The Marathon Challenge

Right now there are 3 beautiful children preparing to leave orphanages and join their "forever families". Consider being a part of this awesome opportunity to bless these children and their families on their journey home.

Please consider sponsoring me (Katie Kennedy) on my first attempt to complete the Grandma's Marathon on June 20th. All money raised will go towards the airline tickets for the Friesens & the Aults as they travel to China & Kazakhstan to adopt their children. (The estimated travel cost per ticket is $2,600.) Let's see how many tickets we can cover!

Please consider these giving levels (although you can pledge ANY amount!):
$100
$75
$60
$50
$40
$26.20 = $1 per mile
$20

To donate, please click on the orange "ChipIn" button on the right or pledge to Katie directly with cash/checks. Any and all donations are welcomed and appreciated (names & pledge amounts of contributors will not be displayed) . Thank you for your support!

The Friesens

After a 3 ½ year wait, Troy and Jennifer have been matched to a little girl in China! They recently received their LOA (Letter of Acceptance).

They will be traveling to China for two weeks at the end of July or early August to meet and finalize the adoption of their new daughter, Olivia. (See pictures of her in the slideshow below)

Here is our remaining steps to travel:
* Update homestudy (4th time!!! It expires yearly.) We've done all of our paperwork for this, just waiting for signatures.
* Fill out Department of Homeland Security Immigration Forms.
* Prepare for travel.
* Receive TA (Travel Approval and date).
* Travel!!!

The Aults

Greg and MaryAnn are adopting from Kazakhstan. They are excited about growing their family through the adoption of a sibling group (two children). The couple has received their LOI (Letter of Invitation). They will be traveling to Kazakhstan the end of July for trip #1 (about 30 days) to bond with the children & for court. They will return to Kazakhstan for trip #2 in September to bring them HOME!! :) Due to child privacy rights in Kaz, unfortunately they are unable to share photos at this time.

The number one question the Aults get asked when people find out where they are adopting from is, "Where is Kazakhstan?" It is located south of Russia and west of China (see map below). They're going to Ust-Kamenogorsk in the northestern part of Kaz.