Living & Confirming the Dream

So today marks the close of day 7 of my 13-day road trip.

There have been some “bumps” along the way (that’s another post), but it has been FILLED with highs as well.

Jon Acuff wrote a great post the other day about what our dreams should feel like, illustrated by the perfect picture of his sister’s reaction to the ice cream truck when they were younger. (Read it here.)

That is how I have felt the last few days.

Surrounded by orphan advocates and adoptive families. Sharing stories of adoption, encouraging them in their fundraising process.

It is better than any drug-induced high could ever be.

Total confirmation that this IS my dream. Writing, speaking, encouraging adoptive families.

AND, as if that wasn’t enough, there was this…

Dave came out of the studio on a break to meet with people and Martha introduced me. He was so kind and gracious. I asked him if he would sign a copy of my book, right by his endorsement.

The lovely Stacy Kennedy was snapping photos like crazy.

There it is.

And, if you’re wondering, here’s what Romans 12:2 says…

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

LOVE!

Tomorrow I’m meeting with a woman from Show Hope, then some sightseeing and then it’s the start of the Quitter Conference. Cannot wait to soak it all in! I’m sure my twitter feed will be blowing up with awesomeness that I’m learning tomorrow and Saturday.

Welcome Dave Ramsey Fans

If you’re coming after hearing the segment on The Dave Ramsey Show – Welcome!

My interview with Dave was originally recorded and aired last June. It was a thrill for me as Dave’s teachings have made such a huge impact on our family.

If you want to hear more of our story, here’s some posts that are a great start:

How We Paid For Our Adoption

Our Debt Free Story

Our Adoption Timeline

The last two links are over on our family blog. If you want to get more detail on our adoption, and have several hours, you can read the 95 posts under “Adoption Process” in the Category drop down.

This blog is a place for me to add more fundraising ideas and keep you update on great resources. You can also “Like” the AWD Facebook page.

I also do a 2.5 hour “Adopt Without Debt Workshop” for adoption agencies, orphan care ministries and churches. If you’re interested in having me come speak to your group, e-mail me at julieATadoptwithoutdebtDOTcom.

If you have questions or comments, leave them below and I will answer you!

Dave Ramsey, Take 2

Got an email this morning from the awesome folks at The Dave Ramsey Show.

It seems that while Dave is hanging out 90 minutes from me in Tucson, (for his EntreLeadership seminar) they are re-airing some old shows.

The interview I originally did with Dave last June will re-air this Thursday! Yay!

If you listen live online it will air at 1:15CT but it could vary on your local station.

Of course, you can just listen to the clip here too.

Grace Cafe Radio Interview

Monday I’ll be live on the Grace Cafe Radio show to talk about adoption.

Join Marsha Harwood & Julie Hunsucker at Grace Café ~ Sharing Life, Hope and a Cup of Coffee; a place for women to grow in grace together, every Monday @ 11:00 Eastern Time on CWA Radio.

Along with me will be Leslie Gallimore who served as the adoption specialist on the staff of the Pregnancy Resource Center of Charlotte for 1 years.  As an adoption specialist, she gave education and support to women who were considering placing their babies for adoption.

If you catch it live you can call in and chat with the hosts at (347) 850-8893. I know they’re doing a book giveaway as well.

You can listen here or I’ll try and embed it below as well.

Listen to internet radio with CWA Radio on Blog Talk Radio

Taking advantage of Christmas as an Amazon affiliate

When I got my mail the day before Thanksgiving and saw that I had a Christmas card I thought 2 things:

“Already, REALLY people?”

and

“Oh no, I better get going on our Christmas cards!”

But I loved what I saw when I opened it up and I will totally forgive Stacy Kennedy for sending her cards BEFORE Thanksgiving because it is pure brillance. Several months ago Stacy set up an Amazon Affiliates link and has faithfully been spreading the word. Every time someone enters Amazon via their link and buys something, a percentage goes to the Kennedy’s and they put it directly in their adoption fund.

And of course it’s the biggest shopping season of the year. So tucked inside their card was their letter sharing the news of their adoption and then 4 of these cute little business cards (see front and back below). One for me, 3 to give away.

