Meet YoSeb

Adoption? Not really anything we ever seriously considered. Until one day, after some postpartum health issues, we decided to give ourselves one year to think and pray about whether we would further grow our family. I reconnected with an old college friend who was pursuing international adoption. Seemingly coincidentally, I met other adoptive parents. We got very excited and began researching the possibility. “Lord, is this what you would have us to do?” We heard the call, got our answer, and here we are, in the process of adopting a baby boy from South Korea.

We are a community-focused family living outside of Austin, Texas. Kyle is an active husband and father, a missional church pastor and community leader. Erika is stay at home mom to our two girls, ministry partner, and private tutor. We have two daughters, Kylie, a bright and active first grader, and Kathryn, a spunky and caring three year old. With open arms, we are welcoming another into our family.

As you probably know, adoption can be costly. Between fees for our home study, adoption agency, paperwork, Korean foster care, and travel, our adoption will cost approximately $30,000.

Much sooner than expected, we received a referral for our child. Our son is named YoSeb, Korean for Joseph. He was born on August 6, 2010 in Incheon, South Korea. He is healthy and we cannot wait to see him for the first time!

With the referral coming so quickly, we have quite the challenge ahead of us: gather $19,000 in 30 days. We have been actively working this past week on getting the ball rolling here, including applying for several grants, an interest free loan, soliciting support from friends and family, and exploring fund raising opportunities including t-shirts, a garage sale, a raffle, and a movie showing. More details on these coming soon!

Here’s how you can help:
- Make a tax-deductible donation on YoSeb’s behalf to the Resonate Community Adoption Fund. Donations can be made via Google Checkout on our blog (kylesears.blogspot.com). Checks can be sent to:

Resonate Community Adoption Fund
PO Box 861
Hutto, TX 78634

- Share this letter on your Facebook page. We need your help in spreading the word about YoSeb and the funds needed to get him to his forever family!

- Come up with and execute your own fundraising idea. We have a friend hosting a garage sale, donating a mural, and many others have mentioned ideas! Use the gifts and talents that God has blessed you with to bless this baby!

Some may consider adoption to be the greatest gift someone could give to an orphan. We feel differently. Bringing an orphan into our home will bless us beyond measure. Our stories are already intertwined, with greater stories waiting to be told. The chapter of beginnings has thus far been full of hope and anticipation of the arrival of Joseph into our lives. We would love for you to become part of this story too.

Shift

It has been a while since we've updated the blog, mostly because there hasn't been that much to tell.  After our home study, everything just seemed to slow down.  Little hiccups here and there with bits of our application confirmed what we had heard:  adoption is a process of "hurry up...wait...hurry up...wait..."

About a month ago, an email from our agency went out, informing parents that the Korea program was in need of families.  At our position in the process, there was little to lose in making the switch.  Our perspective changed - perhaps all of these delays were a means by which God would connect us with the child he meant for us to have.  After reviewing all of the details about what to expect with Korea (which is much different than India), we decided to make the change.

Two weeks ago, we got a call from our agency.  Everything had been approved for us to enter the Korea program.  And, WE HAD A REFERRAL!  We had anticipated things would move quickly, but not that quickly!

We have a beautiful almost-7 month old boy waiting for us in Korea.  We hope to see him before Christmas.  We also have a substantial need to raise money for our next set of fees.  Right now we're about $10,000 short.

We'll have more information about our little baby boy and how you can help bring him home.  In the meantime, I'm prepping everything I need to make his room heroic.

Home Study and Fundraising

We had our home study on Saturday, and it went great!  Our social worker was very nice and put us all at ease. Kylie showed her the house, and was, well, Kylie.  Once the home study paperwork has been completed, we'll be eligible to receive grants, as well as move on to the next big steps in getting on the waiting list for a referral.

In other news, Erika will be running her first marathon at the Chosen: Marathon for Adoption.  We have a huge team helping to support "Team Sears" in the race, and we're looking for people who would like to sponsor Erika.  If you give her $1 per mile, your contribution is only $26.20.

You can give via the button on the right side of the page.  All donations are tax-deductible!

Application Two Approved!

We just received word that Application Part Two has been approved.  Next step is our home study process, which should begin in the next month or so.

Please continue to pray for us as we move through this process.  We have a couple of fundraisers coming in October, plus some opportunities for grants following the approval of our home study.

Our Story

We hope to have our story featured on the Chosen:  Marathon for Adoption site.  Here it is: 


Kyle and I have discussed the possibility of adoption for a couple of years now.  We initially considered it as simply one option out of many, but as time went by, we felt more and more resolved to begin the steps it takes to adopt internationally.

We are church planters in the Austin area, and are deeply committed to living missionally in our world.  As followers of Christ, we are called to care for orphans and to be known for our love of others.  Our child will come from an orphanage in Calcutta, the city where Mother Teresa shed light on the darkness of poverty and outcasts.  For us, there is no greater picture of the good news than adoption.  Over the past several years, we have found meaning and fulfillment with friends and our "chosen family" - people who have become like brothers and sisters to us.  Our story is also their story, and we are excited about our community of faith joining with us in this!

We are still in the beginning stages of our adoption through Dillon International, and are prepared for a two-year journey that will test our patience and resolve.  But we know that the power of faith, hope, and love can change the world and we are excited to see what God does in the life of our new child.  

The Chosen: Marathon for Adoption is a very special way for us to raise funds.  A postpartum health condition initially opened our hearts to adoption, and I have pursued a healthier lifestyle through races like this one.  Over the past three years, I have lost 115 pounds, done two half-marathons and a triathlon, and now am ready to run my first full marathon!  I am excited to reach a personal goal, challenge others to do the same, and, in addition, raise support to bring a child home from India. 

Those who register and indicate that they are a part of Team Sears will have 100% of their race fees designated to help us fund our adoption.  Please consider joining us!  For more information about our journey, follow us online at our blog.

Kyle and Erika Sears (Hutto, TX)

Application #2 Received

We received Application #2 in the mail today.  Lots of stuff to work through!  In addition to each of us writing an autobiography, we need to get references from friends, family, doctors, and school employees.  I'm ordering copies of all of our birth certificates, and we're getting an official will in place too.

Continue to keep us in your prayers that this step goes smoothly.

Application #1 Approved

We received word yesterday that Application #1 was approved.  Next comes Application #2, and, upon approval, our first big chunk of payment (about $5,000).  Want to help?  Make a donation at the link on the sidebar.

Please keep us in your prayers as we continue to move forward.

Beginnings

Erika and I have discussed the possibility of adoption for a couple of years now.  We began the discussions as simply an option out of many, but over the past few months we have felt more and more resolved to begin the steps it takes to adopt internationally.

Today I am submitting the first of many applications and forms to see this dream through.  We're looking at a two-year journey that I'm sure will test our patience, faith, and resolve.

Over the past several years, we have found the importance of friends, community, and "chosen family" - people who have become like brothers and sisters.  Our story is also their story.  I hope you journey with us!