on our "Choose Life" adoption fundraiser which is explained
here. Yesterday our Reece's Rainbow Family Sponsorship Program grant (FSP for short) broke the $100 mark! We're so excited to be just over halfway to our giveaway goal of $200. Please share our fundraiser and encourage others to participate. Do you have a church pro-life ministry that could get our fundraiser out on its e-mail list? It would be so encouraging to get more entries, especially in light of the financial blow we took yesterday.
This past weekend we were blessed to be able to
donate our
car to an extended family member in need. This was the car that I learned to
drive in, took my driver's license test with, and received as a wedding
gift from my parents over 10 years ago. It was our getaway vehicle when
we got married. I couldn't help feeling a little sad to say goodbye to a car that had
seen us through all of our major adult life milestones. But I'm
so glad this car can be a blessing to someone who needs it!
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| A special car needs a special "Tag Applied For" sign. I had to send my car off in style! |
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Today is a
precious little boy's birthday. Brett is turning twelve today in an institution in the same country as our "Abraham." He was transferred there when he turned three. All those years waiting and longing for love. I am thinking about Brett today and praying that this is the last birthday he will be spending without his family.
Other prayer requests today:
- For my friend Kym who is 22 weeks pregnant and on bedrest with placenta previa which started bleeding last night.
- For Abraham's Aunt Jessica, who fell down some stairs and broke her foot yesterday.
- For Abraham's 5 year old cousin who broke his arm a couple of days ago.
- For Abraham's honorary Aunt Mary Cate and Uncle Welton who are both sick, and for issues with their power chairs to be resolved soon.
- For a dear friend's father who needs wisdom in making a major life decision.
- For our extended family member and his wife mentioned in Quick Take #3 above who is going through a very trying time.
- For all the children and teachers who are starting the new school year, that God would protect them all from every harm and help them to learn His Truth.
- For safe travels for those on the road this weekend.
- For Martha who is fighting breast cancer.
- For Renee Tam who lost her brother this week, and for the peaceful repose of his soul.
For all of these intentions we pray, Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
Laryngomalacia. Ever heard of it? No, it's not an obscure country in Southeast Asia. It is a condition present in some babies when floppy cartilage in their larynx makes them sound a little bit congested when they breathe. Severe cases sometimes need surgery to fix. Felix has a mild (harmless) case of laryngomalacia which will resolve on its own as he gets older and the cartilage gets stronger. I'm going to miss it when it's gone! Now it often sounds like he's purring. Who doesn't love a purring baby?! And he makes the cutest snoring sounds when he's asleep.
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| Bookworms behind the couch. |
Also, I can easily hear where he is crawling and cruising around the house, behind furniture, etc. I love it! Our little grunt baby turns one this weekend, and I hope his laryngomalacia hangs out for at least another year.
We will be launching our Facebook adoption page soon, stay tuned! We have a punny acronym in mind. You have been warned.
