Adoption Tax Credit


Did you know that the adoption tax credit may go away?


As you can tell, we believe that those with a call toward adoption should have barriers (like the financial strain) eradicated. Speak up with us and make your support of a permanent adoption tax credit known!
New legislation can make the tax credit permanent. Unless legislation is passed, the Federal adoption tax credit that allows many adopting families to take a credit of up to $12,150 (2009) is scheduled to expire in December 2010.

Here’s what to do:
(much of the text below is updated from the Adoptivefamilies.com website)


  1. Find the name and Washington, D.C. mailing address of your Representative and Senators at http://www.congress.org/. To find e-mail addresses, click through to the Senator’s or Congressperson’s Web site.
  2. Next, log on to http://thomas.loc.gov/to find out whether your Congresspersons are already co-sponsors of the legislation. On the thomas.loc.gov opening page, under “Search Bill Summary and Status,” search by bill number for H.R. 213. Then click on “Bill summary and Status.” On the page that comes up, click on “Cosponsors,” “Text of Legislation,” or “All Congressional Actions” to follow the progress of the bill.
  3. If your representatives have not signed on as co-sponsors of the bill, send them your request that they do so. Tell them how much you or other families you know are counting on it to be available in the future. Emphasize that the tax credit truly results in more children finding homes. Tell them that this is so important to you that you will be following the bill’s progress through Congress.


    A sample letter to send his here:
    http://abbafund.wordpress.com/2009/03/12/902help-make-the-federal-adoption-tax-credit-permanent/

Abba Fund








I received the most encouraging email the other day! It simply said, “ I stumbled on your blog and was so encouraged to read your thoughts on trusting God for the ‘gap’!” This person encouraged me that “God was at work.” Hmmmm….. that was super nice, I thought.

So, I begin emailing back and forth with this person. After we exchanged a number of emails and connected on our families’ hearts for adoption, I realized that I know this person’s name. He is Jason Kovacs, an article I had read, loved, and discussed with friends several months ago, “Glorifying the Father of the Fatherless” (link below) from John Piper's site. Turns out he is also the Director of the Abba Fund and part of an organization called Together for Adoption. I strongly encourage readers to become familiar with these organizations.
The ABBA Fund provides interest-free covenant loans to Christian couples who are called by God to expand their families through adoption and who need help with the “cash flow crunch” posed by adoption expenses.

Abba is an Aramaic word typically used by a child to address his father, expressing complete confidence that the father would provide every need. The Bible proclaims that God is the Father, Helper and Defender of the fatherless (Psalm 10:14; Psalm 68:5; Proverbs 23:10-11). The ABBA Fund exists to glorify God as one of His instruments in helping the fatherless (James 1:27).

Jason and I spoke on the phone the other day, and my heart leapt out of my chest as he communicated stories of so many families with such a similar passion as well as the history of these organizations. God prompts the hearts of his people for adoption, and I'm learning more and more everyday that God's heart for adoption is consistent throughout The Church. We hope that we are able to partner with Abba Fund to make Adoption Loans more accessible to those around us.

When adoption is placed on one's heart, there is a reason. Money should not get in the way!


Adoptive Parents and Children Gathering


We're happy to announce that we've started a group for adoptive families. We currently have 5 adoptive mothers from the VB Area gathering for support, networking, friendship, and playmates for our children. We currently meet on Fridays, however meetings times are flexible. We've met in our homes, met at playgrounds, walked Mt. Trashmore / the boardwalk, etc.
First meetings are held public places for the comfort of newcomers. We are not affiliated with a specific agency, as we wish to remain open to all forms of adoption experiences.
If you have been looking for connections with people who share your adoption experience, please come meet with us! Please email for more information and/or to get involved. (hakonshome@gmail.com) Spread the word!

Family Wanted


We've mentioned in other posts that reading the adoption experiences of others is important when considering adoption. "Family Wanted: Stories of Adoption" by Sara Holloway was a book we enjoyed. It is a compilation of stories representing birth-mothers, adoptive parents, and adopted children.

One of my favorite pieces in the book is called "Our Vocabulary," written by a Hampton Roads native and I thought I'd share an excerpt:

"To me, we are what family is, people selected. And I remember always knowing I was adopted and always feeling proud of it. Sometimes people won't miss the chance to let you know which lovely category you fit into: for them it is as simple as cracking and egg and softly sifting out the white. You're adopted. I can't know what others think when they label me or say things like blood is thicker than water, but the way my mother and father raised me has always made me feel chosen, golden..." (p. 93)

If you're interested, you can find the book here:


Just for Fun

A cute video to bring you a smile:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVF2gECljo4

To Our "Supporters"

We've just added a feature that shows who is checking out our blog. If you are following "Hakon's Home" but have not added yourself to "Hakon's Friends" on the right side of our blog, we would love it if you did! All you need to do is click "Follow" and give and an email address and a picture (optional). Thanks for your support!
Mark, Kate, and Hakon

"Reunion"

I've posted this cartoon as food for thought. What come to mind? I think this cartoon can be taken a few different ways. My analysis to come...

Many adoptive parents have mixed emotions when it comes to the thought of an adoptive child seeking out birthparents in the future. In a coming post, I'll share what a few authors have to say about "reunions" with birthfamilies.
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