I’ve been doing all my Amazon shopping through the Kennedy link for months now. I just put a bookmark on my bookmark bar where I can always see it – it’s pretty much become habit.

The Kennedy’s set up the link in August and so far have made $597. Not bad huh?

 


For more info on Amazon’s affiliate program, go here.

 

 

AWD is on Facebook!

Adopt Without Debt now has a Facebook page!

My hope is to build a community of people helping each other generate ideas and encourage each other during this process.

Come on over and like us!

Creating a Family Radio Show

If you missed the Creating a Family Radio Show on September 7th, you can listen to highlights here.

Extra long trip to Birmingham

I loved how I got to spend my Saturday. It was even worth getting up early for :-)

Yesterday I was in Birmingham, AL delivering the Adopt Without Debt workshop for Lifeline Children’s Services. This is the first time that I’ve put all the “pieces” together in one workshop and I had a blast.

I know you’ll be shocked to hear that I had no problem talking for 2.5 hours. I mean after all it’s adoption and living debt-free – I could talk for days :-)

The trip was doubly fun because I got a chance to see my friend Kelley from high school, who drove over from Atlanta. We turned it into a fun sleepover and stayed up way to late talking.

After the workshop Kelley and I headed to lunch before I had to go to the airport. After the drinks, chips & salsa got there, I thought to check my email to confirm what time my flight left. I thought it was 4:15.

Not so much. It left at 3:05. It was 1:30. And I had a rental car to return. Yikes!

Feeling like an idiot, we had to cancel our lunch order and hightail it outta there. Luckily we weren’t far from the airport and I got the rental car returned and had time to spare.

At the ticket counter the agent says “Let me check your connection because your flight is delayed. Okay, you get it at 6:15 and leave at 6:30. You should be fine.”

I was not filled with confidence. (Instead of going home, I was on my way to Pittsburgh – via Tampa – to spend a few days with my BFF…since I was on this side of the states and everything.)

But at least I had time to grab a bite. Maybe they’d make up some time in the air?

After sitting at the gate for 15 minutes or so I began to notice that the gate agent was rebooking people. I jumped online searching for alternate flights – nothing promising.

I decided I was better off asking sooner rather than later, just in case.

Apparently my plans fell prey to the heightened 9/11 security. The plane that was supposed to eventually make it’s way to Birmingham was the Southwest flight from Albquerque to Baltimore that got diverted to Nashville due to a “suspicious passenger”. Well, that’s what the news sites are saying. The SWA gate agent said that a “direct threat had been made against that flight”. His words, not mine.

So my choice was spend another night in Birmingham, or wait around until that plane (at the time still under TSA control) arrived, fly to Tampa and spend the night there.

Yeah, took me about 15 seconds to think on that one. One day of travel is always better than two.

So I got a “distressed traveler” rate at the Sheraton. I guess TSA takeovers fall under the whole “act of God/airline not liable” clause so I had to shell out the $49.

Could have been worse. I could have been a passenger on THAT plane. Now that’s a bad travel day. Diverted, pulled off the plane, have to go through security again, wait for the plane to get cleared…

Since I was loosing one day of my already fairly short trip to visit Kristen, I asked pretty please if they could extend my trip and rebook my return for Tuesday instead of Wednesday. They were happy to oblige and I even got on a non-stop flight.

It wasn’t until I was settled into the hotel room (enjoying the quiet) that I realized I’ll be traveling on 9/11.

Then I realized it was stupid to be nervous because that’s probably THE safest day to fly EVER.

Dave rocks – AGAIN!

When we got home from Cozumel Mark had a voice mail from our pastor. He had been listening to The Dave Ramsey Show that night and someone called in with a question about adoption.

And guess what Dave told them?

Yep, he told them about “Adopt Without Debt”!

How cool is that????

If you really want to listen to it (it’s just a quick mention) it’s at about 2:07-2:08 on the August 2nd show.

Love these guys! Thanks Dave!

Today Show – High Cost of Adoption

Great story from the Today Show.

